Chapter Text
"All that effort and hard work you did to ascend, and you'll just throw it all away in the name of love?"
"Shut the fuck up," Feng Xin gritted his teeth, before lurching at another attacker; Mu Qing chuckled, his eye shinning meschiviously. Feng poised his arrows, three at once and shot, each hitting their targets perfectly. He spun, getting on his knees to take lower shots while Mu Qing effortlessly used his shoulder as a platform to throw himself at the upcoming attacker.
"Clearing." Mu Qing whispered. Feng Xin could hear him just well, they were already pressed back to back. His eyes followed Mu Qing’s gaze, there was indeed a slight opening where the Palace of Thunder Master’s deputies were scrambling to get up from where they had put them down.
"On my mark," from the corner of his eye Feng Xin could see Pei Ming stand up, sword already grasped and ready to charge back after Mu Qing left him down after breaking his arm. If the God of the North found his rhythm again, neither of them would be any match for him, with or without a broken arm.
"GO!" and Feng Xin was running, arrows shooting through the wind, making beautiful sounds as they left his strings. He could almost feel the wind shift when his finger let go of the arrows. It was always a thrilling experience, a sensation he never got bored of.
Mu Qing was soon beside him, the side of his face covered in red. It wasn't all his blood— at least, Feng Xin hoped it wasn't.
They managed to outrun the gods for the moment and finally were able to slow down.
But they were still running. Feng Xin abruptly burst into laughter and Mu Qing looked at him bewildered, like he thought Feng had gone crazy, his gaze boring into the side of his face. Feng Xin could guess Mu Qing wanted to throttle him at the moment.
"What the hell is so amusing?" Mu Qing snided, but there was little venom in his voice.
"Nothing, nothing." Mu Qing rolled his eyes but didn't ask. Feng Xin said, "There's a stream, let's stop there."
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"You know they'll catch us eventually, right?" Feng Xin said as he laid down on the patch of dead grass. Mu Qing didn't bother with a response and kept washing his face in the steadily flowing stream.
Only after he was done washing himself clean of blood, did he turn to Feng Xin.
“What?’' Feng Xin asked, crocking one eye open when he felt Mu Qing’s gaze on him,
“I know, we can't hope to fight them off any longer. Pei Ming had already sent for help, soon The Palace of Qi Ying and Jing Yan will be here; we are in their territory.”
“So, what’s your plan, if you have one? Feng Xin asked, although he suspected Mu Qing was as empty of ideas as him, they weren't exactly given a head start before the entire martial Heaven turned on them.
Feng Xin had half a mind that- a curious part of him- wanted to inquire Mu Qing about What and Whys, but he held himself back. Mu Qing would tell him sooner or later. Whatever the truth was... Although it didn't really matter, Feng Xin would follow him regardless.
"You can turn back Feng Xin, they will let you off. You're not guilty, you will get in trouble if you follow me," he said quietly, softer and pleading in a way he hoped would get through to Feng Xin; but he should know- knew, Feng Xin wouldn't listen.
"No." Feng Xin said resolutely, laying back down on the grass. Mu Qing narrowed his eyes, and scowled. He was already standing, it was slightly intimidating, not that he had any effect on Feng Xin. The sunlight cast a halo around his form where he stood over Feng Xin's lying form. arms crossed.
"No?"
"No. I dont know what he fuck that stupid Agriculture god meant by all that bullshit he spouted in the Heaven Tower, I didnt even know he existed. Ascended a few weeks ago and has the nerve to stand in front of a Martial God," Feng Xin mumbled the last part, annoyance evident, Mu Qing extended a hand, "but frankly, I don't care if you killed a god and their mother, if they want to catch you, they'll have to kill me first."
Feng Xin finished with finality, taking Mu Qing’s extended hand and got to his feet. Mu Qing stood there, studied his face for a moment, searching.
When he couldn't find any cracks, he sighed and the corners of his mouth lifted into a small smile, a fond little thing. Feng Xin felt the urge to kiss him then.
"Are you really gonna throw it all away for me?" Mu Qing asked, smiling still, looking down at their joined hands. He already knew the answer, it seem.
"I already let you fight your battles for a century. This time, you're not having fun alone," Feng Xin grinned, Mu Qing returned his smile, his delicate features shifting into a soft expression, face brighter than any sun or stars.
Feng Xin worshiped that smile.
"So, all in the name of love?" He teased before pulling him forward. Feng Xin stumbled the remaining gap between them and Mu Qing caught him just at the correct time, and their lips crashed together.
Feng Xin groaned, before opening his mouth and letting Mu Qing deepen the kiss, tipping his head, he let his beloved pour all his soul into that touch.
When they parted, they were both equally disheveled and flushed. Feng Xin let himself be hugged, his hands circling around Mu Qing's lower body.
Mu Qing buried his face in his neck, hands tightening around him in return and they stood there. Their hands clasped, the bands on their fingers touching, cold metal against skin. They stood there holding each other until the sound of horses and gods came. Only then they parted and Mu Qing picked up his saber from the ground.
Feng Xin turned to Mu Qing, face glowing and eyes gleaming and finally said; "I will throw it all away , for you. Over and over again"
Mu Qing smiled back.
Believing him completely.
The sound of hooves got closer and closer until finally, they were both surrounded from all sides. Feng Xin glanced around, taking a step back, his back to Mu Qing’s. Pei Ming had indeed come with reinforcements. Qi Ying and Tai Hua’s palace were the only ones Feng Xin could recognize, he never cared enough to get to know any new ascensions.
“General Xuan Zhen, by the order of the heavenly Empress, you are under arrest for the murder of twelve Martial Officials in the year of the Pig, second quater of the third Qin Century,” Pei Ming brought his horse forward, "Do you admit to the charge?"
A deadly silence took over, everyone waited, eyes fixed on Mu Qing, waiting with their breaths held. Feng Xin wanted to reach out and hold My Qing's hand, but he resisted the urge, kept on holding his bow.
"I do." Mu Qing's voice cut through the silence like a knife, breaking the false. Pei Ming visibly flinched, maybe he was hoping Mu Qing would deny.
Feng Xin realized, he too wished he would.
"I admit to the charge that I killed twelve Heavenly officials out of the thirty-three that Crimson Sought Rain Flower challenged that year."
Everyone was silent. Pei Ming looked like he was fighting some inner battle with himself
"Come back to Heaven, Xuan Zhen. There’s no need for us to fight." Pei Ming said gently, after a few moments.
“You're right, there isn't.” and with that, Mu Qing took out two dice and threw them at their feet.
The last thing Feng Xin saw were Pei Ming's eyes, widened in shock before the earth beneath him shifted, and swallowed them both inside.