𝙃𝙪𝙖𝙇𝙞𝙖𝙣 𝙊𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙩

𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒃𝒍𝒂𝒅𝒆

Xie Lian knelt on the wooden floor of the shrine, his fingertips lightly brushing against E-Ming’s hilt. The weapon vibrated almost purring like a content cat and Xie Lian chuckled.

“San Lang” he called, his voice soft but brimming with awe. “Your sword… it’s alive. It feels happy.”

Hua Cheng, leaning lazily against the doorframe with a smile that could melt glaciers, replied, “Of course it’s happy. It’s in your hands, Gege.”

Xie Lian ignored the flirtatious remark for once and continued examining the weapon. “I’ve seen countless divine artifacts but none as… expressive as this. Look at the craftsmanship! The curve of the blade, the intricate carvings on the hilt… even the red tassel has a personality. It’s remarkable.” He stroked the tassel affectionately and E-Ming trembled in delight.

Hua Cheng’s eye twitched.

“Gege” he said, his tone light but with a hint of sharpness. “Are you pampering E-Ming more than me?”

Xie Lian looked up, his lips curling into a teasing smile. “What, jealous of your own weapon, San Lang?”

Hua Cheng sauntered over, crouching beside Xie Lian. His black hair shimmered in the soft light as he leaned closer, a smirk playing on his lips. “Shouldn’t I be? You’re touching it so gently. It’s trembling more for you than it ever did for me.”

Xie Lian laughed, the sound like wind chimes. “It’s not my fault E-Ming likes me.”

“Likes you?” Hua Cheng raised a brow. “It’s obsessed with you. And you’re encouraging it.”

He reached out and grabbed E-Ming, who resisted slightly before giving in to its master. Hua Cheng held the blade up, eyeing it with mock sternness. “Traitor" he muttered to the sword. “Do you think you can steal Gege’s attention from me?”

“San Lang..” Xie Lian said, his tone scolding but his eyes warm. “Don’t bully your own sword. It’s just a little… affectionate.”

“And so am I" Hua Cheng retorted, sliding E-Ming back into its scabbard. He turned his full attention to Xie Lian, leaning closer until their faces were mere inches apart. His voice dropped, low and velvety. “But I don’t see you pampering me like that.”

Xie Lian blinked, caught off guard by the sudden intensity. “I… I didn’t think you needed pampering. You’re Hua Cheng, the Ghost King. Fearless, invincible-”

“-and hopelessly devoted to you" Hua Cheng finished, his gaze unwavering. “Gege, I’d rather have your hands on me than any weapon.”

Xie Lian’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. He looked away, mumbling. “You're impossible.."

“Am I?” Hua Cheng teased, taking Xie Lian’s hand and pressing it to his chest. “Feel that? It beats only for you. So..tell me, Gege… who do you want to pamper more? Me or E-Ming?"

Xie Lian’s lips twitched, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Depends. Can you tremble like E-Ming when I touch you?”

For a moment, Hua Cheng was stunned. Then he threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and full of delight. “Ah, Gege..you’ve grown bold.”

Xie Lian smiled softly, his savage remark dissolving into tenderness. “San Lang" he murmured, reaching up to tuck a stray strand of black hair behind Hua Cheng’s ear. “You don’t need to be jealous of it. You’ve always had my heart.”

Hua Cheng stilled, his single crimson eye glowing with something beyond adoration. He cupped Xie Lian’s face, his thumb brushing lightly over the other’s cheek. “Then don’t look at anything else. Just look at me.”

Before Xie Lian could respond, Hua Cheng closed the distance between them, his lips capturing Xie Lian’s in a kiss that was both fervent and gentle. The world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of them in their own universe.

When they finally parted, Xie Lian’s gaze was soft, his voice barely above a whisper. “San Lang, you’re everything I could ever need.”

“And you..” Hua Cheng said, his voice thick with emotion. “Are my everything, forever.”

From that day on, E-Ming found itself handled less often much to its dismay. Hua Cheng, on the other hand, basked in the endless affection of his beloved, his jealousy forgotten in the warmth of Xie Lian’s love.