Mixed Robes [FengQing]

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"It's great that A-Lian's managing on her own, now," Mu Qing said as he was stitching up robes that Lian ripped.

Mu Qing and Feng Xin were sitting in their room, enjoying each other's company. Feng Xin was testing out his bowstring on his great bow and looked at Mu Qing.

"Right. She's very strong, both mentally and physically. She's truly our daughter," Feng Xin said, amused. Just then, Ling Wen reached out to both of them in the communication array.

-My lords Nan Yang and Xuan Zhen. I have something urgent to tell you, and I can't tell you through the communication array. Are you two free? Ling Wen asked. Her tone seemed urgent.

-We're free. There's nothing to do. Mu Qing said.

-Yeah. Would you like to meet somewhere? Feng Xin asked.

-My temple. Most of the Officials who work under me are here too, and they know what I need to tell you. Please come as soon as you can. Ling Wen said. -Also, other major gods are coming. 

-All right. Mu Qing and Feng Xin said. They tapped out of the communication array and gave each other a knowing look.

"All right. Let's head to Ling Wen's temple," Mu Qing said after a beat. Feng Xin nodded as the both of them walked out of Feng Xin's temple.

~~~~~~~

"I thank you all for coming. As I had explained earlier to all of you through the communication array, this matter is very urgent." Ling Wen said to everyone in her main hall. 

Many major and powerful gods attended. Pei Ming, Quan Yizhen, Yushi Huang, and even Xie Lian attended. Yushi Huang looked serene as ever, poised as her Rain Master hat veiled her face. Pei Ming had his arms crossed and his head was slightly cocked to the side. Quan Yizhen usually looked innocent, and he didn't look like he cared much. Xie Lian got a glimpse of Feng Xin and Mu Qing, beckoning them over to him. They quietly walked over to Xie Lian and stood next to him. The three of them looked up at Ling Wen, surrounded left and right by the Officials who worked under her.

"Without delay, I will tell all of you about the matter that has just been confirmed. After these seventeen years, the trail of He Xuan is finally clear. We have also confirmed that former Wind Master, Shi Qingxuan, is also with him. You are all familiar with Feng Lian, of the Palace of Nan Yang. She has gone to where He Xuan is, where we thought was a small disturbance with wrath-tier ghosts. In effect, we must send reinforcements as soon as possible. Feng Lian has likely not come in contact with He Xuan, but we still must hurry. We have to try to save the former Wind Master, and get Feng Lian out as soon as possible," Ling Wen said. Feng Xin's brows knitted as he and Mu Qing's eyes widened. Mu Qing slightly trembled. This was their daughter that Ling Wen was talking about, and Lian risked getting killed before getting to her first Heavenly Tribulation. 

"Who is willing to step up?" Ling Wen asked, her voice booming across the great hall. Feng Xin and Mu Qing immediately raised their hands.

"We volunteer," Feng Xin said. Ling Wen nodded.

"I volunteer. A girl so young— she shouldn't be killed this early. Besides, the former Wind Master is nearby, too. We need to save him" Pei Ming said raising an arm.

"Me too, I will go," Xie Lian said. Ling Wen raised her head and made a quick calculation in her head. Finally, she nodded again.

"Very well. All of you are enough. If it is fine, you all will depart by nightfall. It's better this way," Ling Wen said. Everyone in the hall made sounds of agreement. 

"Then you all are dismissed. Thank you for taking the time to come to my temple and listen." Ling Wen said, turning around and disappearing behind an enormous pile of scrolls along with those who worked under her. The Heavenly Officials filed out of the hall, muttering amongst themselves. As Feng Xin and Mu Qing walked out with Xie Lian, their faces were tight with worry. Xie Lian noticed this and tried to comfort them.

"Xiao-Lian is brave and strong. I'm sure she'll be able to hang in there until we arrive," Xie Lian said. "I'll bring A-Yu with us. She'll be more than happy to help save Xiao-Lian," Xie Lian finished. Despite these words, Mu Qing was still very worried.

"What if Black Water gets to her first? What if she won't be able to hold on for that long?" Mu Qing mumbled in worry. Feng Xin stroked his back.

"She'll be fine. It's like dianxia said— she's strong and brave. After all, she has two great fathers who trained her since she was a little thing. I'm sure that she will see us again," Feng Xin said, his face softening.

~~~~~~~~~

"W-wind Master!" Lian nearly shrieked, dropping to her knees. She bowed deeply to show respect to a dirty Shi Qingxuan. Shi Qingxuan's bright eyes widened as he tried to help her up, but was a little weak.

"Get up, get up. I'm not the Heavenly Official here— you are. Well... nearly Heavenly Official," Shi Qingxuan said, trying to pull Lian up. Lian sat up straight and faced Shi Qingxuan. 

"We should get out of here, we're in the Ghost Ream you know!" Lian exclaimed glancing at the forest around her. Shi Qingxuan looked like he wanted to get out badly, but he hesitated. 

"I have a demonic shackle on my ankle. I can't go anywhere even if I wanted to. Black Water will know where I am. I'm supposed to be collecting lumber," Shi Qingxuan said sadly. Lian pursed her lips. She glanced at Shi Qingxuan's ankle only to see an eerily black shackle on his ankle. It faintly glowed with a dark blue hue, and it gave a scary impression. Her brows slightly ruffled in thought as she tried to decide a way to remove the shackle without He Xuan knowing. After all, Lian was just in her later teens, and He Xuan was centuries older than her. It obviously wouldn't be that easy. 

"Former Wind Master... would Black Water find it strange for you to be near the beach?" Lian asked, unconsciously rubbing her nose. There was a beach nearby, and knowing Black Water, of course, he wouldn't be too far from the Ghost Realm's many beaches. 

"I don't think so. He knows I go near the beach now and then, and he doesn't care as long as I come back," Shi Qingxuan replied, wiping some grime off his face. Lian nodded. A silent agreement came between them.

As Shi Qingxuan and Lian sauntered off the the nearest beach, Shi Qingxuan was limping. He was dragging a heavy shackle on his ankle, so it wasn't that concerning. Soon, the two of them reached the beach, high tides due to the night. An impulse shot through Lian. She tapped into the communication array.

-Baba! A-Die! Anyone! Can anyone hear me?! I've found former Wind Master Shi Qingxuan! Lian exclaimed into the communication array. She had said it to anyone who would listen, like her fathers, Ling Wen, Pei Ming, Quan Yizhen, and Xie Lian. A deep, booming voice answered her.

-A-Lian! Where are you?! Tell me your location, we'll be right there to get you and the former Wind Master. The voice said. It was Feng Xin.

-Qingxuan?! Is he alright?! Pei Ming asked. 

-... Ling Wen commented. It seemed that she was working on trying to find Lian's location. 

-I'm somewhere in the Ghost Realm. A beach, with very high tides, nothing that stands out much. Former Wind Master is alright, he's with me and I- Lian was cut off by a burst of demonic qi hitting her. -Ack! 

"Miss Feng! Watch out!" Shi Qingxuan yelled. A burst of black qi hit her straight in the face as she flew backward. She got a glimpse of a face, one that she had heard many stories about.

She had come face-to-face with Black Water, He Xuan.