Chapter Text
It has been another very boring and frustrating day for Hua Cheng. He just went on a wild goose chase after a cultivator in white who was very obviously not Xie Lian. Just can’t get good information these days. As he sits in the den, he sips a cup of wine, flexes his luck and power, hopes any of these things will make him feel less like a massive failure. He’s sulking and he knows it, but isn’t too keen on stopping.
It’s easy to imagine his surprise when Xie Lian walks into the den. Hua Cheng stares openly, eye wide and wild. His God is here in his den of sin, lingering at the edge of the room and watching the proceedings with a calm, curious gaze.
Some chump approaches for a bet, the usual greedy drivel expected from mortals in his domain. He barely listens and wins handily, flinching when Xie Lian cringes at the man’s screams. Still, it must not have scared him too badly, as he steps up to a croupier shortly thereafter. When she starts leading him to her table, Hua Cheng scrambles into the array.
[I don’t care what he’s betting for. Send him to me.]
[Understood, Chengzhu.]
She asks no questions, and for that Hua Cheng is grateful. One of the benefits to his reputation as a wild card is that no one bothers questioning his motives anymore. His God slowly weaves through the crowds, being jostled more than once. Hua Cheng tightens his grip on the arms of his chair. He will not rush down there and spirit Xie Lian away. He will not just grab him and run. He will not throw himself at his feet and beg to be held again. Any of those options would be making a fool out of himself in his own territory and more importantly, would probably make Xie Lian wildly uncomfortable. No, Hua Cheng is going to sit right here and hear him out like it’s any other bet, like it isn’t the culmination of several hundred years of waiting and searching.
“Good evening, my lord,” Xie Lian starts and God did Hua Cheng miss hearing his voice, “I am seeking information on a ghost. In exchange, I wager my service for as many years as you deem appropriate.”
“That would depend on what information you want.” Well. Normally it would. Hua Cheng has no intentions of letting him lose.
“I want to know where he is, if he even still exists. I... hurt him, and I want to apologize.”
The den erupts in jeers and Hua Cheng cringes from behind the curtain. Just as he opens his mouth to stop the horrible comments being made about his reason for existing, Xie Lian speaks with the quiet dignity and solemnity that Hua Cheng has always found so enchanting.
“I understand that he might never want to see me again, might kill me if I track him down. That would be what I deserve, far less than I deserve. I will accept whatever he does to me. I need to apologize, and will atone however he chooses.”
That could be a problem. Hua Cheng can’t exactly hand him over to some vengeful spirit. Maybe he could win the bet then come up with some form of “service” that really isn’t service at all. Like maintaining the armory or taste testing fine foods or being my companion- no. No, not that. Keep it together, you are the confident and unaffected ruler of Ghost City. You rule with an iron hand. You do not cry and beg for someone to keep you, especially not him.
“What is his name?” Hua Cheng asks, because he has to say something.
“Ah- well, he didn’t have one. Or at least, I never found out if he did.” He says, sounding almost embarrassed.
“He didn’t have one,” Hua Cheng repeats, trying desperately to stomp out the little flickering flame of hope in his chest, “What did he look like?”
“I never saw his face. He was wearing a mask, my lord. Dressed in all black.”
He’s talking about me! Or is he? What if there was another- shit, what if he attracts a type?
“So you wish to know the location of someone nameless and faceless.” Hua Cheng murmurs before he can spiral too far.
“Yes, my lord. I- I am now realizing that I would be sending you on a likely fruitless hunt with no leads. I can always just look on my own, my lord, I shouldn’t trouble you.” Xie Lian stutters and- no no no, it’s no trouble! Please don’t leave!
“Last question: when and where did you last see him?” Hua Cheng says quickly, hoping to keep him hooked for long enough to let him win. Or make him lose. Whatever keeps him close to Hua Cheng and- oh fuck that’s so creepy. I have to calm down before I talk to him or I’m going to scare him off.
“A little less than eight hundred years ago in Yong’an.” Xie Lian murmurs, ducking his head.
That little flicker of hope is now a roaring inferno. The jeers come back tenfold and this time Hua Cheng refuses to wait for his God to defend himself. His God who is looking for him, who apparently wants to apologize. At least Hua Cheng can ease his heart by forgiving him right away. He wishes he could have told him that eight hundred years ago.
“Silence,” Hua Cheng addresses the hall, voice dark. Then, turning his focus back where it belongs, he calmly says, “I accept. Information if you win, twenty years of service if you lose. Step forward, we will use my dice.”
‘Twenty years if you lose’ still feels really gross to say to his God, but he already knows that won’t be happening. Xie Lian walks up to the curtain, seeming nervous and resigned. When he pauses, Hua Cheng extends his hand towards him.
“Open your hands.” Hua Cheng says gently.
His God’s hands are trembling as he reaches out and Hua Cheng fights the urge to hold them between his own. He wants to get this over with quickly so he can give Xie Lian what he’s won, what he’s had all along, what he deserves. As he sets the dice in his hands, Hua Cheng lets his touch linger for an extra moment. Ostensibly, it’s to pass along a little luck. In his heart, he knows that’s not the only reason.
“High or low?” He asks once he’s reasonably sure his voice won’t shake.
“Low.”
Hua Cheng pushes the table that usually sits beside him halfway out of the curtain. Xie Lian rolls, and even with the luck Hua Cheng passed over still gets an eleven. Hua Cheng has been aware what the second shackle does for centuries but to see it in action is another animal entirely. He barely waits for his own dice to land before beckoning Xie Lian inside.
“Come in, I know exactly where he is.” Hua Cheng says, forcing his voice to stay level and his hands not to tremble as he parts the curtain.
Then, his God is right in front of him. He’s clearly surprised to have won, eyes wide as he looks up at Hua Cheng.
“Your Highness,” Hua Cheng greets, “I’ve been looking for you, as well.”
He stands, immediately dropping to one knee and bowing his head. His form shifts, and when he next raises his gaze, a smiling mask sits over his face.
“You..? Is it really you, my Wu Ming?”
‘My’ Wu Ming? Ah, beloved, you don’t know how right you are. Hua Cheng nods once, smiling uncontrolably at the possessive. It’s good that he’s wearing a mask; he’s sure his depth of devotion is plain as day on his face. Abruptly, the smile drops as tears fill Xie Lian’s eyes. He had hoped the sight would comfort him. His Wu Ming is still here, still wants more than anything to serve him, still loves him.
He notices the way his God sways too late, his eyes rolling back as he collapses. His head cracks against the table and Hua Cheng can’t get off the floor fast enough to catch him.
“Your Highness!” He shouts, uncaring if anyone hears.
He quickly gathers him up and- oh God he’s bleeding so much, the love of my life and death just split his head open on my table. Hua Cheng dumps what he knows is too much energy into him without a second thought and dashes him to the manor with the dice. I scared him so badly he passed out, what the hell is wrong with me, can’t even help him right and it’s literally all I’m fucking here for. He gently lays Xie Lian in bed and dabs the blood from his now closed wound, leaving a butterfly before stepping into the hallway. He shuts the door behind him and retreats into the array.
[Get me a doctor right fucking now.] He snarls at Yin Yu.
[Yes, sir. For what kind of ailment?]
[He’s mortal. A head injury. Fainting. I don’t know if the fainting is common- oh fuck, I don’t even know if the fainting is common.] Hua Cheng says, freaking out what he considers to be the appropriate amount.
[She’ll be there shortly.]
[Now.]
Yin Yu arrives in the hallway seconds later, a very concerned doctor in tow.
“What the hell happened? Where’s the patient? And what happened to you? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
Hua Cheng heaves a sigh and tries to posture himself less like a cornered animal before saying, “The patient fainted and hit his head. I took care of the injury. However, I don’t know for certain why he fainted. You are here to treat him for that if needed.”
She fixes him with a look as if to say ‘that’s it?’ but thankfully does not speak those thoughts aloud. Instead, she shrugs and stands by the door in waiting.
Hua Cheng perks up when his little sentry insect alerts him to his God’s waking. He knocks politely, waiting to slink inside until Xie Lian gives him the okay. Guilt radiates off him in waves as he sits in the bedside chair. There is nothing he can think to say. ‘I’m sorry’ would be woefully inadequate, but he struggles to think of a way to properly express his remorse without coming on too strong. His fingers absently find the red bead in his hair as he continues to just stare miserably.
“What- ah, what happened, my lord?” Xie Lian asks.
“You fainted and hit your head on the edge of a table, Your Highness.” Hua Cheng murmurs, pained and ashamed.
“Oh sorry, I didn’t mean to!”
“Please don’t apologize, Your Highness. It’s my fault for springing this on you. I should have been more careful.” Hua Cheng says gently, sinking a little deeper into himself.
Suddenly, Xie Lian scrambles out of bed, drops to the floor, and presses his forehead to the rug in prostration. Hua Cheng quickly follows, refusing to let his God lower himself to him even if it means they’re both on the floor.
“I’m sorry! My Wu Ming, I’m so sorry. What can I do to atone? I’ll do anything, you can do whatever you want to me. I won’t resist; I know I deserve it.”
“Your Highness, please, I’m not angry with you. Please sit up.” Hua Cheng begs, hands outstretched and twitching helplessly. He wants to just grab him and make him sit up, but would not ever actually do that.
“Why not? I treated you like dirt, Wu Ming, worse than dirt. I was awful to you and then some! Wu Ming, I killed you.” He murmurs, but acquiesces and lifts his head. Hua Cheng breathes an unnecessary sigh of relief.
“You didn’t, Your Highness,” Hua Cheng says, kind but firm, “I chose to stay with you, chose to die for you. I did not want to see you suffer. My only regret is being unable to help more.”
“I’m still sorry, Wu Ming,” Xie Lian says again, “Ah, I shouldn’t call you that. I never should have called you that.”
“Might Your Highness be willing to call me San Lang?” Hua Cheng thinks this will probably be better received than ‘I will treasure any name you deign to call me.’
Xie Lian nods, and Hua Cheng does not squeal even though he wants to.
“Have you ever fainted before, Your Highness?” He asks, concern obvious in his voice.
“No, no, if I have it was decades ago. I don’t usually do that.”
“Alright,” So I just scared him half to death. Of course. Why would I expect to do better this time, “Do you need a doctor to look at anything else?”
“No, I feel fine. Great, actually. Whatever treatment was done earlier has worked wonders.”
“I gave you a little energy transfusion, Your Highness.” Hua Cheng says, hoping desperately that he hasn’t overstepped.
“Thank you, San Lang.” Xie Lian says softly and- oh, it sounds even better than I imagined.
Hua Cheng nods once, standing from the floor. He extends a hand to Xie Lian to help him up, and to his surprise and delight, his God keeps holding his hand once they’re standing. If he doesn’t want to let go, far be it for Hua Cheng to let go first. He’s never exactly been good at that. After several moments of basking in the feeling of that warm, calloused hand in his own, Hua Cheng tentatively starts speaking.
“Your Highness, you said that you wish to atone. While I do not think there is anything you need to atone for, I don’t think you will forgive yourself until you are allowed to pay some kind of penance. Is that assumption correct?”
“Yes.” Xie Lian whispers without looking up.
When Hua Cheng follows his gaze, he finds it locked on their hands. Again, Hua Cheng does not squeal, but he really wants to. Later, he tells himself, I can do that later, when he isn’t holding my hand.
“This may be an unusual request, but would you be willing to stay here? I would never keep you here against your will, of course,” And please, please believe me about that, “But if you’re willing, I truly do regret not being able to help you back then. Would you let me try again?”
“That hardly seems like penance.” He murmurs, and Hua Cheng does not like that he almost sounds disappointed.
“I know. I don’t want to punish you, Your Highness.”
“Would it-” Xie Lian pauses, brow furrowing in thought, then asks, “Would it be okay if we both tried again? If I tried being kinder to you?”
“Yes, Your Highness, I would like that,” Hua Cheng says, relieved, “This room is yours for as long as you’d like, as is the rest of the manor. I can give you a tour, if you’d like.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you, San Lang.”
Hua Cheng thinks that would be a good thing to do right now to try and calm himself down. It’s a lot of excitement for one day. After all those years missing his God, seeing him again is wonderful but overwhelming. They step out still holding hands, almost bumping into the doctor still waiting by the door.
“You forgot I was out here, huh,” She snorts, “You call a doctor and don’t even use her, I see how it is. Guess I can’t say as I blame ya, he is distracting. Have fun you two.”
Why would she say that! Why would she fucking say it like that! Hua Cheng sighs and hazards a glance to Xie Lian, who looks mostly confused but maybe a little amused, too.
“She is a good doctor and useful to me but damn if she isn’t constantly testing her own cost-benefit ratio,” He huffs, “This city is more trouble than it’s worth.”
“I like your city. Everyone was... well, not nice to me, but kind in a gruff sort of way. You’ve done so well for yourself,” He squeezes Hua Cheng’s hand, and Hua Cheng almost swoons, “Oh! I promised a... cat? Lady? Cat lady? I promised her I would introduce her to my missing ghost if I found him. Is- is that something you’re willing to do? I wasn’t expecting him to be a well known figure.”
“I don’t see why not,” Hua Cheng shrugs, not exactly minding if Xie Lian wants to show him off, “Was she good to you?”
“Yes, she gave me tea even though I couldn’t pay. Actually, she’s the one who suggested I ask you for help.”
Hua Cheng gives a brief approving nod, and eagerly explains his transportation dice to Xie Lian. I hope he thinks they’re interesting, that I’m interesting. Then, his God tells him he’s proud of him and Hua Cheng freezes in place, dice tumbling from his limp hand. It is humiliating to have to chase them across the floor, and he gives an embarrassed little half smile as he walks back over. Xie Lian’s eyes soften when he looks at him, seeming happy and almost… fond. Before Hua Cheng can do something too telling, something like dropping to his knees and kissing his boots, he offers his hand again and whisks them both off to the tea shop.
The shopkeeper takes one look at the two of them and herds them into a back room. As soon as the door is shut, she bursts out laughing.
“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me! Your missing mystery man was-” She cuts off with another peal of laughter, “And you’re holding hands, what the hell! Good for you, man.”
“Ah, oops. Sorry, San Lang, I didn’t mean to start any rumors.” Xie Lian’s hand spasms in Hua Cheng’s own, almost like he was considering letting go but decided against it. That can not possibly have been what he just felt but fuck Hua Cheng wishes it was.
“And you call him- I’m not gonna start any rumors but damn do I want to.”
True to her word, she doesn’t blab. After all, she’s been around a lot longer than they have, and knows children have to have their own experiences to learn. It’s best to let them figure it out themselves.