[HUA CHENG'S POV]
Just a simple and silent day at Pu Qi Shrine and the next thing Hua Cheng sees is this whole damned situation. Furthermore, he's being kept by an old man together with a demon sprawl and a very annoying yet-to-stop whining demonic master. And to a very annoyingly furthermore, with a mission to save the world.
Hua Cheng squinted his eyes and let out a very terrifying aura. He couldn't make sense of what the old man is telling them but one thing for sure is that—it was a pain in the ass. He, Hua Cheng, a ghost king, going to save the world? This old man in front of him must be joking!
"We might as well destroy the world."
"Yes... Let's just destroy it." He assents and then laughs out loud.
Truth be told, he doesn't care if the world crumbles or is destroyed. He will never care for others except for his Dian Xia. He will never abide by anyone's command. He promised himself to serve his God and only god.
"This is making me sick."
"Now... Now... Why not hear the old man's explanation for this?" Wei Wuxian, the demonic Cultivator followed. "If this is a great concern and mind you with villains—ah, scratch that, we're beautiful demonic incarnate villains, enemies rather return to life. I believe it would be a problem for all of us."
Perhaps. Hua Cheng couldn't say no to the demonic cultivator. He might be annoying and loud but what he says makes sense. If enemies return, especially, if Bai Wuxiang returns and if he became more powerful than before, his Dian Xia might be put in danger. Fighting that trash cost him his whole life... disappearing for almost a year and with no assurance to return to Xie Lian.
He sat down beside Wei Wuxian. The demon bastard sat on the other side of the demonic cultivator. The old man also sat down in front of them sighing softly and beginning.
"You know that the underworld is the realm of the dead. The fate of good and bad is the same and the dead wander the afterlife as shadow-like ghosts. Few remained as shadows, few have become elites of the underworld, and some remained floating never entering the gates of death. I believe, You, Hong'er a product of a shadow acquiring power because of the kiln."
Hua Cheng did not respond. The demonic cultivator has already said to listen first. He was suddenly tapped by Wei Wuxian. The latter gave him a jar of wine. Is this a child's picnic? This guy is nuts! Nevertheless, he took the jar of wine and sipped some while listening to someone else other than his Gege for the first time in his life. Mnn. The brat has good taste. This liquor is delicious. He would just indulge himself with this. It's just so boring. Xie Lian is the best storyteller of all.
"However, this world has different planes. Master Wei who came from the mundane planes knows this, Burial Mounds is another plane in existence."
"I've felt that before." Hua Cheng turned to Wei Wuxian and waited for his response, "the resentful energy cannot be tamed, at that time, Burial Mounds had this own consciousness and will that cut itself from the world."
"Several much more terrifying planes exist than that."
Hua Cheng stared at the old man. The old man is explaining that just like the kiln, this so-called Burial mound works the same. Anyone who enters is being devoured. However, survivors are deemed to have conquered the place. Furthermore, there is also an existing plane just like that. He did not expect this kind of twist. If not for the demonic cultivator raising the matter, "you don't mean... Our enemies conquered these planes."
Brilliant, quick-witted, and assessed, Hua Cheng admitted for the first time, Wei Wuxian is smart if not for his blabbermouth. The guy would be a decent man if only—only—he wasn't as troublesome as hell. Put it together, if only he is not noisy as hell, annoying as hell and a shitty brat whining left and right.
Hua Cheng immediately turned his head to the side and sees Wei Wuxian nibbling a tart. He couldn't help but smirk and chuckle lightly because it seemed to him that the youngest is enjoying a picnic. what a guy! Can't he understand the situation they are in? He's just eating and drinking.
"I believe, Master Luo conquered the Endless abyss too." Now it's time for him and Wei Wuxian to turn to him. Luo Binghe lightly nodded and sipped some liquor.
"I guess, conquering these places plays a part in why we're chosen." Wei Wuxian smiled drowning the contents of his emperor's smile before taking another three bottles out. Hua Cheng couldn't help but muse in amazement. Drinking liquor while assessing the situation. Furthermore, not batting an eye even if he's the only mortal present, "so, Old man, if those planes were conquered, of course, our enemies would be powerful. However, our knowledge about the planes, specifically the one we conquered, was nothing but a measly understanding of one plane, nothing more, nothing less. Haha. It's like some sort of a dungeon. Very dangerous dungeon. Also, I wanted to ask you, for that to play a part in our involvement, why did you not choose someone as much more powerful than us? In my plane, the sect leaders are powerful cultivators, especially Lan Xichen and my Lan Zhan, but why? Why us? I believe the three of us shared the same sentiment as not interfering with the world again. We're living quite a peaceful life. Answer us directly old man."
Marvelous. Hua Cheng smirked. This Wei Wuxian is something. It was like watching a merchant waging bargains. He decided to remain silent for a while. He'll just listen to Wei Wuxian and the old man converse before deciding to interfere. However, by the looks of it, he might as well let the demonic cultivator do the negotiations.
Hua Cheng also noted that Luo Binghe although an expression of alarm and bewilderment could be seen on his face, he remained composed and calm while listening to the conversation. His dignified appearance made it clear that he is also taking into consideration the matter. Maybe, just maybe, since they are summoned like this, the old man had this foresight that links them to the returnees.
Of course, of all enemies he could think of, Bai Wuxiang comes first to mind.
He needs to protect Xie Lian. He doesn't know how that trash mind works but... He once sealed his Dian Xia's spiritual energy more like cursed him.
There's no way...
He wouldn't do it again.
However, there's no way for him to return. When a ghost's ashes have already been destroyed, it destroys the soul-making reincarnation impossible. He made sure he destroyed Bai Wuxiang's ashes during the last battle in heaven.
"Because only those who control the dark side can defeat and seal them again."
Hua Cheng took another jar of wine. He opened it and drank.
"Only you can help... And no other reason."
"No other reason?" He chuckles. This is the time he got angry. "If that's the case, why bother asking us when there's no reason... The world can crumble as long as I am with Gege... The world does not matter to me, for it had already forsaken and detested me... Old man, I'd answer you now..."
There's no way that person will return, so there's no need for him to get involved. He destroyed that trash's ashes and soul, therefore that trash is good as dead.
"I have no reason to help you."
Hua Cheng rolled his dice and got a perfect double six. He grabbed both Wei Wuxian and Luo Binghe by the collar. Miraculously, they successfully left that plane. They landed on the ground. Just right his ghost city. "Mission accomplished." He muttered and wiped his hands before smiling at the white-robed man standing before them.
"Gege."
"Woah! What a lively city." Ah.. just when will this brat shut up? Hua Cheng rolled his eye and faced Xie Lian.
"San Lang... Wow! You brought friends! I am Xie Lian, nice to meet you!"
"Wei Wuxian of Gusulan." Wei Wuxian is a natural talker, of course, he'd click with Xie Lian without a second. "San Lang? I thought your name is Hua Cheng?"
"Luo Binghe."
"My pet name for him." Xie Lian smiled and faced Hua Cheng. The other two couldn't help but salute. "Thank you for rolling the dice ge."
"Hm. I was missing you." Xie Lian smiled at him.
"For the wine, take this as payment." Hua Cheng said and sends two silver butterflies to both, Demonic Cultivator and the Demon Lord. "Go inside, ge."
"Hm. Take care of them."
"A lovely person." Wei Wuxian couldn't help but praise Xie Lian. It made Hua Cheng smile at him, "say, is he your other half?"
"You can say that."
"Haha! I remember Lan Zhan at him! He always wears white! What was so good about white anyway, they looked like mourning. I guess I was right... Living peacefully... Huh. He must be precious."
" of course... He's the last man in the world, I ever wanted to get hurt."
Luo Binghe, "He's a good person."
"Finally got to hear your voice. I thought you were mute... Woe is me, you two let me handle the talking." Wei Wuxian chirped to Luo Binghe who just scowled at him, "and you remind me of an angry eggplant."
"Of course who would dare interfere with that talk, you wouldn't stop talking." Luo Binghe childishly replied, "and I am not an angry eggplant."
Wei Wuxian laughed out loud while tapping Luo Binghe's shoulder. He loves to annoy people like him. "I have a mouth and the mouth is used for talking!"
"Want to make me shut you up." Xin mo sword is about to get unsheathed. Wei Wuxian ran as fast as he to Hua Cheng and hid behind him, "Cheng-Xiong! He-Xiong is bullying me!"
"You're not a kid." He shrugged and glanced at the troublesome youth. Another silence filled the spaces. They were not friends but it seemed like having this kind of conversation seemed normal.
Wei Wuxian touched the butterfly, white light surrounded him. It was the same feeling when they were transferred back.
"Say, Matter Hua." Wei Wuxian called, "why did you try leaving that place? The old man could have been right."
"simple... for me... being with gege is my priority. I can say it to you and that—Lan Zhan."
Wei Wuxian smiled at him. He understood that behind those smiles, a fragile person hides. No wonder, no wonder, this person must have done something irredeemable before. Hearing old enemies going back to life would truly shake him.
"For me... Everything doesn't matter as long as I am with him."
"Why so?" Wei Wuxian asked, "are you not afraid to undergo the same whole ordeal all over again.?"
But what could Hua answer, "there's nothing more painful than to watch with your own eyes your beloved be trampled and ridiculed, yet be unable to do anything. Leaving him alone would be the last thing on my mind... After all, being not able to remain by side is the worst suffering in the world—"
Hua Cheng heard a loud thud not far from him. He turned around to see who fainted but the instant broke the composure he had. He ran to Xie Lian as fast as he can. He sees him writhing in pain, rolling on the ground while grasping his neck. Wei Wuxian and Lou Binghe followed suit and witnessed the appearance of black markings on Xie Lian's neck, wrist, and Hua Cheng's guess, ankle.
It was the same marking as before. Hua Cheng poured spiritual energy on Xie Lian to break the sealing spell, however, the markings turned to crimson red, blood oozing from it along with the presence of another white robe man standing before them.
"XianLe... We meet again."
The voice Hua Cheng swear he would never hear again reverberated with the air. Hua Cheng stopped giving Xie Lian spiritual energy, ready to battle the trash.
No way. No way, he could be alive.
He got beaten by Luo Binghe who attacked the white-robed man.
"Fufufu... Enjoy my gift to you... Until then, Crimson Rain Sought Flower, His Highness, Crown Prince XianLe."
Even before Luo Binghe's sword and Wei Wuxian's sealing array could reach, the said man vanished from sight. Leaving them confused and unsure of what to do.
"The old man was right." Luo Binghe gritted.
"Then that means..." Wei Wuxian had a cringed smiling expression, "we fucked up!"
However, in this ghost city, an angry ghost king couldn't be more dangerous than ever.
Luo Binghe and Wei Wuxian have their backs shiver.
Never mind the fucked up situation.
They're about to get killed by Hua Cheng.
Scary dude.
...to be continued...