Vol.08 Heaven Official's Blessing: Tian Guan Ci Fu

More effort meant a more precious treasure—and wouldn’t that demonstrate his sincerity wonderfully? All the better if it was the treasure hardest to acquire in the whole world, one that no one had ever succeeded in obtaining. That way, it would make for an extraordinarily meaningful gift should he retrieve it for Hua Cheng. When he thought about how Hua Cheng would slightly arch one eyebrow and curl one corner of his lips upward, Xie Lian was seized by uncontrollable excitement—he couldn’t wait to jump into action.

The moment he saw the God-Pleasing Crown Prince statue, the little one was stunned, frozen in place. His unbandaged eye widened, and he hurried over with thumping steps. He clearly wanted to grab the hem of the Crown Prince’s clothing and pounce on him, but at the same time, he didn’t dare get too close lest he dirty his robes. It was a long time before he extended his arms very carefully and opened his stubborn little fists.
There was a single tiny flower hidden in his hands.
The God-Pleasing Crown Prince gave the boy a small smile as he accepted the flower. Then he reached one hand out and picked the boy up, hoisting him up into his arms. The two left happily, just like that. One had finally found someone to admire his sword dance, and one had finally found someone to offer his flower.

Hua Cheng ignored him. He listened intently for a moment before asking, “Where’s the announcement? The Upper Court couldn’t possibly be going back on its word now, could it?”
Feng Xin knew exactly what Hua Cheng meant by “announcement”—in light of his service in saving the Heavens and Earth, the Upper Court had been forced to proclaim and exalt Crimson Rain Sought Flower’s heroic deeds for an entire year. The veins on his forehead bulged violently.

It dawned on the Scrap Immortal. The burning “something” was the ardent heart with which the Great Ghost King loved him.
Thus, the Scrap Immortal and the Great Ghost King happily went to consummate their marriage once more, never to part again.

“Gege, if you’re unhappy, you can yell at him again—San Lang doesn’t mind.”
Xie Lian couldn’t bear to listen anymore. He began to creep away, his hand still over his forehead, and by the time Hua Cheng turned back to him, he was gone.
“Gege? Don’t run away. All right, I screwed up. Gege!”
Stop with the “gege,” already! Jeez!

“At least three days, at most five,” said San Lang. “I suggest you try to relax, Daozhang. Why don’t you find a place to rest while you wait?”
But I have nowhere to stay, he thought, but San Lang continued speaking.
“If you have no place to stay, why not come to my place? My house is big, and there aren’t many people living in it.”
Unable to resist any longer, Xie Lian said softly, “San Lang, you’re so… You’re such a good person.”

“What custom is this?” he asked.
San Lang smiled. “Well, it’s related to Hua Cheng, now that we’re on the topic.”
“Huh?”
“He and his beloved have both tied red strings to their fingers, and many people have followed suit in the hope of finding their future spouse or as a symbol of love.”

“That’s too random!” Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but after a pause, he asked quietly, “…Does he really believe His Highness will become a god for certain?”
“He doesn’t believe,” San Lang said slowly, then his lips widened into a grin. “He knows.”

This stranger in red was clearly just playing with that pretty, delicate bead—it was a simple act. And yet Xie Lian could sense an undercurrent of lasciviousness. It was like the jewel he held between his fingers and rubbed so slowly, so gently, wasn’t a red pearl at all but some sensitive part of his body. Xie Lian felt his face grow inexplicably hot, and his breathing turned harsh. He was in a miserable state.

Xie Lian stood in front of the songstress and shielded her. He cracked his knuckles, though he did not allow his anger to show on his face.
“Quit while you’re ahead,” he said darkly. “Anyone would be moved by the sight of a flowerlike beauty, but if you do not understand how to treat her with respect, then you are shamefully classless.”