Ch38 – Wanting a full meal

Translator: Abo Dammen

Bai Qing was dragged into the whirlpool, instantly losing control of his body, tossed about like fallen leaves in a violent gale. At this life-or-death moment, Bai Qing’s consciousness once again left his body, experiencing that familiar sense of “soul departure.”

He understood immediately. ‘I’m going to travel through time again!’ 

The thought flashed by, but Bai Qing’s heart held little panic or fear. He closed his eyes, letting his consciousness drift through the void. Before long, he opened his eyes again and returned to the Ancient Lotus Kingdom, inhabiting the body of Saint Child Ci Ying.

It seemed he had grown accustomed to this process. As memories gradually resurfaced, returning here felt like coming back home. However, not everyone’s home is a happy one.

Bai Qing always felt quite constrained here.

Rules were numerous, rituals heavy. Every step had to be taken carefully, fearful of accidentally violating the Saint Child’s code of conduct. But this time, the timing of the travel was perfect. It was when the Saint Child was out alone on a demon-extermination mission. 

He loved solo business trips the most, because only then could he be himself—more Bai Qing, less Ci Ying.

During missions, he had to keep a low profile to avoid drawing attention. This conveniently gave him an excuse for “disguises.” He could finally eat and dress normally. What was mundane for ordinary people was a luxurious indulgence for him. Being able to wear shoes and have a bite of hot food. Forget everything else, just these two things were enough to bring tears to his eyes.

As a Saint Child, he could not have private property. Even if commoners made offerings or the court bestowed rewards, he could not keep them for himself.

Whenever someone presented him with heavy gold, silver, or jewels, he couldn’t even touch them. He had to avert his gaze, lightly wave his hand, and say in a voice devoid of emotion, “These yellow things bring me no benefit. Take them to the public treasury.” 

In his heart, he was screaming: Money! Money! Money! I love gold! I love it!! And silver… I like that too!!!

But under everyone’s scrutiny, he could only remain indifferent.

On solo missions, Bai Qing could finally request mission funds!

In other words, he could touch money! 

However, when receiving the funds, he still had to maintain a calm expression. “Money? Ah, I don’t want it… fine, since you insist, I’ll take it for now.”

Once he reached the destination, he would go straight to where the demons were without a second thought, acting decisively, with none of the Saint Child’s polite refinement. After completing the mission, he would put on a disguise and start shopping!

First, a pair of silk shoes. So comfortable!

Then a soft, fluffy cloak. Luxurious and warm! 

As a proper man, he had to tie his hair, so of course he needed a set of jade hairpins and a crown. Seeing his elegant, refined reflection in the mirror warmed his heart. Once dressed, Bai Qing would happily head to the city’s biggest inn, slapping a silver note on the table. “Bring the best wine and dishes for me!”

Yes, this Saint Child loved calling himself “me” in such a domineering way.

Among the common folk, he became a spoiled rich brat from the capital, full of swagger and the scent of money. Due to long-term fasting, his digestive system was weak. Every time he came down from the palace, he would eat lavishly, which his body couldn’t handle all at once.

Returning to his luxurious inn, he would start vomiting in the middle of the night. 

But he would do so happily, clutching the toilet like a madman.

After vomiting, he’d clean up and light incense. It was not the pure, meditative sandalwood, but the most perfumed, garish incense, filling the room with a warm, flowery scent.

Wrapped in his cloak, Bai Qing would slap the silver notes and loudly insist to the inn’s staff that he was afraid of the cold. The room would then have two small furnaces burning silvery charcoal, combined with exotic incense, making it fragrant and warm. He would then wrap himself in a silk quilt and sleep soundly, waking only when the sun was high.

No bell-ringing, no morning rituals, no scripture chanting. 

Just eat, drink, sleep. Bliss.

Bai Qing spent over half a month like this, spending money like water, until his pockets were emptier than his face. Then he would ceremoniously remove the human disguise, shake off the hidden Saint Child robes, and put them on.

Of course, before donning the robes, he had to remove all the silks, gold, and jewels he had bought. That part was relatively easy (though painfully costly to his heart).

But what truly tortured him was taking off his shoes! 

Every time he peeled off the carefully chosen silk shoes and his feet touched the ground, the icy cold shot straight to his heart. He wanted to hold the shoes and sing a sorrowful song.

Yet once he donned the white robes, leapt into action, and carried the bones of the demons, he became the transcendent, untouchable Saint Child once more.

The commoners, seeing the Saint Child defeat the demons, would cheer and thank him endlessly.

Bai Qing’s face would reflexively wear a gentle, slightly detached smile. He would sit high on the bronze lotus platform, solemn and regal, reciting scriptures to bless the people. 

Finally, amidst everyone’s praise, he would sweep his robes and vanish, leaving behind another legend of the Lotus Sect’s Saint Child. Then he would leisurely mount a donkey and head toward the capital.

As a Saint Child, he had to live frugally. A carriage was unthinkable. Being allowed a donkey was a special privilege, granted perhaps because of his physical exhaustion from demon-slaying.

Still, a mount was better than nothing.

Just imagining walking barefoot back to the capital made Bai Qing want to fling himself into the river and be reborn as someone else. 

Whoever wants this ridiculous Saint Child role can have it! Bai Qing thought to himself, but his face still maintained that transcendent, detached calm. It was as if once he put on the white robes, he automatically wore the Saint Child mask, radiating holy light from head to toe. Every movement, every glance, exuded an air of fake, refined elegance.

He rode his donkey slowly, all the while calculating in his mind how much longer this Saint Child life would last.

The previous Saint Child had served until 165 years old before the Ancient Lotus gave its revelation, announcing Ci Ying’s succession.

According to the old Saint Child’s own memories, on the day he stepped down, he slipped on his shoes, went home, and polished off three bowls of white rice with air-dried bacon. 

Bai Qing thought, ‘Do I have to work until 165 years old too…? Will I even be able to chew air-dried bacon by then?’

Looking through the historical records, the only way for a Saint Child to retire early was to die in the line of duty.

Thinking this, Bai Qing couldn’t help but feel a pang of melancholy.

He rode his donkey, gazing into the distance, his heart a swirl of emotions, thoughts scattered. 

Just then, a familiar figure appeared on the horizon, making his heart skip a beat.

He focused his eyes. “The Crown Prince…”

Jing Liansheng stood beneath a pine tree at the edge of the horizon. The setting sun hung just above the pine branches, casting golden light across Jing Liansheng’s chiseled features, giving him the cold, imposing presence of a cliff face.

Bai Qing’s heart raced. Every time he saw Jing Liansheng, it was always like fleeting on the brow, yet settling deep in the heart. 

Jing Liansheng, however, wore an expression of icy sternness. His thin lips parted, reciting a string of cold words, “Yanhong Pavilion peach blossom wine, three taels of silver. Deer antler abalone soup, five taels. Mutton-fat white jade pendant, seven taels. South Sea pearl necklace…”

Bai Qing was horrified, nearly falling off his donkey. These… were all my expenses this month!

Every single item… Jing Liansheng knew them all so precisely!

That meant Jing Liansheng had been secretly watching him! 

Bai Qing’s face turned pale. The usually dignified, saintly mask of the Saint Child showed tiny cracks, unable to perfectly conceal his inner emotions.

Jing Liansheng didn’t recite all of Bai Qing’s monthly expenses at once. Perhaps it would take too long, perhaps it would seem a little ridiculous, or maybe he simply couldn’t remember every trivial detail. He only paused slightly when he saw Bai Qing’s expression change dramatically, then continued, “What a frugal Saint Child, squandering public funds so recklessly. Truly eye-opening.”

Bai Qing didn’t deny the fact. He had squandered the money.

But he straightened his back, puffed up, and said stiffly, “I’ve already contributed all my private funds to the public treasury. Now I’m just taking a little back to eat and buy clothes. What’s the problem with that?” 

“Your so-called contribution of private funds is nothing but vanity,” Jing Liansheng said dismissively. “Outwardly selfless, privately squandering money. It shows hypocrisy and sanctimoniousness.”

Being scolded like this by Jing Liansheng felt like arrows piercing his heart, the pain unbearable. He opened his mouth, wanting to argue, but found himself at a loss for words.

Jing Liansheng grew even sterner, his voice like frozen steel, “Your Lotus Sect, under the name of divinity, commits monstrous deeds, embezzles funds, acts without restraint, and even disregards human life… These crimes are beyond reckoning!”

Bai Qing, hearing this, felt increasingly agitated and sharply interrupted, “Don’t slander us! I admit I squandered that money. Scold me if you must, but don’t fabricate such enormous crimes! The Lotus Sect has always upheld its teachings and done good. When have we ever committed the evil acts you speak of?” 

Jing Liansheng remained silent, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Bai Qing, feeling both wronged and frustrated, was about to speak further when a bell rang from his traveling bag.

Bai Qing’s expression shifted slightly. That’s his longing bell.

Looking at Jing Liansheng, Bai Qing’s heart skipped. 

Back then, one of the longing bells had been given to Jing Liansheng, the other kept close to himself…

However, hearing the bell, Jing Liansheng felt no trace of longing. Instead, he looked as if facing a formidable enemy.

Bai Qing realized why in the next second.

The sun had set, and darkness crept in. As the silver bell chimed, ghosts began crawling out of nearby solitary graves. These spirits, ethereal and grotesque, surged toward Jing Liansheng as if to devour him alive. Jing Liansheng swung his sword in counterattack. In the flashing light of his blade, the ghosts were repelled. 

While fiercely battling the ghosts, he cast a glance at Bai Qing.

The ghosts launched suicidal attacks on Jing Liansheng but didn’t even touch Bai Qing’s sleeves. It looked exactly as if Bai Qing had commanded the malevolent spirits to assault Jing Liansheng.

Jing Liansheng probably thought so too. The glance he shot Bai Qing was cold and distant, utterly devoid of warmth, making Bai Qing’s heart shiver. Bai Qing had originally intended to intervene to clarify matters, but he hadn’t expected these ghosts to be no match for Jing Liansheng.

In a few swift moves, Jing Liansheng broke the malevolent formation, then a sword came flying from the west, aiming straight at Bai Qing’s forehead. 

Bai Qing didn’t dodge, just stood there.

The sword tip stopped mere inches from Bai Qing’s brow.

Jing Liansheng didn’t strike.

Perhaps killing the Saint Child on the spot would have consequences too great to bear. 

Perhaps because Bai Qing didn’t resist, and Jing Liansheng, out of martial principle, wouldn’t deliver a fatal blow.

Or perhaps because…

Bai Qing began to cry.

He burst into tears. “Jing Liansheng… you… you… I… I…” 

Jing Liansheng sheathed his sword, frowning as he demanded, “What scheme are you trying to pull this time?!”

Through his sobs, Bai Qing still caught the key point. With tear-blurred eyes, he looked up and asked, “What do you mean, ‘this time’?”

Jing Liansheng’s voice was cold and hard. “What exactly are you crying about?”

Bai Qing’s thoughts were in chaos, his mind a mush. He wiped his tears randomly and said, “Who did I provoke? I—” 

At that moment, Bai Qing’s body felt light. His soul seemed to be grabbed by something, pulled violently out of this body, this moment.

His vision shook, twisted, and blurred. He had traveled back to the modern era.

In that instant, Bai Qing suddenly realized the fact of his time travel. This was different from before. During previous travels, he clearly knew he had gone from the modern era to the past. He always retained awareness of the modern world, feeling like a mere observer, detached from Ci Ying. However, later travels made him gradually feel that his consciousness and Ci Ying’s had begun to merge. This time, he was completely immersed in the ancient past. He forgot his modern memories, forgot he was a sunny little walking corpse.

He fully merged with that identity, that era. 

As if he had always been Ci Ying, living in the Ancient Lotus Kingdom.

Returning to the modern era again, Bai Qing felt more disoriented than ever. His mind seemed wrapped in a dense fog, heavy and dull, almost impossible to think clearly. He struggled to open his eyes and found himself being dragged out from a dark whirlpool.

Who had dragged him out?

—Of course, it was Jing Liansheng. 

Tao Yaozhi, seeing Bai Qing being swallowed by the whirlpool, had immediately rushed to the West Wing to seek Jing Liansheng’s help. Jing Liansheng had wasted no time and appeared to rescue him. The formation Ying Zhili left in the room was powerful. Even a formidable fighter like Jing Liansheng found it hard to handle.

Once activated, the whirlpool churned violently, forming countless invisible blades that tore through everything. Trapped in the whirlpool, Jing Liansheng’s ghost body also suffered countless fine cuts. Yet Jing Liansheng gritted his teeth, exerting all his strength, holding Bai Qing tightly, and fought their way out of the terrifying whirlpool. The moment they escaped, Jing Liansheng felt utterly exhausted. But seeing Bai Qing safe gave him an immense sense of relief.

He wrapped his arms around Bai Qing, holding him like an injured rabbit, careful not to let him fall, but worried about pressing too hard. His knuckles turned pale but he dared not grip tighter. In his arms, Bai Qing opened his eyes drowsily. For a moment, he couldn’t distinguish between the memories of the past and present.

Seeing Jing Liansheng’s face, his mind was still steeped in ancient emotions, full of grievance. Tears streamed down uncontrollably. 

Jing Liansheng’s eyes widened in alarm. “What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”

Bai Qing clutched Jing Liansheng’s arm, crying loudly, finishing the sentence he had left incomplete before traveling through time, “Who did I provoke? I—I just wanted to eat a full meal!!!”

Jing Liansheng felt as if he’d been struck by a heavy blow, stunned in place.