Even after five hundred years since the intense battle in the heavens, the "second round" of their fight as soon as Sun Wukong learned that the gods had massacred his people on the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits, and he decided to confront them once more up there in the clouds, Erlang felt a kind of emptiness in his chest. He didn't win by skill, but because the crown around the Monkey King's head did its job, and he could land the final blow. Just like the first time...if it hadn't been for the other gods who helped him capture Wukong, Erlang would have lost that fight.

Sitting on a chair in front of the training center for his soldiers up in Heaven, he found himself reflecting on those two times, and on everything, really. Would things have turned out differently if he had... supported him? He never made the decision to attack the Mountain; that was his superiors' doing, and they only assigned him to lead Heaven's troops against Wukong once again. Was it even... the right thing to do? Maybe the massacre of so many innocents was crossing a line, even for him... but Wukong always has a plan. Was splitting his soul into six relics and sealing himself in a rock the right thing to do? All these questions gnawed at his mind too much for him to think clearly.

Erlang let out a sigh and lowered his head, frustrated that he couldn't reach a reasonable solution. But when it came to the Monkey King, nothing made sense... he didn't even flinch when he heard familiar footsteps approaching him, barefoot and light.

"You're useless... Can you get up and work with your men? They're waiting for you," muttered Nezha, standing in front of the god, arms crossed with his usual annoyed and indifferent expression.

"Forgive me, it's just... I'm thinking too much about what happened with..."

"Sun Wukong?"

"Yes, that's right..." Erlang couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed to confide this to someone as negative as Nezha, but he knew that the other had also formed a kind of duo with the Monkey King.

"Don't tell me more, I'm not interested," Nezha cut him off, shaking his head, but Erlang had already opened his mouth to tell him anyway.

"It's been five hundred years since that battle, and... I can't help but miss him."

Nezha's expression suddenly shifted to one of disbelief, disgust, as he narrowed his eyes and leaned back slightly, as if something had dawned on him. He remained silent for several seconds, trying to connect the dots, until he finally asked.

"...Did you fuck the Monkey King?"

"What-?!" Erlang jolted at the question, his eyes widening as he quickly lifted his head to face the dark-haired god. He hurriedly waved his hand in denial. "O-of course not! Where did you get that idea?!"

Nezha's eyes widened even more, realizing he had hit the mark, but he was now more surprised than anything else. "Oh, heavens... you did."

"No, I didn't! Nezha, stop saying such nonsense! I didn't—" He stood up from his seat, trying to convince him, but realized it was already too late. "I didn't... do that...!"

"For holy Buddha's sake, Erlang Shen—" A smirk began to form on Nezha's lips, full of mockery and disbelief. "—you slept with the Monkey King!"

"Shut your mouth, boy!" Erlang scolded him, now with a fierce blush on his cheeks, as Nezha was being far too loud, and he feared his soldiers might hear them. "None of that happened; you're being paranoid! I warn you to close your mouth, or else..."

"Or what? You can't stop me now that I know, Erlang Shen! Oh, and when your uncle finds out... you'll be in serious trouble." Nezha grinned from ear to ear, flashing a mischievous and malicious smile.

"You won't do that." Erlang shot back, grabbing the fire god by the wrist and glaring into his eyes. "He wouldn't believe you anyway; you've got a history with Heaven too. I didn't sleep with Sun Wukong, and this conversation ends here!" He let go of him, still visibly annoyed, and prepared to leave to resume his work, trying to calm the blush on his pale skin.

Nezha stayed where he was, simply turning to watch the dark-haired god walk away, but his smile, though softened, didn't leave his face.

"I may keep quiet, but now I know... and I won't let you forget it."