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There once was a Scrap Collecting Immortal by the name: Xie Lian. Rumors had it, he originally was a prince of a kingdom with overflowing gold, until he got banished and demoted to be the God of Rubbish, scavenging for things others didn't use anymore—the broken, the forgotten, the old.
"They're just like me!" He used to joke.
Although it was a sad tale, he just didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
There was a Ghost Fire without a name. People said, he didn't bore one while alive, and there certainly wasn't anyone to give him one after his death. In the old tales, he used to be a soldier who lost his life on the battlefield, dying for love.
"I have a beloved still in this world." He used to say.
He refused to give up and move on. This was, another sad story.
One day, the two met.
Xie Lian was crouching on the ground, plucking wild berries from a bush, and putting them into a rag that has seen better days.
He suddenly heard a voice from behind.
"Your Highness, those are poisonous."
Xie Lian let out a faint smile.
"How come you're finally showing yourself to me?" Without turning back, he sent a look behind his shoulder. "Who are you?"
The sack on his back was bulging with all the jumbled mess he carried inside, nearly blocking his vision. Still, he noticed the green-colored, translucent ghostfire behind him, keeping his distance but undoubtingly following him around for such a long time Xie Lian didn't dare to attempt guessing his motives.
"I am, Your Highness, but a limbless, useless ball of flame." He answered.
Xie Lian's eyebrows furrowed.
"It's been a while someone called me that. How do you know who I am?"
"I would always recognize Your Highness. No matter the state of him."
Xie Lian was a little speechless.
"You are such an odd little creature. Very lively for a ghost fire. How about you call me Xie Lian? That's my name."
The ghost fire didn't answer, just gave off a disapproving flicker.
"Alright, you don't need to," Xie Lian said mildly. "Is there a reason you're following me? Do you need me to perform the service that allows you to move on?"
The ghost fire dangled left and right as if shaking his head. "No need to trouble yourself, Your Highness. I pray to never rest in peace."
If Xie Lian was speechless before, now he was completely stunned.
"Then... what's your deal?"
The ghost fire hesitated for a moment. He flew to rest above Xie Lian's hands. It was full of scratches and tiny wounds because of the thorny bush.
"Ghost fires are like scraps, useless remnants of things. I thought, maybe, it's fine to be collected by the Scrap Collecting Immortal."
Xie Lian hadn't even noticed the small gushes on his hands. The ghost fire's cool, inhuman flames radiated a natural cooling energy, very soothing to the wounds.
"Don't say you're 'useless' so easily," Xie Lian chided. "Look at the scraps here; all have value, to some, they'd make a change in their lives. Each has a story. So, little stubborn ghost fire, why don't you come with me and tell me yours? If you don't mind."
Hearing his invitation, the ghost fire lit up at his words, burning in every hue of green. "I don't mind. Gege can call me San Lang."
And with that, the ghost fire, who thought himself useless, found home at the Scrap Collecting Immortal's side. Turned out, for many hundreds of years, the Scrap Collecting Immortal was very lonely on his own, and desperately needed someone who listens to him talk. The ghost fire, San Lang, found purpose and thus, didn't feel so useless anymore.
Together, they both realized happiness to be such a simple, easily achievable thing.
After one eventful day of collecting rubbish, Xie Lian leaned back against the trunk of a big tree, shielding his eyes from the sun. He had a strange feeling he's being watched, and sure, San Lang was staring at him unwaveringly, flickering faintly in the sunlight. Xie Lian noticed his stare and beamed at him, his lips pulling into a bright smile. Suddenly determined, the tiny ghost fire floated next to his ears as if whispering into it, "Gege."
Xie Lian long learned that the times he acted like this, his little friend was distressed. He quickly held up his hands and formed a cup with his palms. The ghost fire settled inside, burning brighter than usual—and if Xie Lian hadn't known better, he would have said he wore the equivalent of a human blush amongst the green flames.
"San Lang?" he asked, gently lifting the ghost fire up to eye-level.
"Gege, do you think we're like this in other universes too?"
"Mn?" Xie Lian asked back in genuine confusion. The ghost fire asked again, floating out of his palms, perking up.
"Do you think we're together in every universe?"
Xie Lian put his hand under his chin, tilting his head slightly as he pondered over it.
"Uhm."
"Ehm." General Hua scratched his head sheepishly, the purple smoke of his spilled soup still lingering between him and the handsome little fisherman.
"Um," the prince mumbled, feeling the beautiful women in red is only teasing him.
"Uhm," Xie Lian said, worrying his lips between his teeth, licking away the red rouge on his lips. Stepping outside his bridal sedan, he hooked his arms with the tall black-clad young man, wearing a white smiling mask.
"Well." The young crown prince laughed heartily, caressing along the bushy tail the fox spirit had leisurely placed onto his lap.
"Um." The pharmacist blushed, fiddling with the stem of the red flower he received from the young soldier.
"Uhm," FangXin Guoshi said, a little bothered by the intense gaze of the young man-turned-out-to-be Ghost King.
"Ehm," the flower god's cheeks turned rosy, as he entertwined his fingers with the ghost's blue, clawed ones.
"Well," the new white calamity was happy his face was hidden behind his mask as he replied to the spoiled young master, who he—for some reason—always had a soft spot for.
Hong Hong-er in Utter bewilderment and Awe, Landed safe In the Arms of the Crown Prince of XiaNle. General Hua, Unbeknownst to any, Appointed the handsome young Lad who soon become the most vicious fighter In the Army of the Northern Desert. The wHite ferret sat Unmovingly, Alarmed by the fLat SmIling MAsk on the ground, iNches away from the black sword. Hiding behind a roleplay, Under the guise of A master and his discipLe, CrImson RAiN made His Highness dUAL cultIvAte. Not remembering wHo he is, the crown prince seized the opportUnity to be A guest at City Lord Hua's Ghost CIty. WAnting to teach New techniques, Sect Leader HUA Let the Flower Crowned MartIAl God iNside his armory. Hoping to gain back his Ultimate powers, Another ghost fire Launched an attack to keep HIs Little Highness The Crown Prince sAfe. The scrap collector wanted to call after the Nameless soldier.
H U L I A N H U A L I A N H U A L I A N A N H U A L I A N.
The ghost fire's green paled, but he was patiently waiting for Xie Lian's reply.
Xie Lian stopped his musings and blurted out happily, "Ahahahahaha, I would say so, yes! After all, San Lang will always be the only one I like the very best."