Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(70)

Xie Lian nodded, and Hua Cheng concluded.

“So he was most likely killed, and the reason for his death had something to do with the Gilded Banquet. My initial deduction was that it was the work of Yong’an nobility, but nothing happened to the descendants of Xianle, so it couldn’t have been them. I thought about it and came to my present conclusion.”

Xie Lian smiled and was amazed. “So few clues, and yet you deduced so accurately.”

“It’s not hard,” Hua Cheng said. “You just have to know the main people involved well.”

“That’s for sure, but in your deduction, there is a significant assumption that I don’t understand.”

“And that is?” Hua Cheng asked.

“Why were you so convinced that Qi Rong was the one who made the first move?”

“It’s not that I believed he did it. I just believed that you didn’t.”

Xie Lian’s smile faded at this. He was quiet for a moment before asking, “Why is that?”

“If you had admitted to the Gilded Banquet Massacre using any other reason, then I would’ve believed it was you,” Hua Cheng replied. “The Yong’an king was a diligent ruler, loved by the people, and yet Lang Qianqiu said the reason you told him was ‘I couldn’t stand seeing your people on the throne.’

“That was a model declaration for someone intent on overthrowing the crown. But if that declaration came from you, it’d be a poor attempt at tarnishing your name.”

Xie Lian puffed a soundless laugh at the mention. “‘Tarnishing my name’? You didn’t think that I might have harbored those thoughts deep down inside? Maybe I do have some resentment hidden.”

“Thoughts are thoughts. You wouldn’t have acted on them,” Hua Cheng said.

Xie Lian shut his mouth. After a moment, he said, “San Lang, I’m not the person you think I am. You—”

Xie Lian closed his eyes and shook his head, as if unsure whether to continue.

Hua Cheng urged, “Tell me, it’s fine.”

Xie Lian chewed on his words but finally said, “I just think it’s best for people not to place too much hope on someone else.”

“Oh?” Hua Cheng hummed. “And what do you mean by that?”

“You shouldn’t idolize people or think of them as overly perfect,” Xie Lian replied. “If you’re just watching a shadow from afar and never interacting, then sure. But once acquainted and grown close, one day you’ll find that this person isn’t what you imagined, maybe even the complete opposite. When that happens, you’ll be very disappointed.”

Hua Cheng disagreed respectfully. “You never know. I don’t care if anyone else is disappointed. But to some, the very existence of a certain person in this world is in itself hope.”

Although he didn’t specify who “some” were, or who “a certain person” was, and though his tone was plain and casual like he was making an offhand comment, Xie Lian’s heart suddenly lifted, and he felt light.

He paused in his step and couldn’t speak for a long time. A moment later, he suddenly asked, “San Lang, who are you, really?”

Hua Cheng stopped too, and he turned his head to look at him.

Xie Lian looked him squarely in his eye and asked seriously, “You knew who Qi Rong was and his background. You knew who I was and how to paint the God-Pleasing Crown Prince. You seem to know everything about me. You know a lot. Maybe even more than you let on.”

Hua Cheng arched his brows. “Don’t I always know a lot?”

Xie Lian shook his head. “It’s not the same.”

His left hand held his right elbow while his right hand propped up his chin. He looked at Hua Cheng in wonder.

“I’ve always had the feeling that you’re someone from my past and that you must’ve known me from very early on. Maybe it was during my first ascension; no, maybe even earlier. Yet…I really don’t remember. When have I ever met a character like you?”

Someone like Hua Cheng would be unforgettable from the first meeting. Xie Lian had never bashed his head in and lost his memories, so if they had met, there was no reason he wouldn’t remember.

Xie Lian gazed at him, fixated and somewhat bemused. “Who are you exactly? Have I met you before?”

Hua Cheng didn’t answer, but his lips lifted softly. Xie Lian immediately returned to his senses and realized that his questions were extremely inappropriate.

A ghost’s real name was usually a secret. Not counting unfathomably abnormal cases like Qi Rong, a ghost usually wouldn’t tell it to anyone.

Xie Lian hurriedly said, “I’m sorry, don’t mind me. I was just asking. You don’t have to answer me. Who you are doesn’t matter.”

Just then, Hua Cheng’s eye squinted. Xie Lian sensed something as well and looked back. From nearby, in the caves behind them, came the sound of noisy chatter and the clear, loud voice of a woman.

“I told you, my powers are stronger in my female form, and even my luck is better! Yet you still wouldn’t let me. Do you see now? We rolled it right this time!!”

It was Shi Qingxuan’s voice.

Xie Lian blurted out, “Lord Wind Master!”

As he had guessed, a white-clad lady cultivator came sprinting out of a cave opening, and her eyes lit up when she saw Xie Lian.