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He never usually went to such big events.
Xie Lian, for 800 years, has lived an extremely modest life. With the few coins he managed to save every once in a while, he participates in the Mid Autumn festival by lighting up lanterns for his friends.
And he’s been content with doing just that. Even though it contributed little to nothing in their relationship, Xie Lian felt like he was finally doing something right. A few measly lanterns would not mend the severed ties but it was a step.
Never in his wildest dreams though, did the Crown prince ever imagine he’d ascend to godhood for the third time!
The first few days of getting used to it was hard. The cursed shackles truly did its job of weighing him down but it was something he deserved so he had no right in complaining.
It was only when a youth in red came into his life did he feel like the ugly markings on his skin were just that. Simply scars on his skin.
Because San Lang was amazing company. Xie Lian hasn’t had such enjoyable conversations in centuries. He hasn’t had someone care for him in the way San Lang seemed to since the kingdom of Xian Le. And for that he is thankful, happy for the attention that he is given—that he has lacked for more than a hundred years.
So when the man parts with him one day, a silver ring left in his wake, it makes Xie Lian feel melancholic.
And when they reunite not even a week later, his heart flutters. Then once again they are separated. Until returning to eachother only to leave as they are split apart by their duties.
The cycle of it is cruel. One moment he’s basking in the care of his ghost king companion and the next, he’s dragging himself along sluggishly on some heavenly errand. Every time it happens, his poor heart breaks more than the last.
Perhaps that was why he started drowning himself in alchohol at the Mid Autumn festival.
***
“Y-Your highness, that- that might be a drink too many.” Shi Qingxuan was sitting next to him, flabbergasted while Xie Lian was quaffing wine down his sore throat. “Isn’t this against your cultivation?”
The prince let out a gasp before slamming his drink down and turning his head to the Windmaster, revealing an extremely flushed face with fresh liquid dripping down his open mouth. “Screw my cultivation.” He burped resolutely then emptied his cup in one big gulp.
Shi Qingxuan watched with horror how masterfully the entire thing disappeared into what seemed like a bottomless pit. He wishes it wasn’t though because that was already the prince’s fourth cup!
“I- ah, sure! Let yourself loose tonight, right?” He smiled akwardly in an attempt to hide his unbridled shock, elbowing Xie Lian and laughing as his eyes darted around nervously trying to find anyone to help.
It first wandered to Generals Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen who were as still as stone statues. It was as if they had expended all their energy into processing what the hell Xie Lian was doing and stopped functioning. Ming Yi, who would normally have been absorbed in his meals completely, nearly dropped his chopsticks because of it. He also looked to Shi Wudu who was busy scolding Pei Ming for some random antics. Good lord, someone help him!
Suddenly, a loud bang came from Xie Lian’s direction. The drunken god was half collapsed on the table, face pressing down on hard wood as he whined. “San Laaaang!” He pounded a fist to the furniture. “sniff So cruel, so mean!”
Shi Qingxuan wanted to laugh at the sight but restrained himself to rub circles into his back. “Indeed, this San Lang of yours must be quite detestable your highness.” He hid a giggle by faking pity before grinning in mischief at the thought of an idea. “What has he done to make you so miserable?”
Xie Lian softly mumbled something inaudible as a response, turning his pink face to his friend and then raising his voice.
“Miss him” The prince’s voice was laced with such emotion that it almost made the Windmaster even regret asking. “I miss San Lang…” He whimpered.
Shi Qingxuan was hit straight in the heart. “Ah poor Xie-xiong.” He pat his back and cooed to comfort him but still couldn’t resist the chuckle that escapes his mouth. “It’s alright your highness.”
It was not, actually. Because the Windmaster was going to tease the fuck out of him for this later.
Xie Lian was lazily reaching for another bottle when all of a sudden, someone snatched from his hands just as he got a hold of it.
“Stop that!” The one who stole it was Nan Yang who had woken from his stupor first. “Y-You’ve had enough already!”
Immediately, the prince looked up at him and frowned. “No! Gimme it!” Xie Lian swung his arms around while still lying on the table, partly even sobbing perhaps. It swished around so aggressively that it knocked several dishes away and drew a handful of questioning stares.
The Windmaster tried to laugh it off and apologized but his attention was being thoroughly hogged now. “Come on Your highness, He’s right. If you keep drinking, how are you going to eat all this delicious food?” Shi Qingxuan mentally thanked Nan Yang for his aid and sprung into action aswell. He gave Xie Lian a light pat and hooked his arms around him, trying to pull him to sit up properly.
“Noooo! No no no! I want booze! Fuck the food, give that back to me!!” Xie Lian was extremely stubborn and even started yelling now. Profanities were slipping off his tongue that could put even Feng Xin to shame!
“What the hell? Have you gone crazy?!” Xuan Zhen was the one to intervene next. The general had walked over all the way to his seat and shooed the Windmaster away so he could heave the prince up instead.
“I’m not crazy, I’m tired! Let this old man drink his fuggin’ booze in peace!!” Xie Lian was hiccuping when he was finally hauled straight against his chair again.
Mu Qing made a strange noise at hearing those words, like he didn’t know how to react so everything melded into some kind of confused squeak. Feng Xin really wanted to laugh at him but he was busy vacating all of the liquor as far away from Xie Lian as possible.
“No! No more alcohol for you, okay?” Shi Qingxuan scolded him lightly and tapped his fan on the prince’s pink forehead to get his point across.
Xie Lian actually started sobbing when he saw the drinks be taken away. “uuuwww…” He sniffed, “I’ll tell on youuu! I’ll tell San Lang and you’ll regret it!”
“Ahahaha, let’s not get too worked up!” The Windmaster tried to calm down his companion who was now shouting angrily.
Murmurs were beginning to erupt around them. Officials covered their faces with fans to whisper to one another, people laughed at the absurdity of the situation while others who were more familiar with Xian Le’s Crown prince watched in shock as the ever kind and patient god threw curses left and right. He swore like a sailor and screamed like he was being slaughtered.
“Xian Le” Someone suddenly called out to him.
Jun Wu was looking at him with his head resting on his hand. When his voice resounded in the area, almost everyone shut up immediately.
“My lord” He replied lazily with a deep frown and teary eyes. “The- They’re taking my algohoool!”
That made not only the older man’s eyes widen, but the gods around them to gasp.
To think that he would be so shameless as to even complain to the Heavenly emperor like a child!
“Settle down Xian Le. You’ve had too many drinks tonight, take a break.” Jun Wu did not say it like an order but more as a suggestion. It caught everyone off guard how patient he was being. “If you behave, I’m sure General Nan Yang will return it to you.”
Feng Xin stiffened and hesitantly objected “But your maje-“
“Nan Yang.” Jun Wu shot him down, motioning to the emotional mess that was the Crown prince. Feng Xin followed his direction with a guilty frown.
“Of course…” He bowed slightly and placed the bottles back on the table.
“Thank you!” Xie Lian laughed brightly when the emperor took his side, cheering. Only to say something completely unexpected a second later.
“My lord, you are such an awesome dad.”
“…”
“…”
“what..?”
Jun Wu was so startled that when he tried to say something at first, it came out as a garbled cough. “I- ahem!“ The emperor grounded himself by clutching the armrests of his throne. “I see. I’m glad that you, uhm, see me as such.” A pink hue overcame his face, making him look similarly flushed.
He was flustered?!
Everybody was speechless. It’s been silent ever since Jun Wu spoke up but now, no one could find it in themselves to continue.
Because honestly, What a fucking confession that was!
“No fucking way.” Feng Xin muttered in disbelief, breaking the silence. What would have been little more than a whisper was heard clearly.
“ah—“ Shi Qingxuan was also grasping on his chair for dear life, wheezing. “HhhhH- AH AHAHA!”
“MING- HHHHH— MING XIONG OH MY GOD!” The Windmaster had tears in his eyes, a blush on his cheeks from the lack of air. He clung desperately to his bestfriend who was struggling out of his hold. “STOP HIM PLEASE! I’M GONNA DIE MING-XIONG! I’LL DIE LAUGHING!!”
“I hope you fucking do!” Ming Yi snarled, staring at the bowl of noodles that was flung from his hands when Shi Qingxuan lunged at him. “Get off!” His attempts were futile, Ming Yi was now forever doomed to his friend’s unbearablely loud and hysterical laughter.
Mu Qing did not move from his place. Instead he looked at Xie Lian like he had grown a second head. Feng Xin’s stare was similar, like the duo was trying to bore a hole through the drunken prince.
Everyone shared the same reaction, really.
So much so that they did not notice the play being displayed from the mortal realm had come to an end. The curtains dropped and a wine cup fell upon the giant buffet table, making rounds.
Officials passed it along mindlessly, far more concerned about how to react to such a situation. A few pulled themselves out of the daze and looked back at the stage but didn’t tell the others that the play had ended.
While Xie Lian was busy haggling with Feng Xin over the liquor(a talent that he developed while scrap picking), multiple people had already passed the wine along.
And as the elemental masters next to him were busy annoying eachother, the wine cup was passed to him as a careless mistake.
At first he just nodded along and replied gibberish to whatever Nan Yang was scolding him for. He dipped his head with a sigh while his friend was telling him off and that was when he caught sight of it, his eyes gleaming the moment it was given.
“YES!” He exclaimed happily and grabbed it with enthusiasm.
Now he didn’t have to fight with Feng Xin over the alcohol!
Nan Yang froze. “W-Wait! That’s not—“
“Oh shit” Ming Yi also stopped, prompting Shi Qingxuan to follow his gaze and saw Xie Lian with the drink.
The Windmaster turned around immediately to warn him. “Your highness PASS IT! PASS-“
BOOM! A final thunderclap resounded to indicate that Xie Lian had been chosen!
The crowd was looking at him in fright before turning to Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen with similarly wide eyes. Jun Wu had straightened in his throne while all of them watched the Crown prince expertly swallow every last drop of wine from the cup.
“Mm, that’s a strong one…” He exhaled contently. Xie Lian dropped it back on the table without a care and sagged into his chair.
When the cup he had dropped fell on the ground, the stage lit up and the curtains drew once more. With tension, officials turned to focus on the play in order to avoid further trouble with the prince and to gain back the festivity they had lost out of shock.
They really wished they hadn’t.
What was being displayed to them was a newly written play. It took place in the Crescent Moon kingdom and outside a cave in a sandy expanse of land. The actors were actually quite good looking and the landscape was nicely done, a show of high quality.
It was normal in the first scene so not many complained, instead they were pointing out the roles that the actors were portraying.
There was a Xie Lian who seemed to be the protagonist, a group of merchants, and two boys who stood behind another pair. That pair, they realized, would be the prince and a mysterious boy in red.
The sight of him made Xie Lian stir. Mu Qing returned to his seat by now which was luckily a good move because if he was still there, he might’ve vomited at the face he was making.
“San Lang!” Xie Lian had smiled so brightly that it could blind unsuspecting victims, wine now all but forgotten because his mind decided Hua Cheng was a better thing to think about.
Multiple gods paled when the red youth’s identity was revealed by the drunken prince. Of course, who else could it be but the Crimson Rain Sought Flower?!
Both Southern generals looked away from the stage at lightning speed, causing a few officials to stare at them questioningly. But they didn’t care, they would rather go blind than to see that scene again!
No one knew why they did so until the red youth was kneeling down infront of the prince. He made a show of caressing the the other’s hand before cutting open a mark on his skin. It made them cringe from the strange intimacy but they couldn’t complain further because the youth then leaned forward and started sucking on his hand!
“T-This- What kind of play is this?!”
“For goodness’ sake this isn’t a romance novel!”
“Hoho?”
Jun Wu was momentarily stunned like the many others who were watching along. Ming Yi unexpectedly snickered which Shi Qingxuan was unfortunately too distracted to care about it because of the play. And the two southern companions were covering eachother’s eyes aggressively.
“Maybe I should get stung again.” Xie Lian commented mindlessly in the murmurs of the crowd. “San Lang was so good with his mouth, I wanna get stung on the thigh next ti—MMHPH!”
His voice was muffled by the end because Shi Qingxuan had silenced him by smothering his mouth with his palm. “TOO MUCH INFO, YOUR HIGHNESS!”
It didn’t take long for the Windmaster to be shaken off but Xie Lian wasn’t angry, just transfixed on the way the actors on stage were portraying that moment. It made his mind repeat the memory of it over and over.
“CLOSE THE CURTAINS! CLOSE IT, CLOSE IT NOW!” Feng Xin was banging on the table, Mu Qing had failed to cover his eyes properly so he caught a glimpse of the scene and started foaming at the mouth. He made the gesture and without a second thought, threw his merits away to end the play.
“WHY DIDN’T YOU COVER IT PROPERLY YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE?!” Nan Yang grabbed a fistfull of Xuan Zhen’s robes at the same time that the curtains fell.
“I had to protect my fucking ears, okay?! HE SAID HE WANTED TO GET STUNG IN THE THI—“
“Okay shut the fuck up!” Feng Xin shoved his hand infront of his mouth to hush him but Mu Qing had other plans.
With fury, he licked Nan Yang’s palm!
“EW! WHAT THE HELL?!” His arm flew back as if burned, glaring at his companion with a raging anger.
“It’s your fault! And wash your damn hands, I can taste the alcohol in just a single drop of your sweat!”
“You licked my fucking sweat?!”
“I wouldn’t have tasted if you just washed!”
“You…YOU!” Feng Xin lunged forward and crashed his lips against Mu Qing’s.
“You fucking slut. Where’d you learn to use your tongue like that?” He groaned into the other’s hanging mouth. Obscene noises were escaping them both. “You think I couldn’t feel you licking circles in my palm?”
“…”
“Aha! I knew it! These bitches gay!!” Xie Lian pointed at them with glee. “Good for them!”
Mu Qing deepened the kiss, cradling his partner securely in his arms while Feng Xin then tugged at his hair and in the next moment they became a tangled, squirming mess on the ground. It made everyone else speechless.
“You know what, I’m not cut out to be the mom friend.” Shi Qingxuan grabbed two free cups and poured wine in both. He passed one of them to his intoxicated buddy, holding out his own like an invite. “Cheers, your highness!”
Xie Lian’s disappointment of the staged hand-sucking session was cut short when it was offered to him. He took the drink and bumped it with the Windmaster’s. “Cheers!”
“What the fuck.” Shi Wudu was having a crisis, looking at the scene around them. “What the actual fuck.”
“What? Do you wanna join them, Shi-xiong?” Pei Ming put a hand on his shoulder and turned him around. He had a wine glass in his hands and sloshed it around before bringing it to his lips and drinking recklessly.
Because of his carelessness, droplets of liquid streamed down his chin and dribbled down his bobbing adam’s apple. He even licked himself clean before grinning softly and whispering into Shi Wudu’s ear, steamy breath that made the Watermaster shiver. “Come on Shi-xiong~”
“P-Pei-xiong?” He exhaled shakily, a blush overcome his face.
“Shi-xiong” Responded Ming Guang, whose arms hugged his partner and dropped the glass with a loud sound of shattering.
Shi Wudu swallowed, breath hitching. “Pei-xiong…”
He hummed. “Wudu~” Before surging in and bringing them to a fierce battle of tongues.
Ling Wen was really too busy drowning in alcohol to care, a massive headache jackhammering in her skull and bottles upon bottles of liquor messily rolling around on her area of the table.
Among the chaos, Xie Lian had stood up and made his way over to the Heavenly emperor without anyone noticing. His eyes were watering and lips pouting as he tugged on Jun Wu’s sleeve with puppy eyes.
“Xian Le?” The older man looked down at him in surprise.
“Dad, Shi Qingxuan and Ming Yi started kissing randomly so I couldn’t talk to anyone because they’re all busy.” He whined, little feet pattering closer to the throne. “Can I sit with you?”
If Jun Wu could become twice-dead at that moment, he definitely would. In the middle of a heart attack, he was pounding his chest through whistled coughs.
Xie Lian was still calling him that?!
“Oka-“ He wheezed, “Okay. Come child, over here.” The emperor struggled to regain composure but scooted to the side in his seat to make room for his newfound kid.
“Thanks dad!” The prince smiled brightly enough to make Jun Wu cough blood on the spot.
Xie Lian had a bottle of alcohol with him as he climbed up on the throne, waving his arm around to find a place to put it when the older man offered to hold onto it while he settled. So he accepted and nestled himself in the comfort of the extravagant throne before it was returned to him by a blushing Jun Wu.
He popped it open with a satisfying Pa! and threw the cap somewhere. That was now a concern for whoever was cleaning up, not his problem.
Xie Lian looked at Jun Wu and held up the bottle. “Drink, my lord.”
“No thank you.” He graciously rejected with a pat to the younger man’s head. The prince hummed and started drinking straight from the container itself.
“Dad” Xie Lian hiccuped, addressing him without diverting his attention from the crowd. “I have to tell you something.”
“You’re intoxicated, Xian Le.” Jun Wu stated but after a few more seconds of silence he sighed with a soft expression. “Alright, what is it?”
The younger man seemed to hesitate but proclaimed proudly the next moment.
“I’m gay”
“…”
He really didn’t know how to respond to that.
“I’m a homosexual, dad.”
“…Oka-“
“I like men.”
“Yes, okay.” Jun Wu wasn’t surprised. “That’s fine child.”
He put a hand on Xie Lian’s head and started stroking his hair. “Your father will love you either way.”
The prince purred happily from hearing that. So he followed up with another confession.
“I have a crush on Hua Chen—“
“No.” His dad hardened all of a sudden, voice sharp enough to make him jolt. “No way. He’s a bad influence on you.”
Xie Lian frowned. “B-But! My Lord!”
“No buts, child.” Jun Wu stayed firm in his decision. He removed his hand from Xie Lian’s head and gently pried the half-emptied bottle from his grasp. “And you’ve had enough to drink. I’m confiscating this.”
“uuwww” Xie Lian whimpered, trying to reach for his alcohol but to no avail. There was no use whining about it now that the emperor himself took it away. “I’ll tell San Lang…”
Jun Wu shook his head and sighed. “Your highness is helpless.” He said almost as if half laughing and half crying, thankfully the prince did not pay much mind to him and didn’t catch it.
“Ahem.” The Heavenly emperor cleared his throat loudly enough for everyone to hear.
Almost immediately, all of them froze in place. The ones who were engaged with eachother quickly scrambled away and the ones who hadn’t were separated by the officials who were still sober. After a handful of chaotic seconds where people were rearranging themselves, nobody noticed Xie Lian sitting with Jun Wu until they finally settled back down.
The Generals of the South were both stark red, Shi Wudu’s appearance was far from appropriate, and Shi Qingxuan was still clinging cheerfully to a grumbling Earthmaster.
“Those of you who are…busy, you are excused to leave if you wish to continue but do not disturb the festival.” He said into the heavy silence.
No one stood to leave, just a few glances thrown around here and there(mostly to Xie Lian on the throne) but no move to object either. So after a minute of stillness, Jun Wu made a gesture with his hand. “Resume”
Music had started again and the play on the stage had long since ended. It took a while for everyone to return to normal but those who did seemed to enjoy. The ones who didn’t were the people looking oddly disheveled and were fixing their appearances.
A minor god had stepped up on the stage platform and yelled to catch everyone’s attention. “Excuse the interruption but I have come to announce that the Battle of Lanterns is about to begin!”
“Finally” Somebody whispered, and so did many others. Upon hearing the announcement their excitement was rekindled.
Now that was something people looked forward to!
The crowd buzzed while conversations had started among them of predictions for who was going to place where and how many lanterns they would receive. Xie Lian was paying attention to none of it and was just glancing distantly to his confiscated wine.
After a while, the announcer spoke up again. “Now that we are all ready, starting off our list is the Palace of the Rain Master with one lantern!”
As if to confirm, a single lantern flew up behind the stage. Its little light attracted Xie Lian and when he heard for whom it was offered, he clapped. The Rainmaster was a nice person and he didn’t feel just one lantern was enough so at the very least he gave his applause. One that made his old friends turn to him and froze them solid because of where he was seated.
Xie Lian saw them staring so he simply smiled and waved. Jun Wu gave him a light pat to ask him if he was still listening to the battle which he responded to with a “Yes, just waiting for when my friends come up.”
“Alright” His father then replied and withdrew his hand.
Xie Lian’s gaze traveled to the sky that was now being decorated in lanterns. It was such a pretty sight but it made him feel strangely melancholic.
But why is that, he wonders? Lanterns were beautiful so he should be happy to see them, right? It was like he wanted to ask the floating lights themselves even if no answer came.
In the steady way that the lights flew, he found himself in another festival. One when he was adorned in red, white, and gold. Back when he was still a boy who knew nothing of hardship. Maybe that was why he was so sad, perhaps he simply missed those days.
“You know what dad?” He sagged in the throne and let his muscles loose to relax. “I feel like a prince right now.”
“You are a prince, child.” Jun Wu pointed out as he watched the lantern show but still focused more on his newfound son.
“In the past, I guess.” Xie Lian sighed. “Back when I still had my kingdom.”
He started playing with loose threads in his robes. “Xian Le was a great place, my lord.”
Jun Wu didn’t say anything but wordlessly placed a hand on his shoulder.
“And the people too” He continued, “My citizens and my family.” He was glad he had someone to listen when he spoke now, even if it was just a moment of vulnerability.
“…I’m sure they were good people.”
“Mhm, so were my friends. We were so close back then.” Xie Lian’s eyes lasered on a trio of lanterns, watching the way that the middle one had lost firepower while the others only went higher and left it behind. “I miss them.”
He does. He missed them all, every Mid Autumn festival Xie Lian misses them dearly. And he’s always dreamt of fixing things with his old companions but now that it was such an easy thing to just walk over and talk to them, why were they making it so difficult?
“But your friends are still here, aren’t they?”
“Doesn’t feel like it though.” He admitted, “I know I hurt them but it really hurts me too when they just-“
Xie Lian closed his eyes. He didn’t want to see the lanterns, he didn’t want to see Feng Xin and Mu Qing’s faces, and he didn’t want to see anything. “When they act like they don’t even know me. Am—am I really that much of a fucking eyesore now? Do people just forget that I can have feelings too?”
And because of his shut eyes, Xie Lian didn’t notice the way that people started glancing at him.
Jun Wu tore his gaze away from the lanterns, looking at the prince with a shallow sadness. It wasn’t deep but it projected pity. “Xian Le…”
“Palace of Qin Shu, two hundred and seventeen lanterns!” Boomed distantly.
“A scum, trash, twice-damned god, isn’t that right?” Xie Lian grasped his robes.
Jun Wu felt a pang of guilt. “That isn-“
The deep sound of whirring suddenly erupted, throwing off his words. The prince’s eyes shot open to glance at the emperor and then to the crowd where almost everyone else seemed completely calm.
Following the noise, their surroundings dimmed as candles flickered and were blown out at astonishing speeds. The blessing lanterns had been all but blown away by now so there was nothing to illuminate the area.
“It’s time! It’s time!” He heard Shi Qingxuan cheer from afar. He also expected Mu Qing or Feng Xin to complain about the darkness but there were no signs of activity from them whatsoever.
“Now, everyone, is the battle for the top ten!” Said the announcer, whose stage suddenly lit up.
Jun Wu could care less about that at the moment, he worriedly turned to Xie Lian who had straightened up on the throne. “Child, are you…”
“Dad, look!” Xie Lian, who was down in the dumps only moments ago, looked up at him and pointed like nothing at all had happened prior. “It’s their turn!”
His face took on a complicated expression. “Yes it is, but-“
“The palace of Qi Ying, four hundred and twenty-one lanterns!”
“Congratulations!” Someone said.
“You never fail to surprise us general!” Another piped up.
It was clear that the ones who were showering the uninterested Quan Yizhen with praises were only trying to butter him up and take advantage of his nature. Xie Lian however, earnestly applauded. Four hundred was an impressive number afterall.
“My lord, can I go back to my chair?” He asked, fishing for an excuse to leave once he realized that he’d shared too much. From the look on Jun Wu’s face, he knew it to be true. Plus if the older man refused, he would still leave anyway.
“Palace of the Earth Master, four hundred and forty-four lanterns!”
The emperor frowned before responding hesitantly. “Alright, enjoy the rest of the festival.”
Xie Lian didn’t say anything more and simply took his leave, walking behind people’s backs until finally arriving back at his own chair with the emperor’s gaze fresh on him.
Shi Qingxuan was congratulating Ming Yi when he had reached them. “Too few, too few” He said while the Earthmaster showed no reaction and everybody else politely clapped.
Xie Lian had sat down as the next announcement came.
“Palace of the Wind Master, five hundred and twenty-three lanterns!”
Suddenly the crowd roared, making him nauseous from the noise. “CONGRATULATIONS!” and “AS EXPECTED!” they shouted.
“Ge, I placed eighth!” Shi Qingxuan stood up and waved. It made Xie Lian smile to see how proud he was.
Shi Wudu however, scoffed. “Only eighth? You could have done better.” And the Windmaster’s face dropped at that.
But Shi Wudu followed it with a grin and fanned himself. “It’s more than last year though, so next year must also be great.”
Shi Qingxuan’s smile was restored and he laughed cheerfully. Only now noticing his friend’s return and welcomed him back with a pat to the shoulder.
“Good job Shi-xiong!” Xie Lian congratulated him too, missing the fact that Shi Wudu seemed to have stiffened when he heard it.
“Ahaha, thank you!” The Windmaster was now similarly as drunk as him and hooked an arm over his neck. “Drink your highness!”
“Palace of Ling Wen, five hundred and thirty-six lanterns!”
“Hell yeah!” He grabbed a random cup from somewhere and filled it while Shi Qingxuan was blabbering nonsense about his temples and lanterns.
There was still applause being given but definitely not as loud as the previous one, Shi Wudu and Pei Ming were congratulating Ling Wen only to find her passed out infront of a pile of empty liquor bottles.
“Palace of Xuan Zhen, five hundred and seventy-three lanterns!”
“Oooh!” The Windmaster looked between them.
Everyone had also froze in place to glance at the pair, unsure of the chance that another fight may break out.
“Palace of Nan Yang, five hundred and seventy-two lanterns!”
“Hm?” Mu Qing hummed smugly in his companion’s direction. “You’re a lantern short”
“…Shut up” Feng Xin had his arms crossed and brows furrowed, visibly agitated.
“I fucking won! So make me!” He taunted. “I bet you ca—“
Feng Xin grabbed him aggressively and smashed their lips together, forcing Mu Qing’s mouth open. “You noisy bitch” Nan Yang grunted.
“NOT AGAIN!” They collectively groaned. A fight would have been better than this shameless display!
“Generals, please.” Jun Wu was massaging his head while ordering them to separate.
The announcer was momentarily stunned but went on with the list. “P-Palace of Ming Guang, five hundred and eighty lanterns!”
And at that, Pei Ming gave a hearty grin.
“Where did you find the time for five hundred lovers?” Shi Wudu snapped his fan closed and poked Pei Ming with it.
“Hey now, those are from my believers, not my exes!” He swiped the fan away and nod along to the officials congratulating him. Shi Wudu huffed as his friend jokingly bragged to several people.
But once he saw a lady official try get closer than acceptable, his arm shot out.
“Sit down!” The Watermaster grabbed his robe’s collar and yanked him back into his chair much to the woman’s dismay.
“Ah! S-Shi-xiong stop it!” Pei Ming tapped his hands. “I’m choking! I’m choking!”
“You’re a martial god, fool. Just pry my hand away!” Shi Wudu let go anyway and left the other man to catch his breath.
“Palace of the Water Master, seven hundred and eighteen lanterns!” The announcer cut their quarrel short.
Suddenly the banquet roared, many exclaimed in amazement at the sheer amount of lanterns that were offered and hastily fought eachother to congratulate him.
“Congratulations Lord Watermaster!”
“Seven hundred?! As expected of the Lord Watermaster!”
Shi Wudu however, wasn’t as riled up as them. He sat still and calmly fanned himself as if the lanterns he had received weren’t practically a hundred more than even General Ming Guang!
His brother showed far more excitement than him however, shouting to the gods then to Xie Lian. “THAT’S MY GE! IT’S MY BROTHER!”
Xie Lian winced and covered his ears. “Yeah! I know it’s your brother!”
Ming Yi only glanced at him from the side in pity before returning to dutifully devouring plates of food.
“Congratulations Shi-xiong!” Pei Ming held out a drink to him which was politely rejected.
While everyone else was preparing to leave after uncovering the (expected)identity of who managed to place under the Martial palace, Shi Wudu suddenly snapped his fan shut.
“Wait.” He said, making several officials look at him in confusion.
What could he have wanted just out of the blue?
“The top ten are out, what more do you want?” Ming Guang asked with a cheeky grin. “Oh, did you want everyone to see me play with yo—“
“Shut it, moron!” Shi Wudu scolded him by hitting his head with the fan. “And don’t you know how to count?”
Now that made everyone thoroughly puzzled. What was left to count?
“The top ten are out, you say?” He crossed his arms.
And just then, his brother had piped up to clarify. “No…” Shi Qingxuan rose to his feet.
“No it isn’t! THE TOP TEN AREN’T ALL OUT! Even if we count the Great Martial palace, only nine were announced so far!” He explained.
“Just nine?” Even Xie Lian, who wasn’t very invested in the competition had questioned.
Who could have possibly scored higher than the Water Master himself?
“It’s true” Jun Wu confirmed at the sight of their confusion.
And that was what thoroughly shocked them.
“Really?! But how?”
“They’re right! I counted nine! Someone is missing!”
“Who could it be? Is there even anyone like that in here?!”
Xie Lian was curious but didn’t want to trouble himself in their matters so he resumed drinking with just one final cup of wine.
In the reflection of his drink though, a single lantern had floated up and shone brightly. He honestly ignored it until another one followed.
When he took a sip, three more joined it in the sky.
But before he could continue again, the surroundings flashed violently!
“W-What is that?! What’s happening?” Shi Qingxuan sheilded his eyes.
“Did it suddenly become day time? Why the fuck is it so damn bright?!” Feng Xin was also startled.
“Are those…?” Mu Qing’s eyes were wide, muttering to himself. “Are those lanterns?”
The gods paled when their eyes adjusted to the light. Xuan Zhen was right! They were indeed lanterns!
The heavenly emperor himself used his own power to dim the floating lights, allowing the entire banquet to marvel the beauty and amount of the glowing offerings.
Xie Lian was at a loss for words like many others, he could do nothing but gasp and watch with awe as the black sky was now shimmering brilliantly.
It was a hot minute before he could even notice that the crowd was staring at him instead.
“What the fuck…?” He returned the bewildered gazes.
But nobody responded so he answered his own question. “Me? Are you looking at me?”
“…Yes” The Windmaster paused and lit up like the raging lights surrounding them. “Yes, you!”
Xie Lian’s jaw couldn’t have dropped any lower. “Why? What is it?”
The announcer whose hand was still pointing at him yelled shakily. “Q-Qiandeng temple, Palace of the Crown Prince…”
The god inhaled sharply under their crushing pressure. “Three thousand lanterns!”
Nobody was able to squeeze out a single sound.
How could that possibly be right?!
“That- it must have been counted wrong!” A woman said.
“Yes, there has to be a mistake!” Another agreed.
Jun Wu overcame his surprise once the accusations began. “Is that so?” He leaned forward, making the banquet go silent again. “Look at the sky and tell me how many there are then.”
“…”
No one could oppose the emperor.
“Right, there is no mistaking it.” A smile surfaced on his face. “Three thousand blessing lanterns.”
Xie Lian’s drunken daze was already starting to subside, so when he should have been cheering and jumping around, he instead shot up from his seat while startling a handful of officials.
“Congratulations, Xian Le. You always manage to create miracles.” The emperor praised, his slow claps became earnest, loud, and proud.
It took a moment but the gods also followed suit. The initial stillness was swallowed whole by a violent roar of thundering applause!
“CONGRATULATIONS! YOUR HIGHNESS!” Shi Qingxuan laughed boisterously.
“See?” Pei Ming’s arms wildly flew around. “I told you Crimson Rain Sought Flower didn’t kidnap him out of ill intent!”
The realization struck many of them, causing them to gasp and murmur.
Truly, who else but Hua Cheng could pull such a stunt!
“S-San Lang…” Xie Lian whispered to himself, his hand found its way over his chest and around a ring of gleaming silver.
This was San Lang’s doing! For him! Three thousand lanterns just for him!
He was so elated that he felt like he was floating with those shining lights in the sky, so full of joy that he was speechless and wanted to cry.
Okay maybe he only felt like he was hovering because a horrible sense of nausea was kicking in, but who cares?!
“Xie-xoing? You don’t look so good!” Shi Qingxuan tugged at his sleeve worriedly.
“Uhm…” Xie Lian looked around at the eyes lasered on him. “Excuse me!”
But before anyone could even wonder what he was planning, the prince took off at lightning speed!
“Xie Lian?!” His friends also stood abruptly, running after the panicked god.
“Don’t—“ He gagged without being able to continue, sealing his mouth shut tightly with his hand.
“What the hell?” Feng Xin sprinted forward with his companion in tow.
They trailed behind Xie Lian who didn’t get very far from the banquet’s view. The prince had collapsed against a large pillar by a nearby palace and knelt infront of it with only his arm for support. Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen grinded to a halt just inches away.
In front of the entire Heavenly capital, Xie Lian had taken a handful of heavy breaths and promptly vomited.