Chapter Text
“The Wind Master just gave out another hundred thousand credits!” the general roar and din within the communication array made Xie Lian wince. Already his inquiry was completely forgotten. Heaving a sigh, he braced himself to try again when his personal communication array came alive.
‘Your Highness, you asked about the Crescent Moon Pass?’
Xie Lian nearly sagged in relief. Ling Wen had heard him, and if anyone had information it would be the Civil God. ‘Yes, if you had any information-”
“Your Highness, please don’t concern yourself with this matter. ” The tone is brisk, matter of fact.
Xie Lian winces. “I’m afraid that isn’t really possible. I’ve heard only half of those who pass through survive, is that true?”
He swears he almost hears the rustle of paper, though of course that couldn’t be correct. “It is better that we do not discuss further.”
The god’s stance falls slightly. The tone was even brisker, cold and warning though not impolite. He had found it unusual that mortals would be dying in such numbers and heaven was unaware of it. Now he feared, it wasn’t that they hadn’t noticed, it was that someone within the heavens was keeping it quiet. ‘I understand. I won’t say more.’
After a moment of silence across the still open array, Ling Wen sighed. ‘If Your Highness insists on investigating, it would be best to do so independent of the Heavens.’
Well, at least she was aware. ‘Thank you, Ling Wen.’
The trickle of spiritual power disappeared, the array closed. For a moment Xie Lian considered the shrine around him. Really though, if it was that bad, someone needed to see why. Ling Wen had suggested not involving the heavens, meaning that likely someone in the heavens was keeping it quiet. Knowing his luck just a little too well, it would be someone powerful that it was best not to cross.
“Gege?” San Lang was still kneeling beside the shell which was rapidly deteriorating into the clay it had been formed from.
Xie Lian turned, smiling. “San Lang, I believe I will need to-”
The knocking surprised him, Xie Lian frowning slightly at the door. After a glance at San Lang who raised an eyebrow, Xie Lian stood.
The pair that stood in the doorway both surprised him and honestly… were completely expected. He had asked after all. Smiling slightly at the pair, he fully opened the door. Not that he got a greeting out.
“You’re going to Crescent Moon Pass?”
Xie Lian smiled, and shook his head. “Oh no, I’m afraid not.” A lie, a blatant lie but he had gotten quite good at those throughout the years. After all, when one was hiding that they were a fallen god it was a skill called upon often. Of course, to two of the three… possibly all three… he didn’t need to hide that part. Given Ling Wen’s request however, he couldn’t involve the heavens. He absolutely couldn’t risk the ascension of two deputy gods, and though he knew the truth he neither wanted their cover blown nor wanted to drag them into a political mess.
He was met with three confused looks. It was Nan Feng who managed to speak first. “You aren’t?”
Xie Lian smiled. “I’m not.”
Fu Yao frowned, opening his mouth. Movement behind Xie Lian distracted him however. Instantly Nan Feng’s hand snapped out, Fu Yao pushing his way inside and between Xie Lian who was being dragged out and the man within. “Your Highness, who is this?”
Xie Lian managed to get his wrist free, raising both hands even as Fu Yao raised a sparking ball of energy. “This is my guest.”
“Your guest!?” He was able to get back into the shrine, Nan Feng following closely.
“Gege, who are these two? Are they your servants?”
Xie Lian was close enough to see the twitch of Fu Yao’s eye. Doing his best to get between the two he continued with the placating motions. “No, no. More like… assistants.” For a youth confronted with such impressive magic San Lang looked… far too mischievous. Oh no…
“Your Highness, is this. What’s his name, where is he from, why is he in the shrine.”
“This is San Lang, he didn’t have a place to stay so I let him stay here.”
Nan Feng frowned, looking around the shrine. “Here?”
Fu Yao folded his arms over his chest. “Your Highness, what if he’s trying to take advantage of you?”
Xie Lian rubbed the back of his head. Was that really okay to say right in front of the youth? Not that he seemed to mind, instead searching behind the altar for something. Well… he supposed it wasn’t the worst reaction. Was it really appropriate though?
Smiling at Fu Yao he gestured around them. “What do I have to take advantage of?”
Both ‘deputy’ gods looked around, their grimances not making Xie Lian’s smile falter in the least. “Now… I do have plans for today although there should be a bit of time if you wanted me to treat you to lunch before you go?”
It had the exact reaction Xie Lian wanted. It also seemed to bring San Lang up a little short, the youth raising an eyebrow at Xie Lian, his only broom in hand. Oh, no, no, no. That was absolutely going to set off Fu Yao. Stepping between the two so the broom was hidden he smiled.
Nan Feng at least seemed to be considering him. “You’re really not going to Crescent Moon Pass?”
“I’m not.”
“Just like that?”
Fu Yao was the one to narrow his eyes. “So you aren’t going anywhere?”
Xie Lian shrugged, doing his best to make it seem light and airy as he turned back to San Lang. “Well, I was debating on going to the city. There might be some interesting scraps there, or maybe something that’s helpful.” There, it was mostly the truth. It was just a inkling when Ling Wen implied that heaven was going to be displeased with anyone getting involved in this ordeal. It was definitely foolhardy. He couldn’t quite get out of his head all of the stories he had heard about the Crimson Rain Sought Flower or how he seemed to enjoy tugging on heaven’s tail. He couldn’t quite get the feel out of his head, of a solid guiding arm or the sound of the bone array shattering under a single step as drips fell on an umbrella overhead. Besides, he wanted to ask about that, and apologize for mistaking him for the bridegroom and attacking him.
San Lang gave Xie Lian a look as he took the broom from the youth although he didn’t make it hard.
Fu Yao didn’t seem overly convinced. “What city?”
“Oh, just one nearby. Most cities are the same aren’t they?” San Lang raised an eyebrow at him but Xie Lian was already in motion. He disappeared behind the altar himself, coming back with ingredients that even he knew where questionable and past their prime. He was pretty sure San Lang had piled them up to take them out.
“Perhaps Fu Yao or Nan Feng could suggest which city might be better over lunch?” He managed to get the pot out before the two ‘deputy’ gods gave way. Making a face, Nan Feng brought his fingers up to his temple.
“What? Now? I’m sorry Your Highness, something has just come up.” Fu Yao disappeared just behind, babbling something similar. Once they had disappeared, Xie Lian turned to drop the pile of ingredients right where they had started.
When he turned, he found San Lang smiling at him, eyes flashing with a little bit too much knowledge and mischief. “Gege…”
Xie Lian winked, bringing a finger up to his lips. Then he plucked his bag from it’s usual place, starting to put things he would probably need into it. San Lang settled at the altar, watching. “Is gege going to Crescent Moon Pass?”
Xie Lian hummed, “Nope, I really am going to the city.” Rolling up the bed roll he turned to San Lang. For a moment, he let himself feel grateful for the company the young man had been providing him. “I’m sorry, San Lang. If you want to stay here you can, but if you can go home…”
The youth raised an eyebrow. “Which city is gege going to? I’ll go with you.”
Xie Lian smiled, shaking his head. “It’s going to be quite dangerous. I’m also not sure how far away the city is.”
“If it’s dangerous, then gege shouldn’t go alone.”
“That’s kind, San Lang, but I am able to look after myself.” Well, maybe not if he was facing off with a calamity but… he’d done it before.
San Lang rose, leaning forward. His smile was entirely mischief however. “Gege shouldn’t worry so much about this San Lang either. I can also defend myself, and gege.”
Xie Lian smiled, shaking his head. “Alright, alright but at the first sign of danger I want you to get away okay?”
San Lang’s eyes flashed but he nodded.