Chapter Text
In Ghost City, time flows differently.
Confined inside a realm of dark and misty surroundings with no natural light other than the bruise-purple glow where Ghost City’s endless lanternlight stained the horizon; it was the perfect environment if you were a ghost.
Ghosts are inherently creatures of the night. Unfortunate souls of the dead trapped in a cycle of wandering and waiting for an end that never comes. Forced to struggle with their unresolved emotions and unfinished business from their past lives, you’d expect the atmosphere of Ghost City to be heavy, cold, and oppressive.
On the contrary! Ghost City hums with a thriving, gritty energy that vibrates through its street's night and day, or what passes for daytime in a realm steeped in perpetual twilight. Where the sun never rises.
There’s always something happening in Ghost City. Dice clinking in gambling halls, laughter echoing from drinking dens, and the occasional brawl in the back alleys. It’s a city where spirits stir more than they rest; full of ghosts and demons going about their business, all adding to the lively buzz. The city's pulse is steady, even if many here didn’t have one.
Those lucky enough to call Ghost City their home will find there is no rush here, only the gentle unfolding of time.
The city’s inhabitants who walk these streets are not lost, they are trying to find their way. Wandering through a cycle of reflection, already at the natural end of their life, they have no choice but to move forward, to find something greater, even if they don’t know what it is yet. Each spirit is on a journey of their own making, discovering new layers of themselves and understanding through growth—
“GET OUT OF MY WAY OR I’LL TURN YOUR KNEE CAPS INTO SOUP STOCK AND USE YOUR TEETH FOR GARNISH!” shouted an aggressive boar-like ghost from somewhere in the main square below, loud enough to rattle loose roof tiles.
“...”
Well, Ghost City isn’t perfect, and it’s not some kind of utopia. It’s more like a haven, a place where every corner holds a chance for healing, for reconciliation with the past… alongside an unsettling amount of cannibalism, but time doesn’t erase all struggles.
The city is a chaotic mix of lawlessness, indulgence, and opportunity, where survival relies on wit, strength, or luck. Outcasts like ghosts, demons, and desperate mortals gather here to live free from Heaven’s rules and the living’s judgment.
Thus, with such a diverse group of spirits, conflicts were very common, and after living in Ghost City for close to a decade, Xie Lian learned the one thing that can always be expected in the Ghost Realm was the unexpectedness of ghosts.
Despite its lawless reputation, Ghost City isn’t pure anarchy; it has its own order, upheld by the influence of a steady, watchful protector, and the ghosts, in turn, honor him as the figure who offers them both direction and sanctuary.
All of Ghost City thrives thanks to the benevolent Supreme Ghost King, Hua Cheng, who created a place where souls could exist without the constraints of strict rule. He didn’t control them with force, instead allowing the ghosts to manage their own lives. Yet, the city wasn’t entirely without structure. There were those whose job it was to step in to keep order, especially from meddling forces who slipped past its borders seeking to stir unrest while the King’s gaze was turned elsewhere.
In the heart of Ghost City's market district, a white robed figure ran effortlessly along the rooftops. The patter of their footsteps barely above a whisper as only the faintest creak of shingles and fluttering of fabric could be heard. His silhouette was just a snowy blur as he traversed the jagged skyline before vanishing behind the sloping ledges.
The mysterious specter was moving quickly when a sudden loud and belligerent commotion brought him to an abrupt halt. He crept toward the edge of the eaves and peered over, scanning the dimly lit street below for the source of the boisterous noise.
There was yelling, then a distinct sound of gulping, followed by a jar smashing on the ground. Even in the murk, the source was hard to miss.
Two giant ghosts emerged from an establishment, armored like mercenaries but walked like drunkards. Their skin was pallid blue as if they'd been pulled from the bottom of an icy river. They carried clubs slung across their backs, jars of liquor in their gargantuan hands and moved with trouble in their posture.
They marched out the door of a liquor shop into the bustling street. With a twisted grin, one knocked over food stalls and continued shouting, arousing the attention of everyone in the market while the other dragged someone by the front of his apron.
Another, much smaller ghost who appeared to be the owner of said liquor shop came charging after them, flailing a broom madly in the air. The fight had already started.
Any prior argument leading up to this confrontation wasn't known but the situation spoke for itself. The shopkeeper seemed to be a wily old ghoul who liked to run his mouth and the two massive ghosts, each built like a fortress and as strong as ten men, seemed to take that as all the excuse they needed to stir up trouble, ganging up on the scrawny shopkeeper and his passive assistant. An awkward situation but the scene still screamed “bad news”.
The shopkeeper's assistant wasn’t small by any means. A hulking and hunched ghost, he had the build of something that once ran on all fours but learned to stand upright just to loom better. He had the kind of presence that usually kept rowdy customers in check and pronged hands built for grabbing thieves by the collar but possessed kind eyes like burnt coals suggesting that he preferred to hurl crates instead of curses.
It was just his misfortune that he got caught up in this mess due to his hot-tempered boss, who was expecting his burly employee to defend the honor of his business, but against these two, the assistant kept his hands half-raised in caution rather than challenge. Even with a hand like a slab of stone fisted in his apron and large body hauled around the street like a misbehaving mutt, he didn’t panic. It was obvious he knew how this would go if it came to blows, and he wasn’t getting paid enough to prove himself wrong.
The commotion had drawn a ring of onlookers to the scene, their voices sharp with tension. Some shouted warnings at the intruders, while others flexed their fingers and cracked their knuckles, ready to join in. Less concerned with justice and more hungry for the thrill of a good fight.
“What?” barked the other blue-tinged ghost, spreading his arms wide to the crowd. “Never seen real strength before?” His voice was grating and loud enough to rock shop signs. Clearly the one in charge, for he was louder and far too sure of himself than the other one.
Some came to Ghost City to vanish. Others came to be seen. These two were here to leave a messy and violent mark. It hadn’t taken them five minutes within the city's walls to start looking for a fight by bullying ghosts half their size. Impressive, if it wasn't so pathetic.
As the leader fumbled with jars of alcohol, raising one up to his bloodless lips and drained its contents in a series of long gulps and the shopkeeper's words became even more aggressive as he watched his stock vanish down the giant’s gullet. His hands shook around the broom handle. He then swung the broom with wild, reckless fury, like he fully intended to beat the towering ghost senseless, however, the best his feeble attempt could do was leave them with a few splinters to remember. Yet the arrogant, monstrous ghost barely glanced his way before swatting him aside like a bug.
A blueish brute wiped silver liquid from the corner of his mouth, an underbite full of jagged, yellowing teeth, and chipped tusks.
The other one who was still grasping the assistant suddenly hurled him into the shopkeeper, knocking them both back into a stack of wine barrels, sending them tumbling in a cascade of shattered wood and spilled liquor. He then puffed out his chest as he turned to the growing swarm of onlookers.
He laughed, mouth wet from drool and close to a growl. “Go on, run and cry to your King,” he sneered, jerking his chin toward a passerby who quickly ducked away. “Let’s see if he dares show his face!”
High above, the lurking specter didn’t move, but his eyes narrowed behind the iridescent sheen of a mask.
“Where is your Hua Cheng? Hiding, is he? We just want to see if your precious king is as fearsome as they say!" The bolder of the two demanded arrogantly. "How can one claim dominion over this city if he won’t come out to defend it?"
In that moment it became clear to everyone that their motivation for entering Ghost City was to challenge Hua Cheng to a duel. The victor would claim the Ghost City territory as their prize.
“Watch your mouth!” someone snapped from the crowd.
“Oooh, bold words! I hope they brought their own coffins!” another jeered.
Then an eerie hush fell over the incensed crowd.
All eyes lifted in breathless awe as a lone figure in white descended from the rooftop, silent as falling snow. He landed with a faint tap of leather boots against stone as he sank into a low crouch. His moonlit robes fluttered around him like a ghostly banner giving off an ethereal effect.
“Everyone, look! Look who’s here!” A little ghoul cried, practically vibrating with excitement.
“Ya! You guys are going to get it now! That’s Hua Chengzhu’s newest ghost officer, the Starfall Guardian!” Shouted another as the crowd began to applaud in an uproar.
The ghost officer titled, the Starfall Guardian, rose slowly to his feet, his form outlined by the faint glow of lanterns. He had a much smaller build and didn’t appear visibly strong either, seeming to be terribly out matched in comparison to his gargantuan opponents. He wore an opalescent mask that covered the top half of his face, but the lower half that was visible revealed a shapely chin, pursed lips and a clear complexion, as though the one behind the mask was a youthful and handsome man.
The two rogue ghosts roared with hysterical laughter, exaggeratingly grabbing at their bellies in response to the pitiful display before them. Twin tusks jutted from their upper and lower jaws, clacking together whenever they opened their mouths. Their eyes glowed with the dim patience of someone who had been challenged by better fighters than this scrawny masked man before, and buried most of them.
"Is a delicate little brat like you supposed to scare us?” One of the blue skinned ghosts jeered and swept his monstrous hand at the air dismissively. “Stay out of the way kid before you get hurt. We’re here for a real opponent. Be a good boy and bring us your boss, Hua—” But before he could finish uttering that name, a sudden shockwave sent the brute skidding backwards for several meters, his feet gouging deep trenches into the cobblestone streets.
At this, the ghost who got hit, along with his buddy snapped their heads up, both stunned and seething. Their pale blue skin turned different shades of purple from pure fury at the sight of the man in white who assumed an attacking stance. He had no visible weapons, only his outstretched fists, steady and poised to strike again.
The injured ghost grabbed the spot where the stranger's palm connected with his chest, reeling from the blow but trying not to show it. He couldn’t believe that such a little pest could leave a hand indent in his iron plated armor.
"Tch, cheap trick! Attacking me like that when I wasn’t looking. Try it again, I dare you!" he said, cracking his knuckles, the joints crunched horribly, each finger bent with the menace of a claw.
“You shouldn't have brought the Lord of this city into your squabble; you threatened him and thus forced my hand.” the Starfall Guardian spoke coolly. “Leave this city or face punishment.”
“Da’ge, let me handle this!” Said the second of the bluish-brothers. He then unstrapped a large, man crushing club from his back and swung it around with an overwhelming show of force, but the unwavering Starfall Guardian doubled down by bending his knees, holding firm in a horse stance and ready for the first assault.
The youngest of the two giants swung the massive club with all his might in a deadly arc. The club crashed into the stone ground, sending up a cloud of dust, but the blood red splatter of his target was nowhere to be seen under his mighty strike. At the last second, the Starfall Guardian tipped his foot and stepped aside with the smallest shift of his body. His moves were fluid, advancing forward as a white blur and purposely within too close a range for their massive clubs to be effective.
As the warrior in white leapt in the air, he delivered a powerful elbow to the giant's jaw, then drove a series of kicks into his solar plexus, doubling the meathead ghost over and to his knees. The other ghost charged forward, his own massive club raised high and ready to crush, but before he could land a blow, the Starfall Guardian brought his hand down in a sharp, bone-cracking chop across his wrist. The ghost’s grip faltered instantly, and the club clattered to the ground as he staggered back, gripping his injured arm.
The two brothers were towering and strong, but their brute force couldn’t keep up. They swung wide, but struck too slowly. Attacking with their best techniques, except the outcome never changed. Even their far-reaching strikes were useless when their target was faster, and worse still, the Starfall Guardian matched their strength without ever drawing a weapon.
Less than half an incense time later the battle was won when the white robed warrior was the last one standing. He stood as a picture of untouched elegance amid his fallen foes.
"Lesson learned." The Starfall Guardian said, casually dusting off his shoulder. "Strength without discipline is just noise."
The throng of ghosts excitedly assisted the Starfall Guardian in escorting the two intruders to the outer limits of Ghost City's border, where the city's hero slapped a specially made talisman to their backs that states “The wards hold strong; let none who seek harm find welcome here” that can't be removed and will prevent them from entering Ghost City for 100 years. In that time, they might either forget and not bother coming back for revenge, or dissipate long before, no longer able to cause trouble.
The two were then shoved off into the wilderness outside the city gates to limp away in shame and the Starfall Guardian took to the roof tops once again.
He ran across the stacked, uneven structures, and somewhere along the way, a second figure dressed head to toe in midnight black followed not far behind. The Starfall Guardian might’ve missed this one, who slipped in seamlessly from the darkness that surrounds them if he wasn’t already on high alert. It was a pair of eyes he saw first, that shone like shards of crescent moons; otherwise this phantom’s presence was so faint it could have gone entirely unnoticed if not for the glint behind the smiling demon mask.
Together, they soundlessly drop into a narrow alley.
The figure dressed in black bowed, “Your Highness, if you return to Paradise Manor now you'll make it in time to greet Hua Chengzhu.” the dutiful voice of the Waning Moon Officer informed his fellow ghost officer.
The Starfall Guardian wordlessly acknowledged him and was in the middle of adjusting his sleeves, getting ready to depart when another voice replied from the shadows.
“There's no need. I heard all the excitement and came to see it for myself.” A tall figure dressed in red emerged, walking with a hand tucked behind his back, looking both stately and carefree.
Hua Cheng approached his white robed subordinate who stood motionless, unlike Yin Yu who bowed obediently in the Ghost King’s presence, the Starfall Guardian looked more like a cat caught by the scruff of its neck.
Standing before the Starfall Guardian, Hua Cheng tipped the masked vigilante's chin up with one finger, and removed the mask with his other hand, revealing a face the heavens might have envied. Striking honey-brown eyes met him like a sunrise, washing over him with a warmth he dearly missed.
The person under the mask was, of course, Xie Lian.
Not wanting to be in the way, Yin Yu had long since disappeared into the shadows, his services no longer needed.
“There you are, gege.”
“I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you, San Lang.” Xie Lian said coyly. “I didn’t want to add to your troubles, I thought I'd wait to explain...”
Hua Cheng gazed at him with the playful ease of a fox spirit, then leaned forward to press a kiss to Xie Lian’s lips.
Hua Cheng reclined against the headboard as though the bed where a throne built of silk and indulgence. He balanced a delicate mask on his fingertips, tilting it idly from side to side and admired everything from the fine craftsmanship to its lustrous mother of pearl finish in the candle light. His other hand massaged slow, attentive circles at the base of Xie Lian’s bare back, kneading the aching muscles and pouring all his care into every press of his palm.
“I hear the citizens affectionately call you, ‘The Starfall Guardian.’ ‘For the way his robes shimmer with celestial light as he leaps down from the rooftops like a star torn from the heavens. With each descent, he becomes a divine scourge and his fists a flurry of meteors, each one burning with righteous fire as they rain down judgment upon evil.’” The Ghost King recited the tale with a snorting laugh, like one humored by a bedtime story. “How endearing.”
Of course he heard. How silly of Xie Lian to assume otherwise. He knew all too well nothing slipped past Hua Cheng’s ears, Ghost City’s finest eavesdropper, nothing happens here without him finding out about it. Unfortunately for Xie Lian, his new persona blew up faster than he expected, and was just hoping to keep the act alive a bit longer before getting roasted by his husband.
Sprawled indolently on the bed face down, Xie Lian muffled his groan into a pillow. This was so embarrassing. Wasn’t the name ‘The Starfall Guardian’ a little too on the nose for a person like him? He wasn’t the one who called himself that! The citizens did. Besides, if Hua Cheng did actually employ him properly, the Crimson Rain Sought Flower could surely dream up something more creative! Yet Xie Lian devised this crime fighting scheme all on his own, so no one titled him. He just showed up in the city one day in a disguise to hide his true identity and the citizens of Ghost City rallied behind him with feverish zeal.
Originally, Xie Lian wanted to be nothing more than a faceless specter. A menacing presence meant to tell troublemakers to back off while giving the impression that Ghost City was still under close watch, all while concealing the fact that the king was otherwise occupied. He never suspected he'd generate such a fan base! Everyone ate his gimmick up like melon seeds at a street brawl. Then the new ghost officer became the talk of the town and the Starfall Guardian was born. It was the kind of name that was heard loudly, but awkwardly, as if someone had just skimmed through Xie Lian’s history for ideas.
Naturally, he didn't do it alone and got plenty of assistance from Yin Yu, who procured his glitzy mask and kept tabs on troubled sightings around the city, but Xie Lian was careful not to implicate him.
“When you said you wanted to help me, I didn't imagine this, though I'm not surprised.” Hua Cheng said, then sighed. “Have I been so neglectful as a husband that gege had to take up vigilantism?” Then suddenly his head jolted slightly, like something gave him a static shock.
Lifting his head from his pillow, Xie Lian pushed past the ache in his lower back to prop himself on his elbows to look at Hua Cheng, “No, no, San Lang is very generous with his attention and dedicates all his free time to me.” Xie Lian said in a reassuring tone.
“I've just been feeling a little idle is all.” ‘Useless’ was almost the word Xie Lian used, “You've been working so hard lately, and I wanted to take some burden off your shoulders. Are you upset?”
“Of course not, I know gege can handle himself. It’s just I wish you didn’t feel the need to spare your time helping me this way. It should be me protecting you.” Hua Cheng’s smile dropped to a slight frown, like someone spat in his drink. Xie Lian blinked a few times when he saw this expression, but just as quickly as Hua Cheng showed some discomfort his face lightened up just as fast, so Xie Lian didn’t address it.
Hua Cheng changed the subject and suggested Xie Lian join him in his duties instead.
However, Xie Lian wasn't interested in the politics of running a city and didn't think he'd be very good at it. He was more likely to be a hindrance than a help. So he resorted to what he was good at: fighting. Ensuring the protection of Ghost City was more suitable to his skillset.
So far, he has caught bad ghosts wanting to do harm, petty thieves and sometimes heavenly officials looking interested in shady business; He'd escort them out of the city while scolding them, letting them off a little easier than the more destructive guests. Yet so far, he has not dealt with anything he’d consider dangerous.
“I just wish you weren’t running around alone out there.” Hua Cheng said with a sigh and brushed a lock of hair behind Xie Lian’s ear.
Xie Lian wrapped a blanket around his naked body and scooted over to cuddle up beside Hua Cheng. He didn’t move too hastily for his backside was still sore.
“If you're worried about keeping me company, why not send a clone of yourself to join me? We've experimented with clones before, so what's the problem?” Xie Lian asked playfully even though he already knew the answer.
Hua Cheng declined because he had a personal rule; to be his authentic self with Xie Lian at all times. Using clones for other activities or side tasks while the real Hua Cheng was present was one thing, but passing the responsibility of looking after his beloved over to a subpar clone in the real one’s absence? That was unacceptable.
He always showed himself before Xie Lian as the real genuine article. No illusions, no stand-ins, all due to the silly notion that anything less would make him unworthy of being in His Highness’ presence at all. However, Hua Cheng may have to reconsider his approach as leaving Xie Lian alone only resulted in the god becoming creative with his time and Hua Cheng didn’t want his husband to push himself more than he had to.
Hua Cheng suddenly exhaled hard through his nose and rubbed his forehead in frustration.
With a worried glance, Xie Lian finally asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Forgive me, gege, some idiot keeps trying to reach me through my private communication array.” Hua Cheng did his best to not address the nuisance and give all his attention to his beloved, but they kept persisting to the point it started to become difficult to ignore them.
Hua Cheng had another personal rule: no work should follow him to their bed. To him, their marriage bed was sacred, meant only for them, where worries and duties could be left at the door. A place where Xie Lian had his full and undivided attention. Any other concern had no place here.
“I see. Please, go ahead and answer them. Don’t let me distract you,” Xie Lian said sweetly, giving Hua Cheng’s bare chest a playful rub. He knew how busy Hua Cheng was, and how hard he worked to give him his full attention when he could spare it, and though Xie Lian treasured that deeply, he never resented the times when duty briefly stole him away.
A rare flush warmed the tip of Hua Cheng’s ears. “As you wish, Your Highness.” he said obediently, then lifted two fingers to his temple, forming the hand seal to activate his private communication array.
At first he looked mildly annoyed and massaged his other temple with his free hand. Then a look of frustration took over. He even pinched the space between his eyebrows as if trying to press the feeling away.
After a long pause, he removed his fingers forming the hand seal to briefly disconnect the communication array and threw his head back in exasperation.
Xie Lian could only imagine Hua Cheng either cursed mentally or had an inappropriate thought and didn’t want the person on the other end to hear. With a groan, he reluctantly placed his fingers back to his temple and reestablished the connection.
“San Lang, is everything alright?” Xie Lian asked, rubbing away the tension from his husband’s shoulders.
“Unfortunately, Ghost City will be receiving a visitor tomorrow.” Hua Cheng said with a scowl.
“Tomorrow?” Xie Lian repeated, surprised. "That soon?"
He couldn’t help but wonder who it would be. Who dared to invite themselves over on such short notice? There were very few people whose visit could make Hua Cheng so displeased. The ghost king wasn’t exactly introverted, but he was highly selective about who he associated with. Which could only mean it had to be another calamity.
It couldn’t be Qi Rong, and certainly not White No-Face. That left only one likely candidate…
“Is it, Ship Sinking Black Water?” Xie Lian asked.
With a tired breath, Hua Cheng confirmed, “That’s right.”
Xie Lian stopped and pondered for a moment, then asked.
“How big is your food supply?”