Archive of Our Own

The instances in which they had seen His Highness, Xie Lian cry could be counted on one hand. He is a rather strong individual and although his heart is kind, he doesn't like to show vulnerability. It is understandable, he has had a tough life. This is exactly the reason why seeing him cry as much as he does now is concerning, to say the least.

It takes a few hours for Feng Xin and Mu Qing to get Xie Lian to calm down and rest. Today was not easy for anybody and even though now the laughingstock of the three realms is regarded with honor and power, it is easy to tell that Xie Lian doesn't care for anything else than his lost San Lang. It is weird for a heavenly official to say, but Mu Qing deeply wishes Hua Cheng fulfils his promise and comes back. Xie Lian deserves that much.

Mu Qing still has the tattered Ruoye in his hand by the time Xie Lian finally falls asleep. "Does he have any more wounds we should look over?" Feng Xin asks quietly.

Mu Qing shakes his head, "I don't think so, the overflow of spiritual power has pretty much healed them all, it’s clear Hua Cheng made sure he'd be alright."

Feng Xin nods. They have both suffered under Hua Cheng's attacks before. The ghost king clearly had a personal grudge towards them, but even so, it was easy to see that his feelings for His Highness were absolute and sincere. In hindsight, it didn’t take much to understand why Xie Lian had fallen in love with him.

"Do you think you can fix it?" Feng Xin asks, looking at the broken silk band in Mu Qing's hands.

"Yes, I hope I can restore it fully," Mu Qing replies with a sigh. "It will take a while."

"Okay," Feng Xin sighs, there isn't much to say now. They are both tired and injured so they walk in silence towards the main hall of the temple where the remaining heavenly officials have chosen to settle. It is sad to see so few Middle Court officials around. They used to be the most abundant in the Heavenly Capital but were also the least powerful. Therefore, many of them were not able to make it to safety upon the destruction of their lost home.

Pei Ming sits alongside Quan Yizhen and some other civil gods in one corner. They don't pay much attention to Feng Xin or Mu Qing as they come in. There is definitely a lot to talk about, but for now, everyone needs to settle and have a good rest both for their bodies and minds. Mu Qing eyes the scene and turns to leave, not wanting to remain here for long. However, he barely takes two steps before he is stopped.

"General Xuan Zhen! General Nan Yang!" Pei Ming calls, he sounds exhausted and drained, much like everyone else. Mu Qing turns around and stands next to Feng Xin, letting Pei Ming know he has his attention.

"I know this mountain is where you used to cultivate as teens. Since His Highness has gone to sleep, we feel we should ask you if it's okay to settle here for the time being," Pei Ming speaks solemnly, his usual arrogant tone forgotten. This question should indeed be asked to Xie Lian but Mu Qing can agree that even if he was to wake up and walk to them, he would not be able to make decisions properly right now. Still, he doesn't want to choose for Xie Lian so he is about to give a rather ambiguous answer when Feng Xin intercedes.

"The temple is big enough for us but please do ask His Highness in the morning. You can settle anywhere but don't get close to the east wing where His Highness is resting." Pei Ming nods and turns around to deliver the news to the awaiting heavenly officials. By then, Mu Qing really turns and leaves. He walks really slowly, the pain in his injured legs barely permits him to move. This is probably why he hardly notices Feng Xin following close behind.

"Do you need something?" He eventually asks. Feng Xin looks at him carefully, as if confused by the question. Mu Qing rolls his eyes.

"I think we’re both looking for the same room," Feng Xin says a few seconds, and it's only then that Mu Qing realizes that they probably are. Back when they used to cultivate here, they each had a private bed chamber. However, once Xie Lian ascended and this building was then transformed into a temple for the Crown Prince, those chambers were re-designed to make the temple of the Crown Prince even bigger.

Thus, when the war of Xianle happened and the three of them descended, Xie Lian's bedroom was still the same, but Feng Xin and Mu Qing shared a single bedroom. Much like some of the missions they had gone on with Xie Lian.

"Yes, alright," Mu Qing says when he opens the door of this very old room. It is pretty much the same as he remembers it to be. Surprisingly clean, which makes Mu Qing think that maybe Xie Lian has visited this place prior to today’s events.

There are still two beds in the chamber, a single screen that separates the bathing area and a huge window facing north. Feng Xin seems nostalgic as he casts his gaze around the room. Mu Qing would too if he wasn't in so much pain. He hauls himself onto the blankets with a soft hiss. He can't remember the last time he'd gotten so injured in battle. Eyes sliding shut, he tries to clench his singed fists to no avail. He winces in pain.

"Are you okay?" He hears Feng Xin settle down beside him. "Why haven't you healed yet?"

"I don't have enough spiritual energy," Mu Qing clicks his tongue. Of course, as a martial god, spiritual energy should be enough to heal him but the battle had left him pretty drained. Not to mention that Jun Wu's cursed shackle almost left him dry and powerless. He doesn't even know if he'll be able to get all of that lost energy back.

Feng Xin merely nods. His own injuries are about to heal completely but Mu Qing's state is far worse. "Wait here," he says, before leaving the room.

Mu Qing doesn't give him an answer, instead eyeing the silk band Ruoye next to him. He doesn't remember Xie Lian having this spiritual device 800 years ago. It must've been forged after they stopped talking altogether. He is unsure if he'll be able to fix it but he will try his best. Xie Lian saved his life today, so he owes it to him. Which makes him remember that, if that's the case, he is also indebted to Feng Xin.

The man in question opens the door with a little bag in his hand. "I asked for water to be delivered for a bath, one of your appointed officials should bring it soon," he says with a slight smile. Mu Qing looks at him and nods.

"Are some of your officials here too?"

"Yes, there are some around. I greeted them, thanked them, and told them to go rest for the night. Tomorrow will be a new day," Feng Xin replies as he takes out soap and lotion from the bag. "Here, use this to take a bath. I’ll come back soon."

"Where are you going?" Mu Qing is genuinely curious now. They’re trapped here, no golden palaces, no millions of merits. If anything, they’re all homeless with no place to go and counting on the Crown Prince's kindness for a place to stay.

"I'm going to look for Jian Lan," Feng Xin says then, his head bowed, as if ashamed. "I don't know if she was captured and is now imprisoned with the other ghosts, or if she is around here but I… have to make sure she and Cuocuo are alright."

"I think she made it pretty clear to you that she doesn't want you around," Mu Qing suddenly feels irritated. He saved Feng Xin from almost dying upon the collapse of the Heavenly Capital because he was looking for Jian Lan. He shouldn't go and look for trouble again.

"I know, but… it's my responsibility, I didn't know about this for centuries while she struggled in Ghost City. I don't want to make the same mistake twice." This is more than what Feng Xin usually tells Mu Qing, which is a bit out of the blue. He doesn't know if his words to Xie Lian in Mount Tonglu had some effect on Feng Xin too, but if they did and they can be on better terms now, he wouldn't dislike it. After all, it is exhausting to be fighting all the time.

With that in mind, Mu Qing just nods. He knows Feng Xin is sensitive and irritatingly loyal and so, he doesn't try to stop him from going to search for his ghost wife.

Minutes later two of his officials bring water for his bath. Mu Qing thanks them and asks about some of the people that work for him; much to his relief, there seem not to be casualties in his palace but then again, he didn't have that many middle court officials anyway.

He tells the two boys to inform the other Xuan Zhen agents that if His Highness Xie Lian should need something, they must attend. Xie Lian doesn't have any Middle Court deputies now so Mu Qing doesn't mind sharing. The two boys nod and bow before turning around, leaving behind pleasant warm water for Mu Qing to enjoy his bath.

He doesn't enjoy it.

There are blisters in his hands and legs. His skin burns upon contact with water but he knows that these kinds of wounds need to be cleaned. Therefore, he presses his lips together and tries to resist the surging waves of pain until he is done. When he steps out of the tub, he settles on only wearing his undergarment. Anything else with more fabric will only make him hurt more.

His hands are in a very poor state so it is difficult for him to lift the blanket off the side of the bed. And despite knowing that these are all battle injuries, all of it makes him feel useless.

As if on cue with his thoughts, Feng Xin opens the door. He looks frustrated. When he sees Mu Qing trying to get under the covers, he immediately goes to him to help, only then seeing the full damage in Mu Qing's hands, arms and legs.

He makes a pained sound and quickly lifts the sleeve of Mu Qing's robe. "The cursed shackle is gone, why aren't you healing?"

"When Jun Wu was fighting His Highness, he used the shackle to drain my blood and spiritual energy, I don't know when or if it'll ever come back," Mu Qing speaks sadly, realizing the weight of his words.

"They have to come back! You’re just exhausted, look at His Highness, he wore two cursed shackles for 800 years and even so, he is now more powerful than anyone else!" This might be a stretch, but is Feng Xin trying to comfort him?

"Yes, but that's because Crimson Rain Sought Flower left all of his spiritual power to him," Mu Qing can't help but eyeroll. This fact should be obvious, they were both witnesses to it.

"Okay, yes but it shouldn't be that different," Feng Xin tells him before grabbing the bag he had brought before. "In the meantime, let's try to treat these wounds."

Feng Xin takes a small bottle and a white bandage from the bag. He is careful to mix the contents of the bottle before reaching for Mu Qing's hand. Seriously, this is awkward. Mu Qing and Feng Xin are not close friends or anything alike. They usually cause injuries to each other, not heal them--! It feels strange. So strange that the silence between them starts to get uncomfortable.

"Did you find Jian Lan?" Mu Qing breaks the silence as Feng Xin carefully wraps the bandage around his left hand.

"I did but she didn't let me get close," Feng Xin replies, reaching over to treat Mu Qing's right arm. "She was with some other female ghosts from Ghost City who didn't allow me to approach her so in the end, I just gave up. I’ll try again tomorrow."

"Don't push her if she doesn't want you around," Mu Qing advises, because he knows this game of hide and seek will eventually bring trouble and with Hua Cheng gone, there is no one to control the herds of ghosts should they go berserk.

Feng Xin doesn't answer, too busy applying the ointment on Mu Qing's wrist.

"With your fear of women, how did you even have a relationship with her?" Mu Qing asks, with true curiosity now. To be perfectly honest, he would’ve easily bet a year's worth of chores for the Palace of Nan Yang itself, to the fact that Feng Xin’s never been involved with a woman before. How could he? His biggest fear is a woman’s bath! And to have a son even! Completely unbelievable!

"I was lonely," Feng Xin admits, and his voice is low enough for Mu Qing to know that he is being sincere. "His Highness was in a very bad state, I didn't know that White No Face was really stalking him, I thought he just had some sort of post- war trauma. The queen and the king were both sick and everything fell on my shoulders," he explains when suddenly Mu Qing flinches from the pain.

"Sorry," Feng Xin apologizes, pouring more ointment onto the burnt area before trying to cover it again. "So when I found someone from Xianle, it was easy. I just needed someone to talk to and who would listen, I wanted someone to be with me from time to time, you know, most of our time together was spent just talking to each other but as we fell in l- love, naturally one thing led to another."

Mu Qing nods, he guesses it all makes sense. At the time, he was a deputy for another god who didn't really treat him well and who was ultimately annihilated by Hua Cheng himself years later. After he was thrown out of the little cottage where Feng Xin and Xie Lian were living in, he never tried to reach for them again and so he never knew that Feng Xin had a love story.

"I see," Mu Qing sighs looking at his now covered arms. He does feel slightly better. "I'm sorry it ended up this way, you would've been a n- nice family," he hates the way his voice wavers, saying compliments is clearly not his thing just yet.

"I wish I could offer them to live with me in my palace but I have lost everything now, even if she lets me talk to her, I don't know what I could offer her so that she stays." This is probably the deepest conversation they have ever had without Xie Lian around. It feels awkward but not dislikeable.

"Let her decide what she wants, you may offer her gold and diamonds but if she doesn't want it, don't keep losing your effort and time," Mu Qing says as Feng Xin settles behind him and presses his hands on his back to pass him some spiritual energy. "If she needs you, she knows how and where to find you," Mu Qing says this with full honesty. Feng Xin is a martial god, he shouldn't beg a ghost. He really does mean well with his words, so it takes him by surprise when Feng Xin misunderstands him.

"That's easy for you to say because you have always been incredibly selfish," Feng Xin tells him, suddenly enraged. He doesn't stop the spiritual energy flow on Mu Qing’s back. "You have always thought about you and yourself alone."

Mu Qing frowns, what exactly of what he said was so wrong?

"That's not true," he argues back, "I tried helping your ghost wife centuries ago and I also tried helping you and Xie Lian."

"You only wanted to redeem yourself from what you had done to His Highness, it was not disinterested help, don't try to fool me," Feng Xin retorts, still not cutting the flow of spiritual energy he is injecting into Mu Qing's body.

"Not going to discuss that with you anymore," Mu Qing defends, he really is tired of the same story over and over again. If he goes down that path, they will for sure argue again. So he tries to explain "All I'm saying is that if it was me…"

"If it was you?!" Feng Xin interrupts him. "Don't make me laugh! Who would even like you enough to be in a relationship with you?!"

Mu Qing doesn't have a defense for that, he stays silent but that only gives Feng Xin a wider range to attack. "You would be lucky if someone even finds you the least bit tolerable, who could ever love you?!"

"That's enough," Mu Qing moves away from Feng Xin's hands. "I don't need more energy, you can let go."

"You are not healed yet." It seems to take Feng Xin by surprise that he isn't fighting back.

"I'm fine and I'll be better in the morning," Mu Qing replies, "Now get off, I want to rest."

Feng Xin shrugs and does as he is told. He moves away and walks towards the other bed. Mu Qing debates on whether he should thank him for having treated his wounds but decides against it given how close they are to a fight. Neither of them say anything after that.

Feng Xin blows out the candles and as darkness fills the room, Mu Qing remembers what Jun Wu had told him. That Xie Lian hated him, that Feng Xin hated him even more. That Hua Cheng would kill him without a second thought. He is glad that Xie Lian does not hate him because he never did hate him either. Maybe His Highness is the person Feng Xin was talking about when he said he would be lucky if someone found him at least tolerable.

That's fine. He guesses having Xie Lian tolerate him is good enough, at least now he won’t be as lonely.

Who could ever love him? Feng Xin had asked, and he was right. His devotees worship him and adore him but none of them actually know him. That's not exactly love. That's okay. He may not be loved but he isn't entirely alone either. He can live like this. It is not like Feng Xin just hurt him badly, he has heard far worse from him and he is sure he’s also said a couple of hurtful things to him.

He has definitely heard far worse.

It must be around midday when Mu Qing wakes up. He slept deeply but his body still aches. As he slowly opens his eyes, he feels something on his arm. It takes a few seconds to find Feng Xin kneeling next to him, replacing the bandages he applied last night. Mu Qing moves slightly; Feng Xin lifts his gaze and his look is enough to make Mu Qing think that Jun Wu somehow is back.

"What's wrong?" Mu Qing asks because he has never seen Feng Xin so deflated. He looks sad, disappointed, hurt even. It is not a pretty sight. "Feng Xin?"

Silence stretches for a few minutes in which Mu Qing has the sudden urge to yell at him but he decides against it.

"Jian Lan left," Feng Xin replies when he starts undoing the old bandages on Mu Qing's left arm. "His Highness told me today when I went to look for her, he had a small conversation with her when she was leaving with Cuocuo."

Mu Qing is left almost speechless. It is not like he didn't think something like this would happen but he understands why Feng Xin looks so distraught. No one likes to be rejected, after all. He battles for something to say in his head; he knows he needs to be careful with his words on the matter because for once they are actually acting as sort of friends. He doesn't want to ruin it.

"She probably headed to Ghost City. If you want to find her, I can assist you. We can send some officials to look for her," Mu Qing begins with the obvious solution. "However, I advise against it...Jian Lan is a strong ghost and she's finally reunited with her son. If she wants to stay away, for the sake of what you had together, you should respect her decision."

Feng Xin doesn't say anything. He just keeps working on the bandages. "Your wounds are much better today," he comments after a while, seemingly not wanting to talk about Jian Lian anymore. "I’ll pass some more spiritual energy to you and you should be as good as new."

Mu Qing nods and thanks him. Never in a million years did he think Feng Xin would be the one tending his injuries or giving him spiritual energy. But then again, he also never thought Feng Xin would be the one to save him from imminent death. If anything, he always thought Feng Xin would like to see him die.

"How is His Highness doing?" Mu Qing asks then, watching Feng Xin apply a new bandage to his arm.

"Better," Feng Xin replies with a little shrug. "He just has a sad aura all around him, I hate seeing him being so depressed."

"Do you think Hua Cheng will really come back?" Even though the Ghost King promised, Mu Qing is not sure. Of course, he can't die per se, but ghosts do vanish from existence when they fulfill their goal. Maybe Hua Cheng's goal was to make Xie Lian powerful and valued — and now that he is, he can vanish in peace.

"Of course he'll be back, Crimson Rain Sought Flower is a Supreme Ghost King, it might not even take him that long to find His Highness again," Feng Xin is always optimistic, much like Xie Lian, he usually tries to look on the bright side of things. Mu Qing in contrast, is not a pessimist but more attached to reality.

"I hope you’re right. His Highness...Xie Lian does deserve to be happy after all this time," Feng Xin chuckles.

"Look at you being all nice, I'm happy to see you are starting to express yourself as a normal person," Feng Xin teases which makes Mu Qing slightly annoyed.

"Don't try to make me upset," He protests but, of course, it just makes Feng Xin chuckle a bit more heartly, though the smile does not reach his eyes. "I will go see Xie Lian later, we...you know- we shouldn't leave him alone."

"I won't," Feng Xin says, patting on Mu Qing's wrist when the bandage is fully applied. "I know you won't either, so until Hua Cheng is back he is under our care, just like old times."

"He takes care of himself pretty well though," Mu Qing adds, Feng Xin nods in agreement.

"He does, but he doesn't have to be alone anymore." For real, Mu Qing can't remember when was the last time they agreed like this on something related to Xie Lian. "And speaking of old times…"

"Mhm?"

"Ling Wen is back."

What comes next passes in almost a blur. The reconstruction of the Heavenly Capital, the assessments for their believers. The preparations for new festivities and the calls for new Middle Court deputies. Even Pei Xu gets his throne reinstated and has Banyue Guoshi live with him in his palace. Slowly but surely, everything falls back into place.

Feng Xin does try to look for Jian Lan a couple of times but he is unsuccessful in every attempt. Ultimately he gives up, trusting that if she should need him, she would visit the temple of Nan Yang. And so a year passes since the destruction of the Heavenly Capital and Hua Cheng does come back...with a whole show. Of course he had to present Xie Lian with his usual three thousand lanterns and make sure the Crown Prince was absolutely undefeated in the autumn festival. His return scares lots of heavenly officials but Xie Lian is ecstatic and Mu Qing guesses that’s what matters, except for the fact that Hua Cheng makes that damn bell ring at least ten times a day.

When the celebration of the grand re-opening of Puqi Shrine is held, everything seems to be well again. There are no traces of the war that happened a year ago, it is now only a tale that mortals tell to their children and from which books are written. Needless to say, Xie Lian gets many more devotees and a lot of temples in his honor are built all over. He is no longer just a scrap-collecting god, let alone the laughingstock of the three realms. If anything, he is now the most powerful of them all.

Mu Qing and Feng Xin have even developed a better relationship with each other and they don’t fight as much as they used to. Mu Qing wouldn't say that they are now best friends but they do get along a lot better, which is good for them and for the new Heavenly Capital, which doesn't have to stand through their battles' consequences.

Life goes on peacefully until an earthquake hits the new brand capital. Tornado-like wind blows between palaces and a high tower bell rings incessantly. Everyone knows what that means: A skilled cultivator has passed a heavenly tribulation. A new god is ascending.

Middle and Upper court officials gather around the capital's pavilion, eager to meet the new ascended god. When the dust clears and the bell stops ringing, the revealed image is a young cultivator. Clearly in his twenties, long black hair, blue and white attire, he looks like someone from a famous rich sect. Heavenly officials watch him closely as the newcomer slowly opens his eyes and realizes where he is.

It takes a few seconds, and everyone is confused at first. That's normal. Mu Qing watches him with disinterest as the new ascended god takes a look around. He looks clean and educated, there is a sword in his hand so he must've ascended as a martial god. Good! With a new era of peace, all the recently ascended gods are all civil gods. This new, lost-looking cultivator, is the only new addition to the already existing group of martial gods.

"General Li Chao, welcome to Heaven," Ling Wen says as she approaches the cultivator still standing in the center of the capital's main pavilion. "You have successfully passed a heavenly tribulation and have ascended as a martial god, we are delighted to have you."

Li Chao's eyes go wide upon hearing that he has ascended and become a god. It takes him less time now to take a look around. He then joins his hands together and bows. "It's an honor to be here."

As usual, the new god follows Ling Wen who will explain his duties and where he'll live. She will also tell him about bringing Middle Court officials as his aides if he so wishes, and explains all the protocols of heaven. Once Li Chao leaves for the palace of Ling Wen, the show ends and everyone goes back to their own duties.

Mu Qing is the only one out of the three Xianle gods that remains in the Heavenly Capital. Feng Xin, as usual, spends most of his time in the mortal realm and even though he says he has given up on it, Mu Qing suspects he still looks for traces of Jian Lan and Cuocuo every now and then. Xie Lian spends his days either at Puqi Shrine or Qiandeng Temple with his husband, the ghost king. He visits the Heavenly Capital once or twice a week but whenever he stays at the palace of Xianle, Hua Cheng stays with him and that bell's damn ringing goes from ten times a day to ten times an hour.

Given that neither Feng Xin nor Xie Lian are in heaven right now, Mu Qing enters their own private communication array. Set up just for the three of them and occasionally...for Hua Cheng as well.

"A new god has ascended today," Mu Qing comments in the array, waiting to hear an answer.

"Who is it?" Feng Xin speaks first. His voice is calm and collected, which probably means he is sitting in some remote Nan Yang temple answering prayers.

"His name is Li Chao, I don't know anything else," Mu Qing replies as he steps into his own palace. His agents bow in greeting, Mu Qing acknowledges them with a quick wave of his hand.

"I have never heard of him, is he another civil god?" Xie Lian joins the conversation with his usual bubbly tone.

"He is a martial god." Mu Qing says "I don't know what kind of tribulation he faced to ascend as a martial god, but either way he is here now."

"Mhm, maybe he just fought a fucking weak high class demon," Feng Xin comments non- chalantly.

"What did you call me?" Yes, that's Hua Cheng.

"Who's even talking to you?!" Mu Qing reacts instantly.

"Alright, alright," Xie Lian intervenes, "Let's not fight. I'm glad there is a new martial god, I will go greet him in a few days since lately I have been kind of...busy."

"Too many prayers? Or does your ghost king husband not allow you to leave his side?" Mu Qing teases with no real malice.

"Careful, Xuan Zhen," Hua Cheng joins the conversation again. "I might decide there are too many of your temples in the mortal realm."

"What? Are you going to burn them down and leave only ashes behind?" Mu Qing knows he shouldn't speak so lightly about what happened to those thirty three gods centuries ago, especially when he was one of the targets at the time. But teasing is always fun.

"No," Hua Cheng replies. "I will burn them down and build temples for His Highness instead," he adds mockingly.

Mu Qing feels bile rising from his belly and his blood burns, no longer does he find this funny. "You…"

"Okay, okay! Mu Qing, get to know the new god first. You too, Feng Xin, if you have the time, I will see you guys in a few days," with that Xie Lian exits the communication array, leaving the two generals from the south by themselves.

"You don't think he will really burn down my temples, do you?" Mu Qing asks, he’s (mostly) sure Xie Lian wouldn't let it happen but then again, it's Crimson Rain Sought Flower who they are talking about.

"No, he wouldn't," Feng Xin replies a second later. "Not because he has any consideration for you...or me but rather because it would make His Highness sad and he wouldn't like that."

"Yes, that makes sense," Mu Qing has to accept that much. "Are you coming to the capital any time soon? I don't want to go greet the new god by myself."

"Why? Just tell him you want to be his f-f- friend," Feng Xin jokes.

"Go to hell, Feng Xin!"

"No thanks. There’s a ghost king there who flirts with my best friend, I'd rather not see it," Feng Xin's voice still carries amusement, and Mu Qing hates it.

"Whatever, loser. I'll see you around."

"Oh, Mu Qing by the way!" Feng Xin interrupts and it sounds so serious, Mu Qing suddenly feels alert.

"What is it?" He asks, already feeling a rush of anxiety flowing through him.

"I would keep an eye on my temples if I were you," Feng Xin teases again, this time Mu Qing doesn't even bother to say bye before he leaves the array.

Weeks after Li Chao's ascension, he has pretty much settled. He has called upon a dozen Middle Court officials, which is a far stretch for a new ascended god, but the guy seems to be enthusiastic. Mu Qing ultimately tags along with Feng Xin and Xie Lian to greet him and even though there is something about this Li Chao that Mu Qing finds off, he also thought he was rather pleasant to be around.

Li Chao doesn't lose time and makes friends with Quan Yizhen and the Pei's. Ling Wen is usually too busy to be making friends but Li Chao gets on her good side by helping her. Around the heavens, it is no secret that Ling Wen is a ‘criminal’ convicted to do her work for the rest of eternity and of course, as the good soul he apparently is, Li Chao offers his help. Not only does he personally get involved with Ling Wen’s work, he also has some of his numerous Middle Court deputies help in her palace. Needless to say, Ling Wen, who is usually apathetic, starts to like the new ascended god.

Meddling with Ling Wen’s affairs is already unheard of but actually sending her help is even stranger. Mu Qing doesn’t think much of it beyond what everyone around says. That either Li Chao has brought up too many Middle Court agents and therefore has no work for them or that he is just trying to get assignments in order to gain devotees and merits.

No matter the reason, Li Chao becomes popular among heavenly officials in no time. He still doesn't have an assigned territory to lead but he mainly works in the north and east. Especially since Lan Qianqiu is usually busy raising the young boy Qi Rong left behind after the war.

There is still something about Li Chao that Mu Qing does not like but speaking ill of him to anybody would be as bad as speaking poorly of Shi Qingxuan during his prime. He figures it is better to just let him be and ignore his presence, much like he does with everybody else. And much like everybody else does with him.

That is until Ling Wen calls on him with an apparently urgent affair. Mu Qing heads for her palace, surprised to find Feng Xin and Xie Lian in there, already waiting for him.

Mu Qing frowns. What could possibly be so urgent that it requires the presence of three martial gods?

"Thank you for joining us, General Xuan Zhen, let’s get into business" Lin Weng greets him before rolling open a scroll on her table. "There have been several sightings of small ghosts appearing around the desolate mountains of the southern region. These ghosts are mostly low level demons that do not represent a major threat as individuals."

"If they don't represent a major threat and they are not powerful, why are we all here?" Feng Xin inquires, which gives Mu Qing some relief upon learning he is not the only one who isn't quite understanding the issue.

"These kinds of ghosts indeed are weak beings but together in a group, they can easily cause damage," Ling Wen goes on. "The reason why I called you three here is because these small ghosts are really similar to the former henchmen of Night-Touring Green Lantern, Qi Rong."

"Is he back?" Xie Lian asks abruptly.

"We can't be sure," Ling Wen replies coolly. "Even though he disappeared when the emperor was defeated, you, Your Highness know better than anybody, that a ghost can't be completely destroyed if their ashes remain," she completes, signaling Xie Lian's ring necklace with her finger.

Xie Lian instantly hides the crystal ring hanging from his neck inside his robes.

"He couldn't have survived being pretty much incinerated," Feng Xin comments and he is right. Qi Rong indeed shouldn't have survived, but Ling Wen does make a point with the ghost’s ashes.

"As I said, we don't know for sure yet so I am sending you three to investigate. The southern region is your territory, generals and Qi Rong is your cousin, Your Highness. Can I count on you to look into this matter?"

"We will do our best," Xie Lian bows politely before Feng Xin and Mu Qing do too. "We shall depart tonight."

"Good luck, generals," Ling Wen nods to them "By the Heaven Official´s Blessing…"

"No paths are bound." Xie Lian replies before the three of them leave the civil god's palace. They walk in silence but the sight of the three of them walking together is enough to call for attention all around. Middle Court officials watch them but divert their sight when either one of them turns to look. Upper Court gods, on the other hand, greet them with a polite bow.

"General Nan Yang! General Xuan Zhen!" A giggly young voice calls as a white and blue clad cultivator approaches them. "Your Highness the Crown Prince," the cultivator bows when he finally reaches them.

"General Li Chao," Xie Lian greets back, the three of them bowing respectfully. "What can we do for you?"

"I heard you three are going on a mission and I was wondering if I could come along with you," Mu Qing frowns at the question and is glad to see Feng Xin frowning too. What did this guy just ask? You don't just join another official's mission. They are specifically assigned.

"Ummmm," Xie Lian is clearly thinking of something nice to say in order to reject him but even though he is usually really kind, Feng Xin and Mu Qing aren't. This is where they have to intervene.

"Sorry, General, but the mission was assigned to us because it involves someone from Xianle, the kingdom we three come from," Feng Xin speaks seriously but not impolitely. "If there's another mission in our future, we will be delighted to take you with us."

"But, I can be of help!" Li Chao protests as a kid even though his appearance is that of a full grown adult "I may not be as powerful as you three are now, but I have great skills with the sword and…"

"Please, just take no as the answer," Mu Qing cuts his babblering before it goes any further. He has limited patience and doesn't really care for fake courtesy. "We'll let you know if there’s a mission you can join in the future. As for now, we should be on our way."

Xie Lian looks at him with a complicated expression but he then turns to the newly ascended god and bows. "It was nice to meet you today, General Li Chao," he says softly before continuing on his way.

Feng Xin bows politely towards the other god before following Xie Lian. Mu Qing just offers Li Chao a slight nod.

Li Chao just watches them leave and enter the palace of Xianle, fists curled on both sides.

"What a nuisance!" Mu Qing comments once they are in Xie Lian's golden palace.

Xie Lian exhales, "Don't be like that, he is just excited to be a new god, wants to learn."

"He may do so with someone else," Mu Qing rolls his eyes. It is not like they have to babysit the new ascensions. If anything, as gods, they have to be able to take care of themselves.

"You don't like him?" Xie Lian asks while he busies himself serving three cups of tea.

"When has this guy ever liked someone, Your Highness?" Feng Xin answers for him. "It’s a miracle he even likes himself despite his trashy attitude."

“Trashy attitu-- You’re one to talk!” Mu Qing defends "There’s a reason the statues in your temples are so ugly! Rather than reflecting your appearance, they are an image of your awful personality!"

Feng Xin is about to respond when Xie Lian places himself in between them with both arms open as if to separate them. "No, no! No hurting each other," he says kindly "There are still some idioms we could train if you need it."

At the mention of those idioms they used to hate, the two southern generals' expressions change to disgust. Xie Lian nods, satisfied. "Alright then, let's get to work."

The three of them might not have a very functional friendship but they sure know how to work as a team. In just a couple of days they have a whole plan of what they will do. They have a main plan and there are also two contingency plans in case something goes wrong. Xie Lian even develops a new sign between them and his husband in case they should need Hua Cheng. For once, neither Mu Qing nor Feng Xin protest against it given that Hua Cheng is the one who has fought Qi Rong the most out of the three of them. Not to mention that Qi Rong himself always seemed to be wary of Hua Cheng.

"We're done then," Xie Lian says when the three of them agree on their battle plan.

Feng Xin nods, "Are we ready to depart?"

"We are," Mu Qing replies with a little bit of an eye roll as he can clearly see that Xie Lian is speaking privately to Hua Cheng in his mind. The little smile in his lips is the first telling sign but when the prince's cheeks turn fully red, Mu Qing is certain of what exactly is going on.

Even so, it doesn't take long for them to head for the mortal realm. Xie Lian no longer has the cursed shackles on him so he is able to use his spiritual energy and that makes the descent easier. They do not aim directly for the mountains from where the rumors of the small ghosts have arisen, instead going for one of the little towns nearby instead. Experience tells them that it is always better to get intel from locals before attacking head on.

Therefore, they stay at an old inn. Order some food and tea and try for the waiters to disclose some information by asking what every single cultivator in history has asked at least once, "Are there any strange occurrences happening here lately?"

As expected, they are told of a few disappearances happening in town. Strange lights shining from the mountains at night and even an even stranger laughter sound before sunrise. None of it sounds reassuring; there's definitely more to these stories but the villagers seem afraid to say more.

The three of them wait for night to fall before heading for the mountains. They search for a few hours but nothing shows. There are no small ghosts, no lights in the sky and definitely not a single strange laugh.

"Maybe we’re not in the right place?" Feng Xin asks, but Mu Qing is quick to show him the map "We are exactly in the right place."

"Let's head back to the inn for now," Xie Lian suggests, "We will try again tomorrow."

Feng Xin and Mu Qing agree, they are just losing time here and if the location was set wrong in the map, they probably need to report back to Ling Wen. “Could it be possible that the location was incorrect?” Mu Qing asks as they walk slowly towards the little town at the foot of the mountain.

“It’s not likely,” Xie Lian replies with a sigh, “But if the ghosts were able to feel our aura and went into hiding, we’re probably indeed facing a more powerful entity. Weak small ghosts should not be able to sense us being near so easily, they are surely working with a smarter entity but I don’t think it’s Qi Rong.”

“What do you mean it’s not Qi Rong?” Mu Qing asks indignantly, “Mount Tonglu might not open ever again and there’s only two Supremes left. We know it is not Crimson Rain Sought Flower but it can’t be Black Water either, can it?”

“I hardly think so,” Xie Lian replies sincerely. "Black Water He Xuan became a Supreme to have his revenge and he already did, he is now just laying low."

"Then, it should be Qi Rong. There aren't any other ghost kings around." Feng Xin begins to grow concerned. They have ruled out three of the ghost kings, could it be that Jun Wu has somehow escaped his mountain prison?

"I just know that Qi Rong wouldn't hide if he sensed our presence. He would face us head on, make a whole show of his return," Xie Lian reasons when they enter the inn, and both Mu Qing and Feng Xin have to agree. It is not like Qi Rong to hide, he is vicious and loud. If there's a battle, he would surely fight, if there is a chance even if remote, to face a heavenly official, he wouldn't back down. "Let's see what we can do tomorrow, as for now, let us rest...we have two bedrooms, so who would like to share it with me?"

Feng Xin and Mu Qing look at each other with puzzled expressions. Xie Lian is smiling at both of them. "If no one wants to share with me, we could do a lucky draw and…"

"Your Highness," Feng Xin interrupts. "Of course, you get the single room when we are on mission," he says matter- of- factly. As if it was the most obvious thing.

"That was before when I was a prince," Xie Lian replies with a smile.

"You're still a prince, Your Highness," Feng Xin tells him. Xie Lian is about to refute when Mu Qing cuts in.

"We would both feel more comfortable if you get the single room," Mu Qing says this sincerely but not easily. "Plus, I don't think Crimson Rain Sought Flower would like the idea of you sharing a bedroom with either of us, so let's just split this way."

Xie Lian's smile becomes slightly wider as he nods. "Very well, I will see you both for breakfast tomorrow," he says before waving his hand nicely and walking towards the single room.

Mu Qing stares at him for a bit before he slides the door of the shared bedroom. Honestly it is not unusual to share with Feng Xin once again, but something about tonight feels slightly different. Familiar, even. It feels really comfortable.

Mu Qing takes off his outer robe and folds it neatly by the well before sitting on the bed. Feng Xin undoes his armor and his outer robe with a chuckle.

"What are you laughing at?" Mu Qing frowns while he slowly undoes the high ponytail of his hair.

"Nothing," Feng Xin keeps smiling, "It's just...this is fucking weird, we are again sharing a bedroom at some small inn while being on a mission with His Highness, it feels so odd but also...nice."

So he wasn't the only one who felt it. Mu Qing nods "It feels a lot like what we used to do everyday, right?"

"It sure does," Feng Xin undoes his hair too. "Somehow, it feels like home." Mu Qing hums in agreement. It may be embarrassing to say he feels the same way and he will not admit it but to be real, Feng Xin couldn't have worded it better. It does feel like home, which is probably the main reason why Mu Qing sleeps so soundly that night.

The following day, they try to gather some more information. Feng Xin does talk to Ling Wen about the location though it seems there is nothing wrong with the map they were given. Not to mention that the testimonies of the villagers about the strange occurrences only give them further proof to certify that they are indeed where they should be.

Thus, upon nightfall, they make a new attempt. They head for the same mountain and it doesn't take long for Mu Qing to feel the demonic aura around. Somehow, he also feels uneasy as they walk.

"Let's not separate," Xie Lian instructs when a foreign and sudden mist surrounds them. They start walking more carefully.

The mist is dense enough for them to lose sight of the road ahead but not of each other. They continue walking in what they believe to be a straight line. "Let's try lighting up a fire," Feng Xin proposes before igniting a small flame.

With just a small touch of fire, a sudden explosion occurs, blowing them off their feet, tens of meters away. "What happened?!" Mu Qing asks, grabbing onto Feng Xin's sleeve "What did you do?!"

"I didn't do anything!" Feng Xin defends, "I just lit up a small fire!"

"The mist is flammable," Xie Lian says then, "Designed purposely so that we couldn't use a flame to light up the way, we must be careful from here on."

"Night Touring Green Lantern, Qi Rong has never used a trick like this," Feng Xin comments and even though they can barely see each other’s faces, Mu Qing gives him an eyeroll.

"Of course! Because it isn't Qi Rong who we are facing here, if anything it doesn't seem to be just a couple of small ghosts!" Mu Qing barely finishes his words when a strange laugh fills the air. The sound is petrifying. It is clearly childish but it sounds as if it wasn't just a single child. It sounds like a chorus of manic laughter.

Xie Lian keeps moving forward but the noise gets louder and louder as they walk. "Feng Xin," Mu Qing calls a few seconds later "Is it possible that your demon son is somehow related to this?"

"What the fuck!" Feng Xin is quick to react "Why are you trying to start shit with me now of all times? And to think I actually believed you would be different!"

"I'm not trying to start anything!" Mu Qing defends, sliding to Xie Lian's right side "I'm being serious! Have you seen many demon children? We know for a fact that your son has been with us since the ghost groom case! It could be the same here!"

"Shut the fuck up, Mu Qing!" Feng Xin's tone gets louder, "Cuocuo is somewhere safe with Jian Lan! He isn't the one behind this!"

"How can you be so sure? You don't even know where the two of them are!" Mu Qing knows this is a low blow but as always, Feng Xin always manages to get the absolute worst out of him.

"I'm telling you this is something else!" Feng Xin defends again, "Stop being such a fucking idiot!"

"Okay, okay enough," Xie Lian once again has to break their fight. "Feng Xin, Mu Qing did not mean to offend you with his question, calm down. And Mu Qing, no, this is not Cuocuo."

"How do you know?" Mu Qing asks, a lot more relaxed now even though he can still feel Feng Xin's murderous gaze through the mist.

"Because the aura is really different from the times I’ve encountered him," Xie Lian explains calmly. "Cuocuo had a strong resentment aura all over him but here, it feels more like grief."

"Yes, I can feel that too" Feng Xin agrees, Mu Qing just hums. Is the grieving aura the reason why he is starting to feel slightly unwell?

"Let's move forward," Xie Lian says and it takes them about five steps to suddenly realize they have reached a rather high point of the mountain. The mist that was surrounding them has vanished along with the awful laughter. This is beyond suspicious.

"What's going on?" Feng Xin asks, getting on Xie Lian's left side while Mu Qing covers the right. Weapons in hand, they slowly take a few steps backwards until their backs collide.

"This is the calm before the storm," Xie Lian replies quietly, "Be ready."

And if he had predicted it, an explosive sound erupts from all around them and the laughter is back. Yellow, blue and red lights flash around them, and from them, hundreds of human-like ghosts emerge. They are indeed small without faces and walk on all fours but they roar fiercely and attack together.

Feng Xin loads his bow and starts shooting upon sight while Xie Lian’s Ruoye traps as many of the entities as possible. It squishes multiple at a time, seemingly stronger now. Mu Qing starts slicing whichever gets too close in half. The three busy themselves fighting them but as the lights keep flashing more and more demons keep appearing.

"Where the fuck are all these coming from!" Feng Xin keeps shooting and although his arrows are fast and effective, the hundreds of ghosts are forcing him to retreat several steps. "There can't be this many dead people turned into demons!"

Feng Xin's right. In order to have this many demons, there should've been the same number of dead people, but there haven't been any recent major events to cause such vast destruction. Where are all of them coming from? That's when Xie Lian sees it.

The demons Mu Qing cut in half, the ones Feng Xin shot and the ones who were beheaded by him did not die. They got sucked by the flashing lights and brought to life again. They are seemingly indestructible.

"Fall back!" Xie Lian instantly yells, "Retreat and defend! Let's set up a protective shield!"

Without any sort of questioning, the three gods change their position. Xie Lian and Feng Xin cover two sides while Mu Qing covers the center and with their extended hands they construct an energy shield around them.

"These demons can't be destroyed by weapons," Xie Lian tells them about his new discovery. "Not even heavenly weapons! They somehow just regenerate and come back to attack again!"

"How is that even possible? To regenerate so fast?" Mu Qing has his hands extended to the sky, displaying as much energy as he can while the demons attack their shield.

"Not sure," Xie Lian replies when suddenly their shield gets swarmed by the small demons roaring all around. Maintaining a shield for three is exhausting even for gods; even though they are powerful deities, their spiritual energy is not infinite. At some point it will run out; they need to find an exit before it does.

The shield gets heavier and heavier by the second as the demons surround them. They can already feel it weakening.

"Listen up," Xie Lian says "We need to move towards the red light, there are fewer demons there and we might be able to fight them until we get to a safer place."

"Let's get going then!" Feng Xin yells, "I feel like I am running out of energy!"

There is no need to say more. The three of them maintain their positions even as they move. The demons fall off the shield while they walk and it seems like they will actually make it until a new sound calls for their attention.

It is not the laughter, it is not the explosion. It is the sound of a spiritual sword acting up. Some demons get impaled by it but as the sword moves almost erratically, it also pierces their shield.

Not having prevented a spiritual weapon from actually getting involved, the shield recognizes the difference in the attack and slowly disintegrates.

"No!" Xie Lian yells but it's already too late. Their shield is gone. In that instant, the demons instantly swarm all over Feng Xin and Xie Lian, who are already low on spiritual energy and mostly unprepared to fight. Mu Qing, having been in the center of the formation, gets the chance to lift himself up in the air enough for demons not to catch him but he gets a cold sweat when he sees Xie Lian and Feng Xin really struggling.

He really doesn't want to do this, but there is no other way. Slightly in panic and feeling exhausted from levitating, he puts two fingers against his temple and recites a couple of words. When he senses he has gotten inside, he starts to pretty much yell.

"Hua Cheng!" He says as loudly as his mind is able to. He is not sure if he also speaks the name out loud.

"Hua Cheng!" He yells again, immediately he senses the other party entering the array.

"Mu Qing! Where's gege?!" Hua Cheng's tone is clearly alarmed.

"Get yourself here! Get yourself here now!" Is everything Mu Qing says before cutting the communication. He is not going to be able to hold on for much longer with how little spiritual energy he has left.

Against his own better judgement, Mu Qing stops levitating and goes to help Feng Xin and Xie Lian. The two gods are fighting with everything they have but they are severely outnumbered. Mu Qing joins the fight but he isn't of much help. One or even ten of these creatures wouldn't be a problem but hundreds, or even thousands, of them is enough to make everything a lot more complicated.

It is then that he sees the same sword that destroyed their shield in action. Mu Qing turns to look at its master only to surprisingly find none other than Li Chao fighting against a couple of demons himself. What in the world is he doing here?!

Mu Qing has no time to think about it, he starts to fight again. Seeing Xie Lian on his feet, sweat on his temple, trying as hard as he possibly can to defend himself. Feng Xin on the other hand has somehow managed to levitate. He is probably trying to get a broader range of attack. He ascends a couple of meters but his energy is too low and in a moment of dizziness, he lets go of his bow.

Mu Qing goes to catch it but Li Chao is faster. "Here! General Nan Yang!" The new god yells as he throws the bow back at Feng Xin.

Feng Xin, however, is still disoriented and his bow does not land in his hand, instead it knocks him on the back and makes him lose all of his balance. He falls.

"Feng Xin!" Xie Lian shouts, waking Mu Qing up from the trance of watching Feng Xin falling to the ground from several meters high.

It takes Mu Qing no time to move, he is low on energy himself so he is only able to break Feng Xin's fall with his arms before both of them land harshly on the rocks. Mu Qing instinctively hugs Feng Xin closer when he sees a horde of demons approaching them as predators do with their prey.

He closes his eyes expecting the attack but after several seconds it doesn't come. Mu Qing slowly opens his eyes and finds the demons subdued, not precisely dead but all of them twisting and crying as if in immeasurable pain. All of them quickly move back to the lights from which they came from and the landscape in the mountain is clear once again.

It is only then that Mu Qing sees a tall figure clad in red running towards an ill- looking Xie Lian.

"Thanks," He words out softly but of course Hua Cheng can't hear him. Especially when he kneels down and steadily picks up Xie Lian in his arms.

Xie Lian is very far from being a damsel in distress but he becomes pliant in Hua Cheng's arms. Mu Qing can't hear what they are saying but the little smile in Hua Cheng's face is enough to reveal that Xie Lian is okay. Even more so when Hua Cheng inclines his head and kisses Xie Lian repeatedly on the lips, it seems like Xie Lian hasn’t suffered any major injuries though the blood in his arm is quite alarming.

Mu Qing stops looking, turns his gaze down to Feng Xin. He shakes the other god lightly. "Feng Xin!" He calls but his fellow general just turns slightly away, and doesn’t open his eyes.

His hands have several cuts from when he had been shooting arrows like crazy but what must really pain him is the wound on the left side of his waist. The bow Li Chao threw at him impacted his back. How did he get this injury?

It takes him a few seconds but then he remembers that stupid silver sword flying around erratically. For sure it wounded Feng Xin out of nowhere while it tried to fight the demons. Mu Qing helps Feng Xin take a seat, when he sees Li Chao standing close with that damn sword in his hand, his expression changes. He gets the angriest he's felt in ages.

"Li Chao!" He calls angrily, standing up with his sabre in hand. The new god turns to him with a panicked expression, Hua Cheng also turns around to see him with Xie Lian still in his arms. "Weren't we clear when we said you could not join this mission?! How did you even find us!"

"I...I wanted to see you on a mission so I followed," Li Chao replies weakly. "When I saw you were in trouble, I decided to help and join the fight."

"Help?" Mu Qing goes feral, "You stabbed General Nan Yang! Destabilized him from his flight! You broke our protective shield and even injured His Highness! How is that help?" Li Chao doesn't say a single word.

Hua Cheng's expression changes when he hears Mu Qing's words. He carefully lets Xie Lian down to stand next to him.

"You might have been a prominent cultivador in the mortal world but you are a new god! You can't even control your sword's movements yet!" Mu Qing gets closer and closer to Li Chao who looks at him with terror. "Don’t you dare follow us again! If you are so kind, don't ever show your face in front of us! What a disgrace to try to fight along three martial gods only to end up injuring two of them! You should be ashamed! You don't deserve your title!"

Mu Qing unsheathes his sabre, and is about to point it towards Li Chao when he feels two strong hands grabbing his shoulders. "Mu Qing," Feng Xin calls from behind. "Calm down."

Hua Cheng, who just learned that this whole thing had gone wrong because of this new god, also starts approaching him until Xie Lian catches his hand. "San Lang."

Mu Qing is not able to see what happens next because Feng Xin places himself in front of him, obstructing the view. Mu Qing tries to go around him towards Li Chao but Feng Xin catches him by the elbows.

"Don't," he says quietly "Don't be rash."

"I'm not being rash!" Mu Qing tells him, still exasperated, "He hurt Xie Lian! He hurt you too!"

"I'm okay," Feng Xin tells him, applying a bit of pressure on Mu Qing's elbows. "Look at me. I'm okay, yes? Let's head back to the inn." Mu Qing just turns his face away, eyes locked on the crimson spot in Feng Xin’s robes, he does not give an answer.

"General Li Chao" Xie Lian's voice sounds. "I think it would be better if you report back to Ling Wen. We will be on our way back to town now."

Li Chao presses his hands together and bows. "Yes, Your Highness."

He says something else but Mu Qing doesn't care to hear. He lets go of the hilt of his sabre and when he does, Feng Xin applies a little bit of pressure on both of his arms before letting go, he feels oddly comforted.

"I had a feeling this new god would be troublesome," Hua Cheng says as they get to town. All the while, holding Xie Lian's hand.

"San Lang, those small demons…what were they?" Xie Lian asks, Hua Cheng tenderly presses a kiss to the crown of his head before replying.

"They are not Qi Rong's henchmen for sure, those little demons seemed to be driven by savage instinct, not intelligence at all. Qi Rong’s beasts at least had some reason in their filthy minds," Hua Cheng comments, "I'm not sure where they come from but I'll have Yin Yu look into it."

It is still kind of disturbing how Hua Cheng has a former god working for him. More than anything, that the mentioned former god chose to remain working for a ghost king instead of ascending again when the offer was made.

Disturbing indeed but there’s nothing Mu Qing can think about right now as he places an arm around Feng Xin because it looks like he can barely walk. This feels a lot like the time in Mount Tonglu when Feng Xin saved and carried him on his back. Mu Qing briefly considers if he should do that, but ultimately decides against it because Feng Xin will most likely not allow it and he doesn’t want to fight now.

When they reach the inn Xie Lian smiles faintly, “We did well today, guys,” he says with a small voice, he is clearly exhausted.

“Let’s get to rest, gege,” Hua Cheng pulls him close by the waist. The gesture is beyond loving and for a slight second Mu Qing can understand why Xie Lian goes pliant in his care. It must feel really nice to be loved so deeply like that.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” Xie Lian says faintly before allowing himself to be pulled by his husband. Mu Qing watches them leave for a few seconds before he turns around and eases Feng Xin back into a loose hold.

Feng Xin does not struggle and just follows Mu Qing towards the bedroom they share, he just makes a few complaint noises until Mu Qing helps him sit on the bed. “Are you okay?” Feng Xin asks him.

Mu Qing rolls his eyes “Of course I’m okay!” he replies, not even knowing why he feels so annoyed. “I should be the one asking that! That idiot stabbed you!”

Something nobody ever notices about Mu Qing is that he is not emotionless as many believe. As much as anybody else, he gets scared, he gets concerned. He fears losing those who are close to him...again. He can cry real tears and his heart can break. He might have a tough image but it doesn’t mean he is not vulnerable. It doesn’t mean he never shivers in fright. It doesn’t mean he is able to sleep through hard times. He may be a deity but his feelings are as human as everyone else’s.

He doesn’t know what comes over him when he clenches his hands in fists and his voice breaks. “He destroyed our shield, he hurt Xie Lian, he even threw you off balance! I would’ve killed him on the spot for that alone a thousand times if he was some ghost, it shouldn’t be different just because he is a newcomer god.”

“Mu Qing,” Feng Xin tries, “Do you realize how much trouble you would’ve gotten into if you so much as attacked him?”

“I don’t care!” Mu Qing is furious. “Do you think he would’ve gotten into the same trouble if he got us killed?”

“Hua Cheng would’ve tortured and then killed him without a second thought if something happened to His Highness,” Feng Xin tries to joke but Mu Qing is having none of it.

“I would’ve helped Hua Cheng!” Mu Qing pretty much yells, decisive “I would’ve also killed him had something happened to either one of us!”

Feng Xin makes a pained noise when he gets up from the bed. “Calm down,” he says softly before he takes hold of both of Mu Qing’s shoulders. “Nothing happened, the four of us are here in the inn, there’s no need to think of what it could’ve been.”

“That lame loser! Too bad Mount Tonglu is closed, I would gladly throw him in next to Jun Wu!" Feng Xin chuckles when he hears that. He takes another step forward and pulls Mu Qing close in a hug.

Mu Qing's eyes go wide when he feels the embrace. They have never ever done this. He turns to see if Feng Xin is holding a weapon or something but all he sees are both of Feng Xin's hands tightly pressed against his back.

"You saved me today," Feng Xin says softly, "Thank you."

Mu Qing struggles in Feng Xin's hold. Feng Xin lets him go. "You saved me in Mount Tonglu, I owed you."

"Nonsense," Feng Xin replies but doesn't give further explanation before going back to sit on the bed.

Mu Qing goes to his side of the room to retrieve a small bottle. “Take off your clothes.”

"Excuse me?" Feng Xin's arms fall off, suddenly embarrassed.

"Undress! Be it from an idiot or not, that wound was caused by a spiritual weapon, it won't heal by itself. Let me check on it," Mu Qing says nonchalantly with a small white bottle in his hand.

Feng Xin obeys; it is quite challenging as he slowly starts undoing his armor but gets stuck when he tries to loosen it at the back. Mu Qing looks at him struggling and eyerolls wondering why Feng Xin is so clumsy.

“Stay still,” he says when he loosens up the armor Feng Xin was unable to reach. He then carefully undoes the robe beneath. Feng Xin doesn’t move, in fact it seems as if he wasn’t even breathing. Almost as if he was nervous.

That attitude, however, changes when Mu Qing carefully removes his damaged robes. "Can you fix this for me?" he asks, meaning to tease Mu Qing, but when the latter nods and assures him that he will try, Feng Xin frowns. It is not like Mu Qing to accept doing sewing work easily.

"How bad is it?" Feng Xin inquires when Mu Qing starts applying ointment on the open wound.

"Not deep but he hit you quite strongly," Mu Qing tells him fully focused on applying the medicine, "Had he gotten a better aim, he could've seriously hurt you, what a fool!"

"Mu Qing, why are you so mad? I've never heard you insulting the same person this much."

Mu Qing sighs, "This wretch almost killed me and my friends, what do you expect? For me to throw flowers at him?"

Feng Xin smiles when he hears the word friends but Mu Qing pretends he doesn't notice. This is probably the first time he has addressed Feng Xin as a friend.

"Mhm," Feng Xin murmurs, "I'm glad to know you wouldn't enjoy seeing me get stabbed."

Mu Qing instantly separates and directs a furious look towards Feng Xin. "What?! Are you crazy or has blood loss made you foolish? Why in heaven would I enjoy seeing you get hurt?!"

"Because you hate me, of course! Who wouldn’t like to see their enemy getting hurt?” Feng Xin replies with a little shrug, as if what he’s saying is absolute. “Aren’t you the one who is always talking fucking crap about me? Making fun of me, diminishing me or my worshippers and attempting to be as far away from me as possible? If you can’t even stand being near me, why wouldn’t you enjoy seeing me getting injured?" Mu Qing's expression grows even darker.

"You are truly dumb sometimes, Feng Xin," Mu Qing says, standing from where he had been kneeling to treat Feng Xin's wound. "Think a little if you are able to! When we met as teens you threw all the accusatory looks at me, even bad mouthed me to Xie Lian! When we got separated, you threw rice at me and called me disloyal and a traitor at every opportunity you had! When we ascended, you insisted on reminding me about my issues with His Highness all the time! When I was accused of being the attacker behind Jian Lan's and the fetus spirit case, you believed it! You have called me every single insult that has crossed your mind! You warned Xie Lian about me when that ghost Jian Lan was captured and when we got to Mount Tonglu! You even let me fall from a lava waterfall, Feng Xin! You thought I was working with Jun Wu!"

Mu Qing takes a breath from how fast and infuriated he is speaking but the words continue to fall from his lips, "Feng Xin, have I really ever started one of our fights? If anything I throw shade at you because you always throw the first stone! You have done so for centuries but you get even madder when I defend myself! You don't even try to hide the fact that my mere presence annoys you, something as simple as laughing grants me a threat from your mouth, yet you have the nerve to tell me that I'd like to see you hurt! Isn’t it the other way around? Why are you projecting your own thoughts into me?" Feng Xin's expression starts to waver, changing to that of concern mixed with something else Mu Qing can’t really name. Not that he cares enough to try to decipher it now anyway.

"I have no real reason to hate you, Feng Xin, other than the constant bad remarks and disgusted looks you throw my way but even so, I still don't hate you and I never have," Mu Qing looks at him angrily. Frustration written all over his face. "You might've gotten quite a good show watching me beg for help while I hanged over a lava waterfall but I would never enjoy seeing you in danger! Never! Apart from Xie Lian- who disappeared for eight hundred years- you are the person I know the most, the one I have known the longest too! Why would I hate you? What exactly is it that makes you think so poorly of me?! What kind of person do you think I am?!"

Mu Qing is ready to hear the rebuttal and for a new fight to begin but Feng Xin stays quiet. There's an unreadable expression on his face while he looks at him.

"You saved me once, I saved you once as well, we are even," Mu Qing says after a few moments of silence. "So let's just forget about it and move on, here," he says as he hands the ointment jar to Feng Xin, "You took care of my wounds once and I just did once as well, we owe each other nothing, you can take care of them by yourself from here."

With that, Mu Qing blows off the candle in the little table of the room and goes back to his bed to undo his robes. He was already feeling exhausted but right now, he feels completely drained. It is unbelievable that even after all these years, he still has to explain himself, to someone who claims to know him well, even! He knows he isn't perfect but is he so bad that nothing good could ever be expected? And so no matter what he does, he will always have to explain that he had genuine good intentions?

Mu Qing doesn't want his mind to go down that path anymore. He shakes his head and undoes his hair, he needs to rest. Recover his energy because the mission isn't solved and they have to try again. Hopefully without intruders this time. He gets in bed, pushes the cover over him and closes his eyes.

But then... "Mu Qing," Feng Xin calls and he really doesn't want to answer.

"Mu Qing," Feng Xin calls again.

"Go to sleep." Mu Qing replies, "I don't want to talk to you anymore," but Feng Xin never takes no as an answer. Mu Qing faintly hears Feng Xin getting up from bed and walking. What he doesn’t predict is that Feng Xin would walk towards him and take a seat on his bed.

"What are you doing!" Mu Qing turns around, lifts himself up to be at eye level with Feng Xin. "Get off! I'm tired, I want to rest and you should too!"

Mu Qing tries pushing him but Feng Xin doesn't move. Instead he grabs both of his wrists forcefully and sets them back on Mu Qing's lap.

"Is the reason you saved me today just because you felt you were in my debt?" He asks with a quiet, tender tone. He clearly doesn't want to argue. "Don't be sarcastic, please. Just answer me honestly."

"No," Mu Qing says softly, glad that it is still dark outside and no light filters into the room. Last thing he wants now is to see this man, "Of course if you get hurt and I have the chance to save you, I will. I won't just let you die."

"Do you know why I saved you back in Mount Tonglu?" Feng Xin keeps a quiet tone. Mu Qing nods before realizing it is too dark for Feng Xin to see him.

"I do know," he replies then "His Highness saved me first. You are loyal to him so you thought that if he saved me once it meant he didn't hate me."

"You think I saved you for His Highness Xie Lian's sake?" Even in the dark, Mu Qing can tell that Feng Xin isn't looking at him. He rolls his eyes. This should be obvious.

"Why else would you save me? Didn't you hear anything I told you just now? You’re the one who wants me gone...even on the verge of death, before Xie Lian saved me, you didn't move a finger in my favor."

Feng Xin hates how truthful that sounds. He hates even more that it makes sense even to his own mind. He wouldn't say that Mu Qing didn't appreciate being saved at the time but he has been holding on to the idea that the only reason Feng Xin helped him was because of their common friend. As if he was some kind of precious toy Xie Lian didn't want to lose.

"Mu Qing, I'm sorry," Feng Xin says quietly, because in a way he does feel like he failed Mu Qing. "You might not believe me but let me tell you, while you hung from your sabre, the three of us were thinking about what to do to save you. Even Crimson Rain Sought Flower attempted to send a butterfly to test if he could reach you," he goes on, "I am aware that at the moment, even His Highness thought I would just leave you to die there but the truth is…"

Feng Xin stops talking and takes a deep breath.

"Mu Qing," he tries again a few seconds later, "I was at the lava river long enough to hear everything you had to say to His Highness, it was not by chance that I just came in."

"So you spared my life only after knowing what I really felt towards Xie Lian?"

"No, and it was not because you chose to sacrifice yourself for him either." Feng Xin takes Mu Qing's wrist and although Mu Qing tries to break free, Feng Xin's grip does not get any weaker.

"While you talked to His Highness, I was jumping from corpse to corpse, trying to get to you but I was so slow, I was starting to lose patience," Feng Xin explains calmly, as if making sure Mu Qing hears every single word "However, when I saw you had the intention of shooting spiritual energy through your head, I started to move faster towards you, even I got burnt, I didn’t care.”

"What are you trying to say?!" Mu Qing is exasperated now. He doesn't like where this is going. Plus, his face and ears seem to be on fire, whether from anger or annoyance, he isn't sure. He tries to twist his wrist free but Feng Xin's grip is unrelenting.

"What I'm trying to say," Feng Xin lets out a heavy breath before continuing, "Is that I couldn't leave you there to die, Mu Qing. I couldn't see you disappearing just like that in front of my eyes."

He loosens up the grip on Mu Qing's wrist in order to slide it down towards his hand. "Even if it cost me my life, I wouldn't leave you there -- it was not about His Highness, it was about me. I've always shown nothing but bitterness with your presence but when I realized I was about to lose you...I became seriously scared."

Mu Qing hears everything with wide eyes. This is definitely something he was not expecting. He faintly wonders if this is true or if Feng Xin is playing some sort of cruel game with him. It wouldn't be impossible.

"Yes, I dislike the way you used to treat His Highness and how selfish you are. I also disliked how entitled you acted back then," Feng Xin goes on "But I'd rather die myself than let you go first."

"There have been times when I had wanted to beat you to death, Mu Qing, but to be honest, given the chance, I never would've been able to seriously hurt you. You are really important to me. I'm sorry I don't show it often."

Mu Qing's hand starts to tremble when Feng Xin holds it with his own. Their fingers do not lace together but Feng Xin squeezes around Mu Qing's closed palm.

Silence stretches for a few seconds before Mu Qing mutters, "Good, y- you're important to me too," he says quietly so that only Feng Xin hears him even though they are alone in this room together. He doesn't know if it is the tiredness in his muscles, the fear of what happened today or the loss of the battle adrenaline, but for some reason, Mu Qing lets his head fall sideways and rest on Feng Xin's shoulder.

This is contact they usually don't have and Mu Qing is ready for Feng Xin to push him away-- but that doesn't happen. Feng Xin instead holds his hand a bit tighter. "I'll let you rest," he words out softly and tries to move away but Mu Qing doesn't let him.

"Stay there, it will be dawn in a couple of hours anyway." Feng Xin doesn't say anything but settles a bit more comfortably next to Mu Qing. This kind of friendly atmosphere will probably be lost when the sun shines again so Mu Qing tries to enjoy it now. While it lasts.

The following day they sleep until late. Xie Lian knocking on their door is what wakes them up. Mu Qing opens one eye after the third knock. As a god, he doesn't really need to sleep but for some reason today is the first time that he actually feels rested after waking up.

"Feng Xin," Mu Qing calls lightly to his still asleep fellow general. They are still sitting on his bed and his head was still resting on Feng Xin's shoulder when he woke up a few minutes ago. Feng Xin makes an annoyed sound and so Mu Qing is the first to move. He carefully gets up and walks to the door.

"Your Highness," he greets with a sleepy voice. Xie Lian's bright smile lightens up the room.

"Mhm? You seem like you’ve slept well," Xie Lian comments, pushing a stray strand of Mu Qing's hair behind his ear. "Is Feng Xin still asleep?" Mu Qing nods, for some reason, he turns to look at the bed where Feng Xin continues resting. "Too bad," Xie Lian comments, "I wanted to check on that injury."

"He’s okay," Mu Qing is quick to answer. "I checked on him yesterday and applied some medicine." Mu Qing is very conscious of the fact that Xie Lian is very caring and he wants to make sure Feng Xin is fine. But after the conversation they had yesterday, he wants Xie Lian to know that Feng Xin is safe with him too. That he too can take care of Feng Xin.

"Oh, that's great Mu Qing," Xie Lian's smile does not waver. "I talked to Ling Wen yesterday and it seems like whatever those demons were, they have vanished."

"What do you mean, vanished? How’s that possible?" Mu Qing frowns, this is unheard of.

"They left with no traces behind, San Lang is looking into it. For now, we are still on mission but we have to wait for new sightings, so it's better to go back home." Mu Qing's frown doesn't dissipate. They have been able to solve more serious cases before, leaving this one open doesn't sit well with him but he guesses it can't be helped if the demonic energy has vanished.

"What about that lame loser, Li Chao? Did you talk to Ling Wen about him?"

"Mu Qing, you shouldn't speak like that about a fellow heavenly official," Xie Lian corrects, only to trigger an eye roll out of Mu Qing. Xie Lian pays it no mind "But to answer your question, I did. She said that this is not the first time she hears from Li Chao crashing into other officials' missions. It turns out he has made himself famous because of that."

"I don't ever want to see that guy again," Mu Qing says bitterly, the image of Feng Xin falling and Xie Lian getting his hand wounded by him replaying in his mind. "Is your hand okay?"

"Yes, San Lang treated it yesterday. I'm fine," Xie Lian says kindly "I will be going with him back to Puqi Shrine, you two are welcome to come with us. If you'd rather go back to your palaces though, I will see you later." Xie Lian smiles again and although Mu Qing's eyes are about to roll, he contains himself. He is glad Xie Lian is this happy, even if it is next to a ghost king.

"Thanks for letting me know, Your Highness. We will keep in touch," Mu Qing replies and Xie Lian nods. They bid farewell before Mu Qing goes back to bed. Feng Xin is asleep, he doesn't have a fever and the wound on his side is still carefully covered by the fabric patch he had covered it with last night. Underneath the wound is probably still healing. Mu Qing feels the sudden urge to lay back down, next to Feng Xin and find a bit more rest. He decides against it though and instead picks up the book of his prayers. He'll work for the time being.

After about two hours, Feng Xin finally opens his eyes. He looks around a little lost before "Mu Qing?"

Mu Qing has heard Feng Xin call for him thousands of times. He has also heard him call him thousands of things but this time is sort of different. His sleepy voice and soft tone makes it sound almost affectionate, and the raspiness in it suddenly makes Mu Qing feel a rush of electricity through his body.

"How are you feeling?" Mu Qing asks, getting up from the desk he had been been using to check his work. "Are you in pain?"

Feng Xin turns towards him, slowly pushes himself to sit against the little rail of the bed. "It's slightly painful now."

This is new. Even in the worst of times, Feng Xin has never shown any sort of vulnerability with Mu Qing. He has never been outspoken about how he feels or if something hurts. This is why upon hearing this, Mu Qing instantly retrieves the ointment he used last night. He gets needle ready too, in case he needs to stitch.

"Let me see," he says nicely, Feng Xin doesn't reply before he undoes his sleeping robe. Mu Qing is really careful as he cleans the wound, it is doing better but it is not yet fully healed, it is only understandable for it to hurt. "Direct your spiritual energy towards it," he instructs but Feng Xin shakes his head. "Healing a wound made by a spiritual weapon requires a lot of spiritual qi, I'd rather save it for the mission.”

Mu Qing pours some oil in his hand before applying it to the wound. "Technically, our mission here is over," he explains and when he sees the complicated expression on Feng Xin's face, he explains what Xie Lian told him this morning.

Feng Xin seems to be as sceptical about the sudden disappearance as Mu Qing is. But as His Highness had previously said, there is nothing that can be done about it for now. "Then...we go back to the Heavenly Capital?" He asks. Mu Qing nods.

"If we were clear to leave, how come you stayed behind in this inn?" That's a good question, Mu Qing thinks. He is not sure himself but leaving while Feng Xin was still asleep seemed all kinds of wrong.

"Mhm, well...you’re injured and…" Mu Qing doesn't have an answer to this. So ultimately, he opts for being sincere, "I thought you wouldn't like to wake up and find yourself alone."

Mu Qing sort of expects to get some teasing from that answer but Feng Xin doesn't say a word while he closely watches the way Mu Qing is treating the cut on his side. "You stayed because of me?"

"No," Mu Qing replies with faking nonchalance, ears flaming red "I stayed for you."

It is an instant and Mu Qing isn't really paying attention when Feng Xin pulls on his hand and slowly presses it against his lips. "Thank you."

Mu Qing's eyes open wide and he is sure his cheeks are bright red. Never in his life has he felt this...embarrassed? If that's the right word for it. He pulls his hand back abruptly. "What are you doing all of a sudden?" He means to sound stern but his soft- broken tone betrays him.

"Didn't I tell you I was sorry that I don't show you how important you are to me often?" Feng Xin's voice is tender and sort of amused. "Why would an apology be worth something if nothing changes?"

Mu Qing closes the little oil bottle. "What are you saying now? That you will show me sudden affection every day?"

"It is not sudden," Feng Xin tells him but the expression on the god before him reveals that his words are not fully believed. He feels the need to clarify, "Mu Qing, if I really wanted to hurt you, why would I wait eight hundred years to do it?"

Mu Qing: "You're supposed to hate me."

"So what if I don't? Aren't you supposed to hate me too?" Feng Xin sounds decisive and Mu Qing feels like a lost kitten in the rain. Unable to decide on what to say, he gets up from the bed.

"Hurry and wash up so we can go home."

Feng Xin chuckles but does as instructed. He asks about His Highness but is then informed that he has safely left in company of Hua Cheng. He relents upon waiting for another sighting and after paying the bill, he and Mu Qing head back to the Heavenly Capital.

They chat a little as they ascend to the heavens. Nothing major but definitely different from the silence they are used to. It feels rather familiar. It serves to set a lighter atmosphere between them.

However, the ease dies down when they reach the Heavenly Capital and Middle Court officials eye them closely. At first, Mu Qing tries to pay it no mind but as they walk the looks get more intent. "What's going on?"

Feng Xin shakes his head "Mhm, is probably related to Li Chao. He returned before us so he has probably already told his side of the story."

That makes a lot of sense. Mu Qing is aware of how much people dislike him and how much people like Li Chao. It is really nothing major.

He walks to his palace of Xuan Zhen, his officials greet him but the atmosphere is tense even here. Mu Qing is not so sure anymore of what is going on. He is about to ask one of his workers what is going on when Ling Wen calls in the communication array.

"General Xuan Zhen," Mu Qing presses his two fingers against his temple

"Ling Wen, I was wondering…"

"General Xuan Zhen, please report immediately to my palace," she says solemnly before the communication is cut. Mu Qing sighs. He kind of wants to call Feng Xin to go with him but they have spent a lot of time together in these past few days and Feng Xin's still injured. He needs to rest.

Mu Qing himself is tired but if Ling Wen calls with this urgency, he needs to attend. Therefore, he walks to the civil god's palace ignoring the looks he receives. Honestly speaking, it is not really new. He has been getting awful looks pretty much his whole life but he is not sure of what it is causing them right now.

He hopes Ling Wen can clear everything up.

Which she does.

"The demonic beasts you fought haven't come back but the laughter and the lights that preceded them are being seen in several points around the mortal world," she explains, showing Mu Qing locations in her map.

"I see, but if this is related to the mission, how come Nan Yang and His Highness the Crown Prince are not here?"

Ling Wen sighs heavily. "General, please pay attention to every place I have signaled on the map."

Mu Qing turns to look, it doesn't make a lot of sense in the start but he then notices. The colors marking the locations of the sightings are mostly in the southwest with some other points in the east and the north.

"All the sightings have been around your temples," Ling Wen tells him as if it wasn't obvious by now. Mu Qing breaks into a cold sweat.

"I'm going to be blunt and ask you directly. General Xuan Zhen, do you have anything to do with these demonic entities?" Ling Wen asks while looking directly at Mu Qing. Her expression is calm but questioning.

"What?" Mu Qing frowns, there's a bit of anger in him but he is still a bit shocked to process everything that is being presented to him.

"These entities appeared in the south first and now are concentrating around your temples, taking into consideration the report His Highness Xie Lian handed that these beasts are not intelligent and are instead driven by instinct. It is not crazy to imagine that they would gather around a smarter entity to follow directions."

"You are insinuating that I am their master?!" Mu Qing's eyebrows raise.

"I'm not," Ling Wen tells him, although her previous words are more telling. "The demonic entities themselves have not appeared per se, but with the laughter and the lights around your temples, it is not hard to decipher whether they will show up soon. I'm just asking if you know anything about this."

"Tell me, Ling Wen Zhen Jun," Mu Qing spoke word by word slowly. "Why would I know anything about this? Even if the creatures are gathering around my temples, it is not unheard of for demons to visit gods' temples for threat. Didn't Hua Cheng do this with the temples of thirty three officials?"

Mu Qing is not particularly patient and he hates where this conversation is going. Ling Wen nods, as if telling Mu Qing that he is right. "Crimson Rain Sought Flower Hua Cheng is not just an instinctive demonic entity, he is a supreme ghost king. It is not up for comparison plus…"

She goes quiet for a couple of seconds. "Plus what?!" Mu Qing urges, now exasperated.

"Apart from his Highness Xie Lian and General Nan Yang who fought alongside you, General Li Chao was also there," Mu Qing rolls his eyes, Ling Wen seems to understand the gesture.

"Whether uninvited or not, General Li Chao's report was filed and he detailed that the demonic creatures did not get as close to you as they did to His Highness and General Nan Yang," Ling Wen explains and her words make Mu Qing's blood boil. He can't believe what he is hearing.

Ling Wen, "He also mentioned that even though His Highness' martial arts being better than yours and General Nan Yang's advantage or range attacks, they both got hurt by the creatures while you left the battlefield completely uninjured.''

There are several things in that last statement that are making Mu Qing angry beyond imagination but he chooses to focus on the main points. "The only reason why I didn't battle the creatures as much as His Highness and Nan Yang is because I was in the center of the protective formation Li Chao broke and I was able to leave uninjured because Hua Cheng showed up in time!"

Ling Wen is about to say more but Mu Qing doesn't let her "I'm sure those details are in His Highness Xie Lian's report, why are you choosing to believe the report of an amateur like Li Chao over his?"

Ling Wen coughs with a fist against her mouth. "General Xuan Zhen," she tries to sound calm, although it is a bit obvious to see she is also annoyed. "I understand your objections, but General Li Chao’s report is as valuable as any other official’s. He’s ascended now and although still new, he is a deity himself. The heavenly court will take his testimony into consideration."

Mu Qing gets it. That little rat has managed to entice everyone including Ling Wen. It makes no sense to continue arguing when nothing of what he says will be taken into account. Therefore, as he always does, he chooses to swallow his rage.

"Thanks for the information, Ling Wen Zhen Jun," He says bitterly before bowing in a rather sloppy way. He then turns around to leave. He doesn't want to hear any more of this nonsense.

"General Xuan Zhen!" Ling Wen calls but Mu Qing pays her no mind as he strides out of her palace. He now knows the reason behind everyone's conflicted looks. Li Chao must've not only filed a report, he for sure told someone about it and the rumors get around fast.

It is not hard to imagine that people would actually believe Li Chao. He has gotten popular, he is new and is a novelty. Not to mention that Mu Qing himself is not really liked by others. Whatever it is said about him, they will believe. Unless it is something good or gracious, then the rumors are truly doubted. Mu Qing can't help but eyeroll.

He heads towards his palace but his officials are no better. The more they try to disimulate, the more obvious their discomfort is. Mu Qing can't stand it. He gives a few directions to them before leaving his palace too. He thinks of going to Feng Xin's castle but he figures that Fen Xing has probably already heard of these rumors and the last thing he needs is for someone else to suspect him. He decides to descend towards Xie Lian's shrine instead.

When he arrives, he finds about a hundred devotees praying but Xie Lian isn't here, which means that he is probably in Qiandeng Temple in Ghost City. Which also means that he is with Hua Cheng. Mu Qing doesn't want to deal with him now, not to mention that third wheeling with them is really not fun, to say the least.

He sighs, there isn't really a main temple for him but there is one on a mountain that he is particularly fond of. He heads that way. He doesn't remember if this temple was marked in Ling Wen's map but even if the lights and the laughter show up, he guesses it would be a good opportunity to see what this is all about.

He reaches his temple after a few minutes. The doors are closed but of course, he is able to enter easily. The inside is clean, incense still burns from the last devotees who visited. Fruit and buns are offered in front of his statue, which nicely resembles him. Mu Qing sighs, he goes to the altar and looks at himself. His statues are always very imposing. Unlike Feng Xin's- that despite usually not looking at all like him- are always set to look at his devotees directly with his bow in hand, and Xie Lian's that are floating marvelous pieces in which he fondly faces his devotees while holding a sword and a flower, Mu Qing's statues seem sort of cold in comparison.

His statues are nicely crafted pieces of him in full armor with his back towards his devotees and only his face looking back with both hands holding his half unsheathed sabre elegantly and proudly. His statues don't have a smile on his face, just a dignified expression decorated with a few jewels that he doesn't really wear.

He wonders if that's how indifferent he actually looks and if it's so why do people even pray to him? Especially now that they could go for the highest protection of the God-Pleasing Xianle Crown Prince?

Mu Qing sighs, there's not much to think about now. He knows that this unlikeable image he has gained for himself is not completely unfounded and that no matter what he does now, centuries of tradition and beliefs won't just be erased overnight.

Night falls and Mu Qing is still in this temple. He has heard a few prayers and although some are things he can't really accomplish, he silently promises his devotees that he will try his best. When the caretaker shows up and starts putting off the last pieces of incense and collecting the offerings, Mu Qing himself chooses to leave. Not far though, he just goes to sit on the roof of his temple, determined to stay here for a few more hours.

There's snow all around the mountain and it's extremely cold but he uses his spiritual energy to withstand it. He knows that sooner or later he will have to return to the Heavenly Capital but he will prolong it as much as possible. He doesn't want to deal with the ugly looks, plus if he sees Li Chao he might not be able to control himself.

Therefore, he stays seated on this roof, looking at the stars and at the nightly landscape of the four little villages nearby. It feels so peaceful here, like nothing is wrong in the world. That 's probably the main reason why Mu Qing loves this particular temple.

He has no idea how much time passes before a soft, warm coat is placed around his shoulders. He is not visible to mortals so upon feeling the fabric around his neck, he instantly turns around.

"Don't waste spiritual energy keeping yourself warm," Feng Xin tells him with quirked lips, taking the liberty of sitting next to Mu Qing. "Are you okay?"

Mu Qing reduces the flow of energy around his body slowly as he grabs the coat and tightens it a bit more around himself. This coat is red and gold, the embroidery is fine, delicate and decorated with a pattern of arrows. This is undoubtedly Feng Xin's coat. He instantly turns to look at his fellow general, who is wearing a similar one, which means it’s obvious Feng Xin was out and about with the clear objective: to find and keep Mu Qing company. Mu Qing's chest suddenly feels a lot warmer.

"You heard already?" Mu Qing asks, readying himself for the worst. If anyone will thrive from him once again being blamed for something, it’s definitely Feng Xin.

"Yes, Pei Ming told me," Feng Xin replies calmly. "You don't need to worry, we will get to the bottom of this."

That doesn’t sound like he is enjoying Mu Qing being the target of these accusations at all, which is weird.

"Have you told Xie Lian yet?" Mu Qing asks because he knows Feng Xin wouldn't lose time to talk to His Highness if it has something to do with him. Whether the talks are good or bad, he can't be sure.

"No," Feng Xin says decisively. "I just found out about it and when I went to look for you in your palace, one of your officials told me you had left the Heavenly Capital hours ago."

Mu Qing looks away and back at the star- filled sky. "How did you know where to find me?"

"Mhm?" Feng Xin moves slightly closer to him. "This temple has always been your favorite one, no? Of course I knew you would come here," Feng Xin says this as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, but Mu Qing isn't really sure how Feng Xin even knows about this. Neither is he sure why his chest tightens and his heart skips a beat upon hearing him.

Mu Qing just nods. "If I see that Li Chao, I will kill him."

Feng Xin chuckles but then his expression becomes soft although still serious "Don't grant him your attention, he isn’t worthy of it"

Mu Qing smiles faintly at that.

"Once we clear the mission and find the true culprit, everything will be solved," Feng Xin assures him with a smile. "And once that happens, I will make sure Li Chao publicly apologizes to you. Even if I have to gift merits to Crimson Rain Sought Flower for it."

Mu Qing is used to Feng Xin being against him and not on his side, so it's no wonder that he is a little taken aback by his words. Although they have worked as a team several times, everything has been in favor of their mutual respect and appreciation for Xie Lian. This is the first time he hears Feng Xin actually supporting him in something that directly involves him. Then again, it would be quite surprising if it was different, given that Feng Xin himself was on the battlefield the day it all happened.

Even so, Mu Qing can't help but feel warm upon hearing Feng Xin's words. He even offers him a little smile that Feng Xin returns lightly.

"How is your wound?" Mu Qing changes the topic. After all, he came here to clear his mind from this whole ordeal. "It should be almost healed by now."

"It is," Feng Xin confirms. "It doesn't hurt much anymore but it wouldn't have healed so fast if it wasn't for your treatment. Really, thank you."

Mu Qing feels his face go red so he turns away from Feng Xin and looks down. "You don't have to sweet-talk to me to demonstrate that I am important, you know? You can continue making snarky remarks about me."

Feng Xin moves even closer to him. Sitting side by side, their bodies are now in slight contact with each other. "It's not sweet talk, I am truly grateful," Feng Xin clarifies. Mu Qing doesn't say anything so they both turn away. Feng Xin looks at the villages while Mu Qing looks down to his legs.

"Feng Xin," he calls after a few silent seconds. "If you were being threatened by Hua Cheng or He Xuan right now, and your only way to escape from their attack was to say one good thing about me...what would it be?"

Feng Xin frowns slightly when he hears the scenario "I wouldn't let them corner me in the first place!"

"Feng Xin, please. Just answer my question," Mu Qing requests and the banter is gone.

"If that was my only way to escape, I would tell them that they are free to kill me," Feng Xin replies, not letting his eyes fall from the sky and the distant landscape he is admiring. Mu Qing should have guessed this was the kind of answer he would get from him but somehow, he feels awfully disheartened upon hearing Feng Xin's words.

At least until Feng Xin finally turns to look at him with a little smile. "I wouldn't be able to choose just one thing."

Mu Qing lifts his gaze to meet Feng Xin's eyes, surprise clearly showing in his face. Feng Xin just smiles.

"Really?" Mu Qing's lips move slightly, he hopes Feng Xin is not lying or making some sort of cruel prank.

"Really," Feng Xin replies with a soft tone. "If they'd let me say more than one thing though, I would tell them that you are a magnificent deity. Always trying your best for your devotees. I would also tell them that you're caring and attentive. That despite your tough exterior, you're actually quite delicate. I would tell them that you are a great team worker and know many handicraft skills that most of us can only dream of. I would also mention that you are good with children and that your skill with the sabre is second to none."

Mu Qing listens with an almost slack jaw. He knows that eight hundred years ago, Xie Lian used to regard him this high. But Feng Xin? This is a first in a millenium. Literally.

"But you know what I would talk to them about the most?" Feng Xin asks quietly and instinctively Mu Qing shakes his head.

"I would tell them that there is much more to you than what meets the eye...I would tell them about how intelligent you are and about your really unique way of showing kindness, I would tell them about how fiercely and deeply you care for Xie Lian and me, even if you try to hide it and I would also mention that you have a rather sensitive heart that you try not to show, but that is probably one of your best traits," Feng Xin begins as he slowly places his hand on top of Mu Qing's. "I’d tell them that I think you’re one of the strongest people I’ve met, not only as a god, but also at heart because you never succumb to fear," He goes on, before his voice gets a little bit quieter.

"And then I would also tell them that even though you are a powerful martial artist, you could have ascended by looks alone, you are so handsome, Mu Qing...I would tell them about how clear your skin is and how nice your ponytail looks with your black hair, especially under the light of the sun. I'd tell them about the way you smile so subtly and how beautifully your cheeks redden when you feel embarrassed."

Mu Qing keeps looking at him with the same red cheeks he just described. Feng Xin is bold enough to let his hand slide up towards Mu Qing's shoulder.

"If they don't let me go after I have said those things, then I would just ask the supremes to please let you know everything I said after killing me," Feng Xin finishes and the phrase strucks Mu Qing's heart so strongly that he is barely able to notice when he gets pulled forward and a small chaste kiss is pressed on the corner of his lips.

It takes him a second to react but he knows his eyes have gone wide. He also knows that Feng Xin must be aware that this is his first kiss, otherwise he wouldn't have been so tender with it. It takes a few seconds but Mu Qing's heart is beating fast and his mind is completely blank. He doesn't know what exactly gets to him, but being on the roof of his favorite temple under the moonlight and with silence all around, he can't stop looking at Feng Xin. At his prominent cheekbones and his strong neck, his colored cheeks and beautiful brown hair. He looks exactly like everything Mu Qing's ever dreamt about.

And so, Mu Qing leans closer to him again. Slowly, because he is unsure of what he is doing, Feng Xin waits for him and when their lips meet again, it feels like time stops altogether. This technically goes against Mu Qing's vows but he still places a hand on Feng Xin's neck to bring him closer. Feng Xin responds by placing a hand on his cheek, softly thumbing on it as he captures Mu Qing's lips in between his repeatedly. Mu Qing is unsure of what to do so when Feng Xin softly pushes his head to the side, he does not resist. The little shapes Feng Xin draws with his tongue against his bottom lip are nothing short of electrifying. It is the softest yet greatest feeling Mu Qing's ever experienced but it doesn't last very long; after all, this is his first kiss.

When they separate, the space between their faces is minimal and Mu Qing feels himself warm due to his own colored face and from the heat Feng Xin is radiating. The hand that had been pressed against Mu Qing's cheek slides down slowly until it reaches his shoulder while both of Mu Qing's hands are currently cradling Feng Xin's face.

"Please tell me you didn't do that out of impulse," Mu Qing says softly, allowing himself to be a bit vulnerable for this one, unique time.

"I didn't," Feng Xin tells him, "But I can do it again to prove it to you if you want to be sure." Mu Qing eyerolls at how cheeky that is but he still nods and accepts the offer because he never knew how good it would feel to be kissed and held by someone. Most importantly, he never knew how good it would feel to be kissed and held by Feng Xin.

They kiss over and over again, soft and unrushed until Mu Qing himself gets comfortable with the movements of their lips and starts to move his head in search of better angles. Feng Xin pulls him closer, strokes his hair, cups his face, slides his hands down his arms. Lets himself enjoy the beauty of having Mu Qing this close.

Night grows darker and the wind grows colder. It is when the temperature has fallen a few degrees that they finally separate. "It's getting colder," Mu Qing says so unbelievably close to Feng Xin's lips. It feels unreal.

"Let's go back home to rest," Feng Xin proposes but Mu Qing shakes his head. Even more so now, he doesn't want to go back to the Heavenly Capital and ruin everything he is feeling now. "You can stay at my palace," Feng Xin assures him but even then, Mu Qing doesn't relent.

Mu Qing sighs, closes his eyes. He is about to tell Feng Xin that he can go back first when he feels another peck on his closed lips. His eyes instantly open. "Then let's spend the night inside this temple of yours, yes? We will go see His Highness tomorrow and think of a solution."

Mu Qing nods then. That seems like a good enough deal. They stand up careful of the ice around them and when Feng Xin fixes the coat to be neatly set around Mu Qing's neck, Mu Qing swears his heart stops. He might be pushing it a bit but given that this is closeness they don't usually have, Mu Qing takes hold of the two ends of Feng Xin's coat and covers him with it nicely too.

Feng Xin smiles at him softly, takes his hand and in just a leap, they are down in front of the temple. Mu Qing pushes the door, he is sure the caretaker must've left long ago. Inside, the candles have made the temple warm. The fruits are gone but there are still some flowers at Mu Qing's statue's feet. There are a few cushions for devotees that Feng Xin arranges next to a corner while Mu Qing lights up more candles to keep themselves warm.

"Come here?" Feng Xin calls when he has taken a seat on the cushions he fixed. Mu Qing looks back at him, the way the fire of the candles make his skin glow and his eyes seem brighter, Mu Qing finds himself to be a bit in awe. He walks towards Feng Xin, about to sit at his side but Feng Xin pulls on his arm and positions him right in front of him.

It takes a few seconds- in which Mu Qing kind of loses himself- for them to settle. However, when he is made conscious of his surroundings again, Mu Qing has his back pressed against Feng Xin's chest, his head slightly resting against the other's shoulder and fully seated in between Feng Xin's legs. Mu Qing isn't even sure when he settled in this position but there are also a pair of strong arms around his waist. For what should be an obvious reason, Mu Qing feels his body really stiff.

"Feng Xin," he calls, kind of wanting to confirm the identity of the person holding him like this.

"Mhm?" Feng Xin hums, bringing a hand to accommodate Mu Qing's hair. "Are you uncomfortable?"

Mu Qing shakes his head. "I'm not but…" he clears his throat. "Why...why are you holding me like this? And kissing me?"

It's a rather naive question but Mu Qing needs to know because for real, who would ever want to do these things with him? Isn't he the most disliked god in the heavens? Especially disliked by the southeast general? The same one who had asked who could ever be capable of loving him? Why is this same general now holding him as if he was something precious? It hardly makes sense and Mu Qing is even starting to believe that he is talking to a clone and not the real Feng Xin before his mind reminds him that impersonating a god is extremely difficult and the only one who could perform such a feat, is most likely with Xie Lian in Ghost City.

Feng Xin doesn't joke about his question though. He doesn't laugh or chuckle and instead takes a deep breath. "I won't lie and tell you I've always wanted to do this," he starts as he gently places a hand against Mu Qing's eyes, forcing them close. Mu Qing doesn't fight it. He closes his eyes and feels Feng Xin’s hand slide down to rest on his arm.

"Though I can surely say that I've always found you to be rather attractive, your attitude threw me off most of the time and it was what made me dislike you so much," Mu Qing means to move away upon hearing that but Feng Xin secures his hold around him. "You know what people say about not knowing what you've got until you lose it?"

Mu Qing nods, he keeps his eyes closed. "I didn't lose you but I was about to over a year ago in Mount Tonglu and although I have told you this before, when you were about to send energy through your head, I became terrified."

Mu Qing gulps. Sure Feng Xin told him that but he figured it was the kind of scare he got when he saw the Heavenly Capital collapsing with Feng Xin still standing there. An urge to save him, because even if they don’t get along, they are still colleagues and they still share a history together. Plus, neither of them would be heartless enough to just let the other die before their eyes.

"If I must be blunt, I may tell you that I felt as scared as I did when Xianle fell-- I hadn't felt that panicked in centuries," Feng Xin explains calmly. "After having heard your words too, I started to see you differently."

It is true that their relationship did improve after the events of Mount Tonglu but he didn't think much of it past the return of Xie Lian to their lives. Xie Lian has always been the buffer and the glue between them, after all.

“How differently?'' In Mu Qing’s eyes, Feng Xin was never a bad person. He would call him clumsy, idiotic and gullible but that’s only because he has a good heart. Not even as a teenager did he ever think poorly of the kind of person Feng Xin is. The situation was not the same vice versa though. Feng Xin thought very ill of Mu Qing and he never hesitated on making his thoughts and feelings known, either directly to him or to Xie Lian.

“I started to see you more...human, if that makes sense,” Feng Xin tells him with a broken sigh and soft tone. “I always thought you were despicable and only looked for what you could take advantage of from the people around you...when I heard what you said to His Highness, I guess I understood you also had a heart.”

“Quite late, aren’t you?”

Feng Xin chuckles briefly “From then, I don’t know, things slowly started to change, I realized that as much as His Highness or me, you could also be hurt and you could also feel sorrow and pain...it might sound lame to you now, but I never actually considered the consequences my words could’ve had in you or how much they could hurt you.”

Mu Qing once again tries to move away, for real this time and although Feng Xin loosens up the arm he has around his waist, he is quick to softly press on Mu Qing’s cheek as if asking him to lay back down.

“Are you saying this is all out of pity?!” Mu Qing resists the push of Feng Xin’s hand, suddenly feeling a hole in his chest.

“Shh,” Feng Xin kisses his cheek lightly. “It’s not pity,” he says kindly before Mu Qing relents and lays back down on his shoulder. “Let me finish.”

“I did feel bad over everything that had happened between us because had I been different, we could’ve been close friends and we could’ve stood through eternity together but the damage was already done and so I was set on becoming your friend but as I did that, I started noticing other things in you. The way you smile, the way you pray so silently, the gallant way you walk, even the way you look...and my perspective changed,” Feng Xin speaks calmly, very slowly as if he didn’t want a single word to be missed. Mu Qing’s eyes close again and the beat of his heart reaches a record speed, he always thought himself to be stronger than this but now he’s melting rather easily by Feng Xin’s words alone.

It is probably because he has never been held like this, never had heard such loving words about himself that he falls so easily and so naturally for Feng Xin’s advances. Or maybe it is that he too has harboured feelings for Feng Xin in his heart that he is only recognizing now.

"Does that mean you like me?" Mu Qing asks and maybe it is too direct but he'd rather have clear answers. He doesn't open his eyes though, in case he gets something hurtful as a reply.

But then the unthinkable happens. "I do," Feng Xin replies without even the slightest bit of hesitation. It surprises Mu Qing a bit but not as much as when Feng Xin turns the question to him, "Do you?"

Mu Qing gulps again. He doesn't like being put in the spotlight like this. Or showing himself being vulnerable. He doesn't know where to begin or how to answer but if he keeps quiet, Feng Xin will misunderstand. He will have to give it his best shot.

"You've always...you've always had a special place in my heart, Feng Xin," he says, feeling awfully bare with what he has said. "I don't know if you remember, but back when we worked for Xie Lian, I tried really hard to make you see my point of view but you never listened so with time I stopped trying," he feels Feng Xin shift slightly and so he then opens his eyes to realize Feng Xin is looking at him pointedly and deeply.

"I guess it could be said that I- I really admired you back then and I also envied the relationship you had with Xie Lian," Mu Qing is unable to maintain eye-contact with Feng Xin then. "When I left, you called me so many insults that I thought it would be best to not see you again but then we ascended and since our relationship was too damaged and Xie Lian was gone, I just chose to stay away."

Feng Xin nods. He had similar thoughts about Mu Qing back then and he believed every insult he called Mu Qing was justified. He won't dwell on the past so he chooses to keep Mu Qing's first words in his mind. You've always had a special place in my heart.

Mu Qing doesn't say more for a couple of minutes but then, he starts speaking again. “I know that during these past centuries you dedicated a lot of your time in the mortal realm to search for Xie Lian,” He feels a bit tense. He is not used to talking about his feelings. “Whether you believe me or not, I looked for Xie Lian as well, I really don’t know where he hid all this time.”

Feng Xin just nods, keeps hugging him tight as if requesting him to go on. Mu Qing does. “For all this time we didn’t find him, you were the only person I knew from Xianle. I didn’t know who Crimson Rain Sought Flower really was, neither did I recognize Qi Rong, let alone Jian Lian.” Mu Qing pauses, he doesn’t know why it is so hard to voice his feelings, when he thinks of them so clearly but instead of yelling at him for it, this time Feng Xin just waits.

“In my mind, from Xianle, you were the only remaining one and I used to think that it was ironic that you also happened to be the closest to me before the war, even if you hated me or we hated each other...that didn’t matter much because even if we didn’t talk and we just fought all the time, I always considered you to be...all I had left, I lost my mother long ago and I knew no one else...Feng Xin, for these past centuries you have been...like my home.” Mu Qing lets his eyes fall to the big tender hands so nicely pressed against his robes.

Showing vulnerability has never been something he likes to do. Is not something he has ever afforded to do. He has always had to be strong. To be powerful and never show weaknesses. Xie Lian was the only one who ever looked past his shell and actually took him seriously for who he was. But since his teenage years, Mu Qing never thought he would allow anyone else to see it. Especially not someone whom he has very complicated feelings for. Someone who has always made sure to let him know that despite his best efforts, he is and always has been a despicable human being. Mu Qing takes a deep breath after that line of thought, he doesn’t get to release it though, because as if he had been somehow capable of reading his mind, Feng Xin angles himself to kiss him.

Mu Qing allows it and even follows, he lets his eyes close again and lets himself get lost in the feeling of sweetness and warmth that erases all the bad thoughts that were starting to nest inside his mind. Feng Xin kisses him sweetly and caring, as if it was a little apology for everything that’s happened during these last couple of centuries. Though true that they didn’t talk a lot, when they did, it was to insult each other. When they met, it was to fight. If they could help it, they wouldn’t even be close to one another.

Which is exactly why their kiss now feels surreal. The way Mu Qing just wants him closer feels like a fever dream, the way Feng Xin tends to him so tenderly and so nicely, feels almost wrong. As if it was unnatural but definitely not unwelcome. If anything, Mu Qing does not want to let go. There is a slight influx of spiritual energy flowing between them that makes everything feel a little bit more electric. He likes it. He loves it even. He loves it so very much--!

He pulls Feng Xin closer by the neck, the kiss intensifies and Mu Qing turns a bit more so that he can press himself closer too. Feng Xin's hand slides down until it settles on his hip, pressing softly every now and then. Mu Qing feels the motion in every corner of his skin which leads him to sigh softly and for the kiss to break. Feng Xin doesn't stop though. He keeps his lips moving against Mu Qing's cheek and jaw, until he slowly starts to slide down his neck.

The gesture is awakening things Mu Qing has never known of, feelings he has never felt, excitement he has never experienced. It is as if he was drawing patterns with his tongue, the trace of it against his skin is marvelous and it makes him want more, it makes him want to feel those patterns being drawn all over his body, not a single spot to remain untouched. He trembles slightly which is what makes Feng Xin stop. Although Mu Qing misses the feeling, he is somewhat grateful for the interruption because it's being a lot and he is not sure how to handle himself when faced with such a pure form of desire.

Feng Xin presses Mu Qing's head back to rest on his shoulder. He kisses the crown of his hair. "Too much?" He asks and Mu Qing swears he feels his cheeks burning. "Don't worry, we'll take it slow."

Mu Qing nods, moves his- surely red- face away and looks towards the front of the temple. His statue stands tall there while he himself is in a bed of cushions pressed against his 'rival' god's chest. It takes a few minutes to take in what is going on and realize that it is very much real.

A few silent minutes go by in which Mu Qing recites the Ethics Sutra in his mind. He sighs heavily when he is done and turns to Feng Xin. There's a tender smile on his face, a nice pink decorating his cheeks and Mu Qing can't help but smile a little too. He settles a bit more comfortably against the body behind him.

Feng Xin tightens his arms around him. "Sorry, I got carried away."

"I- it's okay," Mu Qing says quietly, "Though...I can now understand why Xie Lian broke his vows."

Feng Xin laughs, and bends his head to place a soft kiss under Mu Qing's ear. "If the vows are broken, what happens to your cultivation?"

Mu Qing shakes his head, "I don't know, I- I never thought I'd break them so I didn't care to study what would happen or how to repair it."

Feng Xin nods, places a new kiss under Mu Qing's ear. "You don't have to break them if you don't want to, it is more important that you keep your spiritual energy flowing strongly."

It's a bit too late to say that, Mu Qing believes. If he gets the chance, he wants to continue kissing Feng Xin. He wants to have him as close as possible for as long as possible. It is the same old story from ancient times. Once you have had a taste of the forbidden fruit, you always desire more.

"There has to be a way around it, Xie Lian seems to be very well. If anything he's gotten more powerful," Mu Qing says calmly.

"That's true, we can try asking him," Feng Xin proposes. "Or maybe not," he immediately goes back on his word. Talking about this subject with Xie Lian would be extremely awkward, they realize.

"Then, Crimson Rain Sought Flower?" Feng Xin asks and although the idea isn't much better, at least it is not as bad as having a sex talk with Xie Lian. Therefore, Mu Qing accepts that proposal.

"Don't you think he will tell Xie Lian?" Mu Qing asks at the same time Feng Xin plants a kiss on his cheek.

"He will," Feng Xin confirms with a chuckle. "But even if he knows, His Highness won't ask." That is true. Xie Lian is reasonable and reserved. He for sure wouldn't ask embarrassing questions to any of them.

With that confirmation. Mu Qing turns his head back a bit again. Feng Xin doesn't hesitate to kiss him again. The more they kiss, the better it feels and the more they get to know each other in this new light. Mu Qing understands why Xie Lian goes so pliant in Hua Cheng's embrace. He hasn't even tasted the whole of Feng Xin yet and he is already feeling like he could give himself up to him.

When they separate a little, Feng Xin pecks his lips again. "Aren't you tired?" He asks against Mu Qing's lips. "Let's sleep? This has been an eventful night."

Feng Xin laughs lightly at his own statement and Mu Qing replies with a shy smile. He accommodates himself on the cushions a bit more, the Ethics Sutra in his mind again as he looks at the statue of himself.

"Feng Xin," he calls softly when his head and his body are fully comfortable in Feng Xin's embrace. The other hums in response. "Do you think my statues are cold?"

"Mhm? What do you mean? It is very warm here," Feng Xin replies, clearly a bit confused. Mu Qing's heart makes a loop in his chest.

"I mean, your statues are facing your devotees, your bow in one hand and Xie Lian's are usually facing the devotees too with a sword and a flower...mine are like looking away from my believers, as if with indifference, you see?'' Mu Qing points at the beautifully crafted statue in front of them. "Do you think they look cold to a devotee's eyes?"

Feng Xin watches the statue for a few seconds before shaking his head. "It is not indifferent," he replies then. "If it was indifferent, you wouldn't have as many believers as you do. See how your image has its unsheathed holy weapon in display?"

Mu Qing "Yes, with its back towards the devotees."

"Exactly," Feng Xin confirms "With its head turned back too. Your image it's not ignoring the devotees, it's protecting them. See?" Mu Qing sees his statue again; he never thought of it this way.

"It's exactly the way a martial god should be," Feng Xin tells him before placing a kiss on Mu Qing's head. "Plus, it looks so much like you, it is beautiful...but nothing compared to the real you."

Mu Qing swears he feels his heart is beating faster than it did when he was still a mortal. Who knew, who knew he would ever feel so peaceful in the arms of the only person that has never given him a minute of peace.

That night, falling asleep is easy. The rumors moving around in the Heavenly Capital become secondary to everything he's feeling. To the beat of his heart and the warm breathing that accompanies his slumber and that resonates in his dreams. He wonders how much time it will take for the reciting of the Ethics Sutra to lose all of its effectiveness.

He thinks it won't last very long.

The following day, they leave without setting the cushions back in place, which leads the caretaker and some believers to think they had angered General Xuan Zhen. That day Mu Qing received more offerings, more incense and even some lanterns in his honor. Mu Qing takes everything into consideration, because he was not angered and his devotees got worried because of his own carelessness. He will make sure to keep a kind close eye on them in the near future.

By the time they reach the Heavenly Capital again, the rumors have not ceased. On the contrary, they seem to have become stronger. Fleeing is never a good choice and Mu Qing should've learned that lesson from when he was wrongly accused in the case of Jian Lan and Cuocuo. Yet, here they are again.

The looks directed to him have turned into gossip. Feng Xin leaves him at the door of his palace, assures him that he will just settle some matters at the palace of Nan Yang and then will go back to look for him. When he enters his palace, Mu Qing finds even his own officials in distress, he then learns that they have been looked down upon. Bullied by some other Middle Court agents. This is his fault.

Mu Qing heads towards his work room, orders his officials to work calmly and not go out. If they are needed, they shall be called. If they are not needed, then they are to continue with their usual duties. His officials obey and Mu Qing gets to work as well.

He responds to immediate prayers, checks on his temples; sees the offerings and tries to ignore the issue outside. Or at least he does until there's a heavy knock on his door. Mu Qing recognizes it, that must be his official in first command.

"General Xuan Zhen," the young official speaks quietly, "You have a visitor."

Mu Qing believes it to be Feng Xin, so he authorizes it before asking who it is. The official nods and leaves right before there is another knock and the door slowly opens. Careful, melodic steps enter the room where he is working.

"Mu Qing," Xie Lian calls and for sure, Mu Qing wasn't expecting him. He must've heard about what's going on.

"Your Highness."

"I brought you some pastries-- don't worry, I didn't make them myself. I bought them at Ghost City," Xie Lian sets a plate of delicious looking desserts on the table. "I thought you might want some company."

Mu Qing sighs, holds back an eye roll in favor of being thankful. "Xie Lian…"

Xie Lian turns to look at him with a little smile on his face.

"Why must you always show up in times like these?" He asks, completely deflated.

Xie Lian looks at him for a minute before letting a soft sigh leave his lips. "Mu Qing," he calls but the other god doesn’t turn to look at him.

"If I didn't show up at times like these, could I really be called your friend?" Xie Lian tells him and the words have a sudden effect on Mu Qing, who turns to look at him. "There is nothing you need to be wary about around me, I was in the battlefield with you and I know you are not the one behind this. Soon, everyone will know too."

One thing Mu Qing has always found rather amazing about Xie Lian is the fact that he has such a calming aura. "You- you shouldn't put yourself on the line for my sake," Mu Qing tells him but Xie Lian just moves his head slightly to the side.

“We are not putting anything on the line,” Xie Lian tells him with a determined tone. “We know for sure that you are not behind this.”

Mu Qing nods, he asks about Yin Yu’s research but Xie Lian tells him that the former god hasn’t been able to find out much because of how fast the creatures disappear. He mentions that Hua Cheng sent Yin Yu to investigate nearby the Xuan Zhen temples and now they are just waiting on the resolution. Mu Qing thanks Xie Lian for the information and the pastries and before leaving, Xie Lian assures him once again that they will get to the bottom of this.

Mu Qing refuses to leave his palace. Even while being inside he can see people looking at the silvery castle with disdain. Sure he has learned how to deal with this through the years but that doesn’t mean that he wants to expose himself to it.

That same night, after Xie Lian leaves his palace, another presence makes himself present. “Mu Qing?” he calls upon opening the doors of his bedchamber cautiously. Mu Qing finds himself reading in bed, when he hears the voice calling for him, he instantly lifts himself up.

“What are you doing here this late?” Mu Qing asks, “Come in.”

Feng Xin faintly smiles as walks inside, closing the door behind him. “I wanted to come see you during the day but I was really busy at my palace.”

“You could’ve waited to see me tomorrow.”

“No I couldn’t,” Feng Xin sits on the bed, not really close to Mu Qing. “I wanted to see you today.”

“My officials let you come in just like that?” Mu Qing teases. He knows that none of his officials would actually try to restrain Feng Xin from walking around the palace, even if it was to fight their general.

“Officials? I believe I saw none when I walked in, maybe their General hasn’t properly instructed them,” Feng Xin teases back with a smug look on his face.

Mu Qing closes the scroll in his hands, there’s a little smile on his face when he pushes himself up against the railing of the bed. “What was so urgent that you needed to see me today, General Nan Yang?”

Despite the obvious nature of his question, there is no hint of irony in Mu Qing’s voice. Rather he talks teasingly. It makes Feng Xin smile a little wider, moving slightly closer to him. “If I may be so bold to call it urgent, I’d say I really missed you today.”

Mu Qing’s heart skips a beat. If he is honest, the last person to ever tell him that he was missed was his mother over eight hundred years ago. Hearing it from Feng Xin’s lips is something he never imagined happening. Therefore, it is no wonder that upon hearing his words, he leans closer to Feng Xin to kiss him. It’s just a little peck. A soft touch of his lips against the other god’s but it is enough to put his heart at ease. It is a daring move, but he really wanted to do it and also wanted to know if he is allowed to do this.

Feng Xin seems to like it, he takes it as a cue to shorten the distance between them. This time, he settles comfortably next to Mu Qing, his right hand finding Mu Qing’s own over the silky cover. Mu Qing allows everything, he doesn’t resist. Feng Xin says he missed him, well Mu Qing missed him even more. He is not going to say it but Feng Xin proudly occupied a good part of his thoughts today. Despite most of those thoughts being about the kisses they shared the previous night there were also some less pleasant ideas invading his mind.

He had clearly heard everything Feng Xin said at the temple, he had assimilated every word, every kiss and every touch. Still, Mu Qing couldn’t help but be slightly doubtful. This is Feng Xin, after all and they have never shared a nice friendship or anything that could somehow develop the feelings Feng Xin claimed to have for him. It is only natural to wonder where they came from if in his eyes, Mu Qing has always been the worst of the worst, the lowest of low.

He doesn’t know much about love, he has never been interested in someone in that light and the closest he got to that was Xie Lian but even then, it was no romantic love that he felt but more so of a deep admiration. He is conscious of how different that is.

His thoughts keep him quiet for a few minutes, which is why he is barely able to notice when Feng Xin uses his finger to tilt his face and places a soft kiss on his lips. Mu Qing closes his eyes, and intends to pull away after the peck but Feng Xin captures his lips again. He kisses gently and slowly while Mu Qing mirrors his movements with his own mouth. He is no expert but tries his best to kiss well. It must work if the way Feng Xin brings him closer is anything to go by.

Their hands disentangle when Feng Xin cradles his waist, Mu Qing favors to hug him around the shoulders. Feng Xin’s tongue merely licks around his lips and even though Mu Qing parts his lips, the kiss doesn’t get too intense. It’s calm, gentle and soft. Exploring what they still have yet to learn about one another.

When they finally part, Mu Qing chooses to rest his forehead against Feng Xin’s shoulder. It is really difficult to describe what he feels now, it is something he has never known, something he is just starting to discover. Feng Xin hugs him, a gentle hand brushes his hair and a soft pair of lips place a few kisses on his head.

Mu Qing’s eyes remain open, he wants to ask Feng Xin if he is sure he likes him but he doesn’t. Because one, he is slightly afraid of the answer and two, it could end up in a fight. He is a little worried that he is letting himself be carried away by the comfort and safety Feng Xin’s offering him but he finds it impossible to resist. Isn’t this what he always wanted? To be cherished? To be taken seriously? If it’s something he has silently yearned for ever since he can remember, of course he would fall for it as soon as it is offered to him.

“You’re thinking really loudly,” Feng Xin comments then, another kiss is pressed against the crown of his head. “What’s on your mind?”

Mu Qing lets out a heavy breath. “I guess I’m just worried,” he replies, vague enough for it to be up to Feng Xin’s interpretation.

“We will clear everything out, you don’t need to worry about this issue,” Feng Xin assures him, stroking his hair. "Or is it something else that’s got you concerned?”

Mu Qing doesn’t reply but he does move closer to Feng Xin until his head is pretty much nestled in the other’s neck. He’s never liked to show any sort of vulnerability, but he figures he doesn’t have anything to lose. Feng Xin’s already seen him being vulnerable after all. He hugs Feng Xin tighter and feels the arms around him press a little more as well.

Feng Xin kisses his temple lightly. “I know this is all new for you...it is for me too, if that’s what got you worried, all I can tell you is that you can let go freely, I will be here to catch you.”

Mu Qing positions himself even closer to Feng Xin then. “How can you say such embarrassing things so lightly?” he asks, lips pressed against the skin of Feng Xin’s neck.

Feng Xin chuckles. “They are not embarrassing when I am telling them to you.”

Mu Qing delivers a soft punch to Feng Xin’s side. “Shameless.”

Feng Xin kisses his forehead again.

Nothing much happens from then on, Feng Xin tells him about some of the prayers he received. Mu Qing teases him about people still praying to Ju Yang. Surprisingly, upon that mention, they don’t fight. Feng Xin uses the opportunity to push Mu Qing to the bed and kiss him, asking if he’d like to meet Ju Yang himself. That naturally turns Mu Qing shy, but he still allows himself to be kissed and teased.

The sky turns darker and the moon shines through Mu Qing's window. It's brightness is even more intense from heaven, almost as if it was right next to them. Moonlight is the only companion Feng Xin and Mu Qing have as they let time pass. Feng Xin is a great talker, Mu Qing finds. He tells him all kinds of stories, even makes him laugh with some of his bad jokes and Mu Qing feels his heart beating faster with every word. Not to mention that the way in which Feng Xin plays with his fingers as they talk is also making him feel quite giddy.

It is not until it gets late that Feng Xin gets under the soft cover next to Mu Qing, asking if he's allowed to stay for the night. Mu Qing replies that he doesn't even need to ask. It is a little difficult for Mu Qing to be so blunt about his feelings and what he wants but he finds it to be quite liberating when Feng Xin is the one he is speaking to.

"Did His Highness visit you today?" Feng Xin inquires as he pulls on Mu Qing to settle him back in his arms. Mu Qing hums in response.

"He brought pastries from Ghost City and they were surprisingly tasty, I left some for you...I know, you like sweets." Mu Qing settles on Feng Xin's shoulder, lets one of his arms fall around his waist as Feng Xin embraces him, a hand once again curling in his hair.

"Mhm, Thank you, how about we eat them for breakfast tomorrow?" Mu Qing nods, his arm tightens around Feng Xin. He can't really do much else in order to contain the deep sense of relief and...happiness he feels at the prospect of Feng Xin staying with him for the whole night.

He settles a bit more comfortably against him, a hand playing with the threads of Feng Xin’s robes. He lets himself actually enjoy what he is being given because it is something he has never known before. Who knew it felt this nice to cease the day trapped in a beloved's arms.

"Ready to sleep?" Feng Xin asks, apparently noticing Mu Qing nestling a bit more comfortably, he tightens the arm around Mu Qing's shoulders. Truly, they do not need to sleep but it is the best way for them to rest and to turn off their busy minds at the end of the day.

Therefore, Mu Qing nods. He lifts his head slightly intending to blow off the candles only to find out that they were consumed long ago. He hadn't even noticed. Awkwardly, he settles back on Feng Xin’s shoulder again.

"Good night," Mu Qing says quietly, nose against Feng Xin's robe. He is ready to close his eyes.
Feng Xin, however, has different plans.

He lifts Mu Qing's face with his finger to press a kiss on his lips. "Sleep well."

Mu Qing instantly hides against Feng Xin's chest again after the kiss. Trying to cover his blushing cheeks. Feng Xin doesn't tease him, he just slides his hand from Mu Qing's shoulders to his waist and thumbs gently there.

They had slept in the same bed before. The previous night even, they spent it together at the temple and yet somehow, this feels new. It's the first time they are cuddling and the first time Mu Qing doesn't want for the sun to rise. If he is allowed, he'd like to stay like this for a little while. And by a little while, he means, for hundreds and hundreds of days. It’s with this thought in mind that he succumbs to slumber for the night.

The sun hasn’t fully risen up by the time Mu Qing opens his eyes. He doesn’t know what woke him up but he soon notices Feng Xin right next to him. They haven’t moved much through the night, it seems. He still rests on the other god’s shoulder, his arm is still around his waist. Mu Qing had always thought of sleeping as a way to end his eternal days. Nothing special about it, nothing new to it. Today, however, is the first time in centuries that he actually feels warm and sleepy. He wants to close his eyes, rest in this nest Feng Xin created for him.

He wants to cuddle with him, nuzzle his nose against his skin. He wants to feel him close under the cover and for his heartbeat to be his lullaby. He wants it. He really does.

It takes a few seconds for him to realize that if he wants, he can have it, Feng Xin is right by his side. Therefore, he allows himself to cuddle a bit more, to move a little closer, to hug a little tighter. Feng Xin moves just slightly to accommodate his body against Mu Qing's and the proximity makes Mu Qing's heart race. He nuzzles his nose against the uncovered portion of Feng Xin's skin, and delivers a soft kiss there.

Feng Xin's hand travels to his shoulder, the other still around his waist. It is like this that Mu Qing allows himself to close his eyes. Sleeping now has a whole different purpose, a whole different feeling. If possible, he’d like to rest like this for many more nights.

It’s like this that they create a little routine out of this and days go fast. When night arrives, they talk about everything and anything never really following a specific topic. Mostly because it is difficult to maintain a conversation in between so many kisses.

Mu Qing’s mind doesn’t even get to think about the disdainful looks when every night he welcomes Feng Xin into his chamber. He had told Feng Xin he used to feel slightly jealous of the relationship he had with Xie Lian and a lot of that jealousy came from exactly this. Feng Xin would tell Xie Lian even the most minimal detail about his day and they would laugh together, talk until late hours of the night and despite the fact that Mu Qing was present during most of those times, he always felt like an outcast.

Now, though, all the details of Feng Xin’s days reach only his ears and now it’s the two of them who laugh together and stay up talking until late at night. From the mistake one of his officials made with the laundry, to the newly found golden offerings in his temple, Mu Qing listens to it all with a smile.

A few weeks go by with no trace of the demons and so the case becomes secondary. Xie Lian visits them a couple of times but he says that even Yin Yu hasn’t been able to find much about the attacks. The suspicions against Mu Qing fall and the bad looks towards him slowly fade though they don’t fully cease. The case turns cold but the relationship between Feng Xin and Mu Qing gets hotter.

The nightly visits become mutual, so when Feng Xin doesn’t show up in his palace, Mu Qing goes to him. Most of those times, he finds Feng Xin immersed in his work. Tired eyes and puffy cheeks. It takes a lot, but Mu Qing has slowly mastered the art of getting Feng Xin out of his office and towards the bed. He has the pleasure of undoing his armour and preparing his sleeping robes to which Feng Xin always responds with a shower of kisses and stories about his worshippers. Mu Qing may be a god himself, but he's never felt as great. He loves the attention Feng Xin gives him, the kisses, the soft strokes in his hair.

He loves that he gets to kiss back, that he can put both hands around Feng Xin's face and pull him closer. He loves that he gets to see Feng Xin's smile often because they laugh together even though it is mostly Feng Xin laughing while Mu Qing stares. He loves that he gets to undo the bun of his hair and that he can sit on his lap and hug him while the world outside disappears. Fighting with Feng Xin is all he's ever known, this drastic change feels a bit weird but it is not unwelcome whatsoever. On the contrary, it makes Mu Qing think about all the time they could've been doing this instead of attempting to hurt each other one way or the other.

Contrary to his own self- perception, Mu Qing never thought he could be this loving with someone. Throughout his life, he hasn't had a lot of people he actually cared for, but to the few he did, his mother, Xie Lian, even Feng Xin, he was never one to show it so openly. He has never been in a relationship, therefore he was unaware of what love felt like until this happened with Feng Xin and for some reason- even unknown to him- it is not difficult to show it or to express it. Not with words but with actions and details.

Naturally, their banter continues but they no longer mean to offend. And if there is an off handed comment, a kiss and an apology always follow. So no matter how tough a day of work is, or how tiresome it becomes, once night falls and he is able to be with Feng Xin, everything gets better.

Until one day, Feng Xin visits him early in the morning.

"Mu Qing," Feng Xin calls softly as he closes the door of Mu Qing's workroom. The other god turns to look at him, clearly perplexed by his presence at this time. "I have to descend to the mortal realm for a couple of days, there are some prayers I need to attend to in person," Feng Xin explains with a soft tone. There's longing in his eyes already.

Mu Qing knew this would happen. Feng Xin has always spent most of his days in the mortal realm, attending to his devotees. It is not unusual and he knows that Feng Xin will be back soon. Therefore, he stands from his desk and walks towards him. "Take care," he says before inching closer to kiss Feng Xin's lips.

Feng Xin pulls him closer, hugs him by the waist before he kisses him deeply and pointedly as if for Mu Qing to feel it until he comes back. "You too," he says then, planting another soft peck in Mu Qing's lips before departing.

Mu Qing feels like he will certainly miss him. The stretching of his heart already feels heavy knowing that tonight, Feng Xin won't come to see him. That tonight, he won't be able to fall asleep while he is so tenderly held and while he, himself, wraps his arms around a strong body. He is not even sure when he became like this, and he might never admit it to Feng Xin but he is sure that this is what love feels like. He's certain of it.

He sighs a little as he watches through the window, as if he was a damsel waiting for a knight to come. It makes him feel a little foolish but he doesn't move away. It's just for a couple of days, he thinks. Not much can happen during such a short time.

That same night, calamities strike one after another.

The Heavenly Capital is in chaos when Mu Qing wakes up. One of his junior officials enters his bedchamber in a rush. This is something that his officials never do and the behavour of this particular junior is alarming. Mu Qing instantly gets up.

"What's going on?"

The junior official bows and it is while he is on his knees that he speaks. "General Xuan Zhen, you have been called to the Celestial Hall."

Mu Qing frowns. The Celestial Hall is the parallel of the former Emperor's Palace. They don't have an emperor now (since Xie Lian declined the position) but for everyone's sake, the heavenly court was re-established with the same civil gods who had once been in it.

To be called upon to the Celestial Hall in such a short notice meant that something had occurred. Mu Qing hopes it has something to do with Li Chao breaking into other official's missions. He would love to give his input on what he caused during their last mission.

He couldn't have been more wrong.

When Mu Qing enters the Hall, the civil gods of the heavenly court are all sitting in their rightful places. The other attendants are all at their own stations. Quan Yizhen is missing but the Peis are both here, same with Ling Wen and the newly ascended Li Chao. The Palace of Nan Yang and the Palace of Xianle have no representation. The desks are completely empty.

Mu Qing walks towards his own station, right next to Xie Lian's, and waits for other gods to take their seats. The silence is overbearing in the Hall and there is something heavy in Mu Qing's heart, a sort of feeling inside that is sending warning signs.

When the Celestial Hall's door closes, Ling Wen stands in the middle of the palace. "Last night we had a series of attacks which occurred in the mortal realm," just by hearing this, Mu Qing breaks a cold sweat. Feng Xin descended yesterday. What if something happened to him?

He clutches at the corner of his sleeve, concerned as he listens to Ling Wen go on. "Several temples were destroyed, not by fire or flood. It was as if they had been dismantled to the ground."

"This has to be Crimson Rain Sought Flower's doing!" One of the martial gods says angrily. "Who else is known for destroying temples overnight?"

"Could that also explain why His Highness the Crown Prince of Xianle isn’t here?” That voice is from Lang Qianqiu. Even though he is no longer seeking revenge towards Xie Lian, it would be foolish to believe that they are friends somehow. Mu Qing thinks there's respect there but resentment is a hard feeling to bury and although they are not on bad terms, maybe Tai Hua is voicing some of his feelings here.

"It is unlikely," Ling Wen replies "When Crimson Rain Sought Flower performs an attack, he makes sure everyone knows he is the one responsible."

"So what? He went anonymous now?" The same official who had first mentioned Hua Cheng asked. Mu Qing rolled his eyes at him.

"Listen carefully," he speaks then, and all of the gods' eyes turn to him "If Hua Cheng wanted to destroy temples, whoever his target was would be dead by now."

Ling Wen nods.

Pei Ming agrees "General Xuan Zhen is right. Even though Hua Cheng has not caused any major incidents since he came back, we must not forget how extremely powerful he is."

No one says more, so Ling Wen continues. "The attack was not against a single target," she says then, everyone turns shocked expressions at her. "Within the casualties we have three temples of Ming Guang, three temples of Qi Ying, four temples of Tai Hua, seven temples of Nan Yang, nine temples of Xianle," she gulps then "And one temple of Xuan Zhen."

The present martial gods whose temples were mentioned all turned dark expressions towards Ling Wen who took another script from one of her official's hands. "There's more," she says with a heavy sigh, apparently about to reveal key information.

"All the temples attacked were located in the south region, more specifically, the southwest," She says calmly. It is not unusual for gods to have temples outside their main lands, nomads usually become believers as they travel and they establish temples and shrines wherever they go as an offering for their protecting god. Mu Qing himself is as aware of many foreign gods' temples in his southwest territory as he is of his own temples being settled in other gods' main regions.

However, when he hears that all the attacks happened in the southwest, he gets concerned. "The attacks were not completely anonymous either," Ling Wen says with a rather serious tone.

Mu Qing relaxes slightly upon hearing that there is knowledge on who did this, because this means he can attack the threat head on.

"Who did it then?" Lang Qianqiu urges as Ling Wen keeps reading the scroll.

"We don't fully know the entity behind this but it was a horde of instinct driven demons who have been appearing recurrently around the southwest," Mu Qing feels the blood leave his face.

Ling Wen is careful not to say much but the gossip has been going around for days and so it takes a minute for one of the gods to speak up "The same demons that have been surrounding the Xuan Zhen temples?" He asks pointedly and directly, no room for hesitation. Ling Wen only nods.

Mu Qing frowns, this explains why his official was so distraught when he went to look for him. "General Xuan Zhen, I think it's time we address this issue," another god says "Lately, your palace has been on the line because of these sightings and now that the demonic entities have freed themselves, they have attacked several temples."

Mu Qing just looks at the female god currently speaking.

"If you have something to do with these attacks, speak right now and we shall show mercy," she threatens and that much is enough for Mu Qing to let out a soft chuckle.

"I have nothing to do with these demons," he says but the complicated expressions on all of the other gods' faces is enough to let him know that no one believes his words. "I don't know why they have gathered around some of my temples, but let's just think a little! Ling Wen mentioned one of my temples was damaged in yesterday's attack, why would I even attack my own temples?"

"You are right," the same god who had first accused Hua Cheng spoke. "One of your temples was damaged, but it was just one, while other deities have several thrown to the ground."

Mu Qing watches him with a gaze full of murderous intent. What an idiot this guy is.

"It is no secret to anybody that despite your recent hypocrisy, you don't get along with neither General Nan Yang nor His Highness the Crown Prince of Xianle, which are the two gods who lost the most temples last night."

What a joke. Mu Qing rolls his eyes. He gets along fine with Xie Lian, they are friends and with Feng Xin...well, they now kiss and hug every night, so he would say they get along rather well.

"Heavenly Court," that god now turns to look at the twelve civil gods who have remained silent. "I plead you pay close attention to General Xuan Zhen."

Mu Qing wants to slap him but he knows better than that. "Am I on trial?" He asks indignantly, Ling Wen shakes her head.

"This is no trial, General Xuan Zhen," she explains calmly "But the heavenly court will indeed look into this matter for it to become clear. Naturally, you have every right to defend yourself if needed."

Mu Qing, "So this is a trial."

"If you know you are not behind this, what are you so afraid of?" Another god joins the conversation "Let the heavenly court investigate and once they find out you are not responsible, as you say, everything should fall back in place," her tone is arrogant and accusatory. Mu Qing feels anger rising within his whole body.

Pei Ming interjects, "Let's not make rash conclusions."

Mu Qing nods "If you expect me to just sit around and wait for someone else to clear the case up, you're dreadfully mistaken," he says, enunciating every word. "I will get to the bottom of this and once I do, I expect an apology."

Having said that, Mu Qing gets up from his station and leaves the Celestial Hall in a rush. When he gets to his palace, he instructs his officials, picks up his weapon and descends. He knows he should maybe call Feng Xin or Xie Lian but they are both busy and Mu Qing doesn't want to sound panicked. He is a martial god, he can do this by himself.

Therefore, he sets out to travel to the ghosts’ lair itself. The one responsible for these demons has to be there, in Ghost City.

Mu Qing doesn’t care to disguise himself as he walks through the streets of this hellish place. It seems even more crowded than when he last saw it. The merchants at the sides are loud and the smell of their food is making Mu Qing slightly nauseous. He walks faster.

The infamous gambling den is nearby and there’s lots of entities nearby. He thinks that’s a good place to start. Even if he is not exactly sure what he’s looking for, he will try to get a sense of the demonic energy around him. The gambler’s den is full when he reaches it and for a second, he grows wary, thinking that Hua Cheng might be nearby. If there’s something he really doesn’t want, is to cross paths with him.

However, since the gambling den is full, he is unsure whether he should go inside or not. It may help his search. He thinks about it and just as he is deciding on it, he senses a rather familiar energy to the side. Mu Qing instantly turns to look but when he does, the entity flees. That’s suspicious enough. Mu Qing follows.

The entity is fast but Mu Qing is a martial god. Unless it was Hua Cheng himself, it can’t outrun him.

So Mu Qing takes the lead and abruptly pulls on the entity fleeing from him to ask why he is targeting him with the temples’ case when he realizes who he’s holding “Jian Lan?”

The female ghost looks at him with rage and frustration. Mu Qing turns to look at her feet, indeed the fetus spirit is all crawled up all around her left leg. The demonic energy around him has decreased but he’s still exuding a heavy demonic aura.

Jian Lan tries to break free but Mu Qing doesn’t let go. “Have you been alright? Why are you running away from me?”

He finally lets go of her wrist, Jian Lan doesn’t flee. “Why else? A heavenly official in Ghost City could only mean you’re looking for someone.”

Mu Qing nods “I’m indeed looking for someone but you’re not who I’m looking for,” he says with a serious tone. “Feng Xin, though, has been trying to find you for over a year.”

He meant to say this to throw some sort of guilt on Jian Lan but as soon as the words left his mouth, it was him who felt bad. Not guilty or something alike, rather he felt it like a knife to the heart. There’s a sense of loss invading him and although he knows exactly what it is and what’s causing it, he tries to shake it off.

“I know he’s been looking for us and I’m glad he has stopped being so intense, I’m tired of hiding and moving around all the damn time,” Jian Lan declares, clearly annoyed.

“If he’s looking for you it’s not to harm you, he is looking to protect you,” Mu Qing defends. How ungrateful this ghost is!

“I didn’t ask for any protection, nor do I want it!” Jian Lan tells him, determined. From the looks of it, she hasn’t changed her mind at all. It makes Mu Qing annoyed but he doesn’t comment on it any further. “Anyway, what are you looking for then? Don’t you know that unless you are His Highness Xie Lian, it’s not safe for a heavenly official to be here?”

Mu Qing hesitates to tell her but he figures that is better than looking around with no idea of where to go. He gives her a brief summary of what’s going on. Jian Lan listens closely but then proceeds to tell him that she knows nothing about a group of demons on the loose.

"I also haven't seen anyone new around," she says and it makes Mu Qing feel really frustrated "However, you can always try asking Hua- Chengzu himself."

Mu Qing nods but he knows that is not an option. Hua Cheng hardly cares about him and unless Xie Lian requests it, he won't help him. Finally, he thanks Jian Lan for her help, and offers to perform a purifying ritual on Cuocuo but Jian Lan refuses. "Don't worry, I love him this way and he listens more to me now," she says.

Mu Qing doesn't argue. He knows that whatever argument he has with Jian Lian will undoubtedly rebound on an argument with Feng Xin. Right now, he really doesn't want to fight him. If anything, he wants to see him and kiss him until his lips fall off.

He doesn't say any of this though, of course. He just bows politely and turns to leave.

Jian Lan calls out, "General Xuan Zhen!" She addresses him with utter respect which is pretty weird coming from her. Mu Qing turns around to face her.

"Please, don't tell Feng Xin you met with me today and also, I shall beg you to keep my location a secret from him. I really want to establish myself here and not run away anymore," she requests with a sincere voice that leaves no room for hesitation.

Mu Qing is troubled. He hadn't really thought about what to tell Feng Xin. The outcome would be bad whether he mentions this encounter or not. But being directly asked to betray Feng Xin's trust is not something he wants to do.

Either way he just nods. He doesn't promise anything and doesn't refute anything either. He will decide later on what is the right thing to do. As he watches Jian Lan leave with Cuocuo in her arms, Mu Qing's heart feels extremely heavy. He remembers what Feng Xin had told him, that he felt lonely back during Xie Lian's first banishment, that falling in love with Jian Lan was easy because she was always there for him.

Right now, there is a petty part of his mind that tortures Mu Qing. It tells him that Feng Xin must've been so much in love in order to go as far as being intimate with a girl (given how evasive Feng Xin is of women). It also tells him that Feng Xin has a family- a ghost family- but a family nonetheless and if one day Jian Lan gets tired of living like this and she searches for Feng Xin, then Mu Qing will have to let go of him. Because Feng Xin's family is more important than this new found relationship they are in.

Feng Xin will surely want to reconnect with Cuocuo and who is Mu Qing to break them apart, even if it hurts, if one day Jian Lan goes back to Feng Xin, Mu Qing will have to step aside.

The thought is enough to send shivers through Mu Qing's spine. As selfish as it sounds, he hopes it never happens because his feelings for Feng Xin are really strong. Stronger than what he thought possible, stronger than anything he's ever felt. He doesn't want to lose him.

Which is precisely why the same part of Mu Qing's mind that's currently torturing him creates a new thought. If Feng Xin was lonely back then and just needed someone to listen and care for him...had Mu Qing stayed with them, had he chosen to remain by their side, would Feng Xin have fallen in love with him instead? Would he have found refuge in Mu Qing instead of Jian Lan and therefore, would they have initiated this back then? And would they have taken care of one another ever since?

Mu Qing gulps. Those are all possibilities he can't afford to think about. Not only because it's absolutely pointless given that eight centuries have passed but also because he is unnecessarily breaking his own heart.

He shakes his head and decides to continue his search.

Hours go by and he doesn't even have a single lead. He is about to head to one of his temples for the night when he gets a rather odd call.

"General Xuan Zhen," that's Pei Ming's voice in the communication array. "I think it's better if you return to heaven right now, come to the Celestial Hall."

Mu Qing knows that can't mean anything good. And he is not wrong because when he arrives at the Celestial Hall, gods have gathered there once again. Hopeful, Mu Qing turns to look at the stations of the palace of Nan Yang and Xianle but no one is there.

Ling Wen welcomes him and starts to explain. "Today the demonic entities have shown up again, they not only destroyed, these demons have all bowed and become tranquil outside one of Xuan Zhen's biggest temples in the city."

"General Xuan Zhen," one of the gods calls, "Where did you go all day today?"

Saying that he had gone to Ghost City all day is not an option. Mu Qing knows that, given the circumstances, it will make it all worse. He has no other choice than to remain quiet but this is almost as bad as saying where he went.

"I don't think we should read in between the lines anymore," a female god joins the conversation. "How many more temples will we let be destroyed before we dictate a verdict? If the demonic entities are around Xuan Zhen's temples and his are the only temples that have not been damaged, the identity of the culprit is as clear as water."

Mu Qing looks around, so many gods are agreeing. Only Pei Ming and Quan Yizhen don't say anything but Lang Qianqiu is clearly on that female god's side. Though he is not saying anything either, it just looks like it from his odd demeanor.

"We should call His Highness the Crown Prince to dictate a sentence," Another god proposes.

"No," Li Chao cuts in, "His Highness the Crown Prince is General Xuan Zhen's close friend, he will not be impartial.”

That imbecile! Speaking as if he knew so much! Mu Qing wants to beat him on the spot. But instead he remains seated.

"Close friend?" One of the elderly gods questions. "Boy, you are too new and don't know anything. General Xuan Zhen and His Highness the Crown Prince are not friends, they hate each other! General Xuan Zhen has never held his tongue to speak poorly of His Highness."

"That's enough!" Mu Qing slaps one hand on the table in front of him. "I don't despise His Highness and he doesn't despise me either! Despite the tremendous immaturity of General Li Chao, he is right when he says that we are close friends!"

Mu Qing starts to get seriously annoyed before someone else speaks. "Huh! Now he is trying to pull a fast one by saying His Highness is his friend! Shameless!"

There is a bit of laughter within the hall. "Of course, now that His Highness is the most powerful martial god, Xuan Zhen is his friend! Let's see what that friendship means if His Highness falls from grace again," one the gods comment and Mu Qing feels it right through the chest.

"He won't fall from grace ever again, that's why Xuan Zhen speaks so fondly of him now!" Those words are followed by poorly disguised chuckles.

Mu Qing can't stand this stupidity any longer. He stands up and has every intention to leave. "Xuan Zhen," Pei Ming calls, "Hang on."

Mu Qing pays him no mind. He is at the center of the Hall, with the door in front of him when some of the gods that have been accusing him block the way to the door. "Running away again? General Xuan Zhen, how is that honorable?"

Mu Qing lets out a heavy sigh. "Move," he says low and dangerous but there is something about dumb people and that is that they feel powerful when in groups of even dumber people. They don't move.

"General Xuan Zhen," Ling Wen tries again, standing in front of the group currently blocking the door. "Going away is not a wise choice right now."

"Then what do you expect me to do?" Mu Qing is about to lose all of his patience. "Stand here and wait for you to accuse me of something I didn't do?"

Li Chao: "Then, tell us where you went today. If you have a believable alibi, you won't be suspected."

Mu Qing rolls his eyes "Who do you think you are questioning me? You have about five centuries to go before even being qualified to have a conversation with me!"

Li Chao makes a face, as if Mu Qing struck where it hurt.

"Then I will ask," Lang Qianqiu says, walking to the front of the crowd "Where did you go today?"

Mu Qing looks at him closely, eyes full of fury.

"Funny how you think he has to answer to you!" A new voice joins the hall. Mu Qing instantly turns to look at its source. "May I remind you, General Tai Hua, that the last time you let your tongue run like this, you were almost sold by the pound in Ghost City," Feng Xin walks into the Celestial Hall elegantly, looking directly at Lang Qianqiu, who after having lost face due to Feng Xin's words, becomes completely quiet.

"What is going on here?!" Feng Xin does not approach Mu Qing instantly but the look he gives him is enough for Mu Qing to feel an incredible sense of relief.

Ling Wen gives Feng Xin a quick explanation. But the more Feng Xin hears the more irritated he gets. Therefore, mid-story he cuts in. "You are suspecting an upper court heavenly official! What is wrong with you all?!"

Hearing General Nan Yang defend Xuan Zhen so earnestly is new and unheard of. More than one official is shocked upon seeing it.

The gods in the crowd keep looking at Mu Qing with disdain until one of them directly refers to Feng Xin. "General Nan Yang, you of all people should understand! Haven't you always said that General Xuan Zhen holds ulterior motives to everything he does?"

Mu Qing gulps at that, he looks at Feng Xin with a complicated expression but Feng Xin doesn't let his fond stare dissipate. It makes Mu Qing's heart skip a beat but the relief doesn't last long.

"We are only trying to get him to tell us the truth,” Lang Qianqiu says with an authoritative tone that he ought not to have. “We all already know where he spent his day today.”

At the mention of that, Mu Qing's hands go cold.

"General Xuan Zhen spent his whole day in Ghost City, probably looking for his demon slaves!" A female god says pointedly.

Feng Xin, however, doesn't bat an eye. "Wherever he goes is no one else's business but his!" He says with a cold expression and a rather deep voice that would make anyone nervous. "Quit slandering him!"

By then Pei Ming and Quan Yizhen join the crowd though their stance is definitely different. Pei Ming looks slightly concerned while Quan Yizhen looks really sleepy. Although the two of them are completely silent, Mu Qing can't help but look towards where all of them stand as if he was about to be sentenced to death. Or to be convicted for life.

"No one else's business but his? Are you sure General Nan Yang?" Li Chao asks pointedly, "We know for a fact that General Xuan Zhen met your wife and son during his trip today."

Mu Qing's strong demeanour instantly fades. If it wasn't because he has both fists clenched to the side, his hands would already be trembling. He doesn't know what expression he is wearing right now but Mu Qing feels like his heart has frozen. Especially when upon hearing what Li Chao had to say, Feng Xin turns to look at him, expression unreadable.

Mu Qing can't deny that he indeed met Jian Lan and Cuocuo. He hadn't meant to hide it either but this is definitely not the way he wanted Feng Xin to find out that he had met with the family he had been looking for so badly.

"See?" The same god who had accused Mu Qing speaks, "You're defending him for nothing! Someone seize General Xuan Zhen now!"

Mu Qing instinctively takes a step back when the other gods turn accusatory gazes towards him. Ling Wen has a hand against her face, frustrated with the situation. No one makes a single move for a few seconds but then Feng Xin takes a step towards him.

The look in his eyes is not the fond one Mu Qing has gotten to know lately. The topic of his ghost wife and son is a very sensitive point and now that he knows Mu Qing met them, he must be feeling tremendously betrayed.

Mu Qing's hands unclench and his shoulders fall. He has never been one to surrender to a fight but after having felt what it is like to have Feng Xin so close, to feel him so loving, after kissing him and falling asleep in his arms. How could he possibly fight him? If Feng Xin is the one to imprison him, then he will show no defence.

When Feng Xin takes out his bow and forms a powerful spiritual energy arrow on it, ready to shoot, Mu Qing freezes. He really won't fight back, so his only choice is to try talking with him "Feng Xin, I- I..."

He is not even sure of what he wants to say. Feng Xin approaches him slowly until they are less than five steps away from each other. Mu Qing looks at him with a last ray of hope, he is sure that the only other time he’s worn an expression like this had been when Xianle fell. Concerned, almost pleading for a way to change his faith. Feng Xin however pays him no mind, he raises his bow, Mu Qing is about to close his eyes and prepare for the attack when Feng Xin suddenly turns around.

"Don't any of you get close," he points his bow at the group of gods in front of them.

"General Nan Yang, please," Ling Wen calls, not as a warning but rather trying to make the situation calmer.

"No!" Feng Xin says instantly "Whoever wants to seize Xuan Zhen, will have to do so over my dead body!" He says with a serious tone, his bow taut and unmoving, ready to attack. The other gods remain motionless as Feng Xin looks at them without a blink “So who wants to try first?”

Mu Qing suddenly feels relief wash all over him. What was once cold, has become deep warmth flowing through his veins. Just like spiritual power does.

Li Chao is the one who steps forward and although Feng Xin doesn't shoot, he points his arrow at him. "I dare you take one more step!" He threatens but when Li Chao insists, Feng Xin takes a step to cover Mu Qing behind him.

Mu Qing is about to take his sabre out but then Feng Xin let's the arrow fly. He doesn't point at anybody in particular but at the space right next to the chandelier above. When the crystals start to waver and the other gods' attention has been spared, Feng Xin takes hold of Mu Qing's hand and guides him towards the exit.

It doesn't take a second for the other gods to notice and middle court agents are instantly instructed to stop them. It is not happening though. Mu Qing breaks a few weapons with his sabre and Feng Xin shoots more than one knocking arrow.

The only ones not pursuing them are Ling Wen, who looks utterly frustrated, Quan Yizhen who honestly looks kind of bored and Pei Ming who is just watching the situation unfold. Feng Xin and Mu Qing jump from roof to ground, from gardens to expensive fountains. Only disentangling their hands to attack if anyone gets too close. Mu Qing wants to slice a whole arm off Li Chao but he contains himself. Instead he just sends a wave of spiritual energy to knock some of them down.

When the path is finally cleared, it is with joined hands and interlaced fingers that they descend together. "Where do we go? No matter where we land, Ling Wen will locate us!" Mu Qing says, as Feng Xin keeps a tight hold in his hand. Even if Ling Wen hadn’t been following them as they fled the Heavenly Capital, they are not fully sure of who exactly she stands with in this matter.

Feng Xin sighs, "I've got an idea, but you may not like it."

Mu Qing shakes his head, "It doesn't matter! Let's just go!"

"You were right, I don't like it," Mu Qing says when they find themselves outside Paradise Manor. "We could've gone to Xie Lian's shrine."

"He isn't there," Feng Xin replies “I looked for him when Pei Ming called saying that you were in the Celestial Hall.”

“Then where is he?”

“Where else?” Feng Xin replies with a little chuckle. There was no need to say more. Reluctantly, Feng Xin knocks on the huge door. They don’t receive an answer so he knocks again but upon being ignored for a second time, Feng Xin knocks once again. “It can’t be that Hua Cheng isn’t here! Why the fuck is he ignoring us?”

“Why shouldn’t I ignore you, is a better question,” Hua Cheng says as he comes to stand in front of them, the huge door wide open behind him. “What have you come looking for? Gege is not here.”

“What do you mean he isn’t here? Then where the hell is he? I went to look for him at Puqi Shrine,” Feng Xin says with a frown but the ghost king just laughs.

“He is attending to his devotees in the north, he’ll be back here soon,” Hua Cheng tells them with a sarcastic smile but loving eyes. Clearly falling only by the thought of Xie Lian. Mu Qing watches him closely. “You can come look for him then but if you don’t, that would be better,” he goes to close the door when Feng Xin stops the motion with his hand.

“What?” Hua Cheng’s eyebrow rises.

Feng Xin takes a deep breath. This is something he never thought he would have to do but if it is to keep Mu Qing safe and away from the baseless accusations, he is ready to try it all. “Crimson Rain Sought Flower, please let us stay here.”

Hua Cheng snickers “What?! Aren’t you two mighty martial gods? Why are you asking for help from this lowly ghost?” In contrast with his words, his tone is rather amused. Clearly making fun of them. “Wouldn’t it be funny if I threw you out of here like you threw me out of the army during the war?” This one last remark is directed towards Mu Qing.

“Listen, Mu Qing is being accused of the demons’ case at the heavenly court,” Feng Xin explains. “You know he isn’t the one behind this and unless we hide here, there is nowhere else we can go.”

Hua Cheng’s eyebrow is still raised. “I can’t say for certain that Mu Qing isn’t the one behind this.”

“Hua Cheng!” Feng Xin calls, clearly frustrated.

“Fine, fine. I know he isn’t,” Hua Cheng says but the sarcastic smile isn’t gone. “You can stay but it is only because I know how much you two mean to His Highness.”

Mu Qing isn’t sure if that’s a compliment or an insult. “Thanks,” he says nonetheless when Hua Cheng leads them inside his house.

"There's a garden if you go there, the main hall is on the other side, there is also a pool if you want to go for a while and rooms are upstairs, pick one you like and...as many as you like," Hua Cheng tells them, locking his eye on their joined hands. Mu Qing hardly even noticed they were still holding hands, he tries to break free but Feng Xin's hold instead becomes tighter.

"Which is your bedroom? Aren't you concerned we might pick yours?" Feng Xin asks the ghost king, maybe just to change the line of the conversation.

"You won't be able to find my bedchamber, only His Highness knows where it is. So feel free to pick any you like," Both Mu Qing and Feng Xin make funny yet disturbed faces upon hearing this.

Even so, given that they used significant spiritual energy back in the Heavenly Capital to fight other heavenly officials and then ran all the way here, they feel tired. "We'll come to meet His Highness when he arrives. Thank you for...letting us stay," Feng Xin says before walking towards the magnificent staircase in the middle of this huge hall.

"You're welcome, I will have someone inform you when Gege's here."

Mu Qing nods and in favor of not making the atmosphere awkward, he pulls on Feng Xin's hand. Feng Xin also nods to Hua Cheng before he walks with Mu Qing towards the second floor of this palace. Paradise Manor is as big as it is luxurious. It could even be said to be better than many, many heavenly palaces, though none of them is gonna admit to that.

"Which one do you want?" Feng Xin asks, now a bit more relaxed. Mu Qing shrugs, he doesn't really care. There are about four choices so he just walks towards one with Feng Xin in tow.

They enter the bedroom and Mu Qing is in awe, there’s a chandelier hanging above, a little table by the window, silver butterflies decorate the walls and there is a huge bed in the middle of the room.

"Can't say he doesn't have taste," Feng Xin comments and only then does he let go of Mu Qing's hand, to instead grab both of his shoulders from behind. "Are you okay?"

Mu Qing usually likes space when these kinds of things happen and that's why Feng Xin is careful when he approaches him.

"I'm fine," Mu Qing replies, though his tone is clearly exhausted. He seems to be uneasy, uncomfortable so Feng Xin lets his hands drop.

"Is that all you have to ask?" Mu Qing speaks with a quiet tone after a few minutes. Not facing Feng Xin.

Feng Xin instantly gets worried, he circles around Mu Qing and places both hands on the latter’s biceps. "Are you injured?"

Even though they are now in front of each other, Mu Qing has his head hanging low. "Mu Qing? Okay, wait I will ask Crimson Rain Sought Flower for medicine."

He tries to move but Mu Qing grabs him by the wrist. "Feng Xin!" He says now louder, annoyed. "I met with Jian Lan and Cuocuo! Why aren't you asking me about them and why I hid this from you?! Why aren't you attacking me? Why aren't you calling me a traitor!"

Mu Qing's voice is loud but pained as he spits out each word. It makes Feng Xin's heart shrink. He sighs heavily. "Mu Qing," he says before he takes the hand currently in his grip and pulls on it so that Mu Qing inevitably collides against his chest.

Mu Qing lets out a surprised noise when he feels warm, strong arms around his body. "I have called you a traitor for over eight hundred years. It is a mistake I don't want to repeat, so please don't ask me to do so."

Mu Qing places both hands on Feng Xin's chest, his face looking down and away from the god embracing him. "I know you met Jian Lan and I was going to ask about them later but right now, I just want to make sure you are okay."

Mu Qing's heart skips a beat, or rather beats a lot faster. He isn't really sure which, because either way, this feeling makes him grab on Feng Xin's robes. "I'm okay," he repeats but his demeanor is probably enough to give him away. If he was as fine as he claims to be, he wouldn't be hugging Feng Xin- or holding onto him- like this.

Feng Xin presses his arms tighter around him. "My love, are you sure you are feeling fine?" Mu Qing trembles slightly. What was he called again? He has never been called something similar. Ever in his whole life. The shock of what he just heard leaves him unable to answer. Feng Xin doesn't insist either, he just hugs him tight.

Mu Qing always wondered what this would feel like. By the time he met Xie Lian, the prince and Feng Xin had been together for years and Feng Xin was overprotective of him. There were times in which Mu Qing wondered what it would feel like to have Feng Xin's loyalty like Xie Lian did. It is almost unbelievable that he is just getting to know what it actually feels like now, over eight hundred years later.

He grabs Feng Xin's robes tighter. "Aren't you angry? You have been looking for them so badly and when I found them, I didn't even call you."

Feng Xin lets one of his hands travel to Mu Qing's hair. "I'm not angry, please stop trying to make me argue," he says quietly.

"But you still care about them," Mu Qing sort of protests.

"I do," Feng Xin confirms. "But now I have someone more important to take care of."

"I'm not more important," Mu Qing replies, determined.

"Yes you are," Feng Xin assures him, with such a warm voice, it makes it very hard for Mu Qing to object. "She doesn't even want me close...why would she be more important than my lover now?"

"..." Mu Qing hitches and finally lifts his face. "What did you call me?"

Feng Xin chuckles, as if it was a joke. "My lover," he repeats matter- of- factly. "That's what you are, no?"

Mu Qing stares at Feng Xin dumbfounded. And maybe he is wearing a funny expression, because Feng Xin doesn't hesitate to kiss his lips before smiling at him.

His smile, gods, his smile. Mu Qing thinks. It is the greatest, most beautiful, treasure in this world. How is it possible that he is only appreciating it now. Now, after eight hundred years.

Hypnotized, Mu Qing leans forward to kiss Feng Xin and his gesture is welcomed between warm and sweet lips. Mu Qing already knew he wouldn't be able to resist for long but today, after Feng Xin fought for him, after they drifted away from heaven together hand in hand and after Feng Xin not only called him his partner but also his love, he knows he has finally lost.

He has endured eight hundred years of abstinence, no wonder he would one day let his desires take control.

As usual, Mu Qing undoes the armor covering Feng Xin, there is no change there but once he starts undoing his robe too, Feng Xin halts.

"Mu Qing," he calls, voice deep, breath heavy. Mu Qing can't stop himself, he kisses him again. Feng Xin makes an effort to break the kiss but it is obvious that it is really hard for him to do so.

"Mu Qing, don't tease. I might- I might not be able to stop myself later," Feng Xin warns with his hands pressing tight on Mu Qing's waist. Mu Qing turns his eyes to him, shoots him a deep stare.

"Nobody is asking you to stop," he says, hand roaming underneath the collar of Feng Xin's robes.

Feng Xin seems alert, maybe shocked. "Are you sure?" He asks, already pulling Mu Qing closer to him, grip tight around Mu Qing’s waist.

"I am," is the last thing Mu Qing says before Feng Xin kisses him. Slowly but deeply, he is really talented with his mouth. There is a fit of jealousy in Mu Qing when he realizes that unlike his case, he is not Feng Xin's first and that his talents come from previous practice.

That thought makes him halt for a second, it’s in his nature to be slightly selfish with what he cherishes. Feng Xin separates from him, and slides his hand up to Mu Qing’s neck. “You alright? We don’t have to go on.”

From the look in his eyes, it’s easy to tell that he is being really sincere. If Mu Qing was to say he does not wish to go on, then they wouldn’t go on but that is not what’s troubling Mu Qing so he just nods. “I’m alright.”

Feng Xin looks at him pointedly, his eyes travel all around Mu Qing’s expression and the gaze is so intense that even though he is still fully clothed, Mu Qing feels bare. He has no choice but to look down to avoid meeting Feng Xin’s eyes. Feng Xin doesn’t say anything but he seems to find what he is looking for because he loses no time lifting Mu Qing’s chin with his index finger, he smiles at him, reassuringly, and not for the first time, Mu Qing finds himself wondering how he had managed to read his mind.

He then leans closer and presses a kiss on his lips, chaste and brief. Mu Qing has barely registered the kiss when Feng Xin suddenly engulfs him in a tight embrace. Mu Qing has never been one to show affection through hugs but he raises his hands to place them on Feng Xin’s back, not applying much pressure. Feng Xin sighs before he speaks in Mu Qing’s ear, “Close your eyes.”

Mu Qing does and feels Feng Xin’s lips deliver a soft kiss just under his ear before he delivers a new one to his chin and then to his neck. A hand cradles the other side of Mu Qing’s face, keeping him in just the right angle as Feng Xin explores the skin under his lips. Mu Qing’s mind is slowly going blank, his senses intensifying with the traveling of Feng Xin’s lips as they then move towards his cheek, his eyelid and his nose before they find his lips again. Mu Qing’s hands haven’t fallen from Feng Xin’s back by the time he is kissed again. No longer brief and no longer chaste.

Feng Xin cradles his neck and kisses him deeply, he traces his tongue along Mu Qing’s lips and bites softly in order to slide his tongue within Mu Qing’s mouth. This kiss is fiery, possessive and Mu Qing can only follow as his tongue also starts experimenting around Feng Xin’s. It is not the first time they have kissed like this, but it is the first time Mu Qing feels himself debilitated from it. Feng Xin kisses him with a sort of unknown force, with an indescribable desire Mu Qing hasn’t tasted up until now.

It is a bit blurry- and rather fast- how he gets pulled towards the bed, how Feng Xin undoes his belt so easily and how his hands start to slide down Feng Xin’s back. He wants to have him closer, to ask him for more. When his belt falls and the layers of his robes get loose, Feng Xin’s hands slowly slide under the fabric and take a firm hold of his waist. The contact of Feng Xin’s warm hands against his skin has Mu Qing sighing. The little noise makes Feng Xin smile, he can’t really see it but he feels it against his face.

Mu Qing means to sit on the bed, but Feng Xin doesn’t let him. He keeps him close to his body as his hands roam around his back and slowly trace all of his lines towards Mu Qing’s abdomen and pecs. In there, two warm thumbs play with the couple of buds in his chest. It is as unexpected as it is pleasant and the gesture has Mu Qing uttering a soft vowel. Feng Xin chuckles briefly, repeating the motion before letting his hands travel upwards towards Mu Qing’s shoulders.

He lifts his hands in order to undo the first layer of Mu Qing’s complex attire. Mu Qing feels the soft silk fabric sliding off his body until it crumples around his feet. Feng Xin kisses Mu Qing’s cheek before he lifts the second layer of his robes. His hands are gentle as they remove the fabric and it’s then that Mu Qing opens his eyes. Feng Xin captures his sight and the look in his eyes could be nothing short of adoration. To the point where Mu Qing feels slightly taken aback. How can this man look at him like this? It's beyond his comprehension.

Feng Xin places his hand in Mu Qing’s nape, leans closer to pepper kisses on his cheek again. Mu Qing instinctively closes his eyes and Feng Xin takes that moment to remove the last upper layer of his clothes, leaving his chest bare with only his trousers still on. Mu Qing gets a little shy, of course Feng Xin has seen him in even less clothes before but never in a situation as intimate as this. Mu Qing can’t help but feel nervous.

Feng Xin, however, doesn’t let him overthink. He leans forward to kiss him as his hands travel the plains of Mu Qing’s body with his chest now completely exposed. “You’re really beautiful,” he says and Mu Qing literally shivers. His body turns warmer with every pull of his lips and the need inside him becomes almost impossible to contain. He wants- no, he craves Feng Xin’s touch and he wants him closer. As close as possible.

Mu Qing’s hands get bold when they travel to Feng Xin’s belt and lets it loose with even more ease than what Feng Xin had done with him. Feng Xin separates from him when he feels his robes opening. He smiles, takes both of Mu Qing’s hands in his hold and guides them to rest flat right under his chest. Mu Qing feels a rush of warmth traveling around his body when his fingertips touch such warm skin. He feels nervous but he still moves his hands around the plains of Feng Xin’s muscles, his fingertips brushing all over warm skin.

“You’re beautiful too,” Mu Qing says quietly, shy. He doesn’t dare to meet Feng Xin’s eyes to see his reaction but it hardly matters because his lips get trapped an instant later. Feng Xin kisses him deeply, hugging his middle and slowly pushing him to lay on the bed. Mu Qing does not put up any sort of resistance. Their lips separate momentarily as he settles on the pillows, undoes his hairpiece and puts it aside before he lets himself rest completely on the sheets, hair undone and knees apart. Feng Xin watches him intently, as if he had suddenly seen heaven for the first time again.

Mu Qing feels a little shy under his gaze but he gives the other god no time to continue staring as he pulls him down to the bed with him. Feng Xin falls over him with a cute smile that absolutely contrasts his hungry eyes. “I can’t believe I can finally have you like this,” Feng Xin speaks quietly, removing a lock of hair from Mu Qing’s face.

“Have you been thinking about it?” Mu Qing asks, his hands already circling around Feng Xin’s neck.

“Yes, how could I not?” Feng Xin replies, leaning down to peck Mu Qing’s face again. “Look at yourself, you’re gorgeous. Of course I would think about it.”

Mu Qing’s cheeks must be vividly red if they are reflecting the heat he feels around his body. Feng Xin looks fondly at him before he lowers himself to kiss him again. With his arms encircled around Feng Xin’s neck, Mu Qing pretty much goes pliant under him. Despite his own nerves, he pushes the fabric of Feng Xin’s robes down his shoulders. Unlike Feng Xin who had been so patient to remove layer by layer of Mu Qing’s clothing, Mu Qing pushes all of it in one go. Feng Xin chuckles against his lips before he lifts himself a little to help take his clothes off. If he sees the embarrassment in Mu Qing’s face, he doesn't comment on it.

He just keeps smiling until he buries his face in Mu Qing’s neck and he can no longer see him. Feng Xin kisses the tender skin of his neck gently but intensely, moving from one side to the other until he fixates on a spot near his clavicle. Mu Qing can’t do much else but hug him tight to bring him closer, caress his naked back, trying to memorize the perfect pattern of his muscles as they flex with the motions.

Feng Xin’s hand cradles one side of Mu Qing’s face while the other slowly slides down to his thigh. Despite his legs being the only part of his body still covered, Mu Qing feels the slide of Feng Xin’s hand with absolute detail as he softly grabs on the muscle and then slides it a bit further, closer to his behind. He starts to feel timid but Feng Xin doesn’t let him experience shyness as he kisses his lips again before sliding down his chin, to his neck and torso. With every kiss, Mu Qing wants him to go lower, where he is feeling a pleasant sort of ache. Feng Xin instead fixes his lips on the most sensitive spot of his chest. Mu Qing swears he feels himself shivering from the touch but his mind is barely able to register the reaction from how good he feels.

Feng Xin is talented with his tongue. He moves it around slowly and intently, in a way that has Mu Qing lost for words. He can barely think, especially when Feng Xin decides to move his attention to the other side, slightly nibbling, biting and licking when he feels he has been a little too rough. “Fe- Feng Xin.”

“Mhm?”

Feng Xin doesn’t lift his face from Mu Qing’s chest and the vibrations of his voice send a feeling through Mu Qing that makes him sigh. He presses his lips together, attempting to keep quiet but it is really difficult to do so. He is inexperienced, his body is untouched. Therefore, every single gesture of Feng Xin’s makes Mu Qing his skin burn, makes him want more, makes him needy.

Mu Qing is a bit unsure of what to do, where to place his hands or how to respond to Feng Xin’s attentions. It takes him a bit by surprise when Feng Xin moves his lips towards the other side of his chest. Talented tongue stroking him where he was previously unattended. He feels warm all over, especially between his legs, the combination of his insecurity with this overwhelming desire makes him shiver.

At this reaction, Feng Xin lifts his head up, “Don’t think too much,” he says tenderly, kissing Mu Qing’s cheek, then his temple. “Relax a little, do what you feel like doing, touch where you want to touch, I’m yours to take.”

“Quit saying embarrassing things!” Mu Qing replies but his complaint only makes Feng Xin chuckle before he starts kissing his lips again. This time Feng Xin’s hands get bolder, he strokes down Mu Qing’s body, from his shoulder to his torso, all the way down to his hips until he reaches the hem of his trousers and slowly undoes the tie on them. The fabric loosening around his hips before Feng Xin’s hand slowly slides the fabric down.

The kisses move from his lips towards his chin and neck again, Feng Xin lowers his body as he removes the clothing, finally leaving Mu Qing bare. It’s almost instinctively that Mu Qing tries to cover himself but he finds himself unable to do so due to the body in between his legs. He moves his head to one side, incapable of standing the intensity of Feng Xin’s eyes on him.

“So beautiful,” Feng Xin repeats, his hand now close to Mu Qing’s crotch. Fingers slowly tracing but not quite touching around where he is getting hard. Mu Qing feels slightly shy, the need to hide his expression is strong but his heart beats really fast. He really wants this. He wants to be Feng Xin’s entirely.

Although he never thought he’d find someone who he wanted to do this with and even less someone who wanted to do this with him. Now that he has it and that he has it in someone he trusts a lot like he trusts Feng Xin, Mu Qing feels desire and need traveling in his veins. There’s no hesitation, he will find a way around his cultivation path.

This is precisely why he gathers the bravery to lift himself up a little in order to undo the knot of Feng Xin’s own pants, looking at him intently before saying: “What are you waiting for?”

From that, Feng Xin is quick. He gets rid of his remaining clothes under the careful watch of Mu Qing’s prying eyes. Technically speaking, they have seen each other wearing only their inner robes before, but never fully naked let alone erect. Mu Qing can’t help but to let his eyes wander around Feng Xin’s gorgeous physique. He eyes every curve of his body and every clearly defined line, the urge to touch suddenly invades his mind as every other worry or thought slips away.

When Feng Xin settles back in between his legs and lowers himself to kiss Mu Qing again, his hands are no longer that shy. Touch where you want to touch Feng Xin had said, therefore he has exactly that. He hugs Feng Xin letting his hands rest flat on his back, he moves them around, up down, from one side to the other until he gets brave enough to slide them down towards his partner’s behind.

The way in which Feng Xin slightly halts the kisses he had been delivering to Mu Qing’s neck shows he is slightly surprised. He doesn’t move though, instead keeps his attention on the same spot he had been kissing until a red blossom appears on the otherwise unblemished skin.

As the moment becomes more and more blurry and their skin turns even hotter and more sweaty, Mu Qing discovers that Feng Xin is an amazing lover. He is gentle, attentive and caring. He kisses everywhere he finds and everywhere Mu Qing needs it, his hands deliver gentle strokes around his body and whenever Mu Qing gets slightly overwhelmed, Feng Xin is not shy to tell him that he deserves to be worshipped as the god he is.

Those words make Mu Qing’s whole being tremble, the flow of lust and love becoming more and more intense. Especially when Feng Xin touches him where he needs it the most. Mu Qing’s abstinence has always been absolute, he has never touched himself, he has never been blinded by the cravings of the flesh, never has fallen prey to these particular desires. Therefore, he didn’t know how it felt to be touched like Feng Xin does now. He didn’t know how the mere press of slender, calloused fingers around him would blank his mind and make his body tremble. He feels as if burning, hot all over.

Mu Qing keeps his eyes closed as he too delivers all the kisses he can to Feng Xin’s caramel skin. His hand slowly but surely seeks for Feng Xin too, even with his mind in complete disarray, the only thought he can still process is the need to have Feng Xin closer. To feel the warmth of his skin against his own. It is as if all of his fears were washed away. He feels the grip of a firm hand around him, slowly moving, not enough to be overwhelming but sufficient to keep him above the clouds.

When Feng Xin once again kisses his lips, Mu Qing feels like flying. He is tremendously excited, tremendously needy too. He moves slightly to be able to reach the perfectly round curve of Feng Xin’s bum once again. He chuckles slightly, probably feeling shy as well. He keeps kissing Mu Qing down his jaw until he reaches his belly button. “My- my love,” he says in between pants, “We can finish it here if you wish...there’s no need to go further.”

Feng Xin’s breath comes out raged and it is extremely attractive. His voice distills as much lust as love. But Mu Qing opens his eyes, slightly confused. “What do you mean finish now...what..is going further?”

He must be making a fool of himself but Feng Xin just tenderly smiles at him. “Do you know how this works between men?” he asks, leaning down to kiss on his forehead. Mu Qing has a vague idea, but he figures that the act can only be completed with a woman and the answer should be pretty much obvious.

Upon noticing his silence, Feng Xin kisses on his eyelid, their naked bodies clash together as he does this. “What I mean by going further is if you’d let me…” his right hand slides down Mu Qing’s body, “Enter here.” he completes with a finger slightly pressed against Mu Qing’s most intimate zone.

Naturally, his eyes go wide open. That’s enough of a reaction.

Feng Xin kisses him again. “There’s no need to do that now, though,” he tells him calmly. “I have a thousand ways of making you feel good.”

Mu Qing is unsure but, if there’s a way, shouldn’t they do it? They are the two martial protectors of the south. When has something they have done ever been left unfinished? He is nervous and looking at Feng Xin he is really unsure if there is even a way for him to enter such a thin trail but he had said that he wants to be Feng Xin’s as much as he wants the man to be his. In all the possible ways. Plus, if this is what it means to lose his virginity, there isn’t anyone else in the world who he’d want to do it with.

This is precisely why he lifts himself to peck Feng Xin’s lips before saying, “Let’s do it.”

Now Feng Xin’s eyes open wide. He moves away in shock. “You serious?”

Mu Qing can only nod. “Only if you want to,” he replies, now feeling a bit anxious. He probably misunderstood and it is Feng Xin who doesn’t want to possess him this way.

“Of course, of course I want to…” Feng Xin kisses his cheek, his hand now strokes on Mu Qing’s inner thighs. “But it can be painful, love, I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I don’t mind,” Mu Qing’s lips form a little smile. “I want to do it.”

Feng Xin takes a deep breath, he kisses on Mu Qing’s lips passionately before he stands up from the bed and goes behind the bathing screen.

“What are you doing?” Mu Qing asks, suddenly cold upon having lost Feng Xin’s warmth on top of him. Feng Xin takes a few seconds before he returns with a small bottle of scented hair oil.

“We will need this,” he says calmly, Mu Qing has a thought of asking him why he knows all of these things but he decides that is a conversation from some other time. Especially because he does not want to lose the pleasant feeling in his chest or the desire around his middle. “I’m sure it will be uncomfortable, so please try to relax."

Mu Qing is unsure of what he is referring to until he sees Feng Xin covering his finger with the scented oil he brought. He has no time to assimilate what will happen next before Feng Xin is pushing his finger inside him.

It is horrible! Mu Qing suddenly jolts, he tries to pull away but Feng Xin grabs his hip. “Relax, it’s okay, if you don’t like it after a while, we will stop.”

Like it?! Mu Qing thinks Feng Xin’s crazy! How could he possibly like it when it feels so strange. He doesn’t say this, though, he just nods. Lies back down on the red pillow and tries to relax, the sensation in his bottom is way too uncomfortable so he is thankful when Feng Xin pulls out his finger. He catches his breath, attempts to close his legs but before he is able to move, Feng Xin is inside of him once again. Two fingers this time.

He is just about to say that he does not wish to go on when Feng Xin’s long fingers touch him somewhere that has him melting. Or at least that’s how he feels. Mu Qing has to bite his lip to prevent the very obscene sound that he was about to make. This, this is like nothing he has ever felt before.

“Better?” Feng Xin asks, a kiss to his leg. Mu Qing can’t reply. He is too lost in the sensation.

“Do it again,” he requests and of course Feng Xin grants his wish. This second time feels even more pleasurable than the first and he can feel himself getting even harder. There’s things about his body that he never knew and that Feng Xin is deliciously exploring. He wants nothing but for him to continue doing it.

Feng Xin licks around his milky thighs as he once again takes his fingers away. Mu Qing barely even registers the third digit joining, it does feel incredible and it’s because it feels so good that heat pools low in his abdomen, he feels it become stronger and stronger. Scared, he turns to look at Feng Xin.

“Hold it,” Feng Xin tells him calmly, as if reading his expression. “Hold it a little bit more, if you come now, you won’t be able to go on from much longer.”

The problem is that he is too new to this and he is not sure how to hold it. His body is badly asking for release. Feng Xin pulls his fingers out. Gives him a few seconds, in which Mu Qing doesn’t open his eyes, still trying to control himself. He tries to take a few deep breaths but he can hardly breathe.

“Are you doing okay?” Feng Xin asks, now close to his ear. He speaks so quietly, so intimately, that his voice is enough to have Mu Qing react. He just nods.

“Keep your eyes open now, please,” Feng Xin kisses his cheek, Mu Qing opens his eyes. “I need to see how you are doing while I enter.”

“Such a pervert,” Mu Qing chuckles, no malice in his voice at all. Feng Xin kisses his lips again, he shakes his head.

“It’s to see if you’re in pain…” he replies, “Although, I won’t mind the view either.”

Mu Qing smiles at him and it is while Feng Xin’s is also smiling at him that he feels the tip against the entrance. It feels even more uncomfortable but he doesn’t pull away. Feng Xin’s breathing is uneven as he slowly slides in. Just as he said, he keeps his eyes trained on Mu Qing’s expression. Whenever there's a sign of discomfort he pauses for an instant before pushing again.

Mu Qing relaxes as much as he is able to, he opens his legs as wide as possible, now thanking all the battle training years that made his body really flexible. “You’re doing so well, my love.” Feng Xin praises at a point. “Let me know when you’re ready for me to move.”

As much as it is pleasurable, feeling every inch of Feng Xin’s desire invading his body, he seriously was not joking when he said it could be painful. Feng Xin's really big and Mu Qing has to move and angle himself so that he is more comfortable before nodding, letting Feng Xin know that he is ready.

Feng Xin kisses the corner of his lip, “I promise you will like it but if you don’t, please tell me.”

“Fine, but please move already…” Mu Qing resplies, trying but failing to sound assertive. He knows Feng Xin is just taking care of him like the good lover he is but Mu Qing doesn’t want to seem like a fragile porcelain doll. He can take this and he is willing to take it a million times if it’s Feng Xin.

It is just as he finishes this train of thought that Feng Xin slowly pulls out and pushes back inside. The first rolls of his hips are slow, languid and calm. Mu Qing adjusts to his rhythm and gets even more comfortable as Feng Xin moves in and out of him. Their breathing is timed and although there are a few kisses being delivered, they often break due to the lack of air and the heat between them.

This pace is perfect, Mu Qing thinks. It keeps them both on edge but not enough to break everything and for the moment to be over too soon. “My love,” Feng Xin calls a couple of times. Mu Qing can only kiss him, attempting to worship him as nicely as he is doing it to him.

It is moments later that Feng Xin’s hips start to move faster. Mu Qing needs a little bit more time to adjust but when he does, he finds this rhythm to be even better. “Should...should I turn around?” he asks, thinking that if he does, Feng Xin could probably slide even deeper.

“No, no,” Feng Xin says while he rests on his elbows at either side of Mu Qing’s body. “I want to see you.”

Mu Qing smiles, because he figures he wants to see Feng Xin too. He wants to see him like this several times. Naked and so close to him, giving each other what no one else can have. Intertwining until their bodies become one. Had he known this is what it felt like to be embraced and taken by Feng Xin, he would've surrendered to him even eight hundred years ago.

When the rhythm gets even faster, Mu Qing feels himself also needing more. He tries to move his hips with Feng Xin’s rolls and when he does this, Feng Xin reaches that spot inside of him again. This time, he has no time to bite his lips and a sweet vowel flies out of his lips before he can contain it. Feng Xin seems to like it, because just when he does this, he kisses him again.

He continues targeting this particular spot inside of him and then the sensation of heat pooling in his lower abdomen comes back. By now, Feng Xin has taken him beyond heaven, has kissed every corner of his uncovered skin and when he notices that Mu Qing is close, he kisses his collarbone. “Let go,” he says, raspy but tenderly. “Let go, my love.”

He grabs on Mu Qing again, his hand pumping around him to encourage him. The touch combined with the roll of Feng Xin’s hips is suddenly too much. Feng Xin presses his thumb on the slit and Mu Qing can’t possibly hold it anymore. His sight becomes white as he feels himself become completely undone. His heart beats at amazing speed, his legs shiver, the pleasure and adrenaline surrounding him is something he has never experienced and it feels good. It feels tremendously good.

The colors behind his eyelids and the feel of Feng Xin all over him is almost like ascending again, he feels sated and fulfilled. A sensation he never knew before and that he didn't know he needed until now.

It takes him a few seconds to start coming to his senses again. Feng Xin’s hand is still around him, he is stroking him softly as if wanting to pour every last drop out of Mu Qing. He flinches slightly and at the sign of sensitivity, Feng Xin’s hand retracts.

“You’re perfect, A- Qing,” he says then, a kiss being delivered to the corner of his mouth. “You’re absolutely perfect.”

Mu Qing suddenly notices that despite what he just felt, he is still not fully limp and Feng Xin, in contrast, is still really hard inside of him. He is not sure what he should do now. “You...you haven’t.”

Feng Xin kisses his forehead, “I’m really close but if I go on, I might hurt you, I will pull out.”

“No, no...don’t,” Mu Qing grabs him by the hips. “I can take it.”

Feng Xin seems doubtful at first, he turns to look at Mu Qing’s hips before he moves again. Not particularly rushed. He is careful before he does move faster and then slows down with a few more pointed slides until he is spilling too. Inside of him.

Feng Xin seems alarmed about it but Mu Qing just cradles his cheek to let him know that it is okay. After all, they are now fully each other’s. The sight of Feng Xin reaching his own climax is enough to make Mu Qing's body react again. The sight is beyond erotic and Mu Qing wishes to see it a hundred more times. As he watches Feng Xin come down from his own high, Mu Qing finds himself amazed by everything he has discovered in both his and Feng Xin’s body.

As well as for the fact that their first time happened here...in Hua Cheng’s manor.

This last thought makes him chuckle.

Feng Xin kisses his lips before resting on his shoulder. “Are you well?” he asks, Mu Qing replies that he is feeling better than he has ever felt.

"General Ju Yang, really does live up to his name," he teases when they are all tangled around one another. Feng Xin would normally get offended but he laughs quietly instead, finally pulling out not before landing a panting kiss on Mu Qing's lips. He repeatedly calls him beautiful and perfect.

Who would have thought a day would come in which Feng Xin called him perfect? Mu Qing thinks as he watches Feng Xin make quick work of cleaning themselves up. He feels a bit dizzy, because now with his eyes closed, he sees more colors than what he had seen during his whole long life. He's never felt so cherished and so loved and although he is tired, he feels this is something he will definitely would like to repeat. A lot of times.

Still, right now, no matter how immortal he is, it is impossible for him not to fall asleep. Feng Xin embraces him, kisses his forehead, covers his body and tells him to rest. Mu Qing closes his eyes engulfed by the purest and happiest feeling he's ever known. Trapped in Feng Xin's hold, he figures there is nothing to worry about, he will find a way around his cultivation vows.

After all, even though he has been a god for centuries, it's only tonight that he feels truly invincible

Feng Xin doesn't fall asleep. He just embraces Mu Qing's bare body from behind and delivers a few soft caresses to his tender skin, still shocked that he is allowed to touch Mu Qing this way. It has been centuries since he was intimate with someone and his heart is beating so fast, it feels like it is about to burst.

There are so many thoughts in his head now, a lot of them filled with the times he bruised this same body that he now touches with utmost love and care. Mu Qing indeed has a difficult personality but that's obviously a shelf he created for himself to protect how beautiful his heart is. Feng Xin is glad he got to see it before it was too late.

Which reminds him, there is something else he has to find out. Feng Xin leans a bit closer, delivers a few kisses on Mu Qing's bare back and shoulders before he stands up and puts some clothes on. He is quiet when he leaves the room and goes down the stairs. He walks around for a little until he finds Hua Cheng sitting behind a black luxurious desk. He is writing something.

Feng Xin sighs, he approaches Hua Cheng who most definitely senses his presence but doesn't say anything. Too focused on his work, which is...calligraphy practice sheets?!

"Has His Highness arrived at Paradise Manor?" Feng Xin asks, bodly taking a seat in front of Hua Cheng.

"Not yet," Is everything the ghost king says without so much as a look towards him.

Feng Xin starts to get slightly uncomfortable. "Crimson Rain Sought Flower...or rather, Hua Cheng. I need to ask you something."

Hua Cheng hums, his brush still moving against the paper. "There's food and drinks in the kitchen, you can help yourselves to anything you'd like."

Hua Cheng is a ghost. Although he can eat if he wants to, he doesn't really need it. It makes Feng Xin wonder why there's even a kitchen in his home. But that's a conversation for another time. Even though he could take a guess that it has a lot to do with Xie Lian.

"Mhm, thank you but it is not that," he says then, trying to sound kind and polite.

"Then what is it?"

Feng Xin gets sort of nervous, a feeling he hasn't gotten in a really long time. "I was just wondering…" he starts, Hua Cheng keeps writing without noticing how nervous Feng Xin’s getting "...What exactly happens with His Highness' cultivation after he breaks his purity vows?"

It is only then that Hua Cheng finally lifts his gaze and looks at him with a knowing smirk, "You're asking for Mu Qing."

Feng Xin knows it is more of an affirmation than a question and he has no intention of denying it. Therefore, he nods. Hua Cheng chuckles, sits back and crosses his arms, brush still in his hand "Does His Highness know?"

"Not yet," Feng Xin tells him sincerely, "But since Mu Qing is being slandered by some of the heavenly officials, I wouldn't like for him to lose his powers."

Hua Cheng takes the brush he had been using to his lips, taps two times against his face with a rather amused demeanor. "The first time he will be really worn out almost without any energy, but from then on, it is actually not that bad," he says with a little shrug. "Gege loses a percentage of his spiritual powers for a while so I just let him borrow spiritual energy if he needs it but he is usually fine."

Feng Xin feels relieved. This is exactly what he needed to hear.

"Plus, if you two try dual cultivation, the damage won't even be noticeable," Hua Cheng goes on, there is a smile on his face that seems less sarcastic and more sincere. He is being truly honest and it's something Feng Xin has never seen of him but he can't say he dislikes it. That's precisely why he decides to take this moment to say a few things.

"Hua Cheng," he calls, the ghost king just looks at him. "Thank you for letting us stay, I know how you feel about us, so no matter if it was only for His Highness, I am really grateful."

Hua Cheng hums "His Highness thinks highly of you two so it wouldn't be right to turn my back on you."

Feng Xin hums, stands and once again tells him that he is grateful. "I'll let you go on with your...calligraphy," he says before leaving and although he feels a heavy demonic aura behind him, Hua Cheng seems to be very calm.

Feng Xin sighs, he walks back to the bedroom to find Mu Qing still asleep.

The first time he will be really worn out.

That must be true. Mu Qing has never been a heavy sleeper but he seems to be really exhausted. Feng Xin goes to him, lifts up the blanket and lies down next to him. It is impossible for him not to scoop closer and snake his arms around his lover's still-nude body. Mu Qing stirs in his hold, his face forms a little frown. Feng Xin is delicate when he lands a soft kiss on his forehead and his cheek. Mu Qing’s lips form a little smile but he doesn’t open his eyes.

It makes Feng Xin think about these past few centuries. Mu Qing has always been a secluded type of god. Someone who would rather be by himself. He has probably been perceived as arrogant, as if no one was good enough to be around him. Feng Xin believes there could be a little bit of that in Mu Qing’s personality but he also thinks that he must’ve been pretty lonely.

It is true that they have never shared any kind of wonderful friendship and that things only got worse when they both ascended but Feng Xin knows he has always cared for Mu Qing. In the same way he has always cared about Xie Lian. Or well- not the same- but even if his younger self didn’t like a lot of Mu Qing’s personality traits, he did consider him a comrade. A friend. Someone to look after and who would look after him. Of course, that was before the Xianle war and before everything went wrong between the three of them.

As he looks at Mu Qing’s sleeping face and pulls the fancy blanket up to cover his naked shoulders, Feng Xin’s mind goes back to the days he had done his utmost best to avoid being anywhere close to Mu Qing. To the point where even visiting his temples that were near Xuan Zhen’s was a hassle for him. He laughs softly, thinking that now he wants nothing else but to be close to the southwest god.

Feng Xin is set on resting for the night too when he hears three clear knocks on the door.

“Mu Qing?” That’s Xie Lian, he must’ve just arrived. “Mu Qing? I heard what happened...can I come in?”

Feng Xin’s eyes go wide open. He starts to look around but then again, he can’t really let Xie Lian enter and see Mu Qing completely naked in bed. “Mu Qing,” he calls softly, trying to wake him up but Mu Qing barely moves. This was his first time, Feng Xin doesn’t expect him to be any less tired than he seems to be.

“Mu Qing?” Xie Lian calls again, Feng Xin panics “Mu Qing, I’m coming in.”

Feng Xin can’t think fast enough and so when Xie Lian opens the door, Feng Xin is able to notice the exact moment in which the scene registers in the prince’s mind.

“....Feng Xin” Xie Lian’s voice comes out a bit shaky.

“Feng Xin…you...Feng Xin…” His Highness looks like he is about to scream and so Feng Xin’s only reaction at the time is to take a finger to his lips and shush him.

“Shhh! Please,” Feng Xin says cautiously, “Don’t be noisy.”

Xie Lian’s eyes are still wide open, he takes a hand to his lips. “Um...yes, sorry...I didn’t mean to interrupt, um…you have a great night...I mean, sleep tight...”

It’s then that Crimson Rain Sought Flower appears behind Xie Lian, expression amused. Feng Xin can feel his whole face burning; he is surely red beyond belief.

“Gege,” Hua Cheng says then lovingly, “Let’s leave, okay? You can talk to them tomorrow.”

Xie Lian’s hand is still against his mouth when Hua Cheng reaches for the doorknob and closes it slowly. Not before sending a knowing wink to Feng Xin.

“San Lang! They….they!” Feng Xin hears Xie Lian saying, Huh! Given the luxury of this mansion, Feng Xin would’ve expected for the walls to be thicker.

“Yes, Gege but they love each other, no? Just like you and me when we…” Clearly Hua Cheng doesn’t get to finish that sentence before Xie Lian interrupts.

“Love? I- I guess, but they always acted like they hated each other, San Lang... I did notice they were on better terms lately...I just didn’t know they became that close,” Xie Lian speaks with surprise leaking in every word, his voice is high pitched. He is the person who has known Feng Xin and Mu Qing for the longest time and his shock is only natural. He has seen them fighting, brawling and acting like they indeed hate each other since they were teenagers.

“I don’t know, Gege but there is a fine line between love and hate,” Hua Cheng replies before Feng Xin hears their footsteps leaving.

Feng Xin sighs, gently removes himself from the bed to get some of the sleeping robes from the wooden closet. He shakes Mu Qing softly before delivering some soft strokes to his rose cheek.

"Mu Qing,” He calls warmly but the other god doesn’t flinch. "Mu Qing," he tries again and when Mu Qing cracks open an eye, Feng Xin smiles instantly "My love."

Mu Qing opens both eyes at that. His expression in awe. Feng Xin is quick to give a peck to his lips. "It's cold," he says with his lips still against Mu Qing's "Put on this robe and you can continue sleeping."

Mu Qing nods, he looks exhausted but the smile on his face is enough to reveal that he is doing well. "Will you stay with me?" He asks a bit shyly, as he lies down again, clearly leaving space for Feng Xin to fit next to him.

"Naturally," Feng Xin replies, getting his own clothes off. He pretends he doesn't see the way Mu Qing eyes him as he changes. It is not the first time they have undressed in front of one another but it's the first time they’ve watched with intent.

Feng Xin lays down next to Mu Qing, blows the candles so that the room submerges in complete darkness.

"Are you feeling okay?" Feng Xin asks as he turns around to face the beautiful god next to him. Mu Qing places both hands on Feng Xin's waist, his hands firmly grabbing onto his sleeping robes.

"Mhmmm I'm tired...feel like I've been drained," Mu Qing replies sincerely and even though this is a beautiful intimate moment, he can't help feeling guilty.

"Let me lend you spiritual energy," Feng Xin tells him, already channeling the spiritual powers through his core. But Mu Qing shakes his head and instead pulls himself closer to Feng Xin, his arms now around his waist, face under his chin.

"Let's do it tomorrow, for now I just want to sleep," Mu Qing murmurs, slipping his knee in between Feng Xin's legs.

"Okay, my love," Feng Xin tells him as he kindly removes a strand of hair off Mu Qing's face. "Also, I feel like I should tell you."

"Tell me what?" Mu Qing mumbles, clearly about to fall asleep.

"His Highness knows about us, he...uhm...saw us," Feng Xin says cautiously, careful not to upset Mu Qing or let him fall from his hold.

"Xie Lian?" Mu Qing mumbles again “Really? Xie Lian knows?" he chuckles a little before pulling himself even closer to Feng Xin. "His two best friends together, I bet he is happy." Is everything Mu Qing manages to reply before hugging Feng Xin a bit tighter and falling asleep once again.

This is not something that Feng Xin considered. If anything Xie Lian looked like he was about to pass out. Of course, it must’ve been surprising for him to find them in quite a compromising position but then again Feng Xin thinks that what must’ve surprised him the most wasn’t the scene but its protagonists. He had said it so clearly to Hua Cheng: “Love? They always acted like they hated each other”

Feng Xin’s not sure if that’s the proper word. If he had to pick a moment in his life where he truly hated Mu Qing, the time after the Xianle war comes to mind but even then, it was not hatred for Mu Qing. It was just hatred. Towards Yong’an, towards the betrayers from Xianle who decided to join the rebels, towards White No Face, towards the Human Face Disease...even towards Xie Lian for not having been able to win. It was hatred towards life and during that time, Mu Qing was an important part of his everyday life.

When he announced that he was leaving, Feng Xin was more hurt than angry. Despite every suspicion he ever had, he never thought Mu Qing would actually leave after having gotten everything he could out of Xie Lian. It was about two centuries later that he understood that Mu Qing hadn’t left because he thought he couldn’t get anything else out of Xie Lian, he left to take care of his mother and try to survive by himself. Feng Xin has never told him that he knew - that despite his best efforts, his mother died while he was on duty as a middle court official.

How he found that out had a lot to do with the gossipy gods Hua Cheng had erased from existence. Feng Xin happened to be around when five or six of them were commenting about Mu Qing. Their tongues were sharp and mean when speaking about him, one of them even went as far as calling him miserable. Another one mentioned that he was nothing but the sad abandoned lackey of the fallen prince. Back then, Feng Xin was newly ascended himself so he is embarrassed to admit that he didn’t do anything after hearing those weasels talk about Mu Qing and Xie Lian that way. He is more embarrassed to admit that after having learned about what happened in that conspicuous land, he felt like Mu Qing deserved to be betrayed by those he chose to protect. The same way he had betrayed Xie Lian.

He guesses Mu Qing found out about the way these gods spoke about him soon enough and therefore cut ties with them and secluded himself even more. He became lolenier.

Feng Xin hugs Mu Qing a bit closer and kisses the top of his head. One of the good things that resulted from those gossiping gods getting away from Mu Qing was that he was not forced to accept Hua Cheng’s challenge and therefore, none of his temples were burnt down and nothing happened to him. Thankfully.

But that was back then and now Mu Qing’s being attacked again. Not only by whoever is targeting him and other gods but by fellow heavenly officials as well. Feng Xin is ashamed that he didn’t do anything back when he heard those gods talking shit about Mu Qing; he now vows to defend him with his life if necessary. No one would slander Mu Qing under his watch. Not now. Not ever.

Next day Mu Qing wakes up feeling two strange things. First, he feels sort of human. He is in pain. Not the pain that came from battle bruises and hurt but pain as if his muscles were sore and his body has lost strength. He figures, that is to be expected. Second, he feels his heart full and his cheeks blushed. His chest feels a sort of tightness that it's impossible to ignore but it isn't bad. On the contrary, it feels as if his heart is complete for the very first time in his long, long life.

Feng Xin is so close to him, he feels strong arms around his waist. His own arm is loosely placed around Feng Xin's back as well. He wonders if he is dreaming but then again, everything he feels is just too real. Mu Qing lets his eyes explore Feng Xin's sleepy face. He looks so calm, so tranquil, lost in his slumber. His long eyelashes clash beautifully against his cheeks and his lips are slightly parted. Feng Xin sleeping is not an unknown sight to him and yet, he feels like today is the first time he actually sees him. Sees him in a way he hasn't for over eight centuries. He is stunning. Stunning in every sense of the word.

He sighs. He knows that he needs to bathe but wonders where he should ask for water. After all this is Hua Cheng's house and he must not forget that despite the Ghost King's kindness in letting them stay, he is not truly welcome here. Therefore, the less disturbances he causes, the better.

He slides off bed as gently as possible, trying hard not to disrupt his lover. He puts on a pair of slippers and quietly exits the room.

For such a big mansion, Paradise Manor is really silent. Mu Qing is only able to distinguish two voices seemingly coming from the dining room. He walks slowly there, unsurprised when he finds Xie Lian and Hua Cheng in there, apparently eating a buffet breakfast. He means to enter the room and properly greet them when their conversation suddenly peaks his interest.

"Ling Wen told me there were thirteen attacks yesterday," Xie Lian says calmly, his melodic voice polluted with concern. "Temples were not only shattered this time, they were also burnt to the ground by this group of demons. Now that Mu Qing and Feng Xin fled the Heavenly Capital, the suspicions against them are even stronger."

"Against them?" Hua Cheng then asks, "I thought it was only Mu Qing."

"Well, technically yes. But according to Ling Wen, some of the officials have started to blame Feng Xin as well."

"Mu Qing was here all night, with a depleted cultivation even!"

Mu Qing can't help but blush at the comment. Of course! This is the Ghost King's house! Of course he knew what had gone down the night before, plus Mu Qing has a vague memory of Feng Xin telling him that Xie Lian also knew. A memory that makes his face burn even hotter.

"San Lang!" Xie Lian chuckles but then his tone gets serious again, "San Lang, we know neither Mu Qing nor Feng Xin are behind the demons' attacks but I'm starting to wonder…"

"Wonder what, Gege?"

"If Jun Wu is somehow involved," Xie Lian says this quietly, as if it's something that he has been thinking about.

"Impossible," Hua Cheng instantly replies "He is imprisoned under the care of Guoshi and three powerful mountain spirits, he can't escape."

Xie Lian hums "I know. But this is the kind of thing he would do, start like a predator until the situation escalates large enough to gather enough attention of heavenly officials. Plus, since Mu Qing refused to work for him and is related to me, he might've become his new target."

Hua Cheng sounds doubtful, "I hardly think Jun Wu would pay Mu Qing as much attention as he paid you. To him, Mu Qing and Feng Xin were just chess pieces he wanted to use against you."

"What if that's not the case, San Lang?" Xie Lian adds then, sounding legitimately concerned. "What if he does to Mu Qing what he did to me?"

Mu Qing frowns. What exactly is Xie Lian talking about? Of course, he knows Jun Wu terrorized Xie Lian after the Xianle war, but apart from stalking him and appearing even in his dreams. Had he ever actually hurt His Highness?

"He won't, Gege," Hua Cheng calms him with a gentle tone. "Jun Wu is imprisoned. Even if he was the mind behind this ordeal, there is no way for him to physically flee Mount Tonglu. What you went through, Dianxia, won't ever be repeated."

The sound of a soft kiss follows. Xie Lian sighs. "I guess you're right," he says softly then "It's just that I don't think I'll ever stop being scared of him."

Another kiss sound, softer this time. "There's nothing to be scared of," Hua Cheng tells him with utter adoration filtering in his voice, "I'm here now and as long as I exist, nothing like that will ever happen to you again."

This time Mu Qing's interest peaks enough for him to enter the room where Xie Lian and Hua Cheng are talking.

Xie Lian instantly smiles at him. "Good morning," he greets kindly. Hua Cheng just nods in his direction. Xie Lian's hand is held by him.

"What do you mean...what happened to you?" Mu Qing, as always, goes straight for the jugular. "What did Jun Wu do to you that I don't know about?"

Xie Lian's smile instantly becomes puzzled, unable to respond.

"Eavesdropping is beyond heavenly official's etiquette, General Xuan Zhen," Hua Cheng says then. Even though he formally addresses him, Mu Qing doesn't feel an ounce of respect in his tone and so he insists.

"Your Highness," he breathes in deeply, still feeling sort of weak "What did he do to you?"

This time, Mu Qing asks with sincere concern. He doesn't know a lot of what Xie Lian went through after the Xianle war and after his second ascension. He might never admit to it, but Mu Qing did search for him a couple of times. Not as eagerly or as devotedly as Feng Xin did, but he still looked for Xie Lian. Not even being sure of what he would've done had he actually found him.

"Aaah," Xie Lian hesitates before standing up. "It's a long story that we should discuss some other time. As for now, we have bigger problems."

“What bigger problems?” Feng Xin joins them. His hair is all disheveled and messy. His eyes are still hanging heavy with traces of lost sleep. “What happened?”

Mu Qing doesn’t miss the way Xie Lian’s expression contorts upon seeing him and Feng Xin standing next to each other even though the prince composes it in a second. “Yesterday, thirteen more attacks happened against several temples. Once again, they were all around the Southwest.”

Mu Qing sighs. He closes his eyes forcefully. “Are there any foreign temples still standing in my territory?”

“Not many” Xie Lian is fast to reply “Mine are still there and Feng Xin’s too, which consequently is raising more suspicion against us”

“So what now?”

“Now we go back to the Heavenly Capital because we have nothing to hide, no reason to flee” Xie Lian speaks with firm determination. “We talk to Ling Wen about the new information and we plan a counterattack.”

“We can’t go back to the Heavenly Capital” Feng Xin instantly reacts, he takes a step forward as if to cover Mu Qing behind. “What if we can’t get out?”

“Feng Xin, we are three martial gods, nothing will happen to us. But just in case, I will be carrying San Lang’s dice.”

That doesn’t need further explanation.

Even though there have always been some misunderstandings or minor conflicts between heavenly officials, they all follow a certain unwritten code of etiquette. Given that they are deities themselves and even have appointed deputy generals working for them, no upper court official would ever attack another one out of the blue. Just like the issue going on with Mu Qing right now, they throw accusations and even ask the civil gods to deliberate but, apart from the time they fled, no one ever pointed a sword or an arrow against Xuan Zhen. And even then, it was the middle court agents that followed them without so much of an arrow being thrown at them. If anything, those deputies just wanted to stop them from leaving.

Nevertheless, things are different when it comes to ghosts. Especially when said ghost is none other than Crimson Rain Sought Flower, Hua Cheng. The fact that he is now married to the most powerful martial god of the heavenly realm once brought a sort of relief to the other heavenly officials, until Hua Cheng made it plain obvious that he didn’t care about anyone else but Xie Lian. Therefore, the relief they once felt completely vanished. When it comes to the ghost realm and what they do, there are no rules and there is no etiquette. If they want to turn the heavens upside down, they will. If they want to avenge a long overdue blood debt, they will. And so, no one wants to be a target in their eyes, especially not in Hua Cheng’s.

“When are we going then?”

“When you two are ready.”

They make quick arrangements before Mu Qing and Feng Xin head back towards the chamber they shared to get properly washed and dressed. There is warm water in two luxurious bathing tubs behind the screen and when Mu Qing sees that the two tubs have been conveniently set together, he raises an eyebrow. Surely this was Hua Cheng's meddling.

Feng Xin goes behind the screen to join him. "You can bathe first, but I wanted to ask you if you are feeling alright" His voice is tender, sweet, caring and everything Mu Qing never thought he'd hear from Feng Xin. "Let me lend you some spiritual power."

This time, Mu Qing does not refuse so he only nods. He does not want to say, because Feng Xin might feel guilty but he can very clearly feel the lack of spiritual energy within him. It is as if a huge and abundant cascade had suddenly become a weak stream of water. He feels heavily debilitated.

"Give me your hand." Feng Xin requests but Mu Qing shakes his head. He knows he gets red before even saying it but upon being asked over and over to communicate better, he decides to go ahead, "Let's share energy...the same way Xie Lian and Hua Cheng do it."

Feng Xin startles for a second. He looks at Mu Qing so intently that for a moment, Mu Qing feels the urge to suddenly yell at him to stop staring like that because even though he has yet to bathe, that stare is making him completely bare.

It takes a few seconds for a smile to form in Feng Xin's lips. He moves a little closer and softly pecks his lips. "You're too beautiful for your own good," he whispers before kissing him with intent. Mu Qing's eyes close in an instant.

Kisses were already good but kisses imbued with spiritual energy feel like ascending all over again. It's electric and powerful as if magnetism was holding their lips this close together. Mu Qing swears he has never felt something like this before. He sets both arms around Feng Xin's neck. Feels both of Feng Xin's hands pressing on his waist.

This high class silky robe does little to conceal the warmth of Feng Xin's fingers and he can only sigh. The attention he is receiving is beyond anything he could've ever wished for. If anything, not even in his wildest dreams had he ever thought he could be treated this way. That someone would actually want to treat him this way and do these kinds of things with him. It seems a bit unreal and it’s probably because of this that he suddenly opens his eyes and his lips stop moving.

Feng Xin also halts. His skin is a bit darker than Mu Qing's but the redness around his cheeks and ears is evident, not that he expected otherwise with how intensely they were kissing. He looks a bit startled and Mu Qing looks at him with an agape mouth.

“Is something wrong?” Feng Xin asks before taking his hand. He is still a bit blushed but looks quite confident when he brings Mu Qing's hand to his lips and delivers a soft kiss. “Are you feeling debilitated still?”

Mu Qing is not completely sure about how he feels now but weak is not a word for it. There’s something burning in his chest and it’s something that he can’t properly distinguish but it makes him feel light rather than weak, powerful rather than strong. He is not sure how to name this feeling but he knows, he wants...he craves more of it.

"Nan Yang Zhenjun," Mu Qing whispers before kissing him again. Soft this time but equally unrestrained. The way their lips move against each other is intoxicating. Mu Qing has so many things he needs to express. So many feelings he needs to share, so many thoughts he needs for Feng Xin to understand but words are not easy for him. They never have, they probably never will. So he kisses him deeply, his hands hang from his robes, his body presses close to him.

He hopes Feng Xin understands how much this means to him. How badly he has been waiting for someone to care for him like this, so unconditionally. How he never thought he'd be worthy of such privilege. How lucky he feels that he is receiving it from Feng Xin. Mu Qing kisses him with every beat of his heart hanging from his lips, with every piece of his soul pouring into this moment because he has never felt like this before. He's never wanted to be someone else's this badly. He'd never felt this dependent and yet so free.

Feng Xin leaks more spiritual energy into their kiss. His hands press tight on Mu Qing's lower back until there is a knock on the door.

"Feng Xin? Mu Qing?" Xie Lian calls, but this time he doesn't come in. "Are you ready? We should get going."

They instantly part. Feng Xin looks at Mu Qing then takes a look at himself. They haven't bathed, they haven't changed. Their hair is still undone.

"Give us a little more time, Your Highness," Feng Xin yells with a big smile on his face. Eyes shining, cheeks blushed. Mu Qing has both hands on his biceps looking at him in awe.

"No problem, I will wait for you in the main hall" Xie Lian replies and his jovial tone is probably an indicator of how aware he is about what's going on inside this chamber.

Feng Xin gives one last kiss to Mu Qing's cheek before going to the other side of the screen while Mu Qing bathes. The water has gone slightly cold but it is not bad, given how warm his body feels. He uses the oils and it's when a nice white porcelain bottle catches his attention that he remembers there is something he needs to know.

"Feng Xin," Mu Qing calls as he brushes his hair while the other god bathes. There is a hum in response.

"There is something I want to ask you," Mu Qing threads carefully now, fully knowing that bringing this up could result in an awful fight. He really does not want to fight.

"Tell me," Feng Xin walks out from behind the screen where he was bathing. His inner robe already hugging his figure. He starts to put on his outer robe and armor.

Mu Qing finishes doing his hair before he turns around "Eight hundred years ago, after I left...what did White no Face do to His Highness?"

Feng Xin turns to look at him, his expression serious and grim. He seems to hesitate for a while before he continues fixing his clothes. "He followed His Highness, tormented him even in his dreams, played with his mind...he stalked him."

"I know that," Mu Qing is quick to reply "But that's not what I mean...earlier today I heard Hua Cheng and Xie Lian talking about something Jun Wu did. Hua Cheng said over and over again that it won't be repeated and it definitely is beyond stalking."

Feng Xin listens to him intently. "His Highness never told me anything else, I don't even know how the King and Queen died...I haven't asked His Highness either, but I'm grateful that I got to say goodbye to them."

"Do you regret leaving him?"

"I regretted it the very next day but when I went back to the little cottage we were living in, His Highness wasn't there. I searched for him around but didn't find him...I never saw him again after that," Feng Xin speaks with palpable traces of guilt in his voice, as if he had opened a deep, still unhealed, wound. "How about you? Did you regret it?"

Mu Qing nods. "I didn't regret leaving because I really thought I could help you two and mother...I didn't leave with the intention of disappearing forever, but after what happened in that conspicuous land and the fight we had...I knew I couldn't return."

"If it makes you feel better...we did eat the rice you brought us. We could not afford to throw away food," Feng Xin chuckles though he clearly is sad. Mu Qing doesn't know how this makes him feel, but good is not the word for it.

"Listen, when we get the chance let's ask His Highness" Mu Qing proposes, seeing that Feng Xin is about to be done with his clothes and they need to leave. "If he doesn't want to tell us, we could ask Crimson Rain Sought Flower."

Feng Xin agrees and they leave not before Feng Xin is able to peck his lips one more time.

It takes them a few minutes to get everything ready, but they arrive to the Heavenly Capital in no time. From the very moment they take a step over the threshold, things don't go well.

The looks directed towards them is the farthest thing from friendly and even though the middle court agents bow to Xie Lian, it is plain as day that they are not offering their greetings to the two generals walking by his side. Aside from Pei Ming's, Ling Wen's and Quan Yizhen's deputies, no one really treats them normally. Of course, this was to be expected after their exit the night before, but it still feels rather weird.

"I'll go to my palace to check on my officials," Mu Qing says, because he knows that they are probably being looked down upon too. Even though they are not at fault. He wants to see if they are doing alright and he is about to peel off when Feng Xin grabs his wrist.

"You're not separating from us." Mu Qing instantly turns to him.

"Mu Qing, I know you're worried about your officers, we can go to check on them before we leave, but for now, it's best for us to stay together," Xie Lian tells him and even though Mu Qing wants to once again prove that he is strong and he can handle everything that's thrown his way, he relents. It might be a better idea to remain together. So he just nods and they continue on their way.

"Welcome, Your Highness, General Nan Yang, General Xuan Zhen," Ling Wen greets them when they arrive. "I hope you had a good night's rest," she goes on with a sarcastic smile directed towards Feng Xin and Mu Qing.

Mu Qing internally panics for a minute, thinking that his relationship with Feng Xin has been discovered but then he realizes Ling Wen is probably just referring to how they fled. He stares back at her with a serious expression.

"Back to business," Ling Wen opens a scroll. "The attacks performed yesterday were the worst ones yet. Thirteen temples went down and this time, the demons also appeared in the Southeast."

Feng Xin makes a pained expression at that. Mu Qing fights the urge to grab his hand. To reassure him that everything will be fine, like Feng Xin has done with him so many times. "The temples attacked follow no pattern or guide but the case this time was worse because of the devotees who were there when the attacks occurred."

"How many casualties?" Feng Xin asks and his voice is low and sad. Mu Qing perfectly understands him. Perfectly comprehends. It is a martial god's job to protect their devotees and Feng Xin must feel like he failed. There is a flame in Mu Qing's heart that urges him to pull Feng Xin close and stroke his hair, console him for a while. Make him feel loved and cherished in the way only Mu Qing can.

"About twenty," Ling Wen replies "Luckily, the attacks happened near the temples' closing time."

"There is no way all the temples have the same closing time," Xie Lian comments, strategic as always.

Ling Wen "That's right, which is why we are even more convinced that these demons have a higher power behind them, organizing them and possibly controlling them."

"We already know it's not Qi Rong, so what is the plan now?" Mu Qing asks, he is getting impatient because he knows that he is the one suspected of being the higher power behind those demons and therefore, behind the attacks.

"The lights that precede the demons were last seen in the southwest, exactly in this location." Ling Wen points at a particular place. Mu Qing recognizes it, one of his least visited temples. Located by a roadside, it received offerings from travelers but they were never much. If anyone was to see it, they would surely think that it is the perfect place to plan out an attack.

"Then let's go there," Feng Xin proposes, Ling Wen nods. "I will hand you the scrolls but in case there are more attacks tonight, I shall display a couple more officials to give you aid during your mission."

Xie Lian smiles "Thank you for your hard work." he bows politely. "We will be parting now then."

"Good luck in your mission, I shall wait for news through the communication array" Ling Wen rolls three scrolls and hands them over to Xie Lian.

"By the heaven official's blessings, no paths are bound," Xie Lian says before the three of them bow politely and leave.

They walk out of Ling Wen’s Palace right when Li Chao passes by. Xie Lian bows towards him and greets him but the other god just turns his face with disdain. Mu Qing can't help but roll his eyes, this little idiot is so naive that he doesn't even know the reason why not a single soul dares to be rude to Xie Lian.

Of course the Crown Prince doesn't mind the treatment. He is beyond that. So he just laughs it off and continues on his path with Feng Xin and Mu Qing by his side.

"Before we descend, allow me to visit my palace" Mu Qing requests and upon having promised before, neither Feng Xin nor Xie Lian object. Together they head towards the palace of Xuan Zhen. Them walking like this, with His Highness the Crown Prince in the middle with the two commanders of the south by his side must be the very image of arrogance and entitlement to other’s eyes and so it is not surprising that they get several looks as they make their way to the avenue where their three palaces are located.

Mu Qing is glad to see that his absence has not caused much trouble. His official in command has everything running perfectly and the only thing he sees is how much work he has accumulated. He checks on the prayers and answers the ones that he is capable of doing fast. Feng Xin and Xie Lian wait for him at the main hall for a few minutes while Mu Qing looks at the scrolls now forming a pyramid on his desk. It is while he does this that he discovers several prayers requesting for his protection against a recent unknown plague.

‘As a devoted worshiper, I request General Xuan Zhen’s protection against the rats that come out at night. I shall bring more offerings and sacrifices to your altar for the punishment to stop.

‘General Xuan Zhen, I apologize for my offenses, please protect my family from the scoundrels from the south.’

‘General Xuan Zhen, have these lowly believers done anything to upset you? I pray for your excellency to please forgive us.’

Mu Qing frowns, he looks at the origin of these prayers and discovers that they all come from the four villages that surround the mountain where his favorite temple is located. The one he had fled to when he got first accused, the one where Feng Xin found him and showed him how wonderful it was to feel loved. He has not heard of any plague lately, in fact, had there been any breakouts of wild creatures ruining crops and harvest, these prayers would have gone directly towards the Rain Master.

It’s suspicious, especially because his devotees seem to think that he is punishing them. “Feng Xin! Your Highness!” he calls, leaving his work room towards the main hall where both gods are being attended to with food and drinks.

“Are you finished, love?” Feng Xin asks, Mu Qing pretends he doesn’t see the way Xie Lian almost chokes on the drink he had just taken. For sure there are a few things to tell the prince, but right now, he knows what’s more important.

“I want you to see this,” Mu Qing displays all the scrolls with these unusual prayers in front of both Feng Xin and Xie Lian. They read through them with curiosity and it doesn’t take them a minute to understand the nature of this ‘so-called’ plague.

“Mu Qing, do these prayers come from the location Ling Wen showed us?” Xie Lian takes out the scroll they gathered from the civil god’s palace.

“No they don’t,” Mu Qing is fast to clear it up. “These prayers come from one of my biggest temples, the one surrounded by four villages near the lake.”

Feng Xin seems to immediately recognize which temple Mu Qing is talking about. His cheeks go slightly pink but he doesn’t lose focus. “Do you think Ling Wen gave us the wrong scroll?”

“No,” Xie Lian is an intuitive god, his solving and deduction skills are beyond comprehension. “It means that the next temple to be attacked is the one by the mountain. This plague that devotees describe are not animals or wild creatures, they are the demons gathering strength.”

“Are you saying the temple by the roadside is a distraction? A façade?” Mu Qing now hesitates on everything. He doesn’t know what to believe anymore. If the one behind these attacks is trying to frame him, why would he attack one his biggest temples?

“It is no façade, Mu Qing,” Xie Lian suddenly stands up. “They are using that deserted location to cultivate. They must be forming distance-shortening arrays and once they get strong enough and all gather together, they will attack the four village temple.”

“It can’t be,” Feng Xin refutes with a scroll still in hand. “We know that whoever the entity behind the attacks is, it has been trying to frame Mu Qing, make it look like he is behind everything. It would make no sense to attack one of Xuan Zhen’s biggest temples.”

“Unless it doesn’t want to frame anymore,” Xie Lian explains, a concerned look directed towards Mu Qing. “Considering that yesterday’s attacks were the worst ones yet, we can only think that they want to give a decisive strike...what better than to attack a big temple, one with devoted believers so that the god loses worshippers and merits and consequently loses a huge source and amount of powers.”

“You’re brilliant,” Mu Qing compliments and this time, the words fall naturally from his lips. He doesn’t stutter, he doesn’t hesitate. Which is probably the reason why Xie Lian smiles at him so gently and wide.

“We should then head towards the Mountain Temple, prevent the demons from attacking it,” Feng Xin says, seemingly ready to leave but Xie Lian shakes his head.

“That would only be scooping water from the surface of the well,” he says calmly. “If we want to vanquish them, we have to destroy their cultivation.”

Merely minutes later, the three of them find themselves in front of the deserted temple by the roadside. The place is calm, there is no sign of the demons but there sure are remnants of what surely had been distance-shortening arrays drawn on the floor. Clearly Xie Lian was right. They discuss a plan but there is not much to do before dusk. The demons only appear at night, after all.

Deciding that it is probably better to not stay too close to the temple, they take refuge in a nearby shrine apparently dedicated to Xie Lian. Despite it being small, the statue in it is beautifully carved and there are quite a few offerings by the Flower Crowned martial god’s feet. They sit by the altar and Xie Lian takes the opportunity to light some incense and share the fruit offerings to Mu Qing and Feng Xin.

“Why are you lighting incense for yourself?” Mu Qing asks when Xie Lian joins them with fruit in his hands. “You now have plenty of believers to do that for you.”

“I guess it’s a custom,” Xie Lian replies with no hesitation. “I haven’t really forgotten the times when I was nothing more than a scrap collecting god.”

The statement is said with Xie Lian’s usual soft and happy demeanor but it hits something within them for sure. Mu Qing knows that speaking about this might make things awkward but he still turns to look at Feng Xin and the other god nods, he decides to take the lead. “Your Highness,” Mu Qing calls, Xie Lian turns to look at him while munching on a fruit. He must be a bit surprised Mu Qing is addressing him like that when lately he is usually called by his name.

“What you and Crimson Rain Sought Flower were discussing this morning,” Xie Lian instantly lowers the hand with the fruit upon the mention. “Is there anything White No Face did to you that we don’t know about?”

Feng Xin looks at Mu Qing before he directs his sight towards Xie Lian who looks troubled. “In this world, not all secrets must be known,” Xie Lian replies, it was to be expected. “Imagine if I were to ask about how this that’s going on between you two started” his finger moves to signal Feng Xin and Mu Qing “Or if both of you are even taking it as seriously as you should.”

“I would be willing to answer your question,” Feng Xin says then and even though he probably says it as a token of trust, Mu Qing feels his heart skipping a beat. Feng Xin sounds so sure. So sure about him, about their relationship and about the path they are currently walking together.

Xie Lian sighs, looks down with a grim expression.

“I know we are not the same but why is it that you could tell Hua Cheng but not us?” Mu Qing inquires. Technically speaking, they have known Xie Lian longer than Hua Cheng. Feng Xin especially grew up with him and even though Mu Qing arrived later, he had also been with the prince since probably even before Hua Cheng was born.

“It is not that I told him, Mu Qing,” Xie Lian, naturally will always jump in defense of his loving husband. “He knows because he was there...he witnessed it all.”

Mu Qing frowns “How is that possible?” Feng Xin seems to have thought exactly the same as him. Of course they know that in order to become the supreme ghost king he is today, Hua Cheng must’ve first been a regular ghost who found his path to Mount Tonglu and cultivated in the kiln but even then, how would he have followed Xie Lian while the two of them didn’t notice.

“San Lang...he has never left me...even as a ghost fire, he was always by my side. He saw it all, lived it alongside me even,” Xie Lian replies with a little- and somehow sad- smile. He must not intend it, but the moment he mentions that he was never left by Hua Cheng, there is clearly a hit landing on both Feng Xin and Mu Qing given that, well, they did leave. They were the two people Xie Lian trusted the most not to leave him but they still decided to separate their paths. Mu Qing thinks he is the only one who feels it until he sees Feng Xin’s complicated expression.

“If Your Highness doesn’t want to talk about it, we don’t have to discuss it.” Feng Xin says after a few seconds of silence.

Xie Lian sighs. “Just know that I wasn’t banished the second time I ascended,” he says calmly. “I asked Jun Wu to do it as a self punishment...but there had to be a reason for him to exile me so we pretended to battle.”

“The second cursed shackle, I asked for that too...for it to erase all of my luck.”

“Why would you do that?!” There is no way Mu Qing could ever understand the thinking process behind someone ever asking to be banished and add another cursed shackle to their own body. “You could’ve been prosperous from then on...whatever had happened before then, would’ve been forgiven.”

“It would’ve been forgiven by the heavens, yes, but it would not have been forgiven by me.”

“There is nothing that you could’ve done that was so bad that made you deserving of such a severe punishment, Your Highness,” Feng Xin seemingly tries to console but unlike many times in the past, Mu Qing sees that his words don’t have any effect on Xie Lian.

“There was, Feng Xin,” Xie Lian says calmly, his tone does not lose melody and his eyes do not lose sparkle. “And San Lang saw it all...he took care of me no matter where I went and when he could not protect me anymore, he aided me and became the target of the consequences of my deeds.”

“Why are you afraid to tell us?” Mu Qing asks directly, Feng Xin turns to look at him, probably disapproving of his tone but he pays him no mind. “Be honest,” he adds then, Xie Lian just chuckles.

“If it is because we both left when you were you at your worst and fear that the story might repeat if you tell us...know that the circumstances are different now. No one is leaving,” Mu Qing goes on then, Xie Lian shakes his head.

“You have to stop holding on to what happened then, I hold no grudge towards any of you...both of you had more important affairs than staying by my side,” Xie Lian has said this more than once, but at least to Mu Qing, it was difficult to just forget everything that had happened between them. “Mu Qing, you had your mother and Feng Xin, you had a lover to take care of… at one point or another, we needed to part ways.”

Feng Xin’s expression becomes unreadable upon the mention of Jian Lan and even though they are talking about something that happened centuries ago, Mu Qing feels quite uneasy at the mention too. A lover. Not only a lover but a son too. Mu Qing doesn’t know how or why that relationship ended, he doesn’t even know if Feng Xin suffered because of it. Still, he can’t help but feel jealous when he remembers that he is the second one. He does not say anything though and tries to hide it from showing in his expression. Those are feelings he should not harbor; they are fit for concubines in harem but not for a martial god like him.

“If you don’t want to tell us, is it okay if we ask Crimson Rain Sought Flower about it?” Feng Xin inquires, his tone is calm, as always treating Xie Lian as if he was made out of crystal despite the fact that he is not only more powerful than them, but also has lived through much more than they can even imagine.

“Ask me about what?” A stern voice joins from behind. Mu Qing turns to see, unsurprised to see Hua Cheng entering the small shrine with about ten offering lanterns.

“San Lang,” Xie Lian stands up happily before glomping on him. Hua Cheng receives him with open arms and a big smile. He lifts Xie Lian in the air and looks at him as if they hadn’t seen each other in years when it has only been a couple of hours.

“San Lang, why are you here?” Xie Lian asks, at the moment Mu Qing and Feng Xin also stand up from their spots.

“This San Lang visits Your Highness’ temples all the time,” The explanation isn’t even good but Xie Lian still smiles wide. He then gets closer to his husband to tell him something that clearly doesn’t want his two friends to hear.

“I knew he would not tell us,” Mu Qing comments as he moves closer to Feng Xin. He doesn’t feel the sparkles in his being as he usually does upon getting close to the southeast god. He apparently can’t shake Xie Lian’s previous words from his mind.

“Of course he is not going to tell you,” Hua Cheng walks towards them, confident as always with a slight bit of fury in his face. Mu Qing looks around, Xie Lian is no longer inside the shrine.

“Where did His Highness go?”

“To investigate around the temple” Hua Cheng replies before locking eyes with the both of them. “He told me you asked him about the events of eight hundred years ago so I will be kind this time and request for both of you to drop the topic and never mention it again. Especially not to His Highness, am I being clear?”

“There is nothing wrong about us asking our friend about what occurred after we parted ways, you have no right to forbid us from doing so,” Mu Qing knows he is being a little too bold here, but if there is anything that he really can’t stand, is being ordered around like when he was an errand boy.

“I have every right to demand that from you or anybody else that dares inconvenience gege,” Hua Cheng doesn't raise his voice but he is equally intimidating. "Now you call him your friend but were nowhere to be found when he needed you! He never parted ways with any of you...you two left him which is different...and you’re the worst, Mu Qing because at least Feng Xin tried!"

That's a low hit and although Mu Qing would like to counter, his mind does not process an immediate reply.

"Don't talk to him that way!" Feng Xin takes the lead then, standing in front of Mu Qing. "His Highness has said he doesn't hold a grudge against us, so why do you?"

"Because I saw what happened!" Hua Cheng's expression darkens. "And if you two knew, you would hold a grudge against your own selves! That's precisely why Gege doesn't want to tell you and why I challenged you to duel me centuries ago."

Hua Cheng’s tone drops a few notes. "Gege is much too considerate about you, much more than you deserve, so do not overstep with his trust."

"We are doing nothing of the sort," Feng Xin says, still standing in front of Mu Qing as if shielding him. "Of course the reason we asked is not to inconvenience him, but because we both care deeply about him!"

Hua Cheng chuckles. "Yes, of course,” he mocks, sarcasm dripping from his words. “Don’t bother him anymore. If he doesn’t want to tell you, the least you two can do is respect that decision.”

“Did he really leave you to tell us this?” Mu Qing questions, an eyebrow raising to add irony to his expression. “Why is it that he doesn’t dare tell us personally?”

Hua Cheng’s expression darkens and for a little Feng Xin’s does too. It has been a while since any of them heard Mu Qing referring to Xie Lian with such an attitude. He can easily tell the Ghost King doesn’t appreciate it.

“He didn’t leave me to do anything,” Hua Cheng replies, expression intimidating but Mu Qing stands his ground. “But I won’t let you both make him uncomfortable. As if you haven’t already done enough over the past centuries! I will say this just one more time: do not bring up this topic...it is in your best interest to leave him alone.”

“I also told him it was in his best interest to stay away from the ghost king yet here we are, aren’t we?” Mu Qing doesn’t hold his tongue, Feng Xin gets closer to him as if to warn him but Mu Qing has none of it.

“Luckily, His Highness is a smart, noble individual who wouldn’t let himself get swayed by the words of someone who is the complete opposite of that.”

Those words are followed by a sly smile that Mu Qing wants to punch away. “You!” He threatens before preparing his hit, Hua Cheng doesn’t move but Feng Xin grabs Mu Qing’s wrist.

“No, no,” Feng Xin gets in between them. “Let’s not fight.”

“Then, should I let this fox insult me however he likes only because he is married to Xie Lian?!”

Hua Cheng smiles dryly. “Have you ever seen a servant rebelling against his master...or their partner?”

“Crimson Rain Sought Flower, you too, stop” Feng Xin demands, boldly pressing a hand against Hua Cheng’s chest. The latter loses no time shaking him off. “We shouldn’t fight, if we do, we will only inconvenience His Highness and we don’t want to put him in such a position between us, right?”

Only then do both Mu Qing and Hua Cheng sort of take a step back. Or, well, Hua Cheng does. Mu Qing doesn't really back down. He wishes he could do a lot more to this demon who thinks so highly of himself only because Xie Lian has him in good grace. Mu Qing and Feng Xin were once in His Highness' good graces too, when Xie Lian was still Xianle's dearest prince, when he ascended as the Flower Crowned martial god. They were with Xie Lian while he was the light of the world, and even then, they were not as proud as Hua Cheng now is. It angers Mu Qing to see the Ghost King being this arrogant.

"Mu Qing, love, please," Feng Xin tries to calm him down, even placing a hand on his shoulder. Hua Cheng just looks at him. It takes a little before Mu Qing sighs and rolls his eyes. It is difficult to remain upset when Feng Xin is right next to him. Plus, no matter how upset he feels, he can’t deny Hua Cheng has been helping them even though this ìs not really his problem. It is obvious that he only does it for Xie Lian, but even so, the Ghost King hasn’t shown reluctance to giving them, and him especially, a hand.

“Hua Cheng, I know you think lowly of us, but we do care about His Highness too, that’s all,” Feng Xin says, his hand slowly sliding down Mu Qing’s arm to take his hand. “There is no need to try to intimidate us, if you just say not to ask, we won’t."

“I thought you might understand,” Hua Cheng replies calmly. “It’s him who I don’t trust,” he points at Mu Qing with his chin.

Mu Qing feels the absolute need to punch Hua Cheng’s chin but he refrains in favor of keeping the temporary truce they have had until now. “Let’s just stop talking about this already and go find Xie Lian.”

“This is the first time I’ve heard you actually make a good suggestion,” Hua Cheng says then, a smug smile decorating his face.

“Why did he leave to investigate by himself?” Feng Xin is rightfully confused, though used to being alone, Xie Lian usually works well with his team during missions.

“He was going to take you two with him but I asked him to let me speak to you privately.”

Mu Qing sighs, “Did he think you were going to ask us to be best friends or what?”

“He probably thought I’d talk to you about this relationship you have going on.”

At that mention both Feng Xin and Mu Qing turn to look at him in shock. “That’s what he asked you to do?”

“Of course not, I don’t care about what you do, but if one of you ends up heartbroken, you’ll waste Gege’s time when looking for comfort.”

Mu Qing can’t be sure but he thinks there is probably something in between the lines of what Hua Cheng just said. Earlier on, Xie Lian had told them that he didn’t know if both of them were taking this as seriously as they should. It makes sense for him to be hesitant because all he’s ever known is them fighting and trying their best to hurt one another. It would be surprising if he didn’t have his doubts.

Mu Qing, however, has never been this sure about something ever in his life. He can’t fully explain what he feels for Feng Xin, but he knows that in his whole life, he has never needed someone the way he needs him. So as he looks at Feng Xin talking to Hua Cheng, probably about the mission, he thinks of Hua Cheng’s words. If one of you ends up heartbroken…

He is so sure about his feelings now, that he knows that if someone indeed ends up with a broken heart, that will surely not be Feng Xin.

His mind, as usual, tries to wander on that dangerous path but Xie Lian thankfully interrupts them.

"Feng Xin, Mu Qing" Xie Lian's voice rings inside their minds. "Come right away! The demons are here."

How are they going to face Xie Lian after this? None of them know but upon hearing his call, they instantly react. Mu Qing doesn't say more. He presses on Feng Xin's hand with a nod and there is no more word spoken when they exit the shrine and hurry to Xuan Zhen's roadside temple.

When they step out of the Crown Prince Shrine, night has fallen. As expected, once they reach the temple the lights are all over the building, the same demonic creatures they have seen months ago but their aura is way stronger. If their disappearance has been in order to cultivate, then they for sure made quite a bit of progress. Even Hua Cheng seems to be stunned at how much stronger they’ve become.

Xie Lian’s Ruoye is already battling hard against the demonic creatures while the god himself shoots them with spiritual blasts. Hua Cheng’s wraith butterflies attack endlessly but despite how many demons they manage to destroy, more and more take form and emerge from the light portals. It’s the same dire situation they found themselves in months ago and this time, it looks worse.

“How are we supposed to destroy their cultivation, huh?” Mu Qing yells as he continues to cut through the entities with his sabre. An effort that seems almost useless because no matter how many they annihilate, it doesn’t reduce their numbers.

“The reason they are battling us this way is because they don’t want to let us into the temple” Xie Lian yells from where he is fighting on the other side of the field. “That must mean their source of power it’s in there! We need to get inside!”

Upon hearing Xie Lian’s words, Feng Xin instantly leaps up and lands on the temple’s roof. Mu Qing watches him with his heart clenching. Sure, Feng Xin can take advantage of the height in order to have better range attacks but this also makes him more vulnerable to receive attacks. Not to mention that this is a deserted temple, the roof itself must’ve already fallen prey to the rain and the elements, it can’t be too steady. Mu Qing keeps fighting with all his might while his eyes divert towards Feng Xin every now and then. It is not that he didn’t feel like this before, but it is only today that he fully understands what it means to battle next to the person he loves.

He gets that it is no longer about just winning and defeating. It is also about leaving the battlefield and walking together. About making sure the other one is doing fine at all times during the battle. It is about covering every blindspot the other might have, it is about getting the victory together because if it’s not the two of them, there is no victory at all.

Mu Qing keeps fighting with everything he’s got, his sabre does not stay still as he fights with the demons that do not put up a white flag. He keeps a close eye on Feng Xin and Xie Lian; it is clear that they stand on different ground. They had already battled these entities before, and today they make no mistakes. The problem however, shows itself soon enough when Mu Qing notices that despite the battle not being really long, he already feels thoroughly exhausted and his head suddenly aches.

As if…

As if he had run out of spiritual energy.

While he battles, he tries to focus on the flow of energy but much like early in the morning, he feels it dying out. He has had no time to study a different method, even less time to cultivate again. The energy he has been using is Feng Xin’s and it is already about to fade. Mu Qing turns to look at his lover, he is highly engaged in battle, if he requested for energy now, Feng Xin would become weak. Then there is also Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, he doubts Hua Cheng would give him any spiritual energy but Xie Lian might and so he is about to call for him when a large distance- shortening array appears on the ground.

The demons fall straight into it, the battlefield starts to empty but Mu Qing’s heart stops and he begins panicking. If the distance-shortening array has opened, it could only mean that the demons are heading towards his temple. His mountain temple. His favorite one.

He can’t let the attack happen. There is a reason that it is one of his biggest temples, there are four villages around it; four villages full of people who pray and count on his protection. He can’t let the attack be successful.

He looks around, Xie Lian is battling while Hua Cheng’s butterflies attack mercilessly. They are both deeply immersed in what they have to do, focused and undisturbed. When he turns his eyes to Feng Xin, his heart aches upon seeing him shoot arrow after arrow. “Thank you” he whispers before making his way to the distance shortening array.

“Mu Qing, no!” Xie Lian yells upon recognizing what he is about to do. Mu Qing pretends he doesn’t hear him, pretends he doesn’t see the dozens of wraith butterflies going his way and, for the good of his heart, he pretends he doesn’t see Feng Xin’s face turning ashen. He sets a foot into the array and just as expected, when he next opens his eyes, he is at a whole different location.

This mountain is recognizable, he has visited it thousands of times. What it’s not recognizable is the mist covering it. Mu Qing has visited this temple during every season of the year and even through snowstorms, he has never seen such heavy mist here. He can barely see but it is helpful that he knows the path by heart. He hears the laughs and sees the lights, he tries to head towards them but his lack of energy becomes more prominent with every step he walks.

His sabre feels terribly heavy in his hand, his steps become more and more erratic and it is only then that he notices. This mist is not new. He remembers the last time they fought the demons, the mist was flammable, this time however, it feels like the mist is sort of poisonous. It’s making him weak.

“General Xuan Zhen” then a voice greets. Mu Qing startles because that voice...it sounds exactly like him. “Aren’t you tired of fighting? Don’t you wanna lay down and rest?”

Mu Qing’s mind goes blank. He keeps his sabre in hand but other than the constant laughs and the reflecting lights, he doesn’t see anyone around him. “What’s the matter, General Xuan Zhen, are you feeling a little bad? Are you scared?”

Mu Qing turns around, he sees nothing behind. Cold sweat drops from his neck, his weapon feels heavier with every second that passes by. Scare is not the word he would use to define what he feels now. If anything, he feels tired. Tired and slightly confused. He is not one to give up though, so with the little notion he still has of where he is standing, he walks forward.

But then “Mu Qing.”

That’s Feng Xin’s voice. Mu Qing instantly turns around. Feng Xin stands a couple of steps away from him. “Feng Xin,” Mu Qing sighs in relief, walks to him and hugs him but when Feng Xin doesn’t set his arms around him, he instantly separates.

“What’s wrong?”

“Why did you jump into the array?” Feng Xin doesn’t reply to his question, he looks upset. “You could’ve gotten seriously injured...we were a team!”

Mu Qing means to explain why he had decided to step into the demonic distance- shortening array but he halts upon noticing something else in Feng Xin’s words. “Were?”

“Mu Qing,” Feng Xin says lightly, his expression unreadable. “I will always stay by your side and we will always be friends.”

“Friends?” Hadn’t Feng Xin called him his lover already? Isn’t their relationship one of lovers now? Why is Feng Xin talking about friendship now?

“Once you left, someone else joined us,” Feng Xin explains, the mist is heavy around them but somehow, it doesn’t cover Feng Xin’s face from him. “Jian Lan was around.”

The moment Mu Qing hears this, his heart stops.

“I know I said I loved you, but she was with me first. We have a son together, I have to take care of them” Every single word Feng Xin says feels like a knife to his heart. He blames the mist around him for the sudden itch around his eyes. “Jian Lan looked for me as you said she would if she needed me, we have to be together and I can’t keep this going with you...I’m sorry. You’re not more important than my family and I don’t love you more than I love them.”

Mu Qing doesn’t have time to answer before he sees the female ghost standing nearby. Cuocuo- much more healed is in her arms. She must’ve stepped into the array too. Mu Qing’s hands get cold, he feels a kiss landing on his forehead and then Feng Xin turns around and walks towards where his family awaits. Mu Qing’s eyes get wet.

He knew this could happen and maybe he should’ve considered it before getting so involved with Feng Xin. Ultimately, this is how his life is, nothing ever goes well for him. Life and luck don’t really smile on him, he is always left behind. No matter the circumstances, no matter the case. This is how it has always been and yet, this time it hurts like nothing has ever hurt him before. He feels his heart breaking in pieces when he sees Feng Xin’s tender smile next to his ghost wife and son. He sets a hand on his chest, it hurts too much but he can’t object.

Feng Xin has a family to take care of and he has always known, he has no right to intrude. He just hopes Jian Lan stays by his side this time so that Feng Xin can be happy in his life. Because he deserves to be. And him? Well, as long as Feng Xin smiles, he can smile too...even if it’s fake, even if it hides tears, he can do that much. If something has become clear to him during these past weeks, it’s that there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for Feng Xin, even if it means putting himself on the line.

The image of Feng Xin holding Jian Lan’s hand while they fondly look at their son is too much to handle though. Feng Xin is clearly no longer aware of his presence, so Mu Qing decides to leave. He turns around and keeps walking, new found strength in his limbs just so that he can flee. He reaches a higher spot on the mountain, his temple is in sight. Lights surround it and he starts to get impatient.

With a broken heart, a weakened cultivation and rage in his soul, he attacks the creatures coming out from the light portals. Even if he dies here, he doesn’t really care. It is not like he would be eternal either way. Gods can die, gods can feel pain...

“Yes we can” another voice joins him, Mu Qing wasn’t even aware that he had been talking aloud. “We can feel pain, haven’t you seen me in pain many times? ” Xie Lian speaks with an unusual still face and low tone. “You left when I needed you the most, didn’t you thrive in seeing me hurt?”

“No, I would never,” Mu Qing instantly replies. “You know I wouldn’t enjoy seeing you in pain, I really thought I could help you back then.”

“But you didn’t help me,” Xie Lian tells him pointedly. “You turned your back on me instead, not even while serving me were you as loyal as to those who wronged me.”

“I’m sorry, Your Highness,” Mu Qing defends. “But please don’t think so little of me.”

“Jun Wu was right, you know?” Xie Lian says then, an unreadable look in his golden eyes. “You’re the worst and I do despise you,” with that, Xie Lian turns around, his figure disappears in the mist. Mu Qing watches, perplexed.

“Dianxia!” he calls but Xie Lian couldn’t care less about him. He is completely alone. Like he’s always been, like he is always supposed to be.

His sabre is still unsheathed when he reaches the temple; it is still surprisingly intact. He looks around, the mist here is gone. That alone makes him feel better until he sees a shadow running to the side.

Mu Qing follows it around his temple until he sees a really recognizable figure in front of him. “General Xuan Zhen?” Li Chao greets him with a bow.

“What are you doing here?” Mu Qing doesn’t care about courtesy right now.

“General Xuan Zhen, don’t misunderstand,” Li Chao tells him, nervous and shaky. Mu Qing is not patient enough to follow his game.

“I asked you a question!” Mu Qing takes a step closer to him, sabre pointed at the newest god. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

“General Xuan Zhen, I heard about your mission with Nan Yang and His Highness…”

“So you followed us, that’s it?” Mu Qing takes another step to attack, Li Chao backs away.

“I did, but because I can really be of help!” Li Chao looks terrified, hands in the air, not putting up any sort of defense. It is only then he notices that Li Chao isn’t carrying any weapons.

“Where’s your sword?” Mu Qing asks but then Li Chao himself takes a step forward. Mu Qing’s cultivation is damaged and he has barely any time to react before Li Chao drives himself towards Mu Qing’s sabre. He injures himself purposefully.

Mu Qing then understands. This son of a witch is involved in the demon's case! “Li Chao, you idiot! What crooked way did you use to ascend?” He yells but Li Chao is already twisting on the floor with a severe injury on his side, caused by Mu Qing’s sabre. Mu Qing sees him pressing two fingers against his temple, he means to stop him but he is too slow. By the time those fingers fall from Li Chao’s head, the god, seemingly in a lot of pain, has already called for backup.

Mu Qing thinks about calling for Xie Lian or Feng Xin but then remembers that neither of them want anything to do with him. He’s by himself. Mu Qing knows he’s got no time, any second now heavenly officials will arrive here and will witness not only his temple surrounded by demons but also an injured colleague with a sabre cut. He needs to leave. He needs to leave right now.

He turns around, he can’t really levitate, he can’t jump. His spiritual energy is too low. So he attempts to run but not five steps on his way, he crushes against something, or rather against someone.

“Mu Qing! Oh thank the heavens!” Feng Xin suddenly engulfs him in a hug, holding him really tight. “Mu Qing, my love, are you alright? I landed next to one of the villages and didn’t find you there.”

Feng Xin separates from him, there is a relieved smile on his face. “You’re bleeding,” he says before pressing a soft piece of fabric under Mu Qing’s nose. “I’m sorry, my love, I should’ve known you would run out of spiritual energy, why didn’t you tell me?”

Mu Qing’s startled. He pushes Feng Xin away with all the might he can gather with his debilitated powers.

Feng Xin looks at him, stunned. “What’s wrong?” His expression is now alarmed but Mu Qing won’t be made into a fool twice in one single night.

“What’s wrong?!” Mu Qing raises his voice. “What do you mean what’s wrong? Didn’t you just tell me that you would go back to your ghost wife? That I’m not more important than them? You just told me you could not continue this way...why are you hugging me now?!”

Feng Xin’s expression distorts completely into one of utter confusion. “What are you talking about?” he asks, softly, not the least bit irritated. His easiness only makes Mu Qing even angrier.

“You said you would take care of her and your son!” Mu Qing keeps telling him, raising his voice. “You said you would leave me, why are you being so cruel to me now? You know how I feel about you! Don’t play with me like that!”

Feng Xin eyes him closely, and takes a step forward. “Love, I didn’t say anything of the sort. I haven’t seen Jian Lan in over a year,” he means to take Mu Qing’s hand but right at that moment, Li Chao makes a high pitched pained noise. It must mean whoever he called is nearby.

It is only then that Feng Xin notices him. He becomes startled but doesn’t dare to move away from Mu Qing. He seems to want to say something but gets interrupted by someone else joining them.

“Oh thank goodness, you found him and he is doing well,” Mu Qing turns around to see Xie Lian. Hua Cheng next to him, E’Ming in full display. “Mu Qing, what were you thinking! Jumping into a demonic array like that!”

Mu Qing doesn’t know what’s going on, Xie Lian had also told him he hated him. “Why are you here?” he asks, confused.

“I’m here because my friend did something outrageous and we needed to come find him,” Xie Lian replies, his tone is casual but reprimanding and Mu Qing feels lost.

“You told me you hated me, Dianxia,” He says carefully. “Why are you here?”

“What?” Xie Lian’s expression is confused as well. “When did I say that? I don’t hate you!”

Mu Qing starts to feel faint. Feng Xin is next to him but Mu Qing does not want him to get close. He doesn’t want to be heartbroken, he doesn’t want to feel pain. He doesn’t want for Feng Xin to hold him if he is going to leave in the end. He tries to grab his head but then he realizes he still has his sabre in his hand and Li Chao is hurt.

“I- I,” He really doesn’t know what is going on.

“It’s the mist, Gege,” Hua Cheng says then. “He must’ve landed within the mist. This thing is designed to show mortals their biggest fear in order to keep them away. Mu Qing must’ve seen Feng Xin rejecting him and you telling him that you hate him...that’s why he is so confused.”

“I crossed through the mist too,” Feng Xin says, slowly getting closer to Mu Qing. “I didn’t see anything.”

“That’s because you have powerful spiritual energy flowing through your veins and this is a trap usually set for mortals,” Hua Cheng explains, “But Mu Qing’s cultivation is weakened and so he fell prey to it.”

“San Lang,” Xie Lian’s voice gets quieter as he slowly approaches the spot where Li Chao keeps acting as if he was about to die. “Does that mean Mu Qing seriously stabbed him?” he asks, pointing at Li Chao but not helping him because Xie Lian very well knows when something’s real and something’s fake. And Li Chao's cries for help won't fool him, the problem is...that they might fool everybody else.

“I didn’t,” Mu Qing instantly defends. “I didn’t, I promise. He walked into my sabre while I interrogated him.”

"Do you have any proof of that?" Mu Qing suddenly sees a couple of gods arriving. As if on cue, the laughter ceases, the demons flee and the mist disappears. To his eyes, it couldn't be any more staged but to others, it might look truthful.

“Feng Xin, get Mu Qing inside the temple,” Xie Lian is fast to react, Feng Xin doesn’t need to be told twice. He takes Mu Qing’s hand and enters the now-desolated temple where they had been a couple of months ago.

Mu Qing allows himself to be pulled but his hands get sweaty, he feels cold all around and suddenly, he sees himself where he was at sixteen years old. Accused of things he didn't do, bullied and surrounded by people who thought themselves to be better or more dignified than him. It is an awful reminder of what his place should’ve been. He vaguely hears Xie Lian talking to the gods as he steps into the temple, he doesn't even know what the prince is saying but once he is inside the temple and the doors close, two firm hands are placed on his cheeks.

"Mu Qing, look at me," Feng Xin calls, tenderly. Voice very soft. He speaks with a tone Mu Qing never thought he would get from him and so against his own better judgement, Mu Qing does turn his sight to him. Feng Xin smiles faintly. Mu Qing feels something around his face where Feng Xin has his hands carefully pressed, it doesn't take him long to recognize that the other god is giving him spiritual energy.

"Listen carefully, yes?" Feng Xin requests then, a thumb softly stroking his cheek. "I haven't met with Jian Lan in over a year, she hasn't looked for me and I haven't looked for her” he begins, calmly, maintaining eye contact. Mu Qing thinks of the scene he saw earlier, how determined Feng Xin was about taking care of his family, how easily he had left. It makes him shiver and Feng Xin must notice, because he then continues speaking.

"I don't know what you saw within the mist, but that was not me...I'm not leaving you, Mu Qing. None of us are, we are here,” Mu Qing considers what the ‘we’ means in that sentence. Feng Xin and Xie Lian? Feng Xin, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng? He is sure Hua Cheng would throw him into a fire pit if it wasn’t for His Highness.

But Xie Lian had also said he hated him, so where did he stand now?

“Mu Qing, my beloved. Look at me, I'm here with you and I'm not leaving your side, no matter what, I'll be here with you." The flow of spiritual energy starts pooling in Mu Qing and he starts feeling better. The panorama gets clearer, the fright slowly starts to fade from his heart. "Feng Xin," he calls faintly when his mind finally clears.

"I'm here, love, I'm here," Feng Xin’s hands leave his face in favor of taking hold of Mu Qing’s own. Mu Qing releases a breath he didn’t know he was holding, his heart finally feels more at ease. Feng Xin loses no time in hugging him. As tight as possible, he puts every piece of Mu Qing’s heart back together. Especially when he separates slightly to kiss his cheeks, his temple, his chin, his neck and wherever his lips land.

He then focuses on kissing Mu Qing’s lips...once, twice, three times- until Mu Qing himself is able to move his own lips around Feng Xin’s too. With his heart beating rapidly, his body recovering strength and his mind finally cleared, Mu Qing hugs Feng Xin tightly. “Thank you,” he says, making sure Feng Xin is unable to see his- for sure completely enamoured- expression.

It is only then, with a constant flow of spiritual energy in his being that he is able to hear Xie Lian. "If he said he didn't do it, then he didn't do it!" Xie Lian sounds upset, or as upset, as Xie Lian can get. "Isn’t it more interesting to find out why General Li Chao is here? When this mission has not ever been assigned to him...this is the second time."

Feng Xin sighs, “We should go outside,” he says with a rather sad tone as if he didn’t want this moment to end. Mu Qing understands, because if it was up to him, he would stay locked inside this temple with Feng Xin for the rest of the night. However, Xie Lian is now putting up a fight for him despite this not being his battle, Mu Qing can’t possibly flee.

Therefore, he nods and walks out the temple with Feng Xin by his side. “General Xuan Zhen, you must admit this doesn’t look good for you,” one of the gods says. Mu Qing recognizes him, even during the episode at the heavenly court, this same god didn’t hold back when it came to accusing him.

“I do admit it, but that is only because General Li Chao wants it to look that way,” Mu Qing replies and he can clearly see that the four gods present here do not appreciate his tone. He doesn’t care. “Don’t you see him there twirling and twisting? He’s not even in pain because the injury he caused to himself is not deep, this is all an act.”

The other gods, now grown fond of Li Chao, could probably tell that Li Chao was not in as much pain as he pretended to be. But now, having grown fond of the new ascended god and on the contrary, being completely averse to Mu Qing, to admit to the fact that Li Chao was in fact alright would mean losing face. Mu Qing could see that he would not get anywhere with these officials, so he took a step back towards Feng Xin, not really as a retreat but as if looking for the safety of the person who had said they wouldn’t leave.

“Whether it is painful or not, you still hurt him!” One of the officials declared, not being moved at all by Mu Qing’s words and it is then that Xie Lian decided to take action.

“He already said he didn’t do it, I must ask your excellencies, if you’re not capable of understanding his statement or if you are purposely ignoring him. If it’s the first, then I can very well recite his words in other languages you may find easier to understand, if it’s the latter, then I have to question how you’ve kept your positions as heavenly officials.”

Xie Lian might not officially be the Heavenly Emperor but he is, undoubtedly, the strongest of them all. He is also the one venerated in the three realms, because given that Hua Cheng is his husband, even ghosts pay their respects to the Crown Prince. Therefore, it is no wonder that when he says this, the heavenly officials stay completely quiet. Dumbfounded.

Hua Cheng walks towards the place where Li Chao is still putting up his act. He grabs him by the robes around his neck with two fingers, as if he was disgusted, and with fair easiness pulls him up. “Stop your drama, we are all too bored to see it.”

As soon as Hua Cheng said that, the laughter started to sound again, the light portals showed and the demons appeared out of them. Li Chao looked as satisfied as he looked scared of what was going on. Hua Cheng grabbed him by the neck, menacingly. “I suggest you stop them right now,” he says but Li Chao barely moves.

“General Li Chao, stop it!” Feng Xin tells him, pointing his arrow towards where Hua Cheng has him hanging from the neck. Li Chao closes his eyes, he seems to try but the demons keep appearing. Xie Lian and Mu Qing get back to back, ready to fight. The more demons appear, the more they circle around them, though they don’t attack yet.

“Useless trash!” Hua Cheng murmurs before tightening his hand around Li Chao’s neck.

“San Lang, wait!” Xie Lian reacts quickly when he sees his husband’s intentions.

As if he hadn’t been about to murder a heavenly official, Hua Cheng nicely turns to him. “Yes, Gege?” he even has a smile on and Mu Qing can’t help but think how bizarre this guy is. Ghost or not, he is simply too strange.

“Don’t kill him, San Lang,” Xie Lian tells him from where he stands behind Mu Qing. “He hasn’t confessed to being the one behind these attacks yet.”

Hua Cheng chuckles and so does Feng Xin. Mu Qing understands, he also didn’t think that was the reason why Xie Lian didn’t want Li Chao dead...yet.

Li Chao struggles against Hua Cheng’s hold but when he finally relents, the demons attack. Mu Qing and Xie Lian start to battle them again. This time, Mu Qing does exceptionally well, not only because of the energy Feng Xin gave him but also because he is next to one of his biggest temples, in the southwest, this is his territory and he is the most powerful here. For once, they are definitely not at disadvantage.

Li Chao keeps struggling but Hua Cheng’s hold doesn’t loosen as his butterflies and his scimitar join the battle, especially focused on protecting Xie Lian from the demons. It seems like they have the upper hand, due to the amount of spiritual energy the demons have used in the distance shortening arrays, just like the first time they fought them, they are rather weak. Their cultivation site is miles away and the battle seems to go smoother, especially when upon noticing this, Hua Cheng does the exact same trick he did the first time.

He calls his butterflies to his vambraces and then, in an instant, the demons are suddenly twirling and twisting in pain on the ground. Hua Cheng just smiles, he keeps holding Li Chao by neck, a clear warning to him. Xie Lian’s Ruoye returns to his arm, Feng Xin lowers his bow. Mu Qing sheaths his sabre. The two of them walk towards where Hua Cheng has seized Li Chao.

"What exactly are you planning?" Mu Qing asks him but Li Chao remains quiet.

"You better answer him," Feng Xin adds but the god does nothing. Hua Cheng has him hanging from the neck still, it must be painful but the new god doesn't try to struggle anymore.

"San Lang," Xie Lian calls suddenly from behind his Ghost King husband. And it is only then that they are able to see why Li Chao stopped fighting them.

"Crimson Rain Sought Flower!" A bold heavenly official calls. "Let General Li Chao go, aren't you above killing gods now?"

These are the same heavenly officials who had been defending Li Chao, they must already know that the person they were defending is not completely innocent, but they probably don't want to lose face. This one heavenly official unsheathes his sword and points it at Hua Cheng, the latter just chuckles, a smirk on his face.

It takes a slight movement of his fingers for the official's sword to be sent flying meters away. "I've always been above wasting my time on useless trash like you...but sometimes, you ask for it and who am I to refuse?"

"Then- then you should let general Li Chao down," another god tries, seemingly nervous.

"Will you fight me for him?" Hua Cheng teases, his smile is as fake as it is teasing. "Where were you a few minutes ago when we fought this idiot's demons?" He shakes Li Chao abruptly, the other just closes his eyes. "You can't fight low class demons but you will try to fight me...what a joke!"

Mu Qing watches the scene unfold with particular interest in how Xie Lian watches his husband with love even when the other is showing his most menacing side. It is truly...admirable how deeply his friend has fallen for the most dangerous ghost king.

"Where do you think we went?" The same god asks. "We went for reinforcements!"

As soon as he finishes that phrase, three more heavenly officials join. And not any officials, it's Lang Qianqiu, Ling Wen and Pei Ming. Of the three of them only Lang Qianqiu seems to be indignant by the scene he is seeing, the other two barely even react as if seeing Hua Cheng about to crack another official's neck was an everyday thing.

"Now, what's happened here?" Pei Ming asks, his tone is almost amused, though he tries not to show it.

"The one behind the demons' case is General Li Chao,'' Xie Lian is fast to reply but Li Chao doesn't move, he looks at the other gods like a helpless kitten abandoned in the rain. Utterly pathetic.

"Has he admitted to it?" Ling Wen asks, tone rather flat, as if she wanted to be anywhere but here.

"Not yet," Mu Qing is the one to reply this time, Ling Wen just sighs.

"Then let's take the case to the Celestial Hall, if he is the one responsible, it shall be uncovered there," Ling Wen tells them and honestly, it's probably the best thing to do. They already know that the new god is guilty but he is smart enough to play the role of the victim. Therefore, even if Hua Cheng went ahead and killed him, if the case is not fully cleared, Mu Qing will still be the one being accused.

Xie Lian and Feng Xin must understand this too, because none of them object to returning to the Heavenly Capital. “A proper trial is needed, then we shall follow back to the Celestial Hall,” Xie Lian says before turning back “San Lang, come with us.”

“What do you mean, Your Highness?” one of the officials to the side decides to let his mouth run again. Ling Wen doesn’t flinch but Pei Ming’s smile widens slightly. Lang Qianqiu seems to start to understand that he has been defending the wrong side this whole time and doesn’t say anything. “You can’t take him to the Celestial Hall! That’s a sacred place and Crimson Rain Sought Flower is a ghost king!”

Pei Ming laughs then. “Wasn’t our former emperor also one of the four calamities? He was never denied entrance to the Heavenly Capital or the Celestial Hall; there shouldn’t be an objection for Hua Cheng to join us.”

“We did not know he was the White Clothed Calamity, General Ming Guang,” Another of the officials replies.

“Then this shall be easier,” Xie Lian directs a smile towards the four gods standing by the side. “We know San Lang is a ghost already and he is not pretending to be anything else, plus...I don’t think he will burn the Heavenly Capital with the flames of karma.”

Hua Cheng smiles tenderly at Xie Lian. “I don’t know Gege, it depends on them” he teases, but probably the only one who knows he is teasing is Xie Lian and therefore, upon hearing his threat, no one else objects to him joining.

“No need to keep holding him like that, either,” Ling Wen points out, seeing Li Chao still grabbed by the neck by Hua Cheng. “General Tai Hua, please have your deputy officials escort General Li Chao and General Xuan Zhen back to the Heavenly Capital.”

Mu Qing frowns.

“What do you mean, escort Mu Qing?!” Feng Xin reacts instantly, taking a step to cover his lover behind.

Lang Qianqiu had indeed brought a couple of officials, mostly teens, who slowly approach the spot where Hua Cheng pretty much throws Li Chao at them with absolute disregard. Two of them walk towards Mu Qing but Xie Lian asks them kindly not to get close. Both officials halt.

“General Nan Yang, don’t get exasperated, if we are to hold a trial, General Xuan Zhen must be present,” Ling Wen tells him but Feng Xin doesn’t move away.

“Then why are you having him be escorted as if he was a criminal?!” Feng Xin’s furious.

“Because General Li Chao has a wound clearly caused by his sabre,” Lang Qianqiu is the one to reply then, he doesn’t have the same fire he used to when defending the newly ascended god but his prideful tone hasn’t completely dissipated.

“He didn’t stab him! He said so already!” Feng Xin defends, expecting a reaction but Lang Qianqiu doesn’t say anything else.

The air turns tense. The demons’ cries as they twist in pain under Hua Cheng’s spell is the only audible thing. None of them move.

“Okay,” Pei Ming takes a step forward. “Qianqiu, have your two deputy officials retreat, General Xuan Zhen will join us but he will not be walking imprisoned, General Nan Yang and His Highness will escort him, is that okay?”

Feng Xin seemingly wants to say more but Mu Qing is quick to grab his hand. “There is no need for me to walk with company...if the Heavenly Court wants to judge me at the Celestial Hall, I will go by myself.”

“Mu Qing!” Feng Xin calls, because he knows and everyone else here does too, that until the case is clear, all the accused must remain in heavenly prison. Mu Qing was already there once when under the plans of Jun Wu.

“It’s okay,” he tells his lover and attempts to smile, though he becomes shy by how many people are currently watching them.

“If he goes to the Heavenly prison, then I’ll go with him,” Feng Xin declares loudly but Mu Qing shakes his head.

“No, you won’t...give me some face, I’m not some weak maiden...you don’t have to worry '' Mu Qing tells him, pressing a bit tighter around his hand, reassuring. Feng Xin looks at him as if he was in pain and that look is enough to make Mu Qing’s own heart ache but he doesn’t say more before he turns around to face the other gods.

“Shall we get going then?”

Ling Wen nods. A glowing yellow array is formed, the four gods who had arrived here first are also the first to leave, probably not wanting anything else to do with this situation anymore. Lang Qianqiu follows them, his deputy officials behind with General Li Chao in tow. Ling Wen and Pei Ming look at the remaining four.

“The faster we get the trial done, the better,” Ling Wen tells them but none of them move. Pei Ming nods, there is a smile on his face that tells them that he does believe them. Mu Qing nods towards him before he also steps in the array with Ling Weng. The two of them leave the array open, counting on their honor to not just run away for the second time.

Feng Xin, however, couldn’t care less about honor. “Your Highness, let’s go back to Paradise Manor,” he turns to look at Xie Lian, concern written all over his face. “We can’t let them take Mu Qing to prison again.”

Xie Lian nods, there is a reassuring but complicated expression on his face. “Feng Xin, we should not flee anymore.”

“Your Highness, please! I’ve never asked anything from you!” Feng Xin looks at Xie Lian while holding Mu Qing’s hand really tight. “We can’t possibly allow this to happen again...we can plan on something to present to heavenly court...Yin Yu must’ve already found a clue, we have to…”

“Why don’t you listen to what your lover has to say?” Hua Cheng tells Feng Xin with a smug but equally serious look.

Feng Xin instantly turns to Mu Qing who looks at him with a little, barely there smile. Something he has never offered to anybody else, it is for Feng Xin’s eyes only.

“We’ll let you talk, Feng Xin, come to the Palace of Xianle when you’re done,” Xie Lian tells them before taking Hua Cheng’s hand to pull him towards the array. Hua Cheng lifts the spell he had on the demons and upon being released from such pain, they instantly crawl back into the light portals. As expected, as soon as they leave, the mist also disappears and then it’s just Feng Xin and Mu Qing in front of this Xuan Zhen temple.

“We don’t know what the court’s resolution will be,” Feng Xin is the first one to talk, seemingly already understanding Mu Qing’s intentions. “If you accept their terms and they don’t decide on your favor, you will be sentenced.”

“By who?” Mu Qing looks him in the eyes. “Jun Wu is no longer around, who is going to punish me? Or trap me with cursed shackles? Xie Lian?”

“His Highness wouldn’t do that,” Feng Xin assures him and Mu Qing nods.

“Then what is there to be afraid about?”

“I don’t want to risk it.”

“Risk what? We are not risking anything,” Mu Qing smiles at him, takes a step closer to place his palm against Feng Xin’s cheek, he thumbs a little there. It's a fondness that he usually never displays, but he does for Feng Xin. “You know I’m not guilty, Xie Lian knows too and that’s all I need, nothing will happen to me.”

“Mu Qing, I…”

“I know,” Mu Qing leans forward to press a kiss on Feng Xin’s lips. “I would want to shield you from everything too, but you don’t have to worry...didn’t I escape heavenly prison once already? Don’t be afraid.”

Feng Xin looks worried but still, he nods.

Mu Qing looks at his lover, it is hard for him too. He has always been by himself and so all decisions he took were for himself only. It is different now, when he inevitably thinks of Feng Xin too. When he thinks about how any choice he makes might affect him or how it will be taken. It is different now that he thinks for two.

Seeing Feng Xin so concerned is quite upsetting, he wishes he could just hug him and ask him to flee together again. But this isn’t only about them. Li Chao has involved mortals in the situation; devotees have been harmed. It has gone too far. However, if this case is to be solved, it has to be under the court’s conditions. Any other way could either bring more suspicions to him, Feng Xin or even Xie Lian. Not to mention that it could also give Li Chao an unwanted advantage.

"Let me go with you, I don’t want to leave your side,” Feng Xin asks when Mu Qing pulls him by the hand towards the array.

“Neither do I want to leave you but you have to be with Xie Lian and Hua Cheng...you’re my only witnesses,” Mu Qing explains, turning his gaze back towards Feng Xin. The distraught look in Feng Xin’s face makes his heart clench and makes him want to back down from his decision but he nods, pulling him closer.

“It won’t be long and as soon as we are done, I will visit your palace,” Mu Qing tells him quietly. “Wearing what you like best,” he adds, closer to Feng Xin’s ear.

Feng Xin chuckles but his smile is sad. He places both hands on Mu Qing’s waist, bringing him closer so that there are only a few centimeters separating them. “It might be bad for my deputies to see you visiting wearing that.”

“The deputies won’t see,” Mu Qing gets even closer, their lips merely a breath away from each other. “That look is for the general only,” with that, Mu Qing fully closes the distance between them and kisses Feng Xin.

It is not as magical as the kisses they had already shared and it is definitely not as happy either. It is slow but passionate, it feels like a goodbye but Mu Qing doesn’t let himself think about that. He kisses Feng Xin with every piece of his aching heart, not wanting to admit that he is slightly worried too. He kisses him so slowly but so deep, feeling every movement and every trace of Feng Xin’s tongue around his, savoring all the emotions Feng Xin’s pouring for him. He doesn’t want to stop but reality awaits and they need to go.

“The faster we do this, the faster it will be solved,” Mu Qing sort of repeats Pei Ming’s words. “Let’s go.”

This time, Feng Xin doesn’t object. He just takes a deep breath before they step into the array. As soon as they do, the scene changes and they stand on the Heavenly Capital again. As expected, court guards await. Mu Qing doesn’t put up a fight and walks with them towards the Celestial Hall.

Feng Xin’s first reaction is to follow them but he decides against it to give Mu Qing the respect he deserves and the trust he requested from him. It is not easy though, Feng Xin vowed to protect him and he feels like he’s failed. Or maybe, this is the correct way to protect him, he is not sure. Even if it’s right, Mu Qing going to heavenly prison twice for crimes he did not commit, doesn’t sit right with him. He should’ve been able to prevent this.

He remembers what His Highness told him and walks towards his palace to check how everything is going before he actually goes to visit His Highness at the Xianle Palace. A few middle court deputies greet him, he smiles at them but his heart aches. When he arrives there, Xie Lian looks at him with sympathy. Feng Xin doesn’t know what to say.

That’s why Xie Lian takes a step closer to him. “It’s going to be alright.”

“He told you beforehand?” Feng Xin asks, because he can’t conceive not having been informed.

“He didn’t...how could he? We just found out the truth, it’s just that since you two are...well, are…”

“Sleeping together,” Hua Cheng intercedes, Xie Lian’s cheeks blush slightly.

“Um yes…” Xie Lian agrees “Since you two are involved, his expression is easier to read.”

Feng Xin feels the pull at his heart when he hears that but the joy can’t last. Not for long when he knows that Mu Qing is probably in a cell right now next to the true criminal.

“I have made some arrangements for us to take the case to heavenly court tomorrow morning, that is why we have to be ready,” Xie Lian says then. “If we want to get Mu Qing out, no mistakes should be made.”

“And in the worst case?” Feng Xin’s still unsure. Although he is happy that Xie Lian has managed to make the trial happen tomorrow so that Mu Qing doesn't have to spend more than one night in prison, this also means they have little time to prepare.

“We fight...who could possibly win against us anyway?” Xie Lian replies, confidently. He has grown a lot since being with Hua Cheng. Feng Xin could never say he isn’t grateful to the Ghost King for showing His Highness how powerful and valuable he is.

“Then, sending him to prison was not the way,” Feng Xin goes on, because he really feels this way. “We should’ve fought the court from the beginning.”

“Why is it that you never use your brain?” Hua Cheng directs his sight towards Feng Xin. “If we fought them first without even letting them give a verdict, it wouldn’t clean Mu Qing’s name, it would only tarnish it further and ours with his.”

“As if yours wasn’t tarnished enough,” Feng Xin retorts but Hua Cheng just gives him an uninterested shrug.

“San Lang’s right, Feng Xin...I know this is hard for you but we will get this solved one way or the other,” Xie Lian comforts him. “I will make you some tea and then we can start.”

Feng Xin nods, to his surprise Hua Cheng nods towards him. It’s a simple gesture but kind of a reassuring one. There is nothing that could make Feng Xin feel okay now, but this is as close as he will get. At least, he is not alone battling for his beloved.

They spend hours and hours planning what they will say and how it will be said. All the evidence they have gathered against Li Chao, aided with everything Yin Yu reported, must be enough to incriminate the new god. “My question is why is he targeting Mu Qing though?” Feng Xin asks when they are done.

“I don’t know but if there’s something I’ve learned from people who believe themselves to be too great, is that they break under pressure,” Xie Lian replies with a slight nod. “That’s how we will get Li Chao to confess.”

“I should get going...I haven’t been in my palace for a while,” Feng Xin says when it has gotten late and they have everything ready. Hua Cheng is apparently busy making dinner for Xie Lian and surely not for Feng Xin.

“Are you sure you want to leave?” Xie Lian asks him, there is still a comprehensive smile on his face. “You won’t be able to focus on anything now.”

“What if our plan doesn’t work?” Feng Xin’s seriously stressed. Even if Mu Qing once escaped prison already, this is not the same cell he once escaped from. The Heavenly Capital has been rebuilt and the prison must’ve changed too. Mu Qing’s previous knowledge on how to flee won’t be of much help now.

“Stop being dramatic,” Hua Cheng joins them with a stack of fresh cooked buns, rice, meat and, unbelievably, three pairs of chopsticks. “It’s only one night, your beloved will be just fine, have some faith in him.”

As much as Feng Xin doesn’t want to, he must admit that Hua Cheng is right, so he doesn’t say anything else. He waits for Xie Lian and Hua Cheng to grab a bun before he takes one too. They eat in silence for a moment but then Xie Lian calls “Umm...Feng Xin.”

Feng Xin turns to look at him, thinking that he probably was not supposed to eat this dinner but then the prince comes up with a whole different topic. “This...between you and Mu Qing...are you two really committed to it?”

Feng Xin eyes him closely. Xie Lian seemingly misunderstands his look, he starts shaking his hands as if to dismiss his previous words. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to...it’s just, I wouldn’t like to see any of you get hurt.”

Feng Xin nods. He knows Xie Lian asks from a good heart. Hua Cheng seems oddly interested in what he is about to say. Feng Xin thinks it is only natural for His Highness to be surprised by what it's going on. He has never known more than Mu Qing and Feng Xin fighting and arguing, venting all of their issues to the air, attempting to hurt each other at any given chance. He would, of course, find their new relationship odd and would try to protect them from themselves like the kind- hearted person he is.

"I know it seems unlikely, Your Highness," Feng Xin replies. "But we are really committed to this...to each other. I know I shouldn't be speaking for Mu Qing but I can feel it."

"You would understand better than anyone, right?" He asks Xie Lian but his eyes divert to Hua Cheng momentarily. "I can feel he is also ready to offer his heart, the same way I have and I am ready to respond to him however he may need me to."

"Have you forgiven him then?" Xie Lian's voice is low when he asks this. "For all the times you've felt wronged? Has he also forgiven you?"

Feng Xin's heart stops for a second. "On this particular matter, I can't answer for him but on my part, I don't feel like there is something to forgive." He says with complete honesty. Up until a few seconds ago when Xie Lian mentioned forgiveness, he had never really given it a thought. "Whenever I felt wronged, didn't I make sure he felt it too? Possibly twice as bad? If he has decided to let those instances go in order to give each other a chance at being together, then why should I hold them against him?"

"What about your ghost wife and son?" Hua Cheng, of course, always has to bring the spice to the table. Though, Feng Xin thinks this is probably something Xie Lian himself had been meaning to ask, given how quiet he is.

"Jian Lan does not want me close and I understand she was comfortable talking to Mu Qing, but not to me," Feng Xin can only sigh.

"The new and the old interesting, I heard a bit about it from when Mu Qing decided to visit Ghost City," Hua Cheng says with a bit of irony filtering in his voice, Feng Xin thinks he has definitely heard more than just a bit. "What I meant to ask though, is what will you do if they come looking for you?"

Feng Xin can't possibly believe he is discussing his love life with Hua Cheng. As uncomfortable as it is, it is also one of the very, very few instances he and Hua Cheng had treated each other as a sort of friends.

"I'm sure they won't, but if they do...I guess we could come to an agreement about CuoCuo but there is nothing to save between Jian Lan and I...we are both different people now and I don't want a relationship with her,'' He says with no hesitation. "I want to be with Mu Qing.''

"Very well, then," Xie Lian claps his hands. "I'm really happy for you two, Feng Xin. I hope you finally let the past go and are able to move forward together take this from someone who has known both of you for his whole life, I could never picture a more perfect couple!"

"What about us, Gege?" Hua Cheng turns to look lovingly at His Highness.

"Aside from us, of course," Xie Lian confirms. He is the happiest Feng Xin's ever seen him and even though he initially had doubts about Hua Cheng, he thinks he can finally understand what it feels to have what the two of them share. His heart beats fast just by the thought of it. He can't wait to have Mu Qing in his arms again. To kiss him and adore him like he deserves to be adored. He hopes he is at least warm now.

"You can still connect with him through private communication, you know?" Hua Cheng apparently notices his longing and yes Feng Xin knows. He wants to do it even, but he is unsure of whether it could be heard by someone else in the Celestial Hall. After all, prisoners are monitored all the time while in there.

He thinks about it for a moment but just as he had decided that communicating with Mu Qing is worth the risk, there is a knock on the door. "Are we expecting someone else?" He asks, it is late. Xie Lian doesn't have any middle court officials because he attends to everything by himself. Ling Wen is surely off duty and Feng Xin's own officials should be asleep. Hua Cheng stands but Xie Lian is quicker to get to the door, Feng Xin follows behind.

When they open the door, there is a nervous middle court official there. He is wearing the uniform of the Palace of Xuan Zhen, Feng Xin suddenly feels his hands go cold. "Your Highness, I'm so sorry to disturb you but please, I beg from you...we need your help."

The official speaks with nervousness and fear, he is almost shaking. "What's happened?" Xie Lian asks just as Feng Xin goes to stand by his side.

"We received reports that the Xuan Zhen four village temple has been destroyed," The official says. His shaking hands reveal just how disturbed he feels. "We went down to see if it was true and what we found is the demons that people are accusing our general for...they, they tore the place down!"

Feng Xin doesn't need to hear more. He pats the middle court official on the shoulder before he walks out the Palace of Xianle. He barely hears as Xie Lian gives the nervous official some instructions, he tells him not to worry, that they would take it from here. The official thanks him over and over again before Xie Lian hurries over to Feng Xin's side.

"Li Chao is in prison! This can't be!" Feng Xin says as he descends with Xie Lian and Hua Cheng. "He couldn't have escaped!"

"We can't know, Feng Xin" Xie Lian tells him when they step on the mountain where the temple is located. "Let's first see what is going on."

However, what else could be going on? They find exactly what the official had said. This beautiful temple, Mu Qing's favorite, the one where Feng Xin had first kissed him, has been torn asunder. The pillars stand, but that is about it. The walls are down, the ceiling is mostly burnt. The offerings and incense are all over the destroyed tiles of the floor. What angers Feng Xin the most however, is not the burnt ceiling, the fallen bricks or the shattered windows. It is the statue of Mu Qing on the floor. The broken sabre he is holding, the torn pieces of it that had flown away.

There is still fire around, the demons already gone. Hua Cheng uses his butterflies to extinguish the flames, Xie Lian picks up some of the offerings but Feng Xin is furious, more than he's ever been. He thinks he would be calmer had this attack been performed against him.

"I'm going to end him!" He says and means to storm off the temple but a whole army of butterflies prevent him from doing so. "Hua Cheng!" He turns around to look at him but the Ghost King doesn't move.

"Don't be rash, Feng Xin," Xie Lian tries to calm him down but he has none of it. Enough is enough. Who cares about the Heavenly Court and the Celestial Hall? He is going to end Li Chao by himself, tonight!

"Feng Xin!" Xie Lian tries again, but apparently upon noticing that he won't get Feng Xin to back down, he recites a phrase the three of them know very well.

"Your Highness?" Feng Xin suddenly hears within his mind. "Xie Lian?" It's Mu Qing. Xie Lian connected the three of them in their private array. Hearing his voice is as calming as it is triggering for Feng Xin. His Mu Qing is in prison now! He is incarcerated for a crime he didn't commit while the culprit took advantage of his absence. No matter how he did it! He has caused grave damage.

"Mu Qing, I...we wanted to check if you were doing okay," Feng Xin hears Xie Lian's voice now. Feng Xin relaxes a little, of course he also doesn't want Mu Qing to know about what's happened in this temple.

"I'm doing well," Mu Qing replies shortly. "Heavenly Prison is different now though, there is an official nearby at all times."

"Is the accomodation okay?" Xie Lian is truly just trying to make conversation because being as smart as he is and having heard what Feng Xin had to say about their relationship earlier...he must know that the more Mu Qing talks, the calmer Feng Xin will become.

"It is okay, I guess," Mu Qing replies "It's actually kind of cold."

"Do you need an extra blanket, love? I can take it to the Celestial Hall," Feng Xin can't hold back then, Xie Lian smiles and the butterflies slowly disappear from where they had been blocking his path.

"Thank you...I'd like that," Mu Qing responds and even without seeing him, it is obvious his voice has become more tender. Shy probably, given that Xie Lian is still with them and Hua Cheng is most likely listening as well. "They won't let you come in, so just tell the guards you have brought it for me."

"Yes, I will do so right now," Feng Xin replies. Xie Lian says something more about the trial to be held tomorrow but the issue about the destroyed temple is not discussed. When the communication stops, Xie Lian looks at Feng Xin with a sad smile.

"He doesn't need any more worries right now," he says as if to justify that he hadn't been fully honest with Mu Qing. However, Feng Xin agrees. The three of them set out to fix what's fixable here and it is only after Xie Lian puts a sign saying that the temple is temporarily closed, that they leave. They won’t be able to hide this from Mu Qing for very long but as long as possible is good enough.

Feng Xin means to go to Mu Qing's palace right away to find him a blanket and warm clothes but Mu Qing initiates private communication with him then. "Feng Xin,'' he calls softly. Feng Xin can tell this is only the two of them here, no one else is listening (except for maybe the guards at the prison).

"I was waiting for you to call," Mu Qing tells him.

"I was about to but then…" Feng Xin halts. "I had to take care of something in the mortal realm."

"Are you still bringing me a blanket?" Mu Qing asks and his voice is so beautiful that Feng Xin feels like he is about to melt.

"Yes, I am heading towards your palace now to pick up one."

"Don't," Mu Qing says, Feng Xin stops walking and he is about to ask if he doesn't want it anymore. Mu Qing, however, speaks faster "If you are to bring me a blanket, I will only receive it if it comes directly from your bed."

The next day, Feng Xin walks towards the Celestial Hall with Xie Lian. Hua Cheng decided not to join and went to look for something back in the mortal realm instead. Probably the wisest decision given the circumstances. Of course, there is still a communication line open for when he is needed.

Once inside, there are a couple of gods present. Pei Ming is one of them and this time, Pei Xu is right next to him. Quan Yizhen is nowhere to be seen and the other gods who are here are probably either neutral or not on their side. The civil gods of the heavenly court are all seated and Ling Wen is next to them. She just hands the other civil gods a couple of scrolls.

Back when Jun Wu was the heavenly emperor, he would be the one to direct the trials here but right now, the only one who could take that place is Xie Lian. The prince, however, has no intention of being the judge here, if anything he has come to defend. That’s why when one of the civil gods from the court stands up and takes the lead, Xie Lian doesn’t move.

“Guards, please, let the accused in,” He says and just by hearing his words, a couple of white clothed officials go to the back of the hall and come back escorting Mu Qing and Li Chao. The first thing Feng Xin notices is that Mu Qing looks tired. He wonders if Mu Qing was able to rest properly or if he spent the night awake just like him. Even so, he walks elegantly and confidently, his steps are light but he seems so strong and upon looking at him Feng Xin feels as proud as he feels nervous about the trial.

Li Chao, on the other hand, looks more scared than nervous. He has a complicated expression and just by looking at him, Feng Xin feels angry. If he could, he would shoot an arrow towards him at this very moment. Mu Qing and Li Chao take a seat, far from each other and next to the civil gods of the court.

“Let’s begin. General Li Chao, you may present your case,” the civil god instructs. Li Chao stands up, his act of nerves is cheap but Feng Xin thinks some actually buy it. He looks pathetic. And it is not only the looks, he sounds pathetic too. When he starts explaining his case, he explains about the first time the demons appeared, how the three gods from Xianle had been assigned for the mission and he had asked them if he could come along to see them fight. He says that on that particular occasion, Mu Qing had been the one who refused him to go and then the only one who reacted so badly when he ignored his suggestion. He also talks about the fight back then, how Mu Qing was the only one who left the battlefield unharmed.

Li Chao talks about the reason why he was at the temple the night they got imprisoned. He says he had been in one of the villages nearby and upon seeing the lights and hearing the laughter, he went to investigate only to find Mu Qing in there surrounded by the demons. He says Mu Qing attacked him in order to silence him but thankfully, the other gods arrived.

“Damn hypocrite!” Feng Xin whispers, so that only Xie Lian can hear it. Being so proper as he is, Xie Lian usually doesn’t approve of Feng Xin’s swearing but this time, he just nods. The problem is that he is way more prepared than what he had been yesterday at the temple. He doesn’t act as fake as Feng Xin expected him to and that is a bit concerning because he might manage to incriminate Mu Qing.

Once he is done, Li Chao takes a seat again. Mu Qing looks furious but he doesn’t say anything. “General Xuan Zhen, please proceed with your case,” the civil god requests, Mu Qing is about to stand when Xie Lian raises his hand.

“If the heavenly court would allow it, I will be the one to present Mu Qing’s case,” he says calmly. The civil god from the heavenly court turns to look at the other gods, requesting for their opinion.

“How lucky Xuan Zhen is, then,” one of the gods comments. “To have none other than the number one martial god defend him...it is a privilege General Li Chao doesn’t have.” Upon hearing his words some gods nod but no one dares to be as vocal as the god himself. They all respect Xie Lian, after all.

“It is not Xuan Zhen’s fault that General Li Chao doesn’t have anyone willing to present a defence for him despite so many people here seemingly willing to argue on his behalf,” Pei Ming joins the conversation. “If His Highness has prepared a case, the Heavenly Court would only be rude and impartial if they ignore him.”

“Your Highness the Crown Prince of Xianle, you may proceed,” the mediator civil god says and with that, the complaints cease. Xie Lian nods, stands and starts by debunking every single point of Li Chao’s. He explains how he had also been opposed to him joining them on that very first issue and justifies Mu Qing’s attitude at the time with both his and Feng Xin’s injuries that had been caused not by the demons, but Li Chao himself.

“If Mu Qing is being held under the charges of having hurt General Li Chao, why wasn’t General Li Chao punished when he hurt us?” He asks the court, who of course do not give an answer. “Your presence at the four village temple was uncalled for, General and in fact, we can prove that you were not at any of the villages as you say because we have someone investigating for us.”

“If that someone is Crimson Rain Sought Flower, how could any evidence be trusted?” Li Chao asks, Feng Xin notices his composure starting to crack as soon as he finishes speaking.

“Evidence is evidence no matter where it comes from but if you are so certain, can I ask you why is it that you were unarmed yesterday? No martial god ever travels without his spiritual weapon,” Xie Lian smiles towards the new god. Out of the people present, only Feng Xin knows Xie Lian enough to read the danger behind that simple smile.

“Since I was at one of the nearby villages, I didn’t think it would be necessary to take my sword.” This is a weak, very weak defence and Feng Xin is not the only one who notices, he can see the discomfort starting to show on the faces of the gods who have previously been defending Li Chao so earnestly.

“Alright, then if not under a mission, why were you visiting one of the villages on the southwest? You are well aware, that is Mu Qing’s territory,” Feng Xin is the one who joins now, Xie Lian nods towards him. This is pretty much what they talked about doing last night. Li Chao visibly gets more uncomfortable.

“I didn’t know we are not allowed to visit another god’s territory...I went there looking for something to eat,” Li Chao is pretty much digging his own grave, isn’t it common knowledge that gods don’t really need to eat? This an excuse no proper god would make and despite Li Chao speaking somewhat confident, as he looks around and sees that none of the gods meet his eyes, he realizes the mistake he just made.

“Can you name the village you visited?” Xie Lian asks, but is met with danming silence. Li Chao had probably never even been there.

“Our investigation reveals that as much as Mu Qing, you come from the southwest region, General Li Chao...there haven’t been any battles there because it is under the care of General Xuan Zhen, so will you please explain to us, how is it that you ascended?” Xie Lian is now using the heavy weapons, the ones they had already figured Li Chao wouldn’t be able to defend against.

“Why is my ascension being discussed? How is it relevant to the trial?” Li Chao visibly starts to lose his confidence, which means that Xie Lian was right last night when he deduced how Li Chao suddenly became a god.

“It is very relevant, you see,” Xie Lian speaks solemnly, his eyes still very much trained on Li Chao instead of the civil gods of the heavenly court. “We all know that in order to ascend, one has to pass a heavenly tribulation but it is unlikely for one to happen now in peaceful times...especially from the southwest region that has a powerful protector like Xuan Zhen.”

“Given the circumstances, I assume you also knew this as you cultivated and so decided to use a different way of ascension.” As Xie Lian speaks, even Mu Qing looks at him with confusion. Of course, he was not with them yesterday and is not aware of what they discovered. “Can you deny you come from the region ruled by General Xuan Zhen?”

“I don’t intend on denying it, I do come from the southwest. The fact that there is a god protecting the region doesn’t mean that heavenly tribulations can not happen,” Li Chao is right on that but his statement is clearly frowned upon and that’s because he’s made a grave mistake and all of the deities here know it. This is precisely why some of them turn curious eyes towards him, while others instead choose to finally see Mu Qing. Feng Xin believes they have already realized who is the true culprit here.

“You’re right, but it does mean that if there was a heavenly tribulation, the protector of the region would be the first one to know and General Xuan Zhen’s books do not record any,” Xie Lian goes on, a few heads nod in agreement. Every god in the hall now has a palace and all of them know that heavenly tribulations are always first known by the protector of the land. Li Chao, however, has no land assigned and as expected, he presents weak defence for Xie Lian’s statement.

“If the Palace of Xuan Zhen doesn’t record the happenings of the southwest as diligently as it should, it’s their fault only,” Li Chao tries but fails to sound non- chalant. Feng Xin hopes his decomposure is as noticeable for the others as it is for him.

“Alright, then let’s talk about your spiritual weapon, your sword, you say you didn’t take it during your visit to the four village temple because you didn’t think it was necessary, do you have it with you now?” Xie Lian inquires, Li Chao just shakes his head. “Then if we send a guard to look for it at your palace, will they find it there?”

Li Chao doesn’t reply. Xie Lian is now using the pieces of Yin Yu’s investigation along with everything they gathered yesterday night. Which means that he is about to announce a crucial event.

“Gege, I’m here,” Hua Cheng’s voice sounds in Feng Xin’s head and if he is here, then that means he found what he went looking for in the mortal realm. This will be enough to solve the whole case, Feng Xin feels so relieved. He smiles towards Mu Qing but the latter just offers him a small quirk of his lips. He is probably still concerned.

“Perfect, San Lang!” Xie Lian’s voice now sounds in the communication array. Mu Qing must be hearing it too, but he doesn’t react to it. Probably to not raise further suspicions.

“Your sword is not in your palace, is it?” Xie Lian asks Li Chao, now completely confident. Li Chao’s frown deepens, his hands rub erratically against each other. He is nervous. Feng Xin goes to stand next to him. Yesterday, they agreed to let Feng Xin deliver the news, after all Xie Lian thought that if Mu Qing was to find out, it was better if it came from his lover’s words.

“Last night there was an atrocious attack at Xuan Zhen’s four village temple,” Feng Xin begins, as soon as he says this, he feels Mu Qing’s eyes on him. For the sake of the trial, he decides not to look back, fully aware that he will not like what he’ll see. “The temple was torn down by the same demons who have been terrorizing other temples and shrines for the last couple of months and as you all know, this is one of Xuan Zhen’s biggest temples in the mortal realm.”

“As if the destruction of his own temple isn’t proof enough that he is not the case’s culprit, there is something else we would like to present to the heavenly court,” Feng Xin says calmly and at that moment, Xie Lian must’ve called for his husband because Hua Cheng enters the hall as if he owned it.

The gods look at him with interest but no one dares to say anything against him. Xie Lian smiles towards him and it’s only once he stands next to Xie Lian that he presents an object to the heavenly court. “Is this your spiritual sword, General Li Chao?”

Li Chao’s face pales when he sees the sword in Hua Cheng’s hold. “I found it at Xuan Zhen’s temple...maybe you forgot it there?”

“How are we going to trust what you say?!” Li Chao tries but Hua Cheng just smiles at him.

“I knew you would say that, precisely why I took the liberty of taking a couple of officials with me,” This was not really planned but could Hua Cheng be Hua Cheng if he didn’t come up with a surprise?

At that moment the Xuan Zhen middle court official who had first reported the attack and, to everyone’s surprise, General Tai Hua walk into the hall. The two of them look appalled, whether by what they found or by being dragged by Hua Cheng towards the mortal realm, Feng Xin’s not sure.

“Can you two confirm the information Crimson Rain Sought Flower has offered?” The civil god from the heavenly court asks. The middle court official nods, he is angry to the point of tears but tries to stand his ground. Tai Hua, on the other hand just gives a firm nod. He probably feels like he has lost face. He had been one of the gods defending Li Chao and was proven wrong by the Ghost King himself…again! He really has no luck when it comes to either Xie Lian or Hua Cheng.

The civil god is about to say something else when Li Chao starts to laugh. All the eyes turn to him. He had finally lost it.

“General Xuan Zhen,” He calls, turning to look at Mu Qing. “You really do have good friends…” he keeps laughing, i it is not an uncommon reaction from trapped criminals but Li Chao makes it really wicked. This is something every single warrior has seen before and since the martial gods present had all once been warriors, their faces turn to understanding. A few sighs can be heard within the place, everyone knows that this is as good as admitting being the culprit.

“The demons are drawn to your sword, aren’t they?” Xie Lian delivers his final question. “You visited their resting places and arose those spirits from their graves only to give them fake absolution in order to ascend, however, you were too inexperienced and the demons didn’t fade, instead they started following you...but you can’t properly control them.”

Li Chao looks at Xie Lian with such hate that Hua Cheng looks ready to shield him. “You’re smart, Your Highness, really smart."

This is pretty much a confession, nothing else needs to be said. The heavenly court members write on their scrolls but there is a question hanging there.

“What exactly do you have against me?” Mu Qing asks him, getting up from his seat. None of the guards dare to stop him. “Have you gone crazy?”

“Oh General Xuan Zhen...on the contrary, I used to be your firm believer,” Li Chao replies, a wicked smile on his face.

“Did I fail you, is that it?” Mu Qing’s furious but as he says this, his expression falls. Feng Xin knows why. Mu Qing, as much as any other god, wants to always give his best for his believers but even they have limits to what they can do. Preventing the death of a loved one or granting material possessions is usually beyond their powers and when they fail, devotees feel betrayed.

“Oh you did, many times…” Li Chao says. Mu Qing sees that the guards are about to approach the new god but he orders them to stop.

“Let him talk,” he says, the civil gods of the heavenly court agree but Feng Xin is uncomfortable letting him be too close to Mu Qing and so he goes to stand next to him. Mu Qing turns to look at him with an expression that Feng Xin has rarely ever seen. There’s so much in his eyes, gratitude, relief, a bit of confusion and something even deeper that Feng Xin can’t properly name. He wishes he could just pull him now and kiss him until they are out of breath but he knows that will have to wait, especially when the civil god of the heavenly court asks for the room to be quiet.

Mu Qing doesn’t move from where he stands in front of Li Chao and neither do Xie Lian and Feng Xin from his side. Hua Cheng, however, does go to sit looking rather bored, as if saying my work here is done.

“I was your devotee, Xuan Zhen...but I always found you kind of weak,” Li Chao speaks bitterly. “Compared to the mighty Nan Yang and Ming Guang, you seemed so lifeless and careless, I started doubting my faith...until one day, on a rainy afternoon I had nowhere else to go but to one of your temples, I was thankful for you then.”

“The storm raged on that particular day and I was cold, so after asking for your permission, I decided to rest and take a short nap in the temple, you appeared in my dream, like you do with all your believers but instead of telling me a story or expressing your discomfort, you showed me my destiny…”

Mu Qing frowns, he knows every single one of his devotees whose dreams he has visited and he is sure he has never met Li Chao.

“In that dream, I was a martial god like you and right here in the Celestial Hall, I battled you and I killed you. My destiny was to become the protector of the southwest region,” Li Chao speaks with determination but Feng Xin is just confused. Hua Cheng chuckles and he earns the looks of several gods. He looks totally amused.

“So you chose to ascend in a crooked way to make your dream come true?” Feng Xin asks him, not believing what he is hearing now.

“It is not my dream, it is my destiny!” Li Chao announces just as he extends his hand and his sword, that had been lying on a pedestal, flies towards him. Li Chao grabs it and is quick to point it at Mu Qing. “Everything is just like I saw it, I will kill you today, Xuan Zhen!”

Upon hearing this, Xie Lian and Feng Xin set in position to fight but Mu Qing stops them. “Don’t,” he says without turning to look at any of them. “This my fight.”

Mu Qing unsheathes his sabre and as soon as he does this, the civil gods of the heavenly court and Ling Weng move away. Pei Ming, Tai Hua, Pei Xu and the other spectators stand in their places not daring to move but eyeing the fight with interest. The Celestial Hall grows quiet. Xie Lian slowly walks to Hua Cheng, forcing Feng Xin to go with him. “We’ll join if he needs us,” he tells Feng Xin quietly, he just nods. He knows he has to trust Mu Qing.

As soon as Li Chao delivers his first attack and Mu Qing blocks it with ease, it is obvious that the younger god is at a clear disadvantage. His sword moves with lack of experience and his cultivation, though strong, is not a challenge for someone who not only cultivated at the Royal Holy Pavilion but who also has eight centuries of battling experience under his belt. Mu Qing flows easily, his strikes are accurate and Li Chao gets few hits while Mu Qing has barely even moved from his initial spot to dodge the onslaught.

Li Chao looks perplexed, shocked even. “What? This is not how your dream went?” Mu Qing teases him but apparently it is exactly the fact that he is losing and very far from even being able to kill Mu Qing that is turning him so insecure. Li Chao starts to get more agitated, his moves are more erratic and lose all careful planning and form. Some gods have left the Hall while others watch closely in case the battle turns out of hand. It is not unheard of battles happening within the Celestial Hall but this one is a rather curious one because it lacks the usual finesse heavenly officials display in combat.

Li Chao is overwhelmed by how much more powerful Mu Qing is, he tries move after move but Mu Qing is not only able to dodge but to strike as well. The true tipping point comes as Mu Qing manages to throw him off his feet several meters away. Li Chao is reduced to staring at the floor in shock, sword in hand and blood escaping his lips.

“Let’s end this here,” Mu Qing tells him, his hair is not even out of place and despite the circumstances, Feng Xin thinks this is the sexiest he has ever seen Mu Qing. “Listen closely, I know every devotee I have visited in dreams and you’re not one of them...what you saw was not a divine indication, it was nothing but your mind acting up on you.”

Li Chao doesn’t reply, he doesn’t move either, he just stays there on the floor with his head hanging low. Mu Qing turns around with a flick of his sleeves, his sabre still unsheathed. The civil god of the heavenly court is about to deliver the verdict when Li Chao gets up from the floor and goes to attack Mu Qing from the back. Feng Xin swears he has never been faster with his bow. Li Chao falls again.

“Don’t get close to him!” Feng Xin goes to stand between Mu Qing and the fallen Li Chao. His arrow hit just under the god’s shoulder, close to the heart. “Or I promise, I won’t have mercy with my next shot.”

“What is this?!” Li Chao unsuccessfully tries to remove the arrow from his body. “General Nan Yang defending Xuan Zhen! This is not supposed to be this way! What is this!”

“I already told you, you didn’t see your destiny and the god in your dreams was not me,” Mu Qing tells him with a calm tone that probably only upsets Li Chao more. “In here, you are not capable enough to defeat me and if you try, General Nan Yang won't let you.”

There are a few murmurs after everyone hears Mu Qing’s words. Xie Lian just smiles at them. “Well, long overdue for them, isn’t it?” Pei Ming comments with a wide smirk. Contrary to what they would’ve expected, Pei Xu and Ling Wen actually nod.

“Am I clear to leave?” Mu Qing asks the heavenly court. The civil god gives a few words before he reads the verdict.

“General Li Chao, this Heavenly Court finds you guilty of crimes against forgiven souls, mortals and heavenly officials. The punishment shall be dictated by the number one martial god in the three realms, His Highness the Crown Prince of Xianle within three days time...until then, you will remain in heavenly prison under the care of our officials.”

Xie Lian gets surprised upon the mention of his name but he doesn’t lose time. He stands and turns towards the heavenly court. “I shall not inflict any sort of punishment to General Li Chao other than for him to remain in the heavenly capital,” he speaks elegantly. “Given that General Li Chao is not a properly ascended god, he has no devotees, no temples and no merits...he is to remain here until his powers run out and he vanishes.”

No one says a word then. This is a life sentence but how long a life and what sort of life, can it even be? Xie Lian hasn’t even asked for him to remain in prison. He just won’t be able to leave the capital and soon enough, his palace will fall along with him. “If any of you wish to give a position for the middle court officials currently working for him, please do offer them a place. It has never been their fault.”

“We shall do as His Highness has instructed,” the civil god says before he closes the scroll in his hands. “This case is solved. General Xuan Zhen, you are free to leave.”

Mu Qing just nods, he doesn’t celebrate and doesn’t make a scene. He just turns to look at Feng Xin and grabs him by the wrist. “Shall we go?” he asks and Feng Xin swears he’s never felt so enamoured before. He could go to hell itself if Mu Qing asked. Therefore, without further ado, they take their leave. Xie Lian and Hua Cheng follow them.

The other gods start to leave too as the guards take Li Chao back into custody. “General Xuan Zhen!” There’s suddenly someone calling them from the side. It is Lang Qianqiu. Feng Xin and Mu Qing pause their steps and turn to look at him. “You probably know what I’m about to say...but I want to express my most sincere apology for having doubted you during this process,” he bows politely. “Please accept my deep regret, it shall not happen again.”

Mu Qing looks at him curiously. He didn’t expect Lang Qianqiu to actually apologize. Therefore, he just bows. “No offense taken, General Tai Hua, I hope we can continue our good relation as heavenly protectors.” Lang Qianqiu nods. He smiles at all of them, although it falls slightly when his eyes reach Hua Cheng.

“How did you get him to accompany you to the mortal realm?” Feng Xin asks the Ghost King who just shrugs.

“He just needs to be encouraged every once in a while,” Hua Cheng replies with a mischievous smile. Feng Xin would rather not know what kind of encouraging methods Hua Cheng used.

The four of them reunite in the Palace of Xianle to have a meal and are finally able to breathe calmly. “Ling Wen told me she would have Middle Court officials go help the souls Li Chao disturbed, we hope we can give them all proper rest soon.” Xie Lian tells them and also announces that he shall leave for Puqi Shrine in the morning, given that his devotees are waiting for him.

“Please do come visit me when you have some time,” Xie Lian tells them before Feng Xin and Mu Qing are about to leave.

“Your Highness,” Mu Qing calls, already standing next to the Palace’s door, Feng Xin right next to him. Xie Lian turns to him with a smile. “I just wanted to thank you for all the time you invested in solving this case and for...you know, believing me and not leaving me alone.” Mu Qing bows briefly. “I’m in your debt,” he says before he straightens up to be on eye level with Xie Lian again.

Xie Lian eyes him carefully before he takes a step forward and hugs Mu Qing. The latter seems surprised by the gesture at first, eyes wide open and arms down to his side. However, he relaxes a moment later. “There is no debt to be paid, Mu Qing,” Xie Lian says before he lets go of the tight embrace. “You’re my friend, it’s my honor to help you, I trust that you would do the same for me.”

Mu Qing nods. “Thank you too, Hua Cheng,” he says with no bow or hug.

Hua Cheng smirks. “You are in my debt, though,” he says but Xie Lian instantly takes his hand.

With the promise of seeing each other again really soon, Feng Xin and Mu Qing leave Xie Lian within his palace in the company of his loving husband.

It has gotten dark and the Heavenly Capital is quiet when they exit the Palace of Xianle. “Are you going to your palace?” Feng Xin asks, not wanting to let go of Mu Qing’s hand. Hoping to spend the night by his side.

“I am,” Mu Qing replies, turning to look at him. Feng Xin just nods, he should also go to this palace and make sure everything’s fine. He knows his officials are more than capable of handling the prayers and any issues that may arise, but a little check is always due.

He brings Mu Qing’s hand to his lips and delivers a soft kiss on it. “See you tomorrow then?” he asks, but Mu Qing shakes his head. Feng Xin starts to feel a bit scared but then Mu Qing takes one step closer to him.

“I’m going to my palace to greet my officials and change...after that, there is a promise I have to fulfill,” he says, loosening the first knot of Feng Xin’s robe with one swift move. “I believe I told General Ju...Nan Yang I would visit him in his palace wearing what he likes to best see me in.”

Feng Xin places both hands on Mu Qing’s waist. He has an urge to kiss him but they are still outside and despite now everyone pretty much knowing about them, it is better to maintain their private matters...private.

“I’ll be waiting then,” Feng Xin tells him, their faces incredibly close now. Mu Qing smiles at him gently before untangling himself from Feng Xin’s hold.

“I won’t take long.”

Needless to say, neither one of them finds a lot of rest during the night. Mu Qing just wants to forget everything he went through during this time and Feng Xin’s more than happy to erase every single bad thought...one kiss at a time.

A few days later Mu Qing finds himself going to his four village temple. Feng Xin and Xie Lian had advised against it but he wanted to know. Though upon seeing it, he understands why they didn’t want him to come. The temple is in pieces.The structure still stands but everything else looks damaged.

Mu Qing recognizes Xie Lian’s handwriting on the sign that says that the temple is temporarily closed. He walks towards it with a heavy heart. This temple holds so many memories of his. It is not out of nowhere that this one is his favorite one. He has always come here when he needed time away, whenever he felt lost, he would sit on the roof and watch the stars.

It is here too where he kissed Feng Xin for the very first time and it is also here where Xie Lian defended him from the accusations. Mu Qing can't help but sigh at the view of his destroyed temple. He looks at it as the images of his instances here replay in his mind. He can of course, build it up again but the devotees might not return. Not to mention that it is against the property rules for heavenly officials to build temples for themselves. Xie Lian had done it, but then again, Xie Lian either didn’t know or didn’t care about being frowned upon. Mu Qing wishes he could be like him in that matter but he gives enough material to talk about without even trying. It’s just the way it is.

His gaze travels around again, he doesn’t even know where Hua Cheng found Li Chao’s sword but he wishes he’d been here too. Maybe he could’ve done something to save this place that for so many years, he has considered a second home. Mu Qing looks at the ashes and the burnt wood on the ground, his broken statue and the debris of this place he loves so much. His heart really aches and it’s with his lips pressed in a thin line and a lump in his throat that he lets a stray tear fall from his eye.

Suddenly there is a pair of arms snaking around his waist from behind. Mu Qing startles at first but relaxes when he feels Feng Xin deliver a kiss to his cheek. “Are you okay?”

Mu Qing has always been a secluded god, relying on himself. He has always been alone. One of the reasons for this being that no one ever seemed to care about him, especially not Feng Xin. It is different being taken care of by him now, it feels as safe as it feels dangerous. This is the kind of comfort that is easy to get used to but really hard to let go. He hopes Feng Xin never changes his mind about him, because Mu Qing wouldn’t be able to handle losing him now.

“It’s worse than I thought it would be,” Mu Qing replies, he tries really hard to contain the tears because old habits die hard and he doesn’t like to show his vulnerable side.

Feng Xin kisses his chin, soft and gentle. “Your devotees will return and the temple will be built again, they believe in you.”

Mu Qing nods. He really does hope that’s the case. Feng Xin doesn’t tell him not to cry, doesn’t speak too much, he just stays there holding him from behind. Preventing his fall. Mu Qing’s heart beats uncontrollably, he leans against the body behind him, places both hands over Feng Xin’s so that their fingers intertwine. Silence has never been so comfortable between the two of them.

“Do you think devotees will really come back?” Mu Qing asks moments later, because it is in his nature to be doubtful.

“I’m certain of it,” Feng Xin replies. “There’s something I’d like to show you.” With that, he lets go of Mu Qing but is quick to grab his hand. Mu Qing internally smiles, he never thought this is how great it felt to be touchy with someone to the point where separation is felt even if it’s just for an instant.

Feng Xin guides him towards the side of the temple. Mu Qing hadn’t gone around it because he didn’t want to see any more destruction but what he finds there makes his heart swell instead of ache. On one of the stones, stands a painting of Xuan Zhen, elegantly holding his sabre while looking back at his devotees and under it there are fruits, buns, offerings and incense sticks.

“A temple may be torn down, but faith is much harder to destroy,” Feng Xin tells him as Mu Qing kneels in front of the image his four village devotees had set up to offer their worship. More tears invade his eyes but this time, they are not out of sadness. It’s probably joy mixed with pride and devotion. He guesses that if his devotees have built this little shrine in his honor, he must’ve done something right to earn their trust and their love. And that alone is much better than having a huge temple with his name.

They stay in the mountain for a couple of hours but decide to return home at dusk. They walk hand in hand into the heavenly capital and even though the gesture still attracts some looks, they have no reason to hide. Ling Wen greets them as they walk by, with the demons’ case finally solved even she is looking less tired. The bags under her eyes are no longer as prominent.

As they walk in the avenue where their palaces are located, they notice light coming from the Palace of Xianle. “Looks like someone’s home,” Feng Xin comments but they do not dare go in there unannounced, in case Hua Cheng is there with Xie Lian doing what married couples usually do.

“My palace or yours tonight?” Feng Xin asks, Mu Qing does a little roll of his eyes.

“I think it’s time we stay at mine,” he replies nonetheless, Feng Xin just nods. Mu Qing has stayed at his place for the past couple of nights. Mu Qing’s palace is next to Xie Lian’s, so they continue walking when Mu Qing remembers there is something he wants to know.

“Feng Xin, how did you know about the little shrine the devotees built for me at the side of the temple?” Mu Qing asks, “Have you visited it after the incident?”

Feng Xin smiles and nods. “Just a few couple of times.”

Months pass and with it, the case of Li Chao turns into nothing but one exciting tale. He is no longer around the capital, apparently waiting for his inevitable vanishment. The heavens, once again, turn peaceful and nothing major occurs, certainly not more ascensions. Feng Xin and Mu Qing’s relationship progresses and they become a stronger couple with each passing day.

They visit Xie Lian several times and even their interactions with Hua Cheng get better. The rest of the gods probably still think of them as one powerful clique but they can’t really be blamed. After all, they are indeed a very powerful group.

Mu Qing ends up telling Feng Xin about Jian Lan’s whereabouts and leaves it to his choice whether he wants to go visit them or not. Feng Xin agrees to go looking for them with the only condition of Mu Qing going with him. Mu Qing reluctantly accepts.

Once they are found, Jian Lan throws a nasty look at Mu Qing for having revealed her location, however, she makes it clear again that she does not need Feng Xin to protect her and tells him that she can do well by herself. Asks for him to stop following her and her son and leaves not even that long after they meet.

Mu Qing tries to comfort Feng Xin then but to his surprise, his lover does not seem to be as affected as he had been at Mount Taicang when Jian Lan first left. “Sooner or later, they will look for you, just give them some time.” Mu Qing tells him but Feng Xin shakes his head.

“She won’t look for me,” he says, now looking a bit sad.

“At least you know you gave it your best, if she refuses your help...that doesn’t have to weigh on you anymore.” Mu Qing knows this is probably a selfish thought but there is only so much Feng Xin can do. Only so many times he can go looking for her just to get humiliated in the end. It is not worth the effort if her answer won’t change. If the day comes when she needs Feng Xin, she might look for him or continue being proud and struggle, at that point it will be her choice.

Mu Qing isn’t sure which will happen, but he knows for sure that he doesn’t want Feng Xin to go through any more rejections from her. If he can prevent them from happening, he will.

They return to the Heavenly Capital at dusk. That same night Feng Xin is treated to a warm bath at Xuan Zhen's palace. "Wait for me," Mu Qing tells him before leaving the bathing area towards his quarters. Feng Xin nods, he disrobes and submerges himself in the magnificent white marble bathing pool. The warm water with scented oils and a few flowers is soothing and calming. Feng Xin thinks he only needs Mu Qing by his side.

Fortunately, Mu Qing doesn't take long to get there, wearing a light bathing robe and his hair down. Feng Xin just smiles at him. He knows Mu Qing has always preferred not to bathe completely bare. He lifts a hand from under the water as if to invite Mu Qing to join him but the latter moves to the side instead. With a quick look directed towards Feng Xin, he goes to stand nearby the candles that illuminate this bathing room. The shadows make it so that only his profile can be caught by Feng Xin's eyes. It is like this that Mu Qing undoes the knot of his bathing robe and presses it off his shoulders.

The delicate fabric slows down his body gracefully in an intimate spectacle meant for Feng Xin only, who looks at him from the water. It is once the robe has pooled around his feet that Mu Qing finally turns his sight back to his lover, his expression is serious but kind and Feng Xin is infatuated by him.

"So beautiful," Feng Xin comments when Mu Qing finally joins him inside the marble bathing pool. Mu Qing doesn't reply, choosing instead to move closer to his lover and softly stroke his wet hair. It doesn't take a second for their lips to connect in a soft, sensual kiss.

Mu Qing soon finds himself with both arms around Feng Xin's neck while straddling his hips. The kisses turn hotter and their hands turn mischievous. Nothing will bother them here. Therefore, they let themselves be lost in one another. They talk a little during the moments that their lips aren't otherwise engaged. Minds finally calming down, especially for Feng Xin, whose frowns are erased one by one by Mu Qing's tender lips.

When the water inevitably turns cold, they decide to retire for the night. Mu Qing brushes Feng Xin's hair before they go to bed. Feng Xin then lies his head on Mu Qing's chest with an arm around his waist. There are only a few words exchanged as exhaustion catches up. Still, Mu Qing strokes his lover's hair, he caresses his back and kisses his head and face softly while he waits for his breathing to become even. It is only then that he too closes his eyes, deciding that if Feng Xin has always been the one taking care of others and not being taken care of, Mu Qing will definitely show him different from now on.

A few weeks later, the mid- autumn festival arrives. As always, all of the heavenly officials are invited to join the banquet, play the games and of course, watch the countdown of the lanterns. Everyone, once again, is aiming for the second spot since Hua Cheng’s three thousand lanterns for Xie Lian are a given.

Mu Qing doesn’t see Feng Xin at all during that day, he guesses he is just busy with work. When night arrives, he dresses in his formal attire and walks towards the Celestial Hall where the banquet is to be held. Many middle court officials sit by the sides, waiting to see the espectacle the offering lanterns will provide. Mu Qing even sees a couple of his own officials already looking at the night sky.

When he enters the hall, Xie Lian is the first to greet him. He wears a beautifully tailored white and golden outfit that sparkles among all the rest. He looks elegant and this is a sight he hasn’t seen in a while, it instantly catches his eyes. They chat for a little but then Mu Qing notices an important absence.

“Xie Lian, have you seen Feng Xin?” he asks, Xie Lian nods.

“He requested from me to please tell you to descend to your four village temple mountain as soon as the countdown starts,” Xie Lian replies, the golden of his eyes shining brightly and his smile is wide.

“Why didn’t he tell me so directly?” Mu Qing feels his heart already beating faster.

“I think you will have all of the answers when you go there,” Xie Lian tells him before placing a hand on his shoulder and walking away. Mu Qing feels his legs suddenly turn weak.

The banquet lasts for a while, the games begin and the plays of the stories have everyone laughing. However, just as the official in charge announces the beginning of the countdown, Xie Lian turns to Mu Qing. “You should go now,” he tells him with a tender smile decorating his features. Mu Qing just nods before he stands up and quietly leaves the hall.

It has been a while since he last visited this mountain, not wanting to see his temple in shambles. He knows people from those villages still pray to him, probably at the little shrine they built by the temple’s side and he eagerly replies to them but is not keen on descending to this particular spot.

His destroyed favorite place is not something he wants to see during the festival, but how could he not respond to Feng Xin’s call? He walks along the avenue, already seeing some lanterns in the sky...the countdown must’ve already started.

He descends swiftly, the night is clear and it is not really cold. His formal Xuan Zhen attire is a bit difficult to maneuver but he still manages to land on the mountain gracefully. He looks at the villages nearby, maybe they are waiting to send lanterns in his honor and although he is deeply grateful, this is not the reason he is here today so he turns around and that’s when he sees it.

His temple is right there. Not destroyed, not in shambles. It stands tall and magnificent as it once had been. The details are the same although the windows have even prettier patterns on them. Mu Qing’s heart stops for a little but he keeps walking, not believing his eyes. Not believing he can see this temple again.

However, the temple is merely just the start because when he reaches the main entrance, Feng Xin stands there. Also dressed in full armor, he welcomes Mu Qing with a smile. “The villagers rebuilt…” Mu Qing begins but Feng Xin hushes him, extends his hand towards him and carefully spins Mu Qing around so that he faces the sky again.

Several lanterns start to rise from the four villages that surround this mountain. It must be time to count Mu Qing’s offerings. Mu Qing watches in awe as the lanterns lift up towards the sky; he has never seen the scene from the mortal realm. It is even more significant from here than it is from his seat at the Celestial Hall.

“You can ask His Highness for the official count of your lanterns later,” Feng Xin says, making Mu Qing turn to look at him at the exact moment he lets a lantern go and joins his hands in prayer. Feng Xin closes his eyes and quietly murmurs something Mu Qing can’t possibly hear as the lantern he released rises to the sky.

Mu Qing approaches him with his heart beating so fast, it feels like it is about to break free from his chest. His palms are a bit sweaty and he swears he feels his legs wobbling. Feng Xin then opens his eyes, his hands fall back to his side. Mu Qing is suddenly speechless by the beauty of it all.

“If you’re wondering, let me explain,” Feng Xin begins, “Nan Feng visited these four villages a couple of months ago. Since the little shrine on the side of the temple was getting too crowded, he started to work on the reconstruction of the temple...and as soon as people saw Nan Feng working on it, they joined and helped.”

Mu Qing just looks at him in the eyes. “The temple was ready a couple of days ago but the villagers decided to inaugurate it today during the mid- autumn festival because they wanted to make their god happy.” Feng Xin goes on, “This is why I couldn’t join the banquet today, I was busy here making sure everything was ready and perfect for our dear Xuan Zhen Jiangjun.”

“Feng Xin...” Mu Qing really does try but what can he possibly say? Just a thank you? How could he ever express what he’s feeling now? How could he put into words the fact that he feels like he has ascended all over again, that he has never felt so powerful and that it has nothing to do with cultivation but rather with the huge amount of love he feels right now.

Love. He really does love him so much.

Of course, he has already known, for a long time even! Otherwise he wouldn’t have given his body and his soul. Today, however, with the scene taking place right in front of his eyes, he is made aware of how in love he is. How much he loves Feng Xin. He feels the need to hug him, kiss him and never let him part from his side anymore.

Feng Xin must notice, because he takes Mu Qing’s hand and pulls him a little closer, not saying a word. He probably understands that Mu Qing feels a little overwhelmed.

A few moments pass in silence, the lanterns get higher and higher in the sky. “I’m sorry I didn’t offer three thousand lanterns for you.” Feng Xin comments a little later, his tone is slightly amused.

“I don’t think Hua Cheng would’ve liked it,” Mu Qing jokes, finally able to form sentences again. He watches the lantern Feng Xin released up in the sky, it glows brighter than all the other ones and it’s impossible to miss.

“What was your prayer, general?” Mu Qing asks with his eyes still fixed in the bright night sky.

“I prayed for something I deeply hope Xuan Zhen grants me,” Feng Xin replies quietly, before letting go of Mu Qing’s hand in order to hug his waist from behind and hold him close to his chest like the last time they were both here. “I prayed for General Xuan Zhen to remain healthy and strong and that he is able to protect his devotees for many years to come,” Feng Xin speaks very close to Mu Qing’s ear. "I prayed for him to never be anyone's target again, for him to know that he doesn't need to fight any battle by himself anymore."

Feng Xin pauses for a little, as Mu Qing keeps looking at the lanterns above. "But most importantly, I prayed for General Xuan Zhen to remain for years and years by my side." Feng Xin now speaks softly, quietly, words for only Mu Qing to hear. "I prayed for him to love me as much as I love him for centuries to come, I prayed for him to be mine like I am his and for us to continue walking this path together eternally…for if I was to lose him, I would die.”

Mu Qing’s chin trembles. His breathing gets uneven. Much like the first time Feng Xin confessed to him in this same temple, he can’t believe what he’s hearing. Therefore, he turns around in Feng Xin’s hold, looks at him smiling and the ground under his feet suddenly disappears. His heart beats incredibly fast. He cups Feng Xin’s cheeks softly, thumbs a little around his face before he presses a little peck on his lips.

“I love you, A- Xin,” the words fall naturally from his lips, as if they were hanging there just waiting to be released. “I really love you so much.”

Feng Xin’s smile becomes impossibly wide. There are so many feelings in his midnight eyes. “I love you too, with all my heart,” he replies, leaning closer for another kiss. A kiss that feels like a promise and a forever, that is unrushed because they have centuries ahead and that is passionate because they have been waiting their whole lives.

A kiss that distills love and that pours nothing but honesty into each other. Love, they find out, is even a stronger force than spiritual energy.

The sudden lightening of the night sky is what breaks them apart. No, it is not dawn. Those are the three thousand lanterns Hua Cheng’s offering to Xie Lian. The two of them turn to look at them, the sight is wonderful but not as magnificent as when they turn to look at each other while the light shines on both of their faces and their eyes.

Feng Xin then takes Mu Qing’s hand and places it against his lips. Mu Qing watches him fondly. His heart makes little jumps in his chest. “It is said that gods are to be venerated and not venerators...but I adore you, Mu Qing, I shall always be your worshipper.”

Mu Qing smiles, “Be sure, I have always been yours.”

Once upon a time, they say, that in the heavens there were two mortal enemies. Sworn rivals who couldn’t even stand to be next to each other. Unfortunately for them, enemies are destined to meet and regardless of their dissension; it turned out they shared a region to protect.

Although it was widely known that they grew up together, the two frowned upon each other and held deep resentment. Their dispute was so strong that even their followers would fight each other. Each one, always venting the other’s wrong deeds to the winds.

This apparently changed after the two joined forces to fight against true evil. Once one realized what it would mean to lose the other, he risked his own life to save him and everything they had known up until then became different.

‘Different’, they say, meant that the two gods no longer hated each other. Instead, attraction started to arise and feelings began to bloom. There is only one fine line between love and hate, they say. These two had crossed and sprinted way beyond that limit and found themselves to be drowned by the power of love.

In the centuries to come, the two former rivals instead joined their homes and temples were built in their honor. The region was no longer divided and the followers stopped fighting as well. Those on the mortal realm sang to the heavens that their gods for eternity would be known for their tale of thorns and roses.

Thus, it was known that worshipping one of them would bring protection but worshipping them together would grant even the loneliest person comfort and care, for the two gods would always listen if someone needed to be heard.

One thing is certain: these two’s story starts from when they were servants of the most powerful martial god of the three realms, to whom now they are both close friends. There is no one more perfect for each other, this powerful martial god had once wisely said. It is the same old story from ancient times, no rivalry can last forever and no enemy would care that much for whom they claim to hate. Love must’ve always been there, even if its bearers hadn’t noticed yet.

After all, nothing in this world is impossible, for the heaven official’s blessing, no paths are bound.