Archive of Our Own

Come on! Please! He strained his body again, feeling the cables move and dig into his flesh past all the layers of cloth.

Isn’t this too OOC! He definitely felt like he should be docked points or something for this. Not only had the Shen Qingqiu been jumped by a whole group of minor demons, he’d been bound, gagged, and tied to a pole in the courtyard like a stereotypical maiden in distress! He was even going to be given to a demon warlord as tribute. Worse, maybe because he wasn’t actually a maiden, there was a whole host of torture devices on the far side of the courtyard just waiting to be used.

System! System come on… I know your power source is elsewhere but… this is too much isn’t it! He was Shen Qingqiu! He had to live so that Luo Binghe could come and get his revenge on his betraying teacher who had thrown him into the Endless Abyss! That teacher couldn’t be tortured by some low level demon just for fun before the protagonist even got a chance!

Come on, anything! Just… an item? Please, please, please. I promise I won’t constantly insult you for being useless and glitchy and stupid and just… give me something please!

[ Hello, the System has entered Hibernation Mode. You are speaking to the AI assistant. If you require service, please help yourself. ]

It was the same message he’d gotten twice before already. Please, come on… there has to be something. Hey, hey, I still had stuff on me right? Isn’t that mine and helping myself? Huh!

[ Hello, the System has entered Hibernation Mode. You are speaking to the AI assistant. Host wishes to access Inventory? (Warning: Inventory access limited to 1 time only while System is in Hibernation Mode) ]

Yes! Yes, yes, yes! He didn’t even remember what all he had in there but there had to be something useful right? And why had it never come up before that he could have reached into his inventory? When the System shut down he knew he had at least four books in there that he’d then had to figure out how to replace.

[ Accessing Inventory. Remember, Host may only access inventory a single time while System is in Hibernation Mode. Please use this chance wisely. ]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. He wouldn’t have any of the items in there until Luo Binghe got back. He got it. He’d accepted that a long time ago so… what did he have?

The box looked a little different than it had before. Maybe the System really was updating although as with most updates he couldn’t quite say it was looking like it was going to be better. Well, whatever. He just had to figure out something that could help out with…

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t be seeing things correctly… He couldn’t… there was no way… Hey… AI Assistant… am I reading this right? Can I put things into inventory?

[ Answering Host. For single access of inventory while System is in Hibernation Mode, all normal functions of inventory are available. Please use this chance wisely. ]

He could put things in inventory… he was reading the panels correctly. Apparently… he could put anything currently touching him into inventory by the list of ‘available items’ on the intake side. That list included the Immortal Binding Cables… all 360 of them…

It even worked. The moment he clicked accept… the cables disappeared in a flash of unnatural blue and he was left just… standing there.

Well that’s stupidly broken… Had no one extensively tested that feature. Wait… did that mean he could just… Well, it had said that inventory was only accessible a single time while in Hibernation Mode but did that mean that once Luo Binghe returned and started his revenge plan that Shen Qingqiu just couldn’t be cut off from his cultivation?

Oh… that was going to make his plan to run the hell away so much easier.

First though, he had to run away from this situation. Well… maybe that was second. Because before that… if he had the panel pulled up anyway.

It turned out his inventory was pretty impressively extensive and didn’t really pay any level of attention to size, weight, or power of the objects he was shoving into it. He plucked about half of the torture devices right out of existance, only leaving the mundane ones that would be ridiculously easy to replace anyway. Then he looked around. Was there anything else that might be beneficial to just… have out of the way?

Oh… he should probably double check if there was anything actually useful he should take out.

There were the books he’d had to replace. Those could stay since he also had plenty of slots left. Some food that was labeled as expired that got tossed. Assorted calligraphy tools, a couple of fans he thought truly lost since Liu Qingge had never showed up with them, a favored cup, a few mementos from his disciples including a spectacularly lopsided fan Binghe had made him at one point and tried to burn before anyone found out… oh… and Binghe’s necklace.

The key item… the last piece Binghe had of his mother… Well, that he used to have since Shen Qingqiu had it now.

He had hoped it would save him from a little bit of Binghe’s anger. Staring at it now… he still held that hope but what if he didn’t get the chance to use it? If Binghe got the drop on him like the other demons had…

He called the pendant into reality, swiftly tying it around his neck and hiding it under his robes. Surely it would be fine. Shen Qingqiu wore several layers so it wasn’t like anyone would ever really see it. Certainly no one would dare ruffle him up like Ming Fan had done to Binghe.

It was actually kind of comforting to have the weight around his neck. He had a momentary distraction!... and a piece of his white sheep…

Shaking off the momentary lull he took one last look around the courtyard. Cables gone. Valuable or intimidating torture devices gone. Useful items searched for. He… was probably pretty good to go.

Taking a deep breath, he confirmed closing out of inventory. Now… to escape and figure out not only where he was but how to get back.

When he was captured, Without-A-Cure had flared up. At the moment, running qi over his hands he felt fine but he wasn’t entirely sure he could trust it to stay that way. At full power he probably could have flown straight up and out. This was a small settlement after all, and even if there was a demon warlord it wasn’t like they were the protagonist so Shen Qingqiu might have come out decently okay. With the poison however…

Sneaking out it was. That was going to be… interesting. For a long moment he considered his outfit. Ultimately though… he couldn’t leave any of it behind and it was meant for fighting in.

Maybe he’d get lucky and get the jump on someone who had a storage ring and less conspicuous clothing. Staying close to the wall, he made a loop around the courtyard. Most of the rooms seemed to be pretty basic rooms. Nothing personal or really indicating a specific reason for existing beyond places to comfortably put people. Most of them also didn’t go anywhere.

He wasn’t about to walk out the front door though. There was no way that they had just left the courtyard unguarded.

Satisfied that there wasn’t a nice elegant hallway he could escape through, Shen Qingqiu settled on a window that seemed to look over into some kind of service alley. Ensuring that it really was empty, he dropped down and crouched, listening for any indication that he had been wrong.

When none came, he crept towards the closer alley exit. From there he could see the street on either side, along with the alley directly across. Perfect, if he could just get across to that .

The street did have some level of traffic. It looked like pretty much everyone was busy however. No one held a leisurely pace and a vast majority were moving items.

Oh… maybe he could snag a box…

The alley didn’t quite grant him a box, but it did have quite a few old burlap sacks he could fill with odds and ends. Grimacing, he undid the outermost robe that was the most obvious and retied his hair into something a little less obviously important. It wasn’t the greatest, but for now it would work. Especially since he managed to pile everything together enough that the main portion of his body would be pretty hidden. Xiu Ya’s hilt poked out under his arm a little bit but hopefully no one would be looking that closely at someone who was clearly on a mission.

Feeling his heart in his throat, Shen Qingqiu stepped out onto the street. Nice, calm, confident. No one would look twice at him so long as he just crossed like he had every right to be there and had something to do.

He still felt himself sag with relief when he made it to the far side of the street without a single person calling out to him. Okay, good. Good, he could just… keep walking. He was bound to find an exit eventually right? So long as they didn’t notice him missing…

Shen Qingqiu put the thought to the side. They hadn’t noticed yet and he didn’t have the time to dwell on it.

He managed to get what he estimated to be about halfway across the city before he heard the call go up, warning that the warlord was arriving. Shen Qingqiu picked up his pace, slipping into the latest mostly abandoned street hopefully before anyone could notice that he was moving in the opposite direction of where anyone who seemed to have any kind of rank was going.

This was fine. If they were all distracted he could be a little more open about actually trying to figure out where he was going.

Shen Qingqiu regretted that decision almost immediately when he took the chance to glance out from behind the sacks at one of the crossroads. Immediately someone had their hand on his upper arm. “Hey, what do you think you’re doing? You need to get off this road.”

“Uh…” What was he doing? Sneaking out obviously but what did he look like he was doing? What would be helpful if he somehow got directions? “Taking these to the city gate.”

“The gate? Well you’re in the wrong… wait… you look familiar…” The demons’ eyes widened, and before he could get any further than that, Shen Qingqiu dropped the sacks. No time to draw Xiu Ya. Instead he just qi blasted the demon back, snagged his outer robe and his sword he took off.

Behind him the demon had flipped over, shouting out some kind of alarm. Shen Qingqiu didn’t stick around to find out where everyone was going to come pouring in from. Instead he leapt up onto the roof and took off.

They got out the bows. Already shouts were following him, and he could hear the occasional thunk or whistle of a passing arrow which was… not comforting at all. He needed to draw Xin Yu so he could get on the thing and get up out of range. Except now his outermost robe was an obstacle. Could he just ditch it? Ah… but it had armor pieces that were going to be nice in the upcoming fight.

Leaping across to another roof and towards what he could now tell was the surrounding wall, he focused on trying to get Xiu Ya slid into his belt.

Sword first, then shrugging back into his outer most robe enough that it would stay on as he dodged demons leaping up onto the roof behind him and arrows. Oh, but if he went this way there were less arrows. Good, that was good.

If he could just get across the upcoming wide street then he would be golden!

His feet were light and steps sure one moment, Xiu Ya drawing in a clean motion. Casting it out in front of him, he flicked his hand in the sword seal, feet pushing off so he could land on the oh so reliable sword, and felt his qi slog.

Shen Qingqiu yelped as sword and body fell, the momentum far too late to stop. This was going to hurt… a lot… and that was before the demons managed to get back ahold of him which they were definitely going to do because he could see a whole crowd of them below now, maybe half the city!

Shouts were ringing around him, the ground rapidly approaching as he flailed and then… someone caught him.

Shen Qingqiu felt the very solid body give a bit under the full weight of his fall, though the person somehow managed to miraculously catch Xiu Ya as well, holding the sword’s hilt correctly even.

[ Hello. System activation successful!

Universal activation key: Luo Binghe

Power system is operating normally and in good condition ]

Oh goody… he was going to die a whole two years early.

[ Hibernation mode suspended. Normal mode activated.

Download and installation of update complete.

Thank you for your continued subscription. ]

When the demon lord had caught him, Shen Qingqiu had instinctively thrown his arms around the person’s shoulders, securing himself in their one armed grip. It left him staring wide eyed and slightly slack jawed at Luo Binghe who seemed at least as startled. Then… Binghe decided to do what was perhaps the most terrifying thing Shen Qingqiu had ever seen.

The demon lord smiled, wide and wolfish even as his eyes filled with glee. Then he tossed Shen Qingqiu. Not far, not even enough to be out of Binghe’s grip but enough that Shen Qingqiu was scrambling for purchase and somehow Binghe’s arm was under him, Shen Qingqiu’s legs together and hanging off Binghe’s hip and how was Binghe even balanced!

“Shizun… how unexpected.”

Yeah well, it’s just how today is going. And of the two of them who was more surprising huh? And what was with this position! As it was he was still scrambling a bit for purchase. He didn’t really want to be clinging to Binghe but also if he didn’t he was going to hit the ground back first since Binghe seemed to have no inclination of letting go of the hold under and around his waist. It left him hanging a bit awkwardly from Binghe’s apparently much broader shoulders and staring at that much too close face. A face that was getting closer, Binghe leaning right beside his ear.

“Shizun didn’t need anything so elaborate. If he wanted to be in this one’s arms he just had to ask.”

Shen Qingqiu stared at the demon lord, sure that his surprise had even made it past his baked in poker face. What the hell, Binghe? That tone was not something you used on a betraying master who was now your enemy that you needed to eliminate in a quest for revenge. The low whispered tone was much more fitting for a lover. Binghe! Did you rush your leveling so bad you can’t make a threat and a comfort different?

Faint annoyance flashed over Binghe’s face, which had been staring through half lidded eyes at him, at the slight cough. Both glanced at the man who had come forward. Not that Shen Qingqiu got much chance to look since Binghe was shifting him again, bringing his far hand up around Shen Qingqiu’s back. At least it would prevent him from awkwardly falling on his back and shoulders. It also put Xiu Ya tantalizingly close although there was no actual way to reach out for it and… Binghe! What is with this almost bridal carry huh! Honestly… being thrown over the demon lord’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes might have been more dignified. At least then he could have struggled.

“Lord Luo is truly amazing. All afternoon this one’s guards have struggled to recapture this prisoner yet Lord L-”

“Prisoner?” The tone was soft, and if Shen Qingqiu thought he had chills before… Binghe considered the man coolly, before tilting his head back to Shen Qingqiu like the peak lord wasn’t actively trying to push their chests apart. “Is Shizun injured?”

Was he offended that someone got to Shen Qingqiu first or something? By the way the city lord had paled, he might be wondering the same thing.

“Binghe… doesn’t need to worry about it.” Really, it was fine. If Binghe would just let go, Shen Qingqiu would just be on his way and they could all pretend that none of this had happened and Shen Qingqiu could go panic and whatever else somewhere nice and private.

“Of course this disciple would worry, Shizun.” Binghe shifted slightly, bending at a somewhat odd angle to let down Shen Qingqiu’s feet. Which… was wonderful! Now if Binghe would just open his other arm a little bit wider and not… ah it seemed he wasn’t going anywhere. Binghe had caught his wrist, both in a tight hold and in such a way that Shen Qingqiu could feel the light threads of qi. At least it wasn’t a harsh hold, Shen Qingqiu managing to not hiss as something touched the raw marks from his bindings. If Binghe saw them, he didn’t acknowledge it any more than Shen Qingqiu did.

Grimacing, he tried to pull back only to get himself hauled closer until he was once again pressed to Binghe’s chest. “Shizun’s qi… He is having a flare-up?”

Shen Qingqiu sighed. “Yes.” No use denying it. Maybe it would even serve to remind Binghe that at one time Shen Qingqiu had risked everything for the boy.

Binghe nodded slightly, his gaze going above Shen Qingqiu. When had he gotten that tall anyway? Like this… were Shen Qingqiu so inclined, he could just lean into Binghe and the man’s sheer frame would block out everything else.

Well… Binghe did want them pressed together clearly. Considering what was already in store for him really, what else did he have to lose?

Binghe stiffened slightly as Shen Qingqiu leaned into his chest, the arm around him tightening until even if Shen Qingqiu had wanted to he wouldn’t be able to pull back.

It was as nice as he expected. Binghe was the biggest around both physically and in terms of power. He easily blocked out everything else. He was even relaxing slightly.

[ Satisfaction Points +100! ]

“Please prepare a room where this lord can properly care for Shizun’s flareup.” Shen Qingqiu tensed, which in turn caused Binghe to tense.

“Of-of course Lord Luo but… wouldn’t Lord Luo prefer to feast and celebrate his arrival first?”

“It will not take long. Surely the feast can be a bit delayed. It will give time to Lord Cao as well, to prepare a place beside this one for such an honorable and unexpected second guest.”

“S-second… honorable guest?” Shen Qingqiu tilted his head slightly, catching the wide eyed and frankly terrified stare of the city lord. They met eyes, Shen Qingqiu doing his best to convey that he had no idea what was going on either. What, was Binghe planning to parade him in front of all the demons? Was he just not going to let Shen Qingqiu out of his sight until he could be properly secured in a dungeon?

Actually that seemed rather valid. Considering he’d already escaped once. Binghe couldn’t know the details of that though!

No doubt he’d find out quickly.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t think that Binghe changed his expression at all. Maybe the man had misunderstood Shen Qingqiu’s look since he turned so pale he could have passed for a reanimated corpse, even down to the faintly sick looking green. Still, he bowed. “Of course, Lord Luo.”

Shen Qingqiu wasn’t so sure that they ‘prepared’ a room so much as ousted some other important person from their very luxurious courtyard so that things could happen immediately. What was apparently Binghe’s guard filed into the space, taking up positions both at outside and inside the courtyard that suggested there was absolutely no way anyone would get far enough to bother them. There would also be absolutely no way to escape.

The moment the doors were closed, Shen Qingqiu drifted to a stop. In front of him, Binghe scanned through the room before coming right into his personal space again. Shen Qingqiu tried not to flinch as a hand came up, lightly taking his sleeve. “Will Shizun remove this?”

Ah… yes it would be better to have the robes pristine wouldn’t it… rather than torn to shreds or spattered with blood. Plus, torture would be more effective if there wasn’t armor in the way.

The outermost robe was untied already. He slid it from his shoulders and tried not to mourn the loss of the comfort it offered. Binghe folded it like he was still some kind of diligent disciple while Shen Qingqiu fiddled with the ties to his next layer. That one was visible too with the long trailing sleeves.

Apparently it hadn’t been expected though. Binghe hesitated for a brief moment when he turned around to find Shen Qingqiu in only two layers. Shen Qingqiu fought not to cover himself or cross his arms. Binghe had seen him in the equivalent of his pajamas before. He didn’t quite keep himself from folding his arms, gripping the elbows but it was cold alright! He was without his two heaviest layers in the middle of a flare up. Of course it would be chilly.

Binghe wordlessly took the second outer robe and folded it neatly. Then he went through the room, adding more fuel to the braziers and bringing the temperature up.

“Please sit, Shizun.”

Sit? The cushion Binghe indicated was rather plush, for being put on the ground. Much kinder than anything Shen Qingqiu could remember the original Luo Binghe doing. The original would have roughly pushed Shen Qingqiu to his knees on pavement cracked under the demon lord’s power.

Carefully, aware that it could be ripped out of his grasp at any moment, Shen Qingqiu sat. He tilted his head slightly as Binghe settled behind him. “Binghe?”

Hands spread out over his shoulder blades. Then Binghe was feeding qi into him.

Shen Qingqiu stiffened, his head snapping around although Binghe’s hold turned a bit harsher, keeping him in place. “Forgiveness Shizun, but this one is not as skilled as Liu-shizhu at this. Please do not move.”

Shen QIngqiu forced himself to remain still, staring down at his hands as he felt the slog and knots unwind. Moreover… he recognized the pattern that Binghe was nudging his qi to follow. Binghe was trying to get him to heal himself?

“Binghe… this master-”

“Not here, Shizun.” Shen Qingqiu’s mouth snapped shut. Not here? Was… was that why Binghe was being so nice to him, being the faithful disciple to his cruel master? Because it just looked like they were alone and out of the public eye?

What did Binghe even care if he tortured Shen Qingqiu in public? It was the public eye of demons in the demon realm looking upon a cultivator.

Even when the blockages had fully cleared, Binghe continued circulating his qi. He even moved closer slightly, running his hands up and down Shen Qingqiu’s arms. “Shizun was bound… Did they do anything else?”

He tilted his head slightly, not that he could actually see the demon lord. “No… not really.”

“Shizun, please be honest with this one. This… this disciple knows that Shizun is probably very upset about being forced to accept a demon’s help but this disciple needs to know if Shizun was subjected to anything else.”

What, so he could do so much worse? So he could inflict that torture on the demons who had threatened his plaything?

Shen Qingqiu raised his shoulder in a slight shrug. “This master was ambushed and due to Without-A-Cure flaring up subdued with Immortal Binding Cable. He was able to escape but not fully out of the city when Without-A-Cure flared up again.”

Binghe’s hands tightened, before very intentionally relaxing. “That was it?”

Physically sure. He did have to suffer through the monologue of a back row cannon fodder telling him all about his situation without managing to say the absolute most crucial detail which was the demon lord’s name. “According to one of the captors, this one was to be offered as a present and tribute to the incoming demon lord.” He gave a faint huff of laughter. “It would have been nice, if they had at any point said who that demon lord was.”

Binghe’s hands were gentle as they felt along his shoulders, as thumbs pressed into the knots at the back of his neck. “Shizun didn’t know it was his disciple?”

“No, they failed to mention that part.”

The oh so soft touch suddenly wasn’t as comforting or relaxing, serving more to remind Shen Qingqiu that Binghe held his throat literally in his hands. “Would it have changed Shizun’s reaction?”

Oh absolutely. He would have fought until something broke, he would have fled for his life, he would have done anything and everything in his power to get away from this exact situation with all his limbs intact.

Binghe leaned closer when he didn’t answer, his words soft. “Shizun has been so compliant. If he had known… would he have run to meet this one faster… or does he despise this one so much more that he would have done anything to not have to look at the one he raised?”

He could feel himself tensing, and was trying to fight it. Then… it didn’t matter. Binghe caught his shoulder, shoving Shen Qingqiu to the side and onto his back. In less than a second, Binghe was straddling him.

If Binghe’s full weight wasn’t pressing down on his legs, the soft touch to his cheek would have been almost tender. “Shizun… Look at this disciple.”

Yeah, he was. He didn’t have much of a choice! Binghe filled his entire vision, nearly breathing on him. No, Binghe was breathing on him, eyes flicking all over his face and leaning closer and… and…

Shen Qingqiu made the mistake of turning his head to the side, his eyes squeezing shut against whatever Binghe was going to do.

A very much clawed hand caught his chin, forcing his head back straight. “Don’t look away!” He’d been doing so well, going along so he didn’t face pain. It was instinctive though, to buck and try to throw Binghe off at the shouting, which only served for them to roll and tangle and for Shen Qingqiu to end up once again on his back with Binghe pinning him down. This time with the added bonus of Shen Qingqiu’s arms caught above his head in a single handed grip and Binghe nearly snarling with red tinged eyes.

“Shizun shouldn’t turn away! He isn’t allowed to run away or not look! Don’t you owe me that. At least that!” Shen Qingqiu tried to flinch back, but didn't succeed. There was nowhere to go after all. “Is it truly so disgusting to you Shizun!”

He made some sound, pathetic and barely there which only had Binghe snarling again. “Does it hurt Shizun?” Claws lengthened, tapping oh so lightly against his throat, his wrists. “Shizun’s wrist was so raw, he must have fought so hard just to avoid a demon lord. What would it look like, if he knew he was trying to avoid this disciple?”

“Binghe, please…” He wanted so badly to look away from that anger, righteous as it was. He couldn’t though. It would only make it worse.

Like the anger hadn’t been there, Binghe immediately softened. The claws disappeared, the red deepening back into black. He even released Shen Qingqiu’s arms. “Yes… Shizun.” He fought not to flinch or shut his eyes against the oh so light touch to his cheek. “Shizun must have been so angry to be tied up by lowly demons. He didn’t have to worry… if he had called this one softly, just called for him… this disciple would have come to free Shizun.”

What the absolute hell ? He was pretty well aware that the Binghe after the Endless Abyss wasn’t the most stable but to change on a dime like this? It left his head spinning and his feet completely out from under him.

His voice sounded a bit harsh, a bit cracked which overall he thought was pretty good. After all, internally he felt like crying, like curling up in a ditch somewhere and letting the guilt that he had done this consume him. Oh, that and to have a nice panic attack about nearly dying. About being definitely on the road to dying. “Please, Binghe… let this one up.”

He didn’t want to be here. He didn’t want to be pinned to the ground in some random room in some random town in the demon realm. He knew he shouldn’t risk it, but he could feel the tears starting to gather. It was over… it was all over and his white lotus was gone and replaced by the darkened protagonist and a stupid cursed sword and sure he’d go on to rule all the realms and be a master of the harem but like this… Shen Qingqiu couldn’t imagine the man on top of him smiling the way his white lotus had. He couldn’t see this man with fury red eyes sparking in anger leaning one hand on the table, listening quietly with a soft smile while Shen Qingqiu tried to pass on important information about demonic creatures.

He turned his head to the side, his breath far too wet for his liking. “Please…”

“Shizun?” With his eyes closed he could almost believe the faint amount of concern. It didn’t sound near as real when Binghe cupped his cheek, passing a hand under his eyes. “Oh Shizun. It’s okay. This one knows. He’ll let Shizun up in just a moment. First though… First he has to make sure that if Shizun is in trouble again, that this disciple can find him. First he needs to make sure Shizun will heal even if his cultivation is injured.”

What? What the hell does… Shen Qingqiu’s eyes snapped open just in time to see Binghe sink his very much fangs into his own arm.

No! Absolutely not! Shen Qingqiu fought. Binghe outweighed him and had the advantageous position but he didn’t seem to be expecting the sheer desperation.

Shen Qingqiu managed to get them rolled, and was halfway to his feet when Binghe picked him up like a naughty cat. The pair tumbled, Shen Qingqiu pretty sure he got in a few good kicks by how Binghe grunted. Then… he was once again pinned, this time flat on a table with Binghe’s hand at his throat.

Binghe smiled slightly. “Shizun is only causing himself more injuries this one will have to heal.”

Don’t care. He kicked out, Binghe easily catching it against his hip. The hand on his throat tightened, until Shen Qingqiu’s focus was entirely on that, hands scrabbling at Binghe’s vambrace and his vision starting to swim.

Apparently at some point during their scuffle Binghe’s arm had closed up. He had to reopen it before pressing his flesh to Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. Shen Qingqiu fought, but against the protagonist it meant little and it was entirely instinct to open his mouth, gasping for breath when Binghe released his throat.

Blood flooded into his mouth, Binghe soothing over his throat and pouring more in until Shen Qingqiu had no choice but to swallow.

Once the first drops were past… there was no point in fighting. Shen Qingqiu felt himself going limp, laying in a slightly awkward position and just… this was his fate.

“That’s it, Shizun…” Shen Qingqiu had a sudden kinship for the poor horses that were whipped and put through hell and at the end like some kind of reward were pet once or twice. Not that Binghe kept it to a pat or two, ‘soothing’ down his side.

Binghe’s blood was in him, rolling in his stomach. He was marked by Heavenly Demon blood. Shen Qingqiu could go anywhere in the world he wanted and Binghe would always be able to find him. With just a thought, a twitch of his fingers, he could destroy Shen Qingqiu from the inside out.

Apparently Binghe got bored with forcing more of it down his throat. There was also no reason to pin Shen Qingqiu anymore. No reason to ever again. He released his hold, actually backing up a few steps.

Not that he was actually done…

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help the whine, rolling onto his side as he felt the blood mites Binghe had forced on him move .

“Sh, it’s okay Shizun. This one knows it’s a bit unpleasant but don’t claw at yourself.” He barely caught the edge of Binghe’s look as the feeling of things crawling under his skin surrounded his throat. “It wouldn’t do any good, and would only take longer to heal.”

No shit . He dared not make a sound, doing his best to just curl up into a ball and hope that was enough to stave off the panic. Binghe was right after all. Clawing at the feeling would do nothing and right now he was lucky. It was definitely unpleasant and made every nerve in his body scream that it was wrong but it wasn’t actually pain.

The sore feeling in his throat disappeared, as did other points of pain through his body.

Shen Qingqiu wasn’t sure how long it took, but eventually the crawling feeling faded away. Dormant… not gone. He still gave a shuddering sigh of relief.

Binghe was saying something, or starting to. Shen Qingqiu didn’t really care. All he knew was that Binghe was touching him again and he was not okay with that.

Shen Qingqiu shoved himself up and away. A bit of a stumble, he was fine. He caught himself on some kind of post. “Don’t touch me!”

“Shizun…” Binghe was too big, too dominating in the room. Shen Qingqiu circled his arm around the pole for support, closing his eyes and wishing it was as easy to dismiss the encompassing aura. He didn’t want this! He wanted those glimpses of his sweet lotus… his precious little bun. He wanted to be home.

He wasn’t exactly sure when his hand found the pendant. Binghe’s pendant. His little white lotus’s pendant. It was grounding in way, Shen Qingqiu closing his hand around it through the remaining two layers. Okay… okay… I can… I can figure this out…

Shen Qingqiu took a deeper breath. He forced any and all thoughts away and just focused on breathing. In, and out, like he was starting to enter meditation. In, and out. He could feel the fine wood engravings on the pole, the warmth of the room, all the little knobs and bumps that made up the fake jade pendant.

It really was too bad it had been in inventory so much. It really was nice and grounding, and actually… shouldn’t it have some sort of special ability? Maybe if he could distract Binghe a bit with it? Or… did he have something better because already he felt better, calmer…

Oh… he had his inventory back didn’t he? The System was active.

Binghe wasn’t at his full power yet. 360 Immortal Binding Cables might actually slow him down enough that now with his meridians cleared, Shen Qingqiu might be able to flee. Not for long of course, although… would the cables cut off Binghe’s ability to control the blood mites?

If they could… if they could then Shen Qingqiu could get word to Shang Qinghua that they needed the mushroom bodies now . That was really all he needed. If he could just…

“Shizun…” He flinched away from the touch on his shoulder.

They were about to fucking find out! At the very least it would keep Binghe from so casually grabbing hold of him! System! Give me those cables back!

Qi gathered in his hands, Binghe’s eyes widening even as he took a bracing step back.

[ Host wishes to remove 360 Immortal Binding Cables from Inventory? ]

Confirm! Confirm! He’d need to be close and light on his feet once they were in his hands. Fortunately, as a pretty high up there cultivator Shen Qingqiu had needed to know how to bind something that was actively fighting back.

In a smooth motion he went up and away, putting the furniture between them for the moment it would take him to unwind the cables already loading in.

[ Warning: Inventory Items will load in the exact state they were placed into Inventory. ]

Do… what? He nearly missed the cheery jingle of the System as the cables snapped back into existence… exactly as they had disappeared. “Son of a-!” Shen Qingqiu crashed down on the far side of the… bed? Couch? Whatever it had cushions. He did not of course manage to take any of the cushions with him, pain flaring from all the points he hit the ground with since he suddenly didn’t have any access to his qi to cushion the fall.

This is what he got for thinking he could in any way shape or form get the best of Binghe, even if he cheated.

“Shizun!”

Binghe rounded the furniture piece to find Shen Qingqiu lying on his back, hands on his face and he just… accepted he was screwed.

[ Satisfaction Points +50 ]

Yup, that sounded about right. He sighed, letting his hands slide down far enough that he could at least see Binghe’s expression. Could see if he was about to be hauled up by the very elaborate knots across his chest.

Binghe was staring at him with his mouth faintly open and an awestruck expression on his face. Feeling the red creep up slightly because what the hell was that look, Shen Qingqiu recovered his eyes.

Binghe dropped to his knees at Shen Qingqiu’s side. “Shizun what… how is Shizun suddenly… like this?”

He groaned. Well, it was already like this… Slowly, he sat up as he considered if anything was actually injured from his lovely tumble. He flinched, immediately giving up on the entire idea in favor of curling up with his back to Binghe as the mites started to move. “Binghe!”

It wasn’t pain. It wasn’t much better but it wasn’t pain. Actually, the pain was starting to ebb away.

The hands on his back weren’t any more comforting but they were gentle as they ‘encouraged’ him to sit up facing away from Binghe. Shen Qingqiu started slightly as the first set of cables loosened. Binghe’s hand tightened on his shoulder before he could move too far though. “Please be still for a moment, Shizun.”

Binghe was going to untie him? Well… it wasn’t like it mattered if Shen Qingqiu was bound or not. The mites had fallen dormant again, marking him as healed but there was no doubt they were inside. He sighed, leaning forward to rest his head against the back of the furniture piece.

“Shizun… this disciple doesn’t understand how…”

He made some sort of face, pretty sure that the angle wouldn’t allow Binghe to see it. “Earlier… this master used a trick to escape the bindings. He somewhat forgot that when the trick wore off… he’d once again be bound.” More accurately he didn’t realize it. The first set of cables came undone, Shen Qingqiu breathing easier.

“Shizun is bound with two complete sets. He has used such a trick twice?”

Shen Qingqiu shook his head slightly. “The capturing party used two sets.”

The second set around his torso came undone, all of the threads pooling into his lap.

“It’s good then… that it wore off where this disciple could untie Shizun.” Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes, rather glad when Binghe undid the rest of the cables in silence. Shen Qingqiu even went meekly along with it… right up until Binghe’s fingers were on a red cord at his throat.

“Ah, wait! Binghe that’s not…” The pendant dropped out of his collars, landing amid all the rest. He sighed. “A cable.”

Binghe scrambled slightly. “Begging Shizun’s forgiveness.”

Shen Qingqiu blamed himself. He was the one who startled away from Binghe reaching for the pile of cables and the pendant. Really he just saw Binghe’s fingers darting for his lap and suddenly needed to be elsewhere.

Thus, he was well out of range when Binghe caught hold of the pendant and stared . Shen Qingqiu swallowed, edging back slightly as Binghe slowly raised his gaze. It didn’t seem angry. Surely he wouldn’t be angry to have his pendant back right? Unless maybe…

“Shizun… had this?”

Hey System! Wasn’t the pendant supposed to be some kind of key item that’d save me or something? It was the entire reason he’d initially kept the thing!

“Binghe that’s…”

Binghe’s fingers traced oh so lightly over the pendant, even as he rose to his feet. “Shizun was wearing this… earlier he held it tightly… but this pendant…”

He sighed, looking away. “Belongs to Binghe. This one knows…” And he’d effectively stolen it. Hoped to use it to save his own skin. “This master knew it was Binghe’s, that it was a gift from his adoptive mother. He did plan to give it back…” Excuse, excuse, excuse . “When Binghe didn’t need to worry about it being stolen again.”

Binghe closed his hand, bringing his fist up to his lips as so many different emotions passed across his face. “Was this pendant… comforting to Shizun?”

Huh? Well… yeah… “Binghe knows that answer.” He’d seen it himself while Shen Qingqiu was being pathetic.

“This one would… needs Shizun to say it.”

He sighed, circling his arms back around himself, hands on his elbow. Would Binghe argue if he put all his layers back on? “Yes…It was comforting…” Grounding. Reassuring. It’d be nice to be playing with it currently really.

[ Congratulations! Congratulations! Congratulations!

Good things must be said 3 times!

Protagonist Anger reduced to 0!

Heartbreak Points -1,000

Satisfaction Points +500

Keep up the good work! ]

Shen Qingqiu was so distracted by the notifications going off that he didn’t even realize Binghe had closed the distance between them. He started back slightly when Binghe looped the pendant over his head, cord retied.

“If Shizun finds it comforting… he should continue to keep it safe.”

Shen Qingqiu frowned. “Binghe… doesn’t want it back?” Then why all the notifications?

“This is a precious item to this disciple. It is fitting that it should be kept in such a precious place as beside Shizun’s heart.”

Did Luo Binghe only have 3 modes? Threatening Demon Lord. Smiling and efficient leader. Suave and flirtatious male lead. Was that it? Still, his hand found its way back around the pendant and honestly, it was rather effective.

“Binghe, this master doesn’t understand…” Binghe had certainly undergone a tone shift but honestly… Shen Qingqiu had no idea what to do with this side. “Isn’t Binghe… mad?”

Binghe smiled, a soft thing that was much more reminiscent of his precious white lotus. “This disciple was afraid, Shizun. He was afraid that Shizun saw him only as a lowly and disgusting demon, that he didn’t want to look upon or be reminded that he had raised such a thing. For Shizun to have kept the pendant though… to have worn it even knowing it was originally this one’s… This disciple may not understand but for now it is enough to know that Shizun doesn’t hate him.”

His gaze went to Binghe involuntarily, and then away. “This master could never hate Luo Binghe.” Fear him, absolutely but never hate. Even at the end of Proud Immortal Demon Way… even at his most glorious and most tragic, Shen Yuan had not been able to hate him.

He startled back from the touch to his cheek, Binghe immediately dropping his hand. “Thank you, Shizun.”

Binghe let him curl up somewhat into himself for a few once the demon lord got him settled on the correct side of the daybed he had jumped over. Binghe even managed to not stare at him, instead focusing on carefully wrapping up the Immortal Binding Cables for storage. Shen Qingqiu let more of his dignity fly out of the window and picked up one of the square pillows. It wasn’t as good as the modern ones, but he could still hold it to his chest, his back to the headboard.

He stubbornly stayed like that, his head tucked into the curve of his arm and the pillow when he felt the bed shift slightly. Not that Binghe said anything. He also didn’t touch him. He just… sat there, so Shen Qingqiu ignored him as best he could.

[ Satisfaction Points +50 ]

He risked a peek. Binghe had a slight smile on his face though, just… staring. Wasn’t his anger supposed to be gone? A quick check of the System stats showed that it was. So why did he seem to like seeing Shen Qingqiu miserable like this?

Whatever, maybe if he stayed long enough then he’d manage to collect more satisfaction points.

He startled at the soft touch to his leg. Not that jerking his leg back did a whole lot of good, Binghe following the motion to close his hand around Shen Qingqiu’s ankle. His gaze jerked up, meeting Binghe’s gaze before the man’s eyes dropped to Shen Qingqiu’s calf. “Someone will be calling on us soon. Does Shizun wish to dress or shall this disciple send them away?”

Binghe was asking his opinion? At least partially. The man still hadn’t quite given up his hold. Instead his other hand had joined, thumbs kneading into Shen Qingqiu’s calf and okay that didn’t feel half bad. It was still weird though.

[ Satisfaction Points +100 ]

Could he salvage something of his aloof immortal master image? “Binghe shouldn’t miss a banquet held in his honor.” Though Shen Qingqiu supposed as a conquering warlord Binghe could really do as he pleased.

“It doesn’t matter. If Shizun would be uncomfortable, then this disciple will tell them to cancel the entire thing.”

Shen Qingqiu tried to lightly tug his leg back. This time, Binghe let him. At least… in a way. His other leg was caught within moments, Binghe repeating the motion. “What is Binghe doing?” He wasn’t mad. The System kept saying he wasn’t mad. Shen Qingqiu still had all his limbs. He was actually in better condition than when Binghe ran into him.

“Shizun was running around all morning. This disciple is massaging his legs so Shizun isn’t sore.”

Didn’t the circulating qi and blood mites already take care of that? He stared at the man who seemed entirely concentrated on his ‘work’. “Binghe doesn’t need to do that.”

“This disciple wants to.”

“Binghe… doing something like messaging this master’s calves… is it really something a demon lord should be doing?”

Binghe’s fingers stilled for a moment before he glanced up. The red that crept in his eyes stayed for a long moment as they stared at each other. Slowly, it faded away, Binghe’s gaze turning rather pointedly to the pillow Shen Qingqiu still had his arms wrapped around. “This disciple had hoped that Shizun had dismissed official titles for the moment.”

Hey now! You could have found a more subtle way to point out that I’m not acting like a peak lord currently. He huffed, drawing his leg back with slightly more force.

Binghe’s eyes widened. “Forgiveness Shizun! This disciple didn’t mean to imply that he was unhappy. He… he would be very happy for Shizun to be himself…”

The irony of that statement. He forced himself to take only one more moment to find comfort holding the pillow. Then he set it to the side. “This master has… acted thoughtlessly.”

Binghe visibly deflated. Still, he got off the bed. Unfolding Shen Qingqiu’s robes, he held them out for Shen Qingqiu to step into. “Shizun will attend the banquet?”

What choice do I have? “If Binghe desires it…”

The outermost layer settled into place and rather amazingly, Binghe handed him Xiu Ya. “This disciple would very much like that.”

Binghe straightened his hair for him, an affair that mostly involved Shen Qingqiu trying not to flinch away. Then, Binghe was leading him out into the courtyard.

Shen Qingqiu wasn’t sure if the guards that fell into line around them were comforting or concerning. They were distinctly professional, not looking at their lord or the sudden guest. Instead they faced forward and held truly impressive neutral expressions. They were definitely paying attention though.

It only took two city guards being openly surprised by Shen Qingqiu’s presence for Binghe’s escort to start drawing in ranks. Binghe also felt the need to openly state his claim, settling a hand on Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders, forcing them to walk in step.

Lord Cao met them quickly, bowing and apologizing and reassuring Binghe that everything had been set up appropriately.

It apparently hadn’t.

When they arrived at the banquet hall Binghe considered the setup that put him in the highest position and which had a table apparently set up for Shen Qingqiu a step below. “Move them side by side.” Shen Qingqiu jerked his gaze to Binghe, wide eyed. Binghe wanted them to do what now? Having an honored guest was one thing, which was already way too far into strange, but side by side?

“L-L-Lord Luo… doing that…”

Shen Qingqiu stiffened as he was tugged closer, close enough that he couldn’t see Binghe’s expression but his tone was cool and easy. “Is Lord Cao questioning this Saintly Ruler?”

“It’s just… that is…”

Shen Qingqiu managed to get enough of himself together to push back, frowning at Binghe. “What is Binghe doing?”

Binghe raised an eyebrow at him. “This one is ensuring that Shizun has his position and importance to this one clearly shown.”

Lord Cao paled. Not that Shen Qingqiu could blame him. Because wasn’t that a little much? Having them sit side by side… Mobei-Jun might manage to sit at the same level as Binghe if there wasn’t a stable way to have them slightly different. Not even Binghe’s harem were officially seated at the same level, though they would happily drape themselves over the man given the chance. In the entirety of the book Proud Immortal Demon Way, no one had sat at the same level as Luo Binghe.

What had turned out so different? “This one’s position?” The betraying master who cast him down into the equivalent of hell where he had to claw his way free? The one who had pushed him, who had stabbed him

“Of course, Shizun. After all, it appears that this one has been greatly remiss in making it clear that Shizun is this one’s most important person and that anyone who dares to threaten Shizun will be treated as if they had threatened this lord himself.”

Silence rang through the hall, Shen Qingqiu too busy staring at Luo Binghe to really appreciate what everyone else’s expression had to be because… because…

“Isn’t that a little much?” The sounded like a line Binghe would use for one of his harem members except also not really because this was more than that.

“Not at all. Shizun can feel safe for this disciple will gladly defend Shizun from any discomfort or threat so long as Shizun stays by this one’s side.”

Since Binghe was the threat to him, that was perfectly reasonable. Except the part where it isn’t. What the hell Binghe? “Binghe shouldn’t use lines like that for this one… He should save them for those he plans to welcome into his harem.”

Binghe stiffened and then ducked his head finally in shame. “F-forgiveness Shizun. This one didn’t realize he was daring to use lowly lines.”

Shen Qingqiu groaned. Binghe was clearly missing the point here. It might not be his fault though, maybe the story was just off kilter because he had fundamentally changed something and now it didn’t know what to do if Binghe wasn’t angry. If not angry then flirty or something? Sounded like a glitch but then again he had dealt with the beyond useless System the entire time and had found one game breaking mechanic already.

Wait… was that it? Was this like some kind of alternate ending that only happened because he had used broken code somewhere else? What the hell kind of broken code did this though? Was it just throwing in other bits to desperately try and fill in the sudden new path? Was it even his fault for side stepping the Immortal Binding Cables or was it meeting Luo Binghe 2 years early and Luo Binghe wasn’t ready to start his revenge plan yet? It wasn’t even unprecedented exactly… Plenty of wife plots had featured Luo Binghe rescuing maidens from evil [insert villain of the week here] that were fleeing or tied up and Wife #128 and #312 he had caught when they fell from battlements. Wife #43 he had run into during a parade and swept her up within the ranks of his guard and… and…

And none of them had ever sat side-by-side with Luo Binghe because they were all in the harem. They were his wives yes but not the wife, not the empress who according to demonic culture was the only one allowed to so easily sit that close to the demonic emperor.

A teacher didn’t sit there. They sat a step below in an honored place.

A general didn’t sit there. They sat a step below in an honored place.

Family might sit there but they were hardly related.

Only the top ranked, first wife and ruler of not only the harem but the palace sat there.

Binghe helped him to sit while Shen Qingqiu was in a bit of a daze. He hadn’t even noticed what the conclusion of the whole arrangement was. Not that the results would have been different. Well, he supposed Binghe could have hauled off and started killing people. Obviously that hadn’t happened by him being served tea by a former captor and at least half of the demonic guests looking as shocked as Shen Qingqiu.

He just couldn’t bring himself out of it, cycling through the same thoughts again and again and again. The comments didn’t help either. That all he had to do to be carried bridal style by Luo Binghe was ask…

“Shizun?” His head snapped around to Binghe, clearly too fast by Binghe oh so slowly reaching out to put a comforting hand on his arm. “Shizun, if it is upsetting, then we can go.”

We … “Go where?”

“Wherever Shizun desires.”

He was too caught up in the flood of responses to be able to pick one at least. Thus, he didn’t laugh, cough up blood, or blurt out Cang Qiong or a reprimand about not using those lines on someone not destined for the harem. He just… stared.

Binghe had apologized when Shen Qingqiu said those lines were for harem members, had apologized for them being lowly to Shen Qingqiu.

“Binghe isn’t mad at this one.”

“No… no, Shizun.”

“Even with what this one did.”

“This one was only scared that Shizun hated him, would turn him away. This disciple now knows better. Shizun kept something so close to him, even knowing it belonged to one such as this lord.”

Was it the necklace that had broken the flow of the story? Probably actually… who knew it could be so powerful. Did the other things he just randomly have that kind of power? What did he have to lose? It was apparently worth the risk for just completely breaking everything payoff.

Wordlessly, Shen Qingqiu reached into his sleeves and withdrew from his inventory a partially singed and lopsided fan. Reaching over as the first dishes were presented, he laid it neatly on Binghe’s table with his eyes perfectly forward.

Okay that was a lie, he was watching from the corner of his eye as Binghe swallowed and reached for the fan. Slowly, gently, he unfurled it. Shen Qingqiu was expecting several things. Awe, worship, and eyes glittering with tears was not on that list. “Shizun carries this?”

“A stubborn disciple of this one tried to burn it, so this one had to keep it close to him to keep it safe.”

The sound Luo Binghe let out was almost a laugh.

[ Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations

Good things must be said three times!

Satisfaction +500

Keep up the good work! ]

Shen Qingqiu very seriously debated the merits of intentionally showing himself before Binghe with random pieces of the boy’s childhood. Just for building points purposes, the barely held back crying in public places wasn’t ideal though. Since when did Stallion prot- actually no… Binghe even in the original could cry pretty much on command and had used it to win sympathy from plenty of his wives.

Binghe gave him a careful smile when Shen Qingqiu looked to the side and raised a questioning eyebrow. Then the boy dropped his gaze to carefully fold the fan back as much as it would go. “This one has gotten much better at making fans. He will have to ensure that Shizun has a more functional one to carry around.”

Shen Qingqiu snorted, looking back forward. “This master has functional fans.”

“Yet he still carries this one, and this one’s pendant. It would… bring great joy if Shizun had something he could show before others.”

“Binghe should be careful. If the fan is too showy, people might think that Binghe is giving it as a betrothal gift. Similar to how Binghe should be careful about seating placements.” Shen Qingqiu let his eyes slide to the side, staring, debating and deciding… mostly that it was going to bother him to no end and he was about 80% sure he had just kind of accidently tripped face first into an enemies to lovers wife plot with an added speed run. If it let him be safe though… and maybe let him see more of his white lotus so long as he kept looking well… “Unless it’s Binghe’s intention of course.”

In Proud Immortal Demon Way, Binghe could flush but it was always a light dusting, a barely there acknowledgement or used in flirtation. It was not the full faced flush that had Shen Qingqiu staring at the man with slightly slack jaw. Who was the wife in this wife plot for him to be blushing and stammering like that! “This one… that is… this lord… Shizun um… noticed?”

“Binghe… this master is known even among cultivars to be one of the most knowledgeable of demons.” How the hell could he not ?

Something flickered across Binghe’s face, Shen Qingqiu feeling a coil of dread run down his spine. Right… this was still a blackened Luo Binghe. “How is it… that Shizun can be both so knowledgeable and so detesting?”

“Who said this one detested demons?” Binghe look was far too sharp, Shen Qingqiu leaning back slightly and… just like that it was gone.

Binghe held out the fan carefully. “Shizun doesn’t need to be afraid.”

Yeah see… saying that makes it worse . Still, he took the fan and around them the banquet went on. Things were… tense… and Shen Qingqiu wasn’t the only one waiting for the other shoe to drop but no one died, or was maimed, or made open commentary or threats. Eventually, things began to wind down and Luo Binghe stood. “Shizun is no doubt tired from his ordeal today. This one would see him to somewhere he can rest.”

Right, yes, of course. Shen Qingqiu stood, giving Binghe a look when the man had the gall to offer his hand as if Shen Qingqiu was some frail maiden who needed help down.

Shen Qingqiu still took it.

Binghe searched through the rooms that they were shown to while Shen Qingqiu watched the shifting of the guards. Nighttime would be more ideal to escape, although currently he wasn’t sure he needed to. Binghe hadn’t made any indication that he planned to drag Shen Qingqiu off to the dungeon or start torture. Instead, it had continued to be the rather unsubtle attempts at whooing interspaced with glimpses of his white lotus and when it came to dealing with others hints of the blackened emperor. That was only with others though.

Once Binghe was satisfied, he came to a stop carefully beside Shen Qingqiu. “Will Shizun cast a privacy barrier?”

He raised one eyebrow. “Why?” Binghe was more than capable of it.

“Shizun is still afraid of something. This one doesn’t know what, but it would make Shizun feel more comfortable to be in control. This one also wishes to discuss… wishes for Shizun to educate this stupid disciple.”

Shen Qingqiu drew in a breath, and then cast the spell and honestly… Binghe was somewhat correct. It was somewhat reassuring for it to be his spell, that he could cancel at any time. Not that it would matter if others could hear him or not. “Binghe… wishes to ask about what this master did…” He’d been thinking about it during the banquet, thinking about how maybe… maybe he could use this whole situation to correct some things. The System hadn’t yelled at him about it, but how could it when everything was off track currently?

“How can Shizun have pushed this one away so viciously. He claims he doesn’t despise demons yet he flinches from this disciple’s outstretched hand. Is it just this one that Shizun now despises, that he keeps only in memory?”

It would have been more scene setting to look away, to gaze out the window. Binghe had reacted badly to him turning away before though, so instead he gazed at the man, letting his eyes rest right where he had caused such damage. “This master doesn’t despise Binghe.”

“Then why ? Shizun has not been hurt. This one helped Shizun and Shizun even… even acknowledged this one’s actions yet he looked as it he was contemplating running away through the window. He pushed this one into the abyss, yet carried such momentos.”

He sighed. “This master didn’t push Binghe into the Endless Abyss by choice.”

[ Warning! Host may not reveal aspects of the System ]

Hush, that’s not what I’m doing . “Binghe’s judgment was of course clouded. This master turned on him, betrayed him, and could not explain himself.”

“Will Shizun explain now?”

“Binghe is half demon, half Heavenly Demon . Binghe would not know of the destruction a Heavenly Demon was capable of, or their power and ability to command other demons. He could not have known and this master could not explain in time, but he knew… he knew that Luo Binghe could survive the Endless Abyss, that Binghe would emerge stronger , more sure of himself and able to withstand the cultivation world looking at him as a threat.”

“This one wasn’t a threat until Shizun-”

He held up his hand and the red tinge of Binghe’s eyes faded though he still stood with balled fists. “BInghe… we stood in the ruins of the Immortal Alliance Conference. Over 1,000 young cultivators lost their lives to a demonic attack led by a demon lord. It was suspected at the time, and still believed by many that even with the lord, there had to be someone else, someone inside one of the sects who betrayed the cultivation world. No evidence was every found but if they had known… if they had seen a young man, already with a target painted upon him for being such a rising star who was half demon, the cultivation world would not have cared for any words that could be said. This one’s precious disciple would have been made the scapegoat, would have been killed simply because this master was foolish and did not prepare correctly.”

“This one is not so easy to kill. As Shizun said, this one is a Heavenly Demon and survived the Endless Abyss.”

“Binghe had gained great power but at the time he was only 17, and he would have no doubt been facing off against the Old Huan Hua Palace Master but also Zhangmen-shixiong who fought, won, and sealed the last pure Heavenly Demon, Tianlang-jun.”

Binghe’s expression flickered into a frown. “Tianlang-jun?” Then he shook his head. “Then… Shizun is claiming he pushed this one to protect him?”

“To protect him, and so that Binghe gained power, came into his birthright and could defend himself.”

“Yet when this one did that, became powerful, Shizun looked away, wanted to run away.”

“Can Binghe truly blame this master? He knew that the Endless Abyss would break Luo Binghe in mind, body, and spirit and that he would be reforged, that he would not be the same and that his last memories of this one would have been pain and betrayal.”

“Shizun thought this one would want revenge. Shizun… Shizun has believed that this entire time? He believed that even when he pushed this one?”

“Yes?” He didn’t really see why that was relevant though.

Binghe breathed oh so slowly, and stepped into Shen Qingqiu’s space. He awarded credit to himself for not stepping back. “Shizun… Shizun was so ready to accept such a price, such a future… just to keep this one safe?”

“It is Binghe’s right to be the demonic emperor and to embrace the power in his heritage.”

Binghe caught his hand, bringing it up to rest his cheek against. “This one does not hate Shizun. This one is not angry at Shizun.” Yes, that was rather the point of the pendant. “This one… this one was hurt but even then Shizun was trying to help this one, trying to protect him. This one wishes Shizun would have just asked. This disciple trusted Shizun, he would have gone if only Shizun had asked him to.”

Seriously ? No… Shen Qingqiu could actually believe that of his precious white sheep. He sighed. “This master is also just a man, Binghe.”

“Does Shizun… regret?”

Did he? Well, obviously he did. Could he admit it? This time he did look away from the darkened protagonist. “Yes.”

[ Congratulations, Congratulations, Congratulations!

Good things must be said three times!

Achievement Unlocked! Gaslight, Girlboss, Gatekeep for Life and Limb!

Applying title change and recalculating story outcome ]

Okay, now that’s just straight up rude .

[ ^.^ ]

Oh how he wished he could throttle the system sometimes. Still… He shifted his hand, pulling away just enough to place it neatly on Binghe’s cheek. Like a cat, Binghe leaned into it. “This one regrets… but he is so happy to see the man Binghe has grown into. ”

Binghe smiled, trapping Shen Qingqiu’s hand there. “Then… will Shizun stop flinching and running away? Will he stay with this one instead?”

Shen Qingqiu flashed as much of a smile as he ever did. “Does Binghe plan on continuing to treat this one like an empress rather than his teacher?”

“As long as Shizun will allow this one to get away with it.”

Right… he should have expected a suave line that would make him stumble over his own thin face. He’d been doing so well too, until it turned into teasing and romanic and… oh gods, had he just been flirting with Luo Binghe?

Not that Binghe seemed to mind in the least, instead stepping closer and lightly wrapping his arms around Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingiqu for his part was too surprised to even think of stepping back or away. “This one would gladly ensure that such a position was permanent… if Shizun would allow it.”

His eyes widened because… that couldn’t… Binghe couldn’t seriously be…

What had the System said about title changes? What was his spiralling throught about being in an enemies to lovers wife plot? He hadn’t expected it to go all the way!

[ System wishes to remind host that there is 1 known cure to Without-A-Cure ]

He did not need that reminder! He wasn’t… he didn’t… they couldn’t…

Oh he had really, really broken something somewhere in the stallion harem novel hadn’t he. Shen Qingqiu sighed, and gave in to the urge to lean forward and let Binghe’s frame block out troublesome things. It… honestly wasn’t that bad. Maybe he could consider it.

Who was he kidding… he knew how wife plots went. He knew that the moment he considered it as possible, that it was as good as done. “Alright.”

He refused to look up from where he was tucked against Luo Binghe’s chest, didn’t want to know what the system was cheering about. He didn’t need any outside confirmation about how happy Binghe was beyond how the man was vibrating under him. Not how he expected the kidnapping to end, but maybe it wouldn’t be that bad.