Hsien Lian's eyes opened to the same place he shut to. This garden, it really was a beauty to look at. The water was still and silent, compared to the rushing waters of the Yellow River that he was used to. After meditation, he didn't feel wiser or more powerful. Nor did he feel useless and weak. It was a weird feeling to describe.
Hsien Lian slowly stood, looking out at his reflection in the green tinted glass. His hair was long, slipping down his back. His hair tied up perfectly into a ponytail, tied with a light blue ribbon. It looked like someone would have done it themselves. But Hsien Lian would have remembered if that ever happened. His long hanfu was blue and white, similar to the one he had during the Han Dynasty. Only difference was the edgings. Instead of artistic curls and spirals, it was painted with flowers.
Hsien Lian looked slightly different from his human version, but barely. Just enough to not get recognised. He didn't know if he liked his old look better than his new one, but he didn't mind it. Hsien Lian turned, quickly making his way out of the luscious garden and into his kingdom. It seemed he had lived here for years, since many different people walked around, most he did not know. He walked up to one girl, young and beautiful. "Excuse me?" He asked, gaining the young girl's attention.
"Melee God, Hsien Lin. How may I assist you." The girl asked politely with a sweet smile. Hsien Lian was used to being called other names instead of his own. Most were positive, thankfully, or respectful. But there were rare times. "Do you know where Fang Hai is?" Hsien Lian asked. He should probably go to Tao Wu, or Jing Mei. But Fang Hai, he was closer to the young man. They had always been close.
"Last time I talked to one of his disciples, he was going to the market to get food." The girl answered. The market, Fang Hai, was at the market. Hsien Lian smiled and bowed slightly, before rushing out of his kingdom and into Heaven's streets.
Heaven was a very nice place.
Hsien Lian was starting to know that more and more. He didn't know exactly where he was going, but he was mostly just walking around. The sun seemed to always be out, no rain or cloudy skies. Gray stones laid precisely on the ground, creating a walkway where many people stood, including Hsien Lian.
Different storefronts sold different items for different prices. Some sold pastries, others sold vegetables. It seemed like he was at the market, with different people holding hand woven baskets of fruits and veggies. Heaven, just like the Human Realm, had currency and trade. However, it was gold coins.
Hsien Lian continued to walk down the path, seeing food slowly decrease, and other household items increase. Hanfus, hats, brooms, anything. Hsien Lian was happy to see such items there. He didn't bring any coins, as he was only here to see someone. Soon, he felt someone tap on his shoulder. Hsien Lian quietly turned around, seeing a young girl, younger than the one before, standing there, with tears in her eyes.
Hsien Lian immediately crouched down to her height, frowning. "I'm looking f-for Chen- Chen Guo," She sniffled. Chen Guo, he knew of that name. Chen Guo was a god as well. Hsien Lian wasn't shocked that he would be in Heaven, after all, the young man was as caring as Hsien Lian. The young Heavenly Deity slowly nodded.
"Well, do you know where he might be?" Hsien Lian asked softly, not to raise the girl to alarm. "N-no." She whispered back. Hsien Lian sighed, nodding his head. He began to pick the girl up, placing her on his hip. If Hsien Lian can do anything, he will. So the young god did.
He walked down the path, keeping an eye out for Chen Guo. The girl laid her head on his shoulder, looking for the god as well. Different people walked around the two, all going in different directions. Soon, he founded Fang Hai, with different meats and veggies in his basket. Well, Fang Hai found him, but that still counted.
"Fang Hai!" The young girl cheered, making grabby hands towards him. Fang Hai frowned, glancing up at Hsien LIan before returning to the girl. He quickly held her, holding her on his hip. He scanned Hsien Lian, before smiling. "Welcome back." He greeted. Hsien Lian nodded his head. "How long have I been gone?" Hsien Lian asked, as the little girl started playing with Fang Hai's dark hair.
"Uh, about five years. Last time I checked." He shrugged. Hsien Lian's eyes widened. "Five years? I have been meditating for five years?!" Hsien Lian couldn't believe it. It was like he had been sleeping for that long. How was Lui Che, how was the Han Dynasty? Was that even a thing anymore? Did something bad happen?
"You seemed to be having a mental crisis. You okay? Seriously, five years is going to be nothing compared to eternity. Trust me." Fang Hai smiled. Soon Chen Guo walked up to the three. He froze when he saw Hsien Lian. His eyes were wide, his lips in a thin line. "Your Highness?" Chen Guo asked.
Hsien Lian smiled and nodded, practically getting tackled into a hug. He was lifted into the air, Chen Guo jumping up and down excitedly. "HE'S HERE!! YOU MADE IT!" Chen Guo cheered. Hsien Lian laughed, slowly being put back onto the ground. He brushed off his hanfu, before looking back at Fang Hai, who had an annoyed look on his face. "You two done?" He asked. The little girl repeated after him in the same tone, only higher pitch. "You two done?" SHe asked sassily.
Chen Guo rolled his eyes at Fang Hai. "You're just jealous because the man that you have to clear up after is here to haunt you-" Fang Hai placed the girl in Hsien Lian's hands once again, glaring at Chen Guo. "Really? At least he actually liked me. You were practically just a suck up." Fang Hai glared. Chen Guo scoffed, rolling his eyes. "A suck up? Well this suck up taught him everything he knows-"
"You know," Hsien Lian voiced, gaining both their attention. "I honestly thought you two ran away together." Hsien Lian smiled. Fang Hai and Chen Guo both silented, turning to look away from each other. Chen Guo grabbed the little girl. "Come on, Yue. Let's go find your mom." Chen Guo smiled, beginning to walk away. Hsien Lian laughed quietly.
"Oh, he is coming with us."