Chapter setting: Original Universe 

SPOILERS of the original story 

Part (2/2)

The Ghost King and Lei XianLiang were walking in the streets, relaxing while having some snacks. The Ghost King was fanning himself while Lei XianLiang was speaking next to him, talking about the new things he was reading and how grateful he was, as the books were a gift from the Ghost King. Everything was fine until a person tripped onto them. 

“Y-Your Majesty!! Your Highness!!”

The person went pale, realizing then he was in the middle of their way. He was shaking, so scared that he could barely speak. 

“…I-I-I-“

“Who gave you permission to speak to him?”

Lei XianLiang’s voice was cold, with some anger on it. The person closed his eyes, afraid that his soul would be destroyed in a second. Everyone knew how protective was the Ghost Prince towards the Ghost King, and he almost tripped against him.

“Move.”

He obeyed within a second, letting them continue their walk. The Ghost King had still his smile, now wider after seeing how Lei XianLiang protected him.

“Your Majesty, I have a question.”

It was already dark. The Ghost King just enjoyed a long, relaxing bath with some special herbs, getting ready for sleep. He was getting used to sleep again, after all Lei XianLiang needed it and asked him to stay next to him while sleeping. 

“Tell me, Ah-Ying, what is it?”

Lei XianLiang was in front of him, dressed with his sleeping clothes. He seemed a bit anxious, not wanting to bother the other.

“The person, today…”

“What? Did he do something?”

“Not, it’s just… I’ve been thinking. He seemed… dirty? His clothes, and… I mean, he is a ghost, he can’t die, but…” He was playing with his own fingers while trying to explain himself. “…are there any records of how the people of your place live?”

“Hmm?” The Ghost King seemed amused, arching a eyebrow. “Why?”

“I… just want to know how the common people live here.”

“Yes, but why?”

“…I….” He didn’t know what to say, confused. 

“My sweet, sweet Ah-Ying…” The Ghost King approached the other, hugging him sweetly and making Lei XianLiang’s head rest on his chest. “I have people working on these kind of things, but tomorrow we can ask if you want.”

“Thank you so much, Your Majesty.” Lei XianLiang hugged him back, hiding his face on his chest. “I always ask for too many things. I-“

“Shhhh, you never bother me. C’mon…” The Ghost King lowered his body so he could murmur on the other’s ear. “…It’s time to go to bed.”

“I figured it out!”

Lei XianLiang smiled happily, finally standing up after hours and hours of investigation. He ran as fast as he could to see the Ghost King, who was having some nice snacks while entertaining himself with a private play with the best actors of the Red City.

“I figured it out!” He said again, exclaiming to the Ghost King, who looked at him curious. 

“What did you figure out?”

“The origin of the dispute of this two families that are always fighting, the ones that-“

“Oh, yes.” The Ghost King smiled at him. “So?”

“So I know how to solve their fights! I- Now- Your Majesty, I’m going now to see them!” Lei XianLiang was about to go when the Ghost King spoke again.

“Wait, alone? Are you going alone?”

“I don’t want to bother you with this.” Lei XianLiang hurried and hugged him before running again. “I’ll be back soon!”

 The Ghost King looked at him while he went out, sighing then while shaking his head. 

“Your Majesty.”

Lei XianLiang was already ready for bed, and the Ghost King just entered the room, ready too. He looked at Lei XianLiang, smiling.

“What is it?”

“I… wanna ask you something.” He was a bit anxious. The Ghost King made a gesture for him to continue. “Can we… do a meeting with the other calamities?”

“Why?” 

The Ghost King frowned a bit his eyebrows while approaching Lei XianLiang. The other Ghost had to obey him and please him, but it didn’t mean he liked them nor they liked him neither. He was in control of every part of the Underworld, but each zone had a main ghost that controlled that everything was done exactly as the Ghost King wanted.

“I… noticed there are some problems that involves all of us. If we do a meeting, we could try to solve them.”

“What problems? I didn’t notice anything.”

“Well, we are not directly affected, but our people-“

“Ah-Ying, Ah-Ying… My poor, sweet Lei Ying.”

Every time he called him Lei Ying it meant he didn’t like what he was saying, even if he was smiling. Lei XianLiang lowered his gaze, looking at the ground while the Ghost King approached him.

“You are getting too involved with them. They are different from us, you know that. They are even more different from you, you are still alive. They are just insignificant ghosts and beasts.”

“But I don’t see them this way… They trust us, they-“

“Do they?” The Ghost King smiled wider, but when Lei XianLiang looked felt chills on his back.

 “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you, Your Majesty.”

“I know, I know my dear.” He sighed, still smiling. “How can it be you are still such a silly boy after everything you lived?” He hit very softly the other’s head with his fan. 

“I just… want to make our land prosperous. I’m sorry.” His voice was sad, saying it almost in a rumor. The Ghost King looked at him for some long seconds after sighing again.

“You can have your meeting.” He said, Lei XianLiang then looking at him with eyes wide. “It would be good to see them after all this time. I need them to remember who they obey to.”

“Thank you!” Lei XianLiang hugged him then, happy. “Thank you so much, Your Majesty!”