Chapter Text
Sha Hualing leaned back in her chair as she sat in another meeting with her Junshang, and her comrade, Mobei-Jun.
Over the past hundred years, with finding peace with the cultivation world in their territory, Luo Binghe has expanded to assisting other pockets of demonic and nonhuman entities to find peace with their righteous cultivator neighbors.
The process of peace hadn’t been easy. But of course, such things never are. There were too many grudges and grievances, too many claims and disputes, large or small from humans and the demons alike. It had taken a lot of work, and then after that, a lot of time for both sides to accept this new reality of theirs.
But all things considered, the peace and unification between the two sides went rather smoothly. Perhaps this outcome is to be expected when the top three most powerful demons of their time had all opted to take human mates, some of them even having children from such unions. These were clear signs that the world before them was changing.
Junshang and consort Shen were welcoming their second born in a few months, and Mobei-Jun just announced that HE was pregnant with his first child with his consort(Sha Hualing had a good time sharing that bit of information with her own mate, Liu Mingyan who swore Shang Qinghua would be the one to end up pregnant). This season had been filled with week-long banquets and baby showers of the respective demon families – a delightful tradition imported from Consort Shen’s hometowns celebrating the parent’s love and the awaited child that Junshang immediately adopted and implemented.
Sha Hualing bit back a smile as she watched the Mobei-Jun deliver his report to the Junshang. Their expressions were serious, their minds focused on the task of resource distribution. Only to be distracted when their respective consorts walked into the meeting hall, their gazes turning bright as they fussed over their respective partners, checking on their conditions. Their work all but paused and left at the sand table before their life partners. Their expressions were adoring, glowing with love and pride.
And as happy as Sha Hualing felt for these two expecting couples…
She couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart. Dull now with time.
It had been a long time ago. Eight hundred years at least since the Demon Saintess and Xian Shu Peak Lord brought their own child to the world.
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When Sha Hualing had heard that elegant and refined Liu Mingyan was travelling within her domain for a night hunt, she didn’t hesitate to drop everything to see the peerless beauty. Sha Hualing had to go see her.
Having long been enchanted by her quick wit, her sharp tongue, and not to mention her prowess with the sword, Liu Mingyan was an intriguing mystery to her. A person who would not fade away in her mind. And she found often that she’d think about her and her florally scented hair, the hidden mischievous glint in her eye that could have been registered as a trick of the light by other acquaintances - that only Sha Hualing could see. She often thought about her during these ‘peace talks’ as her Junshang and the rest of the court deliberated over treatises and contracts between the two races.
It wasn’t that she *wasn’t* aware of her own feelings. She was. It was just an inopportune time back then to strike.
At least not until the Junshang himself, declared for an era of peace, strode away from the court and married that beloved peak lord of his.
Sha Hualing struck while the iron was hot. She thought of all sorts of methods to court this cold and mysterious beauty yet it seemed like Liu Mingyan was immune to her efforts.
Sha Hualing brought offerings of the various beasts she slayed, giving Liu Mingyan the best cuts of meat and the finest materials suited for sword refinement from her kills. She tried to cook for her (which almost burned the sect down much to Qi Qingqi’s chagrin which led her to asking Junshang for cooking lessons reluctantly, much to the man’s amusement). She had also just spent time with her on Xian Shu when the other was in the middle of writing session
Liu Mingyan was always courteous and kind. But courteous and kind also meant that Sha Hualing was unsure if her ’appreciation’ for the Demon Saintess was of the friendly kInd or the other kind that she herself desired. Sha Hualing could only blame herself for not being able to decipher the signs and tell herself to roll with the punches as they come.
This was the first time that Liu Mingyan was in her territory, and she wouldn’t dream of missing the opportunity to see her.
And there she was, standing in a forest clearing before a slain scorpion cobra, pulling her sword from the neck of the said beast, the back of her willowy frame, straight, her robes shining like starlight even under the dying daylight. Her fine features shimmering with a slight sheen of sweat, luminous like a fairy in the sunset.
Sha Hualing crept behind her, and pounced.
“A-Ming, if you wanted to see me all you had to do was ask” Sha Hualing said in a teasing tone, pouting at Liu Mingyan who managed to dodge her attack and poised herself in a defensive stance. “Perhaps you would like to spar with this Ling-er? “ she teased as she swiped at her once more, her gold jewelry, jingling along with her swift movements.
Sha Hualing looked up at the stoic beauty through her long lashes, her dark eyes filled with hidden emotions. She hadn’t uttered a word to her. Keeping her tone casual yet flirtatious she spoke with a smile: “as it’s been so long since we last danced. You may even beat me this time.”
And so they launched at each other, they fought well into the evening, dodging and parrying as they went. Finally, Liu Mingyan, the crafty woman she was, saw an opening and managed to pin Sha Hualing down into a bed of flowers – petals of white and silver scattered around them, the scent of lillies filling the heated air. Smiling, slightly out of breath, she Sha Hualing picked one of those lilies, admired its white petals, at its subtle silver sheen at the base, the fragrant scent all the more apparent to her.
She tucked the flower between one of Liu Mingyan’s ear, her motions unusually tender at the other woman as if they hadn’t just fought several moments ago. It was then that she understood.
Liu Mingyan smelled like these lilies, a soft floral scent with a hint of steel beneath. Subtle, but incredibly intoxicating.
The cool night’s breeze blew across them, against their heated skin and their short breaths. And yet it only provided minimal relief between them, and only served to make the soft floral scent stronger.
There was something about these flowers that Sha Hualing should remember, but with the weight of Xian Shu’s head disciple on her, the heat that was building up under her skin, and looking up to see Liu Mingyan’s eyes dark with desire as she gazed at Sha Hualing, those thoughts inside her scattered like those petals by the cooling night breeze.
“Ling-er” Liu Mingyan said, her voice husky yet breathy that sent a shiver down Sha Hualing’s spine.
Before the Demon Saintess could respond, her lips collided with those of the woman above her. Her words were forgotten in the moment of shock.
Finally, it seemed like courting the demonic way was what got the cultivator’s attention. A feeling of desperation to be closer against Liu Mingyan washed over Sha Hualing as she entangled her fingers in those dark silky locks of hair with one hand, the other hand clutching at her frustratingly pristine robes, desperately wanting to part with them.
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That night had been the best night of her life, to finally be able to connect with her A-Ming in the way she longed for since their first meeting if she were honest with herself.
Those lilies they had laid upon were Echoing Heart Lilies, a special flower that bloomed all year round. A flower with aphrodisiac properties that reflected the feelings of your partner back at you.
But it also had one other side effect.
Sha Hualing can still see the shock on both Mu Qingfang and Liu Mingyan’s faces on that day she’d come down with unexplainable morning sickness. Concerned by the alarming sudden turn of Sha Hualing’s health, Liu Mingyan had called for the good doctor to visit them for an examination, only for them to find out that she was exhibiting the symptoms similar to women in early pregnancy.
As it turned out, Echoing Heart Lillies had a lesser known property. If the pair struck by the aphrodisiac were two women with compatible qi, one of them would become pregnant when dual cultivating together.
Sha Hualing remembered the quiet fluttering of qi she felt in her womb from their little sprout when she placed her and Mingyan’s hand on her abdomen. A sense of calm settling down before her, as they talked about the next steps after the unexpected discovery.
The two of them would marry. But they would have to plan just so the child could have anything they wanted when they were due to come to the world.
Those days were so bright and full of color, and in the late spring of the following year, Sha Hualing gave birth to a beautiful boy, a perfect mix of her and A-Ming down to his one red eye and one dark brown eye.
Perhaps it was the whirlwind of happiness that blinded the two of them from the building tensions in the demonic world lurking around the corner.
It happened in the dead of night. One of Sha Hualing’s brothers had gotten it into their heads that they were the rightful successors of the throne and had gathered a faction of avid dissenters, invading the southern palace.
Sha Hualing fought her way to their bed chambers, her heart racing as she killed demon after demon, as she did her best to make it to their child.
But the door to her bedroom was broken. And there were no cries.
The crib was empty.
She remembers her brother’s cruel taunts, the warm blood on her hands as she ripped his head from his shoulders, and the soft sobs from Liu Mingyan that mingled with her own as they held each other.
They searched for years in their realm, but it was like he disappeared without a trace as if those months were but a happy yet elusive dream, like motes of dust against sunlight, never truly there in the first place.
Soon, Sha Hualing buried the grief in her heart, and focused on becoming the revered Demon Saintess, governing the lands of the south while supporting her beloved wife: the wise and noble Peak Lord of Mount Xian Shu.
Most of the Qing generation had ascended save for three. Consort Shen and Consort Shang remained in the shared realm staying with their respective husbands, opting to retire instead of the traditional ascension. While the third of the Qing generation and her brother in law Liu Qingge, refused his own ascension, vowing to stay and search for his nephew alongside his sister.
Sha Hualing felt an unexpected sense of respect for the man back when he announced that decision in front of the other Cang Qiong mountain peak lords. They have had their differences in the past, but it is then that she truly saw how dedicated Liu Qingge was to his sister and their nephew. To stay behind like this, delay his ascension for longer – even if it meant being separated from his other martial siblings.
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“Sha Hualing,” it was Junshang.
Sha Hualing looked up at him. The two consorts were now elsewhere – she hadn’t remembered when they’d exited the room really, “yes Junshang?” she answered, putting up an unaffected front.
These events had happened more than eight hundred years ago. By now, it should be history already.
"I would like you to travel to Ghost City, and start the talks to an alliance with Crimson Rain Sought Flower. Is that agreeable to you?” Luo Binghe asked. Looking at her with those perceptive red eyes.
She ignored that overly perceptive look of his.”Of course Junshang, this one will leave right away,” Sha Hualing replied, giving him a respectable bow cupping her hands together, her face an unaffected mask.
She left the meeting hall and started the preparations for her journey.
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Sha Hualing had heard tales of Ghost City, and all its splendor, but seeing it in person was a whole different story.
For a city full of ghosts of all sorts suffused with Yin energy and filled with all sorts of hushed rumours, it was very bright and lively. Sha Hualing had never seen anything like it. Even on an ordinary day such as this, the place was decked with reds and golds and streamers on all corners and ends, lanterns hung bright over the whole of them, skimming over shops like cheery fireflies. Around them merchants called out prices, hawking out their goods from the most exotic and rare to the most bizzare.
The place resembled a festival, a celebration that never stopped.
Sha Hualing knew from the correspondence she’d exchanged prior to her travels that she had to find the gambler’s den. After a short walk, she’s certain that she’s identified the establishment but she can’t really be sure. The sign in front of the large and loud building was illegible as if written in another foreign script altogether.
“General Sha I presume?” a voice behind her spoke up.
Sha Hualing turned around to see a figure cloaked in black with dark eyes ringed with a slight shade of purple. While the man’s posture is perfect, there was a tired air surrounding this individual.
She noted a beauty mark under his eye much like her brother in law.
“Yes, and you are?” she asked, noting he didn’t seem to either Crimson Rain or his consort from the descriptions she received of them before she left.
“I’m the Waning Moon Officer, Yin Yu” the man explained, “ if you follow me, Dianxia and Hua Chengzhu will be meeting you in Paradise Manor. My instructions are to take you there” Yin Yu said, taking out his dice, tossing them up and letting them drop on the paved stone roads before she could register what was going on.
She found herself in what looks like a grand reception hall, decked in red and gilded with gold. The only proof that she had been in the market just seconds before was the waning moon officer standing beside her.
Sitting up on the dais was a beautiful man dressed in white with a warm and gentle smile. He had a calming presence to him, but she could sense his strength was astronomical. It didn’t take a genius to know who this person is.
“This Ling-er is honored to be greeted by his royal highness” Sha Hualing said, giving him a bow, “Will Crimson Rain be joining us?”
“Yes, apologies for San Lang’s absence, General Sha. There was a matter in ghost city that required his personal attention, please have a seat” His royal highness answered with a gentle smile, gesturing to the plush chair in front of him.
Despite being a demon herself, Sha Hualing felt an odd sort of calm around this current Heavenly emperor. as she sat down on the seat. For some reason, Dianxia’s air suddenly reminded Sha Hualing a bit of her A-Ming. “Your hospitality is very much appreciated after the long journey.” she answered, as she looked back at the white robed man.
“It’s the least we can do after your journey here.” Dianxia answered, that warm smile still on his lips “Forgive me for saying this, but we haven’t seen any demons, the only time I’ve heard of demons…” Xie Lian explained trailing off, suddenly uncertain of what to say. His expression is apologetic.
“It is only in stories.” Sha Hualing finished for him, motioning at him to signify her lack of offence at the statement. “That is what this one has heard. I know our realms had been disconnected for some time, but Junshang is eager to fix that” Sha Hualing said, leaning against the back of the chair.
The air of the reception hall became comfortable as the two conversed, and even Sha Hualing found herself relaxing as she talked with Dianxia. Conversation shifted from some state matters to some small talk.
After a while, she heard a series of light footsteps and a sound of bells from afar.
“Pardon my tardiness gege, I had to deal with some troublesome vermin” a deep voice said from behind Sha Hualing, “and I’m guessing this is General Sha?”
She turned around to give her greeting when she froze, her eyes landing on a handsome young man dressed in maple red with silver accessories.
His skin was white as snow, long black hair, and an eyepatch over one of his eyes.
Though Sha Hualing was sure she had never seen Crimson Rain before this moment, her instincts were screaming at her that she knew him.
She slowly stood up from her seat and took a step forward. More certain of that instinct inside her.
His face had her brow shape and jawline, but his hair and cheek bone structure were clearly that of Mingyan’s. The long smothered hope she had in her heart ignited…
But it couldn’t be… can it?
Sha Hualing quickly schooled her expression to that of a diplomatic one, she can analyse all of this later. It won’t do for her to forget herself at this critical stage and mission.
She was here as a representative of Emperor Luo Binghe, not as a grieving mother who might be looking at the face of her lost son.
“Hua Chengzhu, it is an honor for this Sha Hualing to meet you.” Sha Hualing spoke, her voice steady, letting herself fall back into a tone of masked professionalism, “Emperor Luo would like to formally extend an invitation to Hua Chengxu and Taizi Dianxia to the demon realm.“ she said letting those words register for a moment, ignoring those intrusive thoughts in her mind. “We would like to build a friendship between our two realms and discuss potential diplomatic relations between our nations” she ended the statement, giving him a respectful bow.
She won’t give in to her instinct right now. There are too many important things to lose.
All she wanted right now was to take her child – this person into her arms. Breathe in his scent to confirm whether he was indeed her lost child.
But this was the ghost realm, and the customs are more akin to Human. And misunderstandings are bound to happen if she were to just give into her instincts without any rhyme or reason to the two people before her.
And while her instincts were certain that it was him, what if it wasn’t? What if this was just a misunderstanding?
“Ah yes,” Hua Chengzu finally spoke. And in his words, she couldn’t help but compare the way he spoke to how A-Ming spoke, the way her own late father spoke. “I have read over the proposals sent within our previous correspondences.” his single dark eye looked at her, “ it seems that Emperor Luo has some interesting plans and radical ideas.” he said with a cordial smile, never reaching the eyes. “A discussion as important as this should happen in person. I would love to continue this discussion with Emperor Luo in his territory” Hua Chengzu finished, his face and voice unreadable.
Sha Hualing gave Hua Chengzu another polite bow. “Junshang will be pleased at this development. Hua Chengzhu and Dianxia are welcome as our esteemed guests under Emperor Luo’s domain” Sha Hualing spoke, “if Hua Chengzhu and Taizi dianxia would be so kind, this one should return to her territory to make arrangements for this coming fortnight.”
“You may be excused.” Hua Chengzu nodded.
Sha Hualing bowed again and turned to leave.
She allowed herself one last look at Crimson Rain to ease the painful ache in her heart, to soothe the instinct in her – screaming at herself that this Hua Chengzu, This Crimson Rain Sought Flower * is* him. That he, this Calamity Ghost is her son –one of the lights in her life, the one she would give anything for.
Questions bubbled up in the pit of her stomach and roiled like the tumultuous ocean waves. She wanted to know everything of him, every moment of suffering, of joy, of pain, of anger, she wanted to curse the heavens of the cruel fate between, them she wanted to–
But this was not the time. More deliberations must be made before rash decisions.
At least she now knows of his location. At least she knew that he was doing very well. And that would have to be enough for now. Sha Hualing couldn’t help but feel a certain bitter gratefulness in her heart.
She headed out of the gambling den escorted by Yinyu, her mind made up under the cold fading stars, and the red cheery glow of the ghost city lights, a resolve now set in her eyes:
She must inform Liu Mingyan and Junshang of her suspicions.