Chapter Text
Y/n is a rarity. An unnatural beauty with white hair. A being who uses his siren like vocals and imitation against others. A majority of heaven officials are wary of him and are diligent on keeping their distance. The reason being, he dips between both realms.
Y/n is a ghost, who ascended and became a god. That's why most people don't like him. He's strange and shouldn't possibly exist. A ghost who became a god? That's an anomaly. What could be worse than that? An anomaly that has power.
He's a god of the upper court and yet he doesn't have his own palace. He rejected it choosing to make his own domain in the mortal realm. Just like a ghost would. His reason being? It's closer to Xie Lian. Y/n having so much power as a god and a ghost, with the ability to wipe out a nation leaves the other officials anxious. They'd prefer if he was banished from the Heavens. Which he was. Even then 6,000 temples stayed up in his favor.
They have many names for him: Y/n, God of Song, dúshé, general, and even the name mûguô was passed around for a while. Only Xie Lian uses the nickname, míngqín.
He used to be a general for XianLe and an imperial guard for Xie Lian. They grew up together, along with Feng Xin and eventually Mu Qing. But everyone knows the stories. Mu Qing stopped following Xie Lian after his banishment and never spoke a good word of him again.
Feng Xin and Y/n however stayed loyal. They grew up together, and were banished together. And yet Feng Xin and Y/n grew apart. Feng Xin and Xie Lian grew apart. Leaving y/n with Xie Lian alone. A banished ghost and a banished prince.
So their wishes came true, but not forever. When the bell in the Heavens starts to toll and shake everyone is expecting to see a newcomer. They must be powerful with how hard the bell rings, surely?
The official's hopes were diminished when they saw the familiar silhouette of Y/n and Xie Lian. He ascended a second time!? And Xie Lian he...he...he fucking ascended a third time?!
Y/n looks much different his face hides behind a veil now. Only his striking blue eyes can be seen. He stands by Xie Lian's side as the other officials whisper. None of them notice the bell fall... Or as someone's golden palace gets ruined.
🏮🏮🏮🏮🏮🏮🏮🏮🏮🏮
Y/n stands next to Xie Lian while Ling Wen talks about his highness getting first place, for once. Of course for nothing good. Something about banishment but at least Xie Lian got 100 merits for it.
Y/n gets lost in thought and starts paying attention to his two birds, Wèizhī. It's supposed to be one, conjoined name but the twin birds liked the name for both of them. Yes Y/n has birds. While other gods have families as swords, or ghosts have butterflies. Y/n has his birds. They're Oriental Magpies and they represent Y/n perfectly. Both of them imitate others, and both of them sing.
Y/n's attention is brought back when Ling Wen points at a 'bell'. He looks over to the civil god with an arched brow. "Ling Wen I know you're tired but there's no bell up there", he says with a shrug
"There was a bell there. When general Li and his highness ascended you both caused quite the turmoil. Causing the bell to fall on a passing by heavenly official" she explains.
She points in another direction, "Do you see that golden palace?" Xie Lian smiles, "Ah yes I can."
"It was put up to replace an official's golden palace that was damaged from your ascension" and Xie Lian's smile falls into a nervous one.
"So we've offended many officials from the moment we arrived?" Xie Lian confirms
"If you can make amends maybe not"Ling Wen
Y/n places a hand on his hip and cocks it to the side, "How do we make amends then?"
"Easy, just pay eight million eight hundred eight thousand merits" Ling Wen adds, "Of course I know you both don't have a tenth of that amount."
Y/n gawks behind his veil. He groans and Xie Lian grins. ,"Please allow us to think about what we should do" he heaves a long sigh.
The two of them walk to the side and Mei Li watches Xie Lian crouch down in distraught. " A-Lian I can pay for it, half of it was my fault after all" you frown patting his head.
"Ah no that's not necessary, I'll find a way. So please don't waste your merits on me, míngqín." Míngqín, a nickname Xie Lian made for you long ago. You love it. Yes you are a songbird, and you're his songbird.
Y/n glances away, he'll pay for it when he gets the chance. Right now he'll stay by Xie Lian's side. "Oh we should probably find the array for the upper court. I don't have the password anymore." Xie Lian brings his fingers to his temple and Y/n does the same.
They search through multiple arrays, some even bet on how long they'll stay this time. When they finally find it someone whispers, "So his highness and his general are back?"
Xie Lian brightens when they finally find the array he's looking for, "Yes I'm back!" Y/n cocks his hip and doesn't answer.
The heavenly official chuckles languidly, "his highness and general /n caused a tremendous force this time, yes?"
Xie Lian rubs the back of his neck, "Ah well it wasn't so bad." Y/n crosses his arms.
Another official cuts in, "It wasn't so bad for his highness, but my luck isn't as good" While Xie Lian looks very sorry, Y/n doesn't.
It seems Xie Lian doesn't know who they're talking to but Y/n knows it's Mu Qing. He cocks his hip and Xie Lian thinks to himself, that one day Y/n might pop his hip out if he keeps up. "This one heard that General Xuan Zhen flicked it and the bell split in half though? Surely it didn't cause the great general much pain?" Y/n hums in fake sympathy and checks his nails.
They're interrupted by another official. Y/n sighs at this.
"Who the fuck knocked down my palace?! SHOW YOURSELF!" Y/n covers his ears as he recognizes Feng Xin.
Feng Xin and Mu Qing start bickering about something, Y/n looks over to Xie Lian. To see if he's doing okay with the familiar faces.
Xie Lian laughs nervously, "it was my fault I apologize, I didn't mean for it to get out of hand"
Mu Qing replies sarcastically, "Oh what a coincidence."
This upsets Y/n, he crosses his arms and sets a glare on Mu Qing. "Are you implying we did it on purpose as an act of revenge? General Xuan Zhen I thought you knew by now the world simply does not revolve around you. I think you want to be a victim." He spits. He refuses to sit here while Mu Qing slanders Xie Lian's name. Off to the side he can other people whisper dúshé.
Mu Qing scoffs, but Xie Lian cuts in, "I will try my best to compensate you, I apologize"
Y/n glares at Mu Qing's spot. The man glares back but he falls silent and invisible.
Xie Lian and Y/n leave the array afterwards.
Y/n frowns and plays with a piece of his long hair. "This one is sorry A-Lian, I just couldn't stay quiet"
Xie Lian waves a hand and smiles, "It's alright no need to apologize."
Ling Wen has invited Xie Lian and Y/n to the great hall so that's where they go. Y/n watches over Xie Lian's shoulder reading the scroll she gave them. Apparently they can earn merits if they solve this "ghost groom" issue.
Y/n hums, "We can do it A-Lian we've experienced worse"
Xie Lian nods, but looks back at Y/n nervously. "Yes but I also can't use any spiritual devices", "Then maybe it's better to get the help of some deputy generals?" Ling Wen adds.
"That's why I'm here, I'll gladly do the work for you-"
"But I don't want you to do all the work for me, I'll feel bad, so for my sake let's get help from some middle officials?" Xie Lian smiles nervously, of course he doesn't want to push Y/n. He does so much for Xie Lian already.
Y/n cocks his hip, and glances to the side "I suppose, but who will really come help?"
Xie Lian laughs, "Ah you're right. Ling Wen I'm afraid no one will willingly come to my aid"
She waves a hand though, "I'll get you some help don't worry". Then she goes into the array, and asks who could send two martial officials to help the emperor.
It probably would have worked too, if Mu Qing hadn't ruined it, "I heard the emperor isn't in the north at the moment. This help must be for his highness right?"
Ling Wen sighs, "You're always in the array these days General Xuan Zhen, congratulations you seem to have plenty of time."
"My hand is wounded, I'm currently nursing the injury." Mu Qing replies coyly
"Oh? You poor thing I didn't know it took a bell to take you out General" Y/n adds smugly.
They all leave the array once it's obvious no one is coming to help.
"It's alright A-Lian I don't mind doing it" Y/n hums softly running his hand over Xie Lian's arm.
"Yes, we're used to being alone so we'll leave it as is" he sighs.
"May heaven Officials give their blessings" Ling Wen says.
"No paths are bound!" Xie Lian replies and leaves in a dashing manner. Y/n follows him with a sigh. He has to make sure Xie Lian doesn't fall out of heaven.