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Chapter Text

Once 800 years ago there was a prince who pleased the heavens. Once 800 years ago the kingdom of Xianle fell. Along with the kingdom fell the prince. He fell again. He would be nailed into a coffin, he would claw and scream until his nails were no more and his throat couldn't bleed anymore. He would die one more time and then it was done. Xie Lian closed his eyes as he felt his life finally slip away.

Xie Lian stood on top of the place where he had been confide for the past century. Cursing his bad luck, even after his death he wouldn't be able to pass on peacefully. Though he had to admit it was amazing to be able to stretch his legs and arms again. It had been so long. If only he could breathe, than he would have been able to enjoy the crisp air. Looking down on the ground he stood upon, some instinct kicked in. Directing him through the next actions.

First he dug up the coffin. When Xie Lian finally got it out of the ground, it had taken less time then he thought it would. His strength had seem to return after dying. Not that he wasn't strong before, but he had instantly recovered from any damage from the coffin. As Xie looked at his former prison, he.felt an odd sense of shock from the size.of the coffin. He knew it was small, but it seemed even smaller now that he had seen the sky again.

As his instincts continued to instructed him he opened up the coffin, Rouye climbed out wrapping itself around his arm. Xie Lian also grabbed his bamboo hat before lighting the coffin on fire burning his corpse. The ashes of his corpse forming a small flower that was achingly familiar. Feeling sick he tucked his ashes away. With nothing more to do he wandered.

He wandered for a very long time. Eventually feeling an odd tung on his body. He followed the tung to a mountain named Mount Tonglu. There were other ghosts there, all fighting. So, Xie Lian joined the fight. Slaying ghosts right and left. He started with his fists, but soon found a decent sword. Xie Lian had been a martial God, giving an advantage over some of the.ghosts. Slowly during the.fights, he gained part of himself. Recovering through the battles and bloodshed.

When Xie Lian had finally came to the kiln, he was bloody and exhausted, but he felt more alive then he had during half of his life. It took a little time for Xie Lian to stand victorious, soon he did.

Erupting from the volcanoe caused him to lose his cursed shackles. Gaining the tittle 'White flower bathed in moonlight.' Xie Lian decided to enjoy his new power. To help others with it. He would spend a while like this. Until he ment someone very dear to him.

Little did he know, the heavens were shaking. Two Calamities working together! Two Calamities married!?!?!

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Blinding light shone upon the heavenly officials, who were gathered to see the newly ascended god. With such a powerful beam, surely this god would be incredibly powerful. Perhaps a new firemaster! However this idea was quickly dismissed when the light faded. In front of the assembled heavenly officials stood the twice fallen and now thrice ascended god of misfortune, Xie Lian.

Said god looked like he really did not appreciate his accession. Oh, don't get Xie Lian wrong, it's not that he was ungrateful, it's just that he was had been enjoying his time with his husband. Really, he didn't think it was possible for someone to ascend three times, or to ascend after becoming a calamity. Hmm, that calamity part might be an issue, but judging how people were looking at him they probably hadn't realized he was a calamity. The looks they were giving him were a mix of shock, disgust and and annoyance. Not looks you would give a calamity who was married to Crimson Rain Sought Flower. White Flower Bathed in Moonlight was also not anyone to not be afraid of.

The calamity had made a name for himself by striking down gods who abused their powers. Even went out of his way to name their crimes publicly.

So, if they know that that calamity was Xie Lian they would have been a lot more afraid. Maybe even apologetic. Xie Lian wasn't ashamed of being a calamity. He just didn'twant to deal with th drama right now. There would be enough of it just by ascending, he didn'tneed to add anymore.

Ling Wen stepped forward from the crowd of very disappointed heavenly officials. "Your highness, congratulations on ascending again. You caused quite a ruckus when you returned." As Ling Wen spoke the crowd dispurse, feeling as though they had waisted their time. "How much destruction did I cause?" Aquired Xie Lian. "Let’s go for a walk" Ling Wen said with a slight sigh. "I will answer your questions well we walk."

As they walked Ling Wen was very kind to point at all the destruction without holding back.

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Mu qing was just a little annoyed about being almost killed by a bell. Sure, it wasn’t technically the new god's fault. Also, he kind of wanted to thank the new god for destroying Feng Xin's palace. His reaction would be hilarious.

Hence, why Mu qing was waiting in the communication array when Xie Lian entered. Recognizing him also immediately, Mu qing said "So, I see your highness has returned." The entire communication array sucked in a silent breath, things were about to get good. They hadn't had any good drama in ages. Sure, Mu qing and Feng xin fought almost every other day, but could only satisfy their first for drama so much. If popcorn existed, they would had definitely got it. Seeing as it didn't, some of them had satisfy themselves with any nearby snacks.

"Yep, I'm back. Again." Responded Xie Lian sounding somewhat regretful. "Your highness certainly ascended with force this time." Stated Mu Qing, if he was surprised by Xie Lian's non chalentnece, it didn't show. "Yep real shame. Good thing it's not enough to get me banished again." Xie Lian said sounding oddly sarcastic. Ling Wen appeared to have told him somthing because he then said "I apologize for knocking the bell down on you. Pardon me but what's your name?" Said Xie Lian

The entire communication array winced. If they weren't silenced they would have made an 'ooh' noise. "Your highness, that's general Xuan Zhen." Said Ling Wen. It was probably ment to be in a private array, but it ended up on the group one. "Oh, huh" Said Xie Lian.

Really that's all he can say for himself. Thought Mu qing upset for a reason even he didn't know.

Thankfully by some miracle the awkward silence was interrupted, by an angry curse. Some heavenly officials were mildly upset when the drama was interrupted. Until they realized who was cursing, than they grew even more invested in the drama they had no part in.

Feng Xin had entered the communication array angry and he probably wouldn't leave any happier. "Who destroyed my palace?" Demanded Feng Xin. Mu qing couldn't and wasn't trying to stop it, snickered. "Was it you?" Demanded Feng Xin. "Why don't you ask the prince?" Suggested Mu qing sarcasticly. "Yeah, sorry that was me." Supplied Xie Lian. An very awkward silence followed. The Heavenly officials were truly hoping they would begin fighting or arguing or somthing. But instead they were sitting there in silence. Truly a disappointment.

Xie Lian was the first to interrupt the silence. "Oh, I have to go." It felt like some sort of attempt to escape the silence. "Where?" Asked Mu qing sharply. Some heavenly officials rolled their eyes. "It doesn't concern you, bye." Said Xie Lian, he didn't say it sharply, but it came out like nives.

It would be a few days later when Ling Wen would show up requesteding aid for the missing bride situation. Calling her out on who she was truly asking for. "Xaun Zhen you seem you have a lot of time on your hands, why don't go?" Ling Wen said, keeping her tone polite, despite clearly being peeved. "My hand is wounded."

Okay it was a lame excuse, but no way in hell was Mu Qing going.

When Mu qing went he made sure to change his appearance, because no way in hell was he going to show his face. He did inform Ling Wen that he was going, but as a junior official.

When he arrived he saw somebody else there who was not Xie Lian. He so to great disappointment he saw Feng Xin in the worst disguise possible.

If you asked Xie Lian both if their disguises were terrible, but that fun event hadn't happened yet.

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Xie Lian stared at the two people sitting across from him. Ling Wen had informed them that they were middle court officials sent to help him with the assignment. Xie Lian really didn't need help.

Ling Wen didn't know this of course, but he was a calamity for goodness sake. He was also married to another calamity. If anyone would need help it would be the ghost groom, definitely not Xie Lian!

Back to the two heavenly officials that were glaring at him like he had insulted their entire blood line, then killed their dogs. He really didn't think he had, but he might have done something. "You two are?" Asked Xie Lian.
The one on the left said "Nan Feng."
The one on the right said "Fu Yao."

Xie Lian hadn't been certain at first but now he knew for sure. These two were clearly Feng Xin and Mu Qing. It was rather endearing that they had came to help. It did hurt a little that they were hiding their identies, but Xie Lian wasn't being fully honest either. So, for now he would play along.
"Which Highnesses are you two from?"
"The Palace of Nan Yang." Said 'Nan Feng.'
"The Palace of Xaun Zhen." Said 'Fu Yao.'

Wow, they were terrible at this. "We should find a place to talk in private." Suggested Xie Lian, than he rose his voice, "Shopkeeper do you know if there's a temple for Ming Gaung nearby?" The shopkeeper who had been minding his business looked up and said, "Afraid not, but we do have palace of Nan Yang." Xie Lian nodded and paid for the tea. They all sent off to the temple
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When they arrived at the temple the first thing Mu Qing noticed was the terrible craftsmanship of the statue. Deciding to poke at Feng Xin, he decided to take his time to explain why the statue was absolutely terrible. During some point he could have sworn he saw Xie Lian roll his eyes. Perhaps he was seeing things.

"Enough of that we need to discuss the mission." Xie Lian said. Reluctantly Mu Qing let go of ranting about the statue. Xie Lian sat down and exsplain the situation about the ghost groom. Some ghosts have been kidnapping brides. Heaven only cares because some rich person offered lots of money. "How do we know for sure this is a groom?" Mu Qing felt the need to point out.

"We don't, it's just a name humans use to describe it. I've recently been inform its actually probably a bride." Xie said. "Who informed you?" Asked Feng Xin. Mu qing could tell he was mildly suspicious, but Mu Qing thought he was over reacting."Some one in the palace of Ling Wen." Xie Lian responded.

Mu Qing would probably normally accept this as an answer but he couldn't help but notice the way Xie Lian hesitated. Perhaps Feng Xin wasn't over reacting. Along with some other behaviors and shifts in personality it was suspicious. Mu qing ment eyes with Feng Xin, then he realized what he had just done and quickly looked away.

"Anymore questions?" Asked Xie Lian seeming to have not noticed anything. "Nope." Both Feng Xin and Mu Qing said in sync. They then glared at each other.

Some moments of awkward silence past. "I have a question but I don't know-." Started Xie Lian. "If your going to say you don't know if it's appropriate, then don't say anything at all!" Snapped Feng Xin. "No," Said Xie Lian irritated. "I was going to say 'I didn't know if anyone knows the answer.' The question was why are there so many female worshipers?" Choosing to ignore Xie Lian's irration, Mu Qing was more then happy to tell his favorite story. The one about the king who misspelled Feng Xin's name. Unfortunately, his story was interrupted by a worshipper. Mu Qing payed her no mind, but Xie Lian nudged them and urged them to look on her direction.

When he did Mu Qing couldn't help but say "To Ugly" Xie Lian gave him a look "You can't say that about people." Then Mu Qing noticed what Xie Lian was pointing out, a rip on her dress. Mu Qing didn't care and Feng Xin was frozen in place. Xie Lian taking it on himself to help. Mu Qing rolled his eyes. Always has to play the hero. 

Xie Lian threw his clock over her. It didn't stay on her and slipped to the ground. Making himself visible Xie Lian spoke "Excuse me madame-" The women screamed and slapped him hard. "There's a rip in your dress." Said Xie Lian calmly. The women flushed, apologized, excepted the clock and ran.

Afterwards, Mu Qing noticed blood on Xie Lian. "Who did you fight?" He asked. "No one I cutted myself on a cloud." how is that even possible.Thought Mu Qing. 

Xie Lian toke off his robes and that's when they saw it. Where there should have been a crisp cursed shackle, there was nothing. Had it fallen off when Xie Lian ascended? 

Xie Lian sensing their eyes, looked at them and sighed. "Don't think to hard about it." Xie Lian suggested. Feng Xin looked away and after a moment so did Mu Qing. 

Mu Qing had seen something Feng Xin hadn't. He was sure that Xie Lian wasn't breathing until they were looking at him.

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The Next day they all woke up to an obnoxious racket of people making unnecessary amounts of noise. Deciding to check it out they went outside. It appeared to be some sort of bridal persession.

"I thought people stopped making them a big deal." Said Mu Qing. "They did" Said Xie Lian. Spotting the shop keeper from the day before. "Excuse me shop keeper do you know what's going on?" The shopkeeper made a disgruntled noise. "Those idiots go up each day searching for the ghost groom, searching for their death more like."

Just done the girl with the plain face from last night came up, Mu Qing kind of fazed out, but it appeared she was trying to convince them not to go up the mountain. Just then the person in the sedan fell over landing on the ground revealing it to be a dummy. "Too ugly" said Mu Qing instantly. Xie Lian looked bemused but didn't say anything.

The head of the fake wedding ceremony looked really angry with the girl. She had been pleading with the man not to go up the mountain. Mu Qing couldn't help but think that despite being ugly she was one of the few people with common sense. Unlike Feng Xin. Feng Xin looked handsome, but was a complete idiot.

"Stop standing there blocking our way, move aside." Demanded the men. "Why... why must you talk like this." Said the girl who the shopkeeper had previously said was Xiao-Ying. Mu Qing was somewhat happy he listened enough to pick up that.

"Was I wrong? I told you to play fake bride, and did you not refuse?" Demanded the youth. Mu Qing had an aching feeling he missed somthing, thankfully he couldn't care less. The girl said through forming tears "It's true and I didn't dare do it, but.. you didn't have to... slash my dress." Now the youth jumped up and began screaming about how she was lying. Mu Qing was paying more attention to Feng Xin who had just shattered the cup he was holding. Looking like he was about to beat up the youth.

Just then a white silhouette floated by. The youth who had been yelling had been knocked by with such terrifying force. He looked around startled only to ment with Xie Lian helping Xiao-Ying up. "How dare you attack me!" Screamed the youth. Xie Lian turned and gave him a look. The boy startled, got up, yelled about coming back and ran. Mu Qing hardly blamed him. The look Xie Lian had gave him was truly terrifying.

"Now we should come up with plan to catch the ghost groom." Said Xie Lian casually. Startled both Mu Qing and Feng Xin nodded.

The plan was simple. Dress Xie Lian up as a bride and send him up the mountain. They didn't know if it would work and there were some safety concerns, but it could be worse.

That's sums up how Mu Qing, the general of the southwest ended up outside of a bridal sedan. The journey so far had been smooth. The men they had hired were mildly jumpy, but either then that there was no problem insight. Xie Lian hadn't moved since he had entered the bridal sedan, sitting terrifyingly still. Mu Qing hadn't forgotten what happened in the temple. Was Xie Lian a ghost? Was it possible for him to die? Was it possible for a ghost to ascend? Xie Lian was definitely hiding something, but what?

The line of thought was interrupted by a ghost attacking him. Ghosts were really good at interrupting thoughts. "What is that that thing?!" Shouted one of the military officers they hired. "Shit it's a binu!" Shouted 'Nan Feng.'

Just than a white band shot out of the sedan straggling multiple binu at once. "Xie Lian what was that?" Demanded 'Nan Feng.' "That was Rouye." Deadpanned Xie Lian. "What is Rouye?" Demand 'Nan Feng' once again. "Can you focus on the fight?" Demanded Mu Qing. Annoyed 'Nan Feng' turned back to the fight.

"Nan Feng, Fu Yao can you go help the others?" Requested Xie Lian. "But you'll be alone." Said 'Nan Feng' sounding distressed. "He'll be fine." Snapped Mu Qing, feeling a out of place tang of jealously. Choosing not to question it right now he said "He has that 'Rouye'."

Leaving Xie Lian alone in the sedan, Mu Qing couldn't help but steal one more look. This was stupid Xie Lian was definitely hiding something yet they were still helping him. Mu Qing rolled his eyes as him and Feng Xin went to help the people they hired.

After a lot of fighting binus, they ran into a bunch people matching up the mountain to attack the ghost groom. As much as Mu Qing found it annoying it was probably the best way to find Xie Lian.

During the fighting and the searching, Mu Qing had vowed to find out what Xie Lian was hiding.

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Mu Qing was feeling many things. Rage, confusion and, for a reason he couldn't explain, a little betrayal. His emotions raged inside him as he watched the red figure and the white figure be way to close to each other inside the broken down shrine. It all started when they got up the mountain to the shrine of Pei Ming. Xie Lian had beaten them there already.

He had been quick and precise. There were a few scattered corpses of what appeared to be the missing brides. Either that there was next to no signs of a fight. In the center of the corpses was Xie Lian himself and the figure of a women dressed in red. The dress appeared to have once been one of value, but now the bottom had been frayed and drenched in blood that was now drying.

Xie Lian turned around and smiled softly at their approached.

"May you two contact heaven? The problem has been resolved, oh, and inform them that they might need General Pei."

And with those as his parting words he vanished into the wildlife of the mountains leaving both Feng Xin and Mu Qing in a state of shock.

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The discourse of the communication array after the Xaun Ji accident was truly something to witness, well perhaps not that much of spectacle, but it still was new news and so therefore interesting for a short amount of time.

In Mu Qing's opinion it wasn't that much of a shock that one of Pei Ming's lovers came back as a vengeful ghost, considering the amount of lovers there were it was more of a surprise that this had been the first one. No, what was an interest to Mu Qing about this whole debacle was Xie Lian. After fighting and capturing Xaun Ji he had vanished to who knows where.

It wasn't as though Mu Qing was worried, he was just curious, that wasn't a crime. Listening a little closer to the communication array to see if Xie Lian said anything was certainly not a crime either.

So what if he was relieved when he heard Xie Lian's voice calmly requesting if anyone had heard about Banyue pass. He certainly hadn't, not that that had mattered. It's not like anything happening in Xie Lian's life affected him.

He was down in the mortal realm in his Fu Yao form in less than fifteen minutes. Feng Xin was to unfortunately. Apparently where Xie Lian had been the pass few weeks was a decrepit shrine in the middle of nowhere.

After a brief scuffle with Feng Xin, Mu Qing knocked on the door. The person who answered it wasn't Xie Lian. The person who answered it was a man dressed in red, adorned with silver jewelry and a eyepatch over one of his eyes.

It didn't matter what form he took Feng Xin and Mu Qing had had enough unfortunate encounters with this man to recognize him in any form and he certainly didn't make it hard.

There was a moment where all three of them stared at each other before Hua Cheng simply closed the door. Both Feng Xin and Mu Qing were stunned speechless for a moment before the both processed what happened properly and the shock was replaced with panic as they kicked down the door.

"Hua Cheng what have you done with his high-" Feng Xin was cut off by an another wave of pure shock when they both witnessed said highness and Hua Cheng in what appeared to be casual conversation. But perhaps the most unbelievable part was the sheer amount of un-hidden love in both of their gazes between each other.

What the fuck?!?