Chapter Text
While it wouldn’t have taken that long at all to find a graveyard and thus a pathway into the ghost world… Xie Lian didn’t want to do that near the townsfolk. Thus, they truly did walk nearly to the next town, San Lang happy enough to talk about the things he knew about the current city they walked towards and sort of related topics. He fell silent however when Xie Lian drew them to a stop, gesturing slightly to a smaller side path.
“Gege?”
“This should bring us closer to the city entrance.”
San Lang stared for a moment at the road, and then at the narrow path. “If Gege is… sure.” San Lang didn’t sound entirely convinced, but didn’t argue as they stepped into the cover of the trees. It was almost nice, getting away from all of the people. The entire time they had been walking leisurely at best which should put them around the human world’s graveyard at just after dusk.
He did come to a stop outside the graveyard, watching as the mist started to rise over the grass. For a moment he just watched the wisps drift across before glancing at the man beside him who didn’t seem alarmed by the location. At most he seemed confused… and something else as his eyes drifted to the god. “If San Lang wants he can stop here.”
“I’m not nervous but Gege…” He paused to look over the graveyard again before looking off towards the city. “Perhaps I’ve misunderstood. Which city are we going to?”
Xie Lian smiles ever so slightly. “Ghost City.”
San Lang seemed oh so briefly startled before he did something that surprised Xie Lian. He closed off. Not in a hostile way but all of the emotions disappeared without his features or the attentive gaze wavering. “Gege… wants to visit Ghost City?”
“Mn.”
For a long time he wasn’t sure he’s going to get an answer before San Lang shrugged. “If that is what Gege desires.” Emotion flooded through his eyes, his smile mischievous as he stepped forward. “It should be very interesting.”
“San Lang is okay with visiting such a place?”
“I’m surprised, but looking forward to it.”
Xie Lian gave a faint smile, stepping forward himself. “Do you know about Ghost City?”
“I do. Anything Gege wants to know, he can ask.” It wasn’t an entirely surprising statement, given how much San Lang seemed to know about everything. His steps seemed so light, perhaps even lighter than when they were walking towards the city. Xie Lian supposed it could be a youth who was excited to see the fabled place.
Ahead of them, the path seemed a bit different, a faint red tint to the shadows that shouldn’t have been there. It flooded over them the moment the pair exited the graveyard. The path looked somewhat the same physically, through the trees rapidly gave way to the flatlands outside the essentially non-existent city wall.
Xie Lian had been prepared for a sight, but he still felt a bit of awe. It is vastly different from the calm order of the heavens, but it is no less massive. Stores and stalls and other buildings stretched on and on, filled with signs and lanterns that leaned heavily into the red glow everything seemed to take on.
When he glanced to the side, San Lang had also stopped. Instead of staring at the city however, he was looking at Xie Lian with a youthful half smile and eyes that revealed nothing of his thoughts. Having Xie Lian’s attention however he grinned, raising an eyebrow. “What does Gege think?”
Xie Lian humed, looking back to the city. “It is very impressive.” His lips twitched slightly as he started walking forward. San Lang’s steps next to him were light and easy, his hands clasped behind his back. “Why did Gege want to come to Ghost City?”
Closer now, Xie Lian can hear the citizens he can see milling around. It’s loud really, people calling back and forth, yelling, laughing, all of it mixed in with growls and snarls and sharp cries that sometimes he recognized and sometimes he didn’t. The crowd didn’t hold them back, closing in and absorbing them.
Given the number of masks around them, and beings who had no need of a mask to look inhuman, Xie Lian reached back. Pulling his hat into place he spared a glance at San Lang who seemed just as at ease, watching Xie Lian. “Well… there’s someone I wanted to talk to here, and maybe see his thoughts on something.” His head tilts, “Should we try to get a mask for San Lang?”
San Lang’s eyes glittered, even as he smiled. “I’m not worried about it. It isn’t like it’s a requirement.” There was some other emotion in his voice when he spoke however. “Gege knows someone in Ghost City?”
“Maybe.” Xie Lian shrugged, his gaze drifting forward though a slight teasing smile tugged at his lips. It might be interesting to see how long San Lang would continue to keep his heart beating, his chest moving with an easy breath. When he started moving, he felt San Lang follow, staying close.
“Can this San Lang know who Gege is looking for?”
“Mn…” Xie Lian hums. He’s walking with purpose, though he didn’t know the way for sure. He figured heading towards the center of the city should be fine. There was some sort of building up on the hill he could see, though it was dark without a single lantern lit. That would make sense, if the master of the house was elsewhere.
Figuring out how to get there however might be a bit harder than he initially thought, given that he quickly discovered that the layout of the streets was as chaotic as everything else. Though, Xie Lian found that he didn’t have a lot of trouble moving. Even when there were large crowds, they seemed to part or give way entirely as he meandered. Xie Lian would be tempted to think that they were parting for a cultivator or taoist in their midst. Certainly he was receiving a lot of stunned stares. That was after the curiously turned eyes looked behind him however. Not scared, but like everyone was watching something amazing.
“Gege…” The whine seemed to startle a few of the ghosts who were not so subtly watching. They stared openly now, even some mouths hanging agape.
“Yes, San Lang?”
“You haven’t answered. Who are you looking for?”
“Ah,” He came to a slow stop, bringing his hand up to his mouth like he was pondering. “Well, I suppose that depends.”
“Depends?”
“Mn, well. I’m not sure what name I should give to San Lang for who I’m looking for.”
“You don’t know their name?”
“Oh, it’s not that. I know lots of names, but the one he gave me is different so I’m not sure…”
He can feel San Lang step closer, a hand brushing his arm though Xie Lian didn’t turn. “What name did he give you?”
“He said to call him San Lang.”
There’s an odd stutter to San Lang’s breathing. “And what other names does Gege know?”
Xie Lian kept the smile in place, though his teasing mood gave way to a slight weariness. He couldn’t die of course but surely Hua Cheng wouldn’t be offended right? He didn’t seem to be trying very hard to hide it. “Crimson Rain Sought Flower, Hua Cheng.”
The touch on his arm didn’t disappear. Instead, San Lang traced his thumb over Xie Lian’s sleeve. The god wasn’t sure it was a conscious gesture. “When did Dianxia figure it out?”
Xie Lian startled slightly. Not really at the touch but at the change in tone. In fact, when San Lang pulled away he had to stop himself from reaching for the man. It had been a long time since he heard someone say his title without it sounding a bit like they were snickering. Hua Chang however… it had been soft, reverent almost.
Smiling, he did finally turn. The face that he found was the same, smiling at him with mischief dancing in those nearly gold eyes. “San Lang passed every test I presented. It meant that there were only two options. A mortal…”
“Or a calamity.” San lang straightened, considering him. After a long moment he shook his head slightly, stepping forward now. His gait was ever so slightly different, calm and confident as he started down the path, utterly sure that not a single being would stand in his way. “Please follow this San Lang, Dianxia.”
Ahead of him, even the most savage looking ghosts parted. Now the stares were a bit more open, several people even clamoring out compliments to the lord of the city. He ignored them, although he seemed amused when Xie Lian would give sheepish smiles to those who called out to him.
It didn’t take them long at all to reach a far different building than the one Xie Lian was trying to find the path to. Paradise Manor. Xie Lian raised an eyebrow but still followed San Lang. To his relief, the building before them rapidly revealed itself to be closer to a wealthy residence, the doors opening into what was very clearly some kind of throne room.
As soon as the doors were shut, San Lang turned to him. Putting his hands behind his back he smiled. “Is there anything Dianxia wants? Food, bed…” It’s teasing, Xie Lian has already learned to read the cant of the smile and glitter in those eyes. Knowing that, it doesn’t stop Xie Lian’s cheeks from heating up. “Company?”
He smiles a bit, rubbing at his neck. “That’s a bit… I’m fine.”
San Lang nodded, though he still encouraged Xie Lian to cross the room with him, stepping up onto the black dias that took the far side. San Lang collapsed back among the cushions, indicating that Xie Lian should join him. That was… a little too soon though.
Instead Xie Lian bowed low. “I’d like to apologize.” He heard more than saw San Lang sit up.
“Wha-”
“I mistook Hua Cheng and his intentions, and I attacked him carelessly on the mountain. I’m terribly sorry.”
There were light hands on his elbows, bringing him up. “It’s fine. Dianxia please don’t apologize.” San Lang looked distinctly uncomfortable. Although he eased once Xie Lian rose. “Really. It was my fault for enjoying the moment too much and not being clear.”
Xie Lian smiled slightly. “Thank you.”
San Lang was watching him, his grip still light on the god’s elbows. After a moment, he gently drew the god forward. His eyes were searching the entire time as Xie Lian let himself be guided to sit on the cushions. Only when it was apparent that Xie Lian was going to stay there did San Lang join, sitting too far, and far too close.
“Is that… the only reason Dianxia came?” San Lang’s expression was complicated as he spoke. “If so… he could have simply told me at the shrine.”
“Well…” He rubbed at his neck, movement below catching his attention. One eyebrow rose as servants rushed back and forth, bringing out a rather large table. Since San Lang didn’t seem to notice at all, Xie Lian supposed it was normal or at least expected. “I wasn’t entirely sure until I saw Hua Cheng’s reaction to where we were going.”
He was greeted with one eyebrow raising slightly, before San Lang was leaning in. “I’d prefer if Dianxia called this one San Lang.”
Xie Lian felt his cheeks heating again but he nodded. “I can, if San Lang stops calling this one Dianxia.” Truthfully, while he greatly enjoyed how it sounded when Hua Cheng said his title, it didn’t really fit him anymore.
Hua Cheng nodded. “Alright, Gege.”
The table below was nearly set, San Lang finally sparing it a glance before making some gesture with his hand. When he turned back, it was to fidget a bit with his hair.
Xie Lian fidgeted with his own robes. “Right well… I also wanted to see, as the king of ghosts, if Hua Cheng was willing to share anything he knew about Crescent Moon Pass.”
Xie Lian was a bit used to being stared at, but he really didn’t know what to do with Hua Cheng’s current expression. Rather than unravel the hint of surprise and awe quickly covered by what he swore was joy, Xie Lian looked to the table below. It really looked set up and ready for a feast.
“Of course. Anything Gege wants to know, he can ask.” Shifting, he glanced at the table as well. “Would gege like to eat?”
“Ah that’s…” He shook his head. “Thank you San Lang, but I will be fine.”
“Gege hasn’t eaten anything today,” Xie Lian felt the flush creeping up. Of course, Hua Cheng had been with him the entire time so he would know. The ghost king’s head tilted slightly. “It would be no trouble at all, gege.”
Well, if the table was already set up, and Hua Cheng was confident it was fine… Xie Lian sighed, “Alright.”
Of course, Xie Lian remembered the ease with which a ruler could move anything to their desire. He had held that power once, though as a child he hadn’t realized how impressive it was. Later, when he had worn a golden mask and seen it from a near but not involved point of view he had truly understood. The servants bowed, and disappeared to prepare the meal.
In between, Hua Cheng told him about the Half Moon Kingdom. A… good portion he might have known. He knew about the skirmishes and wars that constantly broke out between them a little too well really. He also knew of the massive warriors of the Half Moon Kingdom and their might. The two demonic preceptors were a bit new, though at his inquiry it turned out he knew the older of the two exceptionally well.
The servants coming out to lay out a feast at least let him distract San Lang from telling him whatever legends had come from the Gilded Banquet. He really didn’t want to know. Plus, he knew that it had to be well over a century between them.
“San Lang, this is really too much.” The table had been filled, dishes that he had not had in a long time steaming invitingly.
“It’s nothing, Gege.” The ghost king descended as the last of the servants disappeared. Xie Lian followed after a moment, wrestling with the enticing scent of the food against his own self awareness. Only when he was sitting down in the chair that San Lang drew out for him did he realize why nostalgia was woven so tightly into the tangled emotions.
Many dishes stayed similar throughout time. What made them more unique to the area or the era was the specific configurations, the spices and sauces. Closer he could see the lavish but sophisticated blends that had been prevalent in the kingdom of Xianle, their kingdom rich enough and with extensive enough trade routes to have access to even far flung spices.
“Please, Gege. It’s rare that I get to treat a welcomed guest.”
Xie Lian raised an eyebrow slightly at Hua Cheng, who smiled as he leaned his cheek on his hand. Swallowing down the emotions twisting through him he reached for a dish that had been his favorite as a child. How old were the cooks who had made this? How old was Hua Cheng to want such dishes? How old was he to know who Xie Lian had started as?
“Would San Lang be willing to tell me more about the younger State Perceptor?”
That probably wasn’t an easy topic to focus on, but it was better than the other thoughts running amok in his head. He didn’t want to ruin their evening. Thankfully, Hua Cheng smiled and relayed to him a story of a girl, born of two warring nations, who rose through all of the ranks only to open the gates during the most crucial moment.
There was no possible way that Xie Lian could finish even a tenth of the meal that made his heart ache with such sorrow and such joy. Hua Cheng only picked a bit at what he had gathered, seeming to be doing it more for show and more interested in the wine. He felt somewhat guilty as he placed everything down for the final time.
Not that Hua Cheng had the food whisked away. Instead he seemed perfectly content with leaning on his elbow, watching.
“What will Gege do with all this information, this San Lang wonders.”
“Well… go to Crescent Moon Pass.” Fortunately, Hua Cheng didn’t seem the least bit surprised. “Since it came to my attention, I should at least go find out what has been happening.”
“Gege is as righteous as ever. Would he mind if this San Lang came along?”
He smiled slightly. “It might be dangerous. I’m not sure how far it is or why Heaven doesn’t want anyone getting involved.”
Hua Cheng gave him a smile, eyes glittering with mischief. “If it’s dangerous, then gege shouldn’t go alone.”
“I can defend myself, San Lang. But it would be nice to have the company.”
“Gege shouldn’t worry. This one can also defend himself and gege.” He leaned forward slightly, grinning. “Gege should stay here tonight though. Then in the morning we can use a little trick this one has to get us quite close to Crescent Moon Pass.”
His eyebrows rose, considering the king of ghosts, the supreme who even the heavens cautioned against. “San Lang would use a distance shortening array that far?”
“Hm, it’s only similar to a distance shortening array. If Gege likes it, this San Lang can give him access too.”
He sighed, offering the other a smile. “San Lang is too generous.”
In response, Hua Cheng smiled and laughed.