Forbidden Read!
Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Third Ascension of the Garbage-Gatherer God to Divinity

Blood Rain Reaching Flowers

***

"Congratulations, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Hearing that sentence, Xie Lian raised her head and smiled before saying, "Thank you. But may I ask why you congratulated me?"

Ling Wen ZhenJun[1] stood with arms crossed as he said, "Congratulations for having grabbed the first position on the list of 'Most awaited Heavenly Officials to be demoted and banished to the mortal realm'."

[1]: ZhenJun is a title. Zhen means 'original' while Jun means God. Later, there will be another character who also has the title as Zhen Jun while the rest will only be referred to as Jun.

Xie Lian replied, "Liar after all, still it was the first place. But, I think since you congratulated me, it should still be worth being proud of, right?"

Ling Wen said, "Yes, if you are in the first place, you can get a hundred rewards."

Xie Lian immediately replied, "Other times, if there's another list like this again, you should include me."

Ling Wen asked, "Do you know who is in second place?"

Xie Lian thought for a moment before replying, "Too hard to guess. After all, based on strength alone, I should be enough to occupy the top three positions."

Ling Wen replied, "It's more or less like that. There is no second place. When you're starting out, other people can only see your dust without being able to hope to catch up with them."

Xie Lian said, "I dare not accept this honor. Who held first place in previous years?"

Ling Wen, "None of them because this list was made this year. Or rather, today."

"Eh," Xie Lian was a little confused before asking, "Based on what you said, this list is not made specifically for me, is it?"

Ling Wen replied, "You may think of it as luck having won it, because this list was made when you happened to be here."

Xie Lian said with a face full of smiles, "Alright, if I think like that, I'll feel a little bit happier."

Ling Wen continued, "Do you know why you can grab first place?"

Xie Lian replied, "Because everyone expects it."

Ling Wen explained, "Let me tell you the reason. Please look at that clock."

He raised his finger to point, and Xie Lian turned to look in the direction he had pointed. What can be seen there is something very beautiful. Gazing into the distance, everyone could see palaces made of white jade, pavilions and small buildings, as well as the curving eternal clouds with streams and flying birds.

Xie Lian stared at the place for a long time before asking, "Is it possible for you to point in the wrong direction? Where's the clock?"

Ling Wen replied, "I'm not pointing in the wrong direction. The clock's in there, did you see it?"

Xie Lian looked again carefully before saying honestly, "I didn't see it."

Ling Wen replied, "You're right if you don't see it. At first, the clock was right there, but it was shaken to fall when you boarded."

"..."

"That hour is even older than you. Even so, it had a lively and dynamic character. Every time someone went up, the clock would ring a few times to cheer them up. But when you go up, the clock keeps sounding like it's gone crazy, really can't stop. Only when it fell from the tower did the clock regain its calm. However, when it fell, the clock accidentally struck a passing Heavenly Official."

Xie Lian asked, "This... Is she okay now?"

Ling Wen, "No, the clock is still fixed..."

Xie Lian, "I mean the Heavenly Official who was hit by that clock."

Ling Wen replied, "The person who was hit by the clock was a martial god. He turned his hand in time and split the watch into two pieces. But now, please take a look at that golden palace over there. Did you see him?"

He pointed again, and Xie Lian's gaze followed his finger once more. He looked towards the vast area covered by fog and clouds, before his gaze was fixed on the top of the magnificent palace roof made of golden glass. Xie Lian said, "Ah, I saw him this time."

Ling Wen replied, "If you see something, it means that something is wrong. At first there was nothing there."

"..."

"As you ascended, there were so many golden palaces belonging to the Heavenly Officials that they shook until their golden pillars collapsed, and their glass roofs broke. Some palaces could not even be repaired in a short period of time. With no better choice, they could only build a makeshift new place that could be inhabited for a while."

"I'm to blame?"

"You're responsible for all that."

"Uh..." Xie Lian asked to affirm, "Did I have offended many Heavenly Officials when I ascended?"

Ling Wen replied, "If you redeem yourself, maybe you won't offend them."

"What can I do to redeem myself?"

"That's easy to answer. Eight million eight hundred eighty thousand reward."

Xie Lian smiled again.

Ling Wen said, "Of course, I know, even a tenth of that amount alone you can't possibly afford it."

Xie Lian answered so honestly, "How should I say this? Even though I truly apologize for this inconvenience, even if you ask for one-tenth of a thousand of that amount alone, I still won't be able to pay for it."

The beliefs of the worshippers in the human world, will turn into spiritual power for the Heavenly Officials. And every incense they burn as an offering will count as 'merit'.

His smile disappeared, Xie Lian seriously asked, "Are you willing to kick me down from here with a single kick, and then give me eight million eight hundred and eighty thousand rewards?"

Ling Wen, "I am the God of Literature. If you want someone to kick you, you should look for a Martial God. The harder you get kicked, the more reward you'll receive."

Xie Lian let out a long sigh. "Let me think what to do."

Ling Wen patted him on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry. When the train meets the mountain, there will always be a way."

Xie Lian replied, "In my case, when the ship has reached the dock, it will naturally sink."

If this had happened eight hundred years ago, when Xie Lian and the people of Xian Le were still in their prosperity, eight million eight hundred and eighty thousand rewards would not have been a big deal. His Highness the Crown Prince only needed to wave his hand and he would give as much as they requested, without even blinking over a loss that was only that big. But the situation now is much different from the past. In the human world, all of his temples had long since vanished in flames, there was nothing left. He no longer had any worshippers, no incense, and no offerings for him.

Needless to say. He now has nothing, nothing, and nothing!

Someone crouched down on the edge of the main street of the Heavenly Capital City from feeling a headache for a while, before he suddenly recalled something. It had been nearly three days since he ascended, yet Xie Lian had yet to enter the spiritual communication array. Back then, he had also forgotten to ask Ling Wen for a password.

The Heavenly Officials who had ascended would naturally unite and jointly create an array of spiritual communication. It was clearly possible to do so, using their Divine senses to communicate with each other within an array; and after ascending, it was essential for the new gods to enter it. However, they had to know the password to be able to log into a certain array. It had been eight hundred years since the last time Xie Lian entered the spiritual communication array, so naturally she did not remember the password to enter it anymore now. He decided to let go of his Divine sense to take a look before he found an array that seemed to resemble the array he was about to enter. The moment he casually entered, he was instantly struck by a loud voice so powerful and excited from all directions that he became a little unstable.

"Say your bet, it can't be replaced! Let's bet how long our Crown Prince's Majesty can last before he has to be banished once more!"

"I bet one year!"

"One year is too long, the last time he ascended, he only lasted for one incense stick. Perhaps this time he would only last for three days? I'll place a bet for three days, three days!"

...Xie Lian quietly left the array.

Wrong place. It's definitely not this one.

The gods in the High Court were all great Heavenly Officials overseeing their own territory; and each of them was so famous among most of the others. Since they were all Heavenly Officials who had earnestly cultivated to ascend, they were dignified and usually not so friendly. Their words and behavior usually seem arrogant. Only he was, who at that moment was overzealous when he first ascended, entering and greeting every Heavenly Official present within the spiritual communication array. Xie Lian was completely honest when introducing herself in such detail and detail without anyone succeeding in countering her.

After he exited the previous array, he started searching randomly once again. Finally, he casually entered another array. After entering it, Xie Lian slightly felt calm as she thought: 'Here is very quiet. This is probably the correct array.'

At that moment, he heard a light voice say, "Your Highness Crown Prince, you've returned again?"

At first, the voice was very comfortable to hear. So smooth and soft-pitched. But if someone listened to it carefully, they would realize that the voice sounded very cold, and the tone of speech seemed very indifferent. Thus, it makes the meekness as if hiding evil intentions.

Originally, Xie Lian wanted to enter the array with a good and restrained attitude. Just being quiet and listening there is good enough. However, since someone had already spoken to him, he could no longer pretend to be mute and deaf. He was also very happy when the Heavenly Official in Heaven was still willing to take the initiative to talk to him, a completely useless god. So, he quickly replied, "That's right! Hello everyone! I'm back again."

How did he know that after that one question and answer - all the Heavenly Officials that were inside the spiritual communication array instantly raised their ears high.

The Heavenly Official continued casually, "This time, the ascension of His Highness the Crown Prince made a huge commotion."

In Heaven, it could be said that kings were easy to find everywhere, while heroes were as commonplace as the water flowing in the river.

If one wanted to become a god, they would first have to become an extraordinary individual. In the mortal realm, a person who has achieved many goals in his life or a person who has a lot of talent, of course, has a greater chance of ascending. Thus, it is no exaggeration to say that kings, princesses, princes, and generals are not a rare sight to behold in heaven. Who in Heaven is not a noble? However, everyone was still so friendly and polite by calling each other 'Your Majesty' or 'Young Master' or 'Mr General'. They will say whatever sounds complimenting.

But, what that Heavenly Official had said earlier, the title he used to summon him no longer sounded like a polite sentence.

Although Xie Lian was indeed a Crown Prince, and the others had called him so―but the tone of voice used by that person did not even have the slightest respect. It even sounded like he was trying to stab someone using a needle. There were many other Heavenly Officials who were also Crown Princes within the spiritual communication array, as well, and the greeting also makes their backs goosebumps until they feel so uncomfortable from head to toe. Xie Lian could clearly hear the ill will from the interlocutor's voice, but she did not want to make a fuss. Thinking of running away, he replied with a smile, "It's okay."

However, that Heavenly Official did not give him a chance to escape. He spoke in a voice that was not warm nor was it cold, "Huh, Your Highness the Crown Prince is fine? My luck isn't that good."

Suddenly, Xie Lian heard a whisper from Ling Wen.

He just said one word, "Jam."

Xie Lian immediately understood. So this was the martial god that struck that clock!

If the situation was like that, then this Heavenly Official was angry not for no reason. Xie Lian was already very adept at apologizing and she immediately said, "I've heard about the incident regarding the clock. I'm really sorry, please forgive me."

The Heavenly Official snorted, making it impossible for anyone to understand what he meant.

In Heaven, there were so many martial gods that some of them were beginners who had just ascended after Xie Lian was banished. That was why he could not recognize who this martial god was just from listening to his voice. However, one cannot apologize without knowing the name of the interlocutor. So, Xie Lian went straight to the heart of the matter and asked, "Sorry, may I ask how I should call you, Your Majesty?"

After he said that sentence, his interlocutor fell silent.

Not just his interlocutor. The entire spiritual communication array seemed to freeze as if a puff of stagnant air slapped everyone's face.

On the other hand, Ling Wen once again whispered to him, "Your Majesty, although I can't believe that you didn't recognize your interlocutor after talking to him for so longI still want to remind you. He is Xuan Zhen."

Xie Lian asked, "Xuan Zhen?"

She choked slightly, before finally reacting as she again sent out a message in somewhat surprise, "You are Mu Qing?"

Xuan ZhenJun was a martial god who oversaw the Southwest region. He had seven thousand temples, and in the mortal realm, his reputation was so famous.

This Xuan ZhenJun, who had the personal name Mu Qing, used to be a vice general of the Royal Crown Prince's Palace Hall of Xian Le, eight hundred years ago.

Ling Wen was also very surprised. "No way, you really don't recognize him?"

Xie Lian replied, "I really don't recognize him. In the past, he did not speak to me with this kind of attitude. Plus, I don't even remember the last time I met him. If not five hundred years ago, then six hundred years ago. I almost completely forgot what his face looked like, how could I still recognize his voice?"

The state within the spiritual communication array still remained silent. Mu Qing did not make a sound. Meanwhile, the other Heavenly Officials, on the one hand they pretended not to listen, whereas on the other they were anticipatingly waiting for someone to continue the conversation.

When it came to these two people, things became relatively awkward. After so many years, many rumors had circulated, that almost all of the Heavenly Officials already knew about it. In those days when Xie Lian was still the precious Crown Prince of Xian Le, he was cultivating in the Huang Ji Temple. Huang Ji Temple was a Royal Temple in Xian Le kingdom. Their selection standards for the disciples were really high and strict. Mu Qing came from a bad background, and his father was a sinner who had been beheaded. Such a person simply did not have the qualifications to be able to enter the Huang Ji Temple as a disciple. Thus, he had no other choice but to do odd jobs. At the temple, he was more often tasked with sweeping the floor, or delivering tea and water to His Highness the Crown Prince. However, Xie Lian saw the child so diligently, therefore she asked the Head Priest to make an exception and accept Mu Qing as a disciple. The words of His Highness the Crown Prince were extremely weighty. It was because of the will of His Highness the Crown Prince that Mu Qing was finally able to enter the temple to cultivate. After Xie Lian ascended, she raised Mu Qing as her subordinate and brought him along to the Heavenly Capital.

However, when the Xian Le kingdom was wiped out and Xie Lian had been banished to the mortal realm, Mu Qing did not follow suit. Not only did he not follow Xie Lian, Mu Qing did not even say a word to defend her. The Crown Prince is gone, so he is free. He found a blessed place and painstakingly started cultivating like crazy. Until a few years later, he had managed to survive the Heavenly Disaster that appeared and finally rose.

In the past, one person was in 'heaven' while the other was in 'land'. After that, there was still one in heaven and another on the ground, only that the two people had exchanged positions.

On the other end, Ling Wen said, "He's really angry."

Xie Lian replied, "I think so too."

Ling Wen replied, "I'll tell him something. Use that opportunity to leave."

Xie Lian said, "No need. If we pretend nothing happened then everything will be fine."

Ling Wen asked, "No need? Just looking at you two makes me feel awkward."

Xie Lian replied, "I'm fine!"

For Xie Lian, under any circumstances she still felt fine as long as she did not die. He doesn't have many faces, but he can still lose more. He had already done many things that were many times more awkward than this; so he really felt fine in his heart. However, who would have thought, that he should not have said 'fine' that early; xie Lian had just said that line when the sound of someone's roar sounded, "Who destroyed my golden palace?! Out motherfucker!"

This one roar made the Gods who were listening inside the spiritual communication array feel as if their heads were about to explode.

Even though their stomachs had turned upside down, everyone still held their breath and went back to listening carefully. They did not make any sound at all while waiting for how Xie Lian would respond to the loud swearing. But no one thought that instead of hearing something exciting - they heard something even more thrilling. Xie Lian had not even started talking when Mu Qing had already preceded her.

Mu Qing laughed twice. "Haha."

The person who had just entered the array said coldly, "You destroyed it? All right, just wait."

Mu Qing replied lightly, "I didn't say I did it. Don't accuse me so much."

The man asked, "Then why are you laughing? Are you crazy?"

Mu Qing replied, "It's not like that. What you said just now sounds funny, that's all. The person who had destroyed your golden palace was currently inside the spiritual communication array, you can ask him yourself."

With so many things having developed to this level, however, Xie Lian still felt so embarrassed to run away now.

He cleared his voice first before saying, "I did it. I'm sorry."

After he spoke, the person who had just entered the array was also speechless.

In his ears, Ling Wen sent a message back. "Your Majesty, he is Nan Yang."

Xie Lian replied, "This time, I recognize him. But, I don't think he recognized me."

Ling Wen replied, "It's not so. Merely, he spent most of his time in the mortal realm and only a little in the Heavenly Capital City. So, he doesn't know that you've climbed again."

Nan Yang ZhenJun was a martial god who oversaw the Southeast region. He was famous and had nearly eight thousand temples, receiving love and respect from ordinary humans.

Moreover, his personal name was Feng Xin. Eight hundred years ago, he was the main general of the Palace Hall of Crown Prince Xian Le.

Feng Xin was a devoted and loyal person. He was Xie Lian's personal bodyguard since he was fourteen years old. Feng Xin grew up with the Crown Prince, ascended to Heaven with him, descended with him, and was banished with him. Unfortunately, he was unable to bear those eight hundred years with Xie Lian. In the end, they parted in a bad way, and never met again.

Seriate...