Jinse returned to the Fox's Den in a bit of a sour mood. The idea of a dragon near Xueye was getting to him the more he thought about it. It reminded him too much of Meigui Xinyi, the very first Meigui he'd met. Before making a contract with her, there was a dragon that coveted her. He wanted to lock her away but she didn't want that. She was a free spirit, always wanting to wander the world. Jinse had traveled with her for a time because her blessing from the Moon Goddess was what kept Jinse from succumbing to the dangerous effects of divine knowledge.
Jinse was most worried about history repeating itself. He was a little bitter about leaving Xueye alone with Yushi. Unfortunately, he knew by Yushi's reactions that if he lingered it would likely expose Yushi's true nature to Xueye and likely Jinse's own in order to protect Xueye.
Jinse sat at the bar with a groan. Before he could ask, Hu Ning placed his favorite wine in front of him.
"Thanks," Jinse mumbled half heartedly as he downed the cup of sweetly fruity wine. Hu Ning nodded and just placed the pitcher next to him.
"I take it Lord Meigui was quite a handful," Hu Ning stated calmly.
"Of course, but that's not what's bothering me," Jinse sighed frustratedly. "I can't go into details unfortunately so don't ask,"
"Very well, Master," Hu Ning nodded. "Is there anything else you want?"
"Just this wine for now," Jinse wiggled the pitcher back and forth before pouring himself some more.
"I'll get you your own jar then," Hu Ning smiled sympathetically and stepped away.
"You're a peach, Hu Ning," Jinse flashed her a half hearted smile.
"So this is what you traded divinity for?" An elegant young man slipped in next to Jinse at the bar. His robes were light and silken paired with a rather contrasting red scarf. His eyes pale with an almost otherworldly glint to them. He flashed a mischievous grin at Jinse.
It was a different face from what Jinse recalled but he recognized the voice and the eyes could rarely be changed in transformation magics. Before he was contracted to the Meigui family, Jinse once considered him a friend. However, finding out that he was the one that pointed Jinse toward the divine knowledge, Jinse felt betrayed.
"What are you doing here?" Jinse hissed bitterly.
"I can't visit an old friend?" He shrugged.
"You haven't for centuries now," Jinse grumbled. "Whenever you do, only trouble follows."
"I follow trouble if you recall," he snickered. "Aren't you curious?"
"As long as it doesn't affect Xueye, I couldn't care less." Jinse took another drink of wine.
"Ah, your human pet," he teased.
"Watch your tongue! Lest you forget the divine knowledge you led me to," Jinse growled.
"I jest! So testy today." The man sighed, his normally cheerful visage darkened a little. "I know full well what that family means to you. I came here because I'm trying to warn you."
"Since when do you have a conscience?" Jinse scoffed.
"Believe it or not I do feel bad for ruining your life back then. I'm not so heartless like some others of my kind." The shadow of guilt was cast deep in his face. This was the first time Jinse saw him look so grim.
"If anything it was made better in the end," Jinse sighed, relenting in his bitter demeanor. Jinse's resentment was easier to let go upon seeing his wilted demeanor. "What is it you go by with this face anyways?"
"Maque," that charming smile that Jinse learned to mimic, shone even brighter at the hint of forgiveness.
"A little on the nose don't you think?" Jinse chuckled softly. Maque meant sparrow, which alluded to the main symbol that represented what he really was.
"Nobody will know," Maque giggled. His mirth was fleeting though, with the weight of the next words on the tip of his tongue. He almost didn't want to break the moment but Jinse would slip further away the longer he withheld the information. "The usurper stirs beneath the waves…"
"You mean he lives?!" Jinse growled, slamming the cup on the bar, nearly shattering it. "You never thought to tell me this sooner?!"
"I'm sorry! Truly!" Maque pressed his hands together and bowed. Jinse was stunned to see such respect from him that he nearly forgot his rage.
"Enough of that," Jinse pinched his brow. "Why didn't you tell me he wasn't executed?"
"I'm getting there," Maque sighed. "Look, since the book was destroyed you were the only one left to implicate him but you refused to ascend, you even vanished among the mortals for so long." His expression was tainted with sadness. "His ambitions to usurp died as rumors and he was simply sentenced for his crime of killing a mortal. So he was sealed beneath the waves. By the time I could find you he was sealed someplace not even I know. Since he was no longer a threat and you settled into life as a guardian, I didn't think you needed to know then."
"He isn't anymore?" Jinse asked, assuming the worst.
"Soon, unfortunately," Maque closed his eyes. "I can sense the seal is weakening. Seems there is no interest in repairing the seal. Once it breaks, he'll be free."
"And he'll be after me…" Realization hit Jinse hard. Panic filled him at the thought of Xueye being used against him, should their connection be discovered. "Xueye…"
"Even if you leave there's a possibility he'll still be after that family you protect. After all that human you were with back then was one of them, right?" An expression of worry darkened such heavenly features.
"Indeed," Jinse let out a long breath. His mind was quickly running through countermeasures. After all, Xueye wasn't the only one in danger. There was only one Meigui that Jinse would let die. Xueye dearly loved his siblings and Jinse had become friends with Xinhua in their own way.
"I wish I could help more than this but even letting you know this much could get me in trouble." Maque huffed. He really wanted to make up for his ignorance that caused Jinse such harm, but he wouldn't be able to if he too were sealed away for breaking the rules.
"Yes, yes, you can't directly interfere in mortal affairs, I understand." Jinse waved away the notion. "Thank you for this much. I have a diviner to consult. History will not repeat! I won't let it!" Jinse took a breath to calm down. As Maque was about to step away Jinse quickly spoke up, "Before you go, what is your opinion of the dragon that dwells in this city?"
"It's a different one than the one that wronged your little friend. Still holding a grudge?" Maque smirked.
"I'm aware. I killed the last one after all." Jinse grumbled. "Still, like I said, I refuse to let history repeat."
"Ah, I get it!" Maque giggled. "Well he has the eyes of many of my peers. He certainly has the blessing of the one that shares his likeness. After all, he returned dragons to their rightful place on the throne to Meihua."
"I asked for your opinion," Jinse rolled his eyes. Maque was a master of finding out secrets and always knew whether or not to tell said secrets. Jinse never cared much for Maque's kind but Maque was different. He pretends to forget his humanity but it's obvious he cares more than he lets on. He wouldn't have appeared here otherwise.
"Can't say I've met him myself." Maque placed a hand on his chin trying to recall any information that might satisfy Jinse but there wasn't much in recent years. "I did enjoy the show he put on ten years ago. I can't say he's done much to keep my interest since, but if you are interested then perhaps I should be."
"I was requested by one of the Moon's children to help him." Jinse pinched his brow just thinking about all that was irritating him initially. "He's also captured the interest of Xueye."
"Oh ho?! That is quite interesting. Just what do you plan to do about him? A fox on the throne might make for a fun change of pace." Maque teased.
"I'd rather not. This place is more than enough of an empire for me." Jinse shook his head. "If he hurts Xueye then the Empire might see the fall of another Emperor." Jinse sighed. "However, if he truly wants to protect Xueye as I do, then perhaps he'll be useful in stopping that drowned rat from trying anything. The problem is, he needs some work…"
"Ah, yes, mortals and dragons have mixed much over the years. Many have forgotten they ever were dragons." Maque shook his head. "Even so, he really could be of use to you, I believe."
"I'll find out soon enough." Jinse smirked dangerously. He really wasn't going to go easy on Yushi, especially with so much on the line. "I'll admit, even with the knowledge I possess I think it would be quite difficult to slay a god on my own."
"You really still remember?" Maque thought it was an empty threat before, given what he's been told in the past. "Here I thought, in order to save you, the Moon erased it from your mind or at the very least sealed it so you couldn't access it."
"Is that what she told them?" Jinse snickered, but quickly his expression darkened. "No, Xinyi gave her soul to me when she died. Her ability was what saved my mind from collapsing in the first place." Jinse's next words were truly mournful, "Consuming her soul made it so I could retain the divine knowledge without losing my mind."
"The Moon is quite the softy," Maque shook his head with a fond smile. "I guess since you've been protecting her children, she lied to protect you, probably even shielded you. After all, that book was destroyed. Only you, the King and the Archivist know its contents. You realize if you kill that usurper, even if he's banished, they'll know it was you. You'll either be forced to join us or get executed. Not the Moon nor I could help you even if we wanted to."
"A price I'm willing to pay as long as Xueye is safe," Jinse closed his eyes. "I don't intend to leave him. I'll destroy every last one of you if I have to."
"Down boy!" Maque waved his hands back and forth in front of him with an uneasy smile. "Look, I'll try and find out what I can on my end, even let the Moon know. She probably already does know though. In any case, I suspect fortune will still favor you. You may as well be the God of Fortune with how you deal in it here." Maque gestured to the rest of the Fox's Den.
"Maybe I am," Jinse smirked. It was then that Jinse noticed everyone around them was moving slowly as though a moment was being stretched into many, just for the two of them.
"Take care, Jinse…" Maque was hesitant to leave but he couldn't linger with his other responsibilities.
"You as well, Wuye. Don't risk yourself over little old me." Jinse smiled concernedly.
"I won't!" Maque winked and then quickly vanished like the wind.
Jinse sighed. He couldn't just drink his problems away that evening like he originally intended. There was now a lot at stake. When Hu Ning returned Jinse held his hand up.
"On second thought, there is something else I need to be doing." Jinse stated. "In the meantime, can you get a watch set up for the Meigui siblings? If anything suspicious happens I want to know about it as soon as possible."
"I'll have it arranged right away," Hu Ning nodded. "Anything in particular they should be watching for?"
"I'm not sure just yet," Jinse let out a frustrated grumble. "Traces of magic aren't out of the question though, so at least one person for each that knows the signs."
"Understood," Hu Ning. "I'll have a couple pairs of eyes on them before dawn."
"Thank you," Jinse finished the last of the wine in the cup and rose to his feet. "I'll be gone for a bit. I have to teach someone a lesson."
Jinse left. Once away from the eyes of humans, Jinse changed his form to that of a black cat. It was easiest to blend in with the night and not as strange for him to be seen, climbing to high places and jumping from building to building. He wasted no time getting to Xueye's home. No lights and the lack of the lingering traces of Jinse's fortune told him that he'd yet to return home.
Jinse dashed off towards where he left Xueye. It was easy to follow the traces of the magic he used to transfer fortune to Xueye. After all, given how much Xueye's ability must be active to calm a dragon that Jinse riled up was drastic. Xueye's fortune was wasting away quicker. Jinse would have to organize an event at the Den to gather more in what time he spent away from Xueye, which he really didn't want to, knowing that the god he once fought against could appear any day now.
Jinse had little doubt that the Water God would be after him again. The Water God was quite vindictive and definitely held a grudge. He'd chased after Jinse all across Meihua because the fox stole the book of divine knowledge from the god's possession. Even after Jinse destroyed the book the god still didn't leave him alone.
Jinse lingered in the shadows once he found Xueye and Yushi just leaving. Jinse delighted in finally knowing the secret home of the Emperor. He couldn't help but listen in. He wanted to know more about the way Yushi acted around Xueye when they were alone.
"You don't have to carry that," Xueye sighed as Yushi swooped in and picked up one of the suitcases before Xueye could grab it.
"I don't mind, it's okay to share the burden," Yushi smiled down at him fondly.
"Fine, have it your way," Xueye huffed. Xueye couldn't help but smile as they started walking towards his home. "Still, I have to thank you. You've done a lot for me. I know you don't want me to but there has to be a way I can repay you."
"You're right, you don't have to," Yushi chuckled.
"You're a lot like Jinse in that regard," Xueye shook his head.
"You really aren't going to let this go are you?" Yushi didn't like being compared to Jinse but he didn't linger on the matter.
"No," Xueye stated simply. "Even if you don't ask for anything I will find a way."
"Give me time and I'll consider your proposal," Yushi sighed in defeat. He'd much rather request something simple than for Xueye to go out of his way. "Just know whatever I ask you don't have to do. I don't want you to feel obligated."
"Not the first time I've heard those words recently," Xueye let out a breath with an amused smile.
Jinse was starting to realize that Yushi's demeanor around Xueye was eerily similar to his own, from just this interaction. It was clear that Yushi was protective of Xueye to some degree. Jinse couldn't help but wonder if the mighty Emperor had the nerve to fight against a god for Xueye? Jinse was going to find out, and if he didn't then Jinse would ensure Yushi could never get near Xueye again.
"Even if you say you don't need me to. I want to." Xueye stated resolutely. "You wouldn't deny me something I want, right?" Xueye said in a coy tone. He knew what Yushi's answer would be at that point.
"I could never deny you," Yushi smiled sweetly. "You can have whatever you desire."
"If only I could figure that out," Xueye voiced softly as his mind couldn't stray away from his recent thoughts of both Jinse and Yushi. Neither of them made it easy. There were clear reasons that Xueye would normally avoid someone but he just wanted to be closer to them. He just didn't know how to go about it. He knew he needed time to figure it out.
"You will eventually," Yushi reassured. "Just don't be afraid to ask, alright?"
"I'll try," Xueye smiled wistfully.
"I think what you mean to say is you will," Yushi chuckled softly.
"Very well," Xueye sighed in defeat. When I'm ready…
It wasn't much longer before they reached Xueye's house. Along the way, Yushi felt as though someone was watching them. As he focused on it he was getting the same feeling that he did when around Jinse. Though Yushi couldn't see him anywhere, when he glanced around, he knew Jinse was watching them.
"Would you like to come in for tea before you go?" Xueye asked as he lingered in the doorway.
"I would like to but I can't tonight," Yushi wanted to, desperately, but under Jinse's gaze he was a little uneasy, like a looming threat was near.
"Oh, okay…" Xueye was rather disappointed. His crestfallen expression tugged at Yushi's heart.
"Don't be so down," Yushi reached out and caressed Xueye's cheek. Xueye leaned into the touch and Yushi's smile widened. "We'll spend more time together soon. I promise."
"I'll hold you to it," Xueye smiled but Yushi saw a sadness in those lavender eyes. It was different from the time they first met. There was longing there. Yushi wished that he could always keep this young man by his side, just to keep him happy. However, tonight wouldn't be such a night.
"Be sure to get your rest," Yushi stroked Xueye's cheek with his thumb. "Trust that we'll meet again as soon as we are both able."
"I hope it's soon." Xueye closed his eyes.
"I do too," Yushi sighed and withdrew his hand. "I'll see you then."
"Goodnight, Shujing," Xueye said with a smile as he closed the door. Instantly his smile fell away and he sighed. This house just felt so empty now. He was alone in the silence with nothing but his thoughts which were deafening.
He just opened his suitcase with the gift and carefully unwrapped the box. The box alone was quite decorative. It was intricately carved and gilded, even in the dim moonlight that filtered through the windows, that alone would be something he would keep but he figured that wasn't all there was to it. He opened the lid and marveled at the pristine jade bracelet, wrapped in curls of silver.
Xueye walked further in to get a light going to better admire it. It was truly beautiful metalwork. He had never seen something so pretty. He slid it on his wrist and smiled. He felt much less lonely as he looked at it.