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Chapter Text

" So this is heaven huh.... "

[ A lone figure stood alone outside of the Ling Wen Palace. Who else would it be if not our up and coming heavenly official, Lord Fire Master Yue Xiuying. But why is he alone? Where is his companion?]

" Would you stop that? You're acting as if you're narrating for some story. Well, I am actually in one though. " Xiuying leaned against the wall, arms crossed with the Heaven for his view. Quite magnificent with every building that's built with such beautiful design unique to each of its' own. The cost of construction must have been expensive.

[ System is just entertaining while accompanying Host. Just for fun. ]

" Say, aren't you lively ? You used to speak with such robotic tone but now you're just like a teenager. " Xiuying questioned. The change is pretty sudden even for him. Why this timing?

[ Host not going to listen to what they are talking about?]

" You want me to eavesdrop on them? No way I'll ever do that, " Xiuying refused. Some might find this to be weird but he was never the type to force his way in order to gain knowledge of something. He knows how to be respectful to something that others may want to keep as their secret. He'll wait for the other party to open up on their side. He is someone with a life motto that he'll bring to death after all. 

[ Host is boring. ]

" Say what you want, but I will not go against what I believe." Xiuying said, still holding on to it. Just as he was arguing with System, he saw Xie Lian getting out from the building. His face brightened up after waiting for almost half an hour. He raised his right hand to call for him then stopped halfway when he felt something is wrong. Xie Lian who was smiling earlier is somehow... looks empty? What happened? What did he and Ling Wen talked about that made him like that?

Xiuying didn't know what he should do but it was until Xie Lian looked his way, his eyes widened at the sight of Xiuying. He kept on doing that before slowly walking towards the Fire Master. His steps may be slow but not once has he ever look away from Xiuying. Step by step with each of them containing weight in just lifting them. Eventually Xie Lian reaches Xiuying, his hands slowly touching his cheeks, caressing him with shaky hands. " A-Lian? What's wrong? " Xiuying asked, still staring at him. As if he finally find the strength to speak, the protagonist muttered, " A-Xiu..."

" A-Lian. What happened?"

" A-Xiu..."

" A-Lian?"

Xiuying doesn't understand. Even he is very confused with this situation, he's not sure what to do. Before he could think, his body moved on its' own. Hands clasped with Xie Lian's own, he softly soothe him. " Yes A-Lian. A-Xiu is here. I am here", Xiuying tried to reassure him. He just can't leave him like that and that's the only thing that came to his mind. 

Xie Lian then hugged him as tightly as he can but not too tight to crush him. It was as if he was trying to hold him down, not wanting to let him go ever again. The man in question could only rub his back even though he has so many questions to ask. But he thought of just leaving it be. Now's not the right time to do it. His A-Lian is what matters the most as of now.

Xie Lian breaks off the hug first, once more looking at Xiuying's face before smiling. " I guess this is for the best. You are here with me and that's all that matters. "

Xiuying's curiosity was piqued by what he meant by that and wanted to ask but Xie Lian immediately changed the subject. " Anyways, I've told Ling Wen that I'll be going down to the Mortal Realm. Of course, I'll be bringing you along just like we discussed earlier. You might have to accompany me to search for some scraps though. You'll still be with me right? " he asked in a brighter tone than before. 

Well, as long as his favourite character is happy, nothing else matters right?

" Of course! You just have to be ready because I'll be clinging on to you wherever you go. I won't go anywhere without you!", Xiuying joked, giving the martial god a playful wink. Xie Lian laughed at that before nodding while pulling his hands to go on an adventure together.

.

.

.

And so the duo walked into a village, stumbling upon an abandoned house. It was pretty much run down, dust all over the place as the time that has passed. Both of them quickly got to work with trying to clean up the place as much as they can. Yet, the place still seemed empty. With a suggestion from Xie Lian, they went around the village asking the villagers for any scraps they could find. Although it was pretty tiring, Xiuying didn't mind at all. This is after all a new experience for him, walking around in long distance, greeting new people. 

Noon turned evening, they pretty much got a lot in spite of just starting so it went quite well. Xiuying complained how he was so tired he couldn't take another step anymore. Obliging the request, Xie Lian spotted an old man on an ox cart, waved at him to ask for a ride. The old man agreed and so they finally has a ride to return to the temple. 

" A-Lian, my feet hurts. I walked so much today I can barely feel them anymore", Xiuying groaned, lying on the paddy straws as he rest his body. Once the adrenaline is out, he can immediately feel the soreness and he doesn't like it at all. Xie Lian giggled at his companion's antics, " You've worked hard A-Xiu. We still have quite the distance to travel back to the temple so you can use this time to rest. Look! It's only been a day yet we got so much already", he said with eyes sparkling at their findings. The amount of scrolls that they have are rather quite impressive, not to mention the contents of the scrolls are not bad either. " We have anecdotes of ghosts, there are also some on gods as well", Xie Lian wanted to show some to Xiuying but the carriage was shaken as if it stumbled upon something. This surprised both of them, as a scroll was opened by the result of it. 

" Look A-Lian, there's one about you!" Xiuying exclaimed. He reads out the content, " The Crown Prince of the Xianle Kingdom ascended three times. He is the god of martial art, plague and scrap collecting..." as he reads more and more, his tone also changed in disbelief as he read the last two titles. 

How dare these peoples ridicule his baby protagonist?!

" How dare these people. Why make fun of other people? Don't they have anything better to do??", Xiuying fumed in anger while the one that was mentioned still smile as if it doesn't affect him at all. " Well, at least I am still a god in this one. As I know a saying that goes, 'all gods are equal, so are all living beings.' You don't need to mind them. " Xiuying sighed at him. He knows that Xie Lian is kind, but he hopes that he would care even just for a bit.

" Is that so? " a voice suddenly asked, surprising the two of them. It was the voice of a young youth, coming from the other side of the cart covered by the paddy straws. " People claim that they care about equality. But if it's achieved, will there still be gods?" Moving to see better, it was a good-looking young man eyes bright as the stars. He wore casual, maple-red clothes of high quality and had a loose, carefree ponytail. He smiled at both of them upon as their eyes met. 

HOLY MOLY THAT'S MOTHER FUDGING HUA CHENG!!! DAMN HE'S SO FINEEE!!! AND THAT SMILE??? 

How can he forget that this is where Hua Cheng meets with Xie Lian? It seems like the fatigue of walking around made him lose focus and his mind was not at its' place. If the young appearance of Hua Cheng as a young man is this handsome, can he handle it if he ever see Hua Cheng's real face? Xiuying can't imagine his reaction until that day would finally come. 

" I guess that makes sense too..." Xie Lian said, agreeing the youth's statement. " Shi Wudu, the Water Master, is in charge of water and wealth. How can a Water Master be also in charge for wealth?" Scooting deeper as he can into the cart, Xiuying continues to observe the exchange. 

" Since businessmen often ship goods by water, they'd go to Water Master Temple to pray and ask for his blessing before taking off. Gradually, the god was in charge of wealth", the young man in red answered. Observing the young man once more, Xie Lian nodded. " I see. You are quite knowledgeable for your age." 

" I just have too much time to kill."

" Then would you also happen to know about ghosts?"

" Which one would you like to know about? I don't mind telling you if I happen to know but I'm afraid that your friend might not be in the same space as we are", the youth said pointing to Xiuying. The martial god turned to see him spacing out while staring at the newcomer. " A-Xiu? Are you still here?", he waved his hand in front of Xiuying's face. The latter was snapped back to reality, sheepishly laughed while rubbing his head. " Ah, I'm sorry. It's just that you talked out of nowhere made me quite shocked actually. I didn't mean anything bad by it, I swear!" The youth just smiled at him, his gaze prolonged as he observed Xiuying's figure before turning back to Xie Lian. " Back to your question earlier, which ghost would you like to know?"

The cart crosses through the road beneath maple trees, sheltering them from the light of sunset as the shadow from the trees was cast upon their face. Xie Lian beckoned Xiuying to sit closer to him before asking the question. " The Crimson Rain Sought Flower, Hua Cheng. " 

Ahh... Xiuying can feel it. Although he only went through the first arc of the story, he already felt like it took forever for them to meet. To finally being able to see the Hua Cheng himself is an achievement for him, albeit through disguise. Just looking at the way they interact with each other is such an endearing sight to behold. With Xie Lian asking every question that he has with such enthusiasm, and Hua Cheng answering each one of them patiently without losing any momentum with those kind and loving eyes preserved only for his one and only god. Or is it just eye since he only has one right? Let it be, there's no need for logic when it comes to love.

" Does he have any weakness?" 

At that situation, Xiuying's attention was aroused. Darn it, he was too busy admiring the two of them he basically just blocked out the content of their earlier conversation.

" That would be his ashes. Bone ashes to be specific", the disguised youth answered." Whoever gets a ghost's ashes will get his support. Whoever destroys the ashes will also destroy the ghost", he explained, acting out as if he is blowing off the ashes from his hand. Feeling that it's okay to join in the conversation, Xiuying asked " But wouldn't that be an impossible feat to achieve? I heard from the rumours that he is very strong, considering that he is a Ghost King after all." The youth chuckled at the question. " That's not always the case. You see, there's a custom in the Ghost Realm that if a ghost has fully trust someone, that ghost will entrust the ashes willingly to that person. Very few ever tried this though. " 

" How daring and sincere the custom is!", Xie Lian added. " If the trust is abused and the ashes were destroyed by the entrusted person, it would definitely be a heartbreaking thing." At this, Xiuying admired the concern in Xie Lian's thoughts. Even to this day, his kindness doesn't falter, making him the person he is today. 

Agreeing with Xie Lian's thoughts, Xiuying voiced his own. " While I think it would be heartbreaking, I also think that the custom itself just highlights the pure trust between the two of them, quite romantic even. Imagine holding their life just within your hands, wouldn't that be an honour? They must have known the consequences for giving it away in the first place. Well, it can also be quite the responsible to uphold. Wouldn't you agree, young master?", Xiuying asked with an excited smile awaiting for his response. The youth in red, with eyes widened at the opinion offered a slow smile, lips curved upwards yet his eyes fixated to the cart instead once he saw his face," Yes, I guess you are right."

Huh? Why is he looking away? Has Xiuying offended him in anyway? Oh no! He'll end up being on his hit list!!! Xiuying doesn't want to die until his ship has sailed! He has to see it through!

" Oh, we've talked for a while yet we still don't know your name. My name is Xie Lian. This is my friend, his name is Yue Xiuying", Xie Lian introduced themselves. " My name? Since I'm the third child in my family, you can call me San Lang", he introduced himself. Taking in his name, Xie Lian asked, " It seems that you are heading to Puqi Village. Do you live there? ". The youth, now San Lang, refuted, " No, my family actually kicked me out after a fight. So now I am just travelling around."

Ah, surely he could have come up with other excuses. Making Xie Lian call him San Lang? What a smooth man, or should Xiuying call him ghost? Whatever. Now that he introduced himself as San Lang to both of them, should he call him as such as well? Xiuying doesn't want to impose himself with the name that was only for Xie Lian, but it's not like he can just call him Hua Cheng right? That would just reveal the fact that he already knew his identity. What should he do? Should he test it out?

Well, no pain no gain.

" San Lang " , he called out. He shut his eyes in fear of seeing San Lang's reaction. Will he be mad? Would he feel disgusted? Xiuying kept on waiting but he neither felt anything nor hear anything. Slowly, he opens his eyes to see San Lang as if astonished before slowly a smile crept up his face. " Yes?" he asked in response. Feeling relieved, Xiuying let out a deep breath he didn't realize that he was holding in. " Nothing, just wanted to try calling out your name", he said, in half truth. 

The trio spent the time talking to each other more before the cart bumped into something on the road, resulting in our dear main character to lose his balance. " No way, why is it me??!!", Xiuying shouted while falling out of the cart. In one quick motion, two hands caught each one of his hands, saving him just in time. In reflex, Xiuying hugged Xie Lian. " A-Lian, I was so scared!!! I thought I was going to fall. Huaaa...." Xie Lian rubbed Xiuying's head in attempt of reassuring him, just like what an adult would do with a child. " Ah, thank you too San Lang. I'm grateful for the help. " San Lang smiled in acknowledgement. " As long as you are okay" , he replied, his eyes filled with kindness? Sympathy? Xiuying couldn't put his finger on it but he just felt like something is not right. 

Just as he was pondering about it, San Lang changed the topic, " So what are the two of you doing right now? " Xie Lian answered, " We have built a temple in Puqi Village. It is open now. " Hearing the news, San Lang was amazed, " A temple? I love the idea. There must be a lot of chestnuts there. " This got Xiuying nodding. " True, there's a lot of them. If you'd like, you should come over and I'll treat you for some. "

" Really? Then I can't wait for that treat. By the way for whom is the temple dedicated to? "

" The Crown Prince of the Xianle Kingdom", Xiuying answered in eagerness. " You probably haven't heard about him", Xie Lian said, not expecting any recognition from the new companion. Just as he was about to answered, the cart stopped abruptly. When they asked what happened, the old man said he doesn't know why, his ox just won't move but instead backing away from something. 

' So we've reached this part huh', Xiuying thought.

To the far front of them, a group of ghosts can be seen. Ruoye encircling the cart making it invincible. The old man was knocked out of consciousness by Xie Lian as he might make a noise that will attract the ghosts. Xiuying was excited of the magic that was used to make them invincible as Xie Lian asked San Lang what day it is, which turns out to be the Ghost Festival day. Such luck that they have .

The ghosts slowly approaching their direction then hit by something they can't see. " What is this? Why I can't get through?", one of the ghosts asked. Another one tried to pass through but ended up with the same result. " I can't either. What the hell?"

" The hell with hell. We came from hell!"

That may just made Xiuying laughed a little. Just a bit, that's all.

After a few more attempts, the group of ghosts gave up and went through another direction, passing through the cart. Taking the rein of the cart, Xie Lian moved to the front and took over the cart making it move again. Both Xiuying and San Lang moved too, sitting by each of his sides. 

" That was so cool A-Lian. As expected from you." Xiuying praised. Xie Lian as humble as always refuses the praise claiming that it's nothing praiseworthy before asking San Lang's condition. " Are you okay?"

" No, I'm so afraid I couldn't move even an inch". Man, what a smooth liar he is. As expected from the famous Ghost King. " It's okay, don't be afraid. Stay behind me and nothing can hurt you two as long as I'm here" . 

Ah, such a reliable man Xie Lian is.

As the cart move along the road, a lot of little ball of light fall down around them, the scenery could be mistaken as snowfall. Xiuying marvel at the sight, taking in the breathtaking scenery as he keep on gazing them ignoring his other two companion. But the moment was soon come to a stop as a scream from the ghosts from earlier was heard. " Ghost down! Ghost down! The will-o'-the-wisps have been extinguished!"

" The road was blocked by something. Perhaps..."

" Could it be the monks or taoists messing with us?"

" Look, over there!"

Ah, is this where they're supposed to run?

"Hold on tight!". Xie Lian tightened his hold on the rein as the ox cart speed off running away from the ghosts with such speed that Xiuying has to hold the cart for balance where as San Lang looked like he's enjoying the situation for some reasons. They kept the speed but came to a halt when the road was divided into two different paths. Xie Lian took out a cup with a number of wooden sticks. Looking at this, Xiuying come closer to him. "What are you doing with those sticks?", he asked. Surprisingly San Lang answered instead. " During Ghost Festival, human roads and ghost roads would cross path. Once getting into the Ghost Realm, a human can hardly find their way back to the Mortal Realm". 

"Impressive San Lang! You are so knowledgeable", he praised. San Lang refuted, " I just read a lot, that's all". On the other hand, Xie Lian threw the first two sticks but it showed bad luck. The second try also showed the same result. The result made him devastated, the ghosts behind them starting to catch up to them. Xiuying pats his back in sympathy as San Lang offered himself to try for the third attempt. "Don't push yourself too hard", Xie Lian advised him in devastation. The youth in red then threw the last two sticks and what did he get? A good luck of course! He is the ghost king with good luck after all.

Xie Lian was very impressed with the luck that San Lang have but was interrupted by Xiuying, "A-Lian, I know it is impressive but they are getting closer and I don't want to be eaten by them!"

He immediately snapped out of it and immediately just go through one of the roads as their luck showed a good result. However the game of chase and run didn't last long as the road of their escape was blocked by the ghosts. All of this is just wasting time and energy and Xiuying has had enough of this. In irritation he scolded, " Hey ghosts! Stop chasing us already. We didn't do anything to you right?". These ghosts has interrupted the moments that Xiuying could have spent to watch the intimate moments of his favourite not-yet-but-will-be-an-item couple but these dead ghosts dare interrupt? No way he's letting it go!

" Did nothing? It was you who extinguished the will-o'-the-wisps right?", the ghost claimed.

" Not our fault! It's the will-o'-something that came into contact with us. We didn't have the intention to do anything at all!", Xiuying defended them. But the ghost doesn't seem to be satisfied with the answer, "You are clearly a taoist. Who else but a taoist would kill a ghost!"

" I just said that it wasn't us!", the Fire Master chided. " Are you deaf or what?"

" Not all ghosts are killed by taoists." Xie Lian added into the heated argument. Not believing in any of it, the ghosts laughed, " Liar, liar. Pants on fire!"

" If I am a liar, is my pants on fire or not? It's not right? So I'm not a liar you damned ghost!" Looking at the situation and the argument, no one can say whether it is a valid argument or a childish one. Xie Lian is out of words but San Lang definitely seems to be enjoying it as he let out a small chuckle. 

" Would it kill you to just listen to what I just said? Oh wait. I guess it did kill you considering that you are dead!" Xiuying rebuked. He definitely has lost all the patience he had in this argument. 

[Warning, Host is inciting their anger. Stop provoking them to progress with the story.] 

' Oh shut it will you?'

As per warning and calculated by the System, the ghosts are mad by the provocation and one of them took action of charging forward aiming for him. Sharp claws nearing, Xie Lian moved to protect Xiuying but the ghost just stopped so suddenly. They were trembling in fear but no one knows the reason. Utilizing this chance, Xiuying gave an eery smile, he lifted his hands attempting an imitation of drawing out his claws. With a small voice he said one simple word.

" Boo."

Voila, the ghosts ran away in the opposite direction while screaming in fear. Xiuying thought that it was thanks to his excellent skill of acting that scared them away so he let out a laugh of satisfaction saying how he succeeded in chasing those ghosts away. San Lang clapped his hand in amazement which can be seen as entertaining him by those with attentive eyes. Only Xie Lian was left in wonder at what just happened. He doubt it was truly due to his fellow god companion but he decided to just leave it at that.

The problem is solved. No matter how strange the process of achieving it, a win is a win after all.

The System could only sigh at the stupidity of the situation that just happened and it hopes the future events won't be as dumb as the situation that its' dear host just went through.