Chapter Text
“Dumbfuck author, dumbfuck novel!”
Noble last words for a recluse.
His final thoughts before they reeled into a panic were fixed on Airplane and his nonsensical, horny ramblings! All of that time he spent scouring the digital pages of Proud Immortal Demon Way and for what?! Nothing! He got nothing! He loses! Good day sir!
So much world building was wasted on sex scene after sex scene. Just when he thought that the reader would be able to latch on a special item, plant, monster, curse—SOMETHING—it was magically corrected by papapa and never to be utilized again.
In fact, the only magical item that ever remained present in the story was Xin Mo and even that was barely realized beyond a golden finger and yet another reason for papapa!
Then the expired food and oblivion.
[Activation code: “Dumbfuck author, dumbfuck novel.” System automatically triggered.]
The afterlife shouldn’t sound like Siri.
[Welcome to the System. This System operates in line with the design concept “YOU CAN UP, NO CAN NO BB”; we hope to provide you with the best possible experience. It is our sincere wish that during your time you can fulfill your desires and, in accordance with your wish, transform a stupid work into a magnificent, high-quality, first-rate classic. Noted—client complained of Xin Mo being the only item of true significance to play a long lasting role in Proud Immortal Demon Way. Your criticisms have been noted and are being processed for analysis.]
[Activating alternate time-line! Assigning Role…please wait while your role is assigned.]
Shen Yuan’s only source of light in the endless void was a buffering circle. He was also forced to wait for an absurd amount of time. If he still had internet access, he;d leave a nasty review.
And Proud Immortal Demon Way? Fate was truly cruel to reincarnate him in that senseless world. At best, he’d be a nameless NPC that would watch the events of the novel from afar. Perhaps he’d even sell some of his wares to a passing cultivator. However, knowing his luck, he’d end up in the role of someone Lou Binghe kills in a creative yet convoluted way.
[The System was successfully activated! Bound Role: Shen Qingqui’s sword, Xiu Ya.]
Xiu Ya?! That’s the scum villain’s sword. How could he take on that role of an item? His role was to stab the protagonist, stay latched to the hip of the scum villain, and then be mounted on the wall as a trophy?!
[Role assigned, timeline chosen—we hope you enjoy, User 002!]
His first moment of awareness made him consider the system might have been a hallucination while in the throes of death because he found himself in a void that could very well have been an afterlife. However, as his senses returned he realized it wasn’t a void, but some kind of—apartment? A room with no doors, but there was a low-platform bed carved from darkwood and adorned in silk embroidered with clouds and framed with curtains. Along the wall stood a low, elegant vanity carved from red sandalwood with curving legs and rounded curves that held a bronze mirror the size of a dinner place seated on a lotus shaped stand. Elsewhere were all the items he’d expect from a cultivator—a meditation mat, an incense burner, and even a potted bonsai.
The walls and floors, even the arched ceiling were all carved from pale green jade, veined with gold and misty white. Panic set in for a moment as it seemed the only possible exit was a window placed at the end of the room, wide as his shoulders and sitting low enough for someone to observe the outside while sitting. He assumed the previous inhabitant did this frequently based on the dented cushion sitting beneath it.
Is this some kind of waiting place for the next phase of the afterlife? That was his conclusion until he started exploring the room and nearly screamed at the mirror’s reflection.
Upon a second inspection, he could see his new face. It certainly fit the absurd beauty standards of PIDW with a fine, elegant face and inhuman jade eyes one could only find in a turd-sandwich book like this. Seriously Airplane—could you make one character your audience could possibly relate to?
To top off his fantasy character design, he had long shocking white hair which was what initially startled him as he believed for a moment he had transmigrated into an elderly person until he matched the probably eternally youthful face with the ridiculous hair he’d only choose inRPG customization.
Interrupting his inspection, a blue screen flashed in front of his face.
[Starting M-Points: 100. As the plot progresses, various point types will gradually become available. Please ensure no score falls below zero, or the System will automatically mete out punishment.]
Okay, somehow—as a sword—he was supposed to progress the plot. Was this apartment some kind of holding area for a personified Xiu Ya? Was he currently strapped to the scum villain while he dealt out punishment on the poor protagonist?
He pressed his face to the window and couldn’t see anything but pitch black.
“System? What is my current location?” Shen Yuan asked, poking the air to prompt the system’s reappearance.
[CURRENT LOCATION: Baizhou in the Yuaquong Hallow, a cave serving as the hiding place for Xiu Ya.]
The actual sword was trapped in a cave—so was this apartment inside the hilt or something?
Shen Yuan pushed on the window, then banged on it, and then threw a stool at it and found it had not even left a scratch.
“Was Xiu Ya actually in this cave in the original or are you making stuff up?” Shen Yuan deadpanned only to receive a shrugging emoji in response.
Okay, he needed to progress the plot, but he was trapped inside a sword—in a cave.
“Why am I even here? Did someone steal Shen Qingqui’s sword or something?” Shen Yuan huffed. After no response from the system, he started rifling around and under the bed he found at pile of journals under the bed. He plucked out one and flipped it open only to find a digital symbol resembling a padlock resting on physical paper. “System, did you lock me out of Xiu Ya’s journals?”
[User 002 can unlock Xiu Ya’s journal entries by completing missions and obtaining M-Points!]
“How am I supposed to do that inside this cave?!” Shen Yuan roared, shoving the journal back under the bed and throwing himself down on the mattress.
[Beginner level quest issued. Location: Yuaquong Hallow. Quest: Help Shen Jiu hide from his attackers. Please click to accept.]
The blue box provided the option to “Accept” or “Reject.” Shen Jiu was the name used by the scum villain prior to becoming a peak lord. Okay, well at least this mission sounded like all he had to do was be picked up by Shen Qingqui and be wielded against these attackers.
The option blinked green and prompted a ding.
[Quest successfully accepted. User 002 must use his spiritual energy to reach out and guide Shen Jiu to him.]
“How am I supposed to do that?” Shen Yuan raged.
[...]
[We notice that you have encountered difficulties before even trying. Would you like to spend 50 M-Points to activate easy mode?]
Shen Yuan didn’t appreciate his system’s passive aggressive tone. He begrudgingly clicked accept and found himself overwhelmed with sensation, awakening his senses to the world beyond the sword and extending his will to seek out any sentient nearby being.
[Easy Mode Activated: Instincts Awaken Under Frustration]
Shen Yuan found himself extending his qi and sending out gentle pulses—he sensed anger, frustration, and beneath it all—terror. This person was running for their life while fueled on pure adrenaline.
He shifted his own emotions and channeled a feeling of warmth to invite this person. Even if it wasn’t Shen Qingqui then he’d at least get removed from the cave. Finally, after enough prodding, he could hear footsteps approaching and heaving breaths. A glow began to emit from the sword and he could see a young boy run into the hollow.
The boy was visibly malnourished and filthy and the glowing sword did little to alleviate the hardened expression carved into the young face. He spared little time inspecting Xiu Ya before flinching at the sound of voices from beyond the cave.
In one natural move, he managed to pick up the sword and hold it aloft.
“System, shouldn’t Xiu Ya be way too heavy for someone of his age and health?” Shen Yuan exclaimed. It seemed in death plot conveniences were his own personal hell.
[Shen Jiu is Xiu Ya’s destined wielder.]
“Ah, so it’s some Excalibur logic—wait! This boy is Shen Qingqui?” Shen Yuan exclaimed.
[Shen Jiu, destined to become Shen Qingqui, Peak Lord of Qing Jing Peak and Mortal Enemy of Lou Binghe. At this point, Shen Jiu is ten years old. Status: slave.]
This didn’t match any of Shen Yuan’s headcanons for Shen Qingqui’s backstory. Everyone assumed he was some rich noble who had entered the cultivation sect through nepotism and attained his nasty attitude and disregard for his inferiors from a life of luxury. This child was more akin to a cornered animal than a frightened rich kid.
Shen Jiu huddled behind the rock where Xiu Ya had been lodged and kept the blade close, his eyes trained on the entrance.
“I need to be able to help him.” Shen Yuan prodded.
[Easy mode is still active. In this timeline, Xiu Ya can materialize a physical form for periods of time.]
Okay, so he needed to lean into those instincts. Shen Yuan began imagining this body in the cave—next to Shen Jiu—blocking the entrance and found nothing. If anything he had a headache because he’d started to physically strain.
Then, a loud shout from one of Shen Jiu’s pursuers echoed in the cave and that child let out a heartbreaking whimper. His eyes were wide with terror as he held a sword he didn’t know how to wield it.
Shen Yuan couldn’t let this continue!
A blinding light emitted in the apartment and the sword’s glow increased in Shen Jiu’s hand. From the jade embedded in the hilt, a spirit emerged, growing in size until it reached that of a man and materialized into the Xiu Ya sword’s human form.
The glow the sword had possessed transferred to Shen Yuan leaving the blade an empty shell without his own spiritual energy. The absence of its luminance didn’t stop Shen Jiu from lifting the blade at him to defend himself from the strange ghost that was now occupying the same cave as him.
That pinched yet terrified face left Shen Yuan physically grasping at his chest to soothe the sympathetic ache that had only increased. He’d pat the boy on the head if he didn’t think Shen Jiu would bite his hand.
Shen Yuan channeled his best kindly mentor facade and extended his arm in a peaceful gesture albeit a safe distance from the boy’s teeth. “I mean you no harm, young one. I apologize for frightening you. It has been so long since this one was free.”
[User 002…it was a maximum of an hour.]
His attempts at soothing this feral child did very little based on his body language and those voices were only growing closer.
“I suspect those men aren’t your friends. Allow me to draw them away.” Shen Yuan punctuated this with a whirl of his long sleeves, feeling very confident in his ability to reuse the same ability that drew Shen Jiu to him, but used for the opposite effect.
He turned to where the cave extended out and allowed his qi to flow outwards; he shuddered at attackers' hearts stifled with a stench of greed and wrath all seeking to punish the child pointing a blade at him. With a rush, he intentionally used his energy to mimic the sound of steps behind him, adding a childish giggle he might elicit in the event of a successful escape attempt. The ugly feelings turned away and pursued the illusion, leaving himself and Shen Jiu hidden for the time being.
“There!” Shen Yuan clapped away imaginary dush from his hands and plopped down across from the boy, now eye-level with Shen Jiu.
Though the boy did not sit with him, he kept the blade pointed towards Shen Yuan, but carefully moved towards the mouth of the cave and confirmed his attackers were running in the opposite direction.
“Why did you do that?” Shen Jiu hissed, his defense not lowered in the slightest. He didn’t ask how, but he asked why.
To Shen Yuan the answer was obvious; to Shen Jiu the answer was impossible.
“Kindness should be repaid tenfold. Xiao didi rescued me from the blade so I will protect him in turn.” Shen Yuan answered.
Shen Jiu spat on the ground in response. “I don’t believe you, old man.”
“Xiao-didi shouldn’t be so weary of kindness. I curse the cruel ones who’ve made you doubt it so.” Shen Yuan sighed. He had no response to being called old. His white hair certainly was a valid reason to call him that and he honestly had no idea how old Xiu Ya was.
“Don’t call me that.” Shen Jiu hissed, now clutching the sword like a life-line.
“Will you share your name with me then?” Shen Yuan. “I’ll go first. I’m—”
[WARNING: User 002 must follow his role and not reveal transmigration status or account will be terminated.]
‘Stingy bastard. It’s not like anyone knows I’m Xiu Ya.’
With a deep sigh, Shen Yuan finished. “I’m Xiu Ya which is also the name of the sword you hold, my home and previous prison.”
“Why were you inside of it?” Shen Jiu asked.
‘Fantastic question! System, care to help?’ As expected, it was silent when needed. Improvisation was required!
“I’ve long wondered that myself. In the centuries spent within, I’ve lost my connection to the past. However, what I do know is I’ve been waiting for my destined wielder and he seems to have found me!” Shen Yuan internally cringed behind his kindly facade. He wanted to hide his face for using such an overdone isekai trope, but it is what it is.
“Me?” Shen Jiu asked.
“How else could someone as young as you hold a sword so heavy?” Shen Yuan logically retorted. “May I know the name of my wielder?”
The boy stared at the ground, clearly unaware of how visible his internal strife was. Finally, his eyes met Shen Yuan and forced out: “Shen Jiu.”
Shen Yuan breathed a sigh of relief now that he could drop the act of being unaware of that detail. Still, he didn’t know where to go from here.
“Why were you running from those men, Shen Jiu?” Shen Yuan asked.
“None of your business.”
‘And we’re back to this!’
[Multiple quests issued! Location: Qui Estate]
Shen Yuan’s eyes whirled for a moment as the system continuously typed out a list of potential objectives for him.
[Long-Term Quest: Raise a Good Egg, Not a Bad One! Objective: Prevent Shen Jiu from becoming the scum villain. Status: 0.5% Complete. Failure Condition: If Shen Jiu develops excessive resentment, obsession, or inferiority, Scum Villain Path will activate.]
[Long-Term Quest: Build a Home That Cannot Be Taken Away! Objective: Create a safe, emotionally secure environment that allows Shen Jiu to grow without fear of abandonment. Status 0% Complete. Time Limit: Ongoing (critical before Qing Jing Peak arc), Failure Condition: If Shen Jiu expresses the belief that love is conditional or that he must "earn" care.]
[Long-Term Quest: Break the Cycle! Objective: Intercept the karmic thread tying Shen Jiu to his tragic canon fate. Status: Passive tracking. Failure Condition: Self-explanatory.]
‘That’s…a lot. Still doesn’t explain what I need to do!’
None of which explained the situation he was walking into. Clearly Airplane’s vagueness about the scum villain’s apparent tragic past was integral to his behavior, but the current reader had no ideas about how to go about this. However, the context clues on Shen Jiu and the quests didn’t paint a pretty picture. This was someone that clearly didn’t have someone looking out for him and it seemed the system twisted its way into giving Shen Jiu a supportive adult figure and yet couldn’t do it without the constraints of being a sword!
“Are you trying to make me owe you?” Shen Jiu snarled, still refusing to sit near him, preferring to stay by the cave opening to likely monitor his previous assailants and ensure a quick escape route if needed.
“You owe me nothing.” Shen Yuan replied. “If you’d allow me, I’d repay my own debt by ensuring Shen Jiu is able to wield this sword with the proficiency of a legendary cultivator.”
Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. “As if I need your help.”
“Xiao Jiu is very capable!” Shen Yuan tried.
“Don’t call me that!” Shen Jiu hissed, lifting the sword again now the angry look on his face revealed something haunted beneath the surface. No more nicknames for now.
“If you wish, I’ll only call you Shen Jiu.” Shen Yuan agreed.
“So if I tell you to go back into the sword, you will?” Shen Jiu questioned.
[While Shen Jiu is Xiu Ya’s destined wielder, he lacks the proficiency to be its master. You are not bound to obey him.]
“If it would make you more comfortable, I can. I'll inevitably need to return to avoid suspicious eyes.” Shen Yuan supplied.
“What if I decide just to sell the sword?” Shen Jiu tested, inspecting the fine craftsmanship.
“This sword would be sad, but if it is Shen Jiu’s wish to do so I will not stop him.” Shen Yuan deflated a little bit. The thought of being passed from pawn shop to decoration on a random lord’s hall was a little depressing. It also was counter-productive to his quests, but Shen Jiu wouldn’t react well to being pushed into accepting him.
Shen Jiu contemplated his response for a time. His decided answer: “You’re annoying—so you’re in a trial phase. Make one wrong move and I’ll sell you or throw you in a river.”
“You’re very kind.” Shen Yuan forced out through gritted teeth.
“Tch. Drop the act, old man.” Shen Jiu scoffed.
“Do I look so old?” Shen Yuan whined.
“Get back in your sword. I’ll have to sneak back in so I can hide you so don’t come out unless I tell you.” Shen Jiu ordered.
Shen Yuan nodded and rose to his feet, provoking a careful step back from Shen Jiu to further the distance between them. Channeling his qi once more, Shen Yuan found it much easier to be drawn back into the gem than it had been to leave. His physical form dissipated into wispy streams of energy and flowed back into the jade embedded in the sword’s hilt.
From within, he could watch through his window as Shen Jiu scrambled for a way to cover the sword, settling on using his own shirt. Poor kid–and poor Xiu Ya because now he couldn’t see through the window!
With a dramatic sigh, Shen Yuan flopped back onto the bed, thankful that being carried around didn’t result in his little apartment being jostled around like luggage.
“System, I don’t suppose you could provide a memory package of Shen Jiu for me? You know, to aid my noble quest.” Shen Yuan asked the air.
[User 002 is well-read enough to know true bonds are formed through trust and shared experiences.]
“Worth a shot.” Shen Yuan sighed before rolling over and settling onto his pillow, surprisingly tired for doing nothing more than making fake noises and talking to a feral kid. Still, as exhausted as he felt just navigating Shen Jiu’s emotional landmines, he couldn’t imagine how exhausted the kid felt feeling them.
~~~
‘I should just sell it. Get the money and run. They’d find you. Get the money and stow it away for when you need medicine or food. Yes, do that.’
And yet, Shen Jiu clutched the cloth-bound blade to his chest as he exited the cave, hoping the strange man inside couldn’t see him doing it. He said he was its destined wielder which could be a load of shit at best or a scheme at worst. What slave is destined to wield a fine blade like this? It was one with power meant for a renowned cultivator.
If Qiu Jianlou found it, he’d take it from him. He’d say someone like him wasn’t meant to possess something of such value. He should throw it back into the cave just to avoid the subsequent beating.
Still, he didn’t. He tucked it under his arm and walked solemnly towards the Qui Manor. The frigid wind scraped against his bare skin causing him to silently curse Xiu Ya for stealing what little warmth it would have provided.
He’d watched cultivators come and go on the streets and at the manor, but none of them had ever shown signs of their swords containing strange men inside. Perhaps it was just his bad luck. Perhaps this sword was actually some kind of demon that would come to life and slaughter the household. The thought wasn’t nearly as frightening as it should have been.
It did merit the idea it could make him strong enough to overpower Qiu Jianluo one day though. If he was truly destined to marry Qiu Haitang–he wouldn’t be small forever.
He’d mastered the art of sneaking back inside the estate through a small crack in the wall and his small window though this time was more difficult with the sword. One day he’d be too big to use them and he might be truly trapped then.
Once inside his small room, he rolled back his cot and rubbed his hands along the floor until he found the plank that he’d methodically picked away at until he was able to lift it. Upon opening it, he could look at all the earthly possessions that truly belonged to him.
A red ribbon that had once been the possession of that kind girl that had taken care of him before she was sold, a coin Qi-ge gave him right before Qiu Jianlou captured him, a talisman he’d found left behind by a wandering cultivator, and a piece of broken pottery that was his current primary weapon in a worst-case scenario. He quickly placed Xiu Ya known beside them, admiring its placement next to the talisman.
They had both belonged to someone important and now they belonged to him. He repeated it three more times before closing the wooden plank.
He didn’t lay down, preferring instead to wait patiently for the inevitable arrival of Qiu Jianluo. He’d arrive ranting and raving soon enough because of his foolish decision to run away from his punishment rather than face it head on. Perhaps it was because Qiu Hiatang had left to go shopping so she wouldn’t come happily skipping around the corner to unknowingly save him. Perhaps it was his lack of sleep.
As predicted, Qiu Jianluo barged in and kicked Shen Jiu in the stomach, sending his body slamming against the wall. His hair was fastened tight in Qiu Jianluo’s grip and his body hauled up so his toes scraped the floor. For a moment, he heard the plank shift and he let out a horrific whimper which caused Qiu Jianluo to smile with sickening pleasure.
“So rare I hear you cry out in pain, Shen Jiu.” He jeered, shaking him around slightly as if he were a doll. “You ran away earlier when aware that unsightly behavior deserves due punishment.”
Unsightly behavior was existing.
Shen Jiu’s world narrowed down to punches and kicks carefully delivered to his body lest Qiu Haitang see bruises on his face. Focused willpower kept what little in his stomach from remerging.
“And you returned without the shirt my family so kindly provided you.” Qiu Jianluo tutted, his voice drifting through the pain. “That warrants more discipline.”
Shen Jiu’s head slammed down against the floor in a final blow, sending lightning bolts from his cranium to his eyes and causing the world to flash between life and nothingness.
“You never learn.” Qui Jianluo sighed. “Clean yourself up. You’ll attend my sister tomorrow at her calligraphy lessons. Ensure you are presentable.”
And finally, the door slammed shut, but the world did not realign. He needed to get up—he needed to—
Time passed without meaning, senseless feelings and waves of nausea rolled over him until a cool sensation on his forehead cut through the agony. It pressed, then caressed. A hand–someone was touching him—
His hand caught the wrist of his assailant only for his eyes to focus first on a head of white hair and then those unnatural glowing eyes. Xiu Ya. His stupid face drenched in pity.
“Don’t touch me!” Shen Jiu threw his hand away and scuttered back to the other corner of the room.
“You’re hurt.” Xiu Ya protested. “He–that boy he—”
“I told you not to come out.” Shen Jiu snarled. “How did you—?”
“I heard—I heard him hurt you. I wish I could have stopped him, but–” Xiu Ya supplied, his voice gentle and quiet. The spirit rested back on his feet with his hands visibly resting on his legs. Shen Jiu saw the plank was unmoved and realized Xiu Ya could emerge even with the physical barrier between them.
“I’m selling you tomorrow.” Shen Jiu stated, splitting blood on the floor. He wouldn’t sleep here knowing this strange man could emerge whenever he wanted.
“Shen Jiu, I’m—I’m sorry. I only wanted to help you.” Xiu Ya protested.
“I don’t need your help. You’re a nuisance.” Shen Jiu then threw one of his shoes at him. Xiu Ya could have caught it, but he just let it smack him in the face. There was something off-putting about this physically ethereal being letting his sandal strike him even if it didn’t even leave a smudge of dirt.
This would be when Xiu Ya would lose his temper. He’d scold Shen Jiu, tell him he’s a pest, strike him—
“I’m not going to hurt you, Shen Jiu. I swear it on my life.”
“You’re a liar.”
“That boy shouldn’t hurt you. You doesn’t deserve that.” Xiu Ya stated. There was a furrow in his brow, a clench in his fist—a sign of anger, but his gaze was fixed on the door where Qiu Jianluo once stood.
“You don’t know anything.” Shen Jiu let himself slide down to the floor, unable to keep himself aloft.
“Before you take me to the market tomorrow, will you let this one watch over you tonight?” Xiu Ya offered.
“No. Go back inside your sword and stay away from me.” Shen Jiu ordered.
Xiu Ya sighed. “I understand.”
While Shen Jiu had initially thought the sword spirit was an old man from his hair, it was clear while Xiu Ya was likely ancient, he was beyond age. His youthful face evoked ghosts of passing rare kindnesses—that girl that had taken him in, the old man that gave him a steamed bun when’d fallen in front of stall, or Qi-Ge helping him fend off bullies. All of those people were outnumbered by cruelty, but still—
“What do you want from me?” Shen Jiu asked.
A small smile snuck onto Xiu Ya’s face. “Right now? I want you to get a good night’s sleep.”
With that, Xiu Ya’s form slid back down below the floor and out of sight.
“Stupid old man.”
He never slept well.