Work Text:
The clinking of the silver vambraces resounded through the gambling den, cutting through the chaos, and bringing in a tense silence as every gambler stilled their motions to welcome the master. The clamor and noises of the gambling den rarely interested Hua Cheng. The roll of the dice, the nervous, bated breaths before the reveal of the outcome, the losses, the winnings, it was all the same. Whatever Hua Cheng willed, it happened. But most times, he just left gamblers to deal with their own fates, intervening only when something sparked his interest.
Hua Cheng idly walked through the building, before unceremoniously taking his seat on his throne. A silent figure appeared with a silver tray beside him, bringing him a glass full of red wine. He lazily took it, and leaned back, waiting for something to entertain him. The attendant bowed, before disappearing back into the shadows, on watch for anyone trying to break his ironfist rules.
A den that bred criminals would always be rowdy, but with a little harshness, he would force his rule through. So far, he had to deal with very few issues over the centuries. With a wave of a hand, the energy returned and the gambler’s den broke into ferocious cheers.
“Chengzhu’s here!”
“We’re so lucky for him to grace us with his presence after so long!”
“Chengzhu please grant this lowly one your luck!”
“Chengzhu, please bless these dice!”
Hua Cheng paid little attention to these demands, carelessly resting his cheek against the palm of his hand. Truly, without his gege beside him, everything was too boring. Xie Lian had been called by those useless officials to yet another pointless meeting. He half considered breaking into heaven and kidnapping his beloved just to force a point, and let those bumbling fools solve any issues by themselves, but he knew that would just upset Xie Lian. He could never do anything to upset his god.
Just as he was stewing in displeasure, a particularly bold voice rang through the gambler's den.
“I would like to bet against you, Hua Cheng!”
Hua Cheng narrowed his eyes. A man with a monkey mask looked at him with a particularly smug expression. It was clear that the man thought of himself as an equal, addressing him as such. It only added to his growing irritation.
The gambler den broke out into yet another frenzy.
“You dare think you can bet against Chengzhu?!”
“Chengzhu is too powerful, no one can win against him!”
“Well, granduncle won against him . . .”
“That’s because Chengzhu wanted him to!”
“Yeah! Only granduncle is worthy of defeating Chengzhu!”
Hua Cheng’s lips lifted into a smirk. Sometimes these fools really did say something right.
Swirling a cup of wine in his hands, he pulled his lips into a mocking grin. “What can you offer me that makes your bet worthy of my time?”
The man in the monkey mask seemed undeterred by the commotion around him. He smiled and said, “I know Chengzhu was searching for a spiritual plane for cultivation. I have information on the whereabouts of such a place.”
Hua Cheng raised his eyebrow. Well, that was rather vague.
With Xie Lian’s cultivation gone, it was true Hua Cheng was searching for a place rich with spiritual energy to relieve Xie Lian’s body and nurture his meridians until they healed, so he could cultivate once more. Xie Lian didn’t seem to mind his body being such a way, promising him that he never regretted his choice even once. Still, if Hua Cheng could gift his beloved with what he had once lost, it would be fine.
However . . . He didn’t trust this stranger at all.
Hua Cheng was already losing interest in this conversation, but the man in the monkey mask continued on, oblivious. “In return, all I ask for is the flower crowned martial god to be mine.” His eyes glinted with covetous greed.
Suddenly, the world turned red. The glass in his hand shattered, dripping the surroundings in red saccharine wine. All the noise around him became a blur. Large amounts of spiritual energy crackled through the air, frightening the denizens of gambler’s den. They rushed out, fearing for their lives. Even the man in the monkey mask’s smug look had slipped, revealing a sliver of fear in his eyes.
Good. But not enough. Hua Cheng would show him true fear.
He advanced menacingly towards the man, grasping his thick neck like it was nothing but a twig. Twisted fury encompassed his entire body. There were few things Hua Cheng cared about. He was petty and vindictive. Malicious and Vengeful. Resentment filled him to the brim. To think this buffoon had the audacity to demand Xie Lian, like he was a pretty little thing to be owned, rather than worshipped, cherished, and loved.
He pulled the man harshly, uncaring if he choked or struggled. He did neither as he was paralyzed from fear. He was mortal judging from the rapid pulse in his neck. How such a weak thing got the audacity to challenge him, he had no idea. Nor did he care.
Furniture went flying across the room. Hua Cheng hardly cared about the damage. He was rich enough to burn this place to the ground hundreds of times and rebuild it every time if he so wanted. Still, he didn’t want Xie Lian to come to a city that was partly destroyed. So, he lugged the body in his hand to the roofs, shattering the stone ceiling with a single blade of spiritual energy.
The cool air hit his face in a cacophony. The air around him trembled, much like the rage that flowed under his skin. Hua Cheng glowered at the struggling man in his hands.
“You dare refer to his highness as a lowly prize to be won by the likes of you!”
E’Ming rattled wildly against his waist, his fingers itching to use to maul this man until he was nothing. He almost did grab the cursed blade to chop the man into minced meat, but just held himself back. Not yet. He needed to keep him alive, to torture him, to make him regret his own pathetic existence.
“Y-you can’t do anything to me!” The man shouted.
Hua Cheng’s grip against his neck tightened. A choked gasp escaped his mouth.
“I clearly can.”
Somehow the man found it in him to smile. “Hah! You captured Taizi Dianxia because you knew no one could ever love a monster such as you. It’s just like someone like you to covet something so beautiful, forcing and taking it for yourself.”
Hua Cheng’s gaze darkened, fury burning through his veins. Yet, a sliver of doubt jabbed his heart. Yes, he was a monster. Yes, he feared Xie Lian was only staying with him because he was blinded by an illusion. He could scarcely believe his god would return his affections. But he would never force Xie Lian to do something against his will.
Despite the uncertainty creeping in, Hua Cheng kept his face impassive. “You know nothing.”
The man’s smile only widened at that. His limp arms suddenly moved to pull something out of his satchel. An orb of energy projected an image between them. Hua Cheng wanted to scoff, what could this scum ever want to show him?
And then he saw the image. Xie Lian, being led somewhere by a strange man. He was smiling benevolently, unaware of how the man looked at him with avarice.
“Hah, if the martial god truly wanted to be with you, why would he leave with someone who was trying to take him away from you?”
Hua Cheng’s breath faltered, his grip slightly loosening.
The man continued. “I bet you for his freedom, and you get what you want.”
Hua Cheng glared at him. “You didn’t want his freedom . . . You said you wanted him.”
The man simply scoffed at that. “I’d give him more freedom than you ever would.”
The words fell onto him like spears. Xie Lian . . . he could choose to leave anytime he would like. He had that freedom. Was Hua Cheng’s forwardness really . . . too much for him? That he’d rather leave with a stranger than confront him?
Faintly he heard shouts and gasps. Below he saw spectators but he cared little for them, until he heard a voice he would recognize anywhere.
“What’s going on here?”
Somehow, the ghosts erupted into a greater frenzy.
“Granduncle!”
“Granduncle is back!”
Hua Cheng peered under, and saw Xie Lian, wandering through the crowd, looking every bit confused. His hair that was tied up in a pristine bun, was now askew, loose strands of hair framing his lovely face. His shoulders had grown a little more tense.
The trash in his hands widened his eyes, seemingly just as surprised at the turn of developments. The movements however, went unnoticed by Hua Cheng, who was only focused on how tired Xie Lian looked. Hua Cheng gripped the scum’s throat tighter. Perhaps he should burn a few temples to warn heaven not to bother his beloved as often as they did. And if it weren’t for the trash before him, he would be ushering Xie Lian inside Paradise Manor, letting his sore muscles relax.
That is if . . . Xie Lian even wanted to come back to Paradise manor. What if- What if Xie Lian was simply there to say his last goodbye?
However, all such thoughts flitted out of Hua Cheng’s mind when he saw Xie Lian’s gaze meet his. Xie Lian’s confusion instantaneously morphed into concern.
Hua Cheng’s grip loosened from the scum’s neck and the man fell down with a repulsive scream. A sickening crack of bone resounded on the streets, as his skull cracked against the concrete. Hua Cheng descended to the ground mere moments later, eyes focused only on Xie Lian.
Xie Lian rushed to him, uncaring of the unconscious body beside them. Without hesitation, he reached his hand out, his hand caressing Hua Cheng’s cheeks with such softness, such tenderness, slowly pulling him out of his manic frenzy. Hua Cheng leaned into the touch, closing his eyes and savoring the gentle touch of his beloved. He didn’t want to lose this, he didn’t want to let go of this warmth.
Whether it was selfish or possessive, Hua Cheng, at that moment, wanted Xie Lian to stay beside him, and him only.
“San Lang, what’s wrong?” Xie Lian asked, his forehead pinched in distress. Only then did Hua Cheng realize he was shaking. While the rage he felt earlier had long dissipated from the mere presence of his beloved, the remnants of his anger still sparked, entangled with the desperation of keeping Xie Lian with him. The ghostly qi around him was still unstable, and the ghost denizens were also largely affected, unable to get closer to him. They had long scattered, only peeking out from beyond the buildings.
“Don’t worry about that trash, gege. I’ll take care of him.”
Almost unwillingly, Hua Cheng glanced at the crumpled body beside him.
“Take him away. Treat him only so he lives.” He ordered. The waning moon officer appeared from the shadows and ordered the attendants to take the body away, leaving nothing but an unsightly bloody mark on the road.
He turned his attention back to Xie Lian, gripping the god’s hand tightly, but still careful to control his strength. For all his fears that Xie Lian would simply take up and leave, the god compliantly let Hua Cheng hold him.
Xie Lian was rather lost as to what was occurring, and wanted to ask more questions. But seeing how Hua Cheng was right now, he decided to lead them back to paradise manor. He took the dice from Hua Cheng’s sleeve, and tossed them to the ground.
Instantly, they arrived at Paradise Manor, a familiar scene. Xie Lian slowly led Hua Cheng down to their bedroom. Perhaps in a few moments, it would only be his. He would do anything to avoid such a fate.
XIe Lian carefully sat Hua Cheng on the bed. Xie Lian stood before him, taking his face in his hands, and asking, “Now will my devoted follower tell me what’s going on?”
Hua Cheng pulled Xie Lian into his embrace and pressed their foreheads together. Xie Lian in his lap, his cheek pressed against the god’s chest “That trash- he- he dared to bet against me.”
Gentle hands stroked his head, slender fingers running through his hair. It sent pleasant shivers through Hua Cheng, who only clung onto Xie Lian tighter.
“But that’s not what upset San Lang, is it?” Xie Lian asked softly.
“No . . . He dared to ask for gege to be his.” Hua Cheng said, the rage rekindling in his chest. “He said that I was keeping gege trapped here, but-”
Hua Cheng snapped his head towards Xie Lian, anguish tinting his words. “I would never stop gege from leaving! I would never trap him- If, if he decides he no longer wants to be with me . . .”
‘Even if it might possibly kill me once more.’
Xie Lian’s heart ached, truly Hua Cheng had been affected by that man's words more than he should be.
Xie Lian sighed, pressing his lips on the tip of Hua Cheng’s nose. Hua Cheng’s breath hitched.
“I know San Lang would never stop me. But I’m simply here with San Lang because I want to be. Now and forever. After all, only by San Lang’s side do I know true happiness and a home.” Xie Lian said, comforting Hua Cheng.
“Then . . . why would Gege try to leave?” Hua Cheng expression saddened as he looked at Xie Lian, his eye wet and filled with soft vulnerability. “Gege can have all the freedom he desires, he doesn’t need to go with those trash to get it.”
Xie Lian was a little bewildered at those words. Where did Hua Cheng get the idea that he was trying to leave him with the help of men he had never met? And slowly, realization sunk in to him, as he recalled the previous strange events after he had descended from the heavenly capital.
“Ah, that explains the strange man trying to kidnap me.” Xie Lian mutters softly under his breath.
“ . . . What?”
Xie Lian was lost in thought, as he recounted the incident.
“I was returning from the heavenly capital, but I got a little lost, and I ran into a fellow who seemed rather insistent on helping me. Then he tried leading me to a strange place. I suspected something was wrong, and it turned out he wanted me to escape the clutches of the ‘oh so evil ghost king’.”
Xie Lian chuckles at that. “As if I didn’t willingly choose to be with San Lang.”
“Either way he wouldn’t listen to me, and tried to pull me away, saying I shouldn’t be scared and escape with him. It got rather tiresome, so I simply knocked him out, and came back as soon as I could.”
“Gege . . .” Hua Cheng didn’t know whether to be concerned or laugh, for his beloved was truly something.
Xie Lian looked at Hua Cheng seriously once more, his fingers tracing the curves of Hua Cheng’s face, his true face. He knelt down and placed a chaste kiss on Hua Cheng’s forehead.
Gently caressing Hua Cheng’s cheek, Xie Lian smiled and said, “I simply don’t want to leave San Lang’s side. San Lang should know, no matter whoever asks for me, I would never allow them to be with me like I am with San Lang.”
Hua Cheng tightened his grip against Xie Lian’s waist, pulling him closer until their bodies were almost melded together. Resting his head against Xie Lian’s shoulder, he said, “Forgive your husband for being a fool.”
Xie Lian continued pressing tender kisses against his hair. “How could San Lang think I’d leave someone as lovely as him?”
At that, a bitter laugh escaped him. “Only gege could see this wretched one as such. Everyone knows I am a being to be feared. A monster.” He looks up, meeting Xie Lian’s sorrowful eyes. “And gege- Gege is so good. Unlike me.”
Xie Lian sighed, disapproval crossing his face. Hua Cheng feared he had realized something everyone had already known, that someone like Xie Lian deserved better than him.
However, the next words out of his beloved’s mouth were even more frightening. “I see I haven’t been a good husband.”
“No! Gege has been . . . amazing. Indulging me, staying by me . . . Giving me something I wouldn’t have dared hope for in my wildest fantasies.” Hua Cheng refuted.
“Then why does my husband feel like he doesn’t deserve my love? Why does he feel so unworthy?”
At that, Hua Cheng was silent. What else could he say, but that he truly was undeserving and unworthy?
Seeing Hua Cheng’s conflicted expression, Xie Lian grabbed his face between his hands, and gazed into his eyes resolutely.
“Won’t San Lang allow his husband to show him how much he loves him?” Xie Lian asked softly.
“Gege is free to do as he pleases.” Hua Cheng said.
“Lay down.” Xie Lian commanded.
Hua Cheng gladly obliged, letting his body relax and fall onto the crimson sheets beneath. Xie Lian climbed atop him, and he could feel the god’s warm body sinking into him, relishing their closeness. Xie Lian gently took Hua Cheng’s larger hand and slowly guided it to his chest. Hua Cheng could feel the thrum of his beloved’s heart beating through his fingers, pulsing rapidly in a delightful melody.
Xie Lian gazed down at him, fondness encompassing his eyes, as he softly said, “Can San Lang hear it? How fast and loud it beats? Only San Lang has ever made me feel this way.”
Hua Cheng held back a strained noise. Didn’t his beloved realize how seductive he sounded right now?
Hua Cheng clenched the crimson sheets beneath him.
“San Lang?” Xie Lian prodded, afraid he’d done something to displease Hua Cheng. However, Hua Cheng was far from dissatisfied.
“Gege truly feels such a way about this one?”
Hua Cheng had never doubted Xie Lian, but to have his god return affections, it was truly unbelievable. He felt as if he were dreaming, and one day he would wake up to the cruel reality where Xie Lian was no longer by his side, and he had no purpose to linger on the mortal plane. Xie Lian raised Hua Cheng’s hand to his lips and pressed soft little kisses on Hua Cheng’s fingers one by one.
“San Lang is my most precious one, my most devoted believer, my beloved . . .” Xie Lian murmured, singing little praises and pouring every inch of his affection onto Hua Cheng.
Hua Cheng’s breath hitched. A ghost had no need for air, but at that moment he truly felt breathless. His usually shy god was so bold now, and Hua Cheng simply lay in awe, letting Xie Lian do as he pleased with him.
Finally, Xie Lian’s softened gaze fell onto Hua Cheng, as he placed a delicate kiss on Hua Cheng’s forehead.
“I’ll prepare a bath for you.” He said.
Hua Cheng’s throat trembled, “That should be what this lowly servant should be doing.”
Suddenly he felt a sharp jolt on the tip of his finger. Xie Lian’s teeth grazed his skin, his eyes filled with vexation. Hua Cheng’s jaw slightly opened from shock, and his mouth suddenly felt dry.
Xie Lian had bitten Hua Cheng’s finger. His heart trembled with unspoken emotions.
“Ah, but San Lang can’t call himself such things anymore. He is this one’s dear husband. I won’t have anyone speaking ill of him, even- especially if it’s himself.” Xie Lian said, his voice as sweet as ever, as if what he had done moments before simply didn’t happen.
“Or . . .?” Hua Cheng asked, his voice hoarse.
Xie Lian smiled at him. “Or I’ll have to punish him.”
“Your highness . . . will truly be the death of me.” Hua Cheng said, a myriad of emotions fluttering through his chest.
Xie Lian laughed delightfully, as Hua Cheng pulled Xie Lian on top of him and buried his face in his beloved’s shoulder. Eventually, they reluctantly peeled off of each other, as Xie Lian went to warm the water. Hua Cheng felt slightly aimless, not knowing what to do with his useless existence other than taking care of Xie Lian.
Restless, he stood up from the bed and went to the bathing chamber, to hear Xie Lian humming an old Xianle song as he waited for the water to heat. The sweet tune carried such warmth, such melody, Hua Cheng felt he could drown into it.
A sense of surreality struck him once again. His god was here, in his manor. He transformed his cold and lonely house into a home for the two of them. And he . . . he wanted to stay. Beside him. He wasn’t leaving.
Xie Lian’s humming paused when he saw a tall figure in crimson robes leaning by the door, watching him with such a tender expression. Good, his believer seemed to be in a better mood now.
“Ah, I apologise San Lang. This is taking longer than expected.”
Hua Cheng puffed a laugh. “Gege has nothing to be sorry for. This one is honored Gege would go through such trouble for him.”
“It’s no trouble.” Xie Lian refuted, walking up to Hua Cheng. He pulled Hua Cheng’s hand and led him further in, and the ghost king obediently followed him.
He sat Hua Cheng down, and tried to work out how to unbutton such a complicated robe. Seeing Xie Lian’s struggle, Hua Cheng chuckled. “I see gege’s eager to get this one out of his clothes.”
Xie Lian’s ears burned, but his smile did not falter. “This gege simply wants San Lang to relax.”
Hua Cheng reached his hand out and put a stray hair behind Xie Lian’s ear. “This one is always relaxed in Gege’s presence. Gege is home.” He said softly.
Xie Lian finally succeeded in removing the robe, but he barely paid it any mind, lost in Hua Cheng’s tender gaze. “San Lang is my home too.”
Hua Cheng wordlessly smiled at him, but it did not escape Xie Lian that his eyes were clouded in a pained sadness.
Hua Cheng was a being who was scorned from the moment he was born. The world was unkind to him, and to it, he was ruthless in return. Only for Xie Lian did he lower his guard, and yet even towards him, he hid his vulnerabilities, believing he had to be strong to shelter Xie Lian from anything that tried to hurt him.
Centuries of cruelty and hatred had built up to make him believe he was a monster. To make him believe he was unworthy of Xie Lian. Xie Lian would have liked nothing more than to take that pain away. To ease it into nonexistence.
But it would not go away quickly. Xie Lian would take the first step. And he would take a million more, to make Hua Cheng as loved as he deserved.
Stripping the last of his clothes, Hua Cheng goes into the bath, letting Xie Lian comfortably settle him into the water, which laps pleasantly against his skin. He rests his head against the edge, his eye longingly looking at Xie Lian.
“This lowly-” He starts, but then bites his tongue, remembering Xie Lian’s look of disapproval and swiftly changes his words. “This humble one would like it if his husband would join him.”
Xie Lian makes a noise of surprise, but ultimately agrees. He strips his plain robes before coming in the water. The manor’s bath was quite big, unlike Puqi shrine, so he could sit a good distance away from Hua Cheng, but Xie Lian chose to settle beside his husband. After all, his husband needed him.
Hua Cheng pulled him closer, til Xie Lian ended up on his lap, their bare chests touching. The skin to skin contact, it grounded him. Hua Cheng rested his head in the crook of Xie Lian’s neck, nuzzling against the bare skin.
“Gege . . .” Hua cheng murmured.
Xie Lian hummed and patted Hua Cheng’s head. “I’m here. I’ll always be here. No matter what.”
Hua Cheng felt his shoulders relax.
Xie Lian pulls Hua Cheng’s face between his hands, and gently traces his thumb around the edge of his eyepatch. He had seen Hua Cheng without it a few times, but each time was swift and full of apology for letting him even witness such an ugly sight.
“This must be uncomfortable.” Xie Lian said, experimentally tugging at the straps holding it in place.
Hua Cheng pulled back. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does,” Xie Lian said firmly, “For what kind of husband would this one be, if he lets his beloved hide such a vulnerable part of himself.”
“But it’s ugly.” Hua Cheng spat.
Xie Lian frowned at those words. “I believe I should be the judge of that.”
Hua Cheng hesitated for a moment, before nodding. “Gege’s right.”
Hua Cheng fought the instinct to cover his eye, and tore off the leather patch, revealing scarred skin underneath. His eye was no more, but the wound had festered, the skin raw and unclean. He couldn’t bear to look at Xie Lian, fearing he would see the disgust and pity he had seen reflected in so many others’ eyes. However, a gentle hand tilted his chin upward, and he was faced with an expression that showed no judgement, just the same fondness he had always shown.
“Mn, I am right. My husband is the most handsome man in all the three realms.” Xie Lian said proudly.
“Gege . . You-.” Hua Cheng whined, flustered. If ghosts could blush, he had no doubt his face would be dyed in red.
“What? Is San Lang saying he disagrees with his god?” Xie Lian teased, mirth sprouting in his voice. Hua Cheng pouted. His god could really be too much sometimes.
“This one has to disagree, for Gege is the most handsome man to grace this universe.” Hua Cheng proclaimed.
Before Xie Lian could voice any rebuttals, Hua Cheng pressed his lips against the god’s, reveling in how soft they were. Xie Lian didn’t seem to any refusal, as after the initial shock, he melted into the kiss. The pair of god and ghost stayed like that for a while, unable to separate themselves.
Suddenly, a flash of silver zoomed through the doors and into the bath, frantic and whirring. Hua Cheng, irritated by the interruption, grabbed the perpetrator and slammed his hilt.
“E’ming!” Xie Lian said at the same time, shocked. The weapon buzzed angrily at the slam, immediately turning its pathetic form towards Xie Lian, and whining. The cursed sabre, usually fearsome and deadly, looked like a whimpering child, its form quivering and its red eye teary.
“Forgive me, Gege,” Hua Cheng said, barely repressing his anger, ”I’ll deal with this thing privately.”
However, Xie Lian immediately stopped him. “You will do no such thing. E’ming hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“But-” Hua Cheng protested. However, Xie Lian ignored it, and took E’ming from his hands. He gently caressed the scimitar’s hilt, brushing his hands along the silver.
“Poor thing,” He murmured. “So shaken up.”
Hua Cheng glared at E’ming, but the blade seemed to completely block him out, shivering pathetically against Xie Lian’s gentle touches.
“Did you think I was going to leave too?” Xie Lian asked, his fingertips grazing the spot right under E’ming’s eye, where he liked to be petted.
E’ming buzzed in confirmation, pressing its form closer against Xie Lian’s chest.
“Neither you nor your master need to worry about such a thing.” Xie Lian comforted. “I may be gone temporarily, but nothing can keep me from coming back here.”
As he said those words, his eyes flitted over to Hua Cheng.
“After all,” Xie Lian grinned. “This is my home.”
Hua Cheng stared at Xie Lian, speechless. Finally, he let out a chuckle, pulling the god closer to him, til he was practically on his lap.
“Gege is so good to this one” Hua Cheng said, with helpless fondness.
Xie Lian looked back up at him, with those bright eyes, full of love and trust. “Nonsense, this is what San Lang deserves.”
Later, he pulls away from Hua Cheng. He grabs a bottle of perfumes and oils, dipping his hand in and letting the scent permeate through the bath. His fingers tangle through the ghost king’s hair, as he helps bathe his husband. His hands are careful, yet awkward. Even after all these years, he couldn’t fully get rid of the behaviors drilled into him when he was a child. A prince to be served by others, not meant to be the one serving anyone else. And when he fell from grace, he hardly ever had the right to take care of himself.
But this time, even if just once, he wanted to take care of Hua Cheng, just like Hua Cheng had done for him many times before. To his credit, the ghost king was particularly obedient, going along with Xie Lian’s whims. He comfortably settled under Xie Lian’s careful touches. E’ming lay flat above the water, seeming happy just watching Xie Lian.
Eventually, they rose from the water, and settled onto the bed. They put on their inner robes and lay onto the bed. With a comb in his hand, he gently brushed Hua Cheng’s long hair. Hua Cheng leaned into it, savoring his god’s pampering. Xie Lian’s deft fingers moved to braid Hua Cheng’s hair, and though crooked, it looked quite charming on the ghost king. Finally, he tied the red coral bead onto Hua Cheng’s braid. The two were silent, and the ghost king sat still, as if he were the god’s pretty little doll to do whatever he pleased with.
“San Lang looks so lovely.” Xie Lian praised.
When the god looked at him like that, he truly did feel loved, even with his eye bare.
“It’s all thanks to Gege.” Hua Cheng said, pulling Xie Lian into his arms. The night was long and neither of them needed sleep, yet with each other by their side it was simply something they had gotten used to. Tonight though, was a night of worship. The ghost king who worshipped the forsaken god in turn was worshipped by the god. Murmurs of love and devotion were pressed against his skin, as the two lay to rest.
The dungeon was damp, with a hint of metallic scent in the air. Two figures, one in red and the other in white, walked deep inside, the ghost soldiers bowing deeply in respect.
“Chengzhu, granduncle.” An old ghost warden greeted them.
Yin Yu appeared beside him, as swift as a shadow, revealing two black dice, in his pale hand.
“Chengzhu, we searched the man and found these.”
Hua Cheng took them from him, and immediately felt something was wrong. He sent a stream of his spiritual energy through the objects, and immediately saw through the trick.
“He really thought he could trick me with this . . .” Hua Cheng fumed. He would have found it almost laughable, if he weren’t enraged by the sheer audacity of the mortal.
Xie Lian stood beside him, watching the ghost king with curious eyes. “Was there a spell on those dice?”
Hua Cheng’s voice noticeably softened as he turned to the god. “Gege’s so perceptive,” He praised. “The bastard used a weak spell to make sure they would always land on the most favorable outcome. A simple parlor trick this one has come across many times.”
To think all that smugness was coming from such a stupid plan. Hua Cheng swiped his fingers against the dice and the spell instantly shattered. Then he clenched his fist around the dice, letting them crumble into dust.
“Take me to him.”
Yin Yu bowed, and led the two deeper into the dungeon. They stood in front of the cell. The prisoner had clearly not had a great time there. Blood was smeared across his face, cheeks swelling and a black eye throbbing. His mask had been broken into pieces, but he probably already looked unrecognizable that he had no need for it.
When he saw Hua Cheng arrive, he paled. His heart nearly stopped beating when he felt the immense resentful energy coming from the ghost.
“Speak.” The ghost king commanded.
“I-” He tried to speak. “It wasn’t my idea-”
“If you waste my time, I’ll make sure to cut your tongue off and feed it to the dogs.”
The man swallowed his excuses and pleas, immediately crumbling under the pressure.
“I heard rumors- rumors that Chengzhu was looking for land good for cultivation. I had such a place, so I wanted to try to place a bet. And Chengzhu had something I wanted - A god. I thought it could be a fair exchange.” The man babbled.
“San Lang needed land suitable for cultivating? What for?” A voice, much gentler and softer than the ghost king’s, asked.
The man looked up and was struck by the other’s divine beauty. Warm eyes, soft features, and a gentle smile. He was so lost in fear, he didn’t even sense the other person. This person could only be - the flower crowned martial god, Xie Lian. He looked so out of place next to the calamity. Such a person must be trapped and forced to be beside the ghost king. A pity he failed in rescuing the prince.
Oblivious to the prisoner’s growing resolve to try to ‘rescue’ Xie Lian again, Hua Cheng turned to his god.
“It was for gege. His previous cultivation path is no longer suitable, and I am partly to blame for that.” Hua Cheng said, his head down, as if ashamed.
Hearing this, the man broke out of his thoughts due to the sheer shock by the sudden change in Hua Cheng’s demeanor. Was this really the same calamity he had been dealing with mere moments before?
“San Lang . . .” Xie Lian’s heart trembled. Was Hua Cheng really thinking that he wasn’t worth sacrificing his cultivation for? That it hadn’t been Xie Lian’s own decision to throw it away, for there was something in his life he cared more for?
He reached out to touch Hua Cheng’s cheek. “There’s no need for you to take any blame.”
“But Gege’s cultivation was very important to him and I- I took it away.”
“San Lang’s right, if the previous path is unsuitable, I can always try another.” Xie Lian said, a smile growing on his face. “Would San Lang consider dual cultivation?”
Hua Cheng looked thunderstruck. “G-gege?!”
Xie Lian laughed. “We can talk about it later.”
Then turning away from the speechless and flustered ghost king, he narrowed his eyes at the trembling prisoner. “What even is this land you were talking about?”
The man broke out of his stupor and tried to collect his thoughts. “It was the one previously owned by the Fu sect.”
“That land is completely barren.” Hua Cheng said. “The Fu sect have long abandoned it.”
He knew as the cultivator sect’s own head had come to him at the Gambler’s Den for any sort of aid.
“Those are just rumors!” The man argued. “The land seems barren but there’s a large reserve of energy underneath.”
Suddenly, next to him, Xie Lian inhaled, his voice growing cold. “The only energy left there is resentful energy, enough to corrupt and drive someone insane.”
He walked closer to the man, each step more foreboding than the last. “Even if San Lang is a ghost king and can clear the energy, it would drive him mad.”
Just as when Mount Tonglu opened and had an adverse effect on the denizens of ghost city, and their leader, as well as all the other ghost kings, this sort of energy was not to be messed with. This mortal came with ill intentions from the start, but even the so-called reward he had offered came with sinister intentions.
Hua Cheng scoffed. Truly how much of an idiot was this mortal to think he could fool him like this? He had ears and eyes all over, not to mention ghost city was flooded with rumors and stories from all over the realms, which all eventually fell upon his ears. “Do you really think your pathetic plan would ever work?”
“I-I-It was him! He told me that if I told you all of this, you would agree. I didn’t know!” The man screamed, prostrating on the ground.
“Him?” Xie Lian asked.
“The m-man who tried to lead you away. W-we thought you were simply an ornamental consort. Hua Cheng wouldn’t mind giving you away if-if we offered something valuable.”
“Trash!” Hua Cheng snarled, rage overcoming him. He sent a sharp blade of spiritual energy through the air, slicing the man’s stomach. The man groaned, doubling over and clutching his bloody self.
“Dianxia is priceless. Even if you pay with your worthless life, you won’t be able to afford even a glance from him.” Hua Cheng raged.
“San Lang, it’s alright.” Xie Lian patted the ghost king’s shoulder. However, it did little to calm down the enraged calamity. He looked at the prisoner, and asked. “If you planned on making a bet, why try to lure me away?”
The man bit his cheek, feeling light-headed. The fear subsided through the pain, and he felt his own anger bubble up.
“If Hua Cheng didn’t agree, we would help you escape, but who knew you’d come back to a monster like him! He should have absorbed the energy! He should have exploded and dispersed, and it would be good riddance-”
A kick sent the man flying in a graceful arc, and punched him straight in the chest. The man landed with a thud against the wall.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn't talk about my husband that way.” Xie Lian said, a gentle smile on his face. Yet his eyes revealed his barely restrained anger.
The man hardly had any time to look up before realizing his entire body couldn’t move. His bones were shattered, just from a single move.
Shivering, he met the god’s serene expression. “And don’t even think about hurting him.”
“Gege,” Hua Cheng called. Xie Lian glanced at him, and was surprised when the ghost king took his hand. He took out a silk handkerchief and wiped Xie Lian’s hand. “Let me clean that filth off of you.”
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Hua Cheng looked so focused on cleaning his hand, gently working the cloth between his fingers. When Hua Cheng was finally done, Xie Lian squeezed his hand affectionately.
“I think we’re done here.”
The man was left behind as a bloody pulp, completely unrecognizable.
“Dispose of him.” Hua Cheng ordered.
Out from the shadows, Yin Yu appeared again and bowed. “Of course, Chengzhu.”
Xie Lian smiled at the Waning Moon Officer. “Thank you.”
Yin Yu's eyes glimmered in pride before he moved onto “taking care” of the trash.
Their two figures were left alone together, Xie Lian turns to him and says.
“San Lang . . . Let’s go to Puqi Shrine.”
“Ok Gege.” Hua Cheng replied.
He would follow Xie Lian anywhere.