𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕒 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕥𝕦𝕟𝕒 🦋 if i could turn back to time to find you

[supremity]

➤ Player
Name: Snow
Contact: PM/Plurk/Discord/etc.
Other characters ingame: Akira Kurus, but I'd like to swap him out for Hua Cheng - I apped and immediately had no voice wheezes
Invited by: I'm already heeeere

➤ Character
Name: Hua Cheng (CLOSES MY EYES San Lang, Crimson Rain Sought Flower/Xue Yu Tan Hua, Ghost King, Chengzhu)
Canon: Heaven Official's Blessing
Canon Point: ch. 170 + Redacted
Age: 17-20 range (+800), looks to be probably early 20s

History: here

REDACTED -

Hua Cheng spent two months alongside Xie Lian and Ochako in the Realm, a knockoff of Disney World organized by some dude in a black cloak that was apparently in a computer simulation. Fun times for a Ye Olde from Fantasy China! During this time, participants of the Realm found themselves in teams, going through numerous cycles of losing at least one memory a week and having to solve at least one murder a week. Hua Cheng himself was losing 2-3 memories a week, at least, which became a major motivator for getting to the end so that they could leave when he began to forget important memories he had of Xie Lian.

During this time, he found himself surrounded by a number of protagonists and shoujo/shoujo-adjacent individuals, many of them reminding him of Xie Lian, and people that he actually befriended, resulting in the secondary portion of his character arc. The first two weeks were spent not really caring all that much about people dying, considering he had no attachments. He was originally focused primarily on himself and Xie Lian, but he began to branch out - not only because Xie Lian wanted to help others, but because he started to get attached to them, too. Once he decided that he liked his team leader (Glimmer of She-Ra fame, alias Swan until she regained her memories in full) and his teammates, finding that all of them hated losing and not knowing things just like him, he unfortunately (?) slid down into adopting a number of teenagers and his teammates.

Five weeks in, Swan asked him to murder someone who was "splintering," their memories falling apart and their person glitching in the program they were unknowingly stuck in. He more than happily did it, so that his teammates wouldn't have to put themselves in danger, and got away with it, too. (It also helped that he got a memory back for killing someone. Yay!) Two weeks later, he found himself being pulled into a Choose Your Own Adventure based out of Swan's memories with three teenagers who he put his life on the line for, subsequently losing his left arm in the process. But the problem was... he'd do all of this again, willingly, to protect these people.

Unfortunate that his character arc involved opening up to people and becoming a dad to a bunch of stinky teenagers that talked back to him when he's the most feared ghost in all the three realms back home.

He did get his arm back, though, when they managed to get Golden End and escape the simulation as a community. He and Xie Lian also have gotten their heads out of their asses about how in love with each other they are, considering almost losing one another, but it's hit or miss on how likely it is that they'll actually talk about it.

Personality:

➤ Clever × While Hua Cheng is known for his combat skills and being lethal in a fight, he also debates civil gods (scholars and engineers and the like) to the point of shame. He's self-taught, but that's 800 years of self-teaching and seeking out knowledge. This ranges from any number of things, from history to languages (dead or otherwise), cooking, carpentry, literature... He also knows how to implement the knowledge that he has, being able to outfox even the Heavenly Emperor and keep one step ahead of him. He's a problem solver to his core, and being in the Realm did nothing to quell that.

➤ Charming × Unfortunately for everybody, this is someone that's incredibly charismatic. He has a way with words and can be particularly cheeky in a way that is endearing, at least if he's not turning it into barbs (see ruthlessness below). There isn't an ounce of shame in him, and he'll flirt even casually with people, regardless of there being no intent behind his words. Coupled with his sharp mind, this can be particularly dangerous if he decides to set his sights on something - or someone - and lay on the charms. He likes to get a rise out of people, and especially to fluster them.

➤ Devoted × Once you earn his trust, his protectiveness, his loyalty, you have it for life and then some. (Unless you royally fuck up, which - don't do that, maybe, when it's the Ghost King?) Hua Cheng's devotion is one of his major motivating factors in everything that he does. While he's slow to open up to others, outside of Xie Lian, he has a wealth of love in his heart, and it really winds up being the core of who he is underneath all of the sharp and cutting protections he has up.

➤ Resolute × As soon as he comes to a decision, Hua Cheng will follow it to its due course. No matter the odds, he has the mindset, the intelligence, the abilities that allow him to be unwavering in his path. If he must choose left or right, right or wrong, then he will take the third path and find a way to the end - it's the philosophy that Xie Lian instilled in him, however unintentionally. I won't leave, I won't leave... Even with every battle and death that he faced, he faced it by his own choice, and found a way to come back again. This is something that came into play and was specifically referenced in the Realm, and was a major motivating factor in not only murder investigations but the overarching goal of the game itself.

➤ Abrasive × Another trait specifically referenced in the Realm, this is... not a friendly person. Hua Cheng can be hard to get along with, considering he's cocky (and earned it, which is all the more infuriating) and can be pretty rude. He'll say things off the cuff without regards for others, and has to be scolded or even reined in when it's particularly bad. Unfortunately, Hua Cheng is also just - outright, bitingly sarcastic. It ties a little into his charm at times, but he can be downright lethal if pressed or slighted. Or if he just doesn't like someone. Which can be pretty often, actually. As a rule, he's not a polite or respectful person, and likes very few people. Provocation is often attached to this, as he'll go right for the belt when he sees a weakness. This is one of the most spiteful people you will ever meet in your life and then some.

➤ Ruthless × And relentless! If he can go in for the kill - verbally or literally - then he's going to, and he won't stop until he comes out victorious. It's a dogged stubbornness that can pay off and be a positive thing, but at the end of the day he'll do what needs to be done or say what needs to be said regardless of other peoples' feelings. Killing someone to ensure that his teammates wouldn't have to, and that their splintering wouldn't spread to the rest of the participants in the Realm? Honestly, he wasn't even a little upset about doing it, and he'd easily do it again. (Almost did, but he got benched due to having only one arm.)

➤ Reticent × Even after spending two months around people that he opened up to, Hua Cheng is a closed off person. He doesn't talk about himself seriously, never confirms or denies rumors about himself, and doesn't divulge much information unless he sees fit to. In 800 years, you can truly only count on one hand how many people have seen his true form and realized it before he and Xie Lian were reunited, considering he concealed that form from the world and was in constant disguise. There are so many stories about his origins, and the things he's done - and yet no one can say for sure what's true, because he himself doesn't come forward with the truth. But considering everything that he's been through, it isn't too surprising that he's rather closed off...

➤ Self-Loathing × Surprise, Hua Cheng hates himself! Offhand comments that are backhanded or disparaging about himself aren't actually that uncommon, and he has no real self-worth as a person. His primary reason for existence is literally Xie Lian, who told him If you don't know to live on anymore... then live for me! This comes from years upon years of abuse - physical, emotional, verbal, the whole gamut - from being born under the Star of Solitude, as well as with a red right eye. He was considered an ill omen even as a mortal child, called as such and referred to as a monster. It's resulted in self-loathing that's almost as deep as the well of his spiritual energy.

➤ Motivations × So Hua Cheng's motivations can essentially be narrowed down: spite and devotion. Spite has been his greatest motivation since he was young. He's petty, spiteful, and will rub it in the world's face, however he can. In the grand scheme, he cares very little for others. He'll take an interest if they'll owe him a debt, but only sometimes.

At least, openly, considering he does everything in his power to his very last breath to help Xie Lian, takes Yin Yu in. Gives shelter to those that need it. Ripped out his own eye to protect wayward humans in Mt. Tonglu. Comforted a teenage girl as she lost every core memory that made up who she was. Offered comraderie to a mixed blood outcast just like him as he sought his path to his goal. Taught a hero in training how to use a sword to better protect herself.

➤ Interests × Hua Cheng is a very talented artist - paintings and sculptures, especially - and it takes him little to no time to create works of art. Swordsmanship is also something that he practices routinely, and he has a knowledge of weapons of many different kinds, not just his saber, going so far as to have had an armory full of weapons collected over the past 800 years. He can also cook, clean, do yardwork, farmwork, carpentry... he enjoys studying language, arts, star charts, architecture, history, puzzles, poetry. The list continues on, as it seems that Crimson Rain Sought Flower has a number of mundane and limitless hobbies. The one thing that he can't do, and hates doing, is writing. He's self taught and his writing his wild, barely legibile, and is compared to a language all its own.

➤ Setting × After the Realm, Hua Cheng will just be more annoyed that they were inconvenienced than anything else. He's fairly adaptive and is quick to learn about cultures, environments, things like that, and is observant enough to pick things up even when he doesn't ask about them. While he's not particularly fond of people, he's not as quick to dismiss them after two months of bonding with strangers because of murder. And once he finds out that there won't be weekly, mandatory murders - then, hey! He'll be ready to just go along with the flow and get to the root of the problem.

Abilities: All of these are nerfed and I 100% acknowledge they will have to be regained piecemeal because they are... a lot. I hate him. It's fine.

➤ Spiritual Power × Hua Cheng is tied for the second most powerful entity in the tgcf canon, and has his wealth of spiritual energy to thank for part of this. Even when he floods Xie Lian with it, loaning some to him, it only seems like a drop in a bucket. Xie Lian compares him to a bottomless ocean, which is fairly accurate. His presence can be overwhelminig, and a killing intent accompanies the resentful energy that his power gives off (being a ghost and all), making it hard for one to look directly at him for too long if at all. He can even use his spiritual energy to break unbreakable spiritual tools created by the Heavens.

➤ Wraith Butterflies × Silver butterflies that are so sharp they can practically cut your eyes at a glance. They can be summoned from Hua Cheng's vambraces and used as weapons, cutting through ferociously to tear something to shreds or so finely that you barely notice until too late. Some also have healing properties, while others are used for spying or recon and communication. Hua Cheng can also use them to effectively teleport, which tends to involve him exploding into butterflies. Neat.

➤ Crimson Rain × I don't know what to tell you, he can make it rain blood on command.

➤ Luck × Hua Cheng is reknowned for being incredibly lucky, and this is actually something he can bestow upon other people as if it's a tangible thing.

➤ General Magic × Including but not limited to:
× imbuing items (such as dice) with the Distance Shortening spell/array
× use his dice to predict whether something will be in his favor or not (ties in with his luck)
× turning people into daruma dolls
× command weapons to attack without physically using them
× shapeshift into a variety of disguises, including his clothing
× flash step
× creating a red string of fate that connects him and another person together - so long as it's intact, the person is safe, and it can lead them to one another


➤ Technically Unkillable × So long as his remains (he had his ashes turned into a crystal clear ring) are undamaged, Hua Cheng is capable of recovering from death.

Inventory:

➤ E-Ming × The scimitar that he forged himself, with a working, demonic eye in the hilt. It has a personality of its own, and three particular skills that are terrifying in the three realms: the ability to cut through most anything, poisoning any victim so unfortunate to encounter it, and being able to reopen any healed wounds that it previously inflicted. This thing is 500% nerfed.

Red string of fate × Hua "I invented the red string of fate in my universe" Cheng has it tied around his right ring finger.

Red coral pearl × Fashioned to the end of a small braid on the right side. Nothing special about it.

Ruby stone... bracelet? × A blue, braided string friendship bracelet is tied through it. Nothing special about it.

PHS × A magic powered smartphone from the Realm

A photo × Of this.

A doll × It's very cute.

Spinosaurus × It's the size of a chihuahua but appears to be fully grown regardless? It has no abilities, it's just - a miniature dinosaur.

Vision: Cryo
Reason: The Cryo Archon also favours people who have great capacity for love (both romantic and platonic), whether to a single person, to a cause, or to humanity as a whole. Hua Cheng's entire purpose, the reason for his being still in this world, is because of love. His devotion is an overarching plot point to tgcf, and is much the reason for why he does the things that he does. He is forever Xie Lian's most devoted believer, and if his dream is to help the common people, then Hua Cheng's dream is only him. (Except he cares about other people no matter how much he acts like he doesn't.) He's also lost a great deal - lost his mother, lost his childhood to misfortune and war, lost his life, lost his eye... and yet he keeps on going.
Role: Offensive to the max
Constellation: Wraith Butterfly