#hua cheng would understand me

[lazycranberrydoodles]

xie lian texts like a grandpa … i imagine pre confession their texts would be a graveyard of hua cheng’s failed attempts at flirting

xie lian's profile picture is from the manhua by starember / follow for more of hua cheng Ls

[astrowaffles]

TGCF meme page instead of therapy (click for better-ish quality)

[fluffypurpleglitterdemon]

Hua Cheng, your god's poor pining heart can't take this...

[phoenixfire7894]

I know a lot of Tgcf fans greatly dislike the Banyue Arc (and I understand in the sense that it’s early on that all adaptions really mainly include up to that arc in this point in time and it gets repetitive) but I am actually a decent fan of this arc, mainly because of Hua Cheng, Mu Qing, and Feng Xin all just wearing obnoxiously obvious disguises.

Xie Lian really humored these three.

Hua Cheng is the least offensive of these three. He’s not really actively trying to hide his identity per se. I imagine that he didn’t want to straight up lie to Xie Lian, which is why he only disguised his appearance and then proceeded to be the weirdest person ever. Like mans lowkey waltzed up to Xie Lian and said “Hey bestie, I’m just a good old normal, 100% average teenager who is most definitely not a ghost king or anything like that! Look, I can breathe!“ and then proceeded to info dump a shit ton of information about gods and shit like he’s Wikipedia which a normal, 100% average teenager who is most definitely not a ghost king would most positively not know.

However, our other two offenders actually thought they were fooling Xie Lian, whom may I remind you, is legit their childhood friend. They swapped color pallets and called it a day. And not only did they not try to not act like their selfs in the personality sense in their disguises, they also were just so bad at pretending not to be themselves. Like, someone says “General” in the cave where all the travelers were hiding and they both respond like it’s them being addressed. Idiots.

Also, the three of them just bicker half the time. Mu Qing and Feng Xin just kept yelling that this random nepo-baby Xie Lian picked up was so sus and trying to prove it to him while Xie Lian sits there and tells them to go for it while he snickers internally, knowing the identity of every single disguised person in the room.

These three legit had an argument about whether or not this “San Lang” could drink water. That’s just so fucking funny to me.

Honorable mentions in this arc is Feng Xin getting the shit beat out of him by Windmaster because he somehow was unaware that they swapped gendered forms (which btw, how the fuck did he not know this)?! Also, He Xuan and Hua Cheng just seeing each other in disguises because I wish I got their internal monologues for that.

Tldr: Banyue arc isn’t the best arc in the series, but it still stands as a fairly comedic regardless.

[allpiesforourown]

Do you think Binghe and Hua Cheng would get along?

Ironically yes because they both do not gaf about anyone but their husbands. They'd look at each other and have an immediate mutual understanding "this guy will not look at my wife and i will not look at his, and that is the only thing either of us care about."

When Hua Cheng says he's getting calligraphy lessons from gege and Binghe hits him with the "oh I had years of those with shizun, let me tell you the way to optimize praise while slowing down progress enough to stretch out sexy class time" ohhh instant kinship

also binghe in the abyss, hua cheng in mount tonglu? they'd be bonding over their years spent fighting for their lives in order to emerge emperor/supreme. giggling reminiscing like they're high school juniors talking about their old schools. "oh did your volcano have Acid Spitting Flesh Eaters? OMG luckkyyy my abyss had sooo many they were so annoying -_-"

[biboomerangboi]

My friend was watching the show for the first time and they brought up a misconception that I think we see a lot in fandom. So I want to talk about The Gamblers Den and specifically this scene in particular:

My friend genuinely wondered what Hua Cheng would do and then when they heard his explanation they were even more confused:

They basically messaged me saying, wait Hua Cheng would have made the bet. He bets people’s lives and some how Xie Lian is okay with that. How???

And to anyone else who’s thinking the same thing or falling for the Demon King vibe Hua Cheng is trying to sell here I am here to tell you, you have all been duped.

What’s import to understand is that Ghost City actually came from making one of Xie Lian’s ideas work:

Xie Lian is talking about a specialised market here, a place where the common people couldn’t just stumble into without reason and that’s what Ghost City is and The Gambers Den is the foundation of it. While Xie Lian didn’t say hey go gamble, Hua Cheng is taking a risk and playing into his greatest strength and then showing of for his crush is the most dramatic way possible when talking about it.

For Hua Cheng the house always wins! Literally. Or at least what he wants the bet to be will always happen. His luck is just that good. If the gambler wins it’s genuinely because Hua Cheng let him.

In the Den he is acting as Judge and Jury with Xie Lian as his moral code but he can’t just turn down the deals. If he does then these people could go to less safe options (looking at you Qi Rong) to get what they desire which negates the reason he built Ghost City in the first place.

Hua Cheng has to let these people play by his rules if he wants to follow his Gods wishes. So he has to be creative and look at loop holes, phrasing and Xie Lians most important teaching finding the third path.

For this moment specifically giving the options I think Hua Cheng would have taken the 20 years of his daughter’s life. Why you may ask? Well the phrasing is easier to manipulate. While the eradication of his competitors is pretty well laid 20 years of his daughters life is pretty vague.

Option 1) Hua Cheng could take her away from her shit father and put her in an apprenticeship and marry a man of her choosing since her hand is now her own to decide since Hua Cheng doesn’t want it.

Option 2) She has to work in Ghost City for 20 years and is married to Yin Yu in name only (because Hua Cheng can’t have a wife at all or he won’t win Gege) then gets pleasantly divorced and giving a severance payment after 20 years.

Option 3) He could decide life is a vague term and after she dies she has to spend 20 years in Ghost City and matchmake a future marriage between her and another ghost.

Option 4) He could decide what she has to do with the next twenty years of her life which could include an actual good marriage and education. Where she has to worship his shrine and be only his devotee for 20 years.

Option 5) He can literally say I’ll collect when I decide and never cash in.

He can do anything because the wording is so fluent and for Hua Cheng debater and Civil God Killer it’s probably easy. He’s not a demon king, he’s a crafty trickster spirit basically a fae lord.

He’s playing the system and he’s winning that’s what Xie Lian figured out and why he supports it. He knows Hua Cheng well enough even back then to trust that he would make the right decision because he believes in Hua Cheng and he’s right too.

[holy--milk]

seeing this post and particularly the notes kinda reminded me of how the larger MXTX fandom sometimes tends to see all MXTX tops as like. basically one character in different skins? and while it's true that the three of them basically fit the same general archetype (which i'd probably call something like "overpowered sexy dom + service top + trophy husband"), i think that's still a pretty big mischaracterisation.

so like if we take the situation of "i need to chose between saving my husband and someone else who's important to me", here are what i think would be the biggest differences in approach between the three:

luo binghe: LBH straight up doesn't understand that it's supposed to be a difficult moral dilemma. of course he saves shizun, why would he even hesitate? he's fine with sacrificing someone important to SQQ (like YQY, LQG and even NYY) as long as it means SQQ gets to live, even if SQQ gets upset and leaves him as a result. the only other alternative that could perhaps make it a bit difficult for him would be his adoptive mother, but she's conveniently already dead at this point.

hua cheng: similarly to LBH, it wouldn't be a difficult choice for him since he doesn't really have anyone he cares about to the extent he cares about XL, HOWEVER. he does care about what XL would think about someone else being sacrificed for his sake, especially if it's someone XL personally cares about (and, inconveniently, XL cares a lot about a lot of people). he would obviously still choose XL, but he would probably take extra steps to hide the fact that there was a sacrifice if at all possible.

lan wangji: the only one out of the three who may even see it as a Choice to be made to begin with, since he's also the only one out of the three who still has his family and non-husband related responsibilities he cares about to some extent. it's an easy choice if WWX is pitted against someone he already dislikes (like JGY, SMS, JC and like 80% of the cultivation world), doesn't have a personal relationship with (like WN or, say, mianmian) or someone who would willingly sacrifice themselves out of love for either of them (like LXC or JYL). but if it's LSZ, someone who he both personally cares about AND has the duty to protect as his student? and who he knows WWX cares about as well? i don't think the answer would be quite as obvious to him as it is to the other two, from the purely emotional standpoint.

although to make it a bit more convenient for him, WWX is canonically a genius who may just be able to come up with a creative solution and save everyone. so saving him first is also justified from a pragmatic standpoint.

[mikaela-the-slut-expert]

Maple Robes and Lace Veils

Hua Cheng x M!Reader x Xie Lian

this is the second part of my first story, "The First Glance". Again it's technically about my OC since no one's asking for anything. I just have it written to where it can be for a reader. 😋

Switching pov's

Also guys I am not Chinese but I try to find words and translations that are important to my OC's story.

Dúshé means poison laced tongue in simplified Chinese (I think)

Mûguô means bitch, or whore in simplified Chinese (I think)

Míngqín means song bird it's Y/n's nickname

Previous part: First Glance

_____________________________________________

Once the morning has officially started, San Lang goes back to his wood pile. You stand by Xie Lian while San Lang somehow manages to build a whole door for the shrine. Xie Lian seems to love it, it's obvious with how he's become fascinated by opening and closing it repeatedly.

"I thought a door would be easier to stick talismans on than a curtain" San Lang explains. You smile and give a small clap. "It's a very well made door, San Lang, good job" you giggle at Xie Lian's excitement.

At the mention of talismans Xie Lian seems to remember something. He claps his hands together, "Oh Míngqín I forgot to tell you what happened at Mount Yunjin! I'm so sorry, so much happened yesterday"

You wave a hand, "it's nothing to worry about. How important could it be? I was there for most of it." You smile but Xie Lian's face is very serious so really nothing's funny at all.

"Well actually," Xie Lian laughs nervously, scratching his temple. "I talked with the heavenly officials and I found out that I met a calamity yesterday." Your face morphs into shock but Xie Lian quickly settles you down. "Not him." The words are met with silence. Of course it wasn't the white calamity. What were you thinking? ,"They called him Crimson Rain Sought Flower, his name is Hua Cheng" Xie Lian smiles. At this ghost's mention San Lang starts to pay attention to the conversation. "He walked me through the forest yesterday and I mistook him to be the ghost groom but he isn't. He isn't hard to be mistaken after seeing his silver butterflies ."

You're in shock. Because you got caught up in a swarm of silver butterflies yesterday. "I... Just don't understand. Why would a calamity be hanging around Mount Yunjin? Crimson Rain Sought Flower is known to stay in his den." You sigh.

You easily worry about Xie Lian and panic once more. "He didn't hurt you did he?" You move closer to Xie Lian and hold his face, looking for marks or bruises. "Why didn't you call for me, I would've been there right away." You frown and move back once you're satisfied with your search.

"There was no need to call, he didn't hurt me... He led me through the forest and safely delivered me to the temple." Xie Lian smiles but you sigh.

Xie Lian didn't get hurt, but a well known calamity shows up and helps Xie Lian? Coincidence. The same calamity helping you? Intention.

"...I suppose it's okay. As long as you didn't get hurt A-Lian. Just be careful." You look to the ground, but Xie Lian pats your head. "I am careful, ah you really should've seen the butterflies though Míngqín They were very beautiful"

You arch a brow then shake your head. "I actually did see them but, Wèizhī might eat them" Wèizhī is your two birds - Oriental Magpie- , they're not here right now though. They're probably bathing in water somewhere. Hm a bath doesn't sound so bad actually-, "Y/n?" You're brought back into focus when San Lang gains your attention. "Sorry I tend to lose my train of thought" you hum.

"What about you y/n?" You cock your head to the side at San Lang's question. "What have you heard about Crimson Rain" San Lang smiles mischievously.

"Why would I know anything about anybody?" You shrug. Of course you've heard and seen plenty about Hua Cheng, you're a ghost. You're... Residence happens to be near Ghost City.

Xie Lian nods in agreement though, he could use the info. You sigh, "Who knows? He stays in his den, and although close I've never seen him in my city." You shrug again.

All of you eventually go back inside. You end up staring at the painting again. You would have eventually painted something for Xie Lian but you've been busy working on the actual build of the shrine. You've always been good at the arts. Drawing, dancing, and singing. That is why you're the God of Song after all.

"San Lang's skills are very beautiful" You say, looking over at him. "Who taught you?"

San Lang shakes his head. "I had a good teacher a while back, I paint mostly for fun now." You nod at his explanation and smile back at the painting. You really do like it. It shows Xie Lian in what once used to be all his glory.

"Do you really like it so much, Míngqín?" Xie Lian stares at you and you've forgotten you don't have a veil on. They can see your expressions and you aren't just invisible anymore. You blush, and instinctively cover your mouth with your sleeve.

"O-oh, well yes I like it. It's very well done and it captures the prince of XianLe very beautifully." You stutter and look away.

The moment is interrupted when the three of you hear a scream and a man running towards the shrine. "Save Me! Save me please!" The panicked man grabs Xie Lian's wrist very harshly. It's in your nature, you can't help it. You are quick to push the man away, and to protect Xie Lian. He pats your arm however, in a 'It's okay' motion. Xie Lian sits the man down and asks for an explanation from him.

You and San Lang glare at him. Both of you don't trust him and both of you share a glance when the man explains he's from Banyue pass. Which has since turned into a dry land of sands. The man was running away from what killed his other group members.

"You ran all the way from Banyue pass to here?" San Lang asks with crossed arms. Your form is the same. The man seems to sweat at this, but Xie Lian in all his kindness offers the man a drink. Xie Lian is kind but he's probably just testing if the man is a mortal or not.

"No need to be polite you can drink" The man -for all his supposed running- hesitates to take the water Xie Lian so generously offered. When he does drink it, the water going into his body sounds hollow. You and Xie Lian both know it. "You can stop drinking now." Xie Lian says and takes the water from the man's hands. His disguise is ruined and everyone knows now. The man rises up quickly though and pulls a sword from his sleeve, moving to attack Xie Lian.

Before you or San Lang can act, Xie Lian is quick enough to flick the sword away. Sometimes you forget Xie Lian is just hiding his strength. The man tries to run and Xie Lian moves to use Rou'ye but the man drops and a sad looking skin bag(?) is left behind... A chopstick is what caused the damage. You and Xie Lian both whip your heads around to San Lang. Xie Lian goes to investigate the corpse but you still stare at San Lang.

"A chopstick?" You ask with an arched brow. "A chopstick" San Lang only smiles and you sigh. You both go to Xie Lian. When you get closer you can see that Xie Lian is using the array, so you do too. The only thing you can really hear is people being joyful about merits, and ignoring Xie Lian. Officials disgust you.

"Are the lot of you deaf? Did you not hear his highness? He asked a question." Your voice rings through the array and the officials who were once joyful before quiet down. Instead of answering, the cowards leave the array.

You're not a popular force in the heavens. Especially since your personality has always been cold and distant. You were actually loved once before, for your unnatural beauty and voice people revered you. That was until they found out you were a ghost and before they trashed Xie Lian's name. You would cause trouble for the other gods and challenge them often, causing fear to most officials. You always defended Xie Lian's name and when given the chance for promotion, you refused and chose to stay with Xie Lian instead.

This loyalty of yours to a scrap god however causes other officials to look down on you, they also just don't like your attitude. You have other unofficial titles that the heavenly officials made and of course those names spread. There's one title that used to be used quite often but you actually haven't heard any officials call you that in a long time. That title is "mûguô". Someone caught word of your past and decided to spread the name to upset you, but it faded out very quickly. That official -who you never even knew the name of- disappeared shortly after, with their temples burnt and no trace of them.

You're stuck in your thoughts until you hear Ling Wen answer Xie Lian's question about Banyue Pass. You leave the array, Xie Lian will tell you what's going on. When you look over at San Lang he's giving you a cheeky smile. "What?" You tilt your head but he just shakes his head.

You run your hands over your new braid while Xie Lian talks to Ling Wen. You mess with the red ribbon San Lang tied your hair with. It's definitely a pop out color compared to all the white you wear.

"San Lang, I'm afraid me and y/n will have to go far away soon" Xie Lian pipes up and stands from the... Thing on the ground. San Lang furrows a brow at the news and then gives a smug grin. "Why doesn't gege and y/n take me with them? I know a lot about Banyue Pass."

Xie Lian looks confused but he nods anyways. You wouldn't mind if San Lang came along either. "Oh? What do you know about Banyue Pass San Lang, you're far too young to know those things" you tease with a smile, while the three of you head inside the shrine.

San Lang chuckles and goes to speak before a knock on the door makes you all silent. You all look at each other in a moment of silence before Xie Lian opens the door.

When Xie Lian opens the door it reveals Mu Qing and Feng Xin who are in disguise... They are in a shocked silence not having seen you in a long time and to see your face after so long. You all sit in silence.

After you get over your shock you let out a panicked yelp and cover your face. They saw your face! Your cursed, cursed face! You shove your face into your hands. You didn't want Mu Qing to see it. He'd use it against you and you already hate him enough already. Feng Xin saw your face! He'll surely be disgusted with you now.

You start to groan into your sleeves, trying to move away from their eyes. You try to find your veil through the slits of your fingers. You can hear your name tumble from Feng Xin's lips but the door slams and someone whisks you away into their arms. They forcibly move your hands away from your face and now you can see that your face to face with red robes .

San Lang holds your wrists, and that stops you from hiding your face. "San Lang, my veil? Where's my veil?" You don't have a clue where he put it. Another pair of hands come into view and puts your veil over your eyes. You know it's Xie Lian.

Now that you can actually tell what your surroundings are you find that you're in San Lang's arms. You blush and step back. You hadn't meant to grip onto him so tightly.

__________________________________________________

Xie Lian sighs in relief when they find y/n's veil. Xie Lian is actually sad to see his face hidden again. He hasn't seen your face in so long and he missed it. Xie Lian supposes he doesn't mind though. If anyone deserves to see your beauty it's him and he actually doesn't want Feng Xin or Mu Qing to look. Xie Lian shakes his head to remove such thoughts. As if he could describe your face like it was a secret to keep between the three of you.

"I'm going to open the door now y/n" he pats your hand. He waits for your nod before opening the door again. He smiles nervously at the two officials outside. Of course Xie Lian knows who they really are but for now he'll pretend. "Ah why are you two here?"

Mu Qing and Feng Xin have crossed arms "Are you going to Banyue Pass? We're going with you" they say at the same time and then glare at each other. Xie Lian laughs but opens the door to let them inside. He looks at y/n keeping an eye on him. Xie Lian knows his temper.

When Feng Xin and Mu Qing see San Lang they're alarmed. Holding up their lighting, and fire. "Who's he?" Mu Qing nods his head at San Lang. Xie Lian sighs, "This is San Lang"

Feng Xin's eye twitches, "where did he come from? Where's his family? Do you usually invite people you don't know into your home?"

Xie Lian laughs nervously but he's glad that the attention isn't on y/n anymore.

Not until Mu Qing attempts to throw lightning at San Lang. It would have most definitely hit the wall and caused a big hole but y/n dispersed it. Sending a shot of ice towards Mu Qing. His face hides behind his veil but Xie Lian knows you're angry. "No fighting in the shrine. If you damage the shrine I promise to return the damage double to your god's palace" he spits with venom, threatening Mu Qing's palace.

It's evident y/n doesn't try to hide who he is. Sure he's in his avatar and he looks simple. However he doesn't do a good job at keeping his abilities at bay.

Xie Lian doesn't know whether to laugh or cry. The tension in the room is very high. Mu Qing looks ready to argue back but San Lang steps in front of y/n and stands by Xie Lian's side. "Are these two servants, gege?" He hums with a smug smirk.

"uhm something like that but not exactly-" Xie Lian gets interrupted when San Lang throws a broom into Mu Qing's hands. "Start helping then" San Lang smiles. His face resembles a mischievous fox. Y/n cackles.

Xie Lian waves his hands trying to calm a cursing Feng Xin and Mu Qing down. "Please for my sake leave him alone" he laughs nervously. He doesn't need his shrine to get destroyed not that y/n would let that happen.

Talking about y/n, ah. He's glaring at Mu Qing under the veil. He'll have to make sure they don't break out into a fight either. San Lang leans on y/n's shoulder and the stiffness seems to leave y/n's body. Xie Lian isn't too worried about anyone fighting. He thinks San Lang will keep a careful eye on y/n.

Xie Lian rubs his temple. "Maybe Feng Xin should make a pathway so that we can get to Banyue Pass quickly?"

Feng Xin does just that. Leaving Mu Qing standing alone in front of the three of them. "Is he coming with us?" Mu Qing points to San Lang with furrowed brows. Xie Lian sighs and goes to answer but y/n answers for him

"Of course, since when was it a servant's job to worry about his highness's friends?" Xie Lian drops his head when he realizes that Y/n has joined San Lang in his smart remarks.

Not only does he have to worry about one silver tongue but two. "Yes San Lang is coming with us. He knows a lot about Crescent Moon Pass and that's sure to help me" Xie Lian explains with a nervous smile.

Mu Qing is interrupted when Feng Xin cuts him off, "The pathway is finished". Mu Qing, ever the prideful looks at the pathway and shrugs, "I've seen better". Which leads to Feng Xin and Mu Qing bantering again.

Y/n interrupts them by activating the pathway. "Stop bickering like an old married couple let's go" San Lang snickers softly, "I never thought of that, they do bicker like an old married couple don't they" The two officials glare at San Lang and y/n. They smile back. Xie Lian only knows y/n is smiling because of his crow feet.

They all go through the portal. Xie Lian lets out a laugh, knowing that he's going to have to deal with all of the four's antics on their journey. Xie Lian is happy with his circus though.

__________________________________________________

Tell me if it's good guys I don't have an editor 😭 so sometimes I'm not aware if my story is actually well written. Yeah, anyways if you wanna request something or see more lemme know 🥰 also y'all I'm pulling the timeline out of my ass. I have no clue if I'm doing it right or not 🙏😭

Should I continue the series? Yes or no?

Oh also if y'all actually wanna see my OC lemme know! I didn't draw it don't hate on me 🫵😐

If anyone reads this plz plz plz plz PLEASE tell me if my submission box is working! I know I'm not getting anything but I want to know if it works!

[prettyflowr]

I don't understand why some people like to say that Hua Cheng is a stalker, when for me it's nothing like that at all.

He wasn't stalking Xie Lian for 800 years, he was looking for him. He spent 800 years looking for Xie Lian and only found him when he ascended for the third time. And the moment he found him, he went straight to him. He didn't show his true form at first, but he wasn't hiding. And every time he showed up it was just to help Xie Lian and he never took away Xie Lian's autonomy.

Yes, he has his fic cave, but let's contextualize here: he is xie lian's only believer, at that moment on mount tognlu he didn't know where xie lian was, the last time they saw each other xie lian was not in a good mental state. I think making the statues and drawings was a way for him not to forget (I know he would never, but yk what I mean).

And just like xie lian, we didn't had the chance to see the murals that feng xin and mu qing were so horrified by. I think it wasn't that bad, I don't trust their (or any heavenly official) opinion on hua cheng.

And when he was hong er he wasn't stalking either. I think when he was alive he just wanted to help and be close to xie lian (when he died too but yk...)

[baiwu-jinji]

I read the new TGCF extra about Xie Lian seeing Hua Cheng half awake with dishevelled hair and no eye patch, and Hua Cheng got really insecure about gege seeing his unkempt appearance, not realising that what XL loves is his true appearance without any disguise or beautification.

In this chapter, both XL and HC had moments of self-doubt and insecurity despite the fact that they've always given each other endless reassurance and approval, which is very human (although neither of them are). When HC rushed out of bed in the morning because he didn't want XL to see his blind eye, XL's first reaction was to doubt and question himself about whether he did anything wrong to upset HC - and yet we see HC telling XL in the same chapter that "dianxia will never not be good". And even though XL thinks HC is the most goregous person he's ever seen, HC is still insecure about his disfigurement and only wants to show his perfect side to XL (and even when it's HC who said "what matters is you and not the state of you" to XL, he doesn't seem to realise that this applies to XL's perception of him too).

XL eventually persuaded HC to let down his guard and show his true form, and I love the description of it: "He's no longer using his disguised appearance; a few strands of long hair hang loosely in front of his hollow eye, a little ghastly and fearsome, a little tragically beautiful." XL loves HC's ghastly hollow eye as much as his glamorous beauty because the hollow eye is a testament to all of HC's struggles and pain, and XL understands HC's suffering and feels deep sorrow and empathy for the tragedy of it.

What I also find interesting is when HC tells XL that the chopsticks he's using is made from the bone of a jade demon, and XL jokingly asks HC if he obtained the bone by beating the demon up, HC answers: "No way! What kind of bad guy does gege take me to be? Why would San Lang hit someone for no reason?" I find this to be a contrast to the amoral attitude HC showed when XL expressed concern about the Gambler's Den in chapter 40. Back then HC didn't care if hosting deadly gambling games is moral or not, because "someone's got to run this place". But in this extra, HC cares about XL's opinion and wants to be good. Did XL tame HC in a moral sense? hehe

[naehja]

Prompt (Beefleaf) where Shi Qingxuan is the one to save Xie Lian from the coffin. He brings him back to his palace in Heaven, and panicks a little but is very selfless and kind and give him a lot of spiritual power, and calls Ming Yi and his brother to ask advices.

Shi Wudu is like "Wtf it's the prince of Xianle! Where was he?"

Shi Qingxuan: well in a coffin, with a stake in the heart.

Shi Wudu: WHAT?

Ming Yi: WHAT?

Shi Wudu immediatly calls a God Healer. And Ling Wen. Because bringing a banished god may give problems but he knows his brother will NOT abandon Xie Lian before he got better.

He Xuan is like "fuck fuck fuck" internally and immediately call Hua Cheng.

Hua Cheng: So you tell me that my prince was the famous Fangxin, and was prisoner of a coffin for 100 years with a stake in the heart. And that the Wind Master has saved him and take now care of him?

He Xuan: Yes?

Hua Cheng: ….It means i have a debt over him. He has saved the love of my life.

Hua Cheng: Your wife is under my protection now.

He Xuan: He's NOT my wife! è_é

Hua Cheng: Understand?

He Xuan: sigh Yes.

Hua Cheng: Good now ask to stay at his palace to help him to take care of my Gege.

He Xuan: I'll not play with his feeling for you.

Hua Cheng: I don't ask you that. rolls eyes

Ming Yi: Qingxuan?

Shi Qingxuan, tired: yes?

Ming Yi: If you want, i'll stay there in your palace to help you to take care of him. puts his hand on Qingxuan's shoulder you can't do that alone without xhausting yourself

Shi Qingxuan: I'll be happy to have you at my side hugs Ming Yi With you, i'm sure the prince of Xianle will get better quickly! most adortable smile, full of hope, ever

Ming Yi: …

Ming Yi: Yes.

And at a point, Shi Qingxuan decides to kidnapp Feng Xing and Mu Qing because they're are the friends of the prince of Xianle right? They would want to help!

[radiantmists]

it took me a minute (read: several days) to pin down why i liked this comment in the epilogue so much, but i have it now.

the whole book has given us a lot of xie lian's journey to understanding how much he's loved, and shown us his struggle with that, as well as his realization of how much he loves hua cheng in return. but what we barely get glimpses of is the monumental realization hua cheng was having, that xie lian loves him.

because, pre-canon, the last he'd seen of xie lian was when he was going around as white no-face, threatening to disperse wu ming just for calling him the wrong name. and hua cheng loved that xie lian, and dying for him was his greatest honor, but im sure he was under no illusions that xie lian cared for him in return.

and even after he'd gained eight hundred years of confidence, become the mischievous flirt we meet as san lang, its clear that he's so desperately afraid of coming on too strong. i was red-stringing like crazy trying to figure out why he didn't tell xie lian he was wu ming after the cave of ten thousand gods, but in retrospect I think it was that simple: not wanting to overwhelm him, not wanting to ask for too much.

and we see this cracking at the very end, with his genuine surprise that xie lian would be just as upset over hau cheng jumping into the lava as he was over xie lian falling.

but the transition from the barely dawning realization of "i would be your stepping stone, but i know you wouldn't want that" to the trust and confidence of him having become a spoilt-rotten bully because he knows that xie lian will give him what he asks for, that he actually *loves* to give hua cheng whatever he wants?

i love that for him, i love that for them, and it makes for a wonderful ending.

[xielianlover2]

“Hua Cheng quietly sighed, extended his arms, and once again folded him into his embrace. "Your Highness, I've always watched you." This was the second time he had said this, but his voice was softer than before. Xie Lian clutched the red robes at his chest, asking, his mind blank, "I know, I know. But... what should I do now?" Hua Cheng's long and slender fingers gently combed through Xie Lian's mussed hair. "Then, Your Highness, do you know why I refuse to leave this world?" Xie Lian couldn't understand why Hua Cheng could still be so calm at a time like this, he was panicking so hard he was trembling. But, while feeling lost, he still simple-mindedly asked, "Why?" Hua Cheng replied quietly, "Because I have a beloved who is still in this world." Hearing this, Xie Lian was slightly stunned. He seemed to have heard this somewhere before. Hua Cheng continued, "My beloved is a brave, noble, and gracious special someone. He's saved my life; I've looked up to him ever since I was young. But, I wanted to catch up to him more, and become and even stronger person for him. Although he might not remember me well. We never really talked. I want to protect him." He gazed at Xie Lian. "If your dream is to save the common people, then my dream is only you." "..." Relying on his memory, Xie Lian asked with a trembling voice, "But... you won't... be able to rest in peace... like this...?" Hua Cheng answered, "I pray to never rest in peace.”

― Mò Xiāng Tóngxiù, 天官赐福 [Tiān Guān Cì Fú]

Hua Cheng has stated his dream out loud. This is the reason he exists. This is the reason he lives. If Xie Lian would go to any extent to save the common people, to follow his ideals and dreams - Hua Cheng is the exact same, except he would go to any extent to prioritize Xie Lian. His dream is Xie Lian. Xie Lian is his everything. It's as simple as that.

This line is an absolute favorite of mine from the entire series simply because it embodies pure love. Just utter, pure devotion and love. It's so, so beautiful it brings tears to my eyes each time I read it.

[averageyinyulover]

I'm highkey disgusted at the hate sent towards people who ship different things in TGCF. Let those people live their lives and love their ships. I have seen cute and beautiful artwork for ships like Huayin, fenglian, mulian, and other ships and I see so much hate. Sure, Hua Cheng waited 800 years for Xie Lian, but these people aren't spreading hate. To send death threats and mean comments to people who ship HUAYIN specifically is disgusting.

If you have hated on these ships or people enjoying these ships please dni w me. You can not like a ship but what happened to fandom culture? Smh y'all would not survive SVSSS shipping.

There is one artist I enjoy specifically who gets so much hate for their Huayin and they really don't deserve it because from what I have seen they seem like a kind person and the hate is unnecessary. I will scroll on tiktok and see people being like "Huayin makes no sense and I can't stand people who ship any of the main ship with other people" and in the comments it's like "this is about that one huayin artist isn't it"

SHUT THE FUCK UP HOLY SHIT. do not hate on people for enjoying a ship that is LEGAL and can make sense. Huayin can be cute and I enjoy the fanart a lot, and I am saying this as one of the biggest Quanyin and hualian lovers.

Rarepairs also hold a special place in my heart. If you can like rarepairs in other fandoms you can ignore ones you don't like in TGCF.

I am not trying to pick a fight and am not trying to say i am a proshipper. Proshipping IS disgusting and I do not support it but will not stand on hate for people shipping LEGAL AND UNRELATED CHARACTERS.

"MXTX doesn't want people to ship-" IT WILL INEVITABLY BE SHIPPED THIS IS FANDOM WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AND THIS IS ALSO PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. Would you stop shipping Quanyin, Fengqing, or anything else if she said she didn't like it? Or in other fandoms authors don't want people to ship VERY POPULAR ships but those are very often ignored. Mxtx cannot control her fanbase and as an author understands that stuff will inevitably be shipped in different ways. Like I said: SVSSS. Nobody gets mad at them for shipping Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan, do they? They move past it, TGCF fandom should learn from them.

This does not get addressed enough in this fandom and it really just makes me sad seeing all the hate :/. Especially on nice people. Sorry for the more serious post than usual but it makes me super upset seeing the disgusting things thrown at artists.

Thank you, love you guys 🫶

[one-flower-one-sword]

In his daze, he thought he saw a small ball of haunting ghost fire come flying out of nowhere. It circled around him, twirling about and looking quite anxious. Xie Lian was focused entirely on drinking and didn't react at all. The ball of ghost fire appeared to be trying to get closer to him with all its might, but it was nothing but hollow flames - it passed right through his body every time it came near, forever unable to touch him.

[...] He slapped the ground and yelled, "Is anyone there? Is there anyone who can help pull me out?!"

Of course there wasn't anyone. There was only a small ball of haunting ghost fire, blazing unceasingly as it flitted about. After Xie Lian fell into the pit, the ball of ghost fire rushed over, seeming to want to pull him up - but it would never be able to touch him.

TGCF Volume 6, page 172-175

rereading these scenes with ghost fire!Hua Cheng, it occurred to me that his lack of a corporal body during the times he really wanted to comfort and protect Xie Lian would be another very understandable reason (aside from being in love with him) for why he craves and cherishes the most simple touches from Xie Lian once they meet again. and also for why they're so overwhelming to him that he shies away in the beginning because he fears he'll get too excited and that Xie Lian would find that disturbing.

it's no wonder also that Hua Cheng uses denying himself those touches as a way to punish himself, since it would remind him of a time where he suffered and felt helpless in the face of Xie Lian's pain precisely because he couldn't touch him

[emotionaldisaster909]

​​“Hua Cheng is a stalker!”

- a word about that.

Stalking is defined as a pattern of repeated unwanted contact with a person, harassing, persecuting them, uncaring about their privacy, safety, well-being. All selfish actions for nefarious, perverted purposes.

None of wich is the case with Hua Cheng.

He’s never even come in contact with Xie Lian in all 800 years of searching, not even once, and the moment he was able to contact him, he did so openly, with one clear intention - to help him.

Unhealthy obsession? This one, sure. But not unhealthy in a sense that is in any way harmful towards Xie Lian. Rather it’s unhealthy for Hua Cheng himself, since he literally sacrificed his own life more than once, all to ensure Xie Lian’s well-being.

Though… if you ask me, I think that’s what a really, really strong, genuine love entails - the possibility for a situation which calls forth the exact opposite of a natural human selfishness - a sacrifice for someone else. Imagine a situation where you’re given a choice - either one of your loved ones dies or you die and they get to survive. Won’t you choose the latter?

I think I would. I think most people would.

And besides that

If you really love someone, someone who was really kind to you when everyone else scorned you for just being, someone you know is worth so, so much love, because they truly are a great, selfless, wonderful person, kind and understanding, always striving to be better, to help others - if you know that this person suffered tremendously and lost everything and everyone they loved and is now damned to an eternity of humiliation, contempt, pain and loneliness

Wouldn’t you do everything in your power to try and help them??

Simplify the situation down to realistic circumstances - if your best, dearest friend who’s literally the best person you’ve ever known, who helped you through your worst times, suddenly went through a tragedy and ended up alone, with more suffering to come

Wouldn’t you do everything you can to help them???

That’s what Hua Cheng was always trying to do

Just replace frienship with love

It’s still the same basis - genuine, deep care for a person

Now tell me

Is this a bad thing?