Heaven Official's Blessing Chapter 191-198 - End of Book 4
Previously on Heaven Official's Blessing...
Xie Lian found himself in a state of bewilderment, unsure if he was awake or dreaming.
If he were truly awake, he would have been aware of and reacted to his surroundings, having no recollection of anything. Yet, if he were asleep, his eyes had remained open throughout.
By the time clarity returned, White No-Face had already fastened a black sword to his waist. With the air of an elder bestowing a prize upon a child, he declared, "This is my gift to you."
He then tapped the hilt and softly added, his voice laden with unspoken significance, "It will undoubtedly be far sharper than any of the swords you once collected from Jun Wu."
Xie Lian allowed White No-Face to attach the sword without protest or resistance, knowing any struggle would be futile.
In this dazed state, adorned in new robes and armed with a new sacred sword, he carried his revitalized body out of the Temple of the Crown Prince and into the encroaching darkness. White No-Face's voice called out from behind, "Wait."
Xie Lian halted his steps. White No-Face materialized beside him soundlessly and placed a white silken band into his hands, saying, "You forgot this."
It was the same white band Xie Lian had initially used to cover his face, and which had later been employed to restrain him.
Xie Lian stumbled down the mountain alone.
Dawn had broken, and the sun had risen, but as its light fell upon him, Xie Lian felt no warmth.
On his descent, he came across a small, babbling stream, its waters clear and sparkling. He approached the banks, and his reflection stared back from the water's surface. Xie Lian gazed at his own pallid countenance.
The face was smooth and white as chalk, utterly unmarred. Likewise, his neck, chest, and abdomen showed no signs of injury. The longer he looked, the more he couldn't bear it, and he lowered his head, cupping the stream water in his hands to wash his face and take several sips. As he drank, he suddenly noticed something upstream.
He slowly looked up and saw, not far in the distance on the upstream bank, beside a large boulder, a slumped corpse. Judging by its clothing, it was the muscular street performer.
The man had not made it down the mountain, having met his end on the road instead. A significant pool of blood stained the large boulder, suggesting he had smashed himself against it in either agony or terror before dying. The corpse was already decomposing, half of it submerged in the water, emitting a foul stench. Yet, despite its stillness, several grotesquely malformed little faces were still wriggling on the half-rotted visage.
Kneeling by the stream, Xie Lian retched violently for over an hour, his heaving so intense that blood emerged.
After finally descending the mountain, he wandered for a considerable time, drifting aimlessly through the main thoroughfares without any particular destination. Abruptly, a hand clamped onto his shoulder and yanked him into an alley. Xie Lian looked around, and before he could even see the person's face, a fist was already hurtling towards him, accompanied by the furious question, "WHERE DID YOU RUN OFF TO THESE PAST FEW DAYS???"
Behind the fist was Feng Xin's enraged expression. By the time Xie Lian registered this, he had already been knocked to the ground by the blow.
Feng Xin hadn't anticipated that Xie Lian would be sent down so easily. He stared at his own fist, then at Xie Lian lying on the ground, a look of bewilderment crossing his face. Before Feng Xin could move to help him up, Xie Lian had already crawled to his feet. Feng Xin's expression shifted, but his temper still flared as he added, "You've got quite the temper! Leaving without a word before running off!"
disappearing for two months! Do you know just how worried His Majesties have been?
Xie Lian wiped away the splattered nosebleed from his face, “I’m sorry.”
Seeing that he was making things worse with the wiping, Feng Xin heaved a heavy sigh, “Your Highness! Forget it with the apology, it’s meaningless between us, but you... just what happened to you? Can’t you tell me?” He noticed that black sword hanging on Xie Lian’s waist and asked, “And where did you get that sword from?”
Xie Lian had indeed wanted to explain. But, upon recalling the argument between him and Feng Xin when he departed, and the dubious expression on Feng Xin’s face at the time, plus that unpleasant experience he never wished to relive, he could only repeat, “I’m sorry.”
The two returned to their previous hiding spot, and upon seeing Xie Lian, the queen embraced him and wept. The king appeared to have aged considerably more; previously, it was finding white hairs amongst the black, now, it was finding black strands amidst all the white. Yet, for some reason, he wasn’t enraged, and only spoke a few words before falling silent. The three of them were likely afraid that if Xie Lian was further provoked, he’d abscond for another half a month, so their words and gestures towards him were all exceedingly careful.
“Feng Xin.”
After consuming a simple and rough meal, Xie Lian unfastened the black sword from his waist and handed it over, “Take this sword. Pawn it.”
Feng Xin observed that the hand holding the sword was trembling but couldn’t comprehend the reason, “Why do you want me to pawn it?”
“Didn’t you request money before?” Xie Lian stated.
Upon hearing this, a brief expression of hurt suddenly flashed across Feng Xin’s face, and shortly after, he shook his head, “I don’t need it anymore.”
Xie Lian uttered no further words. He discarded the black sword to the side, ceased to pay it any mind, then collapsed and fell into a deep sleep.
This time, upon his return, Xie Lian acted as if nothing untoward had occurred, harboring the hope that everything would return to normal as swiftly as possible, that he could resume his original state. Soon, he and Feng Xin ventured out to perform on the streets.
Initially, Feng Xin remained concerned, “Forget it, just rest for a couple more days.”
“I’ve already rested for nearly two months.” Xie Lian replied, “If those street performers continue to come and cause trouble, then it’d be simpler to handle them with two people.”
However, Feng Xin revealed, “They’ve stopped coming a long time ago.”
This wasn't because that powerful street performer from before had perished and left no successor, but rather because Feng Xin had established his presence there for an extended period. When he had first arrived, everyone viewed him as a novelty, but as time progressed, that novelty had also waned, and now, observing him was no different than watching the other local buskers. Compared to the past, Feng Xin had lost his competitive impulse. Now that he posed no threat, the other street performers ceased their harassment, as everyone earned roughly the same amount, making it all the same.
Consequently, regardless of how forcefully Feng Xin shot his arrows, regardless of how masterful his abilities, the audience that gathered to witness and reward his endeavors was less than half of what it was before. In fact, it had diminished to less than ten percent of its former state. After toiling for more than half the day, Feng Xin was left exhausted and drenched in sweat, eventually sinking down to rest on the side.
“Let me go up.” Xie Lian proposed.
“Nah, don’t bother yourself with it.” Feng Xin declined.
However, Xie Lian paid him no heed and proceeded upwards. Observing the shift in expressions, the passersby became intrigued once more, “And what special talents do you possess, little friend?”
Xie Lian offered no reply. He retrieved a fallen branch, commencing a series of sword art movements. Amidst the whistling sounds of his practice, the tip, imbued with sword aura, carried a sharp edge, drawing a few encouraging cheers from those present. Feng Xin observed from the periphery, his expression a complex mix, and after a short while, he turned his gaze away. Xie Lian felt no shame, nor did any burden weigh upon his heart; he simply continued his sword swings with earnestness. Just then, a voice from the crowd suddenly cried out, “SO BORING! WHAT A FEEBLE DISPLAY! Who wants to watch you poke blindly at a chicken with a tree branch?” Feng Xin instantly leaped to his feet, shouting, “WATCH YOUR TONGUE!” Xie Lian’s movements faltered, and he turned his head to look. Within the throng, a man sat casually, munching on a melon and spitting seeds, clearly present for the spectacle. He called out to Feng Xin, “This esteemed patron is here to watch a street performance! I’ll say what I please. You’re here to collect our offerings, and you dare scold us, the ones bestowing the rewards? Switch to a real sword! If you wield a genuine blade, this grandmaster might consider tossing you a few seeds!” The instant he shouted, others joined in. Feng Xin was incensed and about to take action when suddenly, a white blur streaked past. Xie Lian was already beside the heckler, had seized him, and hurled him high into the air. Displaying incredible strength, he sent the man flying meters away, melon rinds tumbling everywhere.