HuaLian oneshots

The Wrong Gamble

You could say it was a normal day in Ghost city. It was ever-lively, ghosts bustling about their business, their loud shouts echoing throughout the streets.

In the gambling den, a multitude of ghosts crowded around the large rectangular gambling table like any other day, betting on things like money, or luck, in exchange for whatever they had on them. The leader of the city sat perched in his throne-like chair, hidden behind fluttering red silk curtains as he gazed lazily at the commotion below.

Hua Cheng sighed, resting his cheek on his palm. Xie Lian had an "important" meeting in the heavens today, and so he wouldn't be able to see his beloved until much later. He was bored out of his mind here. Hua Cheng debated speaking to Xie Lian through their private communication array, but was interrupted when a voice rang out from the crowd below.

"I- I wish to gamble with Chengzhu!" Someone shouted boldly. A new ghost perhaps, standing at the edge of the table so he was facing the red curtains above them, his eyes bloodshot and wide with anticipation. This caused an outburst of gasps and murmurs. How could someone be so bold? The only other person who had gambled with chengzhu before was his husband. Who was this person, who thought of himself to be of equal footing to their lord of the city?

The ghost ignored the others and continued, pointing at Hua Cheng behind the curtains. "If I win, he must hand his husband over!"

Silence washed over the crowd.

The music stopped. No one spoke. No one dared to breathe- not that most of them had to, but still they didn't dare make a sound.

Hua Cheng, at first, was amused by this lowly ghost's boldness. Now, however, a slow, furious rage rose to his chest. To dare wish to gamble for His Highness-

Slowly, ever so slowly, Hua Cheng rose from his chair. The other ghosts were sweating profusely- they could all feel the anger and malicious intent in his dominating aura. The ghost who had spoken up was no less scared than the others, but he was a prideful one, and he was not one to back down.

Is this guy insane? Most of the ghosts thought, looking between Hua Cheng, who had flipped the curtains and was now walking slowly down the stairs, and the unlucky ghost who had apparently place the wrong gamble. Now he's done it. Chengzhu is pissed.

Oh, not only pissed. Hua Cheng was livid. His visible eye shone coldly, his anger barely restrained as he walked with his hands behind his back. The silver chains on his boots clinked against each other, the lone sound ringing throughout the large chamber. The other ghosts parted for him, smart enough to know this was not the time to interfere.

The ghost who had spoken up now had nowhere to go. Hua Cheng stopped when he was right in front of the poor guy, looming over him as he cowered. The others close to them choked on the pressure of their chengzhu's terrifying aura. The aura of a supreme indeed. This was the first time they had seen him like this.

"You dare," Hua Cheng said, voice quiet but dripping with venom. There was no emotion in his face other than the pure, unadulterated anger in his eye. "Degrade His Royal Highness into something that could be gambled over by the filthy likes of you?"

Any other ghost would've fallen to their knees and begged for mercy by now. This ghost was just stubborn! He stood before Hua Cheng, knees shaking as he looked him in the eye. The audacity! Truly this guy didn't know much about how Ghost City worked. What he had initially said as nothing more than a joke could bring havoc. Everyone in Ghost City knew that they were not to mess with chengzhu's husband, lest they incur his wrath. Was this guy looking for a second death?!

Still, the ghost stood his ground. When deciding whether what he was doing was bravery or stupidity- it was obviously stupidity. 

After a moment, Hua Cheng straightened back up, gazing at the small ghost below him. The edges of his lips then curled into a smile- and not a kind one. The murderous aura never left him.