However, Xie Lian still said, “Let me go. I don’t think Crimson Rain Sought Flower is a disingenuous person.”
Jun Wu looked at him. “Xianle, I know you are very capable and know what you are doing. However, I also know that you always think the best of everyone.”
Xie Lian gave a small smile at his words. “Please don’t say it like I’m a little princess who has never left home. Those words really don’t suit me anymore.”
Jun Wu shook his head. “I should not comment on the friends you make, but I will still say this: be careful of Hua Cheng.”
Hearing this, Xie Lian bowed his head slightly, keeping his eyes down and saying nothing. He should’ve responded with “Yes, My Lord,” as he should have been able to say yes with ease by that point. Yet, for some reason, he really didn’t want to say that particular “yes.”
“Be especially careful of that wicked blade of his,” Jun Wu added.
“What do you mean?” Xie Lian asked.
“The scimitar Eming is a cursed blade, a blade of misfortune. To forge such an evil weapon would require terrifyingly cruel sacrifice and bloody determination. Do not touch it, and do not let it touch you either. If you do, the consequences will be unimaginable,” Jun Wu replied.
Xie Lian couldn’t tell where his sudden surge of confidence came from, but inwardly, he thought: San Lang probably wouldn’t strike at me with a blade.
Still, he responded, “Xianle understands.”
Jun Wu nodded. “I will of course be at ease knowing that you have taken this case. Since this does not make things awkward for you, then it is ideal. Nonetheless, going on this mission alone may be too much. Are there any officials you would like to join you?”
“…It doesn’t matter,” Xie Lian said, after some thought. “But preferably someone easy to get along with. It’d be best if they’re powerful too, so they can lend me some spiritual power sometimes.”
Jun Wu smiled. “You disqualified both Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen with the first condition.”
That was true. No one could say that the Feng Xin and Mu Qing of today were personalities that were easy to get along with. Xie Lian started chuckling too.
“How are things between the three of you? Have you spoken with them yet?” Jun Wu asked.
The Heavenly Emperor himself never entered the communication array and thus was naturally unaware of the buzzing chitchat that went on among the officials.
“We spoke a few words,” Xie Lian replied.
“It’s been so many years, and yet you have only spoken a few words?” Jun Wu inquired. “Ah, yes. I heard that when you ascended this time, you destroyed many of your fellow officials’ palaces, one of which was Nan Yang’s.”
Xie Lian argued back, “I paid back that debt! All eight million eight hundred and eighty thousand merits! And for this, I need to thank My Lord for giving me the opportunity to go to Mount Yujun.”
“Thank Nan Yang,” Jun Wu replied. “I heard Ling Wen say it was he who privately approached her and said there was no need for you to pay back the reconstruction cost.”
Xie Lian was stunned. “I…didn’t know about this at all.”
No wonder those eight million eight hundred and eighty thousand merits were so easily repaid if it turned out that so much of it had already been intentionally forgiven. Yet at the time, it was the Palace of Nan Yang that suffered the most damage; he’d been told half of the golden roof had collapsed.
“Nan Yang made sure Ling Wen would not tell you, so you were naturally unaware. Since he did not want you to know, it would be best to continue feigning ignorance,” Jun Wu said.
Xie Lian didn’t know how to feel about this. Complicated and bittersweet feelings clouded his mind, and his thoughts scattered all over the place. Finally, he only sighed soundlessly and thought, Truly, in this world, the words “don’t tell anyone” are empty.
Jun Wu contemplated for a moment, then asked once more, “If Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen will not do, how about the Wind Master?”
Xie Lian pondered the option. “Lord Wind Master is a very good person, but I don’t know if she would want to go on this mission with me.”
“The Wind Master is powerful,” Jun Wu said. “A lively person who enjoys making friends and thus matches your first condition of ‘easy to get along with.’ When reporting in with me, the Wind Master also spoke well of you. I think you two will be fine. If you do not have any other questions, then descend with the Wind Master and go forth to investigate Ghost City. Also…”