Hello!! I'm soooo sorry for not updating for like two months! Thank you for your patience and kind words! Sorry for not replying, I ignored Wattpad until just now to publish my stories. I've just been busy with school (I'm in my last year) and have to do a lot of research projects huhuhu! T_T But yeah, I'll try to update with my usual schedule but still no promises.
Ch.102: Sage Stew of the Crown Prince to Welcome Unexpected Guests
Qi Rong immediately paled at the words, looking greener than he ever was as Hua Cheng looked delighted at both that fact and that he would eat more of his Gege's soup.
At first, Xie Lian had planned to show off his culinary skills, but after tonight, his confidence plunged by a million fold.
Xie Lian sighed in disappointment. He had thought his cooking skills improve when San Lang ate his meal without any problems but it seems he was too cocky and just lucked out in having a friend with a strong stomach.
"Don't worry, Gege, you'll soon be able to cook delicious food." Hua Cheng comforted. "You just need more practice."
"Doubt." Qi Rong mumbled, not wanting his cousin to hear in case he becomes forced to eat the horrid food.
Hua Cheng had suggested that he could make dinner instead, but how could Xie Lian have the face to ask him to cook after Hua Cheng fixed his door and cleaned his shrine too? Who in their right minds would treat their guests this way? Besides, who did he take an esteemed Supreme Ghost King for?
"You shouldn't worry about asking me for such trivial things, Gege, I'm always willing to do it for you." Hua Cheng assured.
"You're a dear friend, San Lang, but that doesn't mean I can just order you around." Xie Lian firmly said, his morals and personality from a long time ago shining through.
"Yes, friend." Feng Xin nodded, emphasizing the last word with a smug look.
Fortunately he brought plenty of supplies back from town and although a large portion of it went into Xie Lian's pot, there were still some buns and pies, veggies and fruits left, so they munched on what they had. But after munching, what then?
Xie Lian looked embarrassed at the fact he didn't think things through.
He was such a bad host!
The next day, the problem was solved on its own. Bright and early in the morning the door of Puqi Shrine opened to the knocking of a bunch of village girls who came to offer large pots of porridge and a roasted chicken. The village girls were shy and anxious, so who they came for was quite obvious. Xie Lian couldn't help but sigh in awe to himself, thinking beauty really could fill a stomach.
Hua Cheng agreed but only to an extent. After all, if beauty could really fill the stomach then his Gege would not have been forced to live a life starving for some time.
After all, his Gege was the most handsome out of everyone, be it human, god, or ghost.
That roasted chicken was divided between the two children; Xie Lian only had some porridge and Hua Cheng didn't touch anything. He smiled, "Gege is really popular in this area."
Xie Lian laughed, "Don't tease me, San Lang. They were obviously drunk but not on wine."
"It's obvious they brought the offerings for you, San Lang." Xie Lian laughed.
"They must be blind, then." Hua Cheng smiled.
"I'll agree with you there." Qing Xuan agreed. "While you are handsome, Crimson Rain, how can they ignore our dear highness?"
After that bowl went down, Qi Rong was bound outside the shrine for an entire night, howling and screeching, yelling along the lines of "I'd rather be captured by Lang Qianqiu, be butchered to a million pieces, than to be stuck here and fed poison by you!"
A sadistic glint entered Qian Qiu's eyes as he took a deep breath before turning to Xie Lian with hopeful eyes.
"Guoshi, I...uh...can you...I-" Xie Lian interrupted him with a stern face.
"What have I told you about stuttering? A prince, especially one who became a martial god, should not speak with nervousness!" Xie Lian blinked and looked mortified, suddenly realizing what's he's done.
"Ah, I apol-"
"No, I was wrong, you were right. I must not stutter or it'd bring shame to my king-family." Qian Qiu bowed and took a deep breath before looking at him straight in the eyes.
"Guoshi, can you please help me punish that cruel ghost who destroyed my family?"
Xie Lian blinked for a moment, obviously conflicted before sighing, deciding on something.
"I will only provide you some of my food to feed him but that is all that I can offer."
Yes, because at the end of the day, Qi Rong was still his spoiled little cousin who, once upon a time, loved following him around.
"Thank you, that is enough." Qian Qiu bowed again before taking his seat again.
Qi Rong looked deader than he ever did.
"Cousin Crown Prince, I'm wrong, please I beg you, give me the antidote!"
"Can't believe I'd hear the green ghost beg. Is it that bad?" He Xuan mumbled.
And he even seemed to have hallucinated and became delusional. Little Gu Zi was horrified. By early morning Qi Rong was shrivelled up and sucked dry, his face completely green,
"He looks so bad." some mumbled in shock as they looked at Xie Lian with newfound respect for his cooking.
Xie Lian felt bad for causing his cousin to look so...dry.
and lapped at the the porridge Gu Zi held in his hand before finally regaining some strength, croaking with a broken voice, "Bullshit! Popular? Who the hell would come for him?? Look at that shabby appearance! Also, don't you be so full of yourself, Hua Cheng you fucker. You can only attract some country chicks from remote places like these at most. They only came clinging because you're dressed so extravagantly. If you dressed the part of a beggar, I doubt they'd even look at you!"
Xie Lian regret feeling bad for the green ghost.
Hua Cheng twitched, his hand itching to reach for his sword and just kill the green ghost.
Some wondered when the green ghost will dig his own grave by mocking the two continuously.
Xie Lian thought that wasn't right at all. Even if Hua Cheng dressed like a beggar, Xie Lian believed, should he went begging, he would collect a mountain of gold.
Xie Lian and some others agreed. Hua Cheng had a natural aura of a ruler and was charismatic enough to fool others into giving him everything they own.
Hua Cheng looked surprised, "Do you really think that, Gege?"
Xie Lian wholeheartedly nodded. "Yes, San Lang is handsome."
Hua Cheng felt warm. Really, his Gege knows just how to make him fall in love over and over again.
Still, he said nothing, and started doing chores leisurely. After a while, another wave of smell wafted outside and Qi Rong roared again, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?! WHAT THE HELL!"
Xie Lian replied warmly, "That pot of 'Love for All Seasons' stew. I'm heating it up."
"You're a monster." Qi Rong accused Xie Lian with dread pooling in his stomach.
"Oh? How am I a monster?" Xie Lian looked confused. "I just want to feed my cousin."
"Fuck you!"
Hearing this, Hua Cheng applauded softly, "What a good name."
"It is." Yushi Huang agreed with a small smile.
"Thank you." Xie Lian smiled at the two of them.
"YOU GAVE THAT FUCKING THING A NAME?!?! STOP!!!"
'He sounds so desperate.' many thought with varying emotions.
Afraid that Xie Lian would really feed that to him again, just heating the thing up reminded Qi Rong of his terrifying memories so he daren't talk anymore.
"Who would have known it was this easy to shut the green ghost up." Pei Ming was highly amused.
After finishing the meal, Lang Ying silently collected the cutleries as if going to do the dishes and Xie Lian chided, "Let it be. Just go play. I can take care of this."
Maybe he wasn't allowed to cook, but he could still do dishes.
Xie Lian nodded in agreement, glad that his future self wasn't relying too much on the others.
̶H̶e̶ ̶k̶n̶e̶w̶ ̶h̶o̶w̶ ̶m̶u̶c̶h̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶h̶u̶r̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶d̶e̶p̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶s̶o̶m̶e̶o̶n̶e̶,̶ ̶o̶n̶l̶y̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶b̶e̶ ̶l̶e̶t̶ ̶d̶o̶w̶n̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶b̶a̶n̶d̶o̶n̶e̶d̶.̶
Hua Cheng watched Lang Ying take Gu Zi out to play and said, "Let me do them."
Xie Lian declined the offer, "There's even less reason for you to do them. Just sit."
Hua Cheng slightly frowned, disappointed that his Gege still has not relaxed enough with him to the point of depending on him for trivial things.
Before he finished speaking, just then, they heard the Qi Rong who was bored with nothing to do after having filled his stomach make catcalls, speaking with a greasy tone, "Hey chickee, what're you doin' checking me out? Did I make your little tender heart quiver?"
That ghost was just griping about how he didn't care for country girls but turned around and started flirting, and so tastelessly too!
Many couldn't help but look on in disbelief. Was the green ghost always so flirty?
Pei Ming shook his head in disappointment, "That's not how you flirt with a lady, you failure of a man."
"I'm a ghost, dumbass." Qi Rong rolled his eyes.
Xie Lian shook his head, thinking he best drag Qi Rong in after all, lest he scare people while stuck outside.
"He would definitely scare anyone." Pei Su agreed. "He looks so tired and haggard."
Unexpectedly, before he even opened the door, voices of awe from the villagers rang out, "Whoa, legendary beauty!" "Why would such beautiful ladies come to our village..." "I've never seen such pretty ladies in my life! And there's two of them!"
Wu Du didn't know why but he felt shivers run down his spine the moment he heard the villagers utter the words "beautiful ladies".
It must have been his imagination.
Soon after, there was a series of knocking on the door of Puqi Shrine. Xie Lian was puzzled, 'Legendary Beauty'? Two of them? Why would two legendary beauties come knocking on my door? Ah, could it be? Did that wealthy merchant bring his new wives to come return their gratitude?'
"Oh, that's true." Xie Lian remembered.
'I wonder how much he'd donate.' he thought.
Thinking that this could very well be the case, Xie Lian hurriedly grabbed for the "Please donate to help with renovations of this shrine" sign, ready to set it outside. But then, he heard the frosty voice of one of the women, "What's this thing at the door? Burns the eyes."
"That voice-" Qing Xuan looked surprised and looked at He Xuan who was also stunned and could only blink in confusion.
'Why would I willingly go to a place crimson rain is...ah.' he looked at Qing Xuan who was giving random theories as to why He Xuan was there. 'I must have went to accompany her.'
Immediately, the voice of another woman came, sounding puzzled, "Maybe it's for guarding the door? No way. There's no reason to sink so low as to use such a vulgar spiritual beast?"
"Pfft." many found the comparison between Qi Rong and vulgar beast hilarious.
Although they were female voices, but Xie Lian had certainly heard of them before. It was Wind Master Qing Xuan and Earth Master Yi!
Wu Du silently groaned, cursing his accurate instincts.
At first he had wanted to open the door immediately, but then, he whipped his head around, and looked at the Hua Cheng behind him who was lazily cleaning up the altar table, and Xie Lian stopped his hands, cautiously peeking out the door through the cracks instead.
"Don't worry, your highness, we won't report you to anyone!" Qing Xuan grinned.
"...You do know our emperor is here, right?" Wu Du asked with a twitching smile.
"Ah..hehehe?" Qing Xuan hid behind He Xuan who only released a ̶f̶o̶n̶d̶ sigh.
Outside the door stood two slender and delicate women. One was dressed in white cultivation robes, her lips rosy, her form charming and sensual, a whisk in her hand, her eyes bright; the other was a black clad woman, skin white as snow, brows beautiful and sharp, yet her expression was dark, her hands clenched in fists, looking away into the distance. That white robed woman cultivator was face full of smiles, waving her hands all around, "Haha, thanks everyone, thank you! No need to compliment so much, no need to make such a show. I'm very troubled with you all like this. That's enough now, thank you. Haha."
'Jealous?' Hua Cheng smirked at He Xuan who rolled his eyes.
'Of course not, I was probably just annoyed at the fact we need to visit you and even see the green ghost along the way.' he replied.
Xie Lian: "..."
All around was a large tightly knit crowd of beauty-watching villagers, and after having seen beauties they started pointing and bashing Qi Rong.
Qi Rong looked like he ate a sour lemon as Feng Xin looked at him with a pitiful look although a hint of mocking could be seen. "Poor you."
Qi Rong glared at him.
Qi Rong was displeased and yelled madly, "WHAT ARE YOU ALL LOOKIN' AT! SO WHAT IF THIS ANCESTOR LIKES LYING ON THE GROUND! FUCK OFF! THERE'S NOTHIN' HERE TO SEE!" The villagers saw how freakily that man behaved, looking maliciously violent with a green face, and dispersed in fright.
"Cowards." Qi Rong scoffed.
Shi Qingxuan turned to Qi Rong, "This... green young master, pray tell is His Highness the Crown Prince inside the shrine?"
"You're too respectful, just call him trash." Mu Qing bluntly said.
Hearing that woman address Xie Lian as "His Highness the Crown Prince", Qi Rong immediately lost interest in the two beautiful women before him, and clicked his tongue, "TSK! So you're shitty officials from the Upper Heavens!
Some frowned at the disrespect the ghost showed to the two, mostly to Qing Xuan since she was the one who was closer to the people in the room.
As if this ancestor is a dog guarding his door.
"But you are guarding his door?" Ban Yue asked in confusion. "Like a guard dog?"
"Pfft." many laughed as Qi Rong glared, not being able to do anything due to the threatening look of Xie Lian.
Listen here, I am..." He hadn't finished before Ming Yi glumly approached, and then there was a wail followed by sounds of smacking. From Xie Lian's position he couldn't quite see just what Ming Yi was doing and could only see Shi Qingxuan sweep his whisk, chiding, "Ming-xiong, it's not good to use violence!"
"For idiots like him, violence is the solution." He Xuan informed Qing Xuan.
"That's true." Feng Xin and Mu Qing immediately agreed. Hua Cheng didn't say anything but his nod gave him away.
Ming Yi said coolly, "What's there to be afraid of? Didn't he say he's not a domesticated spiritual beast."
"Indeed, am I not treating him like how he wishes to be treated?" He Xuan let out a small smirk as Qing Xuan obviously wavered, seeing his reasoning.
"That's true." she hesitantly agreed, seeing his reasoning. After all, the green ghost did say he wasn't a beast and Ming Yi treated most people/ghost/god meanly.
"..."
To prevent Qi Rong from getting beaten to death, Xie Lian could only open the door, raising his hands to stop her, "My lord! Have mercy! Don't hit him, he's a person!"
"...Really? Until now you still consider him like a human? You know both the man and the green ghost are trash." He Xuan asked, curious. Was the prince kind to his evil cousin out of kindness or out of obligation?
"...I know but..." Xie Lian let out a small sigh, unsure how to explain his reasoning.
It wasn't purely out of obligation but it also wasn't purely out of love, it was a combination of those two and more.
"It's complicated." he decided.
Seeing that Xie Lian had opened the door, Ming Yi flipped away her black hem and removed her boot from Qi Rong's back. Shi Qingxuan on the other hand rushed up and clutched her hands in a curtsy gesture, "Your Highness, I've come a few days early! What's with that person? He's so full of demonic essence, you can't hide it, do you take us for blind?
"He wasn't trying to hide it, though..." Yizhen said with a yawn.
Well, let's talk inside. This time I've something really important I need your help with..."
Wu Du immediately paid attention, wondering what his sibling needed help with and why Qing Xuan didn't go to him first.
Or maybe he was just too busy to focus on his sibling.
No, that was impossible. He would always have time for Qing Xuan. It must be something he couldn't help at all.
As she spoke she walked around Qi Rong who was lying on the ground and crossed over the threshold. Hua Cheng was still inside, so how could Xie Lian dare to let them in, and he cried hastily, "Wait!"
"It's going to be too late." Ling Wen said, already used to the bad luck the prince had.
However, it was too late. Puqi shrine was only so big and had no place to hide. Immediately the two saw behind Xie Lian's person stood a Supreme Ghost King who was in the middle of doing dishes. Four pairs of eyes met; sparks flew. Hua Cheng smiled a smile with teeth, yet the smile was ominous and his eyes had no trace of mirth.
Xie Lian didn't know whether to laugh or cry at his stupid luck.
'Uh-oh.' many thought, remembering how the earth master infiltrated the crimson rain's lair.
"Well, at least no bloodshed will happen, right, your highness?" Qing Xuan asked, worriedly looking at He Xuan who acted a little nervous.
"O-of course!" Xie Lian immediately agreed. "Right, San Lang?"
"I wouldn't dare show Gege anything he doesn't want." Hua Cheng smiled.
Xie Lian and Qing Xuan sighed in relief.
In an instant, Ming Yi's pupils shrank, and she backed three feet away. Shi Qingxuan flung out her Wind Master fan, striking an attacking stance, exceedingly alarmed, "CRIMSON RAIN SOUGHT FLOWER!"
"I feel bad for my future self," Qing Xuan said. "Worried because she didn't know crimson rain was in lov-in a friendship with his highness."
Outside the door, the ashen faced Qi Rong roared with rage, "AND I'M THE NIGHT TOURING GREEN LANTERN! HOW COME NONE OF YOU RECOGNIZED ME WHEN BEATING ME BUT KNEW IT WAS HIM WITH JUST ONE LOOK?!"
"You look different."
"You aren't important."
"Should we know you?"
Such words were spouted as Qi Rong turned more and more red in anger.
Ming Yi had once infiltrated the Ghost City and spent many years as a spy under Hua Cheng. It was only recently that she was discovered and captured by Hua Cheng, then locked in a maze dungeon and beaten. To have enemies face each other, their eyes bloodshot, the tiny little Puqi Shrine was filled with the smell of venom inside and out.
'What great actors.' Lynn couldn't help but think. 'I never suspected anything when reading it.'
Hua Cheng tossed the rag in his hand and squinted a smirk, "Lord Earth Master looks lively."
Ming Yi also replied coldly, "Lord Ghost King also looks leisurely as always."
'He could only do that because I'm the one doing most of his work.' Yin Yu bitterly cried to himself. 'I want a raise.'
After having made false perfunctory greetings, the next words that came out of Hua Cheng's mouth were even colder, his expression icy.
"Leave." He warned, "I don't care what important business you have. Do not come anywhere near here again."
Although she feared Hua Cheng, still she refused to back down meekly and Ming Yi responded with a solemn voice, "To come here was not my will!"
"Go show him who's boss!" Qian Qiu cheered before quickly quieting down, remembering that the ghost was a friend of his Guoshi and he didn't want to make his Guoshi sad.
The smell of venom was going to turn into explosives. Next to them, Xie Lian was growing nervous, "W-w-what, Lord Wind Master, what should we do?"
Shi Qingxuan knocked her fan on her head a few times and said, "I didn't expect Crimson Rain Sought Flower would be here either! Didn't you guys just meet recently? How come you're together again so fast? Anyway, if this can be solved without fists that'd be good. Violence is bad. If they start fighting we'll have to hold them back."
"I agree, mostly." Qi Rong was hoping the two would start brawling and had been listening intently. Just then he suddenly spoke up, "OHhh – so you're that slutty woman Wind Master???"
"..."
Qi Rong rose a brow at the sudden silence in the room.
"May you rest in pieces." Ling Wen said.
"Huh? Wha-" he couldn't finish as the pack of hungry wolves descended on him.
"How dare you describe my sibling like that!" Wu Du glared, preparing his attack.
"It seems like you wish to die." Xie Lian frowned.
He Xuan stayed silent although his eyes screamed murder.
.
.
.
Let's just say Qi Rong became unrecognizable until Lynn had to heal him.
Both Xie Lian and Shi Qingxuan turned to look at him. That was exactly how Qi Rong had called Shi Qingxuan when he was in his own cave, but even before the person herself he'd dare curse her like this, and Xie Lian couldn't tell if it was out of bravery or lack of mental capabilities.
"Lack of mental capabilities for sure." Pei Ming said as he looked at the silent Qi Rong. "He dared anger three of the strongest gods, what could that be except stupidity?"
Shi Qingxuan had always been raised in dignified grace, so this was probably the first time hearing someone else curse her in this way. She blinked, looking confused, then turned to Xie Lian, "Your Highness. Please wait."
Many leaned in, curious as to what she would do.
"Pfft, like she could do anything to me." Qi Rong rolled his eyes, already overcoming the fear he felt from the three monsters.
Then, she exited the shrine and closed the door. Outside, there was another desperate wail from Qi Rong and another bout of smacking.
There was silence for a few moments before almost everyone erupted in shock.
"Wow!"
"Wind master, you..."
"I never thought you could do something like that!"
"You have my deepest respects."
Qing Xuan simply smiled, holding her fan and hoping no one would notice the slight shaking of her hand.
Really, she was feeling annoyed.
A moment later, Shi Qingxuan opened the door to come back in, and he had returned to his male form. "Alright, where were we. I'm feeling kind of hungry too, so how about we all sit down and eat something? There's nothing that can't be negotiated, and nothing that can't be solved at the dinner table."
"..."
"He really is your sibling." Pei Ming whispered to Wu Du who smirked proudly.
"You had any doubt?"
Even though Xie Lian kind of didn't want them to start fighting inside Puqi Shrine, but Hua Cheng seemed to be extremely angry over the whole affair of Ming Yi's infiltration, and without knowing the inside story, it seemed rather impossible to have them sit down and eat agreeably. However, Hua Cheng actually didn't seem to object to the idea, and after a frosty moment, the ice on his face cleared away and he turned back to continue doing dishes. After he was done, he walked to the pot and ladled a full bowl of that Love for All Seasons stew.
He Xuan looked a little pale, recalling the horrid reaction the green ghost had and understood why Hua Cheng suddenly looked unbothered on the screen.
'He's trying to poison me, huh.'
Seeing that he backed down first and ceased a battle, the others all sighed a breath of relief. The next step was to change the subject and liven the atmosphere, so Shi Qingxuan asked, "Your Highness, what's in that pot? It seems to be hot still?"
"Oh. I made that." Xie Lian said.
That pot had been stewing for a long time, the flavours completely soaked in, and most of the smell had already dissipated. Although the colour was still questionable, but the shapes had all but melted away from the stewing, looking much better than it did the night before.
Hearing his response, Shi Qingxuan was vibrating with excitement, "Really? I've never eaten anything made by the hands of heavenly officials! Come come come, let's have a taste."
"Don't eat it!" Wu Du exclaimed in fear, not wanting his sibling to be the next victim of the prince's cooking.
"May you rest in peace." Feng Xin dramatically told Qing Xuan who looked a little nervous but still optimistic.
"It can't be that bad, right?"
No one responded.
"...Right?"
Ignored again.
Qing Xuan could only pray she could come out safely.
He said as he went to grab for two sets of cutleries and filled two bowls. To be honest, Xie Lian had wanted to stop him at first. However, because Hua Cheng had been so firmly encouraging, burying seeds of confidence within him, and plus earlier that morning he had changed up the seasoning according to Hua Cheng's suggestions as he heated the stew, so the thought "maybe I saved it" appeared in his mind.
'Definitely didn't.' some thought.
Xie Lian looked hopeful that it would finally be okay.
Hua Cheng prepared himself to distract the prince if the wind and He Xuan's reactions were bad.
After some hesitation, he still didn't say anything, and secretly watched with hope as Shi Qingxuan passed one of the bowls to Ming Yi. "Come, Ming-xiong. This one's yours."
Ming Yi took a look at the contents in the bowl and turned her face away, looking unwilling.
'Good, smart future me.' He Xuan thought. 'Now make sure Qing Xuan don't eat it.'
It was a rude gesture. Shi Qingxuan was outraged, and forced the bowl to her, unrelenting, "EAT! Didn't you say you were hungry earlier on the road?"
"I'm sorry." Qing Xuan whispered to He Xuan. "I didn't know his highness' cooking is..."
"It's fine." He Xuan whispered back.
Hua Cheng lazily raised a spoonful and blew on it, bringing it to his lips then swallowed.
He smiled at Xie Lian, "It's definitely lighter today. The flavour's just right."
Xie Lian smiled too, "Really? I added more water today."
Hua Cheng took another bite and smiled happily, "Gege did his best."
Xie Lian's eyes shone with happiness after hearing Hua Cheng's words. He knew Hua Cheng liked complimenting him but maybe there was truth in it.
Watching Hua Cheng looking like he was tasting some delicious delicacy, it was exceedingly convincing. A moment later, Ming Yi took the bowl after all. Shi Qingxuan smiled, "That's better!" And the two spooned a mouthful at the same time, taking a bite.
"NEXT!" some screamed the moment the screen turned black.
"I need to see the next part," Wu Du said seriously.
"Ah, I...okay." Lynn nervously turned the screen on again.
'Why did they have to stop at this part!' she internally cried.