Nobody's son, nobody's daughter

by Shrimp0_simp0

Summary:

Shi Qingxuan and Shi wudu barely managed to escape the black water manor- at the cost of Shi Wudus arms. Thanks to the help of the quiet and kind Rain Master, they plan to start fresh in the royal capital as farmers. However, the past Shi Qingxuan is desperately trying to avoid is catching up to him. As mount Tonglu open, darkness shrouds the three realms...

Chapter 1: Prologue

-Prologue-

 

Shi Qingxuan screamed.

 

“Don’t make me do it! I can’t! I can’t! Ge—please”

 

“Don’t be scared Qingxuan! Look at me—listen—this won’t hurt more than switching fates—go to General Pei, he’ll take care of you.”

 

Shi Wudu held out the blade.

 

Shi Qingxuan sobbed, writhing against his shackles.

 

He Xuan, who had been infinitely patient until that point snapped—lashing out with a kick. Shi Wudu hit the floor with a crack; coughing up blood.

 

Shi Qingxuan, fighting against his bindings, cried, “Ge!”

 

“Enough”

 

He Xuan’s tone was chilling.

 

“Your brotherly act won’t save you.”

 

Suddenly, Shi Wudu who had lain sputtering lungful’s of blood, leapt up and lunged towards his brother—seizing Shi Qingxan’s throat.

 

Shi Qingxuan struggled to draw in breath, he choked out, “…Ge?”

 

There was an almost hysterical gleam in Shi Wudu’s eyes, “Qingxuan! I can’t leave you by yourself like this! No—no we’ll both go—come with gege you wouldn’t survive anyway on your own!”

 

Shi Qingxuan’s lungs labored with gasps, death crawled in his ribs, icy cold fear poured down his spine.

 

Xie Lian was shocked.

 

Would Shi Wudu really kill his own brother?

 

Shi Wudu strangled him tighter—Shi Quinxuan’s sight spotted with black.

 

Then Shi Wudu’s forearms were ripped away.

 

For once, Shi Qingxuan did not call out for his brother.

 

The last thing Xie Lian saw was He Xuan’s dark gaze—before he was spit back into his own body.

 

Shi Qingxuan was now alone.

 

“I didn’t give you a third choice”

 

He Xuan’s voice was cold.

 

The air was thick with the stench of blood as Shi Wudu staggered back.

 

He landed on his knees, head bowed.

 

Shi Qingxuan’s eyes were blurry with tears.

 

“Ming X—He Xuan—please—I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry—we were the ones who sinned! We’re the ones in the wrong! It’s all my fault—you—your family—didn’t deserve this fate! It’s all because of me my brother tried to find a scapegoat—believed we could get away with it and never considered who would suffer on the other end please—He Xuan—I’m sorry.”

 

Shi Qingxuan would’ve kowtowed a hundred—no– a million times if he could, begging for mercy, forgiveness. But still chained as he was, all he could do was plead.

 

Slowly, He Xuan turned his gaze to Shi Qingxuan.

 

Shi Qingxuan’s breath caught.

 

Then Shi Wudu spoke.

 

His mouth was still stained with blood. The bloody stumps where his arms used to be were limp at his sides.

 

“My brother is right.”

 

Shi Qingxuan flinched—he had half the mind to tell his brother that this is enough, to tell him to stop—to ask, no–to beg him not to speak anymore.

 

But—“I have sinned.” Shi Wudu bowed lower, trembling as he felt He Xuan’s cold gaze landing on him

 

A sight to see, the once prideful Watermaster—begging for forgiveness.

 

He Xuan froze, slowly taking in the view.

 

“Ge” Shi Qingxuan hissed, fear so deep exhaustion had begun to seep in.

 

Then, He Xuan scoffed.

 

Shi Qingxuan’s went still, trepidation crawled up his spine

 

“You beg, like this, after you try to condemn your brother to death? You claim to love him, protect him, yet the first apology comes from his lips. I gave him so many chances but every-time he chooses you. Look at him now, still pleading for mercy on your life even after you try to kill him. Even after knowing the whole truth—he still chooses you.”

 

He Xuan kicked Shi Wudu square in the front, and Shi Wudu slammed onto his back.

 

He Xuan’s chest rose and fell rapidly, then he stepped closer and closed his hand around Shi Wudu’s neck.

 

Shi Qingxuan whimpered, not knowing how to respond, making his fair gorgeous beautiful baby girl delicate pleasing pulchritudinous angelic exquisite well formed (you get the point) face paler.

 

“Do you still choose him?”

 

He Xuan’s voice was low, almost pleading. 

 

“Even after all this, will you keep trying to save him? Why? After all that he has done?”

 

Shi Qingxuan lowered his head.

 

His tongue tangled in his throat, the sound of his heart thudded dully in his ears.

 

“He Xuan he’s my brother, I can’t—I can’t hate him.”

 

He Xuan’s back was turned, but Shi Qingxuan could still make out the strangling hold he had on Shi Wudu.

 

Shi Qingxuan closed his eyes. “He Xuan please”

 

He Xuan clenched his jaw, then shoved Shi Wudu to the ground and planted his foot onto the back of Shi Wudu’s head.

 

He pressed harder as Shi Wudu struggled beneath him.

 

Then he slowly met Shi Qingxuan’s gaze.

 

“Him?” He Xuan dug his boot further into Shi Wudu’s skull.

 

“Or me?”

Chapter 2: The Ex-Wind Master at the Farmers Market

Summary:

Its been a few days since Shi Qingxuan escaped the Black Water manor. However, fate had truly took a strange turn. Somehow he's spiralling while selling produce at the Farmer's market?!?!

In other words- Shi Qingxuan spirals while selling veggies and talking to strangers. All at the Farmer's Market.

Notes:

Whooo guys, we're certainly gaining a new level of respects to other fic writers. How they manage to upload one chapter a day is still beyond us. Anyways, please be patient while we work on our next chapter, writing this is definitely more difficult than we originally thought.
(Credits to my awesome friend who's working along side me on this fic. Still waiting for the day when she finally cave in and make an account so i can properly tag her in. We can all tell who's the better writer right? Spoilers alert, definitely not me.)

The sun slowly creeped up from the horizon of the plaza, signifying another busy day ahead. Mice ducked back to their shadows, birds started to chirp their early morning songs and the leaves gently rustled in the warm sea breeze. Cold misty air gathered onto leaves and petals, dew glistening like diamonds in the sunlight. The sky, painted in soft pink and orange hues, tinged with delicate blue and purple, cast its pretty colors down to the houses and streets below. The scenery was untouched by wanderers, save for a hardworking farmer setting up his stall.

Shi Qingxuan had finally finished arranging his produce. He sat down to take in a deep breath of the crisp, early morning air. It was late autumn, and the golden osmanthus were in full bloom, filling the street with its bright fragrance. The ginkgos had also turned into a gorgeous shade of yellow, signifying the end of autumn, and withered down the empty streets.

 

Shi Qingxuan sighed, tilting his head up to the sky as vibrant leaves fluttered to the ground.

 

It was… peaceful here. Quiet. Hard to believe just days ago...No. He wouldn’t go there.

 

Shi Qingxuan closed his eyes, hoping for a few moments of rest before the morning began, only to slip into a light sleep.

 

He dreamed of a familiar voice, and dark eyes—flashes of blood—anger—

 

“Old Feng!!! How’ve ya been!!” A cheerful voice greeted him.

 

Shi Qingxuan flinched awake, startled, but settled his composure to respond with a pleasant smile.

 

“I’ve been alright, how have you been holding on Mr. Yang?”

 

“Well, thanks to your generous help the other day, we managed to fix the cart and bring the shop back up again. Do tell me whenever you guys need some extra rice, we have plenty to spare.”

 

“Old man Yang… All those times I thought you were a stick in the mud, turns out you can be real nice sometimes.” Shi Qingxuan teased.

 

“Oi brat, I was being nice, don’t ruin the moment.” Mr. Yang joked back.

 

Shi Qingxuan laughed before practically shoving a bag into the old man's grasp.

 

“Thank you so much old man, tell your wife and kids I said hi. Here's some fresh radishes, take them home will ya?”

 

“You… Then take some of these chestnuts, they’re just in season. Send your family my regards as well. Be careful, the path is going to get less and less forgiving when winter hits.”

 

With that, the old man fondly waved Qingxuan goodbye before trudging off into the distance, radish bag in tow.
____________________________________________________________________________

 

‘UGHHH it's so freaking HOT- how do people do this everyday…’

 

Shi Qingxuan internally screamed into the void.

 

Normally, he’d lean on “Ming Xiong’s” shoulders and-

 

He stilled.

 

That normalcy will never come back. His days dilly-dallying with “Ming Xiong” as the beautiful Wind Master are officially over.

 

He looked at himself through the reflection of a nearby puddle.

 

His once delicate and smooth hands were now rough and calloused from farming, his fair and glassy skin had been smothered and tanned by the sun. His hair- which had been silky and soft thanks to the various hair oils that he and Ming Xiong—no He Xuan had tested together, lost their shine, turning his locks greasy and dull. His once full frame was now hollowed out quite a bit and… and his face! HIS FACE was now covered in DIRT and GRIME.

 

All he could do was laugh along at his pityable state. How foolish he was…

 

“Hello, some of these radishes please!” A young girl approached. Her hair was long and straight, a deep black color, and her eyes were a soft shade of violet; twinkling in the sunlight. She looked barely fourteen, and exuded a youthful energy.

 

“Of course! Let me pack those up for you, here's the change.” Qingxuan jumped up and hurriedly packed everything into her bag, throwing in some extras alongside the plump snow-white radishes.

 

Feeling the girl's intense stare burning a hole through his back, Shi Qingxuan quickly turned around.

 

“Gege, are you new? I've never seen you around these parts before. These radishes look tasty, your hair is so pretty, what's your routine? Tell me your name.”

Being blasted with questions after questions, Shi Qingxuan didn’t know whether to laugh or to cry, he finally decided to just answer the girl’s random inquiries.

 

“My name is Old Feng, I'm not from this place, I'm just coming here to sell some vegetables. As for my hair, I use rice water to wash it.”

 

“Old Feng? That's such a weird name, I never met anyone who actually has “Old” in their name before.”

 

Now Shi Qingxuan really didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

 

“Well thank you for the radishes, my older sister will love this.” With that, the little girl ran off, vanishing fast from his view.

 

____________________________________________________________________________

 

The sun slowly began to set, the fiery sky bruising in deep purples and blues, adorned by swirling white clouds. Leaves slowly fluttered to the ground, making the path home look like it was raining flames. Gentle breezes brushed against Shi Qingxuan’s hair, reminding him of what was once his life. All he could hear was the rustling of leaves and the crunching of grass as he pushed his cart back through the mountain pass. After a while, he paused at a cliff. Over-looking the edge was the vast ocean below. Waves crashed against the shore, and black stones jutted from its surface. He took a deep breath, the salty air stinging his skin, before he continued his way home.

 

For Shi Qingxuan, after everything that had occurred, even glancing at the shore made him sick. He wasn’t sure what he’d do if he looked right at those deep waters, the irony being he’d lived beside the same seas for all his childhood. And now, all he could think about was the swirling storm in the ocean below—so similar to those once-familiar eyes. How he’d braved those seas with his best-friend. And the blood that now dilutes their history. Ming Xiong—to Shi Qingxuan he’d always been Ming-Xiong—and he couldn’t help but think, was it really all a ruse? He Xuan’s grand revenge—yet he’d been by Shi Qingxuan’s side for so long. Though it all made sense now, Ming Yi had always seemed to harbor unreasonable animosity towards Shi Wudu, made all sorts of slights towards the Watermaster—when really Shi Qingxuan couldn’t think of a single time the two had even spoken more than a word to each other. But—that couldn’t be it, could it? All threads just snapped. Ming Yi—He Xuan had cared hadn’t he? What was it he told him—”I gave you every chance.” And for a selfish, dark moment—Shi Qingxuan wondered why things couldn’t go back the way they were. Ming Yi or no—irrefutably in the end—Shi Qingxuan’s best friend had been He Xuan. And Shi Qingxuan, he found himself thinking back to the manor; how things had ended, how He Xuan had—

 

Shi Qingxuan slammed full force into a solid figure.

 

The impact sent him reeling to the ground, unceremoniously knocking his head into his wooden cart.

 

Shi Qingxuan held a hand to his temple and winced as he looked up at the stranger he’d rammed into.

 

“Ah! I'm so sorry… Sir?”

 

The stranger in front of him paused. After a moment, he finally spoke.

 

“It's fine. Are you… alright?”

 

At the sound of that rich voice, Shi Qingxuan glanced up, getting a clear view of the man. He was young, probably in his early twenties. His eyes were the deep blue of the sea at dawn, emanating a youthful glow. His hair was long and silky, fashioned in a neat braid that was tied off with a cerulean ribbon.

 

Shi Qingxuan finally stood, brushing leaves off of his back and ducking his head in embarrassment. “I’m okay. I’m sorry about that.”

 

"Be careful next time.” The young man mumbled

 

“I’ll try, knowing my recent luck though… Aha, nevermind. Thank you.” Now Shi Qingxuan felt really awkward.

 

The man offered a stiff nod. “It's getting dark, stay vigilant.”

 

Shi Qingxuan threw another wooden smile towards the young man, before hurriedly grabbing the cart and making his way back down the mountains.

 

Yet it seemed Shi Qingxuan’s poor fortune prevailed. The last of the sun had slipped behind the twin peaks, and the path ahead of him was pooling with darkness. Shi Qingxuan lit up his lantern, a shudder passing through him as he watched the crowding shadows shift in the light. Now, it wasn’t only the water he feared, but the rippling darkness cast under the stars as well. Normally, Shi Qingxuan would have no need for such a reaction, on his trips down the mountain he’d be accompanied by the travelling group of vagabonds. They’d puff their chest and swear to defend him against any demons in the dark and Shi Qingxuan would feel so lightened by their remarks he’d lose any hint of dread.

 

Many of these vagabonds, forever thankful of the Rain Master’s kindness for the shelter she offered, decided to work in her village. Some settled there, content with that steady life, while others continued to travel from the royal capital to trade produce, or wander to aid more vagabonds. Yet, even as these vagabonds parted with their varied lives, the group remained tightly knit and ensured to keep in contact with one another.

 

And it was in this group of vagabonds that Shi Qingxuan and Shi Wudu had resided with for so long.

Notes:

co author: My wonderful friend who does not have an account on here

Chapter 3: Post Black Water Manor- The Travelling Band of Beggars

Summary:

Emotional breakdown ensues after they finally made it out alive, dealing with a mortal body is tough and they're both hungry. Shi Wudu kinda get drunk.

Notes:

SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE CHAT- WERE PLOTTING SMTH GOOD LATER THO...

Shi Qingxuan and Shi Wudu stumbled onto the rocky ground of the royal capital. Still trembling, Shi Wudu fumbled to bring Shi Qingxuan close to him. Where his hands once were, Shi Wudu now only had bloody stumps and they bled rich red onto Shi Qingxuan’s muddy clothes.

 

Shi Qingxuan fingers scraped against the front of Shi Wudu’s robes. Then, after a moment, Shi Qingxuan finally spoke up.

 

“Ge…” His voice quavered, but for the first time in a while, it was not out of fear—but hot anger.

 

“I know. I know everything I did—it was wrong. However…”

 

“However what? You took his fate into your own hands, traded it like cattle, exchanged it like you had the right to. It was his. Not mine.” Shi Qingxuan argued indignantly. His voice was sharp, almost rising with his vexation.

 

“You make excuses after excuses but here’s the truth—you ruined his life. Every moment since you meddled he’d lost any chance of a happy ending. His parents? Dead. Sister? Dead. Fiancee? Dead. They’re all gone because of you. While I lived blissfully unaware and practically bathing in good fortune he’d taken on my name without even knowing and suffered a fate that wasn’t even his. He was supposed to ascend Ge—ascend and probably become a god better than anything I was. I’d say every action he took in revenge—he had every right to do it.”

 

Shi Qingxuan shoved out of Shi Wudu’s hold and angrily rubbed at his eyes.

 

Shi Wudu narrowed his brows. “You know what I don’t understand Qingxuan? Why you can’t comprehend that I did this for you. I saved your life, I gave you a chance to ascend. I risked every chance just so you could live happily. And you did, didn't you? And we’re still alive now aren’t we? So don’t get mad at me, all of it was for you anyway.”

 

Shi Wudu averted his gaze, his mouth pressed into a thin line. “You were scared sick Qingxuan. And you would’ve spent the rest of your life like that if nothing had been done. You would have

 

amounted to nothing, every effort our parents put in to keep you safe and hidden would have been wasted away. I gave you a life to live, I gave you happiness.”

 

Frustrated tears welled up, making Shi Qingxuan’s vision blurry. “That’s not the point and you know it. I didn’t ask for my fate to be switched, not even once. I could’ve been content with living the life I had. I would’ve been FINE, worshiping you and him. Staying in the middle court could have been the best thing for me.”

 

“...”

 

“I didn’t ask for this. I never did.”

 

“Look, I’m sorry-”

 

“BUT YOU’RE NOT.”

 

“I thought it was what you would’ve wanted.”

 

“Well it wasn't."

 

“I know that now.”

 

“It was selfish.”

 

“It was.”

 

“He was my best friend.”

 

“I know.”

 

“You’re still bleeding”

 

“I know that too.”

 

“…”

 

He Xuan… hadn’t been able to switch Shi Qingxuan’s fate. Even after the way everything had gone down—Shi Qingxuan was the same, fate not swapped back —and Shi Wudu, he was… relatively alive.

 

But both were significantly weakened, Shi Qingxuan, from getting his divinity drained by the Reverend of Empty Words, and Shi Wudu worn out from failing his tribulations and debilitated by He Xuan. And they felt the crushing curse of mortality before they knew it. Pangs of hunger nearly crippled them, their bodies exerted—but they managed to stumble further before passing by a merchant whose cart had broken. Shi Wudu, who had previous knowledge of all things mechanical, hesitantly walked Shi Qingxuan through repairing the wheels. The merchant, terribly grateful, gave Shi Wudu some spare fabric and herbs to wrap up his arms and stop the bleeding, and rationed a few buns for them to eat.

 

Finally with some food, and Shi Wudu cleaned up to look less like a walking massacre, Shi Qingxuan and Shi Wudu ventured through the capital, where they found themselves bumping into a group of vagabonds. Shi Qingxuan was quick to befriend them, the vagabonds taking to Shi Qingxuan’s charming personality, despite Shi Wudu's wholly unfriendly demeanor.

 

To ensure that no word of their existence spread, Shi Qingxuan took the name of Old Feng, and managed to compel an entirely reluctant Shi Wudu (read threaten) to take on the name Old Shui. And—maybe because they were pitying him, thinking Shi Wudu had a few screws loose as he raged on and on on how he was a god—the vagabonds allowed Shi Qingxuan and Shi Wudu to travel with them

 

Now, in the company of the lighthearted vagabonds, Shi Qingxuan and Shi Wudu had made it another day of traveling. And after securing a spot to rest, the group finally took a much needed break. They camped near a river bank, setting up some mats to lie down more comfortably, and under the darkening sky, their discussion continued.

 

“I’m telling ya, that's some bull. If you’re a god you wouldn’t be here rolling in the muck with us.”

 

“Is not! I might not have power now but I used to be a god still! Show some respect!” Shi Wudu remained indignantly defending his case.

 

One of the vagabond sighs, “Old Shui is blabbering again…”

 

“Was not!”

 

Another questioned, “Who allowed Old Shui to touch alcohol?”

 

“How did we even get alcohol?”

 

“Some wine merchants gave it as a thank you gift for the “god” over there because he helped fix something.”

 

“That stick in the mud is actually helping people?”

 

“I know right.”

 

“To think yesterday he was all uppity, looking down on us.”

 

Shi Qingxuan laughed, it was rather nice seeing his brother being leveled down on. Especially when the ones doing it were the very same people Shi Wudu wouldn’t have been caught dead with as a god.

 

Though the night had barely begun, Shi Qingxuan couldn't help but feel tired. In the chilled air, he drifted asleep under the twinkling stars.

Notes:

Also it'll be a while before the next update because one of us is catching up to book 6. Thank you for your support <333

Co author: my friend who doesn't have an Ao3 account