Work Text:
Did this qualify for the second worst day of his life?... well, maybe third since he was still on the fence about what actually held the title for the absolute worst day of his life. That was between literally dying and throwing Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss.
The Endless Abyss he was out of apparently.
Two years early.
Shen Qingqiu groaned, laying back in the tub and wishing dearly that the assorted flowers and herbs Mu Qingfang had suggested soaking in were actually doing anything. Maybe it was more about getting him to actually settle and sit in the nice warm water. If nothing else the warmth did help with Without-A-Cure since it felt like making things so much worse and flaring up.
As if bath time was actually such a luxury for him.
Okay, fine. There were moments of it. He did actually enjoy laying back in the tub and letting his eyes close and muscles unwind in water that never got cold. He definitely could have done without the arduous process that was dealing with the length of hair though. He also definitely couldn’t relax now! He couldn’t even begin to because Luo Binghe was here and this might be the last time he got to lay in the luxury of a warm bath and… and… and he didn’t even fit!
Okay fine. He mostly fit, and he knew for a fact that this was the largest tub in the entire place because he had specifically made sure of it. It was still small compared to the one at the bamboo house!
His hands scrubbed down his face. He wanted his bathtub. In his house, on his mountain and far away from all the death and the demon lord set out for revenge.
Shen Qingqiu breathed out. This definitely wasn’t working, and besides, Liu Qingge was supposed to be here at some point. That way Shen Qingqiu could warn him that Luo Binghe was back and was ya know, out to kill him. With plenty of torture first.
Maybe he could just duck under the water and kinda half rinse the hair that way? It should be fine right?
Shen Qingqiu ducked under the water. Truthfully, as a cultivator he could hold his breath for an impressive amount of time. Enough time to scrub his fingers into his scalp and contemplate how exactly to get away from the city… away from Luo Binghe until he was ready.
Something interrupted his thoughts, some sound that had him frowning.
He had learned quite a while ago that rising nice and quiet from the bath simply didn’t work. He ended up with all the hair in his face and honestly looking a bit more like a drowned corpse or sea witch than a righteous cultivator. Thus, he rose in a splash with his hair thrown back.
For a beat there was silence… aaaannnd then his door was slammed open. Probably kicked down really… He heaved a sigh, gathering himself. “Give me just a moment, Liu-shidi.”
Shen Qingqiu just managed to get standing when a figure appeared around the screen. Tall, dark, menacing with a smirk upon his lips and his eyes the deepest pools of black. “Expecting Liu-shidi so la-”
“Son of a-” Shen Qingqiu started backwards, right about the time Luo Binghe froze, his eyes widening. Then… as if his life wasn’t just… completely over, Shen Qingqiu unbalanced. He blamed stumbling backwards from the blackened protagonist and forgetting that he was in a semi soapy soaking tub.
The flare of pain from his leg was absolutely nothing compared to the sharp jolt through his wrist and the crack of his head against something or another. Somewhere he heard the lovely ring of the System but considering the black dots dancing in front of his eyes he did not care what it was so cheery about.
Ignoring the very high probability that he had just concussed himself, Shen Qingqiu flipped to his back, scrambling back from where Binghe had started forward with a “Shizun!”
“Turn around!”
Binghe was staring at him. He was staring with his mouth open and blatant shock across his face and Shen Qingqiu had none of his defenses up. He was in his own room damn it! He didn’t have a single shred of his aloof cultivator image up and… and… “I said turn around! Don’t you dare look!”
Despite it coming out a little bit shrill, it apparently had enough of the barked teacher tone that Binghe… obeyed. He jerked around, putting his back to Shen Qingqiu even if he stood there twitching.
Shen Qingqiu scrambled for a towel, wrapping it around his hips and searching for… searching for…
Ah. He uh… he had this habit… when he was completely alone… of leaving his robes at the first convenient spot when he went to bath. Which uh… was currently just in front of Luo Binghe.
For fun and entertainment any of the doors and windows were also on the other side of Luo Binghe. Not that he was seriously considering jumping out the window in a towel.
Yeah, he knew that was a lie.
He considered his chances of getting past Luo Binghe when the man shifted, Xin Mo on his back making a creaking noise. Then… then he was removing the harness?
Shen Qingqiu stared, a bit dumbfounded as Luo Binghe shrugged out of his outer robe, holding it at a bit of an awkward angle behind him.
What the hell was he supposed to do with that?
“For Shizun.”
Shen Qingqiu stared. Maybe it was the concussion but… what? Ah, speaking of his concussion, he should probably not keep standing on a partially wet floor dripping more water on it when he could just… shuffle to the side and lean a little bit on the wall.
“They’ll get wet.”
That was his intelligent reply? Though… seriously… what? His robes were right in front of Binghe. Okay, maybe a couple of steps away but seriously. Moreover that was Binghe’s outer robe. It was the robe he wore, the robe that graced his shoulders and which he gave to the beauties who came to his bed so that they could cover themselves up after they… after they…
Binghe made an odd noise in his throat that sounded a little choked. “This disciple doesn’t care.”
Shen Qingqiu grit his teeth. Fine… fine… if Binghe insisted then… he didn’t know why he couldn’t wear his own robes but fine. At least… at least Binghe’s robes should be pretty warm right? Because standing there was starting to get a little cold.
He snatched the robe, throwing it over himself in a rustle of fabric.
[ Satisfaction Points +50 ]
Oh yes, naturally seeing me make a fool of myself must be thrilling for Binghe. The robes were far too big, managing to cover him from head to toe. They were also warm, blanketing him in weight and heat and okay, he kind of got why it was such a thing for everyone and their sister to fight to wear them.
Now if Binghe could have stayed facing the other direction that would have been great. He wrapped the robes closer, glaring at Binghe who had started to turn. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Shizun is bleeding.”
His eyes narrowed, even as he reached up to the throbbing in his head.
Binghe sucked in a breath. Shen Qingqiu would deny to the day he died that he made any sort of sound when Binghe lunged. He most certainly, absolutely did not let out a short sharp sound the moment the demon lord closed the distance.
The floor under him did absolutely no favors, his feet not finding the purchase they needed for him to startle backwards. Then suddenly a hand was around his waist and Binghe’s fingers closing around his wrist. It was an almost idle thought that passed through his mind, if the pain of his arm being gone would override the throb in his head or if it would just feel cold.
It took way too many seconds to remember that he was, in fact, a cultivator even if his qi was clogged up right now.
Binghe’s breath exploded out of him at the strike to one of the pressure points, Shen Qingqiu trying to wiggle out of the iron clad grasp during the distraction. He even partially succeeded!
The resulting struggle was in no way shape or form dignified. The floor was slick, Shen Qingqiu only hand one hand since the other was busy keeping the too large robes shut, Binghe was most decidedly after his most unlucky hand and the space was cramped so they were alternating between dragging pieces into the fray or kicking them over or out.
Binghe caught his wrist again, dragging it partially forward until Shen Qingqiu hooked his leg over Binghe and flipped him off. “Be still!” Binghe caught hold of his ankle, dragging him back into the fray and rather effortlessly flipping him. “Shizun has Sower’s Rash!”
Catching his wrist again, Binghe slammed it down above Shen Qingqiu’s head. A poor choice really, especially since he rather failed to account for Shen Qingqiu’s growing desperation to not be part of this situation. Especially because Luo Binghe was raising his other arm and were those fangs?
Binghe’s head snapped back, the robes fluttering open at Shen Qingqiu snapped his arm up against Binghe’s jaw. Not that it actually got him loose. Instead Binghe grabbed hold of both his wrists, dragging him partially up close to Binghe’s chest. “Shizun… ”
Ah shit. He had made Binghe bleed again, drops of it appearing at the corner of Binghe’s mouth. “Look what Shizun did. This one was going to cut open his wrist, but if Shizun wants this way instead…”
What? Binghe tugged Shen Qingqiu’s hand, the cultivator flinching away only for… Binghe to press lips to his wrist. Rather than the pain or the cold that Shen Qingqiu was expecting it was warm, Binghe pressing his lips to the back of Shen Qingqiu’s hand, running his tongue along the fine bones of his wrist. Binge watched with half lidded red eyes as the splotches or red disappeared.
Why would? Well, he supposed he should say thank you but mostly he was just weirded out. At least Binghe seemed distracted? Shen Qingqiu started to fight only for Binghe to effortlessly transfer both his wrists to one hand and fist his now freed one into Shen Qingqiu’s hair.
It took a moment to register what was happening. A moment to realize… Luo Binghe’s lips were pressed to his. He was… Luo Binghe was…
Even worse was that Luo Binghe’s tongue? The moment the taste of iron was in Shen Qingqiu’s mouth he knew it was over. He knew… he was marked by Heavenly Demon Blood and just when he had hit Luo Binghe he must have made the man bite himself so this was just where the wound was but…
Luo Binghe did not need to do this by kissing him. He didn’t… he didn’t…
He didn’t need to be such a terrible kisser either. Just as a note.
Mostly, he needed to get the fuck off! And since it was all over anyway as far as Heavenly Demon Blood went…
More of it rushed into Shen Qingqiu’s mouth as he bit down hard enough that Binghe actually yelped. This time Shen Qingqiu successfully freed his hands for a brief moment. That was until Binghe caught hold of his waist, hauling him closer and presenting Shen Qingqiu with… a bit of a problem.
Excuse me, stallion protagonist, husband to a harem of hundreds of beautiful women, embodiment of male fantasy. Why. The. Hell. Are You. Hard!
Shen Qingqiu ran through a lot of things, very quickly, as Binghe pressed them together.
Luo Binghe had handed Shen Qingqiu his robe to cover his naked body with. There was no way that Luo Binghe was unaware that Shen Qingqiu was in fact a man in this situation. Luo Binghe had kissed him. Granted it was to transfer blood but there were so many other ways to do that. Blood which currently wasn’t doing much when it certainly could be because apparently Binghe was more concerned with pressing them close together despite Shen Qingqiu biting him hard enough that he was still bleeding as he tilted his head to kiss Shen Qingqiu again.
Protagonist do you like pain? How could you picture this ending any other way than with me biting the hell out of you again? Unless Luo Binghe didn’t actually mind that.
Which he wouldn’t…
“Mother fuck!” Shen Qingqiu wasn’t sure if it was his shout, his cursing, or him promptly following it up with bringing his knee far too hard into the protagonist’s nice hard member that was so persistently letting him know where it was. “Get off me!”
Binghe actually did, with plenty of assistance from Shen Qingqiu more or less throwing him to the side and scrambling to his feet to glare. “This master is human! He is absolutely not doing demonic flirting!”
Amazingly, Luo Binghe stayed crouched on the floor, watching him out of red tinted eyes. His smile was slow, and cool even if his eyes blazed. “Oh? He isn’t?”
It was childish, Shen Qingqiu was aware of that. He stomped his foot anyway. “Absolutely not!” because apparently he had to make that clear!
Airplane, I’m going to fucking kill you for making demonic courtship involve beating the hell out of each other! That was so not good for anyone involved really but doubly so when it came to involving a human because what human would think of that? He was also going to go ahead and revive Airplane, and kill him again for Binghe apparently maybe not caring if the ‘courtship’ was being done by a woman or a man. Not just any man. His vile scum villain teacher who had shoved him into the Endless Abyss.
“Then what is Shizun doing?”
How about trying not to get tortured or killed huh? He bared his teeth at Binghe rather than answer.
Binghe crooned. “So Shizun isn’t using demonic signals now?”
Obviously he was now. Now that he realized that Binghe was… Binghe was… apparently flirting? “Turn around.”
“No.”
“Turn the fuck around!”
Binghe rose, managing to fill the entire space. When he took a step forward, Shen Qingqiu took a step back and found himself against the wall. “Does Shizun feel better?”
“Absolutely not!” Okay… maybe his head wasn’t throbbing right now… nor did his ankle hurt and hold on… Had Luo Binghe healed him? Flipping the robes sleeve he stared at the unblemished skin, the sowers rash erased by Binghe’s lips to the skin there.
His eyes narrowed at Binghe who smiled faintly. “Shizun is a liar.”
“Binghe assumes this master cares about physical pain. Right now this master does not.” Because it was going to get so, so much worse. Maybe. Actually… was it? He clenched the robes tighter around himself while Binghe faltered.
Because why would Binghe flirt, if it could be called that, with someone he intended to torture and kill. Shen Qingqiu supposed it could be some sort of ploy but honestly… that was far fetched for even Luo Binghe. Plus… it most definitely wouldn’t fit very well with the whole stallion genre to ever be associated with flirting with a man.
Shen Qingqiu shut his eyes, taking a deep breath in and then letting it out as it occurred to him what other genres this might be checking boxes for. System!
[ System provides 24/7 service! Please ask any question. ]
Since when has the genre changed? Because something had gone drastically off track.
[ Answering Host! First major divergence from genre ‘stallion novel’ occurred in Skinner Demon Eradication arc. ]
So… basically right at the first moment it could. Perfect, great, wonderful. And you couldn’t have, at any point in time, bothered to inform me that it was even a possibility you hack of a System?
[ Answering Host! Host never asked. ]
He was ignoring that useless thing forever more because apparently it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter if universal laws of the genre got broken because apparently the genre could just up and freaking change! How was he supposed to know something like that? When did that ever happen? This was still the same world as Proud Immortal Demon Way. This was still Luo Binghe. Except apparently it wasn’t because it wasn’t a stallion novel which meant that while Luo Binghe was still obviously the protagonist with the protagonist halo he wasn’t the stallion protagonist.
He was a protagonist that was into either women and men or just men.
Oh heavens and hells… was this… did the genre… had Luo Binghe turned out gay? Had the genre changed to BL?
Obviously it had. He didn’t read such things but his sister did and this just hit every single checkmark of one of those didn’t it.
How did he get shoved into this situation? And honestly… did the genre change make this whole thing better or worse?
“What is Binghe’s goal?” Because Shen Qingqiu sure as fuck didn’t know anymore. Was it to ruin his entire reputation and drag him down as low as low could go? Maybe. Was it some sort of… he didn’t really know what trope he was looking for but this seemed like the kind of ‘complete misunderstanding causes pain for everyone but could have been solved by very simple questions’ plot his sister constantly complained about. To be fair she complained about them to Shen Yuan because he felt kind of the same way about such contrived plots unless apparently he was in one and it was, in fact, not as obvious from up close.
Binghe stared at him, his eyes taking on a faint red hue as they traveled from Shen Qingqiu’s head to his covered toes. “Shizun.”
Maybe it was too broad of a question. “Why did Binghe come here tonight?”
“To see Shizun.”
He drew in a deep breath, pressing his fingers to his forehead. “Well, you accomplished that.” Binghe got to see all of him, possibly several times. He drew a breath in slowly and then even slower let it out. “Binghe, this master would like to get dressed.”
Binghe’s tongue flicked over his lips, and then he rose. “This one will fetch Shizun’s robes.”
Shen Qingqiu watched as Binghe just, completely casually, stepped back around the screen. Just… completely bypassed the robes right there and instead started ruffling through Shen Qingqiu’s belongings.
He drew a deep breath in and let it out. At least… this might count as progress? He might get dressed yet! Also Binghe wasn’t actively trying to kill him. “Binghe, the robes are right here.”
“Those were the robes Shizun had on today. This disciple is fetching clean robes for Shizun.”
Was it worth arguing? Already Binghe had started to withdraw the robes Shen Qingqiu had packed away. Benefits of knowing pretty much any of Shen Qingqiu’s habits. He bowed, the picture perfect disciple as he handed them over.
Shen Qingqiu gave Binghe a long look, and then took them. When he turned to step behind the screen however, Binghe followed, breathing down his neck.
Fortunately he had his footing back under him a little bit better and was able to hide how that made every single hair stand on end. “What is Binghe doing?”
“Keeping Shizun in sight.”
Shen Qingqiu sent a brief prayer up. “Please allow this master privacy to get dressed, Binghe.”
The damned demon lord leaned closer, an arm wrapping around Shen Qingqiu’s waist. “And if Shizun tries to run?”
“Stop fucking grabbing me!” He slapped the hand away, turning to glare at Binghe who stared back with that too sweet smile. Okay, he could do this. He could do this. He’d adjusted on the fly the first time when the entire world was unknown he could do it again!
It would be so much easier if he knew the tropes he was working with here. Okay, what did his sister complain about the most? Communication, possessive behavior, jealousy, unhealthy dynamics.
Huh… was he biased or did all of those sound really familiar?
Anyway… okay so… what did he do that would actually get Binghe to back up. Orders were hit and miss but… what was it… communication? Could he… could he be vulnerable and not have it immediately taken advantage of but instead seen as an olive branch?
It was probably a really good thing the OOC lock was off. He was about to do something so far out of character that it might still get him docked points.
“This master hates being grabbed, or yanked, or thrown, or pinned or… or any of that!”
Binghe’s hand actually loosened, his eyes widening slightly. So… what… he was on the right track? Hold up… did admitting vulnerability work? It wasn’t going to get him killed?
“It scares this one, and makes him feel small or helpless.”
Binghe’s hold spasmed and for a moment Shen Qingqiu thought it was going to backfire and he was going to get dragged into a crushing hold he wouldn’t be able to escape from. Then, clearly struggling with it, Binghe let go. “Shizun was… scared?”
Oh come on now. Binghe didn’t have to sound like a kicked puppy. He huffed, having revealed plenty already.
He got all of two steps without his shadow before Binghe said softly. “This disciple… is also scared.”
Demon Lord Luo Binghe, Emperor of the Demonic Realm, scared? Shen Qingqiu bit down on his instinctive reaction. Not that it was hard with the baked in poker face. Instead he turned his head slightly, waiting.
“He’s scared… Shizun will leave, that he’ll push this disciple away, that he won’t even let this disciple speak with him, explain himself, again.”
Shen Qingqiu clenched the robes to his chest, fighting down the wave of guilt and… annoyance. This is how you behave when trying to get me to stay? Moreover why in the world would Binghe want to be close enough to be pushed away again?
“Let this master get dressed, alone, Binghe. He isn’t going anywhere and then… and then… we can talk.” It felt a bit like chewing on glass, and no doubt that would be so much worse during the actual conversation.
“Shizun won’t try to flee?” His grip tightened on the robes, his entire body tilting back to gaze at the demon lord. The kicked puppy was still there but where was the pleading white lotus?
Ah right… he knew where.
“Where would this master go?” He reached up, brushing the tacky blood from his lips to hold out to Binghe. “That Binghe wouldn’t know and be able to follow?”
Binghe actually flinched, looking down. “This disciple behaved rashly. He was… only trying to heal Shizun.”
He sighed, stepping behind the screen and… Binghe didn’t follow.
He shrugged into his own robes, washing the blood from his lips, his hand, and his head. It wasn’t good for his hair to use a drying charm, and it would make it a downright pain to comb out later but he didn’t have time to dry it correctly. Carefully, he felt out where he had most definitely felt pain before but now… there wasn’t even a hint of it. No bump or warmth… and with the assistance of a rag even the tacky blood was gone.
Once that was confirmed, Shen Qingqiu sat for a long moment, his face in his hands. He didn’t make any sound externally. No doubt Binghe would have heard that. Internally though he could groan and moan all he wanted. What had he done? How had it gotten like this?
His whole mental screaming thing was short really. It was a miracle that he had this amount of time at all and every minute or so he would feel the shift of blood in him move in some way that it really shouldn’t.
Gathering himself together, he forced himself to his feet.
Patting out Luo Binghe’s outer robes he carefully folded them and stepped around the screen.
Luo Binghe had… cleaned? Not to a great extent but the table was shining with a fresh wipedown and the man himself was kneeling beside it. Specifically he was kneeling beside a tea set with far too much focus on preparing it to serve.
Shen Qingqiu cleaned his throat, offering the robes as Binghe jerked partially up. He paused there, and slowly rose to his full height. Well, maybe not his full height. He seemed to be withdrawn into himself slightly. Accepting the robes, he set them on the table and gestured slightly. “This disciple will serve tea.”
Shen Qingqiu swallowed, but jerkily nodded. Cautiously he sat, wrapping his fingers around the cup when it was handed to him. Binghe did the same, the two of them staring at the cups. Well, Shen Qingqiu was staring at the cup. Binghe kept glancing up at him, staring, and then jerking his gaze down.
Well this was nerve splittingly awkward.
“Shizun… doesn’t need to be scared.” His gaze drifted to Binghe who was staring resolutely at the cup. “This disciple… he was wrong. He won’t try to flirt with Shizun like that again. He’ll be good.”
Shen Qingqiu sighed, raising a hand to his forehead. ‘Like that’. “That would be appreciated.” Because if they were going to get in a fight he most certainly wanted to know that it was in fact actually a fight.
“And Shizun… Shizun doesn’t have to be afraid of anyone else.” Shen Qingqiu lifted his gaze, a bit unnerved by how intently Binghe was staring at him. “This disciple has become strong. If Shizun will just let him, then this disciple would make sure no one else ever makes Shizun scared.”
Shen Qingqiu stared for a long moment, his expression slowly taking on a frown. “Perhaps this master has misunderstood. Surely he has misunderstood. Binghe is saying he will… protect… this master?”
“Yes! This disciple will protect Shizun from anything he may not like if Shizun will just let him close enough to.”
Shen Qingqiu stared. “Forgiveness but Binghe… did something happen perhaps? Are Binghe’s memories incomplete?” That sounded like a trope right? Amnesia? Certainly Shen Qingqiu had been clinging to that excuse for years now.
Binghe’s expression flickered with confusion. “No? This one’s memories are complete.”
“So Binghe remembers what this master did? Yet he still says things like that.” Shen Qingqiu made a slight gesture because really. If Binghe remembered how could he not be angry? That he was scared didn’t mean he couldn’t also be angry and looking for revenge. Emotions were complex things. It was why Shen Qingqiu didn’t like dealing with them.
“This disciple would like to know why Shizun did what he did but… Shizun doesn’t have to explain. He just… he just has to let this disciple close again, let this disciple take care of him.” Binghe shifted, Shen Qingqiu tensing as Binghe crouched at his knees. “Please, Shizun. Shizun used to smile at this one, used to leap to his feet in welcome when this one came home, he used to rely on this one to take care of things. He was still half demon then and he was good. Please, Shizun, let this disciple prove to you that he is still good, that he isn’t a danger to Shizun, that Shizun doesn’t need to be scared of this one or anyone else ever again.”
Shen Qingqiu stared. What was this? Not only was Binghe apparently not going to kill him, there wasn’t even torture? He just had to welcome Binghe home that that was that? Bullshit! He didn’t care what genre this whole world had turned into that seemed way too easy. “Binghe… doesn’t want revenge? This master… he pushed Binghe…”
Binghe winced, before carefully reaching for Shen Qingqiu’s sleeve, clinging to it like a child. “Shizun must have had a reason.”
Shen Qingqiu swallowed, looking away. Yeah, he had a reason. A simple one at that. He hadn’t wanted to die… again. He had selfishly chosen his own life. His eyes closed as he felt the blood mites in him move again. Not painful, just all shifting somewhere again.
Binghe’s grip turned a little tight for a moment, before he eased off. “Shizun doesn’t need to share what that reason is.”
Bullshit! His own hands clenched into fists. “Binghe is a fool.”
“That’s fine.”
Shen Qingqiu jerked his sleeve free, rising to his feet. He only made it a few paces before he spun. “How can Binghe be fine with this! He… this master…” He threw his hands up, turning back slightly as the blood mites moved again. “Why do you keep doing that!?” It wasn’t painful but if Binghe’s goal was to make him not scared than it certainly wasn’t helping reminding him that he was completely vulnerable to Binghe’s whims.
Binghe rose, cautiously returning to his own seat. “Forgiveness Shizun. The blood mites are still trying to heal Shizun so they’re a bit restless.”
“Heal what? The sower’s rash is gone, whatever the fall did is gone, what else would there be?”
“Without-A-Cure.”
Shen Qingqiu's stance fell a bit, before he returned to his seat. “Binghe’s blood can’t heal that.” It was… other things… that provided the cure. Other things that would involve. Shen Qingqiu stiffened. Binghe had been flirting with him. Badly, demonically, but if Binghe’s intention was to… He barely resisted the urge to groan, instead reaching for his fan. Was that the reason he kept getting thrown into wife plots, because the genre had changed and now he could be a wife.
Binghe put his hand on the fan, keeping it down on the table. “Please don’t, Shizun.” When Shen Qingqiu glanced up, Binghe was staring at him with such dark glistening eyes. “This one… he… please don’t hide behind the fan.” Binghe’s gaze dropped. “Please don’t hide from this disciple.”
Shen Qingqiu sighed, but released the fan. Fine, he could… he could survive without it. Probably… maybe… More accurately it wasn’t likely to affect his chances of living or dying physically. Just of shame if his thoughts wandered in that direction again.
“Shizun is always so sure what won’t cure his ailment. He rejected the flower as an option. He rejects this one’s blood as an option despite knowing some of what it can do.”
Shen Qingqiu knew a bit more than ‘some’ but go off he supposed. “Neither would have worked.”
“Does Shizun know what will work?” Binghe was searching his gaze carefully, ducking his head a bit. “Please… Shizun need only say what it is. This one can get it. He will get whatever it is. He can complete any task for Shizun, would gladly do so at only Shizun’s desire for this one to do so.” After a moment he swallowed, looking away and said oh so quietly. “Except walk away.”
Lacking his fan, Shen Qingqiu buried his face in his hands and sleeves as he firmly locked down the lovely trail of thought about ‘don’t use harem lines’ on him while also realizing that his number one argument for why not was now gone.
“Ah… Shizun is hiding again.”
For a few moments Binghe even let him, though the blood mites moved on occasion and every now and then Binghe would take a sip of tea. “Binghe is still trying to cure it…”
“Since Shizun hasn’t said what the known cure is, this Binghe must try. He has mostly directed them to heal the damage from Without-A-Cure for now though…”
He… supposed they could do that actually.
“Shizun, may this disciple have Shizun’s hand?”
He stiffened for a brief moment, before glancing at Binghe who had extended his own arm, palm facing up. From that angle it wouldn’t be impossible to hurt him but definitely inconvenient. “Why?”
“Most of Without-A-Cure’s damage is to Shizun’s meridians. This one would like to also transfer qi to Shizun to assist the healing.”
He stared blankly. “Binghe wants to clear this one’s meridians?” For years that had been Liu Qingge’s job. It was the excuse for him coming by tonight.
“Yes, Shizun.”
“Normally Liu-shidi…”
“This disciple can do it.” Binghe moved a little bit quickly, before slowly placing both hands together, facing up, on the table. “This disciple is as powerful as Liu-shidi now, so it will not be a burden on him. He can also be available as Shizun desires so if Shizun suffers a flare up he need only call and this one will come no matter what unlike others who have their own burdens.”
Shen Qingqiu stared at the offered hands, and then at Binghe’s face, his robes, his hair. There… there was no way right? Binghe looked the part that he was supposed to. He looked like the official and fan art of when he emerged from the Endless Abyss, began his takeover of the demon realm, and joined Huan Hua palace to take it over. There was no way he had just… skipped more parts of that right? Luo Binghe had to be a demon lord right?
Just like Luo Binghe had to be straight.
Swallowing, Shen Qingqiu raised his hands to the table. Lightly, he placed both in Binghe’s waiting grip, debating on his own sanity. Binghe’s fingers closed, just the lightest brush that Shen Qingqiu could pull out of if he wanted.
[ Satisfaction Points +50 ]
The qi was a bit hesitant, forced soft and cool against Shen Qingqiu’s senses. It was… pleasant actually. Shen Qingqiu felt himself relaxing, even if there was a flicker of surprise in Binghe’s expression. That faded away as well while Binghe placed his thumbs on Shen Qingqiu’s wrists, letting more power flow between.
“Binghe… if this one may ask… is… did…” He sighed. “As a Heavenly Demon, Binghe is easily considered a lord among demons. Did he… he did take up that mantle yes?”
Binghe’s grip had grown ever so slightly tighter, flexing back and forth like it was unconscious and he had to force his hands back open. He was staring at Shen Qingqiu though, hints of red creeping in the depths of his gaze. “Does Shizun want this one to be a demon lord?”
Hooo boy… His gaze dropped down to their hands. “It is Binghe’s birthright.”
This time the grip tightened, Shen Qingqiu focusing on keeping nice and still while Binghe took a deep breath. Slowly, he released his grip, instead his hands moving to lightly massage Shen Qingqiu’s forearms. “Does Shizun want this one to be a demon lord? Regardless of ‘birthright’?”
Shen Qingqiu opened his mouth to say obviously yes, before catching himself. Did he? He had always assumed that was the path Binghe would take. That was what was written. Binghe would take over the demon realm, the mortal realm, and all of the cultivation sects. He would merge the two realms, collecting hundreds of wives and surrounding himself with wealth, taking more and more and more until there was nothing left to be taken. While this was happening Shen Qingqiu would fall into ruin at Binghe’s hands and be tortured to death so really… it hadn’t been worth thinking about.
Yet… now he apparently got to live? Moreover… looking to Binghe’s face… the man had said he wanted to be beside Shen Qingqiu. He had… oh… this entire time he had…
Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes. Now was not the time to have the revelation that this entire time Binghe’s goal had been to be by Shen Qingqiu’s side, in any way shape or form, offering again and again.
Well… He had no idea how he had secured a place as a love interest of Luo Binghe but… apparently he had. Even with how he had treated Binghe. Though… stabbing Binghe in the heart wasn’t a feat he could claim sole ownership of among Binghe’s harem. A quick ruffle returned that throwing him off a cliff was his alone although the injuries involved in that… well, his wives sometimes got into situations or caused situations that gravely injured Luo Binghe, mostly to make him look cool or so they could dote on him.
He was getting off track. The question at hand… did he want Luo Binghe to be a demon lord? “This master… wants Binghe to embrace his potential and to find happiness.” Not thinking too much on it, he drew his hands back to grasp Binghe’s fingers. “True happiness, not a fleeting momentary escape or balm.”
Binghe stared at him. “And if those things conflict?”
He frowned slightly. “Conflict?”
“Shizun wants this one to ‘embrace his potential’ but was afraid of this one’s power and presence, was afraid of his demonic blood. Yet the happiest this one ever was, was when he was beside Shizun, when he had Shizun gazing at him with a smile.”
Well when it’s directed at me obviously I would be. He closed his eyes. “This master will need his fan if Binghe keeps saying lines like that.”
“Does Shizun want this one to stop?”
“This master just… doesn’t understand. Binghe should hate this master and instead he… he…” He drew one hand back to make some sort of gesture. “Binghe has wealth, and power, and the most beautiful women or… men… should be lining up begging for Binghe to even glance at them yet he spends his time here, not only calm and patient but asking if it would make this old man feel better for Binghe to throw it all away? How can Binghe even think to do that? Just… just… walk away from being the demonic emperor to what, make this vile teacher congee?”
He… wasn’t sure exactly what he had said. Something he said though made Binghe’s eyes blaze, his grip turning tight in an instant. Then consciously, he drew in a breath, closing his eyes. “So Shizun knew…” When he opened them, they blazed red but otherwise he was calm and collected. “Please don’t set tests Shizun… this disciple is trying to be honest and take Shizun’s request into account.”
Shen Qingqiu frowned. “What test?”
“Seeing if this one would admit to being the Northern Emperor of the Demonic Realm.”
Despite the still slightly tighter grip and Binghe’s red eyes, Shen Qingqiu heaved a sigh. “Oh thank the heavens. So you are a demon lord.” His clogged meridians cleared at that moment as well, making his entire body sag as the power whispered through him. He even pushed his luck, leaning on his elbows, clasping Binghe’s hand in his, and bringing the entire thing to rest his forehead against. “Okay… okay…”
“So Shizun is… fine with this one being a demon lord?”
He was better than fine. “Yes. Yes. Binghe should be the demonic emperor.”
“It won’t… Shizun won’t try to run away from such a thing?” Ah, no need to sound so timid Binghe! He hadn’t completely messed up the plot!
Shen Qingqiu smiled slightly. “No… it’s fine if it’s Binghe who is the emperor..”
[ Satisfaction Points +100!
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“Then this one will redouble his efforts to expand his territory. That way, Shizun need not worry about another demon lord, nor any more events like this city has experienced.”
Shen Qingqiu blinked, letting the words play out slightly before he looked up, frowning. Fortunately, it occurred to him to carefully consider his phrasing before blurting something out that would offend Binghe if… if he’d made another wrong assumption.
“Binghe knows if, and which, demon lord ordered the sowers into the city?”
Binghe settled back, a position that echoed how he used to report as the white lotus disciple. “This one has not fully confirmed but it is likely the work of the southern demonic emperor or his nephew. There is a slim possibility that it is a lesser lord looking to curry favor with them but this one doubts so many sowers would listen to anyone except a demonic emperor.”
Well… that was new and different. Since when was there a second demonic emperor? Plenty of kings and the whole saintly priestess thing but a full fledged emperor?
Wait… that meant… that meant Binghe had nothing to do with this. Shen Qingqiu hid the relief and giddiness, gathering his teacher persona around him. “Binghe should confirm the details as he is able.”
“Yes, Shizun. Though… perhaps… since all of the sowers have been captured this one can confirm in the morning?”
Shen Qingqiu blinked, considering. “Sure?” It was rather late, and if the sowers were all captured then it wasn’t really an issue now or in a few hours. Though… why bother phrasing it like he was asking permission?
Ah… actually… he might be. “Binghe keeps referring to this one as shizun, and himself as a disciple…”
Binghe’s softly satisfied expression immediately disappeared under something entirely neutral. “Is it bothersome?”
“...No but… Binghe also… he thought this one was flirting with him… was responding and the lines he has said, the things he’s offered…” Binghe stared while Shen Qingqiu worked over if he had a thick enough face to shamelessly ask this. He didn’t really think so but… this was mild compared to a lot of the wife plots. Plus, it was going to be a huge issue later if they… oh he had been doing so well not thinking about the later effects of Binghe’s flirting. “That is… if Binghe is interested then perhaps… calling each other by such a relationship isn’t advisable?”
He didn’t really like the blissfully neutral look on Binghe’s face. At least his thumbs were gentle as they rubbed the back of Shen Qingqiu’s hand.
“Is Shizun amenable to something more?”
“This one doesn’t understand it at all, but… he…” No, he was going about this wrong. He definitely shouldn’t say something like he supposed he was fine with it. He should… he should…
He definitely wasn’t declaring his love for Luo Binghe.
Sighing, he tightened his grip briefly on Binghe’s hand. “It never crossed this master’s mind that Binghe might be interested in men, let alone this man. He thought for sure that Binghe would hate him for what he did, and there is definitely a large portion of this master’s mind that can’t quite understand why Binghe doesn’t. So… this master doesn’t know. He doesn’t know if he wants that kind of relationship with Binghe and it would be unfair to Binghe to declare yes or no. He certainly doesn’t know if it would be a good relationship.”
“This one would make it good for S- Qingqiu.”
He sighed. “Binghe…” That definitely wasn’t what he meant, and a showcase of his concern. “Binghe really needs to be choosier about who he sets his attention on, and make sure they’re worthy of it.”
“Shizun is worthy!”
He really, really wasn’t. Releasing Binghe’s hands, be pressed his palms to his eyes. “Aish, Binghe…”
“What is Qingqiu’s worry about being called Shizun? This one would dismiss it if he can.”
Okay, fine. He could focus on that one little thread he supposed, especially since it was a whole trope thing. “The power dynamic between lovers who are also student and teacher is unhealthy.”
[ Satisfaction Points +100 ]
It would be really nice if the System would bother to say what exactly set off the point values. Breathing in a sigh, he allowed Binghe to take his hands once again.
“Is that why Qingqiu wants this one to be a demon lord? Because it would mean that socially, this one would be Qingqiu’s equal?”
That… wasn’t really equal but it was actually better, mostly. “Yes.” He supposed he was a peak lord. The second highest peak lord… of the most powerful sect. Okay, given lack of other options he supposed he wasn’t that far off.
Binghe nodded. “Then… would it also make Qingqiu feel better for this one to take up Huan Hua’s offer to become their disciple? He wasn’t going to since Shizun is this one’s only master but…”
Shen Qingqiu frowned, “Binghe isn’t part of Huan Hua?”
“Not officially, though not for their lack of trying.”
Well add that to the board of things that were different. “The Old Palace Master can’t be fond of that.”
Binghe gave a slight nod. “He is quite upset that this one would only call Qingqiu by Shizun although that is not new so this one was able to easily ignore it.”
Shen Qingqiu stared at their hands for a moment, mulling it over before he frowned. “Wait… not new? Has the Old Palace Master tried to approach Binghe before?” Was that crotchety old man trying to poach his disciples!?
Binghe blinked, and then set to the soothing circles. “No, no. Forgiveness Qingqiu. This one meant he had practice from others. This one… that is… the dream demon Meng Mo is also very upset about the same subject.”
“BInghe… never… but Meng Mo did teach Binghe demonic arts?” Binghe had confirmed that at the Endless Abyss!
He… might be thinking about that actually by the way his expression turned a bit silkier. Swallowing, Shen Qingqiu very carefully laid his hands on Binghe’s forearms, letting his own rest in Binghe’s grip.
It seemed to effectively reel Binghe back in. He stared at their arms for a moment before he nodded. “Meng Mo did teach this one, but he never called him Shizun. Only Qingqiu has that honor.”
Well, that was apparently a thing. He sighed. “Binghe… very well, what is done is done.” Now they just had to figure out what to do with Huan Hua. He… kind of… well just saying that if Binghe did want to either pull Shen Qingqiu into the harem or have him like the Madam and just show up for trists now and then… it would be so much easier to just… Well, it might hurt his ability to take over Huan Hua but it kind of sounded like Binghe didn’t care about that if he’d already been putting off being officially brought in. “How does Binghe feel… about the Little Palace Mistress?”
For a moment Binghe regarded him, and then his shoulders eased. “She is very insistent on this one’s attention. He would be glad to have no reason to continue allowing her such closeness.”
Ouch. Well, it was probably self caused anyway and while she was pretty effective at keeping everyone in line in the harem she was also a huge troublemaker. “If that is the situation, then it seems Binghe…” Oh, but would this be fine? Well… it should be right. Shen Qingqiu hummed. “Does Binghe have plans for the immortal sects?”
Binghe frowned ever so slightly, tilting his head. “Forgiveness, this one doesn’t understand Qingqiu’s question.”
“If Binghe stays with Huan Hua, he would have to deal with the Little Palace Mistress still, but he could easily become the Palace Master himself.” It was what he had done before, and if he wasn’t focusing on trying to get revenge on Shen Qingqiu or… or actually… “Oh… if Binghe was scared but not… but didn’t hate this master does that mean he also doesn’t hate Cang Qiong?”
Binghe’s fingers tightened for just a moment before he very clearly put effort into releasing them. “Never.”
Well that was wonderful and amazing. Shen Qingqiu nodded. His students were safe, he hadn’t doomed them. “Qingqiu, if this one may speak?”
“Of course.”
“This one has no interest in being the Palace Master at this point. It was a plan considered, but only for the purpose of having Shizun look at this one. He had no plans beyond that. Huan Hua’s riches are equal to what this lord can acquire with his territory alone let alone what he will soon command. They perhaps have precious treasures but if Qingqiu desires them, then it would be simpler to deal for them as this one also has many rare treasures.”
Shen Qingqiu lifted one hand, waving away the concern. “Huan Hua does have many treasures, but they are not all the treasures in the world, nor even among the most impressive that this master happens to know a lot about.” After all… if the plot was this far off the rails then… was there really anything stopping him from going and getting certain treasures that showed up in Proud Immortal Demon Way if he happened to want them? Especially if he… he might actually be able to take Binghe with him to get the treasures. Might be able to come up with a lot of them that would help Binghe a lot and do it without hundreds of chapters and lengthy rambling.
Could he encourage Binghe to just casually sidestep other troublesome harem members? He could have them if he really wanted to of course but Binghe’s life would be so much easier if he didn’t have to continuously clean up the mess left from infighting…
Actually, if he had changed the plot to such an extent that the stallion protagonist was now the star of a BL… what couldn’t he change? Well… beyond the Endless Abyss.
“If Binghe does not care about being a sect leader, nor does he bear ill will towards Cang Qiong, then he should leave Huan Hua and come back.”
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Binghe twitched, seeming like he was tensing and forcing himself to relax. “Shizun would really have this one back?”
“Yes. Binghe can come back, and this master will… will try his best to never hurt Binghe again, to never give him reason to think he is not good enough nor that this master wanted him gone.”
“Thank you, Qingqiu. May this one… may this one hug Sh- Qingqiu?”
Could he handle that? He actually gave it a bit of thought. “Yes.”
Binghe got out of his seat perhaps too quickly, although it was clear he was restraining himself as he helped Shen Qingqiu to his feet, and then wrapped his arms around the other. For a moment Shen Qingqiu stood awkwardly holding the demon lord. When it didn’t turn crushing though, but stayed oh so light, he huffed. For every bit of pressure he put into hugging Binghe, it was returned in exact equal until Shen Qingqiu could feel his shoulders creaking just a little bit.
He was debating on letting go, as nice as it was to be wrapped in the warmth while he let the realization that… he was safe wash over him. The shake of Binghe’s shoulders though, the muffled gasp of breath that was most definitely a sob stopped that plan.
Shen Qingqiu shifted slightly, keeping the hold tight on one arm in case Binghe did something like try to spring backward. He settled his hand on Binghe’s hair, pushing Binghe slightly into his shoulder. “Binghe must have been holding so much. He can let go now.” Just like Shen Qingqiu could let go. He could let go of the fear and instead… instead settle into the realization that Binghe didn’t hate him, that he could still be there for his blackened lotus. “This master will hold him, keep him safe. He won’t leave.”
Binghe heaved a sob, and then the waterworks were on. Three years worth of pain, hurt, betrayal. It… it wasn’t pretty which came as a mild surprise but then… Binghe had every right to that too. It had to be exhausting keeping up the protagonist standards.
Shen Qingqiu didn’t know how long it lasted, his hands soothing through Binghe’s hair, down his back. Occasionally Binghe would ask that Shen Qingqiu repeat his promise, the system ringing distantly any time he did and the words coming easier and easier. It also gave him time to accept, to realize that… he couldn’t recall a single instance of this happening in Proud immortal Demon Way. Some of Binghe’s lovers had held him, had helped him with the burden but always with an ulterior motive. They had never let him just… get it all out, bleed the wound until it was clear. They had always tried to distract him, or push their own agenda.
My poor lotus… He was just expected to bear it all ‘like a man’.
Shen Qingqiu was going to have none of that.
The only thing he pushed Binghe to do was at one point to rise, shifting them instead to the bed. There, Shen Qingqiu could sit comfortably while Binghe sprawled across his legs and stomach, could get everything out and then actually rest.
If eventually the sobs faded and Binghe slipped into exhausted sleep, clinging to his waist tight enough to leave bruises well… Shen Qingqiu would be able to heal those before Binghe noticed. No reason to make him fuss over them when… it was very possible he’d have his sticky disciple back…
No, actually… it was very possible that Binghe would now be his sticky lover which… might be so much more intense. Shen Qingqiu needed to… needed to actually deal with his thoughts on that. Well… he had the time currently, unable and frankly unwilling to go anywhere. Plus, once he sorted through the complicated thing that was emotions he could move on to the much more enjoyable ‘review plot devices for which would be useful to have before the plot takes place’.
He had been mentally reviewing Precious One of A Kind Treasure #216 for if it was worth retrieving and how much effort would be involved when the grip slackened and Binghe shifted. Letting his hand still, Shen Qingqiu cracked open an eye.
Binghe seemed a bit out of it, blinking his gummed up eyes and frowning ever so slightly and that was just completely unfair. He’d been full on ugly crying, why was he putting on the protagonist good looks now. “Binghe can keep resting.”
That seemed to be the key to whatever Binghe’s confusion was. His eyes cast to Shen Qingqiu and for a moment he just stared, then something almost like panic crossed his expression.
Shen Qingqiu frowned. Come on now, I just got to the acceptance part and was ready for the flirting this time. Don’t panic when you see a man in your bed. Actually, it’s my bed! “What?”
“Shizun…Sh- Qingqiu’s robes…” Well, that was one way to say his name and definitely not one that made him want to squirm out of the light hold. Nope, no, not even going to acknowledge that. Instead he glanced down at his attire which… yeah had certainly seen some better days.
He shrugged slightly. “This one has others.” Like the set that had been hanging there… literally the entire time… which Binghe rejected earlier for some reason.
“This one will… he’ll fetch them. Does Qingqiu want this one to redraw his bath?”
Ah right… he had been in the middle of bathing. He considered it for a long moment, idly letting scenes play through his mind even as he glanced at Binghe. Bath time had certainly been a recurring event for loves of Luo Binghe. Plus… actually… “Hmmm, that will be fine although Binghe should be aware the tub is a bit small.” Binghe nodded absently, already crawling off the bed. He put only as much effort as needed to move effectively into cleaning himself up. At least until Shen Qingqiu got up and he abandoned his efforts to help the cultivator.
The look on his face was about priceless as Shen Qingqiu just shrugged out of the outer robes and tossed them on Binghe’s outstretched arm.
It gave him the time he needed to get his back turned to Binghe, to get to the screen. There he put on a show of raising his hand to his chin, considering the tub with way to serious of an air for the completely shameless line he was about to use. Already he could feel his ears and cheeks heating. If he was right though… and come on… it wasn’t any worse than some of Binghe’s lovers and Binghe had been flirting!
“This master hopes it’s large enough for two people. Ah, although Binghe should probably only fill it pa-”
“Shizun!”
He glanced to the side, raising an eyebrow at Binghe who was staring at him with such an open expression of shock that… oh and he thought the outer robes had been great. This was so much better. Oh the stronger friskier wives made so much more sense now. Shen Qingqiu was definitely going to have to learn how to be a bit more shameless if it was this much fun teasing Binghe. “What?”
“Shi- Qingqiu is… he… two?”
He tilted his head back, making no secret of it as he swept his eyes up and down Binghe. “Well, Binghe should also clean up, yes? Plus, what if something startles this master again.” And… he’d be even! He would have seen Luo Binghe in all his glory which… okay all his glory might be a bit much but he’d already seen Shen Qingqiu! Plus… plus… “Binghe’s hair must also be quite hard to wash alone, and this master doesn’t mind such a task.” His eyes flicked to Binghe’s face, Shen Qingqiu pulling on every single bit of his poserness to sound calm, collected, and confident. “Ah, unless Binghe wasn’t serious earlier about preferring a certain type of relationship…”
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“This one will get things ready right away! He can also do Shi-Qingqiu’s hair!” Binghe actually stumbled, just barely folding the robes correctly and rushing for the bucket. He paused with it in both hands though, turning imploring eyes on Shen Qingqiu. “Does this… then Qingqiu is… he…”
“Binghe.”
“Would Qingqiu also like this one to bring oil?”
Oil? Like… hair oil? He tilted his head. Well, he had used a drying spell on his hair earlier. Maybe it had done more damage than he thought. “If Binghe so desires.”
“Thank you! Thank you Qingqiu!” Binghe rushed off with all the enthusiasm he had a as a disciple, leaving a bemused Shen Qingqiu standing in the room listening to the system ring off yet another satisfaction notification.
Truly, was it that big of a deal that he’d agreed to a little bit of oil? Shaking his head, he started laying out the things they would need and contemplating on if he should continue being this shameless. It really was quite a bit of fun and maybe… just maybe this day wasn’t the third worst day.
Shen Qingqiu changed his mind to perhaps… perhaps this was one of the best days when Binghe had finished filling the bath and Shen Qingqiu got to see Luo Binghe’s robes sliding off his shoulders, revealing the muscles hard won in the Endless Abyss, even if there was a little hiccup that apparently Binghe really would take anything and everything Shen Qingqiu gave him, be it comfort or hurt.
Shen Qingqiu let his fingers sooth over the scar on Binghe’s chest even as the other held tight to his waist. This mark couldn’t be washed away but that was fine. He leaned in, pressing his lips to the scar. Then, he reached up to catch Binghe’s head. This kiss was… better though that was only because they weren’t actively trying to make each other bleed. The quality would still need some practice but that was fine too… Shen Qingqiu didn’t mind helping Binghe with that either.