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Chapter Text

If asked, Shen Jiu would say it was Liu Qingge’s fault...

It always was!

.

…

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It started like a normal day… or as normal as it can get when you are Shen Jiu, Qing Jing Peak Lord who didn’t sleep a wink for three days because of his annoying Martial Siblings and annoying disciples… anyway! It was a normal day, (Dare Shen Jiu says) even a beautiful day. The sun was shining (Burning his eyes and increasing his ongoing headache) the sky was a clear blue that foretold an amazing day to be out (Forcing Shen Jiu to socialize and not giving him any excuse to stay in his beautiful house to relax) the birds were chirping happily from the branches of the trees they chose (Oh, and how Shen Jiu would have loved to catch those flying rats and turn them into minced meat, waking him at the crack ass of dawn just when he finally managed to gain an uninterrupted five minutes of sleep) And people were fluttering around the place doing whatever they do in mornings (Waking Shen Jiu up with their elephant-like steps and causing him to hold his pillow to his face and scream himself breathless) all in all, it was a pretty normal day in Shen Jiu’s life.

Except!

Today was the Disciples Selection Day…

Ah… lovely… another additional headache that refused to disappear from the face of the earth and come every year to torment Shen Jiu with the force of Nine Heads Fire Breathing Lizard. Shen Jiu could only gaze at the ceiling from his bed, wondering which deity he had angered in his past life to receive such a shitty life as retribution.

It wasn’t like Shen Jiu hated the Disciples Selection Day or anything of that likes, it wasn’t even the fact that Shen Jiu would be forced to choose some disciples and bring him into his peak only to bring shame to his name by their mediocre talents. It wasn’t even the fact that he would be forced to face Yue Qingyuan and his endless apologies that made Shen Jiu’s eardrums thrum in pain and his headache increase. It was just… socializing… ugh… a word that left a bitter taste in his mouth as he realized that he would be forced to socialize with people who hated him and would no doubt love to see him being thrown off their home as fast as breathing their next breath.

See… Shen Jiu’s problem wasn’t the other Peak Lords' hall Masters who would look at him in both fear (For what he would do if they crossed the line) and interest (For what they could gain if they get a little closer to him) it wasn’t even the annoying wanna-be-disciples that would piss their pants at the mere sight of his glare, not even their more annoying parents as they demanded that he take their talentless spawns under his tutelage and turn them into successful Cultivators (As if Shen Jiu was going to disgrace his peak with their presence!) The core of the whole problem was his annoying Martial Siblings who changed their facial expression as they saw him as fast as a Quicksilver Spotted python striking its prey.

Ugh… the Disciples Selection Day… the worst day of the year followed by the Spring Tournament, then the Summer Fair, after that the Autumn Market, and last but not the least of the many events Cang Qiong Mountain like to host, the Winter Games. All are events that needed Shen Jiu’s presence, and all are events that Shen Jiu preferred to be buried alive with Flesh Eating Centipedes than participate in.

Ugh!

It’s OK, it's fine, you can do this! Just show up for five minutes, insult the brats participating, and then leave to get Tanghulu!

Shen Jiu repeated like a mantra for what looked like a thousand times, knowing damn well that without the motivation he tricks himself into accepting, he would never move from his bed until this awful day was over. It was only half a Shichen later that Shen Jiu managed to detangle himself from his warm and comfy bed; cursing Yue Qingyuan and every other Peak Lord and their ancestors for the pain they made Shen Jiu go through.

It was another half Shichen before Shen Jiu finally left his Bamboo House, decked in all the finery of a Peak Lord as he glided to Qiong Ding Peak, cursing everyone and their mothers in his head to suffer a thousand deaths; too annoyed and tired to hold in his curses as he was forced into this annoying situation that was the selection of new disciples.

It wasn’t even like the Peak Lords would allow him to choose the disciples he wanted! They all would choose every talent they see and leave Shen Jiu with no disciple that was good enough for his peak, and later those assholes would have the gall to say that Shen Jiu does nothing to nourish the talents that came into his peak and was on a road trip to sabotage every disciple that had the potential to surpass him.

Preposterous!

Did those assholes not see Ning Yingying? A little girl no one chose in the selection several years back because of her low spiritual veins, now thanks to Shen Jiu, that girl was the best Spymaster that graced Cang Qiong Mountain Sect! With a knack for manipulation and games and a mind that noticed the slightest thing amiss; a pouty innocent face that had mastered the meek act, and made people spill their darkest secret. His Yingying was a Spymaster who knew the coming and going and what was happening in Cang Qiong Mountain Sect and the surrounding villages, with a spy network that reached even Huan Hua Palace and was a threat to Lao Gongzhu if the man didn’t look out. But does his Martial Siblings care about this?

No!

What about Ming Fan? The boy that no one spared him a look other than to giggle and mock him for mediocre talent and mediocre look? Now, the boy was the next Weiqi Master on Qing Jing Peak, with a sharp mind for strategy and a memory that enabled him to memorize all of the texts and books in Qing Jing Grand Library. No strategy of his had failed; not one plant, animal, or creature in the human and demon realms he didn’t know about and memorize their weakness, strength, and properties like the back of his hand. A walking library with knowledge that was unmatched in all of Qing Jing and possibly Jianghu. But what did his Martial Siblings do?

They treated his Head Disciple like a servant!

What about Hue Ming? That disciple of his was the best artist and sculptor in Jianghu! Creating art from a mere useless lump of stone and ink; an art so precise and detailed it looked like a living breathing entity descended from the sky. A boy that was so talented that the nobles and even the emperor himself had requested his art! What did his Martial Siblings do?

They belittled his disciple’s work!

And then there was Li Xie! A kid who was so talented and graceful that Shen Jiu considered taking him as his successor and Head Disciple if it wasn’t for the boy’s refusal. Talented in the four arts, in addition to reciting poems and dancing so beautifully that he managed to ensnare and move the audience with just a graceful step of his body. Again, can you guess what his Martial Siblings said to him?

They accused him of whoring his disciple!

And so many talented disciples that Shen Jiu’s Qing Jing Peak produced; only to be told daily he was talentless and that the disciples under his tutelage had wasted their potential because of him. Just because his disciples were mediocre at best in Cultivation, that didn’t mean their talents didn’t lay somewhere else; stupid Martial Siblings! Thinking that someone is only talented if they managed to bash their opponent's head and split it open, or at least have to be from a prominent or a noble family to have talent.

Assholes, lots of them! That’s why Shen Jiu preferred to pluck his own eyes and eat them then be forced to be in those ungrateful leeches presences! Leeches who didn’t even admit that most of the Sect’s income came from Qing Jing Peak and his disciples; that’s why Shen Jiu preferred to be anywhere but here, why would he show himself and choose a disciple if the other peaks were going to do nothing but belittle his new disciple’s talents until that disciple either left Cang Qiong to become rouge Cultivator or become recluse and meek when dealing with the other peaks.

No, Shen Jiu would prefer to leave the selection to the Peak Lords and their annoying feather-ruffling disciples who think themselves the best of the best just because they focused more on their brawn than their brains. At least by not showing up to those spitting contests, he would save himself the headache of dealing with his baboons of Martial Siblings.

Unfortunately, life hated his gut, and whatever God he angered in his past life was still angry at him; so off Shen Jiu went to Qiong Ding Peak, being forced to socialize and talk with Yue Qingyuan, whom Shen Jiu managed to avoid for thirty-three days and counting before this unfortunate day.

Here Shen Jiu was, standing on a high pedestal and gazing down at the little brats digging holes in the Qi-strengthened soil, ignoring Yue Qingyuan's desperate offer to talk as the famed Sect Leader acted like an annoying fly that refused to be swatted away. So, Shen Jiu gazed at the annoying children, his mouth twitching down as he noticed the absence of talented brats this year; it was only when he turned to leave, that he managed to zero in on a child near the border of the testing ground, digging the soil with a single-minded ferocity.

Shen Jiu raised his eyebrow in surprise, taking in the boy who for such a small body seemed to have dug a hole of a decent size; showing the boy’s affinity for Physical Cultivation, unlike the kids who dug and could only manage to break the outer Qi-infused layer showing their affinity for Spiritual Cultivation. As for the other brats who couldn’t even break the outer layer, they left their tasks midway and returned to their parents crying and stumping, showing Shen Jiu how much of whiny brats this year's selection has been.

“This year's selection seemed to host many talents.” Pfft! Shen Jiu almost started laughing at Yue Qingyuan’s desperate attempt to make Shen Jiu talk to him; talents? Talent his ass! Shen Jiu’s left shoe has more talent than the atrocity that was happening below!

“Zhangmen-Shixiong.” Someone said not that far and lo and behold, it was Liu Qingge coming toward them, giving Shen Jiu a fliting glance before he ignored him in favor of talking to Yue Qingyuan. Shen Jiu tried with all his might to surpass the eye-roll that oh-so-desperately wanted to appear, wondering how childish and immature Liu Qingge could be. “That one seems to be talented.” Liu Qingge said suddenly, snapping Shen Jiu out of his lovely thoughts of his warm bed; gazing at where Liu Qingge’s finger was pointing, Shen saw him pointing at the brat Shen Jiu spotted.

So, it started like this…

Shen Jiu let out a ‘Hmmm’ sound, agreeing with his Shidi’s assessment of the talent the youth had; the meaning of the sound seemed to be somehow lost in the translation as both Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge rounded up on him. Yue Qingyuan with a worried and apologetic look that he always donned around Shen Jiu, and Liu Qingge with rage flashing in his eyes; what happened next was spiteful words being spewed and accusations thrown Shen Jiu’s way, causing the Qing Jing Peak Lord to vibrate with barely suppressed fury at the audacity of his Martial Siblings.

It started like this…

The rest of his Martial Siblings when arrived, snorted at the scene and then started to spew even more speculation out of their asses about the kind of torture Shen Jiu was going to force upon the brat Liu Qingge selected to his peak. Someone (Wei Qingwei) went as far as to accuse Shen Qingqiu of giving the boy a faulty Cultivation manual and watching from the sidelines as the child died, while Qi Qingqi being the bitch she was, stock the fire further by saying that Shen Jiu would assault the boy because of his beautiful features… That more than anything made Shen Jiu clutch his fan so tightly it cracked in his grip; fury raged inside his body and set his Meridians ablaze.

It was a miracle that Shen Jiu didn’t lose it then and there and attack his foolish Martial Siblings, instead, he turned toward Yue Qingyuan who was trying to placate everyone without even saying one word to defend Shen Jiu from the Peak Lords’ accusations… figures… Yue Qingyuan would never dirty himself by standing up and defending Shen Jiu even when he was being defamed and slandered publicly.

“I want him.” Shen Jiu suddenly said through gritted teeth, his words freezing Yue Qingyuan and causing the man to fidget and his eyes to shift between Shen Jiu and the rest of the Peak Lords who scowled at Shen Jiu and started whispering among themselves.; but Shen Jiu ignored them promising himself that he would make them swallow their words when he turned that street rat at the bottom of this mountain into a Cultivator that was feared and revered by all of Jianghu. “I want him.” Shen Jiu repeated, glaring at Yue Qingyuan, hoping that idiot oaf wouldn’t make Shen Jiu use the ultimate weapon to get what he wanted; silence greeted Shen Jiu, making the Qing Jing Peak Lord twitch as a growl trapped itself in his throat. Damn it! it seems that nothing is going to work unless he brings the big deadly weapon out… hopefully, Shen Jiu won’t be K.O.-ed in the spot for daring to use this technique. “Qi-Ge, I want him…” Shen Jiu whispered in a soft voice that only Yue Qingyuan could hear, causing the stupid man to perk up at the mention of that damned name. As for Shen Jiu, he felt like he had hurled in his mouth and was forced to swallow the bitter bile once more, his throat contracting unpleasantly as he felt sick all of a sudden; a shiver of disgust ran down his spine as he tried to control himself from doing something stupid like cracking his head open to get rid of this cursed moment that passed between them.

It ended like this…

“As you wish!” Yue Qingyuan said, all but happy to give him the boy that not a few seconds ago, his Martial Siblings had accused him of abusing if ever fell into his hands; but Yue Qingyuan didn’t care about that, far too pleased and content by the fact he was called 'Qi-Ge' to pay attention to the other Peak Lords that all but exploded as they surrounded Yue Qingyuan and tried to change his mind; not that they can, not when Yue Qingyuan looked miles away and a few steps from ascension.

It ended like this…

Now when everyone was distracted, Shen Jiu took this as his chance and summoned Xiu Ya, all but yeeting his body off of Qiong Ding and descending into the testing ground, planning on kidnapping his newest disciple and sequestering him into Qing Jing Peak for the time being… or until he stopped being sick after bringing the big weapon that was enough to make Yue Qingyuan granted him his every whim.

It ended like this…

Shen Jiu reached the boy who was still digging, ignoring how every child and parent held their breath as they gazed at him; awe and reverence started to shine in their eyes, and disbelieve colored their features at the impossible fate of an immortal descending Cang Qiong Great Mountains if there wasn’t a dire need.

Shen Jiu ignored the annoying brats who stopped their tasks to gaze at him with such wide hopeful eyes, and he definitely ignored their annoying parents as they scrambled to get closer to him, only to freeze in their spots by the harsh glare Shen Jiu sent their way. All of them gazed at the immortal who descended down the mountain like he was a celestial fairy that came to grant them their wishes or a God that stepped out of heaven to give his judgment.

It ended like this…

Shen Jiu stood over the small boy who was still digging, studying him and appraising him for his full dedication to his task. The brat seemed to finally notice him and freeze when he saw a shadow blocking the sun, making the boy tremble as he raised his head, gazing at Shen Jiu with wide doe eyes. Shen Jiu tilted his head as he studied the boy, taking in his pitiful sight that indicated a harsh life in the street, even when the brat continued to look at him with innocent reddish-brown eyes.

Dirty tangled hair, dirty scratched face, filthy and ripped clothes showing an emaciated body, and a stinky smell that almost made Shen Jiu’s eyes tear as he felt his nose scream in pain and shrivel from the torture it was undergoing just being close to this brat; all of Shen Jiu’s self-control almost evaporated as the urge to take this little brat and scrub him clean from head to toe to get rid of all the smell and grim took over. But Shen Jiu was a Peak Lord first and foremost, and hell if he was going to bathe a street rat when his disciples and Hall Masters were right there waiting for him on his peak. So, without further delay, Shen Jiu picked the brat from the back of his robes like he was an unruly kitten and rose into the air to fly to Qing Jing, ignoring the fearful squeak the boy let out as he dangled from Shen Jiu’s grip to no doubt his death; if the boy was good at anything, then he was good at following silent instruction as he frozen in his place and refused to move an even one centimeter for the whole fly to Qing Jing…

That was how Qing Jing gained their newest disciple…

Luo Binghe still didn’t manage to understand what happened not a Shichen ago, his mind still a jumbled mess as he tried to make sense of the events that took place before Luo Binghe found himself on the famous Qing Jing Peak, the Peak of Scholars, and second in command in the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. Luo Binghe was still wondering if he was sleeping somewhere in the forest and if this was just an insane dream his mind conjured from how tired and hungry he was; no doubt his mind was trying to create something nice for him to distract him from the pangs of hunger and the coldness of the night.

It all started like this…

Luo Binghe came to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, his body tiredly dragging him to the only place that could be his salvation; a place that Luo Binghe hoped would accept him and give him the family he was desperate for ever since his beloved mother had died.

It started like this…

Luo Binghe forced his body to move, putting one foot after the other, as he dragged himself up Cang Qiong Mountain's infamous stairs; shaking from tiredness and overexertion as he all but dragged his body up to Qiong Ding Peak, hoping against hope that his mother was watching him from heavens and give him some luck to success today. The fear of being thrown off the mountain if he was found unworthy kept Luo Binghe moving, and made him climb those stairs; not wanting even for one second to entertain the mere thought of what was going to happen to him if he was thrown back to the streets, knowing that he won't survive a few more days without food and water and a place where he could heal his festering wounds in peace.

It started like this…

Luo Binghe forced his body to use what was left of his energy to dig into the ground, using the shovel he was given that wounded his already injured hands, ending up discarding the device and using his bleeding hands; desperation moving his body and the terror of death kept him going for hours even after most of the people who came with him had long since given up. With every lump of dirt, he moved, he gave a small prayer to the heavens, hoping that a merciful God was looking down on him and allowing him to be accepted in this Sect; Luo Binghe didn’t care where he would end up as long as he wasn’t thrown away and abandoned to face death alone.

It ended up like this…

The world seemed to have lost all of its noise as the testing ground became deadly silent; at that time, Luo Binghe’s desperation kept him moving and digging while ignoring everything around him, planning on spending the last of his energy to dig this hole until someone came and told him he was accepted in the Sect or throw him out of the mountains to his death.

It ended up like this…

A shadow fell on Luo Binghe and blocked the burning sun, causing Luo Binghe to blink in confusion and raise his head to see what was going on; what happened was Luo Binghe lost the air that was left in his lungs as his eyes fell on the most beautiful being to ever grace this world. A hysterical part of Luo Binghe wondered if the person standing over him (Hovering on a flying sword that showed so white and pure it made Luo Binghe’s breath hitch) was a God descending from the heavens to answer his prayers after years of suffering and pain.

Luo Binghe only noticed how silent the testing ground was and how everyone was looking at him with envy and anger much later, but Luo Binghe didn’t pay them that much attention as he saw his God tilt his head as he seemed to study him up and down before letting out a hum; a sound that was so musical that it felt like a soothing song to his frail soul.

Before Luo Binghe could say a word to this beautiful God (He didn’t know what to say, maybe beg him to take Luo Binghe with him? Beg him for a little mercy or a painless death? He didn’t know) he was picked from the back of his robes by the God, who ignored his fearful squeak as the God used his sword to fly higher in the air and toward the unknown with Luo Binghe in his hand, trembling inside his frozen body as his eyes fell on the ground that was so far away that any wrong move meant Luo Binghe would fall and splatter like a bug,

It ended like this…

The beautiful God, whom Luo Binghe was told later, was Qing Jing Peak Lord, Shen Qingqiu, who dropped Luo Binghe into the arms of one of the women near a beautiful pavilion, instructing her to bath and feed Luo Binghe before bringing him into (The Holy Shrine that was) the Bamboo House (Qing Jing Peak Lord’s home) to perform the tea ceremony and officially become part of Qing Jing Peak.

After being fed and watered (While trying to erase the embarrassing ordeal of being forced to bath by the Jiejies, who giggled and scrubbed him clean from head to toe) Luo Binghe headed to Qing Jing Peak Lord’s home, wearing the disciple uniform of Qing Jing (That was baggy and a little bit bigger than his small body) and carrying the tea tray in his trembling hands, hoping against hope that Luo Binghe didn’t mess everything up and be thrown off the peak. Everything was a blur after that, he could only feel his body move on its own as he entered the Bamboo House and saw his God, Qing Jing Peak Lord, Shen Qingqiu… his savior…

The tea ceremony passed in a blur of nervousness and fidgeting as Luo Binghe tried to do everything right and show his Go… his Shizun that Luo Binghe could do right if given the chance, hoping his Shizun wouldn't abandon him after saving him from the jaws of death that almost caught and ensnared him.

“Luo Binghe…” His Shizun said his name, in a voice that was even more angelic and holy, soothing Luo Binghe’s soul with the calm and tender timber it held. “Do you know why I have chosen you as my disciple?” His Shizun inquired, causing Luo Binghe to swallow and shake his head, his heart pounding in his ribs and almost breaking his bones to escape; part of Luo Binghe wanted to know why this beautiful God had chosen him out of a hundred that participated today, but a smaller part was content to be in ignorance and live a peaceful life serving this kind God who took one look at him and saw something worth saving. “Qing Jing Peak is a peak of scholars and strategists, most importantly it is a peak of Spiritual Cultivators, unlike you, a Physical Cultivator in the making.” The Qing Jing Peak Lord said, his words causing Luo Binghe’s heart to skip several beats in his chest, and an irrational fear took hold of him at the thought of his merciful God throwing him away because he was lacking.

“T-then w-why did Shizun choose me?” Luo Binghe managed to stutter, part of him wondered why he was so keen on breaking his own heart by asking this question; Luo Binghe saw his Master’s lips twitch up in an amused smile as his Master raised his eyebrow in surprised, a pleased look taking over his face.

“So, he has a backbone after all…” Luo Binghe managed to hear his Shizun mumble to himself before he stood from his seat and walked until he loomed over Luo Binghe’s tiny frame. “I saw a potential in you.” The Qing Jing Lord said, his words causing Luo Binghe’s breath to escape his lungs as he gazed at the man with wide eyes. “I saw a wildness and desperation I can shape and turn into a talent unmatched; I saw a challenge everyone thought would be impossible for the likes of me, but I like to disappoint.” Luo Binghe trembled at the intense light shining in his Shizun’s eyes, his face felt red as his heart pounded in his chest, and his hands were sweaty, making Luo Binghe clutch his pants tightly to stop them from trembling. “Luo Binghe.” Shen Qingqiu, his Master said in a commanding voice.

The tone his Master used caused Luo Binghe to straighten up and shout a trembling “Yes, Shizun!” The look on his face seemed to be what his Shizun was looking for as the man, gave him a sharp grin that was all savageness and teeth.

“I will tell you this now, Little Beast.” His Shizun said, his words sending a shiver down Luo Binghe’s spine. “I am cruel, harsh, unreasonable, and I always expect you to do your best and double that offer by a thousand volts. Every complaint would be met with punishment, every act of disgrace would be met with punishment; every arrogance act, every foolish action, every act of bullying and sabotage, and every violation of this Master and his teaching would be punished so severely that you would wish that you have never been chosen by this Master…” His Shizun said, his words sounded ominous and heavy as they entered Luo Binghe’s ears and almost choked him. “So, this is your chance, you can say no, and leave Qing Jing Peak, I will even help you settle in one of the other peaks in these mountains, and make sure you live the rest of your life in peace… but if you stay…” The Qing Jing Lord lowered himself until he was looking directly into Luo Binghe’s eyes, causing Luo Binghe’s breath to hitch at the blazing emerald fire that burned him with how intense it was. “Then I promise I will turn you into the strongest Cultivator to ever grace this land. So, what do you say, Little Beast?” Luo Binghe’s breath was held in his chest as he gazed at his Shizun.

Swallowing, Luo Binghe opened and closed his mouth several times, his heart almost escaped his chest as he gazed at his Master who was still waiting for the next words that would decide Luo Binghe’s fate; his God’s face held a knowing look and a feral glint that made Luo Binghe’s heart to skip several beats as something in him recognized the gaze of kin staring back at him. “I will stay.” Luo Binghe said firmly, sealing his fate by agreeing to his God’s conditions.

The Qing Jing Peak Lord stood up, taking the teacup that was left on the table before turning to dump its content on Luo Binghe’s head, causing Luo Binghe’s eyes to widen as he gazed at his Master. “Now you are a true disciple of Qing Jing Peak.” His Shizun said, cutting the hurt that almost consumed Luo Binghe’s heart, his Master’s words causing Luo Binghe’s jaw to drop a little as everything made sense when he gazed between his Shizun and the cup he was holding… the satisfaction shining in his Shizun’s eyes made Luo Binghe surer of the conclusion he reached as he saw his Master take his seat and raise his cup once more, ordering Luo Binghe silently to refill it. “So, you are not that stupid after all… good, you will need all your wits to pass the trails I have prepared. Now, lesson one…” His Shizun grinned, sipping the tea he poured with a feral glint… a glint that made a part of Luo Binghe shiver in delight as he kneeled in front of his Master, listening to every word he said like a devoted follower engraving their God’s words in their mind and heart… Luo Binghe vowed to himself right then and there…

He would do whatever it takes to make his Shizun proud of him…

Chapter Text

It had been three months since the Disciples Selection Day was over and done with; three months since Qing Jing Peak welcomed their new Shidi, the energetic brat that their Shizun took it upon himself to train daily, making everyone in the peak burn with envy at the thought of their venerable Shizun choosing this brat specifically and teach him exclusively. It had been three months since the brat came to their tranquil peak, ruining any peace they could have had just with his presence alone; three months since every Shijie and Shimei and even the hall Masters fell for that beast's charm and bent to his whims.

Now, Ming Fan wasn’t the jealous type, he rarely if ever got jealous of someone or something; being the Head Disciple of Qing Jing and one of his Shizun’s favorite and capable disciples. Ming Fan’s future in Qing Jing was secured, and even a new Shidi coming to their peak and taking all of their Shizun’s time and affection wouldn’t change who Ming Fan was and what his role in Qing Jing was. So, really, Ming Fan didn’t have anything to be jealous and angry of, even if that Luo Binghe brat waltzed around their peak daily and stole everyone's hearts.

So again, Ming Fan wasn’t the jealous type who would get his friends to surround their new Shidi and teach him his place in their peak, not when everyone knew if Shizun discovered them bullying someone, he would personally throw them off his peak and be done with it. Ming Fan wasn’t that stupid to risk his future and his stand in his venerable Shizun’s life, even if his new Shidi deserved a good thrashing for being an idiot who needed a good few slaps to make him stop flirting with the Shijies and Shimeis.

Again, Ming Fan wasn’t the jealous type, not at all! No matter how much his friends liked to tease him and claim that he was the opposite of what he believed himself to be. Anyway! As Ming Fan said, he was not a jealous person who would spend his days glaring and growling at a brat who was half his height and looked like he was going to keel over with just a wrong breeze coming out of nowhere.

Ming Fan was not the jealous type, uh-huh! He wasn’t! But when that beast started to flirt with his beloved Shimei who started to follow that brat around and latch to him in every possible way… well, that was crossing the line, and Ming Fan would not be kept quiet about the brat that was threatening his Shimei’s honor!

So here he was, marching to the beast with his friends, planning on thrashing the brat and teaching him how to stay away from the females in the peaks and not dishonor them with his disgusting mind games; how the hell did he manage to fool Ning-Shimei when the teenager was so amazing? Smart and capable without anything going unnoticed by her, did the beast manage to brainwash her or something?!

So, here was Ming Fan; glaring at the brat who was chopping wood and humming to himself with a stupid grin on his face that made Ming Fan twitch and glare harder at the boy hoping he would burn by his glare alone. His Shixiongs and Shidis looked at him before snorting, shaking their heads as they looked at the brat that was so tiny, it was almost comical to see him wielding an ax as long as him.

“Luo Binghe!” Ming Fan snarled, glaring at the boy who stopped in the middle of swinging his ax to look at Ming Fan looming over him, with a harsh glare that twisted his face into the perfect picture of rage. Not that it affected Luo Binghe who was still looking lost and confused as he looked at Ming Fan and then his friends who surrounded him.

“Greeting, Ming-Shixiong, Shixiongs… uh… did something happen?” Luo Binghe asked in an uncertain voice after he bowed to them; his words making Ming Fan grit his teeth in anger because he knew the brat was aware of what he was doing but was claiming ignorance!

“You know exactly what happens!” Ming Fan snapped, looming over the brat who still had the confused look on his face that made his blood boil. “Ning-Shimei! Does that jog any of your memories?!” Ming Fan growled his words causing Luo Binghe even more confusion as he looked at Ming Fan with a lost look.

“He is right, little Shidi~,” One of the Shixiong said while leaning on the tree behind him, giving Luo Binghe a charming smile, even when it did nothing but get a more confused look from the brat. “You know, we tried to be respectful and not make a fuss because you are new here, but it had been three months already and you continued breaking Shizun’s rules constantly.” That more than ever brought a horrorstricken look that dominated Luo Binghe’s face, as the brat’s whole face turned ashen white.

“S-Shizun?!” The brat squeaked, looking closer to tears by the second that some of the Shixiongs and Shidis started to look at the boy with pity in their eyes. “B-b-b-b-b-but I t-t-tried t-to do e-everything r-right!” The boy’s voice cracked as he said those words, his eyes becoming glassy as he looked like someone had told him his loved ones had died; even the Shixiong who had spoken earlier looked confused and horrified at the display, not knowing how to act when the boy fell on his knees and started sobbing. “Shizun, this unworthy one is sorry!” The brat wailed, his cried causing everyone to go into a panic and some even started to look around, fearing that their Shizun had heard the brat and was coming to punish them.

“Ah! Little Shidi it’s ok! It’s ok!” Lao-Shixiong, the one who started all this mess scrambled to reassure the boy, patting him on the back and trying to calm him down. “Just follow the rules next time, and stay away from the Shijies and Shimeis, that’s it! Shizun doesn’t like anyone flirting or trying to hurt our Martial Sisters, that’s all!” Lao-Shixiong tried to reassure him, his words causing Luo Binghe to sniffle and look at his Shixiong with a look that screamed ‘Are you sure?’ which made everyone, even Ming Fan feel a little guilty.

“Yeah, just stop flirting with Ning-Shimei and everything will be alright.” Ming Fan said after a while, trying not to feel guilty at the sobbing mess at his feet, wondering why he decided to let his jealousy act up when the result was the mess that was their Shidi who was sniffling and wailing like someone told him his mother just died.

“F-flirting?” Luo Binghe suddenly asked with a confused voice, looking at Ming Fan with such a lost look that made the teen buff in anger at the thought the brat was trying to play him once more by acting innocent. “B-but this one never flirted with Ning-Shijie or any other Martial Sister…” Luo Binghe wiped his face as he said those words, causing all the Shixiongs and Shidi to look at Luo Binghe like he lost his head.

“What?!” A Shidi exclaimed, looking at Luo Binghe with a frown as he crossed his arms over his chest, eyes narrowed as if trying to dissect the lies their Shidi was trying to sell them. “If not flirting, then what do you talk with our Martial Sisters about?! Every time we see you all of our Martial Sisters surround you; Ning-Shijie even calls you ‘A-Luo!’” Everyone nodded at their Shidi’s assessment, glaring at Luo Binghe who was looking at his Shixiong like he lost his mind.

“We talk about Shizun.” Luo Binghe suddenly said after a while of silence, his words shocked everyone so much that some even tripped on air, and most could only shriek ‘What?!’ as they gazed at their Shidi like he lost his mind. “Mostly about how to take care of Shizun, his favorite food, his amazing skills, his everything! Shizun is so amazing! Me and the Shijies often talk about how kind and elegant Shizun is; did you know that last week, Shizun…” And then Luo Binghe went on a thirty-page long essay about how amazing and kind and beautiful their Shizun was, which everyone in Qing Jing agreed with; but the way their Shidi was talking about Shizun, those sparkly eyes, and clasped hands and the squeals that he was letting now and then as he talked about what Shizun said or did, made everyone sweat dropped.

“Ah… so he is a… cut sleeve…” Said one of the Shixiong who was gazing at Luo Binghe who didn’t stop fluttering around and praising Shizun like he was a God sent to all humankind (Which everyone in Qing Jing agreed with! But Luo-Shidi tune it down a bit or Shizun would come and kick you off the peak for slacking and talking like this about your Shizun!). “Yeah… that explains it… you know? The solidity our Martial Sisters have with… Er…” Their Shixiong continued, letting an embarrassed laugh that was mirrored by the awkward ones from the rest.

To think they had come to protect their Martial Sisters' honor from a predator… only to discover that this Shidi in front of them was no doubt considered a Shimei by their Martial Sisters. Well! At least they learned that their Martial Sisters were in good hands, and not with a manipulative asshole who would hurt them in the end; but Luo-Shidi! Please tune it down, those sparkly eyes and the word ‘Shizun’ after every three words leaving your mouth are too much! What if Shizun found out and punished you harshly? Your glass-like maiden heart would be broken to pieces! What do you think would happen if you confessed to Shizun who hated everything related to love and what it represented?! Nothing good would happen Luo-Shidi, nothing good!

So, if you dare to confess Luo-Shidi, you would not only have your heart broken, but a war could possibly occur on Qing Jing because our Martial Sisters wouldn’t know which side to choose, yours or Shizun, and many no doubt would choose Shizun! And also, no one wanted a repeat of what happened to Li Xie when he was rejected by that Zui Xian asshole who assaulted and humiliated their beloved Shixiong; everyone remembered how heartbroken their beloved Shixiong was, walking like a ghost who lost the will to live, no one wanted that! Also, no one wanted a Hua Ming (A secret admirer and crazily in love madman) look-alike who would go crazy and almost slaughter everyone on the peak, just like Hua Ming went crazy on that stupid peak, which became way scarier as it turned into a nightmare when their Shizun learned of what happened and had rained hell on stupid Zui Xian and their disciples with Hua Ming. It took years for Zui Xian to get back to how they were and even now they are still struggling; which was good because it serves them well, but anyway!

Everyone turned to Ming Fan who was gazing at their Shidi with a strange glint in his eyes that made everyone take a step back, wondering what was going on in their Head Disciple's mind that a mad glint started shining in his eyes. “Luo-Shidi…” Ming Fan suddenly said, cutting Luo Binghe’s rant on how their Shizun was the cure to everything wrong in this cruel world (Really kid? Well, it is true, but still have some tact!), and making the boy give him a questioning look. “Describe, Shizun in one word.” Ming Fan ordered, his hand going inside his Qiankun sleeve before pulling his infamous notebook, causing everyone to gasp and look at their Shidi with a new light… could this be?!

Luo Binghe though, only tilted his head for a bit before a mad light started to shine in his eyes, hands clasped in front of him, Luo Binghe smiled happily with a flushed face before saying. “God.” This caused everyone to turn to Ming Fan who opened his infamous notebook (That no one ever had the privilege of touching without losing their hands or another body part) and started writing furiously with an insane giggle that made many of them back away slowly.

“You are here, you are here, I finally found you!” Ming Fan giggled as he wrote in his notebook furiously, that some smoke raised from the pages. “I thought your species went extinct a long time ago, but you are here, you are alive!” Ming Fan let out a laugh that was more suited to a Grade-A Villain than a disciple of the scholarly peak, making everyone gulp and look at one another.

“W-what do you mean, S-Shixiong?” One of the brave souls asked, making the seniors send him an angry look filled with horror, idiotic Shidi! Who ordered you to ask your Shixiong about the notebook?! No one is allowed to ask about or touch the notebook at all, the information stored in that book could bring this whole Sect and every other Sect out there to ruin! No information inside of this book should be known or shared by anyone out there, especially to the Shidis who still haven’t learned how to keep their mouths shut!

Ming Fan, seemed to be in a joyous mood, that he didn’t even scold his Shidi for asking or hide his precious information; instead, he gave everyone a happy grin (That was all teeth and madness) before he turned to Luo Binghe who was still in another world as he started narrating about Shizun being a God who descended from heaven to punish sinners and help those in need (…also true, but could you stop talking and focus for a second, Luo-Shidi!) “I never thought I will be given the honor of seeing one myself, considering the last one of his species was seen a hundred years ago before disappearing.” Ming Fan grinned happily like he had won the jackpot of the jackpots, his eyes shining as he took every move and word produced by their Shidi, who was in another world entirely, not aware of what was going on around him. “The apex predator…” Everyone swallowed and leaned closer to hear Ming Fan’s words. “…The true one and not one of his soft sub-species Shizun-Lovers that fill this whole mountain…” That made many gasps as they looked at their Shidi with disbelief, could this be? Some gulped as they saw with their own eyes how Luo Binghe giggled madly and hugged himself while repeating the word ‘Shizun’ over and over again, madness dripping from him in waves. “Standing in front of you is the rarest of the rarest species I managed to catch and record… The Infamous Shizun-Fucker!” That made everyone gaze with wide eyes, shock visible to everyone around, and one of the Shidi even fainted from the shock.

“Now, now, Ming-Shidi… let’s not be hasty, this is a child we are talking about this… this could be some weird hero worship that will tapper as he grows up! Look at him, he looks like he is what? Ten? He is too young and too tiny!” Lao-Shixiong said, desperation dripping in every word he spoke, even the thought of this tiny brat being the last survivor of the infamous ‘Shizun-Fucker’ Species was too much for him! Especially, after he remembered the stories of what happened to the then-last person of this species.   

“He is indeed young, and has more years to grow into himself; but those eyes, those words, that body language… at first, I thought he was another less aggressive sub-species of Shizun-Fucker, the Shizun-Worshipers, but the longer I stand here and watch Luo-Shidi, the surer I am of my conclusion. This is a young Shizun-Fucker in the making!” Another round of gasps filled the clearing, and the Shidi who had woken up just a few seconds ago, fainted once more with the shocking news that was delivered. “The obsessiveness, the possessiveness, the single-minded focus on a Shizun, the insanity that this species would go through just to get a Shizun’s approval and love and secure them in a marriage where they would attic-wife them later: Shizun-Fuckers are known to be the apex predator of all, once their eyes catch a Shizun they wanted, they would do everything they can to have them… Do you remember what happened one hundred years ago? I am still sure there is still some pieces of evidence left that the ‘An’ Generation couldn’t cover it up…. To think I will see this with my own two eyes… the heaven must be smiling at me!” Ming Fan said, with a mad cackle that made everyone gulp and back away, not giving their backs either to Luo Binghe who was still going on and on about their venerable Shizun without a stop, or Ming Fan who was cackling like a villain and was still writing in his notebook.

“They… have gone… mad…” Lao-Shixiong choked, taking a step back as he and everyone tried to escape from the crazies their Martial Brothers turned into; Lao-Shixiong gulped, eyes not leaving their target as he signaled to his Martial Brothers to escape, wanting them to reach their Shizun and warn him about the disease that spread through their peak.

“Where are you going, Lao-Shixiong…” Ming Fan suddenly asked, turning to Lao-Shixiong with a happy smile, but when looking at Ming Fan’s eyes, everyone could see the coldness and murderous rage burning in the Head Disciple’s gaze. “By any chance… you weren’t going to warn Shizun, were you?” Ming Fan smiled as he took a threatening step toward his Martial Siblings, causing them to squeak as they shook their heads in terror. “Good, good… because if you do… I will make your lives will turn into a living nightmare…” Ming Fan hissed, the smile vanishing from his face and making everyone run for their lives, screaming in terror and fear, because they knew damned well not to get on Ming Fan’s bad side or else it would be like Hua Ming’s situation all over again but multiplied by the thousand! “Oh, Luo-Shidi~ tell me more about Shizun?!” Ming Fan sang happily, his question making Luo Binghe blink before a huge grin took over his face as he once again went on about how amazing their Shizun was and how he adored him…

Ah! Ming Fan could only thank the Gods for this amazing discovery!

Shen Jiu glared as he marched toward Qing Jing, a snarl pulling on his lips as his anger nearly burned everything in his path and reduced it to ashes; his furious form made the disciples and hall Masters alike squeak in fear and rush away from the raging fire that was Shen Jiu who was on a missing to kill everyone and anyone who even dared to open their mouth in his presence. The fire that was lit since the start of the monthly Peak Lords meeting almost burned down Qiong Ding if he didn’t leave that stupid peak and stupider Peak Lords present on it.

“Stupid bitch, stupid idiots! I hope you choke on the bullshit you spew and die the most humiliating death known to mankind!” Shen Jiu growled, his fists clenching and unclenching as he tried to stop himself from doing something dangerous as trying to find Rash Inducing Butterflies and letting it all over Cang Qiong; let this Sect fall to the ground! Shen Jiu demanded justice from those useless idiots that still spread rumors about him like the useless piece of shit they were!

It all started this morning… and what a great morning it was! With him waking up and training (Cough terrorizing cough) his new disciple, feeling proud at the progress the Little Beast was showing, even if it had been only three months since the kid had joined his peak, he was showing progress that other disciples took over a year to make. It was a nice relaxing morning, where Shen Jiu managed to sleep for five hours, and not even the annoying shouts of the morning drills made him cranky; which was such an amazing feeling, as he had woken up energetic to face everything that would be thrown his way… almost everything thrown his way… because he didn’t count on the monthly Peak Lord meeting being today of all days.

So anyway, Shen Jiu prepared for the meeting, even if he would like nothing more than to eat his shoe if it meant not attending that farce that only ever held for one thing and one thing only… talking about his life and his habits as if he wasn’t present in the room with those idiots!

Anyway, the meeting started normally, with An Ding Peak Lord going over their budget, glaring at Liu Qingge, Wei Qingwei, and Qi Qingqi; the former for the destruction inside and outside the Sect, and the latter for their expensive lifestyle that nearly made the Sect go bank robbed a few times if it wasn’t for Shen Jiu’s fast interferences (And wasn’t it funny? That even with all of the destruction and pain in the ass, Liu Qingge was in the third place with Qi Qingqi and Wei Qingwei taking the first and second place without a match) which by the look at the budget this month, it seemed that Yue Qingyuan and Shang Qinghua would come and beg him once more for help, and this time Shen Jiu was tempted to just say no and see his Martial Siblings panic like the headless chickens they were.

It started as normally as it did, with Shen Jiu nodding here and now to show he was listening to the idiots sitting not that far away from him when in reality, he was dreaming of the soft bed and the tasty Tanghulu he would reward himself with after returning home. And why wouldn’t he treat himself to a Tanghulu? Forcing himself to be in his Martial Siblings’ presence for an extended period deserved a dessert for all of his hard work in stopping himself and not murder them on the spot!

Everything was going great, and Shen Jiu was even feeling generous and didn’t try to start a fight with stupid Liu Qingge, who glared at him like he was planning on jumping him and skewing him with Cheng Luan; no doubt still angry at Shen Jiu for stealing the disciple he selected for his peak. Everything was going great, and the meeting was going to end soon, giving Shen Jiu the chance to escape to his peak and enjoy peace; maybe even assigning new chores and assignments to his students that would be due tomorrow (And let their cries of despair and stress lull him to sleep; ah... such a beautiful idea...) before going to train (Torture) his newest disciple.

Everything was going great, but Shen Jiu should have known, that his luck was rotten when being in the presence of natural disasters such as Yue Qingyuan and his pack of baboons. It started (Again!) with Qi Qingqi opening her mouth and complaining about Shen Jiu’s spending habits (Which made Shang Qinghua, look so gobsmacked that he fell from his chair, even Liu Qingge blinked in confusion and turned to look at Qi Qingqi, which was saying something!) his visits to brothels (Which Ma'am he wasn’t able to do that for months thank to Liu Qingge camping outside of his peak like a persistent dog!) and bullying his disciples (Excuse me what?!) and even having some evidence and disciples of Qing Jing who would testify about all of Shen Jiu’s wrongdoings (Oh, yeah? Then where the hell were those disciples, you are talking about?!) it was official, the woman had lost all of her reasoning when facing the possibility of the Sect Leader pulling away her allowance for the next few months, even Liu Qingge was looking at her like she was crazy, and that stupid brute would believe every word people say about him without looking this skeptical!

Anyway, the fight that took place after was legendary with Qi Qingqi screaming and huffing and trying to make her voice louder, no doubt hoping the louder her voice was, the more people would believe in her delusions. Shang Qinghua looked at her with a disgusted look as he gave a few snide remarks about her spending habits and how Shen Jiu was the one who paid for all of her expensive jewels, fabrics, and sweets she ordered daily without a stop. Which caused the woman to become so red as new curses and accusations left her mouth; by that time Yue Qingyuan, as always, took the side that Shen Jiu wasn’t on as he tried to be the peacemaker (And failing spectacularly at it), Liu Qingge for once kept quiet and didn’t say anything (Which was a blessing from every God out there) and Shang Qinghua was looking at the door with such longing that Shen Jiu felt it resonating in his soul.

A fight that took over three hours, and by the end of it, Shen Jiu promised to unleash Acid Spewing Dire Spiders on Xian Shu, and fuck anyone and their mothers who tried to stop him from gaining the justice he deserved; if Yue Qingyuan was going to be an asshole who always took other people’s side instead of his sworn brother, then Shen Jiu would get the justice he was owed without waiting for that wet noodle to back him up!

This was the reason that Shen Jiu was marching to Qing Jing Peak with murder on his mind, his killing intent made everyone flee as to not get in his way and gain a well-deserved beating for slacking in their work, even when it was the lunch hour and everyone deserved their rest from working hard on their projects and chores.

Shen Jiu growled as he walked to the dining hall, planning on eating something (If he even found an appetizing dish that didn’t taste like wood shaving with no flavor) before going to his Bamboo House to plan his revenge in peace. So, Shen Jiu marched to the dining hall, ignoring the squeaking disciples as they tried to give him the whole road by running away; his plan consisted of seeing the dining hall, seeing what was on display, eating and judging the food, and either giving a raise to the cook if the food was acceptable or fire him if they dared to serve him the wood shaves flavored food that was so tasteless, mud have more flavor than the watered-down stew they serve on Qing Jing.

All of his plans came to a halt when Shen Jiu’s eyes zeroed in on Luo Binghe who was sitting with Ming Fan (Who was looking at his Shidi with a strange look and recording something in a black notebook) and Ning Yingying (Who was giggling like mad and had the same look as Ming Fan… strange) but that wasn’t really what caught his attention at all, what caught his attention was the small bowl in front of Luo Binghe, so small that it wouldn’t even fill a five years old even when filled ten times over.

“Luo Binghe!” Shen Jiu snarled, his voice causing everyone to jump and some to even choke on their food and cough as they watched Shen Jiu march toward his youngest disciple who jumped from his chair and bowed deeply. “What’s this trash?!” Shen Jiu growled angrily, eying the bowl of stew like it insulted his non-existent mother and his ancestors. “Did I not tell you to make sure you eat meat so you can build your muscles?! How many times do I have to tell you that you are a Physical Cultivator with different needs than everyone here?” Shen Jiu growled, his words causing Luo Binghe to pale and stutter how sorry he was, not that Shen Jiu cared as he picked the boy from the back of his robes and plopped him in the chair next to him before signaling to the cooks to bring meat and eggs. “This is why you are this tiny!” Shen Jiu hissed, picking the first slice of meat with his chopsticks before forcing it down Luo Binghe’s throat, ignoring the protesting squeak as he forced more meat and eggs inside that tiny slip of a brat.

Was this boy stupid or what?! How could he think he would be an amazing Physical Cultivator if he didn’t make sure to build his muscles this young?! Even that brute Liu Qingge eats like a starved beast when food is brought in front of him and won't stop until all the tables are empty; does no one realize how much Liu Qingge and his peak spend monthly on food, Especially, meat, eggs, and milk? And his stupid disciple (The one that Shen Jiu had high hopes for) was eating a tiny bowl of stew that wouldn’t fill a mouse?! This is atrocious!

“Shizun! Please, I can't eat anymore, I am already full-“ Whatever Luo Binghe tried to say went unheard as Shen Jiu thrust nearly a whole chicken down his throat, and trying to force the idiotic brat to swallow it, even with all the struggle and escape attempts.

“Hah! Full he says, can't eat anymore he says! Listen to me brat, you are not leaving this hall until you finish everything on the table, and God help you if you try to throw up, I will force it down your throat again!” Shen Jiu hissed taking another egg and stuffing it inside the brat, ignoring the teary eyes and pleas the brat was making; good, good, eat! See! Shen Jiu’s spending habits were nothing to mention if all of his money went to fill those brats’ stomachs and bring them the necessities they needed! Look! This was another Tael down the brat’s throat, what are you going to say now Qi Qingqi?! You cannot talk about his spending habits on food because then you would have to bring Liu Qingge and Bai Zhan into it, and no one wanted that do they?!

“Shi-!” Luo Binghe wasn’t even able to say one word as this time a whole carrot was shoved down his throat, causing him to choke and cough as his life depended on it before trying to run away if it wasn’t for Shen Jiu who pulled him from his robes and forced him into the chair once more. As if Shen Jiu was letting go of a perfect opportunity to not only find an outlet for his anger but also stuff that idiot child and make him form muscles that would even make Liu Qingge tremble in fear; just wait! By the end of this month Shen Jiu would make sure to turn this stupid brat into the ultimate Cultivator that would make Bai Zhan weep blood!

Horror…

That was the only thing Qing Jing Peak disciples and hall Masters could feel as their eyes refused to leave the sight in front of them even when their sanity was begging them to. Pure horror… was the only thing they felt as they watched the Qing Jing Peak Lord mercilessly stuff another bowl of soup down the child’s throat without giving him room to breathe or even refuse. Ten plates of various kinds of meat, eggs, and vegetables the Peak Lord forced their new Shidi to eat, with the threat of death if even one bite was spat out.

Many could only watch the sight in front of them with fascination mixed with horror like they were in some kind of trance and were unable to turn their head away from the wreck in front of them. Many disciples felt sick as they saw their Shizun growling and force-fed their tiny Shidi who looked a few steps away from death; all of them pushed their plates away, not even stomaching the thought of eating a bite as the horrified scene was taking place in front of them. The Shijies and Shimeis could only cover their mouths, tears in their eyes at the horrifying way their Shidi was going to die; even the hall Masters didn’t know if they should do something and start begging their Shixiong to have mercy on the child who was stuffed with food until tears of pain and despair were running down his face.

“If you throw it up you are going to eat it off the floor!” Shen Jiu snarled, his words making everyone whimper and turn to the tiny boy who looked like a stuffed ball about to explode; even Ning Yingying and Ming Fan were too horrified to do anything other than cry and beg their Shizun to stop which their Shizun ignored as he stuffed another piece of meat in their Shidi’s mouth.

“Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Shizun, please don’t! I need Luo-Shidi to live! You can't make Luo-Shidi go extinct, he is the last of his species, Shizunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!” Ming Fan’s pained wails and cries from the sidelines went ignored as the small boy was forced to swallow another bit of food, looking closer to meeting his maker as the seconds passed by.

“Shizun, Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!” Were the cries that were heard on Qing Jing that day, making everyone on Cang Qiong Mountain stop in the middle of their jobs to gaze at the quiet peak that for the first time in decades was filled with pained cries full of agony and fear.

Needless to say, Shen Jiu made sure to be present during every meal after that to make sure his tiny disciple ate as much as he could without skipping his meals; if Liu Qingge was going to waste his money on food without anyone saying a word, then Shen Jiu would do the same thing while using the same reason as that brute! And that Luo Binghe should be grateful that Shen Jiu was using a huge part of his money to supply him with all the meat and eggs a growing brat needed daily! People in his position would starve themselves hoping that they would manage to save enough money to buy meat once a month to give them the energy they needed to continue with their lives, that if they weren't mauled while hunting the said meat; even Shen Jiu’s Shizun didn’t spoil him this much when he was a disciple and forced him to only eat steamed or boiled vegetables with no meat to be speaking of unless it was fish.

Yes, so this brat should be grateful and kowtow to him a thousand times for being a considerable Shizun who took care of him when no one would spare him a glance! Because look at the brat, now, he had meat on his bones when previously he had none! Shen Jiu had completed his promise to this tiny disciple of making him a proper Physical Cultivation in the making, because by the end of the month…

Luo Binghe gained enough weight that no one called him tiny anymore…

Chapter Text

A shift, shuffling footsteps; once, twice, before finding a good hiding spot with an amazing vantage point. Sitting in his spot, the man’s hand went to his Qiankun sleeve, getting out a black notebook before opening it on a blank page. Gazing at the spectacle in front of him, the man made sure to draw a detailed picture, so thorough that someone would have mistaken it for a living being.

“Day xx of the year xxx, time xxx.” The man wrote, gazing at the sight in front of him before returning to his book. “It was a calm morning. The bamboo stalks swayed gently in the breeze, rustling softly.” A smile crossed his face as he wrote more flourished words in the notebook. “…The silence was disturbed by the sound of wood being split by an axe.” Raising his head once more, he studied the scene in front of him with narrowed eyes, not wanting to miss even one second of the motion.

“A Shizun-Fucker spotted…” An exciting smile crossed over his face as he leaned even more to get a better look. “…Descending from a long line of predators. The Shizun-Fuckers were known as the Apex Predators ever to walk the plant.” Writing in his notebook, the boy-turned-man made sure not to ruin the holy book in his hand as he documented this rare phenomenon.

“Standing over a meter and a half tall; he roams this forest, trying to fulfill the order of their only God ‘The Shizun’, a holy being that reigned over this mountain.” He narrowed his eyes, taking in the amazing skill the creature in front of him displayed as he went about his daily chore of cutting wood; a chore assigned by their beloved Shizun, and was taken too eagerly by this species in front of him, who turned out to be an overachiever and cut down what worth to a small forest of wood. “With a body that-“ Before the man could continue his narration, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

“Ming-Shixiong?” And the object of his attention called out beside him, causing Ming Fan to squeak as he turned his attention to the Shizun-Fucker who managed to catch him unaware of his surroundings… Shizun is so going to kill me when he knows about this… Ming Fan could only laminate before he straightened himself to gaze at his Shidi.

“Luo-Shidi!” Ming Fan smiled, quickly hiding his book away from the predator, in fear of the predator catching a wind of his research and destroying everything he worked so hard for in the past few months. “How did you manage to notice me here?” Ming Fan questioned, wanting to know how his Shidi managed to detect him when he had specifically chosen a good spot that was hidden; a spot that not many would even think about checking out. Amazing for hiding; good for watching people undetected.

His Shidi only gazed at him in confusion; big reddish-brown eyes staring at his soul. Ming Fan’s hands twitched; he wanted to reach for his notebook and record everything a desire that almost consumed him before he managed to calm himself and think rationally. “Um… I could feel you?” Luo Binghe said, raising his brow as if he himself didn’t know how. “Like… I could hear you moving and smell your scent…” Ming Fan, then and there, almost jumped his Shidi and shook him, wanting to order him to tell him more; was this the power of Shizun-Fucker?! Did this species have higher sense and perception in order to catch ‘The Shizun’?! Gods above! Ming Fan wanted to record this amazing discovery! “I don’t know… your… Qi? Shizun didn’t cover that topic, said it was still too early…” And then Luo Binghe had the gall to pout, eyes misting over, breaking whatever zone Ming Fan threw himself in trying to dissect this amazing discovery.

“…Of course, it’s too early.” Ming Fan rolled his eyes, his fingers still itching to write in his notebook. “You can only sense Qi by forming a Golden Core… which won't happen until years later.” Or if he was an insane unidentified species like their Shishu Liu Qingge (The only person in Jianghu known to form a Golden Core at the age of five only after training for one year… yeah, that type of insane powerful creature he was talking about), who was classified as of now on Qing Jing as an invasive species of Shixiong-Hater; a disgusting creature that no matter how much Qing Jing Disciples tried to ward their home against, he always came crawling back like a Wiggly Airborne Cockroach that refused to die.

“Oh…” Luo Binghe said, looking like a wilted flower by the second as his lips trembled. “But… I trained so hard trying to impress Shizun…” The creature beside him said, looking closer to tears by the second, and Ming Fan couldn’t help but grimace when he heard him sniffling. “I thought… Shizun would be proud if I...” A mumbling followed, and Ming Fan didn’t need to be a genius to know that his Shidi was trying to achieve a Golden Core stage at the age of twelve when the rest of their Martial Siblings had been training for years and some couldn’t even solidify their cores at the age of fifteen.

Ming Fan could only scrunch his nose at the picture his Shidi was making with all the sniffling and hiccupping and the tears in his eyes, which made Ming Fan twitch because he sure as hell didn’t come into this clearing to have this rare species have a mental breakdown in front of him when he was still young and didn’t grow enough to show his full potentials. “Ugh… come, don’t cry, let me check your Meridians… I am sure you trained enough to make Shizun proud.” Ming Fan rolled his eyes, wondering why the brat would cry a river when he hadn’t even lived a full six months on the peak. wasn’t it enough for the little idiot to be classified as a rare species to be protected? He wanted to be an unidentified apex predator on the road to godhood too? Wasn’t his Shidi dreaming too big?

Hearing his words, Luo Binghe perked up like a dog as he rushed toward Ming Fan, raising his right hand with a wide and happy smile (Ming Fan was definitely ignoring the axe in his Shidi’s left hand because the axe coupled with the deranged smile, and maybe if painted with red, would bring forth a wave of nightmares that Ming Fan would love to spent his life without) as he stood before Ming Fan, jumping on the ball of his feet and looking too excited and hyperactive for Ming Fan to be comfortable with.

With a huff of annoyance, Ming Fan took Luo Binghe’s right wrist in his, closing his eyes to check the spiritual veins of his Shidi, knowing damn well in a few seconds he would be forced to be the bearer of the bad news. Furrowing his brows, Ming Fan opened his eyes and gazed at his Shidi long and hard, wondering if what he felt was a fluke or if his medical skills were shit that he couldn’t identify the anomaly he was feeling right.

“Shixiong?” His Shidi asked when the silence reigned over the bamboo forest, breaking Ming Fan from whatever zone he was thrust into as he tried to make sense of what he was feeling. “So?” Luo Binghe asked, looking too excited as he gazed at Ming Fan who was having a middle-life crisis at the ripe age of fifteen.

“Let’s go see Ning-Shimei… she is better with the whole… spiritual aspect of Cultivation…” Ming Fan finally dared to say after what felt like decades of silence (Which really, was only a few incense sticks time) taking hold of his Shidi’s wrist and dragging him toward where he last saw his Shimei, who was having a meeting with her underlines (Something about gathering to discuss literature? Not that Ming Fan knew anything, because only the females and sometimes the Cut Sleeves Shixiongs and Shidis were allowed to enter and see, and even when questioned, they wouldn’t talk even with the threat of torture and pain) from all around Cang Qiong.

“Ning-Shimei!” Ming Fan called out as soon as he reached the library. Not daring to go in, because he knew damn well, he wasn’t allowed to go near this place; especially not when the library was booked by his Shimei for her gatherings. The giggling and squealing he was forced to hear when reaching this place, ceased, making Ming Fan shift a little in nervousness as he waited for Ning Yingying.

“Ming-Shixiong? What are you doing here?” That was Ning Yingying, who came out of the library with a kind and joyful smile (And dark eyes that promised death if he didn’t say his piece and scram, but Ming Fan wasn’t going to point that) walking toward them with a skip in her steps until she was standing in front of them.

“Ning-Shimei, can you check on Luo-Shidi’s Meridians? I felt an… anomaly… when I checked them before, and I need a second opinion before going to inform Shizun.” Ming Fan cut to the point, knowing that his Shimei would skew him if he took any more of her precious time when she was in the middle of something.

At that, Ning Yingying frowned, a look of concern crossed over her face before her hand replaced Ming Fan’s to check on their Shidi. A beat, then two, before his Shimei looked at him with shock, her eyes wide, and her jaw dropped. “T-this…” His Shimei breathed gazing between Ming Fan and Luo Binghe before she had a silent conversation with her Shixiong that lasted what felt like an infinity. “Shizun!” Suddenly, Ning Yingying shrieked so loudly that birds flew off Qing Jing Peak with a mighty cry of fear; every Disciple held in their breaths, and some even escaped in fear knowing that whenever a Qing Jing female Disciple let out a cry of fear (Or even if they were startled) the Qing Jing Peak Lord wouldn’t be far away, and would come to bring Calamity to anyone who dared to touch what he considered as his brats.

The earth trembled, the trees quivered, and all of the animals on their peak escaped; ravens appeared out of nowhere and crows began to shriek, cementing the realization of the Calamity that would be brought on their heads if they stayed one second longer on this peak.

Not even five seconds after the call, their venerable Shizun landed in front of them (Not even Ming Fan knew from where their Shizun came from, he only knew that if there was a foe cornering them right now; they would have been killed on the spot if the decent size crater made from the impact would have been anything to go by) Looking around with wild eyes to search for the intruder who dared to come to their peak.

Seeing that no one was near the library or his students (Not that they would dare to be in his presence, not when everyone had fled the second Ning Yingying opened her mouth to summon their venerable Shizun) their Shizun looked at them with an annoyed look; a look that promised them an ass whooping if they didn’t tell him why they dared to disturb him in his downtime. “Ning-Er… why did you call out?” Shen Qingqiu said, pulling out his fan and snapping it open to fan himself while gazing at them with an unfathomable look in his eyes.

Ning Yingying (Who was a little shit in disguise, but that was what Ming Fan liked about her) dragged their Shidi (Who looked so starstruck and a second of ascension) toward their Shizun; pushing the poor boy until he was standing near their Shizun who raised his eyebrow at the display. “I felt Luo-Shidi’s Golden Core!” Ning Yingying let out a cry, her words freezing everyone around them (Who was brave enough to stay) making them look at Luo Binghe whose eyes widened so much that Ming Fan almost thought they would pop off his skull.

Shen Qingqiu stayed silent, gazing long and hard at Luo Binghe with a strange light shining in his eyes that made everyone back away, shivers crawling down their spines. “Your hand.” Their Shizun ordered, raising his hand elegantly and waiting for Luo Binghe to comply. It wasn’t long before Luo Binghe put his hand in their Shizun’s; his stupid Shidi looked so close to dying happily if the blush and the sparkly eyes were anything to go by (And really, Shidi? Couldn’t you control yourself?! …Ming Fan chastise his Shidi even as his hands went to his notebook).

Silence reigned on Qing Jing everyone held their breath as they waited for the verdict that would turn their lives upside down. Some Disciples gulped and some even leaned a little closer to see what was going to happen. Could this really be happening? It was almost like a dream and Ming Fan didn’t even know what to think; could the Shizun-Fucker species be this insanely strong that they would form a Golden Core just a few months of training? Every spec of jealousy Ming Fan ever had just evaporated at such an amazing discovery that could flip the Cultivation world upside down.

A beat, two, and then a wide grin took over their Shizun’s face (A grin that was all teeth and ferociousness that made many faint and some run away in fear… nightmare fueling for sure). “Why don’t you look at that, Little Beast…” Their Shizun said, smugness and superiority dripping off him in waves as he looked so pleased that many looked around not knowing what to do by such public display of emotions. “You formed your Golden Core already and it’s only been six months…” Their Shizun’s grin widened even more, showing his canines with a dangerous light in his eyes. “Qing Jing!” Their Shizun called out, his voice summoning the shouts of ‘Yes, Shizun!’ that rang over their peak. “Spread the news! We are going to celebrate!” Their Shizun said, sending a look to Ning Yingying, informing her that he wanted this news to be circling all around Jianghu by dinner time.

Cheers erupted from the Disciples, and their Shizun even gave Luo Binghe a head pat, to which the boy let out a choked squee and was a second away from fainting if it wasn’t for Ming Fan catching him mid-swoon. The Disciples were already rushing around the peak, no doubt spreading the word of the promised feast that would take over Qing Jing for the next few days at this joyful and unexpected news… news that would circle around Jianghu not only elevating his Shizun’s status but would shame those assholes that dared to call themselves Martial Siblings but always talk shit about their venerable Shizun and their peak…

Ming Fan giggled, already recording everything in his black notebook…

Today was a good day, an amazing day even! Shen Jiu hummed happily, fanning himself as he watched his Disciples cry in pain and tiredness; too exhausted as they wan their hundredth lap around the peak… Ah… such a refreshing morning… Shen Jiu smiled, hiding his amusement behind his fan as he saw his Disciples lagging behind and some even tripping and meeting the ground in a harsh embrace.

Such an eventful week full of surprises; for once pleasant surprises that made Shen Jiu content. Full nights of sleep, which left him happy and in a great mood; a good festive time as Qing Jing celebrated for days, and for once their food was adequate enough to be called food instead of wood shaves that would make Shen Jiu gurgle with salt just to get the feeling back in his mouth. To top everything, his youngest Disciple had formed his Golden Core at such a young age, bringing pride and smugness to Shen Jiu at the fact that he was the one responsible for such achievement.

The news would have traveled to Huan Hua by now, and no doubt spread to the rest of Jianghu about Shen Jiu’s amazing achievement. To help a Disciple form a core this young and in such a short time needed a lot of experience and patience from the Master (And a prodigious Disciple that was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence which was rare in their time), a fate that no one pulled other than the Venerable Liu Matriarch who shaped that brutish Liu Qingge into a once in a lifetime talent, but even she didn’t manage to pull Shen Jiu’s fate of making her brute of grandson form his core in just six months.

Shen Jiu let out a happy hum, picking up his teacup and taking a sip, nodding to the Hall Master in charge to tell him that the training was over, which brought nothing but sobs of relief and happiness from the Disciples who fell on the ground in thanks. Only Luo Binghe seemed to hold onto his energy as he ran laps around his falling Shixiongs and Shijies with a grin on his face… So, energetic, so annoying; but I guess I can forgive him for now… Shen Jiu agreed with a nod, picking up his cup to have another sip. Happily enjoying this beautiful and calm day that would bring him peace and quiet…

“Shen-Shixiong!”

“Xiao Jiu!”

“Shen Qingqiu!”

I spoke too soon… Shen Jiu laminated as voices ranged on his quiet and lovely peak, making Shen Jiu’s face scrunched in an automatic death glare as he turned to the Rainbow Bridge, only to see his idiotic Martial Siblings walking toward him with their noses held high in the air (only Liu Qingge was not paying him attention, too busy looking at the Disciples with narrowed eyes, trying no doubt to locate Luo Binghe and challenge him like the brute he was) and scowls on their faces (And a pathetic happy look on Yue Qi’s) as they stood in front of him.

Silence… utter silence dominated his peak, even the birds and animals kept their noise-producing traps shut as his Martial Siblings stood in front of him with their Holier-Than-Thou attitude. Shen Jiu blinked, returning his gaze toward his Disciples to discover why they were so quiet when not a few seconds ago they were panting and crying and shrieking in despair (And giving Shen Jiu such an enjoyable time, that his mood didn’t sour even when facing those idiots standing beside him).

The sight that greeted Shen Jiu made him raise his eyebrow in surprise (And a little confusion but that wasn’t important) when he saw all of his Disciples standing in the clearing like statues, gazing with blank eyes at their Martial Uncles and Aunts, with a look that made even Shen Jiu shiver as part of him wondered if his Disciples got possessed in the past five seconds or so.

“Zhangmen-Shixiong, Shidis, Shimeis.” Shen Jiu said, not even standing from the lovely pavilion that he always sat in during morning drills (To get the best view of his Disciples breaking down and crying; their pain being a great motivation to Shen Jiu, giving him energy every time he heard them sob) content to sit there and be petty by not allowing his Martial Siblings to sit.

As always, his Martial Siblings were assholes who didn’t follow social etiquettes or cues, taking their chances in defying him and taking their seats when their presence was unwanted. Shen Jiu’s lips twitched down as he saw his Martial Siblings get their grapy hands on his pastries before they turned to his Head Disciple and ordered him to bring them tea like he was an errand boy, which made Shen Jiu twitch in anger that he tried desperately to suppress…

Only Shang Qinghua and Liu Qingge didn’t take a seat, waiting for Shen Jiu with expectant eyes; the first looked too tired and disoriented like he didn’t even know where he was, while the second was gazing at Shen Jiu (As he waited for permission) to the training Disciples (Who stood creepily in their places, gazing at them with wide blank eyes like lifeless dolls) to Shen Jiu.

“Shang-Shidi, Liu-Shidi, come sit.” Shen Jiu said, pointing to the vacant place on his left side, and ignoring his Martial Siblings who were still staring at him and making themselves home when they didn’t even have the courtesy to wait until he invited them to sit…

For such a traitorous rat and brute, only Shang Qinghua and Liu Qingge seemed to follow social cues well enough to realize that it was disrespectful to sit without the permission of the Peak Lord when you invaded their domain.

“Hm.” Liu Qingge said, coming to take the seat beside Shen Jiu at his orders, eyes still trained on the Disciples with furrowed brows, trying to spot Luo Binghe no doubt. Ming Fan came not a few seconds later, holding a pot of tea before he went to serve Shen Jiu first, ignoring Yue Qingyuan (As he should!) as he went to serve his Master first, before going to serve Liu Qingge (Such a smart boy! Knowing that Shen Jiu only invited Liu Qingge and Shang Qinghua, which meant only they should be served) and then Shang Qinghua, gaining a harsh frown from his Martial Siblings as they glared at Shen Jiu for his Disciple's misconduct.

“What brings you here?” Shen Jiu asked after a while of festering and uncomfortable silence (Definitely ignoring Yue Qi’s pleading look and the harsh and hateful glare of his Martial Siblings) that was so thick it could be cut by a sword (The only one immune to this was Liu-Shidi who looked closer to pouting the longer he gazed at the Disciples and not finding his wanted target, and Shang Qinghua who looked like he was contemplating sleeping on the soft plate of mooncakes in front of him).

“A-ah! We came to congratulate you Xia- I mean Shen-Shidi!” Yue Qi suddenly said, his words making Shen Jiu raise his eyebrow so high it was a wonder how that damned eyebrow didn’t take a fly off his face and to the sun; silence reigned over the peak.

Blinking once, then twice; Shen Jiu ignored Yue Qi and turned to Liu Qingge who picked up his cup and started sipping his tea, surprise and confusion on his face as he continued to have a staring contest with his Disciples (Who were creepily watching them without moving from their spots). “Liu-Shidi, what brought you here?” Shen Jiu asked, knowing that if he wanted someone to tell him what the hell was going on or give him a hint to work with then it would be his clueless Shidi who would sing like a bird with a few well-pointed jabs.

“Huh?” Liu Qingge blinked, breaking his staring contest with his Disciples to turn to Shen Jiu. “I came to see the Disciple everyone was talking about; I don’t know about them.” His Shidi stated while pointing at their Martial Siblings, making Shen Jiu hum, knowing that the chance of a good challenge was what kept his Shidi subdued for the time being. “Here, a congratulatory gift.” His Shidi said all of a sudden, giving Shen Jiu a Qiankun Pouch (No doubt overfilled with dead spiritual plants and animals) as a congratulatory gift that was given on such happy occasions; a costume that only his Shidi seemed to follow out of every asshole that claimed to be a Martial Siblings sitting around the table.

“My, my, Shidi, much appreciated; it’s so nice to see some people still followed our teachers’ teaching in such tiring times.” Shen Jiu hummed, jabbing at his Martial Siblings who twitched in their seats and glared at him, for such words even if they were true… only Liu Qingge didn’t understand the implication, nodding his head not even knowing what Shen Jiu meant.

The overworked and always on the verge of a nervous breakdown Peak Lord, gazed at Shen Jiu, his soulless eyes looked so tired as he shuffled through his Qiankun Sleeves, bringing out a Qiankun Pouch smeared with ink. “Congratulations, Red Date Tea, enough for a whole year.” Shang Qinghua said, shaking his head as if trying to wake himself up before returning to what he was doing before, which was nipping on the moon cake in his hand like a rat.

“Much appreciated.” Shen Jiu said, a mocking smile on his lips when he gazed at the rest of his Martial Siblings who shifted in their seats, waiting for the congratulatory gifts that they should have brought but Shen Jiu knew they didn’t bring. Shen Jiu was definitely ignoring Yue Qi and the obnoxious golden Qiankun Pouch in his hands that the Gods only knew what was inside (Shen Jiu bet that if there weren’t jade hairpins, silver and golden hair crowns, silk robes, and many obnoxious gifts fit for courting someone instead of a small congratulation matter, Shen Jiu would eat his shoes).

Silence reigned for more than a few incense sticks time, making Shen Jiu raise his eyebrow as he tapped on the table with his fingers, gazing at his Martial Siblings who shifted in their place, offering only congratulations in annoyed and huffy voices… Shizun would have whooped their asses if he was here… Shen Jiu frowned, sending those assholes a glare that promised them pain and death… Rash Inducing Butterflies it is! …Shen Jiu nodded his head, planning on going with the original plan of destroying Cang Qiong Mountain from the inside.

“Where is your Disciple?” Liu Qingge, having enough of the silence and pleasantries finally asked, looking creeped out by the way his Disciples were still watching them unmoved, looking like scarecrows that Shen Jiu planted and not the Disciples who were crying for their mother quarter of Shichen ago.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Jiu turned to the Disciples before. “Luo Binghe!” He shouted at the top of his lungs, looking around the place for his youngest Disciple with a frown, where did that Little Beast go?

“Here!” Was heard from behind Shen Jiu, making him blink in surprise and turn to look behind him only to see his Disciple holding a teapot being flanked by both Ming Fan who was holding another teapot, and Ning Yingying who was also holding another teapot; all of them have a strange expression on their faces… what the hell was going on here?

Before Shen Jiu waved to his Disciple to come, a shriek resonated from Qi Qingqi’s place as she all but flung her cup screaming and spitting and jumping all over the place. “There is a frog in my tea!” She shrieked, her words making the other female sitting on the table jump, while the men spat their tea (Only Liu Qingge blinked in confusion and looked at his tea before taking a sip, Shang Qinghua seemed too out of it to know what the hell was going on around him).

“Is that… a tadpole?” Ku Xing Peak Lord questioned, while another shrieked about frog eggs in his cup; it didn’t take long before everything descended into chaos, and frogs… huge frogs… came out of nowhere and started to croak and hop and summoned shrieks from the Peak Lords who scrambled off their seats.

“Did these monsters escape from Ye Shou peak?!” Shrieked someone that Shen Jiu was one hundred percent sure was Wei Qingwei, even when their shrilled voice was more fitting for a female than a heavy-bodied male. Shang Qinghua blinked his eyes open, furrowing his brows as he gazed at a huge frog that sat on the table near him and stared at the mousy man; this resulted in a staring match that was enough for Shen Jiu to snort.

“They are just frogs, why are they afraid?” Liu Qingge asked in confusion, looking around at his Martial Siblings who were jumping around and screaming, running away as if their lives depended on it, his eyes falling on a frog that croaked near his tea; his Shidi’s answer to the creature? Flick it with his finger until it flew away, falling on Qi Qingqi’s head, which made the woman scream bloody murder… Only you, Shidi, only you… Shen Jiu’s lips twitched up into a vindictive smile when he heard Ming Fan and Ning Yingying snicker behind them, no doubt this was part of their plan to drive the Peak Lords off his peak.

“I don’t know…” Shen Jiu took a sip from his tea, giving a look to Ming Fan, Luo Binghe, and Ning Yingying, informing them non-verbally that he wanted his peak frog-free by the end of the night or they would be punished heavily, to which his Disciples scrambled away, their giggles trapped in their throats as the Peak Lords shrieked like they were being killed with every frog that ran after them (No doubt being drawn by whatever scent his Disciples sprayed on their Martial Uncle and Aunts).

Needless to say, today was an amazing day to be out…

Chapter Text

Everyone! Please go and thank the kind and amazing artist (justaduck101) who took the time out of their busy schedule to draw this beautiful art for the first chapter of this story. Dear, you are amazing! Thank you for this beautiful gift!

Shen Jiu hummed as he snuggled into his blanket, the fluffiness and warmth caused him to sigh happily as he burrowed deeper into that silky warmth; humming happily now and then and shifting between the realm of sleep and wakefulness, but not daring to wake up just yet (Not when sleep finally decided to show up after hours of insomnia). Snuggling into his pillows once more, Shen Jiu mumbled something into his bed, already imaging how his day was going to be and could only smile unconsciously as he remembered that today was going to be the end of the year’s exam, which meant children crying, and stressing about their day as they went from pavilion to pavilion to be tested and examined, which would either end in passing or failure.

Shen Jiu could imagine it already! Kids were crying, all stressed to complete the reading materials and knowledge they required to go through for their exams; some would have nervous breakdowns or two as they tried to cram all the knowledge, they had spent the year studying in these short few days before the exams, and still failing to complete their task which would result in more panic attacks and mental breakdowns. Many would try to find a way to cheat (Those annoying nobles! Too stupid to hold a book and read or prepare beforehand so they think they could pull one on Shen Jiu!) only to have Shen Jiu standing over them and kicking them off the peak.

Panic would spread around the peak as many would have no doubt run back and forth, either testing their physical strength and see if they were ready for the next stage of Cultivation or testing their knowledge, which would include the course they studied this year and the past years as whole, which would always cause panic amongst anyone stupid enough not to review the materials from past years.

Panic attacks, violence, mental issues, and sleep deprivations as kids found the surface closest to them to break down and cry as if their lives depended on it, feeling so pitiful and sorry for being born and some would even yeet themselves off the peak completely, having lost it and wouldn’t be able to continue on with this cruel, cruel existence…

Ah! The end of the year’s exams… Shen Jiu’s most beloved and happiest day, and his only time to shine when he would lean back on his chair, sip tea, and eat sweets as he let the cries of his Disciples lull him to calmness and happiness; forever feeling on top of the world with every brat he saw running for their lives and screaming as if their lives depended on it. To make things even more enjoyable, those brats as soon as they saw him walking between them, started scrambling around like headless chickens, screeching and falling into a blind panic as the life left their tired eyes…

You know what? Shen Jiu was so going to be with the group of the Hall Masters sent to test the brats today; he needed a first seat to see how the panic and terror were going to spread when the realization that Shen Jiu was going to be there to test those ungrateful idiots… maybe he could even fail those few smartasses who kept disturbing his peak and refused to study, and then kick them off the peak! Yeah… yeah… that was an amazing plan, and Shen Jiu was amazing for thinking of it! Ahhhhhh! What a lovely-

“Shen Qingqiu!”

Oh, for God’s sake! …Shen Jiu could only hiss as he shuffled out of his warm and soft cocoon, cursing the brute for daring to wake him up at the crack of dawn and disrupt Shen Jiu’s lovely plan of torturing those idiotic Disciples that needed some smacking or two! Shen Jiu grumbled to himself, throwing a robe or two on his person before shuffling toward the person knocking madly at his door at… it was still dark out there!

“Oh, he is so going to get it!” Shen Jiu growled as he marched toward the door like he was marching to kill a stupid beast that needed to be put down; his anger and indignation allowed him to march toward the idiot who should have been given a smack or two to teach him how wrong it was to disrupt people’s rest, especially when the sun hasn’t even shown its ugly face yet. “What?!” Shen Jiu snapped, swinging the door open and glaring at Liu Qingge with daggers in his eyes, swearing that if his stupid Shidi didn’t start singing in the next few seconds he would make him fish food.

The sight in front of him made him pause, and Shen Jiu could only open and close his mouth a few times before he finally managed to close his mouth and furrow his brows instead. There standing on the front porch of his Bamboo House stood Liu Qingge in all of his glory; Liu Qingge who had what looked like a young Blue Emerald Serpent (A precious and rare creature whose whole body was made from emerald gems; in fact, some said that this creature was once a gem before it gained consciousness and cultivated a body of its own) held like a jumping rope (If you could call it that because the snake was so tiny! Thirty cm at best, probably a newborn, as Shen Jiu heard the adults could reach up for thirty meters or so), a proud expression on his face as he thrust the snake (That was looking at Shen Jiu with pleading eyes filled with tears begging for salvation… which what?! What the hell was going on here?!!!!) toward him, looking like a proud cat presenting its owner with its catch.

“I brought you this!” Liu Qingge said proudly, puffing his chest and showing up the snake once more, looking so happy and over the moon, that Shen Jiu could only blink several times, wondering what the hell was going on here, but at the same time, his interest could only perk up at the thought of such rare and precious creature being given to him by his annoying Shidi (An annoying Shidi who kept destroying his properties every once in a while, and then out of nowhere, bringing him these strange -Always dead, but strangely this one was alive- creatures and artifacts before leaving them on his front porch like an annoying cat leaving mice and rats in his owner’s place).

“I… uh… thank you?” Shen Jiu ended up saying after a while of silence, not even knowing what to say or do when the face of his Martial Brother shone with happiness, and Shen Jiu all but saw a tail lazily swishing back and forth in pride. “Now, can I please know why you decided to come into my home in the crack ass of dawn when even the sun didn’t dare to show its face, Shidi?” Shen Jiu finally asked the question on his mind after picking up the snake, putting it in a bamboo basket, and closing the lid to deal with later when he was more awake and ready to deal with that poor creature that was sending him grateful looks (Which Shen Jiu was probably imagining… yeah… imagining… he was probably still asleep or something…).

“I am going on a Night Hunt.” Shen Jiu could only raise his eyebrow high at that, not pointing out to his stupid Shidi that he just returned from a Night Hunt that took over three months to complete. “And I came to invite you with me!” Here, Liu Qingge looked so proud of himself for saying these words that Shen Jiu could only wonder if the brute had hit his head hard during his last Night Hunt.

Silence reigned over the house, maybe for half a Shichen or a whole Shichen; but it was after a long time spent with Shen Jiu staring at his idiot Shidi, wondering if he had gotten possessed or was an imposter, that Shen Jiu understood what the man wanted from him and had come into his home in the middle of the night to tell him. A Night Hunt? Was his Shidi for real? Since when did the man even invite Shen Jiu to a Night Hunt, to begin with?

Oh, wait, wait, wait, wait a damn minute… Ohhhhhhh! ...Shen Jiu remembered now! Liu-Shidi spent every opportunity inviting him to Night Hunts or something of that like, these past six years or so… He thinks… it was only that his Shidi’s invitations usually arrive a few hours or minutes after Yue Qi (Or one of his other annoying Martial Siblings, like that bitch Qi Qingqi -Who always tried to steal his female Disciples- that Wei Qingwei -An asshole who always delivered old and rusty swords to his peak and later raise his nose and claim Shen Jiu insulted his impeccable work- Mu Qingfang -Who only ever came to question him about a plant or wanted to burrow books from him before disappearing back into the ether- and his other annoying Martial Siblings -Excluding Shang Qinghua who was having a nervous breakdown in his office ninety-five percent of the time before spending the other five percent working with the Demons and failing miserably because that demonic brat from the Mobei bloodline seemed to fancy Shang Qinghua and wanted him as consort, but his mousy Shidi was thinking the Demon was after his blood and wanted to kill him and wear his skin as a suit which resulted in more mental breakdowns and crying fits- who always had that Higher-Than-Thou attitude) came into his peak and destroyed his mood to the point of no return with his stupid apologies; so by then Shen Jiu was in a foul mood and would explode on this poor idiot and kick him off his peak without hearing him out… no wonder Shen Jiu didn’t remember when he usually tried to erase the days Yue Qi (Or any other Martial Siblings) came into his peak from his mind; so, pretty much this was the first time Shen Jiu remembered his stupid Shidi inviting him a Night Hunt with clarity.

“So… let me get this straight…” Shen Jiu drawled after what felt like decades of silence, where his Shidi didn’t sit still instead shifting all around his home, like a cat marking its territory (If the sniffing and the scrunched nose followed by hums were anything to get by) before finally returning to Shen Jiu’s side filled with satisfaction after finding what he was looking for. “You came into my home during the crack ass of dawn, waking me up and bringing me a rare mythical creature, all in the name of trying to cajole me to come with you on a Night Hunt?” Shen Jiu put the facts as he saw them, looking at his stupid Shidi who puffed his chest in pride, as if proud about what he just did, regardless of the fact that Shen Jiu was giving him the side eye and was a step from smacking him with his fan in retaliation.

“I won't say cajole…” His Shidi furrowed his brows a bit, before continuing. “Just showing you what we could find and hunt if you come with me.” This made Shen Jiu pause once more, gazing at his Shidi with a silent and judgmental look, that his stupid Shidi didn’t notice or didn’t seem to care about either way he continued to tilt his head like a stupid cat with his sight on Shen Jiu, looking at him with an expecting look, as if waiting for him to agree.

“Wait, so you…” Shen Jiu pointed at his Shidi. “…Want me…” Then he pointed at himself for clarification. “…The person our Martial Siblings hated and despised and on many more occasions accused me of trying to kill you…” ‘They did what?!’ Liu Qingge looked confused and angry as he cut Shen Jiu for a second, which made Shen Jiu blink and narrow his eyes when he discovered something new just then, but he ignored it for the sake of clarifying the situation. “You want me, to come with you on a Night Hunt? A Night Hunt that would possibly take weeks, maybe months, where the two of us would be forced to remain without water, food, shelter, or any comfort for the duration of our hunt. You want me to come with you on a Night Hunt where we would travel around Jianghu and in the end could possibly end up getting killed because of this stupid hunt. Me?” Shen Jiu watched his Shidi’s eyes get blown away like a cat high on catnip.

“Yes!” Liu Qingge replied, looking so happy and proud and… sparkly… to the point, Shen Jiu squinted at the man and was a minute away from raising his hand to shield his face and eyes from all the… sparkles… flying around his Shidi, who only lacked cat ears that would be perked up if they existed, and a tail that would swish back and forth, as his Shidi all but purred in satisfaction.

“Yeah… ok… that’s it, I am probably still sleeping and having this mad dream…” Shen Jiu mumbled to himself, heading toward his bedroom and ignoring the ‘Mrrp’ sound his Shidi let out as he followed Shen Jiu to the bedroom, looking a little conflicted as he looked between Shen Jiu and the floor of the bedroom, before deciding to enter the room after he saw Shen Jiu burrow under his blankets once more.

“Shixiong, you still haven’t answered me, are you coming with me on a Night Hunt?” Liu Qingge questioned, all put pulling the blankets off Shen Jiu, and causing the man to groan in annoyance as he ordered this stupid dream to vanish, and get replaced with the sound of his idiotic Disciples’ cries of pain and despair. “Shixiong? Shixiong? Shixiong? Are you coming? Shixiong, I brought the snake so you need to come! Shixiong, we will hunt many prey together and I promise I will be good this time! Shixiong!” And here, his annoying Shidi continued to yowl near his head while pulling on the blankets; an annoying and persistent dream that refused to be shoo-ed away, even when Shen Jiu hissed at him to scram.

“Ok! That’s it! That’s it! Bad cat! Bad cat! Shoo!” Shen Jiu snapped, letting go of the blankets which made his Shidi squeak and fall on his ass a bit confused and disoriented; seeing this as his chance, Shen Jiu picked up his Shidi from the back of his robes like he was nothing but a misbehaving kitten, ignoring the grumbles and hisses his Shidi let out as he squirmed and tried to escape his strong grip, confirming every suspect Shen Jiu had about his Shidi being part feline. “Out, and stay out! Bad kitten!” Shen Jiu plopped his Shidi on his front porch and slammed the door in his face, turning around and ignoring the pounding and scratching at his door as Liu Qingge yowled like an injured cat, demanding entry into his home, while calling his name in the loudest voice he had, intending to wake every damn person in these mountains.

Grumbling to himself, Shen Jiu marched toward his bedroom, shuffling a bit before he burrowed deeply into his blankets, ignoring the noises outside his house that informed him some of his Hall Masters had arrived and were forcefully escorting Liu Qingge off the peak; squeaking and cursing now and then as they no doubt get scratched and bitten by his annoying Shidi who whined and yowled and demanded Shen Jiu come outside to fight him or prepare himself to come with him on their shared Night Hunt…

Ugh… his Shidi was so annoying when he wanted to be… a rattling came from the bamboo basket outside his bedroom reminding him of the snake his Shidi had brought and Shen Jiu would need to find a use for it sooner or later… either as a medicinal cure or a pet of some sort until it outlived its usefulness and got too big to be contained. “If you don’t stop this annoying shuffling, you damned pest. I swear I will turn you into leather shoes!” And the snake finally stopped moving.

Finally! Quiet! Lovely and peaceful quiet made Shen Jiu sigh in relief when the snake finally quieted down (Too terrified of his threat), allowing Shen Jiu to snuggle into his bed and return to sleep, undisrupted. Shen Jiu paused a bit before returning back to sleep, an amused smile quirked on his lips as a thought passed his mind before he traveled to the land of happy dreams. Smiling contently when he dreamed of sitting on a throne, laughing evilly as he ordered his henchmen to torture his stupid Martial Siblings for all the wrongs, they committed against him…

You know what?

Maybe Shen Jiu will reward his Shidi for a job well done…

“Something is strange…” Ming Fan mumbled to himself, gazing at his Shizun with narrowed eyes, trying to see what made his sense tingle and gain his attention so fast that Ming Fan couldn’t concentrate on his studies, even when he knew that in a few hours, his turn would arrive and he would be evaluated and tested to the point of screaming mother and running off the peak as half of his Martial Siblings had already done.

 “Eh?” Ning Yingying, who was munching on her sweets and kicking her legs let out a questioning noise, raising her head from Luo Binghe’s books and gazing at Ming Fan with a questioning look that was mirrored by the creature beside her (That, that, annoying and brilliant creature who was tested a few months earlier and succeeded with flying colors! Oh, Gods above! Even remembering this envy and pride could only course through Ming Fan, even when he all but pouted at the fact that Luo Binghe was seen fit by his Shizun to be tested earlier, while Ming Fan and Ning Yingying had to wait for the end of the year’s exams to be evaluated) who was doodling something in his Cultivation manual that looked suspiciously like Shizun.

“What do you mean, Shixiong? Did something happen?” Luo Binghe stopped kicking his feet in the air and gazed at Ming Fan with searching eyes, causing Ming Fan to hum, his eyes not leaving his Shizun as he inspected the man up and down, watching how he fanned himself and stamped another certification with red ink to inform another Martial Sibling of his that they failed, rending the Shixiong in question a sobbing mess who fell on the floor and had to be removed by the Hall Masters to Qian Cao before they Qi Deviate.

“…I don’t know…” Ming Fan drawled out, narrowing his eyes more and squinting until everything became blurry trying to see what made him on edge and suspecting that something happened with his Shizun… no, not something happened but… changed? …Ming Fan doesn’t know, but he was itching to get to the bottom of it. “Do you notice something strange with Shizun?” Ming Fan questioned, finally turning to his Shimei and Shidi, knowing that at least three minds and three pairs of eyes were better than Ming Fan driving himself insane in the hope of knowing what was going on with his Shizun.

At this both Ning Yingying and Luo Binghe looked at one another before they craned their heads to gaze at Shizun, who had a satisfied look on his face when another Disciple lost it and had a mental breakdown in the middle of the testing pavilion, sobbing and crying before running away and screaming bloody murder (Poor, poor Shixiongs and Shijies… so far, the only ones who passed Shizun’s hellish tests were Li Xie, Hua Ming, and some Shijies who looked like Fierce Corpses with the way they moved, having stayed up three nights in row studying).

“Is it the new hairstyle? Robes? Hair crown?” Ning Yingying said after a while, narrowing her eyes a bit and studying Shizun, assessing everything with a critical eye, refusing to leave anything amiss. “…Or is it because Shizun is happy today?” Ning Yingying hummed, munching on her mooncake with deep thoughts.

“…Shizun slept more than three hours today and he didn’t complain about breakfast, he even said the tea was adequate today and doesn’t taste like piss; that’s probably why he is happy.” Luo Binghe nodded his head before he went on a detailed report about what Shizun had done ever since he woke up this morning, what he ate and drank, and what he thought about, before finally coming here to enjoy the show that was taking place in Qing Jing as everyone started losing it and crying hysterically when they realized that Shen Jiu was the head of the exams’ committee and was going to evaluate the Disciples. “Oh! Maybe it’s because of that new bracelet around his right arm; the blue one shaped like a snake?” And here both Ming Fan and Ning Yingying craned their necks once more, trying to spot the bracelet their Shidi talked about.

“Oh, yeah! It’s so cute! I wonder where Shizun got it, this is the first time I saw something like this.” Ning Yingying cooed, looking so bewitched by the bracelet, and Ming Fan no doubt knew his Shimei would follow his Shizun and bug him for the rest of the month so he would tell her from where he brought this bracelet so she would buy one too.

“Wait a minute…” Ming Fan mumbled, squinting his eyes and trying to place where he saw this bracelet, because honest to God, Ming Fan felt that bracelet was too familiar and that Ming Fan had seen it somewhere before… just where? Ming Fan started tapping on his book, trying to remember where he saw that thing.

“Shen Qingqiu!”

Only to have his concentration snap at the appearance of Liu Qingge, that annoying Shixiong-Hater species that continued to come again and again to Qing Jing without Ming Fan being able to banish that cockroach away. “Oh, for God’s sake!” Ming Fan cursed like a sailor, already standing up from his seat and planning on chasing that annoying Shishu off with a broomstick.

“Liu-Shidi, to what do I own the pleasure of you bothering me for the second time this day?” Their Shizun’s question, not even raising his head as he stamped another ‘Failed’ with red ink on the certification of another Shixiong, ignoring the sobs and whimpers of pain as the Shixiong took the certificate and headed toward the cliff on Qing Jing to throw himself off it, ignoring the Hall Masters and other Disciples who ran after him to stop him.

“I forget to give you the snake food.” Liu-Shishu suddenly said, putting a Qiankun Pouch near Shen Qingqiu, causing the Peak Lord to pause for a bit and blink. As for the Hall Masters and Disciples, they could only freeze in their place, gazing at their Shishu, some with anger in their eyes, and others, were already planning on castrating the idiot for insulting their Shizun and calling him a snake in such an underhanded way… was this a new way for bullying, those annoying Peak Lords had invented? If so, Ming Fan swore that he would release those Acid Spewing Spiders all over Qiong Ding and be over with it.

“Oh?” Their venerable Shizun, the kind and wise man he was didn’t immediately kick the bastard in the face and be over with it, instead, he picked up the bulging pouch and opened it, blinking in shock (That was mirrored by everyone) when precious jewels and stones burst out of the Qiankun Pouch. “What the…” Shen Qingqiu mumbled, gazing at his Shidi with a raised eyebrow. “Shidi, are you sure you haven’t slammed your head on something during your Night Hunt? Do you need me to take you to Qian Cao for evaluation? …Or are you ignorant of animals’ anatomy and how they survived?” Shen Qingqiu questioned, gazing at his Shidi with a look full of pity that Liu Qingge didn’t pay attention to, just gazing at their Shizun and blinking slowly (And creepily if they had to say).

“Eh?” Liu Qingge tilted his head to the side, a look of confusion flashed on his face. “But Nainai told me that Blue Emerald Serpents’ diet consists of nothing but pure Qi and precious gems; unlike the Green ones that feast on meat and lifeforce… look!” Liu Qingge pointed at Shizun’s right hand, and Ming Fan all but screeched like a girl (Followed by nearly everyone around) when he saw the blue bracelet around his Shizun’s forearm move all of sudden and throw itself in the middle of the Qiankun Pouch, swallowing gem after gem and letting out hissing sounds, looking too content and happy as it wiggled its tail while burrowing itself deep into the Qiankun Pouch.

“Down! Down, you bad snake, down!” Their Shizun snapped, picking up the snake from its tail and ignoring the hissing sound the snake let out as their Shizun shook it and forced it to regorge the gems that all but choked the snake as it made its mouth bulge. “If you don’t stop this second, I will return you back to this brute!” And here the snake froze, letting out a hissing sound before it jumped and hid itself in their Shizun’s Qiankun Sleeve, not showing itself again.

“It was a snake…” Ming Fan mumbled, feeling too faint and on the verge of passing out (Dear Gods above, how Ming Fan hates snakes! He hates them, hates them, hates them! And now their venerable Shizun had one that was wrapped around his wrist like it was a bracelet! …Even if it was a rare and precious species that no one managed to catch alive and record if you didn’t count the Liu Matriarch and the previous Qing Jing Peak Lord), hiding behind Luo Binghe who was gazing at their Shizun with wide and sparkly eyes, not believing that their Shizun had wrestled a snake into submission in a few words.

“…Here, I also brought you a book that talks about Emerald Serpents, Nainai wrote and recorded everything you needed to know about the species and their diets.” Liu Qingge shuffled through his Qiankun Sleeves and produced the book he talked about, putting it near their Shizun who grumbled something and picked up the book, opening the pages and shuffling through.

“Anything else, I need to know about the pest you brought me, Shidi?” Their Shizun questioned, and Ming Fan’s head perked up as he heard that their Shishu was the one who brought this creature to their peak…… that disgusting cockroach! He did this on purpose to drive Ming Fan away from his Shizun using his fear of snakes and Ning Yingying's weariness of them!

Liu Qingge blinked once, twice, thrice… all in that slow and creepy way of his while looking at their Shizun. “Other than the fact this variety I brought is known for their tiny body and inability to get bigger than the one I gave you. Keeping it on you prevents Qi Deviations, like a Spiritual Animal of some sort; if you feed it your Qi, then the snake would recognize you as its parent and wouldn’t attack or try to bite. Just feed it some of your Qi for six days, and on the seventh, feed it some jewels and that’s that; it’s easy to raise and low-maintenance… Oh! And it’s very venomous; its poison is untraceable and will be able to kill in less than thirty seconds, so be careful of letting it bite anyone else.” Ming Fan could only shiver to hear this, his fight or flight instincts shooting through the roofs at what he heard. That annoying cockroach! He really did this on purpose!

A shiver ran over everyone’s spine as they saw Shen Qingqiu’s face slowly break into a devilish grin that all but split his face in two. “Is that so?” Their Shizun questioned, letting out a dark chuckle as he gazed at his sleeve where the snake was hiding. “My, my, Shidi… your efforts of trying to get me to Night Hunting with you are working…” Hearing this, Liu Qingge perked up, and let out a cute ‘Mrrp!’ noise that made many women blink and some even gasped and looked at their Shishu with wide sparkly eyes, including Ning Yingying!

“Does that mean you agree to go with me on a Night Hunt?” And here Ming Fan pushed Luo Binghe away screaming out a choked ‘What?!’ horror and indignation coursing through him as he heard his Shishu’s presumptuous order. What the hell was going on? And why would his Shishu even dare to talk to his Shizun when he was nothing but an annoying pest that needed to perish for following his Shizun around all the time and destroying Qing Jing?!

“I will think about it and give you the answer after New Year.” Here Ming Fan looked around, trying to find something to help him break whatever spell that annoying Shishu of his had put on his Shizun because when did their venerable Shizun ever agree to go Night Hunting with such a brute?! “Now, be a good cat and scram away, and punish those idiotic Disciples of yours, they are destroying my bamboo forest!” A choked noise came from Ming Fan’s side, and he didn’t even need to turn to Luo Binghe to see the creature before him was choking and frothing at the mouth after hearing their venerable Shizun compliment their Shishu and even pat his head; which made all of Qing Jing Disciples glare at their Shishu with eyes that promised death and pain for what that Shixiong-Hater species had done to trick their Shizun and make him lower his defenses.

Then and there, Ming Fan could only hiss, clutching his training sword and promising to skew that annoying cockroach then and there for daring to come near his Shizun; a line of thought that was mirrored by everyone around (Except the women who cooed and started ‘Pspspspsps!’-ing for Liu Qingge, which made the man blink and tilt his head before scrunching his nose and walking away like a haughty cat) as they glared at their Shishu’s retreating back… you know what?

Bai Zhan Peak needed to be reminded of its place…

Acid Spewing Spiders would do a great job of that…

…(Xiao Yu slithered around, hissing softly and flicking her tongue exploring the space around her, trying to get to know her new home better; blinking her eyes, Xiao Yu (The name that her new Patriarch bestowed upon her!) twitched and raised her head to look around the place, feeling a sudden disturbance in the air around that made her scales tingle and dangerous hissing noises left her throat as she traveled around, trying to find the place the disturbance had come from.

 Xiao Yu looked at her surroundings once more, raising her head and flicking her tongue trying to determine who dared to enter her territories (While begging the Gods and her new Patriarch who recognized her as kin and fed and took care of her; that the disturbance wasn’t caused by that scary cat who found her in the first place… it was such a scary cat! Pulled her off the tree and played with her like she was a rope or a toy of some sort and threw her in the air until she became dizzy; all because Xiao Yu was stupid and hungry and thought that she could eat those fleshy thingies like all those big and green snakes so she tried to attack and bite… It wasn’t Xiao Yu’s fault that she spent months hungry because there were no jewels around to eat! Besides! Xiao Yu was kicked out of her very cozy and lovely home by that scary and huge, green one like her, but wasn’t like her, because it could get bigger and bigger, and eat those fleshy thingies that had been chasing Xiao Yu for months before that scary cat managed to hunt her! …At least, when that scary cat brought her to its Master, the Master was kind enough to take Xiao Yu under his protection! Feeding her Qi and jewels and petting her every time she did something right, like driving those idiots away from his territory or scaring those tiny fleshy thingies when they refused to listen to her Patriarch’s orders; he even kept that scary cat away, allowing her to rest and hide in his flowy layers without complaint, and even gave her a name! …He was a very kind Patriarch indeed, probably why Xiao Yu didn’t attack and bite that scary cat that always caused problems when it came; besides, her Patriarch seemed to like that scary cat, so she couldn’t do a thing to keep it away… and she didn’t want to be turned into a toy by that cat again, so…) so she could deal with them.

Reaching her Patriarch's den (A place that she was forbidden to go in after dark when her Patriarch was sleeping), Xiao Yu paused, wondering if she could go in or if she would get punished if she did so… Her senses were on high alert though, and she felt danger coming within this room that could possibly hurt her Patriarch, the scary cat was not here to defend its Master, and Xiao Yu knew she wouldn’t be able to get out of the house and get help from those fleshy thingies (Because they always run away when they saw her or sometimes they didn’t notice her… or she would get found by that scary and dangerous Heavenly Demon lurking around her Patriarch -Much scarier than that cat! Because at least the cat wouldn’t hurt her because it listens to its Master! But Heavenly Demons? Those monsters love eating her kind!- and always threw Xiao Yu dirty looks!).

Gathering her resolve, Xiao Yu slithered under the door and inside the room, promising herself that she would just check on her Patriarch really quick before leaving and returning back to her exploring. She would be so quiet, that even her Patriarch wouldn’t notice that Xiao Yu broke the rules and get inside his den!

What Xiao Yu saw when she entered made her hackles rise and she could only hiss dangerously when she saw a blue and shiny square, hovering above her Patriarch who was bleeding from his Qiqiao and thrashing in his nest, letting out pained huffs as he clutched his heart.

“Beast!” Xiao Yu hissed, lunging at that square and trying to bite it, trying to make it go as far away from her Patriarch as she could. “What do you think you are doing?!” Xiao Yu hissed in her tongue, letting out dangerous and threatening noises as she curled herself on her Patriarch's chest, trying to heal him while keeping that blue and hovering beast away from her parent.

【 Error! Error! The System encountered a problem. The System is unable to make a connection with the character ‘Shen Qingqiu’! Error! Error! 】

“Stay away! Stay back!” Xiao Yu hissed, lunging at the creature again and trying to bite it once more, maybe poison it and kill it so it wouldn’t dare to come near her Patriarch like how it foolishly tried to do when Xiao Yu was away! Just wait until Xiao Yu, told that scary cat about you! That scary cat would break you into many tiny pieces and scatter them all around the world for daring to mess with their Master!

【 Error! Error! Mission abort, mission abort! Return soul ‘Shen Yuan’ to the real world, mission abort. Error! 】

Xiao Yu hissed, watching as that creature flickered in and out of existence before it vanished completely; with that creature’s absence, Xiao Yu noticed how her Patriarch finally relaxed, letting out a relieved sigh as he slumped back into his nest, finally his body accepting the Qi Xiao Yu offered her parent.

It took time before her Patriarch stopped bleeding from his Qiqiao, a few more before he finally relaxed completely and all signs of Qi Deviation disappeared, leaving only a bloody nest, and a bloody face that didn’t have a trace of pain on it.

Worried that the creature was going to come back (And being thankful that threatening the creature with that scary cat had worked) Xiao Yu wrapped herself around her Patriarch’s right wrist that held tightly to the front of his layers (Her favorite spot, where she always gets pets and scratches from her parent), giving him Qi and waiting for the morning to come where her Patriarch was going to wake up and then Xiao Yu would tell him all about that scary beast hovering around and wanting to hurt him…

Xiao Yu was also going to tell that scary cat about the beast… If anything could be scarier than her Patriarch when he was angry, then it was that scary cat who looked at everything like it was a meal and would beat those fleshy thingies who got near her Patriarch and make him angry until they started crying and running away from their Master’s territory… surprisingly, her Master still didn’t realize what that scary cat usually does when it was away from their Master’s side; if he did, then their Master would also pet and give the cat some treats like he always does Xiao Yu after a job well done… Yeah… Xiao Yu was so going to tell the scary cat about what happened tonight…

Maybe then the scary cat would get some hugs and kisses from their Master, and stop being mean to her …

At least, that's what Xiao Yu hoped...)…

Chapter Text

Today was a good day… That was the first thing Shen Jiu thought as he woke up that morning; confused and disorientated but no less energetic and brimming with Qi to the point he was buzzing in his bed ready to face the world and what it threw at him. Shen Jiu felt like he was on top of the world and no one was going to stand in his way and ruin his nice mood, not even annoying Disciples or Martial Siblings (It was much later after he finally snapped out of it that he realized the sticky situation he was in with blood all over his face and sheets, which made him furrow his brows as the signs of Qi Deviation glared at him in the face… but how and why wasn’t Shen Jiu affected or in Qian Cao’s Healing Pavilion? Why wasn’t he sick or in pain or anything? …It was only later that Shen Jiu noticed Xiao Yu wrapped around his wrist, and the realization struck him when he saw the little snake after remembering his Shidi’s words… you know what? Xiao Yu deserves all the pets and treats in the world and today was her day; Shen Jiu was going to spoil her rotten from now on!).

Today was a good day… That was the only thing Shen Jiu could think of as he prepared himself to face the world that day. Feeling content and happy, he was pleasantly surprised when his breakfast tasted like food and not the wood shaving he had the misfortune of suffering through for years now. Even the tea was adequate! Something that rarely happened unless Ming Fan or one of the more senior Disciples handled the tea-making duties. So, watered and fed, Shen Jiu could only hum in contentment because you know what? Maybe today was going to be good.

Today was a good day… Shen Jiu thought with a satisfied smirk as he went to sit in the Pavilion outside with tea, letting the tired cries and moans of his students as they went on with their morning drills, and some (The poor ones who had failed their tests and had to take extra courses to compensate) weeping over their books and scrolls, loll him to calmness unseen before. Shen Jiu hummed happily, picked up his cup, and sipped his tea, feeling on top of the world then and there with every pained noise that filtered to his ears from those little critters who still hadn’t learned anything about life.

Today was a good day… Shen Jiu thought to himself as he petted Xiao Yu, and gave her treats and scratches; feeling content and happy and thankful as he glanced at the little snake that was the reason that Shen Jiu was up and walking after a Qi Deviation he suffered last night… you know what? Shen Jiu decided he would humor his Shidi by going with him on the next Night Hunt the man was planning to go and die on; a thank you of sorts for giving him Xiao Yu who had proven herself dependable (Her? Him? They? Shen Jiu used to call the little snake an ‘It’ but after yesterday, the little snake deserved to be upgraded to one of the above, because the little snake had proven herself more capable than half of his students with the way she handled a Qi Deviating person. Personally, Shen Jiu was leaning more toward using the ‘Her’ pronunciation regardless of what Xiao Yu was; after all, they have many nasty men around the peak, and God knows the world was full of them to the point they continue to keep popping out like cockroaches… well, then it’s decided, as the owner of this little snake he had the ultimate power to bestow whatever title he wanted to the snake, and from now on, Xiao Yu was a 'Lady' so deal with it!).

Today was a good day… Shen Jiu snickered to himself as he watched his Hall Masters torture (*Cough* teach *Cough*!) his Disciples to the point of tears and humiliation, their sobs resonated around the peak, making Shen Jiu let out a happy sigh as he picked up another mooncake and started munching on it. For the first time in what felt like forever, Shen Jiu was in a very high Spirit, and he was completely relaxed and content to the point nothing could ruin his day.

Today was a good day… and Shen Jiu was already planning on what he was going to do during the New Year and the busy schedule after the vacation he was planning on taking… Hmmm, Shen Jiu could do so many things on his vacation this year considering that he had finished everything he needed to finish this year and all of his paperwork was in order. Shen Jiu could finally visit his A-Jie after so long, go and refill his candy storage from the village down below; he also needed to start making plans for the new courses his students would undertake, and he needed to make sure it would be so hard that those who passed this year would fail with the rest… there was also the New Year Celebration that Qiong Ding was going to host, and Shen Jiu needed an excuse to get out of… could he pretend that he Qi Deviated so severely and that he couldn’t get out of bed to attend the celebration? Nah, that was a very, very bad idea, if that damned Yue Qi heard about Shen Jiu deviating or getting sick then that annoying mutt would just camp outside of his house until he was let in… you know what? Maybe Shen Jiu would take his Shidi on the promised Night Hunt, only if that idiotic cat promised to let Shen Jiu do his shopping in peace before they went and killed themselves by whatever beast his Shidi had his eyes on.

Today was-

“Xiao Jiu!”

…I spoke too soon… Shen Jiu could only lament to himself, feeling every good emotion that coated him since waking up evaporate into the air above, leaving Shen Jiu scowling harshly as he turned his gaze to see an idiot making a nuisance out of himself running toward Shen Jiu while ignoring the Disciples and Hall Masters that were trying to stop him and drag him off the peak.

Think of the devil and he shall appear… Shen Jiu could only think bitterly when Yue Qi the idiot had dared to run toward him and stop in front of the Pavilion Shen Jiu was sitting inside, making the man sigh tiredly and motion for his Disciples and Hall Masters to go and that he would deal with this nuisance himself. “How many times did I order you to not call this Master by that name?” Shen Jiu hissed in irritation instead of greeting Yue Qi back, making the man, as always, ignore what Shen Jiu had to say and take a seat on the other side of the table, looking at Shen Jiu like a mutt that was too happy and was wagging its tail in anticipation.

“How has Qingqiu-Shidi been doing these past few days?” Yue Qingyuan started his small talk, and Shen Jiu could only blink once, twice, three times before he felt his left eye twitch at the small talk Yue Qingyuan tried to start when he knew damn well that Shen Jiu was not the type to want any small talk between the two of them to take place.

Xiao Yu seemed to feel his irritation if the way she moved around his wrist was an indication, so Shen Jiu petted the snake gently on the head, more to calm himself than to calm the animal down. “What do you want, Yue-Shixiong? Cut to the chase, I have students to teach after this and my schedule is tight.” Shen Jiu sneered, wanting to get this over with and leave then and there, because hell no he was not going to sit down and listen to any small talk Yue Qi would start when he had one and a million better things to do.

Yue Qingyuan hearing this, seemed to have wilted in his place like a flower left in the sun too long; to make things worse, the pathetic idiot was giving Shen Jiu some pathetic puppy-eyed look that made Shen Jiu sneer and ordered him to hurry up and talk. “I… alright… Ahem… I was wondering if Qingqiu-Shidi is ready to go down the mountain. Is there anything you need?” Yue Qingyuan questioned nervously as he looked at Shen Jiu.

The world all but came to a screeching halt as Shen Jiu heard this, and he narrowed his eyes dangerously while gazing at Yue Qingyuan because what did the man mean by his words? Shen Jiu was not planning on descending the mountain for a very, very long time, and even if he was planning on doing so, he definitely wouldn’t tell this annoying ass, so that meant one thing and one thing only. “Down the mountain?” Still, Shen Jiu questioned the man, giving him the benefit of the doubt, because hell no! Shen Jiu was planning on using his vacation and enjoying himself for once!

Yue Qingyuan shifted, and Shen Jiu growled, feeling like he was this close to jumping the man and beating him to hell with his fan. “There is a problem that had shown up at Shuang Hu City, a case of missing women and…” Yue Qingyuan’s words trailed off when he saw how Shen Jiu was giving him his infamous death glare, daring him to continue and have the next words be his last. “…You could use it as an opportunity for your Disciples to gain experience?” Yue Qi rushed through his reason, his voice as tiny as a gnat as he said this, and Shen Jiu’s eye twitched once more.

“Find someone else.” Was Shen Jiu’s only order before he picked up his teacup and sipped the content, ignoring Yue Qingyuan with all his might and pretending that the annoying bug wasn’t sitting on the other side of him, annoying him to death and trying to force him to go on a mission that no one wanted to go on because they all wanted to celebrate and get shit-faced drunk… probably not Liu-Shidi though, the man abhor alcohol and was content to go on any available mission found, but a missing person/murder case? That would fly over his Shidi’s head and the poor, poor brute would probably be the next victim kidnapped who would be killed… yeah, no; Liu-Shidi was forbidden to go on this mission, and if Shen Jiu had to write to An Ding or Qiong Ding to make it happen he would!

“B-b-b-but, Xiao Jiu!” Yue Qingyuan choked out, and then the next half of Shichen was spent with Yue Qingyuan trying to justify how Shen Jiu was the only person available to go on such a sensitive and important mission like this, trying to convince Shen Jiu that he had chosen him because he knew how competent Shen Jiu was when it came to these types of missions.

Shen Jiu could only roll his eyes as Yue Qingyuan tried to kiss his ass to make him accept this damned mission; all because no one wanted to go and they all wanted to celebrate to their hearts’ content, and what a way to do so, other than get rid of the Scum Villain so he wouldn’t show up to their New Year Celebration and ruin the mood for them? Shen Jiu glanced away from Yue Qingyuan, seething on the inside about the fact that this asshole was the one who came to his peak, and gave him this stupid mission to try and get him off the Sect…

…Poisonous Scorpion Snake, it is! I would like to see you get out of this after I unleash those death traps on Cang Qiong! …Shen Jiu seethed silently, feeling so angry and so wronged but for now, he stepped on it and shoved that feeling in the back of his mind where Shen Jiu would never have the misfortune of thinking about it again, because seriously; dealing with Yue Qi was nothing but pain through and through and a land for a heartache!

You know what? Fine! Have it your way! …Shen Jiu hissed inside his head before finally putting his cup down, looking at Yue Qingyuan in the eye before he gave his demands. “I will go on this mission.” Shen Jiu started slowly, his eyes narrowing when he saw Yue Qingyuan perked up. “But! You are prohibited from setting a foot inside my peak for the next three years if I do so; that’s my price, either take it or scram.” Shen Jiu gave his demands before he leaned back on the backrest of his chair, enjoying the way Yue Qi had paled and he looked like a kicked puppy about to die.

Shen Jiu watched how Yue Qi’s face paled, many emotions and colors passed on the older man’s face as he opened and closed his mouth several times, trying to find an argument that would change Shen Jiu’s mind about this crazy demand that would prohibit him from entering Qing Jing Peak and making a nuisance out of himself. It was easy really, all Yue Qingyuan had to do was go to the other Peak Lords and tell them that they were assigned to this mission and end this charade once and for all; maybe their relationship would even improve when that idiotic Yue Qingyuan decided to stand up once and for all and protect Shen Jiu’s from his Martial Siblings' asshole-ness that had plagued him for years now.

Seconds passed, and then came the minutes, and by then Shen Jiu knew that there was no use with this idiot and that Shen Jiu was stupid for even trying to give him a chance to prove himself to Shen Jiu. “Well then, I will go and prepare for the mission; Sect Leader Yue, I want you off my peak when I get back.” Shen Jiu sneered as he stood up, motioning to one of his (Scarier and more gifted on the physical side) Hall Masters to come and kick Yue Qingyuan off his peak once and for all.

And here was why Shen Jiu was in his carriage that was heading to Shuang Hu City; sighing in annoyance as he fanned himself, grumbling about his chance to have a lovely vacation off the Sect and away from work taken from him by that idiotic Yue Qi and his asshole of Marital Siblings… Just wait until I get back, from now on, your peaks will never see one nugget of gold from my peak’s profit! …Shen Jiu hissed, already seething with the knowledge that the fucking New Year Celebration was all planned out and made true with his money because those assholes couldn’t keep a Tael on hand and always look up to Shen Jiu to pay for everything they wanted or needed without a care of how he made the money in the first place or how tirelessly he and his students spent their time to keep this damn Sect afloat. Damn them all! When Shen Jiu got his hands on their bony necks he promised he would squeeze until they stopped moving and ascended into their second lives! Assholes, lots of them! Shen Jiu should have written essay-long complaints about them and sent them to the previous Peak Lords who chose these… fine works… as their successors!

You know what? What’s stopping Shen Jiu from going to the temples of the previous generation and complaining all he wanted? Every pray from his lips would be about how stupid and incompetent they were for choosing these subpar successors who all but sent the Sect into bankruptcy once every five years, and then Shen Jiu had to step in and save their asses! How stupid was the previous generation to not see with their own eyes how low their Sect had fallen after they chose these idiotic, hypocrites, spoiled, bitchy, asshole-ish, and every bad word under the son, as the future Peak Lords?!

Maybe not Bai Zhan and An Ding…. Shen Jiu decided after he let some steam out by using every curse word under the sun in relation to his Martial Siblings… Yeah, Bai Zhan and An Ding have decent Lords, sane the battle obsession, and working with Demons thing… was Shen Jiu’s final conclusion as he remembered Liu-Shidi and Shang-Shidi, and that the two of them were also not going to show up during the New Year Celebration, Shen Jiu relaxed and decided to have a different approach and invite the two of them to a tea party (Only the three of them) so they could relax and have a tiny New Year Celebration without the rest of the Lords who were just going to sour Shen Jiu’s mood and ruin his day.

Liu Qingge, as long as Shen Jiu had known him, was not one to mingle with the other Lords; in fact, since the two of them had become Peak Lords, Shen Jiu had never once seen him in any function or celebration hosted by the other Lords. If the man wasn’t off on a Night Hunt bashing the heads of his enemies and finding a new animal or prize to put into his ever-growing collections and prizes (That definitely weren’t on Bai Zhan -Shen Jiu checked, don’t ask why it’s not of your concern- but in his home in the Liu Estate in the fear of being stolen or taken by his Martial Siblings, and for that, Shen Jiu could only give the man a nod of respect for such a foresight, but that didn’t mean his hoarding personality and catty deposition wasn’t annoying Shen Jiu, especially when the idiot decided to make Shen Jiu his next target by bring him beasts that he would leave near his doorway like a cat bringing its owner its kill), then the man was with his family celebrating the important holidays. A family man you could say and one who didn’t care about the functions hosted by the other Lords, as they all just talked and gossiped and did nothing of importance… which was probably the reason why Shen Jiu was more tolerant of this Shidi than the rest, and would humor him from time to time by a spar or a duel just to stop the man from going steer crazy… Plus, it did help that the man always paid Shen Jiu back when his brutish Disciples decided to target Qing Jing and wreak havoc and destroy things; sometimes the pay was more than the actual damage worth before later Liu Qingge would beat his brats into submission and scaring them away from Qing Jing… you know what? Liu-Shidi, from now on, was Shen Jiu’s favorite Martial Sibling of all time, and after the last fiasco when he brought Xiao Yu, Liu-Shidi had ascended to Shen Jiu’s somewhat-of-A-friend (An impossible fate that only Liu Qingge seemed to have achieved in this lifetime and probably the next because considering Shen Jiu’s personality and Liu Qingge’s social awkward one, this was an achievement to both of them), a title never bestowed to anyone before so his Shidi should be proud and honor that title!

And then, there was Shang Qinghua… a poor man on the verge of a nervous breakdown ninety-nine percent of the time because of that Demonic brat from the Mobei Clan and if not for that idiotic Demon then it was because of their Marital Siblings who decided to make the poor man’s life a living hell, by doing everything obnoxious under the sun and then count on Shang Qinghua to do something about it and correct their mistakes. Late-night crying fits, nervous breakdowns every now and then, and walking around like a corpse whose soul was lost; that was Shang Qinghua in a nutshell. All thanks to their Martial Siblings and that Mobei brat who didn’t realize that Peak Lords and Cultivators were humans too, and being a human meant people do reach a breaking point somewhere along the line. So far, Shang Qinghua had used the chance of New Year Celebration to yeet himself off the Sect and go on a ‘Night Hunt’, which Shen Jiu knew was a synonym his Shidi loved to use when he was overwhelmed and in need of a long, long vacation before he broke or something. Every New Year, Shang Qinghua would pack his bags and disappear from the world for two weeks or so to go to one of the mountains on the edge of Jianghu which was famous for its hot springs and the resort built in the middle of a river for relaxation. No annoying Demons as Shang Qinghua ‘Accidentally Forgot’ his summoning charm from how hectic the Sect was this time of the year, nor annoying Martial Siblings around because Shang Qinghua decided to get his ass up for once and go on a Night Hunt or something, and the best? No side could confirm what Shang Qinghua was doing and ask about it because of mortal enemies and such, as for Shen Jiu? He was just enjoying the drama from the side (Don’t ask him how he knew all of this because he would never tell even on the threat of death), and thinking that his Shidi got his just punishment for working with the Demons, so why would Shen Jiu insert himself when Shang Qinghua was already suffering fates worse than death? To be honest, his Shidi so far hadn’t done anything to annoy Shen Jiu and was probably the only Martial Sibling out there who showed him respect and was even happy when he saw him (Only because Shen Jiu kept his business and paperwork in order meaning no extra work for that poor idiot), so Shen Jiu could cut him some slacks… that, and Shen Jiu was planning on going to the resort his Shidi adored so much and see what was the fuss all about, so he needed to be on Shang Qinghua’s good side for that to happen because that resort was members only (Still didn’t explain how Shang Qinghua was a member to a resort designed for the imperial family and their trusty Generals and Ministers… hmmm, research for another time).

So, here Shen Jiu was, guiding his Disciples (The ones who didn’t have any pressing matters, nor had a family they wanted to celebrate the new year with, or were planning on going out with their friends and celebrating the night away while making decision they would regret come morning) toward Shuang Hu City, where they would close the missing person/homicide case that had plagued the city for a while now. Personally, Shen Jiu wished that this case wasn’t demonic-related and was done by a deranged human, not only because then closing it would be easy, but Shen Jiu could use the rest of his free time enjoying sightseeing and drinking to his heart's content… Maybe prepare some red envelopes for the brats as a treat for coming to the mission, Hmmm… A thought to ponder on, Shen Jiu decided as he lifted the window curtain with his fan to look outside and stare at the brats who came on this mission.

There Ming Fan was, cackling like crazy while writing something in a black notebook in his hands while looking at Luo Binghe now and then; looking too delighted to be healthy if the sparkle in his eyes was anything to go by. Well! Shen Jiu’s mission was set for the day, he would give all the preparations and mission to Ming Fan, and let’s see if he would smile by the end of the day! Ming Fan just made himself a target, and Shen Jiu hoped the boy would realize that when he noticed that Shen Jiu was pulling himself from this mission to relax (Ming Fan, as far as Shen Jiu knew never returned to his home to celebrate any holiday after Shen Jiu had recruited him as Qing Jing Head Disciple, content to always stay on Qing Jing and with his Martial Siblings, and never even response to the letters his family sent after the news of him being a Head Disciple had spread. Something about a bad home life Shen Jiu managed to overhear from one of the people in Ming Fan’s village when he went to investigate his Disciple’s background and see if he was fit to be at his peak. From then on, Shen Jiu made sure to burn all the letters coming to Ming Fan from his ‘Oh-So-Loving’ family after reading through them, rolling his eyes at the ‘Pride’ dripping from the letter and how they all but begged Ming Fan to make the Qing Jing Peak Lord take his big brother and the son of the main wife as the Lord's Disciple, which was the main topic in every letter they sent…. Yeah, right, they wished!).

Ning Yingying was there too laughing and giggling every time the Little Beast managed to run faster than her horse, which would make the little girl egg her horse to go faster and faster to race him, making Shen Jiu roll his eyes, as an amused smile made it over his lips at the sight (It was a wonder why Ning Yingying didn’t go down the mountain to celebrate with her aunties and mother this time and decided to go with Shen Jiu on this stupid mission, and going as far as throwing a tantrum and say something about being old enough to decide what she wanted to do. Shen Jiu let a mournful sigh, usually, Shen Jiu didn’t have time to celebrate with his Jiejies and Meimeis, content to drop his little niece to the Warm Red Pavilion, talk a bit with his Jiejies and Meimeis, hugging Li-Jie tightly before giving her the gifts he had prepared for the women this year before off he went to complete whatever needed to be completed that day before he forced himself to sit through several agonizing hours with the rest of the Peak Lords to celebrate New Year. Ah, Li-Jie was so going to have it out for him for not coming today and it would end with Shen Jiu having to suffer some scolding from the woman before she then would try to set him up with someone because Shen Jiu was no doubt ‘Lonely’ up there in the mountain in his lone house in the middle of the woods… Ugh, again with that woman trying to set him up! Couldn’t she just leave Shen Jiu be?).

Then there was the Little Beast, Luo Binghe, who decided to be a menace and dismount his horse and run all the way to Shuang Hu City like it was nothing; laughing happily as he ran around and racing with Ning Yingying, and making Ming Fan cackle happily while muttering something about special abilities or something? Shen Jiu didn’t know, he only knew that Luo Binghe was either a masochist for running for hours now and was having fun doing so, or that idiot had a monstrous stamina out of this world… You know what? Shen Jiu could work with this, he needed to see how much stamina the Little Beast had and adjust his training accordingly; after all, Shen Jiu hadn’t forgotten his promise about making the Little Beast the strongest Cultivator in this damned world! He already managed to help the little brat achieve his Golden Core at such a young age, and now, Shen Jiu’s next step was having the little brat fight Liu Qingge and win! That’s why Shen Jiu decided to leave Luo Binghe run around like the menace he was, to study him and see what needed to be adjusted in his training based on his stamina that didn’t seem to wean even after hours of running like an annoying brat (Strangely how Luo Binghe didn’t stay on Qing Jing with the rest of the brats there who were preparing to celebrate the New Year; Shen Jiu knew that the brat didn’t have a family to go to or anywhere to celebrate, but he had thought that the kid would be excited to celebrate with the rest of his Martial Siblings and Hall Masters who were throwing their own party on Qing Jing and exchanging red envelopes and gifts. Apparently not, considering the Little Beast was the first to volunteer after hearing about the mission and begged Shen Jiu relentlessly to take him with him for hours before Shen Jiu sighed and decided why not? If the brat wanted to die on his first-ever mission, so be it! Shen Jiu was going to make an exception -Shen Jiu usually refused any Disciple of his younger than fifteen to go on a mission, even to gain experience, preferring for them to be old enough and have their spiritual swords on hand or old enough to understand the danger they could encounter before allowing them to do so- and allow the brat to come even when only recently the brat turned fourteen).

The rest of the Disciples (Seven of them) had only wanted to come on this mission because they wanted the extra credits that would give them the grades needed to make Shen Jiu soften to them and allow them to go to Wan Jian to pick their swords earlier than the rest. They decided to forsake any celebration like the rest of their Martial Siblings if it meant they would receive their swords before the rest of their Martial Siblings, something that Shen Jiu found amusing and worth praising, so why not? Shen Jiu decided that after this mission was over, this group of Disciples would be the first to receive their swords, a New Year’s gift and all.

So, here they went to Shuang Hu City to find this ‘Skinner’ who had abducted and killed over nine people in the span of weeks and wrecked chaos and madness all around that city before everyone decided to finally write to one of the Sects and make them deal with the problem. It wasn’t long before they arrived in the city, and Shen Jiu could only sigh in annoyance at the hustle and bustle he saw in the market; so much for curfew in the fear of a crazy murderer on the loose.

It wasn’t long before they went to the house of the richest man in the city, a man who wanted to be called ‘Old Master Chen’ who led the others in pleading for help from the Cang Qiong Mountain sect. From what Shen Jiu had read in the reports, two of Old Master Chen’s concubines had both died tragically under the Skinner’s hands, and he needed Cang Qiong’s help to protect the last one or something of that sort.

So, here was Shen Jiu, looking at the man with disgust and something else that not even he managed to categorize as he watched the sight in front of him unfold. Bile rose in his throat and Shen Jiu had to avert his eyes and stop his groan of pain and gag of disgust at what he was seeing… Forget two! Three of that man’s concubines had died and the murderer was sitting right in his lap, sucking his face! … Shen Jiu’s nose scrunched, and he could only gaze at Xiao Yu who was hissing and watching that concubine with fury and caution if the way the little snake was vibrating was anything to go by… Oh, so the snake could also feel Demonic presence and entities! …Shen Jiu was pleasantly surprised by this, and he decided then and there that Liu-Shidi deserved a New Year gift, knowing the man, the only thing he wanted was to go on a Night Hunt and bash some monster's skull or something… Why not? He deserved it… Shen Jiu finally concluded.

“You cultivators must decide for us! I don’t dare let Die-er leave my side for fear that if she loses her way by even a single step, she will be killed by that unnatural creature the very same day!” Shen Jiu’s face twitched upon seeing this, and he refrained from pointing out that the unnatural creature was already sitting in his lap sucking up to him.

By now, Shen Jiu didn’t know what was worse, in this torturous scene. Watching an old man in his sixties and a teenage girl fondling each other in front of him, or knowing the fact that the said teenage girl was a Demon in disguise and was fondling an old man in his sixties and acting all seductive and cutesy. Either way, it’s a nightmare to watch and Shen Jiu felt the tea in his mouth turn bitter, tasting like ashes.

Should I end it now, or should I leave the kids to handle it? …That was the million Tael question that rang in Shen Jiu’s head as he once more watched those two suck faces… Well, I did bring the brats to gain experience didn’t I? …Shen Jiu reached the wanted conclusion, nodding to Ming Fan to take it from here while he went to their designed rooms. He decided to keep his eyes on the kids from afar and watch how they conducted their investigation and if everything was to his satisfaction, then he would reward the brats for a job well down, but for now, Shen Jiu was out! He couldn’t handle this shamelessness anymore; another second here, and he would commit a murder!

So, Shen Jiu escaped to his room and let his Disciples handle the rest, knowing that everything was under control and that if needed, Shen Jiu knew where the Demon was and he could kill them instantly if they dared to harm any of his brats.

It wasn’t long before the door to his room was knocked on and lo and behold, Ning Yingying entered his room with a skip in her walk, which meant only one thing. “Shizun, Ying-er is going to go out for a turn in the market. Do you want to come with me?” Bingo… Shen Jiu thought as he gazed at the little girl who was looking at him with expecting eyes.

“Ying-er… you do know that we are on a dangerous mission to capture a creature that kidnaps women and kills them, don’t you?” Shen Jiu questioned, getting an ‘I know!’ chirp from his niece, making him sigh tiredly because knowing this brat, either Shen Jiu granted her desire of leaving to the market, or lock her up where she would try and sneak out like a little shit and give Shen Jiu more grey hairs than he already has. “Fine, if Ying-er wants to go out for a turn, find some Shidi or a Shixiong to accompany you.” That was Shen Jiu’s only order as he watched his suicidal niece squeal in delight before she turned and ran away, no doubt trying to find someone to take her to the market where she would wreck chaos like the little menace she was.

In the end, Shen Jiu accepted his fate and took a seat, waiting to see what his brats of Disciples would bring him and to see if they were sharp enough to notice the Demon sitting on the other side of the mansion, no doubt waiting to make their next move and kidnap and kill another woman.

Surprisingly, this patch of Disciples was bright enough to be able to get as much information as they could about the Demon hidden in their midst, but were they sharp enough to make the connection and sense the Demon? No, not yet. Shen Jiu though, he wouldn’t fault them for not doing that yet, mainly because Shen Jiu was always sensitive to foreign aura and Qi and could spot a hidden presence just by looking at it, but for brats who were still wet behind the ears, that was too hard of a skill to Master and take years (And the most paranoid personality that didn’t trust anyone) to get good at, so for now, Shen Jiu was content to test their knowledge.

According to the information his brats had gathered about the nine victims, the creature that everyone dubbed as ‘The Skinner’ was known to pick young and beautiful girls (Shen Jiu shuddered as he remembered that cursed image from this morning with that Die-er sitting in that older man’s lap). So those in Shuang Hu City with beautiful daughters, wives, and concubines all closed their doors when night fell on them; but even then, most of the time this failed to stop the Skinner from coming and going and kidnapping the girls it set its sight on.

It was at sunset that Ming Fan finally entered Shen Jiu’s room with his report. He looked so proud of himself that he presented Shen Jiu with a thirty-page detailed report of what he had learned so far about the infamous serial killer. From visits to the coroner and interrogation to visits to graves and testing for evil energy or presence, the boy left no stone unturned and no lead untraced; investigating everything and nothing and going as far as making a correct deduction of the Skinner being a Demon or a Demonic Cultivator who failed Cultivating his path of evil and getting turn into a Demon because of it.

Shen Jiu reading this, raised his eyebrow and looked at the boy who was waiting like a puppy with its tail wagging; waiting to be praised by Shen Jiu who could only hum. “Not too bad.” That was the only praise Shen Jiu was willing to give the boy, his eyes once more returning to the impressive work before him and continued to read through, ignoring the way that Ming Fan all but squealed in the corner from happiness at such words.

It wasn’t long before the door burst open and a Disciple of his entered the room while crying out. “Shizun!” Looking so pale and terrified and a step from crying themselves silly if the way they sniffled and looked at Shen Jiu was an indication. Shen Jiu just blinked, raised his eyebrow, and gave a look to the boy that translated into ‘What?’, annoyance clear on his face for all to see telling them that he wasn’t up to staling. “The Skinner had struck again, and he had kidnapped Luo-Shidi!” Disciple Mo cried out, making Shen Jiu blink.

“Is that so?” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes, returning to the paperwork in his hands once more. “Luo Binghe would be fine, I taught him personally, he would manage to get out of the Skinner’s clutch or at least survive long enough for you to identify the Skinner.” Shen Jiu stated, not feeling that concerned about the Little Beast because he had raised no quitter and he knew that Luo Binghe was a menace and a half and would either drive the Skinner crazy and later escape, or would kill that creature and bring him back to Shen Jiu; either way, Luo Binghe would be fine, and this would be a good test to see how advance he was in his Cultivation and if Shen Jiu needed to make him skip into the next stage of his training earlier than he anticipated.

“Uh…” Disciple Mo choked, looking so close to crying before he whispered in a voice as tiny as a gnat. “B-but Shizun… Ning-Shimei was with him in the market… and she was kidnapped too.” Here Shen Jiu froze in his place, his eyes snapping out to the boy who was crying and shuffling behind Ming Fan when he saw how Shen Jiu’s face darkened and a murderous scowl painted his face.

“They did what?!” Shen Jiu hissed in rage, leaping out of his chair while pulling Xiu Ya out of its sheath, his rage mounting dangerously inside his heart. “This means war!” Shen Jiu snarled and ran toward where he knew the Skinner was hiding, planning on skinning that Demon and showing it pains unimaginable for daring to mess with his brats then and there. Taking Luo Binghe was one thing because Shen Jiu knew the brat could handle himself in a dangerous situation and was skilled enough to survive and dish back everything he suffered a thousandth volt just like Shen Jiu taught him how, but his niece?

That was crossing a red line!

“You just had to enter that rouge shop, didn’t you?” Luo Binghe questioned his Shijie sarcastically, feeling so angry and humiliated as he tried for the thousandth time to free himself from his bindings but was failing because guess what? Luo Binghe was tied with ropes that cut his Qi out making him useless… Great, what a humiliating way to get captured, his Shizun would be so disappointed! …Luo Binghe could only cry tears of pain and despair in his heart at the reminder of how disappointed his Shizun would be by the end of this mission.

Ning Yingying hearing Luo Binghe could only pout harshly and look away from him, her nose scrunched up as she huffed. “You don’t know what you are talking about, I was doing a great job investigating our assignment!” Ning Yingying grumbled back, feeling so insulted that her Shidi would talk to her in a tone like this no doubt, especially when she found a lead on the Skinner; from where she got the lead? Even Luo Binghe didn’t know, but it ended up with him being tied in this cold and damp dingy place.

“Yeah, great.” Luo Binghe rolled his eyes hearing this and a pout took over his face. “So great that you ignored the fact Shizun had ordered us to return and report to him immediately if we found a lead or something.” Luo Binghe huffed, feeling like shit at the fact that his Shizun would mark him as a disobedient Disciple because he ignored one of his Shizun’s golden rules and one of the only reasons his Shizun agreed to take him on a mission with only the senior Disciples.

“Oh, come on! Think outside of the box!” Ning Yingying whined and huffed and bumped him harshly with her shoulder. “Not everything should be followed to the T! Do you think Shizun would actually appreciate you always following his orders like a dog without being able to think for yourself?” Irritation was clear in Ning Yingying’s voice as she spat that question at him.

“Why, yes, he would!” Luo Binghe retaliated and bumped Ning Yingying's shoulder, glaring at the bratty Shijie and growling at her. “Shizun wanted obedience! Not thinking outside of the box! Look what thinking outside of the box led us!” Ning Yingying hissed at him and bumped him, which led to Luo Binghe bumping her, and with that, the two of them started a mini-war as they bumped and kicked and pushed each other around; each one trying to get the upper hand and make the other show submission.

Their war was cut short though, and it was because of a burst of weird laughter that came from behind the two of them causing them to freeze and look around, trying to find where the laughter had come from. They didn’t even need to look for the source for too long, as a black silhouette jumped out from the darkness and started walking toward them; still letting out that unsettling laughter that made Luo Binghe scrunch his nose in distaste.

“Cang Qiong Mountain sect’s great and lofty experts are nothing great after all. It seems like the world’s number one big sect, Cang Qiong Mountain sect, is only to this standard and the Demon Realm’s rise is just around the corner.” A burst of laughter was heard before the person finally showed up; covered from head to two with black veils, Luo Binghe’s nose scrunched in distaste at the sight in front of him.

“Ha! See! I told you we would find the Skinner!” Ning Yingying yowled in triumph while looking at Luo Binghe, ignoring how the boy rolled his eyes and once more eyed that person in front of him scrunching his nose at what he saw and the conclusion he drew. “Shizun would be so proud we found them first before our Martial Siblings!” Ning Yingying continued, uncaring about the fact that the two of them could be turned into the next victim.

“You mean disappointed because look, we are here bounded by ropes while it's there!” Luo Binghe hissed, pointing at them with his head, then pointing at the Skinner who was trying to talk and say something while being ignored by the two of them as they bickered about the fact that they fell for the Skinner’s trap. “Also, Shizun would be even more disappointed because we didn’t catch on the fact that Die-er was the Skinner on the first try and now we are captured by her!” Luo Binghe reminded, causing his Shijie to pout harshly and grumble something under her breath.

“Wait, what?” The woman hissed before drawing back her black veil to the side and growling in irritation. “Impossible! How could you guess?!” The Demon growled dangerously, making both Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying raise their eyebrows and give that Demon the side eye.

“How hard could it be to guess?”

“Do you actually think we are blind?”

“Do you believe that no one could tell who you are by the shape of your body?”

“Or the fact that you stink of the same perfume Die-er was stinking with when we saw you this morning.”

“Or how we are stashed away in a grand storage room that is only found in nobles’ houses.”

“…Even if moldy, wet, and dark…”

“Or how you had come to Ning Yingying to tell her about the traveling merchant where it's known that there was no such thing.”

“Or…”

And with that, the next few minutes were spent with Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying pointing out the Demon’s whole plan while huffing at how stupid the Demon was and how they had concluded that the killer who had targeted people and killed those women was ‘Die-er’; ignoring how the Demon sputtered and looked between the two of them with embarrassment and fury as it hissed at them.

“It doesn’t matter!” The Skinner snarled, advancing at the two of them with fury in her eyes before they fell on Ning Yingying. “None of it matters after I get your skin!” It hissed and took another step in Ning Yingying’s direction, making the girl squeak and start struggling to get free.

“You leave her alone!” Luo Binghe snarled, trying to free himself from the binding around him, screeching and kicking and trying to bite when he saw the Demon coming near them. “Go and fight someone your own size you nasty Demon!” Luo Binghe cursed and cursed and used words more fit for the street than a Disciple of the Peerless Immortal Shen Qingqiu, but by this point, Luo Binghe was tightly strung and he couldn’t handle failing his Shizun more than he already did by allowing this Demon to harm Ning Yingying.

The Demon cackled mincingly while advancing on them, her hand an inch away from touching Ning Yingying. Suddenly, the sound of thunder resonated all around them, making them flinch harshly especially when the door was thrust open. Another clap of thunder was followed by a flash of lightning, illuminating a dangerous figure in the doorway, a figure that let out a menacing growl that made everyone’s hair stand on its end from the dark and dangerous aura that saturated the whole room in a matter of seconds.

“You dare?” The figure questioned, and another flash of lightning revealed the identity of the figure as their Shizun who hissed and walked inside the room, looking so big and towering that even the Skinner took a frightening step back away from Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying. “You dare touch my Disciples?” Their Shizun repeated, his venerable sword shone in the dim light as he pointed it at the Demon. “Prepare to die.” Was their Shizun’s only warning before he pounced on the Demon.

Luo Binghe could only watch the battle take place with wide eyes; memorized by the way his Shizun moved like a predator and how he trapped the Skinner in a dance of doom and death, not allowing the Demon a chance to even breathe let alone retaliate. Luo Binghe’s breath all but left him at the amazing display he saw, and how the scary Demon from before was reduced to a prey that wanted to escape but couldn’t because their Shizun had trapped in and was towering over in a way that made their scalps tingle.

“Wow…” That was the only thing Ning Yingying and Luo Binghe could whisper as they saw the Demon crawl away and beg mercy from their Shizun who dragged it by the leg before it even made it to the door to start another round of beating making the Demon beg for death and mercy in the same breath.

Thunder was clapping, lightning was flashing, and the ominous sound of crows was heard on the outside, but Ning Yingying and Luo Binghe could only watch in admiration as their Shizun came to their defense like a Martial God in shining armor… just this thought made Luo Binghe flush red and for his heart to pound loudly in his chest (It definitely wasn’t because of fear or how his Shizun was gripping the Demon by its hair and was slamming its face to the ground repeatedly in punishment)….

You know what? Ning Yingying clearly knew what she was talking about when she told him to think outside of the box. When this was all over and they were back on the road to Cang Qiong after their Shizun eliminated the Demon once and for all, Luo Binghe couldn’t help but think to himself…

Maybe it wasn’t that bad getting caught by that Demon…

Chapter Text

Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes, he glared, and then narrowed his eyes some more. His mind was already thinking of war crimes and pain worse than death, the closer he and his brats reached Cang Qiong. Opening and closing his fan in irritation, Shen Jiu was already thinking of a thousand and one ways to calm the raging fire inside of him that refused to calm down after the Skinner dared to kidnap his little niece, while at the same time, his mind was thinking of the many ways he could have punished that disgusting creature in the most horrible ways, even after that thing was long since died, and Shen Jiu had skinned that thing and used its skin as a warning sign to the rest of its kind…

Ugh! Just thinking about that thing made something bitter tasting flare on his tongue, and Shen Jiu’s foul mood all but broke through his restraints and caused him to make a U-turn back to Shuang Hu City, to beat everyone and anyone, and even the tattered ghost of what once used to be ‘Die-er’, who had met their maker after a beating that had lasted for hours, but for Shen Jiu was too short of a time, to let go of his anger, and plant the fear of Shen Jiu and the Gods in that annoying thing’s heart.

“Move it, already!” Shen Jiu snapped, his anger loud and clear to his brats outside, causing the annoying things to squeak in fear before they started moving faster, running with their short legs to try and catch up to the carriage and horses that were getting farther and farther away as tiredness and pain had settled on the idiots, making their legs jelly, and their every breath a groan of pain and agony as they were punished for disappointing their Shizun and failing at their mission by running/walking from Shuang Hu City to Cang Qiong (A punishment that was a stroke of genius that Shen Jiu thought of after he remembered how that Little Beast managed to run from Cang Qiong to Shuang Hu City, and still had the energy to go out and play with Ning Yingying and get kidnapped for his efforts… just this insult alone was enough for Shen Jiu to swore vengeance and promise to increase the Little Beast’s workload, and make him work it until he all but dropped dead! How dare that idiot be useless and allow himself to be captured when Shen Jiu had high hopes for him?!)… and when Shen Jiu said he punished everyone… then he meant everyone.

Never let it be said that Shen Jiu wasn’t the petty kind when things didn't go his way, or when idiots in the form of his Martial Siblings, or (Surprisingly, and to his horror) Disciples showed him how stupid they were, and how their brains were tinier than a goddamn jujube fruit! Shen Jiu, in fact, was a petty, petty man; the pettiest there was. He was not shy about showing it to people, nor did he feel any embarrassment to make it known how displeased and petty he could be. That’s why, as soon as everything was said and done and ‘Dei-er’ was dead, and his stupid Disciples were safe. Shen Jiu turned slowly to the idiots, who decided today was a perfect day to disobey and get themselves kidnapped, and gave them a look that promised pains unseen before. A pain that Shen Jiu delivered in the form of forcing his brats to run from Shuang Hu City to Cang Qiong without allowing them rest or feeling pity or sadness for the harsh fates Shen Jiu dished out. If his brats were going to act like idiots, then Shen Jiu would punish them like idiots with the kind of punishment he knew they deserved. Hence, running like their lives depended on it, or suffering pains even worse if they failed in finishing this light punishment that Shen Jiu had only given them after seeing how Luo Binghe managed to achieve such a fate, and though the rest could do it too, regardless of being Spiritual Cultivators and the Little Beast a Physical one (So far… disappointment… just looking at them made Shen Jiu’s eye twitch like crazy because really? Really?! How? Just how?! The only one who was enduring this punishment was Luo Binghe, the Little Beast, who still had the energy even after all the excitement of yesterday, as for the rest of his stupid Disciples… they all looked like they were going to meet death! Was this the power of Physical Cultivators? Was the gap between Physical and Spiritual Cultivators this big?! Did Shen Jiu need to add more grueling curriculum to shape his stupid Disciples in the hope of them not keeling over at the slightest breeze? You know what?! Shen Jiu was immediately marching to Bai Zhan and demanding Liu-Shidi to come and give some seminars to his brats about strength… or… Shen Jiu grinned evilly at this… throw his brats to Bai Zhan and tell his Shidi to let loose and shape them up! That would teach his brats better, Shen Jiu was sure!).

Never let it be said that Shen Jiu was too soft on girls (Well… he was, that’s not a lie, Shen Jiu was more protective and soft when approaching his girls or chiding them, because they were Ladies and delicate ones at that, not like the filthy pigs of boys! But! Give the credit where it’s due! Shen Jiu could be a hard and strict teacher to them when he wanted to be, especially his niece, so HA!), and that he would cave in to their every demand and not punish them when they deserved it, if they pouted and looked close to tears. NO! Shen Jiu was as vigilant as he was when it came to his girls, the same as he was with the annoying boys. Shen Jiu needed them to understand what they did wrong, that naivety was dangerous, trust was for fools, love was just a fairy tale resulting in nothing but death and humiliation, and he needed to teach them what they should do or think in every situation they could possibly encounter. This was the only way they could survive in this world filled with nasty men, worse than pigs, and be able to thrive happily without fear. So, did he punish Ning Yingying for endangering herself unnecessarily by listening to the words of a stranger and not thinking things through? Definitely! Did he scold the girl until her face turned red with embarrassment for withholding important information and acting as she desired, without backup or a plan? You haven’t even heard half of it! Was he planning to tattle on the girl to her mother and aunties and let them punish her as they saw fit after returning to Cang Qiong? Oh, just wait! Did he punish her with the rest of the annoying boys by forcing her to run too? Well, her apologies and pleas for leniency went unanswered, so that’s that. So, no! Shen Jiu was not a wet tissue when it came to girls, and he could give punishment the same as he punished any annoying boys, but he usually didn't do that, because girls were smarter than their counterparts and used their brains ninety-nine percent of the time to avoid any problem and the punishment that came with it… Shen Jiu stressed on the ‘Smarter’ part because, after today with Ning Yingying, he started to have doubts…

Never let it be said that Shen Jiu didn't feel disappointed when his most promising students (Ning Yingying, his master spy, and the one Shen Jiu had been teaching religiously for years now. Luo Binghe, whom Shen Jiu had such high hopes for, especially after the brat managed to form his Golden Core after six months under Shen Jiu’s teaching… sigh…), messed up this badly that they needed to be punished (And ended up having the rest of the innocent Disciples be punished with them too… Poor Ming Fan, and the idiots who were working hard to do their jobs as they were assigned… but what could Shen Jiu do? If one idiot gets punished, then all would too! That was the law of Shen Jiu! The law of sadism and indiscrimination, so take that!). Still, by the end of the day, Shen Jiu was a good Shizun through and through, and every mistake should be corrected and be punished for, so that in the future, the brats would be able to think clearly if they suffered a situation similar to this (…That was a lie, and he knew it, the Gods knew it, and goddamn everyone on this damned earth probably knew it! Shen Jiu was disappointed by everything on this goddamn plant, and he sure as hell was constantly, utterly, over ninety-nine point ninety-nine percent disappointed by his students -And humanity as a whole- on any given day, any given hour, twenty-four/seven, and even in his sleep, so even Shen Jiu wondered from where this lie came from. A good Shizun? Him? Ha! Don’t make him laugh! Gods above, and especially his Shizun Shen Anwei, knew that the only reason that Shen Jiu even accepted becoming the new Qing Jing Peak Lord, and a Shizun, was because he could torture the next generation of humanity without anyone being able to say anything or complain! Punished brats so severely they ran away screaming mother? They committed blunders so big that even Shen Jiu couldn’t forgive! Cause nervous and mental breakdown? Well, they should have prepared for the grueling madness that was Qing Jing Peak life and studies! Put the fear of God in their hearts? He was a good follower of the divine! Become the devil everyone feared on that damned mountain? Well, Shen Jiu always loved the scent of fear, so… power and sadism! Shen Jiu wanted it all, and so he accepted this position with open arms! But that didn't matter now; what mattered was that Shen Jiu was disappointed with this patch of brats, and he was already thinking of a more suitable punishment for them when they returned home!)….

And now, after everything was said and done, and after finally finishing that damned mission given to him without his permission. Here, Shen Jiu was. Petting Xiao Yu gently as he was lost in thoughts about this and that, wondering what to do next, and what war crime to commit. So far, he decided to return earlier than expected to the Sect… way early, because the mission was supposed to take up to a week or two to finish (As everyone back in the Sect had no doubt hoped, and Shen Jiu desired because then it would have given him enough time to enjoy a vacation outside of this damned hellhole), but Shen Jiu, in his rage and anger, managed to finish the mission in less than a day, all because his stupid niece decided now of all time, to let her risk-taking personality shine… ugh…

So, to Cang Qiong, they were returning after spending only two days instead of the desired time. A journey of two to three hours by horses, made longer by forcing the idiotic brats to run or walk toward their destination, a punishment that Shen Jiu didn't relent in delivering, not even after Ning Yingying looked at him like he had kicked her puppy and crushed her hopes and dreams.

Shen Jiu hummed, hand scratching the head of the tiny blue snake, listening to the soft hissing sound the creature let out as it nuzzled Shen Jiu’s hands, trying to calm him down after the less-than-pleasing thoughts all but made him riot and go mad. “…To burn the world, or not to burn… that’s the question…” Shen Jiu muttered, eyes narrowed, and the only answer he received after such a question was the tiny hiss of encouragement that Xiao Yu let out as it nuzzled his finger.

It was an hour before sunset when they finally reached Cang Qiong. By then, Shen Jiu’s anger had simmered down somewhat, thanks to Xiao Yu, who was an impeccable companion and allowed him to pet her to his heart's content until all the explosive anger had calmed down. A scratch under the serpent's jaw, a soft nuzzle, and a much-deserved kiss on the snot for the little Lady wrapped around his wrist, before Shen Jiu felt calm enough to get out of the carriage without committing genocide.

When Shen Jiu finally decided to leave the carriage and face the world. The first sight his eyes fell on was of his brats, who were a second away from face-planting on the ground before them, panting like their lives depended on it, faces pale, while some were green, and every drop of energy seemed to have vanished into the ether (Well, the Little Beast seemed to be doing fine, and not as affected as the rest of his Martial Siblings, which made Shen Jiu narrow his eyes in displeasure… He needed to assign more work to the Little Beast until he was writhing and whining on the ground like the rest of his Martial Siblings… you know what? More chores it is! And make the idiot skip to the next stage immediately by forcing him to take over wood chopping and water refilling solo for the next three years!).

Some of the brats seemed to have been turned into a wheezing, panting mess. Already seated on the ground, their legs could not carry them anymore, having been turned into liquid after their punishment (A sight that pleased Shen Jiu greatly). Some decided to face everything with dignity and remain standing, even if their legs shook harshly, to the point that they vibrated in their place, and Shen Jiu wondered if a slight breeze would do the trick and force them to the ground (Again, a pleasing sight that caused his anger to simmer down more). However, some, and he was referring to the Little Beast, here, were standing like they weren’t affected by the punishment that they had been suffering for hours upon hours, which made Shen Jiu open and close his fan several times in annoyance (Again, Shen Jiu’s eyes narrowed with displeasure at the sight… the Little Beast shall suffer, and Shen Jiu shall deliver, just wait!).

“S-Shizun… Shizun… waaaahhhh!” Ning Yingying sobbed, looking quite pitiful as she looked at Shen Jiu from her place on the ground. Eyes filled with tears, lips trembling as she tried to suppress her sobs, and her lower lip jutted into the beginning of a pout. “Sorry… Ying-er is sorry! Please, don’t be mad anymore!” The little girl managed to say, between sobs, hiccups, and little sniffles, looking worse for wear and a second away from fainting… truly, a pathetic sight that pulled at the strings of his heart.

Shen Jiu opened his fan, closed it, opened it, and then closed it once more, before he finally let out a tired sigh, shoulders slumping at the sight his niece was making. “I am not angry…” After much reluctance and much thought, Shen Jiu decided to admit it, unable to handle the teary look of his niece anymore…… Ugh! Curse his soft heart when coming to women… “…Just, disappointed.” Shen Jiu huffed before turning away, walking toward Cang Qiong’s infamous stairs as he planned to ascend them………... totally unaware of the chaos his words had caused and the heartbreak that rang in the clearing, sharp, crackling, unforgiving, almost like an avalanche…

…(They knew they were wrong. That they deserved the punishment given to them by their Shizun. That the Peerless Immortal’s anger was justified and that whatever they were suffering through was deserved. Running from the town to the mountains had all but tired them out, drained their energy, all but caused them to collapse from the agony, but still! They endured it!

Even if their legs shook and all but turned into liquid as they pushed themselves harder and harder to follow after their Master’s carriage. Even if they panted like they were seconds away from death as they forced their bodies to take another step, or they would be left behind. They glared and, with determination, forced themselves forward, not wanting to make their Shizun even angrier by their lack of physical prowess, as they had by their lack of insight, ending with their youngest Martial Siblings kidnapped.

And after so long… so, so long… they were finally back! Their legs barely held them up, their lungs felt like they were about to explode, every muscle screamed in their bodies, and more than once, one of them face-planted on the ground or nearly vomited their stomach, but still, they persisted! The thought of them reaching Cang Qiong and having their Shizun’s anger simmer down by them completing their punishment was the only motivation that kept them moving. One step after the other, and then their Shizun would not be angry at them anymore. And finally… Finally! Here they were! Standing before the infamous stairs of Cang Qiong, their punishment finally over, and their Shizun would, no doubt, feel less angry at their stupidity of not being able to watch their juniors and allowing them to get kidnapped.

It was Ning Yingying who started talking first. Sobbing as she suffered this kind of punishment for the first time in her life from their venerable Shizun, no doubt, rattled and confused about why such punishment was assigned to her, even when she was the reason that she ended up kidnapped with their less-than-experienced Shidi (Whom they really couldn’t even blame, because you know, he was fourteen, and the youngest, and they were supposed to pay attention to him and watch him because unlike many around, he didn't have his sword, let alone a training sword to protect himself, other than the talismans and few daggers given to him. So, really, the whole situation was Ning Yingying’s fault to a degree for allowing her curiosity that was worse than a cat to get the two of them into this situation, but not one of them dared to say a word about it, because you know… she was Shizun’s favorite, so…)………. And then…

“I am not angry…”

When they heard these words, tears of happiness and gratitude flowed. The thought of their Shizun not being angry at them was worth all the pain and agony they had been suffering for hours. They would have done it again and again, too, if their venerable Shizun’s anger had cooled down and he had forgiven them for their transgression…

“…Just, disappointed.”

Something ominous cracked as these two words fell on them with the power of a whole mountain falling on an ant and crushing it into pieces… Disappointed…. Disappointed…. Disappointed…. Disappointed…. Over and over again, that word continued to repeat in their heads, loud and heavy… it was a second, two, three… and then, the sound of breaking glass resonated so loudly. Ten tiny hearts broke into pieces that would never be glued any time soon, at the horrifying truth they were told…

Their Shizun was disappointed with them!

Ming Fan swayed, his legs not being able to carry him anymore, not because of the painful punishment he had suffered, but because that one word was enough to take all of his power and self-confidence and destroy it in seconds! …Disappointed? Shizun is disappointed… in me? …Ming Fan fell to his knees, a falling soldier whose purpose in life was destroyed in a matter of seconds or less after being told by his venerable Shizun that he was d-d-d-d-d-disappointed in them… All late-night training and studying, all the effort, all the hard work he put in everything he did, everything and anything he dared to do to gain his venerable Shizun’s approval… all of it… Shizun is disappointed in me? …The power that kept Ming Fan up had all but disappeared, and his hands touched the dirty ground. He could only stare at the dirt before his eyes on all four, feeling the weight of what Shizun had told him lay heavy on his back, almost crushing him worse than a worm that was stepped on by a heavy shoe.

Jiujiu… is disappointed? …Ning Yingying blinked once, twice, three times, trying to make sense of the words said, trying to understand what was said, and wondering if this was a nightmare of some sort that she had just found herself in, because surely… surely her Jiujiu wasn’t disappointed in her! Jiujiu was never disappointed in her! Her Jiujiu never associated that word with her, for she was his pride and joy, and he had told her so! Numerous times! Surely that… that…. Disappointed…. Disappointed…. Disappointed…. Not angry…. Disappointed…. Ning Yingying felt the world darken in her eyes, and not even a second later, her brain short-circuited, and she fainted. The pressure of these words was too much for her delicate constitution, so her brain decided to take the easy way out and just shut down everything until she recovered from the shock that made her clutch her non-existent pearls.

Disappointed… The word repeated slowly, over and over in his head, so slowly that Luo Binghe was having a hard time understanding it. There was a crack, then another followed, and another followed, and another… and Luo Binghe didn't even need to think long about it to know that his heart was cracking and breaking… His Shizun was disappointed in him? …In Binghe? …Shizun… hated him? …A second, two, three, before a sniffle left him, then another, and another… and… His Shizun hated him! Luo Binghe had disappointed his God! He had sinned! …A fountain of tears started raining down from Luo Binghe’s eyes, heavier than a waterfall, and more than a normal human could possibly achieve. Through it all, Luo Binghe remained standing, suffering a crisis unseen before at the realization that not only had Luo Binghe disappointed his God by his performance today, but his venerable Shizun no doubt hated him now, and was going to find someone more competent and better to take his place!

The rest of the Disciples that surrounded the three… they remained frozen in place, all suffering the same as their three Shidimei, who were in various states of pathetic incarnation, but honestly, who could blame them? Certainly not them! Not when every damn one of the seven Shixiongs/Shijies was thinking the same as those three and were suffering an existential crisis so severe they just burst into tears, and unlike Luo Binghe, whose cries consisted of only pathetic sniffles, the rest all but wailed as if finally dawned on them how much they had fucked up on their first outing with their Shizun….

Needless to say… when their venerable Shizun decided to go cultivate in the Lingxi Caves, they knew…

It was their fault…)…

The loud sound of wails all but pierced his ear as he was halfway through ascending the stairs of Cang Qiong, causing Shen Jiu to pause, blink, and then raise his eyebrow so high that it was a wonder that the damned thing even remained on his face. “What the…?” Shen Jiu could only mumble, feeling confused about what he was hearing, and wondering if Bai Zhan’s brutes were let loose around Cang Qiong and had gone to bully An Ding like they always did, making the mousy cowards cry and scream mother like they always did, only to panic at the realization that their Lord was still away and not there to protect them, which meant their doom.

Shaking his head at the silly (But always true) thought, Shen Jiu continued on his way, not wanting to get entangled with the annoying brats after dealing with his annoying brats and feeling disappointed. This was Shang Qinghua’s problem; the mousy man would deal with it when he returned from his vacation, whenever that was; Shen Jiu did not give a fuck, therefore, this was not his problem to solve.

Just as Shen Jiu was about to take another step forward, he blinked his eyes when he saw the sword glare of Cheng Luan flashing overhead and heading straight in the direction of where he knew the Lingxi Caves were located. Shen Jiu blinked once, twice, three times before that sight finally made sense to him, and when it did, Shen Jiu could only let out a scandalized gasp as he all but clutched his pearls (Which were nonexistent, so Xiao Yu would do for now) in shock!

Wait, wait! Maybe I saw wrong…? Shen Jiu tried to give the stupid cat the benefit of the doubt, but when he blinked and saw the sword glare vanish near the entrance of the Lingxi Caves. Shen Jiu’s jaw fell in shock, as it finally dawned on him what that idiotic brute had dared to do! Oh, the betrayal! The horror! The scandal! Liu Qingge sneaking into the Lingxi Caves, without informing Shen Jiu?! Him! Shen Jiu! His most-hated rival, who was supposed to be the most important person in his dumb life, and the one who should always be informed of his whereabouts! How dare that brute do this to him?!

That stupid cat! …Shen Jiu seethed, narrowing his eyes as he saw where Cheng Luan's light vanished completely, almost taking Xiu Ya out, and chasing after that idiot to give him a whack or two on the head for this, this… Trying to cheat on me! Betray me! Going into the caves without me! Has he no shame?! …Shen Jiu growled, feeling his anger spike up at the thought of Liu Qingge doing the unspeakable and going to cultivate alone in the Lingxi Caves, without telling Shen Jiu and inviting him, and without even warning Shen Jiu about his absence, making the man wonder where his stupid Shidi had gone and maybe even worry about something happening to him when the idiot stopped coming to Shen Jiu to bother him… How dare he?! …Shen Jiu hissed, fingers twitched, and he, oh, so wanted to go into the caves and drag his Shidi out by the ear because how dare that idiot betray him like this? Especially when they both knew that going alone to gain power without informing your rival/enemy/adversary/whatever-the-hell-they-were of your disappearance and possible death while acquiring it was a ‘No-No!’ situation! Especially, when the other wouldn’t know where you were until it was too late, so they couldn’t do anything!

Did the idiot forget about their rivalry code? Did he forget that Shen Jiu wouldn’t allow him to go into the Lingxi Caves alone, just as that stupid cat refused to allow Shen Jiu to cultivate in peace without crashing Shen Jiu’s ‘Me, Time’ and being all annoying and sticky about it? Did that cat find someone else to annoy that wasn’t Shen Jiu in the span of the two days he was away from the Sect?! Unacceptable! This meant war! Shen Jiu thought they were friends, and that meant… Well… they were not friends, friends, per se, but still! It was the principle of things! Liu Qingge was his rival, HIS, so how dare he go into the Lingxi Caves without leaving a note to Shen Jiu or coming to tell him about his whereabouts for the next few years?!

…(Liu Qingge, in fact, did leave a note to Shen Jiu about his whereabouts for the next few years. Pinned to the door of the Bamboo House, and under it was a pouch filled with food for the snake that rested above a box that held a new fan; Shen Jiu’s New Year’s gift. So, yeah, Liu Qingge did not forget about his rival/enemy/adversary/whatever-the-hell-they-were, not even once! In fact, he even searched for him for a whole two days!

However, Shen Jiu was not there, and Liu Qingge got restless, and after that, he got annoyed, and after that, he got angry because how dare Shen Jiu leave the Sect without telling Liu Qingge?! Or telling the man about it? How could Shen Jiu leave without telling him or taking Liu Qingge with him? Did he forget that he promised him a Night Hunt?!

Did the scum forget about their rivalry code even after being rivals for decades? Did he forget that Liu Qingge was to be informed about his whereabouts so that he could always keep an eye on him and annoy him when it was time, as he had always done for years upon years? Did that man find someone else he thought was more worthy than Liu Qingge to annoy and make their life a living hell in the span of the two days he left the Sect without informing Liu Qingge?!

Unacceptable! This meant war! Liu Qingge hissed in anger as he flew angrily to the Lingxi Caves, already thinking of ways to punish that annoying scummy cheater who left Liu Qingge alone in the Sect without having the audacity to tell him where he was going next! They were rivals! They were each other's archnemesis! They were each other’s most despised person! Hell! By this point, they were already in their second decade of marriage, based on how they acted (Going by what his Nainai told him about how married couples were, and what he remembered from his time living with Nainai and her beloved husband before coming to Cang Qiong… the two of them were practically married in all but name!), so how dare Shen Jiu cheat on him like this?!

They were supposed to hate the Sect and the world together before going on a dangerous adventure, see the world, and then die together! How were the two of them supposed to do this if Shen Jiu decided to cheat on him like this and disappear from the face of the earth without saying anything?! So, not fair! Liu Qingge was even more sure that stupid scum didn't even bring him any New Year’s gift, as Liu Qingge had done!

………(Shen Jiu, in fact, did bring him a gift… but it was supposed to be a surprise that no one was supposed to know about, not even the idiotic brute!)……

No matter, Liu Qingge didn't care, and he was sure as hell was going into the Lingxi Caves to train harder and harder and come back home to show Shen Jiu how much stronger he had become and beat any stupid rival who thought they had the right to come and ruin his… situationship? Can he even call it that? …With his Shixiong!

With that, Liu Qingge went into the Lingxi Caves…)…

Growling, Shen Jiu snapped his fan shut and took Xiu Ya out of its sheath, his plans of a nice, comfy evening in his home, where he was going to drink peach wine and complain about stupid brats and stupid everyone to Xiao Yu had changed in favor of finding that idiot Yue Qi and getting permission to enter the Lingxi Caves to cultivate.

If that stupid cat thought Shen Jiu was going to allow him to leave without explaining…

Then he was dead wrong!

So… after a lot of back and forth, and back and forth, and back and forth, and forth and back with that stupid Yue Qi (………That stupid idiot! Ugh! Always an asshole who refused to let Shen Jiu do what he wanted to do! Asshole! Idiot! Forcing him into a small talk that spanned hours and hours and hours! Not allowing Shen Jiu to say his piece, and when Shen Jiu finally did, the idiot had the audacity to baby him and act like going inside the Lingxi Caves with Liu Qingge present would be dangerous for him! Pah! Who that asshole think he was?! To make the matter even worse, Shen Jiu ended up using his secret weapon again to secure his passage to the Lingxi Caves… Ugh…), Shen Jiu was finally allowed to go inside the Lingxi Caves to cultivate for the next only-God-knows-how-long, to get stronger and stronger and be able to beat that stupid cat for daring to betray him like this!

So, here Shen Jiu was, marching down the spirit caves, which were labyrinthine and deep, hundreds of turning paths and thousands of steps turning backwards without wind or moonlight, designed specifically to confuse anyone and everyone… good thing in case of locking people/prisoners down there, bad thing for the poor shmucks who wanted to come here and cultivated, but ended up getting lost because they weren’t familiar with the layout of this damned place.

For Shen Jiu, who had spent most of his youth in this place (Courtesy of his Shizun, who had a beef with everyone and anyone and forced Shen Jiu to try and become the strongest there was, using his sadistic means………… what? From where did you think Shen Jiu got his sadistic personality, if it wasn’t thanks to his Shizun, who was the most sadistic there was and a Demon to the extreme! People should be grateful that Shen Jiu had only a fraction of the man’s sadism and not his whole delightful nature. If Shen Jiu were even a fraction more like his Shizun and less like himself, then he would have already laid a siege on Cang Qiong, killed all of his asshole of Martial Siblings, and ruled the world by this point, so people should be grateful and kiss his feet in gratitude for tunning things down!), knew this place like the back of his hand, to the point that he even have a favorite spot to cultivate that he had specially marked as his!

Walking deeper into the caves, the large and small limestone rocks emerged from the landscape, revealing many beds of natural rock. And there at the center, there was a pool of clear reflective water that seemed to reveal another world. This was only one among many caves in this spiritual place, the one that Shen Jiu had marked as his ever since he came into the Sect, and made sure to stab anyone who had the stupid thought to come and cultivate in this place that was his, all his!

So, finally, after finding his caves, taking a seat on a stone bed not that far, petting his snake that had decided to crawl into the jewel pouch and prepare itself for a long, long nap, and having enough determination to cultivate until he was strong enough to beat that idiotic cat who betrayed him like this and make the idiot reconsider everything he ever knew and thought he knew (Yes, Shen Jiu was petty, and he was angry that Liu Qingge went inside the caves without telling him… he was angry… even if the note he found with the gifts made his anger simmer down at the thought of his Shidi not forgetting about their rivalry and going on to cheat on him… still! Liu Qingge should have waited and told him his plans face-to-face; it was the principle of things, damn it all!). Shen Jiu took a deep breath and started to meditate/cultivate.

Time, as it stood, was not all that reliable when it came to Cultivation. The passage of time differs when one loses oneself in the act. What someone had believed a day or two, could have as well been a month or a year; all depended on the length that a person would go to, and how they could endure losing oneself to the nature surrounding them to be able to harness the power needed to be able to break through the bottleneck of Cultivation.

It could have been a day, a week, a month, a year… maybe more, maybe less… Shen Jiu did not know, for time was irrelevant when it came to Cultivation, and losing oneself to the cosmos… However, it wasn’t long before a strange noise was heard, and Shen Jiu, even when knowing that time worked differently inside the caves, knew that it hadn’t been all that long since he started, so to hear a noise when no one was supposed to be here, in this part of the caves that rarely anyone ventured toward because of how far and how arduous the journey to it was (Unless you were Shen Jiu who was paranoid with life as whole and was more than willing to travel this far if it meant not finding any of the idiots he didn't want to see around)… well, that was… concerning.

Shen Jiu opened his eyes, letting them adjust to the light after what felt like decades of keeping his eyes shut, and when he finally adjusted, Shen Jiu couldn’t help but look to the left, and then look to the right, trying to determine what that strange noise was. It took time before Shen Jiu finally managed to clock what that noise was… it was the sound of someone wheezing painfully… which made the man furrow his brows, wondering what brought this noise on, and why… Shen Jiu blinked once, twice, three times, before realization dawned on him when he sensed the familiar Qi signature, and when he realized what had happened?

“You stupid fucking cat!” Shen Jiu could only screech in rage, as he rushed toward the source of noise (But not without making sure that Xiu Ya was unsheathed and that Xiao Yu was in his hand and awake… which made the tiny snake grumble at the less than gentle awaking, but as it was, this was a top emergency, no time for apologies, pettings, and treats!), his heart pounding in his chest like mad, and his body tense like a bow as he rushed toward where he knew the stupid cat was, all the way hoping he wasn’t too late and that his stupid Shidi didn't do something stupid to himself.

The sound of pain, the fluctuation in the spiritual power, the crashing, and the noise of something sharp and metallic, slashing and resonating. All of that made Shen Jiu’s heart pound in his chest and almost leap toward his throat at the thought of the sight that would greet him after he had found his stupid Shidi, who chose now of all times to get into Qi Deviation out of nowhere.

The thing was… Shen Jiu never hated how secluded and far away his private spot was until he took what felt like the thirtieth turn and changed direction for what felt like the fortieth time to get where he needed to be. By then, Xiao Yu was fully awake, her tiny body colliding around Shen Jiu’s wrist, and the muscles of her body were tense, nervous, if the way she was clenching and relaxing her tiny body around his wrist was anything to go by.

It was only when Shen Jiu finally arrived at the cave that he felt his Shidi’s wild Qi coming from, that he was able to breathe. What greeted Shen Jiu once he entered was his Shidi’s white-clothed back facing him, while Cheng Luan was on the ground, glowing faintly. It was a display that made Shen Jiu concerned and horrified, because he had known his Shidi and was familiar with Cheng Luan enough to know that the spiritual sword had never once, since being pulled out of Wan Jian hall, been anything but bright and radiant to the point it blinded the eyes, and then… then there was Liu Qingge…

A body hunched that twitched in pain, now and then, blood coated his clothes, and fresh blood painted the ground under him. Harsh pants and gasps filled the room, followed by growls, and hair wild and messy, in every which direction, and not in the usual high pony-tail his Shidi usually prefers…. A truly sorry sight that made Shen Jiu almost take a step back, for he was not used to his Shidi being anything but put together and perfect, even on the harshest missions Shen Jiu could remember his Shidi returning from over the years…

“That stupid brute…” Shen Jiu’s breath hitched, his fingers twitched, and he could only wonder how close he could get to his Shidi to be able to subdue the idiot before he did something to himself, or worse, Shen Jiu. Glancing at Xiao Yu, then at his Shidi, Shen Jiu could only narrow his eyes, trying to formulate a plan in which he would be able to reach the man and use Xiao Yu to heal him from the severe Qi Deviation the man had fallen into out of nowhere.

Liu Qingge, seeming to have managed to hear his voice through the loud panting and growls, all but whirled around and stared at him, eyes wild and blown out as they stared at Shen Jiu in blood red eyes that made the man all but hiss and curse as his body tensed in preparation for the fight he knew was going to take place.

And a fight there was! Although that idiotic cat was too out of it, the idiot was strong and fast and was a force of nature hard to control or be able to beat, which made Shen Jiu curse after every hit delivered his way; Shen Jiu barely managed to dodge… Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit! How to get close to throw Xiao Yu at this idiot without getting skewed?! …Shen Jiu could only curse as he dodged another punch that broke the wall behind him and all but broke every bone in his body if Shen Jiu wasn’t fast enough to run.

“You stupid ass! If you don’t stop misbehaving, then I won't come with you on the next Night Hunt!” Shen Jiu snapped, feeling vexed and angry, knowing that Liu Qingge was too out of it to make sense of his words, but feeling worried and annoyed enough that he couldn’t help but threaten the man with the promised Night Hunt that his Shidi had spent years trying to make him come to.

Despite Shen Jiu’s initial belief, Liu Qingge did actually pause after hearing Shen Jiu’s threat! And hallelujah! It seemed that there was truly a God out there! Because that was all the opening that Shen Jiu needed! With that, Shen Jiu gathered some of his spiritual power in his right hand and ran at his stupid Shidi to slap his palm onto that idiot’s chest.

In all honesty, Shen Jiu had only done that to make a point of connection to allow the little snake to jump from its place on his wrist toward his stupid Shidi (Which the snake seemed to understand and do as silently ordered, thank God!), knowing that a hit like this wouldn’t be of any damned used or do any damaged to a Cultivator of his Shidi’s caliber……… jokes on Shen Jiu it seemed, because he could only stare in horror as his Shidi was sent flying, coughing blood as he went down.

“Shidi!” Shen Jiu could only shriek in horror, rushing to the man who was lying on his back, not moving or standing, with Xiao Yu on top of his chest, glowing as she went to work on regulating his Qi. “Oh, shit… oh, shit… oh, shit! You stupid idiot, what did you do to yourself?!” Shen Jiu could only panic as he finally arrived at where his Shidi was lying on the ground, a dazed and confused look on his face as he stared at the ceiling before he turned toward Shen Jiu when the man kneeled beside him. “Are you alright? Quick! How many fingers am I holding?!” Shen Jiu questioned frantically, patting the idiot who was still on the ground, watching from the corner of his eye how Xiao Yu was working her magic in circulating his Shidi’s Qi and making sure to save the idiot from the Qi Deviation he was suffering.

His Shidi, instead of answering him immediately, looked at Shen Jiu long and hard before he blinked, once, twice, three times, and then he opened his mouth to say. “……You look so beautiful…” Words slurred, and a lopsided smile quirked on his lips as he continued to stare at Shen Jiu.

Silence…

…Silence…

…Silence.

“Oh, my fucking God! I damaged his brain!” Shen Jiu screeched, horror sneaking into his heart and pouring out of every pore as he gazed at his idiot Shidi, who let out a silly giggle, looking so high and out of it as he raised his hand and booped Shen Jiu’s nose, almost causing Shen Jiu to have a heart failure at this action.

“…I like your eyes…” Another silly giggle followed that declaration, and Shen Jiu’s eyes almost popped out of his head as he gazed at the man who was no doubt dying, because… because… his Shidi was dying! He must be dying! He….

“Mu-Shidi!”

…(Liu Yanli blinked, once, twice, three times, before she turned to stare at the blue sky, eyes narrowed as she felt a strange shift in the energy around her, causing her to frown softly as she tried to pinpoint why she was feeling so... so... “Is something going on, dear?" Xue Chengzhang questioned softly as he sipped his tea, his eyebrow raised as he seemed to study her long and hard, no doubt, confused by the sudden silence Liu Yanli had exhibited, when not even a second ago, she was bitching about how her youngest was an asshole she was planning on pulling him over her lap and giving him the spanking of his life for the shit he pulled last week.

The sudden question coming from her normally silent husband/rival/enemy/brute/idiot/adversary/whatever-the-hell-they-were, snapped Liu Yanli out of the strange mood she found herself in, causing her to turn and blink slowly. “Nothing.” Liu Yanli hummed, after thinking things over for a second or two… Meh, whatever it was, none of my business… She thought before she picked up her cup of tea and took a sip. “Now, what were we discussing?” She questioned; her eyebrows furrowed as she tried to remember what she was saying to this idiot before this strange feeling had all but sized her up.

“Our next Night Hunt.” The man said after taking a long sip, a mischievous smile painted his lips that made Liu Yanli roll her eyes, knowing well enough that this wasn’t what the two of them were discussing, but the woman was in a good enough mood to let this slide and allow her husband to change the topic…

For now, that was…)…

It was the sound of the sky thundering, the earth rumbling, and it wasn’t long before the door to the healer’s office was slammed open with enough strength that made the man all but jump from his seat in terror, eyes going immediately to the person who stood in the doorway, eyes wide as they feel on a disheveled Shen Jiu who panted as he carried his stupid Shidi on his back, trying to ignore the terror that all but consumed him whole as his Shidi was dying on him without Shen Jiu being able to do a thing!

“Shixiong, what-!”

“No time! No time! Liu-Shidi is dying! Do something!” Shen Jiu demanded, his words immediately snapping the idiot out of whatever disapproving-filled conversation that he was going to throw Shen Jiu’s way, if the way the idiot frowned harshly was anything to go by. And thank the Lords above! That idiot moved fast to help Shen Jiu pull Liu Qingge away and start treating him, because if that idiot quack was a second late, then Shen Jiu would have pulled him from his hair and forced him to do something.

Shen Jiu could only wait as he saw Mu Qingfang examining his Shidi, gazing at the two with nervousness unseen before, as he waited for that quack doctor to do something and help Liu Qingge before the idiot died… Oh, no, oh, no, oh no! What would Shen Jiu do if Liu-Shidi died?! That idiot brute can't die! Who was going to be there to take Shen Jiu’s scathing remarks and return them with the same fire? Who was going to annoy Shen Jiu daily with their brand of silliness and annoying persistence that Shen Jiu found himself tolerating and even anticipating over the years? Who was going to… that stupid cat can't die! Shen Jiu forbids it!

Mu Qingfang frowned, glanced at Shen Jiu, then glanced at Liu Qingge, who was staring at Shen Jiu with that silly smile still on his face, causing Shen Jiu to feel jittery and terrified. “…Shen-Shixiong, I assured you, Liu-Shidi is perfectly fine-” Mu Qingfang started, gazing at Shen Jiu like the man was an idiot (Which was rude! And Shen Jiu was going to get him later for it, but not now, his focus was on Liu Qingge; Mu Qingfang would get his just deserts later), but the man was cut off from saying anything more by Liu Qingge chirping.

“Shen-Shixiong, I like you!”

Silence…

…Silence…

…Silence.

“Oh, my Gods! Liu-Shixiong is dying!”

“I told you so!”

Needless to say…

…Liu Qingge was put on lockdown until they found what was wrong with him…