Thread by @KNasFanFic

NSFW🔞🔞🔞 because I know there's those who find breastfeeding inappropriate 🙄

Baby fox Hong-er (Hua Cheng later), Omega Ferret Xie Lian, eventual Junlian but that's a slow burn, starts below

#hualian #HeavenOfficialsBlessing #HuaCheng #Xielian #TGCF #fanfiction

The god pleasing festival was fully underway. Xie Lian had done his dramatic entrance and was proceeding with his roll accordingly. He was the kingdom of Xian Le's most beloved crown prince for more than just his status and royal blood.

After years of the Xie clan no bearing any pure blooded ferret hybrid's, Xie Lian was the first after centuries of the clan trying. So he was far more precious and even considered the kingdoms most rarest treasure. Therefore there was always a lot of expectations.

Like now. He was the chosen martial artist for the parade so of course he had to oblige. In all honesty he just wanted to find an alpha he felt deserving and settle down and have pups and just live contently however it maybe, as a prince or a commoner. Preferably as a commoner.

Xie Lian was on the verge of the climax of the fight with the "demon". He felt utterly bad for Mu Qing and felt his friend got the short end of the deal but he kept his mouth shut. Mu Qing's stay at the mountain was delicate as it was, Xie Lian didn't want to ruin it

He was about to thrust the sword forward when he heard ear piercing cries. Stopping completely, Xie Lian whipped around, looking frantically around, his omega instincts kicking in full force recognizing those cries as a distressed baby pup.

Mu Qing was right next to him looking around with the same rapt attention, same instincts screaming at him. Then Xie Lian seen it. A man was holding a screeching baby at the top of the battlements, it was how he was holding the baby that made Xie Lian react.

The man drew back and threw the baby from the top of the battlements. People were screaming as they watched the baby fall to it's death. Then suddenly something white flitted by so quickly that by the time their eyes adjusted Xie Lian was nearly landing back to the ground

It was almost instantly that the baby pup stopped shrieking. It snuggled it's tiny little face into Xie Lian's chest making little grunting whimpering sounds, tiny hands pawing at his chest. Not paying attention to that Xie Lian made it back to the platform

He held the baby close as they finished the battle reenactment at hand.

Later, Xie Lian handed the baby to Feng Xin as Mu Qing helped him change out of the ceremonial robes. When Mu Qing accidentally brushed against his chest, Xie Lian /screeched/.

The sound was not only loud but piercing, startling the baby into crying. All the while Xie Lian is making a series of little barking noises with an occasional hiss thrown in. Mu Qing only heard this a small handful of times and tried his best not to laugh.

Taking several deep breaths, Xie Lian calmed down. He turned to Feng Xin who was looking at him like he lost his mind.

"What?"

"Are you...okay?" Xie Lian stared back at him looking thoroughly annoyed.

"I'm a ferret hybrid. You honestly never heard those noises before?"

Feng Xin stood there still, baby still crying but I'm the verge of screeching again, looking utterly worried and slightly terrified. Xie Lian sighed.

"No I haven't. What the hell was that anyway?" This time Mu Qing couldn't hold it in and busted out laughing, holding his sides.

Feng Xin now looked at Mu Qing the same way he had with Xie Lian.

"It's their way of cursing someone out. It's hilarious to be honest. The first time I seen him do it was after having dealt with his majesty!" Mu Qing continued to laugh while Xie Lian just stood there.

"Anyway," Xie Lian moved towards Feng Xin, taking the baby from him and trying to steer the conversation away from his ferret habits "There should be no reason my chest should be hurting." He was wearing his inner robe for right now.

Sensing that it was back in Xie Lian's arms again, the baby burrowed it's face in his chest again with tiny little hands kneading at his chest again. Xie Lian hissed in pain, wincing in the process.

"Your Highness, has that baby been doing that since you caught him?"

A grimace of pain with barred teeth. "Yes, why?" Xie Lian gritted out painfully. Mu Qing knawed on his bottom lip some as he watched the baby's movements.

"How long were we out there for afterwards?" He looked over at Feng Xin, knowing full well Xie Lian wouldn't know.

"Maybe close to ten hours? We started really early. Why?" Mu Qing blinked for a moment.

"Maybe we should get the physicians because I'm not sure..."

"I know what's wrong, it's okay. By the way I think he's a fox pup."

Both Feng Xin and Mu Qing turned at the same time and froze in place. Xie Lian was laying across the divan at the far side of his bedroom. He had propped himself comfortably on a stack of pillows in a reclined position. The baby lay sprawled out on his bare chest.

But what shocked Mu Qing and Feng Xin was the audible sucking noises coming from the babe and the look of complete and utter contentment on Xie Lian's face, his eyes closed, making a feint purring noise. The pup was making content little whimpering grunt noises--

kneading the breast he was trying to feed off of. After a few more tries, Xie Lian readjusts the baby on that nipple and it finally latches on right, making a happy slight barking noise before finally going into content little grunts.

It's little tongue visibly working as it suckled along.

"Um...your highness..." Feng Xin didn't know what to say really. Was this even normal? Xie Lian was unmated, he had no alpha. He understood if it was Mu Qing who was his mate but...

"Are you actually feeding him Xie Lian?" Feng Xin looked at Mu Qing in surprise, seeing his omega looking calm and serene.

"Surprisingly, yes. I can actually feel it. Come, look at his cute little fluffy red ears!!!" Mu Qing grinned as he hurried over.

Feng Xin smiled as he watched both omega's gush over the baby's little red ears.

"Wait, he?" Feng Xin finally realized what Xie Lian said. "How do you know it's a he?"

Xie Lian smiled. "Oh I'm pretty sure that what's pressing against my stomach is not a vagina."

Mu Qing leaned over, lifting up a little leg, eyes widening slightly before sitting upright quickly. "/Definitely/ a boy. Balls and all. Also an alpha if the size of his...well from the size of /him/. He'll make some omega happy"

"Mu Qing!!!" Xie Lian stared at him wide eyed.

"What? It's not like you don't know"

"No." He fixed Mu Qing with a look.

"Uh oh..." Mu Qing watched as Xie Lian began gently grooming the little pups ears. Being a cat hybrid himself, Mu Qing was familiar with the little hooked barbs on their tongues for grooming.

It was often compared to sandpaper. That's not what worried him. He was seeing the starts of imprinting and it wasn't just from the baby.

"Your Highness, reign in your omega." Mu Qing warned

"No. I won't." His attendants looked at him shocked. "You two don't understand"

They stood there quietly for a few more moments. "Well at least let me get the right physician for this. If you are keeping him, might as well see what you need to do to make you produce milk more and better quality. You can't be a picky eater anymore" Feng Xin said smiling.

"I'm okay with that. I don't know how to explain this feeling, I just want to keep it". They both nodded. They understood. While they had each other and everyone around him had someone, Xie Lian was alone. After a while, being alone wears on a person let alone an omega.

Xie Lian is, for what they understood, the only one of his hybrid kind so it made a lot of alpha's want to mate him but Xie Lian didn't find even one of them promising. Which made him even more lonelier. It was hard for anyone to really understand Xie Lian.

So it made it difficult for Xie Lian to even connect with another unmated alpha. Mu Qing watched as the pup unlatched, his little head bobbing as he nuzzled his head over to the other nipple, sniffing out the smell of the leaking milk. He latched again, began eating again.

Xie Lian sighed, a soft smile on his face as he melted into the pillows, holding the pup in place on his chest, drifting off to sleep.

The next several days were a mess but Xie Lian handled it far more gracefully and elegantly than anyone would have thought. He was only 17, going to be turning 18 in a few short months. His parents were adamant on him getting rid of the pup but he kept refusing.

Xie Lian decided then, since his pup was not welcome in the Palace, he would find himself a job or two, a place to stay, and it'll just be him and his pup. To hell with his parents and the palace. He'll figure it out on his own.

So after once again being reprimanded for keeping the little pup, Xie Lian is now desperate. His father's threat of sending guards over to the nursery rings in his ears and he's running through the palace in hopes of getting there before them. He rounds the corner to see them

all standing outside his quarters looking completely pissed. Xie Lian went to step forward when strong arms pulled him down a different hallway, a hand pressed against his mouth the muffle him crying out. He was dragged some ways away before he was released.

Whirling around, Xie Lian opened his mouth to demand what this person was doing when a small warm bundle was pressed into his arms. Looking down shocked, he realized it was his pup. Looking back he he saw several men dressed like eunuchs.

"Who...who sent you?" The men didn't quick bow, the leader of the group looking around before answering.

"We are here under orders of our emperor Lang Ying" Xie Lian's eyes widened. "Word has reached him of you predicament. You have him a second chance, he wants to return

"the favor and offer you and your pup a second chance. We just have to get you to Yong'an first to our emperor and he'll discuss the details with you and any requests you have. He also said to assure you he's not looking to mate you, just to help you."

Xie Lian was quiet for a moment, watching his little pup sleep through all this. He wasn't being given much of a choice by his parents or his kingdom. He couldn't leave his friends and Guoshi here. He knew his father would have them killed

"As if reading his thoughts the leader spoke again "You're friends and teacher are already in Yong'an safely. We just need to get you out of here" hearing this Xie Lian decided to take the risk. For his pup, he'd do anything. Nodding his ascent, they guide him out of the palace

It was relatively easy to get him out of the palace, there were many servants that aided them. Once outside the palace, they got Xie Lian into a carriage and left. Xie Lian didn't even look out behind the curtain to watch as the imperial city began to vanish from sight.

He didn't care. If this risk was worth it, he wouldn't have to worry about someone trying to kill his pup ever again. He was willing to trade his life for this baby. As tears feel from his eyes, feeling great for the first time of the unknown, tiny little grunts broke through his

thoughts. The feeling of tiny hands pushing on his chest making Xie Lian smiled and chuckle. Pup was hungry.

"Um... If you don't mind...I have to.." the man in the carriage that was placed there as a guard smiled. He was a lion alpha with string features and beautiful

pale greyish blue eyes, long onyx hair. Xie Lian blushed. Did he have to be put in here with such a handsome alpha? Don't get him started on his scent. Sandalwood, cedar, and the smell of clean, crisp mountain air mixed in with Xie Lian's own maple, jasmine, and lotus scent.

They merged so well, something that never happened before with another alpha. Xie Lian remembered hearing that it was one of the signs of compatibility. Xie Lian would take this into consideration. The bigger test being how this alpha treats his pup.

That was the only thing Xie Lian was truly looking for in an alpha. To love his little pup as much if not more than he would love Xie Lian. The tiny grunts we're turning into distressed whimpers and Xie Lian blushed harder.

"It's okay. I won't judge."

Xie Lian looked at him in surprise and shock, which earned him a warmer smile.

"I truly think it's a beautiful thing. There nothing to be ashamed of. You're a mother whether you birthed him or not, you're a mother. Go ahead." Xie Lian gave this alpha a relieved smile.

"Thank you" Xie Lian juggled the now squirming baby. "Ugh, Hong-er please stop, I'm trying to...oh!" Hong-er lurched backwards, the alpha moved quickly catching the pup, both sighing in relief.

"Finish getting ready, I'll hold him." This alpha looked like he nearly had a heart

attack. Xie Lian felt bad.

"Thank you, I'm sorry for that. I've never been late on feedings." Xie Lian felt so comfortable around this alpha as he continued to arrange his robes to allow him to feed Hong-er.

"Hong-er?" The alpha smiled at him and Xie Lian felt butterflies in

his stomach making him blush again.

"Yes, for his red fur. His official name won't be till he's older" the alpha continued to smile, his eyes never leaving Hong-er.

"Such a tiny fox but you are so damn cute!!" The alpha scratched one of Hong-er's ears.

It was then that Xie Lian realized something.

"His ears are open!" He had sat back down, one side of his robe pulled down revealing an already leaking breast. "Bring him here, I'm ready." The alpha nodded moving forward, placing the pup gently, stomach first, on Xie Lian.

Tiny eyes still tightly shut, he nosed and nuzzled his way to the leaking nipple with some guidance from Xie Lian. Latching on fully, Hong-er began to feed noisily making the alpha chuckle.

"Hungry aren't we" Hong-er continued to feed, making the cutest little noises.

They both laughed. As Hong-er ate, they talked about the situation and everything in between.

"You know I haven't gotten your name. I know you're aware of who I am" the alpha nodded, a small smile gently gracing his lips as he looked at the pup.

"I don't want to startle you."

"I won't be startled. I promise." The alpha looked at Xie Lian's eyes, a look of uncertainty in them.

"I just don't want you to treat me differently" Xie Lian sighed, motioning for the uncertain alpha to sit down next him.

"I won't I promise." Xie Lian placed his hand over top the alpha's, noticing how small his hand was to the larger man's.

"It's Jun Wu." Oh. He's the Heavenly Emperor. Regardless Xie Lian smiled.

"Thank you, Jun Wu. It's better than calling you 'that really sweet alpha'"

They both laughed until the tiniest little bark broke the moment.

"He barked!" Xie Lian gasped and looked down, eyes widening and tears welling up until his vision blurred. "Jun Wu look! His eyes! He finally opened his eyes!!"

Jun Wu seen the tiny little eyes open and look around. They were a mismatched pair, one a startling mix of Ruby and garnet red and the other was like starlit obsidian.

"He has such beautiful eyes!" Hong-er focused his tiny gaze on Xie Lian. "Hi my pup, my Hong-er"

Hong-er stared up at him, blinking slowly. Raising a tiny little hand up, Xie Lian met it halfway and clasped it in his bigger one. The move earned him a small giggle and a raspberry. Xie Lian's heart filled up with so much love for this tiny pup that it overflowed

and he found himself crying. "Such a good boy" he leaned his head down and placed a kiss on top of his little head and he received little happy chirps in return. "I love you so much" Xie Lian scooted his little fox pup up his chest more before holding him closer

nuzzling the side of their faces together. Jun Wu silently watched from where he sat next to him, feeling completely overwhelmed with the emotions raging inside him. He looked at them and felt a type of love he never had before. He felt a level of protectiveness that he never

experienced before either. He wanted nothing more to keep these two safe, to love them and care for them. He felt that familial and mating bond without having to actually go through the process and that was fine with him. Those were formalities. This right here.

This right here was all he ever needed. All he ever wanted. Even if Xie Lian never wants to mate, as long as he was willing to have Jun Wu around, Jun Wu would be happy regardless and happy to be able to watch this little pup grow.

When they eventually arrived in the imperial city in Yong'an, Xie Lian was curled up on Jun Wu's lap with Hong-er tucked snugly between them all toasty and warm. Jun Wu had no idea /how/ this happened but he managed to make Xie Lian look decent before carefully carrying them off.

Lang Ying understood as soon as he seen them. Mu Qing and Feng Xin as well as Mei Nianqing looked relieved to see them safe. After laying them both down in the room Lang Ying had prepared, Jun Wu met with Mei Nianqing in the small palace courtyard.

"Thank you for this. I know you are very busy but I didn't know who else to turn to." Mei Nianqing looked up at Jun Wu, worry prevalent on his face. "I just don't understand what the issue is. I really don't."

"It's because he is a rare hybrid. Having a pup, especially one not his own, ruins his chances at a good mate in their opinion." Jun Wu moved to sit on one of the benches. "My opinion, it makes him even more rare and valuable. To me, that is the perfect omega to mate with"

He continued. "I've lived 1200 years. I've searched for my ideal omega to be my empress and never finding them. All I want is one that can love a pup even if it's not theirs. That's a heart made of pure gold, one truly worthy of the title Mother of the World."

"But that's not why. Never the real reason why. Him and I have the same reasons, looking for the same thing in a good mate. It was only a carriage ride but I'm already in love. Not just with him but with Hong-er, that adorable little pup."

A warm, tender smile crossed his face, startling the other alpha who never seen Jun Wu like this in all their years knowing each other. "His little ears opened on the way here. Oh! And his eyes! You should see his eyes, their beautiful." Jun Wu's expression softened further

"He even barked once and when he seen Xie Lian he made happy tiny chirps and giggled. It was such a wonderful thing to be present for. I loved it so much" Mei Nianqing understood at that moment and wondered if there was a way to convince Xie Lian.

The following days were a blur of getting Xie Lian settled in Yong'an and getting him and his pup proper care. Emperor Lang Ying refused to let them live outside the palace as Xian Le soldiers were reported prawling about looking for Xie Lian.

So for now Xie Lian stayed within the palace until they were moved out of Yong'an to prove Xie Lian wasn't there. Him and the pup fled to Xuli, a kingdom he knew his father wouldn't think he would be at. Unfortunately this move was done without the

knowledge of anyone, so Xie Lian was completely alone with his little pup. He had enough of his father threatening war on Yong'an and left without telling anyone, using night time as a cover. Now though he worked on one of the farms in a village

that seemed quite nice and accepting of Xie Lian being an unmated omega with a baby. That's how he met General Pei Ming. The soldiers were marching through on their way to another battlefield when they stopped just outside the little village to rest.

With little Hong-er strapped to his chest while he worked the rice fields that day, several soldiers were harassing him. Trying to get him to put Hong-er down willingly and go with them for some "fun". Xie Lian continued to work though he gave a low warning growl.

"oh, looky here! This one's got some bite to him" one soldier said as he took a step closer to Xie Lian while the others surrounded him. He wrapped a protective arm around Hong-er. "That's okay, once we get that pup from you we'll fuck that attitude right out of you!" He sneered

"Hmmm, I never thought I had to witness my own men being disgusting lowlife's. Acting nothing more than brigands instead of soldiers" they froze but Xie Lian didn't relax one bit and bared his teeth. "Guang take these idiots down for punishment."

Another man stepped out from behind the one that had arrived and it wasn't until he was the only there that Xie Lian relaxed one a little. But he still bared his teeth.

"My apologies for that, I don't allow such things to happen" he apologized but Xie Lian still eyed him

He was an alpha after all and Xie Lian had come to mistrust alpha's greatly since leaving Jun Wu and Feng Xin behind. The only two he ever truly trusted.

"My name is General Pei Ming. Please don't bring on guard, you won't get hurt your highness"

Pei Ming was a smart man and a good warrior. It didn't take him long to recognize Xie Lian but what he wasn't expecting was to be outright attacked by him. Even with the pup snugly tied to him and with one arm protecting it, Xie Lian fought fiercely and Pei Ming found it

difficult to defend himself and keep up. Before long he found himself flat on his back and once he got his bearings and got up, Xie Lian was gone.

Beginning of thread fic here (hopefully I got the right link)

@mysteryseong found it

https://twitter.com/KNasFanFic/status/1482508331554062341?t=-fA6VVhKm41vuJ5hxV4BHg&s=19

After searching the small village for some time General Pei couldn't find the lost prince. As he turned to go back to camp though, he came face to face with quite a few villagers with the village leader among them.

"What do you want with Hua Xie? Don't you think you and your soldiers have done enough to him as it is?" The village leader glared at Pei Ming who instantly understood the problem. It seems he will have to start applying more than just pressure for discipline.

"I just want to make sure he is okay and apologize again" well that was most of the truth.

"Well you can't. Because of you and your men he grabbed his babe and fled! Anymore trouble and memorial of complaint will be sent to the emperor!!"

Elsewhere, Xie Lian continued to run. Clutching Hong-er close and stopping on for very short intervals to ensure he was not being followed and to check on the baby. The mountains were looming ahead and if he could get to the mountain village there--

he would be able to get to one of Jun Wu's temples. He knows just outright leaving without telling anyone wasn't the right thing to do but at least they didn't have to fake that they didn't know where he ran off to. But he felt incredibly horrible about not saying anything--

to the alpha. Xie Lian just knew the bigger temples were at the base of mountains since the Heavenly Emperor was born to a mountain village. Steeling himself for a long journey, Xie Lian pressed on, running like he was still being chased but ever so careful not to leave a trace.

~Heavenly Capital~
Jun Wu continued to pace in his study. Its been so long since he had sent Xie Lian and everyone out looking for him couldn't find him. He hoped and wished hard that Xie Lian would seek out on of his temples at least this way Jun Wu would know he was safe.

He feared for the omega safety and the safety of that Lil pup that it was getting harder and harder for him to concentrate on anything else. It was to be winter real soon and snow in the mountains came early if Xie Lian was near any of them. The first snow being the harshest

All Jun Wu could do was wait and search as well even though the hardest part was the waiting. As for the kingdom of Xianle, Jun Wu spared it no solace as prayers came pouring in about an upcoming war with Yong'an. If they fell, they fell, it would be their own fault.

~Night time small unknown named mountain village~

Xie Lian had made it far past sunset and the night air was getting colder. Though the looming clouds from earlier in the day threatened snow, nothing fell yet. The winds picked up making the weather colder, biting into his skin.

Worried for Hong-er, Xie Lian had long since taken off his outer robe and wrapped the babe with it, giving him another layer on top of the 2 blankets he was already wrapped in. Making sure the tiny little face was covered, Xie Lian continued through the quiet village.

Everyone had long since retired for the night, either sleeping or relaxing at home so Xie Lian avoided knock on any doors. The wond blew again, harder and colder, making Xie Lian shiver. He had to find the temple. Even if he couldn't last the night at least Hong-er would be safe.

He would be found by the attendant's of the temple the next day and taken care of. Maybe they would even pray to Jun Wu and the god would come and take Hong-er. It was all wishful thinking but it was all Xie Lian had left. The cold was getting to him, seeping through his skin.

His joints were hurting and protesting the more he lived. His feet felt wet in his tattered boots and he was sure it was blood and not sweat. He continued to walk and stumble along until he noticed a well maintained path laiden with pristine white marble tile.

This was it! He found it! It was too dark to read the plaque posted next to the path but a lions head carved from white jade was a fixed to the top and Xie Lian just knew this was the way to Jun Wu's temple. Without another moment of hesitation, he made his way up.

The ascent up was arduous and Xie Lian could hear the squelching of his boots with each step he took, knowing full well he was leaving behind bloodied footprints. He didn't care. He was so close. Close to safety for Hong-er. Close to the alpha that cared for him.

Closer to the man he wanted to call his alpha. With the way his body was now, that was no more than a broken dream now. Xie Lian's only hope was safety and a home for his pup. Someone to live and cage for him like their own. He would gladly die for it. He would still hope for it.

Soon the temple came to view as loud heavy thunder sounded and excited through the mountains but it did not deter Xie Lian. He flattened his ears down and growled in challenge as he held Hong-er closer and forced his body to speed up the rest of the way.

The wind was stronger here as it wiped around Xie Lian. Wounds he suffered from running all this way had long been torn open but the biting cold wind cause the edges to dry out and start to crack across his skin making him bleed anew.

He couldn't feel the pain in his feet anymore. His lungs and chest burned with each inhalation and exhalation of freezing cold air as he panted. His throat was raw and he had a metallic taste in his mouth but he didn't stop. He mind driving him with the need to keep his pup safe.

The thunder sounded again. This time Xie Lian noted the thunder he has been hearing including this one sounds strange and nothing like the usual thunder before a storm. He kept pressing on regardless, finally making it to the front courtyard.

He practically collapses to his knees, his feet unable to carry him any further. So he crawls instead as he leaves a bloody trail behind him, Hong-er strapped snugly to his chest. By the time he reaches the temple doors his hands and knees are bleeding--

but he continues not to care as he leans up and opens the temple door. Slowly and painfully he crawl shuffles into the temple. He can feel his body ready to give out. He had been running and moving non-stop for several days. His body had enough. But he made it.

He closes the door behind him, blocking out the bitter winter cold wind. It's warmer in the temple and he checks on the bundled up Hong-er. Still sleeping soundly. Xie Lian smiles. Safe. He's safe. That's all that matters but something deep inside tells him to keep fighting.

To keep hanging on just a little longer. So he tries. He tries as he scoots across the floor, blood still trailing behind him. He continues to try as he makes it to the offering table in front of the statue of Jun Wu. He still tries as he shakily looks up, vision blurring.

But he still can make out Jun Wu's features and smiles.

"My alpha...I made it..." His voice is raspy, hoarse from the cold and all the running. "I found your temple..." Its a prayer he hopes the alpha can hear. "I pushed my body past it's limits."

The strange thunder is roaring now as he sways in place, trying to keep himself held up. Just a little longer. He almost done. Just..."I won't be able to actually call you my alpha. To tell you I fell for you. Who knew one carriage ride could make me change my mind"

Tears start to slowly slip down his cheeks, his heart aching. "Please take care of Hong-er. Please..." Without another word Xie Lian collapsed. His body landing on its side with Hong-er still strapped to his chest. Thunder roared once more before a bright light engulfed the templ

Jun Wu struggled to leave his Grand Martial Palace. His feet unsteady and his heart racing as it continued to break. He heard Xie Lian's prayer but as he went through the motions to descend, tears falling as he braced himself on what he would see.

Xie Lian's voice had faded out and the alpha felt am indescribable ache at the thought he lost his omega before they even had a chance. He was leaving to gather /their/ little pup. To....to bury the omega he felt his ancient heart call to. All this consumed him in a whirl of

emotions far too encompassing and heavy for his own immortal body to handle. Right as he was about to descend the heavens shook violently. He landed back down and stared wide eyed on the direction where the newly ascended entered. Xie Lian's prayer faded out like his life and now

....and now this. He felt a tug in his heart, a small ray of hope filling it. This was too much of a coincidence, so he made his way instead to the blinding light of ascension.

When Jun Wu arrived, the heavenly officials present bowed in respect. Some making comments about the strength of the person ascending that they had to be a highly cultivated individual. As the light faded and the new gods feet touched the ground beneath them everyone gasped.

Jun Wu smiled. Before him and everyone in the heavens stood a ferret hybrid in white tattered inner cultivators clothes with a lumped bundle strapped to his chest. Confused golden hazel eyes looked around before they landed on Jun Wu who stood front and center.

Jun Wu watched as once cracked lips broke into a smile. Unable to contain himself Xie Lian ran but this time it was into the waiting arms of his alpha. The officials standing around them whispered to each other, wondering who this person was. They both ignored them.

"A-Lian, where's Hong-er?" The prince smiled at Jun Wu, seeing the worry etched on the man's face. He carefully undid the bundle, revealing the very much wide awake and startled Hong-er. Jun Wu couldn't help but laugh as the baby red fox looked around wide eyed.

As soon as Hong-er heard his chuckle and seen him, the little fox was reaching out to him making little grabby hands in the air as if that would pull the alpha closer. Outright laughing now, Jun Wu scooped Hong-er up out of his little bundle of blankets and Xie Lian's outer robe

"Come, there's no need to find you a place to stay at or build you a palace. You and our pup will still with me. Come, let's get you settled." Continuing to ignore the shocked, outraged, and curious heavenly officials, Jun Wu led Xie Lian away carrying Hong-er who was looking

over Jun Wu's shoulder. The heavenly officials watched them walk away towards the Grand Martial Palace but weren't expecting the lil pup to wave at them. Some just stared as others hesitantly waved back while the rest waved enthusiastically back gushing over how cute it was.

Xie Lian caught a glimpse of the waving Hong-er and couldn't help the "Aw!" That escaped him.. Hong-er didn't react, instead he kept waving until the officials were no longer in view I'm which he stopped and sighed. Turning his gaze to his momma he smiled wide and waved at him.

Xie Lian couldn't help but laugh, raining kisses all over that tiny little face until Hong-er started to giggle. They had long crossed the threshold into the palace and we're walking past a pool with lotus flowers and leaves. Jun Wu stopped a moment and turned, Hong-er pulling

back to look at him curiously. He stared at Xie Lian for moment, debating on what to say at first before a soft smile softened his expression.

"Welcome home" he said, not able to keep his smile from widening. Xie Lian returned it but instead of replying, he leaned forward

and up onto his tippy toes, and placed a kiss gently and softly on Jun Wu's lips, shocking the heavenly emperor.

"Thank you." Jun Wu blinked a few times while Hong-er blew raspberries at them. Shaking his head he.leaned down to kiss Xie Lian's forehead.

"Let's go get him settled. We have much to talk about".

And that's the end of this arc. Next one I'm planning the many adventures and exploits of Hong-er