Chapter Text
“Please, I don’t want to marry him.” Xie Lian said as he stood before the Heavenly Emperor.
When a meeting was called, the Great Hall normally filled with the sound of chattering gods, but today the party was much smaller.
Jun Wu sat on the throne, Ling Wen at his side. Xie Lian faced them, and behind the former prince of Xianle stood Earth Master Ming Yi and San Lang.
It took everything in Xie Lian’s power not to look over his shoulder.
“I’m afraid you don’t have much of a choice.” Jun Wu’s voice echoed off the high ceilings.
The story went that the palace of Ling Wen had found an ancient document from Xianle that provided a list of noble families that Xie Lian was permitted to marry into, and the Earth Master just so happened to be a descendant from one of those families.
How convenient. Xie Lian thought.
Oh, and according to the document, failure to do so would bring an unspeakable curse down upon Xie Lian and any immediate surroundings.[i]
Xie Lian had been operating under the assumption that he was cursed for a long time now, so this threat didn’t exactly produce the same amount of concern that it had likely once been meant to generate.
Xie Lian was a disgraced, twice shackled, pathetic excuse for a martial god. Just because he’d had a few recent successes dealing with the ghost bride on Mount Yujun and the incident at Banyue pass didn’t mean he could now do as he pleased. Jun Wu was right when he said Xie Lian had no say in this. He was at Heaven’s mercy.
If this scenario had played out differently, in another time perhaps, Xie Lian likely would have shrugged and gone along with it, but that was before he met San Lang.
Xie Lian’s luck was poorer than anyone else’s, and yet he still somehow had the great fortune to meet San Lang in that ox cart.
The man in red was smart, funny, and seemed to actually want to spend time with Xie Lian. Something that hadn’t been true of anyone else in centuries.
Xie Lian felt a bit foolish. They really hadn’t spent that much time together. He was likely assuming feelings on San Lang’s behalf that weren’t even there… All the same, it was nice to feel wanted, even if it turned out to be an illusion.
Xie Lian knew that ‘San Lang’ was no mere mortal, but a very powerful ghost king that most referred to as Hua Cheng. Just how powerful remained to be seen, as the summons to Heaven had come just as the two of them had returned to Puqi shrine.
The scrap-collecting god was not one to fester in anger, at least, not these days, but the call to come to the palace had irritated him in a way that not much did. He’d wanted to spend time with San Lang, to cook him dinner and work on projects around the shrine. In Xie Lian’s humble opinion, Jun Wu’s timing couldn’t have been much worse.
Just before they’d entered the palace San Lang had insisted they stop, before carefully placing something in Xie Lian’s hands.
“What is it San Lang?” The god asked as he opened his fingers.
“Just a trinket I thought gege would like.”
Xie Lian held up the chain, admiring the sparkling ring that dangled off of it. Whatever this was, it must be valuable.
“This is much too generous.”
“It’s nothing.”
“San Lang—”
“It’s gege’s to do with as he wishes. If he doesn’t care for it, he can throw it in the trash. This San Lang would not mind.”
“…If I wear it, maybe it will bring some luck.” Xie Lian finally conceded, clasping the chain around his neck and tucking the ring underneath his robes before flashing San Lang another smile in thanks.
Xie Lian absentmindedly put a hand to his chest where the ring sat.
“What is the reason for your refusal?” Jun Wu asked, interrupting Xie Lian’s thoughts. The Emperor glanced at San Lang. “I hope it’s not this… individual you’ve brought with you.”
Everything had happened so quickly. By the time Xie Lian realized San Lang had somehow tagged along with him to Heaven, it was too late to do anything about it. But now that they stood before the Emperor, Xie Lian wished he had at least tried. He had a suspicion that His Majesty knew exactly who San Lang was.
“No, your Majesty.” Xie Lian said at the exact same time that San Lang said “Yes.”
Xie Lian whipped his head around, eyes widening.
San Lang strode forward, hands clasped behind his back as he approached the emperor. Ling Wen moved as if to stop San Lang, but Jun Wu raised a hand and she immediately halted in her tracks.
“His Highness cannot marry the Earth Master… because His Highness in love with me.” San Lang said.
Xie Lian nearly choked on air. “San Lang!”
The Emperor leaned back in his seat. “Is that so?”
San Lang snorted.
“And what does Lord Earth Master have to say to that?” Jun Wu asked.
Xie Lian suddenly remembered that Ming Yi was still in the room. He saw the Earth Master glance up at the Emperor, but then his eyes drifted towards San Lang with something like… fear?
How odd…
Ming Yi looked back at Jun Wu. “I will do what my Emperor asks of me.”
“Lord Earth Master is a good man and a well-respected god among the mortals.” Jun Wu directed this statement at Xie Lian.
“If his Majesty loves the Earth Master so much, why not marry him yourself?” San Lang interjected.[ii]
A look of quiet fury passed through Jun Wu’s eyes and Xie Lian saw Ming Yi shudder, while San Lang appeared unphased.
Xie Lian had heard the rumors of Hua Cheng killing the thirty-three gods, but he’d had a hard time reconciling that image with the seemingly care-free man he knew. However, now that he was witnessing the ghost go toe-to-toe with Jun Wu, he thought he might have a better understanding.
Jun Wu stood. “Xianle has one day to decide.” He said in dismissal and turned to leave, Ling Wen following close behind.
Ming Yi seized the opportunity to make himself scarce, leaving Xie Lian and San Lang alone in the large room.
“I’m sorry, gege.” San Lang said. “I didn’t want to make you feel awkward, I only said what I said to get Jun Wu to leave you alone. This one would not dare to assume Dianxia’s feelings towards anyone.”
Xie Lian hardly knew his own feelings anymore, not since a fiery red ghost crashed into his life…
“It’s alright San Lang, I know why you did it. I appreciate you giving me some time, even if it’s only a day.”
San Lang frowned. “Why does gege think he only gets a day? Why not leave this place and never come back?”
Xie Lian gave a sad smile. “Now that I’ve ascended again, there’s no place I could go that His Majesty couldn’t find me.”
“Not necessarily. Jun Wu may be powerful, but even he doesn’t have jurisdiction over the Ghost Realm.”
Xie Lian felt the faintest glimmer of hope. “Do you think that would be allowed? The ghosts wouldn’t mind?”
San Lang folded his arms across his chest. “They wouldn’t dare.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose on San Lang’s hospitality.”
“I have plenty of money, gege would be more than welcome.[iii] Besides, gege has been letting me stay with him, now we’ll be even.”
Xie Lian didn’t see how San Lang doing chores and sleeping on the floor of a run-down shrine was equivalent to Xie Lian staying at the Ghost King’s no-doubt lavish home for the foreseeable future, but the god was finding it difficult to say no.
“San Lang is so generous.”
“It’s nothing.” The ghost waved it off.
“Still, if there’s any way I can repay you—”
“Dianxia owes me nothing.” San Lang said, and Xie Lian noted the faraway look that crossed his face.
“Alright.” Xie Lian conceded and glanced towards the large doors at the end of the hall. “Should we just walk out?”
“Unfortunately, teleportation doesn’t work from inside the Palace of Divine Might.”
Xie Lian nodded and began to walk. He didn’t want to know how San Lang knew that.
Together they left the palace, and no sooner had Xie Lian stepped foot on the avenue that he heard someone shouting.
“Your Highness!”
It sounded like a woman’s voice. Xie Lian glanced around. There were many princes in Heaven, so there was a good chance whoever it was, she was calling for someone else.
Xie Lian kept walking; San Lang close beside him.
“Your Highness!” The voice came again, closer this time.
Xie Lian stopped and turned.
To his surprise, he recognized the individual: Wind Master Shi Qingxuan.
“Lord Wind Master, what is it?” Xie Lian asked while San Lang let out a huff of annoyance at being delayed.
“Have you seen Ming-xiong? I’ve been looking for him everywhere.” Shi Qingxuan said, fan frantically flapping in front of her face.
Xie Lian hadn’t been back in Heaven for very long, but even this brief amount of time had been enough to observe the bizarre relationship between the Earth and Wind Masters. Shi Qingxuan claimed that Ming Yi was her best friend, and yet the Earth Master showed no outward signs of wanting anything to do with her.[iv]
“He was with us in the Palace of Divine Might, but he left before we did. I’m not sure where he is now.” Xie Lian replied.
Shi Qingxuan’s shoulders sagged.
“Come on gege, we should get going.” San Lang said with a gentle tug on Xie Lian’s sleeve.
“Where are you going?” The Wind Master asked, curiosity bringing some of the light back to her eyes. “Could I come with? Maybe Ming-xiong will be wherever it is.”
“He won’t.” San Lang said flatly.
Shi Qingxuan’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know that? Who are you anyway? I know you helped His Highness at Banyue Pass, but I know everyone, and I’ve never seen you before until just this week.” She snapped her fan shut, pointing it at San Lang accusatorily.
“We’re going to the Ghost Realm.” Xie Lian said in an effort to divert attention from San Lang.
“The Ghost Realm!?” Shi Qingxuan nearly yelped. She glanced between Xie Lian and San Lang. “Why in Heaven’s name would you do that? Don’t you know they eat people down there?” This last part was directed at San Lang.
“You don’t say.” The ghost responded, deadpan expression on his face.
Xie Lian was quiet for a moment, weighing the pros and cons of explaining the issue to her. Of all the Heavenly officials he’d met since re-ascension, Shi Qingxuan was one of the few who didn’t treat him like he carried a contagious disease. He’d like to think they could’ve been friends… if Xie Lian weren’t at this very moment, planning to run away and never come back.
“The Emperor wants me to marry the Earth Master.” Xie Lian admitted. “So we’re… leaving.” He hoped she could decipher his meaning.
Shi Qingxuan furrowed her brow. “But, the Emperor doesn’t confer marriages between Heavenly officials, at least… I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“That’s because most gods don’t have a doomsday prophecy hanging over them.”
“Ah, I see.”
No one said anything for a beat before Shi Qingxuan sighed and began fanning herself again. “Well, Your Highness, I wish you well on your journey.”
“Thank you, I wish you luck on your search for Earth Master.” Xie Lian said in earnest.
“And you.” She said, yet again pointing her fan at San Lang. “…Take care of him.”
“I will.” San Lang said, his brows set with determination. He didn’t even appear that angry at having been forced into the conversation.
Seemingly satisfied, Shi Qingxuan began to walk back in the direction she’d come from. “Feel free to contact my private communication array if you run into any trouble!” She shouted back at them.
“I will!” Xie Lian replied. He didn’t have the heart to explain that he didn’t know her password.
“Come on gege.” San Lang said, holding out a hand.
Xie Lian took it, delighting in the way their fingers fit together.
With his other hand, San Lang tossed a pair of dice.
They rolled across the cobblestones before revealing a set of sixes.
[i] I decided to make Egeus into ‘Xie Lian’s dead parents/kingdom dictating his life from beyond the grave.’ Jun Wu is also a bit of a Theseus/Egeus hybrid in terms of personality.
[ii] Lysander telling Egeus to marry Demetrius if he loves him so much is a top-tier Midsummer moment. And Lysander’s lack of respect translates well onto Hua Cheng, in my opinion.
[iii] In Midsummer, Lysander mentions having a rich dowager aunt, but in this case, Hua Cheng is the rich aunt!
[iv] Very Helena and Demetrius coded, one might say.