Chapter Text
The demon lord examined the view into Shizun’s room — the one he prepared to host him. He noticed that evasive curtain sway that amused him.
Luo Binghe endured years of soul-rending havoc, now crowned in glory. He was the Demon King, the head of the Huan Hua Palace. Nothing and no one resisted him. Even women swooned at him. He was the best. And this fact made Binghe smirk.
But Shizun still ignored him.
His lips pressed in a thin line. This disciple looked up to Shen Qingqiu, from the day he sacrificed his cultivation for Binghe’s sake. He became a model student — the teacher’s pet. That bullying nickname made him cry on more nights than he dared to admit.
But it never mattered. It could not, when he shared cozy tea afternoons with Shizun, talking about aspirations, techniques and fancies — as old friends would.
He enjoyed pampering him with his baking skills and rejoiced in his praise. Yes, the praise... And that rare, precious smile — the one only he had witnessed from such a severe and presumptuous peak lord.
He even endured other kinds of bitter moments for his dear Shizun.
“Your grip is pathetic, Shixiong.”
“Hm…! My arm is recovering.”
A reverent silence settled between the two peak lords. The uglier, sullen one came closer, with cautious steps.
“Let me look,” he murmured, holding his arm with a feather-like touch. “It’s still swollen.”
His caress roamed — lazy, absentminded — until it reached his hands. He guided Shen Qingqiu’s arms gently into another defensive stance, holding most of the weight of the sword.
“Mn. This should be more comfortable,” he nodded, his gaze professional yet repulsive.
“Quite the expert, aren’t you?” he huffed softly.
Instead of giving his usual side-eye, his Shizun looked directly into Liu Qingge’s eyes, in a way that made the musclehead huff.
“To need such a simple lesson… How embarrassing of you!”
Shen Qingqiu crackled a laugh at that pink flush on the other’s ears.
Tsk. I’m strong too. And way more charming!
The demon’s blood seethed at the memory. He ground his teeth until his shoulders hurt. And there was more!
Shen threw him into the abyss! ‘And he used to say I deserved heaven’s blessing... Liar!’
His soul screamed with sheer betrayal. Shizun gave me hope — how dare he…?
And just when he had his fill of suffering, the news about his Shizun and that man’s fond relationship struck him.
He needed to return as soon as possible. He tore up his hands, scratching the sharp stone, climbing up. But he always fell — his own blood made him slip.
Tasting the dust on the ground, the dirt clung all over him — like a beast. Ragged breaths, ripped clothes, forced to kill… Luo Binghe was stained in ways he could never wash away.
Outraged, degraded, abandoned.
He couldn’t believe the audacity to brag about their stupid, novel-like romance while he was dying. He wouldn’t allow this. Never!
He sank gradually into madness. Eventually, he managed to pull a wicked stare — the same one he wore while staring through the window, in Shizun’s direction. He noticed the movement of a tiny shadow. And smiled.
What a happy occasion. He could already savor the delicious shiver of triumph running down his spine. Shizun was finally under his grasp. And no one would stop him from making his dreams come true — not even that stupid musclehead.
“Guards! Bring my guest here!”
Chapter Text
Shen Qingqiu struggled against the guards. He only managed to break out in a sweat; hands bound by a rough rope. He was forcibly dragged through the gilded hallways of the Huan Hua Palace.
In previous times, the interiors glimmered, boasting those lofty, marble ceilings. Now, they emanated a gloomy aura.
Not only was the lighting dim — the presence of those guards darkened it. The permanent musty stink didn’t help either. Do these demons even know how to air out a room?
Shen Qingqiu was tossed onto a carpeted floor — red and surprisingly velvety. The impact made him cough, yeah. But why did he have robes raspier than this?
With a glance, he noticed a crimson pattern on the curtains and bed canopy. The rest was dark. He didn’t have time to take in detail — his ancient disciple’s voice caught his attention.
“Leave us.”
This is the moment when I die, right?
The enormous, hulking, deformed monsters — also referred to as guards — bowed right away and closed the door behind them.
“Get up! I don’t want you to lie down.”
Huh. Try it yourself, with your hands behind your back and no heavenly pillar supporting you, pretty boy.
Shen Qingqiu couldn’t get up faster. He fell on the ground whenever he tried. The best he managed was sitting back on his ankles. His thighs ached from supporting his weight. It became clear he was unwilling to stand up, so Luo Binghe squatted to get their eyes on the same level.
The Shizun shrank away with a grimace — Binghe’s perfume was too intense and cloying to bear. The nausea kept him from avoiding the sudden grip on his jaw.
“It’s not a crime to have demon blood running in my veins,” he recalled the quote with a whiny, mocking tone. “Then why did you push me, huh, Shizun? Why!?”
Then, silence hung between them. What was there to say? If Shen Qingqiu ever admitted he mourned the white lotus Binghe, it would come as unbelievable. His heart dropped when Binghe’s fingers curled even more painfully on his skin.
Each rebuke sent sprays of spittle onto his face.
“You’re a hypocrite.”
Luo Binghe released his face with a shove, strong enough to make him fall and groan.
Shen Qingqiu managed to sit again. Then, he met Binghe’s crazed eyes with his most awkward screw face ever. Not even the romantic crackle of candles or Shen’s ragged breath eased that pestering silence.
“I’d kill you.”
Oh shit.
Shen Qingqiu’s deadpan stare intensified. The lifesaving item! Eh…? What do you mean, I can’t use it!?
The soft smile on Binghe’s face was terrifying and mirthless. This bound Shizun could only follow his shark-like walk with a side-eye, alert to any sudden approach. His heartbeat quickened with each deliberate footstep.
“You understand it’s too lenient to give you the relief of death. Right, Shizun?”
“…”
Since when were Shen Qingqiu’s limbs paralyzed? The churn of his stomach got tighter, transforming on vomiting urges. He couldn’t control the headache or his choking. Fuck!
In the main novel, Shen Qingqiu got just what he deserved — the bloodiest torture. In this universe he was free to roam around, though. He had access anywhere, even a spacious, neat room for himself.
That mercy couldn’t be free. Still, this Shizun couldn’t tell what kind of schemes were going on that vengeful mind.
“What will you do…?”
A disturbing laugh chilled his bones.
“I could flay the skin from your bones — slowly.”
The wicked tilt of his head and that vicious smile left a disgusting taste on his throat.
“But instead, I’ll make you feel everything. Every flicker of pleasure,” he said, a lazy caress roaming over his jaw. “And every twist of pain. Thoroughly. Until I make you desperate.” he promised, choking him into gagging out.
Luo Binghe’s eyes narrowed with each vow.
Shen felt his neck being released and heard a blank noise of “Guards! Take him back to his room!”. But he couldn’t be sure. It was all too quick. Though, the guards did take him away.
What was that…? Not Luo Binghe saying he pretends to kidnap me into Stoc Olmo’s syndrome instead of torture. Right?
Chapter Text
He was so dumbfounded… And he remained like that for a while. He almost missed the voice of an intruding maiden.
“My lord, would you like to dine in the hall?”
“No... I won’t take dinner.”
“As you wish.”
Once she left, Shen Qingqiu gripped at his face. His shivers persisted, and his thoughts were still blurred — even several hours after the exchange in Binghe’s quarters.
He curled up in a ball, finding solace in holding one of the pillows tight, “Qingge…”
He closed his eyes, a soft smile on his face. His breath finally calmed. Though, every happy dream ended up with the same bad joke. Dumped — by his lover.
_____________________________________________________________________________
“What are you waiting for…?” he crossed his arms impatiently, tapping his feet on the ground. “Move!”
“Huh!?”
“I said — get out of my sight.”
“What are you saying?”
Shen Qingqiu was affronted at first. But a twinge of distress struck him when the war lord didn’t back off. He closed the distance between them and cupped Qingge’s angled jaw. Tenderly — to hush him.
Qingge broke the moment stepping back. Shen’s hands hung in the air, pathetically.
“What has got to you?” he said, withdrawing his hands. “Why are you taking out on me?”
Liu Qingge turned to the side, tightening his crossed arms.
“It’s not related with today…”
“Oh, really?” he huffed, condescending. “Well, I can’t believe you, my dear…”
Again, Liu Qingge’s argument was vague. Shen Qingqiu’s clenched hands in fists. However, he spoke in the calmest tone he could.
“Let’s talk calmly on a stroll.”
“No.”
No visible reaction… And yet, Shen Qingqiu recognized a flicker of heartbreak in his eyes. Was it only the battlefield’s defeat? Or was his heart squeezing over his own words?
“No…? Okay, rest. Just… make sure to share your thoughts whenever you’re ready.”
“It doesn’t matter,” he sighed, rubbing his temples. “I’m already telling you that I’ … I’m not coming back to talk about it.”
Shen couldn’t believe it. Liu Qingge really turned around and walked away. Just like that.
“You expect to leave without an explanation!? Ta — “
“Stop being a nuisance!” he snarled. “Will you?”
Shen Qingqiu’s eyes widened — and watered. Qingge had never raised his voice to him. Never like that...
The air was taut. Heh… He was probably being ooc with that hurt lamb-like expression. Liu Qingge lingered, as if stirred by the sight. He even returned.
“Just don’t contact me ever again.” he insisted, his voice and eyes … were they almost soft?
Shen remained in place as Liu walked past him, hearing his steps growing distant. Still confused. And suddenly feeling colder.
Back then, Shen had no choice but to call it quits.
In those days, Luo Binghe’s army — already settled in the Huan Hua Palace — launched an assault to besiege Mount Cang Qiong. The peak lords and disciples defended their home. Some had died, for which Qingge blamed himself. They broke up. Not long after, Shen Qingqiu got dragged by a flock of demon guards.
And now he was here. Alone. Alone with a psycho.
He had never expected the tables to turn this way. But maybe it shouldn’t be that surprising — Liu Qingge had always told him to beware of that disciple.
Could Liu Qingge have anticipated this? If so… was Binghe’s threat the reason why he had been so insistent about leaving?
First, he felt a flicker of treason — Liu Qingge should have stood up.
Shen Qingqiu huffed, running a hand through his hair as he paced. No, Binghe’s the main lead. He can’t be defeated — not for now. Qingge couldn’t have won just out of passion. He would have got killed…
His line of action was forward-thinking. It was a poor relief, however. If he was honest, he still felt wrong with the mastermind — Binghe.
“Unforgivable...” he muttered, strangling the pillow.
After that short display of cruelty, he collapsed on the bed. Those thoughts made sense, yeah — but for now, he had no way to know. What if he was biased and Qingge just wanted to break up?
He held the pillow closer, taking its imaginary scent again.
Shen Qingqiu had a restless night. His stomach churned with famine and anxiety — his energy drained. He wasn’t feeling. Nor properly thinking. His mind was a churning mix of silence and screams, when he wondered who the fuck knocked this late.
He pressed the pillow against his face, wishing to suffocate. The door opened when he was groaning.
“…Shizun?”
“What!” It came off way ruder than he had intended.
He regretted the slip — but didn’t apologize. Instead, he sat properly, acknowledging his presence.
The door clicked. And Binghe sat on the bed as well.
“You’re having a restless night,” he stated.
Shen noticed the steamy bowl of congee on his hands. How ironic. Caring now? Huh, it’s poisoned for sure.
“What do you want?”
“Have I not already told Shizun?”
“You should reconsider.”
It wasn’t a weak plea for mercy. But a bold warning that Luo Binghe wouldn’t succeed on luring him.
“…Reconsider?” he said, smiling as if he had heard a joke. “No, Shizun. It’s my turn to control the story. Don’t pout now.” Reading his mind, Binghe suddenly murmured. “You’ve pinned him for years… You both make such a lovely pair.”
It sounded so bitter and mocking…
“Don’t talk like that.”
“Heh… Or what? Will Shizun push me to the abyss again?”
Shen’s features darkened. And yet, he couldn’t find the right words to answer back.
“No one is coming to save you, Shizun.”
“You’re wrong.”
Luo Binghe raised his brow, in amusement.
“If I’m wrong, where is your savior then?”
“Tsk, planning something.”
Luo Binghe’s rich, maddened laughter echoed on his eardrums.
“Keep telling yourself that.”
Shen hated how he had no arguments left. He furrowed his brows frustrated, even more as Luo Binghe kept provoking him. Shen wanted to snap at him or just defend himself. But he realized that he couldn’t talk. His lips were truly paralyzed — a powerful tingle crawling over them, draining all the blood from his face.
“Tonight, I’ve come to bring you dinner,” Binghe said, as if the bowl wasn’t enough of a hint.
“I already told the maiden I wouldn’t take dinner,” he thought, but his lips wouldn’t move.
Shen Qingqiu watched powerlessly how Binghe placed the bowl and an envelope on the nightstand next to his bed. Wait, an envelope too?
“Don’t let it cool. It’s better warm.”
“…”
“Good night, Shizun.”
He was dumbfounded. He didn’t realize how cold he had been until his circulation returned.
“The hell…?”
It seemed like he had regained his usual self-agency. Shen Qingqiu preferred to ignore that piece of paper. But he couldn’t avoid it forever. He reached it when the anticipation left him too restless.
The envelope was closed, but there was a protruding paper. A little note.
“Shizun, the explanations you need are written here.”
Shizun.
Binghe really called him that, after everything. Even after kidnapping him with those intentions, but also after being tossed like that, in an abyss, at 17…
Shen sighed. It wasn’t like he had had any other choice at the time. The system had been relentless for the plot’s sake… But now he was left to face a huge problem.
And as for the note, it was laughable. He’ll only gaslight me, that much is clear.