Chapter Text
<Did someone ascend? The bell sounds weird, almost ominous.> Feng Xin voiced the question that was on the mind of everyone who heard the bell tolling in a much lower pitch than was typical.
<Ugh, can't you even go check it out yourself?> The sarcasm in Mu Qing's tone made it clear he was rolling his eyes.
<It seems someone did ascend. A guy, unfortunately - we could use some more ladies up here!> Pei Ming sounded more bored than disappointed.
Feng Xin sounded relieved. <Oh, good. Is it someone from the betting list?>
Mu Qing made a disgusted noise. He made no secret of looking down on anyone who participated in gambling over which mortals were most likely to ascend.
Pei Ming ignored him. <Not according to Ling Wen. She's looking up who it is now.>
One of the middle court civil officials spoke up, stammering nervously. <I went to-to take a look, and… I think he's crazy! He-he's just… laughing! Like a madman!>
A general buzz of voices followed this revelation, speculating on how a madman might ascend, and arguing over possible motivations for laughing when he got to heaven.
<Don't approach him.> The commanding tone in Ling Wen's voice cut through the chatter, leaving silence in her wake.
<So, Ling Wen-zhenjun, who is our mysterious laughing stranger?> Pei Ming breezily filled the silence. <I have to say, I like him already. Too many people up here can't take a joke.>
Ling Wen's voice took on a sarcastic, biting tone. <Only you would try to befriend Black Water Sinking Ships.>
Even Pei Ming was silenced by that revelation. For a few heartbeats no one spoke, then everyone began speaking at once.
<Ghosts can ascend?>
<There must be some mistake!>
<The Emperor will surely banish him back to where he belongs, right?>
<If Black Water can ascend… what about Crimson Rain?>
<No way!>
<Don't mention him, what if he hears you?>
<Did he eat someone who was supposed to ascend, and ascend in their stead?>
<What if he starts attacking people?>
<What, you mean like that guy way back when, who attacked the Emperor?>
<EVERYONE, SHUT UP!> Feng Xin's shout reverberated through the array, muting most of the speakers.
Before the chatter could start up once more, Ling Wen spoke up. <If everyone could please avoid ascension square for now, I'll go greet our new arrival.>
<You're going alone?> For the first time, Pei Ming sounded somewhat alarmed.
<Is that an offer to come with me?>
<I would if I was there! I'm down in the earthly realm at the moment, one of my believers had->
Ling Wen cut him off. <I'll take General Qi Ying, he seems to have come over to see what was going on.>
The communication array was quiet for a few minutes, most of the officials having moved to more private chats to discuss the new gossip.
The quiet was interrupted by a frantic shout.
<Has anyone ascended recently?> Shi Qingxuan's voice vibrated with a desperate tension.
<Wind Master, is everything alright?> Lang Qianqiu asked.
She ignored his concern, shouting, <100,000 merits for the first person who tells me if someone ascended!>
Voices shouted over one another, vying to be the one to deliver the news. After listening for a few moments, Shi Qingxuan shouted for them to be quiet.
<He-xiong - I mean, Black Water - ascended? Really?>
<Hoho. He-xiong, is it?> Pei Ming chuckled, happily munching melon seeds.
<General Ming Guang, please!>
<Fine, fine. From what everyone's been saying, Black Water did ascend. Ling Wen should be talking to him now.>
<Thank you!!> Shi Qingxuan shouted as she left the array.
<Hoho, what a day to be gone from heaven.>
Pei Ming sounded faintly disappointed to be missing out on the fun. He was even more disappointed about an incense time later, when eyewitnesses breathlessly told the array about what happened when the wind master arrived.