Work Text:
Gods do not reincarnate.
It is such a random fact to recall, Shi Wudu thinks, as he is forced to his knees in Nether Water Mansion. He keeps an eye warily on Black Water Sinking Ships – born He Xuan, courtesy name He Sheng - and another on his unconscious brother.
When he swapped He Xuan and Shi Qingxuan’s fates, he didn’t expect the former to haunt them as a Supreme. Pei Ming has always said, with the affected air of a wise, battle-weary general, that the best laid plans only last until the first arrow leaves the bow. Shi Wudu has always scoffed at the saying. He is proud to be a meticulous planner.
Not meticulous enough in this case, it seems.
Shi Wudu personally descended to ensure that He Xuan is dead, but he failed to account for the afterlife.
Never mind, what has passed has passed. The important thing to do now is to chart a way out.
After the confrontation by the lake, He Xuan knocked Qingxuan out cleanly and levitated the Wind Master back to the manor. It seemed callous but Shi Wudu noticed that Qingxuan did not as much as bump into as much as a stray tree branch.
By contrast, the Supreme bound Shi Wudu in spiritual energy and dragged him bodily through the thickets. From the mean gleam that briefly surfaced in the empty void of He Xuan’s eyes every time Shi Wudu stumbled and fell face first onto the ground, he thinks that the Supreme enjoys debasing him.
If he were a different god, he might chafe at the indignity. As a practical person, Shi Wudu was busy looking for escape routes instead.
In the back of his mind, he admired the artistry. He had never seen a spell that weaves spiritual energy into invisible ropes. He suspects He Xuan invented it.
Without looking back at Shi Wudu, He Xuan intoned emotionlessly.
“If you try to escape, I will kill Shi Qingxuan.”
And so Shi Wudu didn’t try to escape.
But he will ensure that Qingxuan survives. He always has.
*
Shi Wudu was born the eldest son of a wealthy merchant family. Serious and conscientious even as a young child, Shi Wudu was the pride of his family. Adults frequently praised him for his maturity, although in retrospect, it would’ve been better if he was allowed to be a child for longer.
When his younger brother was born there was much joy in his family. Young Shi Wudu, barely tall enough to climb up his mother’s bed, clambered up to peek at the small, smiling face nestled in his mother’s bosom and felt his world shift.
No matter what he does and becomes in the future, he is first and foremost Qingxuan’s ge.
Shi Qingxuan was the light of his family. The baby was easygoing and smiley and grew into a cheerful child. Shi Wudu, as firstborn and heir, was laden with responsibility. Instead of being jealous of the carefree life that was frequently the birthright of the ‘spare’, Shi Wudu loved – loves – Qingxuan fiercely and vowed to ensure that his little brother would always be happy and safe.
Qingxuan’s curse might’ve helped Shi Wudu avoid the pitfalls of envy.
Qingxuan was very young when the Reverend of Empty Words latched upon him. Shi Wudu was too young to even remember his age at the time. All he knew was that his didi was now to be treated as his meimei, with a different name outside their home, for his baby brother’s safety.
When Qingxuan accidentally revealed his identity to the monster and their lives took a turn for the worse, Shi Wudu had to grow up too fast. Qingxuan would wake up with nightmares, crying for his gege and parents. Sometimes he jumped at shadows. Shi Wudu grew distressed at his little brother’s distress. He felt powerless to help. When their parents passed away, Qingxuan’s nightmares only grew worse.
Shi Wudu cultivated to ascension and brought his brother with him. Unfortunately, Middle Heaven did not afford sufficient protection. He tried to help Qingxuan fully ascend, but Qingxuan was not great at cultivation. Additionally, it is very difficult for an older sibling to successfully teach a younger sibling. Qingxuan is too adept at wheedling his older brother, no matter how strict Shi Wudu tries to be.
When he learned about switching fates in one of his first missions as a heavenly official, Shi Wudu thought the information was a godsend. Never mind the fact that he’s technically a god himself.
Shi Qingxuan the heavenly official enjoys wearing his female form, and Shi Wudu acknowledges that the Wind Master is more powerful as Wind Mistress. But seeing his brother in women’s clothing always reminds Shi Wudu of the time of fear and uncertainty, even though it has been centuries.
As a rule, Shi Wudu does not show weaknesses. So the only thing he says about the crossdressing is that it’s disgraceful.
It’s a bad omen, reminiscing about one’s life during times of danger. Shi Wudu tells himself to focus on looking for a way to escape safely.
The hall he is in right now has only one door. He is kneeling in front of a divine altar, upon which sits four obsidian urns. The urns probably hold the remains of He Xuan’s family. If the ashes are here, they must’ve entered the reincarnation cycle and did not linger as ghosts. Only He Xuan remains. The ghost standing beside him radiates resentment so strong, a lesser man would have suffocated from it.
Shi Wudu does not show weaknesses, but grovelling or deception may be the only options this time.
Shi Wudu earned the moniker ‘Water Tyrant’ for his ruthlessness, but he is not cruel by nature. He is, however, brutally pragmatic.
The world is harsh and unforgiving. The strong destroys the weak; the predator consumes the prey. A person or a god may fall, but the sun will continue to rise, and the earth will continue to rotate.
The meek does not inherit the world, but they can subvert the system.
Qingxuan being the target of the Reverend of Empty Words was simply bad luck. As the older brother, it was his responsibility to take care of his sibling.
Unlike most heavenly officials, the Water Master had no real interest in ascension. He only cultivated to separate Qingxuan from the curse. His precious, gentle little brother would have died young being haunted by the Reverend of Empty Words. Shi Wudu couldn’t allow that.
When he learned of a way to swap fates, Shi Wudu devoted himself to finding a compatible person and mastering the complicated technique. He is eternally grateful to Ling Wen for asking no questions and providing unfettered access to birth registers.
The spell to switch fates was complex and caused the caster a lot of pain. If he failed to complete the ritual after a certain stage, all three of them would’ve died.
He didn’t.
Shi Wudu continues to amass power and money because his strength would protect Qingxuan as well. He has no remorse and no regrets over capsizing boats that do not give him offerings. As is the law of the universe, the powerful subdues the weak. Everyone only cares about themselves in the world.
Shi Wudu only cares about himself and his brother.
Shi Wudu is somewhat impressed by He Xuan. The man’s tenacity in life, the resilience to get up and try again despite being punched down repeatedly, was admirable. He should’ve guessed that it would extend into the afterlife.
If they make it out alive, Shi Wudu would not be so careless again.
Speaking of which, Shi Wudu is reasonably sure that He Xuan is torn between his resentment and his begrudging affection for Qingxuan. He Xuan and Ming Yi look highly similar – even if the former persona is much more bloodless than the latter – which suggests that He Xuan has been Ming Yi the whole time. The actual Earth Master is likely dead. Qingxuan’s best friend is He Xuan, not Ming Yi.
He Xuan may be the best actor in three realms, but bits of his true feelings must break through sometime. Shi Wudu has seen the occasional look of exasperated fondness ‘Ming Yi’ showed when Qingxuan did something amusing.
Specifically, when Qingxuan was not looking.
It could all be a show for Shi Wudu, but he doesn’t think it is the case. He Xuan’s affection for Qingxuan could be exploited.
The Supreme could’ve treated his brother a lot more roughly or eliminated Qingxuan more surreptitiously. Qingxuan wholeheartedly trusted that Ming-xiong of his. Shi Wudu would’ve gone mad with grief if Qingxuan died on a mission, and then he would be easy pickings for the Supreme. Surely, He Xuan knew that, with the centuries-long cloak and dagger game he played.
Even now, Qingxuan is treated relatively kindly. His little brother is chained to the wall and is being examined by a group of curious, filthy maniacs, but the group seems largely harmless.
Qingxuan is still likely to freak out when he wakes.
Being unconscious spared Qingxuan from suffering the agony of having their spiritual devices destroyed. Black Water Sinking Ships anchored the Water Master fan to Shi Wudu’s spiritual core, and each blast to the weapon reverberated in his soul. The Supreme’s dark eyes glittered with malice.
Shi Wudu screamed until he was hoarse.
It was a small price to pay for Qingxuan’s happiness. He would do it all again in a heartbeat.
Besides, it was less painful than the process of swapping fates.
Qingxuan stirs awake.
“Qingxuan!” Shi Wudu calls out gladly, instinctively moving toward his brother.
“Did I permit you to move?” He Xuan says coldly, kicking him back down onto his knees.
The Supreme inclines his head at the urns and commands Shi Wudu. “Prostrate.”
Shi Wudu keeps his eyes trained on his brother. Grovel it is then.
“Fine.”
He kowtows – once, twice, fifteen times.
He starts to rise and is promptly stomped down by the Supreme.
“Did I permit you to get up?”
That tone of voice could freeze lava.
Bleeding from his orifices, Shi Wudu grits his teeth and forces out a "...no."
Qingxuan looks at his elder brother helplessly.
“Ge…”
Shi Wudu sees He Xuan’s attention shifting to Qingxuan, and in a panic, yells “YOU BE QUIET!”
He Xuan removes his boot and frees Shi Wudu’s head, but the water god struggles to move anyway. Shi Wudu is an elemental master, not a martial god. His pain tolerance is relatively low, and he is low on stamina and spiritual power after the heavenly calamity and the torture. He somewhat regrets rejecting Pei Ming’s invitation to train together in the past.
He watches as He Xuan glides over and crouches down to taunt Qingxuan. “Is the Reverend of Empty Words scary?”
Qingxuan is frozen in fear and couldn't answer.
“He Xuan,” Shi Wudu placates, “A man must answer to what he has done alone. It was my idea to use you to prevent his misfortune. This has nothing to do with my little brother.”
He Xuan becomes angrier rather than mollified.
“Nothing to do with him? Your little brother, an ordinary, common mortal, obtained the ability to ascend; his endless glory was robbed from my fate, plundered from my divinity. And you tell me that this has nothing to do with him?”
Shi Wudu winces and forces himself to be calm.
“Since you’ve always been by his side, then you should know very well that I didn’t deceive you. He’s not one to hide anything, he really didn’t know anything about this!”
He Xuan is positively incensed. “THAT’S PRECISELY WHY HE’S SO CONTEMPTIBLE! WHY IS HE ALLOWED TO KNOW NOTHING?! He didn’t know then, but is he still ignorant now?!”
Qingxuan looks absolutely miserable. Shi Wudu panics internally. Appealing to He Xuan’s affection for Qingxuan and Qingxuan’s ignorance may not be the best strategy. Shi Wudu racks his brains for a way out while He Xuan interrogates and Qingxuan fails to answer satisfactorily.
He Xuan said coldly to Qingxuan, “Well, talk. Why did you stop? So are you willing to die for your sins?”
Oh no no no, this conversation is going the wrong direction. Shi Wudu tries to redirect He Xuan’s ire to himself.
“HE XUAN!!! The offender is me, it’s the Reverend of Empty Words. Qingxuan’s sin doesn’t deserve death, you...” He was cut off by He Xuan’s vicious tone.
”And who in my family has sinned?” He Xuan countered, ”Who of my family deserved death?”
Shi Wudu chokes. He has no appropriate answers to those questions. The imagery of a bird eating a worm flooding his brain really isn’t helping. He doubts that He Xuan would accept the answer ‘survival of the fittest doesn’t care about who is deserving’.
Shi Wudu listens as He Xuan lays out two options, the Supreme’s eyes burning with deep resentment and hatred.
The first would allow them both to leave alive, but they won’t stay alive for long, without power and with Qingxuan’s life switched with the lowest of fates. The second demands Shi Wudu’s life at the hands of his little brother. The dull, rusted blade will ensure a painful end for him and lifelong trauma for Qingxuan.
Shi Wudu once made a promise to protect Qingxuan, and he intends to keep it.
“… I’ll end myself. Let me do it myself.”
He Xuan is unforgiving. ”You have no right to bargain with me.”
Shi Wudu is briefly overcome with despair. He has worked so hard to secure his position, to ensure Qingxuan’s life and happiness, and one careless mistake brings centuries of planning tumbling down.
Ultimately, Qingxuan and him disagree on the options. He wanted option two, Qingxuan wanted option one. Qingxuan has always been an optimists, while Shi Wudu served as the realistic planner. The Water Master has also never been good at stomaching the sight of his loved one’s suffering.
”Don’t you understand? To have me lose everything and watch you become a grimy creature, you think I can do it?! Why don’t I just go ahead and die from madness!” he says furiously, trying to get Qingxuan to see sense. Either way, Shi Wudu’s life as he knows it is done, so it’s better to spare Qingxuan from an equally painful end.
His little brother has hundreds of years of experience behind him now. Surely Qingxuan will bounce back with resilience. The little baby, tiny and vulnerable, has grown up into a man Shi Wudu is proud of.
Not that he would ever admit it to Qingxuan’s face. The Wind Master’s ego was healthy enough as is. But now that he stands at the precipice, Shi Wudu wishes he told Qingxuan that he is proud of him more frequently.
Summoning the last vestiges of his strength, Shi Wudu rises and grabs the blade.
”Come, Qingxuan. Finish the job and find General Pei. Ask him to take care of you. Ge has enemies covering the heavens to the earth. It’d be easier if I die. If I die then nothing else will happen to you. If I don’t die but have nothing, then that’s truly a fate worse than death. If I’m not the Water God, I can’t take care of you. I won’t even be able to protect myself. I’m scared that we won’t even last two days... take this and finish me.”
He shoves the blade into Qingxuan’s hands. Qingxuan cries and begs, and Shi Wudu tries to calm him down and persuade.
He Xuan’s patience snaps.
"Quiet! Enough of that disgusting display of brotherly love.”
Shi Wudu spits blood from the force of the kick that He Xuan lands on him. Unhelpfully, his brain wonders if the constitutions of Supremes are different. He is pretty sure He Xuan would’ve ascended as an elemental or a civil god, had he lived his actual fate, but that kick felt like it came from a martial god.
This is where they die, he thinks.
In the end it didn’t really matter.
Or did it?
Shi Wudu lunges for Qingxuan’s throat, applying pressure the way Pei Ming once taught him to knock someone unconscious.
“Qingxuan! I can’t leave you alone like this! If I die there’s no way you’ll be able to survive in this world, so you might as well come with me!”
Suddenly, He Xuan appears in front of him. Shi Wudu’s arms have been detached from his body.
”Did I give you a third path?” the Supreme said coldly.
Shi Wudu feels like cackling wildly, and so he did. His gamble paid off perfectly.
He Xuan did not really want the Wind Master dead after all.
”I’m laughing at you! Did you think you’ve finally taken your revenge after enduring for so many years? Does it feel good?"
The Supreme responds in the affirmative. It only makes Shi Wudu laugh harder and goad the calamity even more.
“Then let me tell you, I feel good too! You are still powerless in bringing your family back. BE AS MAD AS YOU WANT, THEY’RE LONG GONE! But me, and my brother, we’ve lived for so long, and we’ve been heavenly officials for hundreds of years, so even if he can’t be one any longer, even he can’t live anymore, he still profited. I’M STILL THE VICTOR SO I FEEL EVEN BETTER THAN YOU! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA...”
He Xuan cycles through the five stages of grief in two seconds. He grabs Shi Wudu by the collar and yells, ”HAVE YOU NO REMORSE?”
No, Shi Wudu has no remorse. He has fought and worked for centuries for what he has. The first-born of the successful merchant family could’ve lived a charmed life. But his brother got cursed, and they spent years hiding from the demon. When he was a teen his parents died, and he was saddled with more responsibility than a minor should’ve needed to bear. His older relatives were useless, fighting over inheritance instead of helping. Shi Wudu shelved whatever dreams and ambitions his young, mortal self may have had in exchange for protecting his brother.
Shi Wudu is not ashamed to say that he enjoyed the fruits of his success, and that he enjoys being powerful enough to not feel threatened by most things – or people or ghosts or demons. But he fought for every bit that he wanted and for every bit that he had. And he is proud of it.
He Xuan and Shi Wudu are more similar than the Supreme realizes. They are both single-minded in their goals, and capable of rising up when knocked down by life’s challenges. They both fight for what they want and would patiently weave and execute plans that span years, decades, centuries.
They both hate to yield to their enemies. He Xuan will not want to grant Shi Wudu his purported last wishes.
Ergo, checkmate.
He lifts his chin proudly, in defiance. “Qingxuan, gege will go ahead first. I will wait for you down below. Hahahahaha…”
He hears Qingxuan begging for their lives, but it’s okay.
He Xuan will spare Qingxuan’s life, partly from lingering fondness and partly from the urge to deny Shi Wudu’s wishes. He Xuan will kill Shi Wudu to complete his revenge.
Still, Shi Wudu has fulfilled his responsibility. And this would be a less painful death than being hacked with a dull knife.
As He Xuan separates his head from his body, Shi Wudu thinks, goodbye and good luck, didi, my precious Qingxuan. I hope you stay optimistic and eventually, be happy.
Gods do not reincarnate, and with luck, the chain of revenge will end with his death.