Chapter Text
“ Hanahaki Disease: A disease in which the victim coughs up flower petals when they suffer from unrequited love. It ends when the beloved returns their feelings, or when the victim dies. It can be cured through removal, but when the flower stem is completely ripped out/removed, the victim's romantic feelings for their love also disappear. No other known cure .”
What truly sucks about Hanahaki disease is, you never think you will be the one to end up with it. That is until you're sitting up in the middle of the night, feeling like you're coughing your lungs out because there had been such an intense tickle in your throat. You feel something come up your esophagus and suddenly you're horrified, wondering what in the fuck you could have stuck in your throat. It was an uncomfortable feeling, one of the most uncomfortable experiences you had ever had. Finally though, after what seems like ages, a lot of coughing & attempts to drink water, whatever is causing such discomfort dislodges from your throat, and is flung out of your mouth and into the elbow you were coughing into.
Finally, you could breathe again without feeling a blockage, or that obnoxious, borderline painful tickle.
Except, while you are trying to catch your breath, you look down to see what caused you such an annoyance in the middle of the night.
Your heart seems to freeze. Time itself, even seems to freeze.
There, sat in the crook of your elbow, sat a crumbled up pale pink penny petal.
Mu Qing loves flowers, he has a garden behind his palace with all his favorites. Some of which include; peonies, chrysanthemums, and roses of all colors. He loves flowers, as well as being educated on what they are known to symbolize. The peony, for example, symbolizes "affection" and "romance."
Seeing that damned peony flower in the crook of his elbow that night though, Mu Qing decided he hated flowers.
Okay, so maybe ‘hate’ is a strong word. He says he hates Feng Xin daily, but it’s quite obvious that is not true, now is it? If he truly hated his rival, he would not even be cursed with this damned disease. No, he loved Feng Xin, and had since they were still by Dianxia's side as young mortals. He was truly the best actor he knew, as neither the prince, nor the bodyguard ever caught on to his feelings. Not back then, and not now -- more than 800 years later. He had been able to hide the feelings towards the god of the Southeast, masking the way his heart would flutter, with their fights and arguments. The two had always been at each other's throats, and would probably have taken jabs at each other, both physically and verbally, for the rest of their long lives in the Heavens - if it wasn't for this horrible disease that was going to kill him.
Mu Qing had accepted this, although he loved his life, truly he did-- and he feared death more than anything, but he knew Feng Xin would never reciprocate his feelings -- and even if he did, the man was too prideful to ever come forward to admit he had feelings for his Mu Qing. So reciprocation of his feelings was ruled out almost immediately.
He could always go the simple, but physically painful route too-- removing the root of the problem. By this he meant quite literally removing the flower that now grew within his body. Whether he ripped it out himself (ew) or got it surgically removed (which would be unideal, because then he would have to tell the medic operating on him about the cursed disease ruining his plans of a long life, considering they would be curious as to why they are ripping a flower stem out of a martial gods body). If he was to tell someone, he knew one way or another it would get back to his worshipers, or worse -- Feng Xin himself, and honestly-- he would rather die than have Feng Xin know about the romantic feelings his rival held for him.
Sort of….kind off.
Okay so he did not truly want to die. He really doesn't. He will have to think about the removal process a bit more. Maybe he would just rip it out himself.
Although….as much of an annoyance his feelings for the archer were….he didn’t want his 800+ years of love for the brute to just be ripped from him as well, for weird reasons he refused to think about at that exact moment in time.
He had some time to decide, at least.
~
Pei Ming was the first to find out, well….figure it out, for better wording.
The martial gods were all gathered for a meeting and naturally, as they managed the South together, Feng Xin and Mu Qing sat next to each other-- much to Mu Qing’s dismay, as he had been avoiding the other for about a week now. Feng Xin had tried reaching him via the communication array, but Mu Qing changed his password. The way he thought about it, was if he did not have to interact with Feng Xin, this whole disease thing may hurt a bit less……..maybe…hopefully. Unfortunately, Mu Qing was wrong, and being wrong was on his list of top 5 things he hated most.
After he had changed his password, Feng Xin resorted to in-person pestering. Showing up at Mu Qing’s palace doors, demanding to be let in. The first time it happened, Mu Qing’s deputies made the mistake of letting him enter, used to his behavior, and assuming that the two generals needed to discuss Southern territory issues. Feng Xin barged right up to Mu Qing's private chambers, and had almost let himself in before Mu Qing screamed at him.
He had just gotten out of the bath, and was only in a robe, despite the fact that the two gods basically saw each other at some of their lowest points, Mu Qing still refused to lose his dignity while in his silk bathing robe.
Feng Xin started to yell through the door, after slamming it shut when Mu Qing claimed to be ‘currently indecent’.
“Why are you avoiding me, asshole!?” He yelled at Mu Qing, who sat on his bed calmly and started to comb his long hair.
“I’m not, I’ve just been busy.” Mu Qing said dryly. He could hear Feng Xin scoff through the door, and a quiet thunk as if he had leaned his head onto the wood.
“Bullshit.” The archer scoffed again. “I’ll be back tomorrow. I have prayers to answer today. We will discuss this shit tomorrow though, mark my words.”
Then, before he could even answer, all Mu Qing could hear was the steady stomping away, he let out a breath he did not know he had been holding.
He had learned his lesson though. Therefore, immediately after, he told his deputies to not let his rival into the palace no matter what he said. From the next day, for about 2 weeks now, Feng Xin had been banging on his palace doors demanding to see him. He would have felt bad, if not for the constant coughing, which acted as a constant reminder that even if the god did not know, this was Feng Xin's fault, so curse him for submitting Mu Qing to this bullshit. He had started to keep a basket in his chambers, so that each time he coughed a petal up, he could throw it in there, and dispose of them all at once at the end of the day-- out the back entrance of his palace, when it was dark.
He had gotten more used to it now, the feeling of a petal coming up no longer ‘hurt’ per say, it was more of an annoyance than anything. It was even more annoying to hide though. Gods do not get ‘sick’, so repeatedly coughing into his elbow was going to look suspicious when around other heavenly officials, but he was unable to avoid the meetings with them, especially as one of the South's governing gods.
That's where the week had led him, sitting next to Feng Xin at the damned meeting, clearing his throat every single time he was about to speak, so he could dislodge and swallow the same petal that was trying to work its way up his throat, holding back a disgusted wince every time.
The archer beside him had not said anything to him yet, but he could feel the golden eyes on him, and knew the second the meeting was over, he would have to bolt to avoid interacting with him.
About 5 times in the meeting, directly after clearing his throat, he would make accidental eye contact with Pei Ming. It isn't as if he looked at him on purpose, but the god of the North was sitting directly across from the two Southern gods, and each time Mu Qing went to speak, Pei Ming was staring, with a weird look on his face each time, one of confusion, another of what seemed like realization, and it in a way, another had been……sadness.
It was driving Mu Qing up the wall.
As the meeting droned on and on, Mu Qing began to lose the ability to focus on the gods speaking around him, rather focusing on the way he was breathing to not agitate the petal that was trying to come back up. If he excused himself now though, it would be extremely taboo, as no god dared to leave the meetings early. If he coughed, not only would it be disruptive, but it would also--as mentioned-- be suspicious.
He kept trying to swallow the saliva that built up in his mouth out of sheer nerves, hoping it would help coax the petal down more, but nothing seemed to be working. This was agony, how was he meant to go about his days when the disease became more intense?
“That concludes the meeting for tod-”
He did not have to be told twice, before bolting out of his chair to the exit, completely missing the closing statement from whichever martial god was leading the meeting today.
“Mu- Hey wait up!” Feng Xin yelled after him, but he did not slow, nor turn around. He just had to get to his palace, to a secluded area, to literally anywhere that was not near Feng Xin or the others.
His legs carried him to an empty garden, one where he knew not many gods ventured to. Whereas he, on the other hand, sometimes came here to think, or just meditate.
Finally alone, he sat on a secluded bench and started to cough. The petal that had been lodged in his throat for what seemed like hours now, finally dislodged completely and flew into his elbow, which caused him to grimace and look away from it.
“Well. That certainly is not what I had expected from you, of all people.”
Pei fucking Ming.
Mu Qing grabbed the petal, crushing it in his fist, before whipping his head to the god of the North.
“Not a word. To anyone. Do you understand Ming Guang?” His voice was raspy from the coughing, and seemed to squeak a little, making him internally wince. Pei Ming threw his hands up in surrender, taking a step or two closer.
“Hey man, I get it. You forget who I am. You think I haven't seen this before?”
Ah yes, Pei Ming is worshiped as the God of Love, he must have been bound to see the disease from a few of his worshippers through the years.
“So…Nan Yang…doesn't know? I’m assuming at least…”
“What does HE have to do with any of this!?”
“Well he’s the reason right? If you told him what was going on mayb-” “NO IT’S NOT HIM WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!?!?!” Mu Qing all but screamed, causing him to cringe at the slight pain in his throat.
Pei Ming looked at him, eyebrow raised, lips pulled into a thin line, looking utterly unimpressed at the younger god.
“You're kidding right?” He pointed to himself. “Again….God of Love. Remember?” He mumbled in the most monotone voice Mu Qing had ever heard from him. He only blushed and turned away from the prying eyes, choosing to uncurl his fist to look at the crumbled up petal.
“I can’t tell him, and you won't either.” Mu Qing mumbled out, not making eye contact still. He could hear Pei Ming sigh, before his steps got closer and closer, up until he was standing right beside the bench Mu Qing was sat on.
“I really think you should, but you have time to decide that, I suppose. Either way, he has a right to know.”
Mu Qing did not necessarily agree, but he nodded along just to get Old Pei to stop speaking.
“All that aside though, I do hope it all works out. I know how much Hanahaki sucks…I’m sorry.” Thankfully, Pei Ming's voice lacked the tinge of pity that Mu Qing feared it would have, but he still did not want to entertain the older god anymore, wishing to be alone, so he nodded again with an added shrug.
Pei Ming sighed, and muttering to himself, finally walked away. Mu Qing let out a breath he didn't know he was holding in. He breathed out too aggressively though it seemed, because next thing he knew, he was coughing up another petal into his elbow.
~
Xie Lian was the second to find out, but at least it was purposeful on Mu Qing's end this time around. He figured someone close to him should know, and between the only two people he was close to, -- Xie Lian and Feng Xin, if that's what you call 'clos -- Xie Lian was very obviously the better call. Sadly, with Xie Lian knowing, came Hua Cheng knowing, since he would not leave ‘ his geges ’ (barf) side once, while Mu Qing sat across from them in the shrine.
“I don’t know how long it lasts for gods….I know humans have months, maybe a year if anything.” Mu Qing concluded in his explanation to Xie Lian. He left out specifically who caused the disease sprouting in his body, because he knew Xie Lian would pester him about telling the man at fault, and Hua Cheng would honestly just tell Feng Xin himself just to give himself a good laugh for 30 seconds.
Xie Lian had tears in his eyes, and although Hua Cheng very obviously disliked Mu Qing, even he looked at him with a softer glare than usual, hand secure on Xie Lians shoulder.
“I-I don’t understand…Mu Qing please just…why can't you remove it…. I can’t lose you….”
Mu Qing sighed, his heart cracking a little.
“It’s not that easy, I don’t want to go to a medic for it because I don’t want this to be known around the heavens, there’s too much of a possibility of it getting back to my worshippers. Ripping it out myself is a possibility, but I can’t even imagine how I would go about that in a 'medically okay' way. Plus, removing it would basically…..erase any l-love I have for the person…I don’t know how to explain but…I-I don’t want it gone…”
Xie Lian wiped his eyes with his sleeve, but nodded nonetheless.
“N-No I understand, not wanting to lose the love for them….I would never want to give up my love for San Lang….”
“Gege….”
“Please though…..Mu Qing….there has to be another way…why have you not told them? I’m sure once they know they will admit to reciprocating your feelings.”
Mu Qing snorted, shaking his head. Xie Lian always saw the best in him, always thinking more highly of him than other heavenly officials, or the mortals from their youth.
“Dianxia I apologize but…no one. U-uh…..no one feels that for me.” He muttered more than anything, feeling ashamed to truly admit it. It hurt more to say out loud than he thought it would.
Xie Lians mouth opened in silence and confused, and Hua Cheng raised an eyebrow, lips pulled into a thin line, showing his obvious annoyance.
“Mu Qing, that is simply not true….you must know by now…”
He could not bear to hear Xie Lian try to make him feel better, because he simply wouldn't. He rushed to stand, and planned to head back to the heavens to seclude himself in his private chambers for the foreseeable future.
“Dianxia, thank you for listening, I apologize for burdening you with this information. I too, hope for a good outcome. I must take my leave now, please forgive this one.” He hurriedly said, rushing to the door.
“O-Oh! Okay! Mu Qing please talk to -”
He didn’t hear the end of what was being yelled to him as the door slammed shut behind him. He slightly wondered who Xie Lian could want him to speak to, but the thought faded as he ascended. If it mattered greatly, Xie Lian knew how & where he could get in contact with him.
~
Mu Qing's everyday life became hiding flower petals from those around him, hiding them in his sleeves if he was not in his chambers, until he could get back & toss the handful into his basket. During meetings, he got into the habit of bringing a jug of water. Sure he did get some weird looks from his fellow martial gods, but the water helped keep the petal down. He would rather have weird looks from a water jug than weird looks because of his disruptive coughing.
He took on fewer missions down on earth, and instead sent his deputies on more cases than not. It had been getting harder and harder to not cough while he was around others, losing the ability to hide it by clearing his throat or swallowing the petal down until he no longer could. That being said, when he did take on missions, he would operate alone, not taking any deputies, not partnering with Feng Xin, completely alone-- and he made sure of it every time before he descended.
With his free time, he would practice his saber forms behind his palace, meditate, tend to the flowers in his garden, catch up on prayers -- personally focusing on them rather than having his deputies sort through them, and when he was feeling up (on what he called a ‘good cough day’) he even decided to spar with that one damned martial god in the heavens that knew about his dilemma. Pei fucking Ming. Truly though, he had only really felt up to it once, and never attempted it again.
At first, when old Pei offered, Mu Qing turned him down immediately, used to only really sparring with Feng Xin. They knew each other like the back of their hands, so sparring was not only relaxing, but also invoked a type of playful challenge, to see what tricks up their sleeve they could attempt, it was a constant in his life that he typically wouldn't give up for the world.
On the 4th month though, as Mu Qing was still avoiding Feng Xin -- despite the archers constant pestering in his communication array, (the bastard had figured out his new password, curse Feng Xin for knowing him as well as he did) and trying to storm his palace again, or even high tailing him after meetings, only to have Mu Qing's palace doors slammed in his face -- he finally cracked. He missed sparring, and working alone on fighting skills, whether with his saber or not, was becoming not only boring, but repetitive. Pei Ming did already know about the disease to be fair, Mu Qing had thought to himself, so it made sense.
They met in the usual training grounds, where all the martial gods go to spar with each other. As Mu Qing had not sparred with anyone hand to hand in months now, they chose to use no weapons, so he could refresh his skills as much as possible.
It was not as relaxing as fighting Feng Xin, nor as therapeutic. He also did not appreciate the feeling of Pei Ming’s hands as much as he did Feng Xin’s. Yet as the other god was much older than both Mu Qing and Feng Xin, so it was at least challenging.
Both martial gods' energies did not deplete for what seemed like hours, and the two tossed lighthearted verbal jabs at the other concerning their form and techniques. Mu Qing had to admit that it was at least nice to get out of his palace without feeling the need to hide his coughing every time it occurred. With Pei Ming, the moment he stepped away and lifted his elbow to cough another petal up, the god of the North would hold his stance, until Mu Qing was able to dispose of the petal into a pouch he brought with him, not a hint of judgment in his eyes. Although it was not much, Mu Qing still appreciated it.
It was night by the time one had the other pinned finally.
Pei Ming had gone in with a fake punch, which Mu Qing mistakenly blocked, before he could realize that the other god was throwing a heavier punch. He had been disoriented for a moment, and Pei Ming used the opportunity to use the Southwestern god staggering against him, and tackled him onto the grass, laughing as he did so.
“Ah! I see why Nan Yang loves sparring with you so much Xuen Zhen! That was indeed invigorating!”
Mu Qing chose to ignore the comment about Feng Xin “loving” to spar with him. It was more of a matter of convenience and familiarity when it came to their mutual sparring agreement, no matter how much Mu Qing personally loved it . He chose instead to scoff at the god still perched on top of him, who still had not made a move to get off of the younger god.
“Alright, I should attend to my prayers now, get up.” Mu Qing said, going to sit up himself, but Pei Ming remained perched, seated upon Mu Qing’s stomach.
“Hmmm…speaking of Nan Yang, have you told him yet?”
Mu Qing blanched at the other, there is no way he was going to stay seated on him while they had this conversation! Right?!
“No. Get off of me.”
“Not until you promise to tell him!” Mu Qing was slowly losing patience, and he could feel a familiar tickle in his throat starting up. At this point, he just wanted to be in his own chambers to deal with this.
“Ming Guang. Get. Off. Of. Me. NOW!” He yelled at the Northern god, squirming in an attempt to get up. Much like Feng Xin though, Pei Ming was bigger than Mu Qing, and although all the martial gods were extremely built and strong in their own ways, Feng Xin and Pei Ming had a much bigger and muscular build than Mu Qing’s more slender one, it made it a bit hard to get out of holds like this one.
“He has a right to know!” Pei Ming’s own voice started to increase in volume, as Mu Qing’s patience decreased to nothing.
“I DON’T CARE! GET OFF OF ME!” He had reeled his fist back in his half seated position, but it was awkward, as his other hand held him steady on the ground. His punching hand had little to no room for a wind up, but he still did so.
“What the FUCK !?”
Feng Xin?
Neither Mu Qing or Pei Ming had a chance to even react to the archer sprinting to them, because he was suddenly lunging straight for Pei Ming. The momentum knocked Pei Ming right off of Mu Qing, and the two went tumbling into the grass, Mu Qing frozen in his half seated position still, fist still frozen in mid air.
“HE SAID TO GET OFF OF HIM, YOU ASSHOLE! WHY WOULDN'T YOU LISTEN?” Feng Xin was yelling, forcing Mu Qing to finally move, and try to stop the onslaught of Feng Xin's punches to Pei Ming’s face. Thankfully the Northern god had some time to react before they had started, as he was holding his arms up in an attempt to block them.
“You dumbass! Stop hitting me and let us explain !” Pei Ming yelled from behind his arms, hips bucking up, trying to get Feng Xin off of him.
“I don’t CARE what you were doing! He said to GET OFF of him!” Feng Xin kept yelling in the other gods face, but finally stopping his attack.
“Feng Xin.” Mu Qing mumbled, still in shock from the archers reaction. He was feral. It seemed almost protective, a trait he saw a lot in the ex-bodyguard when the two were still with Xie Lian down on Earth. It was never in defense of Mu Qing himself though. He shoved the impure thoughts of how attractive he found his rival in this moment, and focused back on the scene before him. Feng Xin did not respond, or he simply did not hear him, so Mu Qing tried again.
“Feng Xin!”
Finally, the other gods went silent, and both turned to Mu Qing, who stood behind them a few feet away.
“Hey, can you explain to the idiot here what happened???”
“Ming Guang, I WILL throw you into your own palace if you don’t shut the FUCK up!” Feng Xin yelled, whirling back to the man below him. The two glared at each other, Mu Qing was surprised to see Feng Xin’s glare at Pei Ming more hostile and more hateful, than his glares towards Mu Qing had ever been. He had never seen Feng Xin this angry.
“Feng Xin, you absolute brute, we were just sparring. He took me down fair and square.”
“Then why wouldn't he get off of yo-- wait you’ve been sparring with Pei Ming?!” This time he whirled to face Mu Qing, the glare on his face melting to a look of disbelief and…. hurt?
“I haven't ‘been’ sparring with him, today was the first time. I was stressed and he offered.” Mu Qing sighed, hand on his hip as he inspected his nails, rubbing the dirt from the ground off, trying to distract himself from the petal crawling up his throat from all the yelling.
“I would ha--you--but…. him? But he's Pei Ming!?” Feng Xin scoffed, truly in disbelief. From below him, Pei Ming let out a mock hurt “Hey!”, but both Southern gods ignored him, Feng Xin finally withdrawing from his mount to face Mu Qing completely.
“I thought we always sparred together? You’ve avoided me for so long now, and now I find you……sparring….with him?!”
“It’s not a big deal, Feng Xin. It was just sparring, and I wanted a challenge. I also do not wish to see you right now, which is my choice-- respect it.”
From his spot on the ground, Pei Ming opened his mouth as if to say something, but Mu Qing’s glare seemed to subdue that thought, as the other god rolled his eyes and turned to face the sky instead, shaking his head. Mu Qing’s eyes flicked back to Feng Xin, who just stood staring at him in silence, eyes slightly wide and mouth opening and closing like a fish with no water.
“I don’t understand what I did, Mu Qing.”
His voice was soft, void of anger, but small. It had actually hurt his feelings that Mu Qing didn’t ask him to spar? Was he jealous?
No. Not jealous. Mu Qing knew the archer really didn’t like Pei Ming too much, it was probably just that.
“You did nothing. I just want time away from everything. What do you not understand about that?”
“Well I must have! You don't answer your array, you don't let me in your palace, you don’t even want to do joint missions anymore! I thought we were-” He cut himself off, sighing and rubbing his hand down his face.
“On that note, I have things to tend to. Thank you again Xuen Zhen for the VERY invigorating spar, let me know when you want to again. Goodbye Nan Yang.” Pei Ming said quickly, suddenly standing and whipping his pants off, waving to both Southern gods before sauntering off. Feng Xin flipped him off, despite the fact that the Northern god would not see it.
“You thought what Feng Xin?”
“I thought we were getting better…you haven't ever gone this long avoiding me, Mu Qing. Even…before…we would at least argue.”
“Are you saying you want to argue?”
“No! I just--I’m just so confused on why you won’t talk to me! I know you went to see Dianxia a little while back, but he said he hasn't heard from-” “How do you know that?” Mu Qing interrupted. He had not contacted Xie Lian since he last went to see him, nor had he contacted Mu Qing, but he would assume Xie Lian would not mention what was happening to him to Feng Xin, especially as Feng Xin seemed to have no idea about the Hanahaki. Had Feng Xin followed him?
“Did you follow me?!” Mu Qing yelled in a hushed voice, stomping towards Feng Xin, who threw his hands up in surrender.
“N-NO! I just -- well, I had visited His Highness a week or two ago…and he mentioned you had visited him a bit back, but had not gone since, and he missed you.”
Mu Qing said nothing, just staring at the other man with a glare. He was curious, to say the least, about why he came up in the conversation they had been having, but he did not want to ask, nor could he find the words to do so.
“I figured you would have, if anything, so he was the first place I went....to see if you were okay…” Well. Question answered. Mu Qing’s glare had receded, but confusion took its place. Why was Feng Xin going around asking about him and if he was ‘okay’? Feng Xin must have sensed his inner questioning, as he continued again, all on his own.
“You were avoiding me completely, as well as most of the other officials I’ve noticed. Dianxia said I would need to talk to you myself, which makes me think there is something wrong but I can’t HELP if you don’t tell me!”
“You can’t help, you idiot!” Mu Qing snapped, still in shock over Feng Xin's….‘care?’...for him. He cleared his throat, turning away to start walking towards his palace. He needed to get this damned petal out of his throat, it was pissing him the fuck off.
“So there IS something! I knew it!” Feng Xin slammed his fist into his open palm in excitement, obviously proud of himself. As Mu Qing walked away, he could hear Feng Xin following him
“Please tell me. I really do want to help, Mu Qing.”
“Feng Xin, I just want to go home and rest.” He all but coughed out, the petal basically crawling up his throat at top speeds now.
“....Are you sick?! You keep coughing and shit! Have you seen the medics at all? I’m unsure what kind of ….sickness….gods can get-- but I am sure they have medications!”
“Sure, Feng Xin. I’m sick. Are you happy now? Congrats on solving the case.” Mu Qing rolled his eyes, hoping it would be enough to deter the other god and get him off his back. This sudden and random clinginess and kindness was weirding him out.
“No, I'm not happy! Why are you sick?! Let’s go see the medics!” Feng Xin urged, grabbing at Mu Qing’s sleeve, prompting halting the others' speed walk in the middle of the capitol. This is the last place Mu Qing wanted to be, god forbid he coughed up this fucking petal right now…..there were heavenly officials everywhere.
“Feng Xin, please, I just want to go rest. Please ” Mu Qing murmured out, not caring much if Feng Xin's mood flipped and he began to tease Mu Qing for basically begging.
Instead, when he turned to look at Feng Xin in a side glare, he saw the look of shock in his face, as if the begging had rendered him speechless. He dropped Mu Qing’s sleeve, and instead grabbed at his other arm, rubbing it up and down in what Mu Qing recognized as one of his nervous habits. He had done it since they were young, and Mu Qing used to find it so endearing. Granted, he still sort of did, but he did not have time to address that at this moment. He wanted to be in his chambers, with this petal out of his fucking throat, ASAP.
“Oh…I mean alright….I can stop by tomorrow, I am taking you to the medics then. So be ready.” Feng Xin murmured, eventually crossing his arms. Mu Qing didn’t respond, save for a sigh and an eye roll.
“If I have time, fine.” He murmured back, crossing his own arms and standing up straighter. The two nodded towards each other, seemingly in mutual agreement, before marching off in their palaces directions. Feng Xin, although still disheartened due to Mu Qing’s weird and sudden avoidance of him, still felt quite victorious. He would take Mu Qing to the medics the next day, the stubborn little shit would get better, and Dianxia and himself can stop worrying. Mu Qing on the other hand, felt determined, mind already racing with errands he could run tomorrow to avoid having any free time, as he had no plans of seeing the medic, nor Feng Xin.
The archer did not need to know that though.
~
It seemed that the universe had decided to be on his side for once. The morning of the dreaded medic visit, Ling Wen summoned him to her palace -- she had a mission for him down in the mortal realm that could take up to a couple weeks. He did not know what he did to have his wishes of being busy granted, but he was thankful nonetheless.
Did he really want to be away from home for weeks right now, with this disease shortening his lifespan daily? No , not really. Yet it would help him avoid Feng Xin, the medics, other martial gods, and honestly--every other problem in his opinion.
“Are you sure you want to do this alone, Xuen Zhen? I understand the past--more simple-- missions, but this is not essentially a ‘one god job’ one could say…I can ask Nan Y-” “No! No…..I’m alright, truly it is nothing I cannot handle.”
“Alright. It may take longer than I had expected though, I had hoped that when you got here, I would be able to convince you to take another god's assistance.” Ling Wen sighed out before taking a seat in her chair, lifting a scroll from the pile on the desk to hand to him.
“This is all we have on the ghost right now, it is not a lot, so I apologize.” Mu Qing merely nodded back, he did not mind-- honestly, the more time away from Feng Xin, the better.
“Thank you Ling Wen. I shall descend as soon as I have my affairs for the upcoming weeks sorted with my deputies.”
“Good Luck, Xuen Zhen, please do not hesitate to contact me if you need anything.”
The two nodded to each other once more, and with that, Mu Qing departed.
Mentally, Mu Qing went through the list of chores he planned on giving both his deputies and attendants, as he walked back towards his temple. He would need the attendants to at least tend to the gardens in his absence, but as well try to make sure the palace stays tidy and clean of dust- especially his office and bedroom. On top of that, his deputies would need to take on more prayers, making sure to send the more drastic & important ones to him, or Ling Wen if he was unavailable, so she could assign a god -- he assumed Feng Xin-- to take care of it promptly. He would have to stay in an inn in the mortal realm, which meant he would need to take his own basket down for the stupid fucking petals coming out of his body, as well as his hair oils and lotions. His silk bathing robe would provide him comfort from home while down there, but he did not want to risk losing it, or something happening to it-- so he ended up scratching that from his mental packing list.
Thankfully, organizing his palaces attendants and deputies took little time, as did getting a couple things together. He took a few moments for himself to 1: cough up a few petals that he had ignored that morning, better to get it done now than later on this mission, and 2: meditate, truly thinking about both Pei Ming's- as well as Xie Lian's- words from a little while back.
Should he tell Feng Xin? If not who caused the disease to sprout in his body, at least the fact that he may die, and Feng Xin may need to be prepared to handle both the Southeast as well as the Southwest? It would be the right thing to do, he hated to admit. It would be disrespectful to just die and leave his entire territory to Feng Xin without any warning at all…..
Fine.
When he returns from this mission, he will tell Feng Xin about the fucking stupid little flower disease.
With that thought in mind, he shifted to his Fu Yao disguise, and descended.
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maybe one day ill have the confidence to post on my actual account LOL