Chapter Text
Despite his suspicions, he doesn’t get to see Yue Qingyuan again, leaving his theories to continue festering with neither denial nor confirmation.
Shen Qingqiu keeps him in the house. He’s only allowed a daily short walk around the Peak — with Shen Qingqiu as his chaperone, of course.
It seems like his relationship with Yue Qingyuan is much worse than Shen Yuan anticipated.
He thought it would be like his brothers’, somewhat antagonistic on one half due to a difficult past, yet still loving at the core.
But it seems that, at least on Shen Qingqiu’s part, genuine hatred is involved.
Actually, thinking about it, wasn’t there a time back then where Shen Er-ge had a similar attitude…?
As the days pass, the bed-bound Shen Yuan can only busy himself with those thoughts.
At least this allows him time to get used to this new world and body. With no System by his side, he has to acclimate to everything on his own — and a little bit of help from Shen Qingqiu, who seems to enjoy playing the role of an anxious but doting older brother.
A week into this routine, Shen Yuan feels like he’s about to die of boredom. Even Shen Qingqiu’s company isn’t enough to occupy his mind anymore, especially considering Shen Qingqiu spends a lot of time on his duties as a Peak Lord.
Cut him some slack, OK? Just a few days ago, he still had access to the internet!
“Er-ge, can’t I at least go to the library with you? I’ll be able to rest over there if I get too tired.”
“Absolutely not. If you want books, then you can ask me.”
Shen Er-ge, you really don’t want to know what kind of books Shen Yuan reads…
“I’ve already gotten better,” Shen Yuan says. “I can walk like normal, I don’t need to rest anymore. Er-ge, you can’t keep me in the house forever.”
Shen Qingqiu glares at him. “A-Yuan thinks he knows better than this master? Don’t be such a child.”
Fine.
If he wants childish, he’ll get childish.
Shen Yuan is nearly through to breaking Shen Qingqiu’s resolve thanks to the Haitang’s techniques, when sudden noise comes from the front door.
Immediately, all his progress vanishes as Shen Qingqiu regains his facade and stands up. “Stop fooling around, it seems we have guests,” he says, leaving the room before Shen Yuan can protest.
Shen Yuan waits for a moment, expecting Shen Qingqiu to come back quickly — followed by either Mu Qingfang or (hopefully) Yue Qingyuan — but instead just hears the faint sound of conversation.
Curious, he heads over.
Shen Qingqiu is discussing with two cultivators. One is a muscular man in dark colors, the other a beautiful woman dressed in purple.
“Oh? We’re only visiting because we heard Shen-shixiong has been remiss in his duties as a Peak Lord recently,” the woman says, and would probably be checking her nails in disinterest if this were Airplane deciding her actions. “Apparently, it’s because Shen-shixiong is too busy spoiling his brother…?”
“It’s this master’s business how Qing Jing Peak is run,” Shen Qingqiu says calmly.
Shen Yuan tries to look at his face, curious to see if the woman’s words are true or just slander. He knew Shen Qingqiu was putting some of his duties on the backburner in order to stay home and watch over him, but…
To the point where outsiders would know?
Going by Shen Qingqiu’s expression, the woman is right.
Damn it, Er-ge, he’s not on his death bed anymore, you know!? You can’t just give up on work!
Worried that Shen Qingqiu is going to be slandered right in front of him, Shen Yuan hurries to his side. The unknown woman and man’s expressions shift as he approaches.
“Yuan-shidi, it’s nice to see you again,” the woman says, her voice suddenly pleasant. “I hope Yuan-shidi is feeling well?”
“Yes, thank you,” Shen Yuan says, surprised.
If she’s calling him shidi, she must be a Peak Lord. The only female Peak Lord he knows is Qi Qingqi, and her color scheme and beauty seem to fit the character.
“Yuan-shidi,” the man greets him as well, looking him over.
As for him, Shen Yuan has no idea. He stays silent and looks at his brother.
Shen Qingqiu keeps a cold face behind his fan, but moves a little to be in front of Shen Yuan. “If Qi-shimei and Wei-shidi are done.”
So that unknown man is Wei Qingwei, the Wan Jian Peak Lord whose speciality is spiritual swords.
“Done? How can that be? We just arrived here,” Qi Qingqi says with a sly smile. “Shen-shixiong, don’t be so cold — unless we’re bothering Yuan-shidi as well? If it’s for Yuan-shidi, of course we don’t mind leaving…”
Shen Qingqiu’s eye twitches.
“It’s fine, Qi-shijie and Wei-shixiong are welcome here…” Shen Yuan says, trying to keep a calm face but feeling a bit lost.
“Shen-shidi, if you don’t mind,” Wei Qingwei suddenly says, handing him his sword.
By reflex, Shen Yuan grabs it.
Both Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan stare at the sheathed sword for a moment, like they’re expecting it to explode.
Instead, it’s Shen Qingqiu who explodes — Shen Yuan barely has the time to understand what sword that is, and why Wei Qingwei is getting him to hold it, that Shen Qingqiu has called forth his own sword, unsheathed it, and pointed it straight at Wei Qingwei’s throat.
“You dare!?”
Wei Qingwei looks remarkably unperturbed, only holding out his hand. “Shen-shidi, if you could please hand it back.”
Shen Yuan hands Hong Jing back with numb hands, eyes a bit wide.
“…I’m not a demon.”
“Hong Jing can also detect cases of possession.”
Possession? Shen Yuan blinks in surprise.
Then, does him being a transmigrator not count as possession?
If he had a System, he could just say it’s the System protecting him and making him undetectable to anyone and anything, but… he’s alone. It’s just him, with no System, no God, no nothing.
If Hong Jing isn’t detecting possession…
An uneasy shiver goes down his spine.
Meanwhile, Xiu Ya still threatens Wei Qingwei’s throat. “Possession!? You think my brother is possessed!?”
“Shen-shixiong, you can’t deny that Shen-shidi has been acting weird,” Wei Qingwei counters. “Even the way he calls people has changed, and though it could be argued it’s because he resents us, why does he call you so familiarly now?”
Shen Qingqiu doesn’t look any closer to sheathing his sword, for once showing his true feelings and letting his cold fury show. “Oh? Perhaps Wei-shidi is saying he knows my brother better than I do?”
Qi Qingqi waves her hand dismissively. “Obviously not, but since Shen-shixiong is the one closest to Shen-shidi, he might just be willfully denying the truth due to grief…”
Shen Qingqiu’s eyes twitch.
Shen Yuan rushes to grab his brother’s arm, holding him back from possibly skewering Wei Qingwei right then and there. “Er-ge, they were only looking out for you! If I’d really been possessed, Er-ge would be the first one in danger…”
For the first time, Shen Qingqiu’s anger falters.
“Danger? As if you could pose any threat to me,” Shen Qingqiu says, but at the same time, he lowers his sword. He glares at Wei Qingwei and Qi Qingqi. “Did shimei and shidi come here just for this? If so, I fear we no longer have any business.”
Qi Qingqi smiles. “Shen-shixiong, don’t be so cold. We’re here for Yuan-shidi, of course! We’ve been worried about him.”
Shen Qingqiu stays silent for a moment, before finally sheathing Xiu Ya.
Shen Yuan takes that as permission, and smiles at the Peak Lords. “This one is feeling alright, thank you for your concern.”
“Really? Let me look at you…”
Qi Qingqi comes closer, cupping his cheek and turning his head in all directions.
Taken by surprise, Shen Yuan lets her.
Qi Qingqi tsks. “You look so pale, don’t tell me Shen-shixiong kept you inside ever since you woke up? Shen-shixiong, you know Yuan-shidi is not a bird you can cage, right?”
“So what? He nearly died.”
Wei Qingwei laughs wryly. “So that’s what happened? Mu-shidi didn’t specify.”
“Hm. If Wei-shidi dares to move his sword against A-Yuan again, this master will not be held responsible for his actions.”
“Shixiong doesn’t need to worry about that. My actions were out of concern for Shen-shidi as well.”
“So you say.”
Looking satisfied, Qi Qingqi finally lets go of his face. “And you’re so silent as well! Do you feel faint?”
Behind her, Shen Qingqiu jolts and hurries over, taking him by the shoulders. “Faint? Do you need to sit down? Go back inside.”
Shen Yuan finds himself speechless for a long moment, staring at them.
He knows how to deal with Shen Qingqiu, who’s so much like his Er-ge that it hurts. He knows how to deal with Yue Qingyuan, who’s the exact copy of his Da-ge, down to the guilt. He can handle Mu Qingfang, who acted with professionalism and not too familiarly.
But these two…
These two act like they’re old friends. Shen Yuan’s old friends.
Even their relationship with Shen Qingqiu doesn’t seem to be as bad as it first appeared.
Maybe he shouldn’t be too worried about his brother’s reputation, after all? The character ‘Shen Yuan’s’ existence might have impacted the fate of this world even before his arrival.
Not to mention, the fact that some aspects of the characters ‘Shen Qingqiu’ and ‘Yue Qingyuan’ have been inherited from Er-ge and Da-ge…
He needs to ensure what kind of relationship they have.
“Er-ge, I feel fine. Actually, since Qi-shijie and Wei-shixiong are here, can’t we stay outside for a while?”
“No.”
“I promise I’ll tell you if I start feeling bad.”
“I already said no.”
“Er-ge, I’m so bored inside… and you won’t allow me to go to the library either…”
“Just tell me what books you want.”
Shen Yuan looks away, embarrassed. “Even if I tell you, you’ll only get me the boring books…”
“Boring!? These books were handpicked by me!”
“Er-ge, you and I have different tastes!”
Qi Qingqi and Wei Qingwei watch the argument with the amused faces of people who’ve seen this scene a hundred times.
“Er-ge, aren’t there duties you’ve been overlooking because of me, too? If I stay with Qi-shijie and Wei-shixiong for a while, you can go take care of those without worrying about me.”
“No.”
“Er-ge…”
Shen Qingqiu looks off to the side for a moment, frustrated but trying not to show it. He’s turning Xiu Ya over and over in his hand, his other hand twitching over his fan. Finally, he looks back at Shen Yuan with a cold face.
“Fine, if A-Yuan really insists. This master indeed has other things to take care of, anyway.”
“Other things?”
“Burning that old woodshed.”
“What? Er-ge,” Shen Yuan begins to protest, grabbing onto his brother’s arm. “It’s just an old woodshed, don’t burn it…”
How can he know when the protagonist is coming if there’s no window to be broken!?
Shen Qingqiu raises an eyebrow. “I thought it was so decrepit it made your head hurt?”
Qi Qingqi lets out a puff of laughter, not even hiding it when Shen Yuan glances at her. Even Wei Qingwei is smiling. Don’t laugh at his poor excuse — he knows it’s bad!
“That’s… I changed my mind. Don’t burn it.”
Shen Qingqiu sighs but finally acquieses.
Once Shen Qingqiu has left to take care of Peak matters, Qi Qingqi and Wei Qingwei lead him over to a pavilion, calling a disciple on the way there to serve them tea.
Shen Yuan takes the chance to discreetly take in the sights. Unexpectedly, this part of Qing Jing Peak is beautiful and has a nice atmosphere. He thought it might have the aura of ‘awaiting doom,’ since the scum villain is this Peak’s master.
Qi Qingqi and Wei Qingwei make idle chatter between themselves as the disciple serves them tea then leaves.
It’s only once it’s the three of them that they turn towards him.
Actually, Shen Yuan would rather not be alone with characters who had such little screen time in the original novel. However, he needs to ensure his brother will not be mercilessly killed off the second he looks away, which means those Peak Lords’ personalities and relationships have to be inspected thoroughly.
If only he could trust Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu to protect each other…
“My apologies for making you hold Hong Jing without reason, Shen-shidi,” Wei Qingwei says, looking genuinely apologetic.
Need to foster good relationships for Er-ge! Need to hug thighs for Er-ge! He chants inwardly.
Shen Yuan smiles. “No, thank you for looking out for my brother.”
“Ah…” Wei Qingwei trails off uneasily.
Qi Qingqi laughs. “As if Shen-shixiong needs us to look after him! No, we were here to check on Yuan-shidi. Still, it’s a relief to find Yuan-shidi is still among us.”
No, please do look after Er-ge, Shen Yuan cries in his heart. Don’t abandon him!
“Although, Yuan-shidi, this shijie has a question. Why is Yuan-shidi suddenly acting so cold towards us? Calling us so unfamiliarly, no longer smiling, and even acting protective over Shen-shixiong… since it’s not possession or an evil spirit…”
Shen Yuan startles. Of all things, he didn’t expect to be confronted so straightforwardly — least of all by Qi Qingqi, who was described as someone with a sly personality.
“It’s nothing like acting cold,” he says uneasily. “Rather, it’s just that my health isn’t too good right now…”
Wei Qingwei and Qi Qingqi exchange a look.
“Yuan-shidi, is it true that you have experienced amnesia?”
Shen Yuan keeps his face calm. “…Apologies, Qi-shijie and Wei-shixiong will have to ask Mu-shixiong for more details.”
They hold his gaze for a moment longer, before Wei Qingwei exhales and leans back into his seat, looking troubled. Even Qi Qingqi’s face darkens with gloom, before she visibly forces a smile back on her face.
“I see. So… to Yuan-shidi, we’re actually strangers?”
“Somewhat.”
“But Yuan-shidi recognizes Shen-shixiong?”
“...Somewhat.”
“And no one else?”
Though he keeps a calm face, Shen Yuan hesitates this time.
He has enough information about Shen Qingqiu the scum villain, and he also knows his Er-ge very well, so he can pass by suspicions by saying he knows him. But…
As for the other Cang Qiong Mountain Sect members, the ones he knows well — like Liu Mingyan, Ning Yingying, and Ming Fan — don’t seem to be around just yet.
The only other person he can be said to ‘know well’ is…
“Zhangmen-shixiong,” he says finally. “A little. I’m not sure.”
That would justify why he called Yue Qingyuan ‘Da-ge,’ at least — even if he’s wrong about that and Yue Qingyuan is not related in any way to the character ‘Shen Yuan,’ he can just blame faulty memories. However, if he says he has no memory of him at all, his reaction won’t make sense and he’ll look more suspicious.
Qi Qingqi finally leans back, looking as troubled as Wei Qingwei now. An atmosphere of gloom envelops the pavilion.
“…My apologies,” Shen Yuan says, awkward.
“It’s not Shen-shidi’s fault,” Wei Qingwei says. “It was our duty to protect Shen-shidi, and we failed.”
“Ah, no… I don’t blame you.”
Qi Qingqi gives him a pitying look. “Yuan-shidi, you don’t remember well, so how can we accept your words? Please let us repent properly.”
“That’s…”
Shen Yuan can’t help but feel wrongfooted. Although they’re apologizing to and grieving for the character ‘Shen Yuan,’ they obviously can’t understand just how far gone that soul is. Rather than just amnesia, that soul is already dead and gone.
Qi Qingqi seems to notice his expression, and pinches his cheek. “What’s with that face? You don’t have to feel guilty — let’s just rebuild our friendship.”
“Shijie…”
“Right,” Wei Qingwei says, perking up. “We’re your shixiong and shijie, too. You should be able to rely on us. There’s surely a lot you must relearn — let us help you.”
Qi Qingqi nods along. “Right! Is there anything in particular Yuan-shidi wants to know?”
Shen Yuan considers it for a moment.
His siblings have always told him he’s a bad judge of character — or at least, that he can’t properly judge when he’s in danger — however…
Despite the earlier altercation with Hong Jing which ended quickly after Shen Yuan helped him cool his temper and Wei Qingwei showed he meant no harm, Shen Qingqiu left him alone with these people.
Shen Qingqiu has shown that he cares for the character ‘Shen Yuan’ greatly. Not only that, but Shen Qingqiu was described in the text as a suspicious character, who doesn’t trust easily. Adding to that the attributes he must have inherited from Er-ge, the fact he’s not hovering over his shoulder right now is like a big red stamp of approval.
They might hide the truth from him, but just from their instinctive reactions, he should still be able to get some of the truth out.
Shen Yuan looks at them straight in the eyes, and asks:
“My brother… Er-ge, what is his relationship with the other Peak Lords?”
Qi Qingqi and Wei Qingwei both look surprised at first — then, a sort of reluctant fondness appears on their faces.
“Worried about him?” Qi Qingqi smiles. “So you’re aware of his horrible personality, after all!”
Wei Qingwei laughs loudly, “Ah, the both of you, you really never change!”
Shen Yuan feels his cheeks flush a little. “Don’t laugh, it’s a serious question.”
While Wei Qingwei continues to laugh in the background, Qi Qingqi leans in with a secretive smile.
“Alright, alright, I’ll tell you all the gossip. Listen close…”