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Chapter Text

He Xuan

Nobody told He Xuan of Shi Qingxuan’s death.

They didn’t need to. He had known about the man’s declining health for years, silently monitoring it from a safe distance. He didn’t help, he never made an attempt to make him better. Because he knew Shi Qingxuan wouldn’t have wanted him to. And really, what reason did Ship Sinking Black Water have to help out the man who stole his fate? If anything, he should have relished the thought of the former Wind Master’s demise.

At least that’s what he told himself as he pointedly ignored the ache in his chest.

It was better this way. What happened between them couldn’t be fixed. He Xuan got his revenge, and Shi Qingxuan accepted it.

Nobody told he Xuan of Shi Qingxuan’s death, because he felt it. Like a piece of thread pulled taut, before it finally snapped. His last tether to the living world, gone.

He Xuan didn’t know what he had expected to feel when his form began to fade, but he certainly thought it’d be something more than the quiet resignation that settled over his mind. It was a calm, almost numb acknowledgement. His purpose was gone, so there was no more reason for him to exist.

As his consciousness slipped away like sand through his fingers, he thought of Shi Qingxuan, and he wondered if, perhaps, if given a second chance, he would have done something different.

He closed his eyes, and the ghost king known as Ship Sinking Black Water ended.

***

Light filtered through his eyelids, chasing the heavy fog of slumber from his mind. He Xuan blearily opened his eyes.

Gradually the room came into focus, and He Xuan understood something was off.

Heaven had long since learned of the real Earth Master’s fate, so why the hell did He Xuan wake up in his palace? He Xuan stared at the elaborately painted wall for a long time, trying to comprehend the situation.

For one, he wasn’t dead. Did he reincarnate somehow? That seemed highly implausible. He was also certain reincarnation didn’t come with a splitting headache. He looked down at his hands. Was this a dream? When was the last time he’d dreamt? Better yet, when had his dreams been anything other than nightmares? His body felt solid enough. He slid out of bed, revelling at the feeling of his feet against the floor.

Muscle memory led him towards a wardrobe and a vanity. He stared into the mirror. Ming Yi’s face looked back at him. This had to be a dream. He lifted a hand to his face, fingers grazing against his cheek. What the hell was happening?

He shifted his consciousness into his clones. After a few short chats with other heavenly officials, he deduced that the ‘Earth Master’ had just been rescued from Crimson Rain’s lair. Had he gone back in time? He thought back on his final moments. He had wondered about a second chance. Did something listen and put him here?

The thought left him reeling.

He got dressed and tied his hair back into the Earth Master’s signature ponytail. He briefly eyed the old shovel in the corner of the room, but decided against bringing it. He’d never mastered the spiritual device anyway.

Heaven was the same as he remembered. Awfully bright, and alive with the chatter of heavenly officials of various ranks going about their day. He Xuan was soon reminded why he didn’t like being here. If it wasn’t for his debt to Hua Cheng he’d have holed himself up in his mansion a long time ago.

Of course, there was there was also his revenge… He didn’t want to think about that right now.

Today, Heaven was even more crowded than usual, as preparations were being made for the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet. He Xuan already felt tired from the mere thought of it. Too many people, being forced to participate in humiliating games. At the very least there would be food. Free food he could eat to his heart’s content. Other heavenly official’s would shoot him judging looks, but they never said anything while he was in the presence of--

His breath hitched when he saw him. The Wind Master, in all his divine, beautiful glory. He Xuan stood frozen as he beheld Shi Qingxuan. A torrent of emotions swept through him. Awe. Longing. Guilt. Happiness. Relief. 

Oh. He'd forgotten how strongly he’d felt about Shi Qingxuan. It overwhelmed him, and he could only stare in awe. 

The Wind Master met his gaze, his bright blue eyes widened and a smile broke onto his face.

"Ming-Xiong! There you are!"

He bounded over, pulling him into a hug without hesitation. 

He Xuan's heart almost exploded in his chest as a pair of arms engulfed him. Shi Qingxuan was everywhere. His arms around his neck, his laugh in his ear, the slight pressure of his body against his own, his perfume. He Xuan lifted his trembling hands to hold him, digging his fingers into the fabric to feel the warmth of the body beneath it. He wanted to pull him closer, needed proof in his hands that the man before him was real.

Shi Qingxuan was real. Shi Qingxuan was alive. Shi Qingxuan was still a god, warm and solid, breathing and smiling. He Xuan drew a shuddering breath. 

 Shi Qingxuan suddenly let go, creating some distance between them, worry lining his face.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t hurt you, did I?"

Dazed, He Xuan shook his head. 

"M'fine," he said gruffly. 

"Are you sure? You were chained up for a very long time down there. It's okay to take some more time off." 

Qingxuan looked at him with such concern. It made He Xuan ache. If only he knew how he’d tortured him before. 

"I'm fine," He Xuan muttered. 

He couldn't tear his eyes away from him, as if Shi Qingxuan would disappear if he looked away for even a second. Shi Qingxuan was even more radiant than he remembered. Why did he ever drag him into his revenge? 

“Nonsense. Let’s get you back to bed. You need to conserve your energy for the banquet. I know how draining socialising is for you.”

Before he could protest, Shi Qingxuan was already headed towards his palace, leaving him no choice but to follow. He Xuan reluctantly stripped out of his outer robes and crawled back in bed at Shi Qingxuan’s orders.

“Stay put. I’ll fetch you something to eat, okay?” he said with a wink.

He Xuan sank into the sheets with a sigh. He remembered this. Shi Qingxuan forcibly nursing him back to health. At least now he actually felt fatigued. Hi false imprisonment hadn’t left him with any real injuries, but he had no way to tell Qingxuan as much. He’d done everything short of actually spoon-feeding him.

He Xuan remembered the way his gaze had softened as he took the bowl of broth from his hands, remembered the way their fingers touched, and how they lingered a beat longer than they needed to. Perhaps he had only imagined it, coloured in innocuous interactions in a most uncharitable way. Shi Qingxuan was kind to everyone. His fondness towards Ming Yi could have extended to anyone else, had they given the Wind Master the time of day.

Still, he didn’t dislike the company. He hadn’t noticed how much he enjoyed spending time with Shi Qingxuan until he’d sat alone in his manor, staring daggers into Shi Wudu’s severed head.

He Xuan closed his eyes. He wouldn’t dismiss these moments a second time.

Maybe that made him a hypocrite, but it had been so long. Was it so wrong to cherish the time they had left together before fate separated them once more?

Shi Qingxuan entered again, carrying a tray filled with light foods and tea.

“I know you have an insatiable appetite, but I figured you should go slow, especially since you’re definitely going to gorge yourself at the banquet,” he giggled.

His voice was like music to He Xuan’s ears.

He took in the sight of the man before him. It felt like old times.

“I missed you,” he said softly, and he really meant it.

Shi Qingxuan paused, eyes wide.

He Xuan froze, already regretting his words. He opened his mouth, ready to take the words back, when Shi Qingxuan snapped out of his stupor and smiled.

“Ming-xionggg” he cooed. “You do care about me!”

He Xuan subtly exhaled in relief.

“Don’t you worry,” Shi Qingxuan said. “I’ll always come to your rescue, no matter what.”

“Who said I needed rescuing?” He Xuan huffed, lifting a bowl of soup to his mouth.

“Right, because you clearly had everything under control while chained to the wall of a dungeon,” Shi Qingxuan teased.

“At least I had peace and quiet there,” He Xuan replied.

Shi Qingxuan cried out dramatically. “So mean!”

He Xuan couldn’t help the smile forming at the corner of his lips. “I prefer the food here, though.”

“Of course you do,” Shi Qingxuan said. His hand lifted off the sheets.

In the past, Shi Qingxuan had used his thumbs to wipe a bit of food from the corner of Ming Yi’s mouth. He Xuan’s insides tingled at the memory.

To his surprise Shi Qingxuan hesitated, and withdrew his hand before it reached his face.

“You have a little something,” he muttered, “Right there.” He pointed to his own face.

He Xuan wiped at his mouth with his own hand. Maybe he’d remembered it wrong. He wasn’t sure why he felt disappointed.

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan

Shi Qingxuan awoke with a gasp. That was the first thing he noticed. He could breathe.

There was no fluid in his lungs, and breathing didn’t hurt. He brought a hand to his throat as he drew another breath, amazed at how easy it felt. The second thing he noticed was that he’d lifted his bad arm to do so. He stretched out his fingers, clenched them into a fist, relaxed them, stretched out his arm. His limb performed every movement, unburdened by damage. Then did that mean…

With a start he sat up, hands flying to his bad leg. The numbness had dissipated completely.

He felt good. He stared at his body. His skin was smooth, free of decades of scars, blemishes and wrinkles. There were no sun spots, no bulging veins, no filth. When was the last time he felt clean?

He ran a hand over his body, feeling the sensation of his fingers pressing into his things. He jumped out of bed and gazed into the mirror. He looked into the eyes of a young, handsome face, untouched by old age.

Could he…

Spiritual energy surged through his body as his form changed. His features became softer, rounder. His reflection became that of a young woman.

Shi Qingxuan covered her mouth with her hands as a sob threatened to escape. She stared at herself through glistening eyes.

“There you are,” she whispered to herself.

***

Shi Qingxuan concluded that it must have been a nightmare. He Xuan, her brother’s death, growing old as a mortal on the street. All of it had been a long, elaborate nightmare, nothing more.

It had all felt so real, and the memories remained vivid in his mind, but how else was she to explain why he could stroll through Heaven as Lord Wind Master once more?

People greeted her as she passed, the sun warmed her face. Everything felt right again.

She took her time walking through the brightly lit paths and halls. It felt like an eternity since she’d last set foot here, even though she knew it realistically couldn’t have been more than a day. Other heavenly officials passed her by, carrying tables and chairs. When she asked about it, they’d looked at her like she’d grown a second head.

“Where have you been? The Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet is tonight,” they answered.

“Preparations have been going on for days, how do you not know?”

The Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet. So his highness Xie Lian had just been exposed for participating in the massacre of Yong’An’s royal family, before Crimson Rain kidnapped him. She hoped he was okay. The ghost king appeared to have a soft spot for the scrap god, but she wasn’t sure how far his kindness would extend after they burned down his manor.

“What are you staring at?”

Only then did she realise she had spaced out.

She huffed. “There’s no need for that tone, thank you.”

One of the heavenly officials rolled their eyes. “Whatever, I don’t have time for this.”

“Qingxuan.”

She froze at the sound of an all too familiar voice.

“What did I say about using your female form in public?”

She whirled around to see Shi Wudu standing in the square, next to Ling Wen, who carried a stack of papers.

Her brother. Alive and well. Tears filled her eyes and she sprinted towards him, tackling him in a hug. Shi Wudu almost lost his footing, barely managing to stay upright under the force of Shi Qingxuan’s embrace.

“Ge,” she whispered, trying to hold him even tighter.

“What has gotten into you,” Shi Wudu hissed. “People are staring.”

“Sorry,” she hiccuped, reluctantly letting go. “I’m just so happy to see you.”

The tears freely streamed down her face. She didn’t care.

Concern flickered across her brother’s face. “Are you alright?” he asked.

He rested a hand on her shoulder.

“No,” she sniffed, wiping at her face. “I just had a nightmare. A really, really bad nightmare.”

Shi Wudu’s hand on her shoulder tightened. “Is it the venerable of empty words? Is it back?”

She didn’t miss the hint of fear in his voice.

She shook her head. “Just a regular nightmare. I’m fine, ge. You really don’t need to worry.”

Shi Wudu sighed. “I’ll have my servants bring you some sleep tonics.”

She smiled at her brother’s unexpected kindness. A memory flashed through her mind. Her brother’s head hanging from the ghost king’s hand by his hair, dead eyes staring at nothing. She could still feel the hot splatters of blood on her cheek. Another wave of tears escaped her eyes.

“Hey, now,” Shi Wudu said hastily. “Stop crying. You’re making a fool of yourself.”

He produced a handkerchief from his robes and handed it to her.

Shi Qingxuan nodded and dabbed at her face. “Thank you.”

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Ling Wen asked. “You seem quite upset.”

“I’m fine,” Shi Qingxuan said, her voice thick from the sobs she suppressed. “I think all the excitement at Ghost City tired me out more than I anticipated.”

Ling Wen nodded curtly. “Then you should return to your palace and get some rest.”

“Make sure you look presentable tonight. I will not have a repeat of whatever this is,” Shi Wudu added.

Shi Qingxuan grinned. “Oh, brother, I always look stunning.”

The look on Shi Wudu’s face was certainly worth it.

“And Qingxuan?”

“Yes?”

“Please turn back into a man.”

Normally this comment would have turned into one of many arguments, but today Shi Qingxuan was just happy to see her brother again, so she obliged.

He was grateful to be a pretty crier, because he was sure the evidence of him crying were evident on his face as he made his way back to his palace. It was okay. He felt light. The bad life really had been a nightmare. And tonight there was a banquet. He loved a good party.

He faltered when he spotted a familiar face dressed in black.

His heart sang as he locked eyes with the Earth Master.

“Ming-xiong!” he called, running up to him and pulling him into a hug.

He quickly pulled back when he felt Ming Yi gasp. He belatedly realised the man was probably still recovering from his imprisonment in Hua Cheng’s domain.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t hurt you, did I?"

"M'fine," Ming Yi rasped out. Gods, the poor guy really seemed out of it.

"Are you sure?” Shi Qingxuan asked. “You were chained up for a very long time down there. It's okay to take some more time off." 

"I'm fine," Ming Yi muttered. 

Shi Qingxuan shook his head. And to think his brother told him to take better care of himself. Trying to get the Earth Master to look after himself was the real challenge.

“Nonsense. Let’s get you back to bed. You need to conserve your energy for the banquet. I know how draining socialising is for you.”

Before Ming Yi could reply to decline, Shi Qingxuan turned and marched towards his palace.

Shi Qingxuan didn’t manage to convince him to take a bath, but after some back and forth he at least got the man to take off his outer robes before climbing in bed. Seriously, who goes to bed in the same clothes they wear while digging holes?

“Stay put. I’ll fetch you something to eat, okay?” he said with a wink.

He loaded a tray with a pot of tea and some snacks, as well as a bowl of soup. Nothing like a good bowl of soup to recover from illness. Ming Yi technically wasn’t ill, but who knew when he’d last been fed in that dungeon? Better to start light. He considered adding some meats, but decided against it. He knew Ming Yi loved meat, but it might be hard to digest after fasting for an extended period of time.

He returned with the platter to find Ming Yi under the covers, where he left him. That was a first.

“I know you have an insatiable appetite,” he said, putting the platter down on Ming Yi’s lap, “but I figured you should go slow, especially since you’re definitely going to gorge yourself at the banquet.”

He expected Ming Yi to mutter some kind of retort or mock insult under his breath. Instead he just stared. Something twinkled in his eyes.

“I missed you,” he said softly.

Shi Qingxuan froze. Ming Yi was rarely that soft. Something warm bloomed in his chest.

“Ming-xionggg” he cooed. “You do care about me!”

Ming Yi sighed. He was back to normal.

“Don’t you worry,” Shi Qingxuan said. “I’ll always come to your rescue, no matter what.”

“Who said I needed rescuing?” Ming Yi huffed.

“Right, because you clearly had everything under control while chained to the wall of a dungeon,” Shi Qingxuan teased.

“At least I had peace and quiet there.”

Shi Qingxuan cried out in mock offence. “So mean!”

A smile tugged at the corner of Ming Yi’s lips. “I prefer the food here, though.”

“Of course you do,” Shi Qingxuan said, watching with an amused look as his best friend wolfed down the food he’d brought. A crumb stuck to the corner of his mouth. Endeared, Shi Qingxuan lifted his hand to wipe it away.

Ming Yi’s eyes met his. Sitting this close to him, Shi Qingxuan could make out the flecks of gold in his irises, and for a moment he was back in the Nether Manor, chained up and terrified.

‘It’s not him,’ he reminded himself as a cold shudder ran down his spine. ‘That was just a nightmare’.

Still, he hesitated, and withdrew his hand again.

“You have a little something,” he muttered, “Right there.” He pointed to his own face.

He watched Ming Yi wipe the back his hand over his mouth, and he had to tell himself to calm down. If his best friend really was a ghost king he would know, right?

Chapter Text

He Xuan

He Xuan didn’t bother dressing up for the Mid-Autumn Banquet. Everyone knew who the Earth Master was, why would he bother with anything fancy?

He would do as he did last time: escort the Wind Master, eat his fill, go home.

As if on cue there was a knock on his door.

“Ming-xiong, can I come in?”

He opened the door and Shi Qingxuan tumbled in, rambling all the while.

“Ming-xiong, what’s taking you so long? We’re gonna be late and you know how people talk-- Is that seriously what you’re wearing?”

He pointed at He Xuan’s robes.

He Xuan shrugged. “What’s wrong with it?”

“It’s a banquet! Don’t you want to wear something pretty?”

“Not really,” He Xuan replied.

“Absolutely not, this simply won’t do,” Shi Qingxuan said. “Ah, you’ve forced my hand. I have no choice but to give you a make-over.”

He Xuan shook his head in defeat, but he didn’t mind, not really. He knew Shi Qingxuan loved to use him as dress-up doll, especially in his female form. He’d dragged him on many shopping sprees throughout the mortal realm, stuffing his arms full of garments to try. Shi Qingxuan probably knew the contents of the Earth Master’s wardrobe better than he did, given that he’d likely purchased the vast majority of them.

He allowed Shi Qingxuan to fold him into a set of Bordeaux red inner robes, and a darker outer robe with gold embroidery to accentuate the red. He spent an eternity comparing guans and hairpins before settling on a small golden piece to frame his ponytail. He Xuan stopped him just short of going all out with makeup, reminding him they’d be late.

“There! What do we think?” Shi Qingxuan said as he dragged He Xuan towards the mirror.

He Xuan studied his reflection. He looked nice, he had to admit. His eyes wandered over to Shi Qingxuan, looking over his shoulder, eyes twinkling with pride.

“It’s not bad,” he said.

“Not bad? You look stunning, thank you very much!” Shi Qingxuan retorted.

He Xuan ignored how warm that made him feel.

“Sure,” he said. “Thank you, Qingxuan.”

Shi Qingxuan perked up. “Thank you? Did I hear that right? Have I finally broken my way into the cold and stoic Ming Yi’s heart?”

That earned him a dry look.

“I take it back, you can attend the banquet alone.”

“Ming-xiongggg, it was a joke!” Shi Qingxuan whined.

“Let’s go Qingxuan.”

“Okay, okay. Wait, just one more thing.”

He Xuan halted his pace.

“What do you think of my outfit?” Shi Qingxuan asked, some of his earlier confidence waning.

“It looks good right? Not too overdressed? Is green an okay colour for an autumn banquet? I wanted to go for pink but I don’t have any masculine robes in pink so—”

“Why not go in your female form, then?” He Xuan interrupted.

He admittedly hadn’t paid much attention at the banquet the first time, but he could have sworn Shi Qingxuan had been in his female form.

Shi Qingxuan fidgeted with the fabric of his sleeves.

“Ah, my brother doesn’t like me using my female form in public, and this afternoon he reminded me again, so I can’t claim ignorance this time.”

He Xuan made no effort to hide the scowl at the mention of Shi Wudu. Why Shi Qingxuan liked him was beyond him.

“Fuck what your brother thinks,” he said.

“Ming-xiong, I really can’t--”

“You planned to wear the pink robes, right?” He Xuan said. “So wear the pink robes. Who cares what he thinks?”

Shi Qingxuan eyed him cautiously. He Xuan could tell he was considering it.

“We’ll be late to the banquet if we make a detour for my palace.”

He Xuan shrugged. “So? I don’t care. Do you?”

A mischievous smile crept onto Shi Qingxuan’s face.

“Okay,” he said. “Let’s do it.”

Shi Qingxuan giggled like a schoolgirl as she dragged He Xuan into her palace, hopping on one foot as she wrangled her boots off without stopping. The green robes were thrown on the bed without much care, where He Xuan knew they’d most likely remain for at least a day before being picked up by a disgruntled servant. Shi Qingxuan got herself ready in record time, beaming all the while.

“What do you think,” she finally said, twirling around.

He Xuan stared at her, and for a moment he understood why sculptors chiselled divine statues in the image of their lovers. This was an image he never wanted to forget. Shi Qingxuan was truly breathtaking.

“Well?” she asked.

“You’re beautiful,” He Xuan whispered.

Shi Qingxuan’s cheeks flushed at his words.

“Okay, now we really need to leave.”

***

The Banquet was in full swing by the time they arrived. Shi Qingxuan guided them through the rows of tables, greeting a number of officials whose names He Xuan didn’t recall. Shi Wudu was seated next to the other members of the Three Tumours. His eyes nearly bulged out of his skull when he noticed them shuffle between the seated attendants, but there was nothing he could say without being disruptive. He Xuan enjoyed that look. Let the man stew in his own anger.

They found their seats next to Xie Lian, who awkwardly picked at his food next to one of the martial gods who seemed equally uncomfortable.

“Your Highness!” Shi Qingxuan called, waving at him as they approached.

Xie Lian’s expression flooded with relief at the sight of a familiar face. He bowed his head in greeting as they sat down.

“Lord Earth Master,” he said. “I trust you’ve been well.”

He Xuan didn’t respond. He didn’t know the scrap collector all that well and, frankly, couldn’t be bothered to get to know him better. He dragged a platter of spiced meats towards himself and started eating. The only good part of these gatherings was the food, and He Xuan did love the food.

Shi Qingxuan began chatting with the people around them right away, her voice a constant background noise as he ate. He didn’t particularly mind. She was a bit of a social butterfly. She remembered the smallest details about people, echoing them back to them to keep the conversation going in a way he never could. Ironically, she would probably make a better mole than he did, though he suspected the amusement at watching He Xuan struggle through social situations was part of the arrangement for Hua Cheng.

He Xuan forced himself to listen in on a few conversations, but most of it revolved around the personal lives of heavenly officials Hua Cheng had no interest in.

He Xuan was about to return to his food again when he felt Shi Qingxuan’s hand on his shoulder. He paused and looked up. She handed him a small jade cup. Without much thought he took it, downing the contents.

He grabbed his spoon again as he heard a gasp followed by snickering.

He looked around, puzzled.

Shi Qingxuan had her hand over her mouth to muffle her own laugh.

“Ming-xiong, you were supposed to pass it,” she giggled.

He Xuan’s face fell when he realised. They were playing that stupid cup passing game. And he just drank it. The curtains on the big stage retreated as the play began.

Two actors ran on stage, dressed as the Earth Master and Wind Master.

“Ming Yi, help me! These ghosts soldiers are so scary!” the actress playing Lady Wind Master squealed.

The burly actor playing him shielded her behind him.

“Don’t worry babe, I’ll protect you.”

He Xuan didn’t know whether to be amused or offended. That was nothing like how their mission at Banyue pass had gone. They had both been in their female forms, not just Shi Qingxuan, not to mention that she had done much more than he had. If anything, they should have put him in the female role.

Next to him, Shi Qingxuan sputtered out a surprised laugh.

The Ming Yi on stage slew the ghosts with his sword —What? They couldn’t even bother to give him a shovel? — grunting and hiya-ing the whole time. He Xuan buried half of his face into his hand. How bad was this play?

Once the ghost soldiers were scattered across the stage floor, the Earth Master turned to The Wind Master.

“Oh, Ming Yi,” the actress playing Qingxuan sighed, “You saved me!”

She threw her arms around the Earth master, who dipped her down and kissed her.

He Xuan spat out his food.

Gasps and excited laughing echoed through the room. Shi Wudu’s face turned an alarming shade of red as he barked an order to drop the curtains.

Next to him, Shi Qingxuan hadn’t made a sound, staring at the stage with a sort of surprised expression, as her face gradually flushed a deep shade of pink.

In the commotion Xie Lian had taken the cup from him and passed it to the martial god next to him, who became the next unfortunate victim of the game, and soon the attention was on someone new.

He Xuan tried to calm himself down.

“Well,” he muttered to Shi Qingxuan. “I think I’m going to hunt down those merchants later.”

Shi Qingxuan didn’t reply.

He Xuan looked at her.

“Qingxuan? Are you there?”

Shi Qingxuan jolted.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” she stammered.

He Xuan’s mind blanked as her eyes met his.

“Nevermind,” he muttered.

“No, I wanna hear it. I wasn’t paying attention before,” Shi Qingxuan said.

“It wasn’t important,” He Xuan shot back, stuffing his face to avoid further conversation.

The Martial god, whose name was apparently Qi Ying, had jumped from his seat and was currently attempting to fight his way through a crowd to beat up the actors in his play. He Xuan had half a mind to join him.

Conversation resumed around him as he ate.

Suddenly Shi Qingxuan was raising her voice at Pei Ming over something.

“Qingxuan, mind your manners!”

Shi Qingxuan lowered her gaze, shame clear on her face.

Fucking Shi Wudu. Hatred bubbled up, souring He Xuan’s appetite.

Pei Ming simply laughed it off.

“Water Master-xiong, your little sibling is quite the force to be reckoned with. Only you can keep her in line. It isn’t really anything to worry about if she messes with me, but if she messes with the wrong people, they won’t let it go so easily for your sake.”

Shi Wudu grumbled. “Her? Please don’t indulge him.”

He snapped his fan open, scowling at Shi Qingxuan.

“Did you hear what General Pei said? And how many times do I have to tell you not to walk around in that form all the time? You already embarrassed me this afternoon by causing a scene and now you dare show up looking like that when I explicitly told you no to. Are you trying to make me lose face? What a disgrace. I don’t care what appearance you prefer; you must use your true form when you’re out!”

He Xuan’s blood boiled. Ripping his arms and head of wasn’t enough. This time he’d make sure to drag out his death, torture him for hours until he begged for death.

“Careful, Water Master,” he said lowly. “it almost sounds like you’re the one making a scene.”

Shi Wudu dragged his gaze over to He Xuan, his disdain evident.

“My brother was born male, and should conduct himself as such.”

“Ling Wen was born female, I can’t help but notice you haven’t reprimanded him,” He Xuan replied. “One might think you believe women to be inferior. Or maybe you are such a weak man as to be threatened by Qingxuan’s independence.”

Shi Qingxuan nudged him insistently. “Ming-xiong!” she hissed.

Shi Wudu rose from his seat. “This is a private matter between me and my brother, Earth Master. Mind your business.”

He Xuan rose too. “You made it our business when you started berating her in front of everyone.

“Ming Yi! Sit down!” Shi Qingxuan yelled.

He Xuan stared Shi Wudu down, but obliged.

“You should really learn some manners,” Shi Wudu hissed. “I can see where my brother gets it from.”

He turned to Shi Qingxuan.

“I’m disappointed in you, Qingxuan. You should be more sensible, and find better company.” He glared at He Xuan again, who glared back until Shi Qingxuan told him to cut it out.

Pei Ming cracked a joke to lighten the mood, and Shi Wudu relented. People who had gone quiet to listen in went back to their own conversations.

He Xuan still stewed, imagining a million ways he’d like to destroy the Water Master.

He was rudely snapped out of it when Shi Qingxuan elbowed him painfully between his ribs.

“What the hell was that?!” she hissed.

“Your brother was being an ass,” He Xuan shot back.

Qingxuan was having none of it. “I can stand up for myself. Do you have any idea how you just made me look? He’s furious now!”

“Did you want me to sit back and let him insult you?” He Xuan asked.

Shi Qingxuan groaned. “I don’t need you to fight my battles for me!”

He Xuan closed his eyes. Had he really challenged Shi Wudu’s authority in defence of Shi Qingxuan? Or was he just using her as an excuse to hate Shi Wudu even more? He recalled the look in her eyes as he killed him, how she momentarily went mad from her grief.

This second chance was for Qingxuan, he reminded himself. He’d find a way to deal with Shi Wudu later, but he couldn’t let his hatred hurt her again.

“You’re right,” he said. “I shouldn’t have spoken in your place. I apologise.”

Shi Qingxuan froze, stunned. “Oh,” she croaked. “Alright then, that’s settled.”

They sat in awkward silence for a moment. Luckily someone shouted something about lanterns. Good. Watching lanterns didn’t require a lot of talking.

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan

The Mid-Autumn Banquet was going well, all things considered. Shi Qingxuan had deliberately avoided her brother’s gaze as they entered. She could have guessed what she’d find there. It was fine, she would endure a lecture about it later.

She’d been delighted to find Xie Lian present at the banquet. He seemed glad to see her too. The poor guy probably didn’t know a lot of the other heavenly officials, and with his reputation as a god of misfortune, she knew many weren’t too eager to make his acquaintance either. An unfair judgement in her opinion. She has only met him a handful of times — and she could admit that his moniker wasn’t entirely unfounded — but he’d always been nothing but kind, a quality surprisingly rare among her peers.

Xie Lian inquired about Lang Ying, and she assured him that he was well hidden away. It was a good thing the child was rather quiet and listened well. Her brother already had enough reasons to chew her out right now.

A white jade cup was passed around, and despite the cup not landing on her even once she had managed to feature in two plays. Perhaps Xie Lian’s poor luck was rubbing off on her. She’d heard plenty of stories about the myths in which she and her brother were a married couple, but to see a stage play in which she called him her “hubby” still made her incredibly uncomfortable. Her brother shared the same sentiment, immediately tossing out enough merits to drop the curtains.

As if that wasn’t embarrassing enough, the second play depicted her as some damsel in distress. She had seen that most of the merchants travelling through Banyue Pass had been men, but to see herself reduced to a snivelling maiden in need of rescue was downright insulting. And of course they had to make Ming Yi a man. Were they really that insecure about being saved by two women?

Then there was the kiss…

She certainly hadn’t expected that twist. She felt her face go red, but couldn’t make herself look away from the actors. Her and Ming Yi. Sure, she had made a few jokes about it, but she hadn’t actually considered it. Did they really give off that impression? Was Ming Yi okay with it? Now that the idea had taken root she found herself unable to banish the thought.

The vaguely registered Ming Yi saying something to her.

She snapped back to reality. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

She hoped he hadn’t noticed how unsteady her voice sounded.

Ming Yi hesitated. “Nevermind,” he finally said.

Instantly guilt gripped her. “No, I wanna hear it,” she insisted. “I wasn’t paying attention before.”

“It wasn’t important,” He Xuan replied. Before Shi Qingxuan could push back his focus was back on the food, and she decided to drop the matter. Her attention was drawn to another conversation between her brother and general Pei.

Pei Ming wasn’t a bad man. Truth be told, she found him the most tolerable of the Three Tumours, and that included her brother. He was always courteous with her, if a little patronising at times. Unlike Shi Wudu, he had no problem with her female form. He even referred to her with feminine terms when she was a woman. He tried flirting with her only once. If her polite rejection didn’t deter him, the death glare he’d received from her brother certainly did. After that she’d gone out for drinks with him a few times, where she gladly made fun of him when it turned out she could drink him under the table with ease.

He was, generally speaking, not bad company.

Now, however, she couldn’t stand by as he talked about his descendant like a disappointed father.

“… His heart isn’t in the right place? I don’t care anymore.”

She’d had quite enough of these men tonight.

“So in General Pei’s opinion, where’s the right place for his heart?” she scoffed. “Your Little Pei’s future is a future, but the little missy’s future is nothing?”

Shi Wudu turned his gaze to her. Oh no, he was livid.

“Qingxuan, mind your manners!”

She quickly lowered her gaze. She hated when he used that tone of voice.

Pei Ming said something to her defence, but Shi Wudu wouldn’t hear it.

“Her? Please don’t indulge him.”

He addressed her again. “Did you hear what General Pei said?”

She had not, but she barely had time to reply before he continued.

“And how many times do I have to tell you not to walk around in that form all the time? You already embarrassed me this afternoon by causing a scene and now you dare show up looking like that when I explicitly told you no to. Are you trying to make me lose face? What a disgrace. I don’t care what appearance you prefer; you must use your true form when you’re out!”

Shame clung to her skin like sweat-soaked robes. Tears burned behind her eyes. Suddenly it felt like all eyes were on her, and all she wanted was to disappear.

Suddenly Ming Yi spoke up.

“Careful, Water Master,” he said lowly. “it almost sounds like you’re the one making a scene.”

Shi Wudu dragged his gaze over to the man.

“My brother was born male, and should conduct himself as such.”

“Ling Wen was born female, I can’t help but notice you haven’t reprimanded him,” Ming Yi replied. “One might think you believe women to be inferior. Or maybe you are such a weak man as to be threatened by Qingxuan’s independence.”

Shi Qingxuan froze. What was he doing? People around them halted their conversation, looking between the pair and Shi Wudu.

She nudged him anxiously.“Ming-xiong!” she hissed.

Shi Wudu rose from his seat. “This is a private matter between me and my brother, Earth Master. Mind your business.”

He Xuan rose too. “You made it our business when you started berating her in front of everyone."

People were watching. People were whispering things. Any more of this and she could kiss her good reputation goodbye.

“Ming Yi! Sit down!” Shi Qingxuan yelled.

He Xuan stared Shi Wudu down, but obliged.

“You should really learn some manners,” her brother hissed. “I can see where my brother gets it from.”

He turned to Shi Qingxuan.

“I’m disappointed in you, Qingxuan. You should be more sensible, and find better company.”

She bowed her head. Gods, she was never going to hear the end of this.

It felt like an eternity before the other attendants redirected attention to the stage again.

She glared at Ming Yi, who had gone back to eating as though nothing was wrong.

She jabbed him with her elbow.

“What the hell was that?!” she hissed.

Ming Yi met her gaze. “Your brother was being an ass,” he replied.

Qingxuan was having none of it. “I can stand up for myself. Do you have any idea how you just made me look? He’s furious now!”

“Did you want me to sit back and let him insult you?” Ming Yi asked. It was like he was being wilfully obtuse.

She groaned. “I don’t need you to fight my battles for me!”

She expected another fight, but instead Ming Yi closed his eyes for a moment.

“You’re right,” he finally said. “I shouldn’t have spoken in your place. I apologise.”

All pre-planned arguments in her head died down.

“Oh,” she croaked. “Alright then, that’s settled.”

She suddenly felt rather silly. Why wouldn’t her best friend listen to her?

Her thoughts were interrupted when someone announced the Battle of the Lanterns was about to begin.

First up was the Rain Master. A single lantern struggled towards the sky.

Xie Lian leaned over to her.

“Is that correct?” he asked

A strange sense of déjà-vu overcame her.

“It is,” she said, explaining how it was lit by the Rain Master’s own bull.

More lanterns filled the sky, and soon the top ten was announced.

Quan Yizhen took the number ten spot.

Next was Ming Yi. She beamed with pride for her best friend, who didn’t seem all that fazed himself.

Then she heard her own title being called.

“The Palace of the Wind Master, five hundred and twenty-three lanterns!”

Applause erupted around her, and she couldn’t stop the almost childish smile that stretched her cheeks. She was eighth! Out of hundreds of heavenly officials. She did that!

She jumped up, unable to contain her excitement. She thanked the crowd, and turned towards her brother.

“Ge! I’m eighth this year!”

It seemed the good news wasn’t enough to quell Shi Wudu’s bad temper from earlier.

“Only eighth? What’s there to be happy about?!” he scolded.

She deflated.

Pei Ming said something to her brother. With an annoyed look he added: “Even so, there are more lanterns than last year. Next year must be better as well.”

She smiled again. ‘Better than nothing,’ she thought.

“Congratulations Qingxuan.”

She turned to see Ming Yi had stood up.

“You deserve every last one of them,” he added.

The words were like a hug, making her feel warm and a little giddy.

“Thank you,” she said.

Her brother ended up ranking highest. She clapped and cheered louder than anyone else, not that he reacted to any of it.

“Wait,” Shi Wudu suddenly said, snapping his fan shut.

Confused noises filled the room.

Shi Qingxuan counted in her head and gasped.

The top ten aren’t all out! Even if we count the Palace of Divine Might, only nine have been announced so far!”

Only nine officials had been ranked. Who could the tenth be?

As if to answer her question, the sky suddenly lit up with hundreds, no, thousands of lanterns.

And they were for… Xie Lian?

Xie Lian sheepishly pointed at himself. “...Me?”

Shi Qingxuan quickly recovered from her shock, slapping him on the shoulder. “Yes, you!”

Xie Lian stammered something as a voice boomed across the banquet.

“Thousand Lights Temple, the Palace of the Crown Prince, three… Three…Three thousand lanterns!”

***

As promised, Ming Yi walked her back to her palace after the festivities.

“I still can’t believe it. Three thousand lanterns. Who even has that much money? Where did the worshippers come from? I mean, don’t get me wrong, he absolutely deserves it, but seriously, three thousand…”

Ming Yi listened to her silently.

“What do you think, Ming-xiong? Any ideas?” she asked.

He glanced at her.

“Maybe he has an admirer,” he said.

“Oh my god, you’re so right,” she grabbed him by the shoulders.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking? It’s Crimson Rain, right? Oh it has got to be Crimson Rain! Did you see the way he looked at him when we fell into the armoury? He definitely has a thing for Xie Lian.”

She suddenly became aware of how close their faces were. She quickly pulled back.

“Sorry,” she mumbled.

“...sfine,” came the reply.

They walked about five more steps before Shi Qingxuan spoke up again.

“Sorry for getting mad. Earlier at the banquet. I know you meant well.”

For a long moment Ming Yi didn’t say anything.

Shi Qingxuan was starting to wonder if he’d heard her when he replied.

“Your brother’s an ass.”

A laugh escaped her throat. “Yeah, he is.”

Her smile faded. “Maybe he has a point, though. Maybe this form really is embarrassing.”

Ming Yi raised an eyebrow at her. “Do you really believe that?” he asked.

Shi Qingxuan shrugged. “Everyone always makes such a big deal out of it. What if they’re all laughing at me behind my back?”

She heard the sound of rustling clothes.

“Then we’ll be embarrassing together.”

She looked up to find Ming Yi standing before her in her female form.

Shi Qingxuan would never get used to how pretty she was like this. Her heart did a little flutter.

“What did I do to deserve you?” she wondered out loud.

“The food certainly helps,” Ming Yi replied, making her laugh again.

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan

“Ming-xiong, are you awake?”

For a moment there was silence in the communication array.

Shi Qingxuan pressed her fingers against her temple again.

“Ming-xiong?”

She smiled as she heard a deep sigh from the other end.

“Unfortunately,” came the answer.

“Do you wanna help me answer my prayers today?” Shi Qingxuan asked.

“Help you how?” Ming Yi grumbled. “Not sure if you noticed, but the wind doesn’t listen to me like it does to you.”

Shi Qingxuan rolled her eyes, pacing around her palace.

“Okay, well, you can accompany me while I answer them. Moral support and all that.”

Ming Yi paused. “Moral support,” he repeated.

“Yeah! And you know...things would go a lot faster if someone were to make a few distance shortening arrays…?”

Shi Qingxuan could feel him smiling through the communication array.

“So that’s why you want me to come along. To be your taxi.”

Shi Qingxuan gasped. “Such accusations! You really think that’s the only reason I’d invite you to come along?”

Ming Yi made a non-committal noise.

Shi Qingxuan pressed her lips together. “It’s not the only reason. I like your company.”

No answer came. Shi Qingxuan waited another minute, but she still heard nothing. “Ming-xiong? Are you there?”

“Alright,” a voice said next to her. “But I demand compensation.”

Shi Qingxuan yelped, before collecting herself. How was he so quiet?

“Thank you, best friend! I knew I could count on you. Don’t worry, I’ll buy you anything you want from the market, promise.”

Only then did she notice Ming Yi’s appearance.

“...You’re in your female form,” she remarked.

“So are you,” Ming Yi deadpanned.

“Yeah but I like being a woman,” Shi Qingxuan retorted.

Ming Yi shrugged. “Who said I didn’t like being a woman? Like I said at the banquet, let’s embarrass Heaven together.”

Shi Qingxuan covered her mouth with her hands to conceal her excitement, though the fact that she was practically vibrating probably gave it away.

Ming Yi’s face betrayed nothing, but she took her hand.

“Let’s get moving.”

***

They spent a significant time in ports across the realm. After all, merchant ships with a long journey ahead of them often prayed for strong winds to carry them to their destination.

Shi Qingxuan answered each one of them, but not before strongly advising them to make an offering to the Water Master as well. She knew how her brother retaliated against those who neglected to worship him, and she would hate to see so many people lose their lives over it.

From the corner of her eye she saw Ming Yi raise an eyebrow. She sighed. If only they could see the good parts of him. Sure, her ge maybe wasn’t the friendliest, but he wasn’t evil. He would never kill innocents unprovoked. In fact, many families had Shi Wudu to thank for the wealth they amassed on their travels.

She ascended in the air, allowing the wind to carry her. She relished in the feeling of the currents of air wrapping around her, listening to her call. With a wave of her fan she sent them towards the ships’ sails, making them swell and pull their cargo forward.

Her work was met with cheers. She landed softly, watching as women waved their husbands and sons goodbye on the pier, wishing for their safe return. Young children clung to their mother’s skirts, watching in awe as the ships became smaller and smaller in the vast open waters.

The people were her favourite part. As a goddess, she naturally existed to help the mortal people. She knew some of her peers were mostly occupied with big threats to gain prestige, but she took joy in the small things as well. A small act from her often meant a great deal for the common people. To be so dependent on the goodwill others for you own survival, she could hardly imagine it.

Her eyes landed on an old man sat against the wall. His robes were old and torn in some places. He’d placed a small bowl in front of him, which held a few coins from passers-by..

Uncomfortable images rose from the depths of her mind. Images of tattered robes and cold streets, of gnawing hunger and biting cold. An old woman covering her with a blanket, calling her Ol’ Feng. She shuddered. Why was she thinking of that? Familiarity itched beneath her skin like crawling ants. She was suddenly overcome with an unshakable discomfort.

She strode up to the man. He looked up at her with tired eyes.

She raised a hand to her hair, and pulled her hairpin out of her bun.

It was one of her favourites, silver, shaped like a koi fish on the end, with a string of white pearls dangling behind its tail.

She bent down and laid it in his bowl. The man’s eyes widened at the sight of it.

“Should be enough to buy yourself some nicer clothes and a hot meal, I think,” she said.

She stood and turned before she could hear his reply.

Ming Yi awaited her with crossed arms. She gave her an inquisitive look.

“It’s fine,” she told her. “I have dozens. Besides, now I have an excuse to buy a new one.”

Ming Yi shook her head. “I recall you promising me to buy me things today.”

“Something tells me you’re not interested in buying hairpins,” Shi Qingxuan quipped.

“Quite right,” her companion replied. “Let’s go eat, I want beef noodles.”

***

Shi Qingxuan ordered six bowls of noodles: one for herself, and five for Ming Yi, who somehow finished her food before Qingxuan did.

She ended up buying Ming Yi three more skewers on the road, all the while teasing her about her insatiable appetite.

“I’m glad you came along today,” she said as they sat down by a tree.

“Without your help I would have been at it until the evening.”

Ming Yi made an affirmative noise, picking her teeth with a now empty skewer.

Shi Qingxuan sighed as she splayed out in the grass, looking up at the sky through the leaves.

“This is nice,” she said. “We should do this more often.”

Ming Yi frowned at her. “We literally go out together all the time.”

“Well, yeah, but that’s during our downtime or big missions. Not the daily stuff,” she replied.

Ming Yi scoffed. “If I saw you any more than I already do I might as well move in.”

Shi Qingxuan laughed. “Wouldn’t that be an idea! Ge would hate it.”

A dark cloud rolled over Ming Yi’s face.

“Does he approve of anything you do?”

Shi Qingxuan shrugged. “That’s what older brothers are like, I guess. It can be unbearable sometimes.”

“Well,” Ming Yi said, “let me know when and how you want me to kill him.”

She looked startlingly serious.

Suddenly Shi Qingxuan was no longer sitting in the grass, but rather on a cold stone floor. She knew what she would see if she looked up, but her head moved as if in a trance. She saw her brother’s face. Dead, unseeing pupils stared back. Her eyes wandered down to his neck, where torn flesh hung like bloodied ribbons. Blood, there was so much blood. I was everywhere, on the floor, on her clothes, on her hands. She screamed.

“Qingxuan!”

She gasped. She was in the grass again. Ming Yi was holding her shoulders, looking at her with such worry.

“It was just a joke. I was joking,” she said.

“H-huh?” Shi Qingxuan stammered. Her heart was still racing, but it slowed under Ming Yi’s touch.

“That wasn’t funny,” she whispered.

“I didn’t…” Ming Yi trailed off.

Shi Qingxuan sighed. “Listen. I know you don’t like him, and trust me, I get it, but he’s still my big brother, and I love him. Ge practically raised me. He’s the only living family I have left. And he does care. I know he’s...mean, but he’s only trying to do what he thinks is best for me.”

She met Ming Yi’s eyes. “Please, don’t ever joke about that again. If he died I… I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”

Ming Yi swallowed. “I won’t, I promise.”

“Good,” Shi Qingxuan whispered. “Ugh, I’m sorry. I completely ruined the mood.”

“Don’t apologise,” Ming Yi quickly said. “I was at fault.”

Shi Qingxuan gave her a grateful look.

“You’re right,” Ming Yi said after a moment. “Losing a sibling. It’s a horrible feeling.”

Shi Qingxuan’s eyes widened. “You had siblings?”

Ming Yi nodded. “A sister.”

Shi Qingxuan leaned in a little closer. “What was she like?”

Ming Yi stared into the distance and smiled, a warm, bittersweet smile Shi Qingxuan had never seen on her before.

“She was kind,” she said. “She and I had the same sense of humour. She liked ducks, and got very offended when I listed all the ways to eat them.” Ming Yi chuckled at the memory. “She had no idea where her body was in any given space. I swear I saw her walk into tables and doors so many times.”

Shi Qingxuan listened diligently. It occurred to her that she’d never asked Ming Yi about her family before. Usually it was Shi Qingxuan who did all the talking while Ming Yi listened, or pretended to.

“She sounds wonderful,” she said quietly.

Ming Yi inhaled sharply. “She was,” she said.

Was. Shi Qingxuan tended to forget how lucky she was to have a relative who ascended with her. While she was able to share the loss of her parents with Shi Wudu, most heavenly officials had to watch their family die all on their own. Even in the best case scenario in which they died of old age, they had maybe eighty odd years with them. After a few centuries there was no one left on the mortal realm who remembered them in life. Did Ming Yi have anyone to help her process that loss? The thought sent a pang of sadness through her.

“Do you miss her?” she asked.

“Every day,” Ming Yi replied. Her eyes gleamed.

Shi Qingxuan pulled her into a hug.

“Thank you for telling me,” she said. “I’m sorry for you loss.”

Ming Yi didn’t reply, but she felt hands on her back, pulling her closer. Ming Yi smelled like ocean, the salty air of the port still lingering in her hair. Shi Qingxuan found it strangely comforting.

They sat in silence for a while longer, Shi Qingxuan rested her head on Ming Yi’s shoulder.

“I think I’d like to go home now,” she said.

Ming Yi’s shoulders sagged imperceptibly. “I understand.”

“Wait!” Shi Qingxuan’s hand shot out to grab hers. “You don’t need to leave yet. We can continue lounging at my place.”

Ming Yi’s expression brightened slightly. “Oh.”

Shi Qingxuan flashed her a smile.

“You know you’re always welcome in my home, Ming-xiong.”

Ming Yi got a strange look in her eyes, but before she could question it the other woman had already stood up, drawing an array to her palace.

Chapter Text

He Xuan

He Xuan stared at the ceiling of her room. She kept replaying the conversation in her head. Shi Qingxuan had started panicking at the mere thought of Shi Wudu's death. She replayed the scene over and over in her head.

So there really was no scenario in which she could discreetly kill the bastard without Shi Qingxuan getting hurt in the process, was there? She groaned, dragging a hand over her face. She still hadn't changed back to her true form. What was she doing? Nothing was going according to plan.

She thought about Shi Qingxuan's face again, how terrified she'd looked at the thought of her killing the Water Master. He Xuan was stuck. She couldn't kill Shi Wudu without harming Shi Qingxuan in the process, but she also couldn't stomach the thought of letting the piece of shit walk free without consequence.

She had to avenge her family. It was the only reason she'd persevered through death and bloodshed. For so long the thought of revenge had been a core part of her identity, her one true purpose. Her family deserved it. How else could she honour them?

She sighed.

What would they think of her now?

Would they be disappointed?

Her thoughts were interrupted by a voice.

“Ming-xiong? Are you there?”

He Xuan pressed her fingers against her temple. She could contemplate her next move another time.

“I’m here.”

“Wanna join me again?”

“Don’t you have anyone else to pester?” He Xuan grunted.

“Awh, but Ming-xiong, you’re my favourite person to pester,” Shi Qingxuan teased.

He Xuan couldn’t help but smile.

“Whatever. I’ll be there.”

***

Shi Qingxuan had less prayers than the day before, and by noon they found themselves in one of her temples, gazing upon the people down below as they deposited offerings on her altar.

“Bit of a slow day,” Shi Qingxuan remarked. “It’s only noon and my temples are practically empty.”

He Xuan scoffed. “You do know people have other things to do in their lives besides worshipping you, right?”

“Yeah,” Shi Qingxuan sighed. “I guess the more urbanised villages don’t have much use for wind.”

Just then a youth walked into the temple. He placed a bowl of apples on the altar and knelt down.

“Lady Wind Master, I seek your aid,” he whispered. “There’s this girl I like, and I want to court her, but I don’t know how to approach her. Can you help me?”

Shi Qingxuan laughed awkwardly.

“Oh dear…” she said, “I’m afraid that’s not my domain at all.”

“Well,” He Xuan said, flashing her a mean grin, “You do have a husband according to some myths.”

Shi Qingxuan hit her in the chest. “Ew! Ming Yi! Don’t even talk about that.”

A disgusted shiver ran through her. “It’s like they’ve never even heard of siblings.”

“Not the only man you’re being paired with these days,” He Xuan added, enjoying the glare Shi Qingxuan sent her way.

“Don’t push your luck,” she said.

“Duly noted,” He Xuan laughed. “Seriously, though. You are the last person I’d expect not to have a love life.”

Shi Qingxuan rolled her eyes. “I ascended when I was sixteen, what did you expect?”

He Xuan shrugged. “A lot of people start courting when they’re teenagers. He sure is.” She nodded towards the youth at the altar.

Shi Qingxuan leaned back. “Well… there was this one boy,” she said. “There was this silk merchant who came into our kingdom every summer, and his son was the same age as me. I never gathered the courage to talk to him, but at night I dreamt up many fantasies about eloping with him.”

He Xuan snorted. She imagined a younger Qingxuan dreaming about being swept off her feet. She found the idea quite adorable.

Clearly flustered, Shi Qingxuan shoved her. “Don’t laugh! I was like thirteen.”

“I know, but the thought of you of all people being too shy to talk to someone? Unfathomable.”

Shi Qingxuan grinned. “What can I say? I had a few centuries to hone my social skills since then. Besides, it’s not like you had a more exciting love life.”

“I was engaged, actually.”

Shi Qingxuan gasped. “You were engaged?!”

He Xuan’s smile faded. She wasn’t sure why she’d let that slip. The memory still made her heart heavy. She had always covered her grief under a layer of hatred. Without it she felt exposed, vulnerable. Her eyes stung.

“She…” Her voice was unsteady. She paused, drawing a breath, steadying herself, “She passed away before we could get married.”

“Oh…” Shi Qingxuan uttered. “Ming-xiong, I’m so sorry.”

“Not your fault,” He Xuan mumbled.

Not her fault? Wasn’t it? Had her death not been an indirect result of Shi Wudu stealing her fate? What if their fates were never swapped? Would it have been Shi Qingxuan’s merchant son who died? He Xuan could have been happily married. But then, she might have lost her or any children their might have had after she’d ascended. And she would have never met Shi Qingxuan.

Guilt crept up her spine, clinging heavily to her shoulders. He Xuan banished the thoughts. How could she measure their lives to Qingxuan’s? Her family was martyred because of her, their lives sacrificed to save Shi Qingxuan. What a terrible person must He Xuan be to sit in her temple and share their memories with the very person for whom their lives were so brutally cut short.

“I need to go,” she said.

Shi Qingxuan called after her, half formed  questions and apologies spilling out, but He Xuan ignored her. She hastily drew an array, closing it before Shi Qingxuan could follow.

She sprinted through the Nether Water Manor, stumbling into the ancestral hall.

Four black urns sat on the altar, along with a memorial tablet for each.

He Xuan threw herself into a kowtow before the urns.

“Forgive me,” she whispered. “I haven’t forgotten you. I will find a way to avenge you yet. I will get justice. I promise.”

She imagined a fifth urn on the altar, a memorial tablet with Shi Qingxuan’s name engraved on it. Her stomach turned.

“But I can’t hurt her. I can’t… Not again.”

Betray Shi Qingxuan, or betray her family. How could she ever be expected to make such a horrible choice?

Tears splashed onto the floor beneath her.

“Forgive me. Forgive me. Forgive me…”

***

By the time He Xuan made it back to Heaven the communication array was flooded with people talking amongst themselves. There was a ghost in Heaven. A pregnant ghost. She shuffled into the Palace of Divine Might with the others. In the middle of the room stood Xie Lian —because of course Xie Lian was involved again — next to a ghost woman in heavy makeup.

He Xuan’s eyes swept through the crowd and spotted Shi Qingxuan, back in his male form, stood next to Shi Wudu. He Xuan grimaced. She should have guessed.

Shi Qingxuan cheerily greeted the other heavenly officials. He Xuan wondered if she was on his mind at all.

The Wind Master’s attention then turned to the ghost.

“Huh? The ghost jiejie has something in her belly? Why do I have the feeling that it’s…”

He Xuan watched him reach out a hand, before his brother reprimanded him.

“You’re a man and a heavenly official. This is the Palace of Divine Might! How could you do something so unmannerly? No, don’t turn into a woman either! Even in a woman’s

form it’s equally disgraceful; change back right this instant!”

He Xuan glared at Shi Wudu, who said nothing as Ling Wen stepped in to do the same thing Shi Qingxuan had intended to do. Rules for everyone except the Three Tumours, huh?

Ling Wen stated the ghost woman carried a vicious fetus spirit. Xie Lian added the information he’d gathered. So it would seem that the fetus spirit was conceived by a heavenly official.

“If there wasn’t a misunderstanding, and he knew about the mother and child, then it’s simply irresponsible of him to leave them like that without a word,” Nan Yang spoke.

Pei Ming agreed.

“I completely agree with General Nan Yang. This is far too irresponsible. Dunno which heavenly colleague this discarded baggage belongs to, but if he’s on duty, he best come forward.”

He raised an eyebrow when everyone stared at him.

“Are you all having some sort of misunderstanding about me?”

“I don’t think it’s a misunderstanding,” Shi Qingxuan commented, “more like we know you too well.”

“It wasn’t me!”

He Xuan stifled a laugh as Pei Ming argued his innocence to an unconvinced audience. Not even Shi Wudu seemed to believe him.

“It wasn’t him,” the ghost woman finally said, surprising everyone.

Then she turned to accuse Xie Lian, and He Xuan had to fight back his laughter. Xie Lian? Really? Who would ever believe that?

A not-insignificant number of people, apparently.

He Xuan watched in amused disbelief as Xie Lian was actually force to argue his case. Then again, she probably knew more about Xie Lian than most people in attendance. Hell, she knew more about the man than she cared to, but when you worked under Hua Cheng, hearing about Dianxia was inevitable. Additionally, she had already seen this scene play out, and she already knew who the real father was.

Jun Wu hurried the case along. “Xianle. I remember that your cultivation method demands a body of purity, lest your spiritual power be significantly damaged.”

Shi Qingxuan piped up. “Wow, so I was right! Just looking at His Highness, I could tell he must’ve cultivated that kind of path. If that’s the case, I--…” he trailed off. “I’m sure he must have kept his vows all these years.”

That caught He Xuan’s attention, because that wasn’t was Shi Qingxuan had said originally. In her original timeline, Shi Qingxuan had embarrassed Xie Lian by implying he’d never held hands or kissed anybody, leaving poor Xie Lian to admit to the whole audience that he had already done both of those things.

The rest of the interaction proceeded the same as last time. Jun Wu proved Xie Lian’s innocence with his weird virgin sword, and then the ghost lady began accusing people at random.

She even pointed her finger at He Xuan. She raised an eyebrow, gesturing at her female form. At that point, no one took her seriously anymore, and she was evicted from the premises.

He Xuan’s eyes met Shi Qingxuan’s, who gave her a sympathetic smile. He Xuan couldn’t help but wonder if there was something different about him this time. She knew she was behaving differently. She intended create a better outcome for both of them, after all. She hadn’t paid attention to Shi Qingxuan’s behaviour, though. She didn’t remember each moment they spent together with crystal clarity, but she knew for a fact that this scene had gone differently, and she had had no hand in changing it.

Maybe she was wrong about her initial assumption. Maybe she had stepped into a different world altogether, and things were going to happen differently. She didn’t want to consider the other possibility.

She couldn’t let Shi Qingxuan find out what she had done. She simply couldn’t.

Chapter Text

He Xuan

He Xuan had no plan of action, standing in front of Shi Qingxuan’s palace.

Did she want to apologise for running off without warning? Did she want to accompany Shi Qingxuan on her prayers again? Yesterday’s events worried her. Could Shi Qingxuan have lived through all of this before as well? The thought scared her.

Obviously Shi Qingxuan didn’t know everything. She hadn’t been afraid of her, going as far as to hug her on multiple occasions. He Xuan highly doubted Shi Qingxuan would want to remain that close to someone who hurt her so badly. It would even have made sense for her to distance herself. After all, The Earth Master had never been all that nice to her either, had she? He Xuan winced at the thought of her former self. Shi Qingxuan really had been nothing but kind to her all that time, and she had been so dismissive.

He Xuan had always told herself she had to be cold to Shi Qingxuan in order to keep an emotional distance. Get close to Shi Qingxuan to lure Shi Wudu into her trap without getting attached to Shi Qingxuan in the process. It clearly hadn’t worked.

Gods, maybe she should do Shi Qingxuan a favour and leave her alone. There were plenty of heavenly officials who would treat her better.

And yet Shi Qingxuan chose to spend time with her.

A dreadful voice popped up in the back of He Xuan’s mind. It suggested that perhaps Shi Qingxuan was well aware of everything that happened before, and only stayed close to He Xuan out of fear. She tried to tell herself that was impossible, because she’d seemed so happy.

‘She tries to laugh things off when she’s afraid,’ her mind unhelpfully remarked.

How would she even go about asking how much Shi Qingxuan knew? “Hey, Qingxuan, would you still love me if I was one of the four calamities?”

She hated everything about this.

He Xuan made up her mind to apologise and set foot into the palace. She at least owed Shi Qingxuan this.

The gates opened, and Shi Qingxuan stood in front of her, whisk in hand.

“Ming-xiong,” she said, “what are you doing here?”

He Xuan’s mind blanked. “I…”

Shi Qingxuan smiled apologetically. “I’d love to hang out, but I actually have plans today,” she said. “Is it okay if I get back to you another time?”

“Sure,” He Xuan said numbly. “Where are you headed.”

“Puqi shrine. I want to check in on Xie Lian. After that debacle with the ghost jiejie…”

Shi Qingxuan speaking to Xie Lian. Alone. Did she know? She knew Xie Lian was in contact with a ghost king. Was she seeking his advice? Was she seeking help from Xie Lian? Was she hoping for protection from Hua Cheng? Hua Cheng would never, they had a deal. But Xie Lian didn’t. What would he say to her?

“I will join you,” He Xuan blurted out. “You know, for distance shortening. I can… guard the door.”

Shi Qingxuan hesitated. He Xuan wished she had kept her mouth shut.

“Okay,” Shi Qingxuan said a beat too late. “That’s really nice of you.”

He Xuan felt some tension slip from her shoulders. So they were going to Puqi village.

***

He Xuan grimaced as she recognised the green man tied up by the entrance of Puqi shrine.

Even in a different body he still bore the same disgusting aura. Of all people, why did it have to be Qi Rong?

The wrath noticed them approaching and whistled, eyeing them up and down ostensibly.

“Hey chickee, what’re you doin’, checking me out? “Did I make your tender little heart quiver?”

He Xuan resisted the urge to plant her boot in his face.

“What is this thing at the door?” she asked, nodding towards Qi Rong. “What an eyesore.”

“Maybe it’s for guarding the door?” Shi Qingxuan quipped.

He Xuan smirked viciously. “No way. No one would ever have a reason to sink so low, to use such a vulgar spiritual beast…”

More people around the village noticed their presence, talking excitedly amongst themselves, loud enough for the pair to hear their praises. He Xuan desperately wished for a body of water to sink into. This was one thing she vehemently disliked about using her female form in public. She hated being so visible.

Shi Qingxuan on the other hand revelled in it, bowing and thanking the villagers. If she had beamed any more brightly the sun itself would have grown jealous.

“Ha ha, thanks, everyone, thank you! No need to compliment us so much, no need to make such a scene! It gets me all flustered when you fuss over me! That’s enough now, thank you, ha ha…”

She turned to Qi Rong: “This…green gongzi, pray tell, is His Highness the Crown Prince inside the shrine?”

Qi Rong’s eyes narrowed. “Tsk! So you’re some god-damn officials from the Upper Court! As if this ancestor is a dog guarding his door.”

He Xuan had heard quite enough, and delivered a kick into the side of his head.

She felt Shi Qingxuan’s whisk swatting against her own.

“Ming-xiong! It’s not good to use violence!”

“What’s there to be afraid of?” He Xuan asked coolly, planting her boot into his back “Didn’t he say he’s not a domesticated spiritual beast?”

The door to Puqi shrine slammed open, revealing a panicked Xie Lian

“My Lord! Have mercy! Don’t hit him, he’s a person!” he said.

He Xuan took her boot off the grumbling wrath. Took him long enough.

Shi Qingxuan cupped her hands. “Your highness, good morning. Is it alright if we talked inside—”

“Wait!” Xie Lian exclaimed, blocking the door with his body, but He Xuan already noticed.

Hue Cheng stood in the middle of Puqi shrine, dirty dishes in hand. Their eyes locked, and Hua Cheng smiled innocently. He Xuan recoiled.

Shi Qingxuan’s eyes widened, but she didn’t take on a defensive stance. “Crimson Rain Sought Flower.” she said.

He Xuan’s eyes flitted towards her companion. She knew Shi Qingxuan had theorised about Hua Cheng’s feelings for Xie Lian, but she had at least expected her to be cautious of the other ghost king. Instead she barely seemed surprised.

“And I’m the Night-Touring Green Lantern!” Qi Rong screeched. “How come none of you recognized me when kicking the shit out of me, but you knew it was him with just one look?!”

He Xuan had half a mind to kick him again. What was this, some kind of calamity conference?

Hua Cheng smirked at her. “Lord Earth Master looks lively.”

“Oh, fuck off with that!” He Xuan hissed at him through a private communication array.

“And Lord Ghost King looks leisurely as always,” she replied out loud.

Hua Cheng’s gaze turned cold. “Leave, I don’t care what ‘important’ business you have. Do not come anywhere near here again.”

He Xuan wanted to roll her eyes. ‘Nobody is coming to steal your boyfriend, idiot.’

“I’m only here to aid in the Wind Master’s transportation,” she replied coldly.

Xie Lian nervously looked between the two. “Lady Wind Master, what should we do?”

Shi Qingxuan pressed her fan into the space between her eyebrows.

“I didn’t expect Crimson Rain Sought Flower to be here. I actually came here for a private matter, but I don’t know if it’s safe to leave these two alone with each other. Violence is bad.”

“Ohhh, so you’re that tramp Wind Master?”

He Xuan’s eyes snapped towards Qi Rong. It seemed he hadn’t been kicked enough. This time she would make sure to knock out his teeth.

Shi Qingxuan beat her to the punch.

“Your Highness, please wait,” she said calmly. The stepped outside and delivered a well-aimed kick between his legs, and smacked him over the head with her fan a few times for good measure.

He Xuan watched in satisfaction as he keeled over.

Shi Qingxuan wiped her boot against the ground like she stepped into something dirty, and made her way back inside. “Now, where were we?” she chirped.

Xie Lian smiled apologetically. “How about we all sit down and have a meal. I’m sure everyone will feel less…excited, after a warm bowl of stew.”

Shi Qingxuan paled. “Oh, your Highness, I couldn’t possibly trouble you.”

“No, I insist,” Xie Lian replied.

Hua Cheng’s glare still lingered on He Xuan for another minute, before turning to finish the dishes and ladling four bowls of stew from a steaming pot.

He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan sat down, and a bowl was placed in front of each of them. Absolutely not, He Xuan was not making the mistake of trying one of The Crown Prince of Xianle’s concoctions again.

Shi Qingxuan gingerly pushed her bowl towards He Xuan. “I know you like to eat a lot, Ming-xiong,” he said airily. “Please have mine.”

“...not hungry,” she squeaked.

“Ming-xiong, don’t be silly. You’re always hungry,” Shi Qingxuan replied. “And it’s rude to refuse a meal from your host.”

“Then you eat it,” He Xuan shot back. “You’re the official guest.”

Shi Qingxuan looked wholly reluctant. She took the smallest amount of broth into her spoon, hesitantly bringing it to her lips.

“Mmmh, tastes good,” she lied, quickly wiping her mouth and emptying the spoon’s contents under the table.

In front of them Hua Cheng ate as if nothing was wrong, complimenting Xie Lian on his improvements. If this stew was an improvement He Xuan didn’t even want to know what the Crown Prince had been churning out before.

Maybe that was it. Maybe Hua Cheng was using Xie Lian to devise cruel and unusual punishments.

If Xie Lian noticed their untouched bowls, he didn’t mention it.

“Lord Wind Master,” he said, “you said there was something important you wanted my help with. What is it exactly?”

Shi Qingxuan stiffened. “Right,” she said. Her eyes flickered towards He Xuan and Hua Cheng. “I was actually hoping we could talk privately? Like, one on one?”

Xie Lian inclined his head, turning to Hua Cheng. The ghost king smiled softly and stood, signalling for He Xuan to follow. She reluctantly stood, following him outside.

“What’s this, has the ever so gentlemanly Hua Cheng finally tired of my cousin?” Qi Rong jeered. “Just as well you’d pick a bitch like Earth Master! You’re both sadists who beat down the unarmed!”

Hua Cheng slowly turned his eye towards the wrath. If looks could kill, Qi Rong would have already been torn to shreds. Qi Rong wisely shut his mouth.

“Let’s talk somewhere more comfortable,” Hua Cheng said, “I keep hearing some kind of irritating noise here.”

He retrieved a pair of dice from his clothes and rolled them.

The village fell away to reveal the visitation suite of Paradise Manor.

“While I have you here, you might as well give me an update on the happenings in Heaven,” he said in an exasperated tone.

He Xuan recalled the past week in her mind. She hadn’t done much spying. Most of her time had been spent with Shi Qingxuan, who she knew wasn’t of any particular interest to Hua Cheng. She did know a great number of events that hadn’t happened yet, or rather had not yet been revealed.

Hua Cheng would probably want to know.

“Jun Wu is White No Face,” she said. "He's alive."

Hua Cheng’s pupils shrank, and his jaw became tight.

“Are you sure,” he said slowly.

He Xuan nodded.

“How did you find out?” Hua Cheng’s voice was clipped with barely contained anger.

“Because he’s fucking creepy around His Highness?”

“Don’t bullshit me, Black Water,” Hua Cheng said. His eyes glinted with something dangerous. “I can tell when you’re lying.”

He Xuan tensed, the hairs on the back of her neck rising. “Would you believe me if I said I’ve already lived through what is to come once before?”

Hua Cheng gave her a puzzled look. He sighed.

“You would never be bold enough to serve me a lie that ridiculous, so yes, I suppose I believe you,” he said, eerily calm.

“Do I get to kill him?”

The look in Hua Cheng’s eyes was one of unbridled bloodlust, and He Xuan was suddenly very grateful not to be its recipient of his wrath.

“You do,” she replied. “But it will take a lot out of you.”

She didn’t mention how it had taken him almost a year to regain his physical form, though she doubted it would stop Hua Cheng from making that sacrifice.

“Good,” Hua Cheng said lowly. “When?”

“Soon.”

Hua Cheng nodded slowly. He relaxed slightly, and the murderous glint in his eyes dissipated.

“So,” he said, “you know the future.”

“The next forty years or so,” He Xuan replied. “I already lived through it once. I don’t know why I’m back here.”

Hua Cheng took in the information, pensive. “So…” he spoke. “Dianxia and I, do we…”

He Xuan scoffed. Of course that would be the first question on his mind.

“What do you think?” she said.

Hua Cheng’s face fell. His shoulders hunched. “I see,” he said sadly.

Irritation rippled under He Xuan’s skin. “What? No, you idiot! He marries you!”

Hua Cheng’s eyes widened, starstruck. “We get married?” He Xuan had never heard Crimson Rain’s voice that high. “He loves me?”

The man all but levitated off the floor in bliss.

“You whisked him off to you house and kissed him and he enjoyed it. How in the world did you not know that he reciprocates your feelings?” He Xuan grumbled. Then again, both of them seemed to be dense as bricks when it came to their shared feelings. “I don’t know if he even knows that at this point in time, though,” she quickly added.

“He loves me,” Hua Cheng muttered to himself happily.

He Xuan had endured enough of their sappy love story in her original timeline.

“Alright, enough of that,” she bristled. “You two are already unbearable as is.”

Hua Cheng collected himself. “Trust me, Black Water, I can be so much worse.” He Xuan didn’t doubt it. “Any other news?”

He Xuan shrugged. “Some guy named Qi Ying beat up the Banquet’s theatre group after they performed a play about him.”

“Quan Yizhen?”

“Who?”

“Yin Yu’s ex-shixiong,” Hua Cheng clarified. “The one he almost killed for stealing his followers.”

He Xuan’s eyes widened. “That’s him?”

Hue Cheng smirked. “He’s got some very complicated feelings about the whole thing.”

He Xuan frowned. “He told you that?”

The Yin Yu she knew only spoke when it absolutely necessary, which was to say a few words to Hua Cheng and no one else. He Xuan had swapped maybe a handful of words with the Waning Moon officer in over a century of knowing each other.

“I pried it out of him,” Hua Cheng said, toying with his dice. “Anything else you wanna tell me?”

He Xuan shrugged. “Feng Xin is the father of the cursed fetus?”

Hua Cheng laughed. He actually laughed. “Oh that is priceless. But that is not what I meant.”

“Who do you want to hear about?” He Xuan asked. She already mentioned everything she could think of. Did Hua Cheng want to know the rankings of the Mid-Autumn Festival Banquet, perhaps? Surely he already knew Xie Lian ranked first. What else was there?

“You and the Wind Master seem a lot closer as of late,” Hua Cheng said almost casually, “The way you looked at her before you left was different.”

He Xuan kept her face carefully level. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Hua Cheng hummed. “Sure you don’t.”

“Shi Qingxuan is responsible for my family’s deaths,” He Xuan said defensively. “I’m only around her in order to better plan my revenge. She is nothing to me.”

Hua Cheng sighed, massaging his temple. “Black Water, do you know why I killed those thirty-three heavenly officials?”

He Xuan sighed, letting her irritation be heard. “Because they annoyed you?”

“Because they hurt Xie Lian,” Hua Cheng replied. “They chased him off a mountain he wanted to cultivate on during his first banishment.”

“Okay? What’s your point?”

“There were thirty-four heavenly officials on that mountain,” Hua Cheng continued, “I spared one of them, no matter how badly I wanted to hurt them, because that person meant something to my beloved, and I know he would be heartbroken if I took their life.”

He Xuan grimaced. “My family deserves to be avenged,” she said.

“In the future, do you take your revenge?” Hua Cheng asked.

He Xuan didn’t immediately reply. She had, in the past, but this time? She wasn’t sure. She had expected revenge would make everything right, that it would soothe her grief. But with Shi Wudu’s skull in her throne room and Shi Qingxuan mortal on the streets, she had only felt even more miserable. “I did,” she finally said.

Hua Cheng nodded. “Then they’ve already been avenged.”

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan

Shi Qingxuan wasn’t stupid.

Her cheery demeanour and love for superficial things often lead people to assume she wasn’t very bright. That assumption only gained in popularity when she presented herself as a woman, as though her femininity negated her intelligence. In the beginning she tried to argue, but that only led to her being taken even less seriously, not to mention her brother’s reprimands. Eventually she let them assume what they wanted. Her presumed foolishness didn’t interfere with her work as a deity, so she ignored it. No matter what people thought of her, though, she was not an idiot.

When she woke up the day of the Banquet she had assumed the things she had seen had been only a nightmare. Gods, she really wanted them to be a nightmare. But ever since that day things were weird. She found herself in a near-constant state of déjà-vu, being able to predict situations with a scary amount of accuracy. She had knowledge of things she she couldn’t possibly know about, yet she knew them to be true with absolute certainty.

Xie Lian and Hua Cheng were in love. It didn’t take a genius to figure that one out, but to know after they only could have met very recently was another thing. She knew Xie Lian had already shared a kiss with someone, a fact he definitely hadn’t told her yet, which saved him the embarrassment of having to explain himself in front of Jun Wu. Jun Wu, who now made her feel uneasy, because she couldn’t stop seeing the faces beneath his skin.

A premonition, then, she had thought. A prediction of what was to come. Some kind of divine warning to save her from a terrible fate. Maybe. But she couldn’t be sure. Even if she knew of the darkness lurking in the future, she had no way to prove any of it. If she accused the Heavenly Emperor now, she would be laughed out of Heaven. And if the premonition was right, Jun Wu would be defeated very soon either way.

And then there was Ming Yi.

Lord Earth Master, her best friend, her closest companion. She was the one thing she couldn’t predict. Anytime Ming Yi was around, something changed. She didn’t stick to the script of her dreams. At first it had put Shi Qingxuan at ease. If there was one thing her dreams kept reminding her with crystal clarity, it was Ming Yi’s betrayal, her face falling away to reveal a vengeful ghost king. The memory of being chained up, begging for her life, her brother’s head being torn off, ‘You called the wrong person.’, all of it was etched into her mind like an undeniable truth. And yet, she knew what had come before, and Ming Yi didn’t stick to the script. Maybe, if Ming Yi didn’t follow the events as she remembered them, she wouldn’t unfold into her worst nightmare. Ming Yi was nice, uncharacteristically so. It was as if someone had flipped a switch in her mind that made her notice Shi Qingxuan’s efforts and reciprocate. Who had ever thought that she’d see the day in which Ming Yi apologised?

Then things started lining up in her mind. First it was her hostility towards Shi Wudu. Shi Qingxuan knew Ming Yi had never liked him, but it was as if she no longer cared to hide it. Second there was Ming Yi opening up about her family. A sister and a fiancée who passed away prematurely. It lined up too well with the information from her premonition. In her nightmares, Ship Sinking Black Water had also spoken of a sister and a fiancée.

All of this she could have chalked up to coincidence, but then she had looked at her during Xie Lian’s hearing. Shi Qingxuan had gone off script, and Ming Yi noticed. It had only been a glance, but she had seen. Ming Yi knew, and she needed to act fast.

Xie Lian. Xie Lian had tried to help her in her memories. She had to trust he would help her this time as well. If she was right, then maybe she could be protected. He already had a ghost king on his side, after all. If she was wrong, then he would be graceful about her error in judgement and she could rest easy.

She grabbed her spiritual devices and made to leave, when she spotted a familiar figure at the door.

“Ming-xiong,” she said, trying to hide her nerves, “what are you doing here?”

Ming Yi seemed a little lost herself. “I…”

A pang of guilt shot through Shi Qingxuan. What justification did she have if Ming Yi was innocent after all? That she had been too nice? That was a terrible thing to get suspicious about!

She smiled apologetically. “I’d love to hang out, but I actually have plans today,” she said. “Is it okay if I get back to you another time?”

“Sure,” Ming Yi said, “Where are you headed?”

Shi Qingxuan contemplated lying, but she had never been a good liar. What if Ming Yi checked afterwards and found out she had lied? That would be even worse.

“Puqi shrine,” she reluctantly said, “I want to check in on Xie Lian. After that debacle with the ghost jiejie…”

“I will join you,” Ming Yi said. She didn’t even ask, she stated it as a fact, because of course she did. When did Shi Qingxuan ever not drag the Earth Master along on her errands? “You know, for distance shortening. I can… guard the door,” Ming Yi added.

Shi Qingxuan hesitated. She really didn’t want Ming Yi to come along this time. She really couldn’t have her overhearing. But she had no good reason to refuse, and perhaps refusing would make Ming Yi even more suspicious.

“Okay,” she conceded. “That’s really nice of you.”

***

“Lord Wind Master,” Xie Lian said, “you said there was something important you wanted my help with. What is it exactly?”

Shi Qingxuan stiffened. “Right,” she said. Her eyes flickered towards Ming Yi and Hua Cheng. “I was actually hoping we could talk privately? Like, one on one?”

Xie Lian inclined his head, turning to Hua Cheng. The ghost king smiled softly and stood, signalling for Ming Yi to follow. Ming Yi glanced at her, then reluctantly stood and followed Hua Cheng outside.

Shi Qingxuan let out a breath she’d been holding, and threw a few silencing talismans on the walls and door. She immediately cut to the chase.

“How do you recognise a Ghost King?”

Xie Lian froze, opening his mouth, then closing it again. He laughed awkwardly. “W-what?”

“What are the tells,” Shi Qingxuan said. “do they have physical imperfections? Can they not answer certain questions? Are they compelled to count spilled rice?”

“Lady Wind Master, please slow down,” Xie Lian waved his hands nervously. “Why do you need to know about ghost kings?”

Shi Qingxuan fiddled with her whisk. “I’ve been having dreams,” she said. “And I don’t know how much of it is real, but so far they’ve predicted the future really accurately, and they’re saying that…” Why did it feel so hard to say the words out loud? She pushed herself. “I think Ming Yi isn’t who she says she is.”

Xie Lian’s eyes widened. “How come?” he tentatively asked.

Shi Qingxuan chuckled sadly, “Gods, this is going to sound ridiculous, you will probably think I’m crazy. She’s been… nice? But like weirdly nice. Not her usual ‘I secretly like spending time together but I’m gonna pretend I hate it’ kind of nice? She is saying thank you, and apologising when she says something mean and opening up about her mortal life and it’s all so weird. I swear that is not what she’s like.”

Xie Lian nodded slowly. “So… Are you suggesting someone replaced her?”

Shi Qingxuan groaned into her hands. “Yes? No. Maybe? I don’t know, but it’s weird.”

“I see,” Xie Lian said, though Shi Qingxuan was sure he did not see. At least he was nice enough not to laugh at her suggestion. “Could you tell me a little more about your dreams?” he asked. “What happens in them?”

Shi Qingxuan steeled herself, and relayed everything to Xie Lian, up until living on the streets.

Xie Lian’s eyes grew and grew until Shi Qingxuan almost feared they’d fall out of his head.

“Okay,” he said calmly. “That sounds very scary.”

“Your Highness, I am literally begging you,” she said. “How did you find out about Hua Cheng? I have to know.”

Xie Lian smiled awkwardly. “I kind of just...asked him?”

Shi Qingxuan stared at him in two parts disbelief and one part disappointment. “Okay, so you understand why I can’t do that, right?”

“Yes, I imagine it isn’t a very good idea to ask someone such a thing if they are planning to harm you,” Xie Lian agreed.

“I don’t know what to do,” Shi Qingxuan sighed. “If Ming Yi really is… He Xuan I am done for. If I try to protect myself and she isn’t, then I’m a terrible friend.”

“You mentioned she was acting differently,” Xie Lian pondered, “if she’s nicer, maybe that means she doesn’t want revenge this time. Could it be that she changed her mind?”

“Even so, that would still mean I stole her fate and ruined her life,” Shi Qingxuan said miserably. “If that’s true how am I possibly meant to live with myself?”

Xie Lian reached over the table and took her hand. “Even if that is true, you are not at fault, Lady Wind Master. You were a child. You couldn’t have known.”

She smiled sadly. “It still wouldn’t be right.”

“Lend me some of your spiritual energy,” Xie Lian said.

Shi Qingxuan obliged, allowing the energy to flow through her palm into his. A weird sensation overcame her, and all at once she was looking at herself across the little table.

“If something goes wrong and you need help, just use this Soul-Shifting Spell. I’ll enter your body and you’ll be in mine. I will do my best to deal with the threat, okay?”

Shi Qingxuan inhaled sharply, blinking away a tear that threatened to escape. Xie Lian really was a great friend. “Okay,” she said, and just like that she was back in her own body, looking at Xie Lian. Xie Lian reached a hand to his face, wiping at his eye.

“Sorry,” she said. “I cry really easily.”

“There is no need to apologise, Lady Wind Master,” Xie Lian laughed. “This is a perfectly appropriate situation to feel emotional.”

***

Ming Yi and Hua Cheng were waiting outside.

Shi Qingxuan smiled politely, and cupped her hands. “Thank you for letting me stay,” she told Hua Cheng. Then she turned around to Xie Lian. “And thank you for your kind words.”

Xie Lian returned her smile. “Of course. Come visit anytime.”

Ming Yi started drawing the distance shortening array, when Shi Qingxuan stopped her. “I would actually like to take the longer route, if that’s okay.”

Ming Yi eyed her suspiciously, but dropped the array.

“How was His Highness?” she asked as they walked.

“He was well,” Shi Qingxuan answered. “I think Hua Cheng is taking good care of him.”

“It doesn’t scare you?” Ming Yi said. “That he’s with a ghost king?”

Shi Qingxuan hummed. “I was suspicious of him at first, but it really seems like Crimson Rain has his best interests at heart. I have to trust that he can judge the risks.”

Ming Yi was silent for a moment.

“Do you think it could work?” she asked then. “A heavenly official and a ghost king, being happy together?”

Shi Qingxuan turned to her and smiled. “I really hope so.”

Ming Yi’s expression was unreadable. “I hope so too.”

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan

Shi Qingxuan was in the Nether Water Manor again. He had seen this scene so many times, the vents had begun to warp and change. He was chained to the wall, forced to watch as Ship Sinking Black Water tore his brother to pieces. It seemed to go on forever while he screamed his throat ragged, pleading, sobbing, wishing for it to end. At last the ghost king dropped what was left of Shi Wudu’s body. The remains splattered on the ground in a bloodied mess. Black Water approached him, grabbing his hair with his blood-stained hand, forcing his head up. “Wretched beginning, wretched end,” he whispered. Shi Qingxuan choked back a sob. Black Water’s other hand grabbed Shi Qingxuan’s arm, and wrenched it off his body.

Shi Qingxuan awoke with a scream. He was in his palace, in his own bed. He clutched at the sweat-soaked sheets, trying to calm himself. It was just a dream, just a horrible dream. He’d dreamt of the Nether Water Manor again. At this point he couldn’t tell what may be a premonition and what was his imagination running wild. He could still see He Xuan’s face, dark eyes staring into his with nothing but hatred.

Could that really be Ming Yi? His best friend, Ming Yi?

He thought about Xie Lian’s words. Maybe there was no revenge this time. He recalled the last few days, the soft way Ming Yi had looked at him when he thought Shi Qingxuan wasn’t looking. Could she really be the same wicked person who looked down at him with such disgust in his dreams? He found the two images hard to reconcile.

Shi Qingxuan wanted really badly to be wrong about this. The man in his dreams terrified him.

He took a long bath, and dressed himself in his favourite robes. He deserved to treat himself after such a terrible start to his day. After doing his hair and accessorizing, he felt like himself again. Still, he pressed his fingers against his temple, just to be sure.

“Ge, are you there?”

“What do you want, Qingxuan?” his brother’s voice sounded from the other end of their private communication array.

“Nothing, just wanted to check in.”

Shi Wudu sighed. “Qingxuan, I really don’t have time for this. My third Heavenly Tribulation is coming up and I can’t have you calling on me for every frivolous thing.”

Oh gods. Shi Wudu’s third Heavenly Tribulation. Shi Qingxuan had been so caught up in the turmoil of his own mind that he had forgotten all about it.

“Sorry, sorry,” he laughed. “I’ll be out of your hair now, good luck!”

“Mn.” Shi Wudu replied.

“You can still call me if you have an emergency,” he said after a pause. “You know that, right?”

Shi Qingxuan smiled. He knew. “Of course. Be careful okay?”

“Save your concerns for someone else. I have everything under control,” Shi Wudu scoffed. The private communication array was empty then.

Ming Yi was already waiting for him when he went outside.

“You’re in your male form,” she commented.

“Oh, yeah,” Shi Qingxuan replied. “Today feels more like a masculine day, so…” Shi Qingxuan and barely finished his sentence before Ming Yi’s appearance changed.

“Ming-xiong, you don’t have to change to your male form just for me,” he laughed.

Ming Yi shrugged. “I don’t really care what form I’m in, anyway.”

Their day went by as any other, answering prayers, having a meal together. It felt normal. It felt good. The, as the sky turned orange, Ming Yi extended a hand towards him.

“I want to show you something,” he said. “There’s a festival happening in my home town. I would like you to accompany me.”

Ming Yi’s posture was tense, as if he was nervous for something.

Warmth bloomed in Shi Qingxuan’s chest. Ming Yi asked him to spend time together, and for something personal too.

Shi Qingxuan tried to mask his excitement.

“Oh, Ming-xiong, I’d love to go.”

Ming Yi nodded, and took his hand. Shi Qingxuan blushed at the forwardness.

He watched as Ming Yi drew the distance shortening array and allowed himself to be guided through.

The town was filled with sounds of cheering and conversation. Smells of various foods wafted from the buildings and food stalls dotted across the streets. Red lanterns hung on each corner, bathing the streets in red.

A distinct feeling of unease overcame Shi Qingxuan. Everything felt too familiar. Like he’d been here before, and it hadn’t been pleasant.

Ming Yi had not released his hand. “Let’s go,” he muttered.

“Ming-xiong,” Shi Qingxuan asked, pushing down the strange anxiety roiling in his guts, “where are we right now?”

“Fu Gu,” he replied.

“Fu Gu…” he repeated. Why did that name sound familiar?

Ming Yi sat them down by a terrace and ordered them both wine.

Shi Qingxuan gratefully threw back his cup, hoping for the alcohol to calm his nerves.

Ming Yi didn’t look much better himself. His knee bounced incessantly under the table, and he stared out into the street.

Shi Qingxuan fidgeted with his cup.

“So, would you like to browse the food stalls? I saw a bunch of them earlier,” he tried.

Ming Yi looked up at him for a moment, seeming uncertain. He nodded, absent-mindedly.

“Yeah. Yeah, we can do that later.” He turned his gaze back to the street. “It’s about the start.”

“What is?” Shi Qingxuan asked.

“The Bloody Fire Social.”

The words dislodged something in Shi Qingxuan’s mind, something dreadful. He watched as the procession flooded the street. Each performer looked more horrifying than the last. Weapons protruded from their chests, or sat embedded in their skulls. Guts spilled our of deep gashes, strips of muscle hung limply from exposed bone.

Nausea crawled up Shi Qingxuan’s throat, made his head swim. He’d seen this all before. When had he seen it before? A phrase bubbled up from the deepest corners of his mind.

Wretched beginning, wretched end.

Dread settled in the pit of his stomach. Oh no. Oh no no no this couldn’t be happening. He already knew how this night ended.

“Ming-xiong,” he laughed uncomfortably. “This is really gross. Can we go somewhere else?”

“Just watch it,” Ming Yi replied.

“Ming-xiong I’m really not comfortable—”

“Watch the play, Qingxuan,” Ming Yi snapped.

Shi Qingxuan shrank back into his seat, helpless as his nightmare played out before his eyes. The protagonist entered the scene, butchering the other performers one by one with an animalistic rage. Shi Qingxuan’s breath quickened. He wanted to leave. He needed to leave! He shut his eyes. He wanted this all to be a bad dream. Why couldn’t he just wake up in his bed like he always did? “Ming-xiong, please,” he said, fighting back tears as the sounds of carnage continued. “Want to leave.”

“Okay,” A cold hand closed around his wrist. “Lets go.”

Shi Qingxuan could have wept with relief. Ming Yi guided him through a series of alleys, away from the crowd.

“Thank you,” Shi Qingxuan breathed. “Wow, Ming Yi, your people’s holidays are… they’re a little too graphic for me.”

Ming Yi didn’t look at him as they continued to walk. Shi Qingxuan rubbed his arms, trying to soothe himself. Maybe it was different. Maybe he was wrong.

“Ming-xiong,” he said hesitantly. “Why did you bring me here?”

Ming Yi stopped walking. He still wouldn’t meet his eyes. “Because I want you to understand,” he said. “Do you know the story the Bloody Fire Social tells?”

Shi Qingxuan’s blood ran cold. Memories flashed before his eyes. Memories of pain, memories of being chased, of pure unshakable fear. He was wrong. He couldn’t do this, not again. Shi Qingxuan tried to activate the Soul-Shifting Spell, but his consciousness stubbornly remained in his own body. He tried again, and again. Why wasn’t it working?! He was stuck, watching his nightmares unfold in real time.

“There was once a scholar by the name of He,” Ming Yi began. “When he was a youth, he was approached by a god, who pressured him to adopt a new name. Scholar He did, not knowing the god’s true intentions. As the years passed, misery befell him over and over. He was falsely imprisoned, he lost his parents, his sister and fiancée both met horrific ends. Unable to save his loved ones, Scholar he instead turned on the people who had made his life a living hell, and slaughtered every last one of them, before dying of exhaustion. But his fury hadn’t died. You see, the god had a younger brother who was plagued by a demon. He should have died. Instead, the god switched their fates. The brother never knew a minute of suffering, and eventually ascended, while scholar He lost everything.”

Shi Qingxuan’s vision swam. Tears brimmed in his eyes. His body screamed at him to run.

No, no, no, please no!

“And so Scholar He’s resentment grew and grew, and so did his casualties, until one day he emerged from mount Tonglu as a ghost king,” Ming Yi finished. He finally turned to Shi Qingxuan.

“Have you figured it out yet?”

Shi Qingxuan watched in growing horror as his companion’s features warped, growing sharper, his skin paler, his hair longer. Trembling like a leaf, Shi Qingxuan fell to his knees and kowtowed.

“He Xuan,” he sobbed, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry! I’ll do anything! Anything you want—”

“Get up,” He Xuan demanded.

“Please, I know we don’t deserve your mercy,” Shi Qingxuan drew a rattling breath. “But please don’t hurt my brother. I’m begging you. I—I can’t—”

“Qingxuan.” He Xuan’s voice was clipped. “Get. Up.”

Shi Qingxuan hastily scrambled to his feet, shoulders shaking under his sobs.

“I’m not going to kill your stupid brother, stop crying!” He Xuan snapped.

He reached out. Shi Qingxuan flinched.

He Xuan stilled. His hand fell limply at his side.

“You’re afraid of me,” he said. It wasn’t a question. He took a step back. And then another. And then, slowly, he turned, leaving Shi Qingxuan alone to cry.

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan

“Qingxuan? What the hell is going on? Why are you crying?”

Shi Qingxuan buried himself in Pei Ming’s arms, sobbing into his chest. “I fucked up,” he hiccuped. “I really fucked up.”

Pei Ming ran a hand over his back, trying to comfort him. “Whatever it is, it’s gonna be okay. I’m gonna call your brother, and then we can—”

“No!” Shi Qingxuan shouted, scaring Pei Ming. “Don’t call him. He can’t know, please.”

“Qingxuan,” Pei Ming said, his voice laced with worry. “You’re starting to scare me. What happened?”

“Just-- Just take me home. Please?”

Pei Ming conceded. He pulled a trembling Shi Qingxuan up, letting him step on his word, before flying back to his palace. Shi Qingxuan cried the whole way, and then some more as Pei Ming hastily deposited him on a plush couch and pushed a handkerchief and a cup of tea in his hands.

“Qingxuan,’ he said softly. “I need you to calm down, okay?”

Shi Qingxuan nodded, clutching both items like a lifeline. Gradually his tears slowed, until finally they stopped. Everything was silent, even his mind. Shi Qingxuan sat with his knees up his chest, staring numbly into his tea with red-rimmed eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he told Pei Ming. “You were the only person I could think to call.”

“Don’t be sorry, you were clearly shaken up by something. What matters is you’re okay now,” Pei Ming replied. “That said, I believe I’m owed an explanation.”

Shi Qingxuan nodded, taking a sip of his tea. “Promise me not to tell anyone,” he said. “Especially my brother.”

He told Pei Ming everything. The switched fates, the Earth Master’s false identity, the betrayal. As he listened, Pei Ming’s face grew darker and darker. He covered his mouth. “So…” he said slowly, “let me get this straight. The Earth Master is actually Ship Sinking Black Water, who was supposed to be the Wind Master, but Shi Wudu took that fate and gave it to you to save your life?”

Shi Qingxuan nodded weakly.

Pei Ming sighed. “That is… Gods, that is a lot to take in.”

Shi Qingxuan buried his head between his knees. “I don’t know what to do…”

“Well, he left you alone. That’s good, right? Now you don’t have to be afraid anymore,” Pei Ming said.

“You don’t understand,” Shi Qingxuan wailed. “You should have seen the way he looked at me. I almost wish he had hurt me, or kidnapped me, or something. At least that would have even the scales!” He sighed. “I think I really hurt him.”

“Qingxuan, you thought he was gonna kill you,” Pei Ming retorted.

“And he would have been justified,” Shi Qingxuan replied. “I took everything from him, even if I didn’t know it.”

Pei Ming sighed. “You know,” he said, “I besieged and conquered a lot of other kingdoms during my time as a mortal. In that time, I have indirectly caused a lot of innocent deaths. That’s just an inevitability of war. But there was one time I miscalculated. My plan caused the death of a young woman who should have never even been involved in the war. She martyred herself to save the hostages I had taken. That one still haunts me. But time has passed, and there is nothing I can do about it now. You’re still young, and your strong sense of justice is admirable, but sometimes things are simply not fair. The best thing you can do is move on. You survived, that’s all that matters.”

“No,” Shi Qingxuan said. “No, I have to make this right.” An idea formed in his mind. Cold determination set in. “Thank you for your wisdom, general Pei,” he said, “I need to go now.”

***

“Lord Wind Master, why have you called us all here at this hour?” Jun Wu asked calmly.

“I would like to turn myself in,” Shi Qingxuan said.

Shock and confusion swept through the crowd.

The Heavenly Emperor’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t move from his seat. “Speak.”

“Lord Water Master developed a technique to switch people’s fates. He used it to steal a man’s fate and give it to me. My ascension was never meant to be mine.”

Gasps sounded from the officials around him.

Just then, Shi Wudu stormed into the Palace of Divine Might. “Qingxuan! What is the meaning of this?”

Shi Qingxuan gave him a pained look. “I’m doing what you should have done years ago.” He turned back to the Heavenly Emperor. “The switching of our fate caused the other man unmeasurable suffering. An entire family died because of us.”

Shi Wudu’s eyes widened as the realisation hit him. “How do you--”

“Lord Water Master,” Jun Wu said, “is this true?”

Shi Wudu scowled. “What my brother failed to mention is the man in question is none other than Ship Sinking Black Water, one of the most dangerous ghosts in existence. He massacred dozens even before he died. Any blood that might have been spilled as a result of my actions are far outweighed by the bloodshed at his own hands.”

Jun Wu rested his head in his hand. “That is true.”

Shi Qingxuan gritted his teeth. “But he spilled that blood because of the pain we caused. If his life hadn’t been ruined by my fate he never would have committed those murders.”

“It happened centuries ago,” Shi Wudu growled. “There is no point in bringing this up now.”

“Pei Xiu’s crimes also happened centuries ago, and he still got sentenced,” Shi Qingxuan replied.

“All valid arguments,” Jun Wu said. “Lord Wind Master, do you believe you should be sentenced?”

“No!” Shi Wudu shouted. He turned to Shi Qingxuan. “What are you doing,” he hissed. “Don’t throw your life away over something like this!”

Shi Qingxuan’s eyes hardened. “There must be consequences,” he said.

“Then I will take them,” Shi Wudu exclaimed. “Heavenly Emperor. I am the one who switched the fates. My brother had no part in it.”

“Absolutely not,” Shi Qingxuan said. “You are about to face your third Heavenly Tribulation. I will shoulder the blame.”

“I did it for you!” Shi Wudu shouted. “You would have died. You were getting worse by the day and there was nothing I could do to stop it. Was I wrong to want to save you? Don’t tell me any of you would have done the same to save your family!”

He glared at the crowd. “I don’t regret what happened to that little shit. I don’t care what that says about me. I already have a reputation for being a tyrant. But you,”, he grabbed Shi Qingxuan by the shoulders. “you were never meant to know about any of this. You deserve this life, Qingxuan, more than anyone else. You were meant for a carefree life. Why won’t you let bygones be bygones and enjoy it?”

Shi Qingxuan looked at him numbly. “You know I can’t, ge,” he whispered.

“Of course you can!” Shi Wudu’s hands were trembling. “He was just some insignificant villager. If he truly had what it takes to ascend, he would have. Those mortals, they exist to serve us, worship us. You are a god! Why should you care about any of them? Just forget about all this, okay? I—I’ll buy you some new clothes, whatever you want. We can have tea together when my Heavenly Tribulation is over, just the two of us. This doesn’t have to change anything.”

Shi Qingxuan’s eyes turned cold. He pushed Shi Wudu’s hands away. “Just who do you take me for?” he yelled. “Do you think I want this? Do you expect me to be happy that you would commit atrocities in my name? I don’t want a cushy life it it has to come at the cost of others.”

Shi Wudu clenched his jaw. “You ungrateful, spoiled brat,” he growled. “Can’t you see that I only did what was best for you?”

“No,” Shi Qingxuan said. “I can’t. You say he would have ascended regardless if he was truly worthy? Then the same goes for me. I am ready to pay for what I took.”

“Sire,” Shi Wudu pleaded. “Let me shoulder the consequences of my actions. My brother is a fool and doesn’t know what is good for him. He’s still young. He’ll learn.”

Jun Wu watched them. His eyes glinted with something like amusement. “You may have cast the spell,” he spoke, “but it was Wind Master who reaped the benefits. He was the one who enjoyed Ship Sinking Black Water’s stolen godhood.”

Shi Wudu’s eyes shrank. “No. Wait!”

“Very well, Wind Master, I will sentence you for your crimes.”

Chapter Text

He Xuan

He Xuan allowed himself to sink to the bottom of the sea. Down here there was no one he could hurt. He was an idiot, well and truly an imbecile. What was he thinking, showing Shi Qingxuan his real face? When Shi Qingxuan told him he believed a god and a ghost king could be happy together he had stupidly believed that would apply to him too. He just wanted Shi Qingxuan to understand, to get rid of any secrecy between them. 

All he did was traumatise him. Again. 

He should have distanced himself. He should have disappeared, leaving Shi Qingxuan in ignorant bliss. Lord Wind Master had enough other friends to make him forget all about the Earth Master. That's how it should have been. He Xuan knew he wouldn't be missed. Perhaps Hua Cheng might be disappointed, but that didn't matter. Rather, He Xuan's death would likely be celebrated by gods and mortals alike. That was fine. He Xuan had never felt the need to be liked by any of them. 

Except for Shi Qingxuan. Shi Qingxuan with his stupid smile and his insufferable optimism. Shi Qingxuan who held him whenever he went quiet and knew all his favourite foods. Shi Qingxuan who never stopped spending time with him no matter how many times he snapped at him. 

He Xuan didn't deserve him. And now he had finally succeeded in scaring him off for good. 

Maybe he really was too far gone. He had long crossed the threshold into being a monster. He had killed, tortured and terrorised hundreds. Of course Shi Qingxuan was terrified of him. He shouldn't have expected any different. 

The water around his eyes felt warmer and he screamed into the endless deep. Large pockets of air drifted up from his mouth, rushing to the surface. He Xuan's chest felt heavy. He wanted to wrench it open and tear out his dead heart, if only to stop the piercing ache. 

A large bone fish swam down, circling above his head. He Xuan hoped it would notice his weakness and attempt to swallow him whole. Instead the creature drifted down until it curled up on his master’s chest. He Xuan sighed and laid a hand on its skull. "You're shit at your job," he murmured to it, but he allowed the bone fish to stay. 

He Xuan remained on the sea floor for a night and a day, hoping to the murky water would dissolve him somehow. At least Shi Qingxuan was alive, he told himself. At least this time, he would recover from the damage He Xuan left. 

“He Xuan?” a small voice rang through his private communication array.

He Xuan's breath hitched. In a flash he sat up, causing the clouds of sand to flurry around him. The bone fish around him fluttered unhappily at the disturbance. Shi Qingxuan called him. Shi Qingxuan called him. His hand flew towards his temple. “Qingxuan?”

“Could you meet me at mount Yujun?” Shi Qingxuan asked. He sounded hesitant. He sounded scared, He Xuan thought bitterly.

“I’ll be there.”

He Xuan arrived at the mountain clearing in record time. 

Mount Yujun no longer harboured any resentful ghosts, but the villagers still refused to go up the mountain, fearing the legend. It was effectively abandoned, private. Shi Qingxuan stood in the clearing. He looked tired, and he tensed when he laid eyes on He Xuan. Shame flooded over He Xuan. It was all his fault. Maybe he should have worn his Earth Master disguise. Would that have put Shi Qingxuan more at ease? Maybe she shouldn't have come at all. 

“You came,” Shi Qingxuan said. 

“Of course,” He Xuan replied hoarsely. There were so many things he wanted to say to Shi Qingxuan, but words suddenly evaded him. He took a step towards him, but Shi Qingxuan recoiled. A pang of guilt surged through his body. Of course. He was still scaring him. 

Shi Qingxuan must have noticed his expression. He sighed. “I’m sorry, for… everything. You have to understand, I didn’t know what my brother had done. I never would have allowed it if I had.”

‘Of course you didn’t,’ He Xuan wanted to say, ‘I never blamed you.’

“But I know that doesn’t erase the harm my brother and I caused.” Shi Qingxuan continued. But don’t worry. I fixed it.” He pulled his sleeve back. A cursed shackle lined his wrist.

He Xuan’s heart dropped. No no no no no! He was supposed to move on. He was supposed to be happy. “Qingxuan," he gasped." What have you done?”

“I brought you justice,” Shi Qingxuan said with a slight tremor in his voice. “I asked the Heavenly Emperor to sentence me for what I did to you, so you don’t have to go after my brother anymore, okay? We’re even now.”

He Xuan wanted to weep. “I never asked you to do this,” he said wretchedly.

Shi Qingxuan smiled sadly. “I wanted to. It was only right. Besides, it’s only a hundred years, then I get to go back… if I have have any worshippers by then.” His eyes glistened, and he quickly wiped at them. “Anyway, that’s all I wanted to say. I understand if you never want to see me again.”

No, please not again! 

“Where are you gonna go?” He Xuan's voice felt hollow. 

Shi Qingxuan shrugged. “Not sure yet, the royal capital, maybe? I’ll be fine—”

“Stay with me,” He Xuan said before he could stop himself. “Please. I can’t watch you live on the streets again—”

“Again?” Shi Qingxuan’s eyes widened. He Xuan froze. Shi Qingxuan’s lip quivered. “So all of it really happened, then.” he said quietly. A tear slipped down his cheek. He knew. Shi Qingxuan knew. None of it had mattered. He Xuan's actions still haunted them. Had he known the whole time? Had Shi Qingxuan only pretended to be his friend this whole time, all the while terrified that he'd retaliate again? 

“I’m sorry,” He Xuan rasped. What remained of his pride shattered, and he fell to his knees. “I’m so, so sorry. I regretted it every day. I never wanted to hurt you.” His face felt hot, and tears brimmed in his eyes. “I know you’re scared of me, and you have every reason to be. I treated you terribly, and that will haunt me for the rest of my life. I thought killing Shi Wudu would bring me happiness, but it only made everything worse. I don’t want revenge anymore. I wanted to do it right this time, I really did. I just wanted to be with you.”

Shi Qingxuan’s breath hitched.

“Please,” He Xuan said. He lifted his head. Tear filled eyes locked. “At least let me give you a roof over your head this time.”

Shi Qingxuan watched him silently. “I can’t,” he finally muttered. “I can’t be back there, I’m sorry—”

“Not the Nether Water Manor,” He Xuan quickly said. “My home, in Fu Gu.”

Silence hung heavy in the air as he awaited Shi Qingxuan’s answer. Shi Qingxuan sniffed, and he wiped his face with his sleeve. 

“Okay,” he finally said.

***

It was a simple two-story house, constructed out of wood and stone. The building sat inside an array, hidden from outsiders. The architectural style differed from the surrounding houses, it looked much older. Shi Qingxuan stared at it.

“It’s… quaint,” he said.

He Xuan’s face grew hot. “Not all us us grew up in a palace, Qingxuan,” he replied.

Shi Qingxuan’s face fell. “I didn’t mean anything by it,” he said in a small voice.

He Xuan sighed. “Let’s just go inside.”

The inside of the house smelled dusty. Simple furniture lined the walls. A few books and trinkets sat on a shelf. Five sets of dishes still sat on the table. He Xuan wished he’d had the foresight to clean this place more.

Shi Qingxuan’s eyes wandered as he walked between the rooms, carefully taking in the details. “Is this where your family lived?” he asked.

“No,” He Xuan said. “That house burned down centuries ago. This is a replica I built later.” He picked up a dusty tome, running his hand over the cover. “I know it’s pretty bare. I tried to buy and recreate asmany items as I could, but some things just aren’t made anymore.”

He looked up to find Shi Qingxuan staring. Flustered, he returned the book to its place. “The bedrooms are upstairs,” he coughed.

He allowed Shi Qingxuan to stay in his sister’s room, after he changed the sheets and moved some of her ‘belongings’ to a cabinet. “My room is across the hall, should you need me,” he said.

Shi Qingxuan only nodded.

The first day Shi Qingxuan didn’t leave his room. He stayed in his bed, tracing the dark lines on his wrist with his fingers. When He Xuan had come into the room to ask if he was hungry, he froze, then looked guilty about his reaction. He Xuan hadn’t said anything, but left him alone.

The second day he managed to coax Shi Qingxuan downstairs for a meal. “I hope fish soup is okay,” he said quietly. “I only know how to cook a few dishes and, well, I don’t have any money.”

Shi Qingxuan had smiled sympathetically, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Still, he ate without complaint, and retreated to his room when he was finished.

The third day went the same. Shi Qingxuan stayed in his room, only coming out when He Xuan told him to eat. This time, He Xuan followed him back upstairs. “Why do you keep isolating yourself?” he asked.

Shi Qingxuan stayed quiet, fidgeting with his sleeve. He kept his head down. “I thought you’d…” he muttered. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

He Xuan sighed. “You are my guest, Qingxuan, not a prisoner or a hostage. You can go wherever you want.”

“Sorry…”

He Xuan wanted to tell him to stop apologising, to go back to normal, but he didn’t. He had no right. He retreated to his own room, and he didn’t sleep.

On the fourth day he found Shi Qingxuan in the kitchen, stirring in a pot of the fire. Shi Qingxuan was startled when he noticed him, and shrunk in on himself. “Sorry. I got our neighbours to lend me some glutinous rice, so I thought I’d make some breakfast. You know, cause you said I could go wherever. I hope that’s okay.”

He Xuan grimaced at his reaction. “Like I said yesterday, it’s okay.”

Shi Qingxuan nodded stiffly, and slunk back towards the food.

When it was ready, he ladled congee into two bowls, one for himself and one for He Xuan. He Xuan felt his eyes on him as he shovelled the food into his mouth. He looked up, and Shi Qingxuan quickly averted his gaze. “Qingxuan,” he said as he stood, “Are you still afraid of me?”

Shi Qingxuan avoided his gaze, peering into his empty bowl. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.

“I can change back into the Earth Master’s form if that would make you more comfortable,” He Xuan said.

“No,” Shi Qingxuan replied with more force than He Xuan expected. “Look,” Shi Qingxuan said, “There are some… really unpleasant memories attached to your true form for me. I want to believe that you mean well this time, I really do. But every time I look at you I’m reminded of… that time.”

He Xuan ached again. He cursed his former self.

“But I’m trying,” Shi Qingxuan continued. “I want to get to know you, the real you. And that mean getting used to your true form. I just-… I need time.”

He Xuan nodded. “I understand.”

Chapter Text

He Xuan

Shi Qingxuan had begun to look a little better. His complexion wasn’t as pale as before, and he moved around the house more, though He Xuan wasn’t sure if he was doing it out of his own volition or because of He Xuan’s comment. Either way, the Wind Master still looked uneasy whenever he was present.

He Xuan went out more. If he frightened Shi Qingxuan, it may be better to be around less. That isn’t what he told Shi Qingxuan, however. He always brought back fresh produce to cook with, though he neglected to tell Qingxuan that he’d stolen whatever he couldn’t trade for fish.

A week into Shi Qingxuan’s banishment, Hua Cheng opened a private communication array. “Black Water,” he called.

He Xuan sighed, bringing his fingers to his temple. “What do you want?”

“Mount Tonglu is erupting.” He Xuan had expected to be taunted or reprimanded, but it seemed Hua Cheng wanted to get to the point today.

“I’m aware,” He Xuan replied calmly.

“I’m going up there to prevent the creation of a new ghost king,” Hua Cheng continued. “Will you be joining me?”

He Xuan glanced at the door to Shi Qingxuan’s room. “I have a previous engagement,” he said.

A chuckle resounded across the private communication. “I take it you finally stopped beating around the bush and grew a pair?” He Xuan felt his blood pressure rise. “How is the Wind Master doing, by the way?” Hua Cheng continued, unbothered. “I heard you’re keeping him hidden in a little cottage. How adorable.”

“It’s not a cottage,” He Xuan growled.

“Very well, I’ll leave you two to...explore your new dynamic,” Hua Cheng purred. “Try not to break him though, Dianxia is rather fond of him.”

“Don’t be disgusting,” He Xuan snapped. “Nothing of the sort is going to happen anyway.”

“Trouble in paradise already? Do tell. Go on, vent your heart to Hua Chengzhu”

He Xuan wanted to snap at him for the remark, but he hesitated. After all, if there was one person who might understand, it was Hua Cheng. “I think he’sstill afraid of me,” he said defeatedly.

“Oh dear,” Hua Cheng said. “Did you sic the bone dragons on his brother after all?”

He Xuan groaned, burying his face in the palm of his hand. “I may have… shown him the Bloody Fire Social.”

Hua Cheng barked out a laugh. “I never took you for a romantic, but that is so much worse than I expected.”

“If you’re going to keep laughing at me, I am ending this call.”

“I’m trying, Black Water, but you’re not making this easy for me.”

He Xuan sighed. “How did you do it?” he asked. “How did you get Xie Lian to trust you?”

Hua Cheng sighed dreamily. “The classics. A charming smile, a helping hand, and a gift.”

“A gift?”

“I gave him my ashes,” Hua Cheng said.

He Xuan paused, stunned. “Are you out of your mind? That’s your only weakness.”

“And that is exactly why, my dear He Xuan. Vulnerability is the foundation of a healthy relationship.”

“Aren’t you afraid he’ll change his mind? What if he becomes scared of you and destroys them?”

“If my Dianxia was afraid of me, life wouldn’t be worth living anyway,” Hua Cheng replied. “That is all the advice I can give to you. You can take it, or you can continue being an idiot.”

“I didn’t ask you for advice,” He Xuan bristled.

“Ah, since you insist, I’ll give you one more. The Wind Master likes you very much. He’ll warm up to your icy demeanour eventually. You just need to give him the chance.”

He Xuan gritted his teeth. “Surely Crimson Rain has more important matters to tend to that don’t involve bullying his associates.”

“I can multitask, but very well,” Hua Cheng said. “One more thing though.”

“What is it?”

“Could I borrow the Earth Master’s shovel?”

An idea came to mind. He Xuan bared his teeth in a grin. “I’ll lend it to you. For a price.”

Hua Cheng chuckled. “You still have a standing debt, Black Water. Do you believe you’re in any position to make demands of me?”

He Xuan sighed, preparing himself for the oncoming headache that was Crimson Rain Sought Flower. “I need a favour.”

***

“Qingxuan?” He Xuan knocked softly on his door. “Are you awake?”

He Xuan could hear the sound of rustling sheets and feet pacing around the floor. “Just a second!” Shi Qingxuan called.

The door opened a crack. “Sorry,” Shi Qingxuan said. “I don’t look my best right now. Is it dinnertime already?”

He Xuan’s mouth went dry. He started second guessing himself. Maybe this was a bad idea. Maybe Shi Qingxuan needed more space first. No, he needed to this now before he lost his courage again. Otherwise Hua Cheng would never let him live it down.

“I brought you something,” he said. Can I come in?”

The door opened a crack, and He Xuan momentarily forgot how to breathe. Shi Qingxuan was only wearing his inner robes. His wavy brown hair was loose, cascading down his back like a lazy river. He really was divine, and He Xuan wanted to worship every piece of him.

Shi Qingxuan coughed awkwardly, folding his arms over his chest. “You said you had something for me?”

Flustered, He Xuan nodded. Carefully, he handed Shi Qingxuan a slim wooden box. Shi Qingxuan took it, examining the outside. He opened it, and his eyes widened. Inside sat a jade hairpin, decorated with a koi fish. Three black pearls dangled from its tail. Apart from the material, it looked identical to the one he had given away to the beggar on the port. “He Xuan,” he breathed, “this is…”

“My ashes,” He Xuan said. I want you to have them.”

“What?”

“There is no need to be afraid of me now,” He Xuan continued. “If you ever have reason to believe I intend to harm you, all you need to do is crush it.”

“Mi--He Xuan,” Shi Qingxuan gasped. “This is too much. I can’t take this.”

“I want you to feel safe with me, Qingxuan,” He Xuan said. “We are equals now.”

Shi Qingxuan pressed his lips together, holding the hairpin with such care as though a gust of wind might break it. “I’ll take good care of it,” he said solemnly. “I promise.”

In the days that followed Shi Qingxuan wore the hairpin everywhere. In the common room, reading a book. In the kitchen, while He Xuan attempted to teach him a family recipe and quickly learned Shi Qingxuan was not to be trusted with knives. On the roof, when He Xuan returned with a basket of freshly caught fish. For a moment he panicked, until he noticed Shi Qingxuan’s outstretched hand, going through the familiar motions of summoning the wind. He Xuan deposited the fish and climbed up.

“Missing the wind?” he asked, sitting down next to him.

Shi Qingxuan sighed. “I forgot what it was like to have no spiritual powers. It feels like I lost one of my senses.”

Without giving himself time to reconsider, He Xuan took his hand and allowed his spiritual energy to flow through the palm of his hand into Shi Qingxuan’s. Shi Qingxuan softly gasped. With his other hand he felt the air again. A small breeze curled around his wrist. He sighed happily. “It’s working,” he said. “Thank you, He-xiong.”

He Xuan still heart almost came to life at the renewed nickname. It tried even harder when he noticed Shi Qingxuan hadn’t let go of his hand. They sat on the roof for a blissful eternity, as Shi Qingxuan made small gusts of air dance. They lifted his hair, made it look alive. He Xuan was mesmerised.

After that, Shi Qingxuan asked to borrow spiritual power more often. To dry his hair, to stoke the fire, to air out the rooms. Always practical things, and always with a promise that he owed He Xuan when he got his powers and merits back. But he never used it to change his form. When He Xuan asked about it, Shi Qingxuan tried to laugh it off. “Why, don’t I look pretty enough as a man?” He deflated when He Xuan didn’t play along. “I don’t have any women’s clothes,” he said sadly.

That gave He Xuan a new idea.

Shi Qingxuan stared at it in disbeliefat the large chest in front of him.

“Go on,” He Xuan nodded towards it. “Open it.”

Shi Qingxuan sat on his heels and pried the lid open. His mouth fell open when he saw the contents. Several sets of pristine, soft robes lined the bottom, forming a cushion for a series of hairpins, earrings and other jewellery. In its own separate box sat various soaps and fragrances. Shi Qingxuan’s eyes sparkled. He looked between He Xuan and the chest, uncomprehending.

“I used some of my clones to break into your palace,” He Xuan explained. “I don’t have a lot of storage room here so I only grabbed the ones I’ve seen you wear the most. Some of both forms, so you can switch whenever you like.”

Shi Qingxuan smiled more brightly than he had since before He Xuan had taken him to see the Bloody Fire Social. Finally, he was himself again. Then something changed in his expression, his smile faded. “I can’t take these.” he said. “I don’t deserve them. I wasn’t meant for that kind of life. That fate belonged to you.”

He Xuan scoffed. “That’s such nonsense. Destined or not, you were a wonderful god. You still are.”

Shi Qingxuan looked at him, wide eyed. “Why…” he trailed off. “Why are you being nice to me? After everything you suffered through because of me, why are you treating me with such kindness?”

‘Because I love you,’ He Xuan wanted to say. The feeling was so overwhelming it almost scared him. “I could ask you the same question,” he said instead.

Shi Qingxuan sighed. “In the present, my brother is alive and well. Your family is not,” he replied.

“Qingxuan,” He Xuan said. “Hating you now wouldn’t bring them back. It would only make us miserable. It has been centuries. I have mourned long enough.” He stepped around the chest. Shi Qingxuan didn’t back away. “You keep trying to punish yourself for my sake,” He Xuan said. “If I’m the one who suffered, as you said, don’t you think I should be the one to decide what to do about it?”

Shi Qingxuan said nothing. His eyes glistened.

“Well,” He Xuan said, “I made the decision to forgive you a long time ago.”

Shi Qingxuan sniffed, and all at once He Xuan felt a familiar weight over his shoulders. He was hugging him. Shi Qingxuan was hugging him!

It was over as soon as it started. Shi Qingxuan hastily let him go and took a step back. “Sorry,” he breathed. “I eh… I really needed to hear that.” Tentatively, he reached out again, and gently took one of He Xuan’s hands between his own. “Thank you, He-xiong.”

He Xuan felt light as air, and he was sharply aware of his hand. Shi Qingxuan watched him with his beautiful green eyes. He looked calm, almost happy. He Xuan’s face felt warm. “Yeah,” he managed to utter.

“I would like to go and take a bath now, if you don’t mind,” Shi Qingxuan said, already eyeing the toiletries in the chest.

“Of course. I will be… I’ll go,” He Xuan stammered, and quickly made himself scarce.

When Shi Qingxuan emerged for dinner, she was a woman again, draped in one of the robes he Xuan brought. His ashes still adorned her hair. He Xuan couldn’t help but stare. She grinned at him. “I know, right? I look gorgeous.”

He Xuan smiled softly at her. “You always do.”

Chapter Text

Shi Qingxuan

Shi Qingxuan was getting agitated. In the beginning, she hadn't minded the small house. She was mostly preoccupied with spiralling in her own thoughts. She had spent so much time worrying about how to repay He Xuan for his kindness, only for him to tell her there was nothing to be repaid. She couldn't say she understood how he could forgive her so quickly, but she also couldn't deny the weight that had fallen off her shoulders. Nevertheless, she wanted to make herself useful whenever she could.

Cooking was not her forte, but she could manage simple dishes. Sweeping went better, but she could do it a lot faster with a bit of wind. She didn't mind borrowing spiritual energy from He Xuan. In fact, she found she quite liked the excuse to hold his hand. But He Xuan wasn't around at every moment of the day, which is how Shi Qingxuan found herself wandering into his study, looking for materials to craft herself some talismans.

Every other part of the house had been relatively tidy when they arrived, and both had made an effort to keep them clean since. The study was a different story. Stacks of papers dotted the room, some messily bound with twine. Books sat half fallen on the shelves, organised in no particular order, as far as Shi Qingxuan could tell. Documents of all kinds were scattered across the desk.

Shi Qingxuan sighed to herself. "He-xiong, how do you find anything in this mess?" She took to gathering the papers and stacking them in neat piles. He Xuan could sort them as he pleased later. She recovered a cracked ink stone, which she placed to the side. Her eye fell on a small untitled book that had been hidden under several other sheets of paper. Curious, she picked it up, flicking through the pages.

It was poetry, clearly handwritten. Some were scratched out, or had phrases scribbled onto the margins. She had only managed to read a few lines when He Xuan returned home and noticed the open door.

A grin formed on her lips. "He-xiong," she said, "did you write these?".

He Xuan's pale skin turned impossibly whiter. "Where did you get that?" he said flatly.

Shi Qingxuan turned another page. "I must say, you have very nice handwriting."

He quickly snatched the little book from her hands. "This is private," he hissed. "A-and not to mention very old. I don't write anymore." The tips of his ears turned red.

Shi Qingxuan observed him with satisfaction. She wanted to see him blush more. "I think you should start writing again," she said. "You're good at it. I'd love to read more of it."

He Xuan became even more flustered, and the blush expanded to his cheeks. It satisfied Shi Qingxuan greatly. "Enough," he said. "What were you doing in my study anyway?"

"I was looking for material to make talismans," Shi Qingxuan replied. "If I'm going to live without spiritual power for a while, I might as well give myself some other tools."

He Xuan frowned. "You know you can always borrow mine," he said.

"Well, yeah. But you're not always here and... I don't know. I'm bored, He-xiong. The household chores were fine at first but now that the novelty has worn off I'm bored."

He Xuan smirked. "Novelty, huh? That explains why you're terrible at it. You know chores aren't meant to be fun, right? They're a necessity."

Shi Qingxuan balled her fists like a petulant child. "I don't care! They're repetitive and boring. Why not make them easier?"

He Xuan chuckled. "You're right. You've been cooped up in here long enough. Let's go out."

Now it was Shi Qingxuan's turn to be flustered. "Go out?"

"Yeah," He Xuan said. "We can browse the market or go to a restaurant. Whatever you like."

Shi Qingxuan frowned. "Didn't you say you don't have any money?"

"I may have loaned some from Crimson Rain."

Shi Qingxuan beamed. "I would love to! Give me just a moment, I'll get myself ready." She sprinted past him to her room.

Puzzled, He Xuan called after her. "Aren't you already dressed up?"

"Not for going out!" she shouted back.

***

After Shi Qingxuan spent what He Xuan described as an ungodly amount of time getting ready, she took his hand and let him take her to where he wanted. She didn’t miss the way his eyes had lingered on her. She knew she looked amazing, but to see that her appearance caused a reaction out of He Xuan made her feel even better. He Xuan picked a restaurant on the far side of the town, with a view of the coast, so Shi Qingxuan could feel the breeze.

He ordered several dishes, as well as two jars of wine for them to share. The waiter politely nodded and turned to Shi Qingxuan. "And for the wife?"

He Xuan choked. "We're not--"

"I'll have the pork belly, same as my husband," Shi Qingxuan interrupted, stifling her own laugh.

The waiter nodded and left.

He Xuan promptly switched to his female form as Shi Qingxuan laughed. "Qingxuan," she squeaked. "Why would you say that?"

"I found it funny, that's all," Shi Qingxuan giggled. "Why, don't you think I'd make a beautiful bride?"

He Xuan's downward gaze threatened to burn a hole into the table.

Shi Qingxuan decided to stoke the fire some more. "I don't know, He-xiong. I think you would look really good in red."

He Xuan's face flushed. Shi Qingxuan smiled contently. "Oh yes," she said, "Red is a great colour on you."

"Are you quite finished?" He Xuan complained.

Shi Qingxuan snickered. "Who knew the mighty and terrifying Ship Sinking Black Water was so easily flustered?" she teased. “She can drown entire fleets. She can fool all of Heaven. But a little flirting and she’s done for. Some ghost king you are.”

"I will find a way to drown myself and leave you here if you don’t stop," He Xuan grumbled. “And people think I’m the mean one.”

“Aw, He-xiong,” Shi Qingxuan cooed. “I’m only having fun.”

A server placed their food on the table, and He Xuan denied her another answer in favour of stuffing her face. Shi Qingxuan shook her head, but she didn’t mind, not really. She found her adorable like this. It felt like old times again. It was nice. She could almost forget about the cursed shackle hidden beneath the bandage on her wrist.

And then the sky turned an alarming shade of red.

Other guests around them noticed it too, murmuring among themselves in hushed, worried voices.

“He-xiong,” she said. “What is happening?”

He Xuan’s face turned grim. “Mount Tonglu erupted,” she said. “Something just came out of the kiln.”

“The kiln…” Shi Qingxuan’s utensils fell from her hand, clattering against the floor. “The human array!” she gasped, her hands flying to her head. “I’m not there to convince the others to form the array! Oh gods! I need to get to the royal capital!”

He Xuan had already stood. “Let’s go.”

When they arrived at the temple Xie Lian was already there, having no luck in convincing the beggars to help. “You Highness!” she called, sprinting up to him. “Need any help?”

Xie Lian turned to her, and relief broke across his face. “Lady Wind Master,” he said. “I haven’t seen you in forever. San Lang wouldn’t tell me where you were. Are you alright?”

“I’m more than okay,” she assured him. “I just had a bit of a scare, but I resolved it.” She held up her bandaged wrist. “We match now.”

Xie Lian’s face fell. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t help you that day,” he said. “My spiritual energy abruptly drained away and I couldn’t reach you.”

“It’s okay!” Shi Qingxuan said. “I mean, I definitely wanted to hit you with my fan, but He-xiong and I worked through it and we’re okay now, so it all worked out in the end.”

Xie Lian’s shoulders sagged with relief. “That’s great to hear.”

Shi Qingxuan suddenly remembered why she came. “Listen, Your Highness, I would love to catch up later, but we need to get you volunteers first.”

Xie Lian’s eyes widened. “How did you… Right.”

Shi Qingxuan turned to the beggars. “Everyone, please help us protect this city. His Highness will reward you all with a hot meal for your efforts. Everyone gets a bowl, whether you help or not. I will be participating too.”

“Why does it have to be us?” one of the beggars complained. “If the royal capital isn’t safe anymore, I can just move. These rich folks have never done anything for us. Why should we protect them now?”

He defiantly locked eyes with the Wind Master. Her gaze softened. Because Shi Qingxuan recognised this man. “Because you are a selfless man, Yuan Yi.”

The beggar froze. “How do you know my name?”

“I know all my followers,” Shi Qingxuan replied. “I know how your wife passed from a terminal disease, and you became homeless because you collected too much debt paying for experimental treatments in an attempt to save her. I know you perform on the street for money, and distribute it among your friends. I know that no matter how hungry you get, you always save a bit of your meal in case little A-Ying didn’t get to eat that day. It is in your nature to help others, and I admire your strength.”

The wide eyed man listened to every word. Something in his expression changed. “Alright,” he said. “If you are helping then so am I.”

Shi Qingxuan beamed. “Anyone else coming? The more the merrier! You can help us save the world!”

Gradually more people stood, joining Shi Qingxuan’s side. Familiar faces dragged in newcomers, and soon there was a huge crowd. Xie Lian would surely need somewhere bigger than Puqi shrine to feed all of these people. Xie Lian looked at her gratefully. She smiled back. “I got the people for you,” she said. “They’re in your hands now.”

Xie Lian led the mob into the streets and instructed them on how to form the human array. They formed a large circle, joining hands. He Xuan took her place next to Shi Qingxuan, sliding her hand into Qingxuan’s. Xie Lian explained the risks, that if the array was broken, the remaining people would get possessed by vengeful spirits. “So does anyone want to leave? You absolutely cannot back out once things begin, but it won’t matter who leaves before we start. I hope no one will say anything to those who decide to do so. This is a dangerous task, after all.”

Some people ran, but most remained. Xie Lian sighed in relief.

Black shadows filled the sky. “Everyone, get in position! Hold on tight.”

Shi Qingxuan braced herself, trying not to let her nerves show. She swallowed. He Xuan squeezed their joined hands. She looked up at her. “Everything will be fine,” He Xuan said, “You’ve done this before, remember?”

Shi Qingxuan nodded tightly. He Xuan’s hand in hers felt reassuring. The shadows came closer. A hellish cacophony of shrieks barrelled their way.

“Everyone, blow air forward,” Xie Lian shouted.

The vengeful spirits delved into the circle, clawing and tearing at each other. Hua Cheng released a flurry of butterflies, surrounding the circle. Shi Qingxuan’s breathing sped up. Her mind screamed at her to run. She wanted to turn her head, afraid claws or teeth would find their way to her face.

“Don’t move! They can’t hurt you as long as the array is intact!”

Despite Xie Lian’s warning, people began to panic, and threatened to fall out. Xie Lian ran to and fro, taking them out of the array before they could fall out and break the circle. Then, people began to join the circle. Onlookers, cultivators, replacing people threatening to fall out or chasing back spirits wandering too close to the edge of their prison. It was working. The human array was working!

All of a sudden Xie Lian unmasked a mole. Shi Qingxuan had forgotten about that. Xie Lian was called to the upper court along with the man, leaving Hua Cheng to guard the human array. His face was dark. “I need to go,” he said.

Shi Qingxuan wanted to ask where, but He Xuan nodded at him. “Do what you need to.”

“They’ll be fine, right,” she asked nervously. “With Jun Wu being…”

“They should be,” He Xuan replied, but Shi Qingxuan could sense that she was tense too.

The vengeful spirits whirled inside of the circle, screeching with rage. Shi Qingxuan tried to stay calm. They could do this. “Hold tight, everyone!” she shouted. “We’ve got this!”

She felt a lot less sure when meteors began to fall from the sky. He Xuan cursed. She pulled the people to their left and right together, closing them out of the circle.

“It’s your time to shine,” she said. She clasped Shi Qingxuan’s hand between her own, sending spiritual energy into her body. Streams of it travelled through her body, but amid the chaos she couldn’t summon the strength. “It’s not enough!” she yelled.

He Xuan’s eyes flickered between her and the rapidly approaching meteors. “Do you trust me?” she asked.

“Of course I trust you, what are you—” She fell silent when she felt He Xuan’s lips against hers. Spiritual energy flooded into her, sharpening her senses and setting her nerves alight. It was over as soon as it began. Shi Qingxuan felt giddy and a little overwhelmed. “Whoa…” she muttered.

He Xuan took a few steps back, blushing furiously. “Good luck,” she said.

Shi Qingxuan grabbed her fan, sending a whirlwind into the street. It swept up the meteors, sending them hurtling away from the human array. Shi Qingxuan trembled. “I did it,” she muttered. “I did it! He-xiong, I did it!”

He Xuan smiled warmly. “You did,” she agreed.

More threats appeared, but luckily so did more Heavenly officials, guarding and defending the human array. Shi Qingxuan remembered the giant statue, but she gawked nonetheless when she saw it in person.

Eventually the fighting seized, and the vengeful spirits met their end. Shi Qingxuan fell to her knees, the exhaustion suddenly catching up with her temporarily mortal body. Immediately He Xuan was at her side, offering a shoulder to lean on.

“Is it over?” she asked shakily.

“Our part is,” He Xuan replied.

“Good,” she sighed. A smug smile formed on her face. “That was an interesting way of delivering spiritual energy earlier.”

He Xuan’s cheeks flushes, and she averted her eyes. “It was faster…” she muttered.

“No no, you don’t get to back out now. How long have you been thinking about doing that, hm?”

“Qingxuan, don’t-”

Shi Qingxuan rested her hand on He Xuan’s cheek, turning her face towards her. “I’d say it was rather efficient,” she whispered. She was so close now, their noses almost touched. “I think I wanna use this method more.”

He Xuan’s pupils dilated. “Qingxuan,” she whispered.

“Lady Wind Master, watch out!”

Shi Qingxuan pulled away just in time to avoid the blast. Bewildered, she looked at He Xuan. She was okay, thankfully, but her eyes were on something behind her, glaring.

Shi Qingxuan whirled around and came face to face with the Water Master.

Chapter Text

He Xuan

He Xuan growled. That blast could have hit Shi Qingxuan. She wanted to kill him. She burned for it.

Shi Wudu scowled right back, collecting spiritual energy in his palm for another. He Xuan saw her own hatred reflected in his gaze. “Qingxuan, get behind me,” he shouted.

Shi Qingxuan looked at her brother for a long moment. Then slowly, deliberately, she walked towards He Xuan and took her hand.

Shi Wudu watched it all, incredulous. “What are you doing?” he snapped. “Do you know how much time I’ve spent looking for you? I’ve been worried sick. I thought Black Water killed you or worse.”

“I am glad to see you’re doing well, ge,” Shi Qingxuan said with a cold formality. “I apologise for worrying you, but I can assure you I am right where I want to be. He-xiong has been treating me very well.”

“He-xiong?” Shi Wudu spat. “I don’t know what kind of ideas this monster has been putting into your head, but—”

“Monster?” He Xuan said, “that is rich coming from you—”

“He-xiong,” Shi Qingxuan cut her off. “This is between me and my brother. I’ll handle it.”

He Xuan shut her mouth, but she didn’t stop glaring at the Water Master.

“Despite what you think of me, ge, I am not a child. I have been a god for centuries and I am of sound mind and body as I make decisions for myself. So I would thank you not to speak ill of me or my partner.”

Shi Wudu’s face turned a shade redder. He Xuan smirked. Oh, she really liked this. This was even better than her first revenge. She wondered if his face would reach purple. “Qingxuan,” Shi Wudu gritted his teeth. “I understand you’re angry, but you’ve made your point. Now cease the theatrics and come home.”

Shi Qingxuan sighed. “I do love you, ge. You will always be my brother to me. But I can’t be around you right now, so I think it would be best if we spent some time away from each other.”

Shi Wudu’s face became a strange mixture of rage and hurt. He raised his hand, but Pei Ming caught his wrist, shaking his head.

“You would choose a ghost king over your own family?” Shi Wudu yelled.

Shi Qingxuan didn’t dignify him with an answer. She turned to He Xuan. “He-xiong, I’m tired,” she said. “Take me home, please?”

Home. Their home. He Xuan gladly obliged.

***

News soon reached them that Jun Wu had been defeated at the hands of Xie Lian. Now freed from his cursed shackles, he re-established his position as one of the most powerful martial gods. Heaven was rebuilt, and the other heavenly officials appointed him as de facto emperor, which Xie Lian insisted was only an interim position until someone better stepped up. The poor scrap collector had no interest in managing Heaven. Ling Wen was pardoned for her complicity and reinstated almost immediately, as no one else could manage Heaven’s administration as effectively and as efficiently as she did.

Hua Cheng’s physical form was destroyed in the final conflict, but this time around, significantly less time passed before he returned. He Xuan idly wondered what he’d done differently.

“You will be present at my wedding, yes?” Hua Cheng said as he lounged in his chair in Paradise Manor.

“Do I have to?” He Xuan said, taking an osmanthus cake off the tray laid out before him.

“The Wind Master will surely want to go. You wouldn’t deny him a visit to his friend, would you?”

“I don’t see what that has got to do with me,” He Xuan replied. “Qingxuan can go wherever he pleases. I’ll drop him off if I have to.”

“There will be a banquet after,” Hua Cheng reminded him.

He Xuan considered it. “Maybe one meal,” he conceded.

Hua Cheng smiled, taking a sip of his tea.

“How is your form?” He Xuan asked.

“I am quite well,” Hua Cheng replied. “Your warning allowed me to prepare. Still, I wish I hadn’t left Dianxia all alone for so long.”

“He had plenty of friends to support him,” He Xuan said. Shi Qingxuan had insisted they visit weekly. Sometimes they ran into other officials there. Mostly Feng Xin and Mu Qing.

“Yes, those two,” Hua Cheng said. “He’s very fond of them. They have been...tolerable.”

He Xuan huffed. “Just admit they’re growing on you.”

Hua Cheng chuckled. “I suppose I don’t hate their company.”

Their conversation was cut short by Yin Yu barrelling into the room, closely followed by Quan Yizhen. “Get away from me!” he yelled.

“You need more spiritual energy to keep your new form stable!” Quan Yizhen shouted. “Let me help you!”

Yin Yu hissed, hiding behind Hua Cheng. “Chengzhu, do something,” he pleaded.

“He is right, you know,” Hua Cheng replied. “General,” he said to Quan Yizhen, “I believe I told you not to run in my halls.”

Quan Yizhen straightened his back. “Shixiong started running first,” he said.

“And to be gentle with my employee.”

“I’m trying but he won’t let me,” Quan Yizhen complained.

“That’s not how you exchange spiritual energy!” Yin Yu hissed.

“That’s how he does it!” Quan Yizhen pointed at Hua Cheng.

He Xuan covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. “You really need to stop using that as an excuse to kiss His Highness,” he told Hua Cheng. Yin Yu’s face flushed bright red.

“General, you can’t kiss him if he doesn’t want you to,” Hua Cheng said calmly.

Quan Yizhen deflated. “I only want to make Shixiong better,” he said. “So that he knows I’m not mad at him.”

“Yizhen,” Yin Yu said despairingly, “You’ve made your point. Just leave me alone.”

“Not until you’re better,” Quan Yizhen said. Without warning he rushed around Hua Cheng and grabbed Yin Yu’s hands. “Just give me until you’re better. If you still want me to go, I’ll go. But let me care for you until then.”

Yin Yu looked as though he wanted to pass away again. “Incorrigible,” he mumbled. But he didn’t struggle as Quan Yizhen guided him away from Hua Cheng. He did recommence his complaining when Quan Yizhen swept him off the ground, carrying him bridal style. “Yizhen! Put me down! I can walk!”

“Shixiong needs to conserve his energy,” Quan Yizhen replied, unbothered.

The two left the room, which now felt very silent.

Hua Cheng chuckled. “They’ll get there.”

“Are you sure?” He Xuan asked. “Yin Yu doesn’t seem very willing.”

“He is, he just doesn’t want to admit it to himself,” Hua Cheng said. “Most people don’t ask their boss to monitor the wellbeing of someone they hate.”

“Is this your thing now?” He Xuan asked. “Do you intend to play matchmaker with everyone you know?”

Hua Cheng took a sip of tea. “I don’t know,” he said. “It is quite amusing.”

***

“What is that?” He Xuan asked, as Shi Qingxuan dragged a large canvas into the common room.

“It’s a teleportation array,” he replied. “I didn’t want to dirty your floor or walls, so I drew it on here. We can put it wherever we want.”

“I see that,” He Xuan said. “But why did you make it?”

Shi Qingxuan leaned the canvas against the wall with a thud. “Because we didn’t get to finish our date last time,” he said. “I thought we could go on a new one. My treat this time.” he ran into the kitchen and retrieved a basket. “We’re going on a picnic.”

“A picnic? Qingxuan it’s almost dinnertime.”

“Yeah, it’s a special picnic. That’s why I made the teleportation array. So only I know where we’re going.”

He Xuan crossed his arms. “Alright then, surprise me.”

Shi Qingxuan took him to a little grass clearing, surrounded by trees. Little white flowers dotted the grass like specks of freshly fallen snow. Shi Qingxuan laid out a blanket for them to sit on. They ate, they talked, and soon the sun was setting.

He Xuan sat up. “Shall we head back?”

Shi Qingxuan grinned conspiratorially. “Actually, the best part is about to start.”

He Xuan frowned. “The sunset? I’m not sure how much we’re going to see with these trees.”

Shi Qingxuan laughed, pulling him down onto the blanket. “Just lay down and watch,” he said.

He Xuan laid down next to him, facing the gradually darkening sky. The last birds stopped singing, and silence befell the clearing. For a few minutes nothing happened. Then He Xuan noticed something from the corner of his eye, and suddenly something fluttered across the clearing. And then another. Little black shapes flitted back and forth between the trees, accompanied by a faint chittering. Bats of various shapes soared through the clearing. Some glided, others made twists and turns in intricate patterns, almost like a dance. He Xuan watched them with rapt attention.

“They’re beautiful, aren’t they,” Shi Qingxuan said next to him.

“They are,” He Xuan agreed. “I didn’t take you for someone who liked bats, though.”

“Why?”

“Well,” He Xuan tried to find the right words. “They’re so…”

“Dark?” Shi Qingxuan filled in. “You’re not completely wrong. As a kid I was terrified of them.”

He Xuan turned his head to watch Qingxuan, whose eyes were still following the winged creatures above them. “There were bats in our courtyard,” Shi Qingxuan continued. “I used to run inside as soon as dusk fell, because I was afraid they would attack me. Then one summer I found one on my windowsill.” Shi Qingxuan smiled. “Up close I saw it was actually kind of cute. A fuzzy little thing. I begged my family physician to help it. My mother lost her mind when she saw. Turned out the little guy was just dehydrated, and it made a full recovery. Since then I’ve had an appreciation for bats.” Shi Qingxuan chuckled. “Sometimes things seem really scary from afar, and you can only appreciate their beauty when you get up close.”

Shi Qingxuan rolled over and leaned over He Xuan. His hair spilled over his shoulder, forming a curtain around their heads. He Xuan watched him reverently. Shi Qingxuan laid a hand on He Xuan’s cheek, caressing it with his thumb. “I’ve found I like you much better up close,” he whispered.

He Xuan raised a hand to cradle Shi Qingxuan’s head, carding his fingers through his hair. Shi Qingxuan lowered himself and placed a kiss on his lips. And then another.

“Qingxuan,” He Xuan muttered against his lips. “I love you. So, so much.” Then he claimed his mouth again. Shi Qingxuan made a satisfied sound, deepening the kiss. Discarded clothing piled on the blanket, and the air filled with the sounds of two lovers worshipping one another.

~Epilogue~

“And you’re absolutely sure this will work?” Shi Qingxuan asked for the umpteenth time.

“Yes,” Hua Cheng said. “I did it and I and lived, didn’t I?”

“But you lost your physical form for a really long time,” Shi Qingxuan retorted.

“Which is why there are two people helping you out, thus they can share the burden” Hua Cheng replied. “And if something were to go wrong, I am here to help.”

Xie Lian took his left hand and smiled reassuringly. “Everything will be alright. I have plenty of energy now.”

Shi Qingxuan nervously looked to the right. The cursed shackle still lined his wrist, dark and accusing. He Xuan had his hand clasped between his. “He-xiong, promise me you won’t disappear.”

He Xuan kissed his knuckles. “I promise.”

Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow. “He-xiong?”

He Xuan glared at him. “Do you have a comment, San Lang?”

Hua Cheng held up his hands innocently. “I would never.”

“San Lang, focus,” Xie Lian chided.

Hua Cheng bowed his head. “I will, gege. Are you ready to begin?”

Xie Lian nodded. At his signal, spiritual energy was sent into Shi Qingxuan’s palms. It streamed through his veins, swirling through his meridians. As the energy increased, his senses sharpened, his eyes became brighter, more aware. His limbs began to tingle, and he suddenly felt aware of every molecule in his body. A fire ignited inside his chest and spread through the rest of his body, burning away his mortal cells to reveal a shinier, newer layer underneath.

The cursed shackle began to glow at the edges. The light increased, and peeked through cracks in the think lines. And then, all at once, it burst, scorched away to reveal the smooth, unblemished skin of his wrist.

Shi Qingxuan’s hands were released, and he inspected his empty wrist. Carefully, as if afraid to shatter the illusion, he ran a finger across his skin. “It’s gone,” he gasped. “It’s actually gone!”

Hua Cheng took his wrist, putting two fingers to it. “Your qi is flowing uninterrupted,” he said. “Welcome back, Lord Wind Master.”

Joy washed over Shi Qingxuan. An elated laugh escaped his mouth. He threw himself at He Xuan, who was thankfully still fully corporeal, though visibly tired. Strong arms wrapped around Shi Qingxuan, holding him tight. Shi Qingxuan’s heart fluttered happily.

“Lord Wind Master, if I may,” Xie Lian said. “Will you be returning to your Heavenly palace now?”

Shi Qingxuan considered it for a long moment. “Actually,” he said. “I think I’m quite content to answer my prayers from my residence in Fu Gu.”