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There was suddenly a day when the Heavens were once again disturbed by the loud noise of an ascension. It was extremely violent, the ground quaking and the mountains shaking. The altar lamps that burned day and night trembled as their flames danced violently. Heavenly officials were awakened by the commotion, rushing from their places out to the large square to see; who was it that had ascended to cause such a commotion? Everything was trembling so much!
The heavenly officials wondered who it could be that was so amazing, only to be stumped by the view which met them. Light, spilling down from above as a familiar figure descended along the rays of brightness. They all felt as if they had been struck by lightning, as the feet of the scrap collecting god, the laughing stock of all three realms, touched the ground of the heavenly realm once again. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Xianle, he had ascended to godhood again!
Gasps rang out among the heavenly officials which had rushed forward, eyes wide and shocked to see him again. Xie Lian’s feet landed on the ground with ease and grace, but when he was met with the sight which awaited him, he didn’t know if he should laugh or cry.
It seemed, unsurprisingly, that they were all terribly disgusted to see him, shocked and outraged. Xie Lian let out an embarrassed laugh, trying to find anything to say at this moment. Truly, he had never expected to ascend once more, and he was fairly sure he didn’t want it. The curse shackles still wrapped around his neck and ankle, binding his spiritual power and luck. Being a god once again would not change any of that, nor was he sure if he wanted it to. He had not done enough penance after all.
Then suddenly, there was another loud noise, much like he had just experienced himself as he was plucked from the human realm to be ascended above. Around him, the heavenly realm started to tremble, shake apart. It seemed some palaces were already broken, but now even more toppled over, crumbling under the sheer force. The heavenly officials looked with wide eyes around, trying to get a glimpse of who it was that had ascended as well. What a coincidence! Two ascensions at almost the same time!
Xie Lian had not spent many years in the heavenly realm after his first ascension, even less time after his second, but he had never experienced an ascension so powerful before. Xie Lian looked in awe, as a beam of light much like the one he had just been enveloped in crashed down beside him, toppeling over even more places. Xie Lian winced.
Well at least he would have someone to share the burden of collecting merits with to pay everyone back. Considering his luck however, Xie Lian would probably be placed with it all.
The golden light tinted red, and Xie Lian blinked in surprise, as silver butterflies started fluttering out of the ascension beam. He heard a terrified shout, and Xie Lian looked from the light to the heavenly officials around him. Their surprised expressions had turned shocked, eyes wide and gaping. A few looked horror-struck. Xie Lian looked back, and saw a red clad youth landing on the ground just a couple of meters beside him. He was taller than Xie Lian, with long dark hair hanging in a loose braid over his shoulder. His feet were clad in black boots, and as the light disappeared, Xie Lian got a good look on his face.
He had a sharp jaw, high cheekbones, and two black eyes. He was very handsome, with a wicked aura surrounding him. The silver butterflies were fluttering around him, hanging almost as if suspended in the air.
The man scowled, and all around Xie Lian the heavenly officials seemed to be rendered stunned, no one uttering a word.
Well.
Wasn’t that terribly rude.
“Hello,” Xie Lian said, and the man turned to him, his enraged gaze landing on him. Xie Lian smiled and waved, and the stranger’s expression fell. His eyes widened, his jaw slack for a moment as they locked eyes. “I’m so sorry, everyone seems to be losing their mind up here today. Welcome to the heavenly realm, you’ve just ascended.” Xie Lian could hear whispers breaking out around him, hushed and rushed. He didn’t mind them. The youth blinked, and then his shock turned into a smirk. He turned fully to Xie Lian, and then started walking over, unhurried and confident. He must truly be someone talented, to carry himself with such certainty.
“Yes, looks like it,” he answered, his voice deep and pleasant. Xie Lian bowed in greeting, and as he rose he saw the man blinking, a complicated expression on his face. He bowed as well, lower than Xie Lian had. “Thank you Gege, for greeting me. You can call me San Lang.”
“Pleasure to meet you San Lang,” Xie Lian said. “I hope you will enjoy godhood.” One of the butterflies fluttered over, and when Xie Lian reached his finger out, it perched there. How cute.
“Gege seems to have some experience being up here,” San Lang said, and Xie Lian smiled, not really sure if he should laugh or cry. He did have experience, it had simply been about 800 since he was last up here, and well… his experience had not been something one should follow. That was perhaps not a conversation he should have right now however.
“Ah, yes a little,” he agreed with a nod, watching as the butterfly lifted up and flew to the man. He was surprised that none of the other heavenly officials had come to save this impressionable youth from Xie Lian yet. Surely they all must see him as a terrible influence, and come to rescue him and show him the right path.
“Then would Gege be so kind as to show me around?” San Lang asked, stepping even closer. He leaned in, and Xie Lian suddenly felt his heart rate pick up, just a little. He looked to the side, but the crowd gathered around them still looked just as stunned as minutes ago, still and with wide eyes.
“Of course,” Xie Lian agreed, and San Lang smiled widely, slipping his arm into the crook of Xie Lian’s. Oh. Well. Xie Lian couldn’t remember the last time someone touched him, but that was kind of nice, even if it was terribly forward. “Really I am terribly sorry for everyone acting so strangely. It is often odd up here but not quite like this.”
“Why are you apologizing Gege?” San Lang asked, as they started walking. The crowd parted for them, scurrying away as if there were ants scared to be trampled. “It’s these useless trash who don’t know how to behave.” He said this loudly, so clearly everyone could hear. Xie Lian held back a laugh. Well, he had spirit.
“Ah, it seems my third ascension has startled them,” he admitted, because surely they wouldn’t all be acting so strange if San Lang had simply ascended. Xie Lian was surely to blame. It didn’t explain the way they parted however. No one respected Xie Lian enough to move for the sake of him.
“Third?” San Lang asked, and when Xie Lian looked at him, his eyes gleamed. He was a terribly handsome man. “Gege must be a truly remarkable god.”
“Oh no, if I’ve been ascended trice it means I have been kicked out twice,” Xie Lian tutted, and San Lang frowned. “Really San Lang might do better not associating with me.” Xie Lian sighed and looked around to see if someone was there to take over, but everyone seemed to have scurried away, the heavenly capital suddenly hauntingly empty.
“But Gege is the only one being nice to me!” San Lang said, and Xie Lian turned to look at him, finding him very close once again. “Take pity on this inexperienced god and help him, please.”
“Ah, San Lang,” he said, reaching up to scratch his cheek with his free hand. “Alright, if San Lang wants to.”
“San Lang does,” he said, and Xie Lian let out a sigh, but turned to start walking again.
“I’m not sure I find things anymore, it has been eight hundred years since I was last here,” Xie Lian admitted, San Lang humming next to him. “Many palaces seem to have toppled over by our ascension. I am sure we’ll have to pay that back in merits, but since San Lang is newly ascended, I am sure he will soon have many followers and pay it back in no time!”
“What about Gege?” San Lang asked, looking around at the mess they had truly made. “Gege should have many believers in all three realms.”
“Ah- No San Lang,” Xie Lian said with a sigh. “I am a very old god, not many remember me and ah- no one would be praying to me if they did.”
“This San Lang would.”
“San Lang it is terribly taboo to pray to another god!” Xie Lian exclaimed, and San Lang grinned, mischievous. Xie Lian cleared his throat, and turned them. “Down that road is the Heavenly emperor's manor, and really all the streets are just palaces for different gods and their deputy gods. San Lang should build one for himself too. That will cost merits too.”
“Does Gege have a palace?” he asked, and Xie Lian frowned, looking back towards where the palace of Xianle had once been. There was nothing there now.
“Ah, no San Lang,” he said, his eyes still locked to that place. He was happy it wasn’t there anymore. It wouldn’t have fit him any longer. It was a good spot however. “No it must have been torn down when… anyway it was in a good spot, perhaps San Lang would like it!”
“Gege, I can’t build my palace where yours is supposed to be!” San Lang exclaimed, and Xie Lian laughed. He couldn’t remember the last time he laughed.
“Of course you can San Lang,” he said. He’d actually feel better, knowing someone as talented as San Lang built there instead. “What type of palace would San Lang want?”
“What does Gege think is best?” he asked, and Xie Lian scrunched up his nose. “This San Lang needs Gege’s guidance!”
“Well, San Lang seems to like red,” Xie Lian noted, and San Lang hummed and nodded. “And butterflies?” They were still fluttering around them, silver and translucent. Very cute. “Maybe a palace with something like that?”
“What would Gege like?” San Lang asked, as they zig zagged between crumbled palaces.
“San Lang, it's your palace!” Xie Lian pressed, and San Lang hummed thoughtfully.
“But Gege doesn’t have one, so he could come stay with me,” San Lang said, and Xie Lian’s eyes grew wide. “This San Lang would like for Gege to feel comfortable.”
“Ah, San Lang that’s-”
“Your highness. Crimson Rain Sought Flower.”
Xie Lian whirled around, and came face to face with a woman he had never met before. A civil god, Xie Lian assumed based on the scrolls in her arms. Beside her stood a man, clearly a martial god by his armor. He didn’t look at Xie Lian, his gaze turned to San Lang. Xie Lian smiled, and bowed in greeting, not managing to bow as low as he had meant for the sake of San Lang holding him up with his arm.
“I am Ling Wen,” she greeted, gripping a scroll together as her gaze flickered between them. “Congratulations on your ascensions.” She didn’t sound particularly pleased.
“Ah,” Xie Lian said, turning to San Lang, and then back to Ling Wen. They must be here to take care of him properly. Disappointment sunk in the pit of Xie Lian’s stomach. He supposed that they would not spend much more time after this, when San Lang learned about who he really was, his reputation.
“Your highness,” the martial god said, who had still not introduced himself. “Could you step over here to me?”
San Lang’s grip tightened on his arm, just for a moment.
“Why?” Xie Lian asked, frowning. He looked to Ling Wen, who shuffled on her feet, glancing between them.
“General Ming Guang,” San Lang said, with authority in his voice. “His highness is far too noble and gracious to stand any closer to you than he already is.”
“San Lang!” Xie Lian exclaimed, even if he did find the boldness terribly charming.
“Gege, Pei Ming has quite the reputation about him,” San Lang told in a slightly lower voice, as if speaking secrets, even though his tone was clear enough to be heard by the other two. Xie Lian’s brows raised. Truly, San Lang was very knowledgeable. He glanced back to Pei Ming, who seemed conflicted between wanting to smirk and looking very serious.
“San Lang, I am sure that it is not worse than my reputation,” Xie Lian admitted, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. San Lang looked at him, and something painful filled his gaze. It was gone in an instant.
“Crimson Rain Sought Flower,” Ling Wen said, and Xie Lien frowned. It seemed like she was addressing San Lang. What an odd name to be called. It was very pretty. Xie Lian looked over at San Lang and decided that it suited him. “This is unprecedented. Last time you were in heaven you caused quite the stir.”
“I would consider it taking out the trash,” San Lang said matter of factually, shrugging even.
“San Lang has been here before?” Xie Lian asked, curious now. Who was this extraordinary person?
“It was a long time ago Gege,” he said, his gaze softening as he looked back and met Xie Lian’s gaze. “Just showing some trash their place.”
“Oh,” Xie Lian said, humming. He wondered how old San Lang was. Ling Wen cleared her throat, and Xie Lian looked back at her with a gentle smile.
“Regardless, we have yet to fully calculate the damage you both caused, but my early estimate thinks it will be over twenty million merits between you both. Xie Lian’s stomach dropped. Twenty million. Xie Lian would never be able to pay back such a debt. Perhaps San Lang would be able to pay his part if he had many followers, but still it was not the best way to start godhood, being indebted.
“What’s it to us?” San Lang asked, his expression blank. “It wasn’t as if we asked to ascend. If you can’t build houses that don't crumble like foil palaces being pushed over, that’s not on Gege and me.”
“You shouldn’t topple foil palaces over San Lang,” Xie Lian said, and San Lang turned to him with raised brows.
“Why, Dianxia?” he asked with intrigue in his voice, and Xie Lian felt a flush seep into his cheeks.
“Ah- never mind never mind!” Xie Lian exclaimed, feeling terribly silly.
“Many heavenly officials are offended about having their palaces crumbling down because of….” Ling Wen said, trailing off as she looked between them. Xie Lian could understand that they didn’t want him to have destroyed their palaces, but what did San Lang have to do with it? “But you can redeem yourself!”
“I don’t care to redeem myself in the eyes of such filth as you,” San Lang said casually, and Xie Lian had to place his hand over his mouth, to hide the giggle threatening to push out between his lips. “Use your own merits.”
“Crimson-”
“Your Highness, that’s Crimson Rain Sought Flower!” Pei Ming exclaimed, and Xie Lian sighed.
“General,” he said, his arm still in San Lang’s. “You have both addressed San Lang with that title, but I do not know what it means.”
“He’s Hua Cheng!” Pei Ming pressed, and Xie Lian felt San Lang tense slightly beside him. Xie Lian sighed.
“I don’t know what that means either,” Xie Lian confided. “I’ve been banished for eight hundred years, General. Please speak clearly.”
“Hua Cheng is one of the four ghost kings, calamities. He’s of supreme rank, and centuries ago he challenged thirty-three heavenly officials, civil and martial gods, and when they lost he whipped them out,” Ling Wen explained. It felt like a very rushed tale, but neither she nor Pei Ming looked as if they had time to spare. Xie Lian didn’t understand the rush.
“San Lang, did you really?” he asked, turning to San Lang, who met his gaze.
“Yes, Gege.”
“That's very impressive,” Xie Lian praised. Heavenly officials were often very strong, and to be able to challenge so many and win, both civil and martial gods. Truly impressive. “San Lang must be very skilled.”
“They very much deserved it Gege,” San Lang said, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth. That was far too charming.
“What is happening?” Pei Ming asked, seeming to be in awe or shock.
“Gege, would you like to come down with me to the Ghost city?” San Lang asked suddenly, and Xie Lian’s brows raised in surprise. He had never been to ghost city, but he supposed it would be interesting to see it. He would like to hear more about San Lang too, and how he managed to wipe out so many heavenly officials. “I have a very nice collection of old swords in my armory.”
“Oh!” Xie Lian exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. He did love old swords. “San Lang I would be honored!”
San Lang grinned, and then he brought out a couple of dice from his sleeve. He tossed them in the air, and when they landed it was two sixes. Such amazing luck. Xie Lian never rolled anything but snake eyes. A door appeared before them, and San Lang opened it, his arm still in Xie Lian’s.
“Your highness! Crimson Rain- What about the merits!?” Ling Wen called behind them, but Xie Lian barely heard her as he stepped up before a large red manor.
“San Lang!” he exclaimed, tightening his grip on his arm. “It’s beautiful.”