Tales of A Second Ascension

Yin Yu, the Esteemed Waning Moon Officer

~I haven't written a proper story line for a fanfic in about 3 years so bare with me here, we're using the 4 page draft that I made at 1am to write this. I ship different things than 90% of the fandom so please be kind.
This is a clean story, I keep the angst in my writings on a low unless I'm feeling really diabolical. There isn't any smut, a couple of intimate kissing scenes but that's about all you'll get out of me.~

"A second ascension is simply absurd, only someone with no honor left to carry would attempt to return to the Heavens after banishment."

Yin Yu sat at a small table in the gardens of Paradise Manor. He rarely had any time to himself, but this was a sparse time that he could enjoy his own company. The young man touched a teacup to his lips, slowly taking in the sweet flavor of his tea, before setting it down again with a soft clink. He rested his chin against his hand and gently traced the rim of his cup with his fingers, gazing down at the liquid through half-lidded eyes.

A slight glow from the dark sky bore upon him, there was always a red haze over Ghost City, and it was seemingly never daytime. Yin Yu didn't mind this. An average mortal would surely fall into a deep mental despair if they were to dwell in the domain for too long, but Yin Yu managed just fine. After Hua Cheng had taken mercy on his close relative, Yin Yu had no option other than to stay as his sworn assistant. It wasn't like he loved the job to death, it was rather taxing and building any type of relationship with Hua Cheng was out of the question. He was a loyal and diligent worker nonetheless.

Yin Yu looked over at the serene pond next to his resting area, the water was clean with a thin layer of fog covering the surface. Some koi fish could be spotted if one was lucky. Like most beings in the Ghost realm, they were mildly deformed, they always looked as if they were half dead. Hua Cheng was known for decorating the gardens of his manor with the remnant souls of those who had passed on. Rather than using regular mortal animals and flowers, the Chengzhu often used the souls of any animals who wandered in for the exterior of his houses. He'd offer the creatures a quiet atmosphere, in exchange for them being used as a trophy of kindness. Yin Yu found this incredibly moral, anyone from the mortal realm might consider it strange and confusing, inhumane even.

The Waning Moon Officer was never quick to judge Hua Cheng, that wasn't his job. Anytime he'd become pensive around his boss was a recipe for disaster, as it'd lead to an instant interrogation. Even so, Yin Yu couldn't help but hold admiration for his Chengzhu even while being put back into his place of assistant. Just how fearsome did someone have to be to rip their way to the top of the ghost realm's hierarchy and establish their title as a ghost king?

Yin Yu sat in silence, pondering that thought as he closed his eyes. It'd already been a tiring morning. The day had begun with Hua Cheng setting a stack of scrolls onto his desk and directing him to get to work. Yin Yu's perplexed stare turned to that of a pained expression as he rested his cramped hand on the table. His own writing was immaculate, but it was a process. Neat handwriting was no easy feat, and Hua Cheng's...well most everyone knew it wasn't any good. If anyone was to even utter a word about his calligraphy to him, the King would make sure that their soul was vanquished within milliseconds of speaking such an insult.
The humble assistant averted his eyes from the pond quickly as he heard light footsteps approaching. He began to stand up to greet whoever was approaching him, perhaps it was the Crown Prince of Xianle, he enjoyed his company quite a bit. If he was ever feeling any sense of stress, Xie Lian would be quick to push any doubt out of the way. Yin Yu bowed his head silently.

"Good afternoon, my liege."

"You can relax, Yin Yu." Hua Cheng's voice rang in his ears, he sounded calmer today. His expression was mediocre as he sat down against the cushion of the chair that was across from Yin Yu's spot at the table. The ex-official couldn't help but remain tense. He fully expected Hua Cheng to steal the rest of his tea and tell him to go do more work.

That wasn't the case today.

"Join me."

Yin Yu sat down in his previous spot instantly. He considered himself lucky for getting to even be in the same three-foot radius from his Chengzhu. He ached to ask him what was going on. The officer longed to know why he wasn't as distant as usual today. Was something going on with Black Water these days? Had Qi Rong gotten onto Hua Cheng's last nerve? Yin Yu sat in place noiselessly, questions flooding his mind.

Hua Cheng said nothing.

The two remained in place for a long time, the ghost king's singular eye surveyed the pond. From a single glance, Yin Yu could tell that he was stressed. Beyond belief even, perhaps wanting to collapse from exhaustion. Even though the situation was quiet, he couldn't help but become mildly flustered, his lord wanting to simply sit in silence with him? What an honor! Usually the most Hua Cheng could muster was a "good job on not being useless." Sometimes even less than that.

"Do you ever want to leave Ghost City, Yin Yu?"

What?

"O-Of course not, unless you ordered me to leave, I would stay here for eternity if it's to your benefit, my lord." Yin Yu stammered his words out, desperate to answer as fast as he could. It was the truth, if Hua Cheng demanded that he leave Ghost City he'd do it without a second glance. It would be less than exciting, as he had everything he needed within the city.
Hua Cheng didn't look satisfied, if anything he was growing moody at Yin Yu's response. He pushed further, "even if the Heavenly realm demanded that you go back? Would you remain loyal to me if you were to ascend again?" He glared at him intensely. His lips were pursed as if he was disgusted at the very thought of the realm.

"My lord, even if I were to ascend, I'd ascend in order to gain intel for you. I'd never let anyone gather the secrets of your operations or Ghost City for that matter. You have my loyalty." Yin Yu stood his ground, his hands were hidden underneath the table, but his fists were clenched. He meant every word, he'd never really liked his time as an official. It was stressful and boring.

Hua Cheng calmed down once again, crossing his arms and leaning back against his chair. He didn't say anything as he leaned forward and grabbed Yin Yu's teacup, sipping the drink and setting it back down.

"You answered correctly, I suppose this is why you're my favorite officer that I've ever had." He flashed a charming smile at him, "even if you were to betray me, I appreciate your hard work, Yin Yu."

Yin Yu nodded, trying to keep his expression at a standstill. He closed his eyes as Hua Cheng stood up to leave.

"Thank you, Hua Chengzhu. Your words mean...so much to me."

~I've also published this story on AO3 if you'd like to go and give some kudos on there!~