Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Feng Xin had been having a rather normal day. Fight a little with Mu Qing, answer some prayers, fight a little more with Mu Qing, go disperse some ghosts, search for Xie Lian, fight a lot more with Mu Qing, cause some property damage in that fight, get chewed out by the owner of said property and fight with Mu Qing about who has to pay for repairs. Really, a normal day. That’s how his life had been for centuries and he hadn’t expected it to change today out of nowhere.

It started when someone ascended. And that ascension was violent enough that it tore through all of Heaven, leveling Feng Xin’s palace in the process. So obviously, he stomped angrily towards the gold beam of light to yell at the newly ascended god, but when the gold light faded, all the words died in his throat.

It was Xie Lian.

Feng Xin hadn’t seen His Highness in eight centuries. Ever since Xie Lian had told him to leave and he just had. It didn’t matter that Feng Xin had gone back shortly afterwards, Xie Lian had been gone. Feng Xin had failed him.

And now His Highness was back again, had ascended a third time. However, considering what Xie Lian had apparently done directly after his second ascension… Hopefully, it would go differently this time. Feng Xin was in an entirely different situation now, he could help. If Xie Lian would let him.

Feng Xin carefully watched how His Highness reacted to his recent ascension. Xie Lian looked around in confusion and something Feng Xin very hesitantly labeled as dissatisfaction and worry.

And then with no warning whatsoever Xie Lian’s expression turned frantic and pained. He coughed with a hand in front of his mouth, his legs gave out from under him and he collapsed into the nearest gods who’d been there to see who was ascending, the Windmaster and Earthmaster.

Surprised and panicked shouts rang out as Xie Lian kept coughing and a black liquid started to come out of his mouth. The Windmaster and Earthmaster both got sprayed by the black liquid, but the Windmaster was way too busy worrying about Xie Lian to complain about it and even the Earthmaster looked strangely panicked for some reason.

No comparison to Feng Xin, though. He hadn’t even noticed he’d darted forwards until he had reached Xie Lian who had turned into a pale shivering mess in the Windmaster’s arms.

“Your Highness! What’s wrong?” Feng Xin shouted frantically as he crashed to his knees next to Xie Lian.

The latter didn’t seem any kind of coherent, he kept mumbling frantically about a San Lang he had to get back to.

“Is he sick?” the Windmaster asked tearfully and was clearly transferring spiritual energy in an attempt to help.

“He’s cursed,” the Earthmaster replied with an undertone of panic that was completely foreign to him.

Feng Xin barely knew the guy and was honestly surprised he’d even been in Heaven, let alone this close to whoever had ascended, but the Windmaster had probably dragged the Earthmaster along. Still, since when was Ming Yi this worried about someone he had no way of knowing? He kind of looked like he was about to get murdered.

“Cursed?”

Feng Xin totally did not jump out of his skin at the sudden interjection. So what if Mu Qing had apparently come over as well and was now standing next to them? Feng Xin was a Martial God, he wouldn’t get startled by that!

“What kind of curse?” Mu Qing asked with a complicated expression on his face that Feng Xin refused to acknowledge as concern.

The Earthmaster took Xie Lian’s wrist and stayed silent for a few moments. His expression suddenly turned outright terrified. “It’s a love curse,” he said gravely as if he’d just been told the world would get burned to the ground.

As much as Feng Xin was worried about His Highness, he didn’t understand why the Earthmaster would look like that. The list of candidates able to do it was very short and he doubted Crimson Rain was involved in this.

Still…

“What?” Feng Xin and Mu Qing screeched in an unusual show of unity and in an even further deviation from their normal behavior, they didn’t even glare at each other for it.

Xie Lian looked way too deathly pale for that. Beads of sweat were running down his temple and the black liquid was smeared across his mouth. He was shivering and his gaze flickered frantically over the gaping gods, pleading to get back to his San Lang, whoever that was.

“This curse is a rather unusual one,” the Earthmaster explained as if he was holding a funeral for someone. “His Highness is bound to another person now and if he’s too far away from the other cursed party, he’s experiencing extreme pain and symptoms of a raging fever. His Highness needs to be reunited with the second person who was hit by this love curse or it will only get worse.”

That was probably this San Lang Xie Lian was babbling about.

“How do we break this curse?” Feng Xin demanded to know.

The Earthmaster sighed deeply. “I don’t know. However, don’t kill the caster. These kinds of curses rarely end with that, they only get worse. And the only additional information I have is that if one half of the couple is killed, this state will stay permanent. But I suggest you figure the rest out after you reunite the cursed couple. The couple will be drawn towards each other, so finding this mystery person shouldn’t be too hard. Best hurry up.”

Xie Lian was still shivering in the Windmaster’s arms. Hurrying up might be a very, very good idea.

“General Nan Yang, General Xuan Zhen,” a calm voice interrupted.

Nope, Feng Xin totally did not jump out of his skin this time either. The Heavenly Emperor himself had come over, Ling Wen at his side. Jun Wu was looking at Xie Lian with a worried expression. His Highness still seemed to be his favorite even after everything that had happened.

“I ask you to take Xianle back to whoever he’s cursed to be in love with and find a way to break this curse as soon as possible,” Jun Wu ordered.

Whispers arose between the gods about how Feng Xin and Mu Qing allegedly still hated Xie Lian, but Feng Xin didn’t care. Right now, he just desperately wanted to get that pained and delirious expression off Xie Lian’s face. Meanwhile, Ling Wen on the other hand was mumbling something about having to find another person to pay for the damage. Whatever that was about.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Feng Xin replied and Mu Qing nodded his consent as well.

“I expect a report on the identity of the other cursed person as soon as you find out,” Jun Wu said. “A god cursed to think himself in love with a mortal is highly problematic. We need to know who this San Lang is.”

“We’ll handle it,” Mu Qing said even though he clearly meant that he would do it on his own.

Feng Xin decided to yell at him later, he had other priorities at the moment. He took Xie Lian out of the Windmaster’s arms and asked, “Your Highness, we’ll take you to your San Lang, where is he?”

At the mention of the unfamiliar name, Xie Lian turned at least coherent enough to point them in the right direction, so the three quickly descended with Feng Xin holding the shivering prince in his arms the entire time.

Xie Lian was far too light for his taste and those robes had clearly seen better days. Sometime in the last century. Heaven, what had happened to Xie Lian all this time?

When the three gods landed on the earth, Xie Lian already seemed better. Some color had returned to his cheeks and he dazedly blinked up at Feng Xin.

“Feng Xin?” he asked quietly and then noticed the second person accompanying him. His voice got ever quieter. “Mu Qing? What… what’s going on? Why… I…”

“We’ll explain, but don’t you want to do something else first?” Mu Qing asked reservedly.

Xie Lian’s eyes widened. “San Lang! I was just with him and then I ascended! The ghost! I have to get back to him as fast as possible!”

From one moment to the next Xie Lian pushed himself out of Feng Xin’s arms and darted off into a small forest that was next to them.

“Your Highness!” Feng Xin and Mu Qing shouted simultaneously and immediately ran after him.

For a person still struck with a high fever, Xie Lian was surprisingly fast.

“Why didn’t you pay better attention?” Mu Qing hissed. “How could you just let him run off like that?”

“I didn’t see you stopping him either!”

“You were the one carrying him!”

“Because all you can be trusted to carry is a broom!”

“Big words coming from you, Ju Yang!”

“Say that one more time again and my palace won’t be the only thing that’ll have to be rebuilt!”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing kept yelling at each other until they caught up with Xie Lian just in time to see him reaching a person in red who was stumbling around frantically in the forest, obviously looking for something. Or someone.

“San Lang!” Xie Lian cried out with immense relief in his voice.

The person in red whirled around and his face lit up with joy like a small child. “Gege!”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing on the other hand both froze in their tracks in shock and existential dread as Xie Lian kept running and threw himself into the arms of the young man in red.

Threw himself into the arms of the Calamity that had wiped out thirty-three gods and seemed to have it out specifically for Feng Xin and Mu Qing.

Crimson Rain Sought Flower.

Hua Cheng.

Because apparently, he was involved after all. Even if the Ghost King was currently in the form of young man, almost still a teenager, Feng Xin would recognize that menace anywhere. Forget about some random mortal, that would’ve been infinitely preferable to Xie Lian and Hua Cheng being the ones who were currently cursed to be in love with each other. This was about the worst thing that could’ve happened!

Please, someone tell him he was hallucinating! Someone tell him His Highness wasn’t currently cuddling the most dangerous threat of Heaven like Crimson Rain was a stuffed animal. And the normally menacing and mocking Ghost King was letting Xie Lian as if he never wanted to be somewhere else!

It looks like the world is going to be burned down after all, Feng Xin thought panicked.

Because once Crimson Rain was back to normal, he would one hundred percent have feelings about being cursed to fall in love. And with Xie Lian of all people. Crimson Rain hated gods with a passion, there was no way he’d make an exception for His Highness, right?

Chapter Text

SAN LANG IS CRIMSON RAIN! two voices yelled into the communication array.

He Xuan was kind of glad he couldn’t get a stroke anymore because this message would’ve certainly come close to giving him one otherwise. And he wasn’t alone with this reaction.

WHAT?

That was about the only thing the communication array managed to transmit as about half of Heaven had exclaimed it simultaneously. Afterwards, everything devolved into pandemonium and the gods were shouting in incomprehensible chaos. In a rare bout of sympathy for a god He Xuan genuinely pitied Ling Wen for having to bring order into this madness to get further information.

As everyone screamed, He Xuan realized this was actually one of the better outcomes for him. Having a cursed Xie Lian collapsing onto him had sent him into a small panic as Hua Cheng absolutely would find a way to blame it on him even if He Xuan had nothing to do with it. Crimson Rain would probably triple his debt just on principle if He Xuan even breathed in the vicinity of Xie Lian getting so much as a papercut.

Hua Cheng’s precious prince nearly passing out from pain and fever? Well, there’d been a reason He Xuan had rather frantically tried to contact Crimson Rain, but the other hadn’t responded. If Hua Cheng was the other cursed party, it made kind of sense, he’d probably been too out of it to respond.

He Xuan was surprised that someone as strong as Hua Cheng had gotten himself cursed. Ghost Kings – or rather Calamites because Qi Rong so did not count here – didn’t get cursed. They sensed the evil intent towards them and defended themselves automatically, no conscious action required. Unless…

Oh.

Oh.

Of course. Getting cursed to be in love with someone you were already madly obsessed with probably didn’t count as evil intent and therefore Hua Cheng hadn’t defended himself. Ridiculous. Seriously, Crimson Rain? How pathetic was that? No way would that happen to He Xuan.

Anyway, this was probably for the best. He Xuan would most likely not have a tripled debt any time soon as Hua Cheng would be way too busy trailing after his prince. Also, He Xuan didn’t have to worry about Crimson Rain unleashing his fury on some poor bystander who’d gotten roped into this mess nor on the world in general because if he killed the poor bystander, Xie Lian would suffer for it and Hua Cheng therefore needed a different target for his anger.

In the meantime, Ling Wen had somehow managed to bring order into the communication array. Which was actually quite impressive considering most of the gods had the impulse control of a toddler.

And you’re absolutely certain about this? Ling Wen asked rather tiredly.

One hundred percent, Feng Xin said like someone who was watching his life flash by before his eyes.

Crimson Rain is calling His Highness gege, Mu Qing added gravely. He’s definitely cursed.

You know, He Xuan had heard Hua Cheng call Xie Lian all kinds of things. Mu Qing would probably burst all his blood vessels if he knew the details. Hm, maybe He Xuan should suggest it to Hua Cheng to get his debt reduced.

Frantic murmurs were heard from the gods which could be summarized as everyone agreeing that yes, Crimson Rain had to be cursed for him to act even remotely friendly around a god.

They’re hugging! Feng Xin said stressed.

Huh, good for Hua Cheng. Now he could stop hugging the statues whenever Mount Tonglu opened.

Why don’t you intervene then? the Watermaster sneered. Just drag the useless trash god away if you’re so concerned for his chastity.

The only reason He Xuan decided to not tell Hua Cheng about this was that he wanted to kill the Watermaster himself and if he reported this statement, Crimson Rain would murder Shi Wudu before He Xuan had the chance.

Shut the fuck up before I make you! Feng Xin hissed so darkly that He Xuan was wondering whether the Watermaster would be murdered today after all.

Do you want to go up against a Crimson Rain who believes himself in love? Mu Qing deadpanned. Be my guest.

The Watermaster stayed tellingly silent after this.

Besides, as much as I hate to say this, Crimson Rain doesn’t seem to be a threat to His Highness at the moment, Mu Qing continued like he had to force out every word. They’re cuddling.

Suddenly, Jun Wu joined the conversation even though he rarely ever used the communication array himself. Generals, I expect you to break the curse as soon as possible. Don’t antagonize Crimson Rain any more than you need to until then. Even if… he believes to hold some misguided affection at the moment.

He Xuan was suddenly very curious if Hua Cheng could defeat Jun Wu in a one-on-one duel. Because someone was certainly doing his best to set the duel up.

It’s to be expected that Crimson Rain will react very poorly after this curse is resolved, so be sure to get Xianle out of there as fast as possible, Jun Wu ordered.

Surprisingly, the bastard actually had a point that Hua Cheng might take this badly even if the reasons for it couldn’t be further from what Jun Wu was imagining. As unsettling as Hua Cheng’s obsession with his prince could be, He Xuan was well aware that he’d never force anything on Xie Lian. Would this curse put Crimson Rain’s self-control in a time-out to a degree?

He Xuan hoped Hua Cheng would be fine. Not because he cared about the other Calamity, hell no, as if! It was just that a happy Crimson Rain wouldn’t find new and whimsical reasons to increase He Xuan’s debt. That was totally it, no other feelings involved! And anyone who said something else would get stomped into the ground by two annoyed Ghost Kings.

Well then, as Hua Cheng was currently busy with his prince, He Xuan could focus on more important things.

“Ming-xiong?” the Windmaster called.

Yes, He Xuan could put his entire effort into his revenge now. Because that was one hundred percent the only reason why he let Shi Qingxuan drag him around all day.

After a sharp debate over who had to say something containing mostly curses and insults, Feng Xin awkwardly cleared his throat to get Xie Lian and Crimson Rain to stop cuddling like two lovers that had been apart for centuries.

“Your Highness?” he called hesitantly.

Crimson Rain threw him a deadly glare from where he was still hugging Xie Lian and yes, that was clearly still the Calamity Feng Xin knew. As weird as it was, Feng Xin relaxed a bit at the silent death threat. Crimson Rain’s violence he knew and knew how to react to. Crimson Rain making soft eyes at Xie Lian and giggling like some love-sick maiden was a scene out of a fever-induced nightmarish hallucination that was even more unsettling than every prayer Feng Xin had ever received from a woman. And he’d heard things.

“What?” Crimson Rain hissed sharply.

“San Lang, please be nice,” Xie Lian chided gently and leaned back a little so that he could look at Crimson Rain’s face.

Instantly, Crimson Rain’s expression shifted back to love-sick. “As gege wishes.”

Feng Xin wanted to gag.

Xie Lian smiled happily. Afterwards, he looked back and forth between Crimson Rain on the one side and Feng Xin and Mu Qing on the other with a thoughtful expression. “Do you know each other by any chance?”

“Unfortunately,” Crimson Rain murmured.

For once Feng Xin agreed with him.

“We’re… acquainted with Crimson Rain,” Mu Qing settled on icily.

“Crimson Rain?” Xie Lian repeated curiously.

“My title,” Crimson Rain answered. “I’m actually a Ghost King. My full title is Crimson Rain Sought Flower.”

Something told Feng Xin the said Ghost King wouldn’t have offered that information this way if he hadn’t been cursed.

Xie Lian didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. “I see. Well, I did suspect you had the rank of a Calamity.”

That curse was really messing with His Highness, wasn’t it? He obviously wouldn’t have been as calm about it otherwise.

Mu Qing had apparently decided to see if there was any sense of danger left in Xie Lian because he said, “Your Highness, Crimson Rain is known to Heaven because he is responsible for the death of thirty-three gods.”

Xie Lian blinked. “He is? San Lang, is that true?”

“It is,” Crimson Rain answered easily. “I challenged them to a duel. If I’d lose, I’d give them my ashes. If they’d lose, they’d give up their godhood. Unsurprisingly, they lost but didn’t hold up their end of the deal.” He smiled smugly. “So I burned down all their temples in a single night. They lost all their believers and faded away.”

“You managed to defeat thirty-three gods and burned down their temples in a single night? That’s quite impressive.”

Alright, so Xie Lian didn’t have any sense of danger left. Crimson Rain’s actions weren’t impressive, they were insane and terrifying!

Crimson Rain preened under Xie Lian’s praise.

“And your title?” Xie Lian asked further. “It’s quite poetic.”

“I once cleared out another ghost’s den and let it rain blood from the sky, but I saw a white flower getting stained, so I shielded it with an umbrella. I actually like the title.” Crimson Rain’s eyes suddenly gained a mischievous glint. “Looks like I found my flower now.”

Xie Lian obviously understood the comparison to when he’d carried the title of the Flower-Crowned Martial God and blushed deeply. “I’m glad to be found.”

Fucking hell, what was this nightmare?

“Your Highness, are you aware that you are currently cursed?” Mu Qing interrupted because he was clearly just as fed up with this madness.

Feng Xin was so grateful he was actually considering thanking Mu Qing for his interruption which really said everything about his current mental state.

“Which curse are you referring to?” Xie Lian asked so nonchalantly that Feng Xin choked.

At least he wasn’t the only one because Mu Qing did the same and even Crimson Rain’s breath that he didn’t need seemed to hitch for a moment.

“Gege!” Crimson Rain whined. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because it’s no trouble, really!” Xie Lian replied instantly. “It’s just some minor stuff, nothing to worry about, it always fades with time anyway.”

Feng Xin had never expected to ever agree on something with Hua Cheng of all people, but the look in Crimson Rain’s eyes said exactly what he thought about those minor curses.

“Gege, let me help you!” Crimson Rain insisted with something that would be genuine worry in anyone else.

Damn, that curse had to be strong if it could make Crimson Rain behave even remotely normal.

Xie Lian looked like he wanted to argue, but ultimately, he sighed and nodded. “If San Lang wants to.”

Crimson Rain pulled Xie Lian close again and seemed to begin circulating spiritual energy through him.

Do you think it’s safe to just let them? Feng Xin asked Mu Qing in their personal communication array.

…it looks safe enough, Mu Qing answered reluctantly. Besides, I have a feeling Crimson Rain will do a lot worse than glaring if we try to get His Highness away from him. As horrible as it sounds, we have to let them be for now. Heaven, I hope Crimson Rain doesn’t turn out to be as sadistic to someone he thinks he loves as he is to everyone else. Stay vigilant.

You don’t have to tell me that!

Xie Lian let out a pleased hum indicating that Crimson Rain had indeed dissolved most of the curses on him.

Crimson Rain frowned, though. “Gege, there is one that’s different from the rest. I don’t think it’s wise to just break that one. It’s…” His eyes widened in surprise and he reluctantly pushed Xie Lian away to be able to look him in the eyes. “It’s linking us, gege. That’s why it hurt so badly when you ascended. We can’t be apart at the moment.”

Do you think this curse prevents Crimson Rain from remembering all the details about it? Mu Qing wondered silently. He clearly seems to know it, but not the love part. That’s a little too convenient.

He also doesn’t seem to have noticed any difference about his opinions for His Highness. Nor has His Highness. The curse must be blocking their awareness of it.

Made sense. Even if you suddenly fell in love, you would at least have to notice if your feelings did a one-eighty. Crimson Rain surely wouldn’t have rolled with this as he did at the moment if the curse didn’t affect that part, too.

If he doesn’t know, we’re not going to tell him. It’s much safer for His Highness that way, Feng Xin said.

Obviously, do you think I’m an idiot?

I don’t think it, I know it!

Oh, you little…

“Well, it’s not like I’d ever want to be apart from San Lang anyway,” Xie Lian said and effectively cut off the mental fight that had been about to start with those words. “I enjoy your company very much.”

Crimson Rain smiled warmly. “My words, gege. I’ll stay by your side as long as you’ll allow me.”

Xie Lian chuckled. “If that’s the only criterium, you’ll have to stay forever then.”

“I’ll gladly stay forever.”

“I’d like that.”

Feng Xin wanted to throw up at the sickeningly sweet conversation. Xie Lian was going to freak out so badly after things were back to normal. Who the hell said that to a Ghost King?

Crimson Rain teasingly tapped Xie Lian’s nose. “But I’d like to stay by gege’s side because he wants me to, not because we have no other choice. So, let’s get this curse taken care of and then we can start with our forever, alright?”

The only thing that was going to stay forever were the nightmares Feng Xin was going to have from this scene for all eternity!

“Then let’s get going,” Mu Qing said with a grimace. “We need to find the caster and ask them how to break the curse, just dispersing the ghost won’t help.”

“We?” Both Xie Lian and Crimson Rain had said it, but where Xie Lian’s tone was hesitant and quiet, Crimson Rain’s was sharp and threatening.

Not that Feng Xin was ever going to compliment Mu Qing, but the other god did keep his composure. “Yes, we,” Mu Qing snapped. “We’re here to help solve this problem!”

Xie Lian’s eyes went wide with wonder. “You are?”

Crimson Rain sneered. “Gege, we’ll be fine without them.”

“But if they want to help… I’d welcome it,” Xie Lian whispered awfully fragilely.

Feng Xin had to hold himself back from clenching his fists tight enough to draw blood. Mu Qing’s mouth was pressed into a thin line.

Crimson Rain sighed. “As gege wishes.” He smiled warmly again. “Come on, gege, we can start by going back to the place where we fought that ghost before you ascended. They disappeared right after, so there’s a good chance they’re the caster.”

They’d fought a ghost together? Well, it made sense since they’d probably had to have been together to get cursed, but Feng Xin found the idea mind-boggling that the normal Crimson Rain had spent any time in the vicinity of a god without attacking him, even if that god had been a banished one at the time.

Whatever, they could ask Xie Lian about it afterwards. Crimson Rain had probably decided to dispatch the ghost first before dealing with Xie Lian. And Xie Lian most likely hadn’t realized who he was helping, he’d only seen someone fighting a ghost and had jumped in to help however unnecessary and dangerous the action might be. That was the only scenario that made sense. What was the alternative? That Crimson Rain and Xie Lian had met before that and had just decided to attack the ghost together? Yeah, sure. What a stupid and ridiculous idea!

Whatever ghost they were dealing with had to be rather powerful, though. It had managed to run from Crimson Rain and Xie Lian. Crimson Rain had most likely been similarly incapacitated as Xie Lian once they’d gotten separated due to His Highness’ ascension, but still. Most ghosts would’ve been dispersed from one glance, not even mentioning a fight.

Xie Lian smiled and let himself be pulled along by Crimson Rain who threw another deadly glare at Feng Xing and Mu Qing over his shoulder.

Alright, all they had to do was watch Xie Lian and Crimson Rain be lovey-dovey for a while until they managed to break this curse. Still better than getting sliced to pieces by Crimson Rain’s butterflies.

Chapter Text

Feng Xin would please take the butterflies now. Getting sliced to pieces sounded infinitely better than having to watch another second of that! Crimson Rain had started using his butterflies to survey the area as there was no sign of the ghost in the place where Xie Lian and Crimson Rain had encountered it earlier, but who the hell could’ve expected that some simple reconnaissance would lead to this… something?

“They’re so cute,” Xie Lian cooed while petting one of Crimson Rain’s weapons of death.

Those wraith butterflies could easily slice open someone’s throat! They were absolutely not cute! Feng Xin had nightmares from the times when Crimson Rain had sent his little pests after him!

Hua Cheng honestly seemed to preen under Xie Lian’s praise. “I’m glad gege likes them.”

“How could anyone not?” Xie Lian smiled softly when the butterfly in his hands flapped his wings as if happy. “San Lang is really talented for being able to create such lovely creatures.”

“Gege flatters me.”

“I’m just honest.”

Feng Xin literally wanted to be anywhere but here. The absolute worst part was that both flirting parties were completely serious with the nonsense they were saying. Or as serious as you could be under the influence of a curse. It was so unsettling to see Crimson Rain behave like this. Because up till now he hadn’t done anything even remotely threatening or harmful to Xie Lian. Even those butterflies had been docile in His Highness’ hands. Unsettling was actually too tame to describe it.

“Why did you tell it no?” Xie Lian suddenly asked and Feng Xin realized he’d missed a bit of their conversation.

In that bit they’d apparently gotten to the part where Crimson Rain had shown his cursed scimitar to Xie Lian. Feng Xin tensed and berated himself for not staying vigilant the entire time even if Hua Cheng seemed really no threat at the moment. E-Ming was still a weapon of mass destruction and the way it was rattling and staring at Xie Lian with that creepy red eye was surely a very bad sign.

Crimson Rain sighed quietly. “It wants you to pet it, gege.”

…what the fuck?

“Oh, that’s no problem,” Xie Lian said with a fond smile and then proceeded to really pet the cursed thing.

Feng Xin silently wheezed and Mu Qing stumbled for a moment.

“E-Ming is also quite cute, aren’t you?”

Feng Xin knew Xie Lian liked weapons, but really? There were limits! There were zero reasons to smile at E-Ming that fondly and warmly! What the hell was up with this curse? Feng Xin wanted to have words with the ghost who’d cast it! Very, very fisty and arrowy words! Or fisty and sabery words in Mu Qing’s case because the other god was clearly as disturbed about this entire scene as Feng Xin. Why oh why did they have play along with this?

Ah, right, because Xie Lian was cursed to be close to Crimson Rain and the Calamity would definitely jump straight to murder if anyone interrupted him right now. Was this the universe’s punishment for leaving that day?

“It likes you a lot, gege,” Crimson Rain said. “It doesn’t pay attention to people it doesn’t like.”

Feng Xin would like to argue that very much. That weapon did pay attention to people it didn’t like. Just the very wrong kind.

“Did your butterflies find anything?” Mu Qing interrupted.

He had clearly decided that getting killed by Crimson Rain was preferable to having to watch one more second. Honestly, Feng Xin understood the feeling.

Both Crimson Rain and E-Ming shot Mu Qing an absolute death glare promising bloody violence, but Xie Lian nodded to Mu Qing’s words. “Right, sorry, I got distracted. I guess we should break this curse as soon as possible. Then San Lang can show me his armory!”

Crimson Rain visibly brightened up at that. The instant switch was so damn unnerving. “You’re right, gege, as always. Let’s break this curse and then we’ll have all the time for you to visit Ghost City.”

What the hell did you just do? Feng Xin yelled at Mu Qing.

Shut up, how was I supposed to know? Mu Qing shot back. Besides, it’s not like that visit will ever happen!

Swords, moron! Swords! His Highness might just break in to sneak a glance!

No, he wouldn’t! Not with a deadly Calamity breathing down his neck! His Highness does have some amount of self-preservation!

Mu Qing scoffed into the communication array. You do remember we’re talking about a man who was walking around with a couple of curses piled onto him and thought it nothing to worry about?

Feng Xin didn’t have anything to reply. He had no way of knowing what had happened to Xie Lian to make him this nonchalant about his own safety and well-being.

We’ll just have to make sure His Highness is aware how dangerous and deadly Crimson Rain actually is once the curse is broken, Feng Xin settled on.

Seriously, how hard could it be to convince Xie Lian to stay away from Crimson Rain after all of this? They were probably worrying about nothing. Xie Lian would most likely want to stay away out of his own accord. This was just the curse, no way was Xie Lian genuinely enjoying Crimson Rain’s company. What a deranged thought! Utter madness!

It didn’t take long until Crimson Rain announced that his butterflies had found a trace of the ghost’s qi. Those silver pests were rather convenient when they were doing your bidding. Not that Feng Xin would ever admit it to Crimson Rain, the Ghost King was already conceited enough!

They quickly went to the place in person to figure out where the ghost might’ve fled to. Which somehow turned out to be a high cliff infested by some rather aggressive ghostly vines that attacked them on sight. Also, those damn vines were actually crafty enough to be more than just a nuisance. The vines themselves just kept regrowing until they’d manage to hit the core which powered them, but said core was hidden. Therefore, they could only keep blasting the stupid things away until someone found the core.

And that was how Feng Xin ended up not only fighting by Xie Lian’s and Mu Qing’s side again like old times – which he was nostalgic and happy about – but also by Crimson Rain’s side – which was just utter madness and Feng Xin was never going to tell anyone about it! Crimson Rain clearly couldn’t care less about whether Feng Xin and Mu Qing were doing fine, but they were still fighting one the same side! What the fuck! If someone would’ve told Feng Xin this would happen before this whole curse, Feng Xin would’ve called the person a mental nutcase too far gone for help!

Fighting with Crimson Rain instead of against him did have some advantages, though. The Calamity blasted through the vines almost faster than they were regrowing, clearly quite annoyed at everything except Xie Lian who he was watching fight in lovesick awe. To be fair, His Highness was quite the sight. He danced through the vines with ease even without powers, but did Crimson Rain have to be so blatant about staring?

“Found the core!” Mu Qing suddenly shouted.

And then everything went to shit. Crimson Rain shifted his attention towards the core and one vine snuck up behind him.

Xie Lian cried out, “San Lang!” and attempted to intercept, but the ground suddenly crumbled away beneath him and as he tried to regain his footing, another vine managed to land a hit on his leg. A sickening crack rang out before Feng Xin had any chance to help.

“Your Highness!”

“Gege!” Crimson Rain’s yell was so damn panicked and pained and he jumped forward to Xie Lian while simultaneously slicing up the vine that had snuck up on him because, of course, he’d never been in any kind of danger.

Then even more of the ground beneath Xie Lian crumbled away and, because they had been fighting at a high cliff, Xie Lian would’ve fallen over the edge if Crimson Rain hadn’t caught him in time to pull him back.

Mu Qing must’ve finished off the core in the meantime because all the vines suddenly vanished.

Xie Lian looked down at the dozens of feet he’d nearly fallen. “That would’ve been uncomfortable,” he said unphased.

“Gege, why did you drop your guard like that?” Crimson Rain asked shakily while he carefully helped Xie Lian sit down on a rock. “I had that! There was no need to put yourself in danger for me!”

Feng Xin had never seen Hua Cheng so distraught. An unnamed emotion swirled in those dark eyes. Was that… was that guilt?

“Seriously, Your Highness, that was completely unnecessary!” Mu Qing added with clenched fists. “Crimson Rain wouldn’t even have died if those vines had pierced his heart, why would he ever need your help?”

…did he really have to phrase it like that?

“But it still would’ve hurt,” Xie Lian protested kindly. “I don’t want San Lang to get hurt.”

Silence.

That part was still His Highness at his strongest even if the kindness was currently for a deadly Ghost King.

Surprisingly, it was Hua Cheng who spoke up first. “Gege, I’d rather prefer if you’d let me get hurt instead of putting yourself in danger for me.” He lowered his eyes at Xie Lian’s injured foot.

Clearly broken if the weird angle was anything to go by.

“I’m fine, it’s nothing,” Xie Lian said quickly with a carefree smile. “It’ll heal soon anyway. Besides, San Lang saved me from falling off the cliff. That’s always rather painful. And even worse, with this height I might even have survived it this time!”

Feng Xin felt like someone had punched all the air out of his lungs. He literally had to force himself to keep breathing normally no matter how painful it was.

Always rather painful? Worse that Xie Lian would’ve survived the fall? How often had His Highness fallen off a cliff? How often had he been unable to get up and had had to lie there with a broken body, waiting to die of thirst or until his shattered body did give out after all?

Mu Qing’s knuckles were white from how tightly he was clenching his fists and his mouth was pressed into a thin line.

And Crimson Rain… Guilty didn’t even begin to describe it. Hua Cheng was devastated. There was no other word for it. The Ghost King looked like he blamed himself for all that Xie Lian had ever had to go through. And like he loathed himself for the failure. The emotions looked so raw and genuine that Feng Xin had trouble remembering this was just because Hua Cheng was in love because of a curse. It just seemed far too real for this to be an illusion.

“I’m so sorry, gege. If only I’d been able to find you sooner,” Crimson Rain whispered while summoning some butterflies to his hands. “Please, allow me to heal you at least.”

“San Lang, it’s not your fault!” Xie Lian replied instantly. “You saved me from falling! And I’d obviously be grateful if you want to help me.”

He kept smiling as the butterflies landed on his broken foot. The glowing beings quickly finished their work and Xie Lian’s foot was as good as new.

“Your Highness, how are you feeling?” Feng Xin asked tensely.

Not because he mistrusted Crimson Rain about this, but because… how to put this in words? Feng Xin simply couldn’t.

Xie Lian still smiled. “I’m fine, really.” He genuinely looked fine.

So, even though Feng Xin hated it, he turned towards Crimson Rain. “Thank you.”

Heaven, that had hurt. But Hua Cheng had protected Xie Lian from falling and had healed him. Curse or not, he had.

Mu Qing didn’t protest, he just looked away.

Normally, Hua Cheng definitely would’ve made some sort of mocking comment, but this time he gave not even the slightest reply. His entire attention was on Xie Lian and his face was strangely vulnerable.

“Seriously, everyone, I appreciate the concern, but this is nothing, I’m fine! How about we continue looking for our ghost? I think we can track them from here,” Xie Lian said and stood up.

Or he tried to because the moment His Highness attempted to get to his feet, Hua Cheng swept him up in a bridal carry.

Xie Lian blushed. “San Lang!”

“Gege was just injured, he shouldn’t strain his foot by walking now!” Hua Cheng stated firmly.

“You healed me, I’m fine!” Xie Lian protested but made no move to push himself out of Crimson Rain’s arms.

“Still, gege needs rest! And you won’t be attacked or fall again that way.”

“Are you just going to carry me around all day?”

“That a problem?”

Xie Lian blushed even deeper, but he gave no answer.

Hua Cheng smiled satisfied and the raw vulnerability from earlier had long disappeared from his eyes.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing exchanged a glance before quietly following Hua Cheng carrying Xie Lian down the cliff. As weird as it was, a Crimson Rain in love was… oddly genuine and kind of sweet about it.

And Feng Xin would forever deny even thinking that because it was still Crimson Rain Sought Flower they were talking about. A Calamity that had killed thirty-three gods and had attacked Feng Xin and Mu Qing more than once. This was just a curse. Nothing more.

Xie Lian was currently laughing happily in Hua Cheng’s arms about something the latter had said. Feng Xin hadn’t heard His Highness laugh like that since before he’d heard about the drought in Yong’an all those centuries ago. And even then, this genuine happiness had been rare.

Still just a curse, though.

Nothing more.

It would pass.

Everything about it.

Xie Lian was still laughing and Hua Cheng was now chuckling slightly as well.

Chapter Text

Unfortunately, they didn’t find the ghost that day, so they had to set up camp somewhere for the night. When Xie Lian suggested searching for a temple to find shelter, Crimson Rain reacted as one would expect from a Ghost King famous for despising Heaven. The only new thing was the comment about Xie Lian being the only one worthy of being called a god.

Feng Xin calmly weighed his options and decided to stay silent for the time being as they still had to get along with Crimson Rain. Meaning, Mu Qing put his hands over his mouth and held him back with a sour expression while Crimson Rain was too busy flirting with Xie Lian.

So, with Crimson Rain’s negative enthusiasm about staying in a temple that wasn’t Xie Lian’s, he instead found a cave for them to stay in. A cave that was mysteriously equipped with a rather large number of utensils for sleeping, cooking and a lot of other stuff that should not be in a random cave in the middle of nowhere! No cave just happened to have a full stock of whatever food you could want!

Really, did Crimson Rain think anyone was buying that this totally had been left by some random strangers while he was basically drowning Xie Lian in pillows? Not in a dangerous way though, Hua Cheng was just very determined to make sure Xie Lian was as comfortable as possible before he put His Highness down. Because yes, the Calamity had carried Xie Lian around the whole time. Xie Lian hadn’t even protested too much after a while.

However, this had some truly dire consequences now.

“San Lang, you have to let me cook for you!” Xie Lian insisted. “You’ve been carrying me around all day. I’m truly fine, let me thank you!”

Feng Xin felt himself paling rapidly. Even watching Crimson Rain flirt with His Highness was better than that!

“I’ll cook,” Mu Qing said instantly.

Crimson Rain threw Mu Qing a nasty glare before beaming at Xie Lian. “If gege insists, I’d be honored to try his cooking!” Then he smiled threateningly at Feng Xin and Mu Qing. “I’m sure your former servants wouldn’t dare to refuse your cooking if you graciously make something for them after being through so much today!” Crimson Rain’s look clearly said he was going to murder Feng Xin and Mu Qing if they did.

He’s got no idea how bad His Highness’ food is, Mu Qing said silently. How about we just try again after he’s gotten a taste? Crimson Rain put enough supplies here for us to just cook something different afterwards.

Works for me, Feng Xin answered.

“Your Highness, if you truly want to cook, we won’t stop you,” he said out loud and Mu Qing nodded along.

Xie Lian seemed genuinely stunned for a moment before smiling widely. “I’ll do my best then!”

“Of course,” Feng Xin replied and tried to ignore how happy Xie Lian seemed about being able to cook for all of them.

No deeper meaning here.

About an hour later Xie Lian had finished his dark concoction… ehm, had finished the meal he’d clearly put a lot of effort into. Feng Xin kept his face neutral as he stared at the bubbling mixture of dark violet and blue. Given that most of the ingredients had been green and white before, this was truly a feat.

“Looks delicious, gege,” Crimson Rain praised. “Does it have a name?”

“Reforged Bonds on the Road,” Xie Lian announced happily. “I’ve come up with this stew just for this occasion!”

…this was supposed to be stew? However, Feng Xin held back the comment. He was a little bit too stuck on the name.

“A worthy name!” Hua Cheng praised again and let Xie Lian fill his bowl to the brim.

Crimson Rain didn’t wait for Feng Xin and Mu Qing and took a bite. Xie Lian was clearly somewhat tense while Feng Xin was wondering if the Calamity would drop dead now. To be fair, Crimson Rain was already dead, but he could be dispersed, right? As welcome as that would’ve been in any other circumstances, it would be highly inconvenient and problematic now.

However, Hua Cheng just smiled and commented, “Maybe try a little more salt next time, gege. Aside from that, it’s amazing.”

Xie Lian’s smile was one of pure unadulterated joy.

Ghosts still have taste buds, right? Feng Xin asked mystified.

Definitely. But considering their changed diet, maybe it actually tastes good for him?

Are you kidding? I was contemplating if Crimson Rain was going to get dispersed by His Highness’ cooking, there is no way ghosts’ taste buds are that different!

Maybe a Ghost King is strong enough to withstand it and he’s just being nice about it? Mu Qing contemplated.

Feng Xin glanced at Hua Cheng who was happily continuing to eat the dark concoction Xie Lian had created.

…he genuinely seems to like it. Damn, that curse is strong. Or do you think it’s truly not that bad?

As someone who can actually cook, let me tell you, it’s absolutely that bad, idiot! Mu Qing shot back. Definitely the curse.

“Feng Xin, Mu Qing, here are your portions.”

Xie Lian’s voice interrupted their mental debate and he held out two bowls for them to take. Feng Xin wanted to come up with some kind of excuse, but seeing Xie Lian’s hesitantly hopeful expression, he simply couldn’t.

Instead, Feng Xin just took the bowl. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

As terrible as Xie Lian’s cooking was, he could survive one bowl, right? Feng Xin was a Martial God for crying out loud, he could handle this! He had a silent staring contest with the travesty called food, but unfortunately, the travesty was winning.

“It’s going to get cold,” Crimson Rain commented with a deadly glint in his eyes.

You know, between Crimson Rain and Xie Lian’s cooking Crimson Rain was probably the less deadly one.

I dare you to go first, Mu Qing said while he was quietly staring or more accurately glaring at his own portion.

Coward! Feng Xin shot back and promptly shoved a spoon full of badly burned something into his mouth before his self-preservation would remember that this was a very bad idea.

He wanted to spit it out again the second the weapon of mass destruction hit his tongue, but he forced himself to offer a weak smile and nod silently.

Xie Lian’s smile had an entirely new emotion to it. A rather fragile one Feng Xin couldn’t name. “I’m glad you like it. I really must’ve gotten better!”

Dammit, just swallow! You’re a Martial God! You can handle this! Feng Xin thought, somehow managed to swallow and then would’ve promptly passed out if not for the fact that his spiritual energy was doing its absolute best to keep him conscious.

He did see some very strange colors and shapes, though. And Feng Xin was pretty sure that Xie Lian wasn’t actually a stoat, Hua Cheng a fox and Mu Qing a jellyfish. Because if they were, Feng Xin had questions.

The next days were mostly spent in a similar way. Feng Xin was going to strangle that stupid curse-casting ghost and then let Crimson Rain play with the remains. Its trail kept leading through other areas invested with ghosts, monsters, demons and everything in between. Nothing dangerous but always with some sort of annoying trick that prevented the pests from getting immediately obliterated.

Which meant they’d traveled for days now in this strange little group. Mu Qing had forcefully taken over cooking with the excuse of him being faster than Xie Lian. Which was true, but so not the real reason. Xie Lian was weirdly happy about Mu Qing offering to cook for him, but Feng Xin was too madly happy with not having to eat Xie Lian’s food again to properly question it.

Crimson Rain hadn’t tried to murder Feng Xin and Mu Qing yet. Not even a little bit. He’d settled for glaring combined with mocking and derogatory comments at every turn, but that was it. However, as Hua Cheng was way too busy flirting with Xie Lian to do anything else, even the comments weren’t that numerous.

The flirting had actually gotten worse. Somehow. And Feng Xin and Mu Qing were forced to just let it go on. Heaven, Crimson Rain was going to go ballistic over this shit. He’d even started giving Xie Lian gifts! Flowers, a crystal ring, new robes, the whole package! They really needed a strategy for how to safely get away when this curse was broken because Crimson Rain was most likely going to go insane once he’d realized what had happened.

Xie Lian had brushed Hua Cheng’s hair! Repeatedly! And he’d accepted everything with a warm smile and a blush. At some point Xie Lian had even braided one of the white flowers Crimson Rain had gifted him into the latter’s hair! His Highness was possibly going to die from mortification after this while Crimson Rain was going to do his best to murder the witnesses.

At least the Calamity was civil for now. As unsettling as it was to see Crimson Rain court someone with such genuine and somewhat sweet sincerity, it was a lot better than him being a sick psychopath who hurt the people he loved. And Xie Lian accepting that courtship – albeit with a very red face most of the time – was still better than him wandering around alone and stumbling into one misfortune after another without anyone there to help.

Because yes, Xie Lian did attract accidents and bad luck worse than anyone Feng Xin had ever seen. Feng Xin, Mu Qing and most of the time Hua Cheng as he was stuck to His Highness’ side and therefore the closest were incredibly busy with keeping Xie Lian unharmed.

The old building where they’d encountered a swarm of demon wasps being controlled by a hidden queen? The building had nearly collapsed onto Xie Lian if Hua Cheng hadn’t pulled him aside.

The forest they’d just travelled through? Trust Xie Lian to lean against the tree rotten from the inside to rest and then nearly get stabbed by the somehow sharp branches. Feng Xin had blasted them away before they’d had the chance.

The new building they’d entered only to find it the den of some possessed humans? Also nearly collapsed onto Xie Lian. Yes, a completely new building had also somehow collapsed when His Highness had so much as made one step inside. Hua Cheng had managed to pull Xie Lian back that time as well before he’d gotten buried under rubble.

The perfectly stable road? Suddenly littered with giant holes that Mu Qing had had to stop Xie Lian from falling into and probably breaking something else. The completely fine-looking bridge? Xie Lian had slipped and nearly fallen although he had actually managed to save himself from a swim. The totally uninhabited cave Xie Lian had found? Inhabited by a bunch of territorial wolves that Crimson Rain had chased off.

How the hell Xie Lian could keep on smiling and being unbothered by all of this Feng Xin would never know. Misfortune followed him like a plague and he just laughed it off. Feng Xin dreaded thinking about how it had gotten to this state. Eight hundred years on his own with nobody to help Xie Lian? Feng Xin could guess how it had gone no matter how capable of a fighter His Highness still was and would always be.

So, when they encountered some hostile and ghostly black clouds near a lake that you really, really shouldn’t breathe in, Xie Lian, of course, somehow ended up in the lake to stop himself from breathing in the black clouds with them angrily floating above the surface, waiting for when His Highness would eventually have to come up for air again. And Hua Cheng, of course, dove straight into the lake after Xie Lian, probably to be close enough to push the clouds far enough away from His Highness so that Xie Lian could take a breath without danger.

Feng Xin would really like to tell himself that this was going to be a fun story in a few years, but unfortunately, he wasn’t that delusional. Also, he was kind of stuck having to figure out how to punch a cloud. Seriously, this was a task much better suited for the Windmaster!

The next moment Xie Lian and Crimson Rain broke through the surface of the lake. The black clouds instantly enveloped them, but Feng Xin wasn’t particularly worried about Xie Lian as Hua Cheng was right there next to him.

…what the hell had happened for Feng Xin to genuinely trust Crimson Rain Sought Flower to take care of His Highness? Complete and utter lunacy!

Crimson Rain seemed to finally have enough of all of this and he sent his butterflies towards the black clouds. The little bugs created such a strong wind with their wings that the black clouds were blown away to reveal the ghost hiding behind it. With a target to actually hit, both Feng Xin and Mu Qing instantly struck out, dispersing the ghost on the spot.

Oh, fucking finally!

Xie Lian and Crimson Rain swam to the shore and sat down there for a moment.

“Gege? Are you alright?” Hua Cheng asked surprisingly hesitantly for once.

Feng Xin looked towards them and paused.

Xie Lian was bright red. His blushes over the last couple days were nothing against the current one. His Highness seemed to be doing his absolute best to match Crimson Rain’s robes. On second thought, Xie Lian might be winning.

“I’m fine, it was just… very unexpected.”

Hua Cheng was still weirdly hesitant. “This one really didn’t mean to make His Highness uncomfortable.”

Since when was he back to formal speech and titles?

“San Lang, I really was just surprised!” Xie Lian insisted. “But… you… I…” He awkwardly cleared his throat, somehow managing to blush even deeper. He might’ve invented a new color right now. “I actually wouldn’t… mind if you… did it again.”

Feng Xin was so freaking lost right now. Had Crimson Rain done something? Xie Lian clearly wasn’t hurt, but something had to have happened in the lake. It couldn’t be the physical contact of Hua Cheng dragging Xie Lian up, those two – much to Feng Xin’s and Mu Qing’s suffering – had been shamelessly cuddling and holding hands almost constantly over the last few days. What was the difference now?

Crimson Rain’s eyes lit up like the sun, but he carefully looked at Xie Lian. “Is gege sure?”

The tomato formerly known as Xie Lian nodded. “Of course, only if San Lang also… wants to.”

Hua Cheng’s smile was one of pure happiness and warm love. “Always.”

Seriously, what had Feng Xin miss…

Kissing.

They were kissing.

His Highness and Crimson Rain Sought Flower were kissing.

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng were kissing.

Feng Xin distantly heard Mu Qing’s screeching, but he could only stare blankly and try to figure out what kind of outrageous, demented, wild and nightmarish hallucination they’d ended up in.

Chapter Text

“Your Highness!” Mu Qing shouted enraged. “Stop kissing the Ghost King!”

In any other situation Feng Xin would’ve joined in. He most likely would’ve demanded to know what Crimson Rain had done to Xie Lian, what kind of spell or curse he’d put on His Highness, but ironically, Hua Cheng genuinely hadn’t done anything. Crimson Rain was just as cursed as Xie Lian and Feng Xin had no idea how to handle this now.

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng stopped kissing at the interruption. To say Crimson Rain looked positively murderous for being interrupted was understating it. The Ghost King was clearly only one breath away from eviscerating them, setting their remains on fire and then scattering the ashes.

His Highness on the other hand just blinked at Mu Qing’s anger. “Why?” Xie Lian asked confused but still a little red. “Is there a problem?”

A problem, he asked. Feng Xin didn’t even know how to begin here. That the utter lunacy was kind of frying his brain wasn’t even remotely relevant. The biggest problem was probably the fact that Xie Lian had just kissed a Ghost King who – hopefully very soon – was going to get uncursed and who was going to have a reaction to this which was most likely going to make the fall of those thirty-three gods look tame in comparison. Heaven, Crimson Rain flirting with a god under the influence of a curse had equaled one destroyed mountain, but him kissing one? Bye bye to the nearest mountain range.

The mental fallout for Xie Lian wouldn’t be better if presumably a lot less violent. After everything His Highness had been through, this had to have been added on top of it? Feng Xin could only hope it would stay at complete mortification and nothing worse.

Mu Qing was scowling in response to Xie Lian’s question. “Your Highness, he’s…” Mu Qing paused for a moment, probably remembering that Xie Lian currently wasn’t able to comprehend any criticism towards Crimson Rain. “Your cultivation!”

Oh, that was certainly a very good argument. There was no way…

“What about it?” Xie Lian asked even more confused.

Feng Xin spluttered while Mu Qing looked close to having a stroke.

Somehow, to make all of this even crazier, Hua Cheng chimed in as the voice of reason. “Gege, the trash over there actually managed to say something sensible for once.”

…that had to have been the nicest thing Crimson Rain had ever said about Feng Xin and Mu Qing. They were absolutely doomed once this was over.

“I wouldn’t want to destroy your cultivation,” Hua Cheng said sincerely. “Even if… I’d never force anything on you, though.”

Xie Lian cupped Hua Cheng’s face and smiled warmly at the Ghost King. “I know. But my spiritual energy is sealed anyway and my cultivation hasn’t done me any good. I’ve been alone for centuries. I won’t make the same mistake again and let someone slip away even though I want nothing more than for them to stay.”

Hua Cheng’s eyes were wide in awe. “Gege,” he whispered breathlessly.

And then Xie Lian and Hua Cheng kissed again.

Fuck.

“Your Highness!” Mu Qing shouted panicked.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

And they couldn’t just make them stop because Crimson Rain was much too powerful! They needed something to…

“The curse!” Feng Xin blurted out. “Your Highness, please let’s get rid of the curse first! We’re so close to the ghost, we can’t waste time!”

“The ghost might hurt someone else if we don’t stop it!” Mu Qing added hastily.

Thank Heaven that Xie Lian’s sense of responsibility and compassion were still untouched because His Highness pulled away from Hua Cheng with a sigh. The Calamity feared throughout the three realms pouted at the action. Like a toddler.

Feng Xin wanted a drink. More than one. Unlike some people he wasn’t forced to stay sober for all eternity. He wanted to raid a wine cellar at this point. Blackout drunk sounded so much better at the moment. He’d never actually leave Xie Lian at Crimson Rain’s mercy, but still. At least then Feng Xin would know the reason if he would be seeing things.

Xie Lian chuckled warmly and kissed Hua Cheng quickly on the forehead. “Don’t worry, San Lang, we’ll just deal with this and then we have all the time we want, don’t we?”

Hua Cheng sighed but nodded. “As gege says.” He smirked menacingly while he helped Xie Lian to his feet. “An actual bed would be better anyway.”

And Xie Lian was bright red again. “San Lang!”

This is a catastrophe! Mu Qing hissed into the communication array. His Highness is actually going to break his cultivation if we don’t manage to break this curse!

You don’t have to tell me! Fucking hell, at least the ghost really is close! Because I genuinely don’t know how long we could hold those two back otherwise! Feng Xin shuddered internally. And can you imagine what Crimson Rain would do if he actually slept with a god?

Mu Qing’s expression said everything.

Hua Cheng sleeping with Xie Lian while both of them were under a curse and had basically no control over their feelings and to some extent actions? Crimson Rain’s freakout would be unimaginable. There weren’t enough mountains to destroy in the entire world for that situation.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing decided to power through the last night with their spiritual powers instead of sleeping because they so weren’t going to leave Xie Lian and Hua Cheng unsupervised. Especially because those two were insisting on sharing a sleeping mat. Or more like Xie Lian offered and Crimson Rain glared so menacingly at Feng Xin and Mu Qing when they wanted to interrupt that they decided to just stay silent for now. As long as Xie Lian and Hua Cheng just slept, they wouldn’t be having any issues.

Soon, Xie Lian was sleeping, Hua Cheng was also sleeping – since when did ghosts actually sleep? Or was he just pretending? – and Feng Xin and Mu Qing were pretending to sleep while having a silent emergency debate over how to get Xie Lian away from the Ghost King the second the curse was broken. They needed something to stop the Calamity from just murdering them on the spot now more than ever. They hadn’t gotten particularly far when at some point in the night Xie Lian jolted awake with a gasp.

Hua Cheng was up in an instant, too. “Gege? What’s wrong?”

Feng Xin was about to ask as well, but before he could break his charade of pretending to be asleep, Xie Lian whispered, “Please keep your voice down, I don’t want to wake the others.”

Alright, continuing pretending to be asleep it was. And so what if Feng Xin was submitted to another round of shameless flirting? He’d heard enough over the last days to last him a millennium already. Couldn’t get any worse now, right?

“Alright,” Hua Cheng replied quietly but with a telling undertone. “We wouldn’t want to wake them.”

…yeah, Crimson Rain knew Feng Xin and Mu Qing were wide awake, didn’t he. For whatever reason, he didn’t call the two out on it, though.

“So, gege, what’s wrong?” Hua Cheng whispered gently.

“I just… had a bad dream,” Xie Lian answered shakily. “It’s fine. It happens.”

Silence.

Then, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“I…” Xie Lian sighed quietly. As if he was forcing his reaction down. “It’s just a nightmare I have from time to time. I… was locked up somewhere for a long while. It was quite… unpleasant.”

Feng Xin’s chest felt tight.

“Gege.” Hua Cheng’s whisper was incredibly pained.

Xie Lian attempted a quiet laugh. “It’s fine, really, I mean, I got out after some time.”

…

“You don’t have to be fine.”

Xie Lian chuckled again, this time more genuinely. “Ah, San Lang, I’m really lucky I met you, aren’t I? I just wish I could’ve met you sooner. I enjoy your company a lot.”

“Likewise, gege,” Hua Cheng replied warmly.

…was this really just the curse? Feng Xin shook his head internally at his own thoughts. Of course, it was. Crimson Rain might have a decent side buried somewhere, but this affection wasn’t real. Obviously, it wasn’t.

“San Lang?”

“Yes?”

“Do you really want to stay forever?” Xie Lian asked quietly.

“Of course,” Hua Cheng assured. “I’ll stay as long as you’ll want me. And if that’s forever, then I’ll stay forever.”

Xie Lian made a quiet noise Feng Xin couldn’t place. “Thank you,” His Highness whispered. “Because I really hate being alone, you know? I hate it that everyone always leaves me.” He made another quiet noise and this time it was clearly a sob. “They leave me or I get them killed.”

Feng Xin had to focus his entire willpower on keeping his breathing steady.

“Oh gege.“ The shuffling suggested that Hua Cheng was now hugging Xie Lian. “I’m here.”

“I’m sorry,” Xie Lian choked out between sobs. “It’s just… been so long. I know it’s me. It’s my fault that everyone leaves. I ruined my country so of course they all hated me. But still… I just tried to help. Why was that so wrong? Why did that lead to everyone leaving me? Mu Qing left. Feng Xin left. They’re helping now, but… they won’t stay. They’ll leave again. Everyone leaves. Even my parents… my parents killed themselves.”

Feng Xin’s breath hitched despite his best effort. What?

“I’m here,” Hua Cheng whispered brokenly while Xie Lian unraveled completely. “I’m here now.”

“They did it so that they wouldn’t be a burden to me.” Xie Lian’s voice was barely audible as he whispered about something he’d most likely never shared with anyone else. “But I didn’t want that. Why couldn’t they have stayed for me? Why did they leave me alone? And like that?”

…this is your fault! Entirely your fault! You left him! You left him!

“I tried to hang myself with the same silk band they used,” Xie Lian admitted hoarsely. “It didn’t work.”

Feng Xin felt as cold as ice.

Hua Cheng drew in a sharp breath. “Gege…”

“I’ve died so many times over the centuries, but nothing was ever permanent.” Xie Lian laughed mirthlessly. “Cursed shackles indeed. But I deserve them. I deserve this.”

“No,” Hua Cheng interrupted gently, but firmly. “Gege, listen to me. Please don’t ever say this. You don’t deserve this. You’ve never deserved this. What happened to Xianle was never your fault, it was White-No-Face. You did your best and more than that. I’m so sorry for your parents, but it wasn’t your fault. You deserve everything good in this world. You are good. You are kind. You are the only god worthy of the title. Generous, fierce, merciful. And I’ll remind you of this every day for all eternity if it’s what you need.”

Feng Xin never would’ve thought there would come the day where he was this glad for the Ghost King’s existence.

“You don’t know what I’ve done,” Xie Lian whispered brokenly. “I… I got people killed for my mistakes. People… very dear to me. People who’ve only ever known cruelty from me even though they would’ve deserved the world.”

“I don’t believe you could ever be truly cruel.” A small pause. “Your Highness, gege, Xie Lian, please believe my next words because they are the truest truth I have for you: There is nothing you could do that would make me love you less. What matters is you and not the state of you. I will love you whether you’re in the highest of highs or lowest of lows. And I will never leave your side.”

“And if someone makes you?” Xie Lian whispered desperately.

“I will always come back to you, no matter what,” Hua Cheng promised. “Gege, I swear, I’ll always be yours.”

“San Lang!”

At this point Xie Lian just dissolved into quiet sobs while Hua Cheng whispered assurances and promises.

Feng Xin was glad that his back was towards the two and they didn’t see when he was silently making eye contact with Mu Qing. Because that conversation just now? That was Xie Lian at his rawest and most vulnerable. That was the friend prince they’d abandoned to endless suffering. That had nothing to do with the curse.

Unfortunately, Crimson Rain’s affection was all the curse. Xie Lian had just revealed his darkest nightmares to a ghost who was going to go ballistic the moment the curse was broken. Hua Cheng’s promises would sadly amount to nothing once things were back to normal. Feng Xin didn’t even have the space of mind to notice how absurd that thought was. Because it would clearly be better for Xie Lian if this was real. If he genuinely would have someone willing to follow him for all eternity with that kind of devotion.

Even if that someone was Crimson Rain Sought Flower.

Feng Xin took a deep but quiet breath.

Well, reality was a bitch. But Xie Lian would still have Feng Xin. And Mu Qing, too, going by the other’s expression. But what good were they? They had already left him once. Shattered trust was shattered. Would Xie Lian even want them around?

Feng Xin closed his eyes again and silently continued to listen to Xie Lian’s cries. Cries caused by wounds carried over centuries.

Whatever the future held, Feng Xin would never leave Xie Lian like that again. No matter what. And if they were going to have to face a deranged Calamity to do it, so be it.

If only they would’ve stood against White-No-Face together, too. At least that one was dead and gone.

Chapter Text

“We’re close to the ghost now,” Crimson Rain said. “Let’s get this over with.”

Xie Lian nodded and followed Hua Cheng down the small forest path.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing exchanged a look. Given the… events last nights they hadn’t been able to come up with a defense strategy for Xie Lian and now they were running out of time.

“It’s too bad that we still need the ghost to tell us how to break the curse,” Hua Cheng pouted. “I want to beat them up for cursing gege! I want to destroy that trash’s ashes!”

Mu Qing suddenly drew in a sharp breath. “Hey, Crimson Rain!” he shouted.

Said Ghost King very slowly turned his head towards Mu Qing and glared darkly. “What?”

“Is it true that ghosts give their ashes to their beloved?” Mu Qing asked defiantly.

Crimson Rain was clearly infinitely annoyed and only not straight up attacking because of Xie Lian. “Yes, so what?”

Mu Qing narrowed his eyes. “Then how about you give your ashes to His Highness now?”

Oh. That was actually pretty smart. If His Highness had Crimson Rain’s ashes, Hua Cheng couldn’t just directly jump at trying to murder Xie Lian once the curse was broken. They would be able to get out of there. And then… they would have Crimson Rain’s ashes.

Before this madness Feng Xin would’ve been overjoyed at the thought and it would still solve so many problems, but getting them this way seemed… low. Wrong. Hua Cheng in love wasn’t a murderous and mental maniac, he was decent. Sincere. Helpful. Gentle. At least to his beloved. He’d been really good to Xie Lian. Taking advantage of the one time Hua Cheng was a decent person to defeat him left a bitter taste in Feng Xin’s mouth.

He very effectively chased it away with the image of a raging Crimson Rain Sought Flower trying to kill Xie Lian the second the curse was broken. If His Highness’ safety required them fighting a little dirty, so be it. Crimson Rain was still highly dangerous and they couldn’t let their guard down just because he had some redeeming qualities.

Besides, if any of the gods should be handed a ghost’s ashes, it was Xie Lian. The worst he was going to do was disperse the ghost. Feng Xin knew a rather long list of gods who would do a lot worse things with Crimson Rain’s ashes. Yes, Xie Lian wouldn’t even think about something like that.

Hua Cheng stared at Mu Qing before snorting derisively. “Can’t do that.”

Feng Xin tensed. Was the Calamity onto them?

“Why not? You love him, don’t you? Or were you just saying stuff these last days?” Mu Qing asked bravely.

A deadly aura emanated from Crimson Rain. “Never. Ever. Question my love for His Highness!”

…Feng Xin was unfortunately pretty sure the wraith butterflies could fly faster than he and Mu Qing could run away. Not that they would leave Xie Lian, but still. Just a fun fact.

Xie Lian gently put a hand on Hua Cheng’s chest. “San Lang, don’t worry, I don’t doubt you.”

The deadly aura faded even though Crimson Rain was still doing his best to glare Mu Qing to death. Feng Xin didn’t want to find out if the Calamity actually could because he was definitely making a strong case for it.

Xie Lian turned towards Mu Qing. “He can’t give me his ashes right now because he already did.”

…

…

What the fuck?

“He what?” Mu Qing asked faintly.

Xie Lian smiled. “Already gave me his ashes.”

Feng Xin wasn’t sure what of the many things Hua Cheng had given Xie Lian had been his ashes. Maybe the ring? Still, Crimson Rain really had… just given his existence away like that?

Hua Cheng sneered. “So how about you just shut up, Sweeping General?”

Crimson Rain pointedly took Xie Lian’s hand and walked away. Xie Lian followed eagerly. Feng Xin and Mu Qing stared after them before looking at each other.

Tell me that actually happened, Mu Qing said slowly. Tell me Crimson Rain actually gave up his greatest weakness like that.

It looks that way, Feng Xin answered blankly.

…come on, let’s follow them. I want this to be finally over.

That makes two of us.

Feng Xin and Mu Qing shared another look before quickly following Xie Lian and his Ghost King.

Not even two hours later they found the ghost. Shortly before that, Xie Lian told them that he’d originally started tracking it because it had wreaked havoc in some villages and killed a concerningly large number of civilians on its way. Strangely, Hua Cheng had actually come for the ghost, too. One of the killed humans had lingered as a ghost and had made a bet a Gambler’s Den. An afterlife of service under Crimson Rain against the Ghost King taking care of the homicidal ghost. Crimson Rain had actually taken the bet. And he’d lost.

At that point Feng Xin had decided to just shrug and roll with it. Hua Cheng had stopped making sense days ago and Feng Xin was rather done trying to understand what was going on. Maybe Crimson Rain had been particularly bored that day and had wanted to take his anger out on something. Whatever, not his problem! Feng Xin pitied whoever had to pick up after Hua Cheng in Ghost City. They definitely needed a raise just on principle!

The second they came close to the ghost, Crimson Rain summoned a swarm of butterflies and sent them after the caster of this stupid curse. The butterflies very effectively dragged the screaming and wriggling ghost out of its hiding place and dropped it unceremoniously in front of him and Xie Lian.

The ghost was actually a girl. A girl who looked rather young and who shrunk into herself when she sat up and saw who was glaring down at her. “Hi there, how are you doing?” she asked timidly.

Crimson Rain drew E-Ming.

The ghost girl scrambled back. “Wait, wait, wait, please don’t hurt me! Please just let me go!”

Xie Lian narrowed his eyes. “You expect us to just let you leave after you killed civilians?”

“Let’s not forget the fact that you cursed us,” Hua Cheng added darkly.

Honestly, the civilians were most likely just a side node to him.

“Okay, I did curse you, but I didn’t kill anyone!” the ghost girl replied while looking nervously at E-Ming. “I killed the ghost who did it, but then you showed up and I panicked! You tried to keep me there, so I attacked and when that didn’t help me get away, I cursed you to distract you from me!”

“Are you seriously expecting anyone to believe that?” Mu Qing said annoyed.

However, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng had paused and were now looking at each other with a thoughtful expression. You know what, Feng Xin officially gave up. Could the word please get back to making sense? Was it too much to ask for anything to go as expected?

“Your Highness, you can’t just believe her!” Mu Qing complained. “She literally just admitted to cursing you! And you said you’d been chasing the ghost for days before you engaged!”

“True, but she didn’t seem particularly hostile when we fought her,” Xie Lian replied thoughtfully. “And there was something strange about it all.”

The ghost girl nodded frantically.

“You said you killed the other ghost?” Xie Lian inquired. “How did they look like?”

“Big, scary, hairy, a face and claws like that of a wolve, in desperate need of a fashion sense,” the ghost girl scrambled to answer.

Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow. “That does fit the actual description. And you seem a bit too weak to shapeshift.”

The ghost girl kept up her frantic nodding. “I’m telling the truth, I swear!”

Xie Lian looked at her with a thoughtful expression.

“Your Highness, you can’t be serious!” Mu Qing insisted. “She cursed you!”

“To get away!” the ghost girl repeated. “It’s what I do! I can’t fight and least of all Crimson Rain and whoever he is travelling with! There’s a reason I made my trail lead through so many other dangerous areas! I was hoping it would delay you long enough until you lost interest!”

Feng Xin groaned with a hand over his face. He was so done with all of this. Because judging by Xie Lian’s expression it looked like the ghost girl was actually telling the truth. And to be fair, only an absolute idiot would lie directly to Crimson Rain’s face and she seemed too smart and also too scared for it.

“If you didn’t mean any harm, tell us, how do we break the curse?” Feng Xin asked.

The ghost girl glanced up at Hua Cheng who was raising an eyebrow at her. She swallowed nervously. “It’s rather easy, the cursed couple just needs to circle spiritual energy simultaneously through them both in a certain way,” she said quickly and explained how to do it.

Oh, fucking finally! They could be done with all of this!

“Can I go now?” the ghost girl said timidly.

Hua Cheng gave her a deadly glare. “You cursed gege.”

The ghost girl shrunk. Like actually shrunk, she was getting a bit smaller. “I’m sorry, but I didn’t know what else to do. Besides, you two seemed friendly towards each other, I didn’t think it would do too much harm.”

Wait, what the fuck? Friendly? Before the ghost girl had cursed them? How scared had she been to mistake the situation so much? Could ghosts hallucinate?

“And it’s not like my curses make people lose their ability to think straight or something like that. They create the illusion of certain feelings like love and devotion, but aside from that they just… readjust one’s main attention a bit. The people can still make rational decisions. The first contact does make people a bit crazy, but that always goes away after a short while.”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing exchanged a very, very, very disbelieving look. Xie Lian and Hua Cheng had clearly not been thinking straight the last couple days! Rational decisions? Not even a little bit!

“How was I supposed to know one of you would just disappear in golden light and therefore separate you? That’s not my fault!”

Crimson Rain still glared murderously.

“It’s alright, San Lang,” Xie Lian assured and looked at the ghost girl sitting on the ground before them. “We’ll take you to Ghost City. One of the victims of the other ghost is there and if they agree that your qi is different, we’ll know you told the truth. Just one more question, though, how did you kill the other ghost? You’re too weak to have beaten him in a fight.”

The ghost girl smirked. “I cursed him to fall in love with his reflection. And then I shattered the mirror. He was too busy writhing on the ground in pain to stop me from stabbing him! Served him right, though, he attacked me first!”

…Feng Xin needed a vacation. A very long vacation somewhere very far away.

Hua Cheng viewed the ghost girl with new interest. “That’s rather creative.”

The ghost girl shrugged.

“Alright, I’ll send you to Ghost City and we’ll finish there after we broke the curse. I hope for your sake you told the truth,” Hua Cheng said.

Was it smart to let Crimson Rain take a ghost powerful enough to curse a Ghost King and a banished God? No. Was Feng Xin going to intervene? Hell no. That was a problem for someone who was not him because he just wanted to get out of here.

“I did!” the ghost girl assured again.

Crimson Rain pulled out a pair of dice, threw it in front of the ghost girl and she disappeared. Afterwards, he picked up the dice, stowed them away again and held his hands out to Xie Lian. “Well then, gege, may I break this curse on us?”

Xie Lian took Hua Cheng’s hands with a warm smile. “Of course.”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing instantly tensed and readied themselves for the consequences of this madness. Because they sure as hell weren’t going to be pretty. Still, they just needed to be fast enough to pull Xie Lian away from Crimson Rain and get back to Heaven.

Hua Cheng circled his spiritual energy through himself and Xie Lian in the way the ghost girl had told them to and Feng Xin felt the shift in the air around them when the curse broke.

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng just stared at each for a heartbeat.

Then their eyes widened as understanding seeped in.

Hua Cheng let go of Xie Lian’s hands as if they were burning him and stumbled backwards.

Xie Lian was frozen in place, but his expression turned sad and wistful before he quickly shut the emotions away.

Alright, not exactly the reaction Feng Xin had expected, but given what Xie Lian had revealed to Hua Cheng last night, it was understandable why His Highness would get hung up on the loss of a companion instead of, you know, running away as fast as possible from the homicidal Calamity!

However, said Calamity did something Feng Xin never, ever would’ve expected. Crimson Rain’s face showed nothing but complete horror for a moment. Then Hua Cheng dropped to his knees in front of Xie Lian, pressed his head into the ground and cried out, “I’m so sorry!” 

Chapter Text

Hua Cheng had lost that bet on purpose. When the freshly killed ghost had proposed it, he’d lost on purpose because he’d known his god would want to help. And oh, how right he’d been about that. The sight of Xie Lian in a village in the middle of nowhere, asking around for the same ghost Hua Cheng had been chasing, had been one of the most beautiful Hua Cheng had ever been blessed with seeing.

Xie Lian had been as radiant as ever. And even better? He’d smiled again. He’d looked just like the kind and gracious prince Hua Cheng had met even if he was forced to survive on scraps. Hua Cheng had approached Xie Lian in the skin of a young man and had been utterly delighted when Xie Lian had allowed him to stay. They’d chased that ghost for weeks until they’d finally found it and those had easily been the best weeks of his life.

The ghost girl had panicked at the sight of them and had clearly been a lot more interested in running than in harming them. Hua Cheng had seriously wondered if the ghost in Gambler’s Den had overexaggerated the thing that had killed him because the ghost girl clearly hadn’t fit the bill. However, before they’d been able to question her properly, she’d thrown a black liquid at Xie Lian and Hua Cheng had instantly thrown himself in front of His Highness to protect him.

Things had happened too fast then. The next moment Xie Lian had suddenly been gone and Hua Cheng had been hit with one of the worst pains in his entire life, almost worse than Mount Tonglu. He’d almost lost his mind there and then and had feverishly looked around for Xie Lian. Looking back, it was kind of embarrassing Hua Cheng hadn’t noticed that His Highness had ascended again, but he blamed it on the curse completely incapacitating him. He hadn’t even noticed the ghost girl running away, completely focused on finding his beloved again. Xie Lian had come back to him, though. And even if those useless excuses for servants had followed him, Hua Cheng had been graced with the presence of his beloved once more.

And what had Hua Cheng done with it? This curse obviously hadn’t changed anything about his feelings for Xie Lian. Seriously, how was it supposed to add to the endless love and devotion Hua Cheng felt every single moment? It had affected him, though. It had made him believe he could be good enough for Xie Lian. That his god could love the worthless and ugly deformity that Hua Cheng was. Therefore, Hua Cheng had revealed himself without a second thought. Had flirted without restraint. Had held nothing back. Hadn’t spoken about a beloved in riddles but had been open about his affections.

Maybe in different circumstances that would’ve been fine. However, Xie Lian hadn’t been in control of his own emotions. Hua Cheng’s god hadn’t been able to reject him. Xie Lian hadn’t been able to tell Hua Cheng to stop if he became too much and Hua Cheng hadn’t been able to properly hold his everything back as to not overwhelm Xie Lian.

So, Hua Cheng had dared to flirt without Xie Lian being able to say no.

Hua Cheng had dared to touch Xie Lian with his unworthy hands.

Hua Cheng had dared to kiss his god while Xie Lian had been cursed to think he wanted it.

Hua Cheng had even almost dared to… to break Xie Lian’s cultivation. He would’ve. He absolutely would’ve if not for his beloved’s pathetic servants finally doing something right. Hua Cheng was absolutely furious that they’d let it get this far, but ultimately it was his own fault. How would the trash servants stop him? They’d tried at least. And they’d interrupted when it had counted. Back then, Hua Cheng had wanted to murder them for it, but now he couldn’t help but be grateful.

Fuck, what had happened for him to be grateful to Feng Xin and Mu Qing of all people? Right, him being a pathetic and worthless piece of trash that had dared to lose all self-control and force himself on Xie Lian while his god had had no means of defense.

How dare he?

How dare he?

HOW DARE HE?

Hua Cheng deserved to be punished for his unforgivable transgression.

He deserved to have his ashes crushed.

Xie Lian had every right to do it.

His god, perfect and gracious and special, should do it for the ultimate sin Hua Cheng had committed.

And for Hua Cheng there was nothing else left than to drop to the ground and beg Xie Lian for forgiveness. Not because Hua Cheng deserved to be forgiven, but because Xie Lian deserved to see his worthless offender grovel and beg in the dirt before him.

Xie Lian had been suspicious of the young man in red within seconds. But the youth who’d introduced himself as San Lang hadn’t been hostile, he’d been kind and accommodating and overall a nice travel companion. Xie Lian hadn’t had as good of a time as with San Lang in decades. Still, Xie Lian had known San Lang would get bored of him eventually. It was inevitable he would leave again at some point, but Xie Lian had decided to treasure the time they had.

And then the ghost girl had cursed them and Xie Lian had suddenly been allowed to forget that San Lang would leave. Had been allowed to forget that he was a disappointment to everyone around him and that he brought nothing but misfortune to whatever he touched. Had been allowed to just be happy with San Lang for once without this small voice in the back of his head whispering that none of this could ever be real because how could someone love Xie Lian like that?

When Hua Cheng let go of Xie Lian’s hands like he would get burned if he held on any second longer, it hurt.

It hurt a lot.

But this was just how things were for Xie Lian.

It was fine.

It had been nice while it lasted. A pretty break in his centuries of loneliness. And hey, Feng Xin and Mu Qing had showed up to help! They would leave again, too, but Xie Lian still treasured the small amount of concern they’d shown him.

It was fine.

There was no reason for his chest to feel so tight. No reason for his eyes to burn like that. No reason for his thoughts to fly to the precious ring hidden away safely under his robes which he would certainly return now.

It was fine.

Xie Lian would be fine.

He had to be.

He just needed to clear the air with Hua Cheng and then everyone would go their separate ways. However, Xie Lian didn’t have the chance to start speaking because Hua Cheng’s face twisted into horror.

Xie Lian’s word died in his throat. Of course. What else was there to expect?

But then Hua Cheng dropped to his knees in front of Xie Lian, pressed his head into the ground and cried out, “I’m so sorry!”

…Xie Lian might be a bit lost right now.

“This unworthy one is so sorry for ever daring to force himself on Your Highness like that! You have my deepest apologies! Whatever Your Highness wants as punishment, this trash will be all too happy to accept to atone for his mistakes! You can just disperse me if you want! I won’t stop you!”

Xie Lian blinked thoroughly mystified as the Ghost King in front of him kept babbling frantic apology after apology and suggestions what Xie Lian should do in retribution. It was frankly getting somewhat disturbing to hear San Lang saying stuff like this. Especially when he’d been nothing but sweet and kind the entire time. Granted, he’d been a bit teasing and mischievous, but for all his blushing Xie Lian had genuinely liked it and he didn’t want San Lang talking so horribly about himself.

So, Xie Lian knelt down in front of Hua Cheng. “San Lang, please stop.”

Hua Cheng shut up instantly, but he stayed in his bowed posture with his head pressed into the dirt.

“Please sit up and look at me,” Xie Lian asked.

Hua Cheng followed the order with frightening speed.

Xie Lian noticed the tear tracks on his face with sadness. “San Lang, you don’t have to apologize for anything.”

“But I…”

“But nothing,” Xie Lian interrupted firmly. “San Lang, you’ve been so kind the entire time. You’ve protected me and indulged me at every turn. I mean, look at how many gifts you’ve given me! Why would you apologize for any of that?”

Hua Cheng looked utterly devastated. “I touched you,” he whispered. “I kissed you! I… I would’ve…” He trembled slightly. “I would’ve broken your cultivation and you wouldn’t have had any way of saying no!”

Xie Lian only didn’t blush at the mention of that particular aspect because he had other things to worry about at the moment. Namely, trying to figure out how to tell the crying ghost in front of him that he’d genuinely wanted to kiss Hua Cheng. That he actually still wanted that. That none of Xie Lian’s feelings had been because of the curse.

“It was actually rather nice to think someone could love me like that,” Xie Lian dared to admit.

At the same time Hua Cheng whispered, “If only this curse hadn’t shattered my self-restraint, I never would’ve dared to act this way otherwise!”

…what?

Both Xie Lian and Hua Cheng paused at the other’s words and stared disbelievingly at each other.

Before Xie Lian could properly decipher Hua Cheng’s words, the latter asked stunned, “Your Highness, what do you mean?”

“Exactly that,” Xie Lian answered quietly. “It was nice to believe I could have someone like you. Someone who would stay by my side no matter what.” He smiled self-deprecatingly and bitterly. “But that’s not for me. I don’t deserve it. I personally destroyed every chance I ever had for it when I caused the death of the only one who stayed despite my cruelty towards him.”

Hua Cheng looked even more horrified, but Xie Lian had the weird feeling it was for a different reason now. “Your Highness, I told you before, you deserve everything! I promised to remind you if you needed it, so I’ll say it again. You are good. You are kind. You are the only god worthy of the title. Generous, fierce, merciful.”

…those were the same words as last night. The same things Hua Cheng had said while cursed. But he wasn’t cursed anymore.

“I don’t know who you lost and why you were forced to suffer through it, but it couldn’t have been your fault.” Hua Cheng carefully looked at Xie Lian with a thoughtful expression. “Your Highness, forgive me for presuming, but did that person sacrifice themselves for you?”

Xie Lian’s breath hitched and his eyes burned even worse than before.

Hua Cheng smiled sadly. “Your Highness, you can’t blame yourself for the choices of others. They must’ve thought you were worth it. I for one wouldn’t hesitate to die a third time for you.”

“…what?” Xie Lian whispered. “A third time?”

Hua Cheng froze completely.

A third time.

Xie Lian was reeling.

A third time.

“San Lang, when…” Xie Lian didn’t know how to finish the question.

Hua Cheng met his eyes incredibly hesitantly.

“Please,” Xie Lian whispered.

Hua Cheng’s resistance crumbled away. “The first time was in Xianle. I was a soldier in your war, Your Highness.”

Xie Lian started trembling violently.

“The second time… was not that long afterwards. In Lang-er Bay.”

Xie Lian’s hand flew to his mouth as he tried to suppress the choked sound threatening to escape his throat.

Only one person had died for him in Lang-er Bay.

Had died instead of him.

“Wu Ming,” Xie Lian breathed.

His brave loyal little ghost soldier nodded quietly.

Xie Lian could no longer hold back the tears. “Then why?” he choked out. “Why are you still so nice to me? I got you killed. Again. I was so awful to you when all you ever did was help me. I… I crushed your flower even though it was so thoughtful and lovely and…” Xie Lian hugged himself in a desperate attempt to keep it together. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry! I only ever brought ruin over you! I took you from your beloved!”

Hua Cheng stayed still for a few heartbeats before he leaned forward and gently, oh so gently wiped the tears away from Xie Lian’s cheeks. “Your Highness, it’s you. It’s only ever been you. You’re the person I love.”

Xie Lian felt his entire world shift on its axis. “What?” he whispered.

Hua Cheng smiled sadly but incredibly warmly while he cupped Xie Lian’s face. “I never wanted to burden you with my feelings, but you said it would be nice if someone loved you like that and I won’t allow you to think yourself unlovable.”

If only this curse hadn’t shattered my self-restraint, I never would’ve dared to act this way otherwise.

“Your Highness, dying for you was my greatest honor. So please don’t torment yourself over my choices. I will never regret protecting you. However, I am sorry that you seem to have carried this burden for centuries. I am sorry it took me centuries to find you again.”

Looks like I found my flower now.

Xie Lian dared to lean into Hua Cheng’s touch. “But I was so cruel to you.”

Hua Cheng gently wiped his thumbs over Xie Lian’s cheeks again. “You weren’t cruel. You were hurt. How could you not have been? You’d lost everything. I never blamed you for it. I was just sad and angry I couldn’t help you more.”

“You did more than I ever could’ve asked for,” Xie Lian whispered breathlessly.

“As did you. Nobody ever asked the crown prince to catch a falling child and care for it when everyone just called it a curse. Nobody ever asked the Flower-Crowned God to give the child an answer as to why he should be alive. Nobody ever asked the Martial God to do his best to protect a soldier when he himself was nearly going insane from the Land of the Tender. Nobody ever asked the banished god to still go around freeing ghost fires and being concerned when one of them wanted to stay for his beloved, even going so far as to offer advice.”

You did your best and more than that.

Xie Lian’s heart pounded against his chest. “All of those people. It was always you.”

Hua Cheng leaned forward until his forehead was touching Xie Lian’s. “Yes. And more. I was there to see those gods humiliate you and I made them pay for it. I was there at the temple and I burned them for it.”

Xie Lian made a sound between a wounded sob and breathless laugh.

“So you see, I saw you at your highest and at your lowest and it doesn’t change a single thing. There is nothing you could do that would make me love you less. What matters is you and not the state of you. I will love you whether you’re in the highest of highs or lowest of lows. And I will never leave your side.”

Xie Lian laughed breathlessly. “And if someone makes you?” he repeated the question he’d already asked when they’d been cursed.

They weren’t cursed now.

“I will always come back to you, no matter what,” Hua Cheng promised. “Your Highness, I swear, I’ll always be yours.”

A crystal ring on a chain. Ashes for a ghost’s beloved. An existence trusted to someone else.

“Death is the least of my worries. I’ll stay by your side for as long as you’ll want me.”

This was real. This wasn’t a dream, a curse or anything else. This was real. Someone was going to stay. Someone had stayed throughout it all.

“You’ll have to stay forever then,” Xie Lian whispered with a smile.

Hua Cheng chuckled. “I’ll gladly stay forever.”

Xie Lian pushed back so that he could look Hua Cheng in the eyes. “It was never the curse for you, was it? All of it. It was just you.”

“Yes,” Hua Cheng confessed. “But Your Highness, I don’t expect anything back. I understand that you…”

Xie Lian put a finger to Hua Cheng’s lips and his loyal ghost stopped talking. “San Lang, do you want to know a secret? I was incredibly jealous of Wu Ming’s beloved.”

Hua Cheng froze completely again. Well, Xie Lian wasn’t going to be the only one to feel their world shift on its axis today.

Xie Lian took his finger down. “I wished it would’ve been me. And do you want to know another secret?” He smiled. “It was never the curse for me either. All of it. It was just me.”

Hua Cheng’s eyes widened. “Your Highness,” he breathed.

Xie Lian chuckled. “You should know I don’t want to be called that.”

Now Hua Cheng chuckled as well. “Your Highness is always going to be Your Highness to me. But I guess gege also has a very nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

“It does.” Xie Lian leaned forward until his and Hua Cheng’s face were only inches apart. “You know, I really wouldn’t mind if you did it again right now.”

Hua Cheng leaned forward as well but stopped just before the last inch. “Is gege sure?”

Xie Lian nodded while he breathed the same air as his ghost. He knew his ghost was just breathing for them to be able to share their breath. “Of course, only if San Lang also wants to.”

“Always,” Hua Cheng replied and finally closed the distance.

Soft lips met Xie Lian’s and he grabbed onto his Hua Cheng.

His San Lang. His Wu Ming. His little ghost flame, his loyal soldier, his Hong-er.

His last and most devoted believer.

The person who stayed by his side.

His beloved.

Chapter Text

It was an incredibly gentle kiss, different from the ones at the lake, but it was even better. Xie Lian had no idea how long they stayed like that until they let go of each other again.

Hua Cheng smiled in complete awe. “Gege, you’re really going to be the death of me.”

Xie Lian laughed happily and was content just getting lost in Hua Cheng’s eyes for a bit.

However, “What the fuck?”

Xie Lian froze and slowly looked to the side to see two very, very flabbergasted Martial Gods staring with wide eyes.

Oh dear. Had Feng Xin and Mu Qing really just… watched all of that? And of course, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng were still kneeling in the dirt in front of each other. You know, it suddenly sounded like a very good idea to get himself banished a third time and then hide away with Hua Cheng forever.

Xie Lian felt his cheeks heat up. Well, with how red he had to be from all his crying maybe they wouldn’t see his embarrassment?

Hua Cheng threw Feng Xin and Mu Qing an annoyed glare. “You’re still here?”

Xie Lian cleared his throat. “San Lang, how about we get up?”

Hua Cheng instantly shifted his attention back to Xie Lian. “Of course, gege,” he said and helped Xie Lian to his feet.

“Your Highness, did you seriously just confess your love to a Ghost King?” Feng Xin asked utterly done with everything.

“Yes,” Xie Lian replied firmly while continuing to hold Hua Cheng’s hand.

“A Ghost King that you told to give his ashes away,” Hua Cheng said sweetly. “Someone is apparently very intent on becoming number 34 and 35 after all.”

Both Feng Xin and Mu Qing were instantly incredibly on edge. “We only did it to protect His Highness!” Mu Qing defended nervously.

“Yeah, how were we supposed to know you… you’d be like that and not about to go on a murder spree for being cursed to fall in love with a god?” Feng Xin added hastily.

Hua Cheng glared darkly at Feng Xin and Mu Qing. “You’re lucky that the fact that you genuinely just wanted to protect gege is the reason you even mentioned my ashes. So, I’ll generously overlook it this one time. Consider it your reward for trying to make sure gege didn’t make any choices he’d regret later while under the influence of a curse.”

They were definitely talking about the part of Xie Lian being ready to break his cultivation. Xie Lian’s cheeks heated up again, but he bowed towards his friends Feng Xin and Mu Qing. “Thank you both for your efforts. I appreciate you looking out for me. Had it been anyone else but San Lang, I really would’ve regretted it.”

Hua Cheng looked rather pleased while Mu Qing looked close to a stroke.

Feng Xin sighed gravely. “Your Highness, you are aware that Crimson Rain is a dangerous Ghost King, responsible for the death of thirty-three gods and apparently your stalker for the last couple centuries ever since he was a child?” he asked tiredly.

“Yes,” Xie Lian replied firmly.

Feng Xin just sighed gravely again and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Alright, just wanted to make sure.”

…

“That’s it?” Hua Cheng asked with a raised eyebrow. “No sermon about me being evil incarnate? Not even a single further attempt to stop him?”

“His Highness can make his own choices,” Feng Xin stated. “As long as he’s aware what he’s getting himself into, I won’t interfere.” He glanced at Hua Cheng and groaned. “Oh, fuck it, and you’re actually not that terrible to someone you love. You might even be a little good for him.”

Heaven, Xie Lian was going to cry again. “Feng Xin, you mean that?”

Feng Xin groaned once more. “In any other circumstances I’d probably be screaming at him what he did to you, but he couldn’t be anything but genuine these last days, so yes, unfortunately, I am serious. If it’s real, fine. But if he hurts you, I’ll kill him.”

Mu Qing rolled his eyes, but he added, “What the idiot said.”

Yes, Xie Lian was now absolutely crying again.

Hua Cheng chuckled. “One, I’d never hurt gege. Two, keep dreaming that you could even touch me. And three, I guess I appreciate the sentiment. Maybe you’re not completely terrible either.”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing seemed unsure what to do with Hua Cheng’s compliment. “Sure. So, how about we pretend we never said anything nice about each other?” Feng Xin finally settled on.

“Gladly. I still hate you,” Hua Cheng said.

Feng Xin was clearly immensely relieved at the statement. “Finally, something normal out of you!”

Xie Lian couldn’t help it, he laughed wholeheartedly. This day had been an emotional thunderstorm and the absurdity of this situation was just too much now.

“Of course, you’d find that funny,” Mu Qing murmured.

Hua Cheng glared at him and Mu Qing glared right back.

“Your Highness, I take it you won’t return with us to Heaven at the moment?” Feng Xin asked with a very done look towards Xie Lian’s and Hua Cheng’s intertwined fingers.

“Not right now,” Xie Lian confirmed. “San Lang and I… need some time now.”

Hua Cheng smirked.

“Your Highness!” Mu Qing shouted exasperated while Feng Xin groaned again.

… “That’s not what I meant!” Xie Lian said hastily with a hot face.

“Yeah, well, I don’t want to know what you meant,” Feng Xin stated. “We’ll go ahead and… figure out what to tell Heaven. Just don’t take too long because I’m so not going to be the one to tell Jun Wu that you’re in a wild relationship with a Ghost King now.”

“You think it would be better if San Lang and I were married?” Xie Lian pondered.

“That’s not the problem!” Mu Qing yelled.

Hua Cheng beamed. “Gege wants to get married?”

Feng Xin put his face into his hands. “That’s it, I’m out. Have fun with your ghost and invite us to the wedding, alright?”

Mu Qing seemingly gave up at this as well. “You know what, do what you want, I don’t care! But you better let me look over your wedding attire because if you’re going to marry a Calamity, you’re going to do it looking like royalty!”

“Guys,” Xie Lian whispered tearily. He wanted to say more, but he didn’t have the words, so he settled on, “Thank you.”

Feng Xin and Mu Qing just waved it off and were about to leave before Feng Xin abruptly halted and turned around again. “Your Highness, I…” He seemed incredibly conflicted, but in the end, he did blurt out, “I came back for you. After you told me to leave. I came back afterwards, but you and your parents were gone then. I tried to find you all this time, but I… didn’t. I’m sorry, I know it doesn’t change anything, but… I thought you should know.”

For the second time today, Xie Lian felt his world shift on its axis. Because it changed everything. Even though he’d missed Xie Lian, Feng Xin had come back.

Mu Qing scoffed. “Hell, why are you looking like that just because he came back after he left? You know I tried that, too! Sorry for not staying when you drove me off with screams! So, stop believing that everybody always leaves you!”

Xie Lian froze completely.

They’d heard.

They’d heard when he’d broken down to Hua Cheng.

They knew.

Xie Lian clung to Hua Cheng’s hand like a lifeline. Hua Cheng squeezed Xie Lian’s hand reassuringly and growled warningly at Mu Qing.

“What?” Mu Qing hissed. “What do you want me to say? That I’m sorry? That I didn’t spend centuries regretting it? That I wish I would’ve stood up to those assholes insulting His Highness and shoved them into the dirt? That it tore me apart having to choose between my family and…” Mu Qing clenched his fists and looked away. “I’m… I… I just wish things would’ve been different.”

Xie Lian took a deep breath to steady himself. Afterwards, he let go of Hua Cheng’s hand for now and walked silently up to Feng Xin and Mu Qing. And then he drew both into a hug before they had any chance to react.

“I wish things would’ve been different, too,” Xie Lian whispered while tears were freely streaming down his face. “I’m sorry for everything back then. For how it went. For how we ended up. And… if you’d be okay with it… I’d be so happy if we could try again.”

After a moment Feng Xin and Mu Qing actually hugged back, albeit uncertainly and stiffly. “Me, too,” Feng Xin whispered back.

“I’d be up for meeting up now and then. As long as you’re not cooking, Your Highness,” Mu Qing added quietly.

Xie Lian laughed breathlessly and hugged his friends tighter.

“The curse is dealt with,” Feng Xin announced in the communication array with the voice of someone who was done with everything and who was going to hole up in his palace for the next year minimum if he could.

He Xuan tuned out Shi Qingxuan’s endlessly endearing annoying chatter and listened in. He kind of needed to know if Hua Cheng was going to burn the world down after all.

“That’s good to hear,” Jun Wu replied.

Seriously, what was up with him? Since when was he involved in anything that directly?

“However, it seems like Xianle didn’t return with you.”

Oh?

“His Highness decided that there were some… things which needed to be discussed with Crimson Rain without prying eyes afterwards,” Mu Qing reported with the voice of someone who’d just bitten into a lemon. “Any further question should be directed directly to His Highness when he comes back.”

Oh?

“Is it safe for His Highness to stay alone with Crimson Rain like that?” Shi Qingxuan asked worried.

“Yes, what if the Ghost King does something as revenge?” Lang Qianqiu added.

Revenge. Sure. That was what Hua Cheng wanted to do. Though at least those two were genuinely concerned with Xie Lian’s safety.

“Who cares as long as Crimson Rain doesn’t come for the rest of us!” Shi Wudu snapped. “Let him play with the trash god all he wants!”

…the Watermaster was really doing his best to get murdered by Hua Cheng before He Xuan got him, wasn’t he?

“His Highness is perfectly fine where he is,” Mu Qing stated dryly. “He’s where he wants to be and any further question should be directed directly to His Highness when he comes back.”

With that both Feng Xin and Mu Qing disconnected from the communication array. Shi Qingxuan promptly started talking about Xie Lian’s safety, but He Xuan tuned them out again.

Very interesting. What had happened for Xie Lian’s former servants to be this okay with him staying with Hua Cheng? He Xuan wasn’t stupid, Feng Xin and Mu Qing clearly cared a lot about Xie Lian despite all the rumors loudly proclaiming otherwise. Also, did this mean that Hua Cheng actually got his prince?

He Xuan quickly recited a password he rarely used. Yin Yu.

Lord Black Water, I’m afraid Chengzhu is currently busy, Yin Yu replied.

He Xuan snorted into the array. Yeah, I figured he might be, that’s why I’m asking you. Did he get his prince?

As far as I can tell. Yin Yu sounded like he was smiling. However, I wouldn’t dare to interrupt them at the moment.

Yeah, smart move. He Xuan would rather go through the kiln again than interrupt Hua Cheng and his prince right now. On second thought, the kiln had a certain very creepy statue and the rest of Mount Tonglu wasn’t a safe zone either. Damn, there really was no escaping Hua Cheng’s weird obsession. Though maybe he would direct that obsession directly to the reason now instead of subjecting He Xuan to it.

Tell me when Crimson Rain is available again so I can congratulate him, He Xuan said.

As you wish.

Good for Hua Cheng. And a happy Crimson Rain most likely wouldn’t increase He Xuan’s debt as much. At least one of them had gotten what he wanted.

“Ming-xiong! Are you even listening to me?” Shi Qingxuan complained.

He Xuan sighed inwardly. “Of course not, what do you think? You talk too much.”

“Ming-xiong!” Shi Qingxuan shouted dramatically.

He Xuan leaned back in his chair while the Windmaster complained loudly about how their best friend was ignoring them. And no, He Xuan was totally not listening in silent and fond amusement! He was tracking Shi Qingxuan’s movements and continuing to analyze them for his revenge, alright?