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“That's all for today. You are dismissed.“ Ordered the Emperor and nearly everyone bowed before leaving. “Except the Cardinal Gods. There's an issue we have to address.“
The mentioned gods nodded while the others walked away, chatting.
“Cardinal Gods?" Asked a recently ascended civil god.
"The Martial Gods of the cardinal points.“ Explained an older lady, pointing to the group. "General Qi Ying of the West. General Tai Hua of the East. General Ming Guang of the North. And, the strongest of them, General Nan Yang of the South.“
"That's General Nan Yang? I'm from the South but his statues look nothing like him...“
“Isn't that normal? Even if he doesn't really care about the quality of his own statues, everyone around here is misrepresented somehow.“ She shrugged and started to walk, following the crowd and the civil god trailed behind her.
“Well, he looks even more like a ruthless General from up close. He certainly has the face of someone capable of killing another martial g-”
“Shhh!" Hushed the lady, taking the god by the arm. “Don't mention that!"
“W-Why?"
"Do you want to die? He might hear you!“
"Is that a problem? It's his biggest feat, why can't I...?" The civil god looked back, meeting a pair of raging suns staring back at him. Trembling, he bowed and rushed to leave.
“There, there, Nan Yang. The poor young man just doesn't know any better. No need to get this mad.“ Pei Ming patted his shoulder and Feng Xin just turned to look at the Emperor, who observed the situation with a sad expression.
“What is the issue?" He simply asked. Sighing, Xie Lian got up from his throne, and descended the stairs lightly, his posture more relaxed than it normally was on public.
Xie Lian might be the Emperor for others, but this entire group knew him from centuries, at least. So, he was between friends and could relax a bit.
His voice didn't sound relaxed, though.
“I'm working with some local gods about the unnatural drought that is affecting nearly all the regions on the human realm. Lady Rain Master is doing her best to help, but I'm worried about this situation ending up fueling wars. They've been mostly at peace lately and I want to conserve that.“
“What can we do to help, Guoshi?“ Asked Lang QianQiu and Xie Lian smiled a bit.
“For now, it would be better to just listen closely to prayers and pay attention at the political decisions that might encourage the outbreak of some war. I'm expecting some minor conflicts to happen, but it would be better if that doesn't escalate.“ He explained and Feng Xin wasn't the only one who remembered the strike difference from the last dynasty.
The late Emperor did everything on his power to isolate Heavens from the human realm. That seemed to be completely reasonable until they were free of his command and the real motive of the isolation came to light: it was easier to get rid of anyone that threatened him if the humans weren't emotionally attached. Even a powerful god as Lord Water Master was easily forgot once he stopped to do the only thing that connected them to their followers.
With Xie Lian, though, things were different. They still couldn't descend to solve issues, the risk of ending up against another god was huge and it was better to avoid such situation. But they were able and responsible to guide their territories to a better, prosperous future. The connection between humans and gods started to get stronger with time and, now, even small deities had power enough to keep their places on the court for centuries to come.
“Is that all?"
"For now, yes.“ Xie Lian smiled at them. “I deeply appreciate your efforts.“
“Your Highness is too gentle, we are just doing our jobs." Answered Pei Ming, with a friendly smile. “And you are doing a great job around here, you know that.“
“I hope so...“ Murmured the Emperor, bowing at them when they started to leave. "Ah, Feng Xin.“
He didn't turn around. “Yes?“
"General Pei was right. The poor man didn't know any better.“
"I'm not gonna hunt him, if that's your concern.“
“Don't scare him, either.“
“Too late for that.“ Without giving his friend a chance to keep talking, Feng Xin walked out of the Martial Hall. Normally, he would go directly to his palace, but this time he entered the colorful garden in front of it.
The Heavenly Garden had three types of plants: edible, medicinal and ornamental. Each type occupied a fraction of the garden, organized in a way you could find what you need efficiently. All gods had access to the plants, using them for multiple purposes, as long as they contributed with new seeds. It could be considered a community garden, but Feng Xin knew this was a personal project.
It was here, near the cherry trees, that his downfall started, after all.
.
That argument started like all arguments between them: someone said something dumb, the other got mad and soon after the insults were flying out without care. Before, they would have started to throw hands already, but since Xie Lian's return and all the situation with Jun Wu, they avoided getting physical on their fights.
“That's it! I'm done! Fuck you and your twisted mind!" Feng Xin yelled.
"Oh, now I am the one with a twisted mind?" Mu Qing arched his eyebrow, crossing his arms. He was wearing casual robes, simple ones he used while taking care of his personal garden. Feng Xin, by the other hand, was fully armored and with his bow on his back, as he had arrived from a mission moments before.
“You distort everything I say, goddammit, it's fucking exhausting!"
"You are in my palace, dumbass, go home if I annoy you that much.“
“I don't know if you remember, but we share territories! I don't have a choice!"
“Do you have a problem with it? Talk to the Emperor.“
“For fuck's sake, Mu Qing, that's not... Ugh, that's why we'll always be enemies! You are impossible to deal with!"
“Enemies?!"
"What? Don't tell me you thought you would say you wanted to be f-f-f-friends with his Highness and then, wow, we aren't enemies anymore! Come on, Mu Qing. We've been enemies for centuries and I don't think we could ever change that.“
He waited for the next accusation, insult or a punch. He even prepared his body for the impact, but it never came. Honestly, Feng Xin would have preferred any of those reactions to the one he actually got.
“You always... Thought of me like that?" The question was whispered, barely audible. When he looked at Mu Qing, all he could see on his face was sadness.
No. Sadness was not what that was. It was too profound, too intense to be only sadness.
It was like Feng Xin had broken something extremely precious. A treasure he didn't even know it existed before the moment he lost it.
“You are my rival, Feng Xin.“ Mu Qing's voice faltered, his lower lip trembling slightly. “You have never been my enemy.“
Incapable of react to the unexpected change of the conversation, Feng Xin couldn't answer. He couldn't even apologize for his words or ask Mu Qing why he was so affected before someone entered the garden.
“General Xuan Zhen! General, please, we need medical assistance!"
Mu Qing stared at Feng Xin for only a second longer, before turning around.
"I'm here. Tell me what's happening.“ His voice was perfectly controlled now, his duties suppressing the emotion he just had let Feng Xin experience.
The image of Mu Qing's retreating back, with the cherry trees surrounding him, was imprinted on his mind for days after their fight. And it would be engraved on his soul for centuries to come.
Why did he say that?
Why did he hurt Mu Qing with such cruel words?
Why didn't he apologize on the spot?
Why...
Why did he let Mu Qing go?
.
The basket full of cherry blossoms he collected was hanging from one of his arms as he crossed his palace's corridors. No one interrupted him, getting out of his way even if they really needed to talk to him. All his deputies knew how to act when their god carried something on a basket.
Entering his bedroom, he left the flowers on a table before starting a routine he was very used to already. Getting out of his armor, taking off his elegant clothes and boots, letting his hair down, entering the cold bath.
All his baths were icy cold, forcing his muscles to tense up and then, slowly, relax as he got used to the temperature. The cold water was better to clean his body and his mind. He submerged his head on the tub, closing his eyes and letting his mind be full of the freezing sensation against his skin.
.
Feng Xin wasn't shocked. To be honest, he didn't understand why Xie Lian seemed to be so worried about this, nearly crying at Mu Qing's bedside.
Of course this was a bad situation, he knew that. One of the most powerful martial gods on Heavens was found unconscious on a forest, after days of searching for him. Mu Qing didn't seem to be injured and there wasn't any ghost around. His mission was complete, but he was unresponsive.
He was probably exhausted, Feng Xin thought when he saw a disheveled Xie Lian carrying Mu Qing on his arms. Falling asleep as soon as he ended his work was not exactly expected of someone so proud, but this ghost might have been difficult to deal with alone.
“He's not cursed or poisoned, Your Majesty." Explained the second best doctor on Heavens, as the best one laid senseless on the bed. "It's like he's just sleeping...“
“That's not possible, Mu Qing have always been a light sleeper." Argued Xie Lian. “I tried everything to wake him up, this is not... There is something wrong. He's not... He's not like this.“
“The only thing we can do is to wait for him to wake up.“ Insisted the doctor. “He's not affected by anything that could cause him harm, so I believe this is only a temporary issue.“
Those words and the promise of not telling anyone about Mu Qing's vulnerable situation didn't placate Xie Lian's worries at all. And, after a few days without Mu Qing reacting to any of their attempts to wake him up, two Calamities entered the room. Mu Qing would hate to know his chambers were invaded like that, Feng Xin knew, but if someone could help, they had to accept it. At this point, even Feng Xin was starting to get nervous about this.
Crimson Rain Sought Flower and Black Water Sinking Ships stopped each one at one side of the bed. First, they both touched Mu Qing's wrists and then, after sharing a meaningful look, Crimson Rain backed up and sat down next to his husband. Black Water touched, lightly, a few points on Mu Qing's body, his expression serious and his posture as professional as it could be, probably aware of the risks of trying to hurt one of Xie Lian's friends.
It took him long enough to straighten up and turn to Xie Lian.
“He's physically healthy, Your Majesty.“ His tone was respectful, but confident. “No curse, no poison, no internal damage of any kind.“
“H-How can that be? He's not...“
“He's not waking up, but it isn't caused by an external agent. I've only heard about this condition before, but I'm guessing something happened during his mission that made his brain decide to shut down for self-defense.“
The words sent an unsettling shiver down Feng Xin's spine.
“Shut down?“
“It's extremely rare. Everything on the body keeps functioning, it really looks like the person is just sleeping. But their consciousness is locked behind a mental barrier created by the brain itself.“ Black Water looked back at Mu Qing, thoughtful. "If your Majesty allows me, I can study more about this and try to find something that could help. But for now, we can only wait for it to pass.“
"How long do we have to wait?" Questioned Feng Xin, crossing his arms and trying to sound calm. Xie Lian was agitated enough, he didn't want to worsen the whole situation.
“Not sure. Maybe days or months or more. Only his mind can unblock his consciousness again, unfortunately.“
Bowing, Black Water was accompanied out by Crimson Rain and Xie Lian, leaving Feng Xin alone on the room.
This was unbelievable. Mu Qing never was a weak man, physically or mentally speaking. He went through things most people would break just hearing about it. He had climbed from the bottom to the top, fought destiny itself on his way and he was finally allowing himself to be more honest about his feelings.
Everything was fine. Everything was getting better. Why would Mu Qing isolate himself on his own body now?
His own voice echoed on his head: 'We've been enemies for centuries and I don't think we could ever change that.'
No, that... That couldn't be the reason. They had insulted and hurt each other in so many ways before... But remembering Mu Qing's broken expression and seeing him on that bed now made Feng Xin lose his balance a bit.
Mu Qing would not react to his calls or roll his eyes in annoyance. He wouldn't twist his words or just smile softly while drinking a good tea. He wouldn't brush his silky hair before tying it in a perfect ponytail or use any of his fragrant oils that made him smell as good as his garden.
Mu Qing's heart was beating, but he was not there anymore.
The reality of it hit him like a lightning and he couldn't stay on that room anymore. Not with guilt starting to pool on his gut, not with the lump on his throat, not with the sting on his eyes.
Was... Was it his fault? Did his words made Mu Qing believe things between them were so damaged that he stressed about it to this point?
No, he couldn't think that way. He couldn't let himself be convinced this was his fault. Because if it was, if Feng Xin was the one who put Mu Qing's mind on such vulnerable state before a difficult mission, causing it to shut down for the accumulated stress, what would he do?
As he fell on his knees on Mu Qing's dark garden, suffocating with regret, a new question changed his very soul in a deep, intense way.
What would he do without Mu Qing?
.
Covering his body with simple, perfectly clean black robes and holding the bask again, Feng Xin walked barefooted through his bedroom, opening a side door that lead him to a long, dark corridor. As he crossed it, candles lighted up at his command, illuminating the walls and revealing an impressive collection of paintings.
Big and small, realistic or abstract, colorful or monochromatic, all the paintings contained one single element in common: Mu Qing. Some depicted the great General Xuan Zhen in wild battles with his long saber and a noble expression, some showed his kindness while ordering his temples to help his followers on difficult times.
A few of the pieces, near the end of the corridor where the most realistic ones. They were gifts from Xie Lian, who commissioned his husband sometimes to bring to life sweet and treasured moments of Mu Qing. The one Feng Xin liked the most was a portrait. On it, Mu Qing was sitting on a garden with casual light robes, smiling fondly while holding a teacup on his hands, his posture relaxed and the corners of his silver eyes wrinkled with the sincerity of his happiness. That scene was described by Xie Lian himself, of a random day the two of them were having tea on the Emperor's palace. Feng Xin always stopped before it, even if only a few seconds, just to remind himself of how beautiful that smile was.
Sometimes, Feng Xin would stop longer, appreciating the images for hours, taking in each detail, memorizing each color and brush used. He had stared at the paintings so many times, for so long, that he was able to visualize each one of them on his mind while he was away.
He was not an artist, so he needed to search and gather the most accurate pieces he could find. Some were old enough to need restoration, but he was not a poor man anymore: it didn't matter the amount of money needed, Feng Xin always paid for this paintings to be as good as new. Keeping them im good conditions was as easy as using an array, and Feng Xin diligently applied one on each piece.
He always had put effort into keeping Mu Qing's memory alive and he promised to do it until he himself was forgotten. Until the day he dies, Mu Qing would always be on his mind.
.
Mu Qing wasn't waking up.
Months have passed and, even with all Xie Lian and Feng Xin's effort, Xuan Zhen's palace was starting to crumble. Loyal as they were, Mu Qing's deputies refused to leave the palace behind, trying to keep things controlled even when other gods offered them a stable place to work.
When it reached the one year mark, the rumors about Xuan Zhen's disappearance started to get stronger on the three realms. Spreading like fire, each version was worse than the previous one.
On the fifth year, one specific myth was the most used to explain the situation.
On the tenth year, the inevitable happened: Mu Qing was losing territory at an alarming rate, even the most devoted families changing their hearts and staring to follow other gods. Their favorite one was, surprisingly, General Nan Yang. Feng Xin couldn't believe them.
Leaving Mu Qing behind so easily was expected from humans, but replacing General Xuan Zhen with his archenemy? Specially when the most accepted version of his disappearance involved him?
Feng Xin refused them. He didn't want Mu Qing's followers, he didn't want the whole South like the legends sang, he didn't want anything to do with all that.
He just wanted Mu Qing to wake up.
“There's not other option, Feng Xin.“ Xie Lian said one afternoon, when they met at the Paradise Manor's gardens to discuss the situation. “If you keep rejecting those people, someone will take them and that could put you at a delicate situation too.“
“I don't want them.“
“I know, but..."
"They were Mu Qing's followers and now they are replacing him for me?" Feng Xin's voice showed how incredulous he was. “Have you heard what they are saying?"
"Feng Xin...“
“They believe that I killed Mu Qing, Xie Lian. That we fought one last time and my superiority was finally proved when I... It doesn't matter. I don't want people like them following me.“
“I know this is a hard thing to do, but we are running out of time, Feng Xin.“ The archer didn't turn to him and Xie Lian kept talking. “You saw it last time we visited him. He's losing power, getting weaker day by day. His palace is still standing, what do you thing will happen when other martial god start to get his territory?“
Feng Xin knew that. He knew that Mu Qing was extremely vulnerable, even with both their protections. His palace was already being desired by other gods, who incessantly argued with Xie Lian for the right to occupying the space.
Either way, there was a most urgent topic on this conversation.
“It will not matter. He'll lose those followers anyway if he doesn't wakes up soon. It won't take long for him to lose all of them, maybe fifty years if we are lucky.“ It was a hopeful thought, Feng Xin knew the probability was that all human realm will only remember Mu Qing as the defeated enemy of the great General Nan Yang in much less than this.
Being forgotten was lethal to gods. Without followers, Mu Qing will lose his godly position and that included his immortality, as he didn't cultivate to that point before ascending.
Mu Qing wasn't dead, but he will be and soon. Such reality was hovering their heads recently and none of them could find a way to avoid such destiny. Mentioning it always ended the discussion, as anything they tried to do until now was useless. Not even with the help of two Calamities they were able to do something that worked.
“Gege, I'm home.“ Hua Cheng's voice made him sigh. As the couple greeted each other, Feng Xin looked at the white flowers on the garden. A few silver butterflies flew around them, the combination always a reminder of how intimately bonded Crimson Rain Sought Flower was to the Flower Crowned God...
The solution hit him like an arrow.
Without looking back, Feng Xin started to walk away and Xie Lian didn't call for him, probably thinking he was upset about the subject.
No, he wasn't upset. Not anymore, at least, because he had work to do.
It took him a few years. Between his growing responsibilities as his territory started to expand considerably fast and his missions as the official Martial God of the South, he had little to no time to dedicate himself to the arrangements he needed to do. And he couldn't delegate such things either.
By the time it was done, Feng Xin asked for a private meeting with Xie Lian. The talk lasted hours, but at the end of it, Xie Lian was hugging Feng Xin, in tears.
“To think you would go this far to keep him alive... You are truly the best friend someone could ask for.“
Best friend... Feng Xin knew better than to believe his feelings towards Mu Qing stood anything near to friendship. Maybe before this situation, but now his affections towards the man had much deeper roots and a completely different meaning.
With the Emperor's approval on his plans, it didn't take long for everything to be done: the Xuan Zhen's deputies were assigned to serve Nan Yang's palace; the old palace was destroyed and, on its place, the Heavenly Garden was implemented successfully; nearly all Xuan Zhen's temples changed to be Nan Yang's ones.
In less than a century, Feng Xin was the most powerful Martial God of the Upper Court, his temples surpassing the number of fifteen thousand, the whole South was dominated by him and he was openly praised for his achievements.
In less than a century, Mu Qing was forgotten by the human realm, his existence only mentioned when people tell the tale of how General Nan Yang was able to unite the whole South under his protection. But it didn't matter, because Mu Qing was safe now. He wouldn't die, nor lose his godly status anymore. He would be able to rest peacefully until his mind felt safe enough to bring his consciousness back.
Mu Qing didn't need those disloyal humans believing on him. Mu Qing needed just one person that would devote his whole soul and being to him.
Someone who wouldn't abandon him under any circumstance, someone who would devote every single action and thought to him. Someone who would love him unconditionally, who would convert the unstable belief of humans into a bottomless, unchanging, unmoving and pure faith.
Mu Qing just needed one single believer: Feng Xin. And no one else.
.
The array on the door at the end of the corridor was applied and kept by him. It was a lock, protecting the room behind it, and the only ones capable of opening it were Xie Lian and Feng Xin himself, as it reacted only to their spiritual power. Any other person would not be allowed inside without their presence and if someone tried to enter, Feng Xin would immediately know it.
Activating the array with one hand, Feng Xin felt his heartbeat accelerate, like it always did when he entered the place. The large, circular room had a dome skylight right in the middle of the ceiling, letting the diffused and warm light from Heavens illuminate it softly. The whole floor was covered with a dark blue carpet, with draped and translucent curtains of the same color decorating the ceiling and walls. A few tall flower vases and light colored painted panels embellished the otherwise empty room.
A few steps after the entrance, a shallow water channel traversed the room from one wall to another. The only way to reach the rest of the room was crossing it. Feng Xin didn't bat an eye, submerging his feet and wetting the hem of his robes on the warm water, cleaning them of any possible impurity from outside.
Stepping out of it, he moved his hand, the withered flowers on the floor burning instantly without leaving any trace behind. Carefully, Feng Xin started to place new flowers and petals around the room. When he finished, the basked was left on one corner. Looking up, Feng Xin raised his hand and let his spiritual power reach the array on the skylight. It made the glass nearly unbreakable, securing the room inside.
It was a necessary precaution. The glass have been broken before.
.
“What is happening?!“
“He's gonna kill him!"
"Someone call the Emperor!"
“This is insane, he just doesn't stop!“
“Where are the doctors? We have injured people here!"
"Don't go near! It'll be worse!"
“The Emperor! Where's the Emperor?!"
Feng Xin couldn't hear them anymore. His body was moving by itself, fueled by a blind rage and a deep sense of possession that he knew was dangerous.
It happened so suddenly. He was on the human realm when he felt the distinct alert inside his head: someone entered Mu Qing's resting place uninvited. He ascended immediately to his palace, which was already in full chaos. Feng Xin didn't wait a second before jumping over the palace's roof until reaching the glass dome... That was gone. The glass was shattered and someone... Someone was inside the room. Walking closer to the far end of it, where Mu Qing, his beloved Mu Qing, was resting.
A strong arm around his neck, forcibly pulling him back, was the next thing he consciously noticed. He tried to resist it, but it didn't let go, dragging Feng Xin away. Like a rabid dog, he started to fight it. It didn't work either, the iron grip immobile on his body.
Then, he was thrown inside a lake.
“What are you doing?! Have you lose your mind?!" The yelling reached him as soon as he got up, drenched on water and blood. Looking ahead, he saw Xie Lian, with blood stained robes, disheveled hair and a desperate, incredulous expression. "Do you know what I would have to do if you kill someone here?!"
“He..."
"SHUT UP!" The high pitched scream made Feng Xin blink, surprised at such an intense reaction. “Don't you dare answer me or attacking me again or I swear, Feng Xin, you will regret it! What were you thinking, nearly killing that man? I turn a blind eye to you punching annoying people every now and then, but this-!“
Xie Lian pointed behind him, across the palace, where a significant number of deputies and upper gods were trying to help injured people and care about the material damage.
Had... Had he...
“Allowing yourself to start a killing spree right inside my territory is far too much!“
“It's not.“ The confidence on Feng Xin's voice took Xie Lian aback, blinking while the martial god got walked out of the lake, staring down at him once they were face to face. “That place is sacred and that man committed a sin disturbing it. As the one guarding Mu Qing's resting place, I am the one who should apply the punishment.“
“You destroyed half of your own palace. Injured numerous deputies that followed you for centuries or more. Nearly killed someone who probably didn't even intend to enter that room…”
“And I'll do it again.“ Feng Xin himself was surprised by how certain his voice sounded, how true those words were. With bloody hands, he held Xie Lian by the shoulders. “I'll do it hundred of times. I will kill anyone that gets too close, hunt down anyone who spreads that cursed tale, destroy as many palaces as needed. All of it for him. And no one, not even you, can stop me from doing it.“
Xie Lian stared at him with skeptical eyes for a few seconds. Then, it transformed into something totally different.
“General Nan Yang.“ Xie Lian's tone was ominous like dark clouds before a destructive storm. And Feng Xin knew he had truly gone too far when Xie Lian's hands held his wrists and forced him to take a step back. “In the name of our long-term friendship, I will not banish you from Heavens.“
The mention at the worst punishment in Heavens made Feng Xin understand exactly where he stood: right before the Heavenly Emperor, the only one capable of fighting him and the only one capable of taking Mu Qing away. But Xie Lian wouldn't…
Hot pain made him fell to his knees before the Emperor, an anguished sound escaping from his lips, as a dark, intricate pattern started to take place on his left wrist.
“Even so, considering your posture about this incident, I judge you as guilty for the crimes of murder attempt and physical assault. You are actually a threat to Heaven's inhabitants, so I condemn you to ten years without the ability to use any kind of spiritual power, yours or borrowed.“
“What…”
“You'll stay imprisoned on your own palace and will pay for all the damages you caused on this place. Your palace will be available to assist the victims in whatever they need for as long as I see fit.“
Feng Xin didn't care about that part. He didn't care about anything else but being unable to access his spiritual power.
“Do you have any idea of what you are doing? Without my powers, I can't access his room, how would I...“
“You won't.“ Feng Xin couldn't believe his eyes and ears. “For ten years, General Nan Yang. That's your real punishment.“
“No... No, no, no! You can't! You can't do this me! You can't...“
“I am the Heavenly Emperor.“ The coldness of Xie Lian's expression made Feng Xin remember that his friend was completely capable of tyranny, he was just avert to it. Until provoked, of course. "I do whatever, however I want. You will obey my rules and respect my authority, liking it or not. And the next time something like this happens, I will banish you and you won't be able to see him again for the rest of your days. Have I been clear enough, General Nan Yang?“
If Feng Xin thought that Mu Qing's situation was torture, the next decade was a living nightmare.
He was caged like an wild animal, unable to leave his palace, unable to enter the only place he desired to be. His deputies feared him and Xie Lian didn't visit him anymore. Uncountable days were spent screaming and crying at Mu Qing's door, until he lost all the strength to do it.
All he could do was to pray for forgiveness, pray for the time to pass faster, pray for the day he would be able to kneel and pray before his God properly.
.
Even after more than four centuries from such incident, the pain of those ten years still haunted him. His relationship with Xie Lian was damaged to this day, the Emperor still wary of him on stressing situations. Feng Xin couldn't allow himself to lose his temper again and keeping the room sealed and protected was the only way he could prevent a new incident.
After making sure everything was functioning correctly, he could finally get closer to the far end of the room, where a luxurious traditional bed held the most important being that would exist. On his favorite sleep position and covered by dark blue silky sheets, Mu Qing rested.
Sometimes, Feng Xin moved him to clean his body, change his robes, wash and brush his hair. His nails were always perfectly done and his bed was always comfortable and clean, too. Feng Xin never left for too long and he always put all his efforts into keeping the place as peaceful as his Mu Qing's expression.
This time, though, he wouldn't need to do anything, but kneel beside the bed, hold one of those perfect hands on his own and, pressing his forehead against the soft skin, Feng Xin prayed.
His prayers consisted on telling Mu Qing about his days, how others gods were doing, how his garden helped so much people around, how he was dealing with his obligations and how silly the humans were. After it, he would always reminisce on old memories of them, commenting about something he felt or thought, giving new meanings to their misunderstandings and rivalry.
A prayer could be as fast as some minutes or as long as a day. Today, he still had work to do, so only half a shichen after starting to pray, he was finishing it.
And he always finished the same way: a soft kiss on Mu Qing's hairline, accompanied by a delicate caress on his cheek.
“Rest well, my most beloved.“
Because that was the true. Mu Qing was resting, sleeping deeply after centuries enduring too much hardships. Feng Xin was one of those hardships, so he knew better than anyone else how deserved his Mu Qing's rest was.
Feng Xin didn't pray for him to wake up anymore. Nor did he pray for forgiveness. He didn't want anything but his Mu Qing, his beloved God, well-being.
Someday, maybe, he would open that door and meet silvery eyes staring back at him. Maybe he would be able to kneel and beg, in tears, for Mu Qing to never leave him again. Maybe he would have the courage to look up and ask Mu Qing for his mercy and kindness in not reject him. Maybe he would say how much beloved Mu Qing was.
Maybe, he thought while looking up at the moon through the skylight, just maybe he would be able to hear the man who owned his soul call his name again.
That was his undying hope, one he could only wait for the destiny to turn reality. Meanwhile, he would devout himself entirely and do what he should have done since the beginning of his life: love Mu Qing until his own existence ceased. And then love him more on his next life. And the next one, too.
And love Mu Qing for eternity.