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Hua Cheng’s mood was rather sour that night.
Going on six centuries already, and he wasn’t any closer to finding his Highness. The leads he’d checked that week had turned out nothing- the cultivator in white had indeed carried a sentient strip of silk with him, but the last time he’d been around those parts was a decade prior to Hua Cheng’s arrival. To top it all off, no one knew which direction he’d set towards, simply that he left after his little hut crashed down around him during a storm.
Once again he’d been too late. Once again, one step behind.
Sat at his desk in his room in Paradise Manor, he stared emptily at the ceiling, leaning back in his chair with his palms joined above his stomach. By that point he supposed he should be used to it- the careful, but always present feeling of hope, and the crushing disappointment that seemed to follow without a doubt. Nevertheless, pain was still pain the first or the one thousandth time one experienced it. The tolerance to it might increase to a numbing degree, yet the aftereffects of it always remained.
So Hua Cheng was indeed in a very sour mood that evening.
He considered going after that rat Qi Rong’s new hideout- his butterflies had spotted it at the edges of Hua Cheng’s territory- and immediately shot down the idea. Not even tormenting the foul-mouthed disgusting supreme wannabe felt like it could lift his spirits.
Crimson Rain Sought Flower was somewhere between complete apathy and utter frustration at that moment, swinging from one to the other with each new thought like a crazed pendulum.
His morose musings got interrupted when he heard a knock at his door. It could only be Yin Yu, though the Ghost King was somewhat surprised he’d even dared to come to him.
Out of everyone around Hua Cheng, only he and He Xuan knew exactly why they should stay away whenever Hua Cheng returned from one of his searches empty-handed. He had dispersed more than one fool who’d gotten on his nerves on such occasions.
If Yin Yu was there then it must be something important. Hua Cheng considered if he could even be bothered to care, but ultimately his curiosity won out- at worst, he might find some idiot to take his anger out on, even if he’d passed on Qi Rong earlier.
“Come in.” He called out, but kept his eyes fixated on the ceiling even as his subordinate made his way into the room. It’s already been two decades, I should redecorate this place.
“Chengzhu, I may have another lead for you.”
Hua Cheng felt the corner of his mouth curl.
“Is that so?”
That Yin Yu didn’t flinch at his sardonic tone was already a testament to the banished god’s composure.
“I’ve heard a tale hailing from the Kingdom of Banyue from one of the recently deceased soldiers. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but the more I consider what I was told, the more I think it might have something to do with His Royal Highness.”
It was only because Yin Yu tended to have good judgement that Hua Cheng didn’t just teleport him to the other side of Ghost City.
“And what is this great tale about Yin Yu?”
“In the recent war between the people of the Central Plains and Banyue, there’s a general who has made a name for himself on the battlefield. Though people call him as such, he’s actually a captain. At first, his troop counted hundreds in its ranks but as he continuously got demoted, it is now barely at a few soldiers. The reason for said demotion is that, instead of fighting for victory in battle, he has repeatedly tried to stop both sides from killing the civilians of their enemy nation. I tried asking if this general had a history of cultivation but all that the soldier could tell me is that he is a very skilled combatant, though he never openly attacks first unless it’s to deter bandits. Considering the way Chengzhu has described His Royal Highness, I think it could be worth checking out this individual’s identity.”
Hua Cheng was quiet for a bit, ruminating on the information he’d been given. He had to hand it to Yin Yu, he’d understood his task quite well. The true dilemma at that point was whether Hua Cheng would personally go there himself, or if he’d just send his subordinate.
“This general also goes by the name of Hua Xie.” Yin Yu added after some time.
Hua Cheng couldn’t help the snort that left him. Now wouldn’t that be the coincidence of several lifetimes… But that settled it for him.
He straightened himself into a proper sitting position, his face serious as he looked at his subordinate.
“How long ago did the soldier die and how much time since he’s told you this tale?”
With the uncertainty of on-going wars, this person might already be gone so Hua Cheng had to determine whether it was even worth the dice toss.
“The soldier has been dead for about a week and I met him three days ago. I was waiting for Chengzhu’s return to deliver the news.”
Hua Cheng rose from his seat, already shifting his form to that of a young man barely out of his teen years. For his outfit, he chose simple brown robes that made him look like a peasant from a family not too well off but not too poor either.
“Very well. I suppose I’m off to the Central Plains then.” He spoke as he moved past Yin Yu, already throwing his dice in the air before he reached the door.
Xie Lian was in the midst of playing another round of catch with the children around the camp when one of the soldiers came looking for him.
“Hey peace lover!” The man called out, already frustrated for some reason. Though Xie Lian supposed that most of his fellow soldiers were upset with him over what had happened during their last skirmish against Banyue’s army. He really hadn’t meant to cause so much confusion but he couldn’t have left those washerwomen to be injured! What did it matter that they were from the Banyue Kingdom?
He sighed, side-stepping one of the girls who attempted to jump on his leg now that he’d stopped running. Gently, he steadied her before she could fall and sent away all the group of children.
“I don’t have all day for your games!” The soldier insisted.
“Sorry, coming!”
When Xie Lian rushed over to the disgruntled man- a former subordinate of his- he saw a youth standing behind him. He looked barely old enough to be considered an adult, but he was tall and of a lean build. His face, also annoyed and watching the soldier who’d brought him over, had sharp features and a wild look to it. His eyes glimmered like two black gemstones in the sunlight.
The moment said eyes met Xie Lian’s all annoyance seemed to evaporate, replaced by a peculiar warmth. The banished god was confused to say the least- very rarely did anyone look at him like they actually wanted to be around him before they’d even spoken one word, and usually it was when someone was trying to rope Xie Lian into all kinds of illicit activities. What baffled him about this youth was the fact that, unlike those people, he seemed to sincerely be glad to see Xie Lian.
“This whelp wants to join your troop General Hua.” The man said, before stomping away as if he’d been greatly inconvenienced by the whole endeavour.
The way this soldier spat his title was rather contradictory to how he’d chanted it when Xie Lian was saving him from a horde of bandits just a month prior. Nevertheless, the banished god was too confused by the fact that someone willingly sought him out.
“Hello.” Eventually he gave a tentative smile to the youth. He perked up instantly.
“General Hua-” He started, and the difference in tone was so jarring to Xie Lian. It had been centuries since someone had addressed him with that kind of reverence. “I’ve heard of your good deeds and wish to fight at your side. Please allow me to join you.”
The youth was about to bow when Xie Lian snapped out of his dazed state and grabbed him by the elbows, stopping him. The boy’s eyes went wide and the slightest shudder shook his body.
“Ah, you don’t have to do that young one! They call me general, but in actuality I’m just a capitan, and even then, after the last battle we had, my troop is only me at this point.” Xie Lian pushed past the sudden embarrassment of such a confession.
“What’s your name?” He asked, letting go of the youth and taking a step back as the boy straightened back up. He stood a head taller than Xie Lian.
“I was third in my family, so you can call me San Lang sir.”
Something told the god that that wasn’t his name. Nevertheless, Hua Xie was in no position to judge this young man.
“Very well San Lang, but there’s no need to be formal with me. You can just call me Hua Xie.”
For a moment something flashed across San Lang’s face, but it was gone too quickly for Xie Lian to even be sure it hadn’t been a mere illusion of the light. He seemed to ponder Xie Lian’s words for a moment before he spoke up again.
“Alright gege, then I won’t speak formally.”
Xie Lian was a bit surprised, though he supposed that all the children around the camp already addressed him as such, so he didn’t mind.
“But San Lang, are you sure you want to join me? You look strong and healthy so I’m sure other squads would take you in even if you’re not yet learned with a blade.” Even if the boy had specifically sought him out, Xie Lian still felt the need to ask. If part of him didn’t want to see the warmth in San Lang’s eye grow cold after the first battle and turn to disdain like it had with so many other soldiers under his command… that was something the banished god would rather not think much about.
But San Lang just smiled at him, carefree.
“There’s no better place for me to be other than here with gege.”
A funny feeling settled itself in Xie Lian’s chest.
“If San Lang thinks so.” He murmured. “Come with me.”
Together, they made their ways towards the barracks.
Xie Lian took San Lang to his tent- or at least what should’ve been his tent. What he found there instead was torn cloth and wooden sticks strewn about. Xie Lian’s little possessions had also been scattered through the mud. This was a recent thing. Some of his fellow army men insisted that if Xie Lian was so keen on trying to keep the peace, then surely he wouldn’t hold it against them, so long as they didn’t hurt anybody.
He sighed, turning to San Lang unsure of what he could even say to the youth.
The boy was looking at the whole scene with a complicated expression on his face. Before Xie Lian could even speak though, he set aside the satchel he’d been carrying on his back and stepped forward, bending down to retrieve the remnants of the tent.
“Ah, San Lang! You don’t have to do that.” Xie Lian rushed over to him, hands hovering around the boy’s shoulders.
Having gathered the torn cloth and most of the sticks, he set them aside in an orderly pile and straightened up, meeting Xie Lian’s gaze with eyes that gave away nothing of his true feelings.
“I will go speak to the quartermaster.”
He must’ve changed his mind.
Xie Lian felt his shoulders slump, though he couldn’t hold it against San Lang that he didn’t want to risk such treatment befalling him as well.
“I have some rice and vegetables in my bag that I took from the house. If gege wants, he could cook us a meal while I get us a new tent.”
Xie Lian’s eyes widened in surprise before he awkwardly scratched at his cheek.
“I wouldn’t mind San Lang, but you see… My cooking is not the best.” And wasn’t that an understatement he couldn’t help but think as he remembered how many places he’d been kicked out of because of it.
Finally, San Lang’s face seemed to brighten back up.
“I’m sure it will be good if gege makes it.” With a tentative smile, he turned around, leaving Xie Lian to look at his back in a daze.
He quickly snapped himself out of it and bent down to gather what could be salvaged of his belongings.
By the time San Lang was back, Xie Lian had already built a small fire, gathered some water from the well and thrown all the foodstuff into his helmet to cook it.
“Gege is so resourceful!” The boy exclaimed as he made his way back to the small, isolated corner of the barracks where Xie Lian had been relegated to.
Xie Lian turned to him, ready to dismiss the insincere praise, until he saw what he was carrying. His jaw went slack.
“San Lang, how did you get all of that?”
In his arms, the youth held a large swath of cloth, obviously fit for a much larger tent than Xie Lian had been given before, a few wooden poles to set it up, two rolled up straw mats and two blankets!
He neatly set them down and took his own seat next to Xie Lian, smiling as he answered him.
“I can be quite convincing gege. In fact, back in my town some have even called me a tyrant.”
Xie Lian couldn't stop himself from chuckling at that. He opened his mouth to answer but suddenly felt an odd smell coming from the fire. When he turned to look, he could see that the impromptu pot he had on the fire had started letting off smoke.
“Oh no!” He quickly moved to take his helmet off the fire, forgetting to put on his gloves.
“Gege don’t!” San Lang worriedly called out, but he was too slow to stop Xie Lian from grabbing the pot and setting aside in the dirt. Still he was at Xie Lian’s side in an instant, grabbing his hands and turning his palms upwards. They were already red, and would very likely get blistered soon enough.
“Gege, your hands…” The genuine upset in his voice warmed something long dead in Xie Lian’s chest and he couldn’t help but smile at the boy.
“It’s alright San Lang. I barely feel it.” Xie Lian didn’t feel it at all in fact, but he knew better than to say that around others. The boy met his eyes.
“It’s not alright.” The god was taken aback by resolution in San Lang’s eyes. His jaw went slack, as he found himself at a loss for words.
“I have some bandages and salve in my bag. It should do the trick.” And before Xie Lian could tell him not to waste such precious supplies on him, the boy had already let go of his hands and was going through the satchel that Xie Lian had kept next to the place where he sat.
He didn’t try to argue as San Lang gently applied the medicinal paste on his palms and proceeded to wrap them carefully with clean white cloth. Xie Lian had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to change the boy’s mind regardless of what he said- he didn’t want to upset him further.
“Thank you San Lang.” He said to the boy once he was done.
San Lang acknowledged his gratitude with a nod, before going over to the forgotten “pot” of food.
Xie Lian wanted to hide his face upon seeing the state of their supposed meal- it was clearly burnt on the bottom and the top of it looked like hardened porridge with suspicious brown chunks that used to be all shades of green and red before.
Even then, San Lang reached a hand inside, grabbing a bit of the concerning mixture and ate it. Xie Lian watched him with horrified fascination.
“It’s not bad gege, just needs some salt and less heat the next time!” He smiled at the god and Xie Lian couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
After they ate what could be salvaged of Xie Lian’s attempt at cooking, San Lang insisted he be the one to set up their tent and sleeping mats.
“Gege should be careful with his hands, at least for today.” He said, and Xie Lian found that he couldn’t argue against the boy’s sincere words.
They chatted while San Lang worked, and then even further into the evening.
“So how did gege end up in the army?” San Lang asked as they sat together in front of the fire. Night was slowly beginning to fall around them.
Xie Lian turned to the fire, hoping that San Lang would attribute the redness of his cheeks to the heat radiating off of it and not the embarrassment he was feeling.
“Ah it’s a silly story really.”
When all that he received was expectant silence, Xie Lian sighed and started speaking.
“Before this, I was actually a scrap collector travelling from place to place. I wanted to make my way across Qing Ridge and go south, but my luck is really bad, so I ended up picking a broken compass that led me here, to the edge of the Gobi Desert. I changed paths to see some desert scenery as well, and ended up at the border with the Kingdom of Banyue.”
“Since I already travelled this far, I thought this place would be as good as any other to find scraps, but there had been many skirmishes around the area and plenty of soldiers defecting, so the army would draft anyone they could to make up for the numbers.”
“So you were forced into the army?” San Lang asked.
“I was, but doing this is as good as collecting scraps for me. I know martial arts and I can try to help some people here. After chasing away bandits a few times, I even got promoted to Captain. The ones who wanted to give me face before I got demoted so many times would even call me General.”
Xie Lian let out a mirthless chuckle. “I guess the name stuck.”
“Gege is quite noble.” San Lang said, making Xie Lian turn back to him to see that the boy was looking at him with a mysterious smile.
“Don’t you think what I’m doing is foolish?” He couldn’t help but ask, simply curious to hear the answer.
“It could be seen as such, but I am sure that the civilians gege has saved are still thankful for it.”
Xie Lian smiled back at the boy.
“You’re a sly one San Lang.”
As Hua Cheng watched over his god’s sleep later that night he entered the private communication array he had with his subordinate.
“Yin Yu.”
“Yes Chengzhu?” The answer came instantaneously.
“I’ve finally found His Highness. Make sure the manor is prepared.”
“Yes Chengzhu. And if I may add, congratulations.”
Hua Cheng gave a non-committal hum before speaking again.
“And think of something you’d want for yourself, Yin Yu.”
The other man was quiet for a bit, until…
“Thank you Chengzhu, I will let you know when you return.”
They both left the array after that.
The ghost’s eyes hadn’t left his god’s form the entire evening. He still had a hard time coming to terms with the fact that he had finally found Xie Lian. But he knew it wasn’t a dream- in his madness fueled delusions, His Highness would always wear white mourning robes just like the ones he’d seen him in before those spirits nearly crushed his soul.
This version of Xie Lian was dressed in simple soldier’s clothes, torn and stained in small places, he looked at Hua Cheng with kind eyes that weren’t haunted by a maniacal piece of trash tormenting him, and- most important of all- he felt warm and solid beneath the ghost’s hand.
He adjusted the blanket that had been shuffled off back on Xie Lian’s shoulder, returning to his post after.
For the first time in centuries Hua Cheng’s mind was at peace- for the first time in centuries, he felt calm and at ease. He was dead and did not need it, but the air which had filled his lungs was so invigorating…
The sounds of someone trying to enter their tent roused him from his musings. He kept still, watching as the intruder quietly let themselves in until they became illuminated by the gentle glow of Hua Cheng’s butterflies.
It was a young girl dressed in rags- very obviously one of the orphans around.
Was she there to steal food? It wouldn’t be surprising-
The moment the girl noticed him watching her she made to bolt from the tent. Unfortunately for her, Hua Cheng was much quicker. He caught her arm and held firmly onto it as she struggled to escape. Curiously enough, she was quiet even as she wildly thrashed in Hua Cheng’s grip.
Eventually she settled down and started shaking, making the ghost sigh.
“Child I am not going to do anything to you, but I must ask why you’re here.” He said in a hushed, even voice.
She finally looked at Hua Cheng, and from the mess of dark hair on her head, he could see violet eyes peek through, but also violet bruises.
So it’s like that.
“G-general Hua” She started, a bit unsure, and continued once she saw that Hua Cheng made no move to strike her despite the fact that she was speaking the Banyue dialect. “He told me that when I have no place to sleep, I can come to his tent. I didn’t know he got a colleague to share with. I- I can go.”
Hua Cheng could understand why His Highness had taken in this girl. She was clearly being abused in her own kingdom, so much so that she was desperate enough to sneak into the enemy’s camp. Her frame was very thin and frail and she was likely older than the five years she looked like, seeing how well she could speak.
She was also considerate enough to keep her voice down so as to not disturb Xie Lian even when she thought she might get beaten.
The ghost let out a sigh before addressing her.
“If you want to go, I’ll let you, but I also don’t think I’ll get any sleep tonight so there’s room left on my mat. It’s up to you girl.” He let go of her arm, returning to his initial sitting position, knee bent and arm resting over it. His gaze shifted back to Xie Lian’s sleeping face.
A few moments later, he heard the girl excuse herself as she settled down, head near Hua Cheng’s thigh.
“Thank you sir.” The words were muffled by the blanket she’d swaddled herself in.
Hua Cheng gave a non-committal hum in response.
The tent was silent for another minute until-
“Sir, are those butterflies?”
Hua Cheng reached out a hand, finger outstretched for one of his critters to perch on it. He then lowered it to the girl’s face, showing her the silvery insect.
She watched it with eyes widened by wonder.
“They are wraith butterflies.” He said and her face scrunched up.
“Are they evil?”
“They can be.”
She turned her worried eyes towards Hua Cheng.
“Are they going to harm General Hua? I don’t want that, he’s a nice man!” And though her voice started to wobble, Hua Cheng couldn’t help the way his lips curled up slightly.
“Actually they’re here to watch over the General’s sleep.” The girl’s mouth formed a little O-shape as she turned her once again mesmerised eyes towards the critter on Hua Cheng’s finger.
“They’re pretty.” She said, reaching a hand up to touch but Hua Cheng let the butterfly take off.
“They’re also very skittish so we should keep their presence between us.”
She wasn't too disappointed by the butterfly avoiding her, rather, she nodded her agreement almost instantly.
Hua Cheng’s eyes returned to Xie Lian.
“Sleep girl.” He said, a final parting for the night.
“Banyue.”
“Hm?”
“General Hua said that if I have no name, I can just take the one of my kingdom.”
Hua Cheng couldn’t help but smile at that.
But what should I do if I prefer Wuming over Xianle gege?
“I see. Sleep Banyue.”
“Goodnight sir.”
The tent was quiet for the rest of the night, gently lit by the silvery aura of a dozen or so wraiths.
When Xie Lian awoke, he was surprised by how well-rested he felt for a change. He looked to his left to check if San Lang was still sleeping only to be met with the sight of Banyue dozing off on the boy’s straw mat, bundled up in his blanket.
His eyes widened. He did tell the girl to come to him but she had seemed reluctant so the god didn’t think he would see her any time soon. Nevertheless, it brought a smile to Xie Lian’s face when he realised that San Lang had probably allowed her into their tent. It soon turned to a frown when he noticed all the new bruises Banyue had gotten since the last time he’d seen her- no wonder she’d finally caved in and took his offer.
Xie Lian decided to just let the girl sleep some more and quietly left the tent. The first thing he saw was San Lang, only in his inner robe and pants, chopping off some wood.
Xie Lian found himself looking at the way the youth’s clothes moulded over his shoulders with each strike of the axe for one dazed moment before he caught himself and walked closer to San Lang.
“Good morning!” He greeted.
San Lang put the axe aside and turned to him with a smile.
“Good morning gege! I couldn’t sleep so I decided to do some work around the camp.”
“Ah, thank you.” Doing extra chores was a good way to earn more rations. Xie Lian wondered if San Lang would be okay with sharing some of them with Banyue- Oh.
“Was it Banyue that woke you up? I’m sorry San Lang it was me who told her-”
The youth raised a hand, stopping his tirade.
“No need for an apology gege, I wasn’t sleeping when she came into the tent.”
Xie Lian studied the boy for a moment, looking for signs of exhaustion, but he didn’t even look like he’d worked up a sweat considering the large pile of logs he’d already split.
“Thank you for letting her in San Lang.” He settled on eventually.
“Is she the only orphan gege took in?” San Lang asked curiously, going to retrieve his uniform from where he’d set it to the side. Xie Lian walked with him.
“Yes. The children around here all hail from the Central Plains so they tend to help each other out if no adult is around, but they don’t see Banyue as one of them and they don’t speak the dialect either so she was left out by all but one boy. One day, she tried to eat something I’d cooked and got sick.” Xie Lian left out just how starving the poor girl had been to get to that point- for some reason, he thought San Lang would understand either way. “I’ve been giving her food and treating her wounds ever since when she comes around.”
“And what of the boy who didn’t shun her?” San Lang asked, dressing himself.
“His name is Pei Xiu. He’s not around often and has never accepted my help but he tends to spend time with Banyue when he does come here. The last time I saw them together, they were scribbling words in their dialects in the dirt.” Xie Lian couldn’t help but smile recalling the incident.
“I see.” San Lang smiled too, but said nothing else.
Eventually, Xie Lian decided to broach another topic.
“San Lang, how good are you with a blade?”
If the boy was to be under his care, Xie Lian would need to get an idea of how well he could handle himself.
“I dabbled a bit before coming here. I hope gege won’t find me lacking.” There was a glint in his eye that belied the humility of the words.
For some reason, it made Xie Lian excited.
“Let’s spar and see then!”
San Lang was certainly not lacking in skill with a blade. Though he carried himself with the tentative caution of someone without much experience, he definitely had a good foundation to become an amazing swordsman later on.
“San Lang, I think you’d be better suited to a sabre than a sword, maybe even a scimitar.” He’d said to the youth, not long into their sparring. He didn’t quite understand the meaning behind the smile San Lang gave him as he went to the weapon rack to pick up a different blade, yet he forgot all about it as they continued to trade blows all the way into noon time.
After that, they returned to their tent for lunch. Banyue was sitting down at the front of it, stacking pebbles in little towers. The girl perked up when she heard them approach. She ran to meet them.
“General Hua!” She excitedly called out to Xie Lian, and then, in a much meeker voice, to San Lang. “Soldier-gege.”
The youth raised an eyebrow at the nickname but said nothing to dissuade her, the entire scene making Xie Lian chuckle. They ate the rest of Xie Lian’s remaining rations- San Lang said he’d go to the quartermaster again to get the reward for the work he’d done that morning- and then the commander called every man not recovering from injuries for drills.
Xie Lian was tempted to leave Ruoye with Banyue but ultimately decided against it. He’d kept the spiritual tool a close secret up to that point and he wasn’t sure if the girl would react well to it.
The rest of the day was spent training and by the time night came, Xie Lian was pleasantly spent.
He fell asleep to San Lang’s pleasant timbre, as the boy was telling him a story about the unreasonable butcher back in his town.
The following two weeks were some of the most pleasant Xie Lian had had in years. The border was quiet for a change, and though he knew that it was only the calm before the storm, he chose to ignore that in favour of enjoying San Lang’s company and taking care of Banyue.
Though the bruises on the girl’s body had been plenty, none of her bones were broken and she seemed to be doing well otherwise.
Even the other soldiers in the camp seemed to have stopped bothering him for one reason or another!
As for San Lang, he turned out to be the best company the god had around in centuries. They would work together to make sure that they had enough rations for three, all the while chatting about anything and everything. Though he’d come to the army looking like the son of a well off farmer, San Lang seemed to know a lot of things even noble youths struggled with.
“It’s just that, after I learned how to read, I would go through every book I could get my hands on. Luckily for me, there were plenty to be found in my town.” He’d said to Xie Lian, when the god had asked him if he received any education by chance.
The youth was also a joy to spar with, not to mention, he always seemed willing to humour Xie Lian whenever the god thought of something new he could teach San Lang so the boy would be able to defend himself.
“I am humbled by gege’s careful instruction.” He smiled at Xie Lian one morning, making the god chuckle.
“Such a flatterer.”
“Oh I assure you, I am being very sincere.”
The only times he refused to join Xie Lian in his chosen activity was when the god would play with the orphans around the camp.
“Children rarely like me, gege. You should go. Besides, someone has to watch over Banyue.” And while he said that, and always made sure that no one bullied the girl, he was also not engaging her in conversation, even though Xie Lian knew that San Lang spoke her dialect as well. The god was almost sure San Lang was just using her as a pretext not to be around the other children.
But Banyue didn’t seem bothered by the distant treatment of Soldier-gege - she was happy enough to quietly go about her own business in his presence.
At first he’d been conflicted, looking at Banyue with sad eyes when the children refused to include her despite him trying to make them see that she was just another child like them, yet all the girl did was urge him to go.
“It’s fine General Hua, I don’t want to play with them either. But you should go, otherwise they’ll be sad.” She’d told him, before continuing to scribble words in the Central Plains dialect in the dirt. Xie Lian gave San Lang one helpless look, but he too urged him to go.
Even Pei Xiu had shown his face a total of five times- far more often than usual.
The first time, it happened when Xie Lian was busy talking with his superior, trying to convince the man not to plunder the Banyue villages near the border. He’d returned to their camp with a stinging left cheek, but a light heart- somehow he’d managed to persuade the man with his insistence.
“Fine! Just stop pestering me already.”
When he neared their tent, he saw that Pei Xiu was chatting with Banyue as San Lang watched from a distance. The youth was eyeing the young boy with an odd look, but before he could even begin to ask, San Lang saw him, noticed the bruise that was beginning to form where he’d been slapped and proceeded to fuss about it with dedication worthy of a mother hen.
It took a good half an hour before Xie Lian could finally get the youth to calm down. To take his mind off things, he decided to ask why he’d been looking at Pei Xiu that way after all.
“Ah it's nothing gege. The boy merely reminds me of an idiot I happen to know that lives in the next town over from mine. For his sake, I hope he has nothing to do with that man.”
And Xie Lian couldn’t help but chuckle at the obvious disdain that San Lang had for whoever this person was. He was coming to realise that he truly enjoyed the way this youth was so straightforward with his feelings- it was a nice change of pace after so many other duplicitous people he’d come across.
But of course, whenever it came to Xie Lian, his rotten luck always had to ruin things for him.
On the sixteenth day since San Lang had joined his “troop”, the army of Banyue would attack their camp in the middle of the night.
Xie Lian awoke to San Lang’s grave face, as the youth shook his shoulder. It took him a moment to realise what was going on, but the screams heard not too far from their tent quickly rid him of any sleepiness left.
“We have to get out of here!” Xie Lian urged, quickly throwing on his uniform and lacing his boots.
“Gege the children haven’t returned yet.” San Lang spoke in a voice unlike Xie Lian had heard before- very serious, nary a hint of tease, mischief or joy.
Xie Lian felt his heart stop as his entire body went cold. He’d let Bayue and Pei Xiu stay out longer that night because they’d asked him if they could go to the edge of the camp to watch the fireflies. Seeing their big pleading eyes, Xie Lian gave in rather quickly, making them promise that they’d come back before the moon was fully up in the sky.
Somewhere along the way he’d fallen asleep, thinking that it was fine as long as San Lang stood watch.
It wasn’t fine… Why did he ever think it was fine?! But Xie Lian had no time to fall apart over this. He needed to find those two and take them as far away as possible from this mess. He’d already been considering the idea for a while and was working up the courage to ask San Lang if he’d join them.
Alas, he’d been too slow.
When he was finally geared, sword at his hip, he turned to the youth.
“San Lang, I want to find Banyue and Pei Xiu and take them away from this place. Are you willing to come with us?” Xie Lian tried not to show any nervousness. It was fine if the youth declined he tried to tell himself, but the thought was just as upsetting as it had been for the past five days.
Though San Lang’s face remained solemn, his eyes seemed to soften the slightest bit.
“I will follow gege anywhere he goes.” He said, as if making an unbreakable vow.
Xie Lian’s eyes went wide, but he did not have the time to process the relief and joy he felt upon the boy’s words. He nodded and then turned around quickly leaving the tent.
“Then let’s go find the children before anything can happen to them!”
He did not even get to break into a proper run before someone small crashed into his legs. It was Pei Xiu, looking dishevelled and covered in dirt, but overall unharmed.
“General Hua, we need to go save Banyue! She’s trapped!” He shouted, already moving and pulling at his pant leg to drag Xie Lian along.
The god scooped the boy up, ignoring his yelp, and started running. Pei Xiu only struggled for a bit before pointing Xie Lian through the ruined camp and scattered fights.
The god didn’t look back, trusting that San Lang was right behind him.
One tense minute later he saw her, hiding underneath an upturned cart that had been used to bring in their rations and send the wounded back to the central army. The problem was that said cart was in the middle of the battlefield- countless men from either side fought brutally to decimate their enemies around it.
When one of them was knocked into the cart, nearly toppling it once again and scaring poor little Banyue, Xie Lian knew he had to act now .
He let Pei Xiu down and turned to San Lang.
“Stay here with the boy while I go retrieve her.” And he was about to dive into the fray when a hand grabbed his wrist in an iron grip. Xie Lian was stunned by the strength the youth had.
“Gege let me do it.” He said, tone grave and face determined.
“What? No! San Lang you’re barely a rookie, you’ll get hurt.” Xie Lian was trying and failing to yank his hand away. Though he did not wish to use his full strength and risk harming San Lang himself, he was still left in disbelief that the boy was resisting him.
“Gege please-” There was just the tiniest amount of hidden desperation in those black eyes, but Xie Lian no longer had the time to argue.
“I’m sorry.” He uttered before he finally let Ruoye loose from his sleeve. “Bind him!” He commanded and in an instant, the bandage had wrapped around San Lang from neck to toe, rendering him unable to move. The last thing Xie Lian saw before rushing towards the cart was San Lang’s wide eyed gaze.
He’d have to beg for forgiveness after- right then, he could only focus on swiftly evading all of the blades swinging at each other.
Something curious happened- the more soldiers started recognising him on either side, the more of them focused on actually striking Xie Lian instead of fighting each other.
Now’s not the time for you to take out your grievances on me!
Xie Lian didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. But evading or deflecting these attacks was easy enough.
It was all going well- too well … He’d nearly made it to Banyue when his luck struck again.
His haphazardly tied laces went loose, tripping him in the process and if that wasn’t enough, he hit his head on a “conveniently” placed sharp rock. Xie Lian’s temple exploded with pain and he could feel hot liquid going down the side of his face. He attempted to get up but the men around him started to trample on him.
“NO!”
The furious call cut through the entire pandemonium with utter authority. Everything stopped.
The voice hadn’t come from a mere person, it had thundered from the sky itself, almost like a wrathful god descending upon the earth. Yet the aura which had frozen every single human in place felt anything but divine.
It was vile, overpowering and chilling.
Xie Lian was getting more lightheaded by the second- he wouldn’t be surprised to find he’d cracked his skull- so he wasn’t sure if the chiming sounds quickly approaching him were real or not. He tried to push himself up, but his hands slipped on the dirt.
Nevertheless he did not fall again. Cold but strong arms wrapped around him, handling him with utmost care as they moved him so that he’d be leaning sideways against this mysterious person’s chest.
The god tried to look up, only to realise that he could only open his left eye- his right was covered by the blood flowing from the wound on his head. Still, in the diffuse torchlight, he could make out the face of a beautiful man.
Funnily enough, this face reminded him of San Lang, only an older version of the boy with sharper features and an eye-patch to cover his right eye. In his dazed state, Xie Lian called out for the youth.
“San Lang.”
The man’s visible eye went wide, before his entire face crumbled with regret once more.
“I’m sorry Your Highness, I have allowed you to be hurt in front of me again.”
The words stirred something in Xie Lian, but he was too dizzy with pain and blood-loss to be able to reach those thoughts and memories. Instead, he felt like he should comfort this ghost- for he could only be that- holding him so gently.
“Not your fault. My luck is… bad.” He said, trying to smile. It only made San Lang’s frown deepen further.
Silvery light started glowing all around them, illuminating the ghost’s face even more. Xie Lian could see a few butterflies drifting gently in the air above- they were the very source of that light.
“Beautiful.” He couldn’t help but utter, though to what he was referring, he didn’t know for sure. Some of those otherworldly critters settled onto him and Xie Lian could feel his pain start to ease.
The god couldn’t help but sigh in relief, as his eyes closed. He was getting so tired…
“M’sorry, I just need a moment.” He mumbled, trying to cling to consciousness.
“Rest all you need Your Highness. I will take care of everything.” Came a soothing voice from above.
When was the last time someone was there to “take care of everything” for him? Xie Lian couldn’t remember, but the earnest undertone of those words made him feel like it would be okay for him to let go.
So he did just that, slipping into slumber.
It was astonishing to Hua Cheng how he continuously managed to be so useless. Once again he had watched His Highness get injured in front of him, all because he'd been too much of a coward to show his true self. He was indeed taken by surprise when Ruoye bound him, but he should've just ended the pretence there. Yet he'd still sat back, foolishly hoping that His Highness would make it back safe and they'd leave with the children.
And then he'd tripped. Hua Cheng had felt his heart die all over again as his god cracked his skull against that rock, until white blind rage overtook his entire being when he saw those pieces of trash start to trample on Xie Lian. He had immediately snapped, releasing his power, and petrified everyone but the two young ones and His Highness.
To further twist the knife, Xie Lian had still tried to comfort him, as he was quickly losing consciousness, bleeding from his head wound. Hua Cheng had instantly healed it, unable to bear the thought of his beloved in pain. His Highness had even called the ghost beautiful… Or perhaps it was his butterflies. Hua Cheng lost control to the point where he’d shown his true form- there was hardly any chance His Highness would think of that as beautiful.
Sat at Xie Lian’s bedside, his thoughts ran a mile a minute.
Hua Cheng did not leave the god’s chambers for the following two days.
Xie Lian awoke slowly, to a kind of comfort he hadn’t felt in centuries. Before he even opened his eyes, he could tell he was lying in bed, on one of the softest mattresses possible. The silken sheets were smooth beneath his hands and he was bundled in warm covers.
For a moment, he doubted that this was real. It had to be a dream considering there was no pain at his temple, or anywhere in his body for that matter, and his robes felt too soft on his skin.
He opened his eyes, expecting to see his old room from the time he was still the Crown Prince, but was shocked to find himself in a foreign place instead.
It was all… very red.
“Your Highness has finally awoken.” A solemn voice came from his right.
Xie Lian jolted up in a sitting position, barely holding back a yelp as he met San Lang's eyes. The youth sat leisurely in a chair by his bedside, arms crossed over his chest. His face was as a grave as his voice though, and upon further look, one could see a certain tension in his shoulders. He was also dressed in fine red robes, befitting of a young lord.
Xie Lian supposed that the pretence was up… Just as that thought crossed his mine, he remembered the very reason why he’d gotten injured in the first place.
“San Lang what about Banyue and Pei Xiu?!” He was about to jump out of bed but San Lang was faster than him, rising from the chair and firmly holding him back by the shoulders.
“They're here Your Highness. I had my subordinate put each of them in their own room.” He spoke gently, loosening his grip once the god relaxed in his hold, and then, as if anticipating Xie Lian's next question, he added. “Banyue was scared but not hurt.”
Xie Lian breathed a sigh of relief. San Lang let him go and returned to his seat. It was clear from the look on his face that he had something to say. Xie Lian thought he might have an idea of what the other wanted to talk about. When San Lang showed no signs of starting to speak anytime soon, Xie Lian decided to broach the topic himself.
“Was that San Lang’s true form I saw back on the battlefield?” He asked, thinking the question fairly innocent, only to watch the ghost flinch the slightest bit. Was he worried that Xie Lian would fear him because of his ghostly nature?
“Yes.”
“Would you show it to me once more? I’d like to meet the real you.” Xie Lian hoped to express his gratitude and admiration, but San Lang’s face became even more troubled with that request, yet his voice remained even as he spoke.
“Your Highness, my real form is… disagreeable.”
“What?” Xie Lian’s eyes widened in confusion.
The ghost looked away, grinding his jaw.
“I wouldn’t want to upset Your Highness by subjecting you to that-”
“But the man who saved me was handsome.” Xie Lian blurted without second thought, cutting off the rest of San Lang’s words.
San Lang’s head snapped back to him, his jaw now slack and his eyes wide. Xie Lian realised what he’d just admitted to and felt his cheeks flush.
“W-well… The lighting was not the best and I was half out of it, but I wouldn’t say your form was disagreeable.” He stammered through his words, only to frown when the ghost shortly burst into laughter. He looked down at his hands upset but unsure of what he should say.
“Gege is really too kind to me.” The voice that spoke was much deeper than San Lang’s. Xie Lian’s eyes instantly shot back up.
San Lang was even more beautiful in the murky daylight, giving off an air of unquestionable authority with his finely decorated robes and regal looks. Silver jewellery adorned him from head to toe, a lot of it with butterfly motifs. His forearms were encased in vambraces of the same material, engraved with all kinds of creatures and even more butterflies.
Xie Lian slowly took him in, mesmerised by the sight.
When he finally met his eye- the eyepatch was also back- there was a smile on San Lang’s face that could only be described as soft.
“San Lang has no reason to worry.” He said, just to make his thoughts clear, but quickly changed the subject when he saw that smile turn to a grin. “But San Lang is not your real name, is it?”
The ghost looked like he had something to say- ultimately he just nodded to Xie Lian’s question.
“Has gege heard of Crimson Rain Sought Flower, Hua Cheng?” There was an expectant sort of glint in his eye as he asked.
Unfortunately, Xie Lian could only stare back blankly.
“Not really?” He scratched his cheek. “I haven’t kept up with either the ghost or heavenly realm.” Xie Lian added when he saw San Lang’s mouth quirk up in amusement.
“That Your Highness hasn’t heard of me is definitely in my advantage.” Hua Cheng smiled good naturedly and Xie Lian mirrored it.
“Why? Is Hua Cheng such a terrifying fiend?”
“Only when others irk me.” Hua Cheng grinned, making Xie Lian chuckle.
“But I’d like it if gege kept calling me San Lang.” He added and Xie Lian nodded.
They fell silent after that.
Xie Lian remembered why he’d even asked Hua Cheng to show his true face and spoke up after a bit.
“San Lang, I wanted to thank you for your help-” He started, but the ghost stopped him, raising a hand up.
“Your Highness doesn’t need to thank me. In fact, I should be apologising to Your Highness.” Back was the solemn expression. Xie Lian couldn’t help but think that he preferred Hua Cheng when he was smiling and teasing.
“I’m sorry Your Highness, I have allowed you to be hurt in front of me again.”
The words came back to Xie Lian’s mind just as he was about to once again make a point about his horrible luck.
“But San Lang, when have I been injured in front of you before that day?”
By then it was clear that the ghost was quite old, likely from Xianle considering that he counted himself as a believer of Xie Lian.
A complicated mix of emotions flashed in Hua Cheng’s eye.
“I would rather not speak of those times.” He answered, unable to look Xie Lian in the eye anymore.
Xie Lian ruminated over Hua Cheng’s words from that night once more. There had been plenty of times, during the fall of his kingdom, when his believers had borne witness to him failing and getting wounded.
But were any of them cruel enough to elicit such a reaction even six centuries later…
Xie Lian’s entire body went cold.
“In life, he was a soldier under your command,”
The voice from his nightmares whispered in his ear.
“In death, his soul followed you. He died in battle for you, turned into a wrath ghost because you were pierced by a hundred swords.”
It continued and Xie Lian’s fists clenched so tightly around the covers that his knuckles went fully white.
There was one occasion vile enough that it sometimes brought a cold sweat to Xie Lian's back even to that day…
There was one believer- his last - who’d been forced to bear witness to his worst hour…
“Wuming-” His voice was barely above a whisper yet Hua Cheng heard him all the same.
He met Xie Lian’s gaze once more, a sad smile on his face.
“Your Highness.”
“But Bai Wuxiang said…” He trailed off, finding it hard to speak past the knot that had lodged itself in his throat.
Hua Cheng’s lip curled with disgust.
“That White-Clothed-Piece–of-Trash doesn’t understand the first thing about devotion.” He spat venomously. And then, in a far gentler tone. “I wouldn’t let something like that stop me from following Your Highness.”
Xie Lian burst out in helpless laughter.
Something like that Wumi- no- Hua Cheng had said, as if he was merely talking about another trivial injury and not the literal dispersing of his soul.
Truly he was too..
Too…
The laughter soon turned to sobbing.
Too good. And for some reason, he still wanted to follow Xie Lian.
“Your Highness?” Xie Lian could see through the tears that the ghost had risen from his seat and was hovering around him with a very concerned expression on his face.
“Ah I’m just-” He tried to speak but felt more sobs try to escape him. Xie Lian reached for Hua Cheng’s hand instead, grabbing it and holding onto it as if it were the his last lifeline.
“I’m just really happy-” He choked out, before trying his best to pull himself together.
It really wasn’t working.
“Oh gege…” He heard from above, before Hua Cheng sat down next to him and used his free arm to pull Xie Lian into a loose embrace.
Xie Lian gladly went, settling his forehead in the crook of Hua Cheng’s neck, taking deep shuddering breaths and inhaling the ghost’s scent.
Hua Cheng smelled like wildflowers and ash- Xie Lian couldn’t help but immediately love it.
He thought he might’ve started to mumble apologies and thank-you’s at one point but Xie Lian wasn’t sure. All that he knew was that the one running a soothing hand on his arm as he held him was undeniably real and solid…
And for that, he would be eternally grateful.
Omake:
Fifteen years later- Gambler’s Den.
Ghost City was celebrating a wedding that night. Every single citizen had donned the best clothes they could find, decorated every part of every street with lanterns, ribbons and surprisingly fresh flowers, and started raising a proper ruckus.
The ceremony had taken place at Qiangdeng temple- only open to everyone for that occasion alone- with the wedding feast set to be held in the Gambler’s Den. The entire grand structure had been converted into a suitable hall for everyone to celebrate the bride and groom.
But why was this wedding so special?
Well of course it was granduncle’s children who were getting married! Not only was it rare for their Chengzhu to hold any event that didn’t have to do with gambling, but this was also a human wedding!
Every ghost who had watched those two whelps grow up wanted to be there to see it and every other ghost in the city just wanted to remember what a wedding party was like.
As such, quite the crowd had gathered, much to the bride’s surprise.
“Should I send them away?” Hua Cheng had asked, but Banyue, despite being of a shy disposition, found it hard to deny these people who’d treated her much better than the folk of her nation ever did. She shook her head.
“Suit yourself.” The ghost king walked away, letting the newly-wedded couple deal with the riff raff wanting to congratulate and offer them all sorts of gifts.
The lord of the city watched the celebrations from his usual seat behind crimson curtains. To anyone else, he may come across as bored, but to his own husband who’d just returned from talking with the happy couple, he was obviously watching out for any trouble with a sharp eye.
Xie Lian couldn’t help but chuckle.
Hua Cheng hadn’t exactly been a parent to Banyue and Pei Xiu as they grew up, but he had humoured them more often than not, insisting that everyone treat the children under his god’s care with the required amount of respect.
The consequences for upsetting Xie Lian, even indirectly, were indeed dire.
Hua Cheng’s eye fixed on Xie Lian the moment he stepped through the curtains and a playful smile spread on his lips.
“So gege has finally remembered this husband of his.” He sighed theatrically once Xie Lian reached the “throne” where Hua Cheng always lounged.
He allowed himself to be pulled down on the ghost’s lap, circling Hua Cheng’s neck with his arms as the other hugged his waist.
“San Lang, I only left your side when it came to the three bows.” Xie Lian chuckled.
“And you’ve only returned now.” Hua Cheng looked at him the same way a disgruntled child being denied sweets would.
“San Lang.” Xie Lian intended for it to come out as chastisement, yet the way he’d called out to his husband sounded much too fond- Hua Cheng’s answering grin made it clear.
“Gege should make it up to me.”
Xie Lian sighed, deciding to bite. “And what does San Lang want from me?”
Usually, this would be the point where Hua Cheng’s face lit up with mischief before he said something that ultimately made Xie Lian beet red in the face… Except this time, his grin softened into a gentle smile and he raised one hand to cup Xie Lian’s cheek.
“Gege should marry me. This entire day has made me want to see you in wedding robes once again.”
Xie Lian couldn’t help but look back at the ghost with the softest eyes.
“I’d love to see San Lang like that again too.”
They quietly gazed into each other’s eyes for a moment until-
“But I can’t help but think that San Lang has hidden motives.” Xie Lian raised an eyebrow, already anticipating the change in the ghost’s attitude.
Hua Cheng laughed, nuzzling his cheek until he started whispering in his ear about yearning and wedding nights.
Xie Lian snorted amusedly as his cheeks flushed deeper with each word.
His husband could be such a tease- a bully really, but Xie Lian wouldn’t have him any other way.