Old Wounds in Wood

by LuciferxDamien

Summary:

Desperation for solace can help one find the strangest of bedfellows.

Notes:

• For Evandar.

“I will not!” A gravelly, deep voice reverberated from deep within Hua Chengzhu’s personal quarters. Yin Yu had been summoned by his employer, but he hesitated as he pushed through the heavy doors separating Hua Chengzhu’s quarters from the rest of Paradise Manor.

The Manor was a maze, ever-changing depending on Hua Chengzhu’s mood. The more despondent he grew, the more he changed Paradise Manor, but it had been some time since the last major redesign.

Yin Yu feared Paradise Manor was in store for a massive overhaul very soon…

He took in a deep breath, clenching his fists and ignoring the way the skin pulled ever so slightly on his right wrist. Despite Hua Chengzhu’s temper, he rarely, if ever, took it out on his subordinates, and truthfully, Yin Yu had never actually been harmed by him…

But Hua Chengzhu was a fearsome creature and Yin Yu felt confident in assessing that his power rivalled that of the Heavenly Emperor.

Yin Yu sighed to himself, continuing deeper into Hua Chengzhu’s chambers, hearing more arguing, though he could not make out much of what was being said. It was not his place to eavesdrop on his employer, yet he felt it was his duty to know all of the goings on of Paradise Manor and Ghost City.

“I refuse!” That gravelly voice yelled.

Trepidation churned Yin Yu’s stomach; there were few who dared to defy Hua Chengzhu. He could only imagine that his employer was sporting quite the frown at the moment.

He took one deep breath and then pushed into the room. He kept his eyes downcast, even though he wore his Waning Moon Officer mask. He bowed deeply, only rising when he heard Hua Chengzhu laughing softly.

Yin Yu looked up to see a look of pure amusement on his employer’s face, not the anger and rage he expected to see there.

No, the rage and anger were on the face of Hua Chengzhu’s guest. He appeared to be a fearsome man, dripping in black robes that clung to his shifting body. His hems dragged on the floor, worn and tattered, his sleeves faring no better. His hair was wild and unkempt, and his eyes…

They blazed bright with rage, his teeth clenched.

“Ah, Waning Moon Officer… What good timing you have. I’d like you to attend to my… esteemed guest here,” Hua Chengzu said with an amused lilt to his voice.

“Of course, my lord.”

If Yin Yu didn’t know any better, this esteemed guest looked like what Black Water Sinking Ships might look like. Yin Yu began to bow, but their guest wasn’t finished with Hua Chengzhu.

“I am not looking for your Dead God until you fulfill your promise!” His voice boomed, rattling the wooden fixtures.

“Mmm…” Hua Chengzhu hummed, looking bored. “And once your little game is over, will anything still tether you to this world…?” Hua Chengzhu pouted. “No, no, it’s best if I keep you tethered here, so that you can fulfill your half of the bargain…” his voice dropped dangerously low.

“I am not your pet!” he boomed, his voice cracking unnaturally.

“Mmm…” Hua Chengzhu hummed. “But you are, so fetch,” he said, caressing his knuckles down the man’s face.

A starkly white hand grabbed Hua Chengzhu by the wrist, the man snarling in his face. Yin Yu did his best not to react; it wasn’t his place to fight his employer’s battles. He nearly cringed as he heard Hua Chengzhu’s bones starting to groan from the pressure the other man exerted.

It was… beyond troubling, that there existed a ghost that could hurt Hua Chengzhu.

So who was this man?

“Go right ahead, break my wrist,” Hua Chengzhu taunted.

“I will destroy your entire city…” the man growled.

Hua Chengzhu just barked out a laugh. “Ghost City is due for a remodel! But don’t you worry, I’ll add the reconstruction costs to your debt. I think you will find your debt is easier to manage than having to restart on your little project.”

Sense returned to the man’s face and he let out a huff as he violently released Hua Chengzhu’s wrist. “One of these days, Hua Cheng, you’re going to meet the limit of your arrogance.”

Hua Chengzhu just gave a huffing laugh. “Waning Moon Officer, if you would attend to our esteemed guest.”

“Yes, Chengzhu,” Yin Yu bowed and followed after the stomping man, his black robes billowing behind him.

Yin Yu lost sight of the dark, worn hems of the man’s robes, and he panicked slightly, trying to follow his trail of malice and resentment. He was led to a rarely used wing of Paradise Manor and slowed his steps, seeking out which room the man had disappeared into.

It felt like only a few moments separated them, but Yin Yu wasn’t fast enough to reach the man before he had started breaking things inside his quarters. He hesitated, waiting for the thrashing and crashing to settle down before he dared to slide the door open.

The man was slamming his fist into the carved wood trim. “Fucking Qingxuan!” he growled, pounding his wrist twice more before he noticed Yin Yu’s presence. “I don’t need a chaperone!” he yelled, breathing ragged as he leaned hard into the wall. His fists were clenched white and his face looked more sallow than it had while in Chengzhu’s hall.

“It is my greatest honour to serve you, my lord,” Yin Yu said automatically, bowing.

The man began to laugh, pulling himself back to standing. His voice was gravelly even as he laughed, the sound crackling and croaking as he fought to control himself after long minutes.

“Ah, forgive me… None of that brat’s servants have ever wanted to remain with me longer than necessary.” The man straightened his back, a small smile on his lips. “You see, I’m known as a ‘ghost eater’, tends to make them nervous.”

Yin Yu raised a brow beneath his mask and fought to remain still. He hadn’t realized it before, but the malice pouring off of this man was nearly on Hua Chengzhu’s level…

He tried not to gasp audibly as he stared at the man, the…

The other Ghost King.

“But then, you’re not a ghost, are you? You’re something else…” He smirked. “Where did Hua Cheng manage to find you…”

Yin Yu didn’t know what to say, his throat tight, voice locked away beneath layers of fear.

Black Water shook his head with a hum and a small smile on his lips. “Pardon my rudeness, Your Highness, I was blinded by my rage and did not recognize you earlier while in that brat’s presence.”

Yin Yu felt as if he were carved from stone, unable to move, nearly unable to even breathe as he stared at the Ghost King. Black Water moved to sit down at the large, long table in his room. He hummed, getting himself comfortable as he tapped a boot on the floor.

“Hua Cheng must have been so disappointed when he found you. He finally finds a fallen god, but it’s not his Dead God…” Black Water chuckled to himself. “I pity you, though I must say I am impressed you found yourself a most excellent hiding place.” He drummed his fingers on the table a few times, then looked deep into Yin Yu’s eyes. “I have met with the boy who weeps and searches for you even now, many times on my excursions.”

“Don’t mock me with your pity. I know exactly how low I have fallen,” Yin Yu found himself saying before he could think to stop himself. He felt a surging of confidence, something he hadn’t felt in years. But then Black Water’s words fully sank in and Yin Yu felt his stomach flipping at the thought of Quan Yizhen still searching for him. Why couldn’t he just let Yin Yu go?!

Black Water’s dark eyes widened for a moment, but then he was rolling his broad, thin shoulders. “I meant no offense and I have no intention of informing Qi Ying of your whereabouts. I am merely impressed that you’ve gained Hua Cheng’s… appreciation, in such a short time. Maybe he’s learning to move on.”

“I… I am nothing special. I am rather… plain…” Yin Yu whispered, looking away, glad that his mask still covered his face.

“No need to be so humble. I remember you as anything but plain in the Heavenly Realm,” he said with a smirk.

Yin Yu shot his head up, eyes wide and mouth open. “You… you were a Heavenly Official?!”

“Not quite…” He sighed, tapping his fingers twice before he continued, contemplating something. “I should have been… But at any rate, I have dwelt among the Heavenly Realm for decades now.”

Yin Yu got the sense that he was being told something intensely private and complicated; it was the sort of thing he felt he should not be made aware of. He swallowed, looking deep into Black Water’s eyes, but all he saw was his focus far off, lost somewhere in the distant past; with gods and ghosts, that could be eons ago.

“Ah, forgive me… The Heavens are not as we expected them to be, are they…?” Black Water asked, his voice a low rasp. “They are not just, nor are they fair. Rarely are they righteous.”

“No, they’re nothing like I expected,” Yin Yu whispered back. The shining veneer hid an ugly world of gossip and backstabbing. Territorial disputes were daily, bickering amongst the gods excessive.

“What part did you find most surprising about being in the Heavens?” Black Water asked. It shouldn’t have surprised Yin Yu, but it did.

Yin Yu drew in a slow breath. “The loneliness and quiet of the night. I never got used to sleeping by myself.”

“Oh?” He Xuan asked, a small smile on his cracked lips.

Yin Yu flushed, realizing the implications of his words too late. “I-I… I grew up in a busy, noisy sect. I was head of my class and had my own private quarters, but they… were nothing like the palaces in Heaven. The echoing halls, the sky-high ceilings. It always felt too cold, too impersonal. I only had Jian Yu and…” Yin Yu’s throat felt tight as he thought of… him. He Xuan nodded but didn’t press further.

“It’s quiet and noisy up there, bright, yet too dark. The air is thin and the water poison. The glittering gold can’t hide the decay and rot,” He Xuan whispered, trailing off as he looked out the window at the sunless sky. “You can stay the night, if you find the nights here too quiet…” he whispered, not looking at Yin Yu.

Yin Yu’s heart thumped in his chest; it had been so long since he had known any sort of companionship. The Heavens had stripped him of camaraderie as he was forced to play the petty politics of Heaven.

And then everything came to a head as he reached the pinnacle of his frustration with the situation.

Yin Yu still felt ashamed that he had lashed out at Quan Yizhen. If only Jian Yu hadn’t taken it upon himself to gift him the wrong present!

He let out a long breath. It didn’t matter.

And Yin Yu couldn’t deny that he felt happier in Ghost City than in the Heavens. Hua Chengzhu didn’t gossip needlessly, he wasn’t cruel for the sake of cruelty; the Three Realms were only jealous that he had the power to serve justice to those that deserved it.

The gods and goddesses of the Heavenly Realm had their hands tied by petty popularity contests. When one’s power was bound to those that believed in them, the Officials had little choice but to pander to their believers, lest they lose their foothold on their territory and end up…

It wasn’t something worth dwelling on.

A knock at the door nearly had Yin Yu jumping out of his skin, very unlike the trained spy he was.

“That would be my meal…” Black Water whispered.

Yin Yu pulled himself together and opened the door, the wood sticking in the run, as if from lack of use. A line of servants stood along the long hallway, wrapping around the winding corners. Before Yin Yu could comprehend what was going on, the long table was filled with dish after dish of food, all of it steaming hot and smelling sweet and savoury.

But it seemed entirely like too much food for just two people…

Black Water straightened his back, looking more kingly. The servants were quick to leave their dishes and escape the room nearly all in the same breath; he noted that many of them seemed nervous in Black Water’s presence…

Yin Yu didn’t find him so terrifying. He probably should have, he was a Supreme Rank, the only other Ghost King, but he just looked…

Lonely.

The last dish was served, yet Black Water wasn’t grabbing for anything; he just looked past Yin Yu.

“I can still serve you, is there something you need?” Yin Yu asked, puzzled as to what Black Water might possibly need.

“You should leave,” Black Water stated.

“It’s no trouble, my lord,” Yin Yu said with a bow. It stung a bit, Black Water revoking his invitation to stay the night. Not that Yin Yu would, but…

“I’d rather that you didn’t witness this…” Black Water whispered and it was then that Yin Yu understood…

Black Water was a starved ghost, hence why he could eat other ghosts… He could devour just about anything.

“Of course, my lord,” Yin Yu whispered, bowing quickly before he took his leave.

No sooner had the door shut did Yin Yu hear an unnerving sound, like a void opening up, devouring everything before it.

~ ~ ~

Weeks had passed since Yin Yu’s encounter with Black Water Sinking Ships, and though he had not seen the striking man since he stepped out of his room, he could not get him out of his head.

It was that look of loneliness.

And then Hua Chengzhu informed Yin Yu of the bargain he and Black Water had struck. Yin Yu was now to be of assistance to both of them, helping to find Hua Chengzhu’s God, and helping with Black Water’s revenge.

Yin Yu had most of the details, namely that Black Water was posing as the god Ming Yi. It was unnerving, being trusted so deeply by two Supreme Rank ghosts.

But then, the general sense of usefulness that working for Chengzhu gave Yin Yu still bothered him, so perhaps he shouldn’t think too hard about it.

The loneliness in Black Water’s eyes, however… That refused to leave Yin Yu alone.

He fell asleep thinking about it more often than he cared to acknowledge.

~ ~ ~

A dark aura had swept into Ghost City suddenly, but Yin Yu found he wasn’t too bothered by it. It felt familiar, and when he heard a gravelly, booming voice reverberating from Hua Chengzhu’s personal quarters, he realized that it was Black Water’s aura.

It shouldn’t have felt comforting, but Yin Yu leaned into it.

Hua Chengzhu was in one of his more manic moods, destroying parts of the city and rebuilding them overnight. It was a constant push and pull, and Yin Yu tried not to be frustrated in his presence, as he had to learn new routes for his rounds.

It wasn’t his place to disagree with his employer…

But Black Water had no such qualms.

Black Water was screaming at Hua Chengzhu, and though it was always his instinct to intervene on such matters, Yin Yu had learned it wasn’t expected of him. Hua Chengzhu was more than capable of handling even his fellow Ghost King. Anyone else was laughably outmatched.

Yin Yu suspected Black Water might be laughably outmatched by Hua Chengzhu’s raw power as well…

The argument was about the Lost God Hua Chengzhu was looking for, that much Yin Yu could understand through the thick wood and heavy brocades.

He was about to move on, having spied long enough to be assured half of Ghost City wouldn’t be destroyed in their brawl when Chengzhu contacted Yin Yu over the array, asking for him to come to his private quarters.

Yin Yu was half tempted to take a walk around the building, to make it seem like he had been much further away, but Hua Chengzhu was likely aware that Yin Yu was close by.

He drew in a slow breath, bracing himself for the waves of malevolent power he could feel trying to squeeze through the gaps in the wood door, even through the seams in the walls.

Despite bracing himself, the raw power flickering about the room nearly knocked Yin Yu over. Hua Chengzhu just rolled his eye at Black Water, arms folded across his chest as he waited for Yin Yu to finish bowing.

“Yes, Chengzhu?” Yin Yu asked, when neither Supreme made an effort to address him.

Hua Chengzhu was the first to break, sighing and letting his arms drop to his side, almost defeated. “I know I’ve had you researching the Banyue Kingdom, but I’ll need you to put that aside for the time being.”

Yin Yu nodded, sensing the tension as Black Water gave a snort, arms crossed, drawing Yin Yu’s attention to his broad chest. He shouldn’t have stared, but…

Yin Yu cleared his throat, managing to look away from Black Water. “Chengzhu, I can finish my work on the Banyue Kingdom, it is nearly complete.”

Hua Chengzhu just sighed and plopped down in his chair; Black Water remained standing. “There’s no need, he’s long since left that area and civil war is ripping the area apart. It’s not worth the risk,” Hua Chengzhu whispered and Black Water looked away. Yin Yu didn’t want to acknowledge the desperation in Chengzhu’s eye.

He looked to Black Water instead, finding the loneliness there more palatable.

“Then what would Chengzhu have this lowly one do?” Yin Yu asked.

Hua Chengzhu rolled his eye, sitting up and crossing his legs. “While I search for leads, I want you to assist Black Water with his project.”

Yin Yu was a bit surprised he was being asked to attend to something that was so intricate and serious and…

Yin Yu feared that he was a liability. Didn’t they consider that he might take this information and run to the Heavens with it, in an attempt to earn back his place…?

Hua Chengzhu always seemed to sense Yin Yu’s thoughts and he scoffed. “I don’t think I have to tell you that this is an intensely private matter, and we both expect your most earnest discretion when it comes to fulfilling your duties.”

Yin Yu bowed, keeping his head low for a moment longer than was typical. He feared that being in the Heavens had corrupted his sense of morality, and had ruined his integrity…

What irony, that living and working in Ghost City made him feel more honest and less corrupt than when he sat inside his gleaming, golden palace.

“Chengzhu, you know I would not divulge your business dealings.”

Hua Chengzhu snorted. “Oh, I am more than aware of that. But are you…?” he sighed, waving his hand, not giving Yin Yu a chance to refute what he could only acknowledge to himself to be true. “Go with Black Water, he can figure out how to use you.”

“Arrogant brat…” Black Water muttered under his breath, but he was moving out of the room and Yin Yu struggled to get his brain to function as he watched those long, tattered black robes sweep out of the room.

Hua Chengzhu just laughed and shooed Yin Yu away and then he was finally able to unroot himself from the floor.

The door to Black Water’s quarters was left open for Yin Yu and he shut it slowly, taking a moment to collect himself before he turned to face his… new employer…? Temporary employer…? Yin Yu couldn’t be sure, and though he knew the basics of what Black Water was planning to do, he was woefully light on the finer details.

Black Water went over to his desk, pulling out a stack of papers before he set them on the long table and sat down. Yin Yu couldn’t help looking at the old claw marks in the wooden trim, wounds that could never heal. He gestured for Yin Yu to join him and he did, albeit his body feeling stiff and uncoordinated.

“I have a few hours before I will need to eat. I want you to read through these.”

It felt like a test, and then Yin Yu saw the writing on the papers…

Yin Yu looked over the beautiful calligraphy, the neat characters all perfectly lined up, the brushwork precise and elegant.

It was nearly enough to make Yin Yu weep with joy; it had been such a long time since he had seen such neat script, pretty even. Ghosts were not known for their literacy, and those that were capable of writing…

Well, the ghostly citizens of Ghost City were not the worst offenders when it came to their legibility; Yin Yu wept at times, looking at Hua Chengzhu’s awful scrawl. The atrocities he committed when he took up brush not to paint, but to write…

Yin Yu supposed that Hua Chengzhu couldn’t be good at everything, but why did his calligraphy have to be that terrible…?

“Something wrong?” Black Water asked, when Yin Yu found himself staring at the beautiful characters for too long, taking no effort to actually read them.

“Forgive this lowly one, Lord Black Water. Your brushwork is beautiful and crisp, this one got distracted…”

Black Water let out a rumbling laugh. “That brat couldn’t write legibly even if finding his Dead God depended on it…” Yin Yu agreed, even if he didn’t say it aloud. “And no need for such formality. I’m not as insecure as Hua Cheng is when it comes to my peasant beginnings. I may be a Ghost King now, but I came from nothing. You’re probably from a higher station than I ever was in life.”

Yin Yu didn’t know what to say to that, but he removed his mask, revealing his plain face. “What would you have me do, Lord Black Water?”

“My name is He Xuan, please use it, Your Highness,” he said, tone almost teasing.

“I… Please call me Yin Yu, I am…” His voice trailed off. “I don’t want to be reminded of that place.” Yin Yu didn’t know where those words got the gall to speak themselves, but it was too late and He Xuan was nodding his head, a small smile on his lips.

“Of course,” He Xuan answered, crossing one leg over the other, the subtle silver waves of his robes shifting, as if they were the tide.

“Is there anything else you would like for me to do?” Yin Yu asked as he started skimming through the papers, picking out what relevant information he needed. It seemed to be a bunch of scattered topics, something in desperate need of organization.

“The main task I would ask you to take on is…” He Xuan trailed off with a harsh sigh before continuing. “Caring for Ming Yi. Crimson Rain and I think he might be less… disruptive with you.”

Yin Yu’s eyes popped so wide open he feared they would fall out of his head. “What?! Ming Yi… Ming Yi is an actual person?!”

He Xuan snorted. “Of course. I had to take an actual ascending god’s place. I was destined to ascend myself, so I switched his fate with mine and took his place. I have no intention of harming him, but he… He does not have the same intentions, especially when it comes to himself, so Crimson Rain and I have been forced to keep him imprisoned, so that he does not hurt himself.”

“I see…” Yin Yu whispered, letting the weight of He Xuan’s words settle over him.

The Heavens were an even bigger mess than Yin Yu thought.

How did Jun Wu not realize…?

Or worse, what if he did realize and chose to do nothing…

~ ~ ~

There was a dungeon hidden beneath Ghost City. Hidden so well that Yin Yu never realized it existed until Hua Chengzhu led Yin Yu to it, opening the gateway with a pair of dice. Yin Yu was asked to leave his Waning Moon Officer mask in his room. He wanted to argue, but he knew the words would never form; he followed after Hua Chengzhu, feeling meek.

What started out as a simple walk through Paradise Manor ended in Yin Yu being instructed on how to care for Ming Yi. Hua Chengzhu seemed apprehensive as he led Yin Yu deeper and deeper into the dungeons and that deeply bothered Yin Yu.

The labyrinth that was Paradise Manor that Hua Chengzhu had managed to create was impressive in and of itself, but the prisons beneath Ghost City…

Many of the unruly ghosts that Yin Yu dealt with for Hua Chengzhu were contained within the cells. Some were more crowded than others and as Hua Chengzhu explained his new duties in caring for these ghosts as well, he seemed to be ignoring or glossing over what Yin Yu was actually doing down in the pits of Ghost City.

And then they turned away from the rough cells to a room that was more guarded than even some of the treasure halls in the Heavenly Realm.

Paper wards were stuck to nearly every inch of the large doors; Yin Yu could sense how powerful the wards were, even with his locked spiritual powers. His stomach started to roil and he felt dizzy as he passed through the door. Hua Chengzhu didn’t seem phased, or at least he was very good at hiding it.

Yin Yu tried to remain composed, but he felt his employer’s hands on him, guiding him to sit down in a wooden chair. The creaking of the wood caused the hairs on the back of Yin Yu’s neck to raise and he feared opening his eyes would send his stomach onto Hua Chengzhu’s boots.

“Breathe through it…” Hua Chengzhu whispered, rubbing soothing circles on Yin Yu’s back. It was an odd sensation and an even odder action from one such as Hua Chengzhu, but he couldn’t even question it as he fought to keep from making a mess of himself and the floor. “I didn’t think it would affect you, since…” he trailed off and Yin Yu tried to acknowledge what he had said, but it was to no avail.

Yin Yu managed to open his eyes and saw Hua Chengzhu’s black boots walking away from him, the silver bells tinkling gently as he moved about the room. He returned to Yin Yu’s side, rubbing his back again. Something was pressed to Yin Yu’s lips and he managed to open an eye and looked up at Hua Chengzhu.

Concern was on his employer’s face and Yin Yu couldn’t decide if that made him feel better or worse about the situation.

He forced himself to find his centre and drank whatever it was Hua Chengzhu had offered to him. Yin Yu very nearly pulled away and spit it out, it was such a bitter draught. He kept it down with great effort. Once he had drunk nearly half of the proffered cup, Yin Yu started to feel better.

The haze cleared from his vision, like a fog breaking up and blowing away in the breeze. Yin Yu drew in a long breath as the nausea eased and he was able to look at Hua Chengzhu.

“I suppose you’ll be needing to drink this before coming down here…” Hua Chengzhu looked annoyed and Yin Yu felt sheepish.

“This one apologizes for his weakness, Hua Chengzhu…” Yin Yu whispered, his voice cracking.

“Don’t start with that,” Hua Chengzhu said around a barely contained sigh. “I am certain you can guess why the wards are so powerful. I won’t tell you everything, but essentially, they’re blocking the spiritual power of anyone that is Heaven Blessed. I wrongly assumed that since you wear that Cursed Shackle, you would not suffer the side effects…” Chengzhu gave a loud sigh, running a hand through his long hair. He looked genuinely worried.

But Yin Yu was certain that Hua Chengzhu’s worry was not directed at Yin Yu himself; it was far more likely that his employer was reconsidering assigning this task to Yin Yu.

Yin Yu drew in a slow breath and stood. Hua Chengzhu narrowed his eye at Yin Yu but gave him his space. “I am confident that I can acclimate myself enough to carry out this task, Hua Chengzhu,” Yin Yu said with a deep bow.

“You, confident?” Hua Chengzhu snorted, and then he looked away. “Nevermind that. Let’s go.”

Hua Chengzhu’s words hurt, but Yin Yu could not deny that he had a point. Yin Yu stood straight and squared his shoulders as he was led over to a second door. It was much smaller and he would have to duck to enter the room. Yin Yu hoped that Ming Yi was not being kept in a room with a low ceiling, but it was not his place to comment on how his employer kept his prisoners.

A single lock stood between them and Ming Yi; Yin Yu thought that was a bit odd. Hua Chengzhu had Yin Yu try to open the lock and he understood: it would require an immense amount of spiritual power to open the door, not to mention strength. Physical strength wasn’t an issue for Yin Yu, but there was no way he would be able to open the lock on his own…

“As you can see, this lock requires spiritual energy, but not just any kind… It requires the malice of a Ghost King. You are not to come down to this room on your own. You must only do this task with either myself or He Xuan with you.”

“Yes, Chengzhu,” Yin Yu replied and bowed his head. While it made sense that Yin Yu should not visit Ming Yi on his own, it would make it difficult to carry out his duties if he required the assistance of one of the Ghost Kings.

Not to mention, he felt mortified at having to ask either one of them to accompany him on his duties. Wasn’t it bad enough that he was rendered useless, having fallen so far as to enjoy being in the employ of the scourge of the Human and Ghost Realms…?

Hua Chengzhu instructed him to knock in a pattern to indicate he was ready to be let out. The pattern of the knocks would change every time he entered Ming Yi’s prison. If Ming Yi were to escape, he would not be able to replicate the pattern and He Xuan or Hua Chengzhu would know that a situation had arisen.

Yin Yu took a deep breath and watched as Hua Chengzhu opened the lock. Loud and deep thunking noises could be heard as Hua Chengzhu turned the lock and when the door was pulled open, Yin Yu realized that the door was over a chi in thickness.

Trepidation filled Yin Yu as he was ushered into the prison, and Hua Chengzhu shut the door behind him. Yin Yu took a deep breath and turned back to see a similar lock was on the inside, but he knew he stood no chance of being able to open it.

The room was surprisingly large and Yin Yu found he was able to stand up just fine. Colourful lights danced around the room; they looked like ghost fire, but Yin Yu could sense the familiarity of their power. The cool purples and blues and greens felt like He Xuan — the warm red and yellow and orange, Hua Chengzhu. A floating blue fire came up to Yin Yu, hovering in front of his face; he didn’t know why he smiled, but it reminded him of Chengzhu’s Wraith Butterflies.

After his eyes adjusted to the darkness and flickering firelight, Yin Yu observed that there was a balcony above him, as if he were standing in a courtyard. At least the prison Hua Chengzhu gave to Ming Yi was quite luxurious…

Yin Yu felt compelled to walk to the second floor, so that is where he decided he would begin his search for his new ward. The stairs creaked and Yin Yu felt deep gouges along the wooden railing. One step groaned and sagged under Yin Yu’s weight and he feared the board was close to breaking; he would need to be careful to avoid embarrassing himself.

Upon entering the room, Yin Yu found one Ming Yi bound to a chair, his head bowed. He wondered if that was part of the door opening mechanism, that Ming Yi would be instantly bound to the nearest surface or object when one of the Ghost Kings entered.

It was quite ingenious and Yin Yu had to wonder which of the two Ghost Kings developed it. This discovery just caused Yin Yu to be in even more awe and terror of his employer and…

What was He Xuan to him…?

These were not the sort of thoughts he should be entertaining right now. He pushed his traitorous mind to focus on the task at hand, lest he end up even more indebted to Hua Chengzhu.

Yin Yu lacked his mask, but it didn’t really matter, as his face was rather plain and forgettable; should Ming Yi escape, it was unlikely he’d be able to go after Yin Yu. At least, that is what Yin Yu had determined for himself when he had been asked to leave behind his Waning Moon Officer mask.

Ming Yi raised his head as Yin Yu approached and surprise painted his face. But it was gone in a moment and anger replaced the surprise. “Who are you?” he spat out. “Another Ghost King?”

Their voices were rather different; where He Xuan spoke in a deep, low timbre, a sound that echoed and vibrated through Yin Yu, this Ming Yi had a much softer tone, slightly raspy, though Yin Yu could not be sure if that was because he was in pain while being restrained.

But their faces…

It was uncanny how alike the two of them looked. There were a few differences — He Xuan’s body was broader and he was taller, but their faces…

And then Yin Yu had to wonder if perhaps He Xuan did not wear his true face around Yin Yu and he was merely borrowing Ming Yi’s appearance. Would Yin Yu even be able to distinguish who was who if a situation arose that required Yin Yu to tell them apart…?

Then Yin Yu looked at Ming Yi again and knew it would be simple to tell them apart: the anger contained in Ming Yi’s eyes would give him away easily, versus the loneliness contained in He Xuan’s eyes.

“I am…” Yin Yu started, but he didn’t really know what to say. “I am not a ghost, and I am certainly no king.”

“Then what should I call you?” Ming Yi asked, calming down slightly.

“I… This lowly one is called Yin Yu. I am to care for you.”

“Another of their prisoners?” Ming Yi spat out. “Those two are pathetic.”

“A prisoner? Yes, one could say that, but the Ghost Kings are not my jailors.”

“Then who…?” he asked, his voice going soft.

Yin Yu didn’t understand why he was being so candid; maybe the loneliness really was getting to him. “The Heavens. More accurately, Jun Wu himself,” Yin Yu said, lifting the sleeve on his cursed wrist. “While I acknowledge that you would prefer to be free of this place, I would be remiss to not inform you that the Heavens are not as they seem. This lowly… I like my life in Ghost City far more than I ever liked my life as Martial God of the West.”

“You…” Ming Yi started and then stopped, his face twisting in confusion, as if Yin Yu’s words were very difficult to comprehend. “You were a god?”

Yin Yu felt his face heating up, but he knew it was his own fault for introducing the topic. “Yes… Years ago. I have worked for Hua Chengzhu for a handful of years now, and I am… happier in Ghost City than I ever was up there.”

Ming Yi scrunched his nose up, looking distinctly different from He Xuan. “I worked hard to help people with public works, only to end up in this place. I… I wanted to help more people when I ascended…”

Yin Yu pulled a chair over, so he could sit with Ming Yi. “I trained hard to become a Martial God, because I wanted to help people… I was not in the Heavenly Realm for long, maybe a decade or so, but I had already lost most of my followers by then. I was able to ascend, but unable to amass the spiritual power needed to help people the way I always envisioned.”

“That…” Ming Yi trailed off and then he squared his shoulders, facing Yin Yu head-on. “With all of Heaven’s backing, you couldn’t help more people?”

Laughter almost burst forth from Yin Yu at the naivety Ming Yi was displaying. He managed to control himself and only let a small smile slip out.

“The Heavens are not as they seem. Each god or goddess is only concerned with their own popularity and they are particularly cruel to Civil Gods and Goddesses. Did you know that Ling Wen is actually a woman? She has to appear as a man to her followers, to be taken seriously and not lose her position… Many gods and goddesses have to pander to their followers; few are they that can conduct themselves without impunity. Fewer are those that will aid their fellow gods and goddesses during times of strife. Most watch like vultures, ready to pluck up scraps of a suffering god’s territory.”

“Then why are you here?” Ming Yi asked.

It was a pointed question and Yin Yu considered not answering, but as the two of them would be spending considerable time together, he figured it would be a good idea to be able to speak freely with one another. If Yin Yu could build trust with Ming Yi, perhaps he could ease some of his burden during his confinement.

“Hua Chengzhu helped me, when no one else would. He thought I was someone else at first, he could have walked away and left me to die…” Yin Yu took in a slow breath, pushing through the pain of losing Jian Yu. “But he didn’t. He helped the only friend I had left in this world move onto his next stage in the Wheel of Life, and then he gave me a safe place to stay and the opportunity to feel useful. This lowly…” Yin Yu took another deep breath. “I hadn’t felt useful in so long.”

Ming Yi looked away with a huff. “You said you were a prisoner of Jun Wu…”

Yin Yu sucked in a sharp breath, instinctively covering his wrist. “Yes… I… This lowly one lost his temper and severely injured a fellow god. He was… He was…” Yin Yu fought to control his voice and keep it from cracking with emotion. “He was someone that this one had cared for, for a very long time, until my jealousy won out. This lowly one lashed out, after unknowingly giving him a cursed object that forced him to listen to my every word.”

“But if you didn’t know!” Ming Yi’s head shot up, a fire in his eyes. “How can you be to blame?!”

Yin Yu gave him a sad smile. “That is the hypocrisy of the Heavens. The one that I injured bears no ill-will against me, though, I wish he would…”

Ming Yi seemed to consider Yin Yu’s words, but he just let out a long sigh. “I… I still want to help people someday.”

“And I think you will, but there are better ways to help people than becoming a god.”

Ming Yi looked away with another sigh and nodded his head. Yin Yu waited for his response, but when none came, he decided it was time to take care of the chores.

“I shall return shortly, after completing my tasks,” Yin Yu said with a bow and put the chair back where it had been.

He was extremely careful going up and down the stairs, deciding to skip the sagging one upon each descent and ascent. It was best not to tempt the fates.

The prison was more like a two-story home, complete with a kitchen and bathing facilities, along with ample rooms for a single person. It was, admittedly, not the worst place to be imprisoned. But a prison was a prison…

He cleaned what he could and prepared a meal; it looked like Ming Yi’s usual meals were rather simple and Yin Yu decided he would bring him some better ingredients. He wondered if it was possible for Ming Yi to be released while Yin Yu was in his prison, so they could work and talk together. Perhaps Yin Yu could teach him how to cook, to help pass his days more comfortably.

Carefully, he went up and down the stairs several times, bringing an assortment of dishes for Ming Yi to try.

“This lowly one hopes these dishes are to your liking. I shall make an effort to learn what you like, so that I may serve you better.”

Ming Yi looked positively starved, swallowing hard. “It smells really good…”

Yin Yu smiled and bowed. “I do hope they are to your liking. I shall… I shall take my leave of you now, so that you may enjoy your food while it is still hot.

“Thank you for talking with me…” Ming Yi whispered. “It’s been so long since I’ve been able to talk to anyone.”

Yin Yu smiled. “I’m glad… I enjoyed my talk with you, too.”

He bid Ming Yi farewell, turning back to smile and wave at him before he went down the stairs.

The sound of wood groaning alerted Yin Yu, but it was too late.

Pain ripped through Yin Yu’s right calf first and then lodged deep in his thigh. He cried out in shock and pain, his vision going spotty for a moment.

“Yin Yu!” Ming Yi called, but it was of no use, he was bound to his chair and could not come to his aid.

“I’m… I’m fine!” Yin Yu managed to gasp out, holding his weight in his hands. It felt like his left ankle had twisted as he went through the stair board and he could not put enough weight onto his left foot to pull himself up.

Embarrassment nearly eclipsed Yin Yu’s panic and pain; he was such a fool! Hua Chengzhu was sure to take this task away from him, but he… he wanted to help Ming Yi as best as he could.

Yin Yu took a deep breath, his arms trembling from exertion and pain.

Summoning all of his upper body strength, Yin Yu managed to get his right leg out of the hole in the board and tumbled down a few steps before he caught himself. He could only be thankful he did not fall on his thin, red face…

Tears welled in the corners of his eyes and he allowed himself a pitiful moment to collect himself. “I’m safe! I… I’ll be all right,” he called back to Ming Yi.

“Yin Yu!” Ming Yi called again.

“I really am all right!” Yin Yu tried again, finding himself shaking with how upset he was at himself. “I can make it to the door, please, just… just enjoy your meal!” he called, ever the servant.

Sliding down the remaining stairs was the easy part, but dragging himself through the courtyard truly tested Yin Yu’s strength and endurance.

Yin Yu stood before the door, nearly forgetting the knocking pattern as his body trembled from pain. He took a deep breath and knocked. The door unsealed and Yin Yu could be thankful that only Hua Chengzhu would bear witness to his stupidity.

“I asked you to wait for me to be here the first time he met Ming Yi!” He Xuan’s voice boomed through the slowly opening door and Yin Yu felt even more embarrassed.

Not only had Yin Yu managed to injure himself in the most foolish way possible, now both Ghost Kings were going to bear witness to his stupidity…

Yin Yu’s face was bright red as he exited the prison chamber with a limp; Hua Chengzhu shut the door promptly. He wanted to hide his injury, but there was blood pooling at his feet and there was no way to walk back to Paradise Manor in his condition.

He Xuan’s eyes went wide and then his face screwed up in anger. “What happened?!” he demanded.

Hua Chengzhu stood stunned and Yin Yu felt his face turning hot and splotchy.

“Chengzhu, this one apologizes for his carelessness…” Yin Yu croaked out. Hua Chengzhu made to move but He Xuan was already at Yin Yu’s side, directing him to sit down.

“What did Ming Yi do?” He Xuan asked, his voice low and dangerous while his hands were gentle and comforting.

Yin Yu took a deep breath, pushing through the pain; he was certain splinters were lodged in his leg. “It was this lowly servant’s own carelessness, please do not punish Ming Yi…”

He Xuan looked up at Yin Yu from his crouch, his eyes narrowed, questioning, and then he seemed to understand what happened as he examined the wound. “You!” he bellowed, turning to face Hua Chengzhu. “This is your fault! You have all the time and resources to destroy and rebuild your city, but you allow this prison to fall into disrepair? Shameful.”

The look that came over Hua Chengzhu’s face was not something he had seen before. He slightly pursed his lips, nostrils flaring, and Yin Yu feared that a brawl would break out. They stared each other down, malice and rage rippling through the chamber.

But Hua Chengzhu broke first, letting out a shaky breath.

“I…” Chengzhu started before trailing off. He looked into Yin Yu’s eyes and then looked back at He Xuan. “I will reduce your debt adequately.”

“You think that’s what I care about?!” He Xuan rose to his full height and got in Hua Chengzhu’s face.

Yin Yu was mortified, left to watch the Ghost Kings fight because he was foolish enough to get injured.

“No, I don’t think that’s what you care about, but it’s what I can do to make amends. And of course, Yin Yu will be put on bed rest and light duty until he has recovered.”

He Xuan snorted. “Fine, but this isn’t over. After I get him cleaned up and bandaged, we are having words, Hua Cheng.”

“You don’t need to do that, he’s my employee, and I will care for him.”

“No.” He Xuan bared his teeth at Chengzhu. “I don’t need another of your shoddy repair jobs.”

Yin Yu braced himself for fists to start colliding; he could only hope that he would not be dragged into their explosive brawl.

“I’ll… I’ll start the repairs immediately,” Hua Chengzhu whispered, looking more demurred than Yin Yu had ever seen him. Not even after chasing his most promising lead for his Lost God and finding the trail turn suddenly cold did Hua Chengzhu seem this despondent.

Yin Yu found himself swept up into He Xuan’s arms and he decided it wasn’t worth fussing over. It was much easier to close his eyes and focus on enduring the pain as he was carried, like he weighed nothing. And despite the pain, his mind wanted to wander to inappropriate places, but perhaps that was the curse of being a Cut Sleeve…

He Xuan laid Yin Yu down after what felt like ages and he opened his eyes, realizing that he was not placed in his own quarters, but in He Xuan’s…

On He Xuan’s bed.

His embarrassment grew and his body wanted to respond, but thankfully, the pain was too much for his loins to overcome.

“I am going to undress you and I will need to cut your clothes,” He Xuan whispered. He knelt at the side of his bed, looking extraordinarily upset. Yin Yu nodded and tried not to fuss and gasp too much as He Xuan stripped him down to his small clothes, his chest exposed.

“This one apologizes for the plainness of his body…” Yin Yu squeaked out, his thin face growing thinner.

He Xuan sucked in a breath, his eyes going wide and then he stood quickly and left the room.

Yin Yu was left to blink, confused as to what happened, but before he could think too hard about it, He Xuan had returned with a basin of fresh water, cloths, and bandages. He went to work with the arduous task of picking out the splinters and cleaning the wound, while Yin Yu did his best not to flinch and make too much noise.

“If it hurts, you don’t have to hide. Not from me…” He Xuan whispered, his hands deceptively delicate as he tweezed and teased out the splinters from Yin Yu’s thigh.

Yin Yu gasped and flinched more freely and He Xuan cooed and soothed him each time, his hands impossibly gentle. The wound was cleaned, the wet cloth stinging enough to cause tears to well in Yin Yu’s eyes.

He Xuan brushed his tears away before he wound the bandages tight around Yin Yu’s thigh and calf. Food was offered, but Yin Yu was just tired and He Xuan urged him to rest. His eyes were heavy and He Xuan’s bed was soft; he couldn’t remember the last time he slept so soundly.

Yin Yu woke up in He Xuan’s bed hours later, the Ghost King’s back pressed up against Yin Yu’s side. It was morning, late morning at that, but Yin Yu just looked at He Xuan’s sleeping form atop the bedding.

He should have gotten up and done something, anything, but…

Hua Chengzhu said he was to be on bed rest until he healed, and who was he to argue with his employer? Yin Yu pulled a blanket over He Xuan and decided that was enough work for one day before rolling over to sleep in.

~ ~ ~

Yin Yu only spent one night in He Xuan’s quarters. He had been released from bed rest some weeks ago while his leg was healed, the scar tissue was taking its time to fade. He never did have naturally strong spiritual powers even without the Cursed Shackle, so it made sense that it took considerable time for his body to shed scar tissue.

He Xuan made a fuss over allowing Yin Yu to care for Ming Yi, until he checked the condition of Ming Yi’s prison-house himself and found the repairs to be adequate. Ming Yi was also thankful that repairs had been made, though he only said as much to Yin Yu and not to either Ghost King. (Ming Yi referred to them as the ‘Idiot Brothers’…)

He had also been allowed to roam while Yin Yu was present, but wards were placed so that he would not be able to leave the wooden structure, and He Xuan insisted on talismans that made it impossible for Ming Yi to touch Yin Yu, to prevent injury.

Ming Yi seemed happier in Yin Yu’s presence, but he still spat at his Ghost King captors, should they be present.

It was understandable on Ming Yi’s part, but Yin Yu caught himself wondering how much he would give to have been captured and spared the pain of the Heavenly Realm…

Of course, he had no idea how painful being a Heavenly Official would be when he was still human. He sighed at his overly anxious mind, thankful to be doing work to keep his mind from churning and churning and churning until he was too exhausted to have another thought.

Via Hua Cheng, Yin Yu had learned that it was Ming Yi himself who tore up the prison-house in his rage and attempts to injure the Ghost Kings. Now that Yin Yu was caring for him almost exclusively, the damage tended to be minimal.

It was hard to have that amount of rage and no outlet, Yin Yu was acutely aware…

He Xuan had been away since shortly before Yin Yu was allowed to return to his duties. A yaoguai that used to harass Shi Qingxuan when he was human appeared and He Xuan was busy handling it for him as the Wind Master hid in the Heavens. Shi Qingxuan was demanding a lot of his time and Yin Yu didn’t know how to feel about that.

But, it really wasn’t his place to feel anything about it… He was a lowly servant, it was just that He Xuan had taken a liking to him.

Perhaps all He Xuan wanted was a competent servant with legible calligraphy; they may or may not have made comments about Hua Chengzhu’s brushwork, late at night while Yin Yu compiled and organized their research…

He Xuan’s next visit slammed into Yin Yu like a house of bricks. Hua Chengzu was busy looking for leads for his God when Yin Yu sensed incredible malice resonating from He Xuan’s quarters. He hadn’t been summoned, but he felt like he needed to go investigate what was going on. After all, Yin Yu had been placed in charge of Ghost City like Hua Chengzu was away.

With careful steps, Yin Yu made his way towards He Xuan’s quarters, finding the wave after wave of malevolent spiritual energy rolling off of the Ghost King.

It was… Concerning, to say the least.

The door stuck in the wood runner and Yin Yu had to wonder if the force of his malice was keeping the door shut. But he pressed on and managed to unstick it and enter He Xuan’s quarters.

The room was nearly destroyed and He Xuan was on the floor, facing away from Yin Yu, groaning and thrashing. The overly long table was broken into splinters and dust hung heavily in the air.

Yin Yu forced the door shut and only once he managed to get it closed did He Xuan acknowledge him.

He Xuan struggled to raise himself to his hands and knees before he was able to sit up and look at Yin Yu. His golden eyes were wild and he looked around the room, as if he were expecting someone or something else to be accompanying them.

“You need to leave,” He Xuan gruffed out, his hands trembling as he struggled to remain upright. “Where’s the brat?”

Yin Yu swallowed once, then twice before he found the courage to speak. “Chengzu is away, searching for his God. I can call for him, if you need me to?” Yin Yu offered; he only wanted to be helpful.

He Xuan let out a broken sort of noise before he started to laugh. It was an awful, broken sound; Yin Yu’s heart hurt. “You need to leave, for your own sake.”

Yin Yu knew that he was right, that he really should leave. The malice rippling off of He Xuan was dangerous, deadly, even, and yet…

Yin Yu went to He Xuan and knelt at his side. “This lowly one owes you a debt of gratitude. Please, allow this lowly one to assist you, my lord…” he whispered. He was afraid, terrified, and yet…

Yin Yu brushed unruly black strands out of He Xuan’s eyes. His mask protected his thin face, but he was certain his blush was creeping down his neck towards his chest and was perfectly visible to He Xuan.

He Xuan leaned into Yin Yu’s touch. It was nice and Yin Yu smiled, but then He Xuan’s expression turned hard and cold and he moved away from Yin Yu, resting himself against the frame of his bed.

“It’s not safe here for you…” He Xuan said and then his body seized and he covered his mouth, as if he were going to be sick. Yin Yu was about to contact Hua Chengzu through the array when He Xuan grabbed his wrist. “Don’t bother with that brat. I don’t need more debt heaped upon my tab…”

“Then tell me what happened and how I can help?” Yin Yu asked, amazed that the words had managed to find his voice. But strangely, Yin Yu felt resolute in his resolve to stay.

He Xuan sighed and settled his head back against his bed, his eyes closed. Yin Yu just watched his face, noting how the pain seemed to come in waves as his brow pinched and relaxed in nearly predictable intervals. Then he opened his eyes and Yin Yu noted just how tired he looked.

“I ate something I probably shouldn’t have…” He Xuan sighed out, his face relaxing for only a moment before the next wave of pain hit. “I thought it was a yaoguai or a ghost, but it… It was something else. It feels manufactured, in a way.”

Those words left Yin Yu more troubled than he thought he should have been. It was peculiar that a ghost of He Xuan’s calibre would have difficulty taking down another ghost or demon or well…

Just about anything.

Yin Yu tried to relax his brow, even though his face was still covered. He didn’t want to seem too tense around He Xuan; he wanted to be a comfort. He reached out a trembling hand, thankful that he had covered up the ugly mark on his wrist this morning as he caressed his hand down He Xuan’s face. His skin was clammy and cold, but smooth, almost like porcelain.

It was interesting. Yin Yu had certainly touched other ghosts before, but there was something so nearly human-like about the Supreme Ghosts. It was no wonder that it was difficult to tell a Ghost King from a regular human when they were suppressing their power. A wrath could be difficult to differentiate between a human and a ghost, but there were always little tells, such as their hair and the lines of their palms.

He Xuan looked perfectly human and alive and Yin Yu felt unnerved.

Yet, he persevered.

He pulled his hand back so that he could remove his mask from his face and brushed his hair out of his eyes. He Xuan looked at him, a depth to his eyes that drew Yin Yu in; it made him uncomfortable how intensely He Xuan could look at him.

Yin Yu stared right back, swallowing hard as he brought his hand back up to caress He Xuan’s cheek. He brushed his unruly hair away from his face and tucked the perfect strands behind his ear.

“Tell me what I need to do to help you,” Yin Yu said and he had no idea where his voice got the audacity to be so forward. This was a Supreme Rank, a Ghost King that sat before him, and he thought he was worthy of helping such a powerful being…?

Yin Yu swallowed back his anxiety and banished that obnoxious voice away; he was tired of listening to it. He was tired of second-guessing himself, so he made himself comfortable on the floor, widening his knees to take his weight more equally; he met He Xuan’s gaze, feeling determined and confident.

It was not such a foreign feeling, Yin Yu realized as he allowed himself to feel bold.

And then his confidence and bravado wanted to scurry away as He Xuan let out a terrible cry and flung himself onto his hands and knees away from Yin Yu. He Xuan gasped and groaned, his body heaving, lurching as he fought to keep down whatever creature he had eaten.

The episode passed and He Xuan struggled to sit back against the wooden frame of his bed, his eyes closed, hair stuck to his face once again. Yin Yu dutifully brushed his hair back and combed his fingers through it to dispel the worst of the tangles. It was foolish, but he wanted to touch that hair, to know its silkiness, to braid it and…

Yin Yu knew for sure his thin face was showing as he felt his cheeks growing uncomfortably hot. But, He Xuan didn’t say anything, even as he opened his eyes and leaned into Yin Yu’s touch.

It was wrong to want more, especially at the moment, but his body was wont to do as it pleased and Yin Yu had learned long ago how to ignore his pesky urges.

But there were urges and he knew he was going to have to deal with that, at some point.

Or, maybe he would just continue to ignore it until it blew up in his face, which seemed to be more suited to Yin Yu’s luck.

He Xuan grabbed onto Yin Yu’s upper arms with his big hands, his grip bruising and painful as he let out an awful cry and threw his head back. His body was rigid, his grip getting tighter and tighter as He Xuan’s body tensed and spasmed.

Yin Yu knew that He Xuan wasn’t doing it on purpose, but he winced all the same, memories of when Xuan Zhen practically broke his arm after…

And then the pain eased and He Xuan went lax. He Xuan drew in breaths he didn’t need, so far gone was the Ghost King, lost in his pain.

“Your touch is helping…” He Xuan gruffed out, his face looking slightly less pale.

“I can do more, if it’s helping,” Yin Yu whispered. He had no idea where those words came from, and yet he felt content that they had been spoken.

And that troubled Yin Yu.

He Xuan looked away, releasing Yin Yu’s arms as he settled against his bedframe more comfortably. “I think you’re the only person that could help me right now…” He Xuan said, his tone low.

Yin Yu knew he shouldn’t read into such a statement. “What do you need from me?”

He Xuan seemed to hesitate and Yin Yu felt sheepish, but then He Xuan’s big and strong hands were back on Yin Yu’s arms. It felt nice, it shouldn’t have, but…

It had been such a long time since Yin Yu had known a kind touch and he leaned into it, allowing himself to be maneuvered into He Xuan’s lap. He could feel the wildness of He Xuan’s spiritual energy, the way it thrashed, like an angry storm stirring up the sea. Yin Yu drew in a long breath, held it, then let it out slowly.

The storm calmed, but only for half a moment before it surged and crashed into Yin Yu. He had trouble gathering another breath, nearly overpowered by the sheer amount of spiritual energy He Xuan contained.

It was vast and explosive, like the ocean.

Yin Yu had never been able to sense this much power from Hua Chengzhu and it terrified him to consider just how much more powerful Hua Chengzhu must have been.

Age-old inadequacies welled up in Yin Yu, but He Xuan was there, his grip strong and reassuring. Yin Yu focused on that, trying his best to banish his shameful thoughts to the deepest recesses of his mind.

A ragged sound left He Xuan’s throat as he looked at Yin Yu. “I think your locked spiritual well…” he trailed off as a wave of pain came over him. He Xuan’s eyes glazed over and only when they cleared did he continue. “Your locked well is making it so I can circulate my energy without mixing it and tainting you. That brat has so much power it probably wouldn’t have affected him, but…”

He Xuan let out a long groan and then Yin Yu gasped out as he was flooded with an immense amount of spiritual energy, heavily tainted with malice. Yin Yu gasped and squirmed in He Xuan’s grasp, letting the power flow through him and circulate before it returned to He Xuan.

Another wave went through He Xuan and Yin Yu felt it rising before the power flooded into Yin Yu. As the power left him dizzy, Yin Yu wondered if this is what Dual Cultivation felt like…

He Xuan bucked up into Yin Yu and he felt the hardness from him, and as much as he knew that now was not the time for it, Yin Yu wanted…

Oh, he wanted.

But, he just ground down against He Xuan’s hardness, letting the Ghost King know how affected he was by what they were doing.

With each pass of spiritual power, Yin Yu was able to feel some sort of impurity. He focused on those bits of spiritual power, grabbing onto them and removing them from the flow of He Xuan’s energy. The Cursed Shackle that was branded onto Yin Yu’s skin seemed to suck away the impurities, dispelling them. That was peculiar, since Yin Yu was able to borrow spiritual energy from Hua Chengzhu without issue, yet those impurities were sucked away from the flow of power, as if they resonated with one another…

It was something he would have to bring up with Hua Chengzhu. But that would bring a lot of questions and explanations he was not sure he would be able to survive the embarrassment of…

With each wave of pain that washed over He Xuan, it seemed to lessen in intensity and duration, until the waves were more like ripples and He Xuan was brought to calmness, like a placid lake.

But He Xuan didn’t let go and Yin Yu really didn’t want him to…

So they sat together, sharing power for no reason other than because they could. It wasn’t something that Yin Yu should have allowed himself to continue with. His job was finished, he should have…

He should have left, but he didn’t.

But then, Yin Yu knew he was always a deeply selfish sort of person, so maybe it should not have been a surprise to himself that he was clinging to whatever scraps of affection and intimacy he could. Maybe none of that mattered, because he felt just a little less lonely in He Xuan’s company and embrace.

And that would have to be enough for his anxious mind.

~ ~ ~

Hua Cheng’s desperation to find his Lost God was reaching a peak.

Yin Yu and He Xuan were sent out together to conduct a search and no matter how He Xuan argued and fought with him, he would not be reasoned with. It was Yin Yu that was able to calm He Xuan down enough to accept that this was a task they were just going to have to perform.

Hua Cheng’s eye was upon them as Yin Yu touched He Xuan’s elbow, dispelling his fury like an ocean swell dousing a bonfire on the beach.

Whether He Xuan noticed Hua Cheng’s curious eye, Yin Yu could not be sure, but he tried to remain professional in front of his employer.

Though, now that Yin Yu was soaked through with mud and muck, he was feeling considerably less professional. He was sticky and gritty enough to consider saying something to Hua Chengzhu’s face…

Yin Yu knew he never would, but He Xuan…

They returned to Ghost City via his Distance-Shortening Array, his brush and linework masterful as always.

He Xuan made his way to Hua Chengzhu’s quarters, with Yin Yu in tow. He burst in with no preamble, allowing their muddy bodies to drip all over Chengzhu’s pristine floors.

Yin Yu was mortified.

Hua Chengzhu just quirked his brow. “I take it that the lead didn’t pan out…” It was obvious he was trying to joke, but Yin Yu could see the sadness in his eye.

Yin Yu genuinely hoped that Hua Chengzhu’s search would come to an end and he would find his Lost God, so that he did not have to feel such bone-deep loneliness. He also hoped that his God could be found soon, before He Xuan finally snapped and destroyed Ghost City in their brawl…

“One day, you brat… One day,” He Xuan threatened, but that seemed to be his usual threat towards Chengzhu. “Let’s go, we’re taking a bath, in his baths,” He Xuan gruffed out, grabbing a very confused Yin Yu by the arm.

As he was dragged from the room by his elbow, Yin Yu watched Hua Chengzhu tilt his head and quirk his brow. Yin Yu didn’t want his employer getting the wrong idea, but then, he had no actual idea as to what was going on between himself and He Xuan…

They undressed and rinsed off most of the mud separately, for which Yin Yu was eternally thankful. It gave him the time to prepare himself and get his breathing under control. The bathing chamber was billowing steam, thankfully obscuring his vision and He Xuan’s.

While it was true that He Xuan had already seen most of his body after his leg injury, he hadn’t seen everything and…

And Yin Yu knew himself to be so utterly plain.

Much to Yin Yu’s relief, the water was a milky-jade colour. He Xuan sat in the middle of the massive bath, his arms outstretched over the edge. He had his head tipped back, eyes closed as his long black hair rippled around him in the water. Yin Yu caught himself staring.

He drew in a shaky breath and fought to get himself under control, thankful that he had a loose cloth held over his loins. It had been a long time since he had to control himself in the bath with other men present and he was woefully out of practice.

Such was the life of a Cut Sleeve…

Without making a fool of himself by slipping into the water, Yin Yu entered the bath and a groan escaped his throat. The water was heavenly.

He Xuan cracked one eye open and smirked. “That is why I wanted to use that brat’s personal bath.”

Yin Yu knew he technically should not have been here, but what was he supposed to do, pull his arm away from a Ghost King… No, no, much easier to go along for the trip. It would end eventually, after all. Probably soon, knowing Yin Yu’s luck.

Yin Yu found himself drifting closer and closer to He Xuan, until he was nearly sitting in his lap. It wasn’t the first time, Yin Yu told himself. And then he immediately worried that He Xuan’s erection from the time he helped stabilize his spiritual energy was purely accidental and caused by their physical movements.

But… Yin Yu had also been aroused and He Xuan must have felt it… His face was turning hot when their knees touched.

And then He Xuan’s hand was on Yin Yu’s thigh, touching where the scar had been.

“Has it healed fully?” He Xuan asked, knocking Yin Yu out of his thought spiral and into a whole different spiral.

“Y-yes… The scar has nearly faded,” he managed to squeak out.

“Hmmm…” He Xuan sat up, still feeling where the wound had been. “I’d like to examine it sometime. I can help dissipate the scar tissue.”

“That’s…” Yin Yu’s voice cracked. “This lowly one does not wish to occupy too much of Lord Black Water’s time.” They’d all been so busy, between chasing leads for Chengzhu’s Lost God and He Xuan maintaining his friendship with Shi Qingxuan.

“Don’t do that around me anymore,” He Xuan said. Yin Yu was stunned into silence, staring into He Xuan’s glowing gold eyes. “Don’t call yourself “lowly” around me. You’re not lowly or lesser. That brat might want to lord himself over you as your master, but I do not.”

Yin Yu wasn’t actually certain Hua Chengzhu preferred it and he wondered if Chengzhu allowed him to do it because it made Yin Yu feel more comfortable…

“Y-yes… This… I understand.”

He Xuan smiled at him, soft and warm and inviting. It was remarkably different from when he caught Ming Yi smiling. That reminded Yin Yu that he wasn’t sure if this was He Xuan’s true face or not…

“I’m glad…” He Xuan whispered, his hand still on Yin Yu’s thigh, a comforting weight.

“Can I ask you something?” his mouth blurted out before his brain could stop it.

“I’ll only answer if I can,” He Xuan replied.

“Ah…” Yin Yu felt his face growing hot as he got cold feet. “Is…” He stopped, biting his bottom lip. This was pathetic! He took a deep breath and pushed through the awkwardness he was causing. “You and Ming Yi look strikingly familiar. Is, ah… That is to say…” Yin Yu trailed off as he lost all confidence.

“This is my true face, if that is what you are asking.” Yin Yu nodded his head, the only response he could manage. “You might remember from the Heavens that my eyes were not gold, but dark brown. I change my appearance minimally when I am Ming Yi. My pale skin and sunken gold eyes would invite too many questions and I know I look rather like a ghost in my true skin.”

Yin Yu nodded again, looking at He Xuan. “Your eyes are very pretty…”

The hand on his thigh tightened and then released and Yin Yu was thankful the hot water was making it difficult to arouse his lusts. Small favours and little victories…

The rest of their bath was spent in peaceful silence, Yin Yu soaking up the companionship. Little touches passed between them, casual and confusing.

And if Yin Yu ended up spending the night in He Xuan’s quarters again, it was no one’s business. Not even Hua Chengzhu’s.

~ ~ ~

A pair of dice were waiting in Yin Yu’s quarters the day after he and He Xuan had bathed together. His face flushed as he realized that Chengzhu knew he didn’t spend the night in his own bed…

He knew he was allowed to have his own companions, as long as his work was completed — which it was! — but it was distressing to know his employer had stopped by and knew Yin Yu was not in his own bed.

And the most likely place for him to be was with Black Water Sinking Ships…

But they didn’t do anything! They just shared He Xuan’s bed!

Maybe… Maybe Chengzhu had dropped the dice off while they were still bathing…

Yin Yu ran a hand down his face, deeply, agonizingly embarrassed.

He picked up the dice and noticed a terribly scribbled note on his desk. Yin Yu did his best to read the atrocious scrawl, but he had to give up and would need to ask Chengzhu what the dice were for.

As if he wasn’t having an awkward enough morning!

He slid his Waning Moon Officer mask firmly over his face, uncaring at how it bit into his skin. It was better than trying to have this conversation bare-faced.

Hua Chengzhu’s cheeks turned slightly pink as he realized Yin Yu could not read his note.

“These dice are infused with my spiritual power and luck,” Hua Chengzhu began, the air tense between them. “He Xuan and I have set up a Teleportation Array that is controlled by the dice. There are certain points the dice are anchored to, and there are also random locations one will be sent, depending on the number rolled… It might be best if you write this down,” Chengzhu said with a sigh, running his fingers through his hair.

After writing down the list of locations each number rolled, Hua Chengzhu informed Yin Yu that his own bedroom door had been spelled to be an access point to activate the dice. A door that was used to arrive could also be used to depart.

There were also special locations, such as in Paradise Manor, that activated a separate Teleportation Array, such as the one that connected Ghost City to the prisons below.

It all seemed very complicated and Yin Yu hoped that he would not make mistakes.

And then he was sent to location after location, in search of Hua Chengzhu’s Missing God.

~ ~ ~

He Xuan had been gone and silent for months and Yin Yu was starting to get nervous that he had made a mistake. Logically, he knew that He Xuan was busy, pulling double-duty between searching for Chengzhu’s Lost God and handling Shi Qingxuan. Not to mention the finer details of his revenge plot…

In between Yin Yu’s searches for the Missing God, he had most definitely been spending more time with Ming Yi, just to push back on the loneliness that was settling into his breast. But, Ming Yi was not really who he wanted to see, even if they shared a face so similar it was uncanny.

At least Yin Yu could contact Hua Chengzhu via the Wraith Fires that lit the prison. Yin Yu could be let in and out of the prison, without Chengzhu having to wait around for him to finish his visits.

A familiar dark aura swept through Ghost City one night. He knew it was He Xuan and he eagerly awaited contact through their shared array, but nothing came through.

Yin Yu could have, should have, contacted He Xuan himself, but he came up with a truly spectacular list of reasons as to why that was foolish.

Though, one of his many, growing list of reasons was reasonably valid: He Xuan likely needed to eat, and he did not want for Yin Yu to witness such an event. It was understandable, but Yin Yu still sulked and tossed and turned through the night.

Yin Yu’s day started as it usually did, making his rounds around Ghost City and Paradise Manor. And then…

He didn’t understand how it had happened; he just accepted it.

Cracked lips pressed against his own, cold and rough. Yin Yu felt his eyes flutter shut as he grabbed onto He Xuan’s broad shoulders. He was pushed up against the scarred wood of He Xuan’s quarters, tongues sliding against one another’s. He was thrown down on the overly long table, the air knocked from his lungs as he wrapped his legs around He Xuan’s waist.

He Xuan pulled away slightly, running his long nails through his tangled black hair to gather it out of his face. “I hope you’ll pardon my forwardness…” he let out a rasping breath. “I’ve been desiring to do that to you since your Ascension.”

The air left Yin Yu’s breast again and it was then that he truly remembered which Heavenly Official He Xuan was impersonating: Earth Master Ming Yi. At every event that they attended, there was always one person whose gaze could rival the weight of Quan Yizhen’s upon Yin Yu: Ming Yi.

Yin Yu never could understand why. They had barely shared more than a few words together, but his eyes lay heavy upon Yin Yu.

They looked lonely back then, Yin Yu now realized. Because the man whose gaze was hidden beneath the facade of a Heavenly Official had a loneliness that reached the depths of the ocean and deeper still. Yin Yu had felt that lonely, once.

There was betrayal woven in there too, and that was something else that Yin Yu thought he might be able to understand.

But the words would never leave his breast, and he didn’t need them to.

Yin Yu smiled up at He Xuan, feeling his lungs burn pleasantly as he fought to regain himself after the surprise greeting. He propped himself up on his elbows, licking his bottom lip as he looked up at He Xuan.

Black Water was a man of impossible beauty, a trait that was most definitely shared with Hua Chengzhu and it made Yin Yu wonder if all Ghost Kings would always be so beatific?

But then, the Ghost Kings were two supremely sad men, longing for something that may not actually exist in this, or any other Realm…

Yin Yu pushed away his noisy thoughts, resting on his elbows as he let his robes fall open slightly. “It’s a pity you never approached me in the Heavens… Being a Cut Sleeve in the Human Realm didn’t seem so bad. There was little need to hide myself, but once in the Heavens…”

“They’re an isolating, hateful lot…” He Xuan rumbled out, bringing one of his large, cool hands down to caress Yin Yu’s cheek.

Yin Yu leaned into the touch and lost himself in He Xuan’s kiss. He lay there, revelling in the touch of the larger man, the way his rough hands made deft work of Yin Yu’s ties, exposing his front to the cool air. It was like an exquisite fantasy and Yin Yu was going to let himself stay in the fairytale, for once in his life.

He had an eternity to panic later, after all.

Yin Yu was being lifted again and he just kept his eyes shut as he was kissed and carried. He floated effortlessly through the room, as if he were in the water and gravity no longer controlled his movements. He was laid gently upon smooth, silk bedding; Yin Yu groaned as he let himself be pushed into the mattress.

He Xuan was heavy and solid, the weight of him comforting, but…

Yin Yu found his strength in that moment, grinning as he broke their kiss and flipped Black Water Sinking Ships onto his back. The look of surprise on his face was well worth it for Yin Yu as he shrugged his rough and worn robes from his shoulders to hang at his elbows, revealing the dusky pink of his nipples and his twitching, leaking cock.

“This lowly servant would like to pleasure you, Lord Black Water,” Yin Yu teased. He Xuan’s breath came out unsteady, as if caught. Apparently in this context, He Xuan liked those words…

But He Xuan seemed determined not to be a selfish lover as he pulled Yin Yu down for a kiss, threading his long nails through Yin Yu’s hair as far as his thick braid would allow. Yin Yu felt his robes being pushed to one side, He Xuan bucking beneath him. He Xuan got a hand between their bodies so that he might release the knots and ties holding his watery, black robes shut.

Yin Yu broke the kiss with a gasp, lifting himself off of He Xuan’s chest to straddle his stalwart thighs.

The thick silk of He Xuan’s robes fell open to expose him from chest to thigh, his collarbones prominent, and his…

Yin Yu’s eyes went wide when he caught sight of He Xuan’s leaking cock. It was long, the pointed head pulling free from his foreskin as Yin Yu stared. He Xuan shifted slightly and Yin Yu felt cool air against his backside.

Before Yin Yu could tease him for being so eager, he felt slick fingers circling around his rim. When he grabbed the oil, Yin Yu didn’t care, letting his head back as first one finger and then a second was pushed inside.

Oh, just how long had it been since he had known this feeling…?

A third finger joined soon and Yin Yu tried to be embarrassed at the way his cock leapt and leaked, a pearl of pre-seed running down his length. Yin Yu looked down and He Xuan’s eyes were focused on the pearly drop as it made its way to He Xuan’s abdomen. He smirked, spreading his fingers and pushing deep, until he found the spot that had Yin Yu seeing stars and shaking.

“It would appear we are both impatient,” He Xuan gruffed out, removing his fingers before coating them in more oil.

Yin Yu watched, entranced as He Xuan took his heavy cock in hand and coated himself with slow, deliberate strokes. Yin Yu raised his hips at He Xuan’s urging, scooting his knees until he was in place. He wanted this position, so that he could give something back to He Xuan, after the kindness he had shown him.

Hua Chengzhu might have saved Yin Yu by helping Jian Yu to pass on to his next life and giving him purpose again but…

He Xuan had given Yin Yu his spark back. He Xuan had been the driftwood he so desperately needed to cling to, strong and sturdy, carrying him safely to shore through the raging storm he’d been flung into.

And now, He Xuan’s eyes looked calm, like the ocean as it rolled gently and lapped at the beaches. He Xuan was more than enough…

Yin Yu lowered himself, feeling the cool and pointed head of He Xuan’s cock against his rim. He reached back to grab He Xuan’s cock near the tip as He Xuan held himself steady at the base.

It could be so frustrating, no matter how willing and ready Yin Yu felt, his body liked to refuse the intrusion he so desperately craved. But then his hips began to sink and he felt breached. He let out a gasp and then a long groan as his body accommodated the girth and his hips settled snuggly against He Xuan’s.

He Xuan let out a shaky breath, his cheeks looking slightly pink, if such a thing were possible for a ghost…

But ah, He Xuan was no mere ghost, no garden-variety Wrath. He was a King and Yin Yu sat upon his throne.

Yin Yu smiled softly, feeling powerful and desired in a way he never truly had before, no matter how eager his bedpartners had been. For the first time in his overly long life, he felt seen.

His long braid fell loose, his messy hair cascading over his shoulders, and for once, Yin Yu didn’t care. Yin Yu shifted his hips from side to side, front to back, finding himself filled with warmth almost too quickly. He was full in a way he’d never known before, He Xuan’s cock rubbing all of his most tender places.

They kissed, Yin Yu bracing his hands on He Xuan’s chest. Long nails found his thighs, fingers teasing at where the wound on his thigh had been. It seemed he still felt guilty about what was a rather minor injury.

For all of his gruff exterior, He Xuan was a creature that cared. Cared deeply. Too deeply.

He Xuan helped Yin Yu to move in earnest, grabbing him by the hips, raising and lowering him. Their breath mingled, their tongues tangled as they chased their pleasure. With each move Yin Yu made, He Xuan let out a breathy gasp or moan, and with each thrust of He Xuan’s hips, Yin Yu cried out in pleasure.

It was He Xuan who broke their messy kiss with a broken groan, tossing his head back, his long hair spread out on the pillows beneath him. Yin Yu was feeling desperate too, reaching down to grab his cock. His hand was promptly batted away, He Xuan’s golden eyes smouldering into Yin Yu’s as he took Yin Yu’s cock in hand. His hand was slick and fast, his grip confident as he twisted his fist on the down stroke; Yin Yu was not going to last.

Neither was He Xuan, if the way his neck strained as he stretched his head back was any indication. Yin Yu licked his bottom lip, adjusting his knees before he started to slam himself down onto He Xuan’s hips. Over and over, his thighs burned, but still, he pushed himself, until he felt a coolness shooting deep into his body.

Yin Yu gasped, mouth open as he was overcome with pleasure. The wave broke and he spilled over He Xuan’s fist in sticky, white ropes.

Yin Yu collapsed upon He Xuan’s chest, breathing heavily, even as He Xuan’s chest barely moved. He didn’t need air, not like Yin Yu did, at least.

He worried about Chengzhu’s reaction as his attempts to find his Missing God grew more desperate. There would be consequences to deal with, but later.

For once, Yin Yu was able to ignore his obnoxious mind, pushing away all thoughts with promises of fretting over them later.

For now, he just enjoyed the feel of He Xuan’s claws carding through his hair. The hushed singing that rumbled from He Xuan’s breast soothed Yin Yu into a much-needed deep, restful sleep.

~ ~ ~

As the years ticked on, Yin Yu had taken over a majority of He Xuan’s tasks when it came to researching and following after leads for Chengzhu’s Missing God. He had rather come to enjoy using Chengzhu’s dice; he had mastered their usage well. Or, so he thought of himself.

Shi Wudu had recently completed his second Heavenly Calamity; He Xuan was busy handling Shi Qingxuan and all of the chaos that was being thrown at his revenge plan. The more He Xuan dug around for answers, the less information he was able to find.

As He Xuan’s frustration grew at his lack of progress, Hua Chengzhu’s hope fell into despair at ever finding his Missing God.

Both Ghost Kings were struggling with their goals and Yin Yu just wanted to help, to be useful. He took up as many duties around Ghost City as he could, leaving Chengzhu to paint and sculpt and… hopefully not attempt to write poetry.

A new lead surfaced and Yin Yu volunteered immediately to do the reconnaissance work, so that the trail did not grow cold. He Xuan was too busy with his schemes to be able to handle the task right away and Chengzhu…

He looked defeated, forlorn.

He Xuan tried to argue over the array the three of them shared, stating that it was too dangerous for Yin Yu to travel to the West. Yin Yu felt anxious and did not wish to set foot in his old domain, but…

 

Chengzhu’s sadness was greatly concerning to Yin Yu and he wanted to help in any way, if he could.

However, He Xuan had become increasingly protective over Yin Yu, ever since they became intimate. Yin Yu feared that if Hua Chengzhu discovered their relationship, it would drive him over the edge with heartache and he may never recover.

He Xuan had different reasons for wanting to keep their relationship private, secret, from Chengzhu. Namely, he did not want for Chengzhu to attempt to heap even more debt upon his account; it was the sort of petty thing Chengzhu might do.

Yin Yu set off for the West, disguised, well stocked with supplies, but no weapon in hand; he didn’t want to draw the wrong kind of attention.

The Quan Yizhen kind of attention…

He did his research and followed what scraps he could, but after a few days, Yin Yu knew he would have to return to Hua Chengzhu empty-handed. It was disappointing, to be sure, and Yin Yu wondered how Hua Chengzhu managed to keep going for so many centuries and after so much false hope.

There was one last lead he wanted to follow, even if it was weak at best; he was starting to feel Chengzhu’s desperation for any sort of positive progress or news.

This lead took Yin Yu deep into the mountains, the sort of place someone attempting to hide from the world would disappear to. He still had plenty of supplies, though, his borrowed spiritual energy was dwindling.

The air was clear, the water clean as he came to a tranquil waterfall. It had been such a long time since Yin Yu had enjoyed the world outside of Ghost City and more than that, he had forgotten just how beautiful the West could be.

There was a cave. The air felt light and clear and Yin Yu’s heart skipped a beat; there was a serenity that emanated from deep within the cave.

It felt like how Chengzhu always described his God. He entered the cave without fear and soon found that it was occupied.

But it was not a noble, gracious, beautiful Missing God that awaited him…

It was a putrid, festering Wrath. It was only until Yin Yu managed to stumble into its lair did he realize that the Wrath was draining the mountain of its abundant spiritual energy. The air was thick with death and rotting flesh and Yin Yu couldn’t stop himself from making a pathetic noise.

The Wrath whipped its head around, blood and viscera smeared across its face. Yin Yu grimaced and then finally managed to unroot himself.

He tried to run, but the Wrath was too powerful, too fast. Yin Yu used the last of his energy to contact the communication array, and all he could say was ‘help’ before he was overpowered. Pain radiated through his head and back and then it all went black.

He awoke to being carried in someone’s arms. Yin Yu mumbled, his head throbbing as he tried to open his eyes.

“Hush,” a harsh voice came; he feared he’d been caught by the fearsome Wrath and now…

Panic came over Yin Yu as he tried with all his might to access even the tiniest scrap of spiritual energy, hoping nature would provide for him just a sliver so he could access the array.

“Hush, I said…” the voice came again and Yin Yu realized he recognized it and he calmed down. The malice rippling off this ghost was not that of a paltry Wrath; it was a Ghost King’s intense and bottomless resentment.

But, it wasn’t He Xuan that held him.

Yin Yu managed to open his eyes enough to catch sight of his employer’s bright red robes.

“Ch-Chengzhu, please f-forgive this l-low—”

“Hush,” he repeated. “This is not the time. You can be self-deprecating once I’ve gotten you home — I mean back to Ghost City,” he gruffed out. He seemed wild and lost.

Yin Yu closed his eyes and let himself be carried back by his employer. He didn’t understand the extent of his injuries and his head throbbed, which made it difficult to concentrate, but…

Yin Yu wasn’t certain he could feel his legs…

The next time Yin Yu opened his eyes, it was because He Xuan’s booming voice was rattling the walls. Malice and resentment suffocated Yin Yu and he whined.

“Yin Yu!” He Xuan called, stopping in the middle of his tirade, presumably at Hua Chengzhu. His cool hands were on Yin Yu’s face, and he wanted to smile, to reach up to kiss him, but then Chengzhu stepped into view and he was flooded with humiliation at his incompetence.

He should have been able to feel the Wrath, even through the tranquil mountain’s energy.

“Ch-Chengzhu, please f-forgive—” he tried again, but one look from He Xuan had the words tasting like ash on his tongue.

“Don’t you dare apologize to him,” He Xuan said, nay, threatened.

“It wasn’t your fault, Yin Yu,” Hua Chengzhu said, looking remorseful and even more weighed down. “That Wrath had been using the mountain’s tranquil energy to lure in cultivators, to devour them, just as it nearly…”

He Xuan growled and stood up quickly, getting into Hua Chengzhu’s face.

“He will survive,” Hua Chengzhu said, his tone growing irritated. “I will heal him myself.”

He Xuan just scoffed and pushed Chengzhu back. “Why don’t you just ‘reduce my debt an adequate amount’ and I’ll take care of Yin Yu properly, myself.”

Chengzhu pursed his lips, but then his face fell and he looked defeated. “You’re correct; I failed to protect him after assuring you I would not let harm befall him. I… apologize for my failure…” Hua Chengzhu whispered and Yin Yu’s heart beat hard in his ears at what he was hearing. “I will take my leave,” Chengzhu said with a bow and then he disappeared.

Yin Yu’s heart was still beating erratically when He Xuan let out a shaky breath.

“Are you all right, Yu-er…?” He Xuan had never addressed him so intimately before. Yin Yu found tears welling in the corners of his eyes, surprised at how nice it felt to be seen in that way by He Xuan.

“A-Xuan…?” Yin Yu managed to say, his throat raw and dry. He Xuan’s eyes lit up and he smiled. “I can’t…” Yin Yu tried to move, but it was like his body was tightly tied down, or a Command Talisman had been placed on him, rendering him immobile until instructed. “Why can’t I feel my legs…?”

He Xuan’s smile fell and he sucked in a breath. “Your back…” he started and trailed off, his face screwing up in anger. “The Wrath broke your back. But I will heal you.”

He Xuan did not give Yin Yu a chance to respond before his body was being filled to bursting with malevolent spiritual energy.

It was far less tainted and corrupt than that of the Wrath’s…

Yin Yu closed his eyes, drawing in a long breath that turned into a loud cry as he felt the power circulating through his entire being, filling out every pocket and hollow within his body. The energy burned hot around his spine. The pain became excruciating and he could not hold back his wails of torment.

Yin Yu was on the verge of blacking out again when the pain suddenly stopped and a pleasant warmth filled him.

He could wiggle his toes.

He Xuan held him as he sobbed in relief. He held him late into the night, assuring Yin Yu that he was going to be okay and heal.

But Yin Yu wasn't nearly as concerned or upset that he had been so badly injured.

~ ~ ~

Recovering from the injury to his back took significantly less time than the injury to his leg several years before. He Xuan had flooded him with so much energy, he felt absolutely stuffed with it for weeks after.

No pain or damage lingered, but He Xuan would still treat him delicately. It was nice, but it was also becoming annoying.

Yin Yu wasn’t a doll; he wouldn’t break! And he would have healed on his own, in due time…

That was just about the only advantage of being Heaven Blessed…

A note appeared on Yin Yu’s desk, left there sometime during the day as he did his rounds. Trepidation filled Yin Yu as he feared it was another one of Chengzhu’s… crimes against calligraphy.

He let out his breath with a pleased sigh as he looked at the neat and precise characters; He Xuan’s brushwork.

He smiled, caressing his fingers over the beautiful characters before he opened the crisp paper. Yin Yu read the letter several times, partially entranced by the calligraphy, partially confused as to whether the letter was given to the wrong person…

He Xuan was inviting him out to a small festival in Fu Gu.

Would… Would He Xuan really like to take him out to such a thing?

Yin Yu hoped he wasn’t getting his hopes up.

The date was set for the second-to-last day of Autumn. As the days ticked by, Yin Yu found himself getting more and more excited.

The night before he was to leave with He Xuan, Hua Chengzhu called for him. He didn’t think much of it, until he realized that Chengzhu was assigning him a task that would interfere with his plans. His instinct was to bow and then contact He Xuan, to let him know he couldn’t make it, but…

He really wanted to go, so he found his voice.

“Chengzhu… If it would please you, my lord, this one is asking to complete this task after the last day of Autumn, when this one will have returned.”

“Last day of…” Hua Chengzhu whispered, and then his eye went wide. And then it narrowed, as if looking at something not quite hidden well enough on Yin Yu’s person… “Is that right…”

It was then that Yin Yu remembered He Xuan had peppered his neck, high above his collar, all last night with his kisses and marks. He prayed to whichever deity would listen that Hua Chengzhu would not put two and two together…

“Well,” Chengzhu started. “You best be off then. I wouldn’t want to be blamed for your tardiness.”

Yin Yu stood with wide eyes before he found it within himself to bow. “This lowly one thanks Chengzhu sincerely.”

Hua Chengzhu just gave a snort and a laugh, seeming more like himself. “I suggest you give the wine a try…” he whispered, shooing Yin Yu away.

Yin Yu was puzzled, but he thought it best to continue on with his plans with He Xuan.

He wore a set of robes so dark and blue they rivalled the ocean’s depths; it felt like the right thing to wear. They were simple robes, but elegant.

He Xuan’s eyes widened in surprise when he came to collect Yin Yu and he lost all confidence.

“Are they too plain…?” Yin Yu asked, his thin face very red, to contrast with his robes.

“You’re perfect, Yu-er,” He Xuan whispered. He had changed his appearance minimally, removing the sallowness of his skin and sunken eyes. Eyes that were gold and not brown, as he wore when parading as Ming Yi.

Yin Yu’s flush grew deeper, but he took He Xuan’s arm. He Xuan cast his die. When they exited Yin Yu’s room, they were in an outdoor market. The streets were bustling with business, patrons boisterous as they prepared for the evening’s festivities.

They wandered the bright streets, making casual conversation. He Xuan insisted on buying a hair crown that Yin Yu’s eyes lingered on for just a moment too long.

Yin Yu bought He Xuan a pair of earrings and refused to be goaded by his anxiety and insecurities. They smiled, walking arm-in-arm, enjoying their day.

Chengzhu was right: the wine was delectable. He Xuan avoided eating, but he urged Yin Yu to try the local fare.

The sky grew orange and warm as the sun prepared to set. People began lining the streets as men called for women and children to stand back. He Xuan had grown quiet, taking Yin Yu’s hand into his own. Yin Yu observed him, and then he saw the procession emerging.

Gasps and screams started as a distant whisper and grew louder as the performers dragged their way through the street. All manner of gory things could be seen and Yin Yu found himself in awe; this was more his idea of what Ghost City had been, before he’d been there himself.

Ghost City might have been gritty and seedy, but this was truly grotesque. Bloodied men with weapons sticking from their bodies and faces lumbered through the streets. Women were dragged along the streets on miniature, hidden carts, leaving “bloody” trails in the form of crimson ribbon trailing behind them. A woman even appeared to be hanged, dangling wildly and crying out in agony on a wooden frame that was pulled by other bashed and bloodied performers.

All manner of death was on display.

At the halfway point of the procession, a thin, gaunt man, dressed in all black, swung a spear, launching performers into the air. They gracefully fell back to the ground, only to be launched over and over again. The black-clad man plunged his knife into the hearts of many performers as he spun around wildly.

The black-clad performer looked like…

He Xuan sucked in a sharp breath. Yin Yu cast a glance at him, and then looked back at the performance.

The black-clad man had defeated hundreds of the story’s villains, and yet, there was no happy ending for him. He succumbed to his injuries and died. The crowds cheered.

The hero died as he set the village free of the greedy villains that had been terrorizing Fu Gu for years.

It was bizarre, yet Yin Yu found a sort of beauty in it; he wondered who they were commemorating…

A Bloody Fire Social was not the sort of thing most villages celebrated. Yin Yu looked up at He Xuan, finding him entirely focused on the actors as they flailed and clamoured about. His grip on Yin Yu’s hand increased. It wasn’t comfortable, but he endured it.

Because He Xuan needed to be grounded.

The troupes continued to stagger through the street, performing the same story over and over again. Their makeup and techniques varied, but it was the same tale.

It was…

“A-Xuan,” Yin Yu whispered, his hand aching from the grip He Xuan kept, but he found he didn’t mind. “Will you tell me who the black-clad man is?”

A soft, broken sound escaped He Xuan. “It’s me… This is my death.”

Yin Yu squeezed He Xuan’s hand back with a nod.

He knew that would be the answer, even if he hoped it wasn’t.

They watched a few more troupes stagger through before He Xuan seemed to have his fill of the violence and anguish. The return to Ghost City was subdued and quiet, but Yin Yu felt closer to He Xuan.

They lay in He Xuan’s bed together, until a knock came. Food was brought into He Xuan’s room and Yin Yu prepared himself to leave as the last of the dishes arrived.

“Stay,” He Xuan blurted out, grabbing Yin Yu by the wrist. “You don’t have to watch, but just… Don’t leave yet…”

“A-Xuan…” Yin Yu whispered back, understanding what it was that He Xuan wanted from him. “I’ll stay.”

He didn’t know what to expect and his stomach started to flip as he watched He Xuan from the edge of the bed.

An eerie noise, like the ocean splitting, filled the room. He Xuan’s body distorted, his jaw looking broken, like the performers of the Bloody Fire Social.

The food was drawn into the vastness that was He Xuan, as if he were the ocean swelling to absorb all in its path. The swell receded like the tide, leaving nothing but clean dishes in its wake. He Xuan’s body returned to the one Yin Yu was intimately familiar with.

He Xuan looked ashamed of himself, but Yin Yu was moving toward him. He pulled He Xuan into his embrace. After long minutes of holding him, allowing the front of his robes to become damp, Yin Yu convinced He Xuan to lie with him in bed.

He Xuan shook violently and Yin Yu held him, rubbing soothing circles on his back as He Xuan pillowed his head on Yin Yu’s chest. They fell asleep like that, Yin Yu feeling like he was actually giving something back to He Xuan, for once.

~ ~ ~

Decades were meaningless to gods and ghosts alike, and before Yin Yu knew it, half a century had passed since he first met He Xuan. The years had escaped Yin Yu’s notice, much more quickly than the first four or five in Hua Chengzhu’s employ.

Time seemed less daunting, ever since Yin Yu had been introduced to Black Water Sinking Ships…

He tried not to blush, even though he was still wearing his Waning Moon Officer mask after doing his rounds in the city. It had been a rather boring afternoon, which is why Yin Yu should have suspected something would go awry.

He Xuan passed Yin Yu in one of the long covered walkways in Paradise Manor, just as he did on any other day. He stopped, turning to Yin Yu and smiling at him softly. His big hand reached out, pulling Yin Yu’s mask off.

“Hello, Yu-er,” He Xuan whispered.

Yin Yu smiled back, feeling giddy in a way he knew he shouldn’t.

They were exposed, but Yin Yu found he didn’t give a damn, pushing himself onto his toes to accept a kiss from He Xuan. It was chaste and quick, both smiling as they separated.

He Xuan accompanied Yin Yu on his way to care for Ming Yi. It was a very typical day. Until He Xuan had to bid him farewell.

They were under the same covered walkway. They kissed, He Xuan’s hands lingering in Yin Yu’s for a moment before he had to pull away with a sigh.

“I have to go, but I will be back tonight, Yu-er,” He Xuan whispered. It was a promise, and He Xuan was very good at keeping his promises.

“I’ll await you, A-Xuan,” Yin Yu whispered. He lingered in the walkway, watching as He Xuan’s billowing robes disappeared like the tide. It was silly, the way he sighed, but he felt so giddy!

“Yu-er…?” Hua Cheng whispered and Yin Yu jumped, eyes wide as he turned to face his employer. “A-Xuan…?”

Yin Yu’s soul tried to leave his body as he met Hua Chengzhu’s narrowed eye. He froze, all words turning to ash in his throat.

“Good for you,” Hua Chengzhu said after what felt like an eternity. “Explains why he’s been less angry the last fifty years,” Chengzhu added, shrugging his shoulders before he turned on his heel and sauntered off.

That… could have gone worse.

As Yin Yu watched Hua Chengzhu’s retreating back, he wondered why he was so nervous for him to know of his… affection for Black Water. Why would Hua Chengzhu care about… whatever it was he had going on with He Xuan?

It was very obvious that Hua Chengzhu desired his Missing God in ways a regular worshipper did not.

Yin Yu tried to stuff his soul back inside of himself before he continued on with his duties, albeit feeling a bit lighter.

~ ~ ~

Centuries floated by; Chengzhu’s desperation grew and Yin Yu’s heart ached for him. Yin Yu wondered if his Lost God was still in this world, or had he truly moved on…

A message came through the shared array between He Xuan, Hua Chengzhu, and himself. It was from He Xuan; he rasped out, “Your Dead God just ascended for the third time.”

It was then that Yin Yu knew that the easy part was over and the real work was about to begin.

He Xuan came to Yin Yu’s room that night, letting himself in. He looked desperate in a way he hadn’t seen in years.

Yin Yu tried to smile, but the air was tense and he knew why. Things were going to have to change.

Everything was going to change…

Yin Yu’s breast ached as he prepared for He Xuan to end things between them.

He Xuan ushered Yin Yu to sit on his bed while he knelt down on the floor, resting his head on Yin Yu’s thigh. Sometimes, He Xuan just needed the closeness, before he could talk. Yin Yu smiled sadly to himself, running his fingers through long, black hair.

Nothing lasted forever, not even for gods and ghosts.

He Xuan looked up at Yin Yu, peering deep into his soul. “Whatever happens, I need you to protect yourself. I don’t think I could tolerate it, if something happened to you,” he whispered.

It wasn’t what Yin Yu expected; he found his tears springing forth on their own. His cheeks grew damp and He Xuan just cooed at him as he brushed them away.

“That brat…” He Xuan drew in a long breath. “Hua Cheng was legitimately concerned that I would dissipate, once my revenge had concluded… But I have found a new attachment to this world.”

“Me too…” Yin Yu whispered, and while he was not in danger of dissipating, he had been rather lost and willing to fade away, until he met He Xuan.

Notes:

Remember how there’s technically a third Ghost King? Yeah~ That’s what happened to Ming Yi. Took White No-Face some time to brute force the lock before he released Ming Yi to die. And wouldn’t you know it, Hua Cheng and He Xuan were both busy in the desert at the same time, leaving Ghost City unattended…