Hua Xianle

Chapter 49:

The carriage Xie Lian had come in was a special one, one that he and Hua Cheng had custom-made back when their son was still sickly and weak. One of the benches folded out into a comfortably sized bed, and there was even a compartment to house pillows and a few blankets. They never used it much back then, having kept Hua Ying indoors or close to their respective palaces and manors. Still, it was good to have on hand, especially for moments like these.

After placing their son on the bed and practically swaddling him in blankets, the two turned to Jun Wu, who stood just outside the carriage. His expression was stern, his gaze calculating. Xie Lian, who had been on the receiving end of that very stare not that long ago, felt some unease growing in him.

“Are you not coming with us?” he asked.

“No, Xianle,” Jun Wu replied with a shake of his head. “You and Crimson Rain go on and take Little Xianle home. I intend to focus on matters here for a while.”

Hua Cheng narrowed his eyes, his trust in Jun Wu tentative at best. He never forgave the former emperor for what he did to his beloved Dianxia, but he did have to begrudgingly respect the man’s power and talents. More than that, he was a master of manipulation and mind games. After all, his actions had led to him becoming the fourth Calamity White No-Face.

“Don’t go overboard,” Hua Cheng commanded after a moment.

Jun Wu glowered at him. “I do not take orders from you, Crimson Rain.”

“Perhaps not, but you and I both know that if you go overboard and any of A-Ying’s friends get hurt, he will ignore you forever.”

The former emperor frowned, but could not refute the Ghost King’s words. Hua Ying was perhaps one of the only people he could truly consider precious to him. If his beloved grandson chose to ignore him, it would be as if he died a thousand deaths. Not that he would ever admit that aloud.

“Very well then. I shall restrain myself. However…” his gaze flickered to the boy curled up on the bed, “know that I do this for A-Ying’s sake.”

“Whatever helps you to sleep at night, Bai Wuxiang.”

“You-”

“Alright,” Xie Lian interjected, putting a hand on his husband’s chest and pressing him into his seat. “That’s enough, both of you. Jun Wu, we’ll leave this to you but please, do not let the innocent suffer for the crimes of the guilty.”

“Of course, Xianle.” He bowed to the Heavenly Emperor. “Take care of the little Prince, and try to keep your husband from making a mess of things..”

Hua Cheng scoffed. “Rude.”

“San Lang,” Xie Lian admonished, making the ghost king lower his head.

“Sorry, gege.”

Jun Wu chuckled, shaking his head. “It will never cease to amaze me how all it takes is one word from Xianle to reduce Crimson Rain Sought Flower into a docile puppy.”

Whatever profanity the Ghost King attempted to shout back was cut off by Xie Lian closing the carriage door, signaling for the carriage driver to head off. Jun Wu watched them vanish from sight, then turned towards the forest nearby. Through the trees, he could see the green flames that signified Night Touring Green Lantern’s presence. Already he could see the goblin of a savage ghost lurking in the trees, eying the Scorching Sun Palace like a maniac.

“Xiao Jing,” he called out, gaining the attention of the Calamity.

“Don’t call me that,” Qi Rong told him, though his smile never faded. “Is it time yet?”