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This year's council meeting sucks ass.
Ever since Luo Binghe returned from the Endless Abyss (far earlier than he was supposed to), his decade-long reign as Demon Emperor has radically altered the cultivation world. Ten years ago, the demon realm embraced him as their true and rightful heir, citing his birthright as a heavenly demon and his evident mastery of the Endless Abyss as proof of his distinction. And in the ensuing years, life in the demon realm actually changed for the better, thanks to Demon Emperor Luo Binghe.
He standardized their education system, erecting several demonic cultivation sects that allowed any eager student to join, regardless of blood ties or ancestry. When human cultivation sects acted too superior to assist the problems of poor and small villages, Luo Binghe would send his cultivators to help. Over time, the demonic sects gained a reputation for being the ideal first responders to any mortal crisis. Grateful human villagers began exclusively patronizing demonic sects, shunning human cultivators in favour of emptying their pockets for their demonic counterparts instead. This new pattern of behaviour gradually compounded beyond its local origins, drastically shifting cash flows throughout the entire cultivation world economy.
It took only three years for the demonic realm to transform into an economic powerhouse, equalling that of the long-standing human cultivation sects. Not to mention public opinion of demons significantly improved with every positive testimonial from someone who found aid by a demonic cultivator where human cultivators had turned a blind eye.
Eventually, the demonic realm’s rising social and economic influence became too powerful to ignore, and the cultivation leaders of Daoist society had no choice but to invite these newly acclaimed sects to have a seat at the proverbial (and literal) table.
The United Immortals Security Council is the most important and prestigious cultivation council. Anybody who is a somebody in cultivation society becomes a member, invite only. So with the rise of demonic sects in this latest era of booming human-demon relations, more and more representatives with a demonic background are solicited to join each year. Old prejudices are no more! If anything, only petty rivalries between human and demonic sects still remain.
Begrudgingly, Shen Qingqiu cannot discount Luo Binghe’s amazing work for the demon race in such a short timeframe. He’s displayed a leadership style that is both empathetic and intelligent, assertive yet fair…so maybe it’s possible Luo Binghe’s heart hasn’t blackened as much as Shen Qingqiu had thought. He expected Luo Binghe to seek him out for revenge immediately upon his return from the Endless Abyss, but shockingly, Shen Qingqiu never felt so much as a whisper of Luo Binghe’s physical presence in over ten years.
However, despite the progressive relations between humans and demons, Shen Qingqiu always battles a twinge of anxiety the more he has to work alongside demonic cultivators. Is he a bigot towards demons? No way! His ex-favourite disciple is literally the demon of all demons. Original Shen Qingqiu may have had biases, but this new and improved Shen Qingqiu has always thought demons were really cool!
It’s just that he doubts Luo Binghe doesn’t have some level of animosity towards him for his ‘attempted murder.’ After all, if Luo Binghe is truly spiteful about what happened between them at the Immortal Alliance Conference, it makes the most logical sense for him to confront Shen Qingqiu at the first chance he gets. The lack of any direct action is what’s most disturbing to Shen Qingqiu. It likely means that some type of insidious resentment stews underneath the charitable facade of this now venerated Luo Binghe.
Anyway, as the head of QingJing Peak, Shen Qingqiu is an older member of the United Immortals Security Council. He usually doesn’t mind attending the annual conference, but right now he’s ready to kill everyone and then himself just so he can escape this council meeting in particular.
The representatives of the Security Council usually consist of high ranking Sect Leaders or Sect Lords, and as such, one might expect the Demon Emperor of all people to eventually grace the Council with his presence. Shen Qingqiu initially agonized over the possibility that Luo Binghe would finally confront him at one of these meetings and then hide his corpse somewhere in the back rooms. But year after year, Luo Binghe never attended. Perhaps the Demon Emperor is simply too busy and would rather delegate down to his Sect Leaders. Unfortunately, Shen Qingqiu got too comfortable, completely forgetting about the slim chances that he could run into Luo Binghe at these meetings.
Now, his stomach knocks out triple backflips each time his eyes drift across the table to see Luo Binghe staring back at him.
“—the war. Mark my words, our imports will be the first to go! This is an imminent threat to all of us and who knows how soon this will start affecting the entire supply chain!” One of the head council officials is barking in response to the ongoing back and forth that’s plagued this whole wretched meeting.
Shen Qingqiu can hardly pay attention to the heated conversation, but it’s clearly a contentious issue. Something sect relations; something trade routes; something border disputes…blah, blah, boring! He didn’t die and transmigrate into a xianxia world with flying swords just to deal with the tedium of inter-sect political affairs.
In the quick glances he’s stolen at Luo Binghe, he’s already jittery with the fact that Luo Binghe looks leagues more attractive than he ever thought possible. Regrettably, this decade has seen him age handsomely into all his previous gangly and awkward (but still cute) prepubescent features. Shen Qingqiu tries really hard not to gape at him right now—the current Luo Binghe is honestly something made up from a wet dream. But not his wet dream, to be clear. Loose waves of hair frame his high cheekbones, and his lips somehow look fuller and poutier compared to when he was a spoiled disciple. Not to mention he looks the part of prime demon royalty, polished and decadent in richly-made red and black robes.
Every peek at Luo Binghe is only met with an intense stare back, prompting Shen Qingqiu to quickly avert his gaze. Only, this time, right when he looks away, Luo Binghe’s voice fills the room, drawing Shen Qingqiu’s attention back.
“The demonic realm accepts your proposal, Council Leader. I will go as representative,” Luo Binghe announces.
Oh shoot, what did he just miss?
“And you, Peak Lord Shen?” Another official prompts Shen Qingqiu directly.
Oh fuck?!
“Uhm—Yes, I can formally represent QingJing Peak,” Shen Qingqiu bullshits confidently. He’s used to pretending he knows what he’s talking about. Besides, he’ll ask Shang Qinghua what happened after.
The meeting adjourns with a restless atmosphere and Shen Qingqiu catches the arm of Shang Qinghua as he’s exiting the room to grab refreshments.
“Airplane,” Shen Qingqiu whispers urgently.
“Hey!” Shang Qinghua looks pleased to see Shen Qingqiu initiating physical contact with him.
“Tell me what I just agreed to,” Shen Qingqiu worries in a low voice.
“Oh, it’s gonna be a fun trip. I’m going too, with Mobei-jun!” As usual, Shang Qinghua never fails to leave plenty of plot holes.
“But why? Where? Who?!!” Shen Qingqiu begs in dread.
He didn’t realize he was agreeing to travel somewhere when he volunteered himself. He absolutely loathes the outdoors and has become too lazy and comfortable living at the top of QingJing Peak.
“Bro, didn’t you listen? We’re going as diplomatic envoys to the Western Yunmeng sect.”
“What Yunmeng sect?” He doesn’t recall this place name in Proud Immortal Demon Way.
“You don’t know? They’re our number one trading partner.”
Shen Qingqiu gives a blank look. The blatant ignorance stuns Shang Qinghua incredulous.
“Cucumber! They literally supply the majority of our natural resources!! Precious metals, lumber, jade—stop looking so confused! Forget it. Anyway, they need political allies ever since the neighbouring Wen sect launched a military assault on them months ago. We’re being sent to formalize our political alliance with them before we undertake any official martial support.”
Shen Qingqiu’s brain shuts down as Shang Qinghua continues babbling, “—completely unprovoked. So the council is sending several representatives,” he makes exaggerated pointy fingers between the two of them, “to present a united-sect front. It’ll be the most efficient and effective political deterrent to the Wen sect aggressions.”
Shen Qingqiu is a bit contrite with himself for ignoring the importance of inter-sect political relations for too long. It figures Shang Qinghua would have a better grasp of foreign state affairs since he’s in charge of Sect logistics. If the Yunmeng sect is a major trading partner and political ally of ours then of course, QingJing Peak and co. will need to step in lest our precious imports get cut off in the long run.
“But this means Luo Binghe is going too?” Shen Qingqiu asks, promptly ignoring the answering ‘Well duh!’ expression on Shang Qinghua’s face. Quickly losing patience but gaining much anxiety, Shen Qingqiu drops his voice and harshly whispers, “Why would he suddenly volunteer for such a thing? What if this is an elaborate plan to get me far away from QingJing Peak and kill me?!! I bet he’ll torture me beforehand and I’ll be forced to listen to his cheesy villain dialogue!” Knife-like wisps of air hit Shang Qinghua’s face at Shen Qingqiu’s tirade.
“Yeah, bro, you need to let that shit go,” Shang Qinghua waves a hand dismissively, “Luo Binghe is so different now, and it’s not always about you!”
“But why would he show up now?!” Shen Qingqiu challenges, unease gnawing at his gut.
“Dude, don’t be ridiculous. As if Luo Binghe would orchestrate the diplomatic breakdown of two foreign sects who are months of travel away just so he has an excuse to talk to you?”
Shen Qingqiu inhales deeply. Airplane has a point. His mind tends to veer towards disaster mode from the get-go, but Luo Binghe indeed seems like a changed person who hasn’t spared Shen Qingqiu any thought in the last ten years.
“No, you’re right. It’ll be fine… but wait,” an unpleasant realization strikes Shen Qingqiu, “the terrain to Yunmeng is unfriendly towards sword travel. Won’t we need to walk?? And use horses? Shit!! We’ll need to sleep in tents!” Shen Qingqiu rapidly turns frantic, running through the practical realities of his near future.
“Yeah, bro! We’re going on a camping trip!”
After three hours of walking, Shen Qingqiu has already opted to ride on one of their two allotted horses for no other reason than he’s just lazy and it's easier to let his mind ruminate on horseback.
The human half of the traveling party consists of himself, Shang Qinghua, and two canon-fodder officials that Shen Qingqiu barely remembers from the original Proud Immortal Demon Way. One of the canon-fodder is tiny and mousy, just like Shang Qinghua. The other is taller, but with the build of an Olympic shotputter. Of the demon envoys, there are only Luo Binghe and Mobei-jun.
It’s a smaller group than he’d expected considering Shang Qinghua’s blathering about council representation and a united-sect front. But, the road to Yunmeng is treacherous and a really difficult hike. Only those who have attained the highest cultivation levels could survive such a pilgrimage with lawless trails riddled with strange beasts and bandits.
Shen Qingqiu plods along at a reasonable pace but senses burning holes at the back of his skull. At a slight turn of his head, he catches Luo Binghe’s gaze boring into him several paces behind. Cold panic seizes his spine, and he turns back just as fast.
He can’t believe he’s stuck in this mess. This is their reunion after ten years, and neither have shared a single word except for the awkward necessary pleasantries in preparation for their trip. If he wasn’t certain before about Luo Binghe’s hostility towards him, he sure is now. Knowing Luo Binghe, he’s definitely waiting for the perfect opportunity for them to be alone so he can strike. Shen Qingqiu will be ready.
Hah! Luo Binghe has always been so easy to read! His beautiful face cannot hide his true feelings, what a shame! Shen Qingqiu internally gloats.
By late afternoon, the party reaches a pathway dug into the side of a mountain. It’s narrow, and the ledge is a straight death drop into the deep ravine below. Foggy mists blanket their surroundings, and anything beyond the cliff’s edge is barely visible. The wind blows stubbornly as they wobble across with their horses and supplies.
Shen Qingqiu had dismounted the horse earlier and now manually guides it across the mountain pass, clutching at his robes as a gust of wind freezes his bones.
Shang Qinghua leads the group, acting all chummy and close with Mobei-jun while Shen Qingqiu tries to ignore the dreadful display. Luo Binghe rounds out the group from the back in amicable silence with the canon-fodder officials. For the time being, Shen Qingqiu is glad for the degree of space between him and Luo Binghe. He maintains his pace close behind Shang Qinghua and Mobei-jun, willfully pointing his gaze straight ahead.
His hackles rise automatically when there’s suddenly a loud crack and snap, followed by cries and cursing from behind. Anxiously, he turns and witnesses multiple supply packs plunge off the cliff’s ledge and sink into the foggy mists.
The mousy canon-fodder official guiding the pack horse fervently swears that he doesn’t know how the ropes could have snapped. After all, they were reinforced multiple times with several ropes and knots. Luo Binghe, calmly watching from behind, adds, “Ah, that looked to be about half of our supplies and food-water rations. We will have to share the remaining.”
“Indeed,” Shang Qinghua cuts in, “but I’ve already accounted for accidents in which we lose most of our supplies,” he flourishes what he says next with jazz hands, “Friends, allow me to introduce: The Contingency Pairing System!!”
Silence falls upon the group. No one moves, so Shang Qinghua continues, “This system will most efficiently allocate resources in the event of a deficit—just like now! I’ve paired us all based on the daily recommended caloric intake according to one’s weight and height, so it will maximize our collective nutritional needs until we can resupply!”
Shang Qinghua preens as if he’s a genius.
Shen Qingqiu is peeved. Why the hell is Shang Qinghua bringing the BMI into a xianxia world? Mid-eye roll, Shen Qingqiu halts. Oh shit, he realizes, I know where this is going...Ugh!! Stupid rat-brained Airplane!
It’s so absurd to pair people up by caloric intake, and he just knows he’ll be stuck sharing rations with Luo Binghe. Shen Qingqiu can rely on inedia to balance out the well-known appetites of heavenly demons such as Luo Binghe. Yet, just because Shen Qingqiu can use inedia, that didn't mean he wanted to! If anything, it will leave him in a weaker state since more spiritual energy will be expended to maintain his physical health. But it’s not like they can switch partners. Presumably, Mobei-jun and Shang Qinghua’s caloric difference evens out, with microscopic Shang Qinghua requiring far less sustenance than beefcake Mobei-jun. And the two canon-fodders, too, seemed calorically well-matched.
Goddammit, he hated how it made sense.
Almost, too much sense?
Is it possible that Luo Binghe intentionally sabotaged half of their supplies so that Shen Qingqiu would be forced to share rations and rely on inedia? If Shen Qingqiu is weakened by less spiritual energy, then that makes him an easier target for Luo Binghe. He bets Luo Binghe and Mobei-jun are probably working together, too. Mobei-jun definitely has the ear of Shang Qinghua and could’ve planted the horrendous buddy system idea ages ago.
But maybe he’s being too paranoid and starting to spiral. He’s been in constant fight or flight mode for this entire trip and it’s only day one.
Also, he needs Shang Qinghua to stop bringing real-world problems into this fantasy world! They shouldn’t need to think about calories! No one here even knows what calories are!
Shen Qingqiu stews on these thoughts as their traveling group trudges on.
When they’re through the mountain pass, the group stops for a break and surveys their remaining rations. Shang Qinghua divides the supplies and each pair walks off to explore what’s inside the packs.
Awkwardly, Shen Qingqiu waits a few paces back as Luo Binghe grabs the supply pack and shuffles over to stand by Shen Qingqiu. Luo Binghe’s hair is finely tousled by the mountain breeze and his cheeks slightly rosy from the wind burn. It’s a bit too sexy considering they’re roughing it in the wilderness right now. Absolutely ridiculous protagonist halo.
Shen Qingqiu is about to say something banal when Luo Binghe finally speaks, voice smooth.
“Shizun, it looks like we’re together at last.”
The low rumble of his voice makes Shen Qingqiu’s spine shiver, but he hides it well. He casts Luo Binghe an imperious look and whips open his fan to cover his grimacing mouth. His knees almost give way in fear.
“Pass me the water canteen, will you?” Shen Qingqiu orders him, grasping at straws to fill the empty air. He’s not in a state of inedia yet and feels dry-mouthed after getting blown around on the mountain trek. He’ll need to attain inedia soon because who knows when Luo Binghe will start poisoning their shared rations.
Luo Binghe passes him the canteen and Shen Qingqiu grabs it, avoiding all skin contact with him. He takes a deep swig, throat bobbing as he guzzles down three nervous gulps. Unfortunately, Shen Qingqiu chokes on his last swallow when he catches Luo Binghe’s fixated stare on his throat.
Oh my god, he really is planning to kill me, Shen Qingqiu thinks as he spits out hacking coughs. He’s marking all my vulnerable points!!
But his thoughts are interrupted when he realizes Luo Binghe has a hand extended towards him as if to say, my turn now.
Hiding the tremble in his hands, he passes back the canteen. However, this time Luo Binghe’s hand takes the opportunity to softly brush Shen Qingqiu’s hand before properly grasping the container. Shen Qingqiu suppresses another shiver. He’s thrown off by any gentleness from Luo Binghe, so contrary to all his expectations of the dangerous man.
He’s only trying to seem non-threatening so he can get closer to me, Shen Qingqiu rationalizes while his nervous system settles down.
Luo Binghe proceeds to part his lips and poke a fleshy pink tongue through the canteen opening before fully engulfing the mouth of the bottle. He closes his eyes in contentment as he savours the refreshing taste of water. The jut of his Adam's apple stands out proudly, moving with each swallow. Shen Qingqiu tries to look away, ignoring the juvenile voice in his mind screaming over the fact that they just indirectly kissed.
Over the next few weeks and many water refills later, Luo Binghe becomes a fiend for the canteen. Annoyingly, each time Shen Qingqiu has had his fill of water, Luo Binghe monopolizes the whole damn container for the rest of the day. Sometimes he catches Luo Binghe sticking his tongue in the bottle mouth without actually drinking! What the hell?? Whatever, it doesn’t matter since Shen Qingqiu has pretty much achieved inedia by now.
However, Shen Qingqiu does feel a little bad for the unquenchable Luo Binghe. As they’ve crossed deeper inland, the weather jumped several degrees. In general, demons don’t take well to extreme heat, so poor Luo Binghe must be very thirsty. The group hasn’t needed to sleep in tents yet since the evenings are warm enough to rest under the stars. But the downside is that there’s never not a constant sheen of sweat on them at all times. When sleeping shirtless, the moonlight reflects on the planes of Luo Binghe’s chest muscles and it's too distracting! Turn those high beams off, Luo Binghe!
More concerningly, sometimes Shen Qingqiu will catch Luo Binghe observing him intently whenever Shen Qingqiu lifts up his hair to fan the sweat on his neck. Luo Binghe even offered once to hold his hair, to which Shen Qingqiu vehemently declined. Luo Binghe was not going anywhere near his defenceless neck!
They also occasionally get the chance to launder their clothes and take much-needed baths in the nearby rivers. Everyone was permitted to pack a few changes of clothing to rotate through for their excursion. So when it’s his turn, Shen Qingqiu happily scrubs the dust off his skin and changes into fresh clothes. Mysteriously though, he must keep misplacing his used undergarments each bathtime because he can never find them afterward to do his laundry. Many wild animals run amok here, so one or two small critters must have made away with his underwear. Oh well, nothing wrong with occasionally going commando as long as he still has his outer robes and pants.
Speaking of wild animals, Shen Qingqiu—forever cautious—continues to be on alert for any weird behaviour from Luo Binghe. Now that Shen Qingqiu is in a state of inedia, he has to stay vigilant with his faster-depleting spiritual power.
So far, Luo Binghe hasn’t done anything noteworthy. Except maybe that one time when Luo Binghe kept making unnecessary, boisterous splashes in the river while bathing. Why couldn’t he bathe normally, with self-contained splashes!?! Doesn’t he understand the norms of public river washing? Being too flashy might catch the eyes of vagrant bandits or draw wandering eyes to Luo Binghe’s naked glistening figure. Protect your modesty, stallion! Shen Qingqiu maybe stole a few peeks himself but can you blame him? Post-abyss Luo Binghe was exceedingly well-formed. And when the sunlight hits the water droplets sliding down his back…
Lost in his memory of Luo Binghe’s bathing mishaps, Shen Qingqiu only manages one hasty sip from the canteen before real-life Luo Binghe immediately snatches it. He obscenely wraps hungry lips around the mouth, taking a long chug for himself. They’re seated side by side, the heat from the campfire making Shen Qingqiu sweat profusely.
Jeez, I get it! Luo Binghe doesn’t like to share, Shen Qingqiu grouses.
Luo Binghe tosses aside the canteen and then grabs a handful of candied nuts from their supply pack to munch on. Shen Qingqiu no longer needs to eat but those candied nuts are his favourite so he ogles them without realizing. The light of the campfire illuminates the fine sugary glaze of the nuts and Shen Qingqiu gulps subconsciously. Luo Binghe catches Shen Qingqiu’s wanting gaze and wordlessly extends the pile in his hand in offering. Although Shen Qingqiu is wary of Luo Binghe potentially poisoning their shared rations, he’s clearly eating the nuts himself so it must be safe.
Shen Qingqiu tentatively reaches out, palm up, expecting the nuts to drop into his hand. But Luo Binghe suddenly pulls his hand back, keeping the prized nuts captive in a closed fist. Shen Qingqiu barely has time to react when, all the while gazing into Shen Qingqiu’s wide eyes, Luo Binghe brings his fist to his lips, kisses it, and then finally releases the nuts into Shen Qingqiu’s palm.
What the hell was that?!!
Shen Qingqiu’s face burns a little from the heat of the campfire, but he accepts the nuts with a quiet thanks, chewing hard on the sweet snack. He doesn’t know why Luo Binghe sometimes pretends to be generous and amiable toward him. It’s most likely a honey pot tactic similar to what the original flavour Luo Binghe did to attract his enemies for the most efficient and easy slaughter. All the more reason to never let up on his vigilance.
Admittedly, Shen Qingqiu has grown less jumpy around Luo Binghe, feeling almost certain that Luo Binghe won’t attack him as long as they’re in a group setting. However, he always has at least one of his senses trained on Luo Binghe’s whereabouts and happenings. Keep your enemies close and whatnot.
Thus, he remains cozily seated next to Luo Binghe, watching the light of the fire ebb and flow as he finishes the last of the candied nuts. Huddled around their nightly campfire, Shang Qinghua drones on about tomorrow’s plan and route to the next checkpoint.
Sadly, the frail calm of the night is violently shattered when a jolt and gasp from Luo Binghe spooks Shen Qingqiu out of his spaced-out musings. He turns to look at Luo Binghe, who is now clutching his arm with a hand that’s oozing with blood between his fingers.
Everyone stands in a frenzy. Arrows whistle through the air, landing with thunks on the ground and nearby trees. Their two pack horses run off in pounding gallops. A cry that Shen Qingqiu recognizes as the shotputter canon-fodder pierces his ears. He sees arrows littering the ground and fails to grasp which direction he should run. Dark figures emerge from the shadows and Shen Qingqiu hears the sounds of close combat letting loose around him.
These must be the classic road bandits!
“Shizun!”
Shen Qingqiu’s heart instantly leaps and he runs panicked towards the sound of Luo Binghe’s voice.
Shen Qingqiu spots Luo Binghe’s face, cast in shadow by the dying firelight. A bizarre, crazed look in Luo Binghe’s eyes quickly fades once Shen Qingqiu runs up to him.
“Shizun we have to run!” Luo Binghe yells, paws grabbing at Shen Qingqiu’s hand.
Shen Qingqiu turns back to check on the state of their travel companions and sees more masked bandits coming from the bushes to enter the melee. Mobei-jun fiercely fends off attacks against Shang Qinghua and shields his small body. Two of the bandits look straight at him and Luo Binghe but do not give chase. Eerie.
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t have time to think about anything before Luo Binghe firmly clutches his hand and drags him along.
They run and run.
Luo Binghe stays a step behind Shen Qingqiu, occasionally pushing at his back to keep him running forward. After a while he runs on his own, lungs bursting and knees buckling. For what feels like hours later, Shen Qingqiu stops to recoup shallow breaths of cold air. The night is dark, with only bright moonlight to guide the path. Regaining his senses, he realizes he must have lost track of Luo Binghe at some point. Even now he can’t detect his presence with spiritual power. Looking up and doing a full circle spin, he doesn’t see Luo Binghe anywhere either.
Fuck, he’s alone!
…But wait, maybe this is a good thing?
This is the only circumstance in which Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe are truly alone together. Shen Qingqiu must be on high alert. Without the canon-fodder and Shang Qinghua around, Luo Binghe might seize this opportunity to enact his revenge.
He hears the sharp crack of a twig from behind him and springs into a run without a second thought.
Regardless if it’s Luo Binghe or one of the masked bandits, he can’t risk either finding him.
As he’s running, he spots torch lights ahead on a hill and a group of people ostensibly searching for something or someone.
Dammit, those must be the bandits!!
He crouches behind a rocky clearing and observes the group for a while. They don’t seem to be viciously searching for anything, and after a moment, he can make out that the people aren’t wearing any masks or other concealments. So maybe they’re just local villagers? It’s getting really late, and he needs to find civilization in order to reconnect with his traveling party. Maybe he’ll take his chances with these most likely villagers?
Shen Qingqiu stands up, dusting himself off in preparation to call out to the group.
No more than two steps forward, a hand slaps across his mouth without warning, muffling Shen Qingqiu’s stunned cry. Then an arm wraps around his waist and he’s flung to the ground, clung to his assailant. They roll together in the dirt until they roll under an overhang of rocks and bushes. Shen Qingqiu finds himself lying on his side, swaddled too tightly from behind by the arm slung around his chest. The assailant’s other hand still presses strongly against his lips. Thick, metallic liquid seeps into his mouth as he tries valiantly to wriggle free from his attacker.
“Shizun, shh, it’s me!” A voice next to his ear whispers loudly. The streams of air tickle the insides of his ear.
Unfortunately, knowing that it’s Luo Binghe doesn’t make him feel any calmer. He continues to struggle out of the suffocating embrace, if only to get Luo Binghe’s hand off his mouth. Blech, he hopes that’s not blood he tastes on his tongue.
“Shizun, you ran so fast I couldn’t keep up. Those bandits shot my arm and I’ve lost a lot of blood...”
Hearing the pitiful tone of a wounded Luo Binghe, Shen Qingqiu halts his jostling, not wanting to further injure him.
They lay wrapped together under the foliage, straining to hear whether the hunting party nears their hiding spot. Luo Binghe’s nose softly expels air, rustling the strands of hair behind Shen Qingqiu’s ear. Their legs are tangled, with one of Luo Binghe’s thighs settled obtrusively between Shen Qingqiu’s.
“You… stop squeezing me so hard, I can’t breathe!” Shen Qingqiu rasps out.
“Shh! Shizun, they'll hear us!” Luo Binghe hisses back.
The heat of Luo Binghe’s torso sears into Shen Qingqiu’s back. He’s pressed more snugly against the plane of Luo Binghe’s chest each time he takes a breath. Why does it feel like they’re spooning, Shen Qingqiu realizes with agitation. Even at rest, he can feel the outline of Luo Binghe’s heavenly pillar poking his ass. How ludicrous, a noticeable pillar even when flaccid, huh.
Footsteps from the search party grow distant so Shen Qingqiu pipes up again.
“What happened back there? Could those bandits be agents of the Wen sect? Are we being assassinated!?”
“I don’t know, Shizun, but there’s a village nearby. Shang Qinghua will likely go there as a natural checkpoint. We should leave and wait for the others there.”
“Then let’s leave now,” Shen Qingqiu says, violently wriggling to encourage his release from Luo Binghe’s hold. Luo Binghe gives Shen Qingqiu’s body one last squeeze before letting go. Sighing in exasperation, he sits up and turns to face Luo Binghe, but instantly, he’s aghast. The blood soaking Luo Binghe’s sleeves and hands contrasts sharply with his sickly pallor in the moonlight.
“Binghe, we need to get you—”
The thump of feet hitting the ground from a tall height shuts him up immediately. Shen Qingqiu watches in horror as the masked bandits—seven, no eight of them—begin stalking towards their hiding spot. Previously a hiding place from the search party before, it is now exposed from the opposite side, allowing the bandits to see Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe in plain view. They’re complete sitting ducks, cornered under the eave of rocks and bushes.
Shen Qingqiu grabs Luo Binghe’s slippery hand without thinking, dragging him up in a mad dash for escape. All for naught however as more bandits, evidently hiding in the trees above, drop a net on top of them, swiftly sapping Shen Qingqiu’s spiritual power dry.
Immortal Binding Cables!!!
Oh, this is bad.
They have no spiritual power, Luo Binghe is injured, and now they’re being kidnapped.
Under the net, Luo Binghe is useless! Instead of putting up a fight, he does nothing but stare at their still-joined hands, completely spacing out.
Binghe, this is not the time for reflection! Shen Qingqiu screams on the inside.
Suddenly, in a glowing flash of light, the Immortal Binding Cables reshape into their regular rope form and tie Shen Qingqiu’s wrists behind his back. The rope then moves to tie the duo back to back, leaving no room for their arms to move. These bandits must be cultivators to be able to control the Immortal Binding Cables with such ease!
Stupid xianxia magic, stupid author!
Shen Qingqiu is about to open his mouth and complain the ears off the bandits when one of them walks up and ties a cloth gag around his mouth. His eyes bulge in shock, and the last thing sees is a fading torchlight in the distance as a blindfold covers his eyes.
They’re transported in a rattling carriage for the rest of the evening and eventually thrown into what sounds and smells like a damp cavern. Dripping water echoes throughout the expansive space.
He can’t believe they’ve already taken them to a secondary location! Surely this must be a targeted attack. Politically-motivated assassination attempt? Somebody please call xianxia Interpol! Shen Qingqiu’s thoughts are spiralling out of control. More importantly, these bandits appear to be highly organized and working with an objective. Just whose orders are they following?
The footsteps bustling around them gradually fade toward what he assumes is the exit. Then, Luo Binghe starts speaking, apparently confident that they’re alone.
“Shizun, are you alright?”
What? They didn’t gag Binghe??! Why only me?!!
Shen Qingqiu muffles out indignant noises.
Luo Binghe’s body stiffens at the realization that Shen Qingqiu is gagged and can’t speak. There’s a suspended pause between them until Luo Binghe’s body slackens and he decides to speak again.
“Shizun…” Luo Binghe whines, sounding like a spoiled girlfriend begging for her lover’s attention. It tingles Shen Qingqiu’s spine, equal parts provocative and maddening.
Umm, why does he sound like that!!?
In a more subdued voice, Luo Binghe continues, “I’m glad I escaped with you.”
… so you can kill me while we’re alone, right?? In his head, Shen Qingqiu fills in the gaps. But since Luo Binghe can’t read his mind, he prattles on, “This past decade, I wanted to see you but… I knew Shizun might not want to see me. Even so, I—”
Why is he admitting all this when I can’t even respond!???
Shen Qingqiu's back is getting sore and he fidgets, letting out a pained groan that interrupts whatever Luo Binghe is about to say next.
“—Oh. Shizun, my arms are a little loose. I think I can get us untied.”
Jerking his body a few times, Luo Binghe loosens the ties enough to rescue an arm and starts manually untying the ropes around his body. Shen Qingqiu feels a chill at his back the moment Luo Binghe stands up after freeing himself. He hears Luo Binghe step quietly to his side and stop, pausing for a few seconds, unmoving.
He’s definitely free now so what’s taking him so long? Shen Qingqiu gripes. He lets out another aggrieved sound to urge Luo Binghe to get moving. Responsive as ever, Luo Binghe quickly unties Shen Qingqiu from his binds, blindfold, and gag, then casually stuffs the loose supplies into his qiankun pouch.
With his senses finally unobstructed, Shen Qingqiu avoids eye contact with Luo Binghe and stands up to explore their new surroundings. He doesn’t know how to respond to Luo Binghe’s sentimental words from earlier so he’ll just pretend it never happened. It’s also weird that they’ve been left alone with no bandits guarding them, but there’s no time to worry about that either. It’s time to escape!
Odd plants and craggy rocks sprout from the floors, walls, and ceilings of the cave. There’s a stagnant lake of water that surrounds the pathway to the exit. It’s a muddy looking water, and upon closer inspection, unfathomably deep.
Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe silently tiptoe along the path, wary that the bandits may return at any moment. Halfway across, Shen Qingqiu’s footing falters and he trips face forward with his arms braced out to catch his fall. He supposes this whole kidnapping side quest has really disoriented him. Almost landing in the water, Shen Qingqiu is only slightly winded and about to get up when Luo Binghe cries out, “Shizun!”
Shen Qingqiu barely registers that something is wrapped around his ankle until it yanks on his leg and pulls him into the dark waters.
*************
Panic grips Luo Binghe as he watches his Shizun thrash in the cavern lake. One of the monster’s tentacles had latched around Shen Qingqiu’s leg, dragging him in sharply without warning. Now, he can see it below the water with its tentacles splayed like choking vines.
Most commonly found at lower depths, this tentacled creature originates from the Endless Abyss. It’s colloquially known as the Head Snatching Beast and typically has at least twenty-odd tentacles with poisonous secretions that are non-lethal to humans and demons alike. In fact, for demons like Luo Binghe, they’re completely harmless, the equivalent of pets. They’re named the way they are because some demon scientists found humour in giving a mildly-dispositioned creature such an incredibly ominous name. In the aquatic food hierarchy, it isn’t predatory or aggressive, mostly consuming the Abyss’ marine flora. Often, it may approach other creatures out of curiosity, using its tentacles to sense and understand new stimuli. Demonic scholars have well-documented the habits of this creature ever since Luo Binghe granted unlimited funding to the Demonic Studies Institute and supported multiple research expeditions to the Abyss.
Now, how could this Endless Abyss-native monster be inhabiting an enclosed cavern lake in the human realm?
Simple, Luo Binghe put it there.
He’d always known they would end up in these caves. That’s where he told the bandits-for-hire to take them upon capture. Well actually, they’re cultivators-for-hire—he just told them they needed to act as bandits.
Luo Binghe had two reasons for hiring these cultivators: (1) to gain Shen Qingqiu’s pity through a bandit-related injury, and (2) to use the bandit ambush as an excuse to separate them from the rest of that useless drivel. If he was going to win Shen Qingqiu over, Luo Binghe knew they needed some alone time together. He intended to savour the process of reacquainting with his Shizun and eventually express his true feelings. He also brought this Head Snatching Beast to the cavern lake as an additional ploy, planning to heroically slay the beast in front of Shen Qingqiu, saving them both from ‘certain doom’! His Shizun would be so grateful and fall into his arms and maybe they would kiss and…
Luo Binghe didn’t mean for Shen Qingqiu to be mistakenly targeted by the creature and end up in the water. His poor Shizun can’t catch a break! What’s more, he also didn’t plan for the bandits to gag and blindfold Shen Qingqiu, though he couldn’t complain as he did rather enjoy the view.
Shen Qingqiu still flails in the waters, large splashes soaking the edges of Luo Binghe’s robes. The situation has taken an unexpected turn and now they’re both going to get wet—but this is no issue. In fact, this is almost better! Instead of pretend-saving Shen Qingqiu from the monster, Luo Binghe will actually save him!
He’s going to look most heroic and impressive in front of his Shizun. It doesn’t even matter that the creature isn’t truly lethal since it’s impossible for Shen Qingqiu to know that—after all, Shizun has never been to the Endless Abyss.
*************
A hand grabs Shen Qingqiu’s drowned form and pulls him out of the water, placing him carefully onto the rocky ledge.
When a blacked-out Shen Qingqiu comes to, he’s coughing up a lungful of water and heaving on his back for several heartbeats. He had been drowning while fighting off some tentacle monster that clung to his legs and tried poking at his clothed asshole. He swears one tentacle even went into his mouth! Ew!
The weird way sound echoes tells him he’s in a cave. He’s pretty disoriented and has no idea how he got here. Everything went black and suddenly he was fighting a monster and choking out water by the bucket. Did he get hit by a nefarious transportation array?
He’s also pretty sure he recognizes this monster from the Endless Abyss since there are only a handful of tentacle beasts in Proud Immortal Demon Way. This one appears to be the Head Snatching Beast, a squid-like creature that some demons treat as a pet due to its naturally docile and intelligent disposition. They are innately curious creatures, so it was likely drawn to him since he’s the first human it would have ever encountered—as far as he knows, no humans have ever gone to the Endless Abyss. The only strange matter that troubles him is how the Head Snatching Beast ended up here in this random cavern, so far from its natural home.
The waves lapping along the ledge where Shen Qingqiu lies indisposed slowly quiet.
The last thing he remembers is walking back to the Bamboo House, his QingJing Peak residence, after tutoring his disciples on the Seven Lotus Formation. This formation is often used to introduce disciples to friendly sparring because it focuses on subduing the opponent rather than harming them. Today, Luo Binghe stayed longer after the others left because he couldn’t get the steps quite right without tripping and landing on Shen Qingqiu. A bit bizarre since shouldn’t the protagonist have superhuman levels of martial prowess? Nonetheless, Luo Binghe is still a pre-blackened white lotus and Shen Qingqiu is willing to overlook any faults while he can. In a few years, how will he manage to push his sweet Binghe into the Endless Abyss…
Currently, Shen Qingqiu remains debilitated on his back, eyes shut, and sucking in air. He notes in surprise that his tongue feels thick and heavy in his mouth, and his eyes feel puffy and swollen as he painfully opens them. But even more surprising is the sight that greets him—a young man hovering over his prone and dry-hacking body with a concerned expression. The man sees that Shen Qingqiu is gaining lucidity and makes a shooing motion towards someone beyond his field of view.
The man before him is jaw-droppingly handsome and familiar, although Shen Qingqiu doesn’t think his imagination could have ever conjured up someone this achingly attractive. Not even the most charming maiden in Proud Immortal Demon Way—hell, even the women back in the real world with cosmetic enhancements or camera filters—could hold a candle to this man’s beauty.
The man before him is obviously Luo Binghe. No longer as the cute white lotus youth, but as a refined, peerlessly beautiful man. His baby fat has given way to an elegant bone structure like that of the most sought-after runway model. Shen Qingqiu’s swollen eyes hazard a glance downwards. Yeah, that body must be well sought-after too.
“B-binghe?” Shen Qingqiu wheezes out. He’s at a loss at how an adult version of Luo Binghe could be kneeling before him right now. Shen Qingqiu finds himself trying to say more but his lips and tongue have trouble moving.
“Shizun, are you hurt? Your complexion is reddening…” Luo Binghe’s voice is deep and soothing as he scans his body up and down. Hands pat along his arms, chest, hips, and legs to detect any acute injuries.
Perhaps due to distraction, Shen Qingqiu has a shamefully late realization that the facial pain he’s feeling is identical to the symptoms of an allergic reaction.
Oh my god!
Could it be possible that he’s allergic to that sad excuse for a calamari? Back in the real world, Shen Qingqiu suffered from a moderate shellfish allergy. Nothing that would kill him, but it would leave his eyes and mouth uncomfortably swollen for at least a few hours.
Thinking about it now, he must have swallowed some of the tentacle’s secretions along with that stagnant lake water… gross. Fortunately, he recalls that this monster’s secretions aren’t lethal to humans or demons, so he shouldn’t have any other adverse reactions. It’s just too bad he’s clearly allergic to this xianxia giant squid. Who knew allergies could transmigrate, too!
“Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu tries again, “how are you—what are you doing here? I… you… how are you all grown up?” He’s barely coherent in his confusion. Does Proud Immortal Demon Way have time machines now?!!!
“Shizun, what do you mean? This one has been next to you this whole time.”
*************
Hmmm, something is not right with Shen Qingqiu.
Luo Binghe was worried when he pulled Shen Qingqiu out of the waters and saw him unconscious. The bandits quickly arrived with some medicine and supplies as per Luo Binghe’s immediate orders. Some of the bandits even offered suggestions for medical aid. One such idea was administering breath through direct contact with Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. Luo Binghe didn’t quite understand the utility of this method, but he didn’t hesitate to press his mouth against Shen Qingqiu’s to try. He touched their lips together lightly and took a few breaths through his nose. However, it didn’t work and it didn’t seem like a legitimate practice for resuscitation anyway. Unbidden, the bandits also provided other rather unconventional advice related to the uses of mouths, but Luo Binghe decided to save that information for another time. After a thorough discussion with the bandits, he applied what medicine he could to any obvious wounds and stored the rest in his qiankun pouch for later.
Several minutes passed and Shen Qingqiu was quietly groaning and occasionally spitting up mouthfuls of water.
The bandits loitered near the edges of the cavern, waiting for direction from Luo Binghe to either bring more medicine or be dismissed.
When it was clear Shen Qingqiu was finally waking, he dismissed the bandits and brought his full attention to the incapacitated man.
Looking at him now, his beautiful Shizun appears sickly. Eyes and mouth red and swollen. He also sounds confused, as if he doesn’t remember traveling with Luo Binghe for the past few months.
Luo Binghe activates the blood parasites in Shen Qingqiu’s body. It wasn’t part of his plan to feed his Shizun the blood parasites this early on, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity when it landed in his lap. Besides, the use of the blood parasites is mostly strategic on his part, he needs to monitor the well-being of his Shizun at all times. But admittedly, he may have also just wanted an excuse to touch his Shizun’s lips.
The blood parasites run a quick survey of Shen Qingqiu’s circulatory system. Immediately, Luo Binghe can tell what’s wrong. Despite the Head Snatching Beast being harmless even with its ‘poisonous’ secretions, Shen Qingqiu still seems to be having an adverse bodily reaction to it. He has seen this type of ailment before, occasionally among younger sect siblings. Sometimes ingestion or even skin contact with certain foods and animals would cause the distension of one’s facial apertures, either bringing about simple temporary discomfort or resulting in a suffocating death.
Luo Binghe can tell that Shen Qingqiu’s ailment is the former. A small blessing.
Unfortunately, his parasites can also detect some light swelling inside Shizun’s head cavity. This is likely another symptom of his illness, causing Shizun’s sudden gap in memory. But just how much has he forgotten?
A rapid interrogation of Shen Qingqiu makes it clear that he doesn’t remember anything beyond the Immortal Alliance Conference. In fact, he doesn’t even remember going to the conference, suggesting that his current state of memory lies even further away. Based on Shen Qingqiu’s account, the last Luo Binghe he remembers was the youth who was still practicing the Seven Lotus Formation—one of the earliest basic sparring techniques taught to disciples!
For Luo Binghe’s part, he recalls mastering the classic formation easily, but only pretending to struggle to spend more time with his Shizun. It’s a memory he’s quite fond of, but right now he’d rather Shen Qingqiu see him as the venerated cultivator that he is today.
“So, Shizun is saying he doesn’t remember that I’m the Demon Emperor?!” Luo Binghe is wailing in a dramatic display of sorrow.
Becoming the Demon Emperor was Luo Binghe’s proudest accomplishment since it meant he would finally be considered an equal to his Shizun in the cultivation world. At first, he was afraid to acknowledge his demon heritage for fear of the prejudice he knew remained in his Shizun’s heart. But realizing that he had the power as Demon Emperor to change not just his own circumstances but also those of all demons, he decided he could stand to make larger waves. Besides, since they are going to get married, Luo Binghe needs to make sure Shizun accepts all of him first! Thus, Luo Binghe’s first plan of action was to elevate the socio-economic status of demons to prove to his Shizun that demons have as much potential for righteousness as humans.
Over these past ten years, Luo Binghe observed firsthand how much human perception of demons had progressed, so he felt confident that his Shizun would also come around! He had caught Shen Qingqiu ogling him throughout the entire United Immortals Security Council meeting and thought they might be off to a great start. He was so excited for the blooming season of their love story to begin! But when their diplomatic mission began, Luo Binghe was so gutted by Shen Qingqiu’s lackluster reaction towards him. His Shizun didn’t attempt any conversation beyond stiff pleasantries and made efforts to avoid any close contact. Shen Qingqiu had put up an impenetrable wall of indifference between them, all the while, Luo Binghe craved to spill all his heart's joys into Shen Qingqiu’s palms.
But not one to be easily discouraged, Luo Binghe had always known that winning over his Shizun would require having to play the long game.
After becoming Emperor, Luo Binghe immediately set out to establish a wide array of political and economic alliances. He needed to form webs of interdependence for his plan to work, and luckily human cultivators could be surprisingly accommodating with the right type of persuasion. So, caring not about the status quo, Luo Binghe forged his own path in the Daoist world order, forming countless bilateral human-demon sect partnerships, at both political and economic levels. And although many human-demon sect partnerships served greater political agendas and were by no means established out of altruism, these partnerships naturally led to the earnest recognition of demons as trustworthy and reliable. The social equity for demons rose to an all time high and never fell again.
At the macro scale, Luo Binghe also fought through endless trade negotiations and coalitions, solidifying economically-based diplomatic ties across the realms. And several multilateral agreements later, Luo Binghe’s efforts coalesced into an interdependent global economic system—connecting local human and demonic sects alike to the faraway lands, such as that of Yunmeng sect. This also ushered in an era of heightened prosperity for all, what with the subsequent increase—and most importantly reliance—on foreign imports. It is through these established interconnected networks that the first stage of Luo Binghe’s plan was complete.
When the time was right he just needed to break a few spokes off the wheel to threaten the entire cart.
It was easy to plant dreams of grandeur and conquest into the minds of Wen sect officials. He simply legitimized their existing biases with subconscious affirmations that their ‘superior’ cultivation methods made them worthy to rule all cultivatiors. Then through consistent dream monitoring, he knew when to stir up paranoia in the Yunmeng sect. Once the citizens’ dreams began featuring bouts of petty violence and brewing conflict in the smaller border towns, he striked. Just insert recurring nightmares of the violent Wen sect ambushing innocent Yunmeng villages, easy. Suddenly people would believe they are divining ominous prophecies and angry people group together to fight for their families and homes—it was fairly straightforward work and certainly caused enough of a political stir for ruling officials to take action. The second stage of the plan was complete.
For the past few years, Yunmeng sect had become the number one trading partner on which many sects relied on to produce their specialized cultivation wares. Such is why the United Immortals Security Council took the threat of war against Yunmeng so seriously. Luo Binghe knew that the council would be urged to send over a diplomatic envoy as a political deterrent to the ever-aggressive Wen sect. The mission would bring them to travel to Yunmeng, as it was the best way to both reinforce their political alliance and formalize official martial support. Thus, with all the pieces on the board, Luo Binghe knew when to finally show his face at the council.
The AnDing Peak Lord, Shang Qinghua, would certainly be volunteered to be a part of the envoy— against his will or otherwise—owing to the fact that he is the head of logistics. And Luo Binghe had no doubts Shen Qingqiu would volunteer to go, too, given he had never passed up an opportunity to help a victim of senseless aggression before, just as he once did for Luo Binghe himself.
*************
Shen Qingqiu flounders at the despondent gorgeous stallion of a man before him. Sadly, amnesiac Shen Qingqiu has never heard of Demon Emperor Luo Binghe, sorry! But if it’s any consolation, he’s sullen over apparently missing more than ten years of his dear little Luo Binghe growing up and becoming Demon Emperor! So did Luo Binghe never go to the Endless Abyss?
“Shizun really doesn’t remember anything?” Luo Binghe chokes out with a sniffle, “Does this mean Shizun still condemns the demon race…?” The thin keen of Luo Binghe’s pitiful voice pierces Shen Qingqiu’s heart.
Instinctively reacting to Luo Binghe’s overt misery, Shen Qingqiu’s oft-repressed love and concern for his handsome white lotus blooms loudly in his chest. Although his tongue and mouth hurt to move, he scrambles to respond even though the sounds come out funny and a bit muffled.
“No Binghe, honestly…I’ve always known of your heavenly demon heritage,” Luo Binghe’s eyes widen at this revelation, “—but I never cared!!” Shen Qingqiu hurriedly clarifies. “If you’re confused about certain actions of mine that seem contrary, well, there are—sometimes there are…other factors at play that are out of my control and cannot be explained to you…but just know that I never had any unjust notions towards the demon race. In fact, I really admire the richness of demon culture and history!”
Stepping off his soap box with a pained swallow, Shen Qingqiu thinks, there, that should comfort Binghe!
But Luo Binghe still looks stricken.
Uh oh, how will Shen Qingqiu fix this!!?? Maybe it’s time to pull out all the stops…
“…The truth is Binghe, you’ve always been my favorite disciple—Don’t tell the others!” The words spill out like a toppled glass of water.
Luo Binghe silently stares at Shen Qingqiu with watery eyes. In the weighted silence, Shen Qingqiu’s stomach twists as he stands by for a response.
Tentatively, “So, Shizun doesn’t hate me? Even though I’m a demon? A heavenly demon?! And I’m the Demon Emperor!!” Luo Binghe insistently emphasizes his main points, looking perplexed all the while.
Shen Qingqiu is nodding along since his tongue is really too heavy to speak anymore.
At his casual affirmation, something in the air grows charged with something intense, something unspoken. Then, in a flash, teary eyes narrow with a glint as Luo Binghe, seemingly satisfied with this answer, smiles and takes out more medicine for Shen Qingqiu to drink. Without further comment, he helps Shen Qingqiu stand and they slink around the cavern until they find the exit.
Bizarrely, they make it to the outside world with little effort. There’s not even a hint that the bandits had stuck around for a later-scheduled torture session.
Finally back into the woods, they manage to find a well-worn trail to follow in search of the nearest village.
As they walk, Shen Qingqiu can’t help but bombard Luo Binghe with questions about the past decade and all that he’s missed. Jokingly, he asks Luo Binghe if he remembers the extra tutoring he needed on the Seven Lotus Formation. Luo Binghe would always trip over his feet and lunge instead at Shen Qingqiu despite the formation being fairly simple. Although the formation is technically an offensive move, its essence is more about redirecting the opponent’s energy to subdue them, rather than employing an onslaught of aggressive strikes. But even though Luo Binghe was falling a bit behind his peers, Shen Qingqiu treasured the small moments of helping his favourite disciple learn.
So he’s a little taken aback when Luo Binghe tries to change the subject, looking embarrassed. It appears the Demon Emperor doesn’t want to reminisce about his innocent white lotus days. That’s too bad because Shen Qingqiu dearly misses how cute Luo Binghe was back then. But sensing Luo Binghe’s discomfort, he drops the topic. Maybe he still struggles with the Seven Lotus Formation and he’s embarrassed as the Demon Emperor?
Shen Qingqiu is also terribly curious to know about Luo Binghe’s wives, but he’s too shy to ask. Surely, he’s gathered at least half of his harem if ten years have already passed! If Shen Qingqiu hasn’t been able to tear his eyes away from Luo Binghe’s perfect profile during this entire walk, then others must be just as captivated, if not more! However… Luo Binghe hasn’t mentioned anything about needing to rush back to his palace to attend to any conjugal responsibilities. So maybe, just maybe, Shen Qingqiu will allow himself to ask this one question.
Shen Qingqiu casually clears his throat, “Ah, Binghe must have been so busy this decade. I assume this includes finding a wife, hmm?” He tries for as nonchalant as possible, but lands just short of unbothered.
He’s met with no response for an uncomfortably long few seconds, longer than socially acceptable. By the time Shen Qingqiu starts to panic, Luo Binghe breezily replies, “I have no time for those types of extraneous pursuits. I’m quite content with who is in my life right now, especially when that includes you, Shizun.”
Shen Qingqiu turns to look at Luo Binghe in shock at his confirmed bachelor status. How is that possible! All human and demon women should have been throwing themselves at his feet by now?!! And he should be graciously accepting them into his harem!! Are they not throwing anything at his feet!?? Also, why is Luo Binghe smiling like that? It’s slightly wistful, but soft, as if it pains him to hold back the whole truth of the matter. Does he have a suitor in mind?
The itching need to ask more questions pricks at Shen Qingqiu, but he already feels like he’s overstepping. Face too thin to continue the conversation, he reluctantly switches the topic. Shen Qingqiu will just have to assume Luo Binghe is a late bloomer, just waiting for the right person and the right time. He ignores the pinch of disappointment in his chest at the thought.
Several hours of chatting and walking later, the duo decide to have a short break on a fallen tree log. Shen Qingqiu has been stealing surreptitious glances at Luo Binghe, still not quite believing that the embodiment of the “Sexiest Man Alive” xianxia edition is sitting next to him. To be honest, he hasn’t been able to slow his fluttering heart rate ever since he woke up and clocked Luo Binghe’s face hovering so close to his. Moreover, his chest is always thrumming with an unknown feeling, and his palms get a little damp whenever Luo Binghe meets his eyes. Meeting the gaze head-on is like staring into the sun—too intense for direct eye contact, yet stunningly beautiful, it’s brilliance wholly enveloping him in warmth.
When they’re both settled on the log, Shen Qingqiu finally notices the bleeding on Luo Binghe’s arm and breaks the quiet tension with a shrieking gasp.
“—Binghe!! What‘s happened to your arm?!”
Blood soaks through his sleeves, and the cloth is torn where he must be wounded. He can’t believe he didn’t notice sooner when they were walking, but truthfully, it’s because he couldn’t pull his eyes away from Luo Binghe’s well-angled jawline and striking features.
“—What do you mean bandits?!! Where’s that medicine you gave me? You should’ve taken it yourself!!!” Shen Qingqiu weakly slaps Luo Binghe on the back of his head.
Luo Binghe’s gaze softens as Shen Qingqiu fusses over his surface wound. Okay, it’s a fairly deep gash, but Luo Binghe can take care of it later. For now he wants to indulge in his Shizun fawning over his wellbeing.
Shen Qingqiu tears a piece of his own robe into long strips, then cautiously takes Luo Binghe’s arm to clean and bandage the seeping cut. He’s distraught that his white lotus’ pristine flesh has been defiled by dishonorable road bandits!! He anxiously wonders if there are other wounds on Luo Binghe that he’s hiding from him.
Shen Qingqiu busies himself with cleaning Luo Binghe’s injury with the utmost care. It’s a peaceful moment as they fall into a comfortable silence. Chirping birds and croaking insects are the only sounds between them.
After a beat, Luo Binghe hesitantly says, “Shizun, I have a request, please think it over seriously.”
Shen Qingqiu is tying up his wound with the strips of bandage. With a quick nod of agreement from Shen Qingqiu, Luo Binghe continues.
“It’s been ten years and I know Shizun doesn’t remember what’s happened between us…”
The ache in Luo Binghe’s tone alarms Shen Qingqiu. He didn’t realize the Demon Emperor had been holding back his own emotional turmoil. Eager to comfort Luo Binghe, Shen Qingqiu interrupts, “Binghe, don’t worry, I’m sure once my memory comes back—”
“—I beg Shizun to recognize me as his disciple once more!”
Shen Qingqiu pauses mid-bandaging as Luo Binghe turns to look imploringly at him, placing clasped hands under his chin like he’s a puppy begging for food. Luo Binghe’s eyes are wide and searching, turning red and shiny as if he’s about to burst into tears.
Shen Qingqiu is a bit baffled. Partially because he’s so out of the loop that he doesn’t know the context of these last ten years, and partially because he’s never not considered Luo Binghe as his disciple.
Shen Qingqiu lifts his hand to caress the side of Luo Binghe’s face, thumb rubbing gently over his cheek.
“Silly child!” Shen Qingqiu admonishes, but it comes out tenderly, “If you’re not my disciple, then why keep calling me Shizun?!” The gentleness of Shen Qingqiu’s hands belies the bite of his words.
Then, Shen Qingqiu lightly whacks Luo Binghe on the back of his head again and stands to walk away, announcing that they should move on before it gets dark. He leaves too quickly to see the expression on Luo Binghe’s face—awestruck with a bright, affectionate smile.
Eventually, they find a village town with a large open market to buy additional supplies and snacks. Given the liveliness of the market, they’re bound to find the rest of their travelling companions here.
Shen Qingqiu hasn’t stopped fretting over Luo Binghe’s injured arm, increasingly worried that Luo Binghe is unnecessarily straining himself as he stubbornly carries the bulk of their purchases.
“Shizun, how are you feeling? You’re injured too, remember?”
That last remember feels pointed. Shen Qingqiu’s face is only looking a little rough. The swelling, while still present, has gone down considerably, but the skin around his mouth is a tender red. The redness (but thankfully not the swelling) has also moved to his neck, likely a natural course of his allergy.
On a poorly timed note, however, his memory had come back with a vengeance. With the renewed goodwill between master and disciple, Luo Binghe had been pestering him with questions, hungry to know about Shen Qingqiu’s inner thoughts regarding himself, the other disciples, and even some of the Peak Lords. Of course, amnesiac Shen Qingqiu happily spilled the details about why Luo Binghe was his favourite disciple, praising his natural talents, and raving about Luo Binghe’s cooking. He cannot believe Luo Binghe took advantage of his memory loss to wheedle out such embarrassing thoughts!
Then, mid-conversation while Shen Qingqiu was waxing poetic about his admiration of Luo Binghe’s martial potential, his memories burst through like a broken dam. Even Luo Binghe could tell with the abrupt pause in conversation and change in expression that Shen Qingqiu’s memories had returned. Washing away his dignity in a flash flood, a beet-red Shen Qingqiu immediately tried to flee, but Luo Binghe grabbed his waist and forced him to stay by his side. Shen Qingqiu was extremely embarrassed by his memory-loss counterpart’s too-blatant adoration of Luo Binghe. But after having no choice but to walk it off, he was not as tense anymore. He was only struck by the realization that this whole time, Luo Binghe actually wanted to make amends and rekindle their master-disciple relationship instead of launching a dedicated plan to enact revenge on him.
Thus, in the last hour, Luo Binghe has taken up the habit of teasing Shen Qingqiu in reponse to Shen Qingqiu’s fussing over him. Despite his soul-crushing embarrassment, he’s reluctantly grateful that Luo Binghe isn’t fixating on his too-earnest amnesiac behaviour, instead redirecting the tension with levity and observational banter. Shen Qingqiu is wracking his brain to say something clever in reply to Luo Binghe’s unfair ribbing when a stall vendor calls out to them, waving her hand excitedly.
“Handsome daozhangs! Hurry, over here!”
Having been singled out from the crowd, curiosity takes them both, and the duo walk over to find the vendor selling a range of medicinal goods and tools. She must have noticed the thick bloodied bandage on Luo Binghe’s arm and Shen Qingqiu’s sickly pallor.
As they near her stall, the vendor’s eyes light up in giddy excitement.
“Wow, you sirs are certainly a blessed pair from the heavens!” She gives them an assessing once over, lingering on the redness of Shen Qingqiu’s mouth and neck with a perceptive squint. “I have just the materials that will give you two a hundred years of united bliss and harmony!!”
Shen Qingqiu is unmoved by her excitement but confused as to why she would assume any kind of bliss between him and Luo Binghe would be united. With a flourish of fingers, the vendor directs their attention to a vial of medicine and a tool that looks like a solid jade pestle, most certainly used for the mixing of medicinal herbs. But it's odd that there’s no corresponding mortar cup. In fact, on the display table, the vendor appears to be only selling various pestles. Does she realize she’s only dealing half of a product here?
“This loosening tincture is guaranteed to allow for a smoother… passage in your dignified cultivation activities, while this portable cultivation aid has the potential to enlarge by two hundredfold or shrink to a more reasonable size if one so prefers.”
The tincture sounds like a relaxant or massage oil for muscle soreness. Shen Qingqiu feels a twist of nostalgia for a long-gone era when he would slather tiger balm on his aching muscles as part of his old nighttime routine. But that was in the real world and his cultivator body doesn’t really have that problem anymore. As for the pestle, it isn’t necessary since he never makes his own medicines.
Just as Shen Qingqiu is about to kindly decline interest in the vendor's pitch, Luo Binghe slams a handful of coins onto the display table. Shen Qingqiu gapes at Luo Binghe in shock. There’s a hungry, desperate look on Luo Binghe’s face.
What the hell, does he want it that badly? Why are we wasting money on useless items, Luo Binghe??! Shen Qingqiu thinks, annoyed. We definitely don’t need these… but perhaps that muscle relaxing tincture would be good for promoting healing?
New purchases in hand, Luo Binghe walks away from the stall with a skip in his step while Shen Qingqiu lectures him on the importance of financial responsibility.
By the hour, Shen Qingqiu is also feeling lighter in his steps with the remnants of his allergy symptoms fading away and a belly full of street food. The marketplace is the largest he’s seen in a while and he’s very entertained, browsing the niche merchandise and artisan crafts.
After making a few rounds of the market, the master and disciple pair serendipitously spot Shang Qinghua and Mobei-jun eating lunch at a food stall. Shen Qingqiu is speechless at their luck.
Shang Qinghua and Mobei-jun are seated at some tables and chairs placed away from the hectic lines of the other food vendors. Mobei-jun is hand-feeding Shang Qinghua what looks like pre-chewed pieces of frozen fruit when Shang Qinghua notices the duo and wildly waves at them. Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe smoothly weave through the crowds to approach their table.
Shang Qinghua smiles at them with elation, “Bro!!!! I knew we’d find you guys here if we waited long enough—dude what happened to your face?”
Shang Qinghua catches up with Shen Qingqiu on what happened to the group after he and Luo Binghe escaped together. Luo Binghe is walking up ahead, emphatically discussing his new purchases from the market with Mobei-jun. Shen Qingqiu is astonished when, against all odds, he learns that canon-fodder one and two also managed to survive the bandit attack. He greets the two canon-fodder when they join the group with more supplies from the market.
“The bandits were so vicious though! Even Binghe didn’t escape unscathed!” Shen Qingqiu exclaims to an indifferent Shang Qinghua.
“Yeah, bro I dunno. After you two ran away, the bandits just left. It was really weird, but none of us were heavily wounded so we decided to go to the nearest village and wait for you,” Shang Qinghua sounds completely unbothered by the bandit irregularity.
Well, Shen Qingqiu supposes it’s not worth worrying about anymore. They survived the bandits and now they have a mission to complete.
Finally regrouped, the envoy resumes their trek to Yunmeng. The roads very quickly change terrain, and after some weeks, the weather gets colder once they reach the higher altitudes of Yunmeng. Soon, it is too frigid and chilling in the evenings for them to sleep under the stars.
As nighttime approaches, Shen Qingqiu inquires about their sleeping situations moving forward.
“How many tents do we have left?”
“Originally, we had six individual tents, then we had four left after our supply packs fell off the cliff, and unfortunately the bandits tore up one in their attack, so that leaves…” Shang Qinghua is counting on his fingers to calculate the remaining tents, “regardless, we’ll need to share.”
“But the tents are sized to fit only one person!”
“Correct, but the nights are too cold to sleep out in the open and we would most certainly die of exposure. And anyway, more bodies per tent means we’ll stay even warmer! Looks like we’ll need to use the Contingency Pairing System again!” Shang Qinghua sounds absolutely thrilled.
Shen Qingqiu is already resigned to his fate. Stupid buddy system, damn you! But at least he’s no longer shaking at the prospect of sharing space with Luo Binghe. They’re now plainly master and disciple again, nothing weird about that! Luo Binghe isn’t even interested in courting wives at the moment, so he’s probably really easygoing about sharing beds platonically—no need to guard against jealous wives, haha. Furthermore, Luo Binghe is still injured, so it only makes sense that Shen Qingqiu be available to him for immediate health care.
Setting up the tents was fairly uncomplicated. The only real complication was fitting two adult men into a single person tent.
Shen Qingqiu lies as stiff as a board, trying to regulate his breathing. The tent is large enough that they can lay side to side, but not large enough to keep them from pressing shoulder to shoulder. The heat emanating from Luo Binghe’s arm makes Shen Qingqiu’s whole body sweat. His stomach swoops anxiously at the close proximity. He just doesn’t want to accidentally crush Luo Binghe in his sleep!
Outside the tent, the campfire is fading to burning embers, refracting dim light through the thin tent fabric. Despite his nerves, the evening is a calm quiet. But just as Shen Qingqiu is drifting off to sleep, Luo Binghe shifts a little, rustling their shared bedding. Sensing something foreboding, Shen Qingqiu pretends to turn in his sleep, then narrowly opens his eyes to peek at what Luo Binghe is doing. Luo Binghe has also turned onto his side, body facing Shen Qingqiu. In the tight space of the tent, their chests are almost touching. Like a small animal caught in the hunter’s crosshairs, Shen Qingqiu freezes.
Even through the dim light, he can feel the weight of Luo Binghe’s heavy stare. Their faces are a handspan apart and Luo Binghe’s stable breath fans across Shen Qingqiu cheeks. A warm, sweet, woodsy scent wafts from Luo Binghe’s neck, awakening Shen Qingqiu’s baser instincts. He has to suppress the urge to lean into it and inhale. Although it’s night, Shen Qingqiu can still make out the faint outlines of Luo Binghe’s facial features, which are steadfastly trained on Shen Qingqiu’s face. Luo Binghe’s eyes are bright as if glowing in the dark.
“Shizun…” Luo Binghe hums in a soft voice. Shen Qingqiu’s heartbeat stutters as he watches Luo Binghe’s eyes gaze intently into his own. The air feels heavy, and each small movement is amplified by their proximity.
“Yes, Binghe?” Shen Qingqiu whispers back, afraid that speaking any louder will break whatever delicate balance wavers between them. But the thick cord of tension only tightens as Luo Binghe draws Shen Qingqiu’s hands into his chest and shifts their bodies even closer.
“Shizun, even after all these years, I’m so grateful to be spending this time with you. Thank you for always taking care of me.”
Struck by this unexpected sincerity, Shen Qingqiu doesn’t know what to say. Up this close, he can see the gleaming whites of Luo Binghe’s eyes and thick row of lashes framing his shining gaze. A weird pull tugs at his gut. Slightly distracted, he tries for a general acknowledgement.
“Of course, Binghe. It is this master’s greatest pleasure to—”
Luo Binghe dives in to plant a searing kiss square onto Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. His lips tingle numb in surprise after Luo Binghe pulls back with an expectant look at Shen Qingqiu. He can feel the phantom press of Luo Binghe’s mouth on his and struggles to form coherent thoughts. Then after a few seconds of stunned silence later, Shen Qingqiu stammers out an eloquent, “U-uh, ehm, well that’s very kind of you, Binghe. There’s no need for thanks.”
Luo Binghe’s face falls instantly.
Fuck, Shen Qingqiu thinks, what the hell, Binghe!!! Why are you acting like a disappointed young maiden??!!
Shen Qingqiu scrambles to rectify the situation, “Ah well, I-I mean… I’ve always been fond of all my disciples.” Honestly, he doesn’t even mind the kiss. If anything, he’s more startled than troubled.
Luo Binghe starts shuddering and sniffling through his nose. Before the weeping can begin, Shen Qingqiu hurries to take action. In a panic, Shen Qingqiu pulls Luo Binghe into an embrace, dragging Luo Binghe’s head down to rest against his chest so he can stroke comforting lines down the back of his hair. Luo Binghe smells even better this close.
The sniffling gets louder, now accompanied by shallow heaving.
Shen Qingqiu is at a loss. He doesn’t know how to reject puppy love like this! Who would’ve thought Luo Binghe had such a sentimental side? He feels terrible for ever thinking Luo Binghe held any malice towards him—turns out he just missed his Shizun. His Binghe is really such a sweet boy, and it pains him to see Luo Binghe in any anguish.
Suddenly, Luo Binghe stills.
Lost in his thoughts, Shen Qingqiu had bent down to kiss the crown of Luo Binghe’s head while continuing to soothe at the back of his hair.
Perhaps a reciprocated kiss in any form was a gross miscalculation on Shen Qingqiu’s part, because the next thing he knows he’s pinned onto his back with forceful, hot lips pressed against him once again.
Shen Qingqiu’s face is on fire, cheeks burning hot. Luo Binghe’s mouth is moving on his with renewed vigor, but Shen Qingqiu has never kissed anyone before and doesn’t know how to respond.
Delicately pushing Luo Binghe off of him, Shen Qingqiu pants out, “Binghe, we can’t do this! And be careful with your arm!”
Splayed out pathetically on his side, Luo Binghe pitifully whines, “Does Shizun not like this disciple anymore?”
“No! It’s not that it’s—”
“So, Shizun is reserving his love for Liu Qingge!!?” Luo Binghe’s voice grows shrill and more fraught with each word.
“What— No! Shhhh, not so loud, Binghe!!” Shen Qingqiu hisses. “No, I just—it’s not right. A good teacher would never take advantage of their disciple in this way!”
There’s a thoughtful pause from Luo Binghe. Shen Qingqiu is about to celebrate that he’s actually managed to get through to him before Luo Binghe leans into Shen Qingqiu’s ear and murmurs, “Then Shizun… please see me as your equal.”
Shen Qingqiu inhales sharply as something stirs in his stomach. He’s starting to feel cornered, and Luo Binghe’s eyes glisten with unshed tears as he clasps at Shen Qingqiu’s hands again.
“You already are my equal, Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu says, helplessly.
“Then… begging Shizun to allow this Demon Emperor to try once more,” Luo Binghe’s dark voice spurring on another rush of feeling from deep within Shen Qingqiu.
“We need to go to sleep,” Shen Qingqiu makes a dramatic show of shifting to get comfortable on his back and firmly shuts his eyes. He wills his racing blood to move back to his brain.
Silence fills the air for several heartbeats until Shen Qingqiu opens one eye to check on Luo Binghe. He’s still turned on his side, hand propping up his head and looking forlorn, staring down longingly at Shen Qingqiu’s cold expression. A sigh from the deepest, most exasperated parts of Shen Qingqiu’s core rises. Neither of them will get any sleep if this keeps up, Shen Qingqiu laments, and they have another full day of travel tomorrow. He can just offer a quick peck and then they can go to bed. Clearing his throat, Shen Qingqiu mumbles a soft acquiescence.
“Once more.”
Luo Binghe’s eyes are suspiciously dry as he jumps up to straddle Shen Qingqiu, landing heavily. Wide-eyed in surprise, Shen Qingqiu instinctively grabs onto Luo Binghe’s hips, not to steady Luo Binghe but to ground himself. That goal is immediately derailed when Luo Binghe snatches his hands away to pin them high above Shen Qingqiu’s head, pressesing his weight down harder so Shen Qingqiu’s hands and body dig deeper into the bedding.
Lips meet again as Luo Binghe lowers his head to consume Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. Shen Qingqiu breathes hard through his nose, the back of his head buzzing with static. He’s faintly aware of the light back and forth brushing of Luo Binghe’s thumbs on his wrists. Then all too soon, there’s a small pause before Luo Binghe makes a noise of displeasure and pulls away by a hair.
“Shizun, you’re not doing it right.”
Shen Qingqiu stiffens dumbstruck. Well sorry for being a literal virgin Mr. Stallion Novel Protagonist!! But he can only silently gape as he thinks of how to respond. Thankfully, Luo Binghe speaks first.
“Let me show you how to kiss back, Shizun.”
“Didn’t I say only one—” Shen Qingqiu’s response cuts off as Luo Binghe leans down again, angling his head to softly press their lips together.
Luo Binghe’s mouth starts moving, slower this time, as if coaxing Shen Qingqiu’s lips to follow. Shen Qingqiu is a little stiff, but the gentle tug of Luo Binghe’s mouth feels pleasant, and he relaxes bit by bit. Then Luo Binghe places a hand on Shen Qingqiu’s jaw, pressing a thumb slowly into the corner of his mouth to encourage him to open it wider. Hesitantly, Shen Qingqiu obeys the silent command, which Luo Binghe immediately takes advantage of to deepen their kiss. A warm tongue shallowly slips through the opening, making Shen Qingqiu’s fingers and toes curl. Shen Qingqiu realizes with horror that Luo Binghe tastes good, and his own mouth starts to find pleasure in the hypnotic push and pull of their lips.
Bombarded by new sensations, a tiny moan escapes Shen Qingqiu as Luo Binghe licks his tongue deeper inside to playfully glide against Shen Qingqiu’s opposing tongue. A distant part of Shen Qingqiu’s mind reminds him that he had only agreed to one kiss. Now, he’s lost count.
His lips throb at the rough biting at his bottom lip. They seem to be checking off all the boxes of kissing that Shen Qingqiu is aware of. With this new breadth of experience, Shen Qingqiu’s first impression of kissing is that it’s… quite nice. Actually, it’s so nice he doesn’t have the spare higher faculties to make a thoughtful analysis. Especially as Luo Binghe starts kissing down his jaw to latch onto the side of his neck and suck. Shen Qingqiu lets out a desperate gasp. Everything is so warm and intimate and wet. He tries to move his hands to cover his uncontrolled sounds but Luo Binghe still has his fingers in a vice grip, pulled above his head.
“Mmm, Shizun likes that?” Luo Binghe notes in a low voice as he bites Shen Qingqiu’s neck and grinds his hips down.
Shockwaves of pleasure jolt Shen Qingqiu’s entire body. His hips automatically thrust up to meet Luo Binghe and a delicious warmth spreads through his stomach. A deep moan erupts before he can stop it. Realizing the sound he just let out and how loud it was, Shen Qingqiu whines in embarrassment.
“Shizun—Shizun you’re doing so well,” Luo Binghe is kissing a path back to Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. Luo Binghe waits for a moment, collecting his breaths, before claiming Shen Qingqiu’s panting mouth again and forcing his hips down with more strength. Shen Qingqiu can feel the outline of Luo Binghe’s massive pillar through his own hard cock, straining against his sleeping pants. The heat between their bodies boils his blood. Each grind of Luo Binghe’s rolling hips makes Shen Qingqiu insane. And gradually, he can feel himself approaching a ledge that he will soon fall off.
“Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu whimpers out, hoping that Luo Binghe will telepathically understand his urgency.
“Yes, Shizun,” a final forceful drive of hips sets them both off and Luo Binghe kisses Shen Qingqiu’s mouth to muffle his cries. Shen Qingqiu’s mind blue-screens.
They remain face to face, panting and breathing in each other’s air while coming down from the high.
Luo Binghe leans down to steal a peck from Shen Qinqiu’s lips before sliding off and lying next to him once more.
When exactly had his white lotus learned to do all of this? Shen Qingqiu blearily questions in his head.
Feeling gross and sticky, it takes one hundred heartbeats before Shen Qingqiu is settled enough to speak again. He needs to know how Luo Binghe learned to do this when he has zero wives?!! “So… Binghe seems very astute on the finer points of intimacy,” Shen Qingqiu endeavours casually.
Surprisingly, Luo Binghe doesn’t hesitate to answer.
“Well Shizun, this one cannot say he is naturally knowledgeable on such matters…”
Right…okay…??
“...but while Shizun was collapsed from the Head Snatching Beast attack, I called for help, and the bandits came to our aid.”
He what?!!!
“After assessing Shizun’s condition, one bandit suggested I revive Shizun with my own breathing, but my attempt failed, so I solely administered topical medicine to Shizun’s body...”
Shen Qingqiu is too busy processing the fact that Luo Binghe sought help from the bandits to fully comprehend that Luo Binghe also apparently attempted CPR on him.
“––then our discussion somehow broached the topic of sensual pleasures and, well, the bandits had oddly effective advice on how to practice these techniques—the same techniques I practiced with Shizun just now!” Luo Binghe’s tone is extremely blasé and matter-of-fact. He even looks like he’s expecting a head pat and praise from Shen Qingqiu for being a good student who puts lessons into practice.
Shen Qingqiu is gobsmacked. His story makes no sense at all!! So while he was drowning and fighting for his life, Luo Binghe had a nice tea time chat with their kidnappers?!! How did the topic of discussion come to broach ‘sensual pleasures’? What the fuck?! Also, why would the bandits just leave when he woke up? Where did they go?! Why do the bandits keep leaving!!!!??!!
But before Shen Qingqiu can think too deeply about the inconsistencies in Luo Binghe’s story, he gets caught up in the stinging revelation that Luo Binghe had merely used him for practice. Now, don’t get him wrong. He’s all for supporting the academic development of his students. But he can’t help but feel a little hurt and…betrayed. His stomach clenches at the thought of being just another conquest to practice on before the stallion claims his roster of wives.
“So, was this practice enlightening enough for you?” Shen Qingqiu asks pointedly, his heart lurching though he doesn’t know exactly why. His tone is laced with a sharp edge, and he’s unsure if he even wants Luo Binghe to pick up on his hurt feelings or not. But Luo Binghe doesn’t seem to notice either way, too preoccupied basking in his post-coital bliss.
Luo Binghe nods enthusiastically, “This disciple is forever grateful to Shizun.”
A lump sticks in his throat. So he was right. Tonight, Shen Qingqiu was just a vessel for Luo Binghe to practice his ‘new lessons.’ Nothing special or deeper beyond that.
Cold seizes his chest.
That evening, he dreams of Luo Binghe.
Shen Qingqiu hates this. He doesn’t want to see Luo Binghe’s face right now, but it seems he is doomed to be unfailingly ensnared by Luo Binghe, in both dreams and reality.
The dream manifests before him as if he were watching a movie on a big screen. Luo Binghe walks through a tall grassy field on a sunny afternoon. His elegant features are soft and downcast as he occasionally bends to pluck something from the ground.
Eventually, a bouquet of vibrant purple orchids slowly materializes in his hands. Completing his errand, he returns to a village. Luo Binghe pushes through hurried crowds in a bustling market to arrive at a specific stall. This vendor’s stall specializes in the local artisan craft of gold and jade jewelry. The spread of heavy bracelets, flashy earrings, and jeweled necklaces on display are certainly eye-catching, but the main attraction of this stall has to be the selection of lush, opulent gold and jade hairpins.
Luo Binghe browses the collection for a minute before purchasing an elongated golden hairpin adorned with elegant jade carvings and decorative pearls dangling off the end.
Next, the scene blurs and shifts to Shen Qingqiu’s original living quarters on QingJing Peak, the Bamboo House. Luo Binghe waits outside the entrance looking bashful and keen. He’s restless, kicking rocks in the dirt, when dream Shen Qingqiu arrives and greets him with an amorous kiss on the mouth.
What. The. Fuck!? Is this my dream?? Shen Qingqiu worries, disturbed by the thought.
Dream Luo Binghe offers the bouquet of purple orchids to a delighted Shen Qingqiu, and they hold hands all the way to QingJing Peak’s classical gardens. They talk and laugh in low voices as they stroll along the cobbled paths. At a terrace overlooking the water, they lay out small dishes of food and snacks onto a low table and settle on fluffy seating cushions.
“Shizun looks very lovely today,” says dream Luo Binghe.
Dream Shen Qingqiu’s eyes form happy crescents as he returns the compliment.
Then, Luo Binghe pulls out the new golden hairpin from the market.
“I hope Shizun doesn’t mind that I bought him another hairpin,” a light flush turns Luo Binghe’s cheeks a dusty pink.
Shen Qingqiu giggles and lightly slaps his shoulder, scolding in a sappy tone, “Husband, I told you to stop buying me hairpins! We are married; there’s no need for more betrothal gifts.”
This cannot be my dream! Shen Qingqiu realizes. He would never act so coquettishly!!!
Also, ‘Husband’???!!
Could this be… Luo Binghe’s dream?
But why would Luo Binghe dream about being married to Shen Qingqiu and going on a romantic date with him?? His dream makes it seem like they’re sickeningly in love with each other!!
It can’t be—Luo Binghe has obviously never seen him in such a light. They literally just had a conversation about how Luo Binghe used Shen Qingqiu for ‘practice’!! Clearly, Luo Binghe is only looking for a sampler before getting a taste of the real goods in his future harem.
In fact, this situation is exactly like a plot from Proud Immortal Demon Way. In the early days of the blackened Luo Binghe, his harem was fairly small. However, that changes when Luo Binghe has sex with a mysterious woman in his dream realm. For months, theories littered the online forums debating the identity of this woman, speculating if she would become Luo Binghe’s newest wife. Of course, the poor readers had to wait a hundred chapters later for Luo Binghe to finally meet this mystery woman. In a thrilling plot twist, she turns out to be a succubi Madam who never enters Luo Binghe’s harem. Instead she ends up being instrumental in future wife plots that lead him to meet at least sixty of his other wives. This must be what’s happening now. Luo Binghe is having these impassioned dreams again and it’s a sign that he’s about to start building out his harem!! He always thought it was odd that Luo Binghe never took any wives in the last decade, but now he figures it’s better late than never.
As empty as that makes Shen Qingqiu feel, honestly, it’s about time. What has Luo Binghe been doing, wasting all these years with such a handsome face and perfect body?! Shen Qingqiu will confirm his theory with Shang Qinghua in the morning.
“Bro, are you stupid? He’s totally into you!!”
Shang Qinghua is stuffing his face with a half-eaten tanghulu he’s saved from the last village. Afraid of prying ears, Shen Qingqiu grabs Shang Qinghua’s arm to drag him farther away from their traveling group.
“Besides,” Shang Qinghua continues through his chewing, “we all heard some interesting sounds coming from your tent last night.” He gives Shen Qingqiu a knowing wink and swallows another chunk of the candied dessert.
Shen Qingqiu sighs wearily, “It just doesn’t make sense why Luo Binghe would like me all of a sudden! He’s ignored me for ten years, and I’m the one who pushed him into the Endless Abyss!”
“I dunno man, I heard the Endless Abyss isn’t even that bad. Did you know the Abyss has a tentacle monster that’s apparently super docile and easy to domesticate? Mobei-jun was just telling me about it the other day since Luo Binghe—”
“Dude, what do you mean you ‘heard,’ you literally wrote it!!” Shen Qingqiu is too fixated on Shang Qinghua’s horrible memory as an author to listen to anything further he has to say about Proud Immortal Demon Way monsters.
“Yeah, well I write a lot of things!! So it’s easy to get lost in the details,” Shang Qinghua gives an aggrieved sniff.
“Fine, fine. Then let me ask you one thing,” Shen Qingqiu tries, “how did you figure out that Mobei-jun liked you?”
Shang Qinghua devolves into a coughing fit.
“—Mobei-jun likes me!!??”
Nevermind.
Yunmeng’s air is crisp and thin, making Shen Qingqiu’s nose burn a little when he inhales the cold. At long last their traveling group has finally made it to Yunmeng and is only a day away from reaching the sect.
For a few days after the intimate tent incident, Shen Qingqiu has been inescapably antsy around Luo Binghe. The mixed messages from Luo Binghe’s actions versus his dreams send him down a knotted spiral that he can’t untangle.
Does Luo Binghe have genuine feelings for me or am I just a safe space to practice for his wives? Shen Qingqiu’s thoughts agonize on loop. He doesn’t know if either answer will quell his suffering.
Shen Qingqiu anticipates Luo Binghe might try to practice something weird on him again and send him down another spiral. So, keeping his distance from Luo Binghe, he makes it his full-time job to avert every beseeching glance from him. He hates ignoring Luo Binghe’s bids for attention, but he needs to protect his own sanity (and heart).
As they pass through yet another forest trail Shen Qingqiu purposefully lags behind the group to surveil Luo Binghe and Mobei-jun marching ahead, speaking in low murmurs. Luo Binghe is snacking on Shen Qingqiu’s favourite candied nuts as Mobei-jun actively gestures with his hands—Shang Qinghua’s mannerisms must be rubbing off on him. Each crunchy piece of candy coats Luo Binghe’s graceful fingers with a light dusting of sugar residue. When he finishes the remains, he polishes his sticky hands with the slow drag of a long pink tongue. Shen Qingqiu can imagine himself in that position. That is, eating candied nuts and slowly savouring the sweet remnants off his fingers.
Over the past week, it seems Luo Binghe has finally acknowledged the reasons for Shen Qingqiu’s cold attitude and now respects his need for space. Each evening, Luo Binghe sets up their tent in silence, not whining or begging for Shen Qingqiu’s company like he usually does. Their daytime interactions are cordial and polite, but limited to nothing more than necessary. At night, when they’re squished side by side, Luo Binghe simply wishes him goodnight and promptly sleeps. In his own fatigued slumber, Shen Qingqiu would never learn of the countless hours Luo Binghe spent in the dead of night, watching the steady rise and fall of Shen Qingqiu’s chest with deep yearning.
The day they finally arrive on the grounds of Yunmeng sect, Shen Qingqiu rejoices. With their official diplomatic duties commencing, he will have even more opportunity to keep his distance from Luo Binghe. In addition to supporting their allies against the Wen-sect, the United Immortals Security Council expects the diplomatic envoy to rub elbows with as many important Yunmeng officials as possible to further their chances of negotiating better trade terms in the future. Thus, before even arriving at Yunmeng, the traveling party agreed to divide and conquer their fraternizing at the customary opening banquet. Their mission is now that of solo work.
Officials graciously welcome them at the grand gates of the Yunmeng sect with heroic fanfare. The ornate halls of the grand pavilion are a visual treat for Shen Qingqiu’s sore eyes after roughing it in the wilderness for months. For the entirety of the morning, they’re given a tour around the sect grounds while attendants carry their traveling bags to their rooms. They see the classical gardens, the library pavilion, and even check out the bathhouse that has a functional steam room and sauna. Shen Qingqiu personally decides to spend the rest of the afternoon in the classical gardens once the tour is finished. He needs some alone time to recharge. It’s nice to relax surrounded by the beauty of curated nature until he has to dive head-first into social politicking for the night.
By the early evening, theres a sense of anticipation as the group is escorted to the grand banquet halls to commence the welcome ceremony and feast. As dictated by cultivator etiquette, the Yunmeng sect is holding a customary banquet in celebration of their continued partnership and alliance throughout these unprecedented times.
The grandiose hall buzzes with hundreds of Yunmeng sect officials and members of high-ranking cultivation families. Dashing young masters and beautiful maidens grace the floors with fine-flowing garments. The air is sweetly perfumed with expensive incense, and servants zip around the hall offering food and refreshments. Entertainers cycle through their performances, introducing the local Yunmeng culture through opera and dance. The diplomatic envoy mingles effortlessly with the crowd and exchanges standard platitudes with the attending officials such as “May we have a thousand years of lasting partnership” and “Cheers to the alliance.”
Luo Binghe is a natural at this type of statecraft. He looks regal and moves around the room with an air of belonging and confidence, as if he will never be told no. He grins and charms the partygoers, fitting right in with the nobility. Every time Luo Binghe passes in his field of vision, he is always surrounded by a captive audience, hanging on his every word. Shen Qingqiu is not surprised. After all, the Demon Emperor did not rise to the top because of his fine cooking skills.
A spindly group of Yunmeng noble lords and ladies draw in a reluctant Shen Qingqiu for some small talk. Unlike Luo Binghe, he’s not the most proficient conversationalist, so he stumbles out some generic well wishes and then attempts to make an escape. He knows that’s against their diplomatic directives, but Luo Binghe has enough charisma for the both of them to carry his dead weight.
However, one of the noble lords pipes up with a tone of curiosity, “The esteemed Demon Emperor talks very highly of you, Peak Lord Shen.”
He does?
“Heavens,” another noble lady interjects, “If only a Demon Emperor would be so fond of me.” Her tone lilts suggestively near the end.
Light titters of laughter erupt from the group.
Figures Luo Binghe would be the centre of the conversation, even when he’s not here. However, he is rather intrigued by the fact that Luo Binghe even bothered to mention Shen Qingqiu to other people. He thought Luo Binghe wouldn’t spare him an extra thought with so many highly ranked officials to entertain and noble beauties to admire.
“Your relationship with the Demon Emperor is quite remarkable,” a noble cultivator continues, “Please, Peak Lord Shen, we are just hankering to know more about the nature of your bond.” His eyebrows waggle like they’re about to jump off his face.
For Shen Qingqiu’s part, he’s never had an inclination towards any political maneuvering. He cannot fathom what subliminal messaging is being conveyed to him right now; he just knows it’s there and he doesn’t know what to do with it. But now that he’s in this position, diplomacy is clearly just a matter of smiling and nodding along to whatever nonsense is thrown his way, so he thinks he will manage.
“Ah, yes… Well, the Demon Emperor and I share a long history as disciple and master. Of course, we are very familiar with each other at this time.”
“So fascinating! So coy! It’s no wonder he’s declared to everyone that he belongs to you!!” Another round of laughter and provocative whistles rise from the group.
Umm, what’s with this choice of words!?!
Shen Qingqiu’s confused thoughts fail to make sense of the double-speak happening before him. He’s at a loss, but it doesn’t seem to matter as their chatter winds down and he’s inundated with approving slaps on his back and bawdy winks as the noble lords and ladies file out to move onto their next victim.
Relieved to be left alone, Shen Qingqiu wanders to the edges of the party to prevent getting reeled into another banal conversation. Despite the chaos of the banquet, he’s at ease knowing that their diplomatic mission can be counted as a success. Their very presence in Yunmeng satisfies the main objective of restoring the balance of power in the region. After all, political support from foreign allies makes for a pretty decent deterrent against aggressive campaigns of imperialism. Shen Qingqiu feels content that he’s done his part in settling inter-sect conflict and bringing back stability to the cultivation world. He’s certainly suffered enough along the way.
For the rest of the evening, Shen Qingqiu samples the appetizers and fills his cups, basking in this small reprieve until their diplomatic envoy is scheduled to return home.
As the nightly festivities rage on, a Yunmeng official escorts Shen Qingqiu to his rooms, which are thankfully far away from the clamor of the banquet. Shen Qingqiu’s other traveling companions are also assigned their own personal attendants to assist them in getting to their separate accommodations for the evening. In hindsight, it was smart for Yunmeng to arrange a chaperone for each member of the envoy, given that Shen Qingqiu had drunk one too many cups of wine and is now regrettably tipsy. He would have never found his room on his own. Yunmeng sect’s guest quarters are tucked away on the periphery of the main grounds, so it is no short walk to get there from the banquet hall.
Their lodgings are in a large dwelling with several inner guest rooms. A long enough hallway separates each doorway that Shen Qingqiu can only hope that means their rooms are soundproof. They finally reach his door, and the Yunmeng official opens it to let him in. However, the moment he looks through the door, Shen Qingqiu immediately freezes in horror. It’s as if a vat of vipers were thrown into his face with how much he wants to turn heel and run because he’s greeted by a nonchalant Luo Binghe lounging on his bed.
Luo Binghe is half reclined on some pillows, looking more like he’s relaxing poolside at a beach resort. He still looks regal in his finery from the evening, but he’s more tousled, as if he had been rolling around on the bed before they came.
Suppressing a desperate attempt to flee, Shen Qingqiu whirls around to correct the Yunmeng official’s grievous error.
“Ah, gongzi, I believe we have the wrong chambers,” Shen Qingqiu says between clenched teeth. His face is deeply flushed from the wine he drank earlier.
The attendant responds unperturbed, “Peak Lord Shen, my apologies, but these are the correct quarters. As you will see everything was prepared in advance of your arrival.”
It's true. He recognizes all his belongings neatly unpacked and placed around the room. And with a note of irritation, he also sees Luo Binghe’s personal effects positioned in complement. Shen Qingqiu falters but he doesn’t want to go down without a fight.
“Gongzi, please excuse my impropriety but how could this be? Is it not customary to provide solitary chambers for cultivation guests?” His scalp and palms prickle with dread.
“Yes, Peak Lord Shen, you are correct. However, we were advised to make these arrangements by the AnDing Peak Lord in the early stages of planning your stay at Yunmeng.”
Shen Qingqiu’s mouth hangs open. He’s hardly sober enough to process this.
The Yunmeng official continues, each word another nail in the coffin, “Our sect will be hosting additional foreign dignitaries in the coming days, thus limiting the number of available lodgings for guests. The AnDing Peak Lord accounted for these circumstances and assured us that your group would naturally share accommodations.”
Shen Qingqiu imagines all the ways he could kill Shang Qinghua.
“He mentioned something about a ‘Contingency Pairing System’?” The attendant slowly enunciates the words as if he’s unsure whether he recalled it correctly. “And of course, the Yunmeng sect is forever in your debt for permitting this concession.”
Luo Binghe watches this fruitless exchange in a lazy sprawl. He’s shifted to lay on his side with his head lifted in one palm, an amused expression on his face at Shen Qingqiu’s efforts to escape.
Shen Qingqiu has no words. Instead, he unwillingly envisions Shang Qinghua’s screeching voice celebrating that the damned buddy system has proved to be useful once again.
With no further words, the Yunmeng official gives a polite bow and makes his hasty exit, finally leaving Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe alone.
Shen Qingqiu waffles near the door, hurriedly debating the merits of sleeping in the courtyard with a blanket and a pillow. Luo Binghe’s eyes haven’t stopped tracking Shen Qingqiu.
Luo Binghe is the first to speak.
“Shizun has been neglecting his disciple lately, though I am not sure why,” he probes. “Come in, Shizun, it’s far too cold out there.”
Shen Qingqiu isn’t ready for this conversation right now; he’s too drunk!
“I… need t-to go check on something,” Shen Qingqiu blurts out a shoddy excuse and escapes for the bathhouse. The light in Luo Binghe’s eyes dims as he watches Shen Qingqiu leave.
Heading back to their (his) rooms, Shen Qingqiu circulates spiritual energy to evaporate the excess drops of water on his skin and hair. The bathhouse pools were heated and steamy, scented richly with perfumed oils and soap. But sadly, not even the joys of a clean body could loosen the knot of anxiety tied in his stomach. His reluctant feet drag as he returns to their shared rooms, still not quite as sober as he’d hoped. At least he’s physically refreshed for whatever nefarious plans Luo Binghe has in store for him tonight.
When he opens the door, he sees Luo Binghe abruptly stop his restless pacing around the room. There’s a deafening silence as the two stare at each other.
Feeling like the victim of a hostage situation, Shen Qingqiu cautiously makes a move toward his baggage to retrieve something he will pretend to need.
Luo Binghe blocks his path, crossing his arms, “Shizun, I’ve missed you.”
Shen Qingqiu’s frown deepens as he side-steps and struts with more conviction to his bags. He can hear Luo Binghe’s soft treading from behind his crouch as he rustles through his belongings.
Shen Qingqiu thinks he should keep ignoring Luo Binghe. He knows he’s being petty, but he just wants to give him a taste of being so devastatingly hurt by someone you care about! Go bother one of your future wives, stallion. It doesn’t matter that there was never any Yunmeng cultivator-turned-wife in Proud Immortal Demon Way. Nothing’s stopping him from creating new plot lines!!!
A wistful sigh sounds out from behind, “This disciple doesn’t understand Shizun’s coldness.”
The mournful plea undercutting Luo Binghe’s words is enough to make guilt rip through Shen Qingqiu. So much for staying petty. He gets up to face Luo Binghe and is briefly stunned by the wetness lining his beautiful eyes. Shen Qingqiu feels his heart waver, but he must remain strong and not give in to whatever clever manipulations Luo Binghe will spring on him. His chest clenches as he bitterly reminds himself that Luo Binghe will discard him soon for his harem of wives.
“That is quite unfortunate for you,” Shen Qingqiu replies scathingly. “Binghe is most ignorant of the world if he cannot discern the reason for one’s coldness.”
Luo Binghe flinches like a kicked puppy at his acidic tone. Shen Qingqiu wilts a touch, “I-I mean, Binghe—”
“—Please,” a small voice comes out of Luo Binghe as he feebly extends a hand to pull on the hanging sleeve of Shen Qingqiu’s robe. “This disciple longs for the kind and patient instruction of his Shizun.”
Shen Qingqiu holds his breath while Luo Binghe continues, words rushing out in case he gets interrupted, “I am too weak of mind and spirit to properly grasp these matters!” Shen Qingqiu balks at his words. “Please Shizun, begging that…will he…” he swallows thickly, “will Shizun condescend to help his pitiful disciple learn again?!”
Luo Binghe’s earnest appeal is a cutting knife through his chest. But deep down, Shen Qingqiu understands his stickiness toward him. It’s a type of affection born out of repeated circumstance and an overly dependent upbringing. Of course, Luo Binghe doesn’t want to lose him. Even though Shen Qingqiu is hardly an expert in love affairs, it’s always easier to endure new trials and experiences under the wings of someone safe. Luo Binghe is obviously asking for a hand to guide him through the convoluted maze that is courtship and romance for his future harem.
Taking in the sight of his disciple’s teary gaze, Shen Qingqiu’s heart pounds at Luo Binghe’s request, and he adamantly thinks, ‘No.’
Instead, his traitorous voice asks, “What could this master possibly help you with? The esteemed Demon Emperor certainly does not lack for any martial ability.” Shen Qingqiu knows that Luo Binghe’s question is really about seeking help with his harem pursuits, but he doesn’t have the face to admit that outright, so he settles for speaking in innuendo.
Sensing even the smallest give, Luo Binghe takes advantage of the opening. “If Shizun believes this is so, then will he allow his disciple to demonstrate what he’s learned?”
Maintaining indifference in his demeanour, Shen Qingqiu’s head bows in a fraction of a nod, and Luo Binghe’s crocodile tears are suddenly dry. As bothered as he is, Shen Qingqiu can’t deny that he’s a bit curious as to what tricks Luo Binghe is hiding up his sleeve.
Warm hands immediately drag Shen Qingqiu to the open floor space of their room.
“Shizun, let’s spar,” Luo Binghe’s bright eyes and eager smile shine too brightly in Shen Qingqiu’s face.
“Ehm, right now, Binghe? This master is still… ailed from inebriety.” It’s true, he still feels quite flushed.
“You need not do much for my demonstration, Shizun, but please do not hold back,” Luo Binghe says with a valorous grin. He slinks backward to his starting position, looking at Shen Qingqiu all the while.
Ceding to Luo Binghe's wishes, Shen Qingqiu adjusts his posture and stalks towards the far side of the empty floor space, facing opposite Luo Binghe.
This is not going to be a fair fight, but he’ll do it for education’s sake. No one can ever say that Shen Qingqiu is a bad teacher!
Standing about ten paces apart, Luo Binghe initiates an offensive fighting attack. He charges toward Shen Qingqiu, fast. Long limbs swipe at him so whip-quick that his eyes register them as blurs. The complex footwork and aggressive strikes are mesmerizing, but soon settle into a simpler sequence of actions that Shen Qingqiu instantly recognizes as the Seven Lotus Formation. A fist jabs at Shen Qingqiu’s midsection, but he smoothly evades. The next move is a sweep at the legs, which Shen Qingqiu easily avoids. It is a pretty basic formation, after all.
Luo Binghe’s third attack is one that passes around Shen Qingqiu to deliver a blow to his side. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t dodge this time to see how Luo Binghe’s attack will follow through. Though rather than the expected punching hit, Shen Qingqiu receives a groping touch; the hand blatantly caressing his waist as Luo Binghe glides past him. Shen Qingqiu lets out an indignant scoff at Luo Binghe’s audacity.
“Binghe!”
Ignoring his outcry, Luo Binghe jumps to further the space between them again. From a distance, Shen Qingqiu glares at his face, only to note a responding hungry look, sizing him up. He never realized Luo Binghe was the competitive type, but so was Shen Qingqiu. No longer wishing to be an idle player, a belligerent Shen Qingqiu finally springs to counterattack.
With Shen Qingqiu’s energetic approach, Luo Binghe’s eyes light up with delight. He responds in kind with boundless spirit and grabs Shen Qingqiu’s left forearm before it can connect in a direct punch. Then Luo Binghe’s other hand drags a teasing finger from the centre of Shen Qingqiu’s chest, trailing up his neck and flicking to his chin. This causes Shen Qingqiu’s chin to tilt up, and Luo Binghe’s smiling face leans in just a hair, before pushing the forearm in his clutch upwards and spinning under it to get away. Shen Qingqiu is left in the dust, alight with tingles along the path where Luo Binghe dragged his finger. He can feel his cheeks heat and stomach shudder at the softness of Luo Binghe’s touches amidst his otherwise forceful advances.
Why the hell is this protagonist teasing me like this?! Stop playing around!! He wants to scream.
Luo Binghe makes a pointed attempt to seize Shen Qingqiu’s legs, but naturally, he misses. Shen Qingqiu is now fully alert and will not be put out so easily by such an elementary maneuver. However, impudence aside, he’s struck with a sudden appreciation: Luo Binghe’s martial execution is flawless. His attacks are graceful, deliberate, and eager as if he’s fighting to be the prima ballerina in a ballet about the original, bloody Battle Royale. He would even caution to say that Luo Binghe has developed a highly elevated form of the Seven Lotus.
But there was always that one point, usually the sixth move, where the young Luo Binghe would trip and fall into Shen Qingqiu’s arms. During one of their earlier conversations, Luo Binghe avoided discussing his past failures with the Seven Lotus Formation. Clearly, it must be a weakness he’s trying to conceal. So, it should be Luo Binghe’s upcoming attack—there!
Ha! Shen Qingqiu recognizes the exact misstep Luo Binghe falters on once again. He shifts to dodge Luo Binghe’s inevitable tumble, whirling to get behind Luo Binghe so he can push him further off balance. It happens in an instant; his hands are braced to shove at the broad expanse of Luo Binghe’s shoulders when Shen Qingqiu realizes too late that he shouldn’t have underestimated the machinations of this Demon Emperor disciple. As he’s about to exploit Luo Binghe’s mistake, Luo Binghe spins around at the last moment, grabbing Shen Qingqiu’s extended wrists and yanking him forward.
This is how Shen Qingqiu loses his balance and collides brutally into Luo Binghe’s chest. What a cunning feint! Luo Binghe knew Shen Qingqiu would notice the pattern of his old mistakes, so he lured him into a false sense of security just to catch him unawares. This is not aligned with the ethos of the Seven Lotus, Shen Qingqiu seethes, such disrespect to the form!
They fall backward, Shen Qingqiu’s head protected by the cushion of Luo Binghe’s pecs. Winded from their collision, Shen Qingqiu lies motionlessly stunned, panting to catch his breath. The scent floating from Luo Binghe’s chest is warm and sweet, sending a rush through his veins. Shen Qingqiu scarcely registers that it must be the smell of Luo Binghe’s sweat that he’s getting high on, too frantic about the fact that they’ve landed in an embrace on the ground. Shen Qingqiu’s nose is still buried in his chest when Luo Binghe bends his head to breathe in Shen Qingqiu’s hair and says with an air of dismay, “Shizun, you’ve already bathed?”
“What?” Shen Qingqiu snarks back, “Were you hoping to join me?”
Luo Binghe doesn’t respond as Shen Qingqiu wriggles to push himself up, but Luo Binghe holds firm. His sturdy arms squeeze stubbornly around Shen Qingqiu’s entrapped waist. With nowhere to go, Shen Qingqiu continues his tirade, “And don’t just pull people down like that! You’re the Demon Emperor! It’s not befitting of you!!”
“Shizun,” a playful tone emits from his disciple. Luo Binghe adjusts his hold on Shen Qingqiu and promptly rolls them so Shen Qingqiu is caged below him. He laughs giddily, like he’s won the biggest prize at the county fair.
Weight heavy on top of him, Shen Qingqiu surprisingly feels… calm. As if Luo Binghe is his personal (but devious) weighted blanket. Luo Binghe’s face hovers closely, and whatever crossness Shen Qingqiu felt toward him dissipates with their intimate proximity. Shen Qingqiu is still panting and breathless from their sparring, and Luo Binghe is looking down at him with a weird expression. Actually, it’s only weird because his gaze isn’t meeting Shen Qingqiu’s eyes; it’s staring straight at Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. It’s a heavy-lidded focus, stained with visible hunger.
Something hot curls its way through Shen Qingqiu’s chest. He can no longer see the soft smile gracing Luo Binghe’s face because Luo Binghe is leaning down. An excitement that Shen Qingqiu valiantly tries to disregard dances under his skin. He closes his eyes at the critical moment, relishing the lightest brush of lips against his. With a deep inhale, Luo Binghe pulls back, looking at Shen Qingqiu with such naked adoration that Shen Qingqiu wants to tear out his own heart and give it to Luo Binghe, if only to escape this perpetual ache and unfathomable longing.
Shen Qingqiu breaks eye contact with Luo Binghe and whispers, helplessly, “Binghe, what are you doing?”
Maybe Shen Qingqiu is asking about the kiss, but maybe Shen Qingqiu is asking about… well, everything! He feels strung up like a rag doll, tossed and chewed for a wolfhound’s pleasure. Why is Luo Binghe so insistent on play-pretending romance with him? Go mutilate the heartstrings of someone else!
A lump emerges in his throat as Luo Binghe leans in again to plant an encouraging kiss onto Shen Qingqiu’s lips. It feels good to finally touch Luo Binghe after weeks of abstinence, but there’s a massive knot of hurt sitting like a rock in his chest. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t want to be Luo Binghe’s toy—ignored until convenient to play with whenever he wants.
“No, I don’t want to practice again,” Shen Qingqiu groans, battling against crawling pleasure as Luo Binghe moves to graze and nibble on Shen Qingqiu’s ears. Would Luo Binghe tease his wives like this? He loathes to imagine Luo Binghe doing this with anyone else but him. A blazing trail of heat licks up his neck next. Shen Qingqiu almost loses all thoughts at this and has to fight against all instincts to arch into the touch.
“No,” he repeats with more fraught urgency, his voice weak. A current of fear lances through him; they can’t keep going like this or else he will give in. It’s not fair!
In a last-ditch effort, Shen Qingqiu musters all his strength and grabs Luo Binghe’s arms, rolling them back around. This time, he pins Luo Binghe underneath him. Good sense gradually returns to him now that he’s on top, and Shen Qingqiu keeps his hands pinned on Luo Binghe’s shoulders, “I said no, Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu is glaring into the hazy, flushed expression on Luo Binghe’s face. He ignores the flare of arousal at the sight of Luo Binghe, dazed and breathless beneath him.
A quick shift of movement upends Shen Qingqiu completely. Luo Binghe sits upright, props his hands under Shen Qingqiu’s thighs, and gets up from the floor with ease. Shen Qingqiu scrambles to hold onto Luo Binghe’s neck and wraps his legs around Luo Binghe’s waist to keep from falling.
Clutched together in a frontal piggyback, Luo Binghe walks them to the bed and effortlessly tosses them onto it. Landing face to face and chest to chest, every important inch of their bodies is touching. Shen Qingqiu’s legs are still curled around Luo Binghe’s waist, so he hastily straightens them out. Unfortunately for him, this move inadvertently presses their hips flush and Shen Qingqiu can feel a sizeable hardness sitting on his own. Shen Qingqiu’s face burns red—he’s angry and horny and why won’t Luo Binghe listen to him! He’s also too enraged to realize that his arms are still wrapped around Luo Binghe’s neck.
A sudden grind of hips jerks him out of his private fuming. Their faces are so close that Luo Binghe must have felt the wind of Shen Qingqiu’s suppressed moan escape through his nose. The smug grin on Luo Binghe’s face confirms that he is right.
“Shizun is sure he doesn’t want to ‘practice’?”
Another decisive grind punctuates his question. Shen Qingqiu is losing blood to his brain by the second. Hungry and dizzy with arousal, he doesn’t know what to do. Internally, his perpetual fondness for Luo Binghe fights against the sting of being used by him. Perhaps there is also a trace of defeated understanding that Luo Binghe could never be his—this parody of intimacy just dangles cruel scraps of hope in front of a starving man.
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t realize he’s crying until Luo Binghe’s thumbs wipe away the tears wetting his eyes.
“Shizun?” Earnest concern quickly replaces Luo Binghe’s previous shameless, teasing bearing.
Seeing the honest worry in Luo Binghe’s eyes, Shen Qingqiu begins to openly sob. The torrent of emotion he had been holding back shreds mercilessly through his throat, “I can’t do this Binghe!!” Shen Qingqiu thought he could stay impassive at the thought of Luo Binghe happily living and fucking his hundreds of wives, but his stomach sours at the image and it’s wrecking him.
Luo Binghe’s hands slowly approach to tenderly hold the sides of Shen Qingqiu’s face as he weeps. Spurred on, Shen Qingqiu sniffs wetly as he blubbers, “I can’t be your plaything that’s tossed aside once you marry your wives!!” Nasally hiccups follow his outburst.
“Huh?! Shizun?”
At Luo Binghe’s plain sound of surprise and confusion, Shen Qingqiu haltingly stops his sniffling. He rubs his eyes free of tears to look at Luo Binghe clearly. The face blinking down at him is severe in its distress, though still strikingly handsome in its solemnity. Shen Qingqiu isn’t sure what to say next. He’s reeling at the indignity of it all—at breaking down in front of his disciple, the suave protagonist, the Demon Emperor, Luo Binghe! His bruising affection for Luo Binghe, set against the harsh reality of its unrequited nature, twists the knife with savage precision.
Luo Binghe lightly brushes his fingers along Shen Qingqiu’s hairline, carefully tucking the loose strands behind his ears. He looks endeared by Shen Qingqiu’s tear-mottled face. Then he lowers his head to scrape his lips against Shen Qingqiu’s earlobe, speaking directly into his ear. The deep rumble of his voice tickles.
“Can’t you feel how hard my cock is for you, Shizun?” He presses their hips together, “What makes you think I want wives?”
Shen Qingqiu gasps at the stimulation. He’s so emotionally spent but still has the wherewithal to take in the meaning of Luo Binghe’s words. It’s true, Shen Qingqiu never really questioned the logic behind him being a stand-in for Luo Binghe’s future harem. He certainly did a lot of his own extrapolating, but it’s not like there wasn't any strong evidence. Take Luo Binghe’s dream, for example. Of course, Shen Qingqiu would be led to believe that the dream was the catalyst for the harem plot line, how could he not?! The timing made a lot of sense. It’s almost exactly how things played out in Proud Immortal Demon Way…well, kind of!
“B-but your dream, Binghe!! I was there—you called me husband, and we were married!” Shen Qingqiu's voice cracks at the end, and he cringes at how crazed he sounds.
Fortunately, Luo Binghe’s only reaction is to turn sheepish at Shen Qingqiu’s words, his face lushly pinking. He’s now looking everywhere but at Shen Qingqiu, “Ahh…so Shizun saw…” Shen Qingqiu gapes at the free display of a shy Luo Binghe, heart stirring at the sight he’s missed for over a decade. Too soon however, Luo Binghe’s eyes shift back to Shen Qingqiu’s face, narrowed in scrutiny.
“If Shizun saw that I dream of being married to him, then why does Shizun think that what I want is a wife?” Luo Binghe raises a single eyebrow, damning every one of Shen Qingqiu’s unfounded rationalizations.
Okay, Shen Qingqiu can admit he might have been off-base… maybe even extremely off-base. It’s plausible that the dream was indeed a face-value representation of Luo Binghe’s desires, more so than he originally assumed. But can you blame him? He had no reason to believe Luo Binghe ever spared him a single thought after all these years. He even wrongfully accused Luo Binghe of plotting murderous revenge against him because of this! So, obviously his mind had to move to the closest logical conclusion: the harem of wives!
Clearing this throat, Shen Qingqiu counters with a haughty sniff, “If Luo Binghe cares so much about his Shizun, then why didn’t he visit him upon his return from the Abyss?” Shen Qingqiu pointedly ignores the keen eyes moving closer to stare at the colour burning high on his cheeks.
A tiny laugh escapes Luo Binghe. “Ah, so the truth is that Shizun missed me all this time?” He’s leaning on his elbows, stroking the lines away from Shen Qingqiu’s scrunching forehead with his fingers. Shen Qingqiu lets out an indignant grunt that neither affirms nor refutes his question. The non-answer is answer enough for Luo Binghe.
A heartsick look crosses Luo Binghe’s face as he starts, “I missed you too, Shizun. But I thought Shizun still harboured ill feelings towards the demon race and would not want to see me—”
“Oh, Binghe that’s not—” Shen Qingqiu interjects.
“—It’s okay, Shizun. Now I know the truth. I spent my days elevating the demon realm so that one day I could execute my final plan to reunite with Shizun as his equal,” his eyes are full of wishful longing.
Shen Qingqiu’s heart lurches. So Luo Binghe would have willingly seen me if he hadn't thought I hated demons?
“Only as true equals would I have the freedom to learn Shizun’s whole heart and for him, mine. This has been my sole and truest desire in your absence, Shizun,” Luo Binghe finishes his spiel, his face transforming into a sly grin as his hands cup the sides of Shen Qingqiu’s face. “And of course, this disciple now understands the exact nature of Shizun’s beliefs,” he lightly pats Shen Qingqiu’s cheeks three times with his palms.
The sincerity of Luo Binghe’s words stupefies Shen Qingqiu out of any argument he was about to make.
Carefully, he says, “So Binghe doesn’t wish to be with anyone else?” Shen Qingqiu doesn’t dare to hope, but he will pull on this lifeline until he stops drowning.
A low hum of confirmation rumbles from Luo Binghe’s chest. Vague tendrils of warmth revive Shen Qingqiu as he realizes that Luo Binghe’s admission means he has chosen him. And maybe has always chosen him?
Luo Binghe licks at the tears beginning to run down the sides of Shen Qingqiu’s face. Embarrassed, Shen Qingqiu pushes him back so he can fully sit up and wipe his face properly. While remaining straddled on his lap, Luo Binghe helps him upright by pulling on his arms, then sits politely as Shen Qingqiu sighs and rubs at his eyes.
“Shizun was so cold to me the night after we made love,” Luo Binghe petulantly sulks with no forewarning. Shen Qingqiu goes frigid. Stark images of their heated entanglement in the tent ruthlessly flash through his mind. Excuse me, Binghe don't call it that!!!!
“—but I could see in Shizun’s eyes that he yearned for me too.” There’s a glint of unequivocal knowing in Luo Binghe’s gaze. From how they’re sitting, Luo Binghe looms over him, perched on his lap as he is. Shen Qingqiu wants to hunch in on himself but can’t with Luo Binghe in the way. Having his private feelings so casually unveiled paralyzes his lungs. He feels wholly laid bare and the exposure might kill him.
However, he loses the chance to dwell on his vulnerability as Luo Binghe captures Shen Qingqiu’s right hand, placing a slow, soft kiss on the back. The brush of lips is like that of an artist signing his finished painting—possessive, a stamp of ownership. Although the touch is light, Shen Qingqiu is subsumed nonetheless. The red flush on his cheeks might become permanent at this point.
He twists Shen Qingqiu’s palm to face up, nuzzling it with his nose and drinking in his scent. Luo Binghe purrs, “Does Shizun wish he were my wife?”
Yeah, the red is never going away. In the next moment, Shen Qingqiu’s eyebrows shoot upwards and his arm tenses, trying and failing to jerk back. Luo Binghe has enveloped Shen Qingqiu’s index finger into his warm mouth, sucking hard. Preventing further evasion, he keeps Shen Qingqiu’s wrist in a vice grip, easily lapping up another finger. Luo Binghe’s tongue is soft and the heat of his mouth, velvet. All higher faculties in Shen Qingqiu’s brain are brutally murdered at the sight of Luo Binghe’s lips wrapped around him. He’s hypnotized by the teasing brush of tongue stroking the cushiony pads of his fingers, as if beckoning him deeper. Meanwhile, Luo Binghe makes a show out of licking and sucking, acting as if he has the sweetest popsicle in his mouth rather than Shen Qingqiu’s bony fingers. The heat and suction are somehow arousing and Shen Qingqiu can’t help but imagine feeling that same suction on his eager friend below.
Very soon a greedy moan leaks through where Luo Binghe’s mouth and Shen Qingqiu’s hand connect—more immediate blood loss from his brain. Shen Qingqiu thinks he might’ve moaned, too. Excess drool gleams evidently on Luo Binghe’s chin in the dim candlelight.
Luo Binghe releases the spit-slicked fingers, a string of saliva still connecting them to his lips. He catches Shen Qingqiu’s eyes to give him a flirty wink before licking long stripes up Shen Qingqiu’s palm, all while maintaining eye contact. Sparks shoot out from the fleshy centre of Shen Qingqiu’s hand, sending electric currents through his veins as the silky tongue drags across. It’s almost like being licked by a puppy, except his puppy is giving him a dangerous look through heavy eyelids.
The soft underside of Shen Qingqiu’s wrist is the next target as Luo Binghe’s tongue tucks away and open-mouthed kisses stake their claim on skin. Each scorching brand shoots straight to Shen Qingqiu’s groin, growing more intense as Luo Binghe moves up his arm. When Luo Binghe gets to the inside of his elbow, Shen Qingqiu twitches at the sensitivity and Luo Binghe pulls the arm closer. Suddenly fearful that Luo Binghe might try to lick at his armpit next, Shen Qingqiu contracts his arms towards himself, silently encouraging Luo Binghe to move elsewhere. It seems to work because Luo Binghe’s kisses reach Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders without incident, then he trails his teeth over the skin where his neck begins and bites down lightly. Luo Binghe starts gnawing at the flesh, not hard enough to hurt, but hard enough to make Shen Qingqiu go from half-mast to full-mast way too quickly.
Shen Qingqiu’s body has leaned forward into Luo Binghe’s hold to angle his hips away from where Luo Binghe might feel his hard-on. But even so, he exceedingly needs a break so he doesn’t bust his load before they’ve even properly kissed. Thus, Shen Qingqiu attempts the daring task of wriggling away from Luo Binghe’s toothy attention. It isn’t easy moving with a two-hundred-pound puppy in his lap. His hands meet the firm muscles of Luo Binghe’s chest to push him off, but Luo Binghe doesn’t budge. He just snatches Shen Qingqiu’s wrists and pulls them down between their bodies. When their hands graze the obvious tent under Shen Qingqiu’s clothes, Luo Binghe lets out a pleased laugh.
At once, two strong arms encircle Shen Qingqiu’s waist, constricting his mobility like a ravenous snake. Shen Qingqiu’s arms are pinned to his body and Luo Binghe shifts their hips closer, trapping Shen Qingqiu’s hands by his hip. Incapacitated, Shen Qingqiu receives a renewed assault of teeth, lips, and tongue, but this time on the delicate skin of his ears and neck. Luo Binghe’s mouth feels amazing, and with their bodies pressed tightly, Shen Qingqiu’s filled cock receives a small degree of relieving friction. Only instead of quelling the fire, it drives his instincts to seek more. The heat from Luo Binghe’s body combined with the passionate nibbling of his ears and neck makes Shen Qingqiu grow impatient and needy. It’s not that it’s painful or that he doesn’t enjoy it—he just would rather kiss Luo Binghe with his own deprived mouth right now. And besides, his body is not a chew toy!
Panting, Shen Qingqiu tries to thwart the biting, “Please, Binghe, my turn…up here.” His lips pout out to illustrate his request.
Luo Binghe doesn’t miss a beat as he uses his purchase on Shen Qingqiu’s waist to push him backwards and then roll horizontally. Shen Qingqiu lands in a huff on top of Luo Binghe. It’s comfortable, but Shen Qingqiu winces as his hard-on squishes firmly into Luo Binghe’s hip. He glances down to see if Luo Binghe notices, and he’s greeted with the jade-carved perfection of Luo Binghe’s lovely face, locking eyes with him. It’s the last glimpse of Luo Binghe he gets before fingers thread through Shen Qingqiu’s hair to pull him down and Shen Qingqiu braces for the kiss. But instead of the brutal tonguing he expects, Luo Binghe brings their faces just close enough to sweetly nuzzle the tips of their noses back and forth. Nose to nose, Shen Qingqiu’s field of vision is zoomed in on the crescents of Luo Binghe’s eyes, joyfully beaming at him.
“It’s so nice with Shizun on top of me,” Luo Binghe muses with a contented sigh.
This brat! Luo Binghe’s sincere delight and heartfelt admission fluster Shen Qingqiu to no end. In an attempt to take back control, Shen Qingqiu grabs Luo Binghe’s jaw, strongly digging in his fingers so that the compression of his cheeks forces Luo Binghe’s mouth to part open.
“Be quiet. Stick out your tongue,” Shen Qingqiu says sternly.
Luo Binghe looks stunned but quickly regains his wits, eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint. Ever obedient, he extends his tongue… and then keeps extending it. Ah, yes the long demon tongue, a special characteristic of heavenly demons, such as Luo Binghe. It’s a tapered length of agile muscle, highly dexterous. Shen Qingqiu’s mouth waters, he had almost forgotten it could reach that far.
Shen Qingqiu leans down and devours it. Luo Binghe’s tongue is at once soft and firm and really, really wet. It writhes playfully as Shen Qingqiu takes it in his mouth. Once enough of the warm tongue slides through, he starts gently sucking, causing Luo Binghe to moan whorishly. Shen Qingqiu moves to take it in fully, pushing down further until his lips touch Luo Binghe’s.
The instant their lips connect, all restraint snaps and a frenzied exchange begins, open-mouthed and hot. He groans in relief at finally getting to savour the deep embrace of Luo Binghe’s mouth. Between the wetness of their sliding tongues and taste of their shared saliva, Shen Qingqiu is inescapably addicted.
Everything is so much better than their previous fumbling touches in the tent. Luo Binghe traces attentive hands up and down the curving column of Shen Qingqiu’s spine, the action making Shen Qingqiu arch his back and press his chest and hips closer to the burning form under him. Shen Qingqiu spasms at the welcomed friction. His hard cock leaks pitifully and leaves wet patches on Luo Binghe’s hip.
Meanwhile, Luo Binghe’s hands slide down from Shen Qingqiu’s spine to cup the round plump of his ass, squeezing firmly. A surprised yelp escapes from their connected mouths and the poor mounds of Shen Qingqiu’s ass are kneaded and squished like dough. He finds he doesn’t have the heart to mind, feeling profoundly satisfied by the possessive command of his body. Each squeeze and pinch of his flesh jolts Shen Qingqiu’s hips into Luo Binghe. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t realize he’s grinding his dripping cock on the man beneath him when Luo Binghe’s two hands move even lower to grasp under his ass, closer to where his thighs begin. Luo Binghe uses his grip to shift Shen Qingqiu, adjusting their hips so that their cocks are properly aligned against each other.
The moan that comes out of Shen Qingqiu at the feel of Luo Binghe’s ridiculous pillar can never be spoken of. Luo Binghe is all too eager to consume these moans into his own mouth. Shen Qingqiu is starting to feel too sticky at the precum soaking his inner robes, but he doesn’t get the chance to process his disgust before Luo Binghe pauses their fervid kissing.
“Are you ready to practice more, Shizun?”
The smile gracing Luo Binghe’s lips is devilish. Shen Qingqiu isn’t sure if he has the strength to nod but nonetheless allows the grabby hands on his ass to pull his hips roughly into Luo Binghe’s upward grinding. They move in a slow churn until a steady rhythm is set. At this point, they’ve stopped kissing and Shen Qingqiu just pants heated breaths into Luo Binghe’s open mouth.
When the friction becomes unbearable, Shen Qingqiu speeds his hips in a rapid chase to the end. He can hear noises coming from his throat getting louder, more uncontrolled. Shen Qingqiu drags his fingers through Luo Binghe’s hair, leaning down for a kiss to muffle his sounds before he explodes.
However, Luo Binghe’s hands grab at Shen Qingqiu’s hips to stop his movements. At the aching burn of being hauled away from the ledge, Shen Qingqiu whimpers and his cock weeps in frustration.
“Wait Shizun, I have an idea,” Luo Binghe says. Ignoring the pained squirms of Shen Qingqiu seeking to regain that delicious friction, the dark voice beneath him suggests, “Let’s fuck for real.”
This time, Shen Qingqiu goes completely still. Fuck for real?! Shen Qingqiu is no idiot. He knows what Luo Binghe means. But, the thought of that third leg…and his hole is so small…
“Are you joking!!?? No, Binghe you’ll hurt me!!”
Shen Qingqiu tries to distract Luo Binghe from discussing this further by diving down for another kiss, and it just about works for two seconds. That is until he starts feeling a weird itching sensation throughout his whole body. It’s startling enough that he collapses like a sack of rocks on top of Luo Binghe, grunting and twitching in discomfort.
“Just wait, Shizun. Trust me.” Luo Binghe unceremoniously flips Shen Qingqiu off him to bound away from the bed in search of something in the room. Just as Luo Binghe leaves Shen Qingqiu alone on the bed, the bizarre itching ceases and he lies there limp and pissed off. That was definitely the activation of Luo Binghe’s blood parasites.
He’s too horny and short of breath to start yelling, so instead settles for slandering Luo Binghe in his head. How dare he play dirty like that!!! Evil brat, when the hell did I consume his blood!!?
But soon, Shen Qingqiu’s inner tirade stops as Luo Binghe returns with an eager grin, holding two objects in his hands. He sits across from Shen Qingqiu and shuffles close enough for him to recognize the items. It’s the tincture of medicine and jade pestle that Luo Binghe had purchased from the vendor back then.
“Shizun, look!” Luo Binghe is excited, like a puppy showing off the dead bird ensnared in its jaws.
Um, what about it?
At Shen Qingqiu’s confused face and tilted head, Luo Binghe carries on, “I bought these for you, Shizun! For us. You know… to make things easier,” rosy pink dusts Luo Binghe’s cheeks. Shen Qingqiu is too frustrated to entertain this right now, both emotionally and most certainly physically.
“Just what kind of tools are these, Binghe?” Shen Qingqiu says irritated, lacking the blood flow to adequately use his brain at this time.
Like a disturbing show and tell, Luo Binghe holds out one hand with the tincture and proudly announces, “This is a lubricating oil, to reduce uncomfortable chafing during dual cultivation. And this,” he shoves the jade pestle in Shen Qingqiu’s face, “is qi-enhanced artificial genitalia used as an aid for training the flexibility of the anal sphincter!”
Shen Qingqiu is speechless but he manages to cry out, “Who told you about this, Binghe??!!”
An unimpressed look crosses Luo Binghe’s face. “The vendor explained the item functions quite clearly, do you not remember, Shizun? Also, Martial Uncle Shang Qinghua and Mobei-jun spoke to me about suggested usage,” Luo Binghe replies offhandedly.
Now it was Shen Qingqiu’s turn to look unimpressed.
Seriously, fuck Shang Qinghua for writing a size-adjustable dildo into this godforsaken world, Shen Qingqiu bemoans to himself.
He’s not sure if he’s more affronted by the very existence of this jade dildo or by the fact that Luo Binghe sought to purchase it with him in mind. Also, given the ‘special features’ of this jade dildo, it’s likely able to expand to Luo Binghe’s abnormal size, maybe even larger. The thought sends a strange thrill through him. No—he can’t do this! He refuses! The indignity of it all!
Shen Qingqiu won’t go down without a fight. The second that dildo is in his hands, he’s tossing it out the window. Or, maybe not the window. It would be awfully embarrassing and incriminating if some unsuspecting Yunmeng night patrol happened across a jade dildo outside their bedroom window. Regardless, he needs to confiscate it so at the least he can dispose of it later.
He makes a grab for the jade dildo, shooting forward to snatch it out of Luo Binghe's grip. Anticipating the attempted theft, Luo Binghe leans back, holding his hand high above their heads and out of Shen Qingqiu’s reach. Shen Qingqiu crawls to his knees to get more height, but Luo Binghe mirrors him. In order to reach the dildo being carelessly waved about, Shen Qingqiu latches onto Luo Binghe’s shoulder and jumps from his knees to grab it. His balance is slightly thrown off since Luo Binghe moves to evade the pursuit as much as Shen Qingqiu chases him. They tussle for a bit, Shen Qingqiu pushing and pawing at Luo Binghe’s arms and shoulders while the man leans farther away. Luo Binghe seems to be enjoying himself, watching amused as Shen Qingqiu jumps up and down fruitlessly. Their faces and bodies are close, occasionally bumping into each other and trading choppy breaths. Then, in a final spirited effort on Shen Qingqiu’s part, he throws a particularly energetic swipe at the dildo, knocking more of his body weight forward into an already moving target. In the end, Shen Qingqiu can’t best him, the most he does is grasp at Luo Binghe’s wrist, just out of reach of the dildo. They fall backwards once again.
Shen Qingqiu lands heaving on top of Luo Binghe for the third time that evening. Both of their arms are stretched above them so Luo Binghe wraps his legs around Shen Qingqiu’s waist to barrel roll them over, trapping Shen Qingqiu underneath him. With both their hands still pinned high up, Luo Binghe’s head hangs low, looking at Shen Qingqiu with inviting eyes. The flush colouring Luo Binghe’s face is decadent, highlighting the elegance of his features. Loose strands of his hair fall forward, framing his cut cheekbones and swollen lips. He’s slightly mussed up, looking every part the stallion protagonist whose chief domain is the bedroom. His eyebrows are finely shaped and slightly quirked in question at Shen Qingqiu, but Shen Qingqiu's eyes keep darting back to gawk at Luo Binghe’s dewy lips, upturned at the corners. Even the greatest grandmaster sculptor couldn't recreate that graceful cupid's bow. A weird feeling tugs at Shen Qingqiu’s gut.
Facetiously coy, Luo Binghe breaks Shen Qingqiu out of his musings in a singsong tease, “Shizun~?”
Shen Qingqiu’s eyes snap up to Luo Binghe’s like magnets, looking guilty for being caught.
“Are you okay, Shizun? You’re staring,” a suggestive lilt purrs in Luo Binghe’s voice. At the same time, Luo Binghe wedges one of his thighs between Shen Qingqiu’s open legs, pressing down.
“I—uhh,” Shen Qingqiu babbles elegantly.
Luo Binghe lowers his face, skating his smiling mouth over Shen Qingqiu’s parted lips.
“Shizun, please,” Luo Binghe’s comforting scent engulfs Shen Qingqiu’s senses, “let me make you feel good.”
Shen Qingqiu feels a keen throbbing somewhere. Maybe everywhere? It’s like his body yearns for something in its emptiness. Nerves and excitement eat at his limbs in equal measure. He’s losing the will to deny the tendrils of deep-seated want curling within him.
Resigned, he grinds into Luo Binghe’s leg, savouring the pleasure since it might be the last thing he feels if he survives tonight. Then, closing his eyes, Shen Qingqiu summons fake bravado to say, “Fine,” but it comes out like a quiet whine.
Without hesitation Luo Binghe sits up to enthusiastically rip off Shen Qingqiu’s inner robes, exposing his naked body to the cool air. Shen Qingqiu shivers as Luo Binghe places his hands on the soft underside of his thighs, smoothing his hands slowly up and down his legs to warm him to the touch. Absurdly, Shen Qingqiu is reminded of a stablehand calming down a spooked horse. Luo Binghe then crawls over him for a brief peck before grazing kisses down his neck and chest.
Shen Qingqiu jolts when one sensitive nipple is viciously sucked and bitten, an errant hand sneaking up to pinch and rub the other one. His leg jerks out by reflex and he inadvertently knees Luo Binghe in his side, forcing a mild mmph from his occupied mouth. Feeling guilty, Shen Qingqiu caresses and pets Luo Binghe’s hair in a silent apology, but perhaps in retribution, Luo Binghe decides to grab Shen Qingqiu’s offending legs and haul them up over his shoulders. Shen Qingqiu's heels knock at Luo Binghe’s back as he continues to lavishly bite and kiss downwards. In no time, he reaches Shen Qingqiu’s navel and starts licking the fine hairs trailing down in his abdomen, not yet reaching the area that’s drooling for the most attention—where Shen Qingqiu is having no problem getting wet on his own. Cruelly, however, Luo Binghe skips over Shen Qingqiu’s cock in favour of moving lower, aiming for past his taint. Luo Binghe brushes the tip of his tongue on his rim and then swipes a scorching line up to where his balls protrude. A surprised moan leaks out as Shen Qingqiu tries squeezing his legs shut at the sensation but his knees are obstructed by Luo Binghe’s head.
A muffled laugh from Luo Binghe vibrates where his lips still touch his taint, and Shen Qingqiu weakly twitches. But the sensation of low vibrations doesn’t stop, spreading out to the opening of his ass, long after Luo Binghe has gone quiet.
Shen Qingqiu hardly registers what’s happening before it’s too late. Luo Binghe has activated the blood parasites, which now buzz energetically without pause, internally massaging the tight ring of muscle that’s soon to be breached. Barely suppressed groans escape Shen Qingqiu. He’s never used a vibrator before but he can imagine that this is exactly what it would feel like if one was shoved up his ass. Meanwhile, Luo Binghe has reclaimed his spot in front of Shen Qingqiu’s ass, staring at the small opening like a starved wolf about to tear into its struggling meal. He guides Shen Qingqiu’s legs to bend up so that he’s folded in half, allowing Luo Binghe unhindered access to do what he wants next. The anal vibrations from the blood parasites pulse ceaselessly as Luo Binghe slowly pushes his tongue into the trembling hole.
The blood parasites have done their job well because the moment Shen Qingqiu is entered he can’t hold back a sob at the gratifying feel of Luo Binghe’s insistent tongue. Luo Binghe extends his tongue to its full length, the rhythm of his deep searching motions progressively intoxicating Shen Qingqiu. His body convulses at each slow drag, in and out. Luo Binghe’s hands pin down Shen Qingqiu’s hip bones, keeping him from squirming away at his ruthless ministrations. Right then, Luo Binghe’s pointed tongue makes targeted attacks on his prostate and Shen Qingqiu throws his head back in overwhelming pleasure, writhing and panting harder. He’s crying out at each hard thrust of tongue and he can feel more than hear Luo Binghe’s answering moans. It’s already too much, he’s going to come. But just as he’s about to reach the summit, Luo Binghe pulls out with a loud slurp, woefully emptying Shen Qingqiu completely. Even the blood parasites take a break.
Shen Qingqiu gasps loudly in confusion and extreme frustration when Luo Binghe interrupts with an eager, “Shizun, can I do it? Can I put it in now?”
Taken aback in his cut-short ecstasy, Shen Qingqiu furiously nods his head. He’s shaking with the excess arousal of an unrealized climax, wishing for that vexing pillar to just ram into him already. But Luo Binghe pauses, seemingly taking something out of his robes and fiddling around as if adjusting it. Shen Qingqiu peers down and sees the jade dildo, shrinking to the size of one finger. Luo Binghe then takes out the tincture to pour a liberal amount of the lubricating oil onto the jade instrument.
Oh fuck, he forgot he agreed to this earlier. Well, it should be fine. At this point, he’s beyond horny to care, and he implicitly trusts that Luo Binghe will make it good for him.
Solid stone enters Shen Qingqiu without interference. He can only feel the object’s coldness after being loosened by the heated muscle of Luo Binghe’s tongue. However, the moment Shen Qingqiu’s breathing slows and relaxes, Luo Binghe channels more qi into the dildo until it expands to slightly thicker than Luo Binghe’s tongue.
Shen Qingqiu yelps at the stretch, clawing his hands into the bedsheets. Luo Binghe sweeps gentle strokes along Shen Qingqiu’s flank, soothing him with whispers of ‘Shizun please relax’ and ‘Shizun, it’s almost over,’ and immediately, his tensed muscles unclench. With each clever poke and prod inside him, Shen Qingqiu’s breathing regulates once more, his cock stirring back to life.
There’s no warning when Luo Binghe suddenly channels a burst of qi into the jade instrument, broadening the dildo to that of Luo Binghe’s size. A loud wail rips through Shen Qingqiu’s throat. He’s exhaling small whines with each shallow breath, desperately seeking relief from the intense pressure. Oh god, he can’t do this. It’s too embarrassing, it’s too big, it’s—
Luo Binghe brings one hand to cup the side of Shen Qingqiu’s clammy flushed face, keeping the dildo in place with his other hand. “Shizun, you’re doing so well for me,” Luo Binghe coos.
Shen Qingqiu’s unfocused gaze shifts to follow the sound of Luo Binghe’s voice and his face leans into the affectionate touch. Torturously, his hole automatically clenches upon the sight of Luo Binghe’s appearance, equally flushed to his own and unabashedly awed in its expression. Luo Binghe brushes his hand down Shen Qingqiu’s face until it reaches one of the clawed hands in the bedsheets. He gently grasps and intertwines their fingers before plunging the jade dildo further into him. The all-consuming entry punches out a guttural groan from Shen Qingqiu’s depths, head spinning with the curling thrill of mounting satisfaction. He distantly senses the blood parasites buzzing again, massaging his inner walls and coaxing them open.
After a time, the push and pull of the jade becomes a welcome predictability. Shen Qingqiu feels comfortable floating in the pleasant gliding sensations, growing accustomed to its size. It’s good, but he’s unexpectedly craving more. Something heavy, something warmer—no, something scalding.
He starts whining Luo Binghe’s name and pawing at their joined hands, not really able to form a coherent string of words. Luo Binghe raises their hands to place a comforting kiss on the backs of Shen Qingqiu’s fingers.
“What is it, Shizun? Do you want more?”
Without waiting for a response, Luo Binghe starts thrusting the dildo faster. However, with a cheeky grin, he starts altering the size, rapidly shrinking and growing it over and over with bursts of qi, the dildo practically pulsing as it constantly reshapes. Shen Qingqiu scowls at the random playtime ravaging his hole. He doesn’t want to outright admit that he’s getting so desperate for the real thing, but if he doesn’t explicitly say it, he’ll keep getting teased. So Shen Qingqiu finally pants out, “No Binghe… you inside…”
Luo Binghe’s eyes instantly brighten at the suggestion, but unbelievably he responds, “Wait Shizun, I have an idea!”
Another one??!!! Shen Qingqiu inwardly shrivels, his eyes bugging out.
Luo Binghe gently removes the jade dildo from Shen Qingqiu and then procures a long rope from his robes.
The Immortal Binding Cables?!!!!
The sight of the Immortal Binding Cables makes his insides lurch. A memory abruptly strikes him: rolling in the dirt, a hand gripped over his mouth, the metallic taste of something oozing on his tongue. Damn, so that must have been when he consumed Luo Binghe’s blood parasites! That sly boy!!
Shen Qingqiu shakes his head in contempt as Luo Binghe continues, “Shizun, Martial Uncle Shang Qinghua offered me this sage advice. To ease Shizun’s first time, you can tie me to the bed to limit my movements, then sit on top to control our lovemaking.”
Every muscle in Shen Qingqiu’s body freezes.
He isn’t sure if he’s more aghast at the suggestion to ride Luo Binghe or at the fact that it was Shang Qinghua who gave him the idea. But embarrassment aside, he cannot deny that the thought of Luo Binghe tied up doesn’t make his cock thrum with anticipation.
Shen Qingqiu swallows audibly and sits up to take the ropes from Luo Binghe’s offering hands. Luo Binghe flops onto his back, delightedly wiggling into the bedding. Next to him, Shen Qingqiu sits on his heels, contemplating how he should restrain this huge puppy. He starts by taking Luo Binghe’s warm wrists and pulling them over his head. Luo Binghe watches him with transparent deference and appetite. Taking Luo Binghe’s left hand, Shen Qingqiu tows it to the bedpost, looping and securing the rope around both. Then, he does the same for the right hand and bedpost.
Luo Binghe stays pliant and docile to each adjusting yank and tug of his arms. But Shen Qingqiu knows he probably won’t stay restrained for long, no matter how well he ties the knots. Thus, Shen Qingqiu makes the snap decision to tie down Luo Binghe’s legs too. He takes each ankle and anchors them to the bottom bed posts, leaving Luo Binghe spread out like a starfish.
Once finished, he dumbly realizes that Luo Binghe is still wearing his robes and undergarments. Fortunately, it shouldn’t be too hard a task to move them aside and continue. Shuffling closer to Luo Binghe, Shen Qingqiu peels open his robes, exposing the layers underneath. The sleeves of the robes can’t move very far up his arms, so they hang loosely at his shoulders. His undershirt is thin enough that Shen Qingqiu could easily rip it off him—so he does.
Damsel Binghe gasps at the violation that leaves his chest naked and exposed, meanwhile, Shen Qingqiu tries and fails not to make eye contact with the giant pillar tenting in Luo Binghe’s pants. Unsurprisingly, there’s a growing wet patch darkening the crotch area. Taking a steadying breath, he slowly drags the pants down from the waistband. Luo Binghe whines at the friction of the fabric as it slides over his cock head. Shen Qingqiu pulls at the pants until Luo Binghe’s cock is freed, but is unable to draw them any further due to the spread in his legs. The fabric strains around the brawn of Luo Binghe’s thighs and Shen Qingqiu wonders if it might cut off his circulation. So, in another split-second impulse, he tears the straining pants down the centre and wrenches the fabric from under Luo Binghe. A raunchy moan reaches Shen Qingqiu’s ears and he roll his eyes. Save it for when we actually start, protagonist! In Shen Qingqiu’s periphery, he sees Luo Binghe’s cock jerk once and leak three fat beads of precum.
“Shizun, the tincture, my robe pocket” Luo Binghe says breathlessly.
Oh right, he should probably lube up Luo Binghe before anything. Securing the tincture, he splashes a generous amount onto the giant pillar—he’s going to need it.
Shen Qingqiu’s hole is fairly loosened and prepared so he doesn’t hesitate to swing a leg over Luo Binghe. His knees bracket Luo Binghe’s hips and he hovers his entrance just above the weeping cock. Exhaling, he drops down.
The initial penetration sucks all the air out his lungs. He stays motionless with just the head of Luo Binghe’s cock breached in his ass. Shen Qingqiu needs to go slowly or else this heavenly pillar might just kill him. Luo Binghe pants hard, hips futility twitching up to seek more of Shen Qingqiu’s delicious warmth. At the slight jostling of the cock inside him, Shen Qingqiu sinks a bit further and presses his hands down on Luo Binghe’s hips, stilling the small thrusts.
“Shizun!” Luo Binghe whimpers. The wood of the bed posts creak as Luo Binghe’s arms and legs strain inward.
Shen Qingqiu feels sweat dripping down his spine as he arduously attempts to control the rate of his descent. He’s balanced on his knees, but his thighs begin to tremble with the effort of moving slowly. Inch by inch he drops deeper, letting gravity do the lionshare of the work. Then, just as his muscles are about to fail, he finally bottoms out, the plush of his ass hitting Luo Binghe’s hips with a smack. The duo moan loudly in unison.
The thickness of Luo Binghe’s cock brushes against Shen Qingqiu’s prostate, adding constant pressure on the bundle of nerves. Shen Qingqiu feels so complete, so full. It’s actually nice taking the lead and being in control of this untamed puppy. He keeps his hands braced on Luo Binghe’s hips as he starts to grind back and forth, remaining fully seated. In the slow undulation of his hips, Shen Qingqiu closes his eyes in bliss and loses track of time. His head falls back as he airily pants at the heat burning through his core.
Once he feels ready, he lifts slightly up and drops down hard. The movement hits home on his prostate and Shen Qingqiu starts compulsively chasing the sensation, his thighs in a continuous flex so he can make small bounces on Luo Binghe’s cock. He can’t help but cry out each time their hips connect.
Unable to assist, quiet sobs hiccup from Luo Binghe’s throat. Shen Qingqiu opens his eyes to hazard a glance down at Luo Binghe’s face and accidentally clenches around his cock. A choked moan sounds out from beneath him. Oops, Shen Qingqiu didn’t mean to do that, but it was his body’s natural reaction to seeing Luo Binghe’s attractive face soaked with sweat and tears. Curled strands of his hair stick to his sweaty forehead like a classical halo. His eyelashes cluster in clumps from shed tears, framing his eyes more alluringly.
What the fuck, protagonist? I should be the one crying!! Who’s the one being fucked right now?
“Shizun is so beautiful like this.” Despite looking wrecked, Luo Binghe’s voice comes out strong and confident, with only a little more raspiness than usual.
How is it that Luo Binghe manages to fluster him, even though Shen Qingqiu is the one in charge right now?! As punishment, he throws his weight down harder and starts bouncing with more force and energy. Luo Binghe’s arms tense, looking as though they might break free from the ropes restraining them.
“No, Binghe is the one who looks good right now,” Shen Qingqiu replies, aiming for smarmy but ending up breathy and broken. Riding Luo Binghe more purposefully has only brought him dangerously close to the edge. Then, a slight shift in angle hits his prostate directly and he loses all his brain cells. He wants to keep taunting Luo Binghe but he can no longer speak through the constant ah ah’s streaming out of him. One last grind and he’ll explode.
However, the moment his body tenses on the cusp of climax, an inner vibration starts up again. It squeezes at his organs, preventing his incoming orgasm. Shen Qingqiu groans in desperation. Since Luo Binghe can’t tease him manually, he’s resorted to edging him with the blood parasites. This is ridiculous! Luo Binghe is the one who asked to be tied up in the first place!
“Binghe, stop it!” Shen Qingqiu ruts his hips back and forth in an attempt to chase his high again. It doesn’t work, and he feels stuck on the precipice of the horniest summit. Angrily, he keeps going, putting his whole back, legs, and arms into heaving his body onto Luo Binghe’s cock. Shen Qingqiu breathes hard at the exertion and at the soft humming pleasure within him that won’t crest. Meanwhile, Luo Binghe looks more delirious and fucked out with Shen Qingqiu’s retaliation, mouth hanging open in pleasure and loudly whining as if he’s about to peak too.
Ugh, not fair! But as much as Shen Qingqiu’s giving the world’s most glorious inward eye roll, his own cock pulses at the view. He decides then and there to get some payback for Luo Binghe’s teasing.
At once, he ceases all movement. Luo Binghe’s eyes refocus and he warns darkly, “Shizun.”
What a hypocrite!
Ignoring Luo Binghe entirely, Shen Qingqiu holds his hips still and leans down to press heated lips onto the glowing skin of Luo Binghe’s neck.
“Uhn, Shizun!”
As he starts licking and sucking a spot on Luo Binghe’s neck, Shen Qingqiu starts squeezing his hole around the cock nestled within him. Then, raising the stakes, he allows himself to slowly grind his hips, clenching around Luo Binghe in pulses while moving in a maddening circle. A fevered cry spills from Luo Binghe, sounding so unlike his previous wanton noises that Shen Qingqiu can tell he is about to come. He releases his mouth from Luo Binghe’s neck and sits up to stop all his grinding movements.
Luo Binghe whimpers and starts fidgeting, trying to free himself from his restraints. If he keeps jerking around like that, he probably will. That won’t do. Shen Qingqiu pounces forward, landing two hands on Luo Binghe’s shoulders. He will repay Luo Binghe’s torment in the best way he knows how. Bracing with his hands, he leans in to scold into Luo Binghe’s ear, “Ah ah, Shizun wants Binghe to stay still.”
Impossibly, the pillar inside him grows larger. Although Shen Qingqiu’s eyes widen in shock at this, he’s quite satisfied with Luo Binghe’s reaction. Shen Qingqiu angles his head so that his lips graze Luo Binghe’s soft cheeks. Dragging his mouth along skin, he then meets Luo Binghe’s pouty lips and gives him a full kiss, sensually licking and exploring his mouth. “There, there. That’s very good,” Shen Qingqiu praises.
His hips recommence their bouncing without warning. Luo Binghe still hasn’t deactivated the blood parasites yet, so Shen Qingqiu might as well make the most of it since he’s not allowed to orgasm. He’s more than happy to torture Luo Binghe back. And besides, he can wait, knowing Luo Binghe will have no trouble pulling an orgasm out of him in due time.
Shen Qingqiu soon again senses the telltale signs that Luo Binghe is about to climax, so he slows to a small grind that eventually eases to a stop. He smirks down at Luo Binghe.
Something snaps.
With a crazed moan, Luo Binghe arches his back and digs in his heels to repeatedly thrust his hips into Shen Qingqiu. The force of it jostles Shen Qingqiu so off balance that he falls forward onto Luo Binghe’s chest, still sitting on his cock and wailing as the heavenly pillar continues its brutal thrusting. At the same time, Luo Binghe compels the blood parasites to massage his prostate again, causing Shen Qingqiu’s arousal to rapidly escalate. The relief of finally climbing to his peak again, combined with the gut-twisting pounding from Luo Binghe, quickly sends him spiraling toward an earth-shattering orgasm.
However, he doesn’t quite land when Luo Binghe suddenly stops everything and says, “Shizun, I’ve changed my mind. It’s your turn.”
Foggy-brained and nearly convulsing at being so roughly edged again, Shen Qingqiu barely registers what happens next.
Luo Binghe curls his arms and legs toward himself until the creaky snapping of all four bed posts echoes through the room. Shen Qingqiu, still impaled on Luo Binghe, is stunned speechless and automatically calculates how much money he’ll need to cover the costs of a new guest bed for Yunmeng.
Now fully mobile, Luo Binghe sits up, and Shen Qingqiu has to wrap his arms and legs around Luo Binghe like a koala to maintain his balance on his cock. Luo Binghe frees his limbs from the ropes, tossing them across the sheets, and starts digging into his disheveled outer robe, procuring yet another torture device to use against Shen Qingqiu. The cock inside Shen Qingqiu emits an inviting pulse of heat and he loathes to part from it, but Luo Binghe motions for him to lift off so they can change positions.
Two familiar strips of cloth are in Luo Binghe’s hands, which Shen Qingqiu unfortunately recognizes as a blindfold and gag. Even more unfortunately, he recognizes them as his blindfold and gag from when they were kidnapped by the bandits. Gross, why would Luo Binghe keep those?!
Well, Shen Qingqiu doesn’t even need to ask. He knows what Luo Binghe is asking for.
“Hmm? What is this Binghe? Use your words,” Shen Qingqiu taunts, flippantly playing dumb to rile him up.
If Shen Qingqiu is going to go through with this, he’s going to make Luo Binghe work for it. He’ll play dirty if he has to, like pull at Luo Binghe’s hair, or grab that pillar to stop him from coming too, hah!
But instead of responding, Luo Binghe surges to grab one of the discarded ropes on the sheets and then turns back to Shen Qingqiu with a sly grin.
Fuck.
*************
Shizun shouldn’t have provoked him so enticingly, Luo Binghe muses. Otherwise, he might have avoided the predicament he’s in now.
Luo Binghe’s own cock lurches at the memory of his Shizun all tied up in the cave. Shen Qingqiu was so cute and innocent back then with his memory gone, but in the end, Luo Binghe is very grateful to have his fully aware Shizun back.
Originally, Luo Binghe was only going to blindfold and gag Shen Qingqiu for their next round, but since Shen Qingqiu decided to be difficult, he was going to return the kindness tenfold.
Thus, Shen Qingqiu is now resting on his back, chest arching proudly despite his submission to the bondage that binds his forearms behind him. The way his arms are tied together cinches his shoulder blades tightly, keeping his frontside open and exposed for a banquet of one. Shen Qingqiu’s noises of pleasure live and die by the gag around his mouth, leaving no one else to hear his cries except for Luo Binghe. The only indication that Shen Qingqiu is still alert to his surroundings are the wet patches that continue to dampen the blindfold around his eyes, reflective of the current overstimulation of his cock and prostate.
Luo Binghe is so aroused he might die, but if he goes out, he wants Shen Qingqiu to be the last thing he sees.
So Luo Binghe continues to play. Shen Qingqiu’s legs have already tried and failed multiple times to curl in so that his cock might find reprieve from Luo Binghe’s merciless attentions. These attempts are in vain, however. He’s been happily using his blood parasites to control when Shen Qingqiu comes, so they’re already halfway through the night without any legitimate release from either party.
Trussed up like prize game, Shen Qingqiu looks achingly delicious. Luo Binghe sends a prayer of thanks to whatever higher powers have brought him to this point. Though, it was certainly through his own efforts as well. Luo Binghe’s master plan outlined a manufactured situation in which he could plausibly and successfully court his Shizun. As much as he is loath to admit it, he’s quite fortunate that the bothersome brat Shang Qinghua was amenable to his suggestion for a Contingency Pairing System—he knew Mobei-jun could be convincing when he needed to be. Shang Qinghua even made bizarre amendments to it, like justifying the pairings based on food consumption. Irrelevant.
Regardless, anything that has brought him to his Shizun deserves at least some acknowledgement. Not even as a master of dreams could he have dreamt of his Shizun in his arms like this.
Shen Qingqiu hasn’t stopped crying at the ceaseless assault of the mouth suckling his cock and fingers massaging his prostate. Warmth and contentment filling his heart at the cute whimpers, Luo Binghe slips his fingers out of Shen Qingqiu’s hole so he can look at Shen Qingqius face and kiss his wet cheeks. With lips stretched out by the gag, Shen Qingqiu is the portrait of vicious temptation. Luo Binghe’s tongue drags across Shen Qingqiu’s immobile lips, relishing the faint frenzied noises stifled by the cloth gag. Very soon, Shen Qingqiu’s lips brighten to a charming red at Luo Binghe’s enthusiastic biting and sucking of his bottom lip.
In response to Shen Qingqiu’s soft whines, Luo Binghe sighs, sweetly cupping the sides of Shen Qingqiu’s face. His Shizun is seriously too irresistible like this. When he planned the kidnapping, he only thought to ask the bandits to tie them up with the Immortal Binding Cables. Imagine his delighted surprise when he saw that the bandits blindfolded and gagged Shen Qingqiu of their own volition, too!
Luo Binghe’s throbbing cock pulses as he imagines other creative ways he could have his Shizun. It might be time to finally start giving Shen Qingqiu what he’s been begging for.
Under Luo Binghe’s gentle guidance, Shen Qingqiu’s pliant form easily rolls onto his stomach. Without the proper leverage to brace himself, Shen Qingqiu gracelessly flops down with an mmphf, but Luo Binghe pays this no heed. He kneels, seated behind Shen Qingqiu, and pulls his hips up and backwards. Naturally, this bends Shen Qingqiu’s legs so he rests on his knees, sprawled over Luo Binghe’s lap. From his vantage point, Luo Binghe has an unrivaled view of Shen Qingqiu’s spread ass and legs. He can also closely see Shen Qingqiu’s straining arms, bound together and faintly twitching in a silent demand to be freed.
Failing to resist one last tease, Luo Binghe shoves three fingers into Shen Qingqiu’s softened hole. He aims directly for Shen Qingqiu’s prostate, instantly rewarded by a severe jolt and cry from his shaking lover. There’s a string of precome connecting the drooping head of Shen Qingqiu’s cock to the pool forming on the sheets below him.
Ready to finish him off, Luo Binghe aligns his cock to Shen Qingqiu’s entrance, gradually opening him with an even plunge. He can’t help but groan in satisfaction and finally having his Shizun, in so many more ways than one. Enveloped in the warm passage, Luo Binghe doesn’t follow his natural instinct to drive in, instead shallowly thrusting until he is fully seated. While inside, Luo Binghe pauses for a few heartbeats, giving Shen Qingqiu some time to adjust. The body beneath him shudders with shakes and muffled gasps.
When he can feel the minute unclenching of Shen Qingqiu’s inner walls, he takes that as his signal to move. To start, Luo Binghe circles his hips clockwise, stimulating the outer edge of Shen Qingqiu’s rim. A desperate moan reaches his ears and Luo Binghe rubs a soothing hand down the strip of spine above Shen Qingqiu’s tied forearms. Delightfully, he can see and feel the quickening rise and fall of Shen Qingqiu's chest as he begins thrusting forward in earnest.
Sapid heat rises in Luo Binghe’s abdomen with each push, and his head lolls forward in a stupor of euphoria. Luo Binghe trails hands around Shen Qingqiu’s waist, rubbing softly at the V of his hips then clutching at it hard while he sinks deeper. He’s getting close, he can feel it.
His movements are starting to lose rhythm but he wants to make sure Shen Qingqiu gets off before he does. So simultaneously, he deactivates the blood parasites blocking Shen Qingqiu’s orgasm and slides his hands down to firmly grip his weeping cock. He matches the timing of his pounding hips to the stroking of Shen Qingqiu’s cock, making sure to occasionally thumb across the creamy slit.
At once, Shen Qingqiu’s hips start tilting side to side, unbalanced weight shifting from knee to knee. Heavens—Luo Binghe almost comes at the changed angle, accidentally squeezing his grip on Shen Qingqiu’s cock a sliver too tightly. His poor Shizun chokes out a pathetic yelp. But Luo Binghe is an expert at controlling orgasms by now, even his own, so he tenses his limbs to direct blood flow away from his groin. With his impending climax held at bay, he can focus on getting off his Shizun first. Slowly restarting his pounding, Luo Binghe almost comes again when he belatedly realizes that Shen Qingqiu’s weird wobbling just now was his attempt to fuck backwards onto Luo Binghe’s cock.
Violently spurred on by this revelation, Luo Binghe pumps harder, head falling back and mouth opening to free his wanton moans. Likewise, Shen Qingqiu drives his ass back to meet the ruthless fucking in a haze of ecstasy. One particularly hard push connects poorly with Shen Qingqiu’s clumsy thrusts, however, and one of Shen Qingqiu’s legs collapses down. Luo Binghe’s cock slips out as Shen Qingqiu’s hips fall sideways onto the bed, the momentum propelling him to land on his back. There are a few moments of desperate wriggling as Shen Qingqiu tries to right himself, but his tied arms and blindfold make it impossible to reorient his body.
Luo Binghe laughs, entertained. He’s hopelessly endeared by this man and equally seduced and charmed by his feeble rolling around. Meanwhile, Shen Qingqiu’s frustrated screaming is muted by the muffling of his gag. Luo Binghe still chuckles at the display. He could tell that his Shizun was seconds away from coming so he understands this display of frustration. However, now that he thinks about it, maybe it’s better this way—they should finish face to face. The thought of seeing Shen Qingqiu’s expression when he comes sends a new wave of precum flooding out of Luo Binghe’s cock.
Feeling merciful, he lifts Shen Qingqiu upright into a seated position. But before doing anything, he stares and appreciates the sight in front of him. Shen Qingqiu looks completely fucked out. Hair mussed and blindfold slightly askew. The gag in his mouth is soaked in drool, which also slicks his chin in a honeyed glaze. Luo Binghe thinks he must have lived a thousand past lives of righteousness to be so blessed today.
Reaching behind Shen Qingqiu, he carefully undoes the knots to free his arms. Shen Qingqiu hisses through the gag at the rush of blood circulating through his hands once more. To ease the painful pricks of new blood flow, Luo Binghe manually massages Shen Qingqiu’s tense arms with unyielding fingers. When Shen Qingqiu’s body turns as pliable as dough, Luo Binghe gently removes the gag from his mouth, rubbing circles at his jaw to relieve any stiffness. A pitiful whimper escapes his Shizun’s throat at the release, sounding raspy and tired. Lastly, Luo Binghe peels off the blindfold and freezes in shock. Shen Qingqiu’s eyes are red and watery with both shed and unshed tears. His lash line is darkened by his crying, looking every bit the portrait of a tortured god: unfathomably radiant and fatally beautiful. Luo Binghe straightens out the disheveled hairs haloed around Shen Qingqiu’s head and tucks them neatly behind his ears.
His hands hover for a brief moment at the edges of Shen Qingqiu’s face. Luo Binghe’s eyes are transfixed on the shiny gleam of spit coating Shen Qingqiu’s lips, still swollen from the stretch of the gag. Eyes clouded with want, Luo Binghe cups Shen Qingqiu’s face, swiping a gentle thumb over the plush of his bottom lip. Once it reaches the corners of his mouth, Luo Binghe hooks in a thumb, parting his lips. He leans in.
Luo Binghe’s lax tongue enters the ready heat of Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. He wants to savour every touch, every breath, every noise with his Shizun, though he knows there will be repeat exercises in the future. Shen Qingqiu’s mouth is so receptive and eager, leaking saliva as they kiss deep and open-mouthed. Occasionally, Luo Binghe expands the full length of his tongue to fill the entirety of Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. The responding sounds of nasally, wanting breaths set Luo Binghe’s nerves on fire. Luo Binghe welcomes it all, he’s already outrageously devoted to Shen Qingqiu’s taste.
At once, Luo Binghe pushes him down. He slides his cock back into the inviting embrace of Shen Qingqiu’s hole in one easy motion, and reconnects their lips. His lengthened tongue laps up each of Shen Qingqiu’s blubbering cries and wails at the slow, heavy drag of his cock. The constant start and stop of the evening has rapidly frayed at Shen Qingqiu’s edges and his weak arms grab at Luo Binghe’s shoulders, desperate to hold onto anything. It doesn’t take long for him to start begging. Incoherent mumbled pleas fill Luo Binghe’s ears while Shen Qingqiu’s trembling, searching hands find his and they instinctively lace together. Soon, Shen Qingqiu’s mouth hangs open with sobbing pants as Luo Binghe’s steady grind picks up to a beating canter.
The ascent to Luo Binghe’s peak is fast arriving, so he increases his pace, thrusting harder. He’s long grown acquainted with the location of Shen Qingqiu’s prostate and has no difficulties launching a final targeted attack. For good measure, he sends his blood parasites to speed things along with a nice massage to that special bundle of nerves inside his Shizun. Shen Qingqiu screams, head thrown back and full body tensing at his impending orgasm. Luo Binghe bends down to give Shen Qingqiu a languid kiss on the cheek and says, ardently, “I’ve wanted this for so long, Shizun. You’re mine.”
Just like that Shen Qingqiu explodes, convulsing hard and clenching tightly on Luo Binghe’s own pent-up cock. Heightened moans cut through the air, and Shen Qingqiu fucks his hips upwards into the searing cock to ride out his peak. If Shen Qingqiu gets any louder, their neighbours are going to hear, thinks Luo Binghe. But good, let the world know Shen Qingqiu belongs to him and him alone.
Luo Binghe rocks Shen Qingqiu through his climax, relentless until his howling turns into throaty keens and whines. Once Luo Binghe feels the last of the wet release between their stomachs, he speeds up again. Sensation narrows down to the focal point of his cock, arousal seeking its conclusion as he mindlessly thrusts with abandon. He can hear small grunts and feel tiny jerks from Shen Qingqiu who predictably tries to escape the overstimulation. Eventually, a slight clench from Shen Qingqiu’s ass sets him off. Luo Binghe comes, squeezing their connected hands. A hot thick layer of Luo Binghe coats Shen Qingqiu from within. He rolls his hips through his orgasm, spouting euphoria-addled declarations of love and praise to his Shizun. Then finally, with immense satiation, Luo Binghe’s body collapses. He presses a soft kiss on Shen Qingqiu’s mouth in an unspoken thanks.
Catching his breath until his heart rate slows, Luo Binghe gets up from their sticky bodies to continue kissing all over Shen Qingqiu’s face, carefully kneading tender hands on his Shizun’s jaw.
“Shizun, you’re so amazing. I will cherish you forever,” Luo Binghe says, moving down to mouth against Shen Qingqiu’s neck. Although the body under his hands is slackened from their lovemaking, his Shizun’s arms are probably still sore from the bondage, and so Luo Binghe presses deliberate thumbs into the deep tissue of his shoulders. Feeling giddy in his post-orgasmic haze, Luo Binghe keeps blathering as he continues to massage Shen Qingqiu. “You know, Shizun, all I’ve ever wanted was to talk with you and spend time with you. I am eternally grateful that my plans tonight have finally fulfilled my truest desire to be your lover.”
It takes a beat or two, but Shen Qingqiu promptly shakes out of his own post-orgasmic haze at Luo Binghe’s words. He was getting lost in the gentle wringing of Luo Binghe’s clever fingers on his body, but the draining tension from his muscles also brought more clarity to his mind. With enough wherewithal to speak again, Shen Qingqiu coughs once before asking, apprehensive to know the answer, “Um, what do you mean your plans tonight, Binghe?”
Shen Qingqiu had been under the impression that their reciprocal love confession this evening was born of spontaneity, sheer luck, and the right atmosphere. Sure it’s become apparent that they’ve secretly loved each other for a long time, but why was Luo Binghe making it sound like he specifically planned for tonight to happen?
Silence.
The expression on Shen Qingqiu’s face grows wearier the longer he waits for an answer. Meanwhile, Luo Binghe contemplates the consequences of coming clean or not. But after some reflection, Luo Binghe feels that this evening’s spectacular sex is definitely the clearest confirmation of their indestructible love for each other, so he forges ahead.
“Shizun, first promise me you’ll never leave me. Say that you’ll always want me too!” He gets a little indulgent towards the end.
A small annoyed huff from Shen Qingqiu is all he gets, but the reddening cheeks and downcast eyes that accompany it are more than enough affirmation for Luo Binghe.
“Well, Shizun, I wanted to spend time with you really badly, and Yunmeng sect is the farthest away, so it only made sense. And the Wen already hate Yunmeng, so I just—“
“Wait, what? Slow down Binghe, I don't understand.”
So Luo Binghe starts from the very beginning.
*************
Oh my god.
Luo Binghe’s ‘plans’ go back horrifically further than he thought.
“What have you done, Binghe!!? You started a war!? Just so you could talk to me??!!!” Shen Qingqiu’s yelling pitches up near the end in stupefaction.
Manipulating world affairs is not how you court someone, you stupid puppy!!
More importantly, Shen Qingqiu hates camping. Who knew he could’ve avoided months of shitty backpacking if he had just bucked up and approached Luo Binghe first?!! Internally, Shen Qingqiu’s eyes roll so hard they might as well fall out their sockets, and he imagines running himself through with his sword over and over.
He just knew something was off about this whole trip. Especially those fucking bandits-for-hire. Literally what the fuck, Binghe??
And he can’t believe that damned tentacle monster was also the feat of his conniving disciple.
I have a shellfish allergy, you fucker!!!
He bristles at the fact that he suffered memory loss and ugly facial swelling thanks to his disciple’s great ‘plan’ to slay the monster—ridiculous!! Does Luo Binghe even know that the Head Snatching Beast is generally docile and tame?!!
Shen Qingqiu fumes, trying not to let the anger rile him up too much with Luo Binghe sitting so close. Some deep, hidden part of himself is thrilled and flattered by Luo Binghe’s obsession with him and he’s worried he might pop a noticeable boner.
To quell Shen Qingqiu’s boisterous yelling, Luo Binghe tackles him back onto the bedding and rolls them back and forth. Shen Qingqiu struggles in his grip.
“Shizun still loves me no matter what, right?” The smug lilt of Luo Binghe’s voice gives away the fact that he already knows the answer.
The impromptu wrestling session roughly rubs their fronts together and sadly reawakens Shen Qingqiu’s little friend. He can still feel the phantom fullness of Luo Binghe inside him from not long ago, and he quietly craves it again. So, as angry as Shen Qingqiu is right now, he has an idea that will make himself feel better.
Shen Qingqiu frees his arms from Luo Binghe’s bear hug, sliding purposeful hands around Luo Binghe's back instead. The bulk of his muscles flex at the touch. Brushing light circles across his back with teasing fingers, Shen Qingqiu then slowly drags his hands down Luo Binghe’s spine to grope at the plush of his ass.
Shen Qingqiu decides to deliver an empty threat, just to fluster Luo Binghe for once, “How about I use the jade pillar on you now, hmm?” He will relish Luo Binghe’s pretty flush of mortification, and then they can get back to their regularly scheduled programming. There’s no way this could backfire, right?
Luo Binghe’s eyes light up and he pounces.
The next morning, Shen Qingqiu finds Shang Qinghua lounging with a towel around his waist, eyes closed, soaking in the vapours of the steam room. The watery haze obscures Shen Qingqiu’s vision until he walks close enough to clearly see him. Red smudges litter Shang Qinghua’s neck and chest, but he seems indifferent about flaunting the evidence of his licentious pastimes. Shen Qingqiu supposes it doesn't matter, it’s just the two of them in the bathhouse anyway.
The sound of Shen Qingqiu’s footsteps startles Shang Qinghua, his eyes snapping open. A deafening silence rings throughout the room. Shen Qingqiu knows his own neck and torso paint a very similar picture to Shang Qinghua.
The two stare at each other in the ringing silence, a shared understanding passing between them.
Without a word, Shen Qingqiu climbs onto the bench next to him. Thank god Shang Qinghua knows when to keep his mouth shut. Shen Qingqiu has a slight throbbing headache from yesterday's night exercise and he doesn’t want to talk about it.
The quiet peace of the steam room slowly eases all the tension from his muscles. He closes his eyes and inhales the steam. He could very well take a nice nap here and—
“So—” Shang Qinghua starts.
*************
Yunmeng Sect Leader Jiang ruefully snatches the enclosed letter from his junior disciple. Ugh, another letter to add to the piles of paperwork towering on his desk. Great!
He walks back to his office, scrubbing tired eyes as he breaks the seal to read its contents, belatedly realizing it’s an official invitation for something. His eyes quickly scan the letter, catching on two notable names.
Last year was the worst year imaginable for Sect Leader Jiang. With the brutal assault from the Wen sect, thank the heavens they had such strong political allies who came to their aid from all corners of the cultivation world.
The most memorable of their allies had to be the leader of the demonic realm, Demon Emperor Luo Binghe. At the banquet, he left quite an impression on the esteemed lords and ladies of the court, all enraptured by his proclamations of love and devotion to a certain individual. And, of course, who can forget that cold, elegant beauty in question who bewitched so many with so few words. This is the duo featured in the invitation.
You are cordially invited to the official wedding ceremony of Demon Emperor Luo Binghe and Peak Lord Shen Qingqiu. To be held at QingJing Peak of CanQiong Mountain on the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
Please RSVP by the new year.
Well, he can’t say he’s surprised. Luo Binghe basically claimed the Peak Lord as his husband even back when they had first arrived in Yunmeng as diplomatic envoys last year. Even Sect Leader Jiang can admit he was a little jealous at how openly and passionately Luo Binghe waxed poetic about his lover—detailing their future plans once their union was made official. Looks like that day is finally…one year from now on the eleventh!
Luo Binghe’s decade-spanning endeavour to lawfully unite the demon and cultivation worlds in equal parts spirit and practice was admirable. After all, as a politician and a cultivator, Sect Leader Jiang can appreciate the high stakes of a long-game rich with diplomacy and love.
Looking at the piles of papers waiting for him at his desk, Sect Leader Jiang lets out an exhausted sigh. Sure, why not—he’ll go to the wedding! He could use the excuse for a vacation away from Yunmeng. Besides, ever since Shen Qingqiu developed that rapid-speed transportation array (direct from QingJing Peak to Yunmeng!), travel time now only takes one day! Sect Leader Jiang hates to travel far distances, and apparently, many travelers this year have encountered a terrifying tentacle beast a few towns away from Yunmeng.
He’ll tell his junior disciple to RSVP tomorrow.