Archive of Our Own

After pushing Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss, Shen Yuan was ready to give up.

He had nightmares of Luo Binghe coming back to him and dismembering him. And then he’d wake up, covered in cold sweat. Sometimes he’d have dreams of his white lotus disciple, cooking congee, and feeding him food, only to discover it slowly bled to red. Because his disciple tricked him into drinking his blood parasites.

It was driving him mad.

And yet. Shen Yuan missed him dearly. The two of them were almost inseparable prior to the conference. Luo Binghe stuck by his side. Assisted him with his peak lord duties. Combed his hair, did his laundry, and served him food. It wasn’t like he kept the boy around as a maid, but Luo Binghe had been a constant comfort.

And what more could he ask for in a disciple? Binghe was brilliant in everything he did. So quick to learn. So easy to teach except when teaching him martial forms. He still couldn’t understand how his Binghe had trouble with that.

But the look on Binghe's face when Xiu Ya stabbed his chest! Luo Binghe looked betrayed and lost as he fell into the abyss. That was something that kept haunting him.

Shen Yuan sighed. And he stared at the mound he made filled with the soul stones he won during the competition.

Shen Yuan felt lost and listless.

He heard the birds chirping and the insects in the hot summer sky.

And that was when he heard a ping.

‘System? System what the fuck?’

Shen Yuan was panicking because right after the system announced the event, it became unresponsive.

So, nervously, he reached out to his disciples. It’s the first time he came out of the bamboo house and wanted to take his teaching duties seriously. Because who knows what kind of trouble the system was going to bring him again?

“Shizun… are you alright?” Ming Fan approached carefully.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Ah… Shizun. Your eyes.” Ning Yingying looked sad.

“What about my eyes?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

And he reached up and found that they were wet. And instantly he felt embarrassed.

“Ah… something must have gotten to my eyes.”

“Shizun. There’s no need to hide it. If you’re still mourning for A-Luo. We understand. You don’t need to teach us. Shizun. Let’s just accompany you…”

And somehow they ended up in the Qing Jing Peak Bamboo Grove. There was a clearing in it and his disciples started putting up a performance for him. Lanterns were put up. And there was a festive mood.

Shen Yuan felt cold as he wrapped his body with a blanket. And his disciples looked very alarmed but kept at it.

There was alcohol passed around. Food and other drinks. Sweets. Which his disciples all but started piling before him.

Some of his disciples were performing the Qin, while the others were dancing and reciting poetry.

What a rambunctious group.

And as the sun sunk in the horizon, he saw three figures in the sky.

Yue Qingyuan. Mu Qingfang. Liu Qingge, and they carried with them an assortment of stuff.

Blubbering along, Shang Qinghua came next saying he’d been tasked to deliver Zui Xian’s specialty drinks.

And instantly, Shen Qingqiu felt his mood worsen.

But he couldn’t murder the other man just like that.

“Shidi.” Yue Qingyuan greeted and landed behind him, and an ornate box was placed before his table.

They clearing was filled with straw mats and it looked like a disorganized picnic.

“Is this the brat’s send off?” Liu Qingge asked and dropped a fuzzy looking thing before him.

Yue Qingyuan smiled tightly and tapped Liu Qingge’s shoulder and mouthed, “Read the mood.”

And Shen Qingqiu, once again reminded of his missing disciple entered a sullen mood.

“Thank you for the gifts. There is no occasion… I don’t know why… but my disciples suddenly wanted to throw a party.”

“Ah…! It’s because… it’s Shizun’s birthday today!”

“Is it?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“Ah…”

“I don’t remember my birthday.” Shen Qingqiu sighed and wrapped his arms around his knees.

Instantly, Mu Qingfang placed a cup before Shen Qingqiu and was pouring something pink looking.

“I’ve managed to get a hand on calming peach ivory tea. You should drink it... Shen-Shixiong.”

“Fussing over me… it’s not like I’m hurt or anything.” Shen Qingqiu said before drinking the said tea in one gulp.

And instantly he could feel his muscles relaxing.

He fell back and landed on someone’s unsuspecting lap.

‘Oh no.’

“What’s wrong? What did you give him?” Liu Qingge touched his face worriedly.

“Ah… why do I see two of you Liu-Shidi. Don’t look so scared… nothing’s wrong… this one is just tired… have to…”

There was alarmed shouting all around him.

But the next moment he opened his eyes, he was entering a door that spanned a hundred meters tall and a hundred meters wide.

The double doors seemed to beckon to him, and around him, he could see faint outlines of ghosts. Ghastly looking things.

There were twins who met him at the door and handed him a mask.

“For your safety, we encourage you to keep close guard of your identity. Please wear this mask since it will prevent others from finding out who you are.”

“And why should I be concerned with that?” Shen Yuan asked himself.

“The Gala is hosted by the supreme powers of all that can ever be. It is a token of appreciation to those who pave the way for heroes to come to life. For without darkness, there can be no light. We hope you enjoy this night.”

And when he passed the threshold of the large door, Shen Yuan realized that his shadow form started to gain resemblance to Shen Qingqiu. He placed the silver black mask on his face and saw that the door descended to a lavish assembly.

The steps were wide, and long. And on both sides, red liquid, eerily resembling blood flowed.

From the gathering, he could feel a sick, and almost threatening atmosphere. And on his guard, he assumed his resting bitch face, and tried to play the part of the untouchable immortal because ‘System I want a refund!’ it really was scary there.

Already, once he descended the steps, he could see that there were people who wore modern clothing, and they looked like they were from his era. Business suits for the most part, and they held on their hands a glass of wine each, and they conversed. Some, sensually, threateningly and laughingly.

And then, a fight broke out, and masked women appeared from thin air and touched the instigator and he screamed in the worst way, before his form was eviscerated.

“We do not tolerate aggression of any kind. Please refrain from injuring the other guests and enjoy the party!”

And they vanished into the shadows.

The pillars looked as if they were made of black liquid.

And the floor was shining and filled with mist.

So many villains. He stopped counting at fifty. Since he could spy possibly thousands, or hundreds of thousands since the entire area looked so massive. Some wore horns on their heads and carried tridents. They spoke in old english and was difficult to decipher. Some were even aliens.

Then, there was this creepy old man who had a flat face and had red eyes 'Voldemort?!' With his heart thudding at his chest, Shen Yuan continued on. All this mad crazy people in one place was making his heart palpitate.

If he didn't already know that fiction can be literally real in other worlds, he'd say he was just attending a villain cosplay community but the atmosphere was stifling.

He could not see the ceiling, but it reflected those below like an inky black mirror.

It was a wide open space, and there were refreshments of drinks, and entertainment everywhere he looked.

He spied game stations in one section where curious looking people were hanging around. Someone wearing roman armor started to touch it, while a teenager wearing jeans instructed him how to use it. A few scantily clad women came to play too and Shen Yuan hurriedly tried to look for a safe place to go to.

After walking for a good ten minutes, he saw a wide open space where a Haitang tree was planted by the wall. The petals were artfully falling on the wide circular table and it was empty. And he pushed past a congregation of people with weirdly colored hair. And even grotesque aliens, who spoke a language he did not understand just to get to it.

Shen Yuan held a hand to his mouth when he looked to the right of him and saw tubs and tubs of organs and dead bodies and saw that there were humans, demons, and other monsters had started gathering to partake of the weird looking feast.

Two men wearing business suits were flirting and he could even hear the conversation. "The flesh is quite exquisite, don't you think so? Will? But serving them delicately like this requires a bit of seasoning. Let me cook you a meal."

"After you." And they went to a nearby area where a cooking station was placed.

'SYSTEM! HELP! AHHHHH My EYES!'

Trying to calm himself, of this very strange dream, he kept his eyes trained at the empty table. He saw people who wore xianxia clothing standing close by. And he tried not to look at all the other attractions.

'Just keep walking straight. Just keep walking... keep... walking.'

And for some reason, the distance he assumed it would take to go to his destined table was multiplying. And he was already getting dizzy. Shen Yuan resisted the urge to curl down and pretend everything around him didn't exist.

On the way to it, he was given a strawberry milkshake by a male server wearing a bunny suit. "Enjoy!" Which was rather nostalgic. And before long he was eating a chocolate mousse cake that could be squeezed out of a bag.

The milkshake made him woozy, and a little drunk. And when he looked at the label, he spied Strawberry Shroom Milkshake.

‘Oh god.’

In the upper levels, he spied guest rooms, and louder music was played. But he could hear the faint moans of. Sex.

He finally reached the table, and was just about to sit down.

‘Ahhh System. System… this villain gala is really not my thing.’

“Wanning?”

Shen Yuan was startled when a tall man wearing emperor robes started moving towards him.

“Shizun?”

That was very familiar.

“Binghe?”

And Shen Yuan shivered when large pale hands possessively curled around his and pulled him over towards a table.

“I was beginning to wonder where you went. Of course Shizun would be invited too…”

And Shen Yuan felt irritated, after taking a look at the profile of this stranger, nothing about him looked remotely like Luo Binghe. He was a tall man who screamed dominance with his gait. And Luo Binghe wouldn’t touch him like that. Not so possessively as if he was something to be owned.

“Get your hands off. I’m not who you think I am.”

Shen Qingqiu took out is fan from the pocket of his inner robes and spread open it to cover his mouth.

“Ah. Forgive this venerable one. It’s just that you remind me of my consort. Now that I think about it, my Wanning is more slender. To the point of being thin. I haven’t been taking care of him well lately. He’s sick all the time.”

Shen Yuan choked. ‘Your consort? Taking care of him? Sick? How?’

“Ah. Forgive me for not introducing myself. This venerable one’s name is Taxian-jun. ”

And the man smiled at him cheerily before taking a hold of his hand and dragging him towards the table.

“This venerable one wishes you to accompany me while I wait for my Shizun.”

And Shen Yuan, who had nothing else to do, decided to come along.

The party was just getting started, Shen Yuan was treated to a dance by a phoenix looking lady. The walls, suddenly burst with light, and fireworks began.

Drinks were being delivered to every table.

It felt like a networking party that his parents used to organize for events.

And pretty soon, there was the organizers or someone he thought belonged to part of the staff, and they were opening a curtain, and a floating ball went up the huge dome which resembled the night sky that covered the gala.

“Welcome, esteemed guests. In this realm, you are welcome to do anything as long as it does not harm any of the other guests. We will provide refreshments, food, and any entertainment that you wish to have. There is no limit to what you can wish for. We will provide it all to you. Consider this our thanks for supporting Chaos within your respective worlds. All you need to do is think of it, and we will cater to your whims.”

“Fascinating.”

A voice from their right said.

And a kindly old man who looked really muscular and was dressed in white robes entered Shen Qingqiu’s line of vision.

And before long, another man shimmered to existence before him. He wore pale white robes, had bandages on his neck, and a laughing crying mask. “That you can wish a person into existence is a power that even I do not have. Xie Lian, come here.”

Shen Qingqiu watched as the man began petting Xie Lian’s head like a pet.

“How satisfying.”

“What’s so satisfying about petting him?”

A red robed menace from the looks of it, who was carrying a full jug of wine came to sit on their table. The actual table and not the seat.

“Looks pretty boring to me.”

“Wei Ying! Get back here.”

“Make me.”

And it was the first time Shen Qingqiu was able to see a person without a mask. This person had flowing white and blue robes and held a grimace. And he was running after the man in red and black.

“This is so weird…” Shen Yuan grumbled. "I'm Wei Wuxian, by the way. This man right here is called Lan Zhan. He can be pretty annoying so don't mind him!" "Wei Ying!"

Taxian-jun was observing this, and suddenly said, “I want to see Wanning.”

And Shen Qingqiu saw that on their table, a sickly, barely clothed man wearing red began to hide behind Taxian-jun’s side.

“You… Where are we?”

And before long, Shen Qingqiu began thinking of Luo Binghe and all of a sudden he felt arms wrap around his waist.

“Shizun!...”

Shen Qingqiu turned around. He was still wearing Qing Jing Peak robes. He looked well. And Shen Yuan started crying.

“Binghe!”

He trembled as he embraced his poor little bun. It’s been too long. His poor heart was beating madly at his chest and Luo Binghe was crying as well, before pressing him closer to his side.

“Shizun… who are they? Why are we here?... Why are you wearing a mask?”

“Binghe. It’s a long story. This master… can’t tell you the truth… and perhaps even if I do, you will forget about it.”

And the man who was petting Xie Lian’s hair suddenly gripped it tight.

“Nggh.”

“They’re not real. These things. They look and feel real, but they’re just beings you’ve conjured from the depths of your heart. My boy would not bow down to me, no matter what I did to him. While this is pleasing. He can never pass for the real thing.”

And Xie Lian disappeared.

Shen Qingqiu tried to blink. And he understood it for what it meant. Perhaps in the depths of his heart, he wanted Luo Binghe to still treat him as his master. To still run to him and call him Shizun.

And when he looked beside him, he saw Taxian-jun who had been ravaging his consort’s mouth halt to a complete stop.

“Wanning will do whatever I want?”

And before long, this crazy man beside him said, “Spread your legs.”

And Shen Qingqiu turned away and forcibly turned his disciple’s head away.

“True… how obedient. You are right, old man. This is not my Wanning at all… This venerable one is losing interest..”

Wanning disappeared.

“So Binghe isn’t real?”

“I’m afraid so.”

"Shizun he's lying. Shizun this one is real!"

And Shen Yuan sighed, cupping his disciple's face, "It's alright. Stay with me even if you're fake. I missed Binghe too much."

And Luo Binghe's eyes started tearing up, "Shizun."

Shen Qingqiu ordered another glass of wine. Despite knowing that Binghe was fake, he kept his disciple by his side and his Binghe glowered at his companions when they came too near.

Before long, these powerful men began sharing their stories.

“My original name is Bai Wuxiang. However, now I go by Jun Wu. I am the greatest god of the heavens, and the greatest calamity to Mankind. I’ve birthed demons and gods to maintain balance in the world.”

And Shen Qingqiu was interested, “What does it feel like to be a god?”

And Bai Wuxiang paused, “Would you like the honor of becoming one? It is difficult to explain it unless you've lived it. Tell me, child. What is your name?”

“Shizun, don’t say it.”

“Aiyah. What harm could it do? This one’s real name is Shen Yuan. And this body is called Shen Qingqiu.”

“Shizun?... Shizun has another name?”

And it was Shen Yuan’s turn to ramble. “I was originally a normal man who came from a world in the future. In that world, there are no gods, demons, or anything similar to cultivation. However, I cursed a novel I was reading and transmigrated to inherit this body - from Shen Qingqiu who is a villain.”

“So you mean to say, you’re innocent. Interesting. But I have been told that there are no innocent people at this Gala.” Jun Wu asked with barely hidden curiosity, “What crimes did you commit? For you to be sent here?”

Shen Yuan looked down on his lap, and looked at Binghe, “I pushed him down into the Endless Abyss. It’s a place filled with monsters… No one should be able to survive it.”

“And yet you cling to him as if you cherish him… This, I can relate to. I have done terrible things to my chosen heir, just so I can mold him but he remains steadfast in his beliefs.”

And Shen Yuan felt annoyed. “It was not like I wanted to. I was forced to.”

“Shizun… Shizun didn’t push me there because he wanted to kill me?”

And Shen Yuan grumbled, “Of course not. It's a requirement by the system. It ensures that the world follows some sort of script.”

“Fate? This venerable one does not believe in that.”

And Wei Wuxian, who was calmly dozing on the lap of another cultivator piped in, “Shen Yuan, have you ever been kissed?”

Shen Yuan went red.

“... What’s that have to do with any of this?”

Wei Wuxian snickered and sat up before plopping himself on his companion’s lap who looked irritated. “Ahhh. This feels good. Lan Zhan wouldn’t ever let me do this to him.”

Wei Wuxian continued, while flexing his fingers in the air and wriggling it suggestively, “It’s no good if you don’t have fun before you die. See. If you’re not turning into a ghost, or you’re not turning into a god, then after you live your life, you’ll be reincarnated, forgetting all the memories of your first life. And by then it’s too late.”

“This Venerable one has had plenty of fun.”

“This one has no need for... fun. Such plebeian desires may harm your cultivation. Even my child has sworn off such things to keep his martial powers strong.”

And Wei Wuxian gave Bai Wuxiang a disgusted look.

Shen Yuan piped in, “In our world, dual cultivation is quite popular. But this one just has no use for it.”

“Shizun… but as a heavenly demon, I might cure-”

Shen Yuan placed a hand on that mouth.

“Perhaps the two of us are quite similar. You are quite enamored with your own disciple. ”

“I’m not- like that. With Binghe.”

“Shizun?”

“Oh? Don’t lie. You like him a lot. It’s pretty obvious. This Venerable one has lived long enough to see what attraction is like.”

And Shen Yuan sighed and placed both of his hands on his quickly warming cheeks.

“If you have never been kissed-”

“I have been kissed. Once!”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “So you’re a virgin!”

“S-Shizun is a virgin?”

“This Venerable one can help.”

“No one touches my Shizun!”

And Shen Yuan started petting his disciple, “I believe… that was just a joke.”

Taxian-jun continued, “This one believes that there is nothing wrong with being attracted to your student. Or your master. I have tried my best to hear a confession from Shizun but my baobei is so stubborn. We have been married for too long and still, I have yet to hear him declare his love for me.”

And Shen Yuan recalled just how scared this “Wanning” looked when he appeared before them. He pondered how to make Taxian-jun, who was probably the epitome of an S, understand how to woo his shizun. Not that he cared. But he had enough background information from his other life since his meimei was heavily into BL.

‘System, how long do I have until I can get out of this madness?’

“Strange, is that the entity that controls your life?”

“You’re able to see it?”

And there were nods.

“So… the system is called UV002.”

And Shen Yuan began ranting to his companions. Sharing the story of his troubles of being Shen Qingqiu. Without a Cure. The Immortal Alliance Conference. “Shang Qinghua betrayed Cang Qiong. I swear if I see him, I’ll kill him. Mobei Jun wasn’t supposed to be there… and… there was a time limit. If I didn’t push Binghe, then the system would have killed me. So… So I had to… Binghe. This master is sorry. This master is really really sorry… I never intended to hurt you in any way.”

“Shizun… this one finally understands… Don’t worry Shizun, I forgive you.”

Wei Wuxian was laughing before saying, “I feel sorry for you.”

His companion looked solemn, “It must have been hard.”

“And if you’re destined to die by his hands, then perhaps, we can strike a deal. I am powerful enough to grant you divinity. Or perhaps... we can make the system treat you a little bit better, if you let me.” "Eh? You can do that?"

“This venerable one believes the system is similar to the Zhenlong Chess Formation. If so, we can break it. And this venerable one can travel through worlds. If you need a safe haven, my palace has enough empty rooms for you to hide in.”

'Serves you right.'

Shen Yuan shook his head. “You… both of you are too kind.”

“I’d offer to take you in myself,” Wei Wuxian added, “But I'm dead.”

“You’re dead?” Shen Yuan gasped.

Wei Wuxian nodded, and the hold his companion had on him tightened.

“Being dead has its benefits. You’re removed from the stupidity of the world.”

Shen Yuan pursed his lips, “What’s your story?”

“I became a lord of Demonic Cultivation. I invented things that… sadly, caused a lot of trouble in the mortal realm. And everyone thought I was evil.”

Wei Wuxian was unwilling to elaborate even further, and Taxian-jun turned towards him, a wolfish grin was on his face, “My shizun also likes to invent things. He always made a mess. This venerable one always had to clean up after him.”

Shen Yuan saw how fond Taxian-jun’s expression was and said, “You must really love your Shizun.”

And all of a sudden, it was as if the air around them turned frosty.

“No. This Venerable one considers Chu Wanning as his most hated person. This venerable one would want nothing more but to see Chu Wanning suffer.”

Shen Yuan shivered and pointed out, “But you married him. And you said, you want him to love you!? How… how can you hate him so much?”

And Taxian-jun laughed, “This venerable one believes it would be the greatest humiliation if Shizun falls in love with me. I murdered his sect. And all the others he keeps around him. Chu Wanning has no choice but to fall for me eventually. His body is already mine. I only need to make him see how futile it is to fight me.”

Wei Wuxian threw a bone at Taxian-jun, after finishing a chicken drumstick.

“If you like someone, just say so. If you hate someone, just kill them.”

“This venerable one does not expect a dead man to understand.”

“You-”

“Lan Zhan! Help… Don’t let him hurt me.”

Shen Yuan sighed and inched away from a possible fight. 6 hours of this madness.

And Bau Wuxian patted the spot next to him.

Shen Yuan had this weird feeling that Bau Wuxian reminded him of his own father, and before he knew it, he was inching towards Jun Wu.

“Shen Yuan, would you allow me to see your face? These masks prevent us from seeing the souls of another person. But because I am a God, once I see your soul, I will be able to find you. No matter which world you live in. I will be able to visit your dreams, and when the time comes, you only need to call, and I will have you ascend to the heavens.”

But Shen Yuan remembered the instructions at the door. Never to take it off.

“Why hesitate? It is a choice we are free to make. Are we not friends? Being a God has many benefits… for one. You have no need to fear death. And since I own the heavenly realm, I can keep you safe.”

The bickering between Wei Wuxian and Taxian-jun halted to a stop when Shen Yuan said, “Is there a way to prevent other people from seeing me? I… don’t want the other people-” Shen Yuan gestured with his fan to the outside world where the other villains were roaming around, “to see.”

“That can be arranged.”

And when Bai Wuxiang said that, a shimmering curtain of darkness wrapped around their table.

“Oh.”

Then, gingerly and with great care, Shen Yuan took off his mask. The entire table was staring at him.

And Shen Yuan opened his fan to cover his face. Bai Wuxiang held his arm and carefully lowered it.

Taxian-jun’s brows were furrowed.

“Why do you look so similar to my Chu Fei?”

And Shen Qingqiu’s resting bitch face twisted into alarm when Wei Wuxian leaned over the table and compared his face to his companion’s.

“Hmmmmn… too similar. Wait, let me take off my mask.” Wei Wuxian said cheerfully.

“This venerable one feels the mask is silly anyway.”

And before long, Shen Yuan was looking at the mature and very kindly face of Bai Wuxaing. Taxian-jun looked the part of a domineering emperor. And without the mask, Shen Yuan realized this man was very attractive. Almost similar to Luo Binghe.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes were red and demonic, but otherwise, it looked playful when the eye color changed to black.

And beside him, Binghe looked angered, “I won’t ever let anyone take Shizun away from me.”

And Shen Yuan had to pacify him, “I… don’t think I’m going anywhere Binghe.”

“I noticed that Shen Yuan hasn’t eaten anything except sweets. Do you like them a lot?”

Shen Yuan said defensively, “I love sweets. I don’t get to eat enough in Qing Jing Peak.”

Bau Wuxian was nodding along.

“What about spicy food?” Wei Wuxian quipped,

Shen Yuan frowned, “Occasionally. But I prefer sweet food.”

And Wei Wuxian snapped his fingers. “Say, A-Yuan. Would you like to try my specialty?”

And Shen Yuan stared at the red bowl of rice before him and he dug in. After the first two spoonfuls, he could feel his mouth burn.

“W-water.”

Shen Yuan had no care for spicy things, but he could tolerate it… after eating the first four mouthfuls because his mouth finally adjusted to the taste and he was eating through it.

Wei Wuxian looked interested, “Wow. You… you can finish it.”

And Shen Yuan scoffed, “Of course. But I don’t like it. Too spicy.”

And Taxian-jun’s brows furrowed, “Let me have it.”

“Not for you!” Wei Wuxian pouted.

‘How childish.’

And Shen Yuan pushed the bowl towards Taxian-jun, who started coughing when he swallowed it.

“You call this food?”

“Hah! That’s what you get from trying to steal food from someone else. That was for A-Yuan you freak.”

“Wei Wuxian, you fix your mouth,” Lan Zhan admonished and arms tightened around Wei Wuxian like a clamp.

“Eh… but.. Something about him… I don’t like him, Lan Zhan. He’s like a dog. You know I hate dogs.”

Bai Wuxiang laughed heartily, “You are correct. His soul… does resemble a dog’s. Though I would say, it is more demonic than human’s.”

“What do you mean, old man?” Taxian-jun glared.

Bai Wuxiang’s eyes narrowed, “It is a pity that you cannot see your soul. A flower constricts upon it, making it quite dirty. If you are willing, this one can do you a favor and cleanse you. But you might not survive it.”

“No need. This venerable one does not need your help. This venerable one is perfectly fine.”

“Suit yourself.”

Shen Yuan drummed his fingers, and Binghe tugged at his sleeve. “Shizun… Shizun’s been eating food that this disciple hasn’t cooked. Does Shizun like the food here more?”

“No. Not at all. Nothing can beat Binghe’s cooking. This master has not eaten until today… and it just so happened that the food they serve here reminds me of my other home.”

And Binghe’s eyes were shining, “Will Shen Yuan tell me about his other home?”

This disciple of his, even though he was just created as a figment of his imagination, was too real and so, Shen Yuan narrated the modern world. How Proud Immortal Demon way was just a novel there. And how Luo Binghe was his favorite character.

Binghe enjoyed his narration, and Taxian-jun seemed to be listening as well.

As time went by, since the rest of his companions were a little chatty themselves, possibly because of the alcohol, Shen Yuan had gotten to know of the horrible story of Taxian-jun, who used chess pieces to control the living and turned them into slaves. The man murdered and pillaged the cultivation world and he was the most powerful entity there who was apparently obsessed with his Shizun and his dead friend.

Shen Yuan shivered when Taxian-jun handed him a black chess piece, as a gift.

“Should you need to control someone, let me know. I can make you an army of puppets.”

But pretty clearly, Shen Yuan figured out that Taxian-jun actually cared for the Shizun he supposedly hated, because the man, after drinking several bottles of alcohol, confessed that he only had his Shizun left. And he thought himself mad but couldn’t help himself.

He did not want to know the many R rated details of their traumatic love affair.

So Shen Yuan consoled him, and preached about honesty, “Surely, if you're honest with your own feelings to… ummm… to Chu Wanning, then he would reciprocate it.”

“You think?”

The man had taken off his head piece and was digging fingers into his own hair looking quite frustrated.

“He thinks I’m no good. That I’m hopeless. And everytime I’m reminded of that, I feel so furious. One day I will let you meet him and I bet you will tell me the same. He is the most cold hearted man I have the displeasure of meeting.”

“But you love him.”

“No.”

And Shen Yuan sighed, “Misunderstandings are common and the only way around it is through communication. And so, all you need to do is tell your Shizun the truth. That you do care for him. That you do love him.”

“But this venerable one hates him.”

And Shen Yuan quoted his therapist this time, and said, “If you hate someone, it doesn’t mean that you can’t love them. Love and hate can coexist. Two opposing truths can coexist. For example, this one cares a lot for Binghe.”

“Shizun… This disciple cares for you a lot too!” And Luo Binghe pressed his chin on his shoulder, for the effect.

“Aaaand. This one is also terrified of what he might become in the future. Because I know that he can turn me into a human stick… So I both cherish him, and feel afraid of him.”

And Taxian-jun nodded.

“Going by that logic, why not tell your disciple the truth?”

“Ah. If I tell him about it, I might die.”

“Why?”

“It’s because of the system… I can’t divulge its existence or else, I’ll be kicked out of the world and be sent back to my original world where my body is already dead.”

“Hmmn. Then why not turn into a ghost?” Wei Wuxian said out loud.

Shen Yuan laughed, “I… I don’t really know how this all works you know. And I’d rather not risk dying again for my second life. I’m quite fond of this life… even if I’m pretending to be someone else.”

“Aww… If. If I live again, I can call your soul out, and let you inhabit a better body. We can even make it resemble your face in the past.” Wei Wuxian offered.

‘No… I don’t want to be a zombie thanks.’

“Then, become a god. I’ve taken a liking to you, Shen Yuan. It’ll be easy enough. You’ll be celebrated once you ascend.”

And Shen Yuan almost wanted to cry. He missed his father from his original life very much. The fatherly vibe he got from Jun Wu made him relax.

It felt like the safest option.

“Okay.”

He felt like it was safe enough until Jun Wu told them a brief summary of what his life was about.

Sacrificing the lives of thousands, no, millions of people.

Playing with them - to the point that he birthed monsters or demons, in order to maintain the balance of his world. This God in the heavens only cared for humans to the point of using them as a power source. It made sense because if there were demons, then the gods had something to do. The gods who were prayed to, benefited from the existence of the many demons.

And Xie Lian, who got caught in the mess, was being turned into one as well. Both a demon, and a god.

“Old man, why are you so obsessed with this Xie Lian?”

“He resembles me. Our pasts are quite similar.”

“Isn’t that because you caused the plague? If you didn’t interfere with his life, wouldn’t he be different?”

“I don’t believe so. Xie Lian, is one of the most talented Gods that has ever ascended. I have great plans for him.”

And that was that. Shen Yuan wanted to light a candle for this Xie Lian, and hoped it was not too late to say no to the offer.

And Wei Wuxian was laughing.

“That’s so boring. If I had eternal life, I would spend it chasing after beauties. Drinking wine, and having fun.”

Out of all of his newly found friends, he sympathized with Wei Wuxian the most when the man slipped and confessed, “I really just wanted to help… but I lost control in the end. The world thinks I’ve been demonized. My best friend wants to kill me… because I killed my sworn sister. And… only Lan Zhan stayed.”

Shen Yuan frowned, “So. So do you regret it?”

“I regret that innocent people had to die. But at the same time, I don’t regret killing all those who died. I don’t regret using resentful energy to make the dead do my bidding. I helped win the war, but lost in the end. Right now, since I’m dead. I can’t bring myself to care. Sometimes, I hear their prayers, you know. Because they pray to me for all sorts of evil things, most of them want me to kill their enemies, as if I’ll wake up and avenge them.”

“Interesting.” Bai Wuxiang said and continued, “Prayers and faith have managed to move mountains, and the stronger the belief, the stronger it can fight that which holds you back.”

“What holds me back?" "Death." "So you're telling me, I’ll live again?”

Bai Wuxiang smiled, “It is the most likely outcome. It is just a matter of time. If you are coherent during your sleep, then it means it’s already begun. What is being dead like for you, Wei Wuxian, or shall I call you, Yiling Patriarch?”

Wei Wuxian’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve never mentioned that name.”

“I have ways around to gather information. I am the God of the Heavens, after all. And I have numerous gods working for me. To find out who you are did not take too long. So, tell me, have you joined the ghostly realm? Or are you sealed in a place where there is no light, and only darkness?”

Wei Wuxian looked haunted.

Lan Zhan stood up and raised his sword against the man who only raised a finger against it.

“Calm down… calm down. Let’s not fight.” Shen Qingqiu tried to pacify the two.

“I meant no offense.” Bai Wuxiang said.

“I’m not interested in receiving help from you.” Wei Wuxian closed his arms and lied down on the chair on his arms and Lan Zhan sat down again, murmuring words Shen Qingqiu couldn’t hear.

And outside there was a white fan rapping against the black barrier.

“A-Xu. Look at this. This table is sealed.”

“Then let’s find another one.”

“But I want to sit here. Hey… you guys inside. You can hear me. Open the barrier!”

“Wen. Ke. Xing. Don’t be so embarrassing.”

And Bai Wuxiang placed his mask on and Shen Yuan hastily put his too. By then, the shimmering dome came down and they could hear the sound of music and the laughter and screaming of the gala.

“Ah. A-Xu. Come here. Look. They let us in. There’s plenty of space.”

This A-Xu had wide eyes and looked very ashamed.

“A-Xu, don’t be shy.”

And the two masked men squeezed into their table.

Binghe glared.

Shen Yuan sighed and began covering his face with his fan. And Wen Ke Xing’s playful face lit up.

When he woke up, Shen Yuan found himself staring at the concerned faces of his disciples.

“Shizun! What happened?”

Shen Yuan saw that all of them looked worried and Shen Yuan sat up, rubbing his head.

He still felt woozy from drinking all the alcohol. He would never look at fans the same way again. He didn’t know you could use them for killing people.

“Uggggh..”

‘How was this gala supposed to be fun, System?’

“I’ve had too much.. To drink.”

“But… Shizun, you only drank one cup of wine…”

“It’s this one’s fault. As his healer, I should know his constitution best.”

“Mu-Shidi. This one hasn’t been taking care of his health lately. I. I have not eaten ever since-”

And Shen Yuan looked around for his errant disciple but he was gone. He frowned, and then he felt something on his hand.

On his hand was a black chess piece.

Shen Yuan fainted.

In his dreams, he was sleeping on a white fluffy bed, and a hand was going through his hair.

“A-Yuan. If you call for my name, you will never have to suffer.”

“Baba?”

There was a chuckle.

“Silly child. No… my name… have you forgotten my name already? It matters not. If you wish me to act like your father, then I can do that as well. Such a fascinating child…”

Taxian-jun stared at the sleeping visage of his confidant. He had yet to formulate a plan to woo his Chu Wanning, but he frowned in distaste at the quaint lodging. Shen Yuan did not live in a palace, but a small bamboo house.

But when he saw the chess piece, carefully placed by the bed table, his gaze softened.

He decided to wait, and began poking Shen Yuan’s cheek.

When he did, as if summoned, someone beautiful appeared. A man with a mole under his eye.

“What are you doing here, trespasser!?”

“I’m Shen… Qingqiu’s friend.”

“Step away from him!” Cheng Luan was unsheathed.

Taxian-jun smiled, “Say… would you know where to find Shang Qinghua? My friend, you see, told me that he would very much want to kill him for being a traitor to this sect. I come here with no ill intent.”

“...really?”

And Taxian-jun smirked.

“I will tell you everything that I know.”

Shen Yuan slept through the chaos. And somewhere in the Endless Abyss, Luo Binghe was crying.

‘Shizun thinks I want to kill him… Shizun thought it was all a dream… But this one isn't fake. Shizun! Shizun, please wait for me!’

Luo Binghe tore through the abyss in record time.