- "Your highness, trust me. I am forever your most devoted believer."
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Ghost Bridegroom
- Xie Lian was initially beloved as the Crown Prince and his dream was to save the common folk. It's because of this ideal that he was cast out of heaven twice:
- During a ceremony when he was performing, he broke character to save a child who fell from a building and continued to perform after catching the child and holding them close.
- The reason he descended the first time? He couldn't stand by watching the people of his kingdom suffer during a war, so he went down to intervene and save as many people as he could.
- Disguised as a bride, Xie Lian is expecting the bridegroom to be horrible when they meet and is surprised at how gentle he was. Extending his hand into the wedding sedan and patiently waiting for Xie Lian to take his hand, covering Xie Lian with his umbrella when blood rain pours from the skies and happily matches whatever walking pace Xie Lian sets to test him.
- Xie Lian and San Lang's first meeting. It's probably the first time in a while where Xie Lian met someone who doesn't treat him suspiciously or full of contempt. Xie Lian even decides to call San Lang a friend instead of youngster, once he sees how intelligent this teenager was. Xie Lian soon grows so fond of San Lang that when he sees him jump into the Sinner's Pit, he's screaming for the teenager and later takes Ke Mo down with him as payback.
- In the manhua, as Xie Lian sleeps, San Lang uses his powers to shield Puqi shrine from the wandering ghosts at night.
- The portrait of the Crown Prince Xie Lian that San Lang paints for him, depicting Xie Lian in his former godly glory. Xie Lian's so stunned he reaches out and almost touches the portrait.
Ban Yue
- As the merchants laugh at the general's memorialized death, San Lang says he thinks he read on the wall that kotowing three times to the generals grave would actually grant people good luck. The men immediately start kotowing, but Xie Lian side eyes San Lang, saying that he didn't see anything mentioning that. San Lang admits he was lying, and felt that after the merchants laughed at the general, making them kotow didn't seem like asking too much. Heartwarming in Hindsight when we find out that the general was Xie Lian, who was trying to stop the two sides from fighting.
- The story of how the snake tailed scorpion came to be while overall a sad and horrifying tale, the one ray of hope comes from the queen who felt horrible for the creatures after her husband forced them to mate and killed them soon afterwards. Out of pity the queen takes a flower petal and uses it to cover their corpses. The petals of the flower soon become the cure for the poison that the creature inflicts.
- Xie Lian recounts how he met Ban Yue. A starving orphaned girl who was bullied by both sides and would eat his spilled food off the ground even if it made her even more sick. He attempted to feed her properly and from that day on, she would follow him around. It's telling that she still sees him in an extremely positive light once she recognizes him. Xie Lian saying if he hadn't gotten caught in the crossfire of the two armies, he would have ran away from the kingdom and taken Ban Yue with him.
- Xie Lian tells San Lang he knew he was Hua Cheng in disguise, but he doesn't chase him away the way Fu Yao and Nan Feng tried. He tells him if they like each other, they'll meet again, and hopefully he'll get to see San Lang's true form.
- After San Lang leaves in the morning, Xie Lian finds a beautiful ring around his neck. He can only assume it was San Lang's and decides to keep on wearing it, hoping to meet San Lang again.
- Despite being behind luring merchants and travelers to the Sinner's Pit, Pei Su was actually the one person besides Xie Lian who looked after Ban Yue. She recalls him trying to take care of her and tells Xie Lian he's not really a bad person. Even on trial where Xie Lian expected all of the blame to be placed on Ban Yue, Pei Su admits he's fully at fault without hesitation.
Ghost City
- As Jun Wu sends Xie Lian to a palace that he now can occupy in heaven, the architecture reminds him of when he was still the Crown Prince, but he doesn't find anything comforting. In fact, he prefers the run down Puqi temple over the fancy palace feeling that a scrappy temple certainly suits a Scrap God better.
- Lang Qianqiu bursts in on a gambling session with an old man willing to bet his daughter's life and future marriage just to have an edge over his business competitors. While the other two gods note how he's compromising their mission, it should be said that as young and inexperienced as he is, he at least has his heart in the right place.Lang Qianqui: If you wanted to bet then have the guts to bet your own life, and not the life and marriage of your daughter! You're not fit to be a man! Not fit to even be a father!
- Xie Lian is invited to the Paradise Manor and asks Hua Cheng if it's his home. Hua Cheng says it's just his residence and how the tiny Puqi Shrine is a million times better than his large mansion.Hua Cheng: A home has a family. A place where someone lives alone is not a home.
- Hua Cheng offers his entire armory over to Xie Lian after seeing him fanboy over the weapons he had.
- Xie Lian interferes Hua Cheng and Lan Qian Qiu's sword fight, realizing that Lan Qian Qiu was completely outclassed and would have died otherwise.
Kidnapping
- After Hua Cheng "kidnaps" him, Xie Lian asks him if he only came because he managed to roll snake eyes. Hua Cheng tells him that wasn't the case.Hua Cheng: If you wanted to see me, it won't matter what you rolled. I would always come.
- As Qi Rong starts to insult Hua Cheng, Xie Lian who had successfully held his tongue and emotions in check finally loses his temper and punches his cousin in the face.Xie Lian: Just because I've never hit you before in the past, doesn't mean I would never hit you.
- When Xie Lian goes to the tomb of his parents, when he opens the casket for his mother only to find Qi Rong impersonating her. This sends him into a fury as he grabs his cousin by the scruff and shakes him violently.Xie Lian: Where's my mother? WHERE'S MY MOTHER?! WHAT DID YOU TO DO MY MOTHER'S BODY?!
Xian Le Flashback
- After the procession, Xie Lian compliments Mu Qing's performance as the demon, and even gives him tips on how to wield his saber better.
- As Mu Qing storms off after an argument with Feng Xin, Xie Lian tells him to apologize for what he said, and clear up the misunderstanding. Feng Xin asks why Xie Lian owes anything to Mu Qing who's constantly antagonizing him.Xie Lian: Feng Xin, did you know, there are so many people in this world that are nothing but rocks in my eyes. Rocks are everywhere, but precious jades are hard to come by. When it comes to marital arts, i've only ever seen two people who could be called jades. One is you. The other, is him. I truly think that Mu Qing is extremely gifted. Such a precious jade, how can it be sat to let dust collect and hide its beauty just because of backgrounds and a temper?
- The fact that they find out later the reason Mu Qing was trying to take more cherries than he could eat himself, was so he could bring it down to his old mother. Later on, it's shown that the children of the town adore Mu Qing and see right through his standoffish personality.
- Despite Qi Rong's horrible driving skills, Xie Lian's mother tells Xie Lian that had been asking for a carriage for over two years, and she finally decided to give him one for his birthday. When Xie Lian asks why, she said it was because Qi Rong wanted to go to Mount Taicang whenever he wanted and bring Xie Lian home to visit.
- Xie Lian becomes incredibly protective of Hong Hong-er, even yelling at Qi Rong that he is not allowed to ever come near the child or lay a finger on him. Xie Lian even scolds his cousin for being so violent to a child and how what he did was in now way avenging him for what happened during the Heavenly Ceremonial Procession. He even takes the child to the palace so he could receive medical treatment.
- For breaking Qi Rong's arm, he demands that Feng Xin break his own arms and prostrate in front of him. However, Xie Lian disagrees and argues that since Feng Xin was under his command, he should be the one to receive the punishment. To not make the situation exacerbate, Feng Xin willingly breaks his arm and kneels, to Xie Lian's horror. He later tells Xie Lian it was so the situation wouldn't spiral out of control, and Xie Lian still had his honor intact.
- When the group go down the mountain and try to sneak by the town, they get spotted and Xie Lian expects to be met with violence since the procession was a sign of bad times ahead. However, the townspeople instead gratefully toss Xie Lian into the air, praising him for his performance and how him saving the child shows how he cares for the common-folk as well.
- Hong Hong-er goes into hysterics when he's being blamed for drawing in the dark spirits, but Xie Lian holds him close and calmly reassures him that he wasn't the one at fault. As Xie Lian continues to hold him, Hong Hong-er latches on and cries until he passes out from exhaustion.
- Guoshi tells Xie Lian about the saying of people ascending become gods and the fallen become ghosts, but giving his own perspective.Guoshi: Remember: When humans ascend, they are still human; when they fall, they are still, human.
- Xie Lian remembers the first time he met Qi Rong as a child, who eagerly wanted to write a prayer for him and his mother. The other people around him, who already disliked him take advantage of the fact he can't read and have him write, "Pray my Mother and I pass away to Heavens, Qi Rong". Incensed, Xie Lian stomps on the lamp, causing the people to kotow in fear and he helps Qi Rong rewrite his prayer on a new lamp. Later on when Xie Lian is on the swing, Qi Rong, despite being smaller still pushes him.
- Xie Lian runs into a small run down temple dedicated to him and he finds a white flower in the hand of the statue where a clay one likely used to reside. However, Hong Hong er reappears to replace the flower with a fresher one and even follows Xie Lians wishes that nobody kneel in front of his statues as he prays. He even notices that the child refuses to eat anything of the food offered to his statue, despite clearly being starved.
- When Hong Hong er realizes Xie Lian was near after he leaves him an umbrella, he asks Xie Lian to tell him what he should live for. As Mu Qing and Feng Xin try to pry Xie Lian away so he wouldn't violate anymore rules, Xie Lian tells Hong Hong er that if he doesn't know what to live for, than Hong Hong er should live for him. Before he's torn away, Xie Lian also thanks Hong Hong er for the flower, saying that it's beautiful and that he liked it.
- After the crowds that rush to see Xie Lian quickly disperse, Xie Lian finds a single white flower on the ground that had been slightly trampled on.
- As Xie Lian fights against the Yong'An soldiers, he doesn't notice that all throughout the fight a young boy kept rushing in front of him to protect him. Later on, he continues to follow and protect Xie Lian, with the prince even commenting that he should use a sabre in the future since he might be stronger with that weapon.
- Xie Lian hugs Mu Qing and Feng Xin, thanking them for staying by his side. When they try brush it off as them only doing their duty, Xie Lian gives them this heartfelt speech.Xie Lian: Not just for today, but for always, thank you so much. I hope the sight of the three of us standing together fighting will become a tale of the ages.
- Xie Lian gives Hong-er advice on cultivating his talents and suggesting he use a saber since that would suit him better than a sword. Hong-er listens intently and drinks up every word Xie Lian tells him, which Xie Lian notes most people would only listen vaguely out of respect due to his status.
- Once the flower demon incident is over, Xie Lian asks Mu Qing to find Hong-er later so he could get some training in the sabre. He even comments that he'd be "spectacular when he's older". He doesn't even want Hong-er because he wants a potentially strong soldier, but he just wants to see his skills grow and watch.
- Even though White Masks' advice was basically turn the spirits of dead Xian Le onto the people of Yong'an the same way they did to them, Xie Lian doesn't wish to curse innocent people. Mu Qing frustratingly yells they don't have much time to find a cure and this was their only option, but Xie Lian holds fast in his choice.
- Xie Lian finds Hong-er once again protecting the one temple of him that survived the purge, and gently telling the young boy to stop believing in him anymore. However, the boy instead declares he'd rebuild Xie Lian's temples, and make them bigger and grander than anyone else's. Then, he says this:Hong-er: Your Highness! Did you hear me?! In my heart, you are god! You are the only god, the one true god! Did you hear me?!
- As Xie Lian, Feng Xin and Mu Qing prepare to leave the cave, Xie Lian once again tells Hong-er to just forget about him, but the boy remains as stubborn and steadfast as the god he believes in.Hong-er: I won't. I won't! I won't forget. I will never forget you!
Mid Autumn Festival Banquet
- Even though Guzi doesn't realize Qi Rong has possessed his father, he continually tries to protect him from Xie Lian and even feeds him.
- Qi Rong notices the ring around Xie Lian's neck and tries to convince his cousin to throw it away, saying it was an incredibly cursed object. Xie Lian ignores Qi Rong, replying that he chooses to believe in the person who gave the ring to him.
- Shi Qingxuan hides Ban Yue with the Rain Master, even telling General Pei he's more than welcome to try and get her if he wants.
- Shi Qingxuan offers to throw out a hundred thousand merits to drop the curtain for Xie Lian if he feels uncomfortable about the plays about him that will be presented, but he knows that's not the right way to do it.
- The Rain Master apparently doesn't allow his worshippers to offer money because he felt it was better they farm than waste their money on offerings. So instead they offered fruits and vegetables. Then he asks them to take the offerings back so they don't waste food.
- Shi Qingxuan gets eighth place and looking to Shi Wudu for approval. While it doesn't sound pleased, he soon makes up for it by saying next year Shi Qingxuan would just have to work harder to rank higher.
- Xie Lian doesn't expect anything from the lantern competition, and is just as surprised as everyone else when he's declared the winner with 3000 lanterns. Jun Wu doesn't even seem mad about losing to Xie Lian, and actually congratulates him saying, "You always manage to create miracles."
- Xie Lian looks up into the sky to see the floating lanterns and thanking them.Xie Lian: To have beauty exist in this world is already in itself something to be grateful for.
Ghost Fetus
- The rich merchant begs for Xie Lian to help him so the ghost doesn't harm any more of his family.
- Hua Cheng builds an entire temple for Xie Lian purely on a whim. And he also sent up the three thousand lanterns just for Xie Lian's "amusement".Hua Cheng: I figured gege would probably join them in their annual boring games, so I set this place up to give gege some amusement while attending the the banquet, making things interesting.
- As Xie Lian looks at the statue, he finds a tiny white flower laying near it.
- Like the gambling den, Xie Lian tries to teach Hua Cheng to write, but it leads to the two of them playing around and laughing instead.
- Even if it may have been a bit inappropriate on his part, Xie Lian thanks the ghosts for working hard in containing the fire at Paradise Manor. The ghosts sound pleased at the praise. Hua Cheng doesn't say anything to reprimand Xie Lian, so he takes that as a sign it's okay.
- It turns out the ghost fetus belongs to Lan Chang and she refuses to let Xie Lian try and get rid of it with his sword, protectively holding her stomach in a death grip. The main reason she doesn't want Xie Lian to take her son away was because she was afraid what "those scoundrels in heaven" would do to her baby.
- Xie Lian tries to explain that if she attempted to keep her child, it would end up sucking her dry and cause more havoc.
- Despite the bad reputation the ghosts and demons get, a lot of female ghosts try to help Lan Chang as they hold her down so Xie Lian can try to take the fetus out of her body knowing how dangerous her child was becoming.
- When Xie Lian reveals that Lan Chang had an affair with a heavenly official, all of the ghosts become outraged as they demand to know who the father was and curse at the man for knocking her up and killing her child without a proper burial. As Xie Lian explains they should meet with the Heavenly Court to sort out the entire situation and all of the ghosts are supportive of Lan Chang. They tell her to settle the score with whoever it was and if he doesn't recognize her, they'd burn all of his temples down.
- Guzi is wary of Hua Cheng, even when Xie Lian assures him he's a good person. Hua Cheng disagrees, but conjures up a silver butterfly for him to play with.
- Once Guzi catches sight of Qi Rong being dunked in the stream and runs off to save his father.
Venerable of Empty Words Arc
- Shi Qingxuan is genuinely thankful for Xie Lian's help and declares him to be one of their closest friends. They're also worried for Ming Yi who they consider their best friend being affected by the Venerable of Empty Words.
- The teasing going on between Hua Cheng and Xie Lian with the two even exchanging their verbal communications passwords to speak with each other.
- Hua Cheng is the only one to adamantly be against Xie Lian's decision to switch bodies with Shi Qingxuan.
- The Venerable's words actually get to Xie Lian when another one was unsuccessful. It's telling that the one thing that throws Xie Lian off doesn't involve the misfortune of his personal belongings, but to someone he's become very close to.
Black Water Arc
- The villagers ask if Hua Cheng had a fiancé, or would be interested in any of the girls in their village. He replies he already has a wife at home. When Xie Lian asks about Hua Cheng's wife he brings up the rumors that he liked them ever since he was young and pursued them. He replies that he lied, leading Xie Lian to sigh in relief, but Hua Cheng ads something else:Hua Cheng: But, it wasn't all a lie. I just haven't won that person over yet.
- Quan Yizhen assists Xie Lian and the other's from Pei Ming by throwing his bed at the other martial god.
- Hua Cheng admits that even with his status as the Supreme Ghost King and Crimson Rain Sought Flower, he still afraid the person he loves wouldn't care for him if they found out how weak he felt he was. Xie Lian tries to reassure him that even if this person saw Hua Cheng at his worst, they wouldn't think he's not as great as he projects himself to be.Xie Lian: To me, the one basking in infinite glory is you; the one fallen from grace is also you. What matters is 'you' and not the state of you.
- Although the act is arguably reprehensible, Shi Wudu did everything in his power to allow his brother to ascend because he didn't want him to suffer under the curse of the Venerable.
- Xie Lian attempts to help Hua Cheng with his writing again and when he realizes they've been writing the same poem, he asks Hua Cheng why he won't try a new one.Hua Cheng: If I like something, then my heart will not have room for any other, and I'll always treasure it. A thousand times, a million times, no matter how many years this will not change. This poem is the same.
Brocade Immortal Arc
- Quan Yizhen gives Xie Lian so many gold bars, claiming he already had too many. Then Xie Lian realizes it's likely because he was repaying him for pulling the curtains during the Mid Autumn Banquet.
- After exposing Hua Cheng disguising himself as Lan Ying, Xie Lian starts to laugh and Hua Cheng asks if he really thought it was that funny.Xie Lian: Of course! Only after having met you did I rediscover that it's such a simple thing to be happy, hahaha...
- When Guzi sees Qi Rong getting kicked, despite his fever he crawls over to protect him.
First Fall
- Xie Lian at his lowest, in the pits of despair, incredibly close to giving up and unleashing the Human Face Disease until a man comes across him, cusses him out for making him spill his rice and then leave him in the rain. However, the man comes back and gifts Xie Lian his straw hat, apologizing for getting mad. This one act of kindness out of everything else Xie Lian experienced up until that point, is what convinces him to not unleash the Human Face Disease and he even finally stands his ground to White No Face.
- The rock shattering man who Xie Lian had met a long time ago when he busked refusing to stab Xie Lian with the sword, saying it wasn't right and he wouldn't stoop to something like this even if it saved his life.
Siege of the Heavenly Capital Arc
- Once Xie Lian manages to break out of Mt. Tong'lu thanks to the giant statue Hua Cheng had made, Xie Lian immediately rushes over to Hua Cheng and kisses him. Right in front of Pei Ming, Quan Yizhen, Mu Qing and Nan Feng. He then immediately claims he was just exchanging spiritual energy while the former two only look mildly interested while the latter two are annoyed.
Final Battle
- The technique Xie Lian uses to beat Jun Wu and stab him in the chest? It was the move he learnt from watching the man who shattered rocks against his chest.
