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When Shen Yuan first transmigrated into the despicable Scum Villain, Shen Qingqiu, he discovered many hidden secrets. He accidentally stumbled across hidden compartments with all forms of blackmail on all of the peak lords; hidden knives in his boots; as well as other paranoid items.

Yet, the secret world and established mannerisms of the heartless Shen Qingqiu continued to elude Shen Yuan. His first inkling of something much larger than he understood came to him during a monthly meeting among peak lords.

A key feature of Shen Qingqiu besides his scholarly and handsome face and white and green robes was his fans. Many hours were spent in the bamboo hut merely playing and observing all of the fans that the immortal master had in his collection.

There was an absurd amount of fans for one person, enough that Shen Qingqiu could wear a different fan daily. Among the scholarly, silk hand fans, there were also beautiful, embroidered feather fans that Shen Qingqiu had seen in his past life among museum pieces.

More so, there were gorgeous rounded fans or Tuanshen with lacquered handles that featured painted birds and beautiful landscapes. As it was a mild summer day, Shen Qingqiu decided to bring a lighter fan with him rather than one of his heavier folding fans.

Like a magpie spotting some precious treasure, Shen Qingqiu’s eyes alighted on a light blue Tuanshen fan with a white lacquered handle. It depicted a sparrow with shimmering feathers and a tranquil depiction of the mountain peaks. His hand hovered over the fan, a giddiness rising in his chest as he took note of its hidden location.

The fan was hidden toward the back of the collection for some reason. Shen Qingqiu was outraged for the neglected piece of art as he carefully cleaned off the fine layer of dust. When he grabbed the fan, he caught the metallic shimmer of a hairpiece attached to the handle.

Wrapped with a fine, light blue ribbon was a matching, jade belt piece of that same sparrow and a beautiful silver Chinese plum flower attachment for his crown. Shen Qingqiu’s breath caught at the loveliness of the set and he decided then to wear it for the meeting.

Once the pieces were attached, Shen Qingqiu left his room for the living space. The man’s stomach growled at the scent of delicious food wafting through the air. Familiar with the routine, Shen Qingqiu sat himself at the table and waited for his precious White Lotus to come bounding out with their breakfast.

When Luo Binghe skipped out of the kitchen, the young teen narrowly upended the trey in his hands while his face went through a worrying sequence of colors. His entire face first blushed a bright red, before it paled and then greened as his features morphed from pleased surprise to horrid discomfort.

” W-why has Shizun decided to wear such accessories– s-surely he doesn’t intend to wear them for the Peak Lord meeting today?” Luo Binghe spoke haltingly, his body language stiff as he almost collapsed down at the table.

Shen Qingqiu tilted his head in confusion at the boy, his eyes narrowing before he let out an amused huff, “ Can this master not flaunt his status and the hard work it took to achieve this one's place among the Lords? Binghe seems awfully judgemental for such beautiful pieces of work,” Shen Qingqiu spoke with a drawling pointedness as he looked down his nose at the sixteen-year-old boy.

Binghe’s cheeks flushed and he nervously wrung his hands as his eyes darted around in a fitful manner. Shen Qingqiu let the boy stew in his awkwardness for a few moments, before he rolled his eyes and started to place the best portions of meat into the teenager’s bowl.

” Stop your useless fretting. This master is aware of Binghe’s humble origins, this master merely wished to wear some of his neglected pieces,” he spoke reassuringly, unaware of Luo Binghe’s intense gaze. “...Does Binghe think the pieces suit this Shizun?”

Shen Qingqiu bashfully turned his gaze to the teenager as he brought the light blue fan over the bottom portion of his face. He would definitely put the pieces back if he actually looked like an idiot after all– his pure lotus would tell him the truth.

Faced with such an alluring display that screamed out an unspoken invitation, Luo Binghe restrained himself from throwing himself at his Shizun’s seated form and stealing a kiss right then and there. Instead, he crazedly nodded his head, the curls of his pulled-back hair jumping and bobbing with force.

” This disciple thinks these pieces encapsulate Shizun perfectly,” he said hurriedly, “ However…” Binghe hesitantly drawled out as his Adam’s apple bobbed. Shen Qingqiu smiled at the praise before making a questioning noise at Binghe’s trailing sentence.

Facing such openness, Binghe’s nerves steeled and his stomach swooped, the teen ignored Meng Mo’s wolf whistle as he untied the red ribbon from his bound hair. Twining it in his fingers, Luo Binghe’s long curls fell down his back as he offered the ribbon.

” T-this Binghe thinks something is m-missing from Shizun’s outfit. Perhaps a, um, splash of red will compliment and complete Shizun’s fan?” Binghe finished speaking, his words awkward and stumbling with how he inwardly shook.

If his Shizun was walking around the peaks like this, he needed to declare his interest before any other admirers grew bold.

Binghe watched with bated breath while Shen Qingqiu hummed in thought as he observed the ribbon. The red color would play off of the sunset of the mountains as well as aesthetically contrast with his light green clothes.

Shen Qingqiu nodded before he carefully took the ribbon from Binghe’s hand, their fingers brushing. The teenager bit back his elated whoop and eager fist pump, his teeth digging into the bottom of his lip as he watched Shen Qingqiu wrap the ribbon around the white lacquer handle.

Cheeks flushed and eyes nearly bulging, Binghe forcibly calmed himself as his master appreciatively wrapped his lithe fingers on the ribbon and slowly fanned himself. Seeming happy with the feel and weight of the ribbon, Luo Binghe tore his focus away and down toward his food to keep himself from crowing with delight.

With shaking hands, the teenager picked up one of the elaborate side dishes and eagerly presented it for his master’s sampling. The teen was one step closer to proving himself worthy as a suitor for his Shizun’s heart.

His day was made even brighter when his Shizun offered to lend him one of his own ribbons from his room after Binghe pulled a few strands from his mouth as they ate.

After indulging himself in the absolute feast that the protagonist had prepared, Shen Qingqiu lazily held the light, moon-shaped fan in his left hand as he languidly walked toward Yue Qingyuan’s peak. Shen Qingqiu had loaded Luo Binghe with plenty of chores to keep the sticky disciple out of his hair for the majority of the day.

Although Shen Qingqiu had thought the boy’s pouts and whines had been suspiciously hollow as the teen had clung to him at the doorway. His crocodile tears were even faker than usual, while his smile was even more coy when the man had given in and patted the boy’s head.

Such a prissy worry-wart. I can walk the short distance over the rainbow bridge– we are not as far as An Ding Peak, silly boy, Shen Qingqiu thought ruefully. He hid his fond smile behind the delicate fan, unknowing of the chaos that began around him as he stepped onto the Qiong Ding Peak.

Young and old disciples alike gaped at the image the callous Qing Jing Peak lord made. For, his scholarly yet delicate hand gently grasped a fan that noblewomen commonly used when announcing their willingness for a courtship. And said fan already had a ribbon wrapped around its handle!

The wind fluttered long, ink hair while the romantic calligraphy and restless image of a sparrow gave life to a yearning and romantic soul. A single loose red, silk strand of fate wound around such an immortal figure and captivated those looking upon it. When Shen Qingqiu carefully tucked the loose end back around the handle, many eyes trailed on that graceful digit.

Multiple marriage-age men tripped and dropped their possessions over the boldness, while a plethora of female disciples and masters gazed at him with eager eyes.

Shen Qingqiu’s cold, untouchable beauty was well-known within the sect and outer world. The man’s graceful form and scholarly visage drew many secret admirers, yet they had been previously deterred from showing their interest due to the man’s cruel and wrathful personality.

...All of which abruptly melted away after his Qi-deviation that the peak lords had hidden as a ‘fever’, as to protect the man from any perceived weakness. Yet it was clear to every disciple that the glacier that was Shen Qingqiu, the cold Xiu Ya, had gentled into a true gentleman befitting his outward appearance.

Thus, many hearts leaped and fluttered at the image Shen Qingqiu made with his fond smile peeking behind his flirtingly transparent Tuanshen fan. Shen Qingqiu was, of course, oblivious to the whispers and flushing faces. When he dipped his head in pleasant surprise to the master who opened the door for him, he paid no attention to how the man lightly gasped.

With his face still carefully hidden, Shen Qingqiu continued to fan himself slowly, his light eyes flickering in amusement as disciples darted out of his way even faster than usual.

I should bring this fan out more if it helps manage crowds. It could be of great use if I bring it with me when I visit that hack of an author, Shen Qingqiu thought to himself, pleased at the easy path that was made for him. His brow furrowed at the thought of the busy peak, as he had narrowly avoided having his foot driven over by a cart last he had visited.

Shen Qingqiu absently thanked the attendant who opened the meeting room door for him. His long robes gracefully swept over the threshold with a soft woosh and the light jingling of the metal bird hanging off of his crown drew the attention of the peak lords. While he wasn’t the earliest, Shen Qingqiu always tried to arrive five minutes before the meeting was set to start.

A majority of the peak lords were already gathered around the room, sequestered into their regular groups as they waited for Yue Qingyuan to call the meeting. Liu Qingge and Shang Qinghua typically arrived almost right on the dot (often entering side by side, to Shang Qinghua’s horror).

As such, Shen Qingqiu’s fan-waving slowed with his faltering steps when he found the entire room gaping at him. Each lord and lady held an expression that ranged from clear shock and unease to quick flashes of blushing joy. Qi Qingqi’s terse expression held intrigue while her eyes flicked around the room, while Mu Qingfang and Yue Qingyuan were purely surprised.

Going with the flow as usual when it came to Shen Qingqiu, a deep, “ Good morning, Xiao-Jiu,” sounded from across the room. Shen Qingqiu locked eyes with Yue Qingyuan whose dark eyes shone with a thin ray of hope while his searching gaze wordlessly beckoned him over. He stood next to Mu Qingfang and Wei Qingwei, the three of them making idle conversation as they typically did before meetings.

Ignoring the stares, Shen Qingqiu sidled over to his cliche and stood comfortably by Yue Qingyuan’s side. “ Zhangmen-Shixiong, Mu-Shidi, Wei-shidi,” he cooly nodded his greetings, once more idly fanning himself with his fan of the day.

Catching sight of it and its bright red ribbon, the room broke into whispers. Qi Qingqi shielded her face with her hand fan, Mu Qingfang’s eyebrows rose, while Yue Qingyuan’s brow furrowed in upset.

”...Xiao-Jiu has already accepted a ribbon?” The man asked, his voice soft as his gaze remained fixed on the lacquer handle of the painfully familiar, delicate fan. Shen Qingqiu tilted his head in question, his eyes darting to the silk and the NPC-like man’s growing despair.

His hand stilled his slow movement, the delicate fabric resting on his left cheek in a kissing fashion as he pursed his lips in thought. He had no idea what he had done this time to upset the perpetually guilty man, “ This Shidi merely accepted the ribbon of his young, excitable disciple– nothing less or more,” he calmly said, his hand tapping his cheek before resting near the bottom of his lips. Shen Qingqiu's ears twitched as he tried to catch the forcibly quiet murmurs of the watching spectators, his brow slightly furrowing at words such as "Tease," and "Shameless," coming from the other peak lords.

Thinking of Ning YingYing, the worry fled from Yue Qingyuan’s face and was replaced with a look of shy hope. He opened his mouth to speak, yet was interrupted by the doors slamming open with a strong kick.

Liu Qingge stood in the doorway, red-faced yet determined as he whipped his head to look to where Shen Qingqiu typically stood before the meeting started. “ Shameless!” He shouted before he stomped toward the aloof scholar, Shen Qingqiu stiffened slightly and subtly hid behind Yue Qingyuan as the God of War pushed aside Wei Qingwei from the circle.

Shang Qinghua mousily snuck into the room after Liu Qingge’s outburst, his own surprise at the scene displaying through his pure horror and graceless squawk. Before he could yell at the clueless transmigrator, Liu Qingqiu surprised all of them by holding out a silver, flower-embroidered ribbon toward Shen Qingqiu.

Scandalized gasps broke throughout the room at the bold gesture, while Shen Qingqiu instantly covered his face with his fan and suspiciously stared at the Bai Zhan Peak Lord. Less surprisingly, a black, sparrow embroidered ribbon was also impulsively held alongside the silver ribbon. Shen Qingqiu looked over toward his right and caught a sheepish-looking Yue Qingyuan.

”...” Shen Qingqiu looked between the two ribbons and the two very different facial expressions. Yue Qingyuan’s face was tinged with a small amount of guilt, yet he held a steely determination and confidence that told Shen Qingqiu that he was serious. Liu Qingge also looked serious as always, yet he looked like he had walked in on his parents.

Embarrassed and horrified with himself, Liu Qingge’s hand was unwavering as he offered his ribbon to show his intent to court the man. He didn’t spare Yue Qingyuan a glance, knowing within his heart that love was war and it was every man for himself.

With much more hesitation, Shen Qingqiu carefully plucked the ribbons from the two men’s hands and carefully tied them next to the plain red ribbon. The embroidered ribbons ended up complimenting each other perfectly, the red acting as a true pop of color.

Shifting the fan to take a closer look, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help the small smile on his face as he shifted the fan this way and that. The thin thread and design of the fan worked beautifully with the colors, elevating the fan to a breathtaking level of beauty.

” Thank you Shixiong, Shidi. I am grateful for your ribbons. They really elevate this one’s fan to another degree of beauty,” he tried to keep his cool as he gave both of them a pleased look. He quickly waved his fan with a mixture of anticipation and excitement, easily cooling the four of them with how fast his hand moved.

The other peak lords and ladies exchanged looks, especially with the use of informal speech. ‘Equal attraction between love interests!!! It will be a battle to court Shen Qingqiu’s heart,’ was the general understanding of those watching.

Shang Qinghua wanted to rip his hair out as he watched the display. “ Ah ha, um right– eep!” The An Ding Lord’s nervous fluttering and approach was cut short by the fast turn of Liu Qingge’s head and Yue Qingyuan’s benevolent smile yet warning eyes. ‘Stay out of this, pipsqueak,’ they both conveyed.

” T-the meeting! We– we have things of importance to discuss, yes?” Shang Qinghua shakingly recovered near Mu Qingfang’s elbow, his shorter posture weighed down with the intense stares. Yue Qingyuan nodded and appeared to realize that everyone was haltingly whispering and watching the trio.

He awkwardly cleared his throat and stepped back toward his seat with a small “ Of course, Shidi,”. Liu Qingge gave Shen Qingqiu one more probing look and went toward his seat by Wei Qingwei and Qi Qingqi. The poor Qing Jing Peak Lord inwardly shrugged off the strange interaction and took his seat next to Yue Qingyuan.

Shen Qingqiu spoke when required as they went over the standard topics and logistics planning of running a sect. For a majority of the meeting, he idly fanned himself with the moon-shaped fan. The meeting was a bit disjointed as peak lords and ladies trailed off at random intervals, their eyes catching on the sight of the untouchable (i.e. bored) and elegant picture Shen Qingqiu made.

With nothing amiss, the meeting concluded rather quickly. Shen Qingqiu unhurriedly rose from his seat, he raised a brow when he noticed how many of his sect siblings also appeared to idle about. Usually, some of them walked out as quickly as they politely could to attend to their work, yet many people lingered than usual.

” Ah, Xiao-Jiu,” Yue Qingyuan’s soft voice caught his attention and looked toward the man with a curious head tilt. The man’s eyes darted around before landing on his half obscured face, the restless sparrow flitting over the mountaintop.

” This one is glad to see his gifts being of use for Shidi– does he find them suitable after all of these years?” He spoke warmly, yet slightly hesitant, his posture and eyes akin to a dog begging its owner for a piece of prime rib. Shen Qingqiu felt the usual unease that came with interacting with Yue Qingyuan and nodded his head.

” This Shidi had kept Zhangmen-Shixiong’s gift in the back of his collection. It has laid forgotten for too long– I couldn’t just let its beauty continue collecting dust. Is Shixiong pleased to see this set once more?” He asked, curious to see how this interaction shed light on Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan’s past.

Dark eyes widened at the multitude of reveals– he thought Shen Qingqiu had burned and discarded the set as the man had snarled in the past. To destroy hours of his brushwork and his painstaking practice in metal smithing with a vengeance.

Yue Qingyuan wouldn’t have blamed him even– for it was justified given how he had so thoroughly destroyed every promise he had made to his Xiao-Jiu. To think his childhood love had secretly sequestered it away for all these years…Yue Qingyuan’s heart leapt and soared like that very sparrow.

” I am very pleased…If you wish for more pieces, please tell me and your Qi-ge will provide them for you,” Shen Qingqiu covered the entirety of his face beside his eyes at this. He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at the way Yue Qingyuan shuffled and looked at him with almost Moe eyes.

When did the sect leader turn shy and almost cute?! He reminded Shen Qingqiu of a little girl speaking to her playground crush, all he needed was a pair of pigtails and to clasp his hands in front of himself. The man quickly banished the thought before he could burst into a fit of giggles at the mental image.

He nodded, “ This one will keep that in mind for the future,” Yue Qingyuan lit up and politely bid goodbye. The sect leader determinedly swept from the room, his poor head disciple running after him as they carried his notes. Before Shen Qingqiu could speak with anyone else, he was pulled out of the room by Shang Qinghua.

Shen Qingqiu caught sight of a narrow-eyed Liu Qingge and an amused Mu Qingfang as he was taken by surprise. Shang Qinghua walked briskly as he pulled along the clueless transmigrator. They walked down winding pathways and past suspicious disciples until they came to a secluded courtyard.

” Bro, you just fucked up for real this time,” Shang Qinghua whined as he wrung his hands after letting the man go. Shen Qingqiu quirked a brow as he watched the useless writer pace and mutter to himself. “ The mountain is going to crumble from those t-three!– Oh the plot deviations. Y-you just had to find that fan a-and the companion pieces,” he hissed at the innocently dangling metal.

“All for what?! Shits and giggles? Because they looked soooo pretty?” He spoke with a fevered level of hysterics before he turned on his heel and grabbed Shen Qingqiu by the shoulders.

” What are you going on about you hack?” Shen Qingqiu hissed and narrowed his eyes on the fretting man. The crazed look in his eye, bitten fingernails, and the hair slipping from his crown made him look even more deranged than usual.

Shang Qinghua looked at him with a slack-jaw before he leaned until their noses were almost touching, looking as though he wanted to head-butt some sense into the man.

“ I can’t believe how blind you are! You just–” Shang Qinghua was cut off with a yelp as Liu Qingge darted into the secluded courtyard and ripped the An Ding Peak Lord away from Shen Qingqiu.

” YOU!” Liu Qingge barked in outrage, shaking Shang Qinghua in the air as he held him by the collar like a misbehaving kitten. “ You dare act perversely?!” He seethed, making the mouse-like man squeal without shame in the brute’s hold, his head whipping back and forth wildly as he pleaded his case.

” No Liu-Shidi, you misunderstand this one! I-I would never! Spare this lowly Shixiong!” Shen Qingqiu blinked at the scene. He was dumbfounded as Liu Qingge shook the author around, menacing him in a way that was similar to when the warrior would manhandle his worst behaving disciples.

” Liu-Shidi, put Shang-Shidi down,” Shen Qingqiu sighed after a few moments, Liu Qingge turned and gave him a blank stare. Shang Qinghua was clutching his stomach, his face vaguely green from the rough treatment. “ Shang-Shidi meant no disrespect to this master, he was experiencing a spell of hysteria as he usually does,” the scholar explained as the warrior looked between the two with a suspicious gaze.

After some consideration, Liu Qingge scoffed and unceremoniously dropped the man to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Shang Qinghua groaned and curled on his side in a fetal position, muttering piteously under his breath.

Shen Qingqiu hid his amused smile behind his fan and thanked his Shidi for his mercy. Liu Qingge stepped over Shang Qinghua’s shaking body, “ I’m leaving to capture a Thick-Furred Ice Scorpion in two days time,” the man calmly spoke as though that entire scene didn’t happen.

They both ignored Shang Qinghua crawling away from the courtyard.

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but wave his fan in fast delight, his lips pulled into a small smile. “ Will Shidi allow me to inspect this specimen like the others?” The scholar asked, his eyes twinkling with the prospect of viewing such a hardy and interesting creature of the Northern Demon Realms.

Liu Qingge nodded, his ears coloring slightly, “ Anything I give you is yours to observe and use as you see fit,” he stated simply. Shen Qingqiu hesitantly nodded, still unused to the positive interactions with Liu Qingge. Ever since the Demon Invasion and his saving Liu Qingge’s life, their entire dynamic had shifted away from the story.

After months of awkward sessions of Liu Qingge clearing his meridians, they had fallen into a routine of enjoying tea and Shen Qingqiu babbling at the man absentmindedly. He was surprised whenever the man hunted down and brought him one of the many beasts he spoke of.

” Let this one remind Shidi of the weaknesses and strengths of this beast before he leaves the sect. Shidi has a long journey and battle ahead of him,” Shen Qingqiu settled on saying, he turned and wordlessly invited the man to walk alongside him. Liu Qingge fell in step with him, grunting now and then while his eyes stayed fixed on the animated scholar.

When they made it to the bamboo hut, Shen Qingqiu invited him in for the earlier-than-usual meridian clearing session. The transmigrated man made a teapot of tea and brought it to the low table in the main room that doubled as Shen Qingqiu’s desk.

Moving his student’s work, Shen Qingqiu went to pour the man’s tea. Yet a firm hand stilled his motions, “ Allow me,” the warrior spoke sternly while his face lightly blushed at his own forwardness. Shen Qingqiu blinked and dumbly handed over the teapot and matching cups.

Liu Qingge looked at the light blue cups appraisingly, the blue and gold aesthetically aligning with the blue fan that rested on the table. “ Shen Qingqiu’s fan suits him today…It is much softer than his past choices,” Liu Qingge spoke haltingly, still unused to idle chatter and compliments.

Shen Qingqiu hummed in agreement, his hand moving to caress Liu Qingge’s ribbon in thought. A few drops of tea spilled over the ridge of the cup, which the Bai Zhan Peak lord quickly absorbed with his sleeve after muttering an apology.

” This Shixiong was drawn to the beauty of this particular fan when going through his collection…” Shen Qingqiu trailed off. He took and held the cup Liu Qingge had given him, enjoying the warmth of the tea as he stared into the green liquid. “ This one forgot how many he had in his possession, as well as the different styles. If Shidi has the time, perhaps he would be interested in seeing a few of this one’s favorites?”

Liu Qingge blinked, his mouth softly agape as he stared at the usually reclusive and secretive man. He gave a curt nod, his large hand gently wrapping around the cup and bringing it to his lips like a shot. When Shen Qingqiu finished his tea, they settled into their usual position and Liu Qingge focused on channeling his Qi.

Once finished, Shen Qingqiu stood with his fan and gestured for the Bai Zhan Peak lord to follow him deeper into the bamboo hut. He moved toward his official office space across from the side room and opened the sliding door.

Liu Qingge unabashedly looked around the space, his eyes analyzing and his expression focused as though the room would disappear if he blinked. The room was sparse yet meticulously decorated with furniture from the previous peak lord. An ornate low desk sat toward the back of them with fabric cushions for seats, and an elaborate side table held a vase with a water lily.

Yet the best feature was the sliding doors behind the desk, which led to the backyard's bamboo courtyard. The doors were already open and allowed in the soft summer breeze, but Shen Qingqiu focused on his fan display to the left of the desk.

The entire wall was covered by a custom-made bookcase, and each shelf was filled to the brim with books and scrolls. In the middle of it, there was an opening of space where a beautiful landscape painted by Shen Qingqiu hung and an absurd amount of fans were displayed on top of a cabinet.

The entire row of shelves held Shen Qingqiu’s public collection, the original goods having carefully propped and maintained the folding fans. Shen Qingqiu led the Bai Zhan Peak lord over to have a closer look, the man’s eyes body language skittish and awkward yet his eyes remained determined.

Shen Qingqiu softly caressed the wood under the displayed folding fans he had, his fingers alighting on a hidden notch. Liu Qingge’s eyes widened as with a push of a lithe finger, the mysterious scholar popped open a deep, secret drawer that masquearded as the body of the cabinet.

Flashing a smug smirk, Shen Qingqiu pulled out the drawer and tilted his head for the man to come closer. When the warrior did, his breath caught slightly on the categorized collection. The deep drawer was filled with layers of feathered fans and Tuanshen, all of which pulled out into a second display with a gentle tug on the mechanics.

”...” Liu Qingge was speechless from the collection. He would normally have scoffed and criticized such frivolous purchases yet each piece was unique in design and breathtaking in its artsmanship. The room remained silent as he observed each fan with his eyes, shaking his head gently when Shen Qingqiu gestured for him to pick one up.

Before long, Liu Qingge noticed a repeating and familiar signature. Flicking his eyes to the painting, his heart jumped as he saw that same signature– a unique character that Shen Qingqiu always used for his works. Liu Qingge was almost gobsmacked with the knowledge that he was looking at Shen Qingqiu’s most hidden emotions put to canvas.

More so, without the man’s proud, arrogant commentary to speak for this collection, Liu Qingge could almost physically feel the intimateness of the situation. Faced with close to fifty hand-crafted and commissioned fans with romantic design and imagery, it was almost heartbreaking to the man.

Stern eyes glanced from the scholar and the army of fans, Liu Qingge was allowed to study the man as he quietly studied the art. Ever since the man had saved him from Qi deviation, Liu Qingge had his perspective on the scum completely altered. At first he had been suspicious and paranoid, yet now, when faced with such softness, he was selfishly glad.

For what man could stop himself for wanting to hoard and keep such a lovely immortal master once getting past those prickly walls. Years of strife and anger mellowed even more to a deep fondness at the sight of a soft upturn of plump lips and warm green eyes. Liu Qingge shook himself before he could count each perfectly long eyelash and forced himself to clear his throat.

” They are gorgeous. I am thoroughly impressed,” Liu Qingge decided to say, his voice stilted and his heart fluttering once he caught the man’s attention, Shen Qingqiu gifted him with a soft smile only visible behind the flirtingly thin fabric of the Tuanshen.

Liu Qingge subconsciously frowned at the sight of Yue Qingyuan’s signature on the fan, the sight of it making a bitterness rear its head in his chest. Without a word, he turned to a cherry-brown lacquered Tuanshen depicting a silver-misted mountain with a collection of spider lilies and a hawk mid-attack.

” Wear this one,” he ordered, his words firm yet his hand gentle as he brought the fan toward the man. Liu Qingge stifled a chuckle when the scholar merely tilted his head in confusion, the fan wavering from its high position.

” Is this Shidi’s favorite piece?” Shen Qingqiu asked, his voice almost coy with how aloof he was acting regarding the symbolic gesture. Liu Qingge clenched his jaw, straightened his posture, and placed his fist behind his back before he gave a firm nod. Shen Qingqiu furrowed his brow at the serious posture, as it looked like the man was waiting upon him like a knight to a king.

” While a good choice and display of Qingqiu’s…tastes, this one would be far superior for you to wear,” Liu Qingge spoke with a schooled calm, his face placid yet his eyes fierce as he watched Shen Qingqiu’s face. Silence stretched between them as Shen Qingqiu openly stared at him with a slackened jaw.

Liu Qingge lightly blushed, his long, loose bang fluttering on his cheek and dragging near his mole as he nervously shifted his head to look down at the scholar. “...This Shidi insists. He only wants the best for his Shixiong,” the warrior spoke softly, his gaze low and peeking through his eyelashes like Liu Mingyuan taught him.

A deep blush crawled over Shen Qingqiu’s fair skin and his face contorted into one of horrified embarrassment. “ I–I, you–you,” he fumbled and seemed to be torn between rapidly fanning himself and hiding his face. Liu Qingge bit back the grin that threatened to stretch across his face at this flustered display.

” Give me that!” Shen Qingqiu angrily spat, as he none too gently snatched the thick canvas Tuanshen fan and hid his face with it. “ Menace you are! Pulling out ‘Shidi’ and ‘Shixiong’ from nowhere while s-speaking in such a manner. Be kind to this old master,” he spoke as though he was lecturing an unruly disciple.

Liu Qingge sunk even further in fondness as the prickly man placed the white lacquered fan back and shooed him from the office. Like this, the man was less of a Soft Fanged Multi-Striped Viper and more of a common house cat. He hissed and growled without any true fierceness of the past, nor did his words strike soft-flesh like daggers.

Liu Qingge almost enjoyed the firm hand that pushed at the middle of his shoulders as he was escorted out of the bamboo hut. He was almost tempted to drag his feet and push back against the man to make him press harder–pressing until flesh melted through layer and layer until it met his own flesh.

His improper thoughts and enjoyment of the moment was interrupted by the loud cry of Shen Qingqiu’s meddling disciple shouting, “ Be careful!”. As they entered the main hall, they stopped at the threshold as they took in the sight before them.

For Ning YingYing and Ming Fan were carrying platters of dishes. The amount of food was well beyond the idea of fathomable for two people to eat. The scents of decadent sweets and bold, spicy-flavored entrees and side dishes drifted toward the two. Shen Qingqiu was positively dumbfounded by the overabundance of food.

” Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu caught the three disciple’s attention, his voice a whisper before he cleared his throat while his eyes pinged from the endless amount of food to each of his disciples’ faces. “ Why on earth did you make so much food– we could feed the entirety of the sect with this,” he questioned.

Rather than answer as dutifully as he usually would, Binghe’s eyes narrowed at the close position the two were in. Even more so, a darkness flickered across his eyes and his lips nearly pulled into an outright snarl as he caught sight of the new, Bai Zhan peak-coded fan in his Shizun’s hand.

Faced with the dark look on his White Lotus’ face, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help the small hitch in his breath and the tightening of his hand on Liu Qingge’s robes. With this brief interaction and the green embroidered ribbon in Luo Binghe’s hair, the dots connected in the Bai Zhan peak lord’s head and he glared at the disciple.

” You,” he trailed off menacingly, his posture protective as he subtly shielded Shen Qingqiu with his body. His strong arms crossed in front of his chest as he looked down his nose at the disciple, “ Do you understand how improper your actions are, boy?” Liu Qingge spoke calmly yet in an unambiguously demeaning tone.

Luo Binghe nearly threw the dish in his hands to the side and attacked the man in outrage. His feelings were so wild that he could almost feel the seal over his demonic powers straining from his rage. Meng Mo yelped from where he was sitting back and metaphorically eating popcorn and focused on suppressing the Demonic Qi.

Binghe remembered himself with the clear reprimanding voice of his Shizun. “ Come now, Liu-Shidi, must you speak down to my disciple in such a manner?” He tapped the back of the warrior’s head with his fan before squeezing past him.

Shen Qingqiu placed his hands on his hips as he stood next to his disciples, “ Binghe is merely demonstrating his appreciation for this master. Liu-Shidi may not be used to filial displays given the nature of Bai Zhan peak, but such work is to be recognized. Not scolded,” he lectured.

Liu Qingge quirked a brow at the oblivious man, especially as said ‘filial’ disciple sniffingly murmured and went to hang on his master’s arm like a maiden. The Bai Zhan peak lord’s eye twitched as the nearly marriage-age teenager demurely complained to Shen Qingqiu about his feelings being hurt.

Ning YingYing mimicked throwing up with a loud gag before she rolled her eyes and tugged a disgusted-looking Ming Fan out of the hut. Slamming the door behind them, silence rang once the house cleared and the boy’s dramatics died down. Liu Qingge finally spoke.

” Qingqiu,” Binghe wordlessly growled at the personal address, while the scholar blinked and looked over to him. “ That other ribbon– the red one, the child gave you it?” Liu Qingge spoke briskly, almost plowing through his words as he cut straight to the point.

Shen Qingqiu nodded, ignoring how Binghe clutched at his arm as he regarded Liu Qingge’s stiff posture and his steel-like eyes. “ This morning, yes. I told all of you about how Binghe was the one to– ah that was before Liu-Shidi entered the room,” he murmured, relaxing as though that misunderstanding was cleared.

” This master was pleased to have his disciples' filial support. Especially since I wasn’t sure if I looked proper with it– I wouldn’t have left the house with it if that were the case,” he murmured the last part to himself, forgetting that the both of them had enhanced hearing.

Binghe’s eyes widened at the admission, his hands shaking as he grasped his Shizun’s arm closer to his chest. “ S-shizun’s intentions… But, but Shizun accepted this Binghe’s rib—” his sentences ended with a squeak as Liu Qingge stormed closer to them, his patience running thin as he watched the disciple press closer and closer to the unsuspecting man.

” Qingqiu, push that pervert away!” He barked, his hands opening and closing as he stood right in front of them, “ He surely meant to take advantage of you– considering… considering you didn’t know the meaning behind your fan,” Liu Qingge’s voice softened. Yet his glare remained fixed on the boy.

Shen Qingqiu instinctively shielded Binghe with his sleeve, his mouth opening to retort the man before he caught the rest of Liu Qingge’s trailing sentence. “ The meaning of the fan… EEK!” Shen Qingqiu pulled away from Luo Binghe with a beet-red face as he remembered a minor detail of the book.

He wasn’t surprised he forgot the whole thing with Tuanshen fans in this world, how they acted almost like a relationship status update on Facebook. It was such a minor thing that only came up in the Harem when with a truly unforgettable, Wife #358.

It was some sort of Masquerade Ball where she enticed the Stallion Protagonist with only her Tuanshen fan and her masked face. Shen Qingqiu had skipped over her scene like many other sex scenes, especially once the poorly written Master/Pet scene unfolded and the woman brought out a whip.

Sue him!

Shen Qingqiu stumbled and collapsed onto his back at the reveal, steam almost physically manifesting as his thoughts whirled through the events of the day. “ That’s what Qinghua meant earlier– Binghe…Zhangmen-Shixiong…L-Liu-Shidi…” His hands covered his face as the two men hovered over his prone form, “ I can’t believe I unknowingly accepted three courtships…”

Liu Qingge nodded before he shyly put a consoling hand on Shen Qingqiu’s arm, he was going to awkwardly, if not sullenly, tell Shen Qingqiu that it was alright when a knock came from the door.

” Xiao-Jiu?” A soft call rang through the door, “ Is everything all right in there? Ning-Shimei told this Shixiong that Liu-Shidi and Luo-Shizi were fighting,” Yue Qingyuan explained.

Shen Qingqiu could do nothing but loudly groan in distress at the arrival of the sect leader. He then grabbed a nearby pillow and screamed into it with despair. Hearing this Yue Qingyuan opened the door and stepped inside. Faced with the scene of Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge kneeling beside a curled-up Qing Jing peak lord, Yue Qingyuan’s hand went to Xuan Su’s hilt.

” Yue Qingyuan, calm,” Liu Qingge spoke calmly, his hand pulling back as he hastily brought his sleeve to dab at his annoyingly watering eyes. “ It is not as it appears…Shen Qingqiu didn’t realize what he was doing when he accepted our ribb–ribbons,” he explained, his voice noticeably shaky.

Shen Qingqiu stiffened as he heard this and sat up to comfort Liu Qingge, but the man had already stood up and briskly fled from the main hall. Before he left, he forced himself to stop by Yue Qingyuan’s side and turned to face the room. His eyes glistened with unshed tears, yet he fixed Shen Qingqiu with a heated gaze and taut shoulders.

“ I will come back to Qingqiu with the Thick Furred Ice Scorpion… Only then, will I hear your answer for where we stand. Think until then and understand my intentions this time,” he ordered his voice firm to the point that it broke Shen Qingqiu’s stupor.

” Shidi…” He trailed off with an awed silence, his red cheeks hot as he considered what Liu Qingge had outright stated of him. Before he could reply, Liu Qingge turned and took off on his sword, Cheng Luan’s bright glare breaking through the encroaching darkness.

Shen Qingqiu remained silent and in a dazed thought for a few moments until Yue Qingyuan’s footfalls and Binghe’s tight grip on his arm forced him to shake it off. He regarded the both of them, yet remained bashfully silent when Yue Qingyuan knelt at his side.

When the sect leader’s eyes narrowed at the sight of Binghe’s position and the green ribbon in his hair, he came to the same conclusion as Liu Qingge. “ Move until you are sitting at an appropriate distance, Luo-Shizi,” Yue Qingyuan told him in a quiet voice, the smile he usually wore gone as he looked over the boy with a calculating stare.

Alarm bells blared through Shen Qingqiu’s mind at the display, his hair whipping into Luo Binghe’s opening mouth as he shook his head. His hands rested on Yue Qingyuan’s clenched fist, the digits itching toward Xuan Su as the disciple stubbornly remained where he was seated.

” Zhan…Qi-ge, this Shidi apologizes for his misstep and for causing such a misunderstanding. This one is sure his disciple had nothing but pure–” Yue Qingyuan’s relaxing form stiffened at this, his head shaking as he looked at the narrow-eyed disciple.

” Xiao-Jiu, it is clear that your disciple harbors romantic feelings for you,” he spoke calmly, cooly nodding toward the exuberant and hand-crafted feast that was cooling on the table. “ It is improper for said disciple to take advantage of his master’s failing memory and his condition to pursue such a taboo courtship,” with this, his tone softened yet his eyes burned anew.

Shen Qingqiu gulped at the tense and guilty posture Binghe took, his hands clutching his knees as his face crumbled. “ Binghe…” Shen Qingqiu’s heart broke as the boy began to cry in earnest. The boy scrubbed at his face with his robes, his movements rough and his sobs broken and real at the ill-timed reveal of his feelings by the sect leader. Rather than being able to prove himself worthy of his Shizun and gradually woo him when he was of age, he was ousted like some creep and painted in a way that could ruin everything!

” I-it’s true but S-Shizun, I wasn’t going to do anything untoward to you! I just wanted to prove myself for when I am of age for betrothal after the Immortal Alliance Conference– Please believe me!” He cried out as he prostrated himself into a kowtow, his entire body quivering as he pressed his forehead to the ground.

Faced with this confession after Liu Qingge’s Shen Qingqiu could do nothing but wordlessly stare at the now gay stallion protagonist. “ I…That means,” he trailed off as he looked toward Yue Qingyuan, the man kneeling and gently holding his hands. At Shen Qingqiu’s wordless question, the man blushed and nodded.

” I should have asked Xiao-Jiu if he was sure given his condition. But I was heavily moved that he had kept and wore my courting gifts from our disciple years… I was grateful Xiao-Jiu gave me a second chance to prove myself after my part in your suffering in the past,” Yue Qingyuan admitted, his voice and eyes soft as he looked at the man, his large hand gently tucked a stray strand of hair. Binghe’s chest constricted as he peeked at this domestic scene and heard the soft-spoken reveal, as did Shen Qingqiu’s.

” Sit up Binghe, it is my fault for leading all of you on," Shen Qingqiu spoke, his voice weakly trembling as he fixed his gaze onto the woven floor. "I…I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt both of you like this with my ignorance,” Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but cry out, his voice a croak and his eyes watering with tears. He felt all sorts of gross for how he possibly led Binghe to think he would pursue a minor and how he got Yue Qingyuan’s hopes up for nothing.

It especially hurt since the original goods was gone, never to hear Yue Qingyuan’s sweet words and experience the return of his hidden feelings. Such deep and romantic subplot lines wasted a straight (🙄), modern transmigrator masquerading as this man’s ‘Xiao-Jiu’. It prodded at the feelings of discomfort and guilt that resided deep within Shen Yuan's chest for the situation he was in.

Shen Qingqiu buried his face in his sleeves, his chest softly heaving as he sat there and felt like a piece of shit. He stiffened slightly when he felt a large arm hesitantly wrapped around him and pull him to a muscled chest clad in thick robes. His fingers coiled in the fabric and his body clutched to the source of comfort.

” It’s alright Xiao-Jiu, you didn’t ask for such a devastating Qi Deviation to rob you of such knowledge,” Yue Qingyuan comforted him, his hand patting his back like he was soothing a wild animal that would jump the moment it realized the situation. Shen Qingqiu merely nodded and ducked his head closer at the comforting words.

Faced with such a scene before him, Binghe sat and darkly thought to himself of how he was going to win over his Shizun. His fingers itched to comfort the man as well, yet when he made to shift closer, Yue Qingyuan gave him a firm stare.

Binghe frowned at him and turned concerned eyes onto his quietly crying Shizun before he wordlessly stood up and went to prepare a calming tea for the night. As he passed the threshold to the kitchen, his entire body stiffened as Yue Qingyuan called after him.

” Luo-Shizi, perhaps it's time that you roomed in the dorms, given your inappropriate intentions for your Shizun. Considering what Ning-Shimei said of you parading around Qing Jing, Xiao-Jiu’s reputation mustn’t be tainted by such impropriety,” the man recommended in a soft voice that drifted past Shen Qingqiu's panicked thoughts. Biting back a snarl and the anger of his reckless behavior, Binghe looked over his shoulder at the man and couldn’t help the darkness that unfurled at the sight of the two men.

Shen Qingqiu sleepily clung to Yue Qingyuan’s shoulders, almost sitting on the man’s lap as he was consoled over the drama and misunderstandings of the day. Binghe didn’t find any despair or hurt on the sect leader’s face, of course, he wouldn’t. The man was clearly resilient when it came to matters of the heart.

After a moment of staring each other down, Binghe gave him a curt nod, “ I will do as Sect Leader Yue recommends. For Shizun's reputation," he quietly agreed before he slid into the kitchen and forced himself through the motions of preparing tea.

If it was a battle for his Shizun’s heart the other two men wanted, he would plan an ambush and slaughter the fools that stood in his way. He’ll be strong enough where he stands in front of his Shizun rather than behind, and he can have the man all to himself.

Shen Qingqiu stiffened and yelped in Yue Qingyuan’s arms, his face pressed closer to the man’s shoulder as he ignored the sect leader’s concerned voice.

[Protagonist’s Heart Blackening: +200 points. Hosts 01 and 02 must be sure that the protagonist doesn’t reach 500 Blackening points before the key plotline of the Endless Abyss. Good luck! ദ്ദി ˉ͈̀꒳ˉ͈́ )✧]

WHAT THE HELL!? STUPID *@$KING SYSTEM!

Shang Qinghua spit out his tea at the notification, accidentally ruining three documents as he frantically grabbed at his hair while his head disciple mopped up the tea.

“ CUCUMBER BRO!!!” He cried out in broken English, his nose bleeding from stress as he curled and rested his head on the desk. His head disciple jumped up and ran to summon Mu Qingfang before the man Qi deviated to death.