Chapter Text
Within the same day, among many other things, Shi Qingxuan had said, ‘The Crimson Rain Sought Flower is your sworn brother.’
Xie Lian repeated that sentence in his head for what is probably the thousandth time, and every time he thought about it, he couldn’t help but think;
‘Are we really just sworn brothers?’
Then right afterwards, he would have to stop himself from shaking his head, thinking;
‘Are we even sworn brothers? We haven’t even known each other for that long.’
And after that thought, he would loop back to thinking about how Shi Qingxuan referred to them as sworn brothers.
Xie Lian had been caught in this agonizing loop ever since he parted ways with Hua Cheng outside of Qi Rong’s lair. Even when Jun Wu was talking, he had to force himself to listen instead of daydreaming about that line again.
After leaving the Great Martial Hall, Xie Lian walked aimlessly around the heavenly capital for a while. At one point, he passed by the Xianle palace, its front doors now adorned with a huge ‘X’ made out of dozens of talismans.
Oh well, he wasn’t planning to stay in his palace anyway.
‘The Crimson Rain Sought Flower is your sworn brother.’
Xie Lian physically shook his head when that sentence popped into his head against his will, trying to chase it away yet failing miserably.
“Your Highness!”
Xie Lian whipped his head to the source of the voice, seeing Shi Qingxuan waving and running towards him.
Xie Lian greeted back and Shi Qingxuan told him that his palace was sealed because it was connected to somewhere else. Xie Lian nodded in understanding, but in truth, seeing the wind master’s face only made him think about how he said;
‘The Crimson Rain Sought Flower is your-’
Xie Lian mentally slapped himself.
Shi Qingxuan offered his own palace as a place for Xie Lian to rest temporarily, Xie Lian uttered a thank you before the wind master left him alone once again.
‘The Crimson Rain Sought Flower-’
Okay, enough was enough.
There is no way he could think of anything else like this, so Xie Lian headed straight towards the Ascension Gates. He really had to see Hua Cheng, everything else can wait.
Xie Lian jumped down to the entrance of Ghost City, then walked around in search of Hua Cheng. He thought of where to start his search, quickly deciding that he should start with checking the Gambler’s Den.
He made his way past the familiar pillars and doors, finding himself in the very crowded main hall, looking down towards a long gambling table. On one end of the table, a young woman with a mask covering the top half of her face stood, shakily gripping a wooden dice cup.
Xie Lian looked past the gambling table, unconsciously smiling as he saw the red screen curtains with an enchanting figure sitting lazily behind it.
“I- I will bet 10 years of my life!” She croaked.
A deep voice answered, “Very well.”
Xie Lian’s heart unconsciously thumped harder.
‘The Crimson Rain Sought Flower is your sworn brother.’
Xie Lian inwardly sighed as the thought surfaced again. He resolved to distract himself by paying attention to the woman’s bet.
A croupier beside the red curtains spoke, “Evens will be a loss, odds will be a win. Once the cup is open, there is no going back. Now please.”
The woman shook the dice cup with both hands, her entire body shaking with nervousness. She placed down the dice cup, one hand still pressing on the top of it, as she gathered the courage to look at the result, Xie Lian found himself wondering what she gambled for.
The woman took a few deep breaths, then ripped open the cup to reveal a four and a five.
“ODD! ODD! I WIN! I WIN!” She yelled happily, her knees looking weak, likely out of relief.
The croupier smiled, “Congratulations, the best doctors will be sent to treat your sister.”
The woman bowed deeply in gratitude, muttering multiple thank yous before retreating back to the crowd. Xie Lian couldn’t help but feel happy for the woman as well, silently wishing her and her family the best, while also silently hoping she and her family won't run into misfortune because he was the one who wished them the best.
The croupier announced, “Anyone else who wishes to gamble may step up to the table.”
Xie Lian looked around to see some ghosts looking like they were gathering the courage to gamble, he felt like this would be his chance to earn some time alone with hua cheng, so he calmly walked down the stairs towards the table.
As he descended the stairs he could see Hua Cheng move behind the red curtains, from the lazy posture to now a much more engaged one with his elbows on his knees. Xie Lian wouldn’t know of course, but Hua Cheng was singing praises to his luck for letting him see his god so early after parting ways.
The croupier spoke, “Welcome sir, what would you like to gamble for.”
Xie Lian thought for a moment, and answered "I'd like to gamble for a night with Chengzhu."
Instantly, there were murmurs and whispers around him.
The croupier's eyes widened and immediately looked to the curtains, as if asking for Hua Cheng's response.
Hua Cheng stiffened behind the curtains, but only a split second passed when he regained his normal composure and leaned closer to the curtains to say a few words to the croupier.
The croupier said again, “Chengzhu would like to play against you.”
Right after, Hua Cheng’s pale left hand parted the crimson red curtains, making way for himself to step out and face Xie Lian in person.
'The Crimson Rain Sought Flower is your-'
Xie Lian mentally slapped himself again and again as he cried out in his mind, 'Get it together, Xie Lian!'
He could feel his heartbeat going haywire as he saw Hua Cheng’s true form in all its glory, a handsome snow-white face along with crimson red robes accented with silver jewelry, his walk towards the gambling table was accompanied by the jingle of the silver bells on his boots. While earlier Hua Cheng’s hair had been loose, now except for a small lock braided neatly with a pearl as red as his robes at the end of it, the rest of his hair was done in a messy braid .
Hua Cheng stood at the other end of the table and said, “What would gege like to bet with?"
‘The Crimson Rain-'
STOP, STOP IT.
Xie Lian pushed that thought away and started thinking on what he could bet. Last time, Hua Cheng accepted a half-eaten bun as a bet, so this time, Xie Lian thought about betting something more valuable to make up for it.
Xie Lian didn't have much on his person - well he didn't have much off his person either - feeling around in his sleeve, he could feel a scroll or two that are probably useless for Hua Cheng, a few coins that definitely don't amount to anything for Hua Cheng, and a few talismans that may not be appropriate to pull out in a city full of ghosts.
So, really, he only had one thing to bet with.
"Can I bet this?" Xie Lian unsheathed Fangxin and placed it on the gambling table, the pitch black sword immediately gathering attention.
On a normal day, Xie Lian wouldn't bet Fangxin, though on a normal day he also wouldn't gamble.
Xie Lian knew he would lose, his purpose of going here and gambling was really just to let Hua Cheng know he was there. If their past interactions were anything to go off of, Xie Lian hoped that once he lost and given him Fangxin, Hua Cheng would spend some time with him anyway.
"Of course, would gege like to bet highest or lowest?"
Xie Lian thought it didn’t matter either way, but he still answered, "Lowest."
"Very well, I'll go first."
Hua Cheng lazily shook the dice cup with one hand a few times, then lifted the lid to reveal a one and a two.
Those were very good numbers, Xie Lian wilts a bit as he remembered the last time he tried to bet lowest.
Xie Lian shook his dice cup, he thought it wouldn't hurt to try his new strategy of chanting two sixes, two sixes , then he stopped and opened the lid.
Snake eyes!
Xie Lian was bewildered, had he finally found some luck? The luck Hua Cheng gave him ran out long ago, so did aiming for sixes give him snake eyes? Or was it that he expected to lose that he ended up winning?
"Congratulations." Hua Cheng said with a smirk.
Xie Lian was pulled out of his thoughts and looked away as felt his face heat up, "A- ah… thank you."
There was immediate chatter by the Ghost City folk around them;
“Am I seeing this right? Did Chengzhu lose again?”
“There’s no way! That cultivator must be cheating!”
“Impossible! If he was cheating, surely Chengzhu would know!”
Among the ghosts in the crowd, some seemed to have recognized Xie Lian;
“Wait! That’s the cultivator Chengzhu taught to roll dice!”
“AH! Chengzhu’s teaching must be what made him win!”
Xie Lian took that into consideration, but even though Hua Cheng did say there was a trick, didn’t he also say it couldn’t be learned in a day?
While Xie Lian was deep in thought, Hua Cheng moved to be right in front of him, "Well gege? This one is all yours for the night, you can do anything your heart desires to me." He said with a sultry tone.
Ghost city folk: "DID CHENGZHU JUST FLIRT?!?!?!"
Xie Lian coughed into his fist and tried to ignore the heat steadily going up his head, "S- San Lang, is there anywhere we can talk privately?"
"Of course, gege, come with me." Hua Cheng smiled mischievously and led Xie Lian out from the Gambler’s Den.
The two walked side by side on the bustling Ghost City street, with the ghosts around them mostly greeting Hua Cheng and scrutinizing Xie Lian, wondering who he was to be able to casually walk side by side with their Chengzhu.
Xie Lian mostly kept his head bowed or hid behind Hua Cheng, using his bamboo hat to avoid eye contact with anyone. It wasn’t that he was scared or uncomfortable, but he was more so worried that the ghosts he met on his last visit would recognize him.
He still remembered what he said to avoid a particular female ghost and wouldn’t want Hua Cheng of all people to know.
While busy keeping himself as unnoticeable as possible, Hua Cheng suddenly spoke up, “Gege, unfortunately we can’t go to Paradise Manor yet, pray gege doesn’t mind we go somewhere else?"
Xie Lian felt somewhat embarrassed at the mention of Paradise Manor, “I don’t mind it, San Lang.” ‘I’m sorry I burnt down your Paradise Manor.’ He wanted to say it, but last time Hua Cheng didn’t seem too pleased when he apologized, so he apologized in his heart.
Hua Cheng only smiled in response, and continued leading Xie Lian through various turns until they arrived in front of a temple.
Xie Lian’s breath hitched as he looked at the simply otherworldly temple. The contrast provided by the dark and crimson Ghost City only made it more enchanting, tranquil and soothing amidst the hustle and bustle of the city around it.
Xie Lian simply stared for a while before he spoke, “San Lang… this…”
After another bout of silence, Hua Cheng started explaining, “This is just some place I found, I maintained it but haven’t found a use for it yet.”
Xie Lian Ah- ed and couldn’t help but wonder which god was worshiped here before Hua Cheng found it, he couldn’t help but think that the god worshiped here was lucky to have such a beautiful temple to their name.
“Gege, do you want to come inside?” Hua Cheng offered.
It was only then that Xie Lian realized how long he had spent standing around and staring. Slightly embarrassed, he quickly nodded.
The interior was no less beautiful, being wide and open but with no statue of a god and no cushions.
Xie Lian couldn’t help but ask, “San Lang, does this temple have a name?”
Hua Cheng smiled and replied, “Qiandeng Temple.”
“It’s a beautiful name.” Xie Lian commented.
There was a small chuckle, “I’m glad gege thinks so.” Hua Cheng continued, “Gege came to see me so quickly, does gege miss me?” He asked teasingly with a wide grin.
Xie Lian couldn’t help but chuckle, no matter how feared Hua Cheng was, every time he saw his face, Xie Lian would get an almost irresistible urge to rub his cheeks,
“Well, I did say I would visit San Lang when I have time,” Xie Lian’s smile faded a bit, though not completely, “It’s not a big deal, but there is something I want to ask you.”
“Oh? What is it?” Hua Cheng inquired.
Xie Lian swallowed thickly, "San Lang, about what Lord Wind Master said…" his voice wavers before he could finish his sentence.
Hua Cheng plastered on an innocent smile, "What did he say?" He knew what his god meant of course, he just didn't want to be wrong.
Xie Lian let out an exasperated sigh, knowing very well that Hua Cheng was just playing with him, "Earlier Lord Wind Master said we were sworn brothers… what- what does San Lang think about that?"
Hua Cheng's one eye widened for a split second before he could force them to go back to normal. He considered which prospect Xie Lian meant, one where he didn’t think they were sworn brothers or one where he thought they were more than sworn brothers.
Not knowing how to answer, Hua Cheng chose a non committal answer, “This San Lang… will be grateful if gege considers him a sworn brother.” He said with a small yet gentle smile.
That kind of answer didn’t give much solace to Xie Lian. He was of course glad that it seemed like Hua Cheng didn’t mind being sworn brothers with him, yet for a reason still unknown to him, he wanted more .
The two had only spent a total of less than two weeks together, yet Xie Lian had never felt more connected to someone more than what he felt with Hua Cheng. When Xie Lian only knew ‘San Lang’, he thought the teen was interesting, but since getting out of the Sinners Pit and coming back to Puqi Shrine, Xie Lian really wanted to know everything there is to know about Hua Cheng. But he wondered if this is too far for Hua Cheng, and if he pushed him too hard, will he leave?
Hua Cheng on the other hand, was too caught in his own inner turmoil to notice Xie Lian’s. The days he spent with Xie Lian were already the best days of his entire ghost and mortal life combined and he would rather disperse again than ruin any bit of friendliness between them. If he was dispersed he could still come back, but if he made a mistake he might lose his god forever.
For a while, neither of them moved nor spoke a word, both desperately wanting more of their current relationship yet neither knew that the other wanted the same. And so, both were too afraid to say something out loud.
Eventually, Xie Lian decided that the conversation stalemate had to end. Taking account of their past interactions, Xie Lian thought that this is nothing compared to burning down Hua Cheng;s Paradise Manor. Considering Hua Cheng wasn’t the least bit angry, Xie Lian thought he could say this without much consequence.
Gathering all the courage he has, he took a deep breath and spoke, “San Lang, I… really enjoyed all the times we spent together, I admire San Lang very much and… I really want to know and understand so much more about you.”
Xie Lian hoped his intention was clear enough, but he suddenly felt as if he was imposing on Hua Cheng and hurriedly added, “But it’s okay if there are things that San Lang doesn’t want to tell me yet, I can wait!”
Hua Cheng stiffened again, repeating the words ‘I can wait’ in his head, so caught up with it that he didn’t hear Xie Lian say, “But even if there are things that San Lang never wants to tell me, that’s also okay.”
The ghost king felt strangely overjoyed at his god’s words, as if his centuries old prayers had been answered. Following that joy, Hua Cheng suddenly felt dread, the countless nights he prayed to his god, muttering ‘Please wait for me, please… give me a little more time…’ came to mind.
‘Had His Highness heard me?’ Hua Cheng wasn’t ready to reveal that , he didn’t want to potentially scare his god away.
Hua Cheng thought back to his interactions with Xie Lian when his god knew him as ‘San Lang’. Thinking back to when Xie Lian didn’t hesitate to call him ‘Hua Cheng’ after figuring out his identity, the ghost thought that it might be safe to say Xie Lian doesn’t know yet, if he does, Xie Lian would’ve probably said so already.
Hua Cheng didn’t realize that he had spent a few seconds in his own mind until Xie Lian nervously spoke up.
“S- San Lang, am I imposing-”
“No, it’s not that,” Hua Cheng made a mental note to scold himself later for interrupting his god, “This San Lang is just happy that gege would wait.”
Hua Cheng braved himself for one more sentence, “Your Highness, this one… would be so happy to someday be something more than a sworn brother.” Normally, he would never say something like that in fear of what the response could be, but for now, he was just happy he said it.
Xie Lian’s eyes lit up at Hua Cheng’s reply, his own concern about what he said fell away as he reveled in joy. He noticed how Hua Cheng said ‘Someday’ , but he wasn’t worried, Xie Lian could be patient.
“Thank you.” Xie Lian managed to say.
Hua Cheng only chuckled, “I should be the one thanking gege.” though he didn’t add, ’For just the chance of being on friendly terms.’
They stayed in a comfortable silence for a while, simply appreciating being in each other's presence, neither quite understanding how much they mean for the other.
Xie Lian broke the silence again just for the sake of saying something to Hua Cheng, “Say, San Lang, how come this temple doesn’t have an establishment plaque?”