The voice was decorous and mellow, but the words were unpleasant—it was, of course, Mu Qing. He crossed into the great hall and also took a look at Xie Lian, then at Lang Qianqiu. Yet the face he made was the opposite of Feng Xin: he merely arched his brows slightly, looking like he was ready to watch a good show. Seeing how Feng Xin moved to check on Xie Lian’s arm, he bent down to check on Ming Yi.
He said, “So this is Lord Earth Master?”
During that exchange, a number of heavenly officials poured into the hall one after another. Earth Master Yi had always been inconspicuous and stayed out of sight, so for many, it was the first time they had ever seen him in person, and they bunched around, staring at him with great interest. The masses were mostly confused, not knowing why they were gathering at the Palace of Divine Might, but having collected the Wind Master’s merits, they had to come and check it out.
“Thanks, but I’m all right. Leave it and it’ll recover on its own,” Xie Lian said to Feng Xin.
Feng Xin didn’t mince words. “Take care of yourself.”
Xie Lian uttered another soft thanks, but when he turned around, Lang Qianqiu was staring at him with a dazed look.
“Your Highness Tai Hua, what’s the matter?” he asked.
Feng Xin also noticed something off about Lang Qianqiu and questioned, “Was His Highness Tai Hua also injured somewhere?”
“I don’t think so. Let me see,” Xie Lian said and extended his hand, reaching for Lang Qianqiu’s brow. Yet unexpectedly, with his quick eyes and deft hand, Lang Qianqiu seized Xie Lian’s wrist.
There was still some hesitation on Lang Qianqiu’s face, as if he had discovered something but still wasn’t sure. However, there was already fire burning in his eyes. Xie Lian felt the trembling of rage passing from Lang Qianqiu’s arm to his.
Now all the spectating officials had noticed this unusual situation and started whispering among themselves. Shi Qingxuan and Mu Qing both began to rise, and Feng Xin asked, “Your Highness Tai Hua, what are you doing?”
Lang Qianqiu finally moved his lips. He only uttered two words, but Xie Lian’s heart sank all the way to the very bottom.
“…State Preceptor?” Lang Qianqiu said through gritted teeth.
Xie Lian’s pupils contracted slightly.
The onlooking heavenly officials muttered, half guessing, half confused. “What State Preceptor? Who’s the State Preceptor?” Some were more astute and immediately figured it out.
Lang Qianqiu was the Crown Prince of Yong’an, and the State Preceptor of Yong’an during his time was the second of the Dual Evil Masters: the State Preceptor Fangxin. No one knew his origin or his background. Yet in this moment, Lang Qianqiu had Xie Lian in his grip and called him “State Preceptor.” Did this mean…that Xie Lian was the evil cultivator who brought ruin to Yong’an—the State Preceptor Fangxin?!
However, Xie Lian was the Crown Prince of Xianle. The Kingdom of Xianle had fallen at the hands of the Kingdom of Yong’an, so why would he become the State Preceptor of Yong’an?
His Highness Tai Hua was renowned in the Upper Court for his optimism and cheerfulness. He was never calculating, nor did he make things difficult for anyone, and he had never before shown such an expression: half despair, half rage…half enmity, half hatred.
Lang Qianqiu had Xie Lian in a death grip, his breathing growing harsher, and finally he said in a strained voice, “You… I killed you with my own two hands. Sealed you in that coffin myself. You…State Preceptor, you certainly are remarkable!”
Heavens. It would appear that something big was about to go down today!
Chapter 18:
The Villainous State Preceptor, Gilded Banquet Awash in Blood
FENG XIN WAS STANDING the closest to the two, and he looked at Xie Lian with unconcealed shock. Mu Qing’s eyes were glimmering, however, and his restrained shock contained a faint underlying excitement.
Shi Qingxuan laid Ming Yi down and said, “Qianqiu, did you make a mistake? If His Highness was the State Preceptor Fangxin, why would it take you until now to recognize him?”
Another voice rang out from the sidelines, “Qingxuan, you don’t know? Legends say the State Preceptor Fangxin was aloof, mysterious, and cold. He never showed his face in public and always wore a mask of silver. I’m sure His Highness Tai Hua must’ve never seen his face.”
The one who spoke had his arms crossed and stood on the sidelines. It was Pei Ming. The mere sight of him annoyed Shi Qingxuan, and he swung his whisk.