Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu (Novel) Vol. 2(75)
Following Ling Wen’s report, Jun Wu appointed Feng Xin and Mu Qing to assist Pei Ming in strengthening security and settled a few other matters before waving his hand and dismissing everyone. Xie Lian stayed behind, and he could hear the faint conversations passing by.
“I knew it. Whenever he stirs up anything, the Emperor says he’ll interrogate him, but in the end nothing comes of it…”
“We’ve been blind—he’s actually someone significant. Gotta watch what we say from now on.”
***
Once everyone left, Xie Lian approached the throne and bowed.
“I’ve caused My Lord problems.”
“This does not count as a problem just yet. The real problem was you stubbornly proclaiming yourself the only one responsible for the Gilded Banquet Massacre.”
Xie Lian was hesitant, but in the end still gave an account of the whole story.
After listening to the story, Jun Wu commented, “Xianle, in regards to your methods in managing this matter, you worked hard for nothing and pleased no one.”
Xie Lian hung his head. “I know.”
“Never mind. You are always like this,” Jun Wu said. “Tai Hua has now changed focus to pursue the Green Ghost. Once he succeeds, he will certainly return for you. Have you thought on how you will face him?”
“Not yet. But let’s focus on something else,” Xie Lian replied.
Jun Wu chuckled. “Such as? Is it something interesting that can amuse me?”
“Was it My Lord who sent the Earth Master to Ghost City as a spy?” Xie Lian asked.
“Yes,” Jun Wu answered leisurely.
“Why?”
Jun Wu answered slowly, “Because it was Hua Cheng who planted a spy in the Heavenly Realm first.”
Xie Lian was taken aback. Jun Wu stood.
“For many years, news has reached Hua Cheng’s ears too quickly. There were many things he should not have known and instead knew too well. As for what can be done and what cannot be done, where the line is and how to cross said line, he is overly perceptive and precise. That he could connect directly to your Palace of Xianle only proves that he does indeed have a spy here in the Heavenly Realm, otherwise it could not have been done.”
To be honest, Xie Lian had noticed this too. After all, Hua Cheng really did know way too much; hearing Jun Wu say it out loud, it wasn’t hard to believe.
“Does My Lord have any evidence?” Xie Lian inquired.
Jun Wu shook his head slowly. “It is because there was no proof, but things were suspicious regardless, that I sent Ming Yi to the Ghost Realm. It was unexpected that Ming Yi fell into his hands before the spy was found. Although you saved him from Hua Cheng’s grasp, now it will be even more difficult to find that spy.”
“Is it the Upper Court or the Middle Court that’s the problem?” Xie Lian asked.
“Hard to say,” Jun Wu said. “Aside from you, it might be anyone. Perhaps there is only one mole. Perhaps more.”
No wonder Jun Wu didn’t appoint anyone else to investigate Ming Yi’s disappearance. If it could be anyone besides him, Xie Lian couldn’t help but think: Even the Wind Master, Qianqiu, Feng Xin—everyone is a possible agent?
Just then, Jun Wu spoke. “Xianle, I know you think highly of Hua Cheng right now. You understand your own position, and others should not comment on the friends you make. However, when necessary, be wary of Hua Cheng. Do not give anything away.”
Hearing this, Xie Lian schooled his thoughts.
Jun Wu continued, “To become a supreme, one must have experienced unimaginable suffering and pain. One either ascends from such tribulations or is doomed to the depths of hell, never to return. The two Supreme Ghost Kings that emerged from Mount Tonglu, Black Water and Hua Cheng, are both far more frightening than you think.”
Xie Lian lowered his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Jun Wu said, “I do not know what his objectives or directives are, but he knows the motives and movements of the Upper Court. That in itself is disadvantageous.”
When he heard the word “disadvantageous,” Xie Lian raised his head and blurted, “San Lang, he…”
Seeing that Jun Wu turned his head to him, Xie Lian paused, then corrected himself.
“Hua Cheng shouldn’t do anything overly malicious. If My Lord thinks about it, with his strength, should he have wanted to cause havoc and raise hell, he would’ve done so already. If he didn’t before, then without real reason, he won’t in the future.”
“Pray that it will be so,” Jun Wu said. “But you know I cannot take that risk.”
***
After leaving the Palace of Divine Might, Xie Lian paced slowly down the streets of the Heavenly Court. When he passed by the Palace of Xianle, he stopped to appraise it.
This was the palace gifted him by Jun Wu; resplendent, brand new, but also foreign. The large, scarlet-red doors were shiny and bright but were plastered with nailed-on talismans and charms, forming a giant “X” and cautioning anyone who should see.
When Shi Qingxuan left the Palace of Divine Might, he had told Xie Lian that his palace was currently sealed shut since it was connected to elsewhere, so Xie Lian was welcome to rest at his palace instead. However, after staring at this Palace of Xianle for a while, Xie Lian suddenly turned on his heel. He didn’t go to the Palace of the Wind Master either. He stopped caring what he was originally going to do and instead headed straight to the Ascension Gates and jumped.