Archive of Our Own ^beta

It was a normal day at PuQi temple. Xie Lian served tea for Feng Xin who came to visit and Hua Cheng relaxed in one of the chairs.

Hua Cheng and Feng Xin despise each other. That didn't change even after Hua Cheng and Xie Lian got married. But they tried to tolerate each other—because Xie Lian asked Feng Xin to visit every year.

Even though Xie Lian now holds the position of Heavenly Emperor, he prefers to be in his temple, making Feng Xin often go to the mortal world and forcing him to learn life as a commoner.

This reminded Feng Xin of Mu Qing and made something in his chest tighten for no reason.

Mu Qing never ascended to become a god. This fact was known by Xie Lian and also Feng Xin. They were there when Mu Qing breathed his last breath, looking between the flames and screams full of sorrow. They were there when Bai WuXiang thrust his sword into Mu Qing's heart when Mu Qing tried to restrain Bai WuXiang from reach Xie Lian.

Despite all their misunderstandings, Xie Lian and Feng Xin still felt guilty towards their friend. Mu Qing had people he prioritized, that's why he left. They both know now.

But it was too late to feel guilty. Especially since their guilt is 800 years too late.

A knock sounded, and Xie Lian got up to open it.

“Excuse me,” a voice said. “We want to pray and make some offerings.”

Xie Lian blinked and almost dropped his jaw to the ground when he saw two teenagers at his door.

Both teenagers had very familiar golden eyes. One of them even looked so similar to Feng Xin. Meanwhile, the other one was so similar to Mu Qing that Xie Lian's heart throbbed painfully when he saw him.

“Uh, excuse me?” asked the others with confused expressions.

The conversation made Feng Xin and Hua Cheng come out to see what was wrong.

Feng Xin's reaction was the same as Xie Lian, while Hua Cheng just blinked with a surprised expression.

“Um… is something wrong?”

The question alerted Xie Lian, who immediately stepped away from the door. “No-no, forgive my impoliteness! It's just… uh,” he glanced at Feng Xin who was still gaping at the end of the room, "you guys look a lot like people I know."

The two teenagers turned to Feng Xin with raised eyebrows.

“Huh, maybe it's just a coincidence.” The teenager who looked similar to Feng Xin waved his hands nonchalantly, while the others just rolled their eyes. “We came to pray and make offerings.”

"Obviously." The teenager who looked similar to Mu Qing and had Feng Xin's eyes snorted, making the others elbow him.

“A-Yao, don't be impolite!”

“Hmph. They were the ones who were rude first, A-Feng. Don't elbow me!”

The one called 'A-Feng' huffed and looked back at Xie Lian. “Excuse me, DaoZhang.”

“It's okay, it's okay, please come in! The altar is there.”

The two teenagers entered, took incense, then bowed and prayed.

This made Xie Lian and Hua Cheng exchange glances. They performed their prayers properly, unlike some people who came to PuQi temple for the first time. They did not kneel before Crown Prince XianLe, but only bowed politely.

Not everyone knew it, but Xie Lian never wanted anyone to kneel to him.

Xie Lian even heard their prayers.

“Dianxia, for all the mistakes A-niang did in the past, I hope you can forgive him.”

“We came to Your temple, Dianxia, to ask for forgiveness for A-niang's past betrayal. You may not remember, but A-niang helped Dianxia from afar several times to atone for his sins.”

"A-niang doesn't have long to live, and after A-niang is gone, we decided to explore the world before death comes."

“A-niang never hated Dianxia. But A-niang couldn't come here because his life was almost over. A-niang is slowly giving his life essence to help someone, and we can't prevent it at all. Therefore we come here to pray and ask for Your forgiveness.”

“You don't need to answer our prayers, Dianxia. Just forgive our A-niang's sins, A-niang and we too will be very happy.”

“Forgive our A-niang, even though A-niang never told us to come here. But-but we want A-niang's soul to no longer be shackled by guilt ."

Xie Lian wondered who the 'A-niang' they mentioned was and why did they say it as if their 'A-niang' had committed a great sin on him?

When the two teenagers finished praying, 'A-Yao' took his qiankun pouch and took out a pile of white, red and gold colored cloth. From the embroidery that could be seen on the edges, Xie Lian knew that the cloth was handmade.

'A-Feng' on the other hand took out a pot filled with food that gave off a fragrant smell and made Xie Lian's stomach rumbling. The two of them were placed on Xie Lian's altar and the two teenagers bowed one last time before laying down the incense, ending their prayer.

"What did you give?" Hua Cheng asked casually, making the two teenagers look at him.

“Isn't it obvious? Hand sewn clothing. I made it myself.” Answer 'A-Yao' with a roll of eyes. Next to him, 'A-Feng' elbowed him again.

“Oh? I asked about the dish.” Hua Cheng replied with a crooked smile, making 'A-Yao' fold his arms with a murderous expression.

Luckily, 'A-Feng' immediately grabbed 'A-Yao' by the shoulders and answered Hua Cheng with some hesitation. “…flower extract porridge.”

Xie Lian almost fell when he heard it. Behind him, Feng Xin turned his head so fast that his head was dizzy. They again looked at the two teenagers with expressions of disbelief.

Seeing their gazes, 'A-Feng' shifted uncomfortably in place. “Um, we heard that Crown Prince XianLe liked this porridge… so, ah, so I made it….”

"How…?" Xie Lian asked in disbelief.

Flower extract porridge is a specialty of XianLe. Xie Lian really liked it when he was the Crown Prince and often asked Mu Qing or the chefs to make it. He never managed to make it back ever since XianLe was destroyed.

'A-Yao' looked at him with something in his eyes, but didn't say anything and chose to pull 'A-Feng'. “We're done. Thank you for your time, DaoZhang.”

Xie Lian knew a farewell when he saw one, so he hurriedly ushered the two teenagers towards the door and asked, "Where are you going after this?"

'A-Feng' and 'A-Yao' exchanged glances, almost making Xie Lian see Feng Xin and Mu Qing's reflections on them.

"Ah! It's okay if you don't want to answer! It's just that I've never seen you guys around here, so I'm a little curious. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable! Uh—”

"DaoZhang, it's okay." 'A-Feng' smiled slightly at him, making Xie Lian a little relieved. “My name is Nan Feng. He is my twin brother, Fu Yao. After this we will go to Nan Yang temple to pray and make offerings.”

That answer made Feng Xin flinch and Nan Feng received an elbow from Fu Yao.

“Then, we will leave now. See you later, DaoZhang.” Fu Yao gave a short bow followed by Nan Feng and the two of them walked away.

Xie Lian hadn't even had time to answer them. So he shouted and waved his arms. “Be careful on the road, Nan Feng, Fu Yao!”

The two of them didn't turn around, so Xie Lian stared at them until they were no longer visible.

Feng Xin and Hua Cheng were waiting for him when he turned around to enter.

“They are both strange kids.” Feng Xin commented.

“Of course, they are very similar to general Nan Yang here. Are you planting seeds carelessly like general Ming Guang?” Hua Cheng smiled annoyingly. In his hand there was now a silver butterfly that he had chased out of the PuQi temple window.

“What did you say, bastard?!”

Xie Lian, on the other hand, didn't really listen to his husband and his best friend's arguments. He silently picked up the pot containing the flower extract porridge and opened it, making the fragrant aroma spread even stronger.

“… gege?”

“Dianxia, you—this scent…”

Trembling, Xie Lian now took the cloth that Fu Yao had put down, opened it and realized that it was clothes in the XianLe style. The embroidery on each cloth and the hem even resembles his clothes when he was still the Crown Prince.

“…they know it.”

“Huh?” Feng Xin asked. Hua Cheng on the other hand had already silently taken a bowl and filled it with flower extract porridge. "What does it mean?"

“Feng Xin, they know XianLe embroidery. They can also make a flower extract porridge. Do you remember? Flower extract porridge is—”

“Your favorite.” Feng Xin replied, now looking surprised.

"Gege," called Hua Cheng, again silently guiding Xie Lian to sit down and handing him the bowl which was now filled with porridge that Nan Feng had given him.

Xie Lian stirred it a bit and ate it with tears in his eyes. “Um! It tastes exactly the same! San Lang, Feng Xin, tastes the same as XianLe’s!”

Feng Xin gaped and almost pounded the table. "How could that be?!"

His thoughts returned to Mu Qing—the only person who could make Xie Lian's favorite flower extract porridge besides the palace chefs. But it is impossible. Mu Qing is dead. They both saw it. The two of them also saw that his body was shattered out of shape when Bai WuXiang attacked his corpse.

Hua Cheng now hugged Xie Lian who was shaking with tears rolling down his cheeks. His brow furrowed and he gently called out to his husband.

“Gege, my butterflies are following them.” He said slowly, as if Xie Lian would be angry with him if he said it out loud. “Does gege want to see it?”

Xie Lian stiffened for a few moments, seemingly thinking about it before nodding hesitantly.

Feng Xin who heard this immediately sat back down and waited for Hua Cheng to show what Nan Feng and Fu Yao had planned. He couldn't deny that he was also curious about the two children who had the same color of his eyes. Heavens, one of them even looked so much like him!

Hua Cheng's silver butterflies then melted like ink on the walls of Xie Lian's temple, showing what Nan Feng and Fu Yao were doing.

“Wait, why have they arrived at Nan Yang temple already?! They just came out of PuQi village, right?!” Feng Xin, who had just drunk his tea (which had cooled) almost choked when he saw the reflection of Nan Feng and Fu Yao in front of his temple.

Hua Cheng glanced at him irritably, “distance shortening array. How small is your brain? Just shut up and watch.”

“San Lang, don't say that to Feng Xin…”

“A-Feng, do you think general Nan Yang will hear our prayers?” Fu Yao asked, his expression looking distant and sad. “Unlike Dianxia, general Nan Yang has very many followers and prayers.”

Nan Feng came over and nudged his brother's shoulder, smiling confidently. “Come on, A-Yao. Don't be too pessimistic! I'm sure A—I mean, general Nan Yang will hear our prayers.”

“But what if not? What if general Nan Yang still can't forgive A-niang? Have you forgotten that general Nan Yang hates A-niang?”

Again, Feng Xin almost choked when he heard it. Xie Lian just glanced at him from the corner of his eye, looking curious but politely closing his mouth.

“It was a long time ago, A-Yao. Trust me. At least trust me, okay? We are doing this for A-niang after all.”

Fu Yao exhaled and nodded, still looking doubtful. “A-niang really loves general Nan Yang… I don't understand why A-niang had to give up the essence of his life for—”

“A-Yao. That's A-niang's decision, we can't just insult his decision."

"… I know. I… I'm just sad. Is our existence not enough for A-niang…?”

This time Nan Feng hugged Fu Yao tightly, “A-niang once said that guilt is a deadly poison, A-Yao. All this time, A-niang has always felt guilty towards Dianxia and general Nan Yang... his guilt is slowly killing him."

Fu Yao's shoulders shook and Nan Feng didn't say anything else but hugged him tightly.

“Just who is their 'A-niang'? Why do they both say that their mother has feelings of guilt towards both of us?”

Xie Lian lowered his head and thought, then said slowly. “They prayed to me to forgive their mother for the betrayal he committed in the past. They also said that their ‘A-niang’ had helped me secretly in the past.”

“… gege …”

“…unfortunately, I don't remember it. Over the past 800 years, I have forgotten many things… I no longer remember who has helped me and who has betrayed me.”

“Have you calmed down?” Nan Feng asked, this time cupping Fu Yao's cheeks which were red from crying. “Come on, let’s go in and pray, after that let's go home. A-niang shouldn't be alone at a time like this.”

“Mm.”

“Dianxia, it wasn't your fault. It was my fault because I also left you alone at your worst time.” Feng Xin looked down at Xie Lian, but Xie Lian held his shoulders.

"Don't. We've talked about this before. It's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault. We all changed in that moment.”

Feng Xin was about to open his mouth when Nan Feng and Fu Yao's prayers reached him.

“General Nan Yang, we pray that you will forgive our A-niang. At that time, he didn't mean to leave you. But he had his priorities, and our grandmother was very ill at the time. A-niang loves grandma very much, so he has to go to take care of her.”

“General Nan Yang. Honestly, I don't know what's so good about you that A-niang loves you so much. You hurt A-niang's feelings many times. You always misunderstand A-niang's kindness and if I'm honest, I hate you.”

“I don't know if you still remember A-niang, general Nan Yang. But all this time A-niang has always remembered you, and despite his love for you, the feeling of guilt has eaten away at him.”

“You once tried to kill A-niang. I still remember the scar that A-niang had because of your arrow. I hate you for that.”

“A-niang won't live much longer, general. So I beg you, despite everything—your past and your hatred for A-niang… I beg you to forgive A-niang.”

“…what exactly does A-niang see in you? Why should he sacrifice the very essence of his life for the child of a woman who doesn't even like you anymore? We are also your children, although you don't know it because at that time you tried to kill A-niang with your spiritual arrow. Damn, you're not even worthy of A-niang's love. Why must A-niang love you?”

“General, I know that my brother, A-Yao, is cursing you right now. Forgive him too. I understand his feelings, but A-niang and we have already talked about it. I understand, and so does Fu Yao. We understand A-niang's desire to be free from the shackles of his guilt.”

“But I'm doing this for A-niang. I hope that he finds peace after his final rest. So I pray to you, general Nan Yang. Don't hate A-niang.”

"We hope this prayer reaches you, General Nan Yang."

“Goodbye, general Nan Yang. I would never step foot into Your temple again if it weren't for A-niang and A-Feng.”

Nan Feng and Fu Yao got up at the same time and put down their incense sticks, then pulled out a basket full of cherries from each of their qiankun pouches and placed them on the altar of Nan Yang temple.

“…let’s go home, A-Feng.” Fu Yao whispered, slowly pulling away Nan Feng's hand who was still looking at the statue in the Nan Yang temple with a sad gaze.

“Mm.”

“What do you see in that statue? The statue is very ugly. He should still be called general Ju Yang rather than Nan Yang.”

Feng Xin choked again and dropped his jaw, while Hua Cheng laughed openly and Xie Lian snorted in amusement.

Nan Feng rolled his eyes and elbowed Fu Yao. “Don't make fun of him. Have you forgotten that my name is a combination of Nan Yang's general title and his real name?”

Fu Yao giggled with amusement with a mischievous expression, “A-niang thought that general Nan Yang would name his child like that, A-Feng. Don't be sad about it hehehe~”

"I don't! Who would think like that?! What's wrong with the name 'Nan Feng' anyway? I think it's a great name!” Feng Xin pounded the table in disapproval.

Hua Cheng looked like he was almost rolling in laughter and even Xie Lian was no longer able to hide his laughter.

"Up to you. Let us go home. This time you created the shortening array.”

“Yes-yes, don't sulk, A-Feng!” Fu Yao pinched Nan Feng's cheek playfully, making Nan Feng slap his hand away with pouting lips.

“A-Yao! Stop messing around!”

Fu Yao rolled his eyes, then bent down and began to draw an array on the ground.

“By the way, Feng Xin, have you got any clues? Who do you think the ‘A-niang’ they are calling is?” Xie Lian asked suddenly.

Feng Xin replayed the prayers said by the two teenagers and told them to Xie Lian. But instead of an answer, he became even more confused. “The only person I know is…”

Xie Lian knew who Feng Xin was referring to without having to say his name. But that was impossible, plus how could Mu Qing give birth to Feng Xin's child?

Most importantly, was Mu Qing still alive all this time? Why did they never find him? Why did Mu Qing never meet them?

“San Lang, have you ever met Mu Qing?” Xie Lian asked, unable to hold back the seed of hope growing in his heart.

Hua Cheng shook his head with a regretful expression. He had never even heard of Mu Qing's name since the destruction of XianLe.

“A-niang, we are back.” Fu Yao's voice brought their attention back to the wall in front of them.

In front of Fu Yao and Nan Feng now lay a person with long black hair. He has a pretty face with a sharp jaw. His eyelashes are thick and curly. His lips were full with a thin impression. His skin was as white as snow and looked as smooth as porcelain.

Feng Xin and Xie Lian rose to their feet in disbelief.

“Mu Qing…”

“You guys are back. Where are you guys going?” Mu Qing's eyes opened, revealing a silver color that no longer glowed.

Xie Lian wanted to cry seeing his friend's eyes look lifeless. Beside him, Feng Xin clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

“…temple.”

A flicker of emotion appeared in Mu Qing's eyes, but it quickly extinguished and returned with emptiness. "Ah. You don't need to do that. I'm sure they've long forgotten about me.”

"No, Mu Qing, how could I forget you?" Xie Lian asked, now completely crying in Hua Cheng's arms.

“A-niang…”

Mu Qing smiled faintly and rubbed his two sons' cheeks carefully as if they might crack at any time.

“A-niang! You don't need to provide any more energy! Keep it to yourself!” Nan Feng and Fu Yao flinched and held Mu Qing's hand. Both of their expressions were now filled with fear.

“A-Feng, A-Yao… my time is up. Look,” Mu Qing's gaze fell on a silver flower crystal on the table that now had a large crack. “CuoCuo has succeeded in forming his form.”

Feng Xin didn't know what he should feel when he heard those words come out of Mu Qing's mouth. All he knew was that now his chest felt very tight and his eyes were hot. His jaw hurt because his teeth were chattering. But there was only one spinning in his head. "Why?"

“Live well, have adventures, follow your heart, and look after each other. You only have each other in this world.” Mu Qing looked faded, and his smile was full of gentleness. His hands rubbed Nan Feng and Fu Yao's hair, making the two teenagers start to cry. “I… if I were reincarnated… would you accept me again as your mother?”

“A-niang doesn't need to ask for it. We just want A-niang to be our mother.”

"Mn! Rest, A-niang, we—” Fu Yao choked, holding Mu Qing’s hand that was fading tightly. “We'll be fine. D-don't worry!”

“Ah… I'm happy… thank you…” Mu Qing said one last time before closing his eyes.

Afterwards, his body disintegrated into hundreds of silver flower petals. The flower crystal that was previously on the table now shattered completely into dust.

Fu Yao cried loudly, while Nan Feng hugged Fu Yao tightly with tears streaming down his cheeks. His lips were pressed tightly even though his eyes were full of pain.

"Mu Qing!" Feng Xin and Xie Lian shouted at the same time, but of course Mu Qing wouldn't be able to hear them.

At the same time, Nan Feng seemed to realize something was wrong.

“A-Yao, we have to go… I think… I think someone is watching us.”

Fu Yao stared at Nan Feng blankly, then looked around until he saw the butterfly Hua Cheng was hiding in. “…my bow…”

Nan Feng pulled Fu Yao to his feet and took him away to another room.

Hua Cheng Butterfly tries to follow them… only to be destroyed by an arrow.

The reflection of the image shown on the wall of the PuQi temple disappeared instantly.

Xie Lian almost fell to the ground, but Hua Cheng held him. Meanwhile, Feng Xin wanted to scream and get angry and destroy things. He wanted to shake Mu Qing and ask him.

Why? Why didn't he come back? Why didn't he meet us? How could Nan Feng and Fu Yao be born? Why would he sacrifice the essence of his life for his son?

All these questions swirled around in Feng Xin's head until he felt like he was going crazy.

He didn't even realize that his cheeks were already wet with tears. His chest was tight and something was eating him alive from the inside. Something that had been gnawing at his heart, a sickening emptiness that started when he lost everything—even after he became a god.

Mu Qing.

Mu Qing.

Mu Qing.

Why is that name so precious to him? Why had he never noticed it before?

Feng Xin couldn't hold it in anymore and took out his weapon, without saying anything went out of Xie Lian's home to get answers from Nan Feng and Fu Yao.

Xie Lian didn't stop him at all, too busy with guilt and sadness.

Looking for Nan Feng and Fu Yao was not easy at all.

Feng Xin had been looking for them for three whole years. He even met Jian Lan and CuoCuo who now had forms, but he still couldn't find Nan Feng and Fu Yao.

Xie Lian joined in looking for them with Hua Cheng's help, but even they couldn't find the twins.

But they didn't give up. They continued to search for the whereabouts of Nan Feng and Fu Yao until in the sixth year of their search, Nan Feng and Fu Yao returned to visit the PuQi temple.

There was only Hua Cheng there, but Hua Cheng quickly informed Xie Lian who then informed Feng Xin, making him leave all his duties to go down to the PuQi temple.

When Feng Xin and Xie Lian opened the door, they saw that Nan Feng was teaching Hua Cheng how to make flower extract porridge, while Fu Yao was sitting and watching them with a cup of tea in his hand.

“Oh, gege! Welcome back!"

“I'm home, San Lang! Hello, Nan Feng, Fu Yao. I've been wanting to meet you guys for a long time!”

Nan Feng bowed politely, while Fu Yao rolled his eyes and said “obviously” harshly, making Hua Cheng look at him disapprovingly.

But Xie Lian laughed when he saw Fu Yao's reaction. He reminded him of Mu Qing and Xie Lian wanted to remember his best friend's memories as long as he could.

On the other hand, Feng Xin's reaction was completely different. He opened and closed his mouth, but not a single sound could be heard.

Fu Yao rolled his eyes again when he saw Feng Xin's reaction. “Why are you guys just staying there? Sit down, Dianxia, general Nan Yang.”

“A-Yao, behave yourself.” Nan Feng reminded from behind the stove before returning to teach Hua Cheng how to make XianLe porridge which Xie Lian really liked.

“Hmph.”

"Don't fight, you two," Xie Lian said with his usual gentle smile. He took a seat in front of Fu Yao and poured tea for Feng Xin and himself.

Feng Xin followed Xie Lian awkwardly. His eyes looked at Fu Yao and Nan Feng alternately until Fu Yao harshly reminded him. “What are you looking at, general? You make me uncomfortable. Stop it."

“A-Yao!”

“Tsk! A-Feng, don't boss me around!” Fu Yao hissed. He then pointed at Feng Xin's face impolitely, ignoring Xie Lian who was still watching them. "You. We don't owe you anything.”

Nan Feng came over and rubbed Fu Yao's back, “A-Yao, let's talk like normal people. General Nan Yang is innocent, you know that.”

The young man then looked at Xie Lian, Feng Xin and Hua Cheng who had just finished covering the pot of porridge they made. “We know you have lots of questions. We will answer what we can. But, there are some things that it is best for you to remain unknown.”

Seeing Nan Feng who calmly offered them an answer, Feng Xin immediately spit out the question that had been haunting him. “You told me that you are my son too. How did it happen?"

Fu Yao looked like he wanted to kill him because of that question, but Nan Feng grabbed him tightly. “…general Nan Yang, I'm not sure you remember, but you once shot a female ghost through the stomach with your spiritual arrow. The spiritual energy in your arrow almost killed A-niang, it's true, but on the other hand it also formed something new.”

Hua Cheng folded his arms, “so you're saying that Nan Yang's spiritual energy mixed with Mu Qing's spiritual energy and Yin energy, forming a new energy which then became the essence of the embryo in his womb.”

“A-niang still has the scar from his arrow even after so many years. That wound cannot be healed, just like the stab wound in A-niang's heart.”

Feng Xin gaped. “S-so you are my sons... why haven't you told me all this time? Why didn't Mu Qing tell me? I-"

“General Nan Yang. With all due respect, A-niang said that you hate him.”

Nan Feng's words made Feng Xin look like he had been slapped.

“You rejected A-niang's help and threw it back in his face. You called him a traitor. You almost killed him!” Fu Yao almost hit the table, but Nan Feng held him back and grabbed his hand.

“A-Yao, calm down. We came here to give them answers, right? Don't hate him too much. A-niang won't like it,”

"I never hated him!" Feng Xin finally shouted. “I never hated Mu Qing! We have a lot of differences of opinion and we always fight, but I never once hated him!”

Fu Yao hissed like an angry cat, “oh yeah? Then why do you always accuse A-niang of something he didn't do?! Why do you always think that A-niang is the worst?! Hah! Screw you."

Feng Xin had no answer to that question. What he said was true and Feng Xin longed to go back in time to beat himself up. He realized that he used to often say mean things to Mu Qing.

“Stop arguing. Don't shout at Dianxia temple.” Hua Cheng reminded. He stood up to lift the cooked flower extract porridge while glaring at Feng Xin and Fu Yao.

“…”

“…”

“Ah, San Lang, it's okay…”

“… sorry, Dianxia.” Fu Yao muttered before Hua Cheng could remind Xie Lian. "Is there anything you want to ask?"

Xie Lian was silent for a few seconds when he heard the question. "Why didn't Mu Qing meet us?"

Nan Feng and Fu Yao exchanged glances before looking back at Xie Lian.

“A-niang feels unworthy to meet you. What… he felt haunted him so much that he didn't have the courage to face you.” Nan Feng replied with a sad smile. “But A-niang always helps Dianxia when he can. When the previous celestial emperor showed his true appearance, A-niang helped Dianxia to distract the hateful spirit on TongLu mountain.”

Xie Lian remembered it. He remembered that he almost fell into a sea of lava, but a tree branch suddenly grew and saved him. A flash of shadow also diverted the spirits' attention away from him, allowing him to climb up and stand in a safe place.

“A-niang also knocked general Nan Yang unconscious and took him away to a safe place.” Fu Yao added bitterly. “Even though A-niang's spiritual energy has deteriorated.”

Feng Xin gaped. “How did he know that I was in danger?!” he asked.

But it wasn't Nan Feng and Fu Yao who answered his question.

“Yuè Xià Xuè Huā … The first rumored supreme made its way out of TongLu mountain four years before me. But he never showed himself or looked for trouble with anyone. Even I and He Xuan couldn't find him all this time.” Hua Cheng said before snorting in disbelief. “So he is Mu Qing.”

“Bloody Flowers Beneath Moon? If it was Mu Qing… no wonder why he could enter heaven and have enough spiritual energy to give birth to Nan Feng and Fu Yao.”

“All this time, A-niang has been traveling from country to country. Sometimes he accidentally meets Dianxia and helps him, but never approaches because he knows that Dianxia doesn't want to be found. When he heard the chaos in heaven, A-niang immediately went to help.” Nan Feng added.

Hua Cheng growled. “He knows that Dianxia is alone, why is he so cowardly? He didn’t even try to accompany Dianxia!”

Xie Lian rubbed Hua Cheng's back and smiled with a guilty expression. “San Lang, it's okay, by then I was used to it… Mu Qing couldn't accompany me either. The old me would have chosen to be alone rather than make friends and be separated again."

“Gege!”

“Hush, you know it's true. Don't blame yourself, San Lang.”

Fu Yao rolled his eyes, while Nan Feng made a nauseous expression when he saw Hua Cheng and Xie Lian's affection. "Stop it. Is there anything else you want to know?”

Feng Xin folded his arms and looked at the two young men straight on, "why have you been saying that all the time? Where are you going to go after this?"

"Where do you think we are going?" Fu Yao asked.

Feng Xin blinked, looking confused. “Of course to heaven with me. You are my sons, I will make sure you live well and are protected.”

“You—” Fu Yao started, but Nan Feng interrupted him.

“Cough, general Nan Yang—”

Feng Xin frowned and immediately interrupted Nan Feng's words. “A-die. You are my sons, if you call Mu Qing ‘A-niang’, you should also call me A-die.”

Nan Feng and Fu Yao… 'made faces' when they heard it.

"Wow, I can't understand his way of thinking at all." Fu Yao raised both hands, as if he had had enough of all this.

“…I agree with you, A-Yao.” Nan Feng said. “General Nan Yang, we didn't come here to ask you to take us to live with you. We came to give you an answer before you wander off again.”

“But that's not true! I just found out that you are my son too, how can I abandon you after I know your existence?”

Nan Feng and Fu Yao exchanged glances.

“You… can visit us.” Nan Feng answered carefully. “But we don't want to go to heaven.”

“Despite being formed from the spiritual energy of a ghost king and a god, the two of us are still ordinary humans. We will grow and get older until we finally die. We don't want to just spend time in one place.”

“A-niang also said before his death, that we should live well, have adventures, always follow our hearts, and look after each other. Therefore we want to see this wide world.”

Seeing the expressions and tones of his two sons (who by heaven, he had only known about moments ago despite already having suspicions six years ago), Feng Xin knew he couldn't force them to come with him.

Xie Lian looked sad, but he understood that it was Nan Feng and Fu Yao's wish. He wouldn't be able to stop those two kids.

"Okay. But I'm coming with you."

Feng Xin's words caused their attention to shift to him.

“I want to get to know you guys. You didn't say you had to go just with each other. I can come with you.”

Hearing him, Xie Lian's expression brightened. "You’re right! Nan Feng, Fu Yao, may I come with you too? I haven't traveled in a long time either! We can travel together!”

Again, Nan Feng and Fu Yao exchanged glances for a few moments as if they were talking through their eyes. Feng Xin and Xie Lian waited for their answer with bated breath and unconcealable expectant expressions.

"… Okay." Nan Feng and Fu Yao answered in the end, making Feng Xin smile very widely and Xie Lian clapped his hands and said that he would prepare.

“When are we leaving? I'll prepare supplies. San Lang, can you help me? Oh, don't worry about food! You don't need to prepare anything!” Xie Lian said with a big smile.

“Of course, gege.”

Feng Xin also got up, "I'll go back to heaven and get some things, then we can leave! Where are we going?"

“Wait-wait-wait! Dianxia, general Nan Yang, we will not leave today either! Please calm yourselves!” Nan Feng frantically tried to stop them, while Fu Yao beside him just rolled his eyes in amusement.

Xie Lian and Feng Xin stopped, while Hua Cheng just exhaled.

“Oh… so you guys are going to stay the night?” Xie Lian asked. “We can have dinner together! San Lang and Nan Feng were cooking porridge, right? It's been a long time since we had XianLe food!”

Nan Feng and Fu Yao grimaced at the same time, but they didn't refuse Xie Lian's request.

Feng Xin looked at Xie Lian, “Uh, Dianxia—”

“Of course you can stay the night, Feng Xin!” Xie Lian smiled brightly and understandingly, making Hua Cheng frown beside him. “This will be our bonding night! I still want to hear the stories of you guys, Nan Feng, Fu Yao, and I want to hear M-Mu Qing's news all these years!”

His voice cracked a little at the end, but Nan Feng and Fu Yao just nodded and didn't say anything.

"Yes, Dianxia."

“Oh and one more thing! Call me shushu!”

Nan Feng choked, while Fu Yao coughed for no reason. The cheeks of the two young men slowly reddened adorablely.

Hua Cheng frowned even more when Nan Feng and Fu Yao still didn't say anything. His eyes glared at the two of them as if telling them to immediately follow Xie Lian's wishes.

“X-xie-shushu.”

“…yes, Xie-shushu.”

Feng Xin frowned when he heard it. “Why do you still call me general Nan Yang?”

Nan Feng and Fu Yao looked at him, but still didn't say anything until Feng Xin exhaled.

They will need time to talk as a family, as father and son. But for now, Feng Xin was satisfied with seeing Nan Feng and Fu Yao grow well.

'Mu Qing, have you seen them? They are very similar to both of us. I don't know how you raised them alone, and I also don't know why you hid them from me. But I'll try. For heaven's sake, Mu Qing, I will try to be their father, at least be their friend and protect them. I promise you, Mu Qing. '

###

End.