Chapter Text
The path to righteousness was absolute. One must bind themselves to the Way with never-ending perseverance, to continuously distinguish between good and evil. Ever since becoming the head disciple of the Su sect, Su Jian had never wavered. From the tender age of thirteen, his brilliance and cultivation had surpassed his peers. Even after ascending to godhood and leaving behind mortal attachments, he served the path carved ahead for him: to subdue evil and bring light to the darkness consuming the world.
He ascended after the turmoil had been settled and new leaves were beginning to sprout amongst the rot. Even then, Heaven was loud. One might think it’s a place of enlightenment and peace. He had no such misconception. It was a sham disguised in silks and finesse. Despite its reconstruction and new foundations, it remained tainted by Jun Wu’s amoral legacy.
Without a second thought, he decided to spend his time assuaging mortal strife and answering prayers. He rarely paid any mind to the Heavenly Court, except for the summons and crucial meetings which required a personal presence. For the next hundred years, he occupied himself with vanquishing demons and enacting his sect’s teachings.
It was after an excursion in the South Sea, while reporting to Ling Wen Zhenjun, that he came across a chance to properly meet the revered god, the Crown Prince Who Pleased the Gods, or the Scrap Immortal, His Highness Xie Lian.
“If these reports are to be taken into account, did Lord Su Jian eliminate every spirit in the vicinity?” Ling Wen was asking, her tone effortlessly neutral, but Su Jian could sense the judgment beneath her calm gaze.
His junior official, Su Rong, was sweating in his shoes, struggling to answer, when Su Jian entered the palace. “Is there any complication, my lady?” he questioned.
The polite bows were exchanged, and Su Rong withdrew from the conversation, standing back.
Ling Wen turned to him, back straight, with piles of scrolls nestled into her arm. “It is precisely what I was implying, Lord Su Jian. That particular region is inhabited by many benign spirits as well. The yao you destroyed near the marsh used to protect the villages from flooding during excessive rains.”
Su Jian smiled courteously. “That couldn’t be counted as a casualty on my part, since the remaining ghosts were sheltered by that yao. Most of them were malignant, troubling the innocent. Some might appear harmless, but they have the potential to turn resentful. To linger in the world itself is against the law of nature,” he said, his words like a clean line drawn with cinnabar. “Even if they possess unfulfilled desires, prolonged attachment is poisonous once life has concluded.”
Ling Wen regarded him with an astonished look, which she smothered in time. The officials in the hall gaped at his words. One dropped a mountain of papers, stumbling behind his desk.
“I see,” she said, as if it were a very simple conversation. She could not counter him directly when he hadn’t hurt any mortal lives. To the contrary, he had saved countless, time and time again. But looking at her weary eyes, she didn’t think it was worth engaging with every official. “I’m afraid my lord’s perspective might not be shared by everyone. I would still caution you to pacify such beings instead of dispersing them.”
Pacify them? He almost scoffed. As if they had time and resources to expend that much energy on every matter.
“I’ll keep my lady’s advice in mind.” Su Jian gave her a polite nod. “I’ll see to that matter in the Northern mountains. I remember my lady asked for assistance in the spiritual array.”
“General Pei Ming is attending to another matter in his region. His Highness Xie Lian has devotees there as well. But at present, he is dealing with another issue,” Ling Wen explained swiftly. Su Rong’s head perked up at the name, but he quickly schooled his features when Su Jian shot him a sidelong glance. Ling Wen continued, “I would be relieved if Lord Su Jian provided his aid.” She picked up a scroll from her desk. “His Highness will join you when he has dealt with matters at hand. This is the information you’d need.”
“I will deal with it myself,” he said, taking the scroll from her. It slightly came across as condescending, but he couldn’t help himself. “There’s no need to trouble others when they are pre-occupied.”
Ling Wen’s smile became strained, but she didn’t comment further. Half the Heavenly Court thought his temperament was arrogant, but he did not care for their opinions. After all, he had work to do. Unlike some of them.
He left the hall with his junior official in tow, his ears catching the whispers of civil officials.
Did he just… insult…
Such vanity. Does he think he can handle everything with a sword?
Too rigid.
That’s what reclusion does to a person.
Doesn’t he remind you of a certain someone from years ago…
Don’t you dare compare him with His Highness…
It’d be an insult to him if he were to be compared with someone who associated themselves with the ultimate evil, Su Jian thought, departing the pavilion, his fingers clenched behind his back.
The cold wind whipped his robes and hair as he descended in the mountainous ravine. The fog curtailed his vision, and a thick curl of resentment oozed from the surrounding. As he suspected, the mist wasn’t natural. His hand settled over the hilt of Zhengdao on his waist, its blue tassel fluttered in the gust, threads tangling.
The leaves of pines rustled in the billowing wind, and river water gurgled, its surface shimmering with fish.
Frequent landslides. Abductions of passersby. The scroll had mentioned. Locals called it the Wailing Ghost of the mountain pass.
From his vantage point, very little of the path ahead was visible, but he could sense the resentment was strongest here. His spiritual energy clashed against the hostile pressure. His blade cut through the mist with each agile movement, clearing the fog.
A strange noise began, the creature's roaring intensifying with each step Su Jian took. The distant echo of howling was accompanied by the daunting sound of child wailing.
The ground started shaking, a series of tremors caused a vibration to run over his skin. He lifted his sword, and the hills suddenly turned quiet. He spotted the place where a verdant growth stemmed out of the jagged stone surface. With a single strike, he cut down the vegetation, revealing a cave inside as the rocks scattered into dust.
He moved further, his steps light. The beam of light reaching from the crack outside couldn’t brighten the place completely. He lit up a palm torch, illuminating the unkempt lair.
He was not surprised by the situation that greeted him. A clump of skeletons lay haphazardly. In one corner, a bunch of mortals were huddled together, who, upon seeing him, became delighted, their faces washed with sheer relief.
He drew the protection array, his scripts precise and vigorous, to keep them safe.
Just then, it rained splinters on him. His long blade slashed through the assault, fighting back with his quick reflexes.
“Motherrrr,” the creature shrieked. “Motherrr, save me.”
The eerie voice jolted the women among the captives, who shut their ears, looking horrified.
He felt the resentment on his neck, closer than before. He turned around fast, grabbing the ghost as it tried to move past. His spiritual energy overpowered the creature, suffocating its movements. It was smaller in stature— a literal child with heavy resentment and an unstable form. He had seen many such things, they were better liberated than left writhing in pain and causing destruction.
He didn’t hesitate, lifting his sword to pin it to the ground and—
“Please wait!” a voice cried, followed by a white silhouette entering the cave.
The ghost lurched, freeing itself from Su Jian's loosened grip, wailing loudly as it fled.
The figure that disrupted the dispersion was none other than the Crown Prince of Xianle. He was dressed in pure white, his expression concentrated as he assessed the surroundings.
“Your Highness,” Su Jian greeted, the word stiff on his tongue as he bowed.
“Lord Shuang Zhen.” Xie Lian nodded in acknowledgement. For a moment, Su Jian was bewildered by the respectful usage of his title— he was, after all, hundreds of years Xie Lian’s junior. Xie Lian’s gaze swept over the shielded mortals. “Ling Wen informed me of your assistance.”
Another scream pierced through the air. Su Jian shifted into a defensive stance.
“It’s all right. No one will harm you,” Xie Lian said to the ghost, calling to the creature foolishly. He was devoid of any weapons and spoke softly, “Come out.”
It was bizarre. It made Su Jian so confused and irritated that he could barely register what was happening. “Your Highness, it’s no use. It needs to be vanquished.”
“I have spoken to the villagers,” Xie Lian revealed, walking around the place quietly, watching for signs of the ghost. “Years ago, a child was lost in an avalanche, separated from his mother and father. His parents died soon after. The child couldn’t reconcile himself with the fact. He is lost and restless,” he said, eyes coming to rest on the captured mortals. “That’s why he is using these means to feel the love and care of his family.”
Su Jian could understand the sentiment. However, the creature was resentful. It had already killed many. Showing mercy and complicating the situation when a simple solution was available was a needlessly futile act. And if something couldn’t be killed, just seal it away.
The array flickered, Su Jian turned around to check the formation when the creature leaped from the shadows. Before he could tackle it, Xie Lian approached it in a flicker of white. He drew a talisman, a spell which rendered the ghost immobile. He held the ghost in his arms, whispering, “It’s alright. It’s time to let go.”
The child stopped its frantic movement, letting out a helpless cry. Xie Lian soothed it as Su Jian watched in utter confusion and awe.
The place shook violently, rocks falling down. Xie Lian didn’t let go of the ghost, still trying to coax it with sweet words and loving touch, almost as if he were a father to the child. The rock above him gave way, Su Jian moved fast, splitting the debris with a swift strike.
Xie Lian inclined his head, offering him a small smile. “Thank you.”
Su Jian was struck with a feeling he couldn’t quite describe. He gave a nod and herded the mortals outside.
When he entered the cave again, the ghost was pacified and Xie Lian was performing the rite of passage for calming the soul.
Su Jian stood quietly, not interrupting the procedure. He was stunned. He had misjudged the person. Xie Lian was truly a kind soul. That such a compassionate person was bonded to that wicked creature was an injustice of the highest order.
Once he finished, Xie Lian stood up, brushing the dust off his robes. He guided the fall of his hair over his shoulder. His attention snapped to Su Jian, eyes lingering on Zhengdao strapped to his waist.
“Your sword is magnificent, as is your mastery of the blade,” Xie Lian complimented. “The material of the scabbard in particular appears lightweight, yet sturdy and resilient. The lacquer work is exquisite.”
Su Jian had expected he would be lectured, so the praise not only delighted him but it lifted his view of Xie Lian completely. This person had a keen eye, recognizing the value of the craft and what it represented.
“It was forged by my sect’s founder. It has never failed to cut down evil,” Su Jian replied, which earned him a curious look. “I cannot divulge the procedure since it’s a guarded secret. As for the scabbard, if Your Highness is interested, I can discuss its crafting method and origin.”
“I would be honoured,” Xie Lian said, smiling fully. It was utterly captivating. Su Jian’s heart pounded before it sank. “But, some other time.” Xie Lian let out a small laugh, as if he were a little uncomfortable. “Right now, I need to go home.”
The word ‘home’ was like a cold stone thrown into Su Jian’s heart. It was unmistakable what Xie Lian was referring to. He wasn’t going to his palace in Heaven. He was talking about that person. Who seemed to be keeping a leash on this pure-hearted god. It wasn’t a home, but a shackle obscuring his clear vision, distorting the truth.
As Xie Lian retreated, his face bloomed with happiness as he glanced at the sword again. Su Jian knew in that moment, they had so much in common.
He decided then, his resolve growing stronger. He was going to pull Xie Lian from the clutches of darkness. It was only a matter of time before he could make Xie Lian see how it felt to breathe under the true divine light.
Xie Lian tied the sash of his robe, his skin flushed red from the hot bath he had just taken. E-ming closed its eye obediently, settling into sleep as he placed it by the bedside chest.
Standing near the bed, he dried his hair with a towel. Habitually, he recalled today’s events. He felt a little apologetic that he had sneaked out while Ling Wen was asking his opinion on the preparation of the meeting. He should have at least reported her about the missions. He promised himself he would do that tomorrow before the meeting. He should ask her about other cases as well. She looked more tired when he saw her yesterday. And the way she sounded during their conversation, it seemed like she had dealt with difficult gods recently.
In Jun Wu’s absence, problems arose regularly. It was nothing new at this point. He should properly thank Su Jian when he’d come across the young god. That reminded him of their conversation, and his eyes flitted to E-ming.
He had been thinking about this for a while. Hua Cheng’s scabbard was excellent, but it could be improved. He should really take Su Jian’s offer and learn more about this rare craft. The inlaid jade appeared to contain and infuse the sword with spiritual power efficiently. It might also stabilize E-ming’s erratic and fierce energy and better channel the spiritual power—not that it was a problem; however, it could soothe its temperament. Most importantly, E-ming would be overjoyed to receive a thoughtful present from Xie Lian.
Xie Lian’s mouth curved, unbidden. He pondered on adding butterflies and silver engravings. He knew it would look beautiful. Lost in his musings, he was taken by surprise by a pair of arms wrapping around his waist from behind. He smiled, feeling Hua Cheng’s face slotting into the crook of his neck.
“Gege is neglecting me,” Hua Cheng crooned, nuzzling his nape. “San Lang had to endure the entire day without you.”
“Don’t speak nonsense,” he chided weakly, quelling a bubbling laugh. It wasn’t as though they had not gone a few days without seeing each other before. When the situation demanded it and other matters took their time, separation was inevitable. Though such occasions were very rare.
“Gege knows I get very lonely when he’s not around,” Hua Cheng said, his tone changing to that of a petulant child. Then his voice dropped low as he whispered into Xie Lian’s ear. “Yet you are scolding me. Here I was expecting gege would have invited me to bathe together.”
Xie Lian’s heartbeat spiked. Even long years of marriage couldn’t stop him from blushing scarlet. In truth, he had sustained some bruises on his body that he needed to heal alone. Normally, he wouldn’t even get a scratch given his current powers. But his recklessness manifested today, which combined with multiple sticky circumstances. If Hua Cheng had seen the minor injuries, he would have been concerned and lectured him.
Xie Lian tilted his head to look up, taking in Hua Cheng’s sullen expression and then pecked him on the cheek.
Hua Cheng chuckled, squeezing him in his arms affectionately.
Xie Lian’s hand stilled on the cloth drying his hair just as Hua Cheng reached over and took the towel from him.
Understanding the intention, he sat down on the bed without protest. Hua Cheng patiently worked through the lingering dampness from his hair. Soon enough, the towel was forgotten and Hua Cheng’s deft fingers combed through his hair. A gentle stream of spiritual energy flowed, leaving his hair dry and soft.
“How was gege’s day?” Hua Cheng asked, continuing to massage his scalp leisurely as if lulling him to sleep. “You looked like you were thinking about something important.”
“Nothing remarkable happened,” Xie Lian answered, feeling the tension in his body dissolve. “Prayers are increasing. Nothing more.”
“San Lang will accompany you tomorrow,” Hua Cheng said, his voice layered with concern.
“There’s no need,” Xie Lian gently declined. Hua Cheng absolutely must not get a clue about the gift Xie Lian was planning. It was possible he’d talk to Su Jian tomorrow. But whenever he rejected Hua Cheng’s offer, Hua Cheng figured he was definitely up to something. “Tomorrow is a very tedious meeting. You’d get bored.”
Hiding things never turned out to be easy for him. He was still bad at it. Hua Cheng always saw through him, but he never outright spoke against Xie Lian’s wishes.
“Is that right?” Hua Cheng wondered, pressing kisses to his head. “Then, I’ll come to heaven and get gege early. Those trash can argue among themselves.”
Xie Lian laughed. “All right.”
In the quiet of Paradise Manor, the happiness fused to their bones was like a second skin. They smiled together, completely unaware that a sword was aimed at their hard-won peace.