Archive of Our Own

One.

Liu Fengyu was younger than most peak lords would have assigned independent missions to, but Bai Zhan Peak was for the strong and determined. He had overheard the Wan Jian Peak Lord chiding his shizun for sending Liu Fengyu alone, but the confidence the Bai Zhan Peak Lord had in him was more than enough motivation to take on challenges others might find impossible.

There was no way to get stronger than to challenge oneself against a strong opponent. The Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox was a strong opponent. 

Liu Fengyu was rarely out of breath unless he’d spent multiple shichen challenging his peakmates, but fighting with this beast for less than half the day had winded him. Its skin had been impenetrable so far and Liu Fengyu found himself dodging the beast’s aggression more often than being able to engage an attack against it. 

Clearly it either had a weak point, or he needed to press his strength and push past the layer of armored skin. He tried the latter first but it hadn’t worked so far. The Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox reared up, throwing its long trunk up in the air and braying angrily. It had arrived angry and crashed through half the nearest town until Liu Fengyu had drawn it out into the woods. 

He spat blood and pushed his qi into his feet to launch himself with more force as he drove Cheng Luan into the underside of the creature’s trunk. The skin there had seemed slightly less daunting than some of his previous targets and by forcing the pressure into his attack, it seemed he’d finally made a damaging hit.

Unfortunately that only seemed to make the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox angrier and it moved faster than a creature its size should have been able to. Liu Fengyu did not dodge in time as the massive head smacked him into a tree, loosening his grip on Cheng Luan enough to drop it. He had barely begun to make the sword sign to retrieve his spiritual blade when the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox brayed and lifted its very large foot above him. He was too winded to move quickly enough so instead braced himself for the hit, knowing shamefully he’d have to retreat if the creature didn’t incapacitate him. 

“Wait!” an unfamiliar voice called out—Liu Fengyu thought he might have hit his head harder than he’d thought when the sloppily composed boy came running out in front of the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox. He was holding up a cooing mini version of the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox with far less armored hide and no signature tusks. “See! I told you I’d find her.”

The foot hovered only a cun above Liu Fengyu’s torso making it impossible to roll away. He hesitated calling his sword, using the moment to catch his breath instead.

The Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox tilted its large head and then its trunk wrapped around the smaller version and pulled it to its chest. It rocked it gently, but did not move the foot hovering above Liu Fengyu.

The sloppily dressed boy’s hair was also sloppy, coming out of a poorly tied knot on the back of his head. “Come on now, you have your baby back. Be reasonable.”

A soft braying noise came out of the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox’s trunk before it placed its baby (?) on its back. 

The sloppy boy sighed and put his hands on his hips. “I can’t argue that you weren’t meaning to cause harm with the villagers if you squish my didi.”

Liu Fengyu made a protesting noise but the other boy shot him a sharp look before turning back to the beast. “He won’t attack you now that you’re not attacking the village. And it’s not anyone’s fault that the little mischief maker ran off, is it?” 

He directed half of that statement towards the baby Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox who was still cooing and reaching its trunk towards him. The boy looked oddly emotional about it, but more importantly the massive foot that was about to crush Liu Fengyu withdrew.

“Thank you, Great Warden,” the boy said, bowing deeply to the creature. Its trunk lightly patted his back and he laughed before rising. “Bye, mischief maker,” the boy said, grinning at the baby who reached out with its trunk before the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox lowered its head and  threw it back again, a clear warning with its sharp and silver trunks. 

Then it turned around and started walking off—the footsteps quiet for something so large and previously destructive. Liu Fengyu had thought it was a demonic creature, but now that it was settled, it seemed less tainted. Not that it being a spiritual beast was any less dangerous.

“You alright?” the boy asked him, leaning over in concern. 

Liu Fengyu shot to his feet, ignoring the pull of his injures and called his sword back to himself. He shoved it into his sheath and then nodded. He may have gritted his teeth a little, but did bow his head. “This one thanks you for your assistance.”

The boy looked amused. “You seemed a little young to be fighting it on your own.”

Liu Fengyu bristled. “I’m sixteen.” In two months.

“Ah,” the boy said, smile widening even further. “So truly an adult then, excuse this wandering cultivator for mistaking didi’s maturity.”

Liu Fengyu’s nostrils flared and his face felt hot. “I am not your didi!” He glared at him. “You don’t even look older than me!”

“I’m seventeen,” the boy said, like that was much of a difference. He grinned at him. “So, I’m your senior. Or Gege if you prefer.”

“I—you!” Liu Fengyu sputtered, debating drawing his sword.

Then the sloppy boy laughed. 

“Ahh, sorry. You’re too fun to tease.” He cleared his throat and gave a short, sloppy bow. “Shen Yuan.” 

Liu Fengyu glared at him and considered not returning a response, but Shen Yuan had saved his life or at least saved him a humiliating retreat. “Liu Fengyu,” he muttered.

“Liu-didi!” Shen Yuan said, brightly.

“No!” Liu Fengyu objected and that only made Shen Yuan laugh again. 

“Liu Fengyu,” Shen Yuan said, finally, still smiling too much. “Did you lose track of your group? I haven’t seen any other cultivators around.”

Liu Fengyu lifted his chin and straightened, ignoring that his face still felt hot. “There are no other cultivators.” Then he looked the sloppy Shen Yuan over, his hair looked like it was seconds from falling the rest of the way out of his hairpin. Could he not feel that? “Are you from a Sect?”

Shen Yuan shook his head and true enough his hair pin fell to the ground and then his hair fell around his face and shoulders. He only blew a piece of it out of his face. “I’m a wandering cultivator. I found the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox tossing trees last night and promised I’d find her baby—since that’s really the only reason a Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox would be so angry.”

Rogue cultivators could be dangerous, but Shen Yuan did not seem even remotely threatening. He was so unthreatening the Silver Tusked Elephant-Ox trusted him with its calf. 

There was a loud stuttering cry of a creature somewhere in the distance. The wandering cultivator’s eyebrows shot up. “Ah! I forgot the whole reason I was here in the first place!” He turned around, took a hurried step and then turned back around. “Good to meet you, Liu-didi!” 

Liu Fengyu’s objections were ignored as Shen Yuan turned around again and hurried his steps, disappearing out of view quickly. Liu Fengyu thought about going after him, but today was strange and frustrating enough. He’d… write it in the report… maybe. It wasn’t like Shizun ever read those things.

Liu Fengyu reached down to pick up the hairpin. It was shaped like a roaring tiger, but the ugliest tiger he’d ever seen. He shook his head and put it away. He had to tell the town the problem was solved anyway, maybe someone knew this Shen Yuan and he could return it.

two.

Liu Qingge never would have accepted the position of Head Disciple if he’d known how often it would force him to interact with other Head Disciples. At least this mission wasn’t as bad as the last one where Shen Qingqiu had tried to kill him. Charitably it was possible he was only using the opportunity to maim him, but given how often the Qing Jing Peak Head Disciple ‘threatened’ it—Liu Qingge doubted that.

This mission had mostly consisted of watching the Wu Chang Peak Head Disciple Lai Qinglan meditate. Liu Qingge wasn’t sure how that helped with the exorcism he was preparing for, but also didn’t know where the hell Shang Qinghua wandered off to either. 

“Liu-shixiong can go ‘patrol’ if that will help him,” Lai Qinglan said, without opening his eyes.

“Patrol what?” 

“Whatever makes him less distracting,” Lai Qinglan said, he cracked an eye open. “This shidi can feel your tension from here. I’ll be fine for now. The ghost isn’t going to appear until the evening.”

It was midday. Liu Qingge shifted his jaw and then nodded, leaving the funeral attired Head Disciple alone to prepare. Walking through the town wasn’t going to do much, but it was better than standing around doing nothing. His fingers itched, but there wasn’t anything to fight and resting his hand on Cheng Luan’s hilt only made passersby nervous.

Then Liu Qingge heard familiar laughter. He turned his head and confirmed it was in fact Shen Yuan. The wandering cultivator who had saved his life over a year ago. He looked less disheveled, but no one would’ve mistaken him for a sect cultivator with his simple robes and hair twisted almost haphazardly onto a hairpin.

That reminded Liu Qingge. He strode towards the bookseller and stopped short when Shen Yuan turned and briefly startled before his eyebrows raised and he grinned. “Liu-didi!”

Liu Qingge was taller than Shen Yuan now and reminded himself of that when he bristled at the diminutive. “Shen Yuan,” Liu Qingge said, shortly. He pulled the hairpin out of his qiankun sleeve and held it out to him. “This is yours.”

“Ah!” Shen Yuan grasped it and beamed at him. His smile was bright enough Liu Qingge felt like he needed to take a step back. “Thank you! I wondered what happened to this.”

He excused himself from the bookseller, briefly lingering his gaze on a few titles before promising to come back and then walked closer to Liu Qingge. “It’s good to run into you again. Are you here for the ghost madam?” 

“Madam?” Liu Qingge asked, raising an eyebrow.

Shen Yuan smiled sheepishly. “Um, yes, well… I mean, I assumed from the victims that it was the recently deceased Madam from the local brothel. All the victims were clients that hadn’t paid for services so far.”

“You—” Liu Qingge cut himself off and folded his arms in front of him. “No. We had not come to that conclusion.”

“Then maybe you can share some of the fee,” Shen Yuan said, laughing a little awkwardly. He cleared his throat. “That was a joke. Mostly.” He sighed. “I wish the townmaster had told me there were already cultivators on this.” 

“You can… work with us if you’d like,” Liu Qingge said. He didn’t see why not. Wandering cultivators probably needed the payment more than Cang Qiong Mountain Sect did—then again Liu Qingge never bothered with that side of things. Shang Qinghua was handling it. Liu Qingge was there to kill a ghost and that was it.

Shen Yuan smiled at him. “Us? Is Liu-didi with some friends?”

“Stop it,” Liu Qingge grumbled, his face felt hot. He frowned harder when Shen Yuan badly covered his responding laugh. “My sectmates.” 

“Right! I never got which sect you were from,” Shen Yuan said. 

“Cang Qiong Mountain,” Liu Qingge said.

Something odd crossed Shen Yuan’s face, the sincerity of his smile seemed to momentarily dip. “Is that so… ah… you know, I’ll leave you to it. You’ve probably got more experience than me and I know there’s a village a bit up the road that probably was looking for some help too.”

“Are you certain?” Liu Qingge asked, confused at the change. Especially since Shen Yuan had more information about the ghost than they did. 

Shen Yuan nodded and then smiled. He undid his hair and then spun the raven strands around the hairpin Liu Qingge had handed back to him. “Thanking, Liu-didi again. Good luck with your ghost madam.”

Liu Qingge didn’t get a chance to think of a reply before Shen Yuan was off again. He breathed out through his nose, frustrated. Then he noticed a different hairpin—the one Shen Yuan had originally been wearing—lying on the floor. He sighed and picked it up. Maybe he’d see what that village was up to once they dealt with this ghost.

three.

Since Liu Qingge had become a disciple of Bai Zhan Peak, he’d been thrown into more than one situation with concerning plants. There was a lecture on Qian Cao Peak, but it didn’t account for how often Liu Qingge would be in situations where people would try to actively fall into them around him. 

Generally, most of these plants were inconvenient more than anything else. He’d have to sit through a night or two of fever if he was unable to fly back to the sect. The rare time the only solution had been dual cultivation, Liu Qingge had thankfully been with other Bai Zhan Peak and Wan Jian Peak disciples who didn’t make a big deal out of it. Really the only cultivators who had tried to shamelessly pretend the effects were worse than they actually were had been some Huan Hua Palace ones. 

Liu Qingge had more trouble with civilians. At the moment, Rippling Fire Petals. The woman who had accidentally tossed them on him and herself while he was finalizing the details of an actual concern (something he could fight) concluded that Liu Qingge wouldn’t know what it was and that they’d need to… take care of it. Her words.

He had ignored her and walked away. There was no chance he was going to fall into some scheme to ‘take responsibility’ after succumbing to baser instincts he could resist. 

The thrumming pulse through his qi indicated it wasn’t fatal, though the fever it was bringing on was fairly quick and Liu Qingge doubted he would have enough time to fly back home before it put him at a disadvantage in combat.

So gritting his teeth in frustration, he made his way to the nearest inn to book a room and sweat it out for a night. Maybe a cold bath would alleviate the worst of it.

“Liu-didi?” Shen Yuan asked, curiously and uncertain. When Liu Qingge spun around to look at him—he looked oddly familiar when he was frowning. That thought passed quickly as other… less proper thoughts cropped up.

“Shen Yuan,” Liu Qingge said with a short nod and then grabbed his room token before moving aside.

“Ahh, Liu Fengyu,” Shen Yuan said, carefully, trailing after him. “You seem to… be suffering from some side effects?”

“Mn,” Liu Qingge said, taking two steps of the stairs at a time. Annoyed (and other feelings) that Shen Yuan kept up with him. 

“Rippling Fire Petals?” Shen Yuan guessed, narrowing his eyes at him. He reached for Liu Qingge’s wrist and the immediate flare of heat made Liu Qingge stumble backwards a step. In the direction of the stairs. Shen Yuan caught his arm before he fell and pulled him forward. “Careful! Yeah that is Rippling Fire Petals it looks like. Your eyes are so dilated—come on, that’s an easy cure.”

Liu Qingge felt his vision blur a little as the contact from Shen Yuan’s elegant fingers wrapped around his arm and pulling him along sent a wave of heat from his gut to his chest.

He would not say where else the heat had settled. “What are you—”

“Can we get a basin of cold water and a cloth, please?” Shen Yuan said to a figure that was difficult to identify. The effects had advanced as fast as Liu Qingge had been concerned they would and he was being led into a room not his own.

“Shen Yuan,” Liu Qingge said, gruffly. The urgency to get closer to the other man due to the effects of the plant smothered his determination to get away. It ended up keeping him at a standstill.  

“Don’t be a baby, Liu-didi,” Shen Yuan said, pulling him inside and setting him down on the bed. “Hold on, okay? I know I have some—” He fumbled around in… his bag? “Ah, right there! Perfect.” 

Liu Qingge’s head was swimming and any thoughts to help him get off the bed and towards the door were taking too much effort. He clenched his fists against the sheets and tried to push past the baser instincts the flower was amplifying. He was a Peak Lord now. He was not going to succumb to a plant. 

The door opened and closed again. When Liu Qingge glanced towards it, Shen Yuan was still there, hunched over a table, mixing things in a mortal and pestle. He was humming.

“What are you doing?” Liu Qingge gritted out. This did not seem like a grand seduction effort, but he wasn’t sure if the plant was shifting his perspective too much.

“Anti-aphrodisiac,” Shen Yuan said, “give me a moment.” 

Liu Qingge wasn’t aware of a medicinal cure, but perhaps Mu Qingfang would know. Liu Qingge didn’t think Shen Yuan would poison him, but at this point with the heat roiling in his lower dantian, he thought he might prefer poison.

Finally, Shen Yuan brought him a cup filled with cool water and herbs. “Drink that,” Shen Yuan said, softly. He watched Liu Qingge do so and then smiled, pleased. “Good. It’ll take a little while to fully counteract the aphrodisiac—seems like you got hit with a big dose of it.” 

Liu Qingge grunted in agreement, already feeling the qi in his system stop agitating quite so aggressively, even if the overall feeling didn’t desist. It did stop quickening at least.

“Here,” Shen Yuan said, holding up a wet cloth, he gently pressed it against Liu Qingge’s neck. “It’ll help with the fever at least until the medicine kicks in.”

“Where did you learn that?” Liu Qingge asked, feeling grateful for each cool touch of the cloth on his feverish skin.

Shen Yuan’s lips quirked. “I read it in a book. Plus peddling herbs pays the bills better than hauntings and demon fights.”

Liu Qingge realized Shen Yuan was also pressing some qi each time the cool cloth touched his skin—it was adding to the relief. His energy felt refreshing, like a spring. “Why aren’t you in a sect?”

Shen Yuan snorted, though it sounded half-hearted. “I prefer being in control of my own life.”

Liu Qingge didn’t know how to respond to that, so he didn’t. There was a long silence as the aphrodisiac finally drained out of his system. His qi and energy both felt depleted resisting it. It was very annoying.

“Get some rest, Liu-didi,” Shen Yuan said, smile soft as he patted Liu Qingge’s shoulder. 

Liu Qingge shook his head. “I should…” He trailed off, unable to keep his eyes fully open for very long. Shen Yuan laughed a little and pushed him back onto the bed, telling him to rest once more. Liu Qingge fought it and then saw Shen Yuan settle in a chair near the door, pulling out a book to read. 

He decided to risk the sleep. It took him under quickly.

***

Liu Qingge woke to the sound of light snoring. He sat up and noticed a blanket had been thrown over him at some point and then saw the source of the noise. Shen Yuan was awkwardly slouched in a chair, an open book resting against his chest.

Liu Qingge felt his lips twitch. He also felt… better. More focused. It was irritating that woman had been able to surprise him like that. He needed to hone his instincts. He also needed to ask Shen Yuan about that cure once he was awake. For now, Liu Qingge got up quietly. He took the book from Shen Yuan and remembered the other hairpin he’d dropped the last time he’d seen him and took it out save his place. Then he set the book aside and tried not to laugh as the man grumbled something and then turned to curl up and lean against his own arm. 

Shen Yuan did wake up when Liu Qingge brought breakfast from downstairs. Liu Qingge didn’t have to eat, but the best thing to do after a qi drain like he’d experienced was to replenish anything usually kept in check with inedia.

“Oh, you’re—morning,” Shen Yuan said, yawning and then stretching his arms. “You didn’t have to bring breakfast.”

“Eat,” Liu Qingge said and then did so himself.

Shen Yuan hummed and shrugged, settling himself at the small table to eat his fill. He didn’t pick at his food, but also didn’t eat too quickly like Liu Qingge might have expected. Liu Qingge wasn’t sure how financial secure a wandering cultivator’s life was. 

“So how’d you get such a high dose?” Shen Yuan asked, scraping his spoon against his bowl. “Rippling Fire Petals don’t usually grow in clusters.”

“Someone threw them,” Liu Qingge said, with a grunt.

Shen Yuan’s mouth opened and he looked oddly familiar again as he scowled. “Are you kidding me? Who? That’s irresponsible at best and attempted sexual assault at worst!”

“Some woman,” Liu Qingge said, shrugging. He felt a little pleased to see the usually happy cultivator up in arms at his defense, but it truly was not a strange enough occurrence for Liu Qingge to be concerned. “My reflexes are usually quicker.”

“They shouldn’t need to be!” 

Liu Qingge shook his head. “Shen Yuan does not need to worry himself on my behalf.”

“Obviously,” Shen Yuan said, gesturing to him. He sighed and then set his food down and started finger-combing the mess that his hair had turned into the night before. “Still. People shouldn’t be throwing sex pollen in other people’s faces because they’re handsome.”

Liu Qingge cleared his throat, not exactly choking on his breakfast. “Sex pollen?”

Shen Yuan looked embarrassed, he dropped his hands and his ears tinged pink. His hair was also sticking up at the side. It was very cute. “Forget I said that.”

“I’ll try,” Liu Qingge said, lips twitching.

Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes at him and then stood and went to where his bags were, digging out what looked like a comb. “You said you were with Cang Qiong Mountain Sect before, which peak?”

“Bai Zhan,” Liu Qingge replied, watching Shen Yuan comb out his hair. He seemed annoyed by its existence. 

“Good,” Shen Yuan said, sounding relieved. He smiled at him. “So I’m assuming you’re here about the disappearances?”

Liu Qingge frowned. “No. I was having a night hunt in the area. What disappearances?”

Shen Yuan smiled slyly at him, combing the strands of his hair to one side. “Mm, maybe I shouldn’t tell you. If Liu-didi knows, I won’t get paid.”

“You can keep the money,” Liu Qingge said. “I owe you.” More than once.

Shen Yuan blinked at him and then put his comb down. “Oh, no, that’s—you don’t owe me! It’s fine. I was kidding anyway. I’d be happy with the help. Splitting the fee is fine too.”

Liu Qingge shook his head. “I don’t need it.” He paused. “Also stop calling me that.”

Shen Yuan’s lips quirked. “Calling you what?”

Liu Qingge narrowed his eyes. “You know what.” 

Shen Yuan pretended to look innocent. He shrugged and hummed, going back to his things, digging around in his bag again. “Well, if you want to help, then I’m not going to argue. I have a suspicion based on the aberrant qi the culprit is a Chimei and I’d rather not fight that on my own if I don’t have to.”

Liu Qingge nodded, watching as Shen Yuan pulled out another hairpin. This one also looked oddly carved, it might’ve been a rabbit. He spun his hair efficiently so the top of it was pulled back and then secured it with the pin.

They had little trouble following the aberrant qi—Shen Yuan had impressive control of his qi and was clearly well-read. He detailed off more facts than Liu Qingge had heard about the Chimei, including its usual hibernation schedule and how that narrowed down his suspicions. The creature itself was not a significant problem. Shen Yuan mentioned its ability to lure and charm, but that was difficult to do without a head so Liu Qingge took care of that easily enough.

Shen Yuan stared down at the headless, multi-limbed creature. “I don’t feel like I earned this payday, Liu-didi.”

Liu Qingge wiped the blood off his blade and glared. “Shen. Yuan.”

Shen Yuan held his hands up in surrender, chuckling. “Okay, okay. Don’t look so murderous at me right after you behead something! Liu Fengyu.”

“Liu Qingge,” Liu Qingge said, correcting him. He hadn’t gone by his old name in some time.

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened and his mouth opened. Then it shut. Then he made an odd noise that he muffled by covering his mouth with his hands. 

“Shen Yuan?”

“You’re Liu Qingge?” Shen Yuan balked. “The Peak Lord of Bai Zhan? You’re a Peak Lord? I’ve been calling the War God—” He covered his entire face with his hands and groaned. 

Liu Qingge sheathed his sword. “It was that much of a surprise?”

“Yes!” Shen Yuan said, dropping his hands and looking offended of all things. “You are way too pretty to be the Bai Zhan War God! You should be a grizzled old veteran with a beard and scars or something!”

“What?” Liu Qingge was confused, but also stuck on ‘pretty.’ That was a little different than being called ‘handsome’ which Shen Yuan had also done earlier. Not that he made a note of it.

“Nothing!” Shen Yuan squeaked and then spun around. The hairpin was definitely a rabbit. It looked hand carved and a little better than the last ones he’d seen.

“Do you make those yourself?” Liu Qingge asked.

Shen Yuan turned to glance over his shoulder at him with a look of confusion until Liu Qingge gestured to it. He blinked a few times and then seemed to relax a little. “Oh. Um, yes. I haven’t tried with qi yet, but I figure if I run into some cheap jade I can try that. It’s a hobby. Passes the time.”

“That would take a skilled control of qi,” Liu Qingge said. He suspected it would turn out more refined than the woodcarving attempts given what he’d seen of Shen Yuan’s control so far.

Shen Yuan shrugged. “Double benefit to the hobby, I guess.” He glanced at the Chimei corpse. “We need to bring proof back. The head would be easier to carry, but it’s going to look like a random human head…also this is my least favorite part.”

Liu Qingge nodded and picked up the body, slinging the corpse over his shoulder. He grabbed the head as well, in case it had any remaining negative energy. They headed back to the village and he heard Shen Yuan muttering behind him about how obvious it should’ve been that Liu Qingge was the Bai Zhan Peak Lord.

He felt fine smiling, since Shen Yuan could not see him.

Shen Yuan had also left another hairpin in the room. Liu Qingge found it before he and the wandering cultivator parted ways. It was a small thing, something his little sister might enjoy or have soft toys of. He thought it might be a bird or some kind of winged spirit. He slipped it into his sleeve, meaning to give it back before they split.

Liu Qingge forgot to return the hairpin. Rather he held onto it, determined to give it back the next time he saw Shen Yuan.

four.

Liu Qingge preferred fighting demons to fighting human demonic cultivators. There wasn’t more or less of a challenge (it depended on the fight), but human demonic cultivators used underhanded tactics and bastardized his own techniques against him. Often utilizing his anger could be useful during a battle, but Liu Qingge found that during fights such as these, it was much better to temper his anger to retain focus.

Given why he was chasing these demonic cultivators down, that was not an easy task. 

Liu Qingge may not have been a peak lord that coddled and cosseted, but he would never use a child disciple of his to enhance his own power. The one that had been killed was Mingyan’s age and it made it impossible to think beyond crushing the demonic cultivator’s throat. 

He shamed himself by letting his anger distract him. Liu Qingge fell into a ploy he only realized when the scum in front of him smiled. The array he’d stepped on grasped at his limbs and pulled him down, drawing on his own energy and settling against his spine in a painful wave. Liu Qingge pushed back against it but that seemed to feed the spell woven into the symbols and the demonic cultivator’s eyes gleamed with greed.

Liu Qingge at least had the satisfaction to see the scum get distracted by their supposed victory. Before he could find a way to disturb the array and free himself, the demonic cultivator let out a pained yell and spun around to face another combatant. Liu Qingge could see an active talisman sticking on the man’s back.

Liu Qingge recognized the fighter, but was not stupid enough to give into the urge to watch Shen Yuan fight and utilized the distraction to channel his qi through Cheng Luan and disrupt the array enough to break free of it. 

Shen Yuan had a fierce look of concentration on his face and was holding his own well enough that Liu Qingge almost didn’t intervene, until the demonic cultivator sent a swirling black miasma towards the wandering cultivator and Shen Yuan gave a cry of pain.

The fight after that ended quickly enough. The demonic cultivator’s trap had meant to prime Liu Qingge to drain, which had only succeeded in cutting the time it would have taken to prepare his energy to land a formidable killing blow.

There was no point in considering if he hadn’t had the time to break the array before the now dead demonic cultivator succeeded. 

“Shen Yuan,” Liu Qingge said in greeting and then strode towards him. “You’re injured.”

Shen Yuan shook his head, grasping his injured arm. “It’ll be fine.” He glanced up and gave a brief smile. “Peak Lord Liu.”

Liu Qingge didn’t know how to feel about his slight disappointment at not hearing the foolish ‘didi’ at the end of his name coming from Shen Yuan’s mouth. Shen Yuan didn’t notice and instead refocused on the body, shaking his injured arm off with a grimace and then going through the demonic cultivator’s pockets.

“Never a thing identifiable,” Shen Yuan muttered, grimly. He was kneeling over the body and opening and then discarding different pouches the man carried.

“What are you looking for?” Liu Qingge asked. 

“Eh, some proof this asshole is actually this asshole,” Shen Yuan said. He sighed, brushing his hands off on his knees and then stood. “Nothing to be done about it.” He glanced at Liu Qingge. “Most of the crap he’s carrying is dangerous, but you’re welcome to look through it first before I cleanse the lot.”

Liu Qingge couldn’t possibly imagine what he’d need from an evil cultivator. He shook his head and stepped back, allowing Shen Yuan to pile the items on top of the body and then toss another talisman at it. He snapped his fingers and the entire body went aflame in white hot demonic qi purification.

Liu Qingge rarely paid attention to what was done to demonic things that needed cleansing, but he was certain the ease Shen Yuan had in committing the act indicated skill. Liu Qingge meant to tell him as much, but noticed the look of loathing on Shen Yuan’s usually cheerful face as he stared at the flames.

He finally caught who Shen Yuan reminded him of, but the idea of him being related to Shen Qingqiu felt… impossible. Shen was a very common surname, but the resemblance had never been clearer.

Shen Yuan sighed, the disgust clearing from his face and his features softening again. His hairpin was askew and strands floated in front of his face. Shen Yuan blew one away from him and shook his head. It was so… charmingly inelegant that Liu Qingge almost laughed at the idea of this person being anywhere in Shen Qingqiu’s bloodline.

“I understand the necessity of putting a bounty on these assholes so more people go after them, but it only makes people want to bring proof which means handing off another resource for other demonic cultivators.” 

Liu Qingge looked at the now unidentifiable corpse and saw his point. “They don’t take your word for it?”

Shen Yuan snorted. “Not generally no.” He winced and glared at his arm. “Asshole.” 

There was a deep mark of what appeared to be indigo ink, seeping its way through Shen Yuan’s forearm. “You’re injured,” Liu Qingge repeated.

Shen Yuan nodded. “Demonic leech effect. It should’ve faded more after the guy died, but he really got in there.” His eyes flicked up to Liu Qingge’s and his expression was thoughtful. “Do they teach fancy peak lords how to dual cultivate?” 

Liu Qingge’s eyebrows rose.

Shen Yuan’s face turned red and he held up his hands. “No! That’s not what I meant. Like… cycle your qi with a partner—not the—not that.” 

Liu Qingge ignored his own reaction to that thought and nodded, understanding. “You need to try and cleanse the energy. It’ll work faster if we cycle.”

Shen Yuan bit his lip and looked away, mortified, then nodded. 

Liu Qingge moved towards him and led Shen Yuan off the path they were on, into a comfortable patch of grass. Shen Yuan sat, crosslegged, glancing at the still lit corpse. Liu Qingge sat behind him, placing one hand gently on his back and the other on his shoulder.

Shen Yuan seemed to want to fill the silence, while Liu Qingge focused on slowly sending his qi into Shen Yuan’s meridians to start the cycle to flood the corruption out of them. “The other two are dead up the road, if you were looking for them.”

“You took them out?” Liu Qingge asked, impressed.

“One of them, the other one was taken out by this genius who drained him.” Shen Yuan scoffed. “Adult demonic cultivators working together… surprised it lasted as long as it did.”

Liu Qingge felt as his qi intertwined with Shen Yuan’s own… it was smoother than he was expecting and he was brought back to the uncomfortable moment of being dosed with that plant and Shen Yuan using his qi to soothe the fever. He shifted, glad Shen Yuan couldn’t see whatever expression was on his face.

“You… seem to know a lot about demonic cultivators.”

“Personal experience, unfortunately,” Shen Yuan said, letting out a long breath as the tension in his shoulders eased. “This is so much better than trying to push the corruption out myself. Thanks, Liu-d—Liu Qingge.”

Liu Qingge’s lips twitched. “Mn.”  

He focused on cycling their energies until the full mark of corruption had disappeared and Shen Yuan was flexing and testing his previously injured arm. Shen Yuan made a satisfied noise as the cleansing talisman burned down along with most of the demonic cultivator’s body. He turned a little and leaned back against his uninjured arms, glancing at Liu Qingge with a friendly smile. “You suffering any ill effects from that leech trap?”

“No,” Liu Qingge said. Other than being foolish enough to get caught in it. “I was distracted… the victims were children.”

Shen Yuan frowned again, though it wasn’t the disgusted frown that reminded him of Shen Qingqiu, rather something softer and sad around the edges. “Too common. They’re the most vulnerable and easily taken advantage of.”

Liu Qingge wondered at Shen Yuan’s ‘personal experience’ but wasn’t sure how to ask. He dug into his qiankun sleeve instead and pulled out the hairpin Shen Yuan had dropped the last time he’d seen him.

Shen Yuan laughed. “I keep losing these!” He gently took it from Liu Qingge and the laughter still lit his eyes. “Thanking Peak Master Liu for returning it.”

“What is it?” Liu Qingge couldn’t help ask. He gestured to the wings coming out of the base of it, before it split off into a curved ji-style shape. 

Shen Yuan squinted at the carving at the top and then huffed a laugh. “I think it was meant to be a Red-Viper-Fire-Cardinal before I gave up.” He smoothed his thumb over the top of it and then pulled out the one currently in his hair, letting the bun loosen and fall at his sides and held it out to Liu Qingge. “This one is better. I can make actual shapes now.”

Liu Qingge took it from Shen Yuan and examined the details—this one, unlike the others was carved out of some kind of coral or bone. The decorative figure had a sharp curl in the end of it, like a tail. “A Blue-Tipped Scorpion?”

Shen Yuan beamed at him, looking incredibly pleased. “Yes!” He fumbled around at the qiankun bag at this side and pulled out another one, presenting it for Liu Qingge’s examination. “What about this one?”

The figurine was carved out of a smooth bone for certain this time, there was even a faint remnant of Shen Yuan’s cool qi that ran through it when Liu Qingge touched it. The deer’s back legs split into the chai-style of the hairpin and the only oddities were the feathers weren’t as clearly detailed as some of the rest of it but not unrecognizable. The horns were also too short. “Bane Partridge-Stag.”

Shen Yuan seemed pleased with that too and pulled out several others until Liu Qingge was holding far too many hairpins, almost all of them carved into different spiritual or demonic beasts with varying levels of detail and material. 

The one that was metallic seemed to be a flower, which Liu Qingge unsurprisingly didn’t recognize, but noted how sharp the end of the hairpin was. “This would make a good hidden weapon.”

Shen Yuan’s smile curved in amusement. “I should’ve made it a specific poisonous variety then.”

He blinked at the amount of hairpins Liu Qingge was holding and seemed to suddenly be embarrassed, grabbing them back. “I—sorry for wasting your time with that.” He laughed, a little nervously. “I just don’t generally get people guessing them right.” He shoved the hairpins in his bag, using the Bane Partridge-Stag to tie his hair up again. “Generally speaking, ji are pretty and generic, so I can’t blame anyone.” 

“Don’t apologize,” Liu Qingge said. He’d possibly saved his life again, at the very least assisted him in the hunt for the demonic cultivators. Shen Yuan was waving him off and Liu Qingge frowned, thinking of what he’d said earlier. “You ran into demonic cultivators as a child.”

Shen Yuan sighed, defeatedly and nodded. He pushed some loose hair behind his own ear and slumped back against his own arms again. “I was… in a bad situation and the only way out was a very bad man who I should’ve known was a demonic cultivator at the time, but…” He shrugged and looked off at the space over Liu Qingge’s shoulder, eyes too unfocused to be looking at anything specific.

“You can’t expect a child to know that,” Liu Qingge argued.

Shen Yuan seemed to find that funny for some reason. Then whatever plagued his thoughts passed and he smiled, more gently and more focused on Liu Qingge, which was somehow worse. It made Liu Qingge shift where he was sitting—he’d outgrown fidgeting years ago.

Shen Yuan pushed himself up to standing, brushing off the back of his robes and then his own hands on the front of his robes in such an unsophisticated fashion, Liu Qingge couldn’t believe he thought he was anything related to Shen Qingqiu. They were a different species all together.

Liu Qingge rose as well, standing over him and staring down. There was one more strand of hair that Shen Yuan had missed, it was hanging across the edge of his temple, waiting to be pushed back, but Liu Qingge ignored the impulse—that would’ve been rude and too intimate.

The urge to do so didn’t completely die.

Liu Qingge offered to collect the other bodies since there apparently wouldn’t be a bounty collected, but they needed to be disposed of. He usually wouldn’t have bothered, but Shen Yuan’s relief made him glad he had. 

By the time Liu Qingge made it back to collect the demonic cultivator that had trapped him, he noticed that Shen Yuan had not managed to collect all of his hairpins. Two were lying in the grass. Liu Qingge chuckled to himself and picked them up to hold onto. He could scold Shen Yuan for leaving them everywhere, but enjoyed the excuse to give them back. 

five.

Liu Qingge was very irritated. He’d stuck to the Bai Zhan Peak way of doing things when it came to choosing disciples for a reason. They were supposed to prove themselves and dedicate their path. It meant he didn’t need to nanny them. 

Unfortunately, the last trials he’d been pressured into picking some out since Yue Qingyuan was ‘concerned’ about how few had climbed the peak the previous year. 

Now Liu Qingge was tracking down two of those idiots in Kandui City, rather than doing something useful. Though only Yin Kun was of his choosing, Lang Zhou climbed the peak and should've known better. He was younger though and more foolishly led.

Liu Qingge thought about how far he was going throw both his disciples while he dismissed insistent interest from merchant after merchant and made his way through the crowds. 

He found both Lang Zhou and Yin Kun towards the central pagoda where the food vendors had set up—with Shen Yuan. 

It had been some time since he’d last run into the wandering cultivator. Liu Qingge found himself slowing his step to observe him. Shen Yuan was listening with a small smile while Lang Zhou gestured and rambled off about something. Yin Kun had more awareness and glanced to the side to notice his Peak Lord’s approach. The dawning horror on his face was good. Liu Qingge wanted them to know how stupid they were before he dropped them off a cliff.

“Shizun!” Yin Kun said, his voice slightly strangled. Lang Zhou spun around and equally looked frightened as Liu Qingge came closer.

Shen Yuan looked amused. “Peak Lord Liu,” he said, amiably, “I was just chatting with some of your disciples.”

“Errant disciples,” Liu Qingge corrected, glaring at them.

They cowered a bit, but not nearly as much as a disciple from another peak would have. He was irritated, but pleased with that at least.

“We didn’t mean to get lost!” Lang Zhou objected and then snapped his mouth shut when Liu Qingge looked at him.

“They were hungry,” Shen Yuan explained, not even attempting to hide how amused he was.

Liu Qingge’s glare towards him was not effective, it only made Shen Yuan smile wider. “You have rations.”

“They taste like wood chips!” Yin Kun said and Lang Zhou nodded in agreement. 

Liu Qingge sighed and pinched his nose. He couldn’t discipline them or challenge them in the middle of the city—it’d be too disruptive. Besides, if he made them run laps, he’d lose them again. 

“Were you planning on stealing or begging?” Liu Qingge asked them, frankly. 

He knew neither of them had spending money. Lang Zhou had complained about that when they’d arrived in the city, since apparently Qian Cao Peak’s disciples did on their last (and only other) mission. Mu Qingfang’s softness on his disciples should not have been Liu Qingge’s problem.  

“Busking…” Lang Zhou said, nervously.

Liu Qingge stared at him until he explained more.

“There were some people in my hometown that used to break boulders on their chest for coin!” Lang Zhou said, the young disciple squirming under his stare. “I—I mean we could do better than they could.”

Liu Qingge didn’t have a chance to continue scolding them, because Shen Yuan was laughing. He shot him an exasperated look. “Don’t encourage them.”

Shen Yuan shamelessly laughed again. He was carrying a bag filled with what looked like produce and uncooked rice. “They’re growing warriors, go easy on them.”

Yin Kun and Lang Zhou stood a little taller at that, nodding their agreement.

“No,” Liu Qingge said, which made their shoulders hunch and Shen Yuan’s eyes dance with mirth. Liu Qingge sighed and glanced at the food vendors, frowning. “We don’t have enough on hand to waste on this.” 

He had a bad habit of forgetting his own coin before a mission, but didn’t want to admit that. His disciples should’ve been prepared to hunt and cook their own food and camp. That was how the majority of Liu Qingge’s missions went. 

“Come have dinner with me, Peak Lord Liu,” Shen Yuan offered with a gentle smile. “Ayi’s cooking is ten times better than these vendors anyway.”

Both boys jumped up immediately and started pleading with him. He shoved them aside and was about to tell them no again when he caught Shen Yuan’s eye. Liu Qingge grunted. “We can’t impose.”

“You won’t be,” Shen Yuan assured him. He hoisted up the bag of groceries. “There’s plenty and she is unfailing generous in portion sizes if I’m there.”

Liu Qingge frowned. “If you’re sure.”

Shen Yuan nodded and there was something that looked a little calculating in the way he eyed Liu Qingge. “I’m absolutely sure. Plus Binghe’s close to their age. I’m sure he’ll love the company.”

***

Shen Yuan’s ‘Ayi’ was an older woman who looked nothing like Shen Yuan or her son. Zhu Yiran was welcoming in a way that felt comfortable, though not familiar. She was insistent that they stay for dinner once Shen Yuan introduced them without even being asked. 

Luo Binghe appeared to be younger than Liu Qingge’s disciples, though he clearly had even more potential. If he showed up to trials in a year or two, Liu Qingge didn’t think he’d have much trouble getting chosen. Or he could climb Bai Zhan, considering he was happy to be roped into running around like idiots with Liu Qingge’s young disciples. 

Zhu Yiran smiled as they dove into the dirt and dirtied up their robes. “My Binghe doesn’t usually make friends that quickly.”

“The children in this city have terrible taste,” Shen Yuan said, defensively as if she were implying it was her son’s fault.

The older woman gave him a wry look and then turned back to Liu Qingge. “I must say, Immortal Master Liu is the most distinguished guest this old woman has had the pleasure of hosting.”

Her home was small, outside the noise of the city, but it was well-kept and there were small carvings on the door that held Shen Yuan’s qi signature.

“What am I?” Shen Yuan objected, but he was smiling.

Zhu Yiran patted his head. “A very kind, but somewhat messy cultivator. Why is your hair like that again?” 

She tutted at him and gestured for him to turn around. Liu Qingge had the enjoyment of watching Shen Yuan’s ears turn red as he obeyed the older woman’s orders, lowering himself so she could more easily fix the loose, messy bun at the back of his head. She redid his hair into a secure braided top layer, with the rest hanging down, more intentionally. She sighed at the hairpin, which Liu Qingge noted looked like a basilisk with some painted details this time and slid it into place. 

“Thank you, Ayi,” Shen Yuan said, looking suddenly closer to Liu Qingge’s disciples’ age than his own age—which was older than Liu Qingge.

Zhu Yiran was pleased with that and glanced over at the boys again, seemingly ensuring they weren’t breaking any bones. “Keep an eye on Binghe while I finish dinner,” she said softly, and patted Shen Yuan’s arm before going into the house.

Shen Yuan’s face was still a little pink. He crossed his arms over his chest and stared in the boys’ direction, which did little to hide the reddish tinge on the tips of his ears. 

“I didn’t know you lived in Kandui,” Liu Qingge commented. 

Shen Yuan glanced at him and smiled. “It’s more recent. I made enough to move Ayi and Binghe here… their last place wasn’t great.” His mouth twisted into a frown and he glanced back at where Luo Binghe was laughing while Lang Zhao had Yin Kun in a headlock. 

Shen Yuan sighed. “It wasn’t like I planned it either. I mean… I was just checking in. I didn’t think she’d adopt me.”

“Checking in?” Liu Qingge asked.

Shen Yuan bit his lip and a curious expression crossed his face before it passed. He shifted a little and leaned against the wall of the house. “I met Binghe first, he was five. Getting picked on by some shitty kids in the street while he was trying to run an errand for his mom. Ayi was a washerwoman for these—” He cut himself off, looking angry and then took a deep breath and his expression smoothed out. “Anyway, Binghe took me home and honestly they had even less than I did but Ayi still insisted I stay the night and she made me the best tasting congee I’ve had in my life out of practically nothing.” 

Shen Yuan smiled, softly. The sun wasn’t completely set yet, but low enough in the sky that it cast a gentle golden glow against his features. Liu Qingge felt struck by the image, especially with the way Zhu Yiran had made the hair frame Shen Yuan’s already elegant face. 

“It’s nice though,” Shen Yuan said, “having somewhere to call home. I think I fantasized so long about being a wandering cultivator, I forgot the realities of it.” He glanced at Liu Qingge and his smile was still as soft as the golden light gracing his skin. “Liu-didi was my first and only friend—generally speaking other sect cultivators aren’t friendly.” 

Liu Qingge huffed a laugh at the return of the stupid diminutive. He was irrationally pleased by it. “You’d do well at Cang Qiong,” he said. “Some of them are too friendly.”

The look Shen Yuan gave him was inscrutable. He seemed to struggle with something, but before he could say whatever he was thinking, Zhu Yiran called them to dinner. 

Shen Yuan had not exaggerated. It was simple, but still some of the best food Liu Qingge had eaten. He warned his disciples to not gorge themselves, but for once couldn’t blame their terrible manners—he was tempted to himself. 

After dinner, Liu Qingge noticed they were low on firewood and put his disciples to work. They were getting off easy and knew it, so neither of them complained. The only one who objected was Zhu Yiran, but he explained that they needed some kind of discipline for running off.

“Yuan-er is a little overly indulgent,” Zhu Yiran said, sympathetically.

“I am not,” Shen Yuan objected. He was currently combing through and fixing Luo Binghe’s hair with more care than Liu Qingge had seen him put into his own.

Zhu Yiran did not look convinced. “Immortal Master Liu’s sect is likely more disciplined than a boy who chases butterflies.”

“Venom Night-Moths, Mama,” Luo Binghe corrected, he glanced up at Shen Yuan and grinned brightly when he got an approving nod. 

“Some might say too disciplined,” Shen Yuan muttered. He glanced up at Liu Qingge and that calculating look was on his face again. “Binghe, Peak Lord Liu teaches martial specialities.”

“Bai Zhan Peak!” Luo Binghe said, brightly. He smiled up at Liu Qingge. “Yuan-ge told me all about the different lessons at Cang Qiong Mountain Sect!”

“He wanted to be a wandering cultivator,” Shen Yuan said, wryly. “His mother and I thought trying out for the sect would be more appropriate.”

Liu Qingge looked Luo Binghe over again, assessing him. Then he sank down, kneeling on the floor and held his hand out. “Wrist.”

Luo Binghe looked at him curiously, wary but not nervous—when Shen Yuan nudged him, he gave Liu Qingge his wrist. It was only a quick read, but clear that Liu Qingge’s initial estimation was correct. “You’d have no trouble at any of the peaks. I’d suggest waiting another year.”

“Or more,” Zhu Yiran said, gently. Liu Qingge wasn’t certain of Luo Binghe's age, but he was sure the child was younger than they accepted currently. As long as he came before thirteen, he should be fine.

Shen Yuan’s mouth twisted as he finished Luo Binghe’s hair and patted his shoulders. “You hear that, Binghe? Any of the peaks.” 

Luo Binghe nodded. “Except Qing Jing,” he said, like he was repeating something.

Liu Qingge raised an eyebrow and Shen Yuan suddenly looked embarrassed. He cleared his throat and shooed Luo Binghe outside to check on Liu Qingge’s disciples. Liu Qingge suspected that would lead to less wood chopping and more running around. 

After a brief battle between Shen Yuan and Zhu Yiran about who would clean up, Liu Qingge followed him outside. He frowned at Shen Yuan and reached for the hairpins that were still in his qiankun sleeve.

Liu Qingge held them out and said, “Here.” 

Simultaneously, Shen Yuan burst out, “Yes, I’m related to Shen Qingqiu.” 

Shen Yuan’s eyes opened wide and he stared at the hairpins. “Oh… I thought you were going to confront me about that.”

“Why?” Liu Qingge asked, taking in too sharp a breath when their fingers briefly touched as Shen Yuan took back his hairpins. 

“I assume he’s been a dick?” Shen Yuan said, frowning at the hairpins in his hands.

Liu Qingge snorted. “Why would I hold that against you?”

Shen Yuan looked up at him and smiled, though it was more strained than normal. “You’d be surprised. You knew?”

Liu Qingge shrugged. He’d suspected, but hadn’t thought too much of it. “Cousins?”

Shen Yuan made an aggrieved noise. “I wish.” He rubbed his temple. “Brothers. We don’t keep in touch. Haven’t… for a while.” He glanced over at where Luo Binghe was dutifully showing Lang Zhou and Yin Kun where to place the chopped wood. “I don’t want him teaching Binghe.”

Given Shen Qingqiu’s reputation when it came to disciples with promising talent, Liu Qingge didn’t blame him. “He seems talented enough to draw interest from other peaks.” 

Shen Yuan nodded, his mouth twisting again. He hadn’t taken his eyes off Luo Binghe. “The trials are a free-for-all, aren’t they? Couldn’t he pick the best one first if he saw him?”

Liu Qingge felt his own mouth twisting. “Bai Zhan accepts disciples all year if they climb the peak,” he said.

Shen Yuan turned back towards him. “You’d take him as a disciple then? For Bai Zhan Peak?”

“Mn,” Liu Qingge said, forgetting how little he wanted to take on any others. “If he’s interested. He has the aptitude.”

Shen Yuan seemed relieved. Liu Qingge wasn’t surprised he had a bad relationship with his toxic brother, but wondered what caused it. 

“A few years then,” Shen Yuan said, nodding. He held Liu Qingge’s gaze for a long moment  and Liu Qingge found himself taking a step closer. Shen Yuan’s eyelashes were dark as he gazed up through them. His mouth opened slightly to say something.

Then a loud crash drew their attention and a tree too large to be cut without qi had fallen, thankfully not in the direction of the house.

Liu Qingge revised his decision about making his disciples run laps and decided they could circle the city a few times. At least twenty.

(+1)

Liu Qingge hadn’t seen Shen Yuan in nearly a year, but he’d received the occasional letter filled with descriptions of interesting beasts he’d run into or suspicious activity that would be good to investigate. He’d also gone off on several rambling tangents about different plant-life that went over Liu Qingge’s head—consulting with Mu Qingfang hadn’t cleared it up, but had made the healer interested in Shen Yuan’s knowledge.

Liu Qingge always hoped he’d run into him again on a night hunt, but at least knew Shen Yuan would probably be nearby once the next trials started. 

So he was surprised, but not displeased when Shen Yuan sent him a letter asking to meet near Shan Di Bu village. The spot Shen Yuan had chosen was off the path of the village itself, the closest one to Cang Qiong Mountain. He was glancing around and twitchy until his eyes settled on Liu Qingge and then he smiled, seemingly relieved.

“Liu-d—Peak Lord Liu,” Shen Yuan said, sheepishly. 

Liu Qingge shook his head, a smile forming against his will. “Shen Yuan.”

Shen Yuan looked nervous, twisting his fingers around his own sleeves and then straightening what he’d wrinkled.

“Is everything all right?” Liu Qingge asked. He wasn’t sure what he thought this visit was regarding, but hadn’t thought anything might be wrong.

Shen Yuan shifted on his feet. “…remember when you said you owed me?” 

“Mn,” Liu Qingge nodded. “I haven’t forgotten.” He hadn’t had a chance to repay him in kind…if Liu Qingge thought about it, each time he’d run into Shen Yuan he’d received more help than he’d given. Even spending time in Shen Yuan’s company felt like it deserved repayment.

Shen Yuan grimaced. “Right. Um. So.”

“What do you need?” Liu Qingge asked him, a frown pulling at his lips. “If I can help, I will.”

Shen Yuan’s smile was faint. “Binghe’s mom is sick. I don’t make enough from random side jobs to pay for her medicine and all the rest of it—to take care of them both.” 

“How much do you need?” Liu Qingge asked.

Shen Yuan’s eyebrows lifted and then he laughed, humor drained from the sound this time. “She wouldn’t accept it. She hardly lets me pay for anything unless it’s related to Binghe—but I was hoping maybe he could join the sect off-season?”  He grimaced again. "You do that, right? I don’t want to send him up the mountain to be disappointed and that’s so much pressure for a kid his age—but I was thinking if he was safe in the sect, maybe I could move Ayi somewhere close by and… I don’t know, there’s a few treasure seeking jobs that might not be complete bullshit. It’s just getting her not to work that’s the problem I don’t—”

Liu Qingge put his hand over Shen Yuan’s mouth to stop him from continuing. “Breathe.”

Shen Yuan blinked furiously at him and then when Liu Qingge dropped his hand, took a deep breath in and then out.

“The peaks hire servants,” Liu Qingge said, “cooks, cleaners, domestic duties. Many of them live in the sect. Some have children.”

Shen Yuan looked surprised. “You don’t make the disciples do all that?”

Liu Qingge snorted. “No. They have chores, but no one would trust them with the amount of work it takes to maintain the sect.”

Liu Qingge knew, because Shang Qinghua was constantly moaning and complaining about how much work and money it took to do so.

“How does that work?” Shen Yuan asked. “With the living situation.”

Liu Qingge thought for a moment. He didn’t exactly interact with them often, but being a peak lord meant he did have to go through irritating paperwork about it more than he’d like. “There’s an area on An Ding for children either too young to join or who don’t wish to be cultivators. Their parents usually live on the peak they work at. Bai Zhan has at least one. A couple from the domestic staff have a child… six or so, I think.”

“Binghe’s eight in a couple of months,” Shen Yuan said, biting his lip. 

Liu Qingge had guessed his age wrong, he was a little younger than he’d first assumed. “He can’t join the sect officially until he’s ten.” 

“And you could… just bring in staff?” Shen Yuan asked, hesitantly. 

Liu Qingge nodded. “Mn. I’ve done it before when asked by my current staff—sometimes they have a relative who needs work.”

Shen Yuan looked overwhelmed by the information. Liu Qingge wondered how foreign the concept of a sect was to someone outside of it—he’d never considered it would be much different than maintaining a household at a grander scale. Then again, given what Shen Yuan had told him of his past, it was possible Shen Yuan didn’t know the details of that either.

“Qian Cao can treat her,” Liu Qingge added, “if that is also a problem.”

“I’m going to owe you after this, Liu-di—damn it,” Shen Yuan laughed, it was a little brittle. “Sorry. Reflex. Immortal Master Liu.”

“You can use my name,” Liu Qingge pointed out. He didn’t want to encourage ‘Liu-didi’ if Shen Yuan was going to be around the sect more. That made Liu Qingge realize this would mean that Shen Yuan would be around the sect more and he smiled. “Let me know when you can bring them and I’ll set it up.”

“A week from now?” Shen Yuan asked, sounding as grateful as the last village Liu Qingge had saved from a horde of angry Sapphire Muskoxen. 

Liu Qingge nodded. 

Shen Yuan smiled at him, finally as bright as it normally was. “Thank you, Liu Qingge.”

Liu Qingge wondered what he might be able to do to convince Shen Yuan to stay longer at the sect as well. He was sure there was something. Shen Yuan seemed knowledgeable and well suited for a lot of things and if it was on Bai Zhan he wouldn’t have trouble avoiding Shen Qingqiu.

If it weren’t for Peak Lord meetings and the martial competitions, Liu Qingge could (and would be pleased to) avoid him too.

***

Shen Yuan relaxed significantly when Liu Qingge assured him that Shen Qingqiu wasn’t even on the mountain. He was glad he’d paid attention to the last Peak Lord meeting for once and knew that reassuring information. 

Liu Qingge shook his head at Zhu Yiran and Luo Binghe’s overly enthusiastic welcome by Yin Kun and Lang Zhao who were extremely pleased to hear she’d be helping out in the kitchens. Shen Yuan did have to stop them from trying to lure Luo Binghe into the sparring circles. He’d ended up carrying the boy off the peak while Zhu Yiran got settled, even though the boy was clearly too old for that. 

Shen Yuan finally put him down as they approached the Rainbow Bridge which lead to An Ding Peak, marveling at it. He hesitated a little as he put his foot on it before he let Luo Binghe do so as well.  They both laughed and Liu Qingge was a little amused by their chatter. It reminded him of Mingyan’s excited enthusiasm when she wanted to tell him everything that happened since his last visit. 

He was distracted by them and so didn’t notice the Sect Leader approaching at first. Yue Qingyuan’s eyes widened and he said, “Xiao-Yuan?”

Shen Yuan stopped dead and his eyes went equally wide. “Qi-ge?” 

Yue Qingyuan’s characteristic calm seemed absent as a surge of emotions swept his face. He grasped Shen Yuan’s shoulders, smiling brightly. “You’ve gotten so big! What are you doing here? Xiao-Jiu said you were… well he… he said you were safe.”

“Did he?” Shen Yuan asked, flatly, his surprise shifting into annoyance. “He didn’t mention you were here. You’re—” Shen Yuan glanced at Yue Qingyuan’s robes for a moment and then his eyebrows raised again. “You’re Yue Qingyuan? Qi-ge is the sect leader?”

Yue Qingyuan nodded, smiling in a way Liu Qingge hadn’t seen before. He seemed to notice the others around him finally and the smile didn’t lessen but he took a step back to give Liu Qingge a confused look. “Liu-shidi? You know Xiao-Yuan?”

“Mn,” Liu Qingge said, trying to understand how they knew each other so familiarly. He’d never seen Yue Qingyuan act so informal.

“We’ve run into each other on occasion,” Shen Yuan said. “This is Luo Binghe, by the way. We’re showing him the childcare center on An Ding.”

“Right, of course,” Yue Qingyuan said, his smile shifting a little to something more familiar and less open. He regarded Luo Binghe. “It is nice to meet you, Luo Binghe.” 

Shen Yuan regarded him carefully and then looked at Liu Qingge, while Luo Binge shyly greeted the sect leader. “Do you think you could take Binghe the rest of the way? I’d… like to catch up.”

Liu Qingge easily agreed.

Shen Yuan squeezed Luo Binghe’s shoulder in encouragement and the boy watched them curiously for a while before turning back to Liu Qingge and following. He seemed a little less confident without his mother or Shen Yuan around, but not so much that Liu Qingge was concerned by it.

“They do logistics on An Ding Peak,” Luo Binghe said as they approached the entrance. 

“Mn.”

Luo Binghe’s nose crinkled and he glanced up at him. “What are logistics?”

Liu Qingge shrugged. “I don't know, but their Peak Lord complains about it a lot.”

Luo Binghe laughed, satisfied by that response and it was easy enough to get him settled in with the rest of the children near his age. The child attendants seemed immediately charmed so Liu Qingge wasn’t worried, but stayed an extra moment or so on Shen Yuan’s behalf. 

He didn’t find Shen Yuan when he returned, but wasn’t surprised and flew to Qiong Ding Peak. Yue Qingyuan’s disciple confirmed they were inside and Liu Qingge settled to wait for them, not wanting to interrupt. 

It was half a shichen before Shen Yuan exited the receiving building and he startled a little seeing Liu Qingge waiting. “I didn’t mean to make you wait,” he said, apologetic. “Did Binghe settle in okay?”

Liu Qingge nodded. “One of the other children was showing him around when I left.”

Shen Yuan seemed relieved, but he also seemed a little overwhelmed. “Were we going to do something else? I…kind of lost track.”

Liu Qingge had planned on showing him around more. He’d meant to start with Bai Zhan Peak, but since they were here, gestured to the stone pavilions and pebbled walkways that lead to the meditation paths. “You know Yue Qingyuan?”

Shen Yuan nodded. “Apparently.” He rubbed his hands over his face and looked a little less bewildered. “It’s… we knew each other as children. I probably shouldn’t get into details about it.”

“You don’t need to share anything you’re not comfortable with,” Liu Qingge said.

Shen Yuan’s face softened and he smiled at him. “I don’t mind telling you, but if you know… and if Jiu-ge finds out you know… I don’t want another reason for him to try to kill you.”

Liu Qingge made a face at that. “Is there a reason?”

Shen Yuan sighed, tiredly. “A reason that makes sense, probably not, but a reason definitely.” His mouth twisted and he stared at the stone pavilion and the qi-carved stone in the shape of a Sentry Lion. Shen Yuan’s eyes widened in delight this time and Liu Qingge was happy to let him be distracted. 

***

Liu Qingge had originally planned for Shen Yuan to stay at Bai Zhan Peak for at least the night, but his reunion with Yue Qingyuan meant he spent it on Qiong Ding Peak. Liu Qingge had the pleasure of his griping about it in the morning.

“He acts like I’m still a kid,” Shen Yuan complained as they watched Liu Qingge’s disciples’ spar. “Do you know he asked me what your intentions were? What is wrong with him? I mean, I’m glad he’s alive but seriously? I’ve been on my own for more than ten years.”

Liu Qingge didn’t really see the problem. If Yue Qingyuan was as familiar as he seemed with Shen Yuan, asking about Liu Qingge’s intent was understandable. Even if Liu Qingge wasn’t entirely certain himself. He wanted to be around Shen Yuan more. He hadn’t thought past that.

“What did you tell him?” Liu Qingge asked. It would be good to get ahead of it and he wanted to know what Shen Yuan thought. The idea of something more planted in Liu Qingge’s brain, it felt like it was going to infect him more quickly than the Rippling Fire Petals had.

Shen Yuan blinked, drawing his attention from the sparring and looking up at Liu Qingge. “What?”

“What did you tell Yue Qingyuan my intentions were?” Liu Qingge asked again.

Shen Yuan was still staring at him, his cheeks were flushed now and he stumbled through his words. “I—I told him to mind his business.” 

“That worked?” Liu Qingge asked, skeptically.

Shen Yuan shrugged, helplessly. “No, but I… mean, what else was I going to say? You’re doing me a favor you’re not…” He trailed off and looked back at the sparring matches, seemingly too embarrassed to finish his sentence.

Zhu Yiran likely did Shen Yuan’s hair the day before—it was much more styled. Now it was curled over another one of his handmade hairpins. Liu Qingge examined it and the hair that was coming loose, falling against the bared nape of Shen Yuan’s neck. It was made of what appeared to be a metal composite, likely some silver, and the figure at the top was delicately detailed and clearly the baby Silver Tusk Elephant-Ox. 

Liu Qingge looked at Shen Yuan’s neck again and saw the bared skin reddening. “Would you be interested if my intentions were that?”

Shen Yuan snapped his head around and stared at up at him. The quick movement had the benefit of a strand of hair falling out of his haphazardly tied bun and trailing along his cheekbone. “You—you’re not serious.”

“Why would I joke about that?” Liu Qingge asked, his fingers itched and for once he gave in. He pushed the strand of hair behind Shen Yuan’s ear and smiled as Shen Yuan’s eyes fluttered shut in response.

Shen Yuan made a noise, somewhere between a squeak and a hum and then opened his eyes again. He stared at Liu Qingge for a long moment. “I—okay.”

Shen Yuan turned around sharply to face the sparring matches again. His posture stiff and his arms across his chest.

Liu Qingge took longer to turn his attention from Shen Yuan’s profile, enjoying it grow redder and redder until Shen Yuan finally flustered and told him to pay attention to his disciples.

***

Zhu Yiran insisted on cooking dinner for them all that night, claiming she had too much energy after her appointment with Mu Qingfang. Liu Qingge thought she was a formidable opponent since none of them could talk her out of it. He was only able to convince her to utilize the Peak Lord house since there was more room. It was likely the most use his kitchen had seen since he’d moved in. 

Once they were finished with a very delicious meal, mostly narrated by Luo Binghe explaining all the things he’d done and learned that day to a pair of very indulgent smiles, Shen Yuan lingered, claiming to help clean up.

The dishes were still stacked and uncleaned as Luo Binghe and his mother returned to the servants’ building and their quarters.

“You have… no decorations,” Shen Yuan said, staring at his walls. “There’s four books in your bookshelf. There are more weapons on your shelves than books.”

“I’m not here much,” Liu Qingge said with a shrug. He doubted it’d look much different if he was.

“Still,” Shen Yuan said. “You could put up a cool beast fur or tapestry.”

Liu Qingge didn’t hate those ideas, but he didn’t see the point. Or he usually didn’t. “Would that be more comfortable for you?”

“What? No! I didn’t mean me,” Shen Yuan said, charmingly awkward as he walked towards the couch that had come with the house. Based on his face when he sat down on it, it was as comfortable as Liu Qingge suspected.

Maybe he could upgrade a few things.

“Anyway!” Shen Yuan said, adjusting in his seat, frowning and adjusting again. “Didn’t you want to hear the dirt on Shen Qingqiu?”

Liu Qingge’s lips twitched. “I wanted to hear what you felt like sharing. I don’t really care about your… brother.”

Shen Yuan made an inscrutable face at that and gestured for Liu Qingge to join him. He settled on the couch and understood why Shen Yuan was making that face earlier. 

“I know I was flippant before, but I can trust you not to say anything right?” Shen Yuan asked, earnestly.

“Mn.”

Shen Yuan let out a relieved sigh. “I mentioned some of it before…my brother and I were in a bad situation. We were… sold to some incredibly shitty people. The only way out of that was when someone took us on as students.”

“The demonic cultivator?” Liu Qingge asked, remembering what Shen Yuan had shared with him already.

Shen Yuan nodded. “We didn’t know that—or we were too desperate and stupid to think too hard about it maybe.” He sighed and leaned back against the couch, making a face when his shoulder touched the wood. “This couch is horrible by the way.”

“I don’t have company often,” Liu Qingge said.

“Ayi guessed that when she started using your kitchen,” Shen Yuan said, close to laughing.

Shen Yuan pulled one of his legs onto the couch, bending his knee so that it was perilously close to Liu Qingge’s thigh. It didn’t seem intentional. They let the silence sit for a moment before Shen Yuan continued.

“I’m not going to make excuses… we did—I did some things I’m not proud of to survive,” Shen Yuan said, staring down at nothing in particular. 

Liu Qingge briefly touched his knee, trying to be reassuring even if his own fingers felt scalded by the touch. Shen Yuan looked up at him and he tried to at least look reassuring. “You were a child you said.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “There’s a limit to what that will excuse,” he said quietly. “And… I hit my limit before my brother did.” He sighed again and tapped his fingers on his knee where Liu Qingge had touched. “Shifu—the demonic cultivator wanted us to go to the Immortal Alliance Conference. Apparently he made a good living out of murdering unsuspecting entrants and stealing all their shit. Probably leeching their energy too.”

Shen Yuan looked angry, it didn’t seem like it was only directed at his old teacher. Liu Qingge gave into his impulse again and risked putting his hand over Shen Yuan’s. It was worth it to see the way Shen Yuan looked up at him again, smiling softly. He turned his hand and let their fingers tangle together. 

“You didn’t go,” Liu Qingge guessed. He couldn’t picture Shen Yuan agreeing to murder innocent cultivators. 

“I didn’t go,” Shen Yuan agreed. “My brother and I fell out about it. The next time I heard from him, he was a Qing Jing Peak disciple and was trying to get me to join.” His mouth twisted. “Didn’t tell me Qi-ge was alive of course, because why would Shen Jiu ever give the full information when he could play a fucking mind game—” Shen Yuan cleared his throat and gave an apologetic smile. Liu Qingge squeezed his hand in response. It wasn’t like he could explain Shen Qingqiu to his own brother. 

“He probably also thought the whole murdering innocent people thing was a bit much given the timing of him joining,” Shen Yuan surmised, “but you know—can’t actually admit he’s wrong either so I never found out.”

“You’ve been alone this whole time?” Liu Qingge asked.

Shen Yuan shrugged. “Sort of. Until Ayi and Binghe—and sometimes Liu-didi,” he added with a mischievous smirk. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were the Bai Zhan Peak Lord.”

“It didn’t seem relevant,” Liu Qingge said.

Shen Yuan scoffed. “I was talking down to the War God of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, it was relevant.”

Liu Qingge furrowed his brow, confused. “You didn’t… talk down to me.”

“You didn’t need my help,” Shen Yuan said, then added looking embarrassed, “or long explanations.”

“You saved my life,” Liu Qingge argued. “More than once. I don’t think that’s less important because you don’t belong to a sect.” 

Shen Yuan looked at him. Liu Qingge felt like he was being measured by that gaze, examined in the same way for details that he’d examined Shen Yuan’s carved hairpins. 

Then Shen Yuan’s face shifted to a look of determination and he leaned forward, briefly touching his lips against Liu Qingge’s own. He pulled back, embarrassed and flushed immediately afterwards. 

“My brother is really going to hate this,” Shen Yuan pointed out, his face still red.

“Is that a deterrent?” Liu Qingge asked him, his freehand going to pull out the hairpin still hanging on in Shen Yuan’s loose knot.

Shen Yuan was still flushed as he shrugged, but also met Liu Qingge halfway as he moved to kiss him, longer this time and with more intent. 

The couch was very uncomfortable, enough so that after a few moments of pressing their mouths together, Shen Yuan suggested they sit on the floor. It was a little better and even more so when Shen Yuan shifted practically into his lap to get a better angle. Liu Qingge didn’t think any of the nuisance plant life he’d run into over the years were capable of capturing how he felt kissing Shen Yuan. 

(+1.5)

Liu Qingge was alerted to Shen Yuan’s return by the shuffling movement of his disciples running from their current formation practice to hover around the wandering cultivator that had already charmed half of them in only a few days.

Shen Yuan was carrying Luo Binghe—still too old for that—and finally set him down, the previously tired look on the boy’s face brightened as some Liu Qingge’s younger disciples decided to engage him in play—probably as a way to get out of their own practice. 

He let it go since Shen Yuan was smiling at them with a fond look in his eye, but did bark at the rest of his disciples to get back to their forms.

“How was Mu Qingfang?” Liu Qingge asked as he approached.

Shen Yuan beamed at him. “He offered me a job!” 

Liu Qingge was not surprised given how Mu Qingfang had reacted to some of Shen Yuan’s letters. He also wasn’t disappointed considering how close Qian Cao Peak was. “And?”

Shen Yuan nudged his arm with his own. “And I took it. I’m not…” His eyes softened as he stared out at Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge’s youngest idiot disciples running around in an utterly unproductive manner. “I don’t really want to go back to wandering on my own.”

“I go on night hunts often,” Liu Qingge offered.

Shen Yuan grinned up at him. “Mu Qingfang mentioned. He suggested if I tag along I can collect some rarer ingredients since apparently previous attempts have not gone well.”

Liu Qingge shrugged. “I brought him the stupid plants.”

“He said you crushed them and put them in your bag mixed together,” Shen Yuan said, struggling not to laugh. “That’s potpourri.” At Liu Qingge’s blank look, he clarified, “Perfume. Bad perfume given the plants he named.”

Liu Qingge had no objections to that idea. He hadn’t come up with a better way to keep Shen Yuan here. At least not yet. They weren’t quite to the marriage stage of courting. The last few days had gotten them more comfortable with each other though, so Liu Qingge smiled as Shen Yuan leaned against him. He curled an arm around Shen Yuan in return and they watched their young idiots run in circles.

He may have commented as much. 

“I mean… that’s cardiovascular exercise,” Shen Yuan said.

“They’re idiots,” Liu Qingge countered.

“Healthy idiots,” Shen Yuan corrected, laughing brightly.

“Shizun!” one of Liu Qingge’s older disciples yelled, running towards them with a slightly panicked look. “Shen-shibo is advancing! Should we prepare defenses?”

Before Liu Qingge could answer, he saw the Qing Jing Peak Lord sweep through the area with a furious look on his face, striding right towards them.

“Qi-ge ratted me out faster that I was expecting,” Shen Yuan said, ruefully. He glanced at the disciple. “Could you take Binghe and the others inside to get something to eat?”

The disciple nodded and bowed. “Yes, Shen… err Shiniang?”

Shen Yuan’s face turned red and he waved the disciple off, without responding. He refused to look in Liu Qingge’s direction, but his embarrassment shifted into irritation as Shen Qingqiu got closer.

Shen Qingqiu snapped his fan open and a force of wind literally moved Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan apart. “Absolutely not.”

“Hi, didi. Nice to see you again after years without contact. Oh by the way Qi-ge isn’t dead and is the sect leader,” Shen Yuan retorted, smoothing out his robes from where the force of Shen Qingqiu’s ‘attack’ ruffled them. He’d borrowed some from storage and they suited him, though from the look on Shen Qingqiu’s face he didn’t appreciate the Bai Zhan blue.

“You are not going to—who did your hair, a drunk lizard?” Shen Qingqiu snapped, glaring at Shen Yuan’s hair in its usual loose bun. The hairpin he’d picked today was a medicinal flower that apparently was carnivorous, but Liu Qingge forgot the name of it. “And why are you wearing Bai Zhan Peak robes? Did you purely come here to embarrass me?”

“You’re doing a fairly good job of that yourself,” Shen Yuan said, dryly.

Shen Qingqiu glared at him, but then swiveled to glare at Liu Qingge with sufficiently more venom. “I do not consent to this.”

Liu Qingge crossed his arms over his chest and didn’t dignify that with a response.

Shen Yuan however seemed to be choking. “I’m two years younger than you! You don’t get a say—in any part of my life.”

“You’re going to Qing Jing Peak,” Shen Qingqiu said, firmly. He curled his lips in disgust at Shen Yuan. “Change your robes first. I’ll fix your hair when we get there.”

“No!” Shen Yuan said, throwing his hands up in the air. “Be normal!”

“I am not reuniting with my baby brother here,” Shen Qingqiu hissed.

“I’m not falling for you locking me in your stupid house if I go to your peak to ‘drink tea’ and have a proper reunion, Jiu-ge,” Shen Yuan shot back. 

Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes at him. “I will give you one shichen. Change your robes. Surely your second-hand spiritual sword can manage that short a flight.”

“Ugh,” Shen Yuan groaned. “Fine.”

Shen Qingqiu glared at Liu Qingge again and his fingers trembled on his fan. For a moment Liu Qingge thought he might actually attack him, but the Qing Jing Peak Lord merely spun around and stomped off… somehow still looking like it was an intentional stride and not a tantrum. What did they even learn on that peak?

“Is that… fine?” Liu Qingge asked Shen Yuan, unsure of what he was supposed to do.

“Better than I expected actually,” Shen Yuan said, rolling his eyes. He glanced down at his robes and then smiled and looked up at Liu Qingge. Briefly the danger in his smile reminded Liu Qingge of Shen Qingqiu again. “Do you have any personal robes I can borrow?”

Liu Qingge frowned in confusion. “They’re not going to fit.”

“Exactly,” Shen Yuan said, grinning at him.

Liu Qingge decided only to nod and take Shen Yuan to his house to pick something out. The robes didn’t quite fit, but he did look good in them. Liu Qingge didn’t want to get involved in petty familial squabbles, but it didn’t take much for Shen Yuan to talk him into making the robes more rumpled and to leave a visible mark on Shen Yuan’s neck with the full shichen they made good use of.

Shen Qingqiu did actually try to kill him later, but Liu Qingge no longer cared.