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But as much as she tried, she couldn’t escape the demons of her past. The empress was…

‘He Xuan! Are you done?’

‘Almost.’ He Xuan hides the scroll with his silly fantasy story under the bookkeeping he should be doing.

‘Quick and competent as always,’ Ling Wen hums with approval after examining the numbers. ‘All those other imbeciles would need weeks…’

‘Most likely. I really don’t know how I will manage on my own.’

‘What a dramatic turn of phrase, coming from you,’ she raises her eyebrows, but she knows he’s right. It has been hard enough to run the Upper Court administration with just two literature gods worth their name. Soon, with only one decent literature god… ‘I suppose banishment isn’t the worst fate, after all?’

‘Very funny,’ He Xuan scoffs, and Ling Wen does seem amused until suddenly she looks distracted. Must be something in her private communication array.

‘I have to go,’ she says, simply, and He Xuan is left alone with the scrolls.

He attempts to actually finish the bookkeeping, but the strong wind outside and people running around distract him.

Wait, what? He Xuan freezes, ink dripping from his brush. People running around? Okay, rare, but normal. However, stormy wind? In heaven?

He exits the palace just in time to bump into Xie Lian, who’s also hurrying somewhere, agitated.

‘My apologies!’ The martial god bows. ‘I’ve been, ah… I’m sorry, I have to go!’

This again? ‘May I join you, your highness?’

‘Hm, well,’ Xie Lian smiles apologetically at He Xuan, obviously unable to come up with an excuse. ‘Oh, whatever, please join. Just be careful and stay at my side!’

‘What is there to be careful about?’ He Xuan asks, trying to keep pace. The sky above them turns an unusual shade of grey as the wind gets even stronger.

‘You see, it’s Water Master’s personal problem, so…’

Of course. Everything clicks. ‘Dark Storm Destroying Cities. I should’ve guessed that earlier.’

‘What, you know?’ Xie Lian says, surprised. ‘Right, you literature gods know everything… You probably have a lot of dirt on me as well, hahaha.’

‘I trust you won’t give me a reason to dig it up, your highness,’ He Xuan says politely. The truth is he doesn’t know that much about Shi Wudu’s devastating sibling, despite the Water Master ascending around the same time he did. He’s gathered just enough to connect the dots. ‘You probably don’t need me getting in your way while you’re battling Dark Storm, do you?’

‘Ah, I hope there will be no need to battle…’

But as they reach the Water Master’s palace, that option seems rather unlikely. Half of the roof is already blown away, and many gods crowd at the entrance, including a distressed Ling Wen.

‘Your highness, finally! He Xuan, what are you doing here?’

He Xuan shrugs, although it’s a good question. To be honest, his daily life in heaven is boring enough, and very likely will only get more boring after Ling Wen’s banished. A personal appearance of a calamity seems like something he shouldn’t miss.

‘I’m going in,’ Xie Lian declares, and the crowd steps aside to let him through. He Xuan follows, hands behind his back.

A miniature storm rages inside, complete with lightning hitting the walls – although that happens only in the upper part of the hall, as if it was just for the show. On one side, the Water Master raises his fan like a shield, flanked by Pei Ming, Feng Xin and Mu Qing. On the other side, observing the martial gods with a teasing smile, a woman holds up a black fan surrounded by ominous smoke. Her hair and robes seem to be swept with wild currents of spiritual energy.

‘I thought Dark Storm was a man,’ He Xuan says quietly.

‘He is, most of the time,’ Xie Lian says, his eyes assessing the scene. ‘But she’s stronger in her female form. Ah, my educated friend, you shouldn’t be here…’

‘Stop this, Qingxuan,’ Shi Wudu shouts meanwhile. ‘Calm down, and we can talk!’

‘You’re saying that now, Ge,’ the demon drawls sweetly, ‘but you keep avoiding me. So you can’t be surprised that I finally visit you at home, hm?’ She takes a step forward, another lightning hitting the wall right behind her. Pei Ming and Mu Qing raise their swords.

‘Why don’t you just attack her?’ He Xuan whispers to Xie Lian. With all these martial gods one calamity shouldn’t pose a huge threat. ‘Is she really that dangerous?’

‘She is, but mostly, I don’t think Water Master actually wants her hurt. And if this turns into a proper fight…’

‘All these handsome men here to see the poor old me,’ Dark Storm giggles. ‘It’s unnecessary, Ge. If you just came with me…’

Suddenly she’s right next to Shi Wudu in a few light jumps. She dodges the swords lunged at her with the grace of a dancer, and only after a long moment He Xuan realises he kept standing in place, entranced by the spectacle, while Xie Lian ran forward.

‘You’re so hard to reach, Ge!’ Dark Storm retreats and looks around, shining eyes focusing on He Xuan. ‘Ah, who do we have here?’ She walks towards him, keeping Xie Lian and others away with the cracking lightning following her. ‘A literature god? Did the Upper Court run out of martial gods to fight me already?’

‘He Xuan, run!’ Xie Lian screams.

‘Ah, there’s really no need,’ Dark Storm laughs. She’s so close, He Xuan can see all the details of her rich silver robes. ‘Why would I harm a defenceless creature like him? Actually,’ she wraps an ice-cold arm around his waist, ‘I have an idea. If Ge doesn’t want to come with me, I’ll take this one instead. He’s handsome enough. He can keep me company for a while, and we’ll all talk when you come to pick him up!’

The demon’s pearly laugh seems to grow louder and louder as a rain of lightning falls around them. He Xuan can make out Xie Lian trying to tell him something, Ling Wen and the others running into the hall, but they’re all too late. Dark Storm is lifted by a strong gust of wind far above the Water Master’s palace, He Xuan shivering in her arms.

‘No, really, what were you doing there?’ She says suddenly straight into his ear, her breath freezing.

‘I’m an idiot,’ is all that He Xuan can say, because that’s all he’s thinking.

‘But you’re not, and that’s the point,’ Dark Storm Destroying Cities says with a smile. ‘I know who you are, He Xuan. I keep up with your heavenly affairs thanks to Crimson Rain. I know that all these silly soldiers need you to count their money, so they’ll come for you, including my brother, who must think this is all his fault… Which is true.’

He Xuan feels a particularly strong shiver running down his spine as she adds, ‘And he’ll make up for it, whether he wants it or not.’

‘Why don’t you eat? You don’t like the food?’

Shi Qingxuan has ordered his half-bird ghost servants to prepare the best they had. It is the welcoming feast of his new guest, after all. Countless types of dumplings and stews decorate the table of his main hall, top quality that only Crimson Rain’s money can buy.

At the thought of money Shi Qingxuan sighs. The debts… Soon he might have to invade another city a bit too devoted to his brother and appropriate its riches.

‘Do you think you could help me with budgeting now that you’re here, He Xuan? Ah, He Xuan is a pretty name, but so serious! Well, you are serious. And pretty. I’ll call you He-xiong, though. I’m sure after spending some time together we will become the best of friends!’

He Xuan’s golden eyes widen in shock. Still, he doesn’t say anything, just looks away, the long straight ponytail brushing his shoulder.

Shi Qingxuan sighs again. Why couldn’t he get someone else as a hostage? Serious and pretty, a quiet literature god. This brings back memories.

When he was still a mortal, Shi Qingxuan worked for a while as a waitress at a tavern, disguised in female clothes; yet another pitiful attempt to hide from the Reverend of Empty Words. There was a young man, a beginning scholar, who came to the tavern once with his friends and then kept coming back, alone, studying his scrolls always at the same table. He stared at Shi Qingxuan when he thought the other wasn’t looking. Qingxuan allowed himself to flirt a little, the young scholar was so shy and quiet, handsome and easily embarrassed, it made his work a bit easier to bear.

One day Shi Qingxuan left the tavern after the end of his shift and found the scholar waiting for him.

‘Are you surprised I’m not wearing a dress?’ Qingxuan laughed.

‘What? No!’ The scholar blushed. ‘I… Can I walk you home?’

Shi Qingxuan had never planned for them to reach his home, a rather disgusting room he rented in the slums of the city. But as they kissed under blooming apple trees he assumed the young scholar got what he wanted, for now.

Next day Shi Qingxuan swept the floor and cleaned the tables overwhelmed with feelings. On one hand, he felt guilty, almost going mad with worry, especially as the scholar didn’t show up at his usual time. On the other hand, he couldn’t remember if he ever was so happy before. Please, let me have just this one thing, Qingxuan whispered. Brother, if you can hear me, help me… I will move out, I will disappear, but give me one more kiss. Just let me see him once again.

In the end, he did.

As Shi Qingxuan walked home through the park, he saw a dark shape on the ground, under the apple trees. He almost convinced himself not to look closer. Deep inside he already knew who it was.

He must had been screaming, incoherent cries about his terrible luck and cursed fate, because soon he was surrounded by people. They assumed Shi Qingxuan was responsible for the murder and robbery of the man he cradled in his arms. Qingxuan couldn’t explain himself, blabbering, eyes fixed on the scrolls the robbers didn’t take. He didn’t have any money on him, not to mention stolen money, but people said he probably worked with others, and well, now he was there to take all the blame…

Shi Qingxuan was let out of prison finally, a withered husk of a man, and managed to move cities a few times before succumbing to his fate. He experienced much worse crimes and more extreme suffering. But he never dared to fall in love again. He didn’t even dare to look at a living person with warm emotion.

Still, ending these robbers’ lives with a torturous death, once he came back as a vengeful ghost and tracked them down… Now, that was a nice, satisfying feeling.

‘Have you ever been in love, He-xiong?’

‘I had a fiancée, but I ascended before we could marry,’ He Xuan answers, nonplussed. ‘She chose not to follow me.’

‘She was wise,’ Shi Qingxuan hums. ‘Nothing fun about centuries of prolonged confusion and resentment. Or maybe that’s just me,’ he giggles. ‘Although I imagine heaven also has its downsides, hmm?’

He Xuan doesn’t reply.

‘In any case, He-xiong, surely you’ll enjoy being here! I have feasts like this one whenever I want, wind plays the most beautiful music, my winged friends dance for me. Can you dance?... Ah, you’re silent again, so silent! I thought literature gods were supposed to be eloquent.’

‘I prefer writing.’

‘Ah, of course! That’s also nice. You can write a story for me and read it out loud, that will be fun, no? Please, do that! Can you promise me, that you’ll write for me?’

‘And what if I don’t?’ He Xuan asks quietly, golden eyes defiant. He’s so cute, Shi Qingxuan has to laugh.

‘Then I’ll kill you, what did you expect? I look young and pretty, but I’m a terrifying demon king after all! Do you know how many ghosts I had to defeat at Tonglu?’ Shi Qingxuan stands up and walks over to He Xuan, forcing the god to look up at him. ‘I was there completely alone for years, expecting the next creature that shows up to murder me. But I always won, in the end. I could kill you in an instant, He-xiong. Aren’t you scared?’ Qingxuan touches his exposed neck lightly. It’s so warm.  

He Xuan looks down. He doesn’t move; as Shi Qingxuan traces his shoulder, he can feel the warm body stiffen.

‘You’re not much of a company!’ Shi Qingxuan laughs, returning to his seat. ‘But I’m quite lonely, so you will do. And if you write nice stories for me, you’ll be rewarded. I’ll give your friends more time to get here, I might take you for a trip. Wouldn’t that be amusing?’

‘You won’t kill me,’ He Xuan says darkly. ‘If I’m dead, there’s no reason for your brother and the others to come here.’

‘Oh, but they wouldn’t know, would they? You can’t communicate with them, I made sure of that. Whatever weak spiritual powers you have are useless here. You can’t escape. And, in a way, wouldn’t it be even more amusing if they arrive here, fight with me, get tired and wounded, only to discover your cold, lifeless body? Haha! I can imagine my brother, being all “Qingxuan, now you have really crossed a line, killing a god!” Hahaha, such a hypocrite! As if you fancy bunch were worth so much more than humans, as if we ghosts mustn’t dare to even look at you! What do you know about life? You were a brilliant thinker, no? Sheltered your whole life, read more books than met people. But ah, good for you, because people are cruel! So cruel, you can’t imagine, literature god! What do you know about suffering?!’

He Xuan leans back in his chair, a confused expression on his face, and Shi Qingxuan realises how loud he’s been screaming. Strong wind has thrown the windows open and messed up the food on the table. The winged ghosts above them fly around in chaotic circles. Outside, a thunder cracks close to the castle.

Shi Qingxuan raises his hand and the wind calms down. The ghosts assume their previous positions, only one half-bird landing next to the table.

‘Please show our guest to his room,’ Shi Qingxuan says with a tired voice. He pours himself more wine.

‘I’ll write a story for you,’ He Xuan says suddenly before leaving.

‘Of course you will, He-xiong,’ Shi Qingxuan smiles weakly.

‘…And so the empress could finally forget about her past. The end.’

‘Is that it?’ Shi Qingxuan raises from the pillows, rubbing her eyes. ‘The ending was disappointing, He-xiong! I can feel you didn’t try your best! Dare I say… It was a bit boring!’

‘It made you cry,’ He Xuan points out, because he was quite shocked and proud to notice that and can’t leave it unmentioned.

‘My tears don’t mean anything! You should’ve learned by now. Anyway, I want you to try and write something ambitious. A story, or a poem, it doesn’t matter. But I want meaning! I’m too old for empty entertainment. Although I don’t look a day over twenty, for sure…’

He Xuan stifles a yawn. He would be lying if he said the calamity didn’t fascinate him a little bit, but by heavens, she could be so taxing.

‘Anyway, back to the topic. If you write something truly special, He-xiong, I’ll take you with me to Crimson Rain’s party in Ghost City.’

Now, that’s more interesting. Of course Hua Cheng being married to Xie Lian doesn’t necessarily mean that he’ll be helpful, but maybe He Xuan will be able to pass on a message, some strategic information about Dark Storm’s lair…

He Xuan nods and attempts a smile, and Shi Qingxuan pats him on the shoulder with her demonic fan in what must be a gesture of endearment. As she walks away, she transforms into her male form, and He Xuan realises he doesn’t know which one he prefers. Both are equally beautiful, in different ways.

Now. These are thoughts he certainly shouldn’t tolerate in his current situation.

He walks around the castle aimlessly. It’s a fortress high in the mountains, with no way to reach it other than flying. He Xuan doesn’t even have a sword on which he could fly – not that he could manage that, or have any other use for a sword. Really, his only weapons are his words and his brain, and he’ll try to use both in an attempt to come out of this alive.

It amuses him to think about the administrative chaos that must surely reign in the Upper Court, with Ling Wen, almost ready for her banishment, being forced back to bookkeeping duty. He does feel sorry for her; she and, surprisingly enough, Xie Lian might be the only gods he could call his friends. They are also the only ones capable of logical thought. Well, there’s Shi Wudu, but he has never used his brains for anything else than making himself rich…

Or did he? He Xuan wanders under the high ceilings, searching for clues about Shi Qingxuan’s past.

The talkative calamity keeps annoyingly quiet about the details of his mortal life, or even the lead-up to Mount Tonglu. He Xuan knows bits and pieces of the story: Shi Wudu’s younger brother was haunted by the Reverend of Empty Words since birth, extremely unlucky. Shi Wudu must’ve made attempts at saving Qingxuan, but he failed even after he ascended, and then continued to be pestered by his sibling, now a vengeful calamity, for hundreds of years.

A cursed fate, a voice always whispering the worst possible scenarios into your ear. A brother who’s the fortunate god of wealth, his temples magnificent in every city. Centuries of loneliness. No wonder Dark Storm is so volatile.

What does make He Xuan wonder, though, is why exactly is the demon king still lonely? The mountain castle seems empty except for the winged ghosts who chirp and screech with inhuman voices. There are libraries filled with books covered in dust, ballrooms with furniture set aside. He Xuan has been to Ghost City with Xie Lian, he saw the streets bustling with life. And that was the territory of Hua Cheng, an unbearable bastard, mean to everyone except for his husband. Surely someone like Shi Qingxuan, who obviously loves company and attention, should live in an even more busy place?

‘Why is this place so empty?’ He Xuan asks during dinner, straight to the point, after being subjected to yet another monologue about what a great friend he is, although his stories tend to be too long and have too many descriptions of nature.

‘Oh?’ Shi Qingxuan pretends to be very interested in his glass of wine, then bursts with laughter. ‘Why, I kill all of my guests, of course!’

‘Stop joking,’ He Xuan says, and before the calamity can protest he adds slyly: ‘If we’re supposed to be friends, you need to be honest with me.’

‘But… but that’s not fun, He-xiong!’

‘That’s the only kind of fun I know.’

‘Oh, now that you decided to say more than two words at once, you have to be annoying.’

He Xuan notices the anger sparkling in Shi Qingxuan’s eyes, he feels the air circling faster around the hall. Still, he continues: ‘Surely someone as attractive and funny as you should have people around him all the time?’

‘What!...’ The demon actually blushes, on the tips of his pointy ears. ‘Don’t flatter me, He-xiong! Stop this instant!’

‘Why? You keep saying I’m smart and good-looking, why can’t I say that you’re beautiful, fascinating, power…’

‘Stop! Shut up!’ Shi Qingxuan screams, and again there’s thunder and lightning outside. One of his icy hands grabs He Xuan’s shoulder, then suddenly the demon shakes with forced laughter. ‘I don’t even care if you live or die, okay? Not at all!’

It takes a while for the storm to calm down. When it does, He Xuan puts his hand on Shi Qingxuan’s fingers, shuddering from the cold.

‘You’re afraid that if you do start caring, I will die immediately, right? But didn’t you defeat the Reverend of the Empty Words long ago?’

‘How…’ Shi Qingxuan steps back, the air around him buzzing with electricity. ‘Of course I did!’

‘Then why are you afraid? Is it all still in your head?’

This time the thunder is so loud He Xuan jumps a little in his seat.

‘Get out! Leave… right now!’ Shi Qingxuan’s voice is deafening and for the first time He Xuan finds him truly scary, his face deadly pale, storm gathering at his hands. It’s easy to imagine the demon king demolishing whole cities, as he often did in the past.

He Xuan wants to apologise, but the words die in his throat and he runs away to his room. Behind him he can hear the stones falling as in an avalanche.

He stays in the room – two bookcases, a huge desk and a very comfortable bed – for the next three days as the storm rages on.

‘I’m sorry for keeping you confined here, He-xiong,’ Shi Qingxuan says when she shows up on the fourth day in the morning, hair braided elegantly and jewels around her neck. ‘I just finished rebuilding the main hall. I hope you’re not too hungry.’

‘No, Shi Qingxuan, I’m-‘

‘Not a word!’ She sing-songs and twirls with a smile, gesturing at him to follow her. ‘Unless you want to tell me about the progress you’re making on that special piece you’re writing for me.’

‘Actually… I’m almost done.’

Still, it takes He Xuan a couple more days to be relatively satisfied with his poem. Once he deems it ready, Shi Qingxuan insists it should be read out loud in anf extravagant chamber he calls “the reading room”, with gilded flowery wallpaper and windows open to the mountainous landscape.

‘I’m so excited,’ the demon beams. He seems to have dressed up especially for this occasion, in deep green robes which suit him well.

‘Please, don’t expect too much. I’m writing in a style very characteristic for my homeland, and…’

‘Oh, stop downplaying yourself, He-xiong! Just hurry up and read. Even if it’s terrible, I’ll pretend otherwise, don’t worry!’

He Xuan clears his throat and focuses on the scroll in his hands, rather than on Shi Qingxuan’s otherworldly face.

‘Tell me to speak, and I’ll shout,

Hold my hand, and I’ll break into pieces.

Though I might drown, opening my mouth,

I’ll pull you with me, falling even deeper.

My heart is ice, waiting to be broken,

Rivers of blood are clearer than my tears.

If your devotion bids my eyes to open,

Will they outshine the abyss of my fear?’

Shi Qingxuan remains silent for a long while and He Xuan wonders whether he should run away (but, where to?).

‘I’m sorry, He-xiong,’ the calamity exclaims finally, and He Xuan is relieved to hear his teasing voice, ‘but this is terrible! What is it supposed to be, a love poem? I didn’t think you were so sentimental! Plus, it’s simply untrue. I’ve never heard you shout, and- ‘

Suddenly his voice trails off, eyes wide open. He Xuan does his best to hold his gaze.

‘Ah, anyway, give it to me! It’s terrible, but it will do. I really want to go to Crimson Rain’s party, and I can’t leave you alone, can I? Although,’ Shi Qingxuan smiles mischievously, ‘I have one special condition… What, won’t you ask what it is?’

He Xuan rolls his eyes. ‘What’s the condition?’

‘Oh, it’s simple! I want you to come disguised. As a female you.’

‘Okay,’ He Xuan shrugs. That’s even better: he’ll be able to move around more freely, unrecognised.

‘Okay?’ Obviously, Shi Qingxuan has been prepared for a fight and is now disappointed by the lack of it. ‘Well, then we better get down to it. I’ll help you with the transformation.’

‘Now?’

‘Ah, yes, the party is tomorrow and it will take us a while to get to Ghost City… I want to fly in style, no stupid distance-shortening arrays, hahaha. So, He-xiong, are you ready?’

He Xuan nods, unsure what to expect. A blue light flashes over him and in the next second Shi Qingxuan seems quite tall.

‘Oh, damn me! You’re so cute!’ The demon king squeals, looking down at He Xuan.

There’s no mirror, so He Xuan can only stare at her tiny feet and even tinier hands. Then she feels up her breasts, which are also rather small, the fabric of her robes gaping over them.

‘Hahaha, the look on your face!’ Shi Qingxuan is clearly entertained. ‘I can make them bigger, if you want? Although I really like them this size. Besides, I want you to wear something else, anyway…’

Before He Xuan gets the chance to tell the demon off for staring at her bosom, he produces a magnificent blue gown seemingly out of thin air.

‘This, and golden jewellery, of course… Please change into the dress first. I won’t look.’ He turns away and makes a show of covering his eyes.

‘You won’t be a woman?’ He Xuan asks, slipping into the luxurious fabric.

‘Not for this occasion! Folks in Ghost City almost never see me in this form, so I shouldn’t attract much attention. And we don’t want that, or any unexpected heavenly guests, hm? We’re just going there to have some fun, and maybe pester Crimson Rain for money…’ Shi Qingxuan adds the last part under his breath.

They walk to the roof, and once they’re there He Xuan understands what was meant by “flying in style”.

There’s a huge carriage waiting, with a pillowed seat big enough for two people to lie next to each other. It’s decorated with silvery ornaments and green drapes, and eight winged ghosts are waiting to pull it, four on each side.

‘After you,’ Shi Qingxuan winks and He Xuan enters the carriage, leaning on his hand.

Once they ascend, He Xuan turns away from the snowy peaks visible behind the green curtains.

‘Don’t be scared,’ Shi Qingxuan laughs. ‘Even if we start falling, you won’t crash as long as you’re with me!’ He swings his folded fan as if it was a sword.

‘I’m not scared,’ He Xuan mutters, which only leads to another outburst of laughter from Qingxuan.

‘Come here, He-xiong… Or rather Jie, hahaha.’ The demon king pulls her towards him, so close He Xuan can feel the cold all over her back, and no, this doesn’t affect her composure. Not at all. ‘I’ll do your hair! Do you want a braid, or a bun? Two buns, maybe? Ah, let’s try all of them! We have time…’

‘I’m embarrassed to ask, Crimson Rain… But I’m going through a difficult time. Could I, maybe- ‘

‘You want money? What a surprise. And here I thought you came to enjoy my company.’

‘I did! I always do,’ Shi Qingxuan flutters his eyelashes. ‘How could I miss the party of the second most handsome ghost king?’

‘You’re unbearable,’ Hua Cheng says, yet he’s laughing, clearly in a good mood tonight. ‘I prefer you in this form, but still, you know very well that I’m taken.’

‘Yeah, it’s hard to miss,’ Qingxuan looks towards the golden statue of Xie Lian towering over the casino hall. ‘Speaking of which, where is your better half?’

‘Not here. I’ve heard about the mess you made in the Upper Court, Stormy. Your new girlfriend already asked me if I’m on her side.’

‘She’s just a hostage,’ Shi Qingxuan says a bit too quickly, following Hua Cheng’s line of sight to the table where some ghosts are entertaining He Xuan with card tricks. She frowns adorably, likely determined to uncover their deceit.

‘Really? I assumed you needed the money to buy more party dresses for her.’

‘What, no! Anyway, I brought her here to prevent them from taking her away in my absence. She’s bait. Or are you actually on your in-laws’ side, Crimson Rain?’

‘I’m neutral. You know, I’m doing you a favour. His highness talked to me about this, he’s apparently friends with your pretty literature god…’

Shi Qingxuan narrows his eyes. Friends? So He Xuan is able to build lasting relationships with people, or at least other gods, confide in them, exchange thoughts, maybe even write poems…

‘Fuck, okay, this is fun,’ Hua Cheng says with a crooked smile. ‘You may borrow whatever amount you need if it means I can watch you getting jealous.’

‘What? That’s nonsense,’ Shi Qingxuan laughs. ‘Anyway, I’m bored with all this talking! Can we finally dance?’

Hua Cheng claps his hands and the casino changes into a ballroom, lights dimming and a band of swine-ghosts taking its place on a decorated stage. The gathered crowd cheers in excitement.

As the first dance starts, Shi Qingxuan approaches He Xuan. She’s uncharacteristically flushed. ‘Everything okay, Jie?’

‘I… think so,’ He Xuan looks up slowly. Her golden eyes are hazy.

‘Ah, did you have too much to drink, perhaps? Hahaha, you need to be careful, my friend. Whatever you have in heaven is no match for a proper Ghost City cocktail! Wait… sit here. I’ll get you water.’

Shi Qingxuan walks to the bar, but someone steps in front of him.

‘Who am I seeing! How do you even dare to show your face around here, I have no fucking idea…’

The demon king blinks, trying to remember that ghost woman. She’s wearing dark make-up and a sort of glistening cobweb for a dress.

‘Well, I’m sorry, dear,’ he says, figuring he must be guilty of something. He’s been in similar situations before. ‘I’ve been… busy the past few… months?’

‘Stop talking! I’m not buying your sweet words and charming looks anymore,’ the ghost says and slaps him with a cobweb-clad hand. Then she disappears in a puff of smoke.

Shi Qingxuan touches his sticky cheek, somewhat shocked. Thankfully, it’s dark and he’s rarely recognised in his male form; no one really pays attention to him.

Except for Hua Cheng, who’s suddenly nearby, sipping on a blood-red drink.

‘I guess I do keep you entertained tonight, eh, Crimson Rain! Do you even check who’s on your guest list?’

‘Not really,’ the lord of Ghost City shrugs. ‘It’s a celebration for my subjects. Besides, if I had to exclude every undead creature you had a drunken one night stand with-’

‘Quiet, please,’ Shi Qingxuan groans. ‘I swear, I don’t know how this keeps happening!’

‘Well, maybe if you drank less wine and stopped being such a flirt…’

Shi Qingxuan looks around quickly. Even if one of the reasons he attends Hua Cheng’s parties is to flirt shamelessly, he’s not in the mood right now. And he certainly hopes He Xuan didn’t hear any of this.

‘Wait. Crimson Rain, have you seen He Xuan?’

‘Why would I? With the way you looked at her, I would be probably hit by a lightning if I got too close.’

‘Shut up. Oh, damn it! What if she escaped?’

Hua Cheng shrugs, and Shi Qingxuan remembers he’s on his own. He searches the hall, swerving through the boisterous dancers, but the literature god isn’t there. That leaves only one option.

She’s outside, alone in the night streets of Ghost City.

He Xuan doesn’t really have a plan. Still, Dark Storm being distracted seems like a chance too good to miss, and she’s a god (goddess?) after all. She leaves the casino, her steps wobbly, and no one stops her.

Even in the drunken haze, which frankly makes thinking very difficult, she realises she’s safer if she remains on the crowded streets. If she just follows the direction most ghosts are going, maybe she can reach the city gates…

‘Fresh human legs, boiled, fried, marinated!’ One of the food stall owners advertises his products loudly. ‘Human legs, the best in Ghost City!’

Ew, He Xuan thinks, and at the same time someone pulls her wrist. When she brings it up, the golden bracelets are gone.

That’s not good. They were Shi Qingxuan’s bracelets.

He Xuan looks around furiously. Surely the thief can’t be too far away. She notices a shadow running left into a side street, and follows as quickly as she can.

Only when she finds herself alone in the dark alley does she realise her mistake.

‘Hm, who do we have here?’ An inhumanely pitched voice says as a strong arm grabs her. ‘So much gold. And the dress is expensive as well. Are you lost, princess?’

‘Get off me or you’ll regret it,’ He Xuan hisses and summons all her spiritual power.

She knows she isn’t a martial god, but still it’s surprising when nothing happens. The ghostly voice laughs.

Oh, right. That’s why Ling Wen always changes into her male form before a fight. She has far fewer believers as a woman.

And He Xuan has exactly none.

She tries to go back to her usual form, but can’t replicate whatever trick Shi Qingxuan used. As a tall disfigured shape emerges from the shadows, He Xuan accepts that her initial act of idiocy at Water Master’s palace has led to this shameful end. Really, it’s a fair punishment for someone who supposedly ascended thanks to their wits.

‘I can give you the jewellery, but it isn’t mine,’ she argues anyway. ‘It belongs to a very, very powerful ghost. And he won’t be happy if you harm me!’

‘A powerful ghost? Unless you’re a mistress of Hua Chengzhu himself, he can’t be more powerful than me. And we both know you aren’t, so…’

‘No, it’s another calamity! Dark Storm! Shi Qingxuan!’ He Xuan calls, amplifying the cry with a simple spell she knows. Her aggressor laughs at her screams, and He Xuan wonders if it wouldn’t be better to just die rather than beg a calamity for help while claiming she’s his mistress.

‘If you refuse to be quiet, I’ll have to shut you up,’ the creature says, and He Xuan closes her eyes, prepared for the hit.

It doesn’t come. Instead, cold wind blows over her.

When she opens her eyes, the rather gross-looking monster lies on the ground beheaded, and Shi Qingxuan is cleaning the blood off his fan.

‘You’re lucky I was nearby, I could barely hear you,’ the demon king sighs. ‘Why did you run away, hm?’

The stress leaving He Xuan’s body somehow contributes to her drunkenness; she can’t control herself anymore. ‘Why did I run away?! You kidnapped me! I have no idea why you keep thinking that we’re friends, just because you dress me up and force me to write things!’

‘Oh, so you can shout- ‘

‘Stop joking! You’re the one who brought me here and rendered me powerless!’

‘Powerless?’ Shi Qingxuan blinks a few times, then a realisation strikes him. ‘Ah, of course. You’re right, that was a bit irresponsible of me. Wait…’

A flash of light and He Xuan is back to his male form. He immediately tries to enter the Upper Court communication array, but Qingxuan must have found a way to keep it blocked even here.

‘You got awfully quiet, He-xiong.’

‘I’m… suddenly very sober,’ He Xuan says, a bit embarrassed about his outburst.

‘No wonder, you’re a head taller now,’ Shi Qingxuan giggles. ‘Anyway, it’s time to go. You must be tired.’

He Xuan wonders if he should try to run away, but he’s no match for a calamity and, indeed, he can barely walk from tiredness. He follows Shi Qingxuan to the silver carriage, which awaits them around the corner.

‘Why are you laughing?’

‘Your clothes, He-xiong…’

He Xuan frowns, examining the state of himself. The dark blue dress has ripped around his shoulders and is now much too short, revealing his skinny ankles. 

‘Take this,’ Shi Qingxuan says, wrapping a silver cloak around him as they settle in the carriage. ‘I know the air around me can get a bit chilly, hahaha.’

‘It was stupid of me to attempt an escape,’ He Xuan mumbles, half-asleep. They’re flying over the roofs of the Ghost City, a starry sky above them.

‘You’ll be back at your home in the clouds soon, hm?’ Shi Qingxuan’s hand is pleasantly cool on his forehead.

‘I’m just bait, and you said earlier you might as well kill me. Why did you save me?’

‘Shhh. Sleep, He-xiong.’

‘So you’re more book-smart than street-smart, am I right?’

‘Yes, you’re right,’ He Xuan answers, rolling his eyes. He’s unbearably cute when annoyed. ‘I’m a literature god. Congratulations for figuring that out.’

‘No, but really!’ Shi Qingxuan takes a second serving of the stew, which is magnificent, if she says so herself. ‘Getting drunk in an unfamiliar territory, that wasn’t very reasonable.’

‘Considering I had literally one drink that night, I wouldn’t be surprised if you had something to do with how strong it was.’

‘Me, He-xiong?’ Qingxuan is almost offended. ‘What a ridiculous idea! If I wanted to get you drunk, I could do it here, where I have an unlimited access to you. Hahaha.’

He Xuan looks away, and Shi Qingxuan wonders if she has overstepped some boundaries. She’s just joking and she hopes he knows that; she doesn’t want to threaten him at this point.

She’s pretty sure in a few days he’ll be gone.

‘Anyway, my question was strategic. I need to know how much of a threat you’ll be when my brother arrives.’

‘You should worry about the martial gods, not me.’

‘Hmmm, I don’t know! They can be even less rational than you are, and you know my weak spots.’

‘Yeah, I can make you lose control.’ He Xuan smiles sarcastically. ‘A great way to bury us all under rubble.’

‘He-xiooong! Ah, my heart! Please, do that again!’

‘Do what?’

Shi Qingxuan tightens her fists. ‘Ah, stop teasing me… Smile for me, dummy!’

The literature god rolls his eyes again, but he does smile, slightly, as if he can’t help it. Shi Qingxuan squeals and grabs his hand.

To her surprise, He Xuan doesn’t move away.

‘You’re warm,’ he says with a frown.

‘Am I?! Then it works!’

‘What works?’

‘A trick, Crimson Rain sent me a scroll with instructions… I think he was trying to make fun of me, but who’s laughing now, hahaha?’

‘…’

‘Me, of course!’ Shi Qingxuan beams and takes her hand back. All this excitement has become a bit too much to handle, so she changes the topic. ‘Do you think they miss you in heaven, He-xiong?’

‘Heaven should be fine without me. I’m more worried about my believers.’

‘Right, silly me! Could it be possible for you to answer their prayers from here?’

‘Well, maybe, if you unblock the communication arrays.’

‘That’s too risky. But we can think of a way! Although, at this point…’

‘You’re really expecting them soon, aren’t you?’ He Xuan narrows his beautiful eyes. ‘All this talk about your brother, you’re in your stronger form all the time. What makes you so sure?’

‘Eh, to be honest, He-xiong, I don’t believe our visit in Ghost City could’ve gone unnoticed. It must hurt their cherished pride, to have me parade one of them around. And… I just feel it, you know? I feel that our days together are numbered, alas! Admit it, you’ll miss me? At least a little bit?’

He Xuan tightens his lips and looks away. Fair enough, Shi Qingxuan thinks. She should stop deluding herself.

She already got more than she’s ever hoped for.

He Xuan is reading an old scroll about the mechanics of flying when the whole castle shakes with an impact.

Ah. That’s it, then.

He looks out of the window; it’s still peaceful out there. The fight must be focused on the other side of the building. Several smaller hits follow, and soon the sky darkens. He Xuan hears the familiar thunder.

He wonders if he should leave his room, but apparently that’s yet another decision taken for him. Fast steps echo in the hallway and the door is kicked open.

‘He Xuan! Thank heavens, you’re alive!’ It’s Xie Lian, in white robes and with an unsheathed sword in his hand. He Xuan makes a sound between a sob and a laugh as the other god embraces him. ‘Now let’s get you out of here…’

Xie Lian grabs his wrist and He Xuan follows, throwing a last look at what has been his room for the past few weeks. He’ll miss the window view.

They run through the corridors. He Xuan realises the fight goes on in the great hall where he had so many feasts with the calamity.

As they arrive there, the whole eastern wall is already blown off, rain and lightning falling inside. Chaotic wind gusts centre around Shi Qingxuan, hordes of winged ghosts helping her with the fight. Mu Qing and Feng Xin are rendered useless, dealing with the ghosts; only Pei Ming tries to free Shi Wudu out of a huge metal cage in which he’s captured.

‘I’m going to watch over you properly this time,’ Xie Lian says and they stop at a distance, He Xuan shielded by the shorter god.

‘Hahaha, you’re all so arrogant, thinking you can defeat me in my territory!’ Shi Qingxuan waves her black fan and Pei Ming hits the wall with a loud thud. ‘I’m happy you decided to finally visit me, Ge! Now we can talk.’

‘Okay, let’s talk,’ Shi Wudu says, probably because he doesn’t have any other choice. ‘What do you have to tell me?’

‘Ha, what a great question! Where do I even start! Maybe at the moment when you, a god, abandoned me, a cursed mortal, all these centuries ago?’ A single lightning hits threateningly close to Shi Wudu’s cage.

‘I tried to save you, Qingxuan! I swear I did, I tried everything… I was a god, yes, but I was young and unexperienced. Save of unspeakable crimes, harming innocent people, nothing could save you from the Reverend!’

‘You think that’s why I’m angry?’ Shi Qingxuan scoffs, her wide smile terrifying. ‘You think I’m angry because I’ve been beaten, and starving, and kicked down hundreds of times? Because nothing I attempted ended well, and that voice in my head never let me believe it could? Because everyone I dared to love, or like, met a gruesome end? Or maybe because I had to die full of resentment so strong I came back as a ghost, and then became… this, searching for something I’m sure I’ll never find?’ She stops, out of words, and He Xuan notices the tears glistening in her eyes. ‘Ah, Ge! If you think so, that all I want is revenge for failing to save me, then I’ve truly, truly lost!’

‘Please tell me then, Qingxuan,’ Shi Wudu says, fingers wrapping around the metal bars. ‘Tell me what you want from me.’

‘I’ve always wanted you… just to talk to me.’ Shi Qingxuan kneels next to the cage, staring blankly at her winged servants swarming the martial gods. ‘Do you know how lonely I was, first hated as a human, then a desperate ghost? I never really expected you to save me. But when I left Tonglu, thinking I can finally reach you, and you kept avoiding me, not a word from you, the only person left who, I had hoped, could care for me…’

‘Qingxuan… I’m so sorry. I misunderstood you. And I felt guilty for failing to help you, I- ‘

‘Then help me now, Ge!’ The calamity looks up, tears streaming down her cheeks, and the metal cage disappears. ‘I… It’s tearing me apart, being so alone.’

She changes to her male form, which is a more chaotic version of Shi Wudu. Lord Water Master steps forward and awkwardly embraces his brother, who starts sobbing in his arms.

‘I’m sorry, Qingxuan, really sorry.’

‘And I’m sorry for destroying your temples, Ge, and all these cities, I was just so angry! I still am, but with you… Will you stay with me?’

‘Water Master-xiong, what the fuck are you doing?!’ Pei Ming shouts. He has managed to cut through the winged ghosts, their corpses scattered around him. ‘Move back! It’s dangerous!’

‘Stay with you, Qingxuan?’ Shi Wudu frowns.

‘Yes!’ Shi Qingxuan smiles, eyes bright. ‘I have so much to tell you, we’ll be talking all day and night! Now that we understand each other, you’ll stay with me forever, Ge, am I right? So much fun, I- ‘

‘Move back!’ Pei Ming separates the two brothers, and Shi Qingxuan seems surprised to see him.

‘Ah, do I have to fight you again, martial god? That’s unnecessary. Tell him you’re staying with me, Ge!’

‘Qingxuan…’ Shi Wudu avoids his burning gaze. The calamity takes a few unsteady steps. ‘No, Pei Ming, wait!’

But it’s too late: Pei Ming’s sword has already fallen, leaving a gushing wound in Shi Qingxuan’s side. ‘You must be truly insane, Dark Storm!’ The general shouts. ‘Your brother is a god, and for the past centuries you brought nothing but destruction! You kidnapped one of us, and now you want to imprison your own brother as well?!’

‘What? No! Tell him that’s not true, that it’s not like this, Ge!’

‘I’m sorry, Qingxuan.’ Shi Wudu joins Pei Ming’s side and the hysterical smile disappears from Shi Qingxuan’s face. He touches his wounded ribs, as if he only felt them now.

‘Ah, so that’s how it is,’ the calamity says, looking at his bloody fingers. ‘You want to hurt me again?! But I’ll hurt you, I’ll hurt all of you!’

He swings his fan, sending Pei Ming and Shi Wudu tumbling, yet at the same time one of Feng Xin’s arrows hits his thigh. Most of the winged ghosts are defeated, and Shi Qingxuan has to fight against three martial gods at once. Only Shi Wudu stands aside, his fan folded, eyes closed.

He Xuan watches the demon king receive hit after hit, apparently unable to steer wind or strike lightings anymore, though still fighting desperately. His silver robes are soaked with blood.

‘Don’t worry, he’s a ghost,’ Xie Lian says quietly when He Xuan averts his eyes. He realises he must’ve been squeezing Xie Lian’s arm. ‘They can’t kill him.’

But he’s in pain, so much pain, He Xuan thinks.

Finally, Shi Qingxuan staggers and falls. Mu Qing takes out last of the half-bird creatures, and the air around the castle calms down. It’s still raining, though; the sky remains grey.

‘Okay, time to go,’ Pei Ming says, positioning himself and the silent Shi Wudu on his sword. ‘Xie Lian, He Xuan, you’re ready?’

‘We can leave now,’ Xie Lian says gently. But He Xuan can’t stop looking at the fallen calamity, who’s lying lifelessly, facing the ground.

‘I’m staying.’

‘What?’ Xie Lian starts, and from the distance Mu Qing shouts: ‘Hurry up! What’s taking you two so long?’

‘I’m staying here, your highness. I’m sorry for causing you all trouble. Ling Wen can send me bookkeeping scrolls, if it gets too much…’

‘He Xuan, it’s dangerous, you saw yourself! I don’t know- ’

‘Your highness. Xie Lian. Please!’ He Xuan tries to make his feelings visible on his face. ‘You’re the only one here who can understand.’

They look into each other’s eyes in silence.

‘Okay.’ Xie Lian nods finally. ‘The communication arrays shouldn’t be blocked, at this point. Let me know if you need anything.’ He turns to the others. ‘We’re leaving without He Xuan.’

‘What?! What was the fucking point, then,’ Feng Xin exclaims, but Pei Ming just makes a dismissive gesture:

‘Whatever, I’m done with this place. I’m not coming back, that’s for sure.’

They fly away. Xie Lian is the last to step on his sword, his expression still full of concern. He Xuan bids him goodbye with a pathetic small wave.

As soon as they’re alone, he runs to Shi Qingxuan. The calamity’s eyes are closed. He doesn’t awake when He Xuan wipes the blood away from his face, nor when he gets picked up and carried inside the castle.

I’m with you, He Xuan thinks, his hands still slippery even though he’s tended to most of Shi Qingxuan’s wounds. It takes him a while to realise that they’re wet with his own tears.

Shi Qingxuan wakes up in a room he doesn’t recognise. Bookshelves, a desk, the high ceiling typical for his fortress… A dark figure at the window, golden earrings glistening in the morning sun. Ah.

‘He-xiong…’ Shi Qingxuan croaks. His throat is completely dried out and there are bandages all over his body. ‘It’s your room, right? Why am I here?’

‘You never showed me the way to your bedroom. I assumed my bed will suffice.’

‘Ah, such an oversight,’ Qingxuan attempts to giggle, which causes sharp pain in his chest. ‘As soon as I’m better, I’ll… Wait. Why are you still here?’

The literature god sits down at the edge of the bed, his robes soft against Shi Qingxuan’s fingers. He emanates warmth. ‘I decided to stay.’

‘You… what,’ Shi Qingxuan blinks at him. He immediately gets a strong headache and decides he’ll think about this later.

He Xuan holds up Qingxuan’s head gently, pressing a cup of water to his mouth. ‘Ah… thank you. But all these bandages, He-xiong… Unnecessary. I’m a ghost. I will recover either way. Even though the bandages might make it easier…’

‘Then it’s reasonable to use them. Why should you suffer?’

Shi Qingxuan turns away as He Xuan checks the dressing on each wound. He’s pretty sure he’s blushing, although the god is very careful to keep the inner robe covering Qingxuan from the waist down intact. After a while the touch becomes relaxing, and Shi Qingxuan falls into slumber.

He comes out of it when he realises He Xuan’s warm hand is stroking his hair slowly.

‘Why did you stay, He-xiong?’

‘Someone has to take care of you until you get better.’

I would be fine alone, Shi Qingxuan thinks, his eyes closed. I always am, in the end. ‘And then… you’ll leave?’

‘Maybe for a while. But I’ll come back if you wish.’

Shi Qingxuan turns his head. His lips brush against the inside of He Xuan’s wrist and the god’s hand stiffens for a moment, before resuming its gentle movement.

‘I want you to stay,’ Qingxuan mumbles as he falls asleep.

‘Ah, I can eat on my own, He-xiong! Stop treating me like a baby. I’m a powerful ghost king, even with a few wounds!’

‘Your wounds aren’t healed yet. Although they might be in time for your birthday.’

‘My birthday? Ah, He-xiong, you remembered!’

‘It would be hard not to. You’ve been talking about it for weeks.’

‘Even so! You must care for me, if just a little bit, eh?’

‘…’

‘Anyway, what should we do to celebrate? My bird ghosts, they’re recovering as well, we could have them take us for a nice trip!’

‘Actually, I thought you could throw a party.’

‘Ah, that’s a wonderful idea! I’ll ask Crimson Rain to send over his best cooks, and- ‘

‘I thought you could invite Hua Cheng to come here in person. Him, and Xie Lian.’

‘Hmmm… I guess, the martial god crown prince is your friend, so why not?’

‘And Shi Wudu.’

‘What?! He-xiong, I’m afraid…’

‘What are you afraid of? He didn’t agree to stay here with you forever. He might consider coming to one party.’

‘…’

‘You won’t know if you don’t ask him.’

‘Maybe you’re right, He-xiong. There’s a tiny, tiny chance you are. But then, ah, we also need to invite his friends, that terrible general, and the other literature god, which I guess is good, because she’s your friend, no? But then, we also need to invite crown prince’s friends! And that’s a lot of gods, most of whom I recently fought.’

‘Well, you were the one who tried to blow them off the cliff.’

‘True, I guess…’

‘You can also invite more ghosts, to keep balance.’

‘Hmmm, okay… But no Qi Rong! …Ha, He-xiong, smile again!’

‘…’

‘Hmm, alright, the party might be a good idea! If it will make you happy… Still, we need to talk to Crimson Rain about the catering first! Can you draft the invitations? So much to do, so much to plan, I might need to lie down!... He-xiong, can I have more soup?’

It’s a summer day, sun glistening on the open doors of Water Master’s temple. Believers smile at Shi Qingxuan as she walks up the steps, her robes swaying gently like flowers in the wind. There’s cheerful music playing. A small boy greets Shi Qingxuan, staring at her radiant face, and she ruffles his hair, laughing. Then she kneels.

‘So good to talk to you, Ge,’ she whispers. ‘As you see, I’ve finally changed. My problems are in the past. I’m really a different person – a different ghost, haha – from now on. So maybe…’

A noise disturbs her. It’s the sound of heavy boots marching up the steps.

She turns around, and sees everyone whispering, their faces no longer friendly. The temple attendants look at her with open hate.

‘That beautiful lady?’ The small boy says surprised, too loud, but Shi Qingxuan can still hear his mother’s whisper:

‘It’s really a calamity, a very dangerous ghost, Dark Storm… Cursed since birth, brings misfortune and destruction…’

Shi Qingxuan stands up. Everyone gasps as she unfolds her black fan, but the guards are already around her.

They grab her and try to kick her down the stairs, which, frankly, is ridiculous.

‘You want to throw me out of my own brother’s temple?’ Shi Qingxuan laughs, held in the air by the wind. ‘You all hate me because of my miserable life?’ She changes into her original form. ‘Yes, that’s me! The younger Shi brother! The bad one! Want to see how bad I really am?!’

He swings his fan and the entire roof of the temple is blown off. People start screaming, the guards try to reach him with their arrows.

‘You can’t defeat me, not now!’ Qingxuan keeps laughing. ‘I can destroy this temple, this entire city, if I want! Wasn’t I beaten up, mocked here as a living man? Oh, but does it even matter!’

He waves the fan so fast a tornado forms around him, roaring and violent just like his emotions. It grabs stones, trees, people with it, and it’s a long time before Shi Qingxuan calms down.

When he does, he finds himself on the ruins of a city. He walks through them with shallow laughter.

Until he stumbles on something, and recognises a fallen statue of his brother. Next to it, a small body of a child, face down, among the altar flowers.

‘No…’ Shi Qingxuan steps back and stares at his fan, wants to use it, but knows that it can only bring more destruction. ‘No, no! I didn’t want to do that, Ge! Please, restore everything, I can’t, but I beg you… Ah, can this all just end!’

He stares at a ring on his finger, glittering darkly. If he just destroys it…

But he can’t. He can only destroy others, over and over.

He screams, so loud that he hopes the Heavens can hear it, until he wakes up.

‘Qingxuan! Finally…’

A calming, low voice. A warm hand on his forehead, on his wrist. It reminds him of… but no, now he’s in his own bedroom.

‘I’ve been trying to wake you up, but you just kept screaming,’ He Xuan says, frowning.

‘He-xiong…’ Shi Qingxuan’s voice is coarse as sand. ‘I woke you up… So sorry- ‘

‘You didn’t. Well, it’s late, but I’ve been reading… Nevermind. Would you like me to stay with you?’

Stay… Hasn’t he asked this before?

Back then, and for the last week or two, Shi Qingxuan managed to lie to himself. That he can’t keep the literature god, who’s obviously staying here out of pity, here anymore. That he will endure living alone, again. But as relief spreads through him together with that heavenly warmth, he realises he’s addicted to He Xuan like to a drug, and if he could, he would do anything in his power to make him stay.

But it wouldn’t be worth it if he was forced, would it? And anyway, what does the infamous calamity, Dark Storm, have to offer, besides destruction and misery…

Qingxuan, so happy for the party only yesterday, now dreads his birthday – or rather what will inevitably come after it.

‘I’m sorry,’ Shi Qingxuan starts crying. ‘So sorry, for everything…’

‘Shhh. Just sleep.’

‘I can’t believe I’m here,’ Pei Ming says, although he’s struggling to keep a frown on his face with the heaps of magnificent food in front of him. Not to mention the attractive ghost dancers, who are now reaching the finale of a sophisticated choreographed routine.

‘Cheer up, Old Pei,’ Ling Wen leans back with a cup of wine, looking as relaxed as one can in her proper black robes. ‘I can’t imagine such a party in the Upper Court. Mostly because I would never agree to wasting money like this, but still… Besides, we’re here to support Shi Wudu.’

‘Support? More like, to make sure he comes back in one piece,’ Pei Ming scoffs, but then a particularly graceful ghost comes by to fill his cup and he can’t deny himself a cultured conversation with her.

Across the table, Xie Lian pulls He Xuan’s sleeve excitedly. ‘San Lang organises the best parties, doesn’t he?’

‘It’s decent, yes.’

‘Oh, come on! Everyone’s enjoying themselves, it’s perfect!’

He Xuan nods. Indeed, he was right to give the reigns over to Hua Cheng. The rebuilt main hall is beautifully decorated, lights floating under its high ceiling. The winged ghosts look more like paradise birds than undead fighters. There’s constant live entertainment and the music is surprisingly good, not to mention the food. But only one person’s enjoyment matters to the literature god.

He keeps staring at the unlikely trio of Shi Wudu, Hua Cheng and Shi Qingxuan, the latter in shimmering dark-green robes and a silver headdress. They seem to be discussing fans.

‘I’m telling you, Ge, your fan would be so much more powerful if you combined it with other spiritual weapons. That’s what I did at Tonglu, after I defeated… eh, whatever. A story for another time.’

‘Maybe Lord Water Master would be interested in some items from my armoury. Although, if you were to procure them, Dark Storm, it would surely add a lot to your debt…’

‘As if Ge wanted any of your cursed trash! What a preposterous idea!’ Shi Qingxuan pretends to be offended on his brother’s behalf, but he doesn’t manage for long and bursts with laughter. He Xuan hides his smile behind a cup of wine.

‘I don’t think I ever saw you smiling so much,’ Xie Lian says.

‘That’s what life far away from heavenly administration does to a god.’

‘Hm, speaking of which. I know you’re doing a lot of work from here, but you’ll have to show your face in the Upper Court from time to time… You know, somehow much of the leadership has ended up in my hands, and I could use your help.’

‘Okay,’ He Xuan concurs. He’s still getting off easy. ‘What about Ling Wen’s banishment?’

‘Hm, what can I say? No one really mentions it anymore…’

He Xuan snorts. Poor Ling Wen. He’ll have to talk to her about dividing the workload at some point.

For now, though, he just looks at Shi Qingxuan enjoying his birthday. That’s the best birthday gift he can imagine for himself, too.

As the party gets louder and more guests start dancing, He Xuan decides to get some fresh air. He walks to the balcony attached to one of the libraries. The sky is starry and cloudless.

‘Need a little break from social interaction, He-xiong?’

‘Maybe I do. Why did you follow me, then?’

‘Oh, I can leave…’

‘Stay here, idiot.’

Shi Qingxuan giggles, relieved, and He Xuan is overwhelmed with an urge to kiss him. But there are still things that need to be said, questions he needs to ask. He settles for covering Shi Qingxuan’s fingers, resting on the balustrade, with his hand.

‘You’re warm.’

‘I always am for you, He-xiong.’

‘Not true. When you were wounded, it was like having a block of ice in my bed.’

‘Ah, so that’s why you slept on the floor! And here I thought… What’s wrong?’ The demon king’s pretty face is full of worry when He Xuan retracts his hand.

‘I need you to stop flirting with me, Qingxuan.’

‘Oh damn, you said my name! Must be serious. But… why? I do it with everyone, it’s in my nature.’

‘That’s one reason. It’s in your nature, you do it with everyone and that drives me crazy. And- ‘

‘I’ll flirt only with you, if you wish, He-xiong, I swear!’

‘…Don’t interrupt me. More importantly, I’m afraid to flirt back.’

‘Afraid?...’

‘Yes. Remember, the one time I was complimenting you and you ended up destroying half of your castle?’

‘But… you were just trying to rile me up, back then, no? Why would you… flirt with me?’

‘Qingxuan, focus. If I told you I liked you, would you freak out again?’

‘You… like me?’

He Xuan rolls his eyes. ‘No, I spent weeks feeding you soup because I hate you. Of course I like you. In fact, “like” is an understatement.’ Shi Qingxuan turns away, shoulders slumped, and He Xuan decides he can’t take it anymore. He grabs the calamity by his arms. ‘Are you afraid, now? Of what?’

‘In all these years, I never allowed myself to care for anyone… except for my brother,’ Shi Qingxuan says quietly, avoiding his gaze. ‘If someone else were to return my feelings, I… I have no idea what would happen.’

‘Probably nothing bad. Your brother is alright, no?’

‘I… guess so.’

He Xuan sighs and lets him go. If Qingxuan’s not ready, whatever. He can wait. Even if it’s quite embarrassing, after all he’s said. But then, it’s like his words have never reached the calamity’s pointy ears. ‘You know, it’s fine. I’ll go back to the Upper Court, I have some work to do. Just seeing you happy tonight was a great birthday gift.’

‘Wait… He-xiong, what do you mean? A birthday gift? For you?’

Oh, for heaven’s sake. Why did he say that?

‘It’s your birthday as well?! Impossible!’ Of course, now Shi Qingxuan won’t shut up. ‘But, but I would’ve gotten you a real gift! You came up with the party idea, and it’s so amazing, and I… Isn’t it weird that our birthdays are on the same day?’

‘Not only on the same day. It is weird, but I checked with Shi Wudu and I’m sure. You and I were born exactly on the same day of the same year, centuries ago.’

‘What! That… that’s a sign! How can I be afraid anymore, you’re clearly my destiny!’

He Xuan can’t help rolling his eyes. Fate, destiny, whatever. These things never mattered to him. He became who he was through his own hard work. But, for Qingxuan…

‘I… I do have something for you, actually. I wanted to give it to you for a while, He-xiong, but couldn’t find the right moment. So I guess now, that it’s your birthday…’ Shi Qingxuan blushes. His hands tremble as he reaches into his robes and pulls out a black ring, which he slides on He Xuan’s finger. ‘You… you probably know what it is, right?’

He Xuan raises his hand, examining the ring in the moonlight. It has strong spiritual energy and glitters slightly, as if it contained something precious. He could probably guess what it is, but he doesn’t need to: he’s seen a similar item owned by Xie Lian.

‘I know it might seem like a lot, but do whatever you want with it,’ Shi Qingxuan rambles on. ‘Ah, I’m not as good with words as you, He-xiong, I can’t… I know my flirting is stupid, and now, that I mean it, I don’t know what to say, hahaha. I… I’m not really afraid something bad will happen, I mean, something unfortunate, I guess at this point I’m just not- ‘

Finally, He Xuan has had enough. He cups Shi Qingxuan’s face and shuts him up with a kiss.

The calamity freezes for a second, but then he opens his mouth, deepening the kiss. He tastes like wine, predictably, and He Xuan feels intoxicated. He tangles his fingers in Qingxuan’s hair and brings him closer; his beloved’s body burns hot through the robes.

They pull apart, Shi Qingxuan’s eyes shining as if they were full of stars. ‘Now that I’m technically your hostage,’ he whispers into He Xuan’s ear, embracing him tightly, ‘I’m going to make you stay with me forever!’

‘That doesn’t make any sense,’ He Xuan laughs. ‘But I’ll comply. You won’t get rid of me easily, either.’

‘It has to be destiny, I’m telling you! Otherwise, how could I be so lucky, so happy, I- ‘

‘So happy,’ He Xuan repeats and kisses him again.