Chapter Text
After the initial shock brought by the calamity White No Face, Xie Lian has given all his best and fought to the end. Although he has Hua Cheng and his spiritual power had greatly increased, Xie Lian still cannot handle the fight without getting damaged. He defeated the calamity and now suffering physically and mentally causing his mana to reduce at its peak and his vision to lose its life.
After years of keeping his eyes closed Xie Lian finally woke up in his slumber. But what greeted him was an unbelievable truth.
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Xie Lian had a dream. But for now we call it a nightmare. His days of despair and giving up was what filled Xie Lian's mind. The days he would walk nonstop, nowhere else to go. Where he got beaten and hit several times.
This was not the saddest part in his life. It was that time where he seems to see the red silhouette of the young man. That same man was fading, second by second that man was becoming transparent. He didn't know what to do nor what to say. He doesn't want to say goodbye because for sure the man that he loved will be back in his arms.
After the fight, it seems that nothing's wrong with Xie Lian. But that same day, he feels so weak and drained his whole body was aching. He didn't know if it was due to their relentless clashing or because of the feeling of loss and longing.
"Aarghh..."
Xie Lian grumbled. His eyes met the rays of the shining sun. He tried standing up, scanning the room he was in. The place was shabby, holes here and there causing the rays of sun to leak out. It is definitely not in the palace of XianLe nor in his Puqi Shrine.
Where is he? Where is Hua Cheng... Where is everyone...? His mind was in chaos. He steadied himself and took a deep breath before going outside.
The place was completely unfamiliar. It looks like a place that he would see after a hundred more years of living. Perhaps he did slept that long.
After looking around he could tell that this place was secluded away from any other living person. It was so hidden.
"You're awake?" Xie Lian turned around to meet the owner the voice. He thought it would be someone he never met before, unexpectedly it was He Xuan.
"... Why did you bring me here?" Xie Lian came towards him. After so long of laying in his back, his walking was so off the he lost his balance. He tripped but was caught immediately by He Xuan. Xie Lian felt embarrassed for some reason. He was a martial god and... He was too focused earlier and forgot about it. Was he still a heavenly official?
"Letting you know would only add fuel to fire. Let's get inside first. Your legs are still not properly healed yet." After a pause, He Xuan added "And don't go walking around barefooted." Xie Lian was speechless at the sudden hospitality.
After going inside He Xuan treated his legs and made him drink medicine. But this won't work if this was his way of easing the situation.
"Where's San Lang? Mu Qing and Feng Xin? Why are you the one taking care of me?" Xie Lian instantly brought all the questions that needs an answer. "I told you, you better not know." He Xuan stood up from his kneeling position. He raised his hand to hold Xie Lian's chin. Now that their eyes have met, Xie Lian saw how those eyes looked at him with pity. "Trust me, Your Highness. You better not know."
It's been days since he woke up. Everyday he wakes up with an empty surrounding. His food and medicine was always prepared, and his clothes have been washed up. He didn't know why He Xuan would do all sorts of things. But what he hates the most was that eyes of pity. Including the fact that He Xuan wouldn't tell him a thing.
Xie Lian thought of escaping, but not now. He knew that his stamina was still not as strong as it was and his injuries are still healing. He knew for sure that at this rate, he wouldn't stand a chance towards He Xuan.
When it comes to his attitude, He Xuan doesn't seem to have any ill intent towards him. Everytime he came back to Xie Lian, he would bring clothing, foods, and all sorts of necessities. Xie Lian find it weird. He didn't know the whole story of the whys, but He Xuan was not like this even after meeting him a few times before.
"Lay down and stay still. I'll apply the ointment for you." He Xuan went to grab for the medicine while Xie Lian proceeds to lay down. As Xie Lian was about to think about the possible way to escape, he felt a sudden sensation in his back. He Xuan probably started doing his work.
Xie Lian had never looked closer at He Xuan's hands before but now he can feel that they're really big. His massage were slow and careful, giving Xie Lian shiver down his toes. He Xuan had been observing Xie Lian and noticed his body was trembling. He Xuan hurriedly removed his hands away from Xie Lian.
"I... it's done.... I have to go outside."
He Xuan left. It was too sudden but Xie Lian didn't mind him at all. He needs to find a way out. Although his current state wasn't nice he was desperate to see his beloved after a long time. But, he wonders why Hua Cheng never came to seek for him. Before, the young man would always stick with him day and night, whether it'd be in the ghost city or in the heavenly realm. Why did he not look for Xie Lian?
The door opened once again and He Xuan went inside. His face was cold from the wind after staying outside. He avoided Xie Lian's gaze and went in the opposite room. It was like this after a whole week.
It's not that Xie Lian care where He Xuan goes and what he does but now he feels a bit uneasy by the way He Xuan approach him. Sometimes his face would flush red and sometimes he would see that same face with pity. The dawn came and this time Xie Lian decided to confront He Xuan.
"Tell me. Why did you brought me here? What exactly is your plan. To trap me and then not saying anything." Xie Lian dashed towards He Xuan, trapping him between his arms. He Xuan was dumbstruck, turning his flushed face away. 'Again with that face!?'
Xie Lian forced him to look his way. He didn't know why but he was a bit taken aback upon seeing He Xuan's face up close. He Xuan...he was exceedingly handsome.
"Your Highness. I already told you, you better not know." He Xuan stated at him. "Why? Tell me. Why should I not know?" Xie Lian glared back at him. He Xuan heaved a sigh of defeat. "Alright. But first let's sit down." Xie Lian calmed down after knowing that He Xuan would finally tell him about all this. They sat down facing each other.
"After your fight with the calamity White No Face, you've fallen into a deep slumber." He Xuan started. "How many years have I been sleeping?"
"10 years."
Xie Lian was shocked. It was unexpected. He thought he was just asleep for a year or two. "At that time, Crimson Rain was also gone but he came back after a year. After knowing about your situation he was enraged and killed White No Face." He Xuan continued. A cup of tea was in his hands. Xie Lian felt a warm feeling inside but it was suddenly replaced with something else. "He stayed with you and took care of you but then later on he would only visit you twice a week, and then once in a month, and until it was once a year. One day, I found out that he never came to see you again."
Xie Lian felt something deep and hurtful. It feels like something was gnawing at his heart making it unbearable not to feel pain. "Did...did you know why? I'm sure he has his reasons." Xie Lian knew for sure that he was gaslighting himself in to thinking that perhaps he has to deal with something in the ghost city.
"Perhaps he...he has something to take care of in the ghost city."
"Yes he does. But it wasn't with something, it was with someone."