Chapter Text
* * *
It was one of the stupidest things in the world he’d ever came up with – praying to a nonexistent Earth Master, who’d never been one in the first place. And yet…
“Ming-xiong, hey, Ming-xiong,” Shi Qingxuan stood in the small, ramshackle temple of Earth Master. He had only recently found this place, for he rarely ventured into this part of the city before, and found himself returning here again and again, “Long time no see, huh? Ha-ha… So, how have you been lately? Yeah, I know, I know it’s rather pathetic of me to talk to you like this, because I didn’t even know the real you, and even now I’m not talking to you, I mean, not the real you, but ‘the’ you, but…” he broke off and doubled over in a fit of coughing, “I can’t help thinking it was really you back there.” Shi Qingxuan shook his head, disheveled hair falling over his face.
“No, it was definitely you,” he whispered, “I’m sure of it, I recognized you,” as he spoke, he clutched the broken Wind Master’s fan closer to his chest.
Ever since that day, he wondered why, and couldn’t comprehend it.
“Never show yourself before me again, and I will pretend you’ve never existed in this world,” that person said. Then, during the battle… why did he, why would he… Could that have been Hua Cheng’s request? Even so, Shi Qingxuan somehow felt it was more to it than that.
He slid down the wall, weak and exhausted, his eyes fixed upon the statue of Ming Yi and the altar. The nights grew colder and, of course, Shi Qingxuan just had to catch a cold. Well, let it be, then. His head felt heavy and his throat swollen, making it difficult to swallow. Maybe he can fall asleep right here, without going back just yet? He is too tired anyway and won’t be able to hop and hobble all the way across the city.
“Ming-xiong,” he mouthed, almost instantly falling into a feverish slumber, “I think that I… might actually die after all.”
Before he fell into the blackness, it seemed he heard the very cold familiar “Dream on” from somewhere near.
When he came to, later, he was covered with a thin blanket, and there was a small bag with few long gone cold mantou and dried fruit on the floor right next to him.
* * *
“What the hell are you doing?”
Over the past few months, He Xuan had asked himself this question more than once, and yet he couldn’t stop. Nor could he find an answer.
During that battle, when he approached Shi Qingxuan, he justified himself by saying he had done so at Hua Cheng’s request. Except it was a lie. Yes, Crimson Rain Sought Flower had indeed asked him for a favor – to portray as his clone down there, but this whole idea with the Wind Master showtime was He Xuan’s own. What for? Well… because he… because…
Anything that followed those words would have been a lie, any reason at all. The only truth was that he missed Shi Qingxuan. And most of all he missed his bright, joyful and sincere smile – to the extent that it physically hurt.
And, of course, there was nothing he could do about it now. It was too late, the abyss between them too deep, and it was all his own doing.
“Even dead you still keep taking away what’s mine,” He Xuan thought with disgust, remembering Shi Wudu.
He continued to watch over Shi Qingxuan from time to time. Quietly, from the shadows, each time wearing a different disguise to remain unrecognized. However, He Xuan had never come so close to him before. He had noticed long ago that Shi Qingxuan was visiting the Earth Master’s temple, and to be honest, He Xuan was bitter about it. Everything was somehow more or less stable and good. Then Shi Qingxuan just had to catch a cold! He Xuan watched him with growing alarm, since Shi Qingxuan never cared about himself. He didn’t even try to find a medicine, he didn’t do anything to get well. The last time He Xuan had seen him, he had left him some necessities, but that cough didn’t seem to be getting any better, and now the fool was back at the temple, burning with fever, instead of resting and healing.
He Xuan clenched his fists.
This cannot go on like this.
* * *
“Ge ge, don’t you think I’m doing better?”
“Your style is becoming more expressive, yes.”
“Ge ge!”
Xie Lian laughed.
Hua Cheng lowered the brush and put his arm around Xie Lian’s shoulders, trying to look offended but still smiling. The Ghost City was in its usual cheerful state, and the two in the Qian Deng temple were practicing calligraphy again.
“Ge ge, can’t we do something more interesting?” Hua Cheng was eager to avoid more writing as usual, but Xie Lian was adamant.
“Not until you’ve written ten more lines.” Hua Cheng started to protest, but suddenly looked up into the distance and frowned, “What is it?” Xie Lian immediately asked.
“It appears we have uninvited guests,” Hua Cheng straightened up and his expression became grim, “You’d better stay here, ge ge.”
“San Lang…”
“Nothing serious. I just don’t want ge ge to be bothered by insignificant matters,” Hua Cheng disappeared through the temple doors. Xie Lian thought about it for a moment, sighed, and then followed him with a guilty half smile.
“…would’ve hoped you came by to pay me back.” Xie Lian froze, being cautious and amazed at the same time – before the doors of the temple stood Ship-Sinking Black Water himself, and in his arms there was Lord Wind Master! RuoYe fidgeted on his wrist, and Xie Lian automatically stroked it to calm it down. After all, nothing has happened yet? But why was Shi Qingxuan in this state, what had happened to him? The last time he had come to Puji Shrine, he had looked as usual.
“I need,” He Xuan halted, “He needs help.”
Hua Cheng lazily leaned against the outer wall and grinned while crossing his arms over his chest.
“Then why don’t you take him home with you? You too have your own castle and place to live.”
He Xuan hesitated for a moment. Then:
“…Too much humidity. Bad for his lungs.”
Xie Lian felt a drop of sweat trickle down his forehead. What kind of answer is that? Thinking, he suddenly understood. The last time Shi Qingxuan had been to the residence of Black Water, it had ended with his brother death and rather misfortunate events. Of course, if he wakes up to see he is there again, he can simply go crazy. It appears that He Xuan fully understood the matter and didn’t want to put Shi Qingxuan under that kind of stress. But why not say it out loud? Could it be that?..
Hua Cheng simply laughed at his words.
“If you stay here, there won’t be any food left in Ghost City by tomorrow night.”
He Xuan’s expression darkened.
“Won’t take a bite. Nor will I stay. Just help him.”
“You didn’t bother with that last time.”
“You didn’t either.”
“I was busy protecting ge ge.”
“Not a strand of hair fell from your ge ge’s head, as I promised, though he kept poking in where he shouldn’t.”
“Would it have fallen, you wouldn’t be standing here alive and well.”
Xie Lian awkwardly smiled and rubbed his forehead. These two… Obviously, time to take this matter into his own hands, otherwise those two will just stand there bickering until the end of time.
* * *
He Xuan had a good relationship with Crimson Rain Sought Flower. Well, you never know, both being Supremes, when a hand will be needed. Their territories did not overlap with each other, and each kept minding his own business. That is, whenever possible. Even then, while Hua Cheng knew everything from the beginning, he did not intend to disturb He Xuan’s plans for revenge. It just so happened that he had to, but in the end, it turned out the way it did. Other than that, the two demon kings didn’t cross paths with each other. Well, except it was for lending money from Hua Cheng. Speaking of…
“Why don’t you take him to some inn and call a doctor?”
“…No money.”
“How in the world do you live like this?” Hua Cheng was frankly amused. If not for feverish Shi Qingxuan in his arms, mayhap He Xuan would too be amused. Although unlikely.
“Stealing Earth Master’s offerings.” It seemed this answer struck Hua Cheng speechless. The funny thing was that it was the absolute truth. At that moment, Xie Lian appeared from the temple gates. When he had come here, He Xuan hoped he would be around, since it was only with him nearby that Hua Cheng became more or less bearable to deal with. Xie Lian walked over to both of them and cautiously smiled.
“Greetings, Ship-Sinking Black Water.”
“Your Highness the Crown Prince.”
Hua Cheng turned around.
“Ge ge, I asked you to…” Xie Lian stood on his tiptoes and whispered something to him. Hua Cheng’s face softened, “Only because ge ge wants to,” he turned back to He Xuan, “You know where my residence is. He’ll be taken care of there. Don’t even go near the kitchen. My staff is still in deep shock from the last time.”
He Xuan nodded and turned to leave.
“What happened to Lord Wind Master?” Xie Lian asked carefully.
He Xuan turned around.
“Caught a cold,” he replied shortly and looked into Xie Lian’s eyes, “Without my help, if that’s what you mean. Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Prince.” He nodded curtly to both of them, and hurried away.
Shi Qingxuan never woke up while in He Xuan’s arms, he was only breathing hard and hoarse, with effort. In the Paradise Manor he was accommodated in one of the spacious guest rooms. He Xuan fed him the medicine that Hua Cheng’s servants left, and sat on the edge of the bed. Shi Qingxuan can’t be permitted to return to those beggars. He can’t survive on the street on his own, he won’t last at all. And he must live. Not because of revenge, but because if Shi Qingxuan is gone, He Xuan doesn’t want to go on living either.
The conclusion it took He Xuan several months to come up with, and eventually he admitted his complete defeat. Especially looking at Crimson Rain Sought Flower and His Highness the Crown Prince together. If those two could, then why would not…
Shi Qingxuan’s face should have disgusted him. The problem was, it didn’t. Never.
Not since the beginning, not before he knew about the swapping of his fate, not then, not now. He Xuan hated, hates, and will always hate Shi Wudu, true enough. He never regretted ripping his arms and his damn smug head off. He deserved every bit of it! But Shi Qingxuan… Yes, it hurt when he chose his brother over and over again, no matter what. Still…
He Xuan reached forward, brushing the sweat-damp strands of hair from Shi Qingxuan’s face. He left him in the bloody capital! In plain sight! Why didn’t he ask Pei Ming for help? For someone’s help? He Xuan touched his forehead – it seemed as if the medicine had taken effect and the fever had subsided a bit.
When Shi Qingxuan recovers, he must wash him properly. And fix his hair. And… He Xuan covered his face with his hands. The Supreme demon king! Ship-Sinking Black Water! He’s no better than a clucking hen over chickens. What a shameful sight! Good thing that Hua Cheng had not yet come here to see. On the other hand, why wouldn’t He Xuan be worried about Shi Qingxuan? After all, long before it all happened, they were… He Xuan brought his face close to Shi Qingxuan’s, as if he wanted to say or do something. Shi Qingxuan suddenly stirred in his sleep and exhaled softly:
“Ge…”
He Xuan recoiled, his face twisted in silent agony, and he fled the room.
* * *
Xie Lian almost bumped into He Xuan, as he was coming out of the Wind Master’s chambers. It’s hard to say how Xie Lian felt about him after what he did to the Water Master, but… Not for him to judge and intervene, especially that Hua Cheng had already mentioned He Xuan sometimes visits Shi Qingxuan. It was easy to guess why. After Xie Lian saw him in the battle against Jun Wu and after He Xuan visited (albeit unnoticed) the opening ceremony of Puji Shrine, Xie Lian guessed his ulterior motives. Earlier, he had understood nothing; earlier there was no time to think about the actions and reasons of others. Now Hua Cheng was beside Xie Lian, looking at him the same way that He Xuan looked at Lord Wind Master.
“Is His Excellency any better?”
He Xuan’s expression grew sour.
“Hope so. Your Highness.”
“Yes?”
“Can you take care of him if I leave?”
“Naturally. But you’re not disturbing anyone. San Lang didn’t mean anything by it when he said earlier…”
“I’m not worried about Crimson Rain Sought Flower.” He Xuan’s eyes grew dim, “I just don’t think that… he’ll want to see me when he comes to. I apologize for the intrusion here, Your Highness.”
Xie Lian courteously bowed in return, and added:
“If you wish, Puji Shrine is always open to you and Lord Wind Master.”
He Xuan lowered his gaze, and then walked away.
“Ge ge, you’re too nice to him,” Hua Cheng remarked casually as he emerged from the next room.
“If San Lang wants to tell me that person is a dangerous unpredictable Supreme, then I know.” Xie Lian smiled, “But since I have quite the experience in dealing with dangerous unpredictable Supremes, I think this time the danger is somewhat exaggerated.”
Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow.
“If ge ge’s experience with the other Supremes goes beyond a certain point, I will be very, very unhappy.”
Xie Lian laughed and then turned serious.
“San Lang, those two…”
“No.”
“I haven’t even said it yet.”
Hua Cheng sighed wearily, “Why can’t you just stay away?”
“Because Lord Wind Master is my friend and he needs help,” Xie Lian firmly replied, “And because I saw the face of Ship-Sinking Black Water when he came out of the chamber.”
“And?..”
“If they go on like this, they’ll both go insane.”