Although he kept calling him “Crown Prince,” it felt disrespectful, like poking someone with a needle. Other officials in the array, also former princes, felt uneasy. Xie Lian sensed malice but didn’t want to argue. He thought he’d leave, smiling, “It’s fine.” The official didn’t let him, saying coldly, “It’s fine for you. But my luck wasn’t so good.”

Suddenly, Xie Lian heard a whispered message from Ling Wen.

She said one word: “Clock.”

Xie Lian understood.

This was the war god hit by the clock!

Xie Lian, adept at apologizing, said, “I heard about the clock, I’m truly sorry.”

The other god hummed, the meaning unclear.

There were many famous war gods, many ascended after Xie Lian. Xie Lian didn’t know who it was, but he asked, “May I know your name?”

Silence. The entire array was frozen, a chilling atmosphere.

Ling Wen messaged, “Your Highness, I think you should have recognized him by now, but it’s Xuan Zhen.”

Xie Lian, “Xuan Zhen?”

He realized, messaging back in shock, “It’s Mu Qing?”

General Xuan Zhen was a war god stationed in the southwest, with seven thousand temples, renowned throughout the land.

Xuan Zhen’s real name was Mu Qing. Eight hundred years ago, he was a deputy general under the Xian Le Crown Prince.

Ling Wen was shocked, “You really didn’t recognize him?”

Xie Lian, “I really didn’t. He didn’t speak like this before. And I don’t remember when I last saw him, five or six hundred years ago. I barely remember what he looks like, how could I recognize his voice?”

Silence. Mu Qing said nothing. Other officials pretended not to listen, waiting for someone to speak.

Their situation was awkward. Everyone knew the story. Xie Lian, the Xian Le Crown Prince, trained at Huangji Temple, the royal temple with strict standards. Mu Qing, from a poor family, his father a beheaded criminal, wasn’t qualified to enter, so he was a servant, cleaning and serving Xie Lian. Xie Lian, seeing his hard work, asked the national master to accept him as a disciple. Mu Qing trained with the Prince and ascended with him.

But after Xian Le’s destruction and Xie Lian’s demotion, Mu Qing didn’t follow him, not even speaking up for him. He cultivated in seclusion, ascended, and became a war god.

Now, one was in heaven, one on earth, their positions reversed.

Ling Wen, “He’s very angry.”

Xie Lian, “I guessed.”

Ling Wen, “I’ll change the subject, leave quickly.”

Xie Lian, “No need, just pretend nothing happened.”

Ling Wen, “No? I think you’re both embarrassed.”

Xie Lian, “It’s fine!”

Xie Lian could handle anything but death; he’d experienced far worse embarrassment. He thought it was fine. But as soon as he said “fine,” a voice roared, “Who the hell destroyed my palace?! Get out!!!”

The roar made everyone’s hair stand on end.

They waited silently for Xie Lian’s response. But it got even more interesting. Before Xie Lian could speak, Mu Qing spoke.

He chuckled, “Hehe.”

The newcomer said coldly, “You did it? Fine, wait.”

Mu Qing calmly said, “I didn’t say it was me, don’t accuse me.”

The newcomer, “Then why are you laughing? Are you sick?”

Mu Qing, “Your words are funny. The person who destroyed your palace is in the array, ask him yourself.”

Xie Lian couldn’t leave now.

He coughed, “It was me. Sorry.”

The newcomer was silent.

Ling Wen messaged, “Your Highness, that’s Nan Yang.”

Xie Lian, “I recognized him. But he doesn’t seem to recognize me.”

Ling Wen, “No. He’s been wandering in the mortal realm, rarely returning to the Celestial Capital, he doesn’t know you ascended again.”

Nan Yang Zhenjun was a war god stationed in the southeast, with nearly eight thousand temples, beloved by the people.

His real name was Feng Xin. Eight hundred years ago, he was the first general under the Xian Le Crown Prince.

Feng Xin was loyal, serving Xie Lian since he was fourteen, ascending and being demoted together. But they parted ways eight hundred years ago.

The author has something to say: If you are concerned about Xie Lian’s debt, please refer to this imprecise currency conversion formula: 1 merit ≈ 18 RMB. This is entirely fictional. Do not apply any existing cultivation or Xianxia settings. This is not a cultivation story, nor a cultivation-based underworld story. There is no cultivation process; whether someone ascends or not is entirely at the author’s whim.

Chapter 3: The Ragged Immortal Ascends to the Celestial Capital, Three Times

The former master, now a laughingstock with no merits, temples, or believers, while his two attendants ascended to become powerful war gods—a situation that prompts reflection. If Xie Lian had to choose which was more embarrassing, he’d say “both are fine!” But others would prefer seeing Xie Lian and Feng Xin fight, or Xie Lian and Mu Qing fight. Both have ample reasons, making it a tough choice.

Therefore, Feng Xin remained silent, disappearing, causing disappointment. Xie Lian concluded, apologizing, “I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Mu Qing coldly said, “Oh, that’s quite a coincidence.”

It was a coincidence, Xie Lian thought. He seemed to be deliberately retaliating. He was the kind of person who would always choose the poisoned wine. But he couldn’t control how others felt. Xie Lian said, “I’ll try to make amends, please give me time.”

Even with his whisk, it was clear Mu Qing wanted to continue, but since his palace wasn’t damaged, and he’d already split the clock, pressing further would be unbecoming. So, he also fell silent. Xie Lian, seeing his chance, quickly left.