Chapter Text
It was another normal day in heaven, the perfect sky with not even a single cloud ruining it’s beauty, another perfect day. Until he ascended.
A bright golden beam crashed into the heart of the heavens, shaking the realm to the core, a giant bell rang profusely in the background.
“Come on, let’s see who the lucky guy is” the heavenly official walked as close as they could get before an explosion shook the heavens a final time before dust went flying everywhere, once the dust settled everyone turned to the newcomer, only to groan in annoyance, as the crown prince of Xianle has ascended!
For the third time…
~~
Xie lian was strolling around heaven, taking in the beautiful sights, seeing the change that the heavens have had in the past 800 years.
It was beautiful, yet something felt wrong, something felt missing.
Before the god could dwell on that strange thought, feeling, a female voice called out to him, bring his attention back to the present. Standing in front of him was Ling Wen, the number one civil god.
“Congratulations, Your Highness,” The civil god said, Xie lian smiled, not without a hint of confusion though.
“Thank you,” he said, “But may I ask what you are congratulating me for?” The other god pulled out a scroll, then opening it and showing the prince the content that lay written inside it.
“Congratulations on getting first place for the Heavens most expected Heavenly official to get banished to the mortal realm.”
Xie lian smiled awkwardly, before replying, “You say that, but it’s still first place. Though if you congratulate me, doesn’t that mean first place is a position to be proud of?”
“Yes” the goddess remarked, “The winner will get one hundred merits.”
At that, Xie lian quickly answered with, “If there is a list like this next year, please add my name to it.”
“Do you know who was placed second place?” Ling wen asked
The crown prince looked in the distance, thinking, before facing the goddess again, “It’s a difficult guess, but based on how popular I am, I reckon I would be able to take up the top three.”
The civil god’s smiled slightly, “Yes, that’s more or less true, as there is no second place. When you start something, others can only look at you with no hope on trying to be like you.”
Xie lian laughed awkwardly, “Looks like I don’t deserve such an honor, but who got first place last year?”
“Nobody” She replied, “The list started this year, more specifically, it started today.”
“Eh!?” Xie lian squawked in surprise, “But, based on what you told me it wasn’t made for me specifically?”
“Yes,” The civil god replied, “You can think of it as a lucky victory, since you had accidentally arrived on time for the list.”
The prince scratched his cheek, then smiled at the Goddess, “Alright I’ll think of it that way then.”
“Your highness, do you know why you’re in first place?”
Xie lian hummed in thought, “Hm, because everyone expects it?”
“Allow me to explain, do you see that bell?” Ling wen asked pointing to the left, the other turned his head in that direction, but he couldn’t find this bell she mentioned.
“Uh, are you sure you’re pointing in the right direction? I don’t see a bell.”
“That make sense, you wouldn’t be able to see it because it fell when you ascended.”
“Ah! Did it hit anyone?” Xie lian asked.
“No,” The goddess said, “But it’s still under repair right now. Now can you see that palace over there?” she asked, pointing to the right. This time, when Xie lian turned to look, he was able to find what his fellow god had mentioned.
“Ah! Yes, I see it this time!” He quietly exclaimed.
“You shouldn’t, it’s an illusion. Multiply palaces had collapsed upon your arrival.”
“Oh, I see, ah, did I hurt any officials upon my arrival?”
“If you can pay of your debt, then no you wouldn’t have.”
Xie lian again laughed awkwardly, “I see, how much debt do I owe?”
“Simple, Eight million, Eight hundred and Eight thousand credits, but I know you wouldn’t be able to pay one-tenth of that.”
The prince smiled, “I wouldn’t be able to pay one-thousandth of it.” He sighed, resigned.
“I believe I have a way on helping you, do you still remember your password for the communication array?”
~
“Ah, I must thank you for doing that Ling Wen, though I’m afraid I might need to do this alone.”
The other sighed, holding her head in her hands. “If the Water Master hadn’t said anything, we probably would have come helpers for you.” She sighed again. “Very well, here is all of the information we where able to gain on the ghost at Mount YuJun.” In her outstretched hands was a scroll, the prince took the scroll and thanked her.
“Ah, Ling Wen, I’ve been meaning to ask, I have a basic understanding of how well Feng xin is going, but what of Mu qing?”
The civil goddess gave him a strange look, “Your highness...” She replied slowly, as if trying to find the right words. “Deputy Mu Qing, had ascended to godhood in the upper court…”
Xie lian beamed, happy for his old friend, “That’s great!”
“But..”
“But?”
The older sighed, “Deputy Mu qing… had jumped down from heaven shortly after he ascended.”