Chapter Text
"Good calligraphy."
Luo Binghe's mouth formed a small, but sincere curve. Receiving compliments from their tacit master is one of the many privileges that he enjoys indulging in. Though, had he judged the reticent immortal first — like everyone does, he wouldn't have been be able to enjoy such luxury.
Shen Qingqiu, unlike the rumors, is kinder and softer in person. People however, tends to misunderstand the immortal because of the way he communicates, an illness that nobody knows how to cure.
Extreme social anxiety and his obsessive compulsive instincts that causes the immortal to frown at every single dirty thing. These illnesses were the root of all the rumors that lingers around his Shizun. Shen Qingqiu, as far as Luo Binghe knows, cannot handle the proximity of being close with anyone because of his abnormal case. He first noticed this when his Shizun accidentally poured a sizzling hot tea in his head — an act that he first thought as disdainful until he saw the apologetic look that his Shizun gave him before he was dragged away by his shixiongs.
At first, he thought that he was only imagining the regretful look that he saw because of the hearsays about the immortal. Some peaks calls his Shizun names and labels him as arrogant and spoiled. Even the disciples of Qing Jing thinks that Shen Qingqiu is detached with his own students because he sees them unworthy of his time. That's why, Luo Binghe concluded that the look that he witnessed was just hallucinations of his troubled, young mind until his Shizun burned the manual given to him — in the middle of the night without anyone watching. The immortal swapped his study guide with something more, comprehensible when he thought that no one was watching. Luo Binghe at that time, was half asleep but the different manual in the morning beside him was the proof of his Shizun's good deeds. And because of that, Luo Binghe decided that his assessment was wrong, thus he began observing their aloof, but extremely charming Shizun.
The way he interacts, the way his expression change once he sees the fear and panic in the eyes of his students, and the way he resigns to everyone's faulty judgements about his true personality.
He witnessed it all. Luo Binghe knows how disappointed Shen Qingqiu looks everytime Ming Fan cowers before him for no reason... Well, not exactly without reason because his Shizun's naturally sharp phoenix-like eyes might have played a big part in intimidating his poor disciple, but that's beside the point! Luo Binghe himself personally thinks that his Shizun's gently glaring eyes is one of his beauty points — and he's certain that the sect leader will agree with him. After all, Yue Qingyuan was the only person who knows of his Shizun's situation, aside from Binghe.
"Shizun, I made you tanghulu."
A small plate of luxuries sat motionless before the immortal who just glares at the tableware, one that is filled with sweets. Shizun must be looking for dirt, he thinks.
"This disciple had sanitized the entire personal kitchen that is only exclusive to Shizun before proceeding to create this snack," the immortal's gaze shifted from the food to Luo Binghe. He flashes Shen Qingqiu a thoughtful smile before continuing, "... this disciple also cleaned his person before stepping inside Shizun's facility thus, Shizun can be assured, this dish is completely void of filth."
Reciting the procedures on how the dish came to be had become an unspoken rule between the two of them. Some people may think that stating those things are completely unnecessary, but to his Shizun, it is something that Luo Binghe is obliged to do if he wants Shen Qingqiu to touch his food. His Shizun after all, needs assurance, that the thing offered to him is not harmful to his extremely sensitive body. And Luo Binghe, he completely understands this.
"Thank you."
His Shizun's gratitude came off as a whisper. But Luo Binghe's hearing had long been enhanced so he just bowed and smiled, leaving his Shizun on his own. On his way out, he saw a small smile grace his Shizun's small, plump lips. Satisfied, Luo Binghe retreated in silence. Despite their closeness over the years — to the point where everyone sees him as the next head disciple, Luo Binghe still doesn't dare to intrude his Shizun's space. Because, out of everyone, he knows how Shen Qingqiu likes his personal time respected.
_____
"Ha! You spoiled nerds cannot possibly match our peak!"
Luo Binghe stopped in his tracks. The inelegance in those unfamiliar shouting stings his ears. Their Qing Jing is known for its calmness and tranquility. Noise should never be present in their mountain because his Shizun will be agitated. Luo Binghe knows how much his Shizun despises the unprincipled and scandalous. And this shameless screaming will surely sour the mood of his master. Luo Binghe was supposed to be on his way to ask one of the hallmasters for permission to descend the mountain to restock the food on his kitchen, but now, he's forced to deal with an unruly, uninvited, preposterous bunch.
"Because unlike your debauched and stupid teacher, Bai Zhan actually teaches its disciple the proper martial prowess that a cultivator should have!"
Right. He should have known that these shameless, uneducated bastards are back again. They never learn. He thought, annoyed. But then again, it's not completely their fault that they grew up ignorant. After all, their teacher never taught them anything useful. Instead, the war god will occasionally beat each and every one of them and then descend to Qing Jing unannounced to harass his quiet Shizun. That disrespectful man always leaves Luo Binghe on the verge of anger.
"If you, brainless brutes don't mind, will you please remove yourself in our unsullied ground?" He says coolly, interfering before the younger disciples jumps at the obvious provocations. "Qing Jing is not a place for you to spread your stupidity and idiocracy. I believe Bai Zhan Peak is large enough to accommodate your ignobility." He added, smiling lightly in a mocking way. He seriously doesn't have time for this. If the raw ingredients run out because of these fools, Luo Binghe will make sure to teach them the lesson that Liu Qingge failed to give.
"You — ! You weaklings thinks highly of yourself! If you're a man, drive us out with your sword!" One of the young ones, probably a newly acquired disciple taunt at him, but Luo Binghe only laughed lightly in return.
"I apologize, but I will have to refuse." Luo Binghe can see the snickers and ridicule of the disciples before him. Seniority speaking, he possess a higher rank than these oafs yet they dare disrespect him, not fearing the consequences. "Hah. I did not expect that Bai Zhan disciples are unaware of this, but brandishing your blades carelessly at another party inside our sect can be branded as attempt at fratricide." He said in between sighs, feigning disappointment. "For you to be this ignorant, what a pitiful bunch." Luo Binghe commented, while enjoying the contorted expressions of Bai Zhan disciples. He can hear the mocking laughter and giggles of the newly ordained disciples of Qing Jing behind him. They must have been pleased that someone is driving these useless bullies for them, but if they want to stay in this peak, then they will have to do better.
"So, if you don't mind, be on your way and learn a few things so that you will not be shamed. After all, your brawns are useless if you can't even use your brains." He stated serenely, voice laced with mockery as the little monkeys retreated in shame.
That's what you get for causing unwarranted ruckus. Bunch of ignoramus.