Chapter Text
Xie Lian wandered through the forest, collecting scraps from village to village. The tranquil sounds of nature accompanied his journey, and the rhythmic crunch of leaves underfoot provided a comforting rhythm. He paused occasionally to inspect an exciting piece of discarded metal or a pottery fragment, adding each to his growing collection.
As the sun descended, casting a golden hue over the landscape, an unexpected and intense light suddenly enveloped him. Blinded and overwhelmed, Xie Lian felt his knees buckle beneath him. He reached out instinctively, but before he could grasp anything for support, his vision blurred and darkness overtook him. He collapsed to the forest floor, unconscious and at the mercy of whatever mysterious force had caused this phenomenon.
As time passed, Xie Lian slowly regained consciousness, finding himself in an unfamiliar room. He was lying on a bed, which struck him as the softest surface he'd experienced in a long time. Out of all the places he had rested, this bed was by far the most comfortable, a stark contrast to what he was used to. The unexpected comfort left him momentarily disoriented. "Have I been kidnapped?" he wondered aloud, his mind racing with possibilities.
His musings were interrupted by the sound of voices coming from the adjacent room. "Or maybe not?" he thought, curiosity piqued. Before venturing out to investigate, Xie Lian decided to take stock of his surroundings. His eyes scanned the room, eventually settling on a letter resting on a nearby table. Intrigued, he got up and walked over, eager to see what was written.
Your Highness,
Welcome, Your Highness, Crown Prince of XianLe. This letter is meant solely for your eyes, to help you understand what awaits you when you step outside this special room prepared just for you.
Beyond this room, you will encounter various individuals—some familiar, others not. Rest assured, these people mean you no harm and are here for a purpose.
Please proceed with caution and stay safe, Your Highness.
With respect, Your Host
Xie Lian finished reading the letter, his thoughts lingering on one particular detail: "The host knows my title..." He scanned the room once more, feeling an unexpected sense of safety and warmth. It was a place where he felt he could cry, laugh, and experience joy without fear. The room's atmosphere was comforting, almost like a home.
"Home..." he murmured to himself, realizing how foreign that concept had become to him over the centuries. It had been almost hundreds of years since he had felt such a comforting sensation. The feeling brought a smile to his face, filling him with a rare and cherished sense of contentment.
A small smile played on Xie Lian's lips as he took comfort in the little things. With newfound resolve, he walked to the door and opened it, revealing a hallway with only two doors, his own and one directly opposite.
His door was adorned with gold and white accents, while the door across from him featured a striking palette of red and black. The contrasting designs seemed to hold deeper significance. Intrigued, he approached the other door and knocked, but there was no response.
He surmised that whoever occupied the room must already be in the main hall. With a deep breath, Xie Lian turned and made his way down the hallway, ready to face whatever awaited him.
As Xie Lian walked down the hallway, the voices from the main hall grew louder with each step. Reaching the main hall, he found himself at the top of a grand staircase, looking down upon a gathering of Heavenly Officials and a few Ghosts.
The crowd below was engaged in animated conversation, but a shift in the atmosphere drew their attention upward. One by one, they turned and looked up, their expressions a mix of surprise and recognition. There, standing at the top of the staircase, was none other than Your Highness, the Crown Prince of XianLe.
"Hello, everyone..." Xie Lian greeted, waving as he descended the staircase. Some of the older Officials averted their gaze, while the newer ones offered him small, awkward waves in return. Sensing their reluctance, Xie Lian made his way toward the back of the hall, understanding that they weren't eager to engage with him.
As he walked, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he saw a man who he assumed was a ghost, dressed in striking crimson attire adorned with silver ornaments. An eye patch covered one of his eyes, adding a mysterious air to his appearance. Xie Lian smiled warmly at him.
"Hello!" he greeted cheerfully.
The man returned the smile and softly said, "Gege..." The term, filled with warmth and familiarity, caught Xie Lian's attention, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of connection with this intriguing figure.
Before Xie Lian could respond, a voice rang out from the top of the staircase, drawing everyone's attention. They all looked up to see a young woman, appearing to be in her early twenties, casually sucking on a lollipop.
She had long, flowing black hair and wore a black jacket with a camouflage pattern, paired with sturdy black boots. Her relaxed demeanor contrasted with the tension in the room. "Good day, everyone," she greeted with a mischievous grin, exuding a confident and playful aura.
Before anyone could react, Jun Wu, the Heavenly Emperor, spoke up. "Did you bring us here, Miss?"
The young woman turned her attention to him, her expression shifting into a devilish grin. "That would be correct, sir Emperor," she replied. There was an unsettling undertone in her voice, a mix of disdain and suppressed anger that was hard to pinpoint.
A murmur ran through the crowd, and one of the Officials tentatively asked, "May I ask why?"
With a casual air, she responded, "Well, you'll all be reacting to someone's past and future." Her tone was nonchalant as if discussing the weather, but the gravity of her words hung in the air, leaving everyone uneasy and curious.
The atmosphere in the room shifted as the crowd began to react to the girl's announcement. A wave of nervousness swept over the assembly; the uncertainty of what they were about to witness made many uneasy. Xie Lian, in particular, felt a mix of confusion and curiosity, trying to piece together what was happening.
Others, however, seemed to experience different emotions—some displayed a spark of excitement at the prospect of uncovering secrets, while a few appeared indifferent, bored by the whole ordeal. Beside Xie Lian, someone stood watching him intently, seemingly more interested in his reactions than in what the girl at the staircase was saying, though they still kept an ear on her words.
"Alright, everyone, there's a door to your left. Please enter and find your designated seats; your names are labeled. Thank you," the girl instructed. As if on cue, the door swung open, revealing a spacious room beyond.
Just as the group began to move, the girl raised her hand, her eyes locking onto Xie Lian at the back of the room. "Before everyone goes, I'd like to speak with Your Highness, Xie Lian, in private, if that's alright," she requested, her tone polite but firm. All eyes turned to Xie Lian, awaiting his response.
"Of course, miss," Xie Lian replied calmly.
"Okay, the rest of you can proceed inside," she continued. The crowd obediently filed into the room on the left. The man who had been standing beside Xie Lian lingered, casting a worried glance his way. Xie Lian offered a reassuring smile, silently conveying that everything was fine. With a nod, the man followed the others, leaving Xie Lian alone with the mysterious girl.
As the door closed behind the group, the girl descended the staircase while Xie Lian made his way to the center of the room. Approaching him, she suddenly bowed deeply. "Your Highness," she greeted respectfully.
Xie Lian, taken aback by her unexpected gesture, quickly responded, "Please, miss, you don't need to do that. Please stand."
The girl straightened up and chuckled softly. "But Your Highness, you deserve the respect." Before Xie Lian could reply, she continued, her tone turning serious. "However, that's not why I wanted to speak with you. I wanted to prepare you for what you'll face when you enter that room." Her gaze shifted meaningfully toward the door.
Xie Lian felt a pang of apprehension. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.
"As I mentioned earlier, we'll be reacting to someone's past and future," she explained.
The realization dawned on Xie Lian, and he hesitated before asking, "Is it about me?"
"Yes, Your Highness," she confirmed. "So please, if things get overwhelming, remember you can retreat to your room. We can take breaks whenever you need." She crossed her arms, her expression sincere.
Xie Lian offered a reassuring smile. "It's alright, miss. I'm stronger than you think."
"I know you're strong, but even the strongest sometimes need a shoulder to lean on," she reminded him gently.
Xie Lian's smile widened, touched by her concern. "Thank you for your kindness," he said, nodding in appreciation.
She visibly relaxed and nodded. "Alright, Your Highness, we can go in now. I'll guide you to your seat if that's okay?" she offered, gesturing with her hand.
"Thank you!" Xie Lian replied, smiling brightly.
The doors opened before them, and the two of them stepped inside. As they entered the room, the door closed softly behind them.