Hua Cheng's Birthday Special ~ Ghost City Games

Ghost City Games

Content warning: crazy graphic violence, weird injury details and lots, lots of blood!

Hua Cheng was really focused, sitting on his black jaded divan with several scrolls spread around him, busily taking notes on a particularly bad calligraphy; so much so that he didn't see Xie Lian arriving at Paradise Manor, passing the beaded curtains and walking to his side.

"Gege!", he exclaimed widening his eye, "When did you come?"

Xie Lian pffted a laugh, but before Hua Cheng felt bad about not having greeted him straight away – he could be unreasonable like that – he replied, "San Lang, I just arrived."

Letting himself be hugged and kissed, Xie Lian then asked smilingly, "What are you so busy about? So many scrolls, and... hum, notes", he pointed out, not knowing whether to laugh or cry at Hua Cheng's calligraphy on said notes.

"Gege sit down first and have some tea", Hua Cheng said, while a ghost servant brought Xie Lian refreshments, "Well you know my birthday is coming, so I've been here trying to organise the celebrations – "

Xie Lian almost choked on his tea, "Wait wait. Did I hear that right? San Lang, you're organising celebrations... you're willing to celebrate your birthday?"

He couldn't believe it, that was totally unexpected, like thunder from a clear sky!

But Hua Cheng just smiled like it was nothing, "Since Gege would do something with 'them' for my birthday anyway, I thought of saving everyone the trouble. And I can use it as an opportunity to boost business in Ghost City..."

Of course 'them' was Ghost City's ghosts and monsters, who, every single year, helped Xie Lian to organise something for Hua Cheng's birthday – then would go out of their way on crazy and chaotic preparations for their lord! But talking about birthday made Xie Lian suddenly remember something.

"Hum, San Lang", he asked, blushing, "What about... you know, that special celebration we do, just the two of us? Should I still think of something – "

"Oh, that", Hua Cheng replied, wrapping his arms around Xie Lian's waist and kissing him on the cheek, "I'm happy with Gege's generosity all year around, so no need for Gege to worry about it."

That was more than unexpected! After last year's celebration, Xie Lian would think...

Blushing even more, he replied, "Alright", trying not to show his disappointment. "Ahem, anyway, what is it you're thinking of organising then?", he quickly changed the subject.

Hua Cheng sat up straight and explained, "On the mortal realm, sport events are the most exciting and talked about, its stars the highest earners, as they can draw huge crowds – that is, people paying for tickets, food and drinks, souvenirs... so I thought, why not doing something similar, like a full day with sport competitions, Ghost City style?"

As the Crown Prince of XianLe, Xie Lian only knew of aristocratic sports such as hunting with falcon and dog or polo, he had never been to sport events for the common people. But while cultivating at the Royal Holy Pavilion, there were games all the disciples took part with much screaming and shouting: tug of war, pole climbing, racing on foot...

He smiled fondly at these memories, "San Lang, that would be so much fun!"

Hua Cheng smiled brightly, "Have a look at the programme I just drafted Gege, and tell me what you think", he said, passing some scrolls to Xie Lian, who, after a brief read, frowned slightly – and it wasn't because of Hua Cheng's calligraphy!