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Life was somehow different. But well, wasn’t it the life that he deserved after all?
He wasn’t supposed to be a god in the first place and being a mortal again was only the right thing to be, wasn’t it? Living now on the streets was only the right punishment, wasn’t it? Or would it even be enough?
To be honest, Shi Qingxuan didn’t know at all, but he tried to make the best out of it. Enduring everything that life had ready for him. If it was starting all over as a beggar or even damaging his arm and leg only because of an accident he caused himself. He would go through it somehow. It was somehow the least he could do. There were worse things, even if he shouldn’t think that glad about everything. That was at least what he thought sometimes. It was all deserved, at some point.
Shi Qingxuan at least still had a feeling that he still was lucky. The other beggar had taught him a lot, but somehow he had the feeling that he had it easy to gain something to eat from a bypasser. He still had his youthful look, that for sure might help a little with it, but that wasn’t it. Even if he didn’t beg for something, it was more than once that there was something close to his sleeping place if he woke up.
He never had heard anything and neither did the other beggar. It was somehow strange. Who would have this much sympathy to sneak into an abandoned temple where beggars were sleeping to leave some food or other things behind?
Shi Qingxuan thought that it maybe could be his Highness, but that didn’t make sense. Xie Lian wasn’t someone to sneak into a place, and with his luck he wouldn’t be capable of doing this either. At least not without waking everyone up.
There was someone else crossing his mind, but he shook that thought away fast. That couldn’t be. He never would. He had no reason to do so anyway.
The former Windmaster simply let it be. He would ask his Highness once if he would visit again if he maybe could investigate, if he hadn’t forgotten about it at this time. So instead of worrying about it even more, Shi Qingxuan shared everything that he got with the others. Giving mostly more than he should if not everything. The other beggar had it worse after all, didn’t they?
And so he did on one warm day, as he had found another ration of food by his side as he woke up. He gave it to the beggar, especially the older ones who needed it more, because they couldn’t go out that easily because of this weather.
Shi Qingxuan only regretted it one moment as his stomach grumbled in protest at this. But he himself couldn’t help but be glad at the fact that he did it, seeing how glad the elder beggar were was enough, he could find something else instead. It wouldn’t be that hard, he could search in the nearby woods after all for something edible. He had learned about it after all. Something he never thought that he would ever do or know.
It was really a warm day. The sun was merciless right now and it even made him sweat a bit if he didn’t have a possibility to cover. So he was more than glad as he reached the forest and had the shadow of the leaves above him. It was as if a light breeze even welcomed him, as if it would know their former master. It was a nice feeling. Somehow nostalgic if he would be true about it.
A sigh escaped his throat at this.
There was no help in lingering in the past like this, there was no possibility to change what did happen. Otherwise he would try to change it, but probably not even the Heavenly Emperor could do something like this.
But before he could think about it even more his stomach made itself noticeable and reminded him why he was here again.
He wanted to search for something to eat after all. But what should it be? That was the only question.
If Shi Qingxuan would be still a god, he probably would have noticed. Or even if he wasn’t this concentrated in finding something to eat himself or on walking somehow straight with his crutch and not to stumble over his own leg. But he didn’t pay enough attention, nor was he still a god with better senses. So he didn’t realize the shadow that lingered close by.
What to do? It wasn’t the time to search for some berries and even if he would find any, they probably would still be way too sour or give him some cramps afterward.
Even if he was hungry, that wasn’t worth the risk.
After wandering around for some time, without finding anything that was slightly close to something he could eat at all. Shi Qingxuan was close to simply giving up for this moment and trying his luck later. What were some more hours of hunger after all?
Until even he could hear something.
It was a faint sound, but still he could hear it! Well at least his ears weren’t that bad. So he followed the little pitter-patter sound until it started to get louder with every step. Before he finally found it! A little lake!
As he came closer the little waves that appeared on the surface vanished and only the silhouettes of fishes were visible below the water.
Was there always a lake? Shi Qingxuan couldn’t actually remember. Maybe he simply never noticed it or wasn’t as close to it as he was right now. But anyway, he wouldn’t complain about it. After all, it appeared as the perfect chance to get not only something to eat for himself, but also bring something back to the abandoned temple.
That would be a feast!
But there were only two problems. First, he didn’t have a fishing rod. But that was easily fixed. The former Windmaster searched for a stick that was long enough for this purpose and extricated a thread from his own robes. Which took some tries before he actually managed to not tear it apart in the process. It wasn’t like it would make any difference if his clothes were more tattered.
After this was done and everything should hold long enough to get some fishes out of the lake, before it would break. Only the second problem was in the way. He absolutely had no clue how to fish.
He knew there was some kind of bait needed. An insect or anything like this, probably. What luck he didn’t care that much about getting dirty anymore. But with this strong sun right now there was no worm to be found.
So what else can be used? Would the fishes even fall for anything if he only tried his luck? After all, fish shouldn’t be that smart. What else was there to lose? It was worth a try.
And so Shi Qingxuan tied the best thing he could find to the thread. A rock!
Hopefully at least one fish would fall for this thing. One at least had to be stupid enough.
With a splash the ‘bait’ landed in the water while the former Windmaster tried to let it not sink to the ground and move it now and then only a bit to get some attention from any fish that could be unlucky enough.
The sun only went on upon his head as he waited and waited and waited. But nothing really happened and every shadow that came closer to his self made fishing rod swam away as fast as it came.
He was close to just giving up and trying something else as another shadow swam closer to the bait. Shi Qingxuan’s eyes widened as he saw how the shadow actually swam around it and even closer. He could literally feel how it nibbled on it now and then. Sending a prayer up to the gods that this might work already.
It was just then that the rod in his hand was pulled down.
Shi Qingxuan tried his best to hold on to the rod in his hand with all his might, which wasn’t a lot not in his actuall state, but nonetheless he tried his best. Actually being able to bring the fish at least a bit closer to the surface as their splashing was visible as it fought against him.
Just one moment passed as the fish gained his strength back and pulled harder than before, as if he only had played with Shi Qingxuan the whole time until this moment.
It was a loud splash as it wasn’t any longer air that surrounded Shi Qingxuan but rather water.
It took him a moment before he realized what had happened. Only seeing a nearly shing white fish swimming away from him until he finally started to move to get back to the surface.
He had learned how to swim in his youth, but now it was different. He could move both of his arms and legs back then, but now it was only one of both and he had other things in mind than to try and adjust to water or having the time to just swim a little around.
After he only could feel his working hand going through the water's surface but without any success in actually getting his head through it as well. He thought about something else. Trying to touch the ground and shove himself off the ground of the lake, but it was way deeper than he had imagined.
Shi Qingxuan could feel his air running low, before a reflex let him try to breathe. But only bubbles danced in front of his eyes, showing the last bit of air that flew from his lunges.
His eyes widened for a second before his vision slowly started to blur as he couldn’t breathe any longer and his head became more fuzzy.
It was as if he could hear something coming into the lake or was it only imagination? Shi Qingxuan wasn’t sure anymore what was real at this moment. Before he actually felt something around his chest. It was like a jolt that went through him as he all of a sudden resurfaced.
A loud gasp escaped Shi Qingxuan as his breathing reflex came to life again, this time there was actual air filling his lungs before he started to cough and get rid of all the water that was left.
Without even knowing he had ground below his body again and still coughed out the water, spitting it out into the grass below him as he tried to lift himself up, but his limbs felt weaker than ever and were shaking, as if the last strength was drained from them as well.
Shi Qingxuan needed some time before he could at least sit a bit and didn’t have to cough anymore. He blinked a few times to regain his vision as well and he couldn’t believe that he was still alive. He nearly drowned! How lucky he was. But…why was he still alive?
As he could see clear again he suddenly knew why he was still alive and kicking.
Someone did save him and this someone kneeled right in front of him as if they would wait until the former Windmaster would regain himself from this moment where he nearly drowned only because of an accident.
Blue eyes like the water itself looked at him. Their owner was a young man, if Shi Qingxuan had to guess he might only be around his twenties, his shoulder long hair was bound up in a ponytail, while some loose strands stuck to his face. Water was still dripping from it. His skin was pale, his features slender and a bit chiseled, but not in a bad way. The clothes he wore were simple, even if they weren't as tattered as the one Shi Qingxuan had on himself. He looked like a fisherman, which was already strange, because the lake here wouldn’t provide enough fish to make a living from it.
Shi Qingxuan had no clue where he came from so all of a sudden. Did he maybe just pass by and noticed him nearly drowning? If so, he couldn't be more glad about it. Even if there somehow was a strange feeling washing over the former Windmaster.
Looking deep into the blue eyes as if he searched for anything in them. A hint? A little glister? He didn’t know what exactly he searched for, only that he had to, as if it would confirm something. But as a smile was visible on the other man's face he let this thought be. That couldn’t be real after all.
As the fisherman stood up again and turned around, Shi Qingxuan finally found a bit of strength and especially his voice back.
“Wait!” He really tried to shout but after everything his voice sounded a little raspy. But it would do as long as he was able to talk, no matter how it sounded. And as if it was an actual command to the other, he stopped, but did not turn around.
“You saved me… Thank you. How can I pay you this back?” To save a beggar, how many would actually do this? It wasn’t something taken for granted. He knew by now that they were easily overseen most of the time.
There was a silence starting to grow between them, Shi Qingxuan only waited for an answer, while the other…well he didn’t know what was going on inside his mind right now. Maybe he was only thinking about the offer he just spoke out. Or wasn’t he able to speak at all? That this wasn’t the case, he learned right after.
“No need to pay anything back.” The voice wasn’t fully soft but not gruff either, it was like a mix where everything was somehow hidden.
Shi Qingxuan tilted his head to the side as he heard this. It made him somehow speechless. This whole action and everything. He didn’t really know anymore when he felt like this. And it made him smile a little.
“Would you…maybe help me then?” It was the first time the other actually looked back at him. Only to see that Shi Qingxuan already had held an arm out to him, in an unspoken plea to help him up. It was no lie after all, he still felt weak on his knees a bit.
The man hesitated for a moment, as if he actually thought about it. It wasn’t new by now that people didn’t come closer and mostly avoided him. Why should they reach out a hand for him, if they didn’t want to get filthy that is. The thing that was new was the fact that the man actually turned around completely, came closer by a few steps and took his hand.
It was only one pull before the former Windmaster was on his feet again. He could feel the strength behind it, but it wasn’t that rough as someone might expect.
His eyes met those of the man again. His eyes only widened a bit as he saw something, finally, something that he had searched before.
“Would you maybe help me back to my place? I think I have lost my crutch after all this.” It was a lie. He knew where he had placed it, but it probably was still hidden by a little bush, so at some point he could get it back again. But he didn’t want to right now.
Again was the man in thought, even biting the inner side of his lower lip, before he showed a faint nod. Only this simple gesture made the former Windmaster smile only more. Clutching to the other’s arm shortly after, as if it would be the most normal thing to do. But one of his legs wouldn’t move fine, so he had to get a hold somehow. What else should it be?
It was as if the walk back to the royal capital took longer than the way Shi Qingxuan took from there to the lake. But to be honest he didn’t mind.
He did chatter a bit now and then, only to receive some little noises as an answer who sounded sometimes more agreeing or not. Sometimes even a silence appeared upon them, but it wasn’t a heavy kind of silence. It never felt heavy or awkward, somehow just as if it was meant to be like this and it was alright that way.
Shi Qingxuan actually used the moments to ponder about something and if he really should ask, before he decided, to again try his luck.
“One last request?” He started with a childish-like voice, as if he asked for candy that the other had gathered only for himself without sharing any.
An agreeing sound was the only answer he got. But it was enough.
“Could you tell me your name? I would like to know who I should thank properly.” The eyes of the other man darted to him, as if he asked the most ridiculous question that was possible. And there the glister was again.
“There is no need for that. Our paths will part after this and everything will be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.” His voice sounded more cold than before, but also something else was there. If Shi Qingxuan wouldn’t fully mistake it, he would say that it sounded actually sad, deep down. Something that made his heart skip a beat for a moment.
It was a strange thought forming in his mind, but the more he thought about it the more it actually made sense, at least for himself. And the more he felt somehow warmer than before. And he was sure it wasn’t because of the sun.
Shi Qinngxuan swallowed hard before he pulled all of his courage together.
“That somehow sounds sad, doesn’t it…He Xuan?” The moment he said this he could feel the arm he was holding stiffen under his fingers. Before the man stopped in his steps and looked at him with somehow wide eyes, at least for his standards.
He was better at hiding everything back in heaven and still then Shi Qingxuan could always read somehow from the other’s few expressions what was going on.
“Since when?” The question was just as simple. But he fully understood it anyway.
“I somehow had a feeling? But I was only fully sure just now.” The former Windmasters voice went lower before he only pressed a “You didn’t have to.” out as if it would be possible that the other wouldn’t hear. But the one he spoke to was no mortal after all with only simple senses.
“You didn’t deserve to drown.” It would have been so easy. To ignore him and let him drown in his element. Nobody would ever know or even care. But these thoughts were a lie. He Xuan did know himself. Because there was at least one who did care. Two if he would count his Highness.
He just felt unwell with his turquoise eyes looking right at him, even with a fake skin it was as if they would burn through him. He damned his Bone Fish for playing a game with the former god and dragging him into the lake. Damning himself for his too fast action without thinking, this whole time. What was it worth? Just for a little moment to act as if nothing happened? He could laugh at himself just for that.
He Xuan’s first impulse was to get his arm free and vanish again, maybe this time forever. It would be for the better, wouldn’t it?
To get free would be easy. The power of a mortar was easily to overthrow and still he only moved his arm just slightly at first. Being careful enough not to hurt the other with any move.
As Shi Qingxuan tightened his grip around his arm the Ghost King froze in place.
It wasn't like it could actually hurt him, his body only reacted before he looked down to the mortal. The turquoise eyes fixed him, they were wide and shining.
“Don't go.” It was a plea that could break someone's heart. His own heart wasn't beating anymore, so there was nothing left to break and yet it clenched somehow in his chest. A Feeling he only had felt once again since his death and this wasn't that long ago.
He Xuan wasn't a man of many words, but right now he couldn't find any to give as an answer.
“You promised to help me go to my place, you have to keep it!” The former Windmasters voice got lower with every word, as he avoided his look as well. It was like a stab. Of course it was just that.
The ghost was about to answer before his words were interrupted by others.
“Maybe…you could stay and we can talk?” It was barely a whisper but enough for him to hear.
Again their eyes met. A smile was on Shi Qingxuan’s face that actually reached his eyes as well, making them shine brighter than ever. While another glister went through He Xuan's, giving the blue color a short mix of yellow.
He didn't deserve this kindness, not after everything. Strangely enough, but this was something that went through both their minds nearly at the same time. And only a little voice said that they actually did, if the other was alright with having the other close again. Not like the old times, these were gone, but like a new different way.
“We can do this.” The moment these words were said it was like an agreement. Like a silent vow that they would work on, to make it work, to keep it.
That was at least what they felt as they continued the walk to the royal capital.