Extra: An Afternoon by the Lotus Pond
The flames of war gradually subsided, and a pure land was finally established. Although much needed to be rebuilt, there were always some corners where time flowed more slowly and gently.
The afternoon sun filtered through sparse clouds, lazily casting a shadow over a small lotus pond behind the Pure Land Heart Palace. This place wasn't as grand and magnificent as the former Shanjian City, but rather a secluded courtyard beside a side hall. The lotuses in the pond were planted by Indra himself, and they varied in variety: white lotuses with golden cores from heaven, and crimson water lilies brought back from the edge of the abyss by Asura, emitting a faint crimson glow in the darkness.
Ashura frowned, staring at the pile of objects on the stone table before him—the so-called "documents" delivered by the human envoys. To him, these flimsy items were more formidable than a heavy battle axe. The handwriting was neat and orderly, yet it made a vein throb in his forehead. He would rather tame the most ferocious beasts of the abyss than dwell on trivial matters like border trade tax rates and village water allocation.
"Tsk." He uttered a syllable impatiently and pushed the stack of documents to the ground with his big hand.
"Be patient, Ashura."
A gentle voice echoed from beside him. Emperor Shitian sat on a cushion by the pool, holding a cup of tea. He had shed his ornate and elaborate robes, wearing only a simple, moon-white casual garb. His sandy-gold hair was casually tied back with a headband, a few strands cascading down, framing his profile with a soft, tranquil look. He seemed to deeply enjoy this moment of peace, his fingertips occasionally brushing against a half-opened golden lotus beside him, the petals rubbing affectionately against his fingers.
"These things are so boring." Ashura complained, but his body sat back down honestly, but his sitting posture was still as heavy as a sword and axe, which was out of place in this leisurely courtyard.
"It is precisely because of trivialities that peace is achieved." Emperor Shitian took a sip of tea, a faint smile in his golden eyes. "Don't tell me you miss the days of fighting and killing all the time?"
"That's not the case," Ashura immediately denied. He was silent for a moment, his gaze settling on Indra. The sunlight coated his body with a warm, golden velvet. The golden, eye-shaped markings that once covered his body, symbolizing curse and power, now only faintly appeared when he summoned his power. On ordinary days, his skin appeared merely excessively delicate, like the finest warm jade.
Now, he looks like a harmless and beautiful ordinary celestial being. Only Ashura knows what kind of tenacious soul and world-shattering power are hidden in this seemingly fragile body.
"What are you looking at?" Emperor Shitian noticed his gaze and turned his head to look at him with a hint of teasing in his eyes. "Do I also have the tax rate clause that gives you a headache written on my face?"
Asura snorted and subconsciously wanted to refute, but his eyes were suddenly drawn to the corner of Indra's mouth - there was a little bit of tiny sugar crumbs left from the snacks he had just eaten.
As if possessed, Ashura reached out his hand. His knuckles were thick, his fingertips calloused from years of gripping weapons, and his movements were even a little clumsy. He gently brushed the corner of Indra's lips with his fingertips.
They were both stunned at the same time.
Indra was caught off guard by his sudden action, his golden pupils widening slightly. Asura, as if burned, abruptly withdrew his hand, clenched his fist, and brought it to his mouth. He coughed awkwardly, a subtle blush showing beneath his silver-gray skin. He turned his head away and explained gruffly, "...something got on me."
For a moment, the only sound in the courtyard was the rustling of the lotus leaves in the breeze.
After a moment, Indra broke the silence. He lowered his head, his lips curved into a distinct arc, and he chuckled softly. It wasn't his usual shallow smile, one that carried divine compassion or calculation, but a genuine, hearty laugh, tinged with a hint of mischief.
"What are you laughing at?" Ashura felt even more uncomfortable, and the tips of his ears turned red.
"The King of Ghosts and Gods who laughs at us," Indra raised his eyes, his glint more moving than the lotus in the pond, "so it turns out that he is capable of such thoughtful things."
"Stop talking nonsense!" Asura was furious and stretched out his hand to pinch his face, but Indra dodged it lightly by leaning back.
"Okay, enough fussing." Emperor Shitian stopped laughing, sat down again, and patted the cushion beside him. "Let me take a look at these documents. Go and help me stabilize those newly transplanted red flame lotuses. The mud at the bottom of the pond is too soft, and they won't stand firmly."
This was clearly a task more suited to Asura's liking. He immediately stood up, removed his outer robe, and stepped unfazed into the cool waters. With precise and powerful movements, he quickly straightened the slightly tilted lotus flowers and buried them deep in the mud. His broad palms caressed the petals with surprisingly gentle caresses.
Emperor Shitian picked up the documents and quickly scanned them, occasionally making a few comments with his pen. Occasionally, he would lift his eyes from the documents to look at the tall, busy figure in the lotus pond.
The sun is shining brightly, the breeze is not too dry, and the fragrance of lotus and tea is lightly diffused.
There is no smoke of war, no calculation, no heart-wrenching betrayal and choice. There is only a pond of lotus, a pile of trivial documents, and a person who is always there for me.
This may be the most ordinary "daily life" that he had been trying to pursue at all costs and through reincarnation.
Indra put down his pen, picked up the slightly cold tea, took a sip, and his gaze fell back on Asura, with a quiet satisfaction in his golden eyes.
Asura seemed to sense something, raised his head from the lotus pond, and met his gaze. He didn't say anything, but just raised an eyebrow, as if asking "what's wrong".
Indra smiled and shook his head.
No words needed.
The years are peaceful and quiet, that's probably the case.
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