TGCF React

Chapter 2

"No, I just...prefer it that way." Xie Lian said, giving a vague answer. Hua Cheng just looked away, not wanting to listen anymore. The other gods wanted to know more but didn't ask after seeing the forlorn look on the prince's face.

Xie Lian gave a rueful sigh. "But I managed to offend General Pei as soon as I returned."

"You could have offended worst people." Wudu said with a matter-of-fact tone.  

"Don't worry yourself about Ming Guang, I'll be keeping an eye on him. However," Jun Wu turned to give him a piercing look. "Back to the topic on hand now. Did you manage to provoke someone that you shouldn't have when you went down this time?"

"My lord, what is this favoritism?" Pei Ming couldn't help but utter after seeing how Jun Wu himself told the prince that he would observe Pei Ming for suspicious actions when the one the emperor should question was the prince who was hanging out with a suspicious character.

"Get use to it." Ling Wen bluntly said. "Many prefer his highness compared to you."

Xie Lian raised his hand. "Your Majesty, I swear I did nothing. I just happened across a very interesting child by chance, and stayed with him for a period of time. I didn't think too much about it."

"Your highness, has no one told you about stranger danger?" Yushi Huang kindly asked. "While I am sure that the crimson rain won't harm you, what if the stranger you meet is another one who doesn't care about harming you?"

"I will always protect gege." Hua Cheng said.

"I don't doubt that."  Yushi Huang said with a smile and a nod. "But it doesn't hurt to be more vigilant, yes?"

Hua Cheng couldn't say anything and only nod in agreement while Xie Lian only smiled wryly. 

"I'll make sure to not follow strangers." Xie Lian said, wondering why he felt like a child as some stifled their laughs. 

Jun Wu nodded and said slowly, "A chance encounter, a child, a Devastation Ghost King. Xian Le, if General Pei had continued pursuing the matter and you had given him this same reply before all the other Heavenly Officials present, you know well what the outcome would have been. No one would have believed you."

"It does sound impossible." He Xuan agreed. "To just suddenly meet a calamity who treats you well when said calamity destroyed a lot of gods."

Xie Lian winced. "Xian Le knows, and is grateful for Your Majesty's timely assistance in helping me out of a difficult situation. Your Majesty, do you doubt me as well? I would never collude with the Ghost Realm, those were all baseless fears."

"Of course not, Xian Le." Jun Wu said with a small frown. "I would never doubt you. I of all people know that you would never fall to darkness even if you are stabbed hundreds of times." 

'How...oddly specific.' Hua Cheng thought with a cautious look towards the heavenly emperor while Xie Lian inwardly winced, not noticing how weird the emperor's words were.

"I'm obviously aware that you would not collude with the Ghost Realm."

"Thank you for Your Majesty's trust."

Jun Wu continued, "I do, however, have an important task for you. But it won't be easy for you, I fear."

Xie Lian, "What is it?"

Many, especially Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, looked interested in the mission Jun Wu would give the crown prince. After all, it was rare for the emperor to personally hand out missions to anyone. 

They arrived at the rear hall of the palace. The front and rear halls were separated by a towering mural wall. The front of the mural depicted a golden palace standing on a summit atop a sea of clouds, lit up by a thousand scintillating rays of light. On the other side, was a map spanning thousands of miles of mountains and rivers. Looking up, this enormous map was studded with countless precious pearls, shimmering softly like the stars in a night sky.