Chapter 32 Banxianfang's Thousand Encounters 2: Lu Yang greets the enemy outside the city...
Lu Yang was waiting for the enemy outside the city when he unexpectedly discovered that Ye Zi's spies had infiltrated the city. They used the city's inhabitants to blackmail Yin Chi, and thus captured her alive.
When Emperor Han Yue was still the Crown Prince of Wumu Kingdom, he married Wen Shenmu Yi, who was then the Holy Maiden of Yezi. The relationship between the two countries reached an unprecedented level of goodness because of the two of them.
Time passed and the world changed. Later, the couple both became gods. Less than ten years later, the power of all spirits descended from the heavens, causing the Three Realms to fall into ruin, and all living beings had long suffered. In that great battle, Mu Yi died, and Han Yue personally killed his best friend who possessed the power of all spirits, transforming himself into the emperor who ruled the Three Realms.
He ordered the destruction of his best friend's country, broke ties with his former best friend Spring God, ignored his departed wife and friends, and even abandoned his young child.
People had many complaints about this, but he put righteousness above his own family and sealed away the power of all spirits. He was a savior god, and people remembered more for his heroic deeds in protecting all living beings.
Compared to the common people, those facts are insignificant.
But precisely because of this, the relationship between the two countries unknowingly drifted apart.
By the time of Lu Yang, the ruler was incompetent and corrupt, and his rule was chaotic. He indulged in pleasure with beautiful women, spending his days drinking and reveling, while constantly sending troops to wage war, causing turmoil in the court and unrest among the people. Unable to bear the harassment any longer, Ye Zi finally launched a counterattack against Wu Mu, settling old and new scores all at once.
Yin Chi sent the city's inhabitants away overnight, leaving only a few soldiers and some unwilling civilians to remain. With the royal family and officials gone, the Yezi soldiers vented their hatred on Yin Chi. They severed her hands and feet, her blood staining her pristine white dress, yet she remained silent. They then tied her long black hair to a rope and suspended her from the city wall, using her to force Lu Yang to submit.
The rope tied to her hair swayed back and forth, and blood was still dripping from her body, which made her almost unable to feel the tearing pain of her hair separating from her scalp.
Yin Chi still retained a sliver of consciousness. At first, she could hear many sounds: the laughter and mockery of the Yezi soldiers, the painful cries of the people of the royal city, Lu Yang's heart-wrenching shouts, and her own gradually weakening heartbeat...
Yin Chi thought to himself, "I wish the people well, and I wish we would never meet again."
Soon she could hear nothing more. With a "bang," she fell from the city wall, her hair and scalp ripped off, leaving her bloodied and mangled. She died instantly.
Lu Yang also committed suicide by sword the moment Yin Chi fell from the building, asking for only one thing before his death: not to harm the common people.
He gazed in the direction of Yin Chi, his eyes never closing in peace until his death.
Heaven, moved by their heroic sacrifice, granted them permission to ascend together.
But Yin Chi had made up her mind that she no longer wanted to be in the same place as Lu Yang, and even less wanted to have any further involvement with him in this life. On the day of her ascension, she jumped down without hesitation, becoming the Ghost King and the Thousand-Faced Floating Spirit she is today.
Yin Chi has let go, but Lu Yang hasn't.
He had already regretted it on the eve of the war. He had intended to apologize and make amends with her after everything was over, but unexpectedly, the entire court was deserted, abandoning the people. He had no choice but to fight alone, donning armor to face the enemy, and finally committed suicide, never able to explain things to her clearly.
He refused to give up and would come to the Ghost Realm to find Yin Chi every few days, but he was always turned away. Eventually, she got impatient and obtained a cannon from somewhere, which sent Lu Yang flying into the sky.
This is quite an interesting story in the Three Realms.
As his thoughts returned, Yan Chao suddenly remembered Manluo Xian and Wuta Li's instructions and hurriedly said, "I almost forgot, those two Yezi people you helped in Gaoli City, they asked us to express their gratitude to you."
Upon hearing this, Yin Chi glanced at Feng Xi suspiciously and smiled, "It was nothing. But so much time has passed, why haven't you ever mentioned it to me, young master?"
Yan Chao looked at Feng Xi and said, "You haven't told Achi yet?"
Before Feng Xi could speak, Yin Chi added, "That's right. He didn't do this alone. If he were to speak on his own, it would seem like he stole the credit. Young Master is very thoughtful."
Feng Xi teased, "You didn't expect a thank you when you helped people, do you need me to convey it?"
A century has passed, and Yin Chi has long since let go of the past. Now that she is a ghost, those grudges and grievances are no longer her concern. But she has not forgotten those things; this is merely a reminder to herself not to forget the path she came from and not to waste the present.
At this moment, Yao Xu and Mi Qing arrived.
Two people, or rather, two gods, followed behind them.
Looking at the table full of food, Yao Xu suddenly felt incredibly hungry. He put down the box he was carrying and quickly sat down next to Feng Xi, making room for Mi Qing. Just as Mi Qing was about to sit down, Yin Chi pulled her aside and said, "Let the men sit together today, and the three of us women will sit side by side."
Yan Chao chimed in, "Yes, Mi Qing, come and sit down."
Mi Qing smiled and sat down next to Yin Chi.
The two people who came with them seemed a little reserved, standing at the door looking somewhat at a loss.
Yan Chao looked at the two of them. Both were eighteen or nineteen-year-old boys. The one on the left was extremely fair-skinned, handsome and noble. He wore a red robe with cloud-shaped shoulders and gold wrists, and his whole body was adorned with jewels. He was very eye-catching, but not at all vulgar. The one on the right was taller, with deep and dark eyes. His gaze was indifferent and aloof. He had green hair and a horn on his head. He was furry and dressed differently from others. He looked like someone from outside the Three Realms.
Most importantly, from the moment he entered the room, his gaze had been fixed on him. Yan Chao found it strange, but vaguely felt that he looked somewhat familiar, yet he just couldn't place him.
Yin Chi chuckled and said, "What are you two standing there for? Are you neither male nor female?"
These words amused everyone present. The two lowered their heads, their faces instantly turning red, and sheepishly sat down next to Yao Xu. However, the two seemed to be at odds; as soon as they sat down, they separated their chairs.
Yin Chi blinked and said, "You two look unfamiliar. Aren't you going to introduce yourselves?"
The one on the left said, "I am Yi Shang."
The one on the right said, "I am Shan Qiaoying."
As he said this, he looked at Yan Chao again. Whether it was Yan Chao's imagination or not, Shan Qiaoying's eyes seemed to hold a hint of expectation.
Yan Chao didn't notice that at the same time Shan Qiaoying was looking at her, Feng Xi was also looking at her.
Yan Chao said, "Shan Qiaoying, you must be from Haishi."
Upon hearing this, Shan Qiaoying stood up excitedly and said, "You, you remember..."
Before Shan Qiaoying could finish speaking, Feng Xi stopped him, shaking his head and gesturing for him to sit down first.
Yan Chao didn't expect such a big reaction, but he didn't think much of it and just said, "Ancient books record: The mirage is a place where the body is hidden in the Three Realms, but the name is known outside the Three Realms. The people in the mirage are mostly dressed in strange clothes and especially like brightly colored hair. It takes ten years for a mortal to reach one year in the mirage. The lifespan is very long, but they cannot leave."
Upon hearing this, Shan Qiaoying's gaze immediately darkened, especially after hearing the last sentence.
Yan Chao subconsciously asked again, "Are you really okay with leaving like this?"
Shan Qiaoying was taken aback upon hearing this, then looked up at Yan Chao expectantly and said, "I'm fine! Don't worry! It's alright..."
Everyone present, except for Feng Xi, was a little confused. Yao Xu said, "Why are you so excited? Peach Blossom, do you two know each other?"
Yan Chao felt a little embarrassed. She felt that Shan Qiaoying seemed to really know her, but she couldn't remember when she met such a person no matter how hard she tried.
Seeing his expectant look, Yan Chao pondered for a moment and then confessed, "We might actually have met before, who knows? But I have a bad memory, and it's been so long that I've forgotten. If you don't mind, let's get to know each other again."
Yan Chao smiled and said, "Hello, I am Yan Chao. I am Yan Chao, the Yan Chao of 'Autumn Day is better than Spring Day'."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yao Xu and Mi Qing both looked at Yan Chao and asked, "What did you say your name was?"
Yan Chao chuckled and said, "Sorry, my real name is actually Yan Chao. Liu Taohua is an alias I use when I go out."
Yao Xu slammed his hand on the table and said, "Fine! Fine! I didn't expect you to be using a fake name all this time! We've been through thick and thin together twice! And you're still using a fake name!"
Yan Chao blinked and said, "You're wrong about that, Yao Xu."
Yao Xu touched the tip of his nose, chuckled awkwardly, then suddenly remembered something and pointed at Feng Xi, saying, "Then he..."
Yan Chao said, "I know him, his name is Feng Xi."
Yao Xu glanced at Feng Xi and laughed, "Hey, didn't you say you prepared a birthday gift for me? Where's the gift?"
Yan Chao took a wooden box out of his bag and handed it to Yao Xu, saying, "Open it and take a look."
Yao Xu took it, opened it, and saw that inside was a wooden doll carved from Yao Xu himself.
Yao Xu asked in surprise, "You carved this?"
Yan Chao shook his head and said, "It was carved by my elders to thank you for the recipe and to celebrate your birthday."
After saying that, Yan Chao took out two wooden boxes from his bag, one for Feng Xi and one for Mi Qing. Inside were wooden puppets carved with their likenesses.
This was specially prepared by Ming Qi for Yan Chao after he returned from Ye Zi. Later, Mi Qing was born, and she was brought along to celebrate Yao Xu's birthday as well.
Feng Xi said, "Thank you, I like it very much."
Mi Qing also said, "Thank you, Yan Chao. I never expected to have a share."
Yao Xu said, "Why is it that everyone who sees it gets a share?"
Yan Chao smiled and said, "Aren't the four of us the chosen ones? Shouldn't we each have one?" She looked at the other three and added, "We came in a hurry this time. If you like them, I'll bring them to you next time we meet."
Yi Shang suddenly said, "I like it, I like it! But I can't accept gifts for nothing. Whatever your elders like, I'm a god of wealth, and I can give it to you if I have it!"
Yan Chao thought to himself, "No wonder it's so glittering with jewels, it turns out to be the God of Wealth."
Who in this world doesn't love the God of Wealth?
Thinking about it that way, you really can have anything you want.
Yan Chao said, "I'm glad you like it, there's no need for gifts. My elders have always lived a secluded life, and they're already very happy that you like what they made."
Yin Chi curled her lips and said with a smile, "My little money god, if you don't mind, you can send some to your sister. I really like them!"
Unexpectedly, Yi Shang firmly refused, saying, "No, no! Absolutely not! I have very principles! Wealth is not easy to come by, and easy money breeds greed. Even if I love money, I must acquire it in a proper way!"
"You're from this Banxianfang neighborhood, and one of the Five Ghost Kings, aren't you rich enough?"
Yao Xu patted Yi Shang on the shoulder and said, "You rascal! Sit down right now! I brought you out for a meal, and you ended up revealing your identity?"
Yi Shang said, "So what? I'm not a fake God of Wealth. Is it shameful to say that? Besides, there's no one else here." He glared at Shan Qiaoying and added, "Except for someone."
Shan Qiaoying didn't look at him, but kicked him with her foot, causing Yi Shang to fall back into his chair. She said coldly, "Even eating can't shut you up!"
"you!"
Seeing the two of them in such a tense situation, Yao Xu said sternly, "Alright! Aren't you two tired of fighting every day? Hurry up and eat! Today is my birthday, so put aside your personal grudges for now."
Yin Chi quickly smoothed things over: "Yes, yes! Hot pot tastes best when it's lively and bustling. Now that the foreplay is over, let's start eating. I'm starving!"
Upon hearing this, everyone picked up their chopsticks. The hot pot seemed to have a magical effect; after a bite, nothing else mattered, and the atmosphere instantly eased.
Feng Xi prepared Yao Xu's favorite tea and wine, as well as his favorite pig brain and tripe.
During the meal, he picked up a piece of tripe and put it in his bowl, saying in a low voice, "This year's broth is pretty good, isn't it!"
Yao Xu nodded repeatedly, saying as he ate, "Not bad! Absolutely not bad!"
Feng Xi asked, "Do you like it?"
Yao Xu said, "I like it! I like it!"
Yao Xu raised an eyebrow and said casually, "Hmm, if you like it, that's good. This is made with the oil left over from the fat cut by the yellow ox spirits of our Ghost Realm, absolutely healthy!"
Yao Xu paused, turned to look at him, and said, "Do you dare to say it again?"
Feng Xi said, "What's wrong? Isn't the oil from the Yellow Ox Demon beef tallow? You've probably seen it before. It's all muscle, and it goes to great lengths for that little bit of oil. Don't you think it tastes good?"
Yao Xu pursed his lips, then, as if "sacrificing himself for his cause," ate the piece of tripe, gritting his teeth as he said, "Delicious, I love it..."
Feng Xi picked up another piece for him and said with a smile, "Eat more if you like it."
Yin Chi glanced at them and said, "What are you two whispering about?" She then looked at the food box that Yao Xu had brought and said meaningfully, "Oh, what did the young master bring? It's so exquisite."
As soon as she finished speaking, Mi Qing lowered her head shyly.
Yao Xu said, "Go away! Don't ask such nonsense! Do you think my brother Xi's hotpot isn't delicious?" After saying that, he filled his glass with wine, raised it again, and said, "Come on, let's have a drink!"
Everyone raised their glasses and wished, "Yaoxu, happy birthday! May you have many more birthdays to come!"
Yao Xu laughed loudly and said, "I hope you can all be with me every year from now on." After saying that, Yao Xu drank it all in one gulp, hiding the sadness that flashed through his heart.
After several rounds of drinks, everyone was feeling the effects of the alcohol and seemed to be quite drunk.
Feng Xi had somehow ended up sitting next to Yan Chao, his face slightly flushed, his eyes unfocused, and he was breathing heavily. He was a little unsteady on his feet, but he still maintained a distance that was neither too close nor too far from Yan Chao.
Feng Xi propped her head up and turned to look at Yan Chao. She was very happy today and had drunk a little too much. She squinted her eyes and swayed her upper body gently from side to side, humming a tune that was intermittent but very pleasant to listen to.
Feng Xi stared at her silently, lost in thought for a moment, when Yan Chao suddenly asked, "Why are you staring at me?"
Feng Xi chuckled softly, moved forward a little, and instead of answering her question, said, "None of those are true."
Yan Chao asked, somewhat confused, "What did you say?"
Feng Xi said, "There's no one else... no Master Chunshan, no Young Master Lian, only Feng Xi..."
Yan Chao thought for a long time before he realized that he was referring to the story about him and Chunshan Louzhu written by the storyteller.
At that time, everyone guessed that Gongzi Lian was the master of Chunshan Pavilion. The story made people's imaginations run wild, and countless people coveted Gongzi Lian.
Chunshanlou was able to open a branch in the Ghost Realm because he wanted to use it to clarify the rumors.
Yan Chao just didn't understand why he had to explain this to him in such a special way.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Happy Birthday, Yaoxu, on the 14th day of the ninth lunar month! May your life be long and bright, even across mountains and rivers!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
