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“Crimson Rain Sought Flower set fire to another God’s temple three days ago.” Pei Ming’s voice rang out in the Heavenly Emperor’s hall. Perhaps if this were a typical gathering there would be a ripple of panic among the crowd of gathered Gods, but this was a new era under a new emperor and the new emperor wasn’t one for spectacles. There wasn’t a crowd of gathered Gods. There wasn’t the overwhelming tightness of social pressure that usually came with meetings. There was only silence among the three senior Gods as they studied Xie Lian’s reaction. Xie Lian didn’t give them anything; his face was as calm as any other day.
“That must’ve been startling for Zhang Wei as a new God.” Xie Lian said softly. He titled his head. “Is he assisting his followers in rebuilding?”
“Gods shouldn’t interfere with the ongoings of their mortal followers.” Mu Qing flatly said. Xie Lian didn’t say a word but his eyes cut his friend the moment he finished speaking. With a quick up and down, Xie Lian returned his attention to Pei Ming. Mu Qing immediately turned red. “I don’t know what you think you’re accusing me of but my point stands! Gods should not interfere and there wouldn’t be a situation where direct assistance would be needed if your ghost king hadn’t caused trouble–again!” Xie Lian pursed his lips at that and let out a sigh.
“Ghosts cause trouble. It’s not just San Lang.”
“Ghosts don’t go out of their way to find a God to spit at!” Feng Xin cursed. Xie Lian feigned a look of confusion.
“I believe Qi Rong–”
“Qi Rong was a fucking coward.” Feng Xin said with a huff. “Would he talk behind our backs until the sun went dark? Absolutely. Would he confront a God face to face to talk his shit? Fuck no.”
“Besides, he was a special case and has since been dealt with.” Pei Ming said, stepping forward to get the Gods back to the pressing point before they broke out into circular bickering. “We can’t have Hua Cheng terrorizing the Heavens over a single God’s mistakes."
Xie Lian let out an understanding hum but said, “The God provoked San Lang, did he not? San Lang simply retaliated. This hardly counts as terrorizing the Heavens.”
“Do you hear yourself?” Mu Qing snapped, stomping forward. Pei Ming held out his arm and cleared his throat.
“Your Highness,” He tried again. “Zhang Wei insulted you. This is a matter between you and him. Between two Gods. Not Zhang Wei and Hua Cheng.” Xie Lian nodded.
“Yes, and I handled the situation the way I felt was best.”
“By ignoring Zhang Wei and commanding a calamity to burn down one of his fucking temples?” Feng Xin grumbled. Xie Lian turned to him, a look of sadness taking over his features.
“Do you think I’d actually demand my peers to be harmed in such a way? Do you truly believe that to be my character Feng Xin?” Feng Xin had the decency to look ashamed but his face was still twisted bitterly.
“Crimson Rain would’ve–”
“San Lang acted on his own accord.” Xie Lian said briskly. “I ignored Zhang Wei because his comments frankly didn’t bother me. I’ve been called many names in the hundreds of years I’ve been alive. I’ve been insulted in front of families, crowds, and friends alike. If I took everything to heart, half the world would’ve been wiped out by now.” The three looked uncomfortable at that. “I ignored him and carried on about my day. San Lang heard what the young God said and probably burned down the temple as a warning.”
“A warning…” Pei Ming couldn’t help but scoff.
“Yes.” Xie Lian immediately said, choosing to ignore his tone. “Zhang Wei is young and has earned his following. His followers can easily rebuild but he should know that he can’t just say things without retaliation. Not that I would be the one dealing out consequences…”
“No, it’ll be the calamity you gossip with in bed when the moon is at its highest.” Mu Qing said with a roll of his eyes. Xie Lian blushed.
“I do not gossip with San Lang.”
“You don’t gossip with him?” Mu Qing folded his arms.
“No, I do not gossip with him.”
“You gossip with him .” Feng Xin said, jerking a thumb at Mu Qing. “Why wouldn’t you gossip with Crimson Rain?”
“We don’t gossip!” Mu Qing and Xie Lian exclaimed in unison.
“You told Hua Cheng for a reason, did you not?” Pei Ming interrupted.
“I did not tell San Lang about what this god said. I had already forgotten. San Lang brought it up on his own accord and then acted.”
“But you didn’t stop him.” Mu Qing said. Xie Lian straightened and frowned.
“But I didn’t stop him, no.”
“Why not?” Pei Ming said, his voice darker now.
“He’s not a pet or a child. A man offended another man and the offended man retaliated. Is this really so confusing?” The annoyance was clear as day in Xie Lian’s voice and the three Gods stared back in surprise. “If this action has spooked this many people then perhaps everyone should mind their manners! Do not imply that I am in the position to control my partner!”
Feng Xin and Mu Qing remained silent. It was strange to them to see their old friend in this new position as the Heavenly Emperor with the most powerful entity by his side. They didn’t know how to precede or even if they should. Pei Ming held no such thoughts.
“I am not implying, I am saying that you are in the position to control your partner.” Pei Ming said, moving closer to tower over Xie Lian. Xie Lian didn’t move back. He stared up with an annoyingly bored expression that made Pei Ming’s eye twitch. “If you tell him to do something, he’ll do it. If you tell him not to do something, he won't do it. It’s really that simple.”
“And if people are kind, they may receive kindness in return. If they are mean, then they will receive meanness in return. It’s really that simple.”
“Are you truly that stubborn?” Pei Ming snapped.
“Are you truly that cold-hearted?” Xie Lian immediately replied.
“Okay, we understand.” Mu Qing tightly interrupted. “If we provoke Hua Cheng then we should expect retaliation.” Xie Lian turned to him with a carefully blank expression.
“I believe this to be true of any living being but yes.” Pei Ming’s face twisted as Xie Lian brushed past him. “I mean, has San Lang burned down a temple before without warning?”
“Yes!” The three said in unison.
“Was he provoked?”
“...”
“Perhaps we should all try to approach each other with the understanding that we are not untouchable beings–”
“Is that a threat?” Pei Ming growled.
“Of course not.” Xie Lian said with innocent round eyes. “I, of all people, understand the consequences of provoking someone. Intentional or not. I’m just sharing some advice that will save us from these meetings in the future.” He looked at each of them.
“Whatever.” Mu Qing muttered, crossing his arms and looking away.
“Understood.” Feng Xin said, lowering his gaze to keep from glaring. Pei Ming remained silent until Xie Lian stared at him. His jaw clenched and only nodded. Without dismissing them, Xie Lian turned and started walking away.
“That’s it?” Pei Ming couldn’t help but ask. Xie Lian didn’t look back or falter.
“Yes, thank you all for bringing this to my attention. Let’s all be mindful moving forward. I’ll make a note to mention this to San Lang.” Once he left the hall, Mu Qing let out a huff.
“You hear that? He’s going straight to Ghost City to gossip with that brat again.” Mu Qing tossed his hair back with a scowl. “This does not bode well for any of the Heavens.”
“It’s not like there’s much we can do…” Feng Xin sighed. “We tried, didn't we?”
Pei Ming continued to glare at the hall entrance. “Yes. We tried.” There was a pit in his stomach over the interaction. Xie Lian wasn’t a God that was easily intimidated and neither was his new husband. The Heavens should be glad that their new emperor was kind.