Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(60)
Obviously, those things weren’t within the realm of consideration for Qi Rong. He swore like there wasn’t a single person in the Three Realms he didn’t want cursed to death. He called Pei Ming a rotten manwhore, Little Pei a kiss-ass, Jun Wu a faker, Ling Wen a damned bitch, Lang Qianqiu a moron, Quan Yizhen dog shit, the Water Master blackhearted, the Wind Master a tramp—he probably didn’t know Shi Qingxuan was actually a man. If Xie Lian wasn’t seeing it now with his own two eyes, he wouldn’t be able to believe anyone could be so resentful. Finally, Qi Rong made it to the main point, which was how Hua Cheng and that lurking Ship-Sinking Black Water looked down on him. They were mere supremes; one day for sure he’d make them kneel before him.
Xie Lian knew he should be angry hearing this, but because it was impossible to imagine how that would ever play out, he couldn’t help but find it hilarious instead. He stole a glimpse at Hua Cheng. Hua Cheng himself didn’t react but was instead still staring at that kneeling stone statue.
Finally, thank the gods, Qi Rong seemed to be assuaged by his tirade of abuse and changed the subject. “How did that thing go that I sent you guys to do? Have Quan Yizhen and that manwhore Pei started fighting yet?”
He sat down as he spoke, lounging on his luxurious throne. He raised his legs and rested his boots on the shoulders of the statue, using it as a footstool.
Xie Lian had been holding on to Hua Cheng’s arm and stopped him immediately when he felt him shuffle a step forward. He worried that his tug back might not be enough, so he drew another word in Hua Cheng’s palm: “Thanks.”
Hua Cheng recognized the word. He lowered his head and glanced at Xie Lian, who was watching him with gratefulness in his eyes, thanking him for his good intentions. Then Xie Lian shook his head lightly and drew the words “listen” and “heaven.”
Judging by Qi Rong’s talk, it seemed he sent some henchmen to complete a task, and it had something to do with those two heavenly officials. It couldn’t be anything good, so Xie Lian had to keep listening. As for the statue getting used as a footstool, considering he’d been used as a threshold before, this really meant nothing to Xie Lian. It was only a piece of rock, not really him. Although he had only written those three simple words, when their eyes met, Xie Lian knew Hua Cheng had understood their meaning. Hua Cheng slowly gripped his hand tight and turned his head away, so Xie Lian could no longer see his expression.
A little green ghost spoke up. “We’ve followed our king’s instructions and spread the rumor that Pei Ming wants to make Pei Xiu the Martial God of the West. It’s becoming more and more of a riot by the day, so we used that as an excuse and desecrated hundreds of Ming Guang temples disguised as devotees from the Palace of Qi Ying. And no one was the wiser! Ha ha ha, my king may not know, but all his devotees are really stupid! They saw us smashing temples and smashed along with us with even more enthusiasm!”
Qi Rong approved. “Keep fueling them! Quan Yizhen can endure it, but I refuse to believe that manwhore Pei can put up with it!”
Even if the rumors they were spreading weren’t exactly false, malicious talk like this was still full of ill intent. Especially vile was doing something as unscrupulous as disguising themselves as mortals to sabotage temples and incite discontent. No wonder that whenever Qi Rong was mentioned, everyone in the heavens said that although he wasn’t that capable, he was truly extremely annoying.
Xie Lian noted mentally, If there’s a chance, do tell Jun Wu to watch for any discord between those two heavenly officials that others might have sown.
When Qi Rong finished talking business, he lay back, and his long legs resting on the statue changed position. The little ghosts immediately knew what to do and went to the small band of humans to pick out the best cuts. The one child in the group was probably not even ten years of age and wasn’t very aware of his predicament. He blinked his large eyes and held on tight to his father’s shirt, tugging at it the more scared he became. His young father’s face was ashen pale, shuddering while trying to comfort him: “Don’t be scared, don’t be scared.” Yet it was obvious he himself was terrified to the bone.
One of the little green ghosts saw there was a child and was delighted, reaching out to grab at him. The young father yelped and jolted. Xie Lian started moving before he knew what he was going to do, but then he felt the figure next to him dart out. Xie Lian turned his head to see, and Hua Cheng had stepped out from within the crowd.
Since Hua Cheng had come specifically to seek out the Green Ghost, he should’ve lifted his disguise now that he’d found Qi Rong. Xie Lian had no doubt that Hua Cheng was powerful enough to destroy everything in sight, and all would be powerless to stop him. Yet Hua Cheng did not reveal his true form and maintained the skin of that normal-looking young man as he lazily walked forward.
A number of little green ghosts raised their weapons and shouted in alarm, “Stop! What are you doing?!”
Qi Rong asked curiously, with his feet still up, “What’s with that guy? Seize him.”
Hua Cheng laughed. “Won’t you all show a little respect in the presence of Xianle royalty?”
Qi Rong wasn’t the only one shocked by those words—even Xie Lian was taken aback.
Instantly after, Qi Rong shot to his feet and snorted beneath his mask as if he’d laughed out of sheer anger. “What fucking audacity! To make such a joke before me?! Tell me then, what branch of the Xianle royal tree are you from? Which one?!”