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Chapter Text

The Spirit Cave was a very quiet place. The thing you can hear was either silence or a drop of water that helped you to calm down in your cultivation. The atmosphere inside was either eerie for the newcomer and calming for the one who had already been there.

Logically speaking, for Liu Qingge who had been in here for countless of times since he was a senior disciple, this cave should be nothing but a cultivating chamber. Calm and serene. But right now, the sound of water drops in the distance was very eerie.

The blood on the wall and the ground was nothing but horrifying.

The two swords beside him were laying there as if they just killed a person.

And the bloody cold body in his arms, breathless, without any heartbeat, paler than a sheet... Set Liu Qingge’s heart in horror and panic.

“Shen... Qingqiu?” Liu Qingge called out, his own bloody hand shakily touched the man’s back and shook him lightly.

No response.

“Shen Qingqiu...?” Liu Qingge repeated, terror settled in Liu Qingge’s eyes as his chest tightened. “Shen Qingqiu!” Liu Qingge said louder as he held the bloody man close.

Brushing off the tangled hair of Shen Qingqiu (His hair had never been less than perfect, this is wrong, so wrong-) Liu Qingge tried again, “Hey...” He spoke up.

Every pore of Liu Qingge’s body was screaming, his heart sank, he trembled. Everything from before he passed out rushed back to him like a torrent of storm, furious and dreadful.

Qi deviation...

He suffered qi deviation because he was too impatient with his own cultivation...

“What’s with the noise?!”

A haughty yell, followed by a surprised exclamation. Liu Qingge remembered the sensation of swinging his sword in full power towards him...

“Liu Qingge! Wake up!”

A desperate scream as Liu Qingge pushed him to the ground, choking him. They were both bloody, the result of their earlier fight that Liu Qingge initiated. Xiu Ya was held back by Cheng Luan.

Hitched breath, furious snarl, his oppression was broken as the other also experienced qi deviation.

“I can’t...” His tired voice resounded in Liu Qingge’s ears. He remembered pushed back, he remembered the blow that almost cost him his life, he remembered how the man he fought stopped before he landed it... Liu Qingge seized the chance instead and stabbed him when he hesitated...

Blood oozed out of his mouth as he closed his eyes, “I can’t lose my sense...” He whispered to himself like a mantra. “You can’t-“ He fell into Liu Qingge’s arms.

Everything went black.

Liu Qingge shook his head, “Shen Qingqiu... Wake up...” Liu Qingge choked out as he held the man closer. “Hey, wake up!” Liu Qingge yelled as he cupped up the man’s cold cheek.

He died...

Shen Qingqiu died...

He killed Shen Qingqiu...

Shen Qingqiu could have killed him... But he chose to not to. He won against his inner demon and controlled himself...

Liu Qingge... surrendered to the overwhelming emotion and lost his mind...

Liu Qingge breathed in shakily as he held the dead man close. His hands were shaking, his stomach was churning uncomfortably, his entire being was shaking like a newborn deer. “No...” Liu Qingge murmured...

“No!” Liu Qingge shouted, he held Shen Qingqiu tighter. “Why... Why... How could it be like this...?” Liu Qingge was shaking. He felt terrified, horrified, devastated.

A choked sobs was the only thing could be heard after that.

Liu Qingge stepped out of Spirit Cave gloomily, minding the man in his arms as he walked on.

A Qiong Ding peak’s disciple who was loitering near the cave to tend to the plants gawked when he saw the two men coming out from the Spirit Cave. Mainly because the blood all over their clothes was so eye-catching. A gasp. “Liu-shishu...?” The disciple asked hesitantly.

Liu Qingge lowered his head and kept walking on.

The disciple stood speechless. It wasn’t just him, as Liu Qingge left, several disicples gawked at him.

One particular alert disciple immediately took off to Qian Cao peak. The news spread.

The disciples of Qing Jing looked at them in horror when Liu Qingge brought Shen Qingqiu to Qing Jing. Ning Yingying immediately burst out crying, “Shizun! Oh my God, Shizun! What happened?! Is he okay?!” The innocent girl swayed as she tried to walk closer. Luo Binghe caught her before she fell, his eyes were also trained on Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu.

“L-Liu-shishu, is Shizun alright?” Ming Fan paled when he saw the blood over them. What happened!? Wasn’t their Shizun supposedly in Spirit Cave, cultivating?!

Liu Qingge looked at the kids who looked at him, lost. “Your Shizun...”

“Liu-shixiong!” Someone yelled out Liu Qingge’s name, from his calming wood aura, Liu Qingge knew it was his shidi, Mu Qingfang. “I heard you’re injured in-“ Mu Qingfang paused as horror settled in.

Liu Qingge lowered his head, biting his lips as he hastily walked away to a platform- this platform was usually used by Shen Qingqiu when he wanted to have a lecture outdoor. He gently laid down the lifeless man on it before he turned to face them all.

Then suddenly, Liu Qingge kneeled down, putting both of his hands on the ground as he lowered his head, “Shen Qingqiu died... I killed him...” Liu Qingge said.

Mu Qingfang froze, speechless.

“S-shizun...?” Ming Fan’s eyes widened as the shocking statement finally dawned in him.

“Impossible... No, not Shizun...” Ning Yingying shook her head, her eyes rolled backward as she fainted into Luo Binghe’s arms.

The words soon sank in and most disciples immediately cried, several girls immediately felt weak in their knees as they all fell one by one, dirtying their pristine robe, letting go of their dignity as they all wailed. “Shizun!!!”

“Shizun... Shizun... Shizun!!!”

“Shizuuunn!!”

Liu Qingge still kept his head low as Mu Qingfang furrowed his brows, “Liu-shixiong... What happened?” He asked quietly as he approached him and helped him up but Liu Qingge refused to budge.

Mu Qingfang instead kneeled on the ground, “Tell me, what happened? How could you kill Shen-shixiong? I know you’re not someone like that...” Mu Qingfang said.

Liu Qingge shook his head and laughed bitterly, “I also thought the same thing about him, but then...” He murmured.

“Liu-shixiong, please. Tell me what happened?” Mu Qingfang said as his eyes trailed up to see Shen Qingqiu’s body in the platform. He looked a great deal gentler with his eyes closed... Unfortunately he was not breathing anymore.

Liu Qingge gritted his teeth as the sounds of crying from Qing Jing peak’s disciples gotten louder, especially after Ning Yingying woke up and began crying really loudly for her Shizun. “I’m sorry...” He said.

Mu Qingfang bit his lips. He pulled out a golden slip from his waist’s pouch and injected it with his spiritual qi, whispering into it, he let the slip scattered into nine smaller golden orbs and flashed off.

“Come to Qing Jing... Shen-shixiong died...”

Yue Qingyuan never rushed back as fast as he did when he got Mu Qingfang’s message. Even though he just arrived at his destination to talk about the Immortal Alliance Conference with other sects. Even though many people tried to stop him.

Yue Qingyuan did not even glance back.

When he reached the Sect, it was already dusk. He rushed to Qing Jing to find his other shidis and shimei were all already there, all except one... Yue Qingyuan tried hard to not let his voice falter as he said, “What happened? Where is Shen-shidi...?” This can’t happen... How could this happen... Didn’t Shen Qingqiu entered the Spirit Cave to cultivate.

Don’t tell him... Qi deviation? No! Yue Qingyuan shouldn’t have let him cultivate alone!

“Imploring Zhangmen-shixiong to punish this lowly shidi!” Liu Qingge suddenly implored in loud voice.

“What...?”

“I... I killed Shen-shixiong...” Liu Qingge said.

“What...” Yue Qingyuan’s eyes widened. “Wha... Why would you do that? You... You’re not that kind of person...” He said disbelievingly.

“That’s what we’ve been trying to ask to him too!” Qi Qingqi exploded, gnashing her teeth as she looked at Liu Qingge. “But this muscle-for-brain refused to explain a thing! He said he killed Shen-shixiong, but when we asked why he didn’t say anything! Tell us, does your hatred to him finally reached the level you want to kill him?!”

Liu Qingge bit his lips.

Yue Qingyuan resisted the urge to pushed them all away to search for Shen Qingqiu, if he died then Yue Qingyuan wanted to see the body. Instead, Yue Qingyuan exhaled, “Explain to me. Liu-shidi, this is an order.” He paused. “This act is an act of killing your own family, in our Cang Qiong Sect, it will not be pardoned. But... We’re still family, so we will listen to your explanation and judged the best way to solve it...”

“Zhangmen-shixiong is right, Liu-shidi. If you don’t explain the exact reason, we’ll assume you killed Shen-shixiong in cold blood and don’t blame me for using your own sword to execute you...” Wei Qingwei said solemnly.

“Qi deviation...” Liu Qingge started.

Yue Qingyuan’s heart jumped, guilt and regret washed over him when he heard those words. But then, Liu Qingge continued.

“I experienced qi deviation...” Liu Qingge said and everyone paused. “He came to me... He tried to help me... But then he also suffered qi deviation...”

“And then you killed him...?" Shang Qinghua asked hesitantly.

Liu Qingge nodded, “It should have been me...”

“It should have been you, what?” Qi Qingqi furrowed her brows.

“It should have been me! It should have been me who died!” Liu Qingge raised his head and snapped, surprising everyone. “But in the last second he stopped himself from ever using his sword to take my life and in return I stabbed him in the heart! Killing him!” Liu Qingge yelled as he clutched his head.

The other peak lords looked at each other in concern as their disciples all looked at Liu Qingge, furrowing their eyebrows.

Yue Qingyuan’s gaze softened in sadness, “You are not at fault, Liu-shidi... You’re not in the right state of mind...”

Liu Qingge broke down, “He could hold himself back and even told me to not lose my sense a second before he breathed his last... I killed him, this is all my fault.”

Mu Qingfang kneeled down, “It’s cannot be undone. Don’t beat yourself up, come on, we need to treat your wounds and don’t reject me this time.”

“I’m sorry...” Liu Qingge choked out as he looked up at Yue Qingyuan. “He’s your most favored shidi, you must hate me now, right?”

Yue Qingyuan shook his head, “Liu-shidi, stop beating yourself up... Where’s Qingqiu-shidi?”

“This way,” Qi Qingqi flicked a concerned gaze at Liu Qingge before gesturing for Yue Qingyuan to follow her.

“Brother, I know you feel guilty. But know it, it wasn’t fully your fault. You couldn’t control yourself...” Liu Mingyan said softly after the funeral.

Liu Qingge didn’t answer her as he blankly stared at the fresh tomb in front of him.

“Brother...” Liu Mingyan pursed her lips.

Liu Qingge brought his hand up and touched the tomb, “In my entire time knowing you... I always thought you’re a coward and petty person...” Liu Qingge murmured. “... I owe you my life..." How did he supposed to pay him back if he was not alive. Liu Qingge sighed.

“...” Liu Mingyan stood quietly behind him. Fiddling with her fingers nervously as she stared at the tomb her brother was talking to. She owed him too... She owed him for helping her to not lose her beloved brother. Liu Mingyan kneeled down beside her brother as she lit up another incense to add to the numerous amount of incense on the tomb.

“Martial niece, Liu Mingyan, also in debt of Shen-shibo... Thank you for saving my brother...” Liu Mingyan murmured as she put her palms together.

Liu Qingge’s eyes flickered, “Brother... That’s right,” he blinked as he stared at Shen Qingqiu’s name. “His family... I need to pay respect to his family and begged for their forgiveness. Mingyan, call father, tell him to get all of my saving in the main house as fast as possible.”

Liu Mingyan looked at him astonished, “Brother...?”

“I need to apologize, I need to apologize to his family,” Even though Shen Qingqiu looked a bit distant and he was probably estranged from his family, Liu Qingge still needed to give them the bad news and apologized to them.

Liu Mingyan saw a determination in her brother’s eyes and nodded, “Alright.” She paused, “Do you know his family?” She asked.

Liu Qingge looked at her blankly.

The next day, Liu Qingge went to Qiong Ding peak with urgent expression on his face. After waiting for a bit, Yue Qingyuan finally got out to meet him, his eyes were suspiciously a bit red but Liu Qingge didn’t pay any further attention to it.

“Does Zhangmen-shixiong know Shen-shixiong’s family?” Liu Qingge straightforwardly asked and Yue Qingyuan froze.

“Why... would you ask that?” Yue Qingyuan asked calmly.

“I need to tell them the news,” Liu Qingge said somberly. “To offer my deepest condolence and compensation for their son’s death," he clenched his hands. "He’s no longer here. I’ll have to pay back my debt to his close relatives,” Liu Qingge would offer them his protection, money, anything! He would do almost everything to repay back Shen Qingqiu’s grace before he died under Cheng Luan.

Yue Qingyuan’s gaze turned strange, “That’s... Shen Family is...” Yue Qingyuan trailed off. “I already tell them the news, you don’t need to worry about it...”

Liu Qingge raised his brows, “I’ll compensate for their son’s life. Please tell me where they lived, Zhangmen-shixiong.”

Yue Qingyuan smiled, “Enough, shidi. You don’t have to burden yourself. I need to go, the Immortal Alliance Conference’s meeting had been paused because of this shixiong. I bade you goodbye for now,” Yue Qingyuan patted Liu Qingge’s shoulder and walked away.

“Zhangmen-shixiong!” Liu Qingge called out after him but Yue Qingyuan already unsheathed his flying sword and flashed far away. Liu Qingge frowned.

Why did Zhangmen-shixiong look like he was hiding something?

When Yue Qingyuan came back, Liu Qingge went up to him again to ask about Shen Qingqiu’s family. Yue Qingyuan locked himself with the excuse of cultivating. Of course, Yue Qingyuan couldn’t hide forever with cultivation as his excuses, but even though he did go out, Liu Qingge had a hard time finding him to talk.

However, Liu Qingge kept stubbornly pushed and pushed until he could get the answer. Eventually, Liu Qingge finally succeeded cornering Yue Qingyuan in his office.

“Liu-shidi, aren’t you supposed to be in Qingyun city for demon extermination?” Yue Qingyuan’s lips twitched subtly when he saw his sixth shidi standing before him

Liu Qingge slammed his hands on the desk, narrowing his eyes, “Zhangmen-shixiong, do you know where Shen Family’s home is?” He repeated his question for the nth time.

Yue Qingyuan looked at him, hesitating- that look again. That look that spoke doubt and reluctance, what was wrong with Zhangmen-shixiong? Liu Qingge just asked for an address to send his heartfelt apologies and kneeled down to the elders if possible to beg for their pardon. It wasn’t like Liu Qingge wanted to exterminate a whole family-

“Qingqiu-shidi... had no family, Liu-shidi...” Yue Qingyuan finally answered the thing he tried so hard to hide because Shen Qingqiu wanted it. The thing that made him in dilemma for the last couple of weeks as Liu Qingge kept insisting for an answer.

“... Huh...?” Liu Qingge stared blankly.

Yue Qingyuan sighed, sorry Xiao Jiu, it seemed like Qi-ge had to do it... “Qingqiu-shidi had no family... He was an orphan. He... also never have a home prior Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. So I truly can't give you any address,” Yue Qingyuan replied.

“What...?” Liu Qingge stepped back as if electrocuted. “No way... Impossible. That- Shen-shixiong always held himself with a grace of a noble-“ That was originally why Liu Qingge looked down on him! He was so delicate-looking like a pampered young master from a snobby literary family.

Yue Qingyuan shook his head, “Qingqiu-shidi truly didn’t have a family. I’m not joking at all, Liu-shidi, why would I joke about our beloved late martial brother?” Yue Qingyuan clenched his hands, “I know you used to have a lot of prejudice against him, but many of your one-sided beliefs were not true at all...”

“He... He didn't have a home...?” Liu Qingge said disbelievingly. Yue Qingyuan cast his eyes down. Liu Qingge swayed back slightly as he clutched his head.

Liu Qingge thought he was a selfish and petty coward, but he turned out helping him in a life and death situation, dying in Liu Qingge’s hands, the very person he tried to help.

Liu Qingge thought he was a pampered and snobby young master from a noble family... Turned out he never even had a family?

Shen Qingqiu... He kept proving Liu Qingge wrong again and again even in his death.

There was a rustle outside the door and the two peak lords looked back, “Who’s there?!” Liu Qingge snapped.

The rustling sounds suddenly paused, slowly, the door was opened to reveal three disciples wearing all-white, a mourning robe. Qing Jing peak’s disciples...

Yue Qingyuan’s expression had long changed into his usual solemn but magnanimous expression. “What do you need?” He asked, deliberately avoiding the obvious.

“Um, we’re here to hand over the form for Immortal Alliance Conference and report to Zhangmen-shibo about our training...” Ming Fan, the one in the front, said slowly and respectfully.

“I see, just put it on the desk over there,” Yue Qingyuan gestured with his eyes.

“Yes, Zhangmen-shibo,” Ming Fan and the two others behind him bowed down.

Luo Binghe quietly put down the heavy stack of documents in his hold on the desk, his heart felt like it was in turmoil after hearing the piece of information just now. Shizun was... like him too? Someone without family since young? Someone without a home before Cang Qiong Sect?

Luo Binghe quietly followed Ming Fan and Ning Yingying as they offered their salute to Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge.

“Don’t go and gossip around,” Liu Qingge flicked a glance at them and said with an indifferent tone. The three disciples hastily nodded and left.

Ning Yingying shifted closer to Luo Binghe as they left, holding onto her shidi’s arms for comfort.

Liu Qingge watched them leaving, “The disciples...” He started again despite still being in shock about Shen Qingqiu’s real background. “Who will teach them now?” He was talking about Qing Jing peak’s disciples, of course.

Yue Qingyuan sighed, “For the meanwhile, I will be responsible for them until Ming Fan is old and capable enough to lead his juniors...” But that wasn’t enough, Yue Qingyuan had his own disciples to worry about, and not to mention he was also the Sect Head. Between these three responsibilities, Qing Jing peak was bound to be the most overlooked one.

“Let me,” Liu Qingge said.

“Pardon?”

“Let me teach them.” Since he didn’t have a family to compensate to, he would compensate the disciples.

“... Liu-shidi...” You didn’t even teach your own Bai Zhan disciples!

Liu Qingge furrowed his brows as if reading Yue Qingyuan’s mind, “My Bai Zhan disciples could take care of themselves." They couldn't. But they were used to it. "I'll take care of Qing Jing until the head disciple is capable enough.”

“But can you teach them the teaching of Qing Jing peak?” Yue Qingyuan was doubtful.

“I’ll leave them to themselves. I’ll teach them how to fight.”

“I appreciate it very much, Liu-shidi. But you must know Qing Jing’s teaching in fighting differs from Bai Zhan...”

“Fighting is fighting. I’ll take care of their training,” Liu Qingge decided it just like that as he walked out.

Yue Qingyuan sighed.

“From now on, I’ll be your replacement teacher,” Liu Qingge announced to a group of Qing Jing disciples who were devastatingly small in numbers- at least compared to other peaks. “I’m not your Shizun, I’m still your Shishu. I’m teaching you in place of my shixiong to pay off my debt to him.”

“Yes, Liu-shishu!” They all answered.

"I’m not any less strict than your late Shizun. But because I’m not your Shizun and, therefore, had no right over you all, I will be a little bit gentle to you,” Liu Qingge said. “Now show me what you all got!”

“Wrong! What kind of idiotic shift was that?!”

“You’re holding a sword! Not a parasol! Stop being such a sissy and swing it properly!”

“Ming Fan! Your left leg, watch your left leg! I expect better from you!”

“You squirt over there! Who told you to stop?!”

“Ning Yingying, you’re taking another rest?! Work on your stamina, do three laps tomorrow morning!”

“What sort of stance is that? Your Shizun could pull it off because his dexterity is the highest, you’re not at that level yet! Go to the corner and reflect!”

“Ming Fan! Get your shidi who fainted out of the training ground! Wake him up!”

“Luo Binghe! You did it wrong again!”

Luo Binghe sweated down as he shifted unsurely on what he had to fix, but judging from the way Liu Qingge immediately ignored him, Luo Binghe assumed he had shifted correctly and tried to remember this stance before he restarted the move.

“Duan Chongxuan, stop talking! If you have any breath left to talk then train harder!”

“Mu Beijiang, you think I didn’t see you sitting down there?! Stand up!” Liu Qingge yelled again.

By the seventh day of Liu Qingge’s tyrannical training, everyone in Qing Jing was ready to jump off of a cliff. Filled with filial piety and also wanted to run from the drilling training, Ming Fan reminded Liu Qingge that it was exactly three months after their Shizun’s death and they wanted to have time to visit and pray for him. In the last seven days, they were all too tired to even maintain their frequent ‘once every two days’ visit to their Shizun’s tomb.

Liu Qingge paused and immediately agreed when he looked at the tired disciples.

Ming Fan immediately arranged them all to prepare incense and money, the girls arranged some flowers and they all went to their Shizun’s grave which was located on the secluded place in Qing Jing along with the other previous peak lords.

In their walk there, Ning Yingying began to turn somber again, two beads of clear tears falling freely from her eyes as she followed closely behind her shixiongs.

“Shimei, don’t cry. You wouldn’t want to have Shizun see your tears,” Nie Sangyu, a senior female disciple, said in concern.

“I’m sorry, Shijie, it’s just... I suddenly recalled many happy memories with Shizun...” Ning Yingying sobbed. “I guess, I’m just tired... Lately, we’re always training and training, don’t mind me at all.”

Luo Binghe patted her shoulder, “We’ll be alright, shijie...”

“En...”

Liu Qingge, who was secretly following them, paused. His gaze turned complicated as he eyed them all. Was he being too much lately? They did just lose their Shizun not long ago. Had he not given them enough time to heal mentally before training them physically? Liu Qingge coped up better because he was older and much more mature, he had seen a lot of the world. But these disciples...

They were still young, losing their Shizun so suddenly at their young age, not to mention the said Shizun was also in his prime... They bound to have more shock than Liu Qingge.

Liu Qingge looked down. He had unfairly looked at them with his own selfish standards... Was this what he called paying back Shen Qingqiu’s grace? By not letting his disciples enough rest to even visit him in the last seven days? Liu Qingge sighed.

Luo Binghe and the others exclaimed softly when they reached the grave of their Shizun. It was really clean and incense had been lit, not to mention a stalk of white lily above it was still fresh.

In a glance, everyone from Qing Jing already knew that someone had come to take care of the grave when they couldn’t. Luo Binghe sniffed the smell of the incense... It was almost an identical fragrance that often stuck on Liu Qingge, everyone smelled it often as Liu Qingge often walked here and there to instruct them properly.

It seemed like their Liu-shishu still diligently visited and cleaned up the tomb in their place.

Liu Qingge indeed often came to sweep the tomb and lit up an incense. Yue Qingyuan too. Yue Qingyuan couldn’t come often as of his duty as the Sect Head, but whenever he had even a bit of a free time, he would absolute came by. Sometimes the two of them came at the same time, sometimes they didn’t. When they did they would just stand beside each other, staring at the tomb pensively.

Ming Fan had them to set down the incense and flowers. He also had some of them to put away their cleaning supplies as it weren’t needed anymore. They all lit up an incense for their Shizun and closed their eyes to pray for him.

After they were done praying, the girls came up to the tomb. Girls were more prone to be more emotional, they began lowering their heads and whispered... Telling their Shizun on whatever they felt like telling. After they were done too, Ming Fan led them to give their respect before leading them all back.

Luo Binghe hesitated to leave and paused, glancing as the rest began to leave. He looked back at the tomb and his gaze became quite complicated. He gave the tomb another bow of respect before turning around, chasing after his fellow brothers and sisters.

After they were all gone, Liu Qingge appeared before the tombstone with a blow of gentle breeze. Liu Qingge looked pensively at the tomb and sighed. Bending his knees and sitting his butt down the ground, he stared. “Tell me, are you dissatisfied of me for preventing your disciples to come in the last seven days...?”

“... How do I teach them? They’re all different from Bai Zhan disciples. Too delicate, too prissy, too graceful... Like you.” Liu Qingge sighed. “I’m not cut to be their teacher, but I’m trying for you. Don’t blame me if they turned out to be different than what you expect... See you later,” Liu Qingge said as he stood up and disappeared in a flash.

“Why... Is your cultivation so low and unstable?” Liu Qingge asked after he did a round of checking on the disciples’ cultivation. He had noticed it before and simply thought maybe the boy started late and had a special condition, that wasn’t a problem at all... After all, Shen Qingqiu also started off late and a bit unstable in his cultivation.

“Imploring Liu-shishu to forgive this martial nephew...” Luo Binghe answered.

“Let me see your cultivation manual,” Liu Qingge extended his hand and demanded.

Ming Fan paled at that and looked at Luo Binghe, glaring. Liu-shishu couldn’t know that they gave him an incomplete manual!

Luo Binghe nodded, not quite seeing Ming Fan’s silent threat at all. Luo Binghe handed over his manual and Liu Qingge flipped over it.

Liu Qingge’s gaze darkened in an instant, “This manual is incomplete. If you train using this, your cultivation will be unstable and you will die,” he said.

Luo Binghe froze in shock, “Eh...?”

Liu Qingge closed the manual and waved it, “Who gave you this?” He asked.

“Shizun... Shizun gave it to me before he went on closed-door cultivation in the spirit cave...” Luo Binghe replied as his heart trembled.

Liu Qingge furrowed his brows, if it was before the incident in Spirit Cave where Shen Qingqiu died because of him, Liu Qingge wouldn’t doubt it at all that Shen Qingqiu tried to harm this boy. But now? Call it a bias, but Liu Qingge had a hard time believing that. “Your Shizun gave it to you directly?”

Luo Binghe’s eyes widened and he shook his head, “No...” His eyes inadvertently trailed to Ming Fan.

Liu Qingge furrowed his brows as he looked back at Ming Fan who tried hard to look like he didn’t hear their conversation. Liu Qingge furrowed his brows, “Ming Fan,” he called out coldly to the head disciple of Qing Jing.

Ming Fan awkwardly raised his head, “Yes, Liu-shishu?” He asked

“Come here,” Liu Qingge closed his eyes and ordered indifferently.

Ming Fan sweated as he walked closer and stopped a few steps away before Liu Qingge, “Liu-shishu...” Ming Fan paid his respect quietly.

“Did you give this to Luo Binghe?” Liu Qingge brought up the book and waved it.

Ming Fan knew it was useless to deny, “Yes, Liu-shishu...”

“Do you know it’s incomplete and could harm your shidi’s life?” Liu Qingge asked coldly.

“... No...”

Liu Qingge’s gaze darkened, “You’re lying to me. Good, I wonder how Shen-shixiong would react if he sees this.” He gazed at Ming Fan, “What manual your Shizun told you to give to Luo Binghe?”

“... I... I forgot...” Ming Fan replied fearfully as Luo Binghe stared disbelievingly at him.

“Ming Fan!” Liu Qingge glowered at the head disciple and the said boy stiffened in fear. “Do you know this could be classified as attempted murder on your sect brother?! Still so young and already so murderous! What would happen to Qing Jing if you’re the one in charge!?” Liu Qingge yelled.

Ming Fan flinched and Luo Binghe lowered his head, feeling like he was also being scolded.

“Your Shizun risked his life to help me, he stopped himself from killing me which resulted in his death in my hands,"  He said emotionally. "And yet, you, as the future peak lord of Qing Jing, his successor, actually tried to kill your own shidi?! Wouldn’t my shixiong’s good name be tainted that way?!” Liu Qingge scorned the boy.

Liu Qingge gritted his teeth as he saw the boy cowered before him, “You go and reflect! You’re my shixiong’s hand-picked successor, I will let you off for this. But one more mistake like this from you and I’ll replace you immediately! I will be the one who takes responsibility for it in front of my shixiong in the afterlife!” Liu Qingge snapped and sent Ming Fan away.

Liu Qingge actually felt infuriated but he held himself back. Ming Fan was someone Shen Qingqiu had picked as his head disciple, so Liu Qingge had no heart to replace him. And also, Ming Fan was still young, he was bound to make some stupid choices in life, he could be fixed if he was disciplined early. Shen Qingqiu might be strict on regulation but outside of that, the late peak lord couldn’t be careless.

Ming Fan saluted to him and rushed away to the Reflection Hall.

“Copy the Art of Ethnic for three hundred times!” Liu Qingge shouted after him before he looked at Luo Binghe. “In a bit, I’ll choose something for you...” Liu Qingge lit the incomplete manual on fire.

“Many thanks, Liu-shishu,” Luo Binghe bowed down in thanks. He was initially dreadful when he thought his late Shizun was the one who gave him that. Fortunately, his Shizun was not so cruel to wish him die. However, his eyes went cold when he recalled Ming Fan wanted to kill him.

Liu Qingge looked at him, “Did your Shizun have notes?" He could have had recorded every single of his disciple's cultivation manual somewhere, no if it was Shen Qingqiu, he should have that somewhere... "Who is responsible for his abode?”

Luo Binghe looked up, “No one... We usually stayed out of Shizun’s abode since he didn’t like his privacy to be disturbed. It’s only a few senior sisters who go there to clean up the dust. Since Shizun’s death, the house has only ever been disturbed twice to clean up the dust...”

Liu Qingge nodded. "You don't have to feel anxious about starting off late." He hesitated, "Your Shizun... He started off late too, later than you are right now..." Liu Qingge said.

Luo Binghe looked up, surprise in his eyes. The boy pursed his lips and then smiled gently as he nodded.

The house was clean when Liu Qingge stepped into it. Nothing had been changed since Shen Qingqiu’s death, the female disciples only came and cleaned the dust, never once out of bound as to change their Shizun’s likes in aesthetic.

Liu Qingge closed the door and slowly made his way deeper into the house, careful to not inadvertently messing up with the interior.

After searching here and there in a few bookcases that Shen Qingqiu had set in his house, Liu Qingge finally found the record of his student’s cultivation. He flipped through it to the latest page and found the note he was searching for.

“Torrential Dragon Sea Cultivation, huh?” Liu Qingge mumbled, the name was inserted into Liu Qingge’s memory but he immediately pushed it into the back of his mind. He traced the neat handwriting on it and couldn’t help but feeling surreal that this writing was written right before he went to Spirit Cave... This could be his last handwriting...

“Pretty handwriting,” Liu Qingge murmured absently. After staring at the handwriting for a while, he sighed, he felt reluctant to part with it.

Liu Qingge knew he was being pathetically emotional and attached, but he couldn’t help it.

He looked at the book again before shaking his head. No... he couldn’t take his memento as he pleased... If Liu Qingge wanted to, he could always come and look at it, right? Thinking thus’, Liu Qingge put it back into the shelf and was about to close the small door when he caught sight of stacked books with the same colour of bamboo green.

Liu Qingge didn’t close the door and reached towards the stacked books. He randomly grabbed one from the stack and opened it at a random page, feeling a bit curious and adventurous. Might as well, read a few books here if they were interesting.

[Entry- 12. Things to be noted (again): Liu Qingge is a bastard.]

Liu Qingge froze when he saw his name and felt indignant at the insult, however, a second later, his heart jumped in surprise. This was... Shen Qingqiu’s daily journal?

Wait, wait, that haughty man wrote what he experienced in his days? That haughty man who looked like he detested the notion of talking to other people more than five sentences?

Liu Qingge’s heart beat faster, his conscience fought furiously in his head. Debating on whether or not it was appropriate to read the diary of a dead person. His dead shixiong. His dead shixiong who died in his hands...

After what felt like hours of struggles, Liu Qingge’s accursed curiousity won as he continued reading.

[Content of activity: Dispatched to exterminate demons with Bai Zhan’s Liu Qingge and An Ding’s Shang Qinghua...]

The journal continued with a detailed description of the mission, his observation, and how did it go. Liu Qingge wasn’t even sure why he was surprised, leave it to Shen Qingqiu to write a diary-like a mission report.

[Liu Qingge didn’t seem to be in good condition, perhaps because of his repressed Yang energy? Either way, that man’s aggressiveness in this mission was annoying.

The fool almost got attacked by a demon from behind. It was me who helped him before he got killed. Yet, he turned around and immediately accused me of wanting to kill him?

That fool should know if I want to kill him. He wouldn’t even know it until after his death.

Fought him. Lost. His sword skill improved again, damn him.]

Liu Qingge stopped for a minute after he read the entry, he recalled that mission where he had been particularly nasty to Shen Qingqiu and Shen Qingqiu returned the favor two folds. He remembered Shen Qingqiu’s ‘sneak attack’ and his immediate accusation afterward... He was actually helping him?

“Shen Qingqiu...” Liu Qingge sighed regretfully. Shen Qingqiu, Shen Qingqiu...

How many times did he want to prove Liu Qingge wrong and blow his ego again and again...?

Liu Qingge laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "But why did you have to do it after you’re not in this world anymore...?” He murmured.

Lately, Liu-shishu’s way of training them changed. It wasn’t a complete drill like before, but still strict nonetheless. But he didn’t seem to force his standard upon them again, he was more thoughtful and their training also varied depending on the disciples.

He also didn’t drill them from dawn to twilight anymore, letting them all go before the sky turn orange, giving them a loose time to visit their Shizun’s grave to lit up some incense and pray for him.

Usually after he dismissed them, he would go to their late Shizun’s abode and stayed there. He didn’t live there, he only stayed until it’s late and left with his flying sword to Bai Zhan afterward.

After the second month being their replacement teacher, Liu Qingge’s training to Qing Jing disciples began to decrease slightly. He would come once every two days as opposed to the daily visits in the first two months.

Later on, they found out that Liu Qingge also began teaching his Bai Zhan disciples more seriously from a Bai Zhan disciple who came to visit them- for the first time, not to mock them or to glare jealously at them for receiving their master’s care and grace.

“Shifu seems to be more serious and inspired to teach now,” The Bai Zhan disciple smiled. “We used to be really jealous of you for receiving our Shifu’s care, but now we see it might be a blessing in disguise. I guess, teaching you all awakened Shifu’s desire to teach us too... Thank you.”

Under the teaching of the same man, Qing Jing peak and Bai Zhan peak’s relationship got better gradually. The two peaks’ brotherhood became stronger and more harmonious.

.

.

.

Luo Binghe walked to the bamboo house and stopped at the front door, hesitating, he knocked on the door, “Liu-shishu...?” He called out.

No response.

“Liu-shishu, are you inside?” Luo Binghe was sure Liu Qingge was inside the bamboo house. Bai Zhan disciples said their Shifu was not in their peak, the only thing Luo Binghe could think of on where Liu Qingge would go when he had nothing to do was here...

Luo Binghe slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Liu Qingge was there.

Sitting on a table with several bamboo green books around him, Liu Qingge’s head was lowered, deep in whatever he was reading. Luo Binghe blinked, last time he was also reading those bamboo-coloured books. Before that too... And Luo Binghe was sure they were the same set of books Luo Binghe always saw whenever he came to call Liu Qingge out of the bamboo house.

Luo Binghe, along with other disciples of Qing Jing, had noticed Liu Qingge’s fondness in entering the bamboo house and not going out until it was late. Everyone let him be since they thought he was trying to connect with his late shixiong to soothe his sadness too. He wasn’t affected with the natural boundary the disciples felt when they entered their Shizun’s private property even though their Shizun had died.

“Liu-shishu,” Luo Binghe raised his voice slightly.

Liu Qingge blinked out of his reverie and raised his head to look at Luo Binghe, “Oh, it’s you... What’s wrong?” Liu Qingge asked. The only one who dared enough (and deceived to do so) to call Liu Qingge whenever he was in the bamboo house was Luo Binghe. Ming Fan always had this guilty conscience and fear towards Liu Qingge ever since Liu Qingge scolded him about the incomplete manual.

“Disciple of Qiong Ding came to search for you, Zhangmen-shibo has summoned you to Qiong Ding peak,” Luo Binghe said humbly.

“Alright,” Liu Qingge nodded as he closed the book, gathered it, and carefully put it back on the cabinet. He walked out of the bamboo house and did not wait for Luo Binghe to show him the way to the Qiong Ding peak’s disciple as he directly unsheathed his flying sword and flew to Qiong Ding peak.

Luo Binghe watched him leave and was about to close the door to the bamboo house when an extreme feeling of curiousity gnawed at him. Looking back to see no one, Luo Binghe stepped into the house and closed the door behind him.

He looked around the interior of the house and sighed, his late Shizun indeed preferred things that were calming and simple rather than luxurious. Toward his late Shizun, Luo Binghe was still feeling quite complicated, on one hand, he had always been unfair to Luo Binghe, borderline abusing him. Unjustified punishments, sharp insults, gazing at him like he was the most disgusting thing he ever laid his eyes on...

At first, he thought maybe it was because Luo Binghe was his noble self’s direct opposite, came from nowhere, dirty, uneducated... But then he, along with Ming Fan and Ning Yingying, overheard the conversation between Zhangmen-shibo and Liu-shishu that their Shizun was not someone they expected. He was the same as Luo Binghe. Then, the only thing Luo Binghe could think of was... His Shizun might be jealous of him.

However, his Shizun had been kind to pick him as his disciple, and not to mention he also gave him his cultivation... However... Luo Binghe still felt somewhat disappointed. He wanted to think that his Shizun was kind and very nice, deserving of his respect and admiration, but all of his Shizun’s abuses still stifled him.

In fact, Luo Binghe’s life only gotten easier after his death...

Luo Binghe shook his head as he went to the cabinet where Liu Qingge put those bamboo-coloured books in. He took one out of the lots and furrowed his brows when he saw no titles in the cover, he flipped it open.

[Entry-05 –

Luo Binghe could finish ten laps around the peak today. This should be the tenth time? From morning at 8 a.m and he finished it without fainting at 3 p.m. Did the boy even try? Wasn’t he a beggar? He should have been the best runner... But his durability is good enough.

Was not built for speed and efficiency. But very durable.

He really should have been in Bai Zhan.]

Luo Binghe froze.

This... This is... His late Shizun’s daily journal? Luo Binghe’s heart trembled. Not only because of the content of the journal which spoke about him, and his Shizun called him using his name (Not ‘little beast’ ‘filthy mongrel’ ‘dirty rat’ etc, etc). But also, Liu-shishu stayed every day to read this?

Luo Binghe flipped it again, his shaking hands randomly flipped a page.

[Entry 13 – He couldn’t bear to be called demeaning names but also didn’t fight it. Good exercise of emotional control, but his obedient and boot-licking eagerness disgust me.]

[Entry 25 – Luo Binghe showed up with some wounds today when I didn’t punish him even once yesterday. I put my high-grade medicinal pill to the tea and I poured a tea on him to fasten the wounds to close in and prevent infections.

I may have forgotten that it was still hot, but his wounds and dirtiness are just so unsightly. And he couldn’t just swallow a high-grade medicine unless he wanted to be restless for the next several nights...

This is the second time, in my defense, I thought the tea on the first time was lukewarm.

Note: I should start stocking up low-level healing medicines]

[Entry 57 – Ning Yingying’s musical skill improved lately, I should give her a new song to work on. Ming Fan is still good but he needs to improve on his flute playing or I would take that from him.

On a completely side note. Luo Binghe’s punishments today were running ten laps around the peak, he had gotten faster. Stocking up firewoods too, he could hold twice as much as the first time. Bringing up the water, watering the plants, he kept pushing his limits...

I still haven't think of which cultivation would suit him the best.]

[Entry 2 – Luo Binghe, that boy, has not caught a cold even once in the woodshed! Is that boy even human? He looked comfortable there, is it really comfortable? The other male disciples caught a cold on their first or second day of sleeping there, I couldn’t analyze this boy’s depth at all... How am I supposed to judge? Let’s wait for a few more weeks then...]

[Entry 22 – Luo Binghe...]

[Entry 64 - Luo Binghe...]

[Entry 57 – Luo Binghe...]

[Entry 103 – First mission to get all of my disciple some experience... The Skinner... Luo Binghe...]

[Entry 1 – I will go to a retreat today, I think I’m done observing the boy. I’ll give him the Torrential Dragon Sea manual, a bit different than the rest who are all emphasizing on elegance and exquisiteness, his is much more overbearing. But Dragon of the sea had always been graceful, so he would retain some of Qing Jing peak’s style.

I expect him to be a strong young man when I get out of the retreat.

I need to advance myself too... Hopefully that fool of a Sect Head wouldn't fuss over my cultivation this time.]

That was the last note on the very last book after Luo Binghe flipped on every book like mad, searching for his name in every writing. The first few books were about Shizun’s disciple days, containing many notes. The rest were his journals after he became a peak lord. Amongst those journals there were five that had Luo Binghe’s names, there were ninety-nine entries about Luo Binghe and all of them were filled with serious observation and some satirical writings.

Everything, everything he questioned was answered. Why his Shizun always looked at him in annoyance whenever he did something, it was because every time he managed to do something, it only made his Shizun need to observe him longer than the rest.

All the punishments were for him to toughen up himself.

All the insults were thrown because his Shizun expected something out of him. Not just self-control, yes, that was what he expected in the beginning but as it went on, he expected Luo Binghe to talk back, even for a little bit, a tiny sarcasm, perhaps? He had his own double standards for Luo Binghe who had lived on the street as a poor beggar and without any parents at that.

The tea...

The woodshed, Luo Binghe had caught a cold before. However, he didn’t want Shizun to be annoyed with him and forced himself to keep working. And Ning Yingying always came to give him medicine whenever he was sick, not knowing their Shizun precisely waited for Luo Binghe to get sick before granting him a room and noted it down on his note. Perhaps, because Ning Yingying was a girl and thus’ never had to suffer sleeping in the woodshed before.

And every time Ning Yingying would go tearfully complain that ‘A’Luo has gotten sick, Shizun.’ Luo Binghe never showed any weakness, afraid that his Shizun was just testing him, afraid that his Shizun would find another fault in him. The disappointment in his Shizun’s eyes whenever he found out that Luo Binghe was not truly sick was explained. It wasn’t that he was disappointed that Luo Binghe was still healthy, it was that he was disappointed that he had to keep Luo Binghe longer in the woodshed.

Luo Binghe teared up as he held the book close, “Shizun, this disciple misunderstood you...” He cried. His heart longed to see his Shizun again, he wondered what would have happened if he still had his Shizun now...

Liu Qingge finally set the journal down, reluctantly looking at it as he closed the door to the cabinet. The Immortal Alliance Conference would start soon, both peaks under his teaching were all ready for it. Liu Qingge would need to go there too.

He finally parted with the bamboo house and headed straight to the grave of his late shixiong. He stopped before it.

Several dozens of incense had been lit by the disciple who had come here to seek blessing from their late Shizun, Liu Qingge lit up his own incense and closed his eyes.

“This will be our first Immortal Alliance Conference without you. Wish us luck.” He looked up and sighed. “Watch us, watch your disciple. Look at me...”

Liu Qingge lowered his head, “Shen Qingqiu, if only you’re still here...” Liu Qingge’s eyes softened and he shook his head. “I already said it countless of times before, but I’ll say it again, in the next life, I will definitely treat you better. But in the meanwhile, I’ll take care of your legacy. They’ll make you proud,” Liu Qingge smiled and bowed down, turning around, his brows jumped when he saw Yue Qingyuan there.

Yue Qingyuan smiled at him, “Here to say a brief goodbye?” He asked calmly.

Liu Qingge nodded, “Yes. I will leave Shixiong first,” He bowed down at Yue Qingyuan and walked away, glancing back to see Yue Qingyuan unhesitantly kneeled down in front of the grave.

Liu Qingge pursed his lips and continued walking.

.

.

.

“Go ahead,” Liu Qingge nodded encouragingly at them all, his students and martial niblings. They all smiled at him.

“We’ll make you proud, Shifu!” Bai Zhan disciples waved and declared.

“We’ll make both you and our Shizun proud!” Qing Jing disciples patted their chests.

Liu Qingge nodded at them and they all walked away. Seeing them like this, Liu Qingge wondered what would happen if Shen Qingqiu survived and he still knew all about those writing in his journal. Liu Qingge felt his heart clenched.

He smiled bitterly as he put a hand on his chest and sat down on his prepared seat, the seat beside him was empty. It was for Shen Qingqiu, although everyone knew he wouldn't be there, Cang Qiong Mountain Sect still saved him a space for symbolic purpose to respect Qing Jing peak's participation too. Liu Qingge frequently glanced at the empty seat beside him expecting a snap or a poisonous statement.

Liu Qingge sighed bitterly when he saw the empty spot, inadvertently imegining if Shen Qingqiu was still there.

Why did he have to fall in love with the man he misunderstood long after the man had died?

Liu Qingge snorted as he took out a paper fan- Shen Qingqiu’s personal belonging that he had borrowed from the bamboo house- and put it on the seat beside him. Every peak lord who saw this couldn’t help but to reveal an expression of sadness, however, Liu Qingge pretended to not see them.

‘In the next life, I’ll definitely treat you better.’ Liu Qingge silently whispered in his heart.

...

..

.

“Liu Qingge, you crazy bastard!” A high-pitched scream coming from a luxurious chamber in the mansion not far away from where the Immortal Alliance Conference took a place.

“I’m just trying to help but what did I get?! What the fuck?! This is the last time I will ever save your pathetic ass!”

Sounds of frantic rustlings came from the outside as many servants and one particularly beautiful madam burst in, “Xiao Jiu! Are you okay?! Has your fever gone down, my dear? Why are you screaming?!” The lady cried as she rushed over the bed.

“What?” The young kid on the bed looked up, his big doe eyes shone innocently. However, he looked at the people by the door with a baffled surprise.

“Jiu’er, wuu... wuu. My poor son, you finally wake up,” The beautiful madam cried as she held Shen Jiu’s hand. “Your father will be home soon, darling. He will be happy once he sees you up.”

Shen Jiu’s brain screeched to stop before frantically ran at a speed of light.

What the fuck???

Chapter Text

Shen Jiu learned many things after he lived in this unfamiliar mansion. First, this was the mansion of the local cultivator family that went by name Shen. Second, they were also descended from a literary family. Third, Shen Jiu actually had parents. Fourth, his mom was a worrywart that was very helpless when it came to her own son. Fifth, his dad was an asshole.

Shen Jiu coldly watched as his ‘dad’ walked away again after ‘checking’ on him after his mom begged him to. Shen Jiu’s eyes did not change when his father stopped to talk with another boy in front of his room, Shen Jiu felt a hand on top his head and he looked up to see his mother was smiling softly at him.

“It’s okay, A'Jiu. You have to know, your father loves you. It’s just he has a hard time to express that,” Shen Jiu’s ‘mother’, Yan Yue, said gently to her only son.

“En,” Shen Jiu answered shortly, indifferent.

“You’re the main son after all, don’t be too sad, okay? That eighth child...” His mother sneered, gone her gentleness, replaced by a fierce protectiveness and poison. “Who cares about a lowly concubine’s son? That Chen-shi always eyed my position just because I couldn’t produce a son for a long time, she’s nothing but an ant in front of this lady.”

Yan-shi’s eyes turned gentle again when she gazed at Shen Jiu, “A'Jiu, don’t worry. In a month time, we’ll test out your talent, at that time, you will shine like a star. Who cares about the other sons in the household? You’re absolutely the best.”

“Mom, it’s better to not place your hope too high up. It’s more painful if you fall,” Shen Jiu said indifferently. He refused to be used as a tool in a harem intrigue.

Yan-shi blinked, stunned. Looking at her son again who turned even more expressionless after waking up from his fever, she sighed sadly, “A'Jiu... Mother is not pressuring you, even if your talent is mediocre, you’re still my son. Mother will help you to be the rightful next head.”

Shen Jiu was truly not interested to be a family head, how could he? He was a peak lord of the vaunted Cang Qiong Mountain Sect after all, how could a family head contend with that title? Moreover, this woman was suspicious too. Although from the original’s memory she had been nothing but loving and helpful, Shen Jiu knew she could do anything insidious without batting an eyelid. Shen Jiu had a hard time believing that kind of woman.

In the fifth night after he recovered from his ‘sickness’, Yan-shi excitedly dressed Shen Jiu up and brought him to the dining hall where some people already waited there. Shen Jiu’s face almost twisted when he eyed the men on the table but Yan-shi kept pushing him till he sat down on the table and she sat down beside her husband.

Shen Jiu stared blankly as several beautiful women, dressed in a way that servants shouldn’t be, began to serve them, he thought they were probably personal maidservants or concubines. He scrutinized his food, finding them lacking spiritual qi and thus’ finding them beneath him.

He didn’t like this. At all.

He was currently in a room full of strangers, eating with them. For all Shen Jiu knew this was just a deliberate joke to drive him crazy.

He eyed the men and boys who sat in the table like him, seeing their mannerism of a perfect scholar that made Shen Jiu feel disdainful. He was a scholar of the highest degree, their mannerism was nothing in his eyes.

He glanced at his ‘father’, wondering when would that man finish eating so he could also excuse himself to his room. He looked down on his food and began picking on them, putting some into his mouth once in a while.

“Shen Xing, how is your preparation for the imperial exam?”

“To answer father, I’m already well prepared. I just need to wait until the exam to commence.”

“Mm, good. Shen Fan, how’s your cultivation going?”

“I’m doing very well, father. Thank you for asking. Soon, I’ll break through my current level.”

“That’s good.”

Shen Jiu kept eating his food indifferently as if they weren’t talking at all, ignoring every question and every one of the answers like it was just a breeze.

“Shen Qing, how’s your condition?”

Silence...

Master Shen furrowed his brows, “Shen Qing,” he called out again.

Yan-shi glanced at her son and pursed her lips as she kicked his leg slightly under the table whilst saying, “A’Jiu, your father is asking you. Aiya, this child, are you feeling dizzy again?”

Shen Jiu blinked in response when he heard his nickname from Yan-shi, he looked up at her with a perfectly baffled expression. What???

“Aiya. Husband, look, our son is still feeling a bit under the weather, ah,” Yan-shi said with a smile.

Shen Jiu looked at the master of the house who was frowning before he sighed in understanding. “Very well, Shen Qing, you have to take care of yourself. Your talent root would be tested out soon,” he stated expressionlessly.

Shen Jiu blinked at him, ‘Who’s Shen Qing?’ Weren’t his name Shen Jiu?

“Jiulang is really delicate, you need to rest a bit more,” A boy around ten years of age sitting across Shen Jiu said with an innocent smile.

“Balang is right, father, maybe we need to postpone the testing until Jiulang truly feel better?” Another one said, this one looked like around sixteen years of age.

“Balang and Wulang’s concern is really touching, but please, put a little bit of faith to your ninth brother,” Yan-shi chuckled elegantly.

As his ‘mother’ subtly deflected the subtle attacks his way, Shen Jiu had his own realization. Oh... He forgot that ‘Jiu’ was also a number. ‘All this time, they were referring me by my order of birth!’

“Shen Qing, what do you think? It would be within less than a month, I think you should be able to test out your talent root by then,” Master Shen directed his question to the youngest in the room.

Shen Jiu looked at him ‘Holy fuck! This man bred like a rabbit!’ nine sons? Get the hell out! What are you trying to prove, exactly?! “I would be able to, father,” Shen Jiu said politely with a curt nod. Shen Qing... huh? One character away from his past life's courtesy name. 'Qing' for Clear...

Master Shen nodded, satisfied. He looked around, “Who else is absent aside for the eldest?”

See? This is why you shouldn’t have so many fucking children.

“Qilang is still recovering in his courtyard,” Another son said as he briefly glanced at Shen Jiu and Yan-shi.

Master Shen sighed and Yan-shi looked down sadly.

“How is he now?” Master Shen asked. “I haven’t found a time to visit him yet.”

Shen Jiu secretly sneered.

“Well, still the same as the first time he woke up I heard. A bit confused but he’s getting better from what the physician said,” Yan-shi said regretfully. “I do hope he recovers quickly.”

“I’ll leave him to you,” Master Shen said. “That child has no mother anymore.”

“I will do my best, husband,” Yan-shi nodded determinedly. “After all, he was the one that saved A’Jiu from drowning,” her gaze darkened slightly.

Shen Jiu glanced at her and looked back down his food. He picked up a meatball with his chopsticks and put it into his mouth. Mm, a murder attempt, huh? Or was it?

After Shen Jiu could finally free himself from his ‘mother’s overprotective watch, he brought himself as gracefully as possible to a room on an isolated part of the main courtyard.

Who knew he would be in for a good watch when he arrived there.

Shen Jiu saw the door was wide open and peeked inside.

“Qi-shaoye, here’s your lunch,” One of the maidservants said evenly. Calling it a lunch was an exaggeration, it was simply half-a-bowl of porridge with cilantro on top, a small bowl of boiled tofu that looked cold and a glass of water.

Now, that would be something Shen Jiu would give to his disobedient students but certainly not to a young master of a rich household. Shen Jiu knew bullying when he saw it, he was both a victim and a perpetrator in his past life.

Shen Jiu wouldn’t deny that bullying his students felt a bit delightful.

“I see...” A delicate voice said softly. “Can I ask what is for dinner? Last night, I didn’t get any. I need them for my medicine...”

Shen Jiu frowned. He didn’t get dinner? Woah, what about Yan-shi’s promise? It seemed like the main wife was too careless about this problem. Shen Jiu didn’t know who was in charge of the kitchen, but they certainly escaped Yan-shi’s notice. Then again, Yan-shi was busy these days to prepare him for the talent test, he only managed to shake her off a few hours ago and ran for the hills.

Shen Jiu stepped into the room and stealthily approached them with an evil smirk. He missed this freedom to do any facial expression he wanted without feeling worried that someone might be seeing. These people are not really important, after all.

“Pardon us, Qi-shaoye, but don’t know about it. We’re just here to send the food,” The maidservant said.

“What is that? Bird’s food?” Shen Jiu asked bluntly before the seventh young master could answer and everyone jumped in surprise.

The maidservants whirled around and paled when they saw Shen Jiu, “J-Jiu-shaoye!” They hastily bowed down.

Shen Jiu smiled but didn’t look at them as he stared in ‘fascination’ on the half bowl of porridge and a small plate of boiled tofu, “They’re all so white, no wonder Qilang only got whiter,” he looked up at the seventh young master. The boy looked like he was around fourteen, pale, and very delicate-looking. He was pretty handsome just like the rest of the family.

The maidservants bowed their heads, biting their lips, “Th-that’s what the kitchen gave to us, Jiu-shaoye. Qi-shaoye is currently too delicate for any other food.”

“Is it?” Shen Jiu blinked his doe-eyes innocently. Who are they kidding? “I’ve been sick before but my food is not this bland...” Shen Jiu picked up the bowl of porridge, he was right, it was cold. He went to the window and whistled as he dumped it outside, the chirping birds began to gather and ate the cold porridge.

He smiled when one of the birds flew and perched on the bowl he was holding, “Not even enough to fill the birds,” he chuckled as he let it climbed on top his finger and looked at the maidservants, “Bring more, this young master also haven’t eaten yet. I’ll eat with Qilang,” he said.

“Y-Yes, Jiu-shaoye!” The maidservants hurried to leave.

Shen Jiu smirked as they left before he looked back on the seventh young master who looked dumbstruck.

“W-woah...” The seventh young master gasped lowly.

Shen Jiu straightened, “I heard, you’re the one who saved me from drowning,” he said.

The seventh young master looked at Shen Jiu, speechless. “Ah, right... You’re that child,” he smiled. “Are you feeling well now? Thank you for helping me too.”

Shen Jiu huffed, “You interrupted somebody else’s plan, of course you would earn a backlash,” he pointed out vaguely but it seemed like the seventh son was intelligent. Shen Jiu saw a light of understanding and acknowledgment in his eyes.

The seventh son smiled, “Yeah, but I couldn’t just stay silent and see a young boy drowning to his death.”

Shen Jiu raised his brows before he relaxed his posture, “Since you saved me, I’m here to thank you,” never mind he didn’t save ‘him’. The boy who owned this body was already dead, but Shen Jiu respected the kind gesture and he would repay it back in that boy’s place.

The seventh son laughed, “You’re welcome, but it’s truly alright.”

The door was knocked, “Young masters? Your lunch is here...”

The seventh son smiled, “How about, we eat first, di?” he offered gently.

Shen Jiu walked and sat down by the table like he owned the place, “Put it down,” he ordered to the servants. After they put all dishes down, in a total of a large bowl of rice that could be four people’s serving, five vegetable dishes, two meat dishes, two bowls of soups, and two plates of desserts, Shen Jiu waved them off.

The servants retreated and exited the room, closing the door behind them.

Shen Jiu elegantly picked his chopsticks and pulled his long sleeves up slightly, he paused when he felt a stare on him and he looked up to see the seventh son was eyeing him with an appreciative look. “What?” Shen Jiu snapped slightly.

The seventh son blinked, “Ah, no. It’s just, you’re acting terribly mature for someone your age,” he chuckled. “Your posture is also very elegant, as elegant as the master of the house... Our father.”

Shen Jiu put down his chopsticks and relaxed his posture slightly, hunching his shoulders, of all things he often let it slip, it would always be his perfect posture and mannerism. This body was still a child, so it was normal for him to act a bit frivolous and rebel a bit, even Yan-shi never questioned him. It seemed like this body’s owner’s personality really fitted Shen Jiu a little bit.

“Just eat, you,” Shen Jiu huffed and bowed his head as he picked up the dishes.

The seventh son also picked up his chopsticks and served himself some dishes indulgingly, he looked quite happy to have some soft meatballs to eat. This certainly hundred times better than those tasteless cold boiled tofus!

The two ate in silence and were soon too full to truly finish the dishes on the table.

Shen Jiu called for the servants to clean up the table and the older son simply looked at the dishes in pity, “Such a waste of good food...” The seventh young master said and patted his full stomach.

Shen Jiu looked at him, “How starved are you?” Shen Jiu might not be used to throw away food, but he used to see it. Back in Qiu Household, the Qiu’s always threw out many leftovers each time after they ate, be it breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

The seventh young master smiled, “It’s not good to waste food. You never know who would need it out there,” he said and Shen Jiu frowned.

It was rare to see a young master of a rich family to even think outside his own stomach.

The seventh young master gazed to Shen Jiu who looked at the cleaned-up food thoughtfully, he reached out to touch the younger boy’s chin.

Shen Jiu was snapped out of his stupor when the older ‘brother’ settled back, “There was a rice,” he said as he pointed near Shen Jiu’s lips and a piece of rice in his pinch.

Shen Jiu took out his handkerchief and wiped his mouth himself, frowning in discontent that he was treated like a child.

Unexpectedly, Shen Jiu quite liked the seventh son’s companion. He liked to visit so much that no one dared to tamper the seventh young master’s food again and always prepared the best in preparation if the main wife’s son ever came to visit his half-brother.

Dinner was unbearable though, Shen Jiu’s half brothers seemed to be fond of bringing attention to Shen Jiu’s upcoming talent root test. Praising Shen Jiu endlessly and assuring him that his talent would be the best within the house. They looked like they were praising him, but they were actually raising their father’s and everyone’s expectation of Shen Jiu higher and higher, and when Shen Jiu failed to fulfill that expectation, he would fall.

Oldest trick in the book. Shen Jiu sneered disdainfully. It also seemed like being the only Di son was troublesome, every Shu son hated him. They hated each other too, but their hatred for him was a different part altogether.

About three weeks into Shen Jiu’s ‘new life’, the seventh son was finally able to join the warm and joyful family dinner. As expected, he looked rather awkward but played it off very perfectly in Shen Jiu’s eyes.

“Qilang, it’s been a long time. Have you feeling better?”

“Thank you for your concern, I’ve been feeling better, xiong.”

“Now, you’ve recovered. It’s been a long time, but I’m sure you can catch up with your study. You’re stuck in the book of Han, right?”

Shen Jiu smirked as he kept eating and the seventh young master kept answering curtly to their half-brothers. He was actually laughing in his mind, he noticed that the seventh son seemed to always glance at him in exasperation before covering up with a gentle and kind smile to the questions shot at him.

“Jiulang, your talent root test would be in a week, right? Dalang wouldn’t be able to be there as I have something to do outside, but I’m sure you’ll astonish everyone,” The eldest son smiled to Shen Jiu.

“Please, don’t put your hope in this little brother, dalang,” Shen Jiu said, deflecting it. But in the end, it didn’t matter, he might have survived from getting jeered out for being arrogant but he would disappoint people nonetheless.

“You said it would be warm,” The seventh son complained.

“You sounded like you’ve never been in a family dinner. It’s a war zone,” Shen Jiu said pointedly.

The seventh young master scratched his cheek slightly, “Haha...”

Shen Jiu looked at him and shook his head, resuming to look forward as he kicked the pebbles which happened to be in his way.

“Don’t think too much about what they said...” The seventh son suddenly said.

Shen Jiu looked back at him, raising his brows.

“Whether your talent root turned out to be earth-shattering or not, you’re still you. You don’t need to worry or disappointed later on,” the seventh son smiled gently to Shen Jiu. “I don’t get how could they put so much pressure on a child,” he mumbled almost begrudgingly.

Shen Jiu crossed his arms, “I’m not worried,” he said calmly. “Good talent or not, it doesn’t matter,” in the end, wasn’t his talent root still ruined slightly in the past? Didn’t he start off late? Didn’t he have so many inner demons? In the end, didn’t he become a peak lord?

Shen Jiu felt a hand on his head, stroking it gently, he froze slightly.

“Xiao Jiu is so clever, even if you said so, you’re still young. So, I’m still worried.”

Shen Jiu slapped the hand away, huffing, “Don’t call me that,” he even asked Yan-shi to not call him that in the second day he was here. Luckily, Yan-shi had three nicknames for Shen Jiu, ‘Xiao Jiu’, 'Jiu'er' and ‘A’Jiu’, she just had to discard one and resumed with the others. She didn’t seem to mind, citing that Shen Jiu probably didn’t like to be called ‘little.’

“Why?” The seventh young master asked. “It’s cute and you’re the youngest brother out of all.”

“Qilang,” Shen Jiu reminded.

The seventh young master smiled, “Alright, I won’t call you Xiao Jiu. How about A’Jiu? Or Qing’er?”

Shen Jiu sighed, “Whatever.”

The older boy’s smile became brighter and warmer, “You can call me Qi-ge from now on,” he suggested as he put his hand around Shen Jiu’s small shoulders.

Shen Jiu froze again, “No,” he hissed. “Not Qi-ge. You’re not Qi-ge,” Shen Jiu said defensively with a glare and the seventh son looked at him, surprised and... a little bit of hurt?

“But I’m your seventh brother,” the older boy smiled bitterly.

Shen Jiu pursed his lips, “Not Qi-ge... But I’ll call you something else. What’s your birth name again?” up till now, only now he realized that he never knew the other’s birth name. He only ever referred to him as ‘Qilang.’

The seventh son blinked, “Shen Yuan. My name is Shen Yuan,” Shen Yuan told him gently.

“Shen Yuan...” Shen Jiu murmured. “... Yuan-ge?” he tried unsurely.

Shen Yuan beamed, “So cute...” he reached down and ruffled the younger boy’s head.

“Stop it,” Shen Jiu slapped his hand away again.

Shen Yuan chuckled, “Such a tsundere...” He mumbled some strange things again. Shen Jiu was actually half-convinced that the seventh son was a bit of a lunatic, investigation led him to believe that it was most probably because of when Shen Yuan fell off the stairs seven weeks ago. He probably hit his head and became somewhat mad.

“What was that?” Shen Jiu glared.

“Nothing,” Shen Yuan smiled warmly to brush that unintelligible murmur aside like anyone would do to a normal six-year-old boy, expecting it would be forgotten. But Shen Jiu wasn’t a normal six-year-old boy, however, he still let it slide since it was probably something unintelligent.

Shen Jiu huffed and rolled his eyes, he yelped when Shen Yuan pinched his cheek, “What are you doing!?” Shen Jiu demanded angrily.

“Little children shouldn’t roll their eyes, have you forgotten?” Shen Yuan smiled playfully.

“Shut up, I’m not a kid,” Shen Jiu growled but his young body and cute face didn’t support him on that.

Shen Yuan laughed lightly and pinched Shen Jiu’s cheek again. The defenseless boy could only cry out. “Right, right, I have tanghulu in my room but I don’t really want to finish it anymore. Want to help me?”

Shen Jiu paused, “Alright,” he’ll accept that tribute for apologies.

Shen Yuan chuckled, “Having a little brother is really a joy,” he muttered as he put his hands around Shen Jiu’s shoulders and pushed him slightly. “Let’s go then, to finish the tanghulu!”

“You’re so childish,” Shen Jiu shot a judging gaze towards Shen Yuan but let himself be stirred to the direction of Shen Yuan’s room.

Chapter Text

The last thing Shen Yuan remembered in his familiar environment was how painful his chest felt after he finished the damn novel that he regretted ever reading. In his last breath with fading vision, he remembered feeling regretful and apologetic to his parents who would probably be devastated once he was gone.

And then darkness.

The next time Shen Yuan opened his eyes, what he saw was not the usual pristine white ceiling of a hospital that he frequented so much. No. It was a wooden ceiling that looked like it used to be a great ceiling before families of spiders and other bugs decided to screw around with it.

Shen Yuan had freaked out then, he didn’t saw any medical equipment in his hand, he scrambled for the window and opened it to see a view of the most beautiful garden he had ever seen. It all looked natural and too foreign for him. He then scrambled for the mirror and what he saw was not Shen Yuan.

It was a face of a teenager, pale with sickness, eyes wide in scare and panic, long and slightly messy hair cascading down his back. He looked a lot like Shen Yuan back when he was fourteen, only with longer hair and fairer complexion.

“FUCK AIRPLANE!!!” Shen Yuan had screamed out what he thought was appropriate. Waking up alone in a strange environment and not in his own body. Of course, he freaked out. Of course, he also remembered the cause of his death. Too emotional... He lost control of his damn emotion and it killed himself. Because of what? The damn novel that left him with unfulfilled plotholes. Fuck that!

Servants came in after that and cried out when they saw he had woken up.

Shen Yuan had accepted his fate after that day. He had been transmigrated. To where? He didn’t know at all.

He was transmigrated into the body of Shen Yuan, the seventh young master of Shen family. For the most part, Shen Yuan was glad that this body’s name was the same as him, he didn’t have to get used to a new name.

The Shen family was a literary and also cultivator family. Shen Yuan was excited when he learned that cultivation existed in his new world but was pretty disappointed when he sensed Shen Yuan barely cultivated, however, upon prodding here and there, Shen Yuan found out that ‘Shen Yuan’ was a sickly young master.

Although he was able to cultivate, it was only to a certain degree. Currently, Shen Yuan was only at the very beginner and basic stage of cultivation, and also the weakest in the family.

However, Shen Yuan was an optimist. Although his cultivation was the weakest in his new family aside for the youngest that had yet to cultivate, he still had a much healthier body than his previous life. At least, this body could let him run around without needing a tube of oxygen in five minutes. If his condition in the previous life was like this body, Shen Yuan believed he could join those sports teams he always wanted to try out.

For the first several weeks of his transmigration, he met his new ‘siblings' Who had visited to show goodwill. He only met about three of them and thought they all were assholes skilled in inserting a knife with their words whilst smiling elegantly.

Shen Yuan ended up using his ‘sickness’ to keep everyone away for a while as he began to compile what he got in this world. He had no one. No ally. Heck, he didn’t even have those OP System like every transmigrated novel he read. It would be way easier if only he could have those.

Just, Shen Yuan wouldn’t want to do any mission for it. Then again, wouldn’t that beat the value of the system?

He learned that aside for his three new brothers that came to visit, he had five other brothers. Nine brothers, he was the seventh oldest. They all skilled in their own right, both in cultivation and literary achievement.

To not be left behind, Shen Yuan asked the servants to bring him books as much as they could.

He used his sickness again and again as a shield to not be bothered by anyone before eventually, he used it too much that the big boss came. Shen Yuan’s ‘father’ was a handsome scholar with serious personality. Shen Yuan had to sit with him for two hours of him just purely asking Shen Yuan about the content of what possibly the hardest literary books around.

At the end of his visit, he told Shen Yuan to study harder and to join the family dinner because apparently he already looked well enough.

Shen Yuan joined the family dinner in the third week of his stay in this new world. It was rigid at dinner, the people on the table which he assumed to be his ‘brothers’ were all ignoring him, they only threw some polite words his way and then resumed with their life.

But their conversation was so damn fancy and too intricate that Shen Yuan felt like a speck of dirt on their feet. Well, he’ll need to study harder, then!

The first son was accomplished in literary. He was a big and busy figure despite only being nineteen, apparently, the empire already put their eyes on him and wanted him as a minister.

The second son was accomplished in sword cultivation, Shen Yuan had found out that this literary family had a taste in their swordsmanship. Once you reached a certain level, the head would give you a spirit sword himself. Shen Yuan had no sword, though.

The third son was a bit wayward, did not like to study, but his cultivation was so high up in his seventeen years of age. He liked to make it difficult for others, though.

The fourth son was a quiet and calculating teen, Shen Yuan heard from gossiping servants how the fourth young master got rid of a maidservant after she was suspected pregnant. Goddamn it, he was only sixteen!

The fifth son was someone clever, although he did not stick up like a sore thumb, from Shen Yuan’s perspective, he knew this guy was a kind of person who liked to fan a fire.

The sixth son was at the same age as Shen Yuan, a cold and calculative scholar.

The eighth son was much younger than Shen Yuan by four years, a gap that didn’t exist from one to seven, he was a sly one for a ten-year-old boy. From what he observed, it seems like his mother was the newest concubine as she was the youngest-looking.

And the youngest one... Somehow, the only Di son in the house. The boy was very handsome, it looked like he had been carved out of jade, he was very quiet and kept to himself, seemingly disinterested most of the time. But he was easily incensed. Shen Yuan frowned in sympathy whenever the boy seemed to lose composure and his mother would nudge him sternly.

After that dinner, Shen Yuan retired to his room, the food was delicious, but he suddenly missed his own family that night.

Shen Yuan didn’t really like the family dinners, he didn’t attend in the next day and days after that.

In the fourth week of Shen Yuan’s transmigration, when he was taking a walk outside as he pondered on how to save some money to be independent (He wanted to be a merchant. There was no way he wanted to compete with those young masters, nope.) he heard splashes and a choked scream.

Shen Yuan immediately ran to the lotus pond and saw a kid frantically trying to stay afloat, the boy’s struggle was very weak already and Shen Yuan’s mind just went blank. Shen Yuan did not pause even for a second as he ran and jumped into the large pond, adrenaline kept him on, panic and gripping fear haunted him when he vaguely sensed that the drowned boy had stopped struggling to stay afloat.

Shen Yuan grabbed the boy and held, he could hear screams from the edge of the pond. A cry split those screams, a mother’s cry. Shen Yuan paddled himself to the edge with the boy, limp, in his arm.

Servants immediately swarmed them, the small boy was taken from his hands. Shen Yuan blearily looked at the boy.

The boy was pale, drenched wet, weak, and his lips were so pale that it was rather bluish. Only then, Shen Yuan shivered and registered the very cold weather. He had dived into a very cold lotus pond in a very cold weather, the wind chilled him.

But when Shen Yuan recognized who he had saved, there was nothing more chilling than when he thought there was no way a Di son (The only Di son) could slip into a lotus pond at the perfect time when no servant was watching over him.

Someone had tried to kill this little innocent boy.

After that, Shen Yuan fell sick. Physicians were called to prescribe a medicine for both him and the unconscious ninth young master, Shen Yuan was saved from attending the family dinner again as he laid on his bed for several days.

In those several days, his servants dwindled. The lady of the house came to visit him once before she was busy for her own son that did not wake up from his fever. Shen Yuan knew that she knew it wasn’t a simple accident so he left it be.

Interrupting someone’s assassination attempt did not come without a price, Shen Yuan had to grit his teeth and suffered for days because of it. His food became worse, less, in the end, sometimes he didn’t get anything even though he needed to eat before he could consume his medicine.

But as everything that came with a price. Shen Yuan received his present for being patient.

A wonderful little brother who strutted into his room when he was getting boycotted by the servants.

“You interrupted somebody else’s plan, of course you would earn a backlash,” a young, innocent, six-year-old shouldn’t be able to say that. Heck, they shouldn’t even understand anything about the dark intrigue of the inner courtyard!

Shen Yuan felt pity. Children in this era and world probably matured way too early...

And the boy sat by him, eat with him so he could get a better lunch. He elegantly threatened the servants if they dared to mistreat the seventh young master again. The boy would always come to his room when it was time to lunch, asking to see his medicine and scrutinized it carefully (Shen Yuan found that adorable.)

Shen Yuan adored the ninth young master, he often called him ‘Shen Jiu’ as he didn’t know his birth name. Everyone in this house referred them by numbers anyway, so it was perfectly fine and wouldn’t be suspicious at all.

Shen Jiu was a very sweet boy despite his overbearing way to dictate the servants the first time he helped Shen Yuan. The boy insulted him and many people, calling people stupid and idiotic on a daily basis, but he was the sweetest boy Shen Yuan could ever hope for as a little brother.

Shen Yuan was a sole son in his past life. heck, He didn’t even have cousins. It was a lonely life and he filled in with reading fantasy novels, wasting away his parents’ money, indulging himself in comfort, because his parents would feel worried if he had it any other way.

Shen Jiu’s presence brought a sense of comfort for Shen Yuan. He finally had an ally aside for the servants he used to gather information, the servants began to look at him weirdly too, so it was good to have someone more reliable.

The boy easily got angry but also easily appeased, Shen Yuan always found it funny whenever Shen Jiu reasoned, “It’s only because you saved me,” whenever he got appeased by Shen Yuan. It was adorable.

Shen Yuan was determined to protect this little brother even more when he attended the family dinner and saw how everyone seemed to dump large expectation on the boy’s head. These people! Don’t they know big expectation crush a child’s confidence when they failed!?

That was why, when Shen Jiu stepped into the platform to test out his talent root, Shen Yuan was the one who was anxious (not counting Shen Jiu’s mother, Yan-shi). It wasn’t like he was the one getting tested, but still!

What if Shen Jiu’s talent root was bad?

What if he got mocked?

What if people bullied him for it?

What if it bothered him?!

Unknown to Shen Yuan, he began to feel very protective of Shen Jiu. The thought of Shen Jiu getting mocked alone made him chilled in anxiety and indignation. He exhaled and controlled his emotion and anxiety, if it was in his past life, he would have a difficulty to breathe now. Calm down, Shen Yuan, calm down.

Shen Jiu calmly put his hand on the stone tablet to test his talent root and Shen Yuan halted his breath.

Light came out from the tablet, simmering slightly and Shen Yuan’s heart settled for a bit.

However, in the next few seconds, his heart sank when the tablet died down and not even one coloured stone before it lightened up. Only the first stone that simmered brightly for a split second before dimming off like a dying star.

Murmurs sounded from the onlookers (Shen Yuan seethed, why were there strangers here?!) spread in the crowd and they all looked at Shen Jiu and shook their head in disappointment. That didn’t help. It only increased Shen Yuan’s anxiety but he still controlled his expression and calmed down his nerve.

“Ninth young master, I’m so sorry...” The old man that assisted the test sighed. “It seemed like the ninth young master is not suited to cultivate.”

Shen Jiu looked up at him with his wide, innocent, eyes. “Why?” He asked and Shen Yuan felt an urge to pull him into his embrace and covered his ears- why, he was just six, for goodness’ sakes!

“Your talent root is so low, you’re not suited to cultivate. But no worries, you can always train up your body to be stronger,” but that wasn’t enough. Shen family was a literary family, why would their descendant purely cultivate their body to fight? They were too graceful for that!

Shen Jiu looked at his palm that he had put on the stone tablet earlier. Yan-shi stepped up beside him, smiling bitterly.

“It’s okay, Jiu’er. It’s okay,” The lady of the house said quietly, her husband simply shook his head in disappointment as he looked away. It angered Shen Yuan.

“It’s too bad,” Shen Tian, their father, said. “From now on, you should just focus to study and improve.”

‘Your son just found out that he is unable to cultivate! At least, comfort him!’ Shen Yuan angrily thought.

“Too bad, Jiulang. But your elder brothers are all strong so you don’t have to worry,” The eighth young master said cheekily, smiling brightly as if to comfort his youngest brother.

“That’s right, Jiulang is still young. Balang would absolutely protect him, you shouldn’t be too sad, jie-jie,” Chen-shi, the eighth young master’s mother, said caringly as she walked over to pat Yan-shi’s shoulder.

Yan-shi smiled, but her eyes were very cold. “Chen-mei is very thoughtful, I do hope balang would support Jiulang and be his pillar of strength,” support. No more than that.

Chen-shi smiled gently, “Of course.”

As the wives exchanged their own knives, the brothers except for the eldest had come to comfort Shen Jiu, showing their brotherly camaraderie.

 “It’s fine, it’s fine! Jiulang, you have so many elder brothers to depend on, you don’t have to be sad,” Wulang said cheerfully. But to have the youngest son, the only Di son who couldn’t cultivate, to depend on his elder Shu brothers were like giving up his position.

“That’s right, we, brothers, all capable to support you. Even Qilang could protect you!” Sanlang patted the boy’s back. These words sounded sweet, but they hid a knife. Shen Yuan was the weakest of the brother, although he could cultivate, he was only at the beginner stage. To say even the weakest was better than Shen Jiu in many aspects, it was clearly an insult.

Murmurs from the strangers who had come to look and the servants began to be more apparent. Derisive sighs, disappointed whispers, rude and blunt comments. It all could be heard if someone just casually strained their ears.

Shen Yuan frowned at them all before he bent down and patted Shen Jiu’s shoulders, looking at him on the same eye level, “It’s okay. It doesn’t matter, I’ll always support you,” he said firmly.

Shen Jiu looked at him, his wide dark eyes seemed to be searching for something in Shen Yuan’s eyes.

Shen Jiu nodded, “I don’t care of the result,” he whispered sincerely to Shen Yuan.

When the test had concluded, everyone began to scatter and even the family dispersed. Shen Yuan reluctantly parted with Shen Jiu as the other brothers also began to scatter, he felt like it wouldn’t be good if he was too clingy on Shen Jiu, he’d visit the boy later with something to make him feel better. Of course, Shen Yuan didn’t entirely believe the boy’s statement.

Shen Yuan saw that Yan-shi chased after her husband, presumably to talk about Shen Jiu. He shook his head when he saw Shen Jiu walked back to his own room by himself. Yan-shi probably wanted to talk with her husband for her son’s well-being and future, but couldn’t she showed more compassion and accompany her son for a while instead of worrying about that?

Shen Jiu looked at his reflection in the mirror after the ceremony had finished, he touched the bronze body-length mirror and smiled ironically.

“Six years old...” he murmured. “Six-years-old and so many people wanted to see you fall, boy,” he said to the reflection in the mirror. He stared at the young and cute boy in the mirror and touched his own baby face.

Shen Jiu shed his heavy and ceremonial outer robe that Yan-shi had told him to put on for today, feeling freer when he dropped the piece of clothing on the polished wooden floor. He was only in his white inner robe when he looked back into the mirror.

“To think someone would give you poison to clog your talent root,” Shen Jiu smirked cruelly as he pulled a seat and sat before the mirror. He was the peak lord of Qing Jing, if he couldn’t see talent in one long glance, he wouldn’t be deserving of his title. He could recognize Luo Binghe’s talent when he looked at him after Liu Qingge pointed him out.

He could recognize any kid’s talent if he as much as looked, let alone living in the kid’s body. He had known ‘Shen Qing’ had a very high-tier talent. A first-rate talent, higher than anyone in his family, the same as Shen Jiu’s own before he destroyed himself in his past life.

He had known about the poison but did nothing to get rid of it. He figured, if the one that gave him poison thought that they had succeeded, Shen Jiu wouldn’t need to be on constant high guard. Being the ‘cripple’ might take away the spotlight from him and Shen Jiu wanted the spotlight to be off of him.

Shen Jiu sighed, the youngest son, an only Di son with dazzling older brothers, he was a very easy target it seemed. Although Yan-shi looked sly and shrewd on her own right, she probably couldn’t handle the other concubines teaming up or the sons of those concubines. The reason she only had Shen Jiu so late in her marriage was also probably because of those concubines... Shen Jiu heard so many babies died in this place, be it Shu children or Di children.

‘Shen Qing’ also supposedly had an elder brother but turned out a stillborn.

The rear courtyard is terrifying.

Shen Jiu took out a wooden box hidden beneath a table nearby and opened it. A set of acupuncture needles was revealed. It was difficult to steal and brought this box into his room, no one trusted a six-year-old with a needle, let alone many needles.

Shen Jiu took the biggest one and twirled in his hand. He might not be Mu Qingfang, but he knew many things about medicine, poison, and cures. Much more than these pathetic people. Being a peak lord of a Sect with the greatest reserve and knowledge about medicines gave you that advantage.

This mere poison was nothing.

Shen Jiu opened his inner robe and let it fell down to his elbow. He looked at the mirror thoughtfully and twirled the acupuncture needle, raising it to the acupoint on his stomach.

Screech

“A’Jiu, I brought-“ Shen Yuan’s voice died down when he looked the scene inside the room. Shen Jiu snapped his head towards him.

Clang- clatter-

The tray of desserts Shen Yuan had brought immediately greeted the floor with glee as Shen Yuan’s eyes widened in horror. Shen Jiu stared back at him, eyes wide in surprise.

A six-year-old boy, holding a big ass needle, almost half-naked in front of mirror, looking like he was about to stab himself. Shen Yuan’s mind spun like a tornado in a span of a short second, his feet already moved and he dashed towards Shen Jiu.

“No!” Shen Yuan yelled out, hands reaching out in panic.

“Wha-!?” Shen Jiu exclaimed in shock as Shen Yuan tackled him off of the seat. The two of them tumbled onto the wooden floor and Shen Yuan soon pinned Shen Jiu to the floor.

“What are you thinking?!” Shen Yuan shouted, his hand was holding Shen Jiu’s right hand so desperately so the boy couldn’t use the needle in his grip.

“What are you doing?!” Shen Jiu yelled back.

Shen Yuan snatched the needle away and threw it to the corner of the room, he pulled Shen Jiu up and shook his shoulders, “Shen Qing! What are you thinking?!” Shen Yuan said angrily. “It doesn’t matter even if you can’t cultivate, the most important thing is to live and be happy!”

Shen Jiu looked at Shen Yuan, eyes wide in disbelief, “I... It’s not what you’re thinking,” Suddenly, the eloquent Qing Jing peak lord felt difficult to explain his action.

“What?” Shen Yuan snapped sternly. “You were about to stab yourself and with a needle nonetheless!” God! You would die a slow and painful death if that needle stabbed any important organ!

“I-“

“Think of your mother! She loves you so much, are you going to leave her without a son?!”

“That’s-“

“Where did you even learn anything about stabbing yourself?! Don’t you know to keep away from sharp things and to not direct it to yourself?!”

“I’m-“

“Oh, thank God, I came in time!” Shen Yuan pulled Shen Jiu into a tight hug, his heartbeat frantically against his chest.  “Don’t ever do that again, Yuan-ge is worried. I’m here. Didn’t I tell you I will always be on your side?”

Shen Jiu stiffened in Shen Yuan’s embrace, not sure what to do. He was even tenser when he heard a short sob, he could sense that Shen Yuan was frantically wiping off the tears in his eyes and he pulled away to glare sternly at him. However, Shen Jiu could still see his reddened eyes.

“Don’t you dare to do that again!” Shen Yuan hissed. He was always someone who had a soft heart, he was easily sympathetic and very soft to kids. Shen Jiu was only a kid... Shen Yuan’s heart ached for him.

Shen Jiu looked at him with wide, astonished, eyes. He couldn’t believe someone cried for his well-being, he had Yan-shi but Yan-shi cried for her son, Shen Jiu was not her son. However, Shen Yuan was different, there had never been a bond between Shen Qing and Shen Yuan, only made when Shen Jiu took over.

No one ever cried for Shen Jiu, no one except for Qi-ge... In all his life, it was always him, hiding in the corner, silently crying over his fate. No one ever cried for him ever since Qi-ge left him in that hell (Shen Jiu didn’t know the desperate and grieving cry that resounded within the Spirit Cave when he was gone. How someone, and later on some people, cried for him)

Shen Jiu pursed his lips, looking slightly petulant, “I wasn’t about to kill myself!” He told Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan furrowed his brows. looking at Shen Jiu in stern disapproval before he blinked, “What do you mean?” he searched Shen Jiu’s expression, “Then why did you have a needle pointed to yourself?” he demanded sternly.

Shen Jiu furrrowed his brows, “It’s an acupuncture needle.”

“So?” Shen Yuan arched his brows. So what? It still could be dangerous if he stabbed it to himself, Shen Yuan wouldn’t allow this self-destructing action under his watch!

Shen Jiu furrowed his brows, trying to think up something that wouldn’t make a six-year-old him sound suspicious, “Something feels off with my body...” He started.

“Then go to physician,” Shen Yuan stated.

“I want to do it myself,” Shen Jiu said.

“Not everything needs you to get stabbed with a needle. And what are you? Six-years-old don’t get to do acupuncture procedure to anyone especially himself!” Shen Yuan scolded.

Shen Jiu had a headache, damn it, how could he explain it to this annoying person without being suspicious? “I’ve learned about acupuncture-“

“You’re six!!!”

Damn it! Curse this body’s age for being too young and had no credibility!

“I know how to do it, okay!?” Shen Jiu exclaimed, ignoring Shen Yuan’s disbelieving look.

“No, you’re not. Stay here and put on your clothes back!”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do!” Shen Jiu snapped but Shen Yuan forcefully pulled on his loose inner robe and manhandled him to the bed. “Let me go, Shen Yuan!”

Shen Yuan pushed Shen Jiu down the bed, glaring sternly, “Stay here,” he said and went to pick the big acupuncture needle and the box he spotted on the table beside the mirror.

“Where are you taking those!?” Shen Jiu shouted. It was hard to sneak those inside!

“I’m confiscating this. Stay in your room whilst this gege call a physician on you,” Shen Yuan said as he hurried outside. It wouldn’t be good if he asked servants or get servants involved, he didn’t want those people to badmouth such a fragile little boy. And Shen Jiu was young, he didn’t want this to affect his future.

A few minutes later, Shen Yuan had hidden the box of acupuncture needles and brought the family’s physician over to check on Shen Jiu with the excuse of, “My brother feels a bit under the weather.”

Shen Jiu stayed on his bed just like Shen Yuan had ordered, mainly because there was no use on getting fussy anyway as his acupuncture needles were confiscated. After a round of examination, in which Shen Jiu refused to be touched too much by the physician (Back in his past life, the healers from Qian Cao only needed to feel his wrist for a second before ascertaining his complaint, their peak lords only needed a glance to ascertain light ailment. These mortals were so backward.)

After saying that Shen Jiu was only feeling stressed (Shen Jiu scoffed), the physician prescribed him some medicines and concocted some kind of powder-like medicine before he left. Shen Yuan sat by the bed, looking at the medicine in his hand.

“Have you eaten yet?” Shen Yuan asked quietly.

“Just throw that away,” Shen Jiu huffed. “I’m not drinking that trash.”

“You have to,” Shen Yuan sighed.

“His words are bullshit,” Shen Jiu laid down on the bed and turned to the side.

Shen Yuan sighed and put the bowl of medicine to the desk beside the bed. “It’s fine if you don’t want to. But are you calm, yet?”

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes, “I’m calm. I’m always calm. You’re the one who panicked,” he mocked.

“Who wouldn’t?” Shen Yuan pouted, he scooted closer and stroked Shen Jiu’s head. “I was really afraid, you know?” He said.

“...” Shen Jiu didn’t respond.

“What would you do when your lovely little brother is holding a big needle that he directed at himself? Everyone would panic. I don’t know where did you learn that, but don’t do it again,” Shen Yuan said. When he received no response, he shook his head, “I’ll leave your medicine here. You can decide what you want to do with it.”

“Don’t tell my mother,” Shen Jiu turned over and said. Since she would go crazy about it. Shen Yuan had been very understanding and didn’t yell out his stupid misunderstanding for the whole family to hear, but Shen Jiu didn’t know if he would tell Yan-shi.

Shen Yuan paused, he mused for a bit before nodding, “Alright, I won’t tell your mother. But no more stupid stunt, okay?”

Shen Jiu sighed, “I wasn’t doing anything stupid. I’m not stupid. You’re overthinking and a drama queen.”

Shen Yuan flicked the boy’s forehead, “Then, explain to me what you were going to do?”

“I was experimenting,” Shen Jiu lied smoothly with a hint of reluctance in his voice to make him sound a bit embarrassed and genuine.

“You don’t experiment on yourself, seriously,” Shen Yuan squinted his eyes. “I’ll support you if you want to be a physician instead of a scholar, but don’t do anything stupid.”

Shen Jiu snorted but said nothing else. Shen Yuan spent so much time in his room, talking gently or simply there, Shen Jiu felt he was too much (Even though he felt a bit warm to think someone could care so much about him...) He soon pretended to be asleep and only then Shen Yuan left his room.

It was a hassle to get his hands on a set of acupuncture needles again, but he managed. This time, no one walked in on him when he did the procedure to unclog his meridian and activated his talent root. He threw up a mouthful of black blood into a handkerchief, burned it and tossed it away. Cleaned up the needles and stored it away.

Shen Jiu slept nicely that night when he finally had the feeling of qi running in him again. The next day he acted as usual, studying, visiting Shen Yuan, studying, having Shen Yuan visit him, greet Yan-shi who worked harder than before to make sure he got his right and bright future, studying. He only cultivated at night, forsaking his sleep.

Shen Jiu was also delighted to see that everyone finally took their attention away from Shen Jiu, well, everyone but Shen Yuan, the annoyingly caring elder brother kept to his promise and stayed by Shen Jiu’s side. (It made Shen Jiu felt spiteful and bitter that this body’s seventh brother kept his promise to Shen Jiu, but Shen Jiu’s own Qi-ge didn’t.)

Shen Yuan kept coming over to study with him, they simply sat in Shen Jiu’s room and read books or did calligraphy. Without even Shen Yuan knowing, his ‘crippled’ little brother had exceeded his cultivation.

“Yuan-ge...” Shen Jiu started as he dipped his brush into the ink by his side. “Your mother is not around anymore, right?” He said bluntly, he was too used to be blunt and not caring of other people’s feeling when he talked so bluntly. But he was currently in a six-year-old brat’s body, so he could do as he pleased.

Shen Yuan blinked, “Yeah, she died giving birth of me,” of this body. Or at least, that was what Shen Yuan heard.

“Are you sad?” Shen Jiu asked blankly, phrasing it like a kid would. Shen Yuan furrowed his brows and smiled awkwardly.

“Hm, yeah,” Shen Yuan replied reluctantly. Shen Jiu looked up, perhaps he had made him uncomfortable.

“Then, who protects you all this time?” Shen Jiu asked seriously. “My mother protects me, what about you?”

Shen Yuan smiled, “I don’t need to be protected, A’Jiu.”

“But mother said, every child needs protection,” Shen Jiu said, emphasizing on his ‘mother.’ “I almost got killed and crippled several times had it not for my mother.”

Shen Yuan smiled sadly, gazing at the cute boy in front of him in sympathy, “Rightfully, you shouldn’t have experienced any of those,” He said.  “And I’m just a shu son and very weak at that. No one would bother to look at me, why would they harm me?”

Shen Jiu nodded, “Hmm...” Fact is, they already harmed Shen Yuan. From what he heard, Ning-shi, Shen Yuan’s mother, got into labor quicker than expected and gave born to Shen Yuan before dying the next day. Everyone said that her fragile body probably couldn’t handle the labour and she died as a price.

When Shen Yuan was tested, his talent root was very low and his body’s constitution was weaker than any of the brothers. Everyone always thought this was because he was born prematurely and his talent root had yet to form perfectly in the womb. Laughable.

Shen Jiu saw nothing wrong in Shen Yuan. He was only called ‘sickly’ because he was weaker than the other brothers and born prematurely with his mother dying after the birthing process.

Ning-shi was eight months pregnant, although it was premature, if the baby was tended properly, he could be as healthy as any other child. And talent root wasn’t that cheap that being born prematurely could halt them.

Without a mother to protect him, Shen Yuan had also unknowingly been poisoned. It was difficult for Shen Yuan to refine qi properly in his body, although it didn’t show, it was still disturbing the qi’s flow. It was a type of sly poison to lower the enemy’s qi’s circulation and refinement. Unless they specifically examined the victim’s body for it, no normal physician would be able to detect it.

Shen Jiu glanced up at Shen Yuan who was having a time at nibbling a mooncake whilst reading a romance novel that he snuck inside as a normal scholarly book.

If only he would let Shen Jiu poked him with a few acupuncture needles, it would be much easier.

The poison had been in Shen Yuan’s body for years, longer than Shen Jiu’s poison. But it was nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a few pokes of acupuncture needles and a bowl of medicine to make him feel better and balanced his energy back. He would need a few weeks to recover fully, but it was still better than not at all.

Shen Qingqiu put down his brush and looked at the calligraphy he had made, “Yuan-ge, for you,” he said as he gestured to the piece of paper.

Shen Yuan looked up and leaned over to see his work, he clapped and patted Shen Jiu’s head, “My name? You wrote beautifully,” Shen Yuan praised generously as he looked at the yet-to-dry calligraphy of his name. ‘Yuan.’ ‘Low wall.’

Shen Jiu let the teen having fun with messing his hair and pointed at the paper, “Low wall. This is something easy for you to skip over,” he said.

Shen Yuan blinked, “Hm?” he made a noise of confusion before he saw a knowing look and enigmatic smile on his childish face.

“You will not be hindered by anything,” Shen Jiu said with an enigmatic smile. Because Shen Jiu would clear it for him.

One day, when the master of the house had to go out for something, Shen Yuan had an idea to entertain his darling little brother. With no one watching over their conducts, Shen Yuan took Shen Jiu out to the town nearby.

They ended up walking through the town, sightseeing and bought anything that caught their eyes. “Here, this one is delicious too,” Shen Yuan said as he put another stick of skewered meat from the fifth different stall they had visited.

Shen Jiu idly bit on the meat and pulled it off, he wrapped an oil paper around it and tossed it to a trashcan when Shen Yuan wasn’t looking.

“Here, this one,” Shen Yuan handed Shen Jiu several sticks of tanghulu and Shen Jiu finished those.

“Try this one, A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan handed another kind of food into Shen Jiu’s hand.

“Are you here to entertain me or yourself?” Shen Jiu asked pointedly as he scrunched up his nose to the freshly-baked meat bun in his hands.

“Oh...” Shen Yuan paused eating his meat bun and scratched his head. “You’re right. Go ahead, what do you want to buy? Yuan-ge will buy it for you,” Shen Yuan kindly encouraged as he nudged Shen Jiu on.

Soon, they stopped before a stall selling accessories and trinkets, Shen Yuan inspected some of them boredly as he haggled with the seller for an erudite jade hairpin. Meanwhile, Shen Jiu’s eyes were attracted to the paper fans section.

He missed having a fan in his hand to cover up his emotion or made a show, he touched one of the fans. The painting on them also looked good, though they weren’t as exquisitely made as his paper fans in the past life, they looked passable.

Shen Yuan noticed his little brother was interested in the fans and also grew interested, he dropped the hairpin and shifted to Shen Jiu’s side. “You want a folding fan?” he asked.

Shen Jiu looked up, “Hm, they’re not bad,” he nodded.

Shen Yuan looked over the collection and picked up two paper fans with the simplest yet elegant painting on it, the kind that Shen Jiu liked the most. They both had different paintings, but both paintings were of bamboo trees.

He gave one to Shen Jiu, “Here, it suits you,” Shen Yuan smiled and took that chance to pat Shen Jiu’s head again as he unfolded is own paper fan and fanned himself. “Old sir, I’ll buy these folding fans,” Shen Yuan said and Shen Jiu looked down on his own fan, feeling something weird tugging at his heart.

They went to some other stalls, but it was only Shen Yuan since Shen Jiu was not interested at all.

“Aren’t you the trash young master from Shen family?”

Shen Jiu blinked and looked back to see a bunch of kids below the age of ten, feeling a sense of emptiness when faced with kids, Shen Jiu simply turned around, not bothering to answer.

“Hey, answer me! You’re that trash who can’t cultivate, right?!” They soon began to gather attention, it was clear the intention was to humiliate Shen Jiu, but??? Shen Jiu had no time to deal with children, more so with the mortals who looked at them like an interesting opera show.

“Hey!” Shen Jiu stepped aside to avoid a hand that tried to grab onto him.

Smoothly, Shen Jiu patted his sleeve, “Refrain from touching me, this robe is too expensive to be touched by dirty street kids,” he said indifferently. The bunch looked offended, because no matter how you see them, they were children from prestigious families.

“Who did you say a dirty street kid?” The bigger kid stepped up, cracking his finger trying to intimidate Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu raised his brows, “Who do you think?” he sniffed haughtily, “I have no time for brats, go ahead now.”

“You-!”

“What’s going on?” Shen Yuan returned and furrowed his brows when he saw a bunch of kids behind Shen Jiu, and they didn’t look like Shen Jiu’s new friends. “What happened,” he asked Shen Jiu.

“Just some dirty street kids asking for money,” Shen Jiu smiled mockingly.

“You-!” They couldn’t do anything when they saw Shen Yuan coming to Shen Jiu’s rescue.

Shen Yuan smiled at the kids, knowing his little brother could be really rude to people he disliked, these kids probably annoyed him. “Don’t listen to him, just let it go, okay?” He said before he grabbed Shen Jiu’s hand and led him away. “You’re really a troublemaker,” Shen Yuan sighed exasperatedly.

“Troubles find me,” Shen Jiu shrugged.

“Did they do something that annoys you?” Shen Yuan asked willing to listen.

“Nothing in particular, just called me trash, so I called them beggars,” Shen Jiu replied.

Shen Yuan frowned, “Don’t listen to their words. Remember my stories? People that got called a trash usually could flip the heaven outside down if given the right chance,” he began his rambled again about people with trash talent and how they got to raise from the ashes of their failures and started a new life filled with many little brothers (henchmen) and wives.

Shen Jiu listened to his strange brother babbling again, he didn’t know where he heard about all of those stories he told Shen Jiu about trash young masters (sometimes, young miss) and how they actually had a secret talent that would astonish everyone or something about all-capable grandpas hiding in a shabby item that turned out to be an ancient treasure.

Shen Jiu always mulled how to convince his brother to let him poke him with needles for a few times without looking like a lunatic or a mad man. He weighed to reveal that he actually had a good talent but it didn’t feel right. In the end, Shen Jiu always left the topic alone.

However, one day, a few months before Shen Yuan turned fifteen and ready to be sent to the imperial academy to study, Shen Tian came to see Shen Jiu and said he also enrolled Shen Jiu to the junior academy. From Yan-shi’s expression, Shen Jiu knew it wasn’t anything good for him to be enrolled there especially for his young age.

Especially, since he was a Di son who wasn’t supposed to learn outside the family until he was older. It seemed like Yan-shi lost a round against one of the concubines in sweet-talking their pathetic husband.

Shen Jiu didn’t care. The Shen family’s mansion was only a place to sleep, that wasn’t his home. Shen Yuan, though, was ecstatic to have Shen Jiu come with him. Shen Yuan even helped him to pack his things even though that was servants’ job.

On the day they were going to leave, Yan-shi hugged Shen Jiu and cried like he was going to die and not just leave her for the academy. The brothers bade goodbye to their family and entered the carriage, they also had several guards to guard them along the journey.

“It’s nice, isn’t it. It will be my first time going out so far away with my little brother,” Shen Yuan sighed dreamily. When he was with Shen Jiu, he had a knack to say anything in his mind which came out weird, but since Shen Jiu was still very young, Shen Yuan didn’t really care.

Meanwhile, the mentally old and wise Shen Jiu only judged him silently. “It’s not an outing, we’re going to study at a prestigious,” stupid ass, “academy and will live there till we graduate.”

“I know, like a boarding school,” Shen Yuan said and Shen Jiu tilted his head.

Shen Jiu took out a book and opened it, “Anyway, it will be a long and boring journey. If we failed to make a name for ourselves, then, we’re powerless in the family.”

Shen Yuan blinked and looked at Shen Jiu, “Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid about failing, even if you fail, gege will take care of you. We can leave the family and started another business to sustain ourselves,” he said.

Shen Jiu looked up from his book, “You’re too optimistic.”

“Well, that’s the worst case scenario. I’m bringing you away if you want,” Shen Yuan smiled. “Come on, it will be fun. I’ll take care of you for your whole life.” Shen Yuan had always been the one getting taken care of and being idle in his life. He never had someone to spoil. Now he had a little brother, it would be good to spoil him more.

Shen Jiu’s lips curled up, “That sounds like a proposal.”

“Huh?”

“You should be careful of what you said Yuan-ge. If it’s anyone other than me and with a more twisted view in life, they would already claim you to be theirs for an entire life,” Shen Jiu laughed eerily.

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened, “You...” He said speechlessly.

For the next several minutes, Shen Yuan was uncharacteristically silent as he looked out of the window in a daze.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Jiu noticed his strange silence and asked.

Shen Yuan shook his head, “It’s just, your words triggered something from the past.” His voice became so quiet almost inaudible. “Basic plot... basic.... BL... Incest... transmigration... Accidentally read... biggest regret...” He murmured words Shen Jiu didn’t recognize again.

Shen Jiu shook his head at his elder brother’s weirdness.

The journey continued until the sky turned orange, they decided to rest for the night before continuing their journey on the second day.

At the second day, when the day began to turn dark, it was when a commotion broke outside. Shen Yuan startled awake by the commotion and saw Shen Jiu had already looked outside, his expression was grim.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Yuan asked as he opened the curtain slightly and peered outside. His blood ran cold.

“Bandits,” Shen Jiu said.

“The guards didn’t discourage them?” Shen Yuan said.

Shen Jiu frowned, “It probably encouraged them, they probably think we’re a rich entourage.” Which was true.

Shen Yuan frowned, he was anxious but he forced himself to remain calm, “Relax, A’Jiu. The guards should be able to stop them,” he had to remain calm for his six-year-old little brother.

Shen Jiu stayed silent, Yan-shi had sent strong guards to guard them, but it seemed they wouldn’t last.

“Young master!” Soon, a panicked voice of a guard outside called out to them. “We’ve been besieged. Please come out of the carriage, we’ll escort you out to safety!”

Shen Yuan pulled Shen Jiu close and opened the door to the carriage, “Are we losing?” Shen Yuan asked.

“We’re doing our best. But the safety of young masters are our priority,” The bearded guard said.

Shen Yuan jumped off the carriage and picked up Shen Jiu, putting his little brother on his hips with his arms wrapped protectively around him. “Lead the way,” he said.

Shen Jiu didn’t like to be carried like a kid, but he knew it wasn’t the time to fuss or else Shen Yuan would be in danger, he simply hooked his arms around Shen Yuan’s neck and stared at the scene past Shen Yuan’s shoulder. No, he couldn’t win against that many, he only started cultivating a few months ago.

Shen Yuan’s gentle hand pushed Shen Jiu’s head to be buried in the crook of his neck, “Don’t look,” he ordered and Shen Jiu obeyed.

Shen Yuan ran further and further away to the direction the guard guided him to, there was only one guard with them to lead their way, if something went wrong, they were in a very high risk of getting injured.

“Gwah-!”

Shen Yuan gasped and stepped aside as the guard leading their way was shot on his leg and fell. Shen Yuan looked up to see a bandit with a bow raised towards them.

“Run, young master!” The guard yelled out hoarsely.

Shen Yuan gritted his teeth and continued to run.

“Hey! The rich hostages are here! You guys, come on!” the archer yelled to his companions who were already winning against the guards.

“Get them! Get them! Get them!” Several bandits immediately took off after them.

Shen Yuan squeezed Shen Jiu’s tighter as he increased his speed, but one of the bandits throw a qi-infused rock to his leg which made him trip over and fell. He let go of Shen Jiu and checked if there was any injury on the boy before he turned around to see the bandits already stood over them, smirking cruelly.

“Ey, we got a pretty boy and a small kid, what should we do?” A scrawny-looking bandit asked as he stepped up.

“Tie them up and send one of the living guards to convey our message,” The bear-like bandit said as he swung his axe. “We lost so many men, we better got a lot of money for it too.”

“Hehehe, maybe, we could have fun with them?”

Shen Yuan tensed, he scooted back and covered his little brother from the bandits’ heated look, “Wait,” he said calmly, controlling his voice to not shake even a bit. “What do you want, money? You can take everything in the carriage. I can give you more, but you have to let us go,” he said.

They all snorted, “You rich people are smart liars. We’ll get what were here and the money from taking you hostage. Round them up.”

“Wait!” Shen Yuan cried out. “I... I can come with you guys, but let my little brother go,” he said firmly.

Shen Jiu snapped his head up, his eyes were wide in shock.

“Not a chance.”

“Please, he’s just a kid! He couldn’t do anything! Let him go!” Shen Yuan said as he pushed himself to stand up, fully shielding Shen Jiu from them. “I’m asking you, sirs, please...” he pleaded.

“No,” a woman’s voice resounded coldly. The bandits looked back to see a female bandit walking over. “The kid is a Di son, we can’t let him go,” She informed to her companions and Shen Yuan’s eyes widened.

How could they know Shen Jiu was the main son!?

“A Di son? Whoah! We got big!” One bandit exclaimed in excitement.

“Hehehe, this pretty boy here is pretty loyal to a Di son. What? You’re his servant or something?”

“Tie them up!”

They moved to capture Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu. Shen Yuan glared, “He’s just a child!” he yelled. “No- you can’t-!” Shen Yuan shouted protectively as he tried to stop them from getting around him to get Shen Jiu.

“Shut up!” One bandit yelled as he tried to push Shen Yuan off. But Shen Yuan held him off, digging his heel to the ground.

“This bastard is really-“

“Don’t touch him,” Shen Jiu hissed coldly. Everyone paused and looked at the boy behind Shen Yuan. “I’ll make you regret it if you hurt him.”

The bandits looked at each other and laughed boisterously, “This kid has a gut!” they ceased laughing and one of them laughed, “I hate gutsy kids the most, leave him to me so I can educate him later,” a scrawny-looking bandit sneered cruelly.

“Hehe, are we taking dibs now? Then, I’ll call dibs on the older one. He looks deli-“

Snap

“Ggguh?” the bandit who didn’t get to finish his words suddenly gurgled as blood seeped out of his mouth.

“Da Mao!” His companions exclaimed in shock.

“I already said,” Shen Jiu raised his head. “Don’t touch my gege.” He raised his hand and hurled another pebble, this time, it was towards the one who had wanted to push Shen Yuan earlier, it slashed his arm and created an ugly wound, blood seeped out of his clothes.

“Gaaahh-!”

“What was that?!” the bandits cried out.

“You, brat! I’ll cut your hands off!” A bear-like bandit roared and swung his long sword towards Shen Jiu.

Snap

Shen Jiu snapped open his paper fan, he spun to avoid the attack and used his fan to gently nudge the sword to another direction to make his opponent open and quickly struck the bandit’s unprotected side.

“Shen Jiu?!” Shen Yuan cried out in disbelief.

Shen Jiu stepped aside as the bandit fell with a scream, holding his wounded side.

“Grab him!”

Shen Jiu twirled his fan and brought it up to slash the air, leaves from the trees surrounding them suddenly fell, twirling with the wind before turned razor-sharp and answered Shen Jiu’s summon with his fan. “You want money? Too bad, no one would burn money for trashes like you. Suffer in hell, you bastards,” he hissed and the razor-sharp leaves pounced towards them.

Shen Yuan watched in half awe, half horror as the bandits cried out miserably when the falling leaves (Leaves!) cut open their skins. Some looked no different from a knife’s slash, some were papercut thin.

Strangely the leaves that blew around Shen Yuan was still like normal leaves that couldn’t hurt anything at all. And then suddenly. Suddenly everything stopped.

The bandits were on the ground, but they were alive, shaking and shivering in pain.

Shen Jiu looked at them coldly, “Scram. You know what I can do now, right?” he hissed.

They all looked at him, in their eyes, there was no more greed. Only fear and terror. They quickly scrambled up and ran away as fast as their bleeding body could, crying ugly with their pain.

After they were gone, Shen Yuan shifted, “A’Jiu...? Are you...-“

Shen Jiu suddenly lose his balance and fell down. If it wasn’t because Shen Yuan reacted quickly and caught him Shen Jiu would have hit the ground.

“Shen Jiu!” Shen Yuan cried out in worry. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?! Didi, please answer me,” Shen Yuan stressed.

“Tired...” Shen Jiu breathed out. “Too much... qi...” he closed his eyes.

Shen Yuan calmed down when he said he was only tired. “Sleep, then. Gege will guard you,” he whispered as he stroked Shen Jiu’s head.

“But when you’re awake, you’ll be explaining to me what the heck did you just do,” Shen Yuan said sternly and Shen Jiu’s lips curled up before darkness overwhelmed him.

Chapter Text

Shen Jiu slowly opened his eyes, his bleary sight soon settled down on a ceiling he didn’t recognize. His body ached and the qi in his body was so little than he was used to. This wasn’t Qian Cao peak, it lacked the calming herbal fragrance. This also wasn’t Qing Jing peak, it had no fresh smell of bamboo nor used ink and his favourite incense stick.

Where the hell...

“A’Jiu...? A’Jiu, have you woken up?!” A familiar face appeared in Shen Jiu’s bleary and dry sight and he blinked. Everything suddenly rushed back in his mind and he blinked again.

Shen Yuan watched as his little brother blinked a few times, furrowing his eyebrows as if Shen Yuan was an alien. He poured a cup of water for Shen Jiu and lightly touched the boy’s shoulder, “Here, drink some water first.”

Shen Yuan’s concern-laced voice snapped Shen Jiu out of it and he pushed himself to sit up, “Yuan-“

“Ssh, drink first,” Shen Yuan said as he pushed the glass before Shen Jiu’s lips.

Shen Jiu grabbed the cup and downed the content in one gulp. He coughed, “What happened? Where are we?” Shen Jiu asked hoarsely.

Shen Yuan gazed at him, “It’s okay, we’re in the academy. We’re safe,” he said with a reassuring tone that didn’t really ease Shen Jiu’s nerve.

Silence fell onto them both, Shen Yuan busied himself with pouring another cup of water and putting a spoon of honey into it, stirring the water to mix it thoroughly. Shen Jiu watched Shen Yuan cautiously, he shifted nervously, “How...?”

“Later about that,” Shen Yuan smiled lightly, the teaspoon clinking against the edge of the cup. “Drink more,” he said as he helped Shen Jiu to drink the honeyed water.

After a few sips, Shen Jiu pushed back the cup. “I...” Shen Jiu groaned as he held his head. He needed time to reorganize his thought, damn it. “How long did I pass out?” He asked to bid his time.

“Three days,” Shen Yuan answered dourly.

“Three what?” Shen Jiu groaned again. Qi depletion is a fucking bitch. “I can explain,” he said hoarsely before he could rearrange his messy mind.

“Later. Lay down first, I’ll call for the physician.”

 After making sure that Shen Jiu was accounted for, Shen Yuan left and returned not long after with an old man with long white beard. Shen Jiu let himself be checked by the physician before he prescribed some medicines for Shen Jiu and left.

Silence fell again, Shen Jiu sighed, seeing no way to avoid this topic, he looked at Shen Yuan. “I guess, you can say so,” he said. “Look, I know you’re angry-“

“Angry? Why would I be angry?” Shen Yuan cut him off, sounding agitated, only confirming Shen Jiu’s suspicion.

“I didn’t do anything wrong-“

“Oh, of course you don’t.”

Shen Jiu reeled, “Don’t use that tone on me!”

Before Shen Jiu could further say anything in his defense Shen Yuan wrapped his arms around Shen Jiu and pulled him close. “Save your breath, A’Jiu. I’m not upset. I’m just... I’m glad you’re awake now,” he stroked the boy’s head tenderly and Shen Jiu relaxed in his arms. “I didn’t mean to sound upset, don’t worry,” he had been really worried for Shen Jiu in the last three days, although physician said he was only exhausted, Shen Yuan still couldn’t help but feeling anxious.

But fortunately, Shen Jiu had woken up now.

“You’re... you’re not mad?” Shen Jiu asked.

Shen Yuan pulled away, “Of course, I’m not. Why would I?” he said, smiling assuringly.

Because Shen Jiu hid the truth? Because Shen Jiu had let him let him believe on the lie that stuck? Shen Jiu inhaled deeply, “Yeah. Why would you? You have no right to be mad,” Shen Jiu snorted and crossed his arms, sounding too much like comforting himself rather than the other way around.

Shen Yuan stroked Shen Jiu’s hair affectionately, “You had a very high fever. I was so worried, did you feel anything wrong? I’ll call the physician in a bit,” he reassured and was about to leave when Shen Jiu held him back.

“No. No need. I’m fine,” Shen Jiu shook his head. “First, how do we get here?”

Shen Yuan frowned, “A few guards survived with severe wounds. Between the academy and our home, the academy was way closer, so I ordered to get us here first.”

=.=.=.=.=.=

Shen Yuan carried Shen Jiu in his arms as he limped to their carriage. He cringed when he saw the bloody scene with countless of Shen family’s guards and bandits’ corpses scattered about. Resisting the urge to throw up, he stepped over those corpses in his way and made his way to the carriage.

Shen Yuan accidentally kicked a body’s leg and the body surged up, groaning.

“Agh... Young... Young master?” A bloodied guard who Shen Yuan mistook as a corpse slowly came into consciousness and looked at Shen Yuan in alarm.  “Young master-“ he looked around and saw the horrible sight and spotted no enemy. “How...”

Shen Yuan looked down at him, “We managed to win somehow,” he said.

“Young master, are you okay? What happened to Jiu-shaoye?” The old guard coughed and looked in concern to the boy in Shen Yuan’s arms. He was one of the madam’s people, if something happened to the Di son, he might as well kill himself right now.

“He passed out because of shock,” Shen Yuan answered evenly, not batting an eyelid.

“Is he okay? Is he injured anywhere?” The old guard stuttered his question nervously.

“He’s fine, we somehow managed to hide through the chaos,” Shen Yuan replied. “I need you to do something though. Help us to get to the academy as fast as possible.”

“Eh...? Qi-shaoye, we have no more guards.”

“Doesn’t matter. Going home now is more dangerous. Escort us to the academy and then you can return to report this to father,” Shen Yuan said expressionlessly as he turned away and put Shen Jiu down inside the carriage.

=.=.=.=.=.=.

Shen Jiu heard Shen Yuan’s explanation blankly. He soon nodded when Shen Yuan finished, “I see...”

“We caused a lot of ruckus when we arrived, but everything is alright now,” Shen Yuan sighed as he carded his fingers gently through Shen Jiu’s black locks.

“Have the family been told yet?”

“I don’t know. But they should be aware of it now,” Shen Yuan said.

“Mother will be worried,” he murmured, pretending to be concerned of Yan-shi’s reaction.

“She will,” Shen Yuan agreed. “Though, she would be delighted to hear her only son has a cultivation that was enough to scare off the bandit which killed almost our entire entourage,” he added mildly and Shen Jiu cursed in his mind.

Smooth, Shen Yuan. Really smooth.

Shen Jiu lowered his head, “Did you tell the guard...?” He asked bitterly.

Shen Yuan looked at Shen Jiu exasperatedly, “What things should I tell him when you didn’t even tell me a thing?” he said bitterly.

Shen Jiu pursed his lips and Shen Yuan crossed his arms.

“Anything you want to explain, little brother?” Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Didn’t you want to explain something to me earlier?” he looked at the seemingly unrepentant boy in front of him, “You can cultivate,” Shen Yuan stated.

Shen Jiu dragged a hand across his face and sighed, “I can,” he affirmed.

“You have power! You could cultivate!” Shen Yuan exclaimed

Shen Jiu sighed, “Yes... It was a long story,” he said when he noticed Shen Yuan’s fervent and almost unforgiving stare.

“Shen Qing,” Shen Yuan said sternly and Shen Jiu had an urge to roll his eyes. There it goes, Shen Jiu’s real name and the tone that promised a serious talk about manner and way of life. “I haven’t had a proper sleep for the last three days, waiting for you to wake up. I have all the time in the world for you, surely an explanation cannot be that long.”

Shen Jiu looked at Shen Yuan and struggled a bit inside. Fuck this. There was no way Shen Jiu would admit the truth, something like reincarnation was like a thorn and Shen Jiu had not reached that level where he unconditionally trusted Shen Yuan. Moreover, the bigger problem was, Shen Yuan wouldn’t understand, he was just a mere mortal, young and sheltered. There was no way Shen Jiu could tell him, “I’m actually an old soul, died, and reincarnated to a body of a child which was your little brother.”

Come on, Shen Jiu was not that reckless. At best, Shen Yuan would think he was strange. At worst, he would be at the stake.

When he saw Shen Yuan’s brows began to furrow in discontent and- was that slight disappointment?- with Shen Jiu's stretched silence, Shen Jiu recalled Shen Yuan’s crazy tales that he often told Shen Jiu before bed (Which Shen Jiu often pretended to fall asleep through just to get him to stop) or when they were free.

Controlling his facial expression, Shen Jiu opened his mouth. “The test was wrong,” he started.

“Huh?”

“The talent test,” Shen Jiu said.

“Hm, yeah. It told you that you can’t cultivate,” obviously, it was wrong. Look, his little brother can cultivate! “But what I’m asking is how you have a cultivation. The power?”

Shen Jiu looked at Shen Yuan. A first step of lying correctly is to keep an eye contact. “Remember when I was brought by mother outside the manor?” Shen Jiu waited till Shen Yuan seemed to recall that and continued, “I accidentally lost the sight of mother at that time and walked aimlessly in the street,” more like, Shen Jiu purposefully lost Yan-shi so he could buy something he needed for his measly cultivation with the money he secretly snuck into his pocket.

Shen Yuan furrowed his brows when he heard this but kept his silence.

Shen Jiu inhaled deeply, “I met an old man...”

It had been a week since the time Shen Jiu woke up, a week since Shen Jiu lied to Shen Yuan. He only felt guilty about it for one sichen before everything returned to normal, Shen Yuan, though, he seemed like he was freaking out for a few days. Shen Yuan was good at covering it up, but Shen Jiu was also the master of wearing a mask, he could see the slip-up from time to time.

However, Shen Yuan seemed to return to his old self pretty quickly after whatever that plagued his mind after Shen Jiu’s convincing lie.

Shen Jiu made him promise to not tell the family about his cultivation, though. Shen Yuan agreed, in return, he made Shen Jiu promise to tell him if ‘the old man’ came to Shen Jiu, to which Shen Jiu agreed to.

It was lucky that, because of Shen Jiu’s initial condition when they arrived, the brothers got to be roommates and not separated by age-range like other students. However, Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan went to a different building to study.

“Oh, you’re back already,” Shen Yuan claimed when he saw Shen Jiu inside their shared room, playing a Go by himself again. “How’s your day?”

“The same as yesterday,” Shen Jiu answered as he moved his piece before moving to think how to counter it.

“Hard day again?” Shen Yuan’s lips quirked up.

“Staying in the same classroom to study with overbearing children who don’t even memorize the four books and five classics was not hard. It’s a torture,” when Shen Jiu told Shen Yuan this, the older brother laughed in good nature.

“Not everyone came from a literary family and has the best resource like you. Moreover, you’re really too smart for a kid your age. Maybe you should loosen up a bit and play with the kids your age,” Shen Yuan suggested.

Shen Jiu gently slammed the piece in his hand, beating himself again in his own game. “Unless you hit me in the head and making me brain dead. That’s a very unlikely thing to happen,” he deadpanned.

When the semester ended, everyone could choose to stay at the academy or going home. Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu returned home. They didn’t choose to, however, their family’s guards came to fetch them back.

When Shen Jiu returned, he was enveloped within Yan-shi’s motherly embrace. She fussed how much she missed and worried about him, just like what she did whenever she wrote him a letter that Shen Jiu replied with his own faked heartfelt response.

When they pulled away, Shen Jiu’s eyes instantly focused on Yan-shi’s bulging stomach.

Yan-shi stroked her stomach lovingly and smiled at Shen Jiu.

“You’re pregnant?” Shen Jiu asked, honestly surprised.

“Yes,” Yan-shi smiled in delight, pleased that she managed to surprise her son. “You’re going to earn a little brother,” she said blithely.

Shen Jiu didn’t know what to feel when he looked at Yan-shi’s bulging stomach. He honestly didn’t care, but he felt something tugging at his heart, like a string was strangling it with a tangled mess. This tug didn’t have a connection with his soul, but rather, his blood. In the end, he couldn’t help himself, “How?”

“Mother will tell you the whole story later,” she whispered to Shen Jiu.

After the welcoming, fending off the troublesome relatives, and paying respect to the family head. Yan-shi took Shen Jiu to his room and began asking him all sort of things. She was obviously pleased to hear Shen Jiu was ranked first in his class when the brothers reported their progress to Shen family head earlier and wanted to hear more about it. Probably so she could tell it to her husband.

After done asking many things, Yan-shi stroked Shen Jiu’s head, “I was really worried when I heard that your group was attacked by bandits on the way to the academy. I cried and cried every night, fortune is still with this lady that you’re okay now,” she wrapped her arms loosely around Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu forced himself to not tense up and let himself be embraced. “I’m also happy to be here with you again, mother,” he said quietly.

Yan-shi sighed in content and pulled away, she stroked her bulging stomach, “There was always fortune out of disaster. When your father heard about the news and saw me being worried sick, he became really gentle with me. He favored me quite often to soothe my worry, those concubines couldn’t even do anything to stop it,” she smiled charmingly. Her smeared red lips curled in an intoxicating angle.

Shen Jiu’s heart skipped a beat and he smiled, somehow, out of all fake smiles he showed ever since he landed inside this body, this smile was the hardest to do. “That’s great, mother,” he forced out.

Yan-shi smiled and kissed Shen Jiu’s forehead, “You’ll be an amazing brother, Shen Qing. Your brother will certainly able to support us.” She stroked her son’s jade-like soft cheeks adoringly, “You will also have to support him.”

Shen Jiu smiled, “Yes.”

When Yan-shi was gone, Shen Jiu put his head on the low table in the middle of his room, clutching his hand over his heart. This cry of agony from within him was not from his soul, but from his blood. Even though he was no longer here, the owner of this body still could feel the crushing feeling of disappointment from the obvious abandonment.

Such a familiar feeling. Shen Jiu felt only despise for this particular feeling.

‘Just go fucking away already,’ Shen Jiu cursed. ‘Your real owner is dead, follow him to the cycle of reincarnation, damn it!’ This residual emotion was from the original owner of this body. It should pass once he experienced something heart-shattering from the person held close by the original owner. It seemed like the event earlier made it happen.

Shen Jiu heard a knock and perked up slightly. Shen Yuan slid the door open and saw his little brother had his head down on the desk, his lips were pressed into a grim line as he looked at Shen Jiu with sympathy.

He heard it all.

Shen Yuan heard it all.

Shen Yuan came to return Shen Jiu’s books he accidentally brought with him and had to stay outside the door when he heard Yan-shi’s voice from inside the room. He hid when Yan-shi was leaving and was debating whether or not to enter and see Shen Jiu. It seemed like he made the right judgment.

“A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan called out.

Shen Jiu raised his head, glancing at Shen Yuan dispiritedly, “She replaced me,” He smiled bitterly. Two streaks of tears continuously rolling down his cheeks without him realizing. “I almost died and she used that excuse to secure herself another son who will not be a failure,” he laughed coldly.

Shen Yuan closed the door and went to sit beside Shen Jiu, he wiped Shen Jiu’s tears with his sleeve and wrapped his arms around the boy. “Ssh, don’t cry.”

“I’m not crying,” Shen Jiu spat out. It wasn’t him crying, it was the residual emotion of the original soul!

“And you’re not a failure. She just doesn’t know how much of a talent you are,” Shen Yuan stated. He truly cannot believe how heartless Yan-shi played. “If she knows-“

“Doesn’t change a thing,” Shen Jiu said coldly. “A mother should love her son unconditionally. She used my safety as a chess piece to win over the women in the harem,” he said. He didn’t care if she was pregnant, but the condition how she could get pregnant was. From her words, clearly, she delightfully used Shen Jiu’s misfortune as a chance to get herself another son.

“You’re right. A’Jiu is right,” Shen Yuan nodded readily. He didn’t know how to comfort this mature little boy, he knew what Yan-shi did was terrible but that was how the harem intrigue worked.

He frowned upon that but it was normal here.

They stayed like that until Shen Jiu could finally regain control over his emotions.

They spent their time in the manor for the rest of the vacation. In the next end of the semester, Shen Jiu used the excuse of wanting to focus on studying to reject the escorts that had come for him. Shen Yuan stayed with him in the academy.

Shen Jiu only sent a heartfelt letter for his mother wishing for her and the new baby’s health as well reminding her to be careful with the baby boy’s food and incenses (What a surprise, another boy after nine boys.)

He didn’t care about the baby, but if that baby would take his place as the succeeding Di son, then, it can only make things easier...

Some people said that Shen Yuan always had his head up in the cloud, unaware of things around him. Shen Yuan would disagree with that notion. It wasn’t like he was unaware of things around him, it was just he chose to ignore it if he (or his subconscious) think it was a pain to face it directly.

Shen Yuan was not dense. It was just he could take in many things without thinking that it was weird.

After all, what could be weirder than getting your soul transferred into a Xianxia world where cultivation existed and he probably died in his original world leaving his loving family behind?

Shen Yuan was willing to take in almost everything as a norm. Even the ridiculous thing as memorizing an entire library in one semester (Apparently, that was normal for these freaks from this world. Luckily, with cultivation, memorizing became much easier). Shen Yuan could take in the fact that trying to kill an innocent little boy was a normal thing in this world, cruel for him, but normal for this world.

That led him to take Shen Jiu’s genius mind as a norm too. He never thought of it as strange that Shen Jiu repeatedly always won against Shen Yuan in Go, after all, Shen Yuan sucked at the game. He’d rather play monopoly, but that board game didn’t exist in this world.

He didn’t think of it as strange that Shen Jiu’s calligraphy was far better and prettier than Shen Yuan could ever do, oh, who was he to question the native of the world when it came to capability? That was probably normal for a kid his age in this world, right? Wasn't geniuses in Xianxia novels always depicted as someone who can read at the age of two?

He didn’t feel that it was strange that Shen Jiu could play guqin. Again, who was he to question the native’s talent?

When Shen Yuan learned that Shen Jiu could possibly be a main character, he was... what was the expression again? Ah, shook. He was shook. But after wrapping his head around it, he shrugged it off. It only made more sense now, right? All of those talents and a main character.

A possible main character anyway. However, Shen Yuan would make sure Shen Jiu wouldn’t be troubled or went astray if he was indeed a main character.

After attending the academy, living in it, and making friends inside of it with many noble scholars from everywhere. Shen Yuan began to get the feel and understanding of the standard of this world more than when he was cooped up at Shen family manor.

Shen Jiu was a unique child. He was an odd one out of many kids within the academy. Whenever he was free from his own class, he would come to visit Shen Yuan and then sat with Shen Yuan, demanding whatever sweets Shen Yuan had with him as a tribute.

Some of his friends already pointed it out to Shen Yuan that... Shen Jiu was simply a bit too unique for a kid his age... Or any age-range for a student of the academy, really.

However, Shen Yuan simply shrugged all of them off. Telling them that Shen Jiu was simply a genius and a natural at being a scholar. Probably genetic. That. That was not him being dense. He chose to ignore the weirdness of it.

Even when Shen Jiu started giving him some strange concoction and poked Shen Yuan with acupuncture needle whenever Shen Yuan lowered his guard around the boy... Okay, alright, maybe that was not normal. No normal cute little boy would suddenly whip out an acupuncture needle to stab his half-brother and then act like nothing happened after the said half brother let out a strangled cry and hit the ground.

And Shen Yuan was unable to stop the boy at all, no matter when Shen Yuan gave him a good scolding or a time-out (The first time Shen Yuan gave Shen Jiu a time-out, the boy looked at him like he had grown three heads and fumed all the one sichen he was at the corner. Seriously, no little kid should have that much outrage after being put into a time-out.)

Not to mention, Shen Yuan felt like he was getting better and better at this whole cultivation thing and progressed faster too.

But Shen Yuan couldn’t really reach the part where he questioned about that, especially when he overheard the conversation between Shen Jiu and his mom and how Shen Jiu cried after that. When Shen Yuan saw Shen Jiu’s tears, he couldn’t help but to feel bitter at himself.

Shen Jiu was still a normal kid, after all. He had so much in his hands and had to hold himself together most of the times, Shen Yuan didn’t have the heart to question him about everything he found odd about Shen Jiu.

By the time Shen Yuan was seventeen and Shen Jiu was eight, Shen Yuan still ignored Shen Jiu’s odd quirks and accepted it as a normal part of his new little brother.

“There you go, you look handsome,” Shen Yuan smiled at his work, after years of doing this, he got a lot better at doing Shen Jiu’s hair and pulled it into a tight bun, also adorning it with jade crown.

Shen Jiu snorted, creasing his eyebrows as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. He looked older and sharper than the first time he came into this body, but ultimately, he was still a kid with the baby fat in many places he didn’t desire.

He disliked having to put his hair in a bun as it showed his chubby cheeks more than when he let it down, but Shen Yuan had taken a liking of putting it into a bun. Moreover, many kids Shen Jiu’s age also put their hair in a bun or ponytail.

“Come on, don’t scowl like that. It’s gonna be your first day in the intermediate class,” Shen Yuan coaxed. The academy was separated into three sub-section. Basic, intermediate, and advanced. The basic part was mostly for kids and didn’t really teach many kids except for the kids of noble families that were stupid enough or low enough in rank. The intermediate class was where young scholars gathered. Whereas advanced class was where the more learned scholars went to.

Shen Yuan had managed to get himself to the advanced class in the second year. Shen Jiu could leave the basic a long time ago, but doing so meant he would gain attention from his ‘family’ so... No, thanks. Even if he had to bear the overbearing children for two years, he couldn’t do anything about it.

Getting to the intermediate class too fast would be a problem, but too late would also make him look like a heavy baggage, so he decided to take the test and proceeded to the intermediate class with perfect scores.

“So cute,” Shen Yuan couldn’t resist to coo as he smoothened his little brother’s uniform, pulling the boy’s close and rubbed his cheek against Shen Jiu’s chubby cheek much to the boy’s chagrin.

Shen Jiu pushed Shen Yuan’s face away, “Stop that. Disgusting,” he said bluntly as he rubbed his cheek with his sleeve to make a point of his disgust but that only made him seemed cuter in Shen Yuan’s eyes.

“Yes, yes,” Shen Yuan pinched the boy’s cheek for good measure.

“How’s your day?” Shen Yuan asked affectionately when he saw Shen Jiu coming his way.

“Some idiots challenged me in a game of Go,” Shen Jiu replied easily. Knowing one way or another Shen Yuan would hear about it and wouldn’t shut up until Shen Jiu told him all about it. “I won,” Shen Jiu tossed a few jade hairpins and pendant onto the table and Shen Yuan looked down at them all blankly even as his own friends gasped.

“You gambled?” Shen Yuan’s eyes twitched.

“They asked for it,” Shen Jiu said.

“Who taught you this?”

“Myself.”

“You can’t gamble, you’re still young,” Shen Yuan frowned. This can’t continue, ah, how could an eight-year-old boy gamble?

“They’re the one who proposed it,” Shen Jiu said as several girls from the same intermediate class as Shen Jiu passed by and giggled when they saw him.

Shen Yuan stared, speechless.

“Hehe, your little brother has more charisma than all of us combined, Shen Yuan,” One of Shen Yuan’s friends, Cao Zhi, pointed out with a mock jealous tone.

“Younger generation is overstepping the older generation for sure,” Another one chimed in.

“My little brother is eight,” Shen Yuan said sharply.

“And really popular with ladies.”

“Silence, you all,” Shen Yuan demanded. “Those girls just now were older than Shen Qing.”

“In a few years, that age-gap wouldn’t matter,” Cao Zhi argued.

“We’re talking about it now, aren’t we?” Shen Yuan said, frowning at Cao Zhi. “Moreover, are you being bullied?” It had been two weeks since Shen Jiu moved to the intermediate section and Shen Yuan hadn’t heard of anything amiss yet. But if he really was being bullied, Shen Yuan would need to stand by his little brother’s side!

“Looking at it, it seemed like your little brother was the one doing the bullying,” Another friend of Shen Yuan pointed out to the loot Shen Jiu had brought.

Shen Yuan shook his head in exasperation at his friends before pulling Shen Jiu to sit beside him. Once in a while, advanced and intermediate sections would merge as one and listen to a lecture together. Today was one of those days.

Shen Yuan got rid of the trinkets Shen Jiu brought, patiently lecturing Shen Jiu about gambling and ignoring the urges to do that. Shen Jiu didn’t seem to be listening but he nodded in between Shen Yuan’s sentences like he was agreeing with his half-brother.

“I heard we’ll have a guest lecturer for this lecture,” Cao Zhi started.

“Really?” Shen Yuan raised his brows.

“Yeah, I heard about it too. Other students saw a small but tightly guarded entourage coming yesterday,” Lady Cai of Cai Household said delicately.

“They could be only normal guests,” A man named Long Shuting said.

“Lu Ying said they came from a Sect and was here to see if there was any possible talented candidate they could invite to join their sect,” Lady Cai said.

Astonished gasps broke within their little group.

“A sect?” Shen Yuan leaned in, interested.

“Yes, I heard they were pretty famous too,” Lady Cai nodded.

“Even so, it’s useless for me. My talent was common, even after years of cultivation, I’m still stuck in the basic foundation.”

“Still, if they were doing a lecture. Maybe, we could gain enlightenment.”

“Are they really strong?” Shen Yuan asked.

Lady Cai looked at him, “They were pretty famous around this region, many young masters and misses from prestigious families hoped to join them. But I heard, they specifically wanted to recruit gifted scholars with cultivation talent,” she elaborated.

“Why scholars?” Cao Zhi asked.

“I’m clueless about that, ”Lady Cai said.

“I think I heard about it somewhere,” Another young master chirped in, Gong Yu, “They wanted to have a standing within politics, with gifted scholars, they could achive that.”

“Why would a Sect wanted to be a part of politics?”

“Yes, that could be a false news.”

Gong Yu shrugged, “That’s from what I heard, I never said it could be true.”

“Anyway, I heard they accepted anyone below twenty,” Lady Cai said and some of them visibly deflated.

“Curse my fate, I turned twenty-one a month ago,” Tao Ze mumbled.

“Below twenty, I’m seventeen this year,” Shen Yuan murmured and he felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked at Shen Jiu who looked at him blankly.

“You want to join a sect?” The boy asked with a tone of disdain. More disdain than usual.

“I think it’s fine to join the fun and try my luck,” Shen Yuan nodded.

Shen Jiu scowled, “Sects are overrated. They’re not as powerful nor otherworldly as people think,” said the one who was a peak lord in his previous life, living in the best environment this world could ever offer, the Tian Gong Mountain Range.

“Why? You don’t want to?” Shen Yuan asked, a glint appeared in his eyes. “You know, I think you could be accepted,” he said in a hushed tone.

“No,” Shen Jiu snorted. Been there, done that.

“Why?” Shen Yuan asked.

“It’s overrated.”

“You’ve never even been in a Sect,” Shen Yuan pointed out.

Ah, right. “You’ll be tied to the Sect for possibly the rest of your life,” Shen Jiu said. Unless under a certain condition in which the sect head died or had to ascend and the successors were not in good term... Or, you were in Cang Qiong Mountain Sect where when the peak lords passed their position to their successor, the other same-generation disciples who were not the successor had to leave the Sect or became elders to assist the ones in power.

“Hm, you’re right,” Shen Yuan murmured thoughtfully. “But I’m sure it’s not that strict. Moreover, they have resources too,” he said.

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. He unfolded his fan and began to fan himself, he wasn’t really motivated to get tied to a Sect. Although, Shen Yuan did raise a fair point there. Sects had resources. Something they didn’t have. Especially as Shen Jiu didn’t want to reveal his real talent in front of Shen family and Shen Yuan following him in laying low because of his natural disposition of disliking conflict.

Ugh-

Shen Jiu had planned to steal some money from his rich family and did something to it. The fastest way was to swindle his way through, just like the good old days. Maybe add Shen Yuan to the fray, why not? The older boy seemed to be pretty good at socializing, something Shen Jiu certainly lacked.

But a Sect???

Shen Jiu weighed his options. He could ditch the Sect (with Shen Yuan) if he was lucky and not getting picked out by the Sect Leader or something. He was done for Sect politic. Last life was enough. And where did that lead him? Killed by his own shidi who hated his guts when he tried to help him.

Being a nice guy is difficult.

“Whoa, pretty.”

Shen Jiu heard the murmurs of the older scholars around him and felt that Shen Yuan touched his shoulder to snap him out of his thinking. He secretly clicked his tongue as he opened his book and started reading it disinterestedly.

“Tsk, truly a beauty...” Shen Yuan murmured and Shen Jiu shook his head. Teenagers and their horrible crushes.

Shen Jiu had no interest in beauty. After all, he frequently saw the world’s finest beauties in his last life. If it came down to it, Qi Qingqi was the most beautiful woman in their generation, heck, as much as he hated to admit it, even Liu Qingge was prettier than most women.

“Good afternoon, everyone,” The opening speech was from the academy’s headmaster and the students soon quietened down. “It’s a pleasure to have you all, young and accomplished scholars, gathered in this hall to have our monthly lecture and discussion.”

“Today, we have special guests from an honorable Sect to give us a picture of cultivation and the way of life of cultivators. Honorable cultivator, please...” The headmaster, who was also a cultivator himself but not enough to be called an immortal, bowed down.

The hall broke into ordered murmurs as Shen Jiu picked up a cup of tea, a refreshment always prepared for this particular lecture, and sipped his tea.

A beautiful lady stepped into the platform, scanning the crowd and raised her head proudly, “I’m the hall master Tang Sect, Qiu Haitang.”

Shen Jiu choked.

“I’m here to be the representative of my Sect to give a lecture of cultivation and to recruit-“

Shen Jiu tried out not to wheeze as his lungs tried to force the stray water coming into his breathing tract. Shen Yuan was mildly panicking beside him, offering him his handkerchief. Luckily they didn’t really gather attention as everyone was too bedazzled by the beautiful woman speaking on the platform.

“That’s why, drink slowly,” Shen Yuan gently scolded as he put his handkerchief over Shen Jiu’s mouth and nose and encouraged the younger to blew into it like a child.

Shen Jiu didn’t even reply to him as he was too busy wanting to bury himself in a hole. After he managed to regain his cool, he snatched the handkerchief from Shen Yuan’s grip and continue covering his face with it. His clear eyes wandered to the stage discreetly and he finally got a good look at the woman.

Fuck.

No matter how fast and how long you ran, your past would always seem to catch up. ‘Why is she here?!’ Shen Jiu questioned desperately. Why? Damn it. Why? And wait- She joined a Sect? Good for her, she had always been the white sheep in the family full of black sheeps- wait, no, no, this is not the time!

Shen Jiu lowered his head, face as pale as a sheet. His logic tried to assure him that he was no longer Shen Jiu, he was Shen Qing. Shen Jiu was dead. Probably six feet underneath or burned to ashes. There was nothing more that connected Shen Jiu with Qiu Haitang now aside for his own guilty conscience. The physical connection had died.

Shen Jiu was Shen Qing now. A normal boy, a Di son of a rich scholarly family, aged eight, currently attending Lushan academy with his older half-brother.

‘Calm down, calm down,’ Shen Jiu repeated the words in his mind. ‘Shen Qing knows no Qiu Haitang. Shen Qing has no tie to Qiu Family.’

“A’Jiu, are you okay?” Shen Yuan asked in concern and Shen Jiu looked up at him.

“No, it’s okay,” Shen Jiu exhaled as he put down the handkerchief he had gripped so hard and stuffed it into his sleeve. Act normal.

Shen Yuan stared at his little brother who sat up with a perfect posture and blank expression. He couldn’t help but feel concerned.

When the lecture was dismissed into an open discussion with Qiu Haitang walking down the platform and walked from table to table to presumably look for a fresh talent, Shen Jiu was already on the edge of his seat.

Shen Jiu couldn’t help but lamenting his life.  ‘I shouldn’t have moved to the intermediate level’ He should have just stayed in the basic and rot in there. Who the fuck cares about being seen as something lesser?

His luck was so rotten.

Death had made Shen Jiu pretty much fearless of anything. But Qiu Haitang was another topic in another chapter. Shen Jiu didn’t exactly fear Qiu Haitang. But if there was anything close to describe this feeling he held for her, it was fear. He feared for her. He feared to face his past.

“A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan called out softly but Shen Jiu didn’t respond to him. The teen blinked, “A’Jiu,” he tried again.

But Shen Jiu was still too trapped inside the fear of his own making.

Shen Yuan laid a hand on Shen Jiu’s shoulder, “Shen Jiu,” he called out with a bolder and sterner tone.

Two people paused.

Shen Jiu turned to Shen Yuan, eyes wide in surprise, “... What...?” He exhaled softly. He could feel eyes on them. Act normal, act normal.

“What were you thinking?” Shen Yuan asked. “I called you several times.”

“Sorry, I just remembered something,” Shen Jiu replied, almost bitterly.

“Such a young boy, is he also a formal student?” A feminine voice asked and the brothers perked up, Shen Yuan looked up to see Qiu Haitang standing behind them with a mature smile on her face.

Shen Yuan smiled slightly, “Yes, he’s from intermediate class,” he put his hand on Shen Jiu’s shoulder.

Shen Jiu secretly inhaled and turned his head to look at Qiu Haitang. In that instant, Qiu Haitang’s eyes widened slightly and Shen Jiu struggled to keep his expression in check, “Student Shen Qing greets lady Qiu,” he said. His past flashed before him, where he used to call Qiu Haitang ‘young miss’ or ‘miss Qiu’ before finally... ‘Haitang...’

“You... ah,” the lady cleared her throat, trying to regain back her composure.

“Lady Qiu?” Shen Yuan blinked in confusion.

“No, it’s just... you kind of looked like someone I knew,” Qiu Haitang showed a tight smile at Shen Jiu who was internally panicking. Qiu Haitang blinked, “Your name is Shen Qing? How old are you?”

“This one is eight-years-old,” Shen Jiu answered quietly.

“Eight-years-old and already such an accomplished student. I heard it’s not easy to enter intermediate class.”

“It’s nothing impressive,” Shen Jiu answered meticulously.

Shen Yuan smiled, “A’Jiu has always been a very clever kid.”

There were many moments Shen Jiu was grateful for Shen Yuan’s understanding, but there were also some moments he really hoped his half-brother could just shut the hell up. This was one of those moments.

Shen Jiu secretly sent him a dirty glance and Shen Yuan only beamed, as if he just did a good deed. Damn it, he was still on about joining a Sect, wasn’t he?

“A’Jiu?” Qiu Haitang’s voice dropped a beat lower, enough to be noticed, but not enough for others to deem it as suspicious. Shen Jiu, however, already called for a retreat in his mind.

“It’s his nickname,” Shen Yuan amended. “Shen Jiu,” Shen Jiu internally screamed when he noticed darkness danced within Qiu Haitang’s eyes when the name was mentioned.

Qiu Haitang shook her head, “Why Shen Jiu?” the darkness spread into a restrained murder intent, no one seemed to notice aside for Shen Jiu.

“He’s the ninth son, family members called him so,” Shen Yuan explained.

“Oh...” Qiu Haitang nodded expressionlessly. “You called him with his nickname, you’re his family?”

Shen Yuan nodded, “This one is named Shen Yuan.”

Qiu Haitang relaxed slightly, “And what’s your number?” She asked lightly.

“People at home called me Shen Qi,” Shen Yuan replied courteously.

“Ah, I see,” Qiu Haitang nodded with slight interest. “That means there are nine of you, brothers, eh?”

“Ten, actually,” Shen Jiu cleared his throat. His mother had given birth to a baby boy over a year ago, he had yet to visit but he’d get there surely.

Qiu Haitang finally revealed a smile, “Why, so many sons. Any sister?”

“None,” Shen Yuan replied.

Qiu Haitang nodded, usually, if they went by numbers like that, the siblings were all of the same genders. “I see, are your parents still trying for a daughter?” Qiu Haitang asked in amusement.

“You have to ask our parents about that,” Shen Yuan smiled gently. Personally, Shen Yuan thought having a sister would be a delight, but seeing there were only sons in the family, the chance was really slim and he had an idea that the family head preferred boys more anyway. Too bad.

“I see, are you two interested to join a Sect?” Qiu Haitang asked the usual question to the people she deemed had a good quality to be a member of her sect.

Shen Yuan looked at Shen Jiu and the younger screeched in his head. Why are you looking at me!? “No,” Shen Jiu’s lips twitched when he saw Shen Yuan looked quite disappointed.

“Why?” Qiu Haitang asked.

“I’m the eldest Di son,” Shen Jiu replied lamely.

“All the more reason to join, isn’t it?” Qiu Haitang smiled. “You can bring glory to your family.”

Yeah, Shen Jiu knew that. There was no reason for the eldest Di son to not join a Sect. Look at Liu Qingge, not only he was the eldest son of his family, he was also the only heir. He went to join Cang Qiong anyway and tied to become a peak lord. He heard his sister was also tied as Qi Qingqi’s possible successor. Maybe if they wanted an heir, it would be good to not send any child, that Madam Liu had given birth to, to a Sect else they might be tied as a peak lord again.

“I have no talent in...” Shen Jiu trailed off as Shen Yuan gave him a discreet incredulous look. Shut up, Shen Yuan, why can’t you stay a supportive brother? Yes, I know they would test my talent and then there’s nothing to hide anymore, stop looking at me like that!

“You can always try, I believe a brilliant boy like you would have a good talent. What about you?” Qiu Haitang looked at Shen Yuan.

“I will follow my little brother in whatever he chose,” Shen Yuan said confidently.

Qiu Haitang’s eyes softened, “You’re a good brother, reminding me a lot of my own older brother.”

Except, Shen Jiu bitterly added in his mind. Your older brother is anything but good.

“Lady Qiu is flattering me,” Shen Yuan nodded politely and Qiu Haitang smiled.

“You’re being humble. If you change your minds, we’ll have an open talent test tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” After that, Qiu Haitang talked to the rest of people within the same table as the Shen brothers before taking off somewhere else.

Shen Jiu released a heavy breath. He didn’t expect her to be a cultivator, though, she sure had the talent... To be a hallmaster of a minor sect was still an impressive achievement. Though it paled in comparison to Shen Jiu who became a peak lord of the strongest Sect in the world...

Shen Jiu sighed. Suddenly, he missed Cang Qiong and its protection from anything like this.

“You really don’t want to join a Sect?” Shen Yuan asked again for the nth time that day. Tang Sect’s representative would only be here for two days, today was the last day for anyone to apply and the last day for them if they wanted to change their minds.

“I said, you can go if you want,” Shen Jiu snapped in annoyance.

“I will not go if you won’t,” Shen Yuan answered.  “You’re talented, powerful too. Why not?” Although Shen Yuan never saw Shen Jiu showing off his prowess since the last time with the bandits, Shen Yuan believed Shen Jiu was stronger than him. And Shen Yuan felt he was already pretty powerful, not to brag, but he accidentally cut a tree in half when he tried to use his full strength.

“I don’t want to,” Shen Jiu said and bristled when Shen Yuan rubbed his chin against his again.

“They have resources, capable teachers-“

“I can teach you,” Shen Jiu said defensively. When it came to it, he was still someone who used to be a peak lord and taught dozens of disciples.

“Little brother, you’re still young. Even though you can answer most of my questions, one day, you’re bound to be confused too,” Shen Yuan said logically, blissfully unaware that his little brother was the number one scholar in his previous life. “And also, their uniform is cool.”

Of course. Such a dumb reason. “It’s shabby,” Shen Jiu said. “It’s passable at best, countless other sects used the same design too.” It lacked the scholarly air and refined elegance like Qing Jing peak’s uniform, lacked the dignity and superiority of Qiong Ding peak’s uniform, lacked the air of heroism and complex simplicity of Bai Zhan peak’s uniform, lacked the heart-shaking charm and grace like Xian Shu peak’s uniform, lacked the sharp aura of refinement and chivalry of Wan Jian peak’s uniform.

Okay, Shen Jiu wasn’t being fair to these minor sects when he compared them to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect.

“You’re talking like this like you don’t want to be a proper cultivator at all,” Shen Yuan said, could it be... the main character trait of not wanting to be tied is showing? So Shen Jiu was a main character after all? Shen Yuan shook his head as Shen Jiu replied.

“I’m not interested because Tang Sect is too weak, tied to a sect like this, your life will only be seeing the same sky from the bottom of the well,” Shen Jiu finally blurted out.

Shen Yuan blinked, “So, you already have a Sect in mind?” he smiled.

Shen Jiu sighed. “Why don’t we stick with your half-baked plan of traveling around being merchants?” he asked bitterly and he scowled further when he saw a glint appear in Shen Yuan’s eyes.

“Oh? You want to travel around with Yuan-ge, huh?” Shen Yuan teased.

“Don’t flatter yourself, I still think your plan is half-baked,” Shen Jiu said. “I’m not joining Tang Sect,” he stated again.

“Alright, alright,” Shen Yuan sighed. “So, what’s your plan if you don’t want to join a Sect?”

“I’m thinking of going home,” Shen Jiu said. The semester was ending, anyway. “The situation in our house is already a headache to begin with. I have no time for joining a Sect,” Shen Jiu reasoned.

Shen Yuan hummed, “Hm, you’re right. We haven’t seen the baby, yet. We already canceled our return long enough.”

Shen Jiu retracted his words. He didn’t want to go home.

Can he turn back the time, slap his past self, and then begged Shen Yuan to take him to join the Tang Sect?

“I... I, what??” Shen Jiu paled further, not even bothering trying to pry the sticky finger of his apparent new baby brother which her mother shoved into his arm the moment he stepped off the carriage.

“I said, you and Shen Yuan can take a semester off of the academy,” Shen Tian, this body’s fucking sperm donator, said calmly as he put down the teacup onto the table. “Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s Qing Jing peak is opening a scholarly lecture for a whole year as a chance to learn from each other. Your other older brothers would also go there.”

“Cang... Cang Qiong what???” Whereas Shen Jiu was having his internal freaking out, Shen Yuan was also having his own internal meltdown.

“Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, you should have already heard about them. Their fame is peerless in the continent,” Shen Tian frowned as he handed Shen Yuan a piece of paper with meticulous calligraphy, an open invitation to anyone who was interested and capable.

Shen Yuan skimmed, reading a few words and paled even further. ‘Cang Qiong...? Qing Jing???’ Shen Yuan’s head spun.

“Is it alright to leave the academy for it?” Shen Jiu calmed himself down and asked seriously.

“Of course. I heard they also have a different standard for children below twelve, you might have the fortune to study there. Although your talent in cultivation is non-existent, at least you can have the chance to learn from the honorable Qing Jing peak,” Shen Tian mentioned. “The current Qing Jing has no peak lord, hence, the requirement was not so strict. But even though they had no peak lord, their prestige is still there.”

“They have no peak lord?” Shen Yuan blinked rapidly, shocked.

‘Whose fucking idea it is to open Qing Jing peak to public? Those useless brats!’ Shen Jiu internally screamed. If he was dead, he would be rolling in his grave! It should be Ming Fan’s fault, perhaps Ning Yingying could suggest that, but the whole point of having Ming Fan around was to refuse his overly-positive martial sister, goddammit!

No one knew of Shen Jiu’s internal conflict, Shen Yuan tilted his head, “Why did they have no peak lord?”

“This generation’s Qing Jing peak lord died a few years ago in a heroic attempt of trying to save his shidi, the peak lord of Bai Zhan peak, from qi deviation,” Shen Tian said. It was a big news on its time, mostly because Cang Qiong Mountain Sect closed itself to mourn and the only outside activity it partook in was the Immortal Alliance Conference. However, he didn’t think it was strange for Shen Yuan to not know, after all, this son of his was the ‘sickly’ one, though he was getting better and healthier now, the past Shen Yuan rarely went out of the manor.

“Heroic attempt...?” Shen Yuan murmured, speechless.

Shen Jiu raised his brows, finally prying his baby brother’s sticky fingers from wrinkling his clothes further. Yue Qingyuan did the cover-up, huh? He never expected Liu Qingge would be willing to be the ‘beauty’ in that Hero saving Beauty explanation scenario, though.

‘It had been years, huh?’ the first time Shen Jiu did upon waking up was to check the year. He had no sense of time within the Spirit Cave, but from what he gathered was, he woke up over a year from the day he stepped into the Spirit Cave. He didn’t know how long it was from the day he died, but counting from that alone, it should have been three-four years since he had last been a peak lord.

I wonder how Qi-ge- no. Shen Jiu shook his head. Shen Qingqiu is dead. Shen Jiu is dead. He inhaled deeply. He was Shen Qing. No Qiu behind his name.

After the talk with their father, the brothers walked out of the study with Shen Jiu still sloppily carrying his one-year-old baby brother in his arms. Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan parted ways quietly, too deep in their own minds that they forgot each other.

Shen Jiu then found his mother on his way to his room, she beamed at him and Shen Jiu handed the baby back to her and continued walking beside her. “What did your father tell you?” She was already having a good day when he said he got into the intermediate section, it seemed like her days would only getting better.

“I’m going to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s Qing Jing peak along with my other brothers,” Shen Jiu replied almost robotically. They reached his room and he opened the door.

Yan-shi beamed as they walked in, “Great! That’s a good news, A’Jiu, Qing Jing peak’s prestige is peerless. If you could study there even not permanently, you’ll still be in a whole different league than normal scholars. A’Shi is still young, naturally, he can’t go and this chance may not come for the second time, you have to do good and make your father proud.”

Shen Jiu nodded, “Yes, mother,” he looked at the babbling baby in her arms and his eyes squinted slightly. “Take care of Shilang carefully, mother. Don’t let others feed him anything that you didn’t see how they made it yourself, use bland incense, and change his schedule regularly,” he said.

Yan-shi blinked, surprised. But Shen Jiu’s judgment of her was not wrong as she smiled brightly in understanding, “Alright, mother will keep that in mind.” She looked at her older son and couldn’t help but to sigh in a mix of pride and melancholy, “You’ve grown up, A’Jiu. Two years of not meeting you, and you changed.”

Shen Jiu closed his eyes and sighed, “I changed long before that, mother,” your real son died. The soul had changed for longer than two years.

Yan-shi blinked.

“I’ll give you a tea from a receipt I found in an ancient medical book later, give that to Shilang once a week if you don’t want him to have a poisoned spirit root,” Shen Jiu said.

Yan-shi almost lost her grip on her second son.

Shen Jiu admitted he had been leading a very lazy and quiet life in the academy. Disregarding the fact that he had to deal with many obnoxious snotty kids in the basic section for about two years.

He’d take those kids back.

Shen Jiu seriously already used to live quietly that he forgot what it felt like to have seven annoying brothers that tried to push each other to the edge of the cliff.

“So, I heard Jiulang had gotten to the intermediate class in the academy? Too bad you have to take a leave, huh?” Shen Fan, the eighth son, said blithely with a dazzling smile on his face.

Yeah, too bad. Shen Jiu bitterly thought.

“Jiulang even did not return home for two years, he should have worked really hard for it, right Jiulang?” Shen Shu, the wayward third son, said with a regretful sigh. “You don’t have to worry, you can continue your hard work in Qing Jing peak. You don’t have a whole two years to, though.”

Oh, if only he knows...

“Enough, you two. Stop talking about studying, Jiulang and Qilang hadn’t returned for two years, it’s rare for us to gather together like this nowadays,” The serious second son, Shen Yan, reminded.

The sentiment is not returned. Shen Jiu was rather somewhere else.

“Shilang wouldn’t be with us, though. Too bad, right? Jiulang hasn’t been in the manor for the last two years and never seen his baby brother, now he had to go again. If this kept going, Shilang wouldn’t even know his big brother,” Shen Xiao, the sixth son and the one in the same age as Shen Yuan, smiled meaningfully.

Ugh- aren’t most of you a part of minor Sect or have jobs somewhere?! Shen Jiu desperately thought. Some of his older brothers were honorary members of some minor sects or already had a prestigious job somewhere. Why were they all here? Qing Jing peak was not that illustrious, right? Right???

“Sadly Dalang is not able to come because of his strict job,” The fourth son, Shen Xing, said slyly as he glanced to the eldest son whose smile was still as impeccable as always. An imperial job was not something that can be halted, or else, his future would also be halted.

Finally! Shen Jiu was not the only one being bullied here. That’s right, kill each other too, I’ll just watch. Shen Jiu smirked secretly.

Shen Yin, the eldest, smiled gently, “Don’t be sad. I’m already happy that my little brothers will get this rare chance,” he said refreshingly. “You all need to be prepared, though. There’s an entrance test to make sure you’re capable and deserving to be a part of it. Study more seriously Sanlang,” he stated.

Shen Shu snorted slightly before recovering, “No need to worry about me, Dalang,” he brushed the ‘concern’ aside. “Jiulang is in luck, he’s below twelve and the standard is much lower. Haah, we don’t need to worry about him.”

“Balang is also twelve and within the age range,” Shen Yuan smiled and defended Shen Jiu.

“That’s true. But I’m afraid I can’t compete with Jiulang who was already in Lushan academy’s intermediate section at the age of eight,” Shen Fan said. “Also, I heard you’re in the advanced class, Qilang. Congratulations.”

“Qilang is truly a son of our family. No one is ordinary in our house, huh?”

“I heard representatives of Tang Sect came to Lushan academy before the semester ended. Did you test your luck there?”

Shen Jiu wondered how long their carriages would arrive to take them off to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. He was this close to hit someone with a rock. He really hoped they could just fuck off and failed the test there. Or better yet, Shen Jiu could fuck off and failed his test. Shen Yuan could stay if he managed to pass, he didn’t want to ruin Shen Yuan’s chance. Shen Yuan’s loyalty would cost him someday, seriously.

“Also, Qilang, Jiulang, your relationships are so close, now, huh? Don’t play favorites, play with us all,” The fifth son, Shen Zhou, suggested brightly.

“That’s right. What were you guys doing in the academy for the last two years?”

“Uh, we’re only studying and practice our skills,” Shen Yuan said in response.

“Really? Only studying, you guys really worked hard, huh?”

“Yes,” Shen Yuan’s lips twitched and Shen Jiu rolled his eyes.

‘This family is a nightmare,’ Unknowingly, Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan agreed on one thing mentally.

Chapter Text

Shen Jiu accepted the form that was handed to him and he stared blankly in near disbelief, not at the form, but at the disciple.

... Since when Bai Zhan peak’s disciples loitered around Qing Jing peak and even helping around? Who let them in? Shen Jiu pretty sure he left a clear unwritten rule that the people of Bai Zhan peak could just go and fuck themselves rather than stepping into Qing Jing peak.

“Move along now, others are waiting in line,” The insolent Bai Zhan disciple patted Shen Jiu’s head and nudged him aside like he was treating a fucking snotty brat.

“Sorry, come on, A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan said as he held his little brother’s hand and led him away. The moment they had got down the carriage, Shen Jiu had pulled Shen Yuan further and further away from their headache-inducing ‘half brothers’.

Shen Yuan also didn’t mind being away from their other brothers and with Shen Jiu being super confident in his direction, Shen Yuan also rested his case easy.

“After this, we’ll be separated in the test. Are you sure you’re okay alone?” However, Shen Yuan did have one worry. He couldn’t always be with Shen Jiu. Maybe it would be better to search for their other half brothers, the eighth son was within the age range of junior test after all.

“No, I can do it myself,” Shen Jiu said blankly. If he got lost in his own peak. He should just end his misery now by jumping off of the cliff and die the second time.

“Alright, remember what I said? Be polite, don’t belittle others, behave,” Shen Yuan said.

“Right.” Shen Jiu nodded.

They soon filled their own form and handed it to the disciples in charge before getting their own participant token.

“Junior test is this way,” A perky female disciple approached the brothers and gestured to Shen Jiu.

“Well, I guess we parted here. Good luck, A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan said.

The female disciple giggled, “Gongzi is so loving to your brother, do you want to kiss him a good luck?” she asked and tilted her head.

“Ahaha, no, he’s a shy child,” Shen Yuan responded nonchalantly whereas Shen Jiu’s eyes twitched. No matter what, in Shen Yuan’s eyes, Shen Jiu was a child and his little brother at that, such suggestion was normal and could be joked around with. However, Shen Jiu was mentally an adult and the suggestion was blasphemy for him.

“Good luck on your own test. If you fail, bye-bye,” Shen Jiu mocked and Shen Yuan shook his head exasperatedly.

Pinching Shen Jiu’s cheek, Shen Yuan said, “No need to worry, just ace your own.”

“Let go!” Shen Jiu pushed his hand away, nursing his red cheek whilst glaring at Shen Yuan who chuckled and waved as Shen Jiu was whisked away by a giggling female disciple.

“You guys are a cute pair of brothers,” The girl said and Shen Jiu shook his head. Yu Jia was still the same, to think this girl did not mature a bit the years Shen Jiu left them.

“What kind of test I’m going to do? Why is it different than the other one?” Shen Jiu asked the important question.

“Just a basic test to see your capability in the art of scholars, as for why it is different, it’s because even old men from outside world want the chance to learn in Qing Jing. It’s impossible to pit little children like you against those seniors,” Yu Jia answered.

“Why is Qing Jing suddenly opening up to the outside world?” Shen Jiu asked again.

Yu Jia smiled, seemingly liking the boy’s curious questions. “It’s so that we could learn. In this program, our goal is to learn as well as the people from the outside.”

“Why? Isn’t Qing Jing peak the place with the most rare books and knowledge? You all can’t learn from it?” Shen Jiu asked.

Yu Jia smiled sadly, “No matter how many books stored in this place, it’s useless without a teacher...” the light in her eyes dimmed a little. “Learning isn’t about reading and memorizing but also understanding the essence of the books, to do the latter, we needed a teacher. But...”

Shen Jiu stared at her from the corner of his eyes.

“Oh! Here we are,” Yu Jia’s face brightened again as she pushed Shen Jiu slightly forward. “Good luck, little gongzi! I hope I could see you for the next several months in Qing Jing peak,” She winked and ushered Shen Jiu into the pavilion used to hold the junior test.

Shen Jiu blinked and looked around, the Green Pavilion looked bigger than he remembered, must be his size. Shen Jiu quickly hid his face behind his fan as he ducked into the shadow when he saw his bratty eighth brother in the place.

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. Ugh, why the hell he was reincarnated into a body with so many brothers again?

Shen Jiu took a seat beside a particularly jumpy girl and a boy who recited something tirelessly under his breath. He sighed as he leaned back, trying not to feel offended as a brat accidentally splattered a bottle of ink to the desk.

When he was still alive and thriving, anyone who dared to do that would have to go to the Hall of Reflection and copied the Yongle Encyclopedia. Or run around the peak, restock the woodshed, and kneel outside in the cold. Depend on his mood.

This place was supposedly exclusive!

“Alright, the class is already filled in. Let’s start the first phase for the first group!”

Shen Jiu perked up when he saw a pretty young lady wearing Qing Jing uniform entered. Ning Yingying. The girl had grown up to be a fair lady, still cheerful. Good...

After greeting them all, Ning Yingying and several other girls distributed the question papers to each kid.

Shen Jiu blankly stared at the paper before him, he picked up his brush and sniffed haughtily.

Let’s get this over with.

“How’s your test?” Shen Yuan hurried over when he saw Shen Jiu sitting calmly under a banyan tree near the koi pond. “Was it hard?”

Shen Jiu tucked a stray strand of his hair behind his ear, “It was appropriate for Qing Jing peak’s standard,” he said.

“Did they tell you your result?”

“Not yet, too many people in, they need time to mark the result and not to mention there was another group to be tested,” Shen Jiu said smoothly. “How about you?”

“It was quite hard but I’ve done my best,” Shen Yuan smiled as he sat down beside Shen Jiu, watching as many people walking here and there with their noses down in a book. “Still, I didn’t expect we’re in Qing Jing peak now...”

“Yeah,” Shen Jiu said blandly. “Would be better without these many losers around,” he said honestly.

“A’Jiu...” Shen Yuan sighed. Well, at least he didn’t say it straight in front of someone. “But, as I say...”

“What?” Shen Jiu raised his brows, not liking the hint of nervousness in Shen Yuan’s voice.

“Do you really want to be in Qing Jing peak?” Shen Yuan asked seriously.

Shen Jiu blinked rapidly in surprise, “What? You don’t want to??” At least that was what Shen Jiu caught from Shen Yuan’s tone.

“No, no, it’s just... It’s a bit... You know... I’m thinking about our future here. Cang Qiong Mountain Sect is a bit...”

“This sect is the biggest and strongest sect, anyone in this place has their future secured... Except maybe those people from An Ding peak,” Shen Jiu added the last sentence as an afterthought.

“But you know. The taller the tree, the stronger the wind,” Shen Yuan said.

“Cang Qiong Sect is not a tree, it’s a damn mountain,” Wind can fuck themselves trying to move a mountain. “Why do you sound so unsure and worried? You were so eager to join Tang Sect, don’t tell me someone made you change your mind?” Shen Jiu’s eyes darkened. Was in less than two hours Shen Jiu was not with Shen Yuan, someone did something that made Shen Yuan uncomfortable in Qing Jing peak?

“No, of course no,” Shen Yuan said desperately. “It’s just, they don’t have a peak lord, don’t they?” this part still bothered Shen Yuan incessantly. Why? How could Qing Jing had no peak lord and the said peak lord perished to help his shidi? That was literally the complete opposite of what Shen Yuan had read and if this was really the world of that damn novel, Shen Yuan would feel a lot safer outside of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect.

Else he’d get dragged into a complete genocide of Qing Jing peak by a certain main character...

Just to be safe...

“You’re worried about that?” Shen Jiu said. “Who cares if Qing Jing peak has no peak lord? Others can still teach you, the resource is endless, you can have the prestige,” he pointed out.

“Well, I guess, you’re right...” Shen Yuan sighed. If... If the peak lord of Qing Jing had died, then, it meant the main character had no more subject of complete hatred, right? Aaaah, Shen Yuan didn’t know, he’d just watch out for both of them. If the situation was not good, bring Shen Jiu out and be done with it.

Though... Shen Yuan bit the inner of his cheek, ‘I haven’t seen anyone resembling Luo Binghe in this place...’ Nor he saw any of the support characters. He didn’t see any Ning Yingying nor Ming Fan here, or at least, he didn’t think anyone mentioned those names.

Maybe, Qing Jing peak was not so bad after all. They did have quite a nice place here. Clean air and all.

“Uh-oh,” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. “Let’s get out of here, our delightful brothers are there,” he said as he stood up and quickly ended the conversation.

“Eh?” Shen Yuan blinked as he saw Shen Jiu hastily made a run for it. Shen Yuan glanced to see some of his other half-brothers in the crowd and also groaned, “A’Jiu, wait! I’m coming with you,” Shen Yuan called out as he chased after Shen Jiu through a throng of scholars who were furiously studying before their turn came up.

“The results are out!”

The two brothers looked at each other and Shen Yuan quickly stood up, holding Shen Jiu’s hand, and dragged him to the voice’s source despite the young boy’s obvious displeasure.

“Excuse me, excuse me,” Shen Yuan said repeatedly as he went through the throng of hopeful scholars.

They soon found out that they couldn’t go any further and Shen Yuan simply stopped and held Shen Jiu close, making sure that he didn’t suddenly disappear into the crowd. The names were called in one by one, the ones who got called all looked happy whilst the others stared jealously.

“Shen Yuan!” Shen Yuan’s name was finally called in and he let out a sigh of relief. For a second he thought he wouldn’t be able to get in and accompany Shen Jiu here! All that all-nighters he pulled to study were not in vain!

“Congratulations,” Shen Jiu said sincerely.

“Thank you.” Shen Yuan smiled down at his little brother.

“Learn well. If anyone bothers you just tell me the name,” When Shen Jiu was ready, he’d kick their sorry asses. It wasn’t like he cared about Shen Yuan, but those kids ought to behave better.

Shen Yuan shook his head in exasperation. “Why are you the one telling me what to do?”

Out of the other older Shen brothers, three others didn’t get in which Shen Jiu felt annoyed. What the fuck? Only three? Qing Jing peak’s standard was getting lower and lower.

However, it might be for the best since if it was too high, Shen Yuan might not be able to make it.

When it was finally the junior applicants’ turn to be announced, Shen Yuan put his hands on Shen Jiu’s shoulders, reassuring the ‘nervous’ boy. There were two of the Shen brothers in the junior age-range, but as the list went on and on, Shen Yuan didn’t hear any of them getting called out.

Before finally, after the (arguably) short list was finished and left many people disappointed, Shen Yuan turned to Shen Jiu in disbelief. Shen Jiu covered his mouth, eyes slightly wide and a little disbelief.

“I didn’t pass...” Shen Jiu said sadly. He only answered three questions right, after all. “I’m sorry, Yuan-ge. I failed you,” Shen Jiu closed his eyes, ashamed.

“What? No, no, no, don’t be sorry!” Shen Yuan hastily said. “You did good! Just... others are better. Still, I can’t believe you didn’t pass, you’re so smart and clever, was the test too hard?” he asked almost disbelievingly.

“I think it’s appropriate for Qing Jing peak’s standard,” Shen Jiu said. “It’s okay, I don’t mind. Study well and don’t miss this chance. Your future is secured if you have the predicate of an honorary student of Qing Jing peak.”

Shen Yuan bit his lips, “Even though you’re so smart... Ugh, the whole system is rigged,” in a moment of bias, Shen Yuan lamented to the heaven.

“It’s fine, I can still study at the academy,” Shen Jiu shrugged. Sorry to Yan-shi, though, she couldn’t have a son in here. But hey, the eighth brother, Shen Fan, was also not accepted. That ought to be a good news for her, right?

“That’s...” Shen Yuan was obviously disappointed, but this was for his own good.

“I’m going home, the family’s carriages should be waiting down there for me and the other three,” Shen Jiu said.

Shen Yuan turned distressed, “I’ll just renounce my-“

“No way, keep going in this place or I’ll beat you up,” Shen Jiu snapped and glared at Shen Yuan.

“Why are you ordering me?”

“This is for your own good, don’t be an idiot,” Shen Jiu glared. “I’m going home first,” he said. Seeing his former disciples together, doing something stupid such as opening Qing Jing peak for everyone, was already enough. Ning Yingying had grown quite nicely, he didn’t see that fool, Ming Fan, but he should be doing good too since the peak had yet burned to ash.

Never mind that it was housing a stupid ‘opening’, which was quite a disgrace.

Shen Yuan looked down, contemplating Shen Jiu’s words before he blinked, “Wait, A’Jiu!” He had yet to say his proper goodbye! He needed a good luck kiss from his cute little brother! That was what most little brothers did to encourage their older brothers, right?! “Shen Qing!” he called out.

Shen Jiu turned his head to gaze annoyedly at Shen Yuan, “What now-“

Shen Jiu bumped into someone.

“Oh!” Shen Yuan exclaimed and Shen Jiu stumbled slightly, holding his head.

“Watch-“ Shen Jiu glared before his words disappeared as he looked at the tall figure clad in white. Shen Jiu’s eyes widened in shock and he turned rigid as his eyes trailed up to meet a pair of mildly surprised eyes back. Oh fucking- no way...

Liu Qingge....

Shen Jiu closed his mouth, his lips felt strangely dry as he swallowed subtly. ‘Why is he here...?’ Shen Jiu gravely thought. Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge’s relationship had never been so good and both of them disdained the idea of having to step into each other’s peak. Why the fuck now...?

Liu Qingge looked at Shen Jiu strangely, “Your name...?”

What? Why the hell he- oh... Shen Jiu blinked and kept his expression neutral, “Shen Qing,” he said nonchalantly, he took pride in a way his voice could stay calm and even.

It seemed like Liu Qingge overheard Shen Yuan calling Shen Jiu’s name.

There was a slight ripple in Liu Qingge’s stern eyes before it disappeared back to steadfastness. “Good name,” he said.

“Sir,” Shen Yuan quickly hurried over. “Senior, I’m so sorry, my brother was not looking...” he came to Shen Jiu’s defense. As always.

“It’s fine,” Liu Qingge nodded. “Where are you going?” he looked at Shen Jiu then Shen Yuan.

“Home,” Shen Jiu said normally. “I failed.”

Liu Qingge raised his brows, “Come,” he said as he walked past the brothers and they looked at each other in wonderment. Shen Yuan grabbed Shen Jiu’s hand and quickly followed.

They followed Liu Qingge till they reached the group of disciples who were still busy to arrange things for the new honorary disciples. But they all dropped what they did when they saw Liu Qingge, “Liu-shishu!” they all bowed down.

“Shifu!” There were actually several Bai Zhan peak’s disciples who were helping and immediately saluted to their master.

Liu Qingge pointed to Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan, “They got talent,” he said blankly as if he was only pointing out a random cloud in the sky and not recommending someone.

The disciples’ eyes widened, “Oh my God! We totally forgot about that, didn’t we?”

“It slipped my mind too.”

“Come, come, sorry. We almost forgot about another selection, Yun Yue, can you announce it?”

“Yes, Shixiong!”

“What selection?” Shen Yuan blinked.

They all smiled. “We are also recruiting new brothers and sisters as official disciples of Qing Jing peak, sorry it slipped our mind.”

“Sorry, everyone, I ought to remember,” Ning Yingying said.

“We’re all so busy because Ming-shixiong is busy with the peak matter and cannot help. Ning-shimei, don’t blame yourself.”

“So, you all are also recruiting for new official disciples?” Shen Yuan’s eyes widened.

“Yes! The young ones could take the test, but those above the junior age-range and below twenty had to pass the first test first before we deemed whether they’d be okay or not. Did you pass the test?” Ning Yingying asked.

“I did,” Shen Yuan nodded.

“Name?”

“Shen Yuan.”

They paused briefly and flicked a glance at Shen Yuan, they only noticed it a bit earlier but when Shen Yuan said his name, they became a bit too aware of how similar Shen Yuan’s face to the late peak lord of Qing Jing peak. About seven points similarities.

“Alright, put your hands here please, thank you,” Ning Yingying smiled as she looked at the talent gemstone. When it shone to a certain degree, Shen Yuan took back his hands. “Very bright, Liu-shishu really has eyes on talent,” Ning Yingying praised. A bit late in cultivation but he was very good.

“Do I pass?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Absolutely,” Ning Yingying smiled. “Next, hello, little brother. What’s your name, sweetie?” she smiled adoringly to the boy beside Shen Yuan.

Shen Jiu held himself to not wince, it was weird to be called that by his female disciple. “Shen Qing,” Shen Jiu replied and they paused again.

“Good name,” Ning Yingying’s smile was dimmer than earlier as she wrote down the name. “Beautiful name...” She murmured wanly. “Put your hands there, thank you.”

Shen Jiu ignored their reaction and resigned to his fate as he put his hands on the stone. The stone shone twice as bright and the disciples gasped. “First-rate talent,” Ning Yingying gasped, “Liu-shishu, did you see this?”

“Hm,” Liu Qingge responded, not really surprised. Since the first he laid his eyes on ‘Shen Qing’ he knew he was talented and already had a good foundation to his cultivation. One might suspect he had a teacher but since he came to Qing Jing peak, it was doubtful he had a true master that he had pledged his apprenticeship with.

“Congratulations! You’re officially our youngest shidi now!” Ning Yingying squealed.

“That’s great, isn’t it? A’Jiu?” Shen Yuan was also swept in joy as he squeezed Shen Jiu’s shoulders in pride.

Shen Jiu smiled (winced) at them all, “Yeah, thank God,” he said cheerfully with a high-pitched voice, trying to look like he was thrilled to death at the once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Just kill him now.

Liu Qingge swept his hand and the incenses lit up in a snap, he put down a gourd of wine and two wine cups before the small makeshift altar before him. He took out a bunch of colourful flowers and set it beside him as he kneeled down.

He kneeled there for a while as he stared into space, just like he always did for the last few years whenever he was free of mission and teaching the kids of both peaks. He removed the lid of the gourd and poured the content to the two winecups.

If anyone from outside the Sect saw how the unbeatable Bai Zhan peak lord was kneeling formally on the grassy ground, setting up a simple and mundane ceremonial task like this, they’d probably be shocked still.

But the people from Cang Qiong Mountain Sect knew better than to ask.

“Today,” Liu Qingge started hesitantly, “The plan to open up Qing Jing peak from your students commenced.”

Silence fell again, of course, as no one ever answered him.

“I’m not quite sure if you’d like it,” Liu Qingge said. “Everyone was also not sure. But they wanted a change for the better.”

Another silence filled in after Liu Qingge’s words.

“I can’t replace you...” Liu Qingge said. “And their knowledge is limited without a teacher. It is also about time Qing Jing peak started accepting new disciples...” In Shen Qingqiu’s hands, Qing Jing peak rarely accepted disciples, the last one was Luo Binghe and he remained the most junior for years...

Liu Qingge picked up his wine cup, stirring the content with a simple movement of his palm.

“This is the first big decision they’ve ever made, they have matured,” Liu Qingge stared at the swirling wine in his cup. “But we have to see if the result is good.”

Liu Qingge’s eyes shifted back to the gravestone before him. “If it ends good and they kept on with their current progress, they will soon ready to leave the nest.”

Liu Qingge’s hand clenched on the cup in his hand and he tilted his head back to down everything in one gulp.

He was never a big fan of alcoholic drinks, but he drank his wine whenever he came here.

Whenever he came here, he just wanted to be detached from reality even for a bit.

Liu Qingge narrowed his eyes as he put down his cup and picked up the second cup, he tipped his head slightly to the gravestone like he was talking to it, “I’ll drink that for you,” like he always did.

Liu Qingge downed the second cup of wine in one gulp too. He exhaled as he slammed the second cup, he clenched on it, cracking it.

Gloomy silence stretched afterward as Liu Qingge kept his head down.

“I miss you...” Liu Qingge whispered. “More and more each day...” his voice wavered.

He was always a man of few words, talking curtly and ending the conversation when it ought to end. But when he was in this place, recalling that man who was long dead and his poisonous tongue, all Liu Qingge wanted to do was to talk and talk. To fill in the silence that the man had left behind.

“Shen Qingqiu...” Liu Qingge murmured his name. Still as smooth as ever rolling out his tongue. He found himself liking to say that name more and more after that man was gone. When Liu Qingge was alone. When Liu Qingge was thinking. Or in the depth of night when his bloody face stared back at Liu Qingge in a mix of shock and terror.

Liu Qingge squeezed his eyes shut, the only thing he could register was the floral smell of the incense he burned.

In the end, Liu Qingge dragged himself to see how the disciples of Qing Jing managing their planned event. Yue Qingyuan was not in the Sect to oversee it much to the Sect Head’s regret, so Liu Qingge had to make sure the kids didn’t mess up too badly.

The noises in Qing Jing peak were unnatural for him, this place had always been quiet and calm. Nothing like the scene he saw today. Too many people walking around, too many people talking at the same time. It should be the first time Qing Jing peak ever been so loud.

The only thing that crossed Liu Qingge’s mind was Shen Qingqiu truly wouldn’t like this.

“Wait, A’Jiu!”

Liu Qingge saw someone was yelling out to a younger boy running away from him. ‘Too lively...’ Liu Qingge thought.

“Shen Qing!!”

Liu Qingge paused mid-walking when he heard the name. Who-?

“What now-“ the boy turned his head and yelled back but Liu Qingge was unfortunately in his way and the boy bumped straight to Liu Qingge.

Liu Qingge heard the older one exclaimed but his eyes couldn’t move away from the boy who looked back with an annoyed glare whilst rubbing his head. Their eyes met and the boy looked shocked seeing him, which was normal for a kid to feel a bit scared after bumping into someone much older.

Something about the boy tugged Liu Qingge’s heart for some reason, a familiar feeling... Like he finally welcomed someone back after such a long time. “Your name...?” he couldn’t help but asked before he could even think.

The boy straightened, he blinked his wide eyes and the feeling was gone. “Shen Qing,” the boy answered, almost nonchalantly.

Same surname.

“Good name,” Liu Qingge said absentmindedly. ‘One word away from his name...’ he thought bitterly.

“Sir!”

Liu Qingge blinked when someone was immediately by the boy’s side, reassuringly putting his hands on his shoulders.

“Senior, I’m so sorry, my brother was not looking...” An older boy, the boy’s older brother it seemed, came. They looked similar enough to be called brothers.

“It’s fine,” Liu Qingge nodded. “Where are you going?” he asked.

“Home,” Shen Qing said normally. “I failed.”

Failed? The boy was like a beacon of talent, his foundation was solid for his age, his talent was certainly first-rate. He had potential. And so was the older brother, although he wasn’t as eye-catching as the younger one.

Liu Qingge frowned, it really seemed the children still needed someone to supervise them. “Come,” If Shen Qingqiu knew how careless they were, he would not be pleased.

Shen Yuan put the last piece of clothing of Shen Jiu into his assigned small bamboo closet, the boy who owned these clothes were currently smushing his face into his pillow like he had given up on life.

“A’Jiu, if you keep doing that you might get suffocated,” Shen Yuan said as he put away the other mundane things they had packed, like Shen Jiu’s favorite panda plush toy. Such a cute toy, fitting for a cute boy.

“Maybe that’s exactly what I want,” Shen Jiu murmured into his pillow.

“Pardon?”

“I said, what’s for dinner?” Shen Jiu raised his head from the pillow and asked in annoyance. “And don’t touch my toy,” he glared when he saw Shen Yuan was holding the toy he used to hide his acupuncture needles, if Shen Yuan squeezed the damn toy wrong, he was bound to get hurt.

“Alright, I won’t touch it,” Shen Yuan smiled in amusement. “As for dinner, I don’t know.”

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes and returned to his half-hearted attempt to suffocate himself.

Shen Yuan sat on his bed, “It’s so fortunate that we got accepted, everything almost going like it was ideally planned.”

Just not Shen Jiu’s plan.

“I heard Balang was also accepted as an official disciple,” Shen Yuan said. The eighth son might not be the brightest but he was pretty talented in cultivation, it was no surprise that he passed too after failing the written test. Similar to Shen Jiu.

Great. Now after the news travelled home, Yan-shi probably had another showdown with Chen-shi to get Shen Tian’s attention with their sons’ achievement.

Moreover, why the hell that troublesome and arrogant brat got accepted? Fucking hell, Shen Jiu wouldn’t even give him a glance had he was still a peak lord. He really should have left a certain criteria to be accepted into Qing Jing peak.

... But then again, Shen Jiu’s criteria of choosing had always been either ‘rich’ ‘scholarly’ or ‘slightly pleasing to look at,’ though, the eighth son didn’t fulfil the last criteria, it wasn’t really bad. The only one who didn’t fulfill all criteria was Luo Binghe. That boy was poor, looked dumb, was dumb, and actually annoying to look at.

“Ugh, only another trouble...” Shen Jiu groaned.

Shen Yuan smiled, “Well, you’re not hiding your strength anymore. We don’t have to be overly-worried if he decided to pull some tricks on you,” he didn’t dare to underestimate the ten-year-old eighth son. It wasn’t just once he overheard the boy whining to his mom about killing the only Di son and his mom shushed him before entertaining him with more creative ideas.

There was a reason why Shen Yuan was uneasy to leave Shen Jiu alone in their own home.

“He can come,” Shen Jiu said nonchalantly. But then, if he crossed the line, the Shen family should prepare for supporting a cripple.

Shen Jiu did not take kindly to anyone who tried to kill him, child or not. Especially he was in a very vulnerable condition.

“This place is small...” Shen Jiu said. Infuriating. This place was even smaller than their room back in the Lushan Academy. Because they couldn’t exactly pay their ways in, they couldn’t really secure a bigger room.

“At least, we have each other,” Shen Yuan said.

Only because Shen Jiu used his charm to convince Ning Yingying into letting him stay with Shen Yuan no matter what. Because if he had to share a room with someone else, he’d rather have Shen Yuan, okay?

Shen Yuan smiled, “It could be worse than a small room, say, we could be told to sleep in the woodshed,” he said, recalling the thing that happened in the Proud Immortal Demon Way.

Shen Jiu flicked a glance to Shen Yuan, “... Yeah,” he replied seriously. As much as Shen Qingqiu used that as a mean to test the children, he didn’t want that to be used on himself. He had enough with his own Shizun telling him to meditate in the middle of bamboo forest every night after drenching him with ‘spirit water’ that was said to open his sense. Shen Jiu wasn’t sure about the other senses, but it certainly opened up his sense to the cold night in the middle of bamboo forest on top of a peak.

“Are you going to cultivate or sleep tonight?” Shen Yuan asked as he got ready to put out the light.

“Sleep,” Shen Jiu said. He usually hated sleeping since nightmares always plagued him. But he was currently living in a nightmare, maybe his dreamscape would give mercy to him.

“Alright, good night,” Shen Yuan put out the light and sit down on his bed, meditating.

Shen Jiu laid down and pulled the cover over him, closing his eyes. From here on, his life would only get more and more difficult.

“Brothers, can we talk?”

Shen Yuan blinked when he saw the smiling face of one of his other half-brothers. Who was this one again...? Shen Xiao?

“What do you want?” Shen Jiu asked as he put himself in front of Shen Yuan and tilted his chin up to condescendingly look down on Shen Xiao.

Shen Xiao’s smile did not falter, “Letters from home. It seems that the people at home had many things to say, most of which, I cannot answer,” he said.

“Is something wrong?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Yes,” the second son, another one that unfortunately passed the test, Shen Yan said. “I believe everyone wants an explanation on how Jiulang could be accepted. Why didn’t you tell us, brothers, that you cultivated?”

“Should I tell you when I’m going to relieve myself too?” Shen Jiu raised his brows.

“A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan said in exasperation. “Well, about Jiulang, he had his reasons. He harmed no one, so it’s fine, right? I believe mother and father are all proud too,” he said calmly.

“Of course, they are,” Shen Xiao smiled.

“There’s another question, though. How did you get accepted as an official disciple along with Jiulang and Balang, Qilang,” Shen Yan questioned. “Weren’t you sick?” he said suspiciously.

“In the academy, I met so many people and learned many things. It enlightened me so, and I also worked hard in the last few years, my sickness naturally disappeared. Fortunately, my talent and cultivation were acknowledged by my shijie and shixiong,” Shen Yuan answered with a soft smile.

“That’s nonsense. You two changed terribly since you were in the academy, what happened there? Wulang was once there too and it was just a normal academy,” the second youngest present, Shen Fan, said in annoyance.

“Even if we had an encounter there, what are you going to do?” Shen Jiu arched his brows. “You all should be minding your own business and be grateful that I didn’t pursue the matter of my poisoned talent root.”

They all stared in surprise.

“Poisoned?”

“We don’t know anything about this, Jiulang,” Shen Yan said. “Are you okay?”

Shen Jiu held out his hand to stop them from talking. “No matter. Even if none of you are not involved here, I believe it was an action from more than one person,” His poisoned talent root, almost drowning, several poisoning attempts that he foiled on his own. Shen Jiu knew it was impossible to only have one person wanting to kill him. It was uncoordinated.

But...

“My mother will take care of this,” Shen Jiu said as he extended his hands. “Give me the letters, as a Di son, I’ll write back to mother and father. You can write back to your own respective mother,” Shen Jiu said.

Shen Jiu smirked when a flash of discontent appeared on their face when he said ‘Di son.’

“Since you guys are being so noisy about my talent and cultivation, I’ll be noisy too about the cured poison in my spirit root,” Shen Jiu smirked. “We’ll just see what will happen then.”

Shen Jiu stared at them deeply. Shen Yan pulled out two small scrolls and handed it to Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu snatched them off and walked away haughtily.

Shen Yuan smiled, “Since we’re already done here, excuse us. Good day,” he bade them goodbye and followed behind Shen Jiu. Leaving the other three half-brothers in a stormy mood.

Shen Yuan sighed as he kept walking along the path into the bamboo forest. It had been two weeks since they were officially a disciple of Qing Jing, he had done countless assignments, meeting many seniors of Qing Jing peak and even from other peaks.

Shen Yuan even had gotten quite friendly with a few Bai Zhan disciples who frequently came to visit and spar with Qing Jing disciples. He met Ning Yingying, she was the pretty young lady at the selection who was veery busy and handled the junior selection.

Shen Yuan also met Ming Fan not long after, when the new official disciples were gathered to be briefed. He wasn’t in the selection, from what Shen Yuan heard, Ming Fan had many affairs to cover with the absence of a peak lord. Many disciples went on missions. But they ultimately returned.

But Shen Yuan had never seen any Luo Binghe.

Shen Yuan couldn’t ask, of course, that would be creepy. And he had an inkling that this place was different than the novel he read.

Don’t tell him, because the main bad guy died heroically, the main character had no reason to exist? It could be like that. Maybe this was an alternate universe?

Maybe this was a fanfic?

Shen Yuan never read any novel that made the main character went into a fanfic before...

Well, he had a crazy theory. Say, if this was a fanfic, Luo Binghe might as well be in Xian Shu peak now as the sole male disciple, enjoying dual cultivation every day- cough! Cough!

But that was impossible. No matter what, if Xian Shu peak had a sole male disciple, Luo Binghe would still be the most famous man in the entire Cang Qiong Mountain Sect and he would hear his name at least once. But Shen Yuan didn’t.

Save to assume... maybe he didn’t exist here?

Shen Yuan almost tripped and a small hand held him back to steady himself.

“Use your eyes, Yuan-ge,” Shen Jiu said with a calm and cold voice.

“Sorry, thanks,” Shen Yuan said.

Put that aside first, ever since they came to Qing Jing peak, Shen Jiu began to act weird. He was more withdrawn than usual, often refusing to go out when it wasn’t class time or something else more important. He became a bit too gloomy for Shen Yuan’s liking although the boy would argue that he was studying not moping.

Shen Yuan didn’t even mention that he was ‘moping' but after the boy denied so, Shen Yuan knew he was moping.

Shen Yuan sighed, he missed having his little brother being freer and cheerful. “A’Jiu, A’Jiu, if you have anything in your mind just say it to your Yuan-ge,” he murmured under his breath before he paused as something caught his gaze.

Was that?

Shen Yuan turned to see a clearing not too far away, there seemed to be a grave there and hints of incense’s smoke. He paused and shook his head. No, no, no, keep out of the grave, Shen Yuan.

But he was deeply interested, who was buried here? In Qing Jing peak?

Shen Yuan craned his neck and blinked. Someone was there.

The figure in white almost scared Shen Yuan but when he looked closely, he knew it was a human. The peak lord of Bai Zhan peak, Liu Qingge.

“That’s... Liu-shishu?” Shen Yuan murmured and Shen Jiu glanced. If Shen Yuan paid attention to his brother, he would see Shen Jiu stilled. “What is he doing here?”

“Who cares?” Shen Jiu answered bitterly. “We need to gather the medicinal mushrooms deep in the forest, let’s go.”

“You’re right,” Shen Yuan flicked another glance to Liu Qingge to find the other’s pair of eyes were looking back at him. Shen Yuan almost jumped, uh-oh. “He saw us.”

“So?”

“Follow proper etiquette and let’s greet him even for a bit.”

“You’ve gotta be kidding me,” Shen Jiu glared.

“Just for a bit, A’Jiu, it’s just polite. Remember the lesson?”

“If an enemy caught sight of us, should we go and greet them? You’ll die in the wild, Yuan-ge,” Shen Jiu said bitterly.

“Liu-shishu is our elder, not enemy, come on,” Shen Yuan pulled the petulant boy along. They both stopped just inside the clearing and Shen Yuan bowed down, “Greetings to Liu-shishu,” when he saw that Shen Jiu was reluctant to follow him, he pushed the boy’s head down.

“Greetings,” Shen Jiu hissed under his breath.

“Our apologies if we disturbed Liu-shishu, we were just passing by when we saw you here. Please don’t misunderstand,” Shen Yuan smiled impeccably.

Liu Qingge nodded, “Carry on, you don’t need to greet next time,” he said.

“Thank you,” Shen Yuan smiled, daring a bit as he glanced at the gravestone in mild curiosity.

“So, who died?” Shen Jiu asked bluntly almost getting Shen Yuan a heart attack. He took advantage that he was a kid, also wanting to know why Liu Qingge was here. In Qing Jing peak. In front of Shen Qingqiu’s own grave.

The familiar feeling of resentment bloomed in Shen Jiu’s chest. What are you doing here? Mocking me even in death?

Shen Yuan positively screaming in panic inside as he pulled his brother, covering his mouth tightly, “A’Jiu!” the older brother hissed. “I’m so sorry, my little brother is a bit ignorant. We offer our condolences,” Shen Yuan bowed down once again.

Shen Jiu glared at Shen Yuan, offended. Ignorant?! He used to be the lord of Qing Jing peak, other people can be ignorant but not him! “Am I wrong asking that?” Shen Jiu huffed.

“Shen Qing!” Shen Yuan sternly called out Shen Jiu’s real name again.

“I might as well be,” Liu Qingge interrupted Shen Yuan and replied to the boy. Both Shens paused and stared at Liu Qingge in disbelief.

Shen Yuan solemnly looked at Liu Qingge’s feet to see whether he was floating or not, and flipped his mind to recall if ghosts could morph into another’s face... Yes, they absolutely could. He contemplated if ghosts could go angry if he suddenly bolted off with his little brother.

Unlike Shen Yuan, Shen Jiu knew Liu Qingge was talking nonsense, but he decided to humor his murderer, “Liu-shishu died?” he asked innocently, “Then why are you still here?”

“I should have,” Liu Qingge said as he looked back to the grave. “But he did instead.”

Silence fell on them, Shen Yuan didn’t get any less awkward even after he knew the man in front of him was not a high-level tangible ghost who used Liu Qingge’s face to lure them. “I’m so sorry...” Shen Yuan finally said to fill in the silence.

Liu Qingge glanced at them, “No need.” He should be the one who felt sorry, he killed him after all. Also preventing these kids from ever knowing their own master.

Shen Yuan was slightly flustered as he cleared his throat, “Um, we’ll get going, then. Excuse us, Liu-shishu,” he said as he pulled his blunt little brother out of there.

Shen Jiu flicked one last glance to Liu Qingge who was staring at the gravestone again.

Shen Qingqiu was written on the piece of stone, he looked away. Did Liu Qingge regret it? Maybe. Was Shen Jiu pleased? Yes. Did Shen Jiu forgive him? No.

Rarely people tasted bitter regret that haunted them for years. It always filled Shen Jiu with delight when he saw others experiencing the same. But that didn’t mean Liu Qingge could get away with killing Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu didn’t expect to stand before his own grave again so soon. Today was the day where Ming Fan brought the new disciples to the late peak lord’s grave.

It was still the same as the first time Shen Jiu saw it, simple yet elegant. There was a small shrine surrounding it and the disciples put incenses around it, litting them up to pray for him.

“This is our Shizun’s last resting place,” Ming Fan said to the new disciples, dignified. There were about seven new disciples, including the three Shen brothers. Normally, Shen Jiu would never accept more than one disciple per selection, except for when he was just starting as a peak lord, he chose three back then.

Those chores would never do themselves and the elders might keep grudge if Shen Jiu forced them to.

“It’s time for you all paid respect to him. I might be the one in charge of the peak but I’m not your master and never will,” Ming Fan said as he put his hands behind his back.

The new disciples lit up an incense each and paid their respect by kneeling down and bowed to the gravestone. When they straightened, from the corner of his eyes, Shen Jiu saw Ning Yingying stepping up

“Shizun, today we introduce you to our new shidi and shimei. Ying’er now has more juniors to take care of,” her voice tightened at the end and Ming Fan patted her shoulder as he signaled to the other girls to comfort Ning Yingying. Ning Yingying held up her hand, stopping them, “We will take care of your legacy and pass it on.”

Shen Yuan kept his eyes down as they were allowed to stand up again, when the new disciples stood up, the female disciples all swarmed and put colourful flowers before the grave. Somehow, Shen Yuan could feel their sorrow and longing from each stalk of flower they put down.

‘He was truly loved...’ Shen Yuan frowned. There was a very obvious line between feared and loved, Shen Qingqiu in the novel was respected and feared by his disciples, Ning Yingying only isolated herself for a few days before she was back to her cheerful self in the novel. She shed no tears, just feeling a deep pity. But right now, all the female disciples obviously weren’t ready to be left behind by their master.

“I see you all are paying respect to your Shizun today.”

Everyone turned towards the voice’s source and Ming Fan bowed down, causing everyone to bow down too in reflex, “Zhangmen-shibo,” Ming Fan greeted.

Yue Qingyuan smiled as he waved his hand to dismiss their greeting, “I see everything is doing alright, I was truly busy with the Sect’s duty and I can’t oversee Qing Jing peak’s opening. I’m sorry.”

“How could we deserve your apology, Zhangmen-shibo?” Ming Fan straightened and smiled. “You have done your best for us too, please don’t worry.”

Yue Qingyuan smiled as his eyes shifted to the new disciples, “Are they the new disciples?”

“Yes,” Ming Fan nodded.

Yue Qingyuan nodded, “From now on, you all will be a half-master to them, do your best.”

“Thank you, Zhangmen-shibo. We will keep that in mind,” Ning Yingying bowed down.

Yue Qingyuan smiled wanly, “You all already did such a good job. I believe your Shizun will be proud.”

They all smiled, brightened from the previous gloomy mood that always persisted whenever they visited their Shizun’s grave, their Shizun who died too young. Their Zhangmen-shibo truly knew what to say to cheer them up.

Ming Fan bowed down, “We will take our leave. Zhangmen-shibo, please,” he motioned politely. Everyone knew Yue Qingyuan came to their Shizun’s grave frequently and they knew when to leave him alone.

Yue Qingyuan nodded and the others followed Ming Fan.

Shen Yuan flicked a glance towards Yue Qingyuan whose attention now solely on the gravestone before him. He felt a tug on his robe and looked down, “A’Jiu, what are you doing?” he blinked.

Shen Jiu, who was now plastered on Shen Yuan, holding Shen Yuan’s arm tightly around his shoulders, and used Shen Yuan’s wide sleeve to cover his face. Shen Jiu glared at him like Shen Yuan was the one who did something weird, “Incense,” Shen Jiu vaguely gestured.

“You looked like you just saw a ghost,” Shen Yuan whispered as he struggled to walk normally with Shen Jiu practically clung to him.

“Just shut up,” Shen Jiu hissed.

“You, brothers, are so close, huh?” A female disciple said adoringly.

“Ah? That, ahaha. Yes,” Shen Yuan admitted readily, pleased. He pulled Shen Jiu closer, “He’s my favourite little brother.”

“Aww,” the girls cooed.

Shen Jiu pried Shen Yuan’s arm and threw it off of his shoulders, pushing him away.

Shen Yuan grinned, “He’s very contradicting,” he said and the girls giggled.

“I was not,” Shen Jiu growled under his breath. He was only trying to hide from Yue Qingyuan! That bastard appeared out of nowhere, almost causing a heart attack, he had no choice but to hide behind Shen Yuan and later on clung to Shen Yuan to hide his face. God knows, Shen Qing’s face was very similar to Shen Jiu when he was young. If Yue Qingyuan recognized his face and ended up putting extra attention on him, Shen Jiu didn’t know if he could keep up the act.

Curse his small body, every time Shen Jiu growled, Shen Yuan only looked at him with a lukewarm gaze like he was looking at a kitten trying to hiss him away. Absolutely adorable, how could he leave him alone? Shen Yuan patted Shen Jiu’s head, “Of course, not,” he said, trying to please the angry kitten that was his half-brother.

“Did I miss it?”

Suddenly a new voice appeared out of nowhere and the new disciples all paused.

Ming Fan’s face soured, “You’re late!”

After Ming Fan’s voice, someone suddenly dropped in front of the group, drew an arc with his sword before resheathing it back. There was a hint of sweat on his handsome face but he easily wiped it off, he didn’t acknowledge Ming Fan but looked at Ning Yingying.

 “Something went wrong so I had to return late.”

“You’re finally back!” Ning Yingying exclaimed in relief and went to greet him. “I was beginning to get worried!”

“Sorry, shijie. It seems like I missed the ceremony, I’ll go and apologize to Shizun, first,” The newcomer nodded. “You can go without me.”

“Zhangmen-shibo is there,” Ning Yingying informed him.

A pause, “Oh... Then, I’ll apologize to Shizun later,” he smiled.

“You should meet our new shidi and shimei first!” Ning Yingying said as she pulled him towards the new disciples. “You’re finally a shixiong, isn’t that exciting?!” Ning Yingying said.

“You all, please introduce yourself. This is the most junior disciple before you all came, his name is Luo Binghe,” Ning Yingying introduced happily.

The two girls in the new group blushed when they saw Luo Binghe, even the ten-year-old one!

Shen Yuan’s mind raced like a train as he stared blankly at Luo Binghe who nodded amicably. What?

What???

Whatttt????

Luo Binghe smiled at them all, “Hello, nice to meet you all.”

Shen Yuan’s breath hitched. ‘Abort! Abort! Abort!’ his mind screamed.

Chapter Text

What the hell???

Luo Binghe is still a disciple? What the fuck?

He still exist? Even with the main villain dead?

The main character is still fucking here?

LUO BINGHE IS STILL HERE!??!

Abort! Abort! Abort! Shen Yuan’s mind cried out as Luo Binghe looked at him and smiled. Qing Jing genocide still could happen!

Jab!

Someone jabbed Shen Yuan’s side. Hard. Shen Yuan almost shrieked had it not because he was too paralyzed in front of the protagonist, he looked down to the one who jabbed him to see his little brother looking at him like he was an idiot. “I... I’m Shen Yuan...” he introduced himself. “Shixiong...” He added as an afterthought.

“Oh, another Shen?” Luo Binghe said with a nod. Surname ‘Shen’ almost felt sacred to the people of Qing Jing peak by the way everyone in Qing Jing peak reacted, Luo Binghe seemed like no different. Still, it squeezed Shen Yuan’s heart in terror for a bit. “What about you?” he looked at Shen Jiu.

“Shen Qing,” Shen Jiu said. “Shixiong,” he also added as an afterthought.

Luo Binghe blinked, “Qing for ‘The lonely Paulownia tree deep in the garden, is locked in the colour of Clear autumn’?”

Shen Jiu looked at him, this idiot brat actually read a poem? Back then he couldn’t even read the Book of Odes without falling asleep not even halfway through the fifth page. Moreover, that verse... “Yes, Qing in Shizun’s courtesy name,” he said nonchalantly.

Luo Binghe nodded, “It’s a very nice name,” He said sincerely.

The two people interacted so casually, unaware that Shen Yuan was ready to throw up by how nervous he was. All he could think was the sentence ‘Qing Jing Genocide’ over and over again in his mind and how insane Luo Binghe was in the novel.

“How old are you?” Luo Binghe tilted his head at Shen Jiu. “You’re so young,” he added.

“Eight,” Shen Jiu answered calmly.

“Oh,” Luo Binghe nodded.

“He’s the youngest!” Ning Yingying claimed. “And they’re all brothers,” she said as she motioned to Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan and Shen Fan who stood a few paces away from his half brothers.

“That’s very exciting,” Luo Binghe brightened up a bit.

“Enough talking,” Ming Fan, who had been ignored for quite a while, cut off and glared at Luo Binghe with resentment. “You weren’t here when we opened up the peak and reported nothing back for quite a while, you better have a good explanation.”

“Naturally, I’ll talk to Liu-shishu later.”

As Luo Binghe and Ming Fan seemed to be involved in a staring contest, Shen Yuan felt another jab in his side.

Shen Yuan looked down at Shen Jiu who looked at him blankly, “What is it?”

“I should ask you that,” Shen Jiu whispered. “Your grip on me is alarming,” he said and only then Shen Yuan realized that he was gripping Shen Jiu’s back very tightly. Almost crushingly so.

Shen Yuan hastily let go.

Shen Jiu had gone out this afternoon, citing that he’d like to see and walk around, Shen Yuan let him go out by himself as he was too busy being anxious.

“No, no, no,” Shen Yuan shook his head as he crossed what he had written on a piece of paper. “This makes no sense,” he had counted the timeline.

Liu Qingge ‘died’ three years before the epic and rage-inducing Immortal Alliance conference, in which Shen Qingqiu pushed Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss to suffer. Five years later, the protag would crawl back from hell and plotted his revenge, met several women that needed his comfort and help, welcomed those women to his harem, and finally uncovered Shen Qingqiu’s rottenness to the whole world.

It had been five years since Liu Qingge’s supposed time of death. Shen Yuan arrived in this world two years ago, the time of The Push supposed to happen, but because Shen Qingqiu was not there Luo Binghe was fine...? No one found out???

Shen Yuan stared in full concentration to the papers he spread on the desk in front of him.

Shen Qingqiu was no longer a player here. Liu Qingge was still alive and even mourned for the supposed scum. Luo Binghe was still a disciple and didn’t fall into the Abyss.

Damn it. Shen Yuan put his forehead onto the desk. Based on his calculation, Luo Binghe should still have the Dream Demon’s support, because of his demon cultivation, he was found out to be a half-demon by Shen Qingqiu in the conference...

Shen Yuan groaned miserably, “I hate my life.”

“Yuan-ge, what are you doing?”

Shen Yuan instinctively spread his arms and gathered all the stupid papers and crumpled them all hastily in a matter of seconds, before smiling innocently at Shen Jiu. Totally not suspicious at all. “You’re back? How’s your walk?” Shen Yuan asked as he set the papers on fire and let them burned into ashes on the desk.

“Fine...?” Shen Jiu raised his brows. “Something’s bothering you?”

“Nope. What makes you think so?” Shen Yuan laughed calmly as he patted the space beside him. “Come, come, Yuan-ge just burned some paper to gain some enlightenment. Fire is very wise and ever-changing, it provides a calmness within our spirit and also passion.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, do you know burning off paper could take away your stress?” Shen Yuan took their father’s letter and burned it down.

Shen Jiu nodded, “I see, I can’t say that’s the weirdest venting method I’ve seen,” he said.

Shen Yuan smiled, “Come in and sit down, did you see anything interesting in your walk?”

It had been a month ever since Luo Binghe returned to the peak and became a normal person to be found within the peak. Shen Yuan liked to think that he had done a good job for the entire month in avoiding the protag’s path, laying as low as possible to not attract any unwanted ire, and taking care of Shen Jiu as best as he could when the boy didn’t disappear into the quiet corners of Qing Jing peak.

Shen Yuan must admit he was being overly too careful, but to hell with it. He was a veteran light novel reader, goddammit, he had his own preferred way to go through a terrible novel should he got transmigrated in it. That was, avoid the protag because nothing good came out of your relationship with him, unless you were a pretty girl who was ready to share your man. Even then, you should prepare yourself to deal with the harem intrigue.

Shen Yuan disliked conflict, okay?

“That was good enough, Yuan-shidi,” Luo Binghe’s praise broke Shen Yuan out of his thinking.

Shen Yuan turned around and immediately bowed down, “Many thanks, Luo-shixiong.” Because there were three Shens now and all of them were juniors, it was a bit hard to call them individually, which was why everyone decided to call the brothers by their given name instead.

“But I notice you’re a bit distracted,” Luo Binghe said.

“My apologies, my mind wandered around for a second earlier,” Shen Yuan said politely.

“The essence of training is to focus, it’s a waste if you don’t even put your mind on it,” Luo Binghe advised.

“This shidi will keep it in his mind,” don’t initiate any more conversation, please.

“Has anyone give you a new manual more suited to our peak’s qi flow?” Luo Binghe instead asked.

Shen Yuan blinked, “No, I haven’t. Ning-shijie said it will be soon.”

“You’re one of the older candidates, you should change before it’s too late,” Luo Binghe said. “Jade-Green Wind Dragon would suit you.”

Shen Yuan paused and Shen Jiu looked over.

“Ridiculous.”

Luo Binghe paused when he heard the new voice, the calm and detached smile on his face turned blank in a second as he turned to see the head disciple of Qing Jing peak, Ming Fan.

“You think Jade-Green Wind Dragon would just suit anybody?” Ming Fan said disdainfully.

Luo Binghe raised his cupped fist half-heartedly, “Ming-shixiong, good afternoon,” he greeted blandly with a slight raise of his eyebrow, mocking. “This shidi is just suggesting it to Yuan-shidi. Moreover, his talent is suited to it too.”

“Choosing manual is not the same as picking up trinkets,” Ming Fan snapped. “You’re a disciple yourself, don’t go around advising the younger disciples to pick manuals at random.” He turned to Shen Yuan, “As for the new disciples’ manuals, it will be decided later after the council reached an agreement.”

Shen Yuan nodded, eager to just stop this argument or at least quickly scram from the place.

“I’ve seen the choice in the council, it’s not suitable for some juniors,” Luo Binghe didn’t let it end there.

Ming Fan’s hand twitched, “What do you know? You don’t even bother showing up.”

Luo Binghe smiled slightly, even if he showed up, his voice wouldn’t be heard as Ming Fan controlled the council meeting. He’d rather meditate in front of his Shizun’s grave than wasting his time to attend the meeting. “As a senior, it’s not wrong for me to suggest it to my junior, no?”

“It’s not wrong to suggest it, but you’re directing him to the wrong path,” Ming Fan said coldly.

“Ming-shixiong, don’t-“ Shen Yuan sensed a conflict brewing and tried to defuse it before it was too late.

“Wrong path? Ming-shixiong wants to say Shizun’s manual is the wrong path?” Luo Binghe’s lips tilted up, despite so, he looked more angry than amused.

“Uh-“

Ming Fan narrowed his eyes, “A good manual is nothing in the hands of someone if that person’s capability can’t match it.”

“If you can make the right judgment, you can see you’re underestimating our new batch of disciples.”

“It’s okay, it’s not impo-“ Shen Yuan tried to cut them off but got cut off instead.

“You’re not one to make the decision,” Ming Fan said. “That’s what the council for.”

“Then, could the council consider giving Green-Jade Wind Dragon manual to Yuan-shidi?”

“Something like that-“

“Excuse me.”

Ming Fan’s voice ceased to continue at the firm and quite an impertinent interruption. Luo Binghe and Ming Fan looked down to find a boy staring up at them with his wide limpid eyes.

“Is the class done yet?” The boy gazed at Luo Binghe, who was today’s swordsmanship class’ instructor, and then at Ming Fan. “I’ll take my big brother away if it is, if the two shixiong do not mind.”

The boy barely reached their hips in height, his voice was still childish and girly even, the boy’s eyes were clear, his face was still rounded with baby fat. Yet...

Yet he demanded so much presence.

“Didi,” Shen Yuan’s lips twitched into a bitter smile, no doubt horrified at his little brother’s rude interruption.

“We got too carried away with our discussion,” Luo Binghe was the first to break free from his surprise, he looked to the rest of the new disciples who looked at them with an unveiled look of anticipation.

Obviously, Ming Fan noticed them too and went silent.

“Where did we stop earlier? I’ll continue,” Luo Binghe proceeded to ignore Ming Fan as he turned to address the new recruits professionally.

Ming Fan snorted and flicked his sleeves in resentment before turning around to leave.

Shen Yuan wiped his sweat inwardly as he pulled Shen Jiu closer to him. God knew how blessed he felt when none of the two seniors decided to scold Shen Jiu on his rudeness, one was the protagonist whilst the other was in charge of Qing Jing peak, Shen Yuan couldn’t imagine if Shen Jiu offended them.

Shen Yuan squeezed Shen Jiu’s shoulders. This boy was usually very mature and understanding, why was he being so reckless now?

“Sorry for the pause, Qing-shidi,” Luo Binghe instead smiled in good nature in the face of the second youngest son of Shen Family.

Shen Jiu’s blank eyes shifted off Ming Fan’s retreating back and towards Luo Binghe, “Luo-shixiong is too polite, this shidi would never complain.” He tilted his head, “However, please don’t put my brother in a hard place again,” he added with a lower voice.

Luo Binghe blinked and Shen Yuan inhaled deeply.

“Didi,” Shen Yuan smiled bitterly. Why did he feel progressively being the one to be protected than the one doing protecting?

Luo Binghe chuckled, deep and alluring, stopping Shen Yuan from silently admonishing his little brother. “My apologies, then,” he looked at Shen Yuan and nodded apologetically. “It wasn’t my intention to do so.”

Shen Yuan smiled awkwardly, “It’s fine, Luo-shixiong. You meant well, I know that.”

The training continued.

“Anything to explain?” Was the first thing Liu Qingge said upon seeing the two youths in front of him. He seriously had no more idea what to do on them both.

“To answer Liu-shishu, it’s truly nothing important,” Ming Fan bowed down and responded. Over the years Liu Qingge watched over him, Ming Fan had grown splendidly, gone the spoiled reckless brat who knew nothing but pleasantries. At least now he was a capable young man who could take care of Qing Jing peak at the absence of Shen Qingqiu.

“Ning Yingying didn’t say so,” Liu Qingge said simply.

Luo Binghe smiled, “Ning-shijie worries too much, in reality, it’s not worth Liu-shishu’s notice.” Over the years, this boy was the one who grew up the most in Liu Qingge’s opinion. Gone the sniffling brat who was always pushed around by his martial brothers, replaced by a mature young man whose smile was so enigmatic that Liu Qingge sometimes felt he didn’t know the boy’s depth at all.

Liu Qingge sighed, “You two are brothers,” he said. “Don’t fight over the slightest thing, learn to tolerate each other,” he gazed at the two youths. “Learn from the history,” How he and Shen Qingqiu always fought over the slightest thing and how that ended for both.

Luo Binghe looked up, “Liu-shishu, this and that are very different,” he said. A slight crease on his eyebrows gave off the feeling of faint distress and sympathy. “I’m already tolerating Ming-shixiong. He, however, is not.”

Ming Fan’s eyes snapped to Luo Binghe and narrowed slightly, “Liu-shishu, as per your guidance and with Shizun in mind, I’ve done my best to lead Qing Jing peak. I have no problem that Luo-shidi has something against me, but I respectfully ask him to not put his personal feeling in the line of duty.”

“Ming-shixiong is too much, when has this shidi put his feeling in his line of duty? What I do is for Qing Jing peak and with Shizun in mind,” Luo Binghe said.

“You talked back and do things as you please, how would others think of us? They would think Qing Jing peak has absolutely no taste in manner!”

“Enough!” Liu Qingge snapped and the two youths immediately dropped their heads again, looking a lot more upset than earlier. “Didn’t I tell you to tolerate each other!?” he didn’t ask them to kiss and get along like blood-brothers! Just tolerating each other, how bad was it?!

Ning Yingying worriedly stepped up, “Ming-shixiong, A’Luo, please... Ying’er just asks you to not fight like this.” She paused, eyeing Liu Qingge, “Liu-shishu is also very concerned, let’s all get along, okay?”

Luo Binghe looked at Ning Yingying, “Ning-shijie, it’s a lot more complicated than that.” Luo Binghe bowed down to Liu Qingge, “Liu-shishu, if this shizi made a mistake, he’s ready to face punishment.”

Liu Qingge furrowed his brows, “Ming Fan,” he instead called and Ming Fan bowed down.

“Yes, Liu-shishu.”

“You’re the head disciple, what do you think? Your choice, pursue and make this nonsense bigger than it should, or simply ignore it like a dignified leader you should,” Liu Qingge looked at Ming Fan. “To my knowledge, Luo Binghe did nothing to harm you,” he looked into the young man’s eyes.

Ming Fan lowered his head and closed his eyes, “Understood, Liu-shishu. This shizi will not pursue,” he said quietly.

“You’re dismissed. Luo Binghe, you stay,” Liu Qingge said.

Ming Fan and Ning Yingying bowed down and left, leaving Luo Binghe to stand before Liu Qingge alone.

“I understand your resentment for him,” Liu Qingge started. “He made a terrible mistake that could cost you your life. But it was five years ago when he was young and didn’t think through his action. I’m not asking you to forgive and forget, but cease down your anger.”

Luo Binghe smiled, “Liu-shishu, I’ve had people trying to kill me out there when I wandered around for my training. Some of them became my friend,” some even looked at him with glittering eyes filled with admiration and adoration.

Liu Qingge blinked and crossed his arms, waiting for him to continue.

“Did I forgive them for trying to kill me? I did. Because I knew their attempts were useless, meaningless, as I survived.” Luo Binghe’s smile turned into a deep frown, “But what still bothers this shizi about Ming-shixiong’s action is, the fact that he knew I was already helpless and he still wanted me to die in the most gruesome way...”

Luo Binghe’s face twisted a bit.

“Not to mention he dragged Shizun’s down with him,” his voice distorted slightly. “Shizun gave him an order to give me a cultivation manual, he disobeyed that command and gave me the problematic one. Not only he tried to kill me but he also disobeyed Shizun’s last order before his death.” The last order Shen Qingqiu gave was for Ming Fan to give Luo Binghe his cultivation manual before he went for a retreat and perished in the Spirit Cave...

The last entry of Shen Qingqiu’s journal was for Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe treasured that and despised the fact that it was ruined by Ming Fan’s pettiness.

Liu Qingge looked at Luo Binghe and closed his eyes, “Very well.” He swallowed the urge to apologize, it was already a long time ago, saying sorry for that would only open the already healing wound. “But he’s still the future lord of Qing Jing peak, unless you want Qing Jing peak to descend into a fight of succession... Don’t do anything reckless.”

Luo Binghe bowed down, “This shizi will put Liu-shishu’s words in his mind.”

Shen Jiu eyed idly as Ming Fan and Ning Yingying left the main hall of Qing Jing peak, he easily released his grip from the curtain and let it fell back covering the window of his room.

For the last few days, the atmosphere around Qing Jing peak had been pretty tense for the disciples, of course, the thing that happened a few days ago in the swordsmanship class had been a pretty hot topic for the disciples. It would be surprising if it didn’t. As far as Qing Jing peak was a peak of elegance and dignity, gossips and rumours still spread like fire.

Not only Qing Jing peak, it even had spread outside too. What with disciples from Bai Zhan peak occasionally loitering around and those hald-brain kids from An Ding peak that got called to fix a few things within Qing Jing peak.

Today, Liu Qingge himself had come to solve the problem.

Shen Jiu shook his head inwardly, judging from how he saw it, it seemed like Luo Binghe truly inspire a feeling of fear in Ming Fan regarding the succession. It was no surprise since that boy was surprisingly better than Ming Fan in many aspects.

Years passed and they had became more of a pain in the neck. Well, it was also more or less Shen Qingqiu’s fault since he never appointed a succeeding disciple for everyone to focus on, but he himself also had no plan to die in Spirit Cave.

Shen Jiu sighed, “Next time that Luo Binghe told you you’re suited to cultivate Jade-Green Wind Dragon manual, reject him politely,” he said to Shen Yuan who was sitting idly on the bed with a book in his hands.

Shen Yuan looked up from his book, “Hm?” he blinked to process what Shen Jiu said out of nowhere. “Why?”

“Just reject it,” Shen Jiu scowled.

Jade-Green Wind Dragon manual was the manual Shen Jiu used as Shen Qingqiu. His Shizun gave it to him personally and no one else ever cultivated it in his generation not everyone could just cultivate it. One had to have a certain talent to do so. While Shen Jiu had no doubt Shen Yuan could cultivate it, that wasn’t what Shen Jiu worried about.

If Shen Yuan cultivated using that, it would only create an illusion of succession. If Ming Fan decided that Shen Yuan could be a threat too, Shen Yuan might get dragged into the ruthless current of Sect Politics.

Shen Yuan blinked at his little brother’s pout, “I’ll reject it if that put your mind at ease.”

“Good,” Shen Jiu took a random book of the stack on their bedside table. “Sect Politics doesn’t suit you.”

“I have no interest to be involved in that,” Shen Yuan shook his head exasperatedly.

“It’s not your opinion that matters. It’s others’,” Shen Jiu said seriously. “Always look underneath the underneath, Yuan-ge.”

The new disciples finally got their manuals in the next week. Shen Jiu peeked at what Shen Yuan got and rest his mind when he saw it wasn’t the manual he used in the previous life.

At night, Shen Yuan decided to rest early and Shen Jiu took his manual.

Shen Jiu stared disdainfully at Shen Yuan’s manual, for a talent of Shen Yuan’s caliber, this wasn’t good enough. Shen Jiu expertly ripped all the pages and took a completely new manual that he had prepared and expertly sewed it back to the cover, effectively creating an illusion that it never changed although the content was completely different.

Shen Jiu took the ripped pages and burned them to ashes to get rid of the evidence of tampering. With this, Shen Yuan wouldn’t cultivate that common manual and stuck to a common level. As for his own manual, that thing was useless but Shen Jiu would keep it.

Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan’s sleeping form, it didn’t seem he was disturbed at all. He slipped Shen Yuan’s manual back to the place he put it on and stealthily walked back to his bed.

“I think it’s time to cut your hair a bit,” Shen Yuan said thoughtfully as he pulled Shen Jiu’s hair to the usual bun.

“Hm?” Shen Jiu glanced at his older brother from the mirror on the table.

“It’s getting a bit too long to be put into a bun,” Shen Yuan commented. “Just the tip is fine,” having a too-long hair for a little boy was also not good. Shen Yuan released his grip on Shen Jiu’s hair and let it all fell down to cover Shen Jiu’s small back entirely down to his waist.

“It’s not that long,” Shen Jiu frowned. He found cutting his hair to be too cumbersome.

“It’s only a bit, I promise,” Shen Yuan took out a scissor from a drawer, but before he could move the scissor close to Shen Jiu, the boy stopped him.

“Now?” Shen Jiu blinked at him strangely.

Shen Yuan nodded, “Well, only a snip or two, it won’t take long.”

Shen Jiu furrowed his brows, “Today is not a good day to have a haircut,” he said.

Shen Yuan paused. Right, he forgot this world was quite traditional. In his world, there were some who believed whilst others no longer cared for such a superstitious thing. “Oh... I forgot,” Shen Yuan put down the scissors and smiled. “When do you want to get a haircut?”

Shen Jiu nodded, “Again,” he pointed out. Personally, he didn’t really care about a haircut nor did he believe in such superstitious things. But he couldn’t really argue about it as he died and woke up in the body of a boy, might as well follow it just to be safe.

Shen Yuan stroke Shen Jiu’s head delicately, “Well, sorry. I easily forgot things,” he said as he gathered Shen Jiu’s hair back. “I’ll see the good day to cut your hair later.”

“Hm,” Shen Jiu hummed as he blankly stared at the wall in front of him. “If it’s hard to put it up, just tie it up normally,” he said.

Shen Yuan hummed, “Hm, you’re right,” he grabbed the brush and brushed down Shen Jiu’s hair again.

Shen Jiu closed his eyes and let Shen Yuan worked with his hair. If years ago someone did this to Shen Jiu, Shen Jiu would snap that person’s hand regardless who it was and certainly wouldn’t let them be near him ever again. But two years ago when Shen Yuan insisted to style his hair after he recovered in the academy, Shen Jiu found himself not minding the feeling of the young man’s hands on his hair.

At first, Shen Yuan sucked bad at doing it leading to Shen Jiu always have something to complain every morning. Too tight, too loose, crooked, messy, and all sorts of other problems. It took quite a long time before Shen Yuan learned how to do it good enough to stop Shen Jiu’s stream of sharp protests and complaints.

“Do you remember the first few times I tried to do your hair?” Shen Yuan suddenly asked prompting Shen Jiu to open his eyes in surprise. “Back then, you always have this pinched look whenever I pulled you to tie your hair up,” Shen Yuan chuckled. “Compared to now, you’re more tense back then.”

Shen Jiu exhaled, “You nearly made me bald with your incompetence back then, it would be a surprise if I enjoyed it.”

“The day you stopped complaining about my work, I felt really accomplished,” Shen Yuan smirked slightly. It was like when the grumpiest cat let you to pet it without snarling and tried to claw your hands off.

“Your aspiration has never been high in the first place,” Shen Jiu commented. “It’s easy to please you.”

“Is it easy, though? To gain your approval?” Shen Yuan teasingly said.

Shen Jiu paused and mused thoughtfully, “It’s very hard. You’re quite impressive,” He admitted sincerely.

Shen Yuan blinked and chuckled, “Quite impressive, huh?” he retrieved a hairpin. “I’d say you’re even more than impressive then. It’s very hard to impress you,” he never saw Shen Jiu showed any grand expression at all. The strongest emotion he showed was when their father told them they were going to Qing Jing peak, whilst the worst was when he learned of his mother’s pregnancy. It was hard to impress the boy.

He never laughed, only sarcastic chuckles. He rarely smiled, only smirks. Even when they got into a Sect, many things caught Shen Yuan off guard, the scenery, the astounding sight, the show of power, the grandness, it was more often than not Shen Yuan would be star-struck at the sight even though he quickly recovered.

Shen Jiu, however... When Luo Binghe first showed his might to teach the new kids in the swordsmanship class, not only the new kids, even the older disciples were deeply astonished. But when Shen Yuan looked over to see how he reacted, there was only a mild surprise in Shen Jiu’s eyes.

When Ning Yingying showed her astonishing qin skill that stunned the new disciples, Shen Jiu only looked mildly appreciative. There was no astonishment, there was no shock at such a high achievement. Only appreciation.

It was indeed hard to impress this boy.

Shen Jiu shrugged, “It’s required.”

“Sometimes, I feel like you’re too precocious,” Shen Yuan said. “We’re away from home, just enjoy yourself.”

‘This place was even more dangerous than Shen Family’s home,’ In a place like this, death was not the worst outcome.

“Please, put it there, Yuan-shidi,” Ning Yingying said cheerfully as she opened the door into the ancestral hall of Qing Jing peak.

“Coming, Shijie,” Shen Yuan tried hard to not sound like he was going to breathe his last at any moment. He followed Ning Yingying’s step and all too happily put down the stack of books in his hands to the first desk he'd seen. “Is here fine?” He asked, hoping that the answer would be yes.

“Ah, there is fine, I’ll take care of them one by one later, you may rest,” Ning Yingying smiled kindly, obviously noticing his pale feature. “Here, sit here for a bit,” she prompted as she gestured to a stool nearby.

“Thank you,” Shen Yuan unceremoniously sat down on the stool inciting a giggle from Ning Yingying.

“Sorry to bother you, Yuan-shidi. But you were the closest man around, usually, I’d ask A’Luo for this, but I can’t find him anywhere,” Ning Yingying sincerely apologized.

“No, it’s fine. I can’t imagine you to bring these all by yourself either,” Shen Yuan smiled.

“Thank you, I really need to sort these all up in three days,” Ning Yingying sighed. “I plan to start before the dusk.”

“What are these for, if you don’t mind me ask?” Shen Yuan asked curiously.

“Oh, nothing much. Just Qing Jing peak’s record, I just need to make a summary of them and they would be stored here after that for safekeeping,” Ning Yingying replied.

Shen Yuan took one book out of the stack and eyed it for a bit, “I see...” he put it back as his eyes trailed off towards the paintings lining up on the wall. All of them were so lifelike in their own way, Shen Yuan immediately felt pulled to inspect them all.

Almost all of them were men, but there were several stunning women too. Shen Yuan eyed them with interest, feeling oddly pleased at how beautiful they were. He never took himself as someone who madly appreciated arts in his past life, but if his past life’s arts were half as stunning as any painting in this hall, Shen Yuan would have appreciated them more.

His eyes traced every painting appreciatively, lingering on the women’s faces with longing and staring on the men’s faces with envy, eventually, his eyes stopped at the last painting on the wall. It was of a man in an elegant robe with the colour of young bamboo, the pattern of bamboo leaves that carefully sewn into his outer robe was painted so intricately that it almost seemed like you could feel it if you touch it.

The man was standing straight with an elegant and isolated mountain range as his background, in his hand was a white paper fan with winter blossoms painted on it positioned ever so slightly just below his chin. A slight furrow on his brows gave an impression of detachment and hard to approach, Shen Yuan didn’t know why but somehow he felt the eyes on the painting was looking down on him disdainfully.

The scum villain... Shen Yuan instantly thought.

“That’s our Shizun,” Behind him, Ning Yingying’s voice came up.

Shen Yuan almost jumped and turned around to see Ning Yingying smiling up at... at the painting?

“That reminds me, you have never seen how Shizun looked like before, right?” Ning Yingying blinked and only then Shen Yuan felt her eyes on him.

“I haven’t,” Shen Yuan smiled courteously. “But from what I’ve seen, Shizun seemed like a very respectable man,” his look certainly suited to be the villain. One had to know, in the world of Xianxia, the villain either had to be beast-like or completely beautiful, he could see Shen Qingqiu was the latter type.

“He was... He was a good man. I don’t want anyone to be hurt, but I really wish he’s still here...” Ning Yingying said quietly. “It’s just never been the same ever since he’s gone.”

Shen Yuan suddenly felt bad for judging Shen Qingqiu in his mind when he saw the wistful look on the young lady’s face, Shen Yuan cleared his throat, “As the livings, we could only turn that to be the best we could do.”

Ning Yingying smiled, “You’re right.” She looked back at Shen Yuan, “You know, Yuan-shidi. The first time I saw you, I was quite surprised, you really looked like Shizun and you even have the same surname.”

Shen Yuan blinked, taken aback. “Me?” he slipped to an informal speech but Ning Yingying only laughed in good nature.

“It’s true. Other shijie and shixiong also agreed you’re quite similar to Shizun. Maybe not exactly alike, but your lips, and especially your eyes, they were so like Shizun’s. If you tell us that you’re Shizun’s long lost little brother, we’ll believe you for sure,” Ning Yingying said. “If you squint your eyes, they would look even more similar.”

“Ah, you’re flattering me, Ning-shijie,” Shen Yuan said awkwardly as he avoided looking at Ning Yingying only to look back at the painting of Shen Qingqiu. He felt a bit stressed and quickly tried to change the topic, “That... What happened after Shizun’s...”

Ning Yingying blinked, “Hm?”

“I mean, I can’t imagine your grief back then. And... I just wondered how the Sect took care of losing one peak lord...” Shen Yuan scratched his head. Shit, he took the wrong topic to bring up. Just when Shen Yuan was thinking about how to apologize, Ning Yingying answered.

“Well, as you probably heard, we closed up the peak for a while. As a result, the Sect also decided to close up to mourn...” Ning Yingying’s gaze turned a bit distant. “Everyone helped, the most helpful one is Liu-shishu, he took care of us when we no longer have our Shizun.”

When Shen Yuan heard that, the gear in his head turned. Right, Shen Yuan heard that the sect closed itself and rarely accepted any new disciples in the three years of Shen Qingqiu’s death, they only officially opened itself again when the Immortal Alliance Conference started two years ago.

But then...

“So... Nothing unstable happens afterward?” Shen Yuan asked hesitantly.

“Unstable?” Ning Yingying smiled. “I don’t know what’s your definition of unstable, Yuan-shidi,” by general means, Ning Yingying was pretty sure Qing Jing peak’s mental state was unstable for a while but she was sure that wasn’t what Shen Yuan meant.

“No one tried to use that moment to attack?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Attack? Who would dare to attack Cang Qiong Mountain Sect?” Ning Yingying exclaimed, finding the notion completely ridiculous.

“Well...” Shen Yuan racked his brain to think up the most natural way to say it. “Like, demons who would want to seize that chance to create a fuss? I mean, I heard that a few years back, the demons just a new saint,” he completely made a blind shoot here.

“Demons?” Ning Yingying’s eyes flickered. “No,” she shook her head. “I don’t think so. They did make quite a lot of ruckus back then, but they never reached the gate of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect.” How could they? The moment Liu Qingge stumbled out of the Spirit Cave with Shen Qingqiu’s lifeless body in his arms, every peak lords outside the Sect immediately rushed back. Ning Yingying did recall some of them discussing about demon attacks outside the Sect, but back then she was too busy crying for her Shizun.

Shen Yuan’s eyes flickered in confusion. “So, nothing happens fortunately?” he said with a faked relieved smile.

Ning Yingying smiled too, “Fortunately no, not that I can remember clearly,” she looked back to the painting of Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Yuan looked down. If there was no demon attacks on Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, how could Luo Binghe impress the drop-dead gorgeous fairy of Xian Shu peak and the sexy demoness of Sha clan? No! The most important thing was, that event triggered something that changed Luo Binghe life completely!

The existence of Dream Demon.

Shen Yuan was sure Dream Demon hopped into Luo Binghe’s dreamscape because of that precise demon attack. But if the said demon attack didn’t happen, how could Luo Binghe gained Dream Demon and discovered his demon heritage? This was completely out of the plotline!

‘But that makes sense, if Luo Binghe never discovered his demon heritage and never cultivated a demonic cultivation, then surely he wouldn’t trigger an epic I’m-a-Demon revelation. Which makes sense as he didn’t get exiled into the Abyss too...’ Shen Yuan seriously mused.

“I can’t say for sure, though,” Ning Yingying suddenly started again. Shen Yuan blinked when he felt her eyes on him again, “The memories from back then is kind of blurry for me,” since she could only remember the feeling of crushing despair and grief. “You might find more luck in other peak’s record.” Even though she was pretty sure she would remember it if there was a demon attack on her Sect.

Shen Yuan nodded, “Thank you, Shijie.” He bowed down, “Then, please excuse me.”

Shen Yuan walked out after Ning Yingying nodded her assent.

“What are you writing?” Shen Jiu asked.

In a speed rivaling anything Shen Jiu had ever seen before, Shen Yuan quickly slammed his book shut with a loud thud and gazed at Shen Jiu like a culprit caught red-handed. Shen Jiu blinked incredulously, he originally thought it was some kind of assignment that was given to the older new students and was just honestly curious, but looking at Shen Yuan’s reaction he knew it wasn’t an assignment.

Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes suspiciously, “What is that?” he asked slowly.

“Nothing important, just some notes,” Shen Yuan smiled. At first, Shen Jiu didn’t believe Shen Yuan to be quite a liar, but then he learned Shen Yuan was more than just a soft persimmon, and now... Shen Jiu truly learned how far he could act without a ripple in his expression.

But Shen Yuan’s eyes were pretty expressive, there was always a ripple there when the lie was bad enough.

Shen Yuan coughed, “No, you can’t.”

“Why?” Shen Jiu demanded.

“There’s this thing called privacy, A’Jiu. You see, I’m a grown man, I have secrets to keep and to not tell to anyone. You... Ah, you’ll understand when you’re older,” Shen Yuan kindly explained in his usual elder-brotherly manner.

Shen Jiu’s face darkened when Shen Yuan explained it like he was talking to a toddler. But he suppressed the dissatisfaction in his heart and said, “You have secrets written down, is it like a journal?”

Shen Yuan brightened, “Yes, that’s right. A journal. My family’s Shen Qing is truly clever,” He generously praised.

Shen Jiu was already used with the exaggerated praises and tilted his head, “A journal, huh...” He had those too once. He picked it up after the previous lord of Qing Jing had given him a book for him to take a note of his shortcomings and cultivation himself. Eventually, it evolved into more than just listing off his shortcomings and finding the way out and he started to involve his missions’ results and eventually his own thoughts of it.

Shen Yuan nodded, “Right, a journal,” An exclusive-full-of-secrets-and-spoilers transmigrator journal.

Shen Jiu’s face twisted, he no longer listened to Shen Yuan as he recalled his own journals that he had yet burned before his untimely death.

Luo Binghe kicked his chair to stand on two feet, his head lazily tilted back and his messy long hair hung behind him following the gravity. His dark eyes looked strangely red in the dim-lighting of the bamboo house as he stared at the papers he was holding high before his eyes.

Luo Binghe bent his knee and let his chair fell back on its four legs, he leaned down onto the desk before him, he put down the papers in his hand and rubbed his temple. “I’m really going insane...”

He buried his face into his folded arms and tiredly stayed like that for a while.

“Shizun... This is useless, I really can’t move on...” He murmured and shifted his head sideways.

On the desk, there were several papers scattered around the desk. But the ones that Luo Binghe just looked at were marked with the names of ‘Shen Yuan’ and ‘Shen Qing.’

Both papers were innocent enough, just simple written assignments for their class that had been graded.

However, in the middle of them all, there was one innocent book. The book that Luo Binghe kept affectionately read from time to time secretly.

Shen Qingqiu’s journal.

Luo Binghe chuckled bitterly, “Shizun... Are you really still here...?”

He truly felt like a fool, but he couldn’t help himself.

Luo Binghe straightened and picked up two papers. Shen Yuan’s and Shen Qing’s. He put seriously observed them and put them side-to-side to his late Shizun’s journal.

People might say he was obsessed if they knew that he was sitting here, obsessively staring at the new disciples’ handwriting and comparing them with his late Shizun’s. But truly, it was only because he couldn’t let go of any hope that presented itself in front of him.

Even if it sounded impossible.

Chapter Text

Lately, Shen Yuan acted really strangely. Shen Jiu didn’t know why and Shen Yuan was somehow painfully skillful at hiding it, but Shen Jiu just knew. After all, no one was better than Shen Jiu at hiding something.

He stopped insisting Shen Jiu to go and ‘socialize’ with the younger disciples. He stopped insisting Shen Jiu to go out more often. He only added two side-dishes for Shen Jiu’s bowl of rice when it was usually five. he stopped trying to ‘help’ Shen Jiu with his homework. When Shen Jiu asked him about it, he always reverted back to his usual gentle smile and patted Shen Jiu’s head like he was unable to share his burden with Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu wanted to hit the older boy’s head.

In fact, he did. A lot of times.

Shen Yuan even stopped accompanying Shen Jiu around, not like Shen Jiu was upset about it, being followed everywhere was annoying. Shen Jiu valued his solitude and private time better.

Shen Jiu blankly stared at the grave in front of him, without him knowing, his feet brought him here.

‘Just because I said I’d like to spend time by myself, doesn’t mean literally spending time with my buried previous self.’ Shen Jiu rubbed his temple. This was all Shen Yuan’s fault, he was so confusing lately and it made Shen Jiu disoriented too.

He stared at the grave, the offering, and the incenses without even lighting up one. He stared blankly at the covered sword surrounded by a few stones, of course, he recognized that sword all too well. Seeing Xiu Ya’s current pathetic condition, unused and alone within the isolated space of the quiet Qing Jing peak, he felt bitter and guilty... They really should just put it in Wan Jian peak, at least it wouldn’t look this pathetic.

He woke up two years ago, everything happened before his death might as well felt like two years ago instead of five. Everything that happened up to this point felt almost like... a dream.

First, he couldn’t believe he actually had a shred bit of good morale to save a life and died because of that. And then his soul got transferred to someone named Shen Qing, whose nickname was Shen Jiu, what were the odds? He got a family and, especially, a brother who liked him for him. And then, he learned that his previous bad reputation was washed white with his death. His murderer regretted his death. Everyone mourned for him.

Great.

Perfect, even.

He died a hero and from something he did himself. Nothing else...

It made Shen Jiu wonder just why was he reincarnated. What unfinished business he had left? Anything he could ever achieve was achieved in his previous life. Being the peak lord of Qing Jing peak was literally the highest position he could climb to and he did.

Revenge? No matter how much Shen Jiu resented Liu Qingge, he knew he didn’t do it on purpose. Despite Liu Qingge’s obvious contempt of Shen Qingqiu, it was Shen Qingqiu who several times (both on public and behind the door) vowed to kill him, Liu Qingge looked down on Shen Qingqiu too much to even as much as thinking about murdering Shen Qingqiu unless provoked.

Qi deviation made people inhumane, of all people, Shen Jiu understood this the most. Liu Qingge killed him and he died. Seeing Liu Qingge regretting his action alone already made Shen Qingqiu satisfied though he didn’t forgive him for it. Killing Liu Qingge? That took too much work and was very meaningless for Shen Jiu.

To cover up his regret? Shen Qingqiu’s only regret was that he didn’t die earlier before he made all those mistakes in his life.

To make up to him for his ugly previous life? Then, why the heck was he born in a shitty family with the exception of one genuinely good and sincere brother?

Shen Jiu tilted his head up and closed his eyes. He seriously did not have any strong grudge for his death nor he had any regret that could be fixed now.

Whose regret that brought him back, then?

“A’Jiu?” Shen Yuan called out to his spacing out little brother who belatedly responded by turning his head almost robotically towards Shen Yuan. Lately, Shen Jiu was really fond of spacing out. no matter if it was in their own room, outside, or even within the class. Within his eyes, there was always a glint as though he was lost and distraught which squeezed Shen Yuan’s heart.

But he always returned to his usual self and brushed it aside whenever Shen Yuan snapped him out of it and asked him what was in his mind.

“Hm?” Shen Jiu responded.

He even responded even shortly and curtly nowadays, which was worrying to say the least.

Shen Yuan smiled, “Do you want to accompany me?” he asked gently.

Shen Jiu perked up slightly, he looked unwilling but after thinking for a few seconds, he tilted his head, “Where to?”

“To Qiong Ding peak.” Shen Yuan felt bad as an older brother for letting his brother feeling distraught like this. Might as well take him out while he’s investigating the plot of this world.

“I refuse,” Shen Jiu immediately answered.

“Eh? Why?” Shen Yuan looked down at his little brother in surprise.

“Not in the mood,” Shen Jiu turned his head away. Qiong Ding peak? The last place on earth he would ever visit was that peak... That or anywhere that man was.

“I’ll let you have 5 more tanghulu if you come,” Shen Yuan said with a coaxing tone.

“No,” Shen Jiu said as he threw himself onto his bed. “Why are you going there anyway?” He finally asked.

“There are some records I need to check out,” Shen Yuan replied. He needed to confirm something.

“Don’t we have that in Qing Jing too?”

“Not enough. Come on, accompany me please?” Shen Yuan persuaded.

“No,” Shen Jiu grumbled. “If you want to go then go alone. You’re not some hapless virgin young woman that needs to be escorted.”

Shen Yuan sighed, “Fine. I can’t force you to. I’ll be going then,” with that, the door was closed.

Shen Jiu was left with own thought again in silence.

Shen Yuan was finally granted permission to enter Qiong Ding peak’s public library after waiting for half-an-hour. He let out a sigh of relief as he entered the library and immediately followed the elder in charge of it to search for the record book that could answer half of his questions.

Shen Yuan heard it was pretty hard to get into any peak’s library that wasn’t your peak, but it seemed like Qiong Ding peak had a special treatment for the disciples from Qing Jing peak.

While a part of the same Sect, every peak had its own ground rules that had to be obeyed by other peaks’ disciples. Even to gain access to their public library was a quite strenuous process. Of course, wanting to go to the private libraries required even more troublesome requirements and rules.

Luckily, a thing like record books, especially for recent public events, was nothing too important and was placed in the public library instead of the private one.

Shen Yuan thanked the elder after she showed him the corner full of dusty books and scrolls. He quickly began to search for the record book of the last five-six years.

Shen Yuan felt a bit despair when he saw the large collection of record books and scrolls. If only he had an ally here, it would be easier to search for the ones he was searching for, however, Shen Jiu refused to come along with him and wouldn’t budge even with all sort of bribes Shen Yuan promised.

Pity, Shen Jiu was a very fast reader. Having him here would certainly make this way faster.

One... two.... three... Shen Yuan kept pulling out the scrolls and books that looked from five-six years ago, his brows were furrowed as the dust that had piling up on the shelves and books began to pollute the air.

Shen Yuan squinted his eyes to minimize the dust that got into his eyes.

“Nine, ten... That should be it,” his paper fan that he usually kept strapped on his belt was waving earnestly and delicately covering Shen Yuan’s face from his nose down his chin. He could easily guess the record books section was not really popular with so much dust it accumulated. If Shen Yuan from his previous life had to face this, he would end up bed-ridden for days.

Shen Yuan rubbed his eyes once and resisted to rub them more, “This is the worst,” he mumbled to himself.

“What are you searching for?” Someone suddenly asked.

“Not much, just record books,” Shen Yuan’s voice died down when he saw the speaker. He gasped slightly in surprise, “Zhangmen...”

Yue Qingyuan’s face fell when he saw Shen Yuan, his eyes gleamed in something Shen Yuan couldn’t quite put his fingers on. “Qingqiu-shidi...?” he whispered, almost disbelieving.

In a place as quiet as a library, how could Shen Yuan didn’t hear him? Shen Yuan’s jaw almost dropped in shock, despite himself, his heart raced furiously after hearing the villain’s name. “Ah...” his hand that was holding his paper fan lowered and he quickly bowed down, “Greetings to Zhangmen-shibo,” Shen Yuan applauded himself for his quick response to the situation.

As if a spell finally broke, Yue Qingyuan blinked rapidly and he immediately recovered when he saw  Shen Yuan bowing down, “You may stand up,” he stated calmly.

Shen Yuan straightened and smiled, “Pardon this shizi’s rudeness, this shizi truly didn’t know Zhangmen-shibo was there...”

Yue Qingyuan smiled and nodded, “It is fine, you shouldn’t apologize for it...” he continued, “You are from Qing Jing peak, correct? A new disciple?” he asked kindly.

“Yes, Zhangmen-shibo,” Shen Yuan nodded.

“It’s quite rare to see someone from Qing Jing peak here, your library offers more knowledge and more detailed than any others,” Yue Qingyuan said with a perfectly serene tone in spite of his rapidly beating heart.

“I’m here to read some records of events that happened in the past for my assignment and compare it with what was written in Qing Jing peak’s record...” Shen Yuan smoothly lied with a warm smile.

Yue Qingyuan’s brows dropped a bit as he nodded gently, “I see...” That smile... Shen Qingqiu certainly never smiled like that. “Good luck, then. You can use whatever resource here if you please,” Yue Qingyuan said.

“Thank you, Zhangmen-shibo. This is already enough,” Shen Yuan bowed down slightly to express his gratitude.

Yue Qingyuan nodded calmly, “I will go first then.”

Shen Yuan sent Yue Qingyuan off with another bow and a polite smile. Shen Yuan sat down when Yue Qingyuan was gone, he pushed the pile of books and scrolls on the desk aside as he strapped his paper fan back to his belt. A question appeared in his mind.

‘Do I really resemble him?’ Shen Yuan mused seriously. To be mistaken as the villain by Yue-Zhangmen??? The man who seemed to have the closest bond to Shen Qingqiu (at least so in the novel)??

Shen Yuan shook his head. Impossible. That beautiful man in the painting he saw just yesterday? He and Shen Yuan? Shen Yuan was aware that he was quite handsome, heck, ever since he started cultivating he became even more handsome, but looking like Shen Qingqiu? Not quite.

But what disturbed Shen Yuan the most was not how he got mistaken as the famous scum villain from the novel. No. It was the tone Yue Qingyuan used when he called out; “Qingqiu-shidi.”

Shen Yuan took one book from the pile and opened it with a thoughtful yet uncomfortable expression on his face.

‘That was not a sane tone...’ Shen Yuan thought grimly.

Yue Qingyuan stamped off the report and put them aside. He took another scroll and rolled them open, he read through it.

His direct disciple, who was assisting him, looked at him in concern but didn’t say anything for a period of time.

When some time passed, the direct disciple became quite concerned, “Shifu...?” he cautiously called out. When Yue Qingyuan didn’t respond, he raised his voice a bit, “Shifu.”

“Hm?” Yue Qingyuan looked up and stared at his direct disciple in surprise.

“Pardon me, Shifu. But you have been staring at the scroll for half-an-hour, is everything alright?” The disciple asked in concern.

“Oh, I’m okay,” Yue Qingyuan smiled genially. “I’m just a bit distracted.”

“Perhaps, we should call a rest for a bit?” The direct disciple offered.

“No,” Yue Qingyuan shook his head. “But can you go to the kitchen and brew me some tea?” he said gently.

“Of course, Shifu,” The direct disciple bowed and stepped out.

Yue Qingyuan’s smile dropped as soon as he was alone, he looked back at the scroll in his hand and no matter how hard he tried to focus on each word in it, it always became blurry after a few seconds. He couldn’t make head nor tail about the content at all, he couldn’t focus.

Yue Qingyuan put down the scroll and sighed out loud, he put his forehead on his hand and knitted his brows. “What’s wrong with me?” he felt so useless and stupid.

Earlier today, he was a bit absentminded after all the date of Shen Qingqiu’s death was approaching and he always felt lethargic and distracted around this time. He was deep in thought and when he saw a person wearing Qing Jing peak’s uniform busying himself with a pile of books, he only called out to greet him. But when the boy turned around with half of his face down covered by a paper fan and squinted look, Yue Qingyuan almost thought that his Xiao Jiu had returned.

Yue Qingyuan sneered to himself.

Return? Why would Shen Jiu return? After all the disappointment Yue Qingyuan put him through, it was impossible for Shen Jiu to return to his side.

The boy with similarity to Shen Jiu was certainly not Shen Jiu. His countenance leaned towards warm and gentle, unlike his Xiao Jiu’s cold and harsh countenance.

Yue Qingyuan blinked as if he remembered something and his eyes peered to an untouched pile of minor reports he stacked on another desk. He reached out and picked up an elegant bamboo-coloured scroll with Qing Jing peak’s seal.

Ming Fan had registered the names of all new disciples for Qing Jing peak and gave the list to him. But Yue Qingyuan had simply stamped it off, he trusted those children’s decision, they had matured a lot in the absence of their Shizun. But now, he grew curious.

He opened the scroll and immediately his eyes fell on the name ‘Shen Yuan’ which was numbered 3 in the list that ranked them by age. He didn’t know what was the name of the young man he met in the library but Yue Qingyuan had a feeling this was his name.

Yue Qingyuan shook his head, “Delusional.” He mocked himself. His eyes trailed down some more and ultimately stopped at the last name.

Shen Qing... Just one character short.

Xiao Jiu always hated the Qiu in his name... Yue Qingyuan mused. This name was truly... a very painful coincidence. He noticed the age beside Shen Qing’s name and sighed.

He rolled the scroll shut, clipped back the re-attachable seal and put it as far away as possible from his arms reach.

“Get yourself together, Yue Qi,” Yue Qingyuan bitterly scolded himself, his hand reached out to pick up Xuan Su. “It’s been five years...” he stared at Xuan Su blankly.

“Yet, I still haven’t found a chance to use you at all...” he bitterly whispered as he caressed the hilt of Xuan Su.

How Yue Qingyuan just wanted to free all the restraint.

Shen Jiu sneezed violently out of nowhere, effectively messing up the papers he had in front of him for his assignment.

Beside him, Shen Yuan immediately asked, “Are you okay?” he saw Shen Jiu retrieving his handkerchief and wiped his lips and nose. “It’s the dust particles, isn’t it?” Shen Yuan stressed. “I should have changed...” he looked down at his uniform and bit his lips.

“Stop fussing, it’s not your clothes,” Shen Jiu scowled. He was not about to be degraded that much of being weak to mere dust. “Just focus on that research of yours.”

Shen Yuan hesitantly glanced at his little brother. “How about we call it a day?” he offered and Shen Jiu straight-up ignored him as he re-arranged his papers. Shen Yuan smiled bitterly, “I’m done with my research. Are you done with yours? I can help.”

“This is only an easy kid assignment,” Shen Jiu said indifferently. “Unless you’re kid-level, I don’t think you should. Rather, maybe you could tell me about yours,” he was curious on what Shen Yuan was planning to do with the copy of record books.

Shen Yuan smiled slightly, “I’m just comparing the records. That’s all. Nothing else.”

“Hm...” Shen Jiu glanced at his older brother. “What exactly were you searching in those?”

“Searching?” Shen Yuan parroted.

“No one suddenly read record books out of nowhere, Yuan-ge. You want to know something,” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. “What is it that you want to know?” Maybe he could help... Shen Jiu’s memory was great.

Shen Yuan hesitated before relenting, “I’m just curious about what happened before and after our Shizun’s death.” He worded his sentence carefully and chose the kind that would make him sound like a curious bystander.

Shen Jiu twitched when he heard that. “Why...?”

Shen Yuan blinked, “Don’t you want to know what happened?”

“He died, killed by Liu-shishu,” Shen Jiu said bluntly. “Liu-shishu admitted it. Everyone knows about it though they don’t talk about it. What else are you curious for?” he scowled.

Shen Yuan blinked at the sheer annoyance in his brother’s voice, but he put up a placating smile. “That’s not all. I’m also very curious about the effect of his death. Don’t you know there’s a demonic attack right after his death?” he asked.

“What?” Shen Jiu furrowed his brows. He didn’t know that. Not his fault, he was dead after all. But make sense. When a peak lord died, it just made a sect to look vulnerable, their morale must’ve been at the bottom too, so it would be easy to attack.

However, on the other hand. An important figure’s death meant a gathering of other important figures to commemorate the dead, it was not a great idea to attack. Especially when Cang Qiong Mountain Sect was a sect with so many members and twelve peak lords. If all of them gathered to ceremoniously mourn for one dead peak lord, anyone who dared to attack was a complete idiot.

“Yes. It was about a month after our Shizun’s death. Written in Qiong Ding peak’s official record, Zhangmen-shibo had to attend the re-arranged meeting for the Immortal Alliance Conference. In that brief moment of lapse of defense, Cang Qiong Mountain Sect got attacked, the intruders also broke the Rainbow Bridges to cut off communication, disabling them to contact others.”

Make sense. Without the ability to send messages to other peaks, Qiong Ding peak would be pretty susceptible to intruders.

“Luckily, it was Liu-shishu who managed to protect Qiong Ding peak and repelled the intruders before other peak lords came to assist and inflicted a lot of casualties for the demons,” Shen Yuan explained. “All of this is not really written in Qing Jing peak’s records...”

Shen Jiu faintly nodded. At that time, most of Qing Jing peak’s disciples were probably still in mourning and isolated themselves to show their grief.

“Sadly this doesn’t tell me if the plot progressed as originally or not,” Shen Yuan mumbled.

“What?” Shen Jiu glanced up at his older brother.

“What?” Shen Yuan blinked and clamped his mouth shut, pursing it. “Nothing,” he grinned reassuringly at the little boy.

Shen Jiu knitted his brows.

It was one of those days again.

The damnable open discussion which involved everyone within the peak of Qing Jing, everyone including the guest disciples. Shen Jiu always felt revolted of this, especially when he saw so many people within his quiet Qing Jing peak, making it not so quiet anymore.

As a young new disciple, of course Shen Jiu was obligated to be present during it to broaden his horizon of the world of scholars. Whoever thought this was a good idea should be burned at the stake as an apology to many previous peak lords of Qing Jing peak that they disappointed.

Shen Jiu could do nothing aside for keeping his entire focus to not mock anyone within the open forum.

Shen Jiu rubbed his face when he heard the current discussion of the Book of Passage Rites, exasperated. Fucking just kill him off already. This was torture. Though he might not be the best teacher, he was not so neglectful, he was pretty sure he already taught this one. But why did his good disciples let that old scholar talk at all?

No, Shen Jiu didn’t care about basic courtesy between scholars. If he ever cared at all, would he be famous for his cutting and poisonous tongue? There was no way he had the patience to wait for other people conveying their wrong view before correcting them. Time is precious.

Beside Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan was listening to the lecture with quite an earnest expression on his face. If it wasn’t because Shen Jiu was sure that he had no interest in this and was currently fiddling with 'Lesser Demons Encyclopedia 3' under the table, Shen Jiu wouldn’t know that he was listening at all.

“Shidi, are you busy?” Ning Yingying leaned over and whispered to the junior disciples’ desk.

“What’s wrong, shijie?” Shen Jiu leaned forward, covering Shen Yuan and his encyclopedia from Ning Yingying’s sight.

“Can any of you go and get the materials I left behind in Zhu Hall?” Ning Yingying said with an apologetic tone. “Shijie forgot about it.”

“No problem, Ning-shijie,” Shen Jiu nodded. “I’ll do it.”

“Can you do it, Qing-shidi? But there is a lot of it, you better take someone else with you,” Ning Yingying said and gazed at the other junior disciples before finding one person who didn’t seem to be unable to focus on the discussion.

“Lin-shimei,” Ning Yingying gently called out to the youngest girl in the group. She was older than Shen Jiu but still quite a little girl, it was no wonder that she had a hard time to follow through.

Someone nudged Lin-shimei and she was startled out of her reverie. She looked at Ning Yingying and Ning Yingying smiled reassuringly.

“Can you accompany Qing-shidi to get some things for me?”

“Yes, shijie.”

“Great, it’s in Zhu Hall. You don’t have to rush, I don’t need it immediately,” Ning Yingying said.

Shen Yuan waved Shen Jiu off with a smile, of all people he knew how much Shen Jiu detested this. Although he was unclear of the reason, every time open discussion happened, Shen Jiu always had the most condemning expression on his face, so Shen Yuan didn’t block him from leaving for a bit.

Shen Jiu and Lin Mei stood up from their places and silently left the clearing. Shen Jiu’s complexion immediately got better when he left.

Zhu Hall, huh? It was quite a distant away, and Ning Yingying said to not rush. That could buy some time to be away from that nightmare.

“Um, Qing-shidi, do you know where Zhu Hall is?” The girl walking beside Shen Jiu, Lin Mei, asked unsurely as she followed him.

“I know, rest easy, Lin-shijie,” Shen Jiu nodded. The pain of being the youngest in age. Even though Shen Jiu was sure that amongst the new students his cultivation was the best, still, because of his age, he was put as the youngest.

“Oh,” The ten-year-old girl nodded in relief. Although they’ve been here for a few months, Qing Jing peak was big, there was no way she remembered each and every building in it. On the other hand, Shen Jiu was previously the peak lord of Qing Jing peak, there was no hole in Qing Jing peak unless he knew about it.

After walking leisurely, they finally arrived at Zhu Hall, Shen Jiu directly pushed open the door and the two youngest disciples walked inside. Shen Jiu located the stack of books and scrolls Ning Yingying forgot about.

“There’s quite a lot,” Lin Mei commented.

Shen Jiu shook his head. Ning Yingying, that girl, did she forget about these or purposely left it behind? He took a few scrolls and handed it to Lin Mei, “I’ll bring the rest.”

“Can you? I can carry a few more,” Lin Mei said in concern.

“I’ll be fine, Lin-shijie,” Shen Jiu said calmly. Sadly, she was a girl, there was no way Shen Jiu bully a little girl who did nothing wrong.

“But...”

“What do you need?”

“Ah!” Lin Mei cried out, startled, and dropped the scrolls in her hands.

Shen Jiu stared blankly at the scattered scrolls and looked up to the man behind them. “Luo-shixiong,” he squinted his eyes. Yes, this was the little beast, Shen Jiu’s previously most-junior disciple who had disappeared for quite sometimes lately.

Luo Binghe beamed at the two children, the dim-lighting made them unable to notice him early on. “Did I surprise you? I’m so sorry,” he said gently and Shen Jiu could see Lin Mei reddening from the corner of his eyes.

Seriously...

“It’s okay, we didn’t see you there,” Shen Jiu said politely and Lin Mei lowered her head in embarrassment.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Lin Mei kneeled down and gathered back the scrolls she dropped.

Luo Binghe bent down and picked up a fe scrolls before Lin Mei could grab them. “Are these the materials for today’s open discussion and lecture?”

“Yes. Ning-shijie forgot to bring it,” Shen Jiu replied evenly.

“I see,” Luo Binghe nodded. “Go on, then.”

Shen Jiu nodded and took a leather bag with several books and papers in it and swung it over his shoulder and was about to reach out for another small stack of books but a snap interrupted him.

Shen Jiu’s hair tie tangled up slightly with the sling on the leather bag and snapped immediately. His long ponytail immediately fell down his shoulders. Instinctively, his hands reached up to secure it but another pair of hands beat him to it.

“Your hair tie snapped,” Luo Binghe commented blandly as he gathered Shen Jiu’s long hair in his hands.

“I can-“ Shen Jiu fumed. No one touched his hair. Only Shen Yuan could, and that was only because Shen Jiu reluctantly needed help in styling his hair because of his small hands.

But Luo Binghe already pulled out another hairtie from a bunch that looped on his wrist, he skillfully gathered Shen Jiu’s hair up into a half-updo. “You usually wear your hair in a bun with a crown,” Luo Binghe commented after he was done.

“My hair becomes too long to be put in a bun,” Shen Jiu begrudgingly explained. Not to mention, ponytail was the easiest.

“I see,” Luo Binghe smiled. “You look much suited with this hairstyle,” he tugged Shen Jiu’s hair gently and let it flowed past his fingers.

Shen Jiu looked up and saw Luo Binghe smiling gently at him.

“... We need to go, thank you Luo-shixiong,” Shen Jiu nodded and looked at the starstruck Lin Mei to come with him as he reached for the last stack of books but Luo Binghe grabbed it first.

“I’ll come with you, I never see this open discussion,” Luo Binghe said as he walked off first before gesturing to them to follow him. “Come on Qing-shidi, shimei.”

Lin Mei followed without a second thought whereas Shen Jiu dragged his feet behind slightly before resigned himself to follow him.

Shen Yuan almost jumped in fright when he saw his little brother returned with the main character. God, he tried very hard to avoid Luo Binghe as much as possible but a split moment he didn’t pay attention, his little brother was already walking with him!?

Shen Yuan tried to keep his cool as he secretly closed the encyclopedia of monsters and anxiously waited until Shen Jiu was back at his side.

After giving the requested items, Shen Jiu walked back to his assigned sitting spot and Shen Yuan already formulated his question in his mind.

“Is everything alright?” Shen Yuan whispered as soon as Shen Jiu took a seat.

God, Shen Jiu didn’t talk any nonsense to the protag, right??? No matter what Shen Jiu was still a small kid, alright? Surely, no matter what kind of offense he made, Luo Binghe wouldn’t include him in his list of revenge, right?

Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan and only nodded in answer.                                                                                  

Shen Yuan was about to ask more when Luo Binghe was done chatting with Ning Yingying and walked towards them and...

Took!

A!

Seat!

Beside Shen Jiu!!!

Shen Yuan clamped his mouth shut whilst Shen Jiu glanced at Luo Binghe before minding his own business. Shen Yuan had so many things he wanted to ask, but with Luo Binghe present, he couldn’t voice them out.

Instead, Shen Yuan asked, “Why is your hair down?”

Shen Jiu gazed at him, “The hair tie snapped and it became loose.”

Luo Binghe turned his head to smile at Shen Yuan, “Don’t blame Qing-shidi, Yuan-shidi. It indeed came loose. This shixiong helped him re-styled his hair, coincidentally, this shixiong thinks this hairstyle suits Qing-shidi very much.”

Shen Yuan nodded, “I see. How could I dare to blame Luo-shixiong? Thank you for taking care of my brother when I couldn’t,” he said calmly, in contrast to his mental meltdown inside.

Luo Binghe shook his head, “No need. You’re all my juniors, naturally, I will take care of you.”

Shen Yuan’s hand twitched and he opened his folding fan to cover half of his face as he covered up his cringe with a short small laugh, “Luo-shixiong is too kind.”

A flash of smile appeared in Luo Binghe’s eyes before he looked away and focused on the discussion.

Having Luo Binghe’s attention off of him, Shen Yuan naturally turned his head away too, resisting the urge to sigh in relief, he still used his folding fan to cover half of his expression which had turned into a solemn and nerved frown. Shen Yuan did not want to be unfair to the protag, but he truly did not have any desire to be involved with him.

The plot had changed and the protag was currently a grown-up who lived quite well in Qing Jing peak. However, in regard of Dream Demon, Shen Yuan couldn’t be too sure. If he was to be dragged into a changed plot with Luo Binghe attracting troubles left and right, wouldn’t he be subjected to danger? What about Shen Qing?

Shen Qingqiu had died and the position of the antagonist was empty. Unfortunately, it seemed like Ming Fan was very eager in antagonizing Luo Binghe because of Sect Politics. Could it be, this novel had changed plot from the usual fall-from-grace-to-demonic-path way to Sect-Politics-full-of-intrigue-path???

As a veteran reader, Shen Yuan began to weigh his choice. If the plot did change into mainly focusing on Sect Politics within Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, there would factions... Shen Yuan didn’t want to join any faction.

Moreover, he had a little brother who was very unrestrained in his speech and could offend anyone... Not to mention, his precious little brother also encountered a suspicious old man and got his poison cured-

Shen Yuan’s mind screeched to halt.

No...

No, impossible!!!

Could it be... The role of the main character had changed? Fuck, Shen Yuan disregarded this because he was too focused on Luo Binghe!

But what if the protag had changed? What if Shen Jiu was the protag now?! But following this, if Shen Jiu did become the protag because Luo Binghe was not in the right track of plot, then... could it be Luo Binghe had changed role???

Became a mentor?

Shen Yuan threw a quick glance at Luo Binghe who was calmly listening to the people with a light smile on his face.

No, Luo Binghe was not a mentor type. He had so many children and rarely he even spend time with them, in his free time, he’d rather go to the dungeon to torture Shen Qingqiu...

Then, Luo Binghe was the villain?

No, no, no, no, haha impossible.

NO! Shen Jiu can’t be the protag!

Shen Yuan freaked out inwardly whilst still having a calm and calculating expression outward. His colourful and imaginative reader’s mind kept on spinning creatively.

In the end, he reached a conclusion.

Protect Shen Jiu from any suspicious old man that could be a very powerful being.

Absolutely don’t let any perverted old man get near his precious little brother.

A movement beside Shen Yuan snapped him out of his reverie, he looked at Shen Jiu in concern, “What’s wrong?”

“Bathroom,” Shen Jiu answered simply, from his expression, Shen Yuan could see he was getting sleepy, a usual thing in this gathering. First, he’d be annoyed, then indignant, then tired... after tired, sleepiness came naturally. He’d probably went off somewhere after bathroom.

Shen Yuan nodded, “Go on, then.”

Shen Jiu waved at him, politely bowed at Luo Binghe murmuring his excuse, and then off to God knows where.

A minute after Shen Jiu left, Shen Yuan became all too aware of the disappearance of the human barrier between him and Luo Binghe, however, he managed to not show any emotion outward. Instead, he decided to think of other things aside for Luo Binghe so he wasn't too freaked out.

Today’s dinner, day to cut Shen Jiu’s hair, Silk Demon-Eye Spider’s mating season, and...

God, would it be possible if an old man snuck into Qing Jing peak, found Shen Jiu alone, and then talk to him to make him the protag when he was going to ‘bathroom’?

Shen Yuan felt regretful letting Shen Jiu went off alone.

“You, brothers, have similar handwriting.”

Shen Yuan was snapped out of his reverie by the familiar voice and seamlessly gazed at Luo Binghe, “Pardon?”

Luo Binghe smiled leisurely at him and looked at two books on the desk that had filled with some notes, one of them was Shen Jiu’s. “Straight, strict, and elegant.”

Shen Yuan gazed down at his handwritings, truthfully, his handwritings used to be really average. But for the sake of mingling with the family of scholars, he practiced his handwriting very hard. Not to mention Shen Jiu was considerably disgusted with Shen Yuan’s handwriting at first and insisted he learned writing elegantly.

Shen Yuan liked elegant writing, but he hated writing it. However, who told him to contract a brother complex after transmigration? He couldn’t just refuse Shen Jiu and ended up with new handwriting after painstaking months of practice.

“Oh, we both learned together,” Shen Yuan answered shortly.

"I see. From what I heard, you two came from a scholarly family, Shen Family, from the south, right?” Luo Binghe inquired.

“Yes,” Shen Yuan nodded. “Not just us, also our other brothers...”

“Hm...” Luo Binghe hummed lightly before turning his head back to the discussion where an old scholar was talking about another book that Shen Yuan couldn’t possibly recall now.

Since the protag did not continue, Shen Yuan was also happy dropping the conversation.

Shen Jiu never had any intention to return to the big assembly of open discussion with guest disciples. He knew Shen Yuan knew this and would cover up for him, so he wasn’t really concerned.

Being the youngest disciple also had its perk. Who would hold a boy back from being sleepy?

Instead, Shen Jiu opted to wander around the peak that arguably became more isolated in one area than another. Most of the disciples went to the assembly after all, only a few left behind to take care of some chores around the peak or even out on a mission.

Shen Jiu’s steps slowly stopped as he neared his former living place, the bamboo house.

Shen Jiu blankly stared at it before turning his head to scan his surrounding. Perfect. No one in sight.

Shen Jiu couldn’t forget those journals he had written from the time he was a disciple up till before he went to the Spirit Cave to be unknowingly killed by his shidi. It’d been five years, Shen Jiu could only foolishly hoped that no one ever discovered and read those.

Shen Jiu neared the house, blinking in confusion when he saw the open window. He shook his head and decided to peer inside to see if anything changed at all and his heart stilled when he saw someone was inside.

His usual clean white robe made him look elegant and untouched as always, however, the slumped shoulders he was supporting did not look like the war god who never lost a fight in his life. Liu Qingge was inside Shen Qingqiu’s abode. And the book in his hand.

Shen Jiu’s heart sank.

That was his journal. Shen Qingqiu’s journal.

Shen Jiu noticed the slight smile Liu Qingge had on his face and his blood went cold. How dare he...

How dare he laugh at Shen Qingqiu...

Shen Jiu’s calm rapidly eroded with his resentful thought and grudges. He fully believed Liu Qingge was mocking him. Mocking Shen Qingqiu for writing down his frustration.

Mocking Shen Qingqiu for not being able to stop him from reading his dirty laundry.

Shen Jiu’s fists were clenched so tightly that they turned white. He needed to thank Shen Yuan for always keeping Shen Jiu’s nails short, else, Shen Jiu had no doubt he would be bleeding by how tightly he was clenching his hands.

Then, when Shen Jiu was too deep in his anger, Liu Qingge looked up. Their eyes met and Shen Jiu almost staggered back in shock at getting caught in his admittedly-not-so-discreet peeping.

But Shen Jiu kept his ground. He didn’t duck back and ran away like a coward (‘or sane person’ he added mildly.)

Seeing that Shen Jiu didn’t instantly run away in a fluster, Liu Qingge’s brows raised. He closed the journal in his hands, in a mildly curious tone, he said, “Come in.”

Shen Jiu stand rooted in his place for a while, in the end, he robotically walked to the door and pushed it open with little strength. Stifling the urge to scowl, he bowed curtly to Liu Qingge, “Greetings to Liu-shishu.”

Liu Qingge nodded lightly, “You need something?” he asked.

Funny. It should be him asking that. ‘What are you doing in my abode?’ Shen Jiu bitterly thought. “No, this disciple is only curious. I didn’t expect to see Liu-shishu here... In Shizun’s abode,” Shen Jiu raised his eyes and stared at Liu Qingge.

Under Shen Jiu’s gaze, Liu Qingge strangely felt a sense of guilt raising in the back of his mind, but it was easily dispelled. “And?” he asked again. Everyone knew he sometimes came and rested in Shen Qingqiu’s abode for a moment.

Shen Jiu smiled a smile that wasn’t a smile, “Nothing else. This disciple also wonders what is it that entertains Liu-shishu here.” His gaze zeroed on his journal. Why didn’t he leave behind a will to burn the entirety of his bamboo house should he die?

Liu Qingge gazed back at the journal in his hand, “A memoir.”

Shen Jiu almost choked in anger at that. But he kept his posture together, “Shizun’s memoir?” Shen Jiu pressed.

“Yes,” Liu Qingge answered.

“But I thought you killed Shizun?” Shen Jiu tilted his head, using the most saccharine innocent voice he had. “Didn’t you hate him?”

Liu Qingge blinked and frowned, “I don’t hate him.” In the back of his mind, something told Liu Qingge he shouldn’t answer so anxiously to a kid’s question, but he couldn’t help himself.

“But you killed him?”

Liu Qingge stilled, he swallowed a lump in his throat, “I did...” he said. “In an accident.”

Shen Jiu smiled as if he understood.

Oh, really...

Chapter Text

Shen Yuan woke up and started getting ready for the day. He walked over to his little brother’s bed and smiled as he shook him awake, “Wakey, wakey, little brother- urk!” Shen Yuan recoiled when Shen Jiu snapped to glare at him. “W-what’s wrong?”

Shen Jiu turned his back on him and threw his cover to cover his head. “Leave me.”

“What’s wrong?” Shen Yuan asked gently. “Are you ill anywhere?”

“No.” That one syllable came out so strongly full of grudge. An impressive feat from an eight-year-old boy.

Shen Yuan sighed. “If you don’t tell me what’s wrong I won’t know what to do, you know?” It had been like this since yesterday. After the gathering, Shen Yuan returned to their room to find Shen Jiu angrily tearing up every single of paper in their room and their room was in shambles. Their parents’ letters, his own notes, innocent blank papers, if Shen Yuan hadn’t stop him, pretty sure their homework and assignment would have been torn and burned off. He had also broken off all the brushes so Shen Yuan had to ask for extra yesterday.

God, did rebellious period start this early? Shen Yuan was not yet ready to face this.

“Just leave me be!” Shen Jiu growled.

Shen Yuan sighed. “I’ve left you be enough.” Shen Yuan had tolerated Shen Jiu’s unusual temper tantrum for the whole day yesterday. Tip-toeing around the young boy to not set off his sensitive fuse, showing accepting and gentle smile to tell Shen Jiu that he was here and he didn’t have to get angry. All for the sake of giving him some space. Well, as much space as living in the same room can be.

“I’m fine!” the bundle of blanket which contained Shen Jiu shook violently, getting tighter and more irritated.

“You can't keep being angry like this, this is not healthy.” There was no way Shen Yuan let his cute little brother to keep acting like this. What if he grew up crooked? As a big brother, it was Shen Yuan’s duty to herd his little brother to the right path. Thinking thus, Shen Yuan nodded to himself. “Come on, either you fix your attitude or talk to me.”

“Oh, fuck off.”

Shen Yuan’s smile froze.

“Go on,” Shen Yuan said coldly.

Shen Jiu stared at the bowl in front of him and then glared at Shen Yuan. “Are you... kidding me?” he gritted his teeth.

“I have to put a line somewhere, young man,” Shen Yuan narrowed his eyes. “Cussing out your older brother when I have done nothing wrong? If I don’t make you learn I’ll regret this for life.”

“But eating chillies, really?!” Shen Jiu exclaimed incredulously.

“Right? They’re spicy, just like the words you uttered when you’re uncontrollably angry. Go ahead,” Shen Yuan said. “Unless you have another thing to say.” Shen Yuan raised his brows meaningfully.

Shen Jiu glared at him and turned his head away from Shen Yuan. “I’m not doing it.” His tone was firm and unshakeable.

“Then, do you have anything to say?” Shen Yuan crossed his arms.

“I’m not at fault!” Shen Jiu snapped. “It’s not my fault! You’re the one who’s too damn sensitive!”

“That’s two.” Shen Yuan’s brows twitched. He knew his brother was stubborn but this cannot continue, if he kept on like this without anyone fixing his attitude, he would grow up into a selfish young master. “Am I sensitive or is it you who are insensitive?”

“Maybe both,” Shen Jiu answered, unfazed.

Shen Yuan held back the urge to exhale in exasperation. “Eat the chillies or apologize,” Shen Yuan sternly tapped the surface of the table. “We can do this all day.”

“Why do you care about this anyway? It’s just word fuck and damn, no one gives a damn!” Shen Jiu slammed his hands onto the table.

Shen Yuan inhaled then exhaled. “First of all, you’re not old enough to say that-“

“Oh. Haha. Boo me for only just born yesterday,” Shen Jiu laughed sarcastically.

“Second of all,” Shen Yuan asserted. “You’re lashing out mindlessly to me. Tell me, was it my fault that you’re angry right now?” Shen Yuan kneeled down and gazed sternly at Shen Jiu from across the table. “The answer is no. It isn’t my fault. So what did I do to deserve getting cuss and yelled at?”

Shen Jiu scowled. “Maybe, you should have left me alone.”

“How can I leave you alone when you’re being like this?” Shen Yuan said. “And you could have asked me that nicely, I can give you more time to come to terms with whatever is bothering you. You might be young but I won’t tolerate such behaviour.”

“I never ask you to tolerate me,” Shen Jiu looked affronted. “If you can’t stand me. Just leave, it’s not like I can’t survive without you,” he spat.

“Shen Qing,” Shen Yuan raised his voice slightly. “You’re my responsibility-“

“I’m not a child!” Shen Jiu snapped. He was not a child! “If you don’t like it, just leave. Don’t treat me as some sort of your chore!”

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened before he firmly caught Shen Jiu’s hand. “You’re not a chore. You’re my little brother. I love you and I can’t stand seeing someone I love getting off to the wrong path.” He squeezed the small hand reassuringly. “I’m doing this for your own good...”

Shen Jiu went quiet when he saw the sadness in Shen Yuan’s eyes. The flame of anger and unbridled fury in his heart fought with the feeling of guilt.

He clicked his tongue and grabbed a handful of chillies in the bowl, tossing them all into his mouth and started chewing.

Shen Yuan blinked in surprise and slowly released Shen Jiu’s hand, he watched as Shen Jiu begrudgingly ate the chillies and let out a sigh. Shen Yuan reached out.

Shen Jiu paused when he saw Shen Yuan grabbed some chillies for himself.

Shen Yuan looked pointedly at him. “You choose to punish yourself instead of trying to apologize.” He popped several chillies into his mouth and chewed. “Then I’ll share the punishment with you.”

“Are you stupid?” Shen Jiu frowned.

Shen Yuan coughed slightly, squinting his eyes slightly. Hot damn, this thing packed quite a punch. “Maybe...” He was starting to regret this.

Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes. “Is this some sort of trick?”

Shen Yuan blinked. “Is there any trick behind eating chillies?” He coughed lightly to his sleeve.

Shen Yuan hid a smile behind his wide sleeve when he saw Shen Jiu snorting and looking away.

“Though maybe it does...” Shen Yuan admitted. “I want you to know, no matter how hard it becomes, I will be by your side through it all. So don’t keep your problem to yourself, and even if you want to keep it to yourself, don’t push out others when they want to help.”

Shen Jiu stared blankly. The fire of anger and indignance in his heart began to settle as the hot feeling in his mouth grew. However, Shen Jiu ignored it in favor to stare at Shen Yuan. “Why...” he mumbled.

“Because when you’re hurt, I’m also hurt.” Shen Yuan put his sleeve over his face as his sweating intensified, but he continued stuffing his mouth with chilies. “So let’s not fight anymore okay?”

Shen Jiu lowered his head. “Stop eating,” He stated.

Shen Yuan froze mid delivering another chilly into his mouth. “Eh?”

“Stop eating. I’m sorry, okay?” Shen Jiu sniffed. “I shouldn’t have snapped like that...” He knew Shen Yuan didn’t deserve that. And instead of scolding him without knowing anything or leaving, he took up his time to address the problem of why he was upset with Shen Jiu’s behavior.

How could Shen Jiu be upset with the person who shared his punishment when that person didn’t do anything wrong at all?

Shen Yuan’s heart settled and warmed boundlessly. “I forgive you.”

Forgive... Shen Jiu was never familiar with that word. Between him and Yue Qingyuan, there had always been a ‘never forgiven’ line, he always blamed everything on Yue Qingyuan and whenever Yue Qingyuan managed to utter a word sorry Shen Jiu never answered. He always wanted to ask for Qiu Haitang’s forgiveness even though he knew he didn’t deserve her forgiveness.

Towards these two stones in Shen Jiu’s heart, the word ‘forgive’ always came out as hollow and dead. Bitter. He never forgave, he doubled over. No one mattered ever forgive him and he didn’t ask for it.

But hearing it from Shen Yuan. He felt a burden got lifted off his shoulders.

“I’m not crying. It’s the chilies. Where did you get this hellish condemnation anyway?!” Shen Jiu growled.

“Right, right, you totally didn’t cry,” Shen Yuan nodded as he wiped away Shen Jiu’s tears with his handkerchief.

“It just got into my eyes.”

“Right. Let’s wash our hands then,” Shen Yuan nodded expertly. “Anyway, are you ready to tell me about what made you so mad?”

Shen Jiu’s face soured.

Shen Yuan sighed as he put a basket of crops that he had harvested as his daily chore on the table of the storeroom manager, a senior disciple.

“Hard work today?” the male senior smirked slightly as he crossed wrote down Shen Yuan’s name and stamped it.

“Are you feeling under the weather, Yuan-shidi?” Ning Yingying took the basket and put it down behind the counter.

“Ah, no. It’s nothing like that,” Shen Yuan said with a dismissing smile.

“Come on, we’re your seniors. You can tell us anything,” the male senior called Jiao Ze said encouragingly. “Is it about your cultivation? Your study? Or is it love?” he grinned playfully.

Ning Yingying lightly slapped her shixiong on the shoulder. “Jiao-shixiong, enough. Don’t tease Yuan-shidi like that.” she then turned to Shen Yuan. “But he’s right on one thing, if you have a problem, please say it.”

“No, it’s nothing actually,” Shen Yuan scratched his head. “It’s my brother, he’s been quite upset lately.”

“Is our xiao shidi feeling under the weather?” Jiao Ze asked.

“Not that kind of upset. But... Moody, I guess?” Shen Yuan sighed.

Ning Yingying pulled out a stool and patted it. “Sit here, sit here. What makes you think he’s so moody?” she asked.

“He’s frowning a lot more than usual,” Shen Yuan started as he took a seat. “Answers question with one word. Snappish. Suddenly erupting in anger by tearing down papers. He seems to be taken with stabbing a voodoo doll too, I wonder where he learns that...” the more he talked, the more stressed Shen Yuan was.

Ever since that day eating chilies, although Shen Jiu stopped swearing, he was still so mad and didn’t want to tell Shen Yuan the real reason on why he was so furious. When Shen Yuan insisted to help him, he sulked in the corner with an air of ‘No one understands me at all’, making Shen Yuan feel so distressed for him and stop questioning him further. Shen Jiu’s action reminded him of that article he read back on his previous life about “Terrible Two Three phase”, it didn’t help that Shen Yuan somewhat related to the mothers in the article who felt, well, terrible and exhausted.

But Shen Jiu was eight, how could he be a terrible two/three???

“That’s kind of extreme,” Jiao Ze said. “I mean, I get the tearing down papers part, sometimes the urge is just too strong.”

“But a child that young shouldn’t be so angry like that,” Ning Yingying said. “Do you have any idea why that is?”

“Well, every time I asked him about it, he threw a silent tantrum. But I do know he started since the last open forum,” Shen Yuan said. “He left halfway through, he was fine before that. Maybe something happened after he left...?” now he was talking about it with others, Shen Yuan began to pay more attention to the timeframe of the start of Shen Jiu’s tantrum.

‘Don’t tell me he met someone...? Please don’t be a grandpa, please—‘ Shen Yuan freaked out internally.

“Maybe he’s tired?” Jiao Ze tilted his head. “I have a little brother at home. Whenever he’s tired, he got really mad, my mom said it’s because he couldn’t perceive tiredness as the need to rest and it makes him uncomfortable so that’s why he’s angry.”

“That can’t be, that only happens to toddlers,” Shen Yuan said and Ning Yingying agreed.

“Not to mention, it’s been days, there’s no reason to have continuous anger. And Qing-shidi is the brightest boy I’ve ever meet.” Ning Yingying pointed out.

Jiao Ze shrugged. “Well, I did leave home for Qing Jing peak when my little brother was two.”

Ning Yingying sighed. She looked at Shen Yuan again and hummed. “Maybe he’s bored? Lack of stimulation in a child could lead to sudden emotional change, especially if the child is not used to this kind of life.” by this kind of life, she naturally meant being a bookworm and studying every day.

Shen Yuan pursed his lips in doubt. This kind of lifestyle didn’t change much from the previous one. In fact, between the brothers, Shen Yuan was the one who was prone to boredom while Shen Jiu could sit for hours reading or writing verses of the most boring books in existence.

“Maybe you can bring xiao-shidi out of the peak for recreation, Yuan-shidi,” Ning Yingying said.

Shen Yuan perked up at that. “Can we do that?”

“Of course! Naturally, it’s been weeks since you all got accepted, I’ll ask Ming-shixiong later to arrange a few days of rest for the new disciples to explore the outside world.”

“Thank you, Ning-shijie. I would really like that,” Shen Yuan beamed.

A few days later, Ning Yingying informed Shen Yuan that the permission was granted and Shen Yuan happily fetched his brother to walk down the mountain.

Sitting beneath the shade of a bamboo tree, the handsome young boy furrowed his brows in disbelief. “What did you say?”

“Let’s go down the mountain. The seniors have granted a few days of break for new disciples, we can also leave the sect to explore,” Shen Yuan reiterated.

“We’ve only been here for three months,” Shen Jiu said. “Don’t they have a quarantine period for new disciples?” his eyes twitched.

Ming Fan, that useless disciple, what made him think he could change the tradition just like that? No new disciples of Qing Jing peak were allowed to leave the sect unless they had learned the basic history of the Sect, passed the etiquette class with decided marks, and had been in half-a-year quarantine. There was an exception if a senior disciple asked the master for the accompaniment of a new disciple for an errand outside, but even then, it could only be done only after four months of the new disciple’s arrival.

This was a sect, not a boarding school, new disciples couldn’t do as they pleased or it was like a slap to the peak lord’s face.

“Ning-shijie said it’s fine, so it’s fine. Moreover, three months is enough. You should feel very restricted too, right? You never leave Qing Jing peak.” Shen Yuan clapped.

“No way,” Shen Jiu blurted out. When he was still Shen Qingqiu, he could stay cooped up in Qing Jing peak for months at a time. “You go by yourself, I don’t want to walk down there.” He snorted and returned to his book.

“Come on, I’ll buy you lots of sweets? It’s been a while since I eat meat freely, Qing Jing peak’s food is a bit too bland and you can only eat meat once a week, let’s go to a restaurant and eat peking duck.”

“If you think Qing Jing peak’s food is bland, you should go to Ku Xing peak, they don’t even have meat there,” Shen Jiu snorted.

“Well...” Shen Yuan knew the ascetic peak, the people there sometimes fast for a really long time and only eat vegetarian food, there was no way he wanted to be there. He blinked. “You’re speaking as if you’ve tasted Ku Xing peak’s food before?”

Shen Jiu’s eyes twitched. “I’ve heard about it in a story.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “But don’t you want to be unrestricted for a few days? We can eat a lot outside. I’ll buy you toys, do you like toys?” he frowned, he didn’t think he ever saw Shen Jiu with toys aside from the shady stuffed plush doll that he only stored in a box. Even Shen Fan sometimes brought around shuttlecock or wood top to play with.

“Do I look like a baby to you?” Shen Jiu shot Shen Yuan a dirty look.

“New clothes?” Shen Yuan frowned when that did not make Shen Jiu react. “How about a new paper fan, then? No? What about opera? I heard there’s an opera trope passing by in a nearby town, we can watch it together. A’Jiuuu, let’s get some greasy meat dishes down there,” Shen Yuan’s coaxing soon turned into begging as he hugged his little brother close, trying to get him to stop reading his book.

Shen Jiu’s eyes twitched.

Shen Jiu scowled darkly as he sat on the table with people laughing and talking merrily around him. His own brother put several clean slices of all kinds of meat on his plate that he barely touched.

“But it’s sweet and sour chicken, you like sweet and sour chicken,” Shen Yuan stressed. “How about fish, then? You like steamed ginger fish.”

“Oho, what’s wrong, gongzi? Your little brother is not liking our menu?” a waitress stopped by their table and smiled alluringly at the pair of brothers.

Shen Yuan smiled lightly at her. “Never mind. He’s just like this sometimes.”

The waitress giggled and nodded at Shen Jiu. “Little brother, is it not to your liking? Why don’t you tell big sister what do you want to eat?”

Shen Yuan sighed. He had ordered so many dishes, Shen Jiu would have told him if he wanted something different. “It’s fine. Don’t let our table stop you from doing your job,” he said to the waitress.

“Do you need some more drink, then, young master?” The waitress asked. “The show will begin soon.”

“No, I don’t drink,” Shen Yuan smiled. He made it his policy to never drink when Shen Jiu was by his side. He did, however, snuck a few cups of drink back at home or the academy when Shen Jiu was not with him, but it was just not worth drinking when he needed to keep an eye on his little brother. Moreover, it’d be bad too if Shen Jiu got curious about what he drank.

“Non-alcoholic then?” The waitress gestured to another pot.

“Sure.” Shen Yuan nodded.

The waitress graciously poured Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu some non-alcoholic beverages. “Where did such a pair of handsome brothers like honorable guests come from?” She asked, probing.

“Our home is in the city of Lin’an, a few days journey from here,” Shen Yuan said.

“Oh? What are you two doing this far away from home?” The waitress asked in surprise while flicking a glance at Shen Jiu. If it was only Shen Yuan, she wouldn’t be so surprised, after all, a young man could go better learning from the journey, but Shen Yuan was with a little boy.

“We’re studying here,” Shen Yuan said.

The waitress paused, her expression became cautious and respectful. “May I ask if you two are from Cang Qiong Mountain Sect?”

Shen Yuan didn’t see any problem in admitting. After all, Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s disciples often loitered around to nearby towns. Because of their status, there was no one who would dare to have any ill-thought. “Yes.”

The waitress smiled demurely. “Our opera trope is honored to have honorable cultivators watching our performance,” she bowed down elegantly.

Her action brought some attention to their table and Shen Yuan waved her off. “You don’t have to be too formal. We’re merely disciples.”

A guest could guess what was happening and seized up Shen Yuan, lips curled into a frown that Shen Yuan had the undivided attention of the beautiful waitress. “Are you from Cang Qiong Mountain Sect? From which peak?” he asked bluntly.

Shen Yuan’s face flashed with a frown, it was too brief to be perceived by normal people. ‘What’s with these people?’ He was only talking to the waitress, what right did they have to cut in and ask questions?

However, Shen Yuan was still a civil person. He smiled lightly and was about to answer when Shen Jiu slammed the chopsticks he was twirling around his fingers.

“What’s it to you?” Shen Jiu raised his voice and glared at the man on the next table. “Do we, disciples of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, have to answer your questions like you’re our teacher? It’s none of your business,” he hissed.

The man who seized up Shen Yuan blinked in surprise at the sharp response from the boy. He fumed but couldn’t scold the boy, because if he was indeed a disciple of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, he would invite disaster to himself. “It’s just a question, boy. Why are you so angry? Look, your brother doesn’t even react,” he opted to laugh to show others that he couldn’t care less about a boy’s tantrum.

“My brother is older and soft-natured, I’m not. Just like how the people in this entire house have half a brain to shut up, while you don’t.”

“Shen Qing,” Shen Yuan spoke up, frowning lightly at Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu snorted to Shen Yuan, “Speak all you want to the waitress. Don’t mind the bug buzzing in.”

The waitress heard that and hid a smile while Shen Yuan wondered where did he go wrong.

Shen Yuan sighed. While he didn’t like the stranger butting in, he didn’t think it deserved such hostility. Still, he couldn’t scold his brother in public, that wouldn’t be good for the child’s psychology and Shen Yuan was a hopeless brocon. “Please don’t take offense, sir. He’s just a child,” Shen Yuan smiled kindly to the man at the next table.

The man was already fuming with Shen Jiu’s words, Shen Yuan’s words did not save his face at all so he found it hard to hold back. “I just want to know if you’re a disciple from An Ding peak, I know a few from there with my business,” he said kindly with resentment underneath, smirking in a provocative way. “Who knows? I might know your shixiong.”

Shen Yuan’s face turned cold. He wasn’t a fool, he knew ridicule when he heard one. An Ding peak was not the most prestigious one and had no right to puff up their chest in the outside world, if Cang Qiong was a normal sect, An Ding would be a kind of outer sect with outer disciples that did all the menial job with low talent in their hands. Not to mention most of them had IQ so low that people looked down even more on them.

Shen Yuan snapped his fan shut and put it on his lap. “And if we are...?” Shen Yuan asked dignifiedly.

“You really are?” The man laughed obnoxiously. “Then, I’ll have to trouble you to tell your senior brothers about their orders in my shop asap.”

The whole place erupted in laughter and the waitress frowned, she looked at the pair of brothers and felt a bit of pity. So handsome but from An Ding peak? It was a pity.

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes to look at the next table. “What are you laughing about?” He asked sharply, there was no offense nor resentment in his tone, only disdain... A very large dose of disdain.

It immediately killed the laughter.

They all looked at him and only hid their smiles of ridicule, he snorted. “Look at these pigs laughing like hyenas, not even knowing what are they laughing about,” he sneered. “A bunch of clowns that laughs on notice. You all can’t even cultivate enough to get into An Ding peak, that’s how much of a trash all of you are.” The only one who can bully the people of An Ding peak was the people of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, any other could go screw themselves.

Shen Yuan wondered if it was Shen Jiu’s way to vent after being forced out of the peak.

In an instant, the people who laughed earlier felt their faces reddened as if they just got slapped and glared at the boy. Shen Yuan raised his hand and covered Shen Jiu from them with his wide sleeve.

“Are you taking a child’s words seriously?” Shen Yuan asked pleasantly as if their offended look was not guaranteed.

“You better discipline that foul-mouthed boy better, gongzi,” the man growled. “You won’t know when he’d get in trouble with that attitude.”

Shen Yuan smiled gently. “My brother’s discipline is my business. You don’t have to concern yourself with it.”

Shen Jiu took a sip of his drink to wet his mouth, ready for another round of insulting people if they kept offending him.

“If you don’t discipline him, someone else will.”

Shen Yuan dropped his gentle smile. “I wonder who will,” he challenged. He might not be in the top ten strongest of Qing Jing peak, but he was confident he could take down these people who only fed on life’s pleasures.

Shen Jiu’s eyes flashed. If someone stepped forward and attacked Shen Yuan, he’d make sure to cripple that person for the rest of his life.

“Esteemed guests, please. We don’t condone fights within the premises of the opera,” the waitress finally spoke up. “We have to ask you to leave if that’s what you’re planning,” she gazed at the group of half-drunk men.

“That’s not fair, they’re the ones who scolded us, don’t you see?! They’re the ones disturbing peace!” The men shouted.

“Sirs, he’s only a child. You’re taking a child’s words way too seriously,” the waitress said calmly.

“It’s so lively around here.” A new voice joined in, smooth and low. It immediately attracted the attention of the people.

Shen Yuan looked over and his eyes widened when he saw the familiar man. ‘The protag!?’

Luo Binghe smiled casually, striding in with confidence. His signature Qing Jing peak’s senior disciple overcoat immediately made everyone swallow.

The waitress recognized a big fish when she saw one, she quickly went to greet Luo Binghe before any other waitress could go. “Honorable cultivator, it’s a pleasure to have you coming to our humble opera trope’s performance. I’ll find you a suitable seat.”

Luo Binghe waved her off. “It’s fine, I was only passing by and decided to drop by when I saw my juniors,” he smiled at the Shen brothers and Shen Yuan felt a chill in his heart. “I don’t know you two are outside the sect. As far as I remember Qing Jing’s isolation period is half a year long.” He addressed them.

Shen Yuan smiled sheepishly. “Yes, but Ning-shijie said three months is quite enough and Ming-shixiong agreed to let us have some free time for a few days since the peak is too busy for classes these days.”

“That makes sense. There are too many guests,” Luo Binghe replied. “So you two are going to enjoy a performance?”

The people saw them interact and swallowed nervously as realization dawned that the two young masters were not from An Ding peak but from Qing Jing peak who just recently accepted another small batch of disciples.

Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu ditched their uniform since they wanted private sightseeing without eyes on their backs. Both brothers dressed in matching sky blue robes with nothing whatsoever on them that could identify Qing Jing peak.

There was a difference in status between An Ding peak and Qing Jing peak, while the latter no longer had a peak lord, it was protected by the Sect Head in the peak lord’s absence. Not to mention, the previous peak lord died heroically to save Bai Zhan peak’s peak lord’s life. The peak was essentially protected by two peak lords. The peak itself had been really elusive until a few months ago so they didn’t expect to see the disciples of it here.

“Hm? Is there any problem?” Luo Binghe asked deliberately when no one made a peep of noise after he arrived. “Did I disturb something?”

“That man said we should tell the senior disciples in An Ding to pick up their orders for him.” Shen Jiu had no reservation whatsoever in tattling. In fact, he used his body’s age to full advantage in blunt statements.

“Ah, no, it’s just a joke. A joke!” the man sweated.

Luo Binghe eyed him. “I see, but my juniors are still new, how could they know it’s a joke?” he smiled at the two. “Let me tell you two. The protocols of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s trade orders, the traders or dealers themselves have to bring their products to An Ding peak to be inspected and signed off with a payment. Any trade that involve individual disciples to go means it is a personal purchase. It has nothing to do with you nor you should care about it.”

Shen Yuan laughed inwardly. That elegantly veiled yet blunt insult was truly in style with Qing Jing peak. ‘The son of fate himself ridicules you.’ Shen Yuan smiled and cupped his hands. “This shidi understands.”

“Why are you, Qing Jing peak’s disciples, got involved in a talk about An Ding peak anyway?” Luo Binghe asked.

“Ah, this shidi was just randomly saying things earlier, who knows they will take it seriously and treat us as An Ding peak's disciples?” Shen Yuan sighed dramatically. “This shidi is also confused.”

“I see.” Luo Binghe’s eyes swept of the next table who all nervously tried to act normal. "I'll contact someone from An Ding peak later regarding this, hopefully, they will know when to separate private business and Sect's interest."

In other words, Luo Binghe would tell An Ding peak that these men were problematic and probably shouldn’t be sought out ever again.

Everyone could hear the cold dismissal but no one dared to say anything, after all, even though he conveyed his meaning, he never said it directly, making people could only stay silent, unable to protest.

This was the might of Qing Jing peak’s scholars.

The man just destroyed any credibility Cang Qiong Mountain Sect ever hold for him and ruined his own business chance, his face did not look good. Shen brothers hid their amusement with a mask of indifference.

Not long after Luo Binghe’s arrival, the owner of the opera trope himself came to greet them and offered an upgrade to a VIP seat near the stage for Luo Binghe and the brothers.

Because their seats had been compromised and it wouldn’t be enjoyable to watch the show beside the people you quarreled with, Shen Yuan decided to accept that offer and they were transferred to a table up front.

Luo Binghe sat with the brothers still, naturally, much to Shen Yuan’s despair.

“Do you two like opera?” Luo Binghe asked the brothers as he poured himself the wine he ordered.

“Like as in enjoying? Perhaps. But it’s nothing past that, we’re here just out of curiosity,” Shen Yuan replied. “Does Luo-shixiong enjoy it?” Shen Yuan asked back out of courtesy.

“Not really,” Luo Binghe said. “Sometimes it’s entertaining, other times it’s just a waste of time. But I can appreciate the art in it.”

“Indeed,” Shen Yuan nodded.

The show started and Luo Binghe looked at the stage. Shen Yuan lowered his head and resumed eating as someone on the stage shouted out his line gallantly. The background accompaniment started and the place became livelier.

Shen Yuan was questioning inwardly how the protag was here after disappearing for days when he noticed his little brother was sulking again. It was as if without conflicts, he couldn’t function normally at all.

‘He was so vivacious earlier, cursing people left and right.’ Shen Yuan thought exasperatedly and took another pair of chopsticks to pick up a big slice of sweet chicken and quickly put it in Shen Jiu’s mouth when he yawned in boredom.

“Umph—“ Shen Jiu closed his mouth and glared at Shen Yuan who rolled his eyes at him.

Eat. Shen Yuan’s firm look seemed to say.

Shen Jiu clicked his tongue and started chewing.

The two didn’t realize that Luo Binghe witnessed their interaction from the corner of his eyes. His eyes softened but grew complicated.

Shen Yuan bought a lot of things on this trip. He bought three matching pairs of absolutely gorgeous paper fans because he couldn’t choose, he bought some extra clothes and socks just to make sure he was prepared, also several trinkets he found and liked.

Shen Jiu dutifully followed his elder brother around while also dragging his feet like a dissatisfied son following his mother who was on a shopping spree. A stick of long-gone tanghulu hung from his mouth while he kept on saying ‘yes’ to whatever Shen Yuan ask.

Shen Jiu had tried to assert his opinion at first, but after a while, he realized that Shen Yuan took his negative opinions seriously and would not stop asking for one. Giving one or five negative opinions was fine, but Shen Jiu had no mental energy to keep doing it for hours so he turned into a yes-man instead.

“But what’s the material?” Shen Yuan asked critically as he rubbed a piece of fabric in his hand.

“It’s made by the finest silk from black mulberry silkworm from the east, it’s durable but also soft. I can guarantee you of its quality, young master,” the seller said cheerfully.

“Really? It doesn’t feel much different from the normal silk one.”

“Of course it doesn’t. After all, it’s also silk. But it’s more durable, you can test it.”

“How?”

“Try to tear it, perhaps?”

“If it tears, I’m not paying,” Shen Yuan stated.

The seller seemed to regret his decision a little but could only smile bitterly and nodded.

Shen Yuan pulled the fabric as strongly as he physically could without any addition of his cultivation strength. When it didn’t budge, he added more and more force before he was satisfied and put the cloth down.

“Not bad. I’ll take two entire rolls.”

They purchased the thing and walked out of the store a bit poorer than they were before. Poorer but content... Well, at least one of them was content.

“What’s a silk for?” Shen Jiu complained. “We already bought clothes. There’s no different in fleece, cotton, muslin, whatever.” If it were for girls, Shen Jiu could understand. They always fussed about their clothing’s materials.

Who cares about the difference between satin and silk? They feel the same, they’re the same. But nooo, they were different and Shen Jiu had to hear them rattle off the differences.

And none of them could even make clothes so Shen Jiu failed to see the reason to buy them.

Shen Yuan blinked. “Didn’t you say your cover is irritating your skin because it’s coarse?”

“...” Shen Jiu remembered the thing a few days ago in one of his tantrums, he accidentally grazed his skin and Shen Yuan saw it. He knew Shen Yuan would be angry if he told him that he hurt himself in a tantrum, but ‘I fell’ excuse was getting old so he invented a new one.

“If you put a silk comforter on you before putting on the cover, it won’t hurt your skin,” Shen Yuan said fondly as he patted Shen Jiu’s head.

Shen Jiu looked away slightly and opted to not respond.

“Besides, it’s also a good survey for me. I can gather some information regarding good items and maybe I could use this knowledge later if I do become a merchant,” Shen Yuan said confidently.

Shen Jiu snapped his head back. “You’re still with that merchant idea?”

“It’s not a bad backup plan. We can be merchant cultivator?”

“Real cultivators don’t become a merchant,” they robbed. “They shed worldly affairs and only make deals on the cheapest spectrum like clothes, or water containers...” Or they can rob those too.

“Everybody is different. People need money to survive and thrive,” Shen Yuan said wisely. “Besides, I’ll have to make a living for the two of us.”

“You’re saying as if you’ll doubtlessly be a merchant and assumed that I’ll still be a child by then,” Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes.

“A’Jiu, a little brother is always a child in his big brother’s heart.”

“That’s not how the saying goes, idiot.”

“What did I say about calling people names?”

“Whatever. Are we done?” Shen Jiu snapped.

"Okay, we can return now."

A minute later, Shen Jiu stopped walking as his shoes broke down...while he was walking.

This day can’t get any worse, Shen Jiu was sure of that.

The shoes broke down because Shen Jiu kept dragging his feet while he walked, added that they were walking a lot in town, it just suddenly gave up and ascended the heaven early.

They didn’t have enough spare money to buy new shoes which upset Shen Yuan greatly.

“How could I forget about shoes?” Shen Yuan despaired while kneeling down before the boy who had lost his footwear.

“It’s fine. We can go home like this,” Shen Jiu reluctantly comforted him.

“You’ll hurt your feet,” Shen Yuan stressed. “I’ll sell one of the things we bought.”

“What’s wrong?”

The two snapped their heads up to see Luo Binghe standing over them.

“Luo-shixiong,” Shen Yuan stood up. “It’s nothing, only my brother’s shoes...”

Luo Binghe could see the problem at a glance. He nodded graciously to let Shen Yuan knew he understood. “So, what are you going to do?”

“To answer shixiong, I’m going to buy a new one.”

“I heard you’re going to sell something?” Luo Binghe asked again.

“Yes,” Shen Yuan replied.

“That would be redundant. The peak will give you new footwear if you don’t have one,” Luo Binghe said.

“But—“

Before Shen Yuan could protest, Luo Binghe bent down and suddenly picked up Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu froze like a kitten that had just been picked up by a scruff of its neck by its mother, giving Luo Binghe enough chance to adjust him in his hold.

Luo Binghe smiled. “You two want to return, right? I also want to head back to Qing Jing peak.”

Luo Binghe’s voice beside Shen Jiu’s ear seemed to snap him out of whatever murder fantasy he was having. “No—“ Shen Jiu frowned and tried to extricate himself from Luo Binghe’s hold. “Let me down!” he demanded.

If Shen Jiu was not so small right now, he would slap this little beast’s head for being audacious.

Seeing the tattle-tale of a massive tantrum, Shen Yuan hastily spoke up. “Luo-shixiong, you don’t have to. Let me carry my brother instead, he’s not comfortable around the people he just knows, please don’t take offense.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” Luo Binghe easily apologized. “I don’t know how to deal with kids. I’m the most junior prior to this,” he smiled at Shen Jiu and put him down.

‘I don’t doubt that...’ Shen Yuan smiled back benignly. ‘You can’t even father your surviving children except for giving them goals in cultivation.’

“Let me carry those instead,” Luo Binghe said as he gestured to the stuff Shen Yuan had on him.

“Pardon?” Shen Yuan was stupefied for a second before recovering. “No, no, how could this shidi dare?”

“We’re disciples of the same peak, not to mention we have no master with us. It’s just natural for us to help each other regardless of seniority, you have to get used to this, Yuan-shidi,” Luo Binghe mentioned.

Now Luo Binghe had pulled out the tradition card and even their dead Shizun, Shen Yuan could only humbly thank him and transferred all the shopping bags to the protagonist’s awaiting hands.

Shen Yuan turned to Shen Jiu who hissed at him, but the stress of having the protag beside him made him dare to forcibly pick up Shen Jiu and gave him a warning gaze to not make trouble. Shen Jiu reluctantly settled in Shen Yuan’s arms, none too pleased but tolerating.

Shen Yuan adjusted his brother and started walking beside Luo Binghe.

“Did you two have fun?” Luo Binghe asked pleasantly.

“Well, the experience is quite new,” Shen Yuan replied. Not wanting to make this about them, Shen Yuan quickly turned the conversation. “I didn’t ask this before,” because he didn’t want to talk to Luo Binghe, “But does Luo-shixiong just return from a mission? I didn’t see you a lot in the peak lately.”

“Mm, yes. Just a simple mission, the rest is just traveling,” Luo Binghe answered. “The peak is too noisy nowadays, I’m not really fond of it.”

“Ah...” Shen Yuan nodded. There were too many guests at Qing Jing peak right now. They all stayed in a separate housing from the disciples, of course, but they still wandered around Qing Jing’s public area. “I heard that we will send off the guests in a few days for an entire month as a break.”

Luo Binghe nodded. “Yes. It will be Shizun’s death anniversary in a week.”

Shen Jiu glanced sideways when he felt Shen Yuan’s shoulders tensed slightly under his arms.

“Shizun wouldn’t like the state of the peak right now, it’s better to return back to serenity when the day arrives,” Luo Binghe said wistfully.

Shen Yuan glanced at Luo Binghe and saw sincere sadness in his expression. He reluctantly opened his mouth to respond, “Indeed...”

A few days after their outside trip, Qing Jing peak indeed sent all the guest scholars they had back, citing ‘a month break’ from lectures. A few days afterward, everyone donned white robes and the mood got really somber.

There was nothing to be done on that day, the activities around the peak were decreased by half. They hung white lanterns in a few places but not too much that people would mistake someone died again. The number of visits to that lone grave had increased a lot. Senior disciples looking for extra incense here and there.

The bamboo house that no one ever went to was decorated with simple mourning white decorations.

Shen Yuan felt the atmosphere was really depressing.

Meanwhile, Shen Jiu felt the atmosphere finally returned to normal.

“Did they always do this in his- I mean, Shizun’s death anniversary?” Shen Yuan whispered to Shen Jiu who shrugged.

“Who knows?” Not Shen Jiu. The only major deaths Shen Jiu ever experienced were thus of the Qiu’s men and Wu Yanzi. He celebrated those every year if he remembered it.

Shen Jiu paused. In a sense, his own death should be also a major death for himself, right?

Shen Yuan was then called out by a senior disciple to help out with something and had to leave Shen Jiu behind.

Shen Jiu decided to wander off on his own and stopped a few times to run a small errand from senior disciples he met along the way.

Although deep down he scolded all these unfilial disciples, he still did the errands. After all, he was essentially their xiao shidi, and life could be really hard if your seniors decided to make it so, Shen Jiu would know.

Shen Jiu let Luo Li, his previous incarnation’s senior female disciple, pat his head after he gave him a stack of books another disciple asked to pass on. “Thank you, xiao shidi. Would you like some candy?”

'Act like a child...' Shen Jiu nodded and accepted the candies she handed over. “Thank you, Luo-shijie.”

“You have done errands here and there, have you paid respect to Shizun yet?” Luo Li asked.

Shen Jiu froze. “No... I haven’t.”

Luo Li reached for a few incenses beneath her desk and shoved it into Shen Jiu’s hands. “There you go, go on, you don’t want to do it too late.”

‘Why don’t you ask me if I want to do it or not?’ Shen Jiu nodded earnestly instead. “Okay.” Fuck this.

“Ask your brother to go with you if you’re afraid to go alone,” Luo Li advised.

“Mm.” He didn’t even know where Shen Yuan was. Forget it, it was only burning incense and pretend to pray in front of the grave.

Shen Jiu set out once again, seeing the incense in his hands no disciples stopped him and he made a smooth journey to the entrance of the bamboo grove.

Following the path in his memory, he soon arrived at his destination.

“Shizun...”

Shen Jiu paused and stared blankly at the lone figure in front of the tombstone, kneeling wretchedly like he just lost his mother.

‘This little beast...’ Shen Jiu looked at him in disdain.

“This disciple has gotten really strong, Shizun. It’s too bad you’ve never seen it directly,” another sob. “But I’m sure you’re watching from the other side.”

What a slander, this should be among the worst slanders Shen Qingqiu ever received.

“I’m sorry I could never make you proud. I... In my life I could never fulfill any of your expectations,” another sob. “I’ve made some changes but I’m not sure if it’s enough. This is the last year we’ll ever be allowed to make a fuss of your death day...”

Shen Jiu looked up ponderingly. ‘It’s been five years then, huh...?’ The mourning period for a peak lord in entire sect would be a year, for his disciples it would be three years usually, the fifth year was usually the last year they would be allowed to make this kind of scene of mourning. After all, excessive mourning was never good, it was a sign of disrespect towards the death if it was done for an overly long time.

“But Binghe will always come back, Shizun...” Luo Binghe swore. “I swear... I swear I won’t disappoint you.”

A gust of wind blew past by, blowing clean the smoke of the incense in the air. Luo Binghe stood up and looked back straight at Shen Jiu who stood a few paces away, awkwardly holding a few incenses.

Luo Binghe smiled wistfully. “Are you here to pray, shidi?”

“Yes,” Shen Jiu replied with a nod.

“Come here,” Luo Binghe beckoned.

Shen Jiu walked to his side and lit up his incense, he closed his eyes and started praying for a while. While he was ‘praying’, he could feel Luo Binghe’s eyes on him, watching him carefully. Shen Jiu was not Shen Jiu if he couldn’t act ignorant so he let the little beast stare as much as he liked before opening his eyes and finished his prayer.

‘He doesn’t stop staring’ Shen Jiu thought grimly. ‘What does he want?’

‘Ugh, fine. You want to be caught in the act, right?’ Shen Jiu would follow this.

Shen Jiu ‘sneakily’ glanced at Luo Binghe and caught his eyes immediately, the boy’s shoulders jumped a bit and he shifted his gaze instantly.

Luo Binghe blinked. “Sorry, shidi, I didn’t mean to stare.”

“No, it’s fine, Luo-shixiong. Is there something strange on my face?” Shen Jiu rubbed his face that still had quite a lot of baby fat that he despised and actively (and vainly) tried to get rid of.

“No, no, xiao shidi’s face looks immaculately cute as always,” Luo Binghe chuckled teasingly.

‘...Unfilial.’

“It’s just... I think your eyebrows are like Shizun’s,” Luo Binghe said.

“Eyebrows...?” Shen Jiu blinked innocently.

“Yes, cold and stern. The first time I saw Shizun, my breath was immediately stolen. His eyes were sharp and his eyebrows were stern and cold, truly like an honorable immortal,” Luo Binghe cited with a nostalgic smile. “You have his eyebrows.”

“Really?” Shen Jiu feigned interest.

Luo Binghe nodded. “Yes. Your brother, Yuan-shidi, has his eyes... somewhat. His eyes really look like Shizun when he squints in concentration.”

Shen Jiu ooh-ed. “Really?” you paid that much attention? Shen Jiu felt a kind of crisis. What did this beast want in paying closer attention to Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu? A case of envy?

Shen Yuan was very talented, if only he wasn’t poisoned since a baby and cultivated too late, he would be really strong by now. Luckily, Shen Yuan’s mind was that of spring paradise, he didn’t seem to have any inner demons nor excessive resentment like the past Shen Jiu when he started, so he could advance easily and break through his bottleneck with no problem. His talent was great, could it be Luo Binghe had realized it and paid closer attention to him as a rival?

As for Shen Jiu’s own talent. It needed not to be asked. This body was born with a first-rate talent much like his previous fleshly body, though it might not be comparable to Luo Binghe, it was still one in a thousand. It made sense to be cautious about him.

But with the absence of peak lord, that meant the absence of bias made by one person. Currently, the sect still had Ming Fan as the primary successor purely because he was the head disciple prior Shen Qingqiu’s death and Shen Qingqiu had never appointed any succeeding disciple. Luo Binghe’s only rival was Ming Fan if he was aiming to be a peak lord.

Although Shen Jiu was thinking so much internally, he didn’t show any of it outward so Luo Binghe can’t possibly know what he was thinking or the fact that he was suspicious of Luo Binghe.

“Yes...” Luo Binghe sighed as he stared at the tombstone. Embedded into it was his Shizun’s sword, Xiu Ya. The previously dazzling and beautiful sword had long lost its luster with its owner’s death. It merely stayed there as a silent guardian. “I wonder if your family is related to Shizun...”

Shen Jiu looked up and slowly tilted his head sideways. “I don’t know,” he said unsurely. “Maybe it is only a coincidence.”

“Maybe...” Luo Binghe smiled emptily. His eyes reddened again and he looked away, “I’m going first, shidi.”

With that, Shen Jiu was alone standing before his own grave. He wondered why Luo Binghe acted that strongly about Shen Qingqiu. Didn’t he always treat him badly without expanation? Was that boy really a masochist?

No wonder he never get sick living in that woodshed. He probably got a kick out of it.

‘But pretty sure he cried when I doused him with a hot tea before...?’ He cried so pitifully at that, it was impossible he enjoyed that.

...Could it be that was his awakening? Or maybe he started to realize he enjoyed it after that?

Shen Jiu was appalled. He didn’t know he opened such a deviant way for his disciple. He might be a sadist, but he still didn’t want to be responsible for opening a masochistic tendency in anyone!

“Are you here alone?”

Shen Jiu turned around and came face to face with the person he hated the most and tried to forget for the last few weeks. He gritted his teeth to hold back a growl at the peak lord of Bai Zhan.

Liu Qingge was wearing his usual white robe, but he didn’t wear any accessories. His hair was tied up by a simple white ribbon without any jade nor metal crown, he wore wooden sandals instead of leather boots, and he didn’t even bring his sword. He dressed so plainly but his face still somehow made it seem like he was dressed for a banquet which earned Shen Jiu’s ire.

“Luo-shixiong just leaves,” Shen Jiu answered simply with all his self-preservation. He didn’t even bother to add more words to be polite.

“Oh,” Liu Qingge nodded and walked past Shen Jiu to lit up some incense.

Ever since their encounter in the bamboo house, the two never see each other again. However, Liu Qingge still remembered this boy. It was hard to forget someone who shared Shen Qingqiu’s name.

Shen Jiu stood there for a while to see Liu Qingge offering his respect. Everything was so silent and Shen Jiu suspected Liu Qingge was waiting for him to leave before doing anything else... say, maybe piss on his grave. Shen Jiu didn’t say Liu Qingge would do such a disgrace... but no one knew what was in the depth of a human’s heart.

Shen Jiu grew bored and wanted to leave and look for Shen Yuan when he got an idea. He smirked. “Liu-shishu,” he called out. “I heard from Luo-shixiong that this is the last year to commemorate Shizun like this, is that true?”

Liu Qingge paused for a bit before he answered, “Yes.”

“Why?” Shen Jiu said.

“It’s the fifth year,” Liu Qingge replied.

“Oh,” Shen Jiu nodded. “So, Shizun died five years ago. Were you happy?”

“What?” Liu Qingge frowned.

“You killed Shizun, right?” Shen Jiu accused. “Although you’re sad now, maybe you were happy when you did it? Like my mother, she was really sad and guilty of Yu-yiniang’s death and often cried when she remembered her, but my mother was actually very happy when she killed her with hidden poison for being too favored. She said her feeling changed, Yu-yiniang was not as worse as Chen-yiniang.”

Liu Qingge froze. He didn’t expect the child to open up his family’s secret in front of him at all. But most of all, his heart went cold at the underlining meaning beneath that. Was he happy when he ran his sword through Shen Qingqiu’s chest? Liu Qingge didn’t remember well, he was in a state of insanity, he only wanted violence...

Perhaps... perhaps he was happy at that time.

A gust of wind blew past by and it blew the smoke from the burning incense to Shen Jiu’s eyes. He immediately shut his eyes and rubbed them when they got spicy.

Liu Qingge shivered as he looked at the tombstone blankly. The ground seemed to move under him, and the sky was falling down. The scent of incense suddenly became so overwhelming, as overwhelming as the smell of blood in—

Liu Qingge felt nauseous, he held his hand over his mouth.

Shen Jiu rubbed his eyes and finally opened them a few seconds later. “Huh...?” he looked around. “Where is he?” Shen Jiu murmured.

Once again, Shen Jiu was alone in his own graveyard.

Chapter Text

Liu Qingge opened his eyes to a very familiar sight of the inside of Spirit Cave, he stared blankly at the ceilings of the place he rarely visited in the last four-five years, willing himself to remember just what brought him to this place?

Liu Qingge’s head throbbed.

He rolled over, pushing himself off the ground. His vision swam, no matter how many times he shook his head he couldn’t get rid of the dizziness.

A soft sound resounded within the chamber of the cave. Soft. Sorrowful.

Liu Qingge tensed and tried to search for Cheng Luan but his sword was nowhere to be seen. Even so, he turned around.

A man with bloodied green robe sat a few steps away from him, his long overcoat pooled around him, long hair covering his expression. His thin shoulders shook with each choked sob that filled the empty chamber, Liu Qingge could feel his blood turn colder with each sob.

“Shen—“

“Are you happy now?”

Liu Qingge’s throat tightened. He couldn’t continue his words nor form a new one. Not when the other man spoke up so sharply.

“What did I do to you...?” The man asked desperately and clenched his chest, blood oozed out even more and Liu Qingge watched in terror as it trickled down, dyeing the tainted green robe even redder.

That snapped Liu Qingge out of his reverie. He pushed himself to stand up. “We’ll get you some help!” he approached the man and held his shoulders. “You’ll be alright. Look at me.”

He didn’t look at him. His head hung low with his long hair cascading and covering his whole expression.

“Shen Qingqiu, look at me!” Liu Qingge yelled.

Finally, the man looked up. A pair of dead dark eyes stared back at him. His face was pale, blood continued to ooze out of his mouth. “You’re still not satisfied yet?” His lips quirked up with hatred, “Are you going to dye your hands entirely red?”

Shen Qingqiu’s bony hand grasped Liu Qingge’s hand and he looked down in terror.

“S-since when?” Liu Qingge stuttered. Cheng Luan was now in his hand and halfway through Shen Qingqiu’s chest.

“I tried to help you and this is your response?” Shen Qingqiu laughed, distorted. “Do you despise me so, shidi?!”

His scream resounded and a scent of blood overwhelmed Liu Qingge in an instant.

Liu Qingge fell back, the world turned back briefly as he braced for impact but the next time he opened his eyes he saw Shen Qingqiu standing across him, face marred with trepidation and frustration.

“Liu Qingge, you better wake up or this shixiong will have to kill you!” Shen Qingqiu yelled sternly.

Liu Qingge’s body move by itself. No matter how much Liu Qingge tried to stop it, he couldn’t.

‘RUN!’ Liu Qingge desperately tried to yell but he only launched himself and took a swing at the peak lord of Qing Jing.

Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes and flicked his wrist, changing Liu Qingge’s brazen attack trajectory easily, but Liu Qingge’s leg shot out and kicked him in the ribs, sending Shen Qingqiu tumbling several steps back. Liu Qingge raised his sword once again and swung it towards Shen Qingqiu who reacted with cat-like reflexes. But in the split second, Shen Qingqiu managed to dodge, Liu Qingge subconsciously injected his rampant deviant qi into his attack which flared and attacked Shen Qingqiu’s internal, straight to his upper meridian point.

Liu Qingge could see the attack disoriented Shen Qingqiu for a split second and his qi began to churn abnormally.

‘No...’

“Ah...” Shen Qingqiu held his chest.

Liu Qingge tried to back off, he tried to struggle. He didn’t want to. He didn’t want to watch this.

Liu Qingge squeezed his eyes shut, willing himself to shut everything out before the overflowing feeling in his chest burst out.

“I can’t....”

The familiar weak voice gave a touch of scare to Liu Qingge.

“I can’t lose here... You can’t...”

Liu Qingge’s eyes snapped open and the first thing he saw was Shen Qingqiu’s face. Before Liu Qingge could speak up, the beautiful man slipped down and fell into him. As though magic, any trace of living presence was gone from Liu Qingge’s sense.

The memory should end there.

It should have.

But then Liu Qingge could hear a chuckle and then followed by a restrained laughter that sent a chill down his spine.

“Were you happy at the time?”

A dizzy spell overwhelmed Liu Qingge as everything distorted. The suffocating feeling in his chest threatened to break out.

Liu Qingge hurled.

The atmosphere within the clearing was as quiet as it could be, people who stumbled there would even compare it to Qing Jing peak.

There was a half-naked man laid in the middle of it, bound by chains that glimmered with seals and runes. Another man sat beside the unconscious man, holding a needle over the man’s chest with undivided focus and a stable hand. When he noticed a fluctuation in the unconscious man’s chest, the sitting man wasted no time inserting the needle into his chest and injecting his own calming qi into the needle.

The patient reacted, without even opening his eyes, he lurched up. The chains binding him tensed with the pull and he hurled violently to the side.

The acidic taste in his mouth forced Liu Qingge to open his eyes. “No...No...”

“Easy, Liu-shixiong.”

Liu Qingge glanced to his other side and took another deep breath. “Mu Qingfang...”

Mu Qingfang nodded lightly.

“What am I doing here?” Liu Qingge frowned as Mu Qingfang moved to take off the chains on his limbs.

“You were experiencing a violent qi reaction and on the verge of qi deviation. You came to me yourself. I’m sure it’s an instinctual action,” Mu Qingfang said. “Before you had completely lost it, I led you here and knocked you out with a paralyzing poison. Don’t worry, no one was around when you came,” he assured with his gentle smile.

Liu Qingge took his freed hand and rubbed his sweaty face with it. He frowned uncomfortably when he tried to curl up to regulate his breath. “Take this out,” he pointed to the needle in his chest.

“Aye,” Mu Qingfang excused himself and took out the needle, while doing so, he took the chance to ask more. “I didn’t notice any injury, did you try to have a breakthrough?”

Of course, qi deviation can normally only happen after a cultivator got a devastating attack that ruined their qi balance or when they couldn’t defeat the demons in their heart for their breakthrough. Mu Qingfang meant to ask if Liu Qingge tried to forcefully breakthrough his cultivation again.

Liu Qingge shook his head in response. “No, never will.” He’d learned his mistake five years ago.

“Ah...” Mu Qingfang nodded and smiled sadly. “Today is Shen-shixiong’s fifth year of mourning, right?” he said understandingly.

Liu Qingge felt shameful at his shidi’s understanding and opted to not verbally answer that.

Mu Qingfang carefully patted Liu Qingge’s shoulder. “Liu-shixiong, it’s been five years. Let the dead pass on, we have to move on.”

Liu Qingge uncharacteristically shivered at Mu Qingfang’s touch, his mind took him back to when Shen Qingqiu fell into him, his head was precisely at the shoulder Mu Qingfang patted. He instinctively shrugged off Mu Qingfang’s hand. “I know.”

Mu Qingfang stared at Liu Qingge for a bit before exhaling in sympathy. “Do you want to talk about it?” he offered. “Maybe it will make you feel better.”

Liu Qingge swallowed. “We... were back in Spirit Cave.”

Mu Qingfang nodded, encouraging Liu Qingge to continue.

“I...” Liu Qingge shook his head. “No. Never mind.”

Mu Qingfang didn’t complain. “It isn’t real, Liu-shixiong. It’s just your qi deviation playing with your mind.”

“No,” Liu Qingge shook his head. “It should be real.”

Mu Qingfang paused. “And you mean by that is...?”

“It looks like a memory...” Liu Qingge murmured.

Mu Qingfang looked sideways thoughtfully. “How are you sure and what triggered it?” he asked.

“Huh?”

“Memories don’t just come back, Liu-shixiong. It needs to be triggered by something,” Mu Qingfang explained. “The strongest medium of this trigger is the place in which it happened... and you never visited Spirit Cave since four years ago...”

Liu Qingge bit the inside of his cheek. Four years ago, he had thought that a year after the incident was enough to let go, but he was dead wrong. He never set a foot into Spirit Cave again after that.

Liu Qingge took a deep breath and then recalled the boy by Shen Qingqiu’s grave, one of Qing Jing peak’s new disciples.

“Were you happy?”

Laughters rang in Liu Qingge’s head, his own laughter. In a flash, Liu Qingge hit his chest and coughed out a mouthful of blood into the pile on his side.

Mu Qingfang watched his shixiong’s shaking back with a look of utter sympathy and pain. He didn’t like it when his shixiong was beating himself up like this to feel better, hated to see the pain left behind by Shen Qingqiu’s death still bleed like no other. Everyone had moved on one way or another, but Liu Qingge never seemed to have moved on.

It was tragic.

The lord of Bai Zhan peak that never lose one hundred fights was utterly defeated by a single death that lay in his own hands.

Shen Jiu bit the tanghulu Shen Yuan had brought from the kitchen for him, short legs swinging to and fro from the edge of his chair while star-gazing with Shen Yuan beside him.

“Tonight’s weather is perfect, isn’t it?” Shen Yuan commented warmly and took a sip of his warm herbal tea.

“Hmm.”

“It’s rare for us to stop a bit and do a little star-gazing. As expected stars here are so clear, and it’s even clearer in Qing Jing peak without any pollution,” Shen Yuan commented pleasantly. Recalling the sky back in modern times, so lifeless with only a few dashes of stars, he breathed out contently, “Breathtaking.”

“What kind of terrible pollution can cover the stars?” Shen Jiu tilted his head boredly. “Unless you set an entire manor on fire and the smoke covered the sky, there’s no pollution that can cover it...” Recalling the night when he set the Qiu manor on fire and killed all of its men, Shen Jiu nodded to himself with confidence that no normal ‘pollution’ could cover the stars.

“Aah,” Shen Yuan nodded. “There’s this thing called greenhouse gas pollution and light pollution. You see, brother, if nature is overwhelmed by humans’ population and there are lights everywhere, even the stars in the sky will withdraw.” Shen Yuan talked so openly with Shen Jiu, thinking that this boy was still young and couldn’t possibly understand his blabber anyway, he became even more comfortable.

“Greenhouse gas? Light pollution?” Shen Jiu frowned. “What on earth are you talking about?”

“Ai.” Shen Yuan shook his head. “It’s complicated to explain. But basically, when it’s misty outside, it’s hard to even see the sky, right? Think of it like that, but the fog is not on the ground level and instead more scattered in the sky.”

Shen Jiu glanced at him and picked up a piece of sugar coating that fell on his lap, flicking it away as he responded, “Where did you even get those ideas. Are you drunk?”

Shen Yuan was depressed that his modern knowledge was thought of as a drunken thought. “I’m not drunk.” He scratched his head. “Well, maybe a little tipsy. But in my defense, other disciples kept on toasting me.”

The mood in Qing Jing peak was chaotic. At noon, they were depressed, at night they washed that depression with wine.  Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. “As long as you didn’t toast the moon.”

Countless disciples had toasted the moon and sent prayers to their Shizun even though Shen Jiu personally would prefer to have them caned for their embarrassing audacity.

Shen Jiu didn’t appreciate dramatic gestures such as toasting the moon, that thing could only be done by those vulgar pretentious scholars who Shen Jiu couldn’t wait to always beat up with his own bare hands.

Shen Yuan laughed at Shen Jiu’s words and then looked away.

“...”

“...”

Shen Jiu looked at Shen Yuan in a way of hating iron for not becoming steel. Shen Yuan coughed in embarrassment.

“I got carried away, it was only a joke among teenagers,” Shen Yuan defended himself.

“As long as you’re doing it ironically...” Shen Jiu relented reluctantly, not wanting to go through to beating up his own brother with his bare hands. Either way, he knew the pressure of being a junior and had to flatter your seniors.

“Anyway, I suppose it’s fine. Just for tonight.” Shen Yuan said. He then looked at his little brother curiously. “How are you adapting to Qing Jing, Jiulang?”

“So-so,” Shen Jiu answered.

“I heard you made friends with the little girl around your age?” Shen Yuan smiled.

“We talked exactly once,” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes when he heard a certain tone in Shen Yuan’s voice that resembled a nosy matchmaking old woman.

Shen Yuan chuckled. “Just remember, when you like someone—“

“Stick with that person and don’t create a giant harem, right,” Shen Jiu rolled his eyes. He’d seen an example of a harem back at home and that was horrid. Shen Yuan was probably worried that their ‘father’ is a bad example when in reality Shen Jiu never even see that sperm donator as any more than a temporary landlord.

Shen Yuan smiled brilliantly when he heard Shen Jiu’s response. “Good, good,” he patted Shen Jiu’s head. ‘If you’re indeed the main character, better avoid the harem intrigue from your potential wives...’ he thought.

That being said, Shen Yuan really hoped that Shen Jiu was not a main character.

“Oh, right. You went to the grave to offer prayer without me, who did you go with?” Shen Yuan asked casually.

“Alone. I’m not a coward,” Shen Jiu sniffed in disdain.

Shen Yuan almost crooned, there was just something so cute about a little boy claiming proudly that he wasn’t a coward. “Naturally, my Shen Qing is the bravest.”

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes.

“Is there anything interesting for you today?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Not really...” Shen Jiu frowned and recalled his elevating conversation with the two men in front of his own grave. “I just wish people leave me alone,” him and his grave.

“As long as they’re not hurting you, it’s fine to befriend them, you know,” Shen Yuan advised.

Recalling Liu Qingge, Shen Jiu sneered a little. “What if they did?”

Shen Yuan turned to look at him solemnly. “Tell me about them, let me deal with it. Keep your distance too,” he said. “Did anyone bully you?”

Shen Jiu blinked innocently. “I was just talking randomly.”

Shen Yuan sighed in relief. “Alright. As long as you’re fine.”

“Little Junior Brother, do you want some tanghulu?”

“Thank you, senior sisters,” Shen Jiu responded dutifully to the two female disciples who were bringing some confectionaries in a bamboo basket.

Shen Jiu tolerated them as they patted his head while giggling girlishly. He didn’t approve of this, indulgence would only bring out weakness. If Shen Jiu was still Shen Qingqiu, he would berate them for this.

Shen Jiu had seen way too many bad apples grow up because they were spoiled rotten. Luckily they were acting like this to Shen Jiu, someone who already lived once before, so he wouldn’t turn rotten with this kind of indulgence.

Crunch.

Shen Jiu’s teeth broke through the sugar coating. ‘This year’s strawberry harvest is quite good.’ He nodded in satisfaction as he turned around and walked away from the two after they were satisfied with stroking his head.

“Yu An, Jiang Yue, perfect.”

“Ming-shixiong, is there anything we can help?”

“I need you two to cover for me for a little bit, I’m going to visit Bai Zhan peak.”

“Why do you seem in a haste, shixiong? Did something happen?”

“I heard from Bai Zhan peak’s disciples that Liu-shishu had experienced a serious problem in his cultivation and is currently recuperating in Bai Zhan peak. We, disciples of Qing Jing peak, have been receiving his grace all these years since Shizun untimely passed away, the least we can do is to send someone to visit.”

“Alright, Ming-shixiong. You go, we’re going to help your work, tell us when it’s convenient to visit too.”

Shen Jiu finished one stick of tanghulu and watched coldly from behind a tree as Ming Fan left. He sneered. ‘Grace? Is this what Liu Qingge is playing right now?’

He dropped the bamboo stick in his hand and stomped on it with a force so strong that it dented the ground at least three inches deep. ‘I was killed by him and my own disciple said that Liu Qingge graced them?!’ he gritted his teeth tightly, hands crumpled into fists in an overwhelming urge to punch through something.

A wind blew past and he shivered slightly when he realized he was sweating. Shen Jiu lifted his right foot off the dent on the ground and walked away, trying to calm himself down.

Ming Fan earlier said the brute was injured when he was cultivating? Shen Jiu felt smugness surfacing in his heart. Serves that bastard right.

Perhaps he saw Shen Qingqiu’s ghost when he cultivated, ha. That would be his style if he did become a ghost, but no matter, even though Shen Jiu was inhabitting another’s body right now and not hauling curses to that brute from beyond the grave, he was sure he would always haunt Liu Qingge.

That bastard had been preaching righteousness and chivalry since their discipleship days decades ago, Shen Qingqiu’s death was most likely a slap for him and a stain on his pristine record.

‘Damn Liu Qingge, damned disciples, damn everything!’ Shen Jiu cursed endlessly in his mind.

Frustrations built up again in his chest, each breath he took became harder and harder, he was familiar with this feeling, he suffered this a lot when he was still Shen Qingqiu, his temper was rising and his cultivation would tremble violently.

Shen Jiu hit his chest as an acidic taste rose at the back of his throat. He hit his chest several times but nothing happened.

Right, Shen Qing’s cultivation is stable... Shen Jiu raised his head and exhaled heavily.

After being distracted by the fact he wasn’t in any danger of lashing out, Shen Jiu found a place to sit down and calmed down his temper. After he sat through his anger, he finally could clear out his mind and pondered what kind of accident Liu Qingge inflicted on himself.

He tilted his head ponderingly to the sky. ‘Was it because of the thing last time?’ he wondered.

Shen Jiu shrugged and tossed it to the very back of his mind. It wasn’t his business what happened to Liu Qingge. He could die for all he cared.

Shen Yuan stared at the blank piece of paper in front of him with one hundred percent of concentration, after the night of stargazing and talking with Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan suddenly struck a brilliant idea of using his modern knowledge to triumph in this cultivation world.

But saying so was certainly harder than doing it. Shen Yuan was a modern man through and through, sadly this also meant that while he knows something, it doesn’t mean that he knows how to do it.

‘Who am I deceiving? Life is not as beautiful as those isekai protagonists!’ Shen Yuan cried silently in his heart. ‘I can’t make a miraculous modern drug, putting aside I’m no doctor, Qian Cao peak dominates that area. I don’t know anything about advanced economy, damn it, I suck at modern math.’

Shen Yuan gripped his brush tighter, trying to remember all the ideas the lazy authors from modern times dumped into their webnovels especially those with the protagonists transmigrated into a cultivation novel.

‘How about creating something that’s never been seen before?’ Shen Yuan tilted his head. He seemed to remember one novel protag recreating a modern classic guitar- no, how the fuck did he even make a guitar?

‘Why are those protags so resourceful? Weren’t they all mainly shut-ins who only read xianxia or highschoolers?’ Shen Yuan gritted his teeth in anger.

He pushed the ideas aside and hummed while his hand moved absently. Since he couldn’t create, how about plagiarism? If only Shen Yuan had the skill, he would have copied the numerous masterpiece artworks from ancient china. Rather than painting, writing is much easier.

What about music? Shen Yuan could copy some songs he heard in the modern world and bring them here, his skill in playing qin was quite good after some lessons with Shen Jiu. The problem was, can his voice be his selling point? Shen Jiu often said his singing voice was grating.

‘This is a useless idea.’ Shen Yuan shook his head. He should just stick with the alternative way to be a merchant if being a sect disciple became too dangerous. But to be a merchant, he’d need a budget. Not to mention he planned to bring Shen Jiu along, it cost a lot to raise a kid happily. Shen Yuan could only give the best to Shen Jiu, nothing less. Such a cute flawless boy shouldn’t suffer.

If only there was a knowledge that he could use to find something in this damned place.

...

‘Wait a minute...’ Shen Yuan straightened.

He was transmigrated into the novel he read. The novel that he had completed. The novel where he read all the treasures the protag dug up and used as his golden fingers in the story.

All of those in the novel.

Shen Yuan bit his lips in astonishment to keep himself from cheering. He knew where some of those treasures were hidden! A few were even hidden in plain sight and only the protagonist who accidentally recovered them like the son of fate he was, displaying just how luckily fateful the protag was!

Shen Yuan shoved aside the papers he had used as doodling paper and began writing excitedly on a new one.

When Shen Jiu returned to their shared room, he was attacked by Shen Yuan who pecked his cheek loudly, causing a resounding smack that prompted him to slap Shen Yuan’s face on instinct. Despite the tingling on his cheek, Shen Yuan didn’t mind and complimented Shen Jiu for his fast response to unwanted kisses before promptly hugging Shen Jiu tightly.

“I can raise you!” Shen Yuan claimed in excitement.

Shen Jiu’s face became even redder. “The hell are you talking about? Let go!” He demanded.

“I just got an idea how we can sustain ourselves without our family and not make you suffer a tribulation!” Shen Yuan said happily. “I will be able to raise you, after a few years, I might even be able to pay a bride price for you if you want to marry a wife!” Shen Yuan’s imagination began to get out of control and he giggled at the thought of a nephew or niece in the future.

Naturally, Shen Jiu pointed this out. “Your imagination is useless.”

Shen Yuan chuckled. “Either way, I’ll make sure that you won’t suffer. You’re my precious little brother, I’ll take care of the difficult things and you can enjoy the result.”

With that, Shen Yuan whistled and walked out in good mood, intending to walk around the peak to calm himself down, leaving Shen Jiu alone in their abode.

Shen Jiu, face red with both embarrassment and indignation, shook his head in exasperation and saw the mess Shen Yuan left behind.

Shen Jiu picked up a piece of paper from the ground and flipped it over to see the writing.

Flowers are shadowed, the palace darkens,

Birds twitter by for a place to perch;

Heaven's ten thousand windows are twinkling,

And nine cloud-terraces are gleaming in the moonlight.

While I wait for the golden lock to turn,

I hear jade pendants tinkling in the wind.

I have a petition to present in the morning,

All night I ask what time to eat...*

“Did he mean ‘is it’ the message is a bit off.” Why the hell did you think about something to eat? Maybe Shen Yuan was hungry when he was writing it.

Shen Jiu shook his head. While Shen Yuan seemed to have some talent for writing poems, it was obvious that his mind was not clear enough. This poem had the potential to be good, but the creator’s mind was all over the place.

He sighed. Luckily Shen Yuan wanted to be a merchant and not a scholar.

Time passed and Shen Jiu had been doing really great with pretending to be a disciple and restarting his study all over again with his useless disciple as the mentors.

Before they knew it, it was nearly Shen Qing’s ninth birthday. Shen Yuan had been really noisy lately and Shen Jiu had half a mind disappearing for the week just to get back to him for being annoying.

Letters arrived from home and Shen Jiu, as the Di son who turned out to be really talented, gathered his so-called brothers and gave them the letters that came from their respective mothers.

“Here’s the yiniang’s letter,” Shen Jiu carelessly dropped the letters to the table. “Can’t wait for you guys to finally leave this place,” he said with relish as the accursed lecture would end in just two months after his birthday. “Oh, right. you’re here too,” Shen Jiu glanced disappointedly at the second youngest who actually had some talent to stay in Qing Jing peak much to his dismay.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Shen Fan, the eighth son, glared.

“What do you suppose?” Shen Jiu said calmly back. “It’s just awful that a stupid kid like you can enter Qing Jing peak.”

“This brother is a bit sad that Jiulang is so aversive to us,” Shen Xiao said with a dramatic bitter smile that Shen Jiu usually spat on when he was still Shen Qingqiu. “Don’t you at least be a bit sad that Shen Yan and I will be leaving?”

“Why should I? Generally talented people and stupid ones are kept separated. It’s just natural.” Shen Jiu said evenly.

Shen Jiu smiled when Shen Xiao’s smile became restrained. In the last few months, some of these good brothers of his tried to make trouble for him and Shen Yuan, but their schemes were merely child play in front of him, the scheming peak lord of Qing Jing peak. He had no love lost for these instant brothers, especially after a concubine at home was ‘proved’ to have harmed Shen Jiu’s talent root. Shen Jiu had no doubt that the concubine was someone’s black sheep as she was pretty much powerless, so his grudge against them was still there.

“Shen Jiu,” Shen Yuan called out to him, mildly disapproving. “I thought we’re here for a civil family meeting?”

Shen Jiu only snorted. “I’m already as civil as I can get. Let’s go.” He didn’t wait for Shen Yuan’s answer and directly walked away.

Shen Yuan sighed and was about to follow him when Shen Yan, another of their half-brothers, spoke up.

“Jiulang is the youngest here but he sure acts like the oldest. Qilang, don’t you feel annoyed that you got ordered around like that?” Shen Yan said sharply with a smirk at Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan paused and glanced back at Shen Yan, frowning. Shen Jiu was right, these people were simply thirsty for trouble. “Unlike to you, A’Jiu is nice to me, we’re equal. Even if he’s a bit bossy, he’s the Di son, he can have a temper. At least he showed his opinion outright honestly rather than holding a knife behind his back,” he said disdainfully and walked off to chase after Shen Jiu, leaving the other brothers dismayed.

“Bunch of warmongering guys, shouldn’t have been scholars...” Shen Yuan muttered under his breath and sped up his steps.

When he caught up with Shen Jiu he saw his little brother smiling contently with hands behind his back.

Shen Yuan chose to not talk about their other half-brothers and instead spoke up, “What about your birthday? Do you want to spend it with your mother and the family?”

“Absolutely not,” Shen Jiu said firmly. “Besides, do you think that Qing Jing peak will just let the disciples go to their birth home to celebrate a birthday? Ridiculous.”

“Well, I’ve talked to Ning-shijie, she said since you’re so young she can give you and me permission.”

“Absolutely not,” Shen Jiu shook his head, despairing his last true female disciple’s lack of strict conduct. “Since we already joined the sect, we’re a part of the sect. The sect is number one, number two, and number three in our priority compared to birth family.”

“Well, you’re still young...” Shen Yuan said. He still struggled to get used to this world’s habits with his modern way of thinking. After all, if children had a mother, shouldn’t they spend as much time as possible with their mother? But in this world, that kind of logic didn’t apply. As old as when the child can talk, their honor and prestige preceded familial love. It was normal to see children get separated from their mothers for education and career.

Shen Jiu snorted softly. “My mother already has Silang. He can be her focus from now on,” and he can be Shen Jiu’s replacement for the position of the future head of the house.

“Well, yeah...” At the mention of the tenth son who should be able to walk and talk by now, Shen Yuan went quiet. After all, the circumstances in which the youngest son was conceived were not really a happy one for Shen Jiu and him who nearly died. “Then, are you okay with just celebrating it with me?”

Shen Jiu turned and smiled, his eyes turned crescent-shaped, a shallow dimple appeared on his cheek, it was the most precious smile Shen Yuan had ever seen. Shen Jiu looked so relaxed and comfortable.

“Sure, can you shut up now?”

Shen Yuan was over the moon when he heard the first word of the sentence, of course he didn’t hear the rest.

Shen Yuan was on a mission. The mission? Of course it was to search for the perfect birthday present for his precious little brother. This wasn’t Shen Jiu’s first birthday with him, but this was the first birthday where they would celebrate it as cultivators from a prestigious sect. Shen Jiu didn’t have to hide his power and Shen Yuan also had gotten stronger.

Shen Yuan’s gift had to be useful. Forget all of those usual scholarly gifts in the form of stationaries, or normal gifts like clothes, jade pendant, or whatever. Shen Yuan’s gift for this year had to be something that Shen Jiu can use to protect himself.

A sword? That crossed Shen Yuan’s mind certainly but he pushed it aside as they would get their own Life Sword later from Wan Jian peak, anyway.

Cool gadget that can hide poisonous needles? That crossed Shen Yuan’s mind too but those were too hard to get and Shen Yuan was tight on budget to commission one with his own design.

After thinking for a long time, Shen Yuan decided with a complete solemnity that he’d have to be brave and try to snatch one of Luo Binghe’s lesser destined treasures that he found by sheer pure dumb luck. Either way, these treasures wouldn’t even be named again after a few chapters post-finding it and wouldn’t even be used because the author of this dogshit story was an idiot dumbass.

Just one less treasure wouldn’t make the protag go broke and die.

Luo Binghe can take care of himself, Shen Jiu couldn’t. Shen Yuan obviously felt that Shen Jiu would need it more and use it more than Luo Binghe would.

“I’m going down the mountain,” Shen Yuan said to Shen Jiu who was busy copying some notes on his desk. Shen Jiu was obviously confused that Shen Yuan declared to go down the mountain without telling him prior by begging him to come with him, but Shen Yuan managed to distract him by saying it was going to be a brief chore.

Just when Shen Yuan was worried that Shen Jiu would ask more, something flashed in Shen Jiu’s eyes and he nodded permissively at Shen Yuan leaving.

Shen Yuan was a bit depressed when he exited the room, from Shen Jiu’s reaction it was clear that his clever little brother already figured out that Shen Yuan was leaving to do something about Shen Jiu’s birthday and indulged him by pretending to be ignorant.

Sometimes Shen Yuan wondered who was the older brother, Shen Jiu was simply too mature for his own good.

But no matter. Even if the element of surprise was already gone, he still could incite another surprise by the majesty of his gift. Shen Jiu would be shocked when Shen Yuan gifted it, he was sure of it.

Shen Jiu didn’t really pay attention to Shen Yuan’s departure. It was wholly within Shen Yuan’s overly-affectionate personality, Shen Jiu would just turn around and pretend he knew nothing.

As long as Shen Yuan was happy, he could do this much.

After Shen Yuan left, Shen Jiu also went out for a walk around the peak, he liked to be in control of his environment. Since the last time those fools, Ming Fan and Luo Binghe, had dragged Shen Yuan into their useless argument, Shen Jiu had been keeping a tab on the flow of sect politics within Qing Jing peak. So far, there hadn’t been much obvious power struggle, those people still had the reservation to at least act like they still respected their dead master.

“Hello there, junior brother. You’re not with Yuan-shidi today?”

“He has something to do down the mountain.”

“Oh? I see. If you need anything just ask.”

“Many thanks, senior sister.”

That was the third time he had been stopped and questioned, did he look too idle for them?

I’ll go back and grab a book.

That was the best trick since his discipleship days. Shen Jiu abused the hell of that trick to get out of many social gatherings or invitations to one. It also felt more fulfilling to glare at Yue Qingyuan while pretentiously holding a few books in his arms, it sent a sterner message to leave him the fuck alone while also wordlessly insulting Yue Qingyuan’s tactless stupidity. Can’t you see I’m holding books over here? Of course you don’t, do you even read?

Shen Jiu loitered around with a book afterward, pretending to read the Four Classics while observing his disciples cynically. Somehow, he ended up getting dragged to sit and listen to a qin lesson by the end of the day.

Shen Jiu usually liked qin lessons, but he found the fact that he couldn’t heavily criticize the performers and direct them to play something else sucked out all the fun of it.

“Little shidi is very gifted in qin, you’re just still a bit too young and your fingers have yet to grow to play it properly,” someone praised generously.

“Thank you, shixiong.” What a joke, if Shen Jiu bothered to try, these ingrates wouldn’t even be able to compare. The standard in Qing Jing peak truly had gone down a pitch after he died, even a bumbling idiot like Shen Yuan could easily catch up to this level of lesson.

It’s over for Qing Jing peak. This is what happens when you put a brute to teach a bunch of scholars to replace the real scholarly teacher. 

Shen Jiu returned to his room, his perfectly expressionless face morphed to annoyance after he entered, he was ready to be questioned by Shen Yuan about his days but found an empty room instead.

“What the hell is he doing outside?” Shen Jiu grumbled as he took off his outer robe.

Shen Jiu was too tired to think further and directly dive into his bed.

The next morning, he turned to the bed beside him and found it empty still.

Shen Jiu frowned.

“Hell yes.” Shen Yuan couldn’t hold in his excitement when he managed to find the secret passage that led to the treasure trope reserved for the protag.

He had done a lot ever since he went down the mountain, keeping a low profile so he wouldn’t arouse any suspicion or someone’s interest, even avoiding several bandits along the way with one goal to impress his younger brother.

He carefully stepped into the cave, heart beating against his ribcage while inwardly praying that the loot would still be untouched.

This place should be where Luo Binghe found a secret cave after being trapped in a scheme by his martial brothers and escaping before anyone can capture him.

Shen Yuan didn’t know if that plot still happened as it should’ve happened a year ago by timeline, but the main antagonist Luo Binghe feared, Shen Qingqiu, was no longer alive this time. Not to mention, it was also Shen Qingqiu’s hatred on Luo Binghe that made those disciples act meanly toward him, if there wasn’t a provocateur, the aggressors shouldn’t work extensively, right?

What Shen Yuan saw first was a blade of spirit grass growing gallantly upon entering, he immediately got excited. If the blade of spirit grass was untouched, that meant the loot inside was also untouched! The protag had yet to find this treasure trope!

Shen Yuan ignored the blade of spirit grass and walked deeper into the cave, the place was dark but once you walked a bit deeper you can see gleaming crystals peeking from inside the cave’s walls. Shen Yuan grabbed one crystal and wiped it clean with his sleeve, once he looked at it, he felt satisfied and stored it properly in his sleeve, no one should notice if he took one or two, right? He didn’t want to steal the protag’s wealth, but he also had his own difficulty.

It was hard to raise a bad-tempered boy at home, he also needed to start saving if he really wanted to realize his alternate plan to be a merchant.

‘Wait, focus, Shen Yuan!’ Shen Yuan returned to his initial goal and started searching carefully. He finally found a wooden box that had been tempered with time around the corner and he quickly approached it.

He rubbed his hands in delight. ‘I didn’t expect I’ll find the treasure chest so easily. Lucky me, I guess.’

Click.

Shen Yuan opened it after struggling with it for a bit. Inside, there was an inconspicuous book, an agate ruby ring, a pair of gloves, and some gold coins. The book should be a skill book that the protag was supposed to learn, others, Shen Yuan wasn’t sure of, but Shen Yuan ignored most of them and went straight to grab a Peacock Plumes in the box.

The handle of the item was gorgeous and easy to hold, the peacock feathers were gorgeous and soft to touch, giving people the impression of elegance and daintiness.

This thing was really a reminisce of tactician uncle Zhuge’s weapon in Dyn*sty W*rriors or other games with his character in it! Too elegant! Truly suited for a peerless strategist and amazing scholar! This one perhaps looked even more beautiful than those things in the game!

Shen Yuan got excited just by looking at it, when he thought that his younger brother would wield this pretentious- ahem, elegant item, he became even more touched. Just imagining Shen Jiu, in all his one meter and thirty centimeters of glory, wielding this mature weapon... too cute.

Thump.

Shen Yuan decisively closed the chest after retrieving the Peacock Plumes, after all, it wasn’t good for him to covet the protag’s belongings too much. He would only take what he needed and it wasn’t like Luo Binghe had any use of this Peacock Plumes, he lacked uncle Zhuge’s peerless wisdom and conduct, even though he was a disciple of Qing Jing peak, there was no air of refined scholar from him. If Shen Yuan was not wrong, this Peacock Plumes would only be given away later on to one of the female leads who was from a scholarly background, Shen Yuan didn’t remember who, because there were too many female leads with scholarly backgrounds. Actually, there were just too many female leads.

Shen Yuan would just steal this one thing, he was sure Luo Binghe wouldn’t lack anything to give to his wife later on. If it was Luo Binghe’s legitimate, important-to-the-plot, weapon, Shen Yuan wouldn’t dare to snatch it, but this wasn’t the case.

“But how do I bring this out?” Shen Yuan just realized that this thing wouldn’t fit into the bag he brought.

After mulling about it, Shen Yuan just took out a cloth and wrapped the Peacock Plumes neatly and then strapped it onto his back. Shen Yuan walked back to the exit, along the way, he couldn’t resist grabbing some rare spirit mushrooms that grew in the dark cave, he didn’t take too many, though, recalling if the protag stumbled upon this place and was in a danger, he’d probably use the things that grew here. He also didn’t concern himself much about the skill book in the chest, things like that usually only can be used by the protag, not some cannon fodder like him.

See? Shen Yuan was a very understanding gentleman who did not covet others’ fortune. Would there be any transmigrator so understanding and generous as him in existence?

Shen Yuan patted himself on the back with pride and quickly left the cave.

He arranged the secret passage to look inconspicuous again and made sure to leave little to no presence that it had been breached.

He walked away with cheer after his success, now to just think of a way to hide this thing from Shen Jiu when he returned and how to present it to him.

‘A’Jiu will be surprised.’ He couldn’t stop the smug smirk on his face when he imagined the surprise on the face of the usually composed little brother of his.

“Maybe I should take a look around the town some more for distraction gifts?” After all, they would only celebrate this birthday alone, it would be a bit lonely to only have one present, even though he knew some of the senior sisters would have prepared some trinkets to be gifted, but that wouldn’t be enough.

“A’Jiu, A’Qing...” Shen Yuan murmured, trying to decide if he should give his present with an accompanying poem.

“Yuan-shidi? What are you doing here?”

Shen Yuan almost tripped on his own foot when he heard his name, he whirled around and saw the last person he ever wanted to see outside the sect and in the middle of a secluded forest.

“Luo-shixiong,” Shen Yuan greeted strainedly before composing himself. “You surprise this shidi. I was just taking a stroll outside for personal business, I didn’t expect to run into Luo-shixiong here.”

Luo Binghe smiled. “I had just returned from a mission and was taking a break myself. I was a bit concerned seeing someone walking around this place alone, I didn’t expect it to be Yuan-shidi.” His voice was pleasant but Shen Yuan didn’t dare to lower his guard. “What kind of personal business are you taking care of in the forest?”

“Nothing much, my business was actually in the town, but then I heard there are many spirit herbs around this forest so I decided to try my luck here,” Shen Yuan responded amicably. “I’ll feel a bit comfortable if I didn’t bring back something after going out, after all. It will be great to add some merit points too.”

While Cang Qiong Mountain Sect was generally more lax in resource distribution compared to other Great Sects, it was still quite strict nonetheless. To generate extra resources, one still had to perform based on merits that can be obtained through missions or by putting something of value to the sect’s or peak’s warehouse.

“Your thought is in the right place.” Luo Binghe nodded. “Have you found anything?”

It already came up to this point, it would be awkward if Shen Yuan said he didn’t find anything. Shen Yuan took out a mushroom he randomly grabbed in the cave earlier and showed it to Luo Binghe. “This shidi only finds this after searching for so long, my luck is not good.” Lucky he grabbed some earlier, or else he would be awkward if he didn’t have anything to show.

Luo Binghe paused and gazed at the black mushroom in Shen Yuan’s hand weirdly. “This mushroom has dense spiritual energy. Shidi is fortunate.” He smiled kindly.

Really? Shen Yuan nearly clicked his tongue. ‘As expected of the protag’s treasure trope. Of course the mushroom growing there would be special too!’

“Then I will hand it over to the warehouse later,” Shen Yuan said humbly and stored the mushroom back into his pouch.

“You’re not with little Shidi?” Luo Binghe asked, indicating Shen Jiu who was usually beside Shen Yuan like sticky rice.

“No, I left him in Qing Jing. I don’t think it’s proper to bring a little boy wandering around aimlessly,” Shen Yuan reasoned.

“Taking him to wander around is fine, a child his age must be bored being cooped up in the peak. Moreover, with little Shidi’s cultivation, I don’t think average thugs or bandits could stop him.” Luo Binghe praised.

“Luo-shixiong’s praise is too much, don’t let my brother hear that, he might earn a temper being praised like that,” Shen Yuan joked while wanting nothing but scramming out of the place and away from Luo Binghe.

“It’s good to be strict, Yuan-shidi, but sometimes it’s good to let loose and let the child have his way so he’ll know he’s appreciated.” Luo Binghe smiled brightly.

Who are you to lecture me on how I raise my little brother? Shen Yuan felt offended for a split second but his expression betrayed nothing. No matter what, Shen Jiu was his little brother and he spoiled him aplenty, Luo Binghe couldn’t just accuse him of being a strict brother without knowing more about them! He had pride as a big brother, even though he’d only been in the office for less than five years!

“By the way, Yuan-shidi,” Luo Binghe started again, changing the topic. “Where did you find that mushroom just now?”

Shen Yuan felt uncomfortable but still answered in an honest and humble manner. “This shidi merely stumbled upon it. I thought that it looked unique so I picked it up.”

Luo Binghe simply smiled at his answer.

Shen Yuan decided to resume the topic, “Do you think it’s valuable, Luo-shixiong? How many merit points could I get if I turn this up?” Shen Yuan was genuinely asking this time, after all, he was determined to have extensive knowledge to help his alternate plan of being a wandering merchant. Since this mushroom grew in the protag’s supposed lucky encounter, it shouldn’t be so shabby, right?

“Are you sure you want to turn it up?” Luo Binghe asked. “You can keep good things to yourself. It won’t be too late to cultivate some more and take up some missions for merit points later or did anything catch your eyes in the Sect’s public warehouse and collection?”

“No, not exactly,” Shen Yuan did have some thoughts regarding those treasures, tomes, and magic trinkets in the exchange pavilion, but he wasn’t in a hurry. Just as Luo Binghe said, it wouldn’t be too late to grow stronger and take up some missions for himself later. “I just want to have some rough estimate on the merit system,” Shen Yuan explained.

Luo Binghe nodded calmly. “Well, it’s Yuan-shidi’s lucky encounter, I won’t meddle with your decision.”

“Thank you for your guidance, Luo-shixiong.” Shen Yuan cupped his hands and politely bowed to Luo Binghe, wanting to take this chance to also excuse himself and flee to the nearest town, away from Luo Binghe. But before Shen Yuan could utter the cliche ‘I won’t bother shixiong anymore’ and scram, the strap he used to secure Shen Jiu’s birthday present decided to snap off at that exact moment and the wrapped peacock plumes fell with a pathetic thud.

Shen Yuan admitted he flinched when it suddenly fell, he still felt rather uncomfortable with Luo Binghe, after all. “I’ve let shixiong sees jokes,” Shen Yuan excused himself and picked up his thoughtful birthday present from the dusty ground.

Luo Binghe’s eyes were already attracted to the shabbily wrapped item with interest. “What is that, Yuan-shidi? From the shape, it doesn’t appear to be a sword.”

“This...” Shen Yuan straightened. “This is merely something this shidi picked up for my brother’s birthday.” He needed an honest explanation for this one since Luo Binghe was already interested, he could only expose his brother’s birthday.

Luo Binghe’s brows jumped in surprise. “Little shidi’s birthday? When?”

“In exactly five days from now on. Since this is his first birthday as a Qing Jing disciple, I wanted to give him something out of the norms of the previous birthdays,” Shen Yuan said humbly. See? He did spoil his brother. He wasn’t always strict!

Luo Binghe fell silent in thought. “I didn’t know it’ll be little shidi’s birthday. You, brothers, are really close.”

“We’ve just been in Qing Jing peak for less than a year, Luo-shixiong. How could you know everyone’s birthdays?” Shen Yuan reassured.

“What’s the present you will give to him?” Luo Binghe asked with interest.

Shen Yuan cursed Luo Binghe in his mind. Sharing for this long, he still asked for it in the end. Don’t the people in this world know how rude this is?

“Oh, just some plaything,” Shen Yuan answered dismissively with a humble tone.

“Oh.”

Shen Yuan didn’t know if Luo Binghe picked up his social cue or was just that careless about Shen Yuan’s answer, either way, it achieved the desired effect of stopping Luo Binghe from probbing further.

‘I know this is one of your wives’ supposed weapon, but this will be useless for her anyway...’ Shen Yuan looked away. “Where’s Luo-shixiong going to go next?” he asked.

Luo Binghe hummed. “I was thinking of going to the town.”

“Then, I’ve disturbed Luo-shixiong enough. I’m going back to the sect directly from here,” Shen Yuan said while smiling humbly. “This shidi sees Luo-shixiong off.”

Luo Binghe paused. “Didn’t you say you have some business in town?”

“I’ve finished that,” Shen Yuan answered smoothly. “Then, this shidi excuses himself. Goodbye, shixiong.”

When Shen Yuan was gone, Luo Binghe tilted his head slightly in thought.

“I should have asked first,” he murmured. If he asked first, he could have adjusted his destination with Shen Yuan’s answer. To think he, a disciple of Qing Jing peak for years, was outwitted by a younger disciple who hadn’t even been in the peak for a year...

Shen Yuan returned to the sect, sweaty and out of breath. Even though he borrowed a horse to use down the mountains, climbing the peak was another question entirely. As someone who was still somewhat new to cultivation, Shen Yuan’s stamina still got whipped.

“The next time I descend the mountain, it’s better when I already can ride a flying sword,” Shen Yuan swore. “Lucky my body is already tempered.” If it was in his previous life, Shen Yuan would have passed out midway through.

Shen Yuan didn’t directly go to Qing Jing peak, instead, he stopped by the merit pavilion in Qiong Ding peak to check the value of some of his loot.

“Oh, a disciple of Qing Jing peak? You must be new.” the man waiting at the counter gave Shen Yuan a once over. “I’ve memorized the faces of everyone from Qing Jing peak.”

“Indeed, senior, I’m new,” Shen Yuan answered humbly.

“Okay, are you here to run an errand or something else?”

“Actually, I wanted to exchange something I found on my outing, I implore senior to enlighten me on this as I’m clueless,” Shen Yuan said and took out the mushroom he showed Luo Binghe just a few days ago.

The guy on the counter glanced at it and exclaimed. “Where do you find this, shidi?”

“I found it by chance, I picked it up since it looks unique,” He said smoothly. “Do you know what this is, senior?”

“No.” The guy beamed. “But I know a rare good when I see one, this one feels special. Hold on, let me look it up at the rare plantation list.”

“Shouldn’t you know this kind of thing without even looking?” Shen Yuan blinked, confused.

“Hey, I’m the new guy. I’ve only been here for two months, bear with me.” The guy moved to stand up when a disciple wearing Qian Cao peak uniform entered. “Never mind, we got a free walking spirit herb encyclopedia coming in. Hey, you over there!”

“Me?” The disciple of Qian Cao peak perked up, confused.

“Do you know what kind of mushroom this little junior has?”

The Qian Cao disciple walked closer and exclaimed. “Brother, that’s a fortune you have,” he praised, his eyes didn’t even look at Shen Yuan but wholly focused on the mushroom. “It’s Night Heart Cloud Mushroom, it’s rare and only grows in a place that never got a sunlight for a thousand years old and has a lot of spirit veins, but on the other hand, the soil can’t be too humid which contradicts most dark places where this could have grown in.”

Having a name was better than not, the guy on the counter instantly found the mushroom on the list of incredibly rare plantations and looked at Shen Yuan appraisingly.

Shen Yuan shook his head. “If it’s so rare, what does it do?” He might be able to immediately identify a monster with just one look, but plants... Shen Yuan detested remembering herb names in modern times, let alone this made-up world. He never even memorize most of the plants Proud Immortal Demon Way introduced.

“Night Heart Cloud Mushroom is a very great treasure for someone who wants to nurse their soul to health,” the disciple of Qian Cao peak answered. “It’s also the main ingredient for Whole Soul Repair Pill to fix injured soul. Rumors said there’s a pill recipe out there with this as the main ingredient that can cure broken souls courtesy of qi deviation,” he informed enthusiastically.

Shen Yuan nodded. Broken soul usually meant people with incurable mental illness in ancient and wuxia settings. Unlike the modern world, everything was possible in this world. This got Shen Yuan thinking.

Did Luo Binghe ever have a wife who needed this?

By God, Luo Binghe had so many wives, it was as if Airplane used them all for many plot experiences, many of which included ‘pa pa pa’ to solve, or ‘pa pa pa’ as the finishing touch. There could be a subplot he forgot or skipped about a female lead (one of them) having a broken soul and getting cured or something.

Luckily I left enough.

There was quite a bunch of this thing at the cave and he only took two to stuff into his pouch. “If I want to exchange this for merit points, how many can I get?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Shidi, Qian Cao peak didn’t even have this,” the disciple of Qian Cao peak said. “Forget exchanging it for merit points, how about you sell it to Qian Cao peak instead?” He gave Shen Yuan a once-over.

Shen Yuan glanced at the guy on the counter to check if he was fine with someone stealing his thunder like this.

The guy glanced at the disciple. “Kid, you better be fair. This young man is new but he’s still a disciple of Qing Jing peak, don’t even think of playing a trick.”

The disciple of Qian Cao peak grew embarrassed. “Senior, you’re embarrassing me, how could I take advantage of a fellow sect member? Moreover, it’s better for someone of Qian Cao peak to have it, right?”

Shen Yuan didn’t believe the guy at all, from the way he looked at the Night Heart Cloud Mushroom, it felt like he was determined to make it his no matter what.

“If the pavilion gets a hold of this thing, it will still go to Qian Cao peak,” the guy on the counter pointed out. “And it will go straight to peak lord Mu at that.”

“Alright, alright,” the disciple of Qian Cao peak surrendered.

Shen Yuan exchanged one Night Heart Cloud Mushroom for merits and exchanged some part of those merits for a few pouches of spirit herbs that can be used for herbal bath.

He returned to Qing Jing peak when the sun already set and the stars already peeking through the shrouding darkness.

Several senior disciples were still outside doing some chores and greeted Shen Yuan who looked worse for wear. Shen Yuan returned all the greetings humbly and quickly made his way to his room.

Click.

“Where have you been?”

“...I’m home.” Shen Yuan hadn’t even stepped into the room when he was already shot by a stern questioning from his little brother.

Shen Yuan smiled. “Didn’t I already tell you this? There’s something I had to take care of down the mountains.”

“For five whole days?” Shen Jiu demanded.

“Going down the mountain alone nearly took over half a day,” Shen Yuan defended. That speed was already very good, if Shen Yuan, as a normal mortal in the modern world, climb a mountain half the size of Qing Jing peak, it would still take over twelve hours! It was purely because Shen Yuan had a cultivator’s speed and stamina he could achieve the speed which he took to hike up to the entrance of Qiong Ding peak and then cross to Qing Jing peak through Rainbow Bridge.

Shen Jiu sneered at him with a gaze of hating iron for not becoming steel again.

Shen Yuan raised his hands. “I’m finally home after five long days, instead of welcoming me home you immediately question me disdainfully like this.”

“Welcome,” Shen Jiu spat out.

A bit late, but Shen Yuan would accept that. “Either way, I’m really tired after my outing. I’ll rest up early after a bath.”

Shen Jiu didn’t answer and only returned back to whatever he was doing before Shen Yuan opened the door.

Seeing the stubborn Shen Jiu, the tired Shen Yuan also grew annoyed. ‘Ah, life as a big brother is often times thankless. I excitedly go down the mountain to get him the perfect gift and he gave me cold shoulder when I return...’

Shen Yuan took off his outer robe, grumbling under his breath.

“I did your notes. You don’t have to catch up to it.” Shen Jiu’s voice came again.

“Ah?” Shen Yuan looked up.

“I made a copy for your notes, you just have to read it to catch up,” Shen Jiu repeated impatiently.

“...”

Shen Jiu turned around, gazing at Shen Yuan in dissatisfaction. “What are you standing frozen there for? Go take a bath, you stink.”

Shen Yuan blinked and gazed at Shen Jiu’s small angry face, his heart warmed as though spring just blossomed. “A’Jiu, want to take a bath with me?”

“!!?”

Chapter Text

“Happy birthday!”

Shen Jiu was just opening his eyes when he was suddenly assaulted and peppered with kisses from one affectionate Shen Yuan. It took Shen Jiu’s entire self-restraint to not directly punch Shen Yuan’s face away before he managed to wrestle out of Shen Yuan’s embrace.

“Stop that!” Shen Jiu yelled sternly, wiping his cheeks with a disgusted expression. “What is wrong with you?!”

“Well, since you already know I was trying to surprise you, I figured immediately attacking you after you woke up is the best way to surprise you.” Shen Yuan rubbed his head that Shen Jiu had violently shoved away.

“It’s not a good kind of surprise,” Shen Jiu said bitterly.

“Okay, okay, I won’t do it again next year,” Shen Yuan said easily to appease the boy. “Do you want to see the birthday present I got for you?” He grinned.

Shen Jiu calmed down. Though the day was nothing special for Shen Jiu, it was special for Shen Yuan so he figured to follow his lead. “What?”

Shen Yuan smiled and took out something wrapped in expensive silk and handed it to Shen Jiu. “Open it.”

With a look, Shen Jiu began to guess, but his hands were quick to unwrap the silk and revealed what was inside. He was bewildered. “Dust feather?”

“No-!” Shen Yuan choked and looked at him, offended. “That’s a treasure! From which point do you see it as a duster?!”

Seriously this kid-! Shen Yuan felt utterly hopeless.

Shen Jiu looked at it suspiciously. “It has a handle and feathers, it looks like a dust feather.” Treasure? Shen Jiu couldn’t see it at all. Although the peacock plumes looked refined and elegant, it looked more like a glorified dust feathers.

“No matter how you see it, it resembles a fan more than a dust feather, right?” Shen Yuan fumbled. Perhaps because Shen Yuan wrapped it tightly with the silk cloth earlier, so the feathers looked bunched together. Shen Yuan reached to shake the Peacock Plume a bit to salvage its appearance and only then it resembled dust feather less.

“Where did you get this?” Shen Jiu scowled reluctantly. “Did you get ripped off?” He squinted at Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan’s eyes twitched. “No matter what, I’m still your elder brother, I’m wiser than you, how can I get ripped off?”

“It’s not a matter of wisdom, everyone can get scammed, even the sect head of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect can get scammed if the situation and condition supported it,” Shen Jiu sneered.

“I didn’t get scammed.”

“How do you know?” Shen Jiu demanded.

How could Shen Yuan get scammed? He didn’t even buy that thing! “Give it times, you’ll see how much of a treasure that thing is.”

Shen Jiu arched his brows. “By what? Using it to dust our room?” Shen Jiu finally grabbed the handle of the Peacock Plume. When his hand made a direct contact with the item instead of separated by a layer of silk, a ripple of qi appeared and disappeared as quickly. Shen Jiu froze.

Shen Yuan also sensed the ripple of energy and his heart jumped. “See? I told you, it’s treasure.” Shen Yuan felt incredibly pleased with himself when he saw the shock on Shen Jiu’s face.

Shen Jiu pulled off the silk cover and dropped it on the floor, he inspected the Peacock Plume calculatively and finally nodded at Shen Yuan’s statement. As a former peak lord, how could he not have any contact with rare spirit or immortal treasures? He could discern which was trash and which was a treasure at a glance, but what caught him off guard was the fact this Peacock Plume didn’t feel any special until he touched it.

Shen Jiu touched the feathers on the treasure, they almost glowed like deep green jade under the right light. He made up his mind and injected his qi into it, the feathers trembled. Shen Jiu looked around the room and found a small knife usually used to cut open letters, he cut his finger with it, drawing blood.

Shen Yuan was uncharacteristically calm through it all, he’d read and watch enough of this kind of setting to know what Shen Jiu intended to do.

Several drops of blood fell, the drops of blood looked like glimmering crystal instead of normal blood and when it touched the feathers, the Peacock Plume glowed. A ripple of energy appeared again and absorbed the blood, establishing ownership for Shen Jiu just like that.

Shen Jiu twirled the weapon and squinted hesitantly. “Where did you get this?” Shen Jiu asked seriously. “The seller? Their background?”

“I didn’t buy it.” Shen Yuan rubbed his nose.

“You robbed it?” Shen Jiu’s eyes widened in astonishment, staring at Shen Yuan as if he was a new different person.

“What? No!” Shen Yuan interjected firmly. “Robbing is not nice. You shouldn’t rob people.” He lectured. “I found it in a lucky encounter,” he said vaguely.

“Does this lucky encounter involve a dead body?” Shen Jiu asked innocently.

“...” Shen Yuan was speechless.

How old was Shen Jiu? He was only nine! How could his mind be this deep and dark?! It hadn’t been this bad for the last three years, why did he suddenly become so morbid today?

“Makes sense, if you take it from a dead person, it won’t be called robbing,” Shen Jiu murmured.

“No, no dead body was involved,” Shen Yuan hastily denied. “I found it in a chest at a cave I stumbled upon outside, I’ve been keeping it outside to give it to you on your birthday, that’s why I descended the mountains.” That was a lie, of course, but Shen Yuan can’t possibly tell Shen Jiu that he just stumbled upon it outside a few days ago and decided it would be a perfect gift for his brother’s birthday. He can’t tell him the truth either, so he can only settle for this lie.

Shen Jiu twirled the Peacock Plumes in his hand and firmly waved it, two feathers shot out from the plumes and embedded themselves right on the wooden wall. A few seconds past, a sizzling sound can be heard and two layers of talismans appeared on the place the feathers stabbed through. Both the talismans and the feathers fell down to the floor with a flutter, the wooden wall didn’t take any damage.

Shen Jiu picked up the torn talismans and the feathers thoughtfully for a while. He then put them away and took out more protective talismans to stick to the walls and an additional sound-proofing talisman, just to be safe.

“Yuan-ge, this is a treasure,” Shen Jiu said.

“I know,” Shen Yuan said calmly, if he was surprised at the show of prowess from the feathers earlier, he didn’t show it. He couldn’t. That would only make him more suspicious. How could the older brother who gave the present knew less than the younger brother who just received it???

“Not just any treasure, this should be a high-tier one, at least. It triggered the talismans I put around the room,” Shen Jiu looked at the talismans again. “Wherever you found this thing in, don’t ever go near that place again. At least not until we’re strong enough.”

He didn’t know where Shen Yuan found this Peacock Plumes nor would he push him to explain, but it would either be a dangerous place that Shen Yuan could get out of by sheer luck or the place belonged to someone and it would be dangerous should that person learn that Shen Yuan stole his treasure.

Shen Yuan patted Shen Jiu’s head. “Just leave it to your brother. Do you think I’m going to be that reckless?” he smiled. “The most important thing is, do you like your present?”

Shen Jiu blinked, sighed, and then smiled genuinely. “Yeah. I like it very much.”

Shen Yuan beamed and hugged his little brother.

Shen Jiu decided to keep the Peacock Plume as his secret weapon. After all, as a young disciple, he had yet to have his own spirit sword. He had half-a-mind to rob Xiu Ya, after all, the sword was just sitting there on the sword mound directly in front of Shen Jiu’s grave, it would be very easy to just pick it up, but the trouble that would arise from that was not worth it at all.

As much as he liked Xiu Ya and wanted to have it back in his hand, he had to look for a new weapon. Because currently, he was Shen Qing, the youngest disciple of Qing Jing peak, while Xiu Ya was the sword of the late peak lord of Qing Jing peak, Shen Qingqiu.

He decided to name it Wu Ya, after all, any respectable weapon has to be given names to forge a bond between the weapon and the master. Shen Jiu wasn’t about to disrespect his weapon by not giving it a name to refer to.

Initially, Shen Yuan had wanted to name it when Shen Jiu mentioned naming it. But after staring into space for ten minutes in silence, trying and failing to recall any good and suitable Tang dynasty’s poem to name it, Shen Yuan held back his tears and told Shen Jiu to name it himself since it belonged to him.

‘Were all those memorizing back at school useless? How can I not recall a single good poem to base a name of? This is a scam, how could those transmigrators in the novel could recall all of those good poems? Was there a seminar for transmigrators about poems before they transmigrated over?’ Shen Yuan was depressed.

“Alright, Wu Ya it is. It sounds pretty.” Shen Yuan nodded at his brother’s name choice. “Wu Ya. To comprehend elegance, it’s typical of you...” studious names like that was always Shen Jiu’s choice. There was a pair stray cats in the academy that he named ‘Xiu Ye’ and ‘Qi Man’ which came from ‘To finish one's school training’

Those cats were called ‘Baobao’ and ‘Beibei’ by others, strangely, those cats responded to Shen Jiu’s calls more so their names progressively changed because everyone followed Shen Jiu’s lead. Now everyone in the academy called them ‘Xiu Ye’ and ‘Qi Man’.

“But... it feels off...” Shen Yuan tilted his head and thought hard just what made it feel off. “Didn’t the previous peak lord of Qing Jing has a sword named Xiu Ya? He was also titled that by the outside world.” Of course Shen Yuan remembered, while he didn’t like the character Shen Qingqiu, Shen Qingqiu was the major reason why he finished the damn novel, it was all purely because he wanted to know what would happen to the scum villain who shared his surname.

While Xiu Ya was not a monster or demon that Shen Yuan would rather read, Shen Yuan had an impression of that sword. After all, it wasn’t just once or twice that the narration expressed how pretty and elegant Xiu Ya was, constantly playing that ‘All that glitter was not gold’ rhetoric and theme.

Seriously...

Even Luo Binghe sometimes seemed to pay extra attention in Shen Qingqiu’s demeanor, sometimes even narrating the shadow cast by Shen Qingqiu’s eyelashes even. The narration said it was because Luo Binghe hated Shen Qingqiu so much so he paid more attention to Shen Qingqiu in lieu of disgust and yearning of vengeance, but in Shen Yuan’s opinion, if you really hated someone, wouldn’t you feel disgusted staring at them?

Alas.

Shen Yuan was not a protagonist, he could never understand what those sons of fate were thinking about. He’d rather stay out of their ways.

“So what?” Shen Jiu tilted his head, pulling Shen Yuan out of his self-induced reverie (it always happened whenever he recalled the plot).

“Well, it’s not a problem.” Shen Yuan shrugged. “I just wanted to point it out...” he thought for a while and nodded, smiling brightly. “Anyway, it’s your secret weapon and not spirit sword. No one would make a fuss.”

Speaking of Spirit Swords, Shen Yuan was really curious when he would get one. In the novel, there seemed to be an age requirement to get one, but on the other hand, it was also mentioned it required a certain level of cultivation.

But, again, Liu Mingyan’s cultivation was already pretty high when she faced Sha Hualing and she had yet to have her spirit sword then.

So which was it? Age? Cultivation?

When in doubt, ask someone. So Shen Yuan picked a chance to ask Ning Yingying about it when he was on library duty.

“Choosing your spirit sword? Yes, there’s an age requirement and cultivation level requirement for it,” Ning Yingying said. “Age requirement is more prioritized, after all, some swords wouldn’t easily surrender to you if they deemed you as weak. So it’s better to be a bit older when you’re choosing, so you can pick the most optimal sword for you. Though, there are some who already got their swords at a much younger age as long as they got the approval to.”

“What’s the age requirement again?” Shen Yuan asked, trying to recall the novel’s information and failed.

“Somewhere around fifteen, you’re way old enough already,” Ning Yingying smiled. “But it’s better for you to familiarize yourself with Cang Qiong Mountain Sect first before picking a sword.”

Right. After all, there is a chance of spies. Shen Yuan nodded.

“Or, if you don’t feel like the way of sword is not for you, you can go to Xian Zhen peak,” Ning Yingying added.

What?

“That’s an option?” Shen Yuan asked, baffled. Everyone in Proud Immortal Demons Way use swords, or at least every major characters from Cang Qiong Mountain Sect all used swords, not to mention that Tower Of Thousand Swords scene where Luo Binghe picked his high-quality sword, shocking everyone and slapping the faces of people who ridiculed him. Shen Yuan never thought there were any other ways except for taking a sword as your weapon.

Beside Shen Yuan, Shen Jiu sighed. “Swords are convenient, but some people don’t like swords much so they picked other options. That’s what Xian Zhen peak is for.”

‘Which one is Xian Zhen peak again? Immortal Treasure? The one in charge of treasures?’

Ning Yingying smiled brightly. “Qing-shidi is very informed. That’s right, Xian Zhen peak has all sort of magic items to replace swords. Though, most people in Cang Qiong Mountain Sect picked swords because our sect is much richer in sword daos and inherittance, so it’s easier to train and learn it.”

“What sort of magic items do people pick if they don’t pick swords?” Shen Yuan asked curiously.

“Well, some weapons such as spears are quite popular, some disciples also picked staves, clubs, axes.” Ning Yingying was distracted by a a box of books for a split second, carrying it across the room and putting it on a table near window. “There are also auxiliary magic items such as flutes, guqins, whips, weapon umbrellas... but they’re usually used after swords, a secondary weapon. Our Shizun’s secondary weapon is a white paper fan, it’s not a magic item per se but it does the work for him, he always looked very cool when he used it.”

“Oh, really?” Shen Yuan pretended to not know. White paper fan was also among the list of what Shen Qingqiu always carried in the novel. “I really want to see it. Is it kept somewhere?”

Ning Yingying’s smile dimmed. “No...” she smiled bitterly. “The blood is hard to come off, we burned it off.”

“...”

Shen Yuan looked away, feeling despair for his own social skill.

“Here, can you put it at the top, Yuan-ge?” Luckily, Shen Jiu tugged at Shen Yuan’s sleeves at that moment and gave Shen Yuan a task so he didn’t have to feel awkward in silence.

“Okay, let me take those.” Shen Yuan happily took the books from Shen Jiu’s hands and transferred it to the top shelves that Shen Jiu couldn’t reach.

Ning Yingying watched them and smiled. “Shizun also sometimes brought guqin to a fight, so aside for that paper fan, he also had guqin as his auxiliary weapon. But that’s that. If you picked auxiliary weapons as your main spirit weapon, you won’t go far because our sect’s inherittance is mostly for sword paths, it’s easier to just pick a sword instead.”

“I see...” Shen Yuan nodded. He was thinking of getting those elegant weapons when he learned getting a sword was optional, something like a pagoda perhaps or the imperial stamp just like in many novels, but it seemed like getting a sword was still the best choice. It didn’t matter, swords were cool too, Shen Yuan was eager to have his own spirit sword.

“It’s better to train your swordsmanship first before thinking about getting a spirit sword,” Shen Jiu said coldly, stabbing right through Shen Yuan’s ego.

“Right...” Shen Yuan smiled bitterly. He was always slacking off on practice back in the academy. In his defense, Shen Jiu’s definition of ‘training’ was way different from Shen Yuan’s definition of it. Once Shen Jiu started, he changed to be a cranky, spicy, and angry little shota who could absolutely beat you to the ground till you cry for your mom, so Shen Yuan had been avoiding practice because of that. Not to mention when they came to Qing Jing peak, there were already scheduled practices and Shen Yuan were too busy reading monsters encyclopedia to do any independent training. “Maybe I should train more...” he carefully avoided an eye-contact with his little brother.

“Oh, absolutely! You have to have basic understanding of swordsmanship so you can bond with your future spirit sword. If not, none of the swords might accept you,” Ning Yingying said.

“Yes, thank you for your advice, shijie.” Shen Yuan bowed politely.

“It’s no problem, shidi. Oh, right. Can I ask something from you two?” Ning Yingying asked.

“What is it?” Shen Yuan asked back.

“It’s about time to get our monthly pill resources from Qian Cao peak. It’s been quite hectic lately, do you mind to make a trip?” Ning Yingying asked.

Shen Jiu turned his head over in disbelief. Did Ning Yingying just ask new disciples to fetch the important resource for the peak? What the hell? Did he spoil her too much that she became too much of an airhead? Something like this absolutely couldn’t be handed to new disciples. Hell! They shouldn’t even fetch it! Shouldn’t the people of Qian Cao peak come over to Qing Jing peak and hand it themselves?

‘Did those people look down on Qing Jing peak after my death?!’

“Of course, shijie.” Shen Yuan didn’t notice the dark look on his little brother’s face and simply agreeing with Ning Yingying’s arrangement. “What should we do? Should I go there directly to ask?”

“Oh, you can take this token and this scroll.” Ning Yingying took out her token and a small scroll. “Just give it to the disciples in charge, they will arrange everything else.”

“Shijie, is it okay for us to fetch the resource? It sounds important,” Shen Jiu cut in before Shen Yuan could take the token and the scroll.

Shen Yuan paused when he heard that and inwardly agreed. He had been too eager to get out of the awkward atmosphere that he failed to see how important this task was. Fetching the peak’s monthly resource, that was a heavy responsibility! If some error occured, the blame would all fall to him. Shen Yuan retracted his hand.

Ning Yingying noticed their caution. “It’s okay. Although you two are new, you two are very responsible and trustworthy, I can see that.”

‘Yes, I spoiled her too much...’ Shen Jiu closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Shijie, we can do any chores, but to fetch the monthly resource is not within our reach. I’m afraid with our limited knowledge, we might make some error and cost the peak its precious resource.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “That’s right, shijie. I think about it again, it seems to be improper for new disciples like us to fetch the resource.”

Ning Yingying pouted.

“Is the monthly resource not fetched yet?”

Before Ning Yingying could say anything, Luo Binghe entered and joined their dialogue smoothly. His handsome face had an easy gentle smile that made him seem approachable.

“A’Luo!” Ning Yingying brightened seeing him. “You’re finally home? How was the mission?”

“This shidi managed to finish it.” Luo Binghe cupped his hands to greet Ning Yingying lightly. “So, what’s this about the resource I’ve overheard about?”

Ning Yingying then explained to him about the situation while the Shen brothers stood there awkwardly, waiting for the verdict.

Luo Binghe roughly understood the problem. He cast a glance to the pair of brothers and smiled. “Ning-shijie, I think Yuan-shidi and Qing-shidi have a point. It is indeed somewhat improper to have new disciples handle this matter that might affect the entire peak. How about this, since I’m free right now, I’ll go to Qian Cao peak. Yuan-shidi and Qing-shidi can come with me to familiarize themselves.”

“That’s a good idea!” Ning Yingying clapped, grinning happily.

Shen Yuan smiled while inwardly feeling terrified. ‘If you want to go, just go. Why dragging us into it anyway?!’ Shen Yuan cupped his hands humbly. “This shidi accepts Luo-shixiong’s arrangement.”

Shen Jiu followed Shen Yuan’s action half-heartedly, still feeling upset. Who would go to fetch the monthly resource? It should be sent over! ‘Tsk, this is a difficulty of a peak when the lord dies. No one would even bother to give some face to this master when he’s dead.’

“Let’s go then.” Luo Binghe gestured with a gentle smile.

The three of them then walked out after bidding good bye to Ning Yingying.

All of them had their own thoughts but none showed it on their faces.

“It’s been very busy lately in the peak, isn’t it? How are you two settling in?” Luo Binghe asked, his tone was much like a concerned elder.

“We’ve been settling in just fine, Luo-shixiong. The aura in Qing Jing peak is very abundant, it’s much better than outside world...” Shen Yuan answered dutifully.

“That’s good. How about the chores? Is it hard?”

“Responding to Luo-shixiong, it’s not hard at all.” After all, it was just some basic chores. Sure it was tedious at first, but he got used to it very quickly.

“How’s your cultivation?”

Luo Binghe kept asking and Shen Yuan kept answering him, whereas Shen Jiu just walked along, his expression got uglier by seconds because Shen Yuan was holding his hand while they walked and Shen Jiu could clearly feel how sweaty Shen Yuan’s palm had gotten. Although Shen Yuan’s face betrayed nothing, Shen Jiu knew he was dead nervous around Luo Binghe and Shen Jiu didn’t like that.

‘This little beast, since when is he so talkative?’ Shen Jiu thought irritatedly. Whenever his disciples were talkative, he always had the urge to slap their heads, Luo Binghe included. In fact, this boy was the worst offender, he always had something to say, causing Shen Jiu’s limited patience to always run out the moment he called out ‘Shizun’.

They soon arrived at the Rainbow Bridge and Luo Binghe turned to the two. “Have you guys left the peak for other peaks?”

“I have,” Shen Yuan replied.

“Qing-shidi haven’t yet?” Luo Binghe noticed that Shen Yuan said ‘I’ instead of ‘we’ and turned to the littlest one in the group.

“Haven’t,” Shen Jiu replied.

“I see, are you excited to see another peak?” Luo Binghe asked softly while touching Shen Jiu’s white cheek, he’d been paying attention to the little boy’s round cheeks and couldn’t resist to touch it after all.

Shen Jiu’s face darkened, he glared at Luo Binghe and wiped his cheek with his sleeve. Shen Yuan gripped Shen Jiu’s hand harder.

‘Behave.’

Shen Jiu was even angrier but could only keep quiet while pouting.

Instead of offended by Shen Jiu’s gesture, Luo Binghe laughed heartily. “Qing-shidi is really cute.”

Shen Yuan smiled helplessly. “He doesn’t like to be called cute,” he informed.

“Oh, is that so? Did I offend you again?” Luo Binghe smiled warmly at Shen Jiu. “But I’m sure Qing-shidi will grow up to be cool in the future.”

‘Unfilial! Evildoer!’ Shen Jiu inwardly cursed.

“Oh, right.” Luo Binghe gazed at Shen Jiu gently. “I heard from Yuan-shidi, today is your birthday.”

“...” Shen Jiu gazed at Shen Yuan with wide eyes that promised days of cold-shoulders.

“...” Shen Yuan gazed at Luo Binghe, inwardly freaking out. ‘Why does he remember that?!’

Luo Binghe kept smiling, ignorant of the two’s mental struggle. “I got a gift for you, but I put it in my room. I’ll give it to you after we’re back.”

“Luo-shixiong, you don’t have to,” Shen Yuan quickly said.

“Please,” Luo Binghe started. “I wanted to. Since Qing-shidi is my xiao shidi, I wished to do this. I think a birthday is a thing to celebrate, especially xiao shidi is very young. More gifts are better, right?” He smiled at Shen Jiu who looked up at him with clear eyes.

“I don’t want to bother Luo-shixiong.” Shen Jiu said clearly. ‘Who cares about your gift? This seat doesn’t need it.’

“It’s okay,” Luo Binghe said. “It’s no trouble to get a simple gift. I’ll give it to you later.”

They crossed the bridge and it took a few minutes to reach Qian Cao peak. Luo Binghe was welcomed warmly by the disciples of Qian Cao peak who were guarding the entrance gate and they went in without a hitch.

Shen Yuan was interested with the layout of the peak, he’d always been imagining how each peaks would look like. He’d seen just how tasteful and elegant Qing Jing peak’s layout was, simple without looking shabby, befitting of the name ‘Qing Jing’. He’d also seen Qiong Ding peak with bold and extravagant layout befitting of the main peak. Now he was seeing Qian Cao peak, he had to say his imagination was not as good as the real thing.

Qian Cao peak was almost overidden with plants but it was in orderly manner, even a patch of a land looked extremely pleasing to the eyes. Usually with so much plants around, it ought to look messy and unattended, but Qian Cao peak managed to be in harmony with them.

It made Shen Yuan feel so comfortable, the aura in this peak was also very good for cultivation. Although it wasn’t as quiet as Qing Jing peak, it was still very calming.

“Qian Cao peak is where we got our medicines and pills for cultivation, they’re in charge of anything medically related. One day when you two can go out to have missions and got injured severely enough, you’ll have to make a trip here,” Luo Binghe introduced. “Aside for all of that, they also sell herbs and pills for usage in case the monthly resource is not enough to some disciples.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “It’s peaceful here.”

Luo Binghe took them deeper into Qian Cao peak, a place where no visiting disciples could go in without permission. They arrived at a big pavillion.

“This is Yi Chun pavillion,” Luo Binghe introduced, he was very much a model senior introducing all the important things to his juniors.

Shen Yuan stared at the big pavillion and admired it deeply. “Man has but one life, grass but one spring...*” He exhaled.

Luo Binghe glanced at Shen Yuan and smiled in satisfaction. “Yuan-shidi is well read.”

Shen Yuan smiled. “Luo-shixiong is overpraising.” He truly liked the name of the pavillion, not only it was in line with Qian Cao peak, it also expressed a carefulness on human’s life. Truly a masterpiece, he had to admit despite being such a stupid author, Airplane had a good naming sense.

They went in and a female disciple came over to greet them.

“Luo-shixiong, hello. Is there anything I can help you with?”

“I’m here to fetch the monthly resource from Qian Cao peak.”

“Oh, if it’s that, Xiao-shixiong takes care of it.” The girl gestured to the handsome young man by the counter. Luo Binghe thanked the girl and walked to the counter, Shen Yuan reluctantly followed him with Shen Jiu.

“Please, Xiao-shixiong! Just one petals! This time, I’ll succeed, honest! Pleaseeee!”

“My Undeground Fire Lotus is not your experiment’s resource. I’ve given you two petals, that’s about the only thing you’ll ever get.” Was the merciless respond from the young man by the counter. “Now go out, I have task to do.”

“Xiao-shixiong.” Luo Binghe greeted the young man. He cast a sideway glance at the other man who was sobbing as he went out and resumed like it was nothing. “I’m here for the monthly resource.”

“Oh, Luo Binghe, Qing Jing’s resource, is it?” Disciple Xiao perked up at Luo Binghe’s presence and took out a large red sandalwood box. “Here it is. Who are they?” He tilted his head at Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu.

“These are my new juniors.” Luo Binghe didn’t bother introducing their names, and instead kept his attention on Disciple Xiao’s face first to see if he cared about names or not. “The two of you, this is the succeeding disciple of Qian Cao peak, Xiao Yan-shixiong.”

Xiao Yan smiled kindly. “Nice to meet you. Here’s a meeting gift for you two.” He took out two jade bottles and handed it to Shen Yuan.

“Ah?” Shen Yuan quickly looked at Luo Binghe for instruction but Luo Binghe merely nodded so Shen Yuan could only take them.

“Is Xun’er busy?” Xiao Yan asked.

“Gu-shijie is really busy lately, but worry not Xiao-shixiong. Next time she’ll be the one who comes.” Luo Binghe chuckled.

Xiao Yan groaned, smiling helplessly. “There’s no next time.”

Luo Binghe blinked and Shen Jiu frowned. “What do you mean?” Luo Binghe asked.

“No next time. Qing Jing peak shouldn’t come here to fetch for resource anymore,” Xiao Yan shrugged. “We’ll resume sending over the resource from now on.”

Luo Binghe stared at him, confused. Xiao Yan laughed.

“You know, when Shen-shibo’s death was still new, none of you from Qing Jing peak even had the slightest will to go out.” Xiao Yan smiled sadly. “It was so lifeless, even everyone was so affected with it. My Shifu was very concerned about you all so he made the order to have Qing Jing peak’s disciples to come to fetch the resource themselves instead of getting send over there as usual.”

Xiao Yan tapped the red sandalwood box a few times and looked up at Luo Binghe, smiling softly. “It only then Qing Jing peak’s disciples come out of Qing Jing peak. Although you guys were forced by circumstances to go out, it’s still better than just being cooped up in the peak and mourning endlessly. Maybe some people had thought that we are bullying you guys, instead.” He chuckled harmlessly. “But since you guys are able to be back to normal now, there’s no reason to keep having you come out to fetch the resource anymore.”

“Xiao-shixiong...” Luo Binghe lowered his head, biting his lips and furrowed his brows in pain.

“Hey, don’t show such an expression, people will think I’m bullying you,” Xiao Yan said helplessly.

Shen Jiu watched their exchange and looked away, snorting softly in his heart. ‘Mu Qingfang should mind his own business.’ Shen Jiu thought pettily, however his earlier fury regarding the method of resource distribution was already long gone.

“If you’re Xun’er, I would be offering you handkerchief and a shoulder to lean on right now, alas...” Xiao Yan joked and Luo Binghe finally broke out smiling in amusement.

“I’ll be sure to tell Gu-shijie that.”

“No, you don’t have to. Just inform the others that you guys don’t have to fetch your resource yourself anymore.” Xiao Yan smirked. “She’ll come to me to ask about it herself, I can tell her personally.”

A female disciple snorted in the background. “Xiao-shixiong is always full of calculation.”

“Who told you to eavesdrop? Go back to the garden,” Xiao Yan remarked bitterly to his junior sister.

Luo Binghe cupped his hands. “Thank you, Xiao-shixiong.” he took the box and smiled. “Thank you for everything.”

Xiao Yan waved him away. “Don’t think about it. Just focus on cultivating your new juniors.” He then smiled at Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu. “They’re good seeds.”

The walk from Qian Cao peak was a quiet one. Initially, Luo Binghe was a very active party in starting and keeping the conversation, but after the talk with Xiao Yan, he was very quiet, his eyes kept staring into the distance as if forgetting about Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu.

Shen Yuan felt comfortable with the silence as he didn’t have to think of a response to Luo Binghe’s questions, but he also felt out of place as he thought back of the matter in the Yi Chun Pavillion.

Luo Binghe’s expression when he was told the reason why Qing Jing peak’s disciples had to fetch their own resource was of true agony. For a split second, Shen Yuan could see Luo Binghe’s mask cracked, showing a true raw emotion. Shen Yuan could pinpoint at what moment Luo Binghe’s mind returned to those painful times years ago. Even though Shen Yuan never even knew Shen Qingqiu nor he experienced the time where he just died, he could feel the grief and it squeezed his heart without him knowing why.

Shen Yuan was very sure that this Luo Binghe had no resentment whatsoever to Shen Qingqiu, or at least this version of Shen Qingqiu that Shen Yuan never met and the one who died in the Spirit Cave. That kind of grief couldn’t be faked.

They went to Qing Jing peak’s main hall where Ning Yingying was and gave the box. Luo Binghe told her about the new arrangement and excused himself quickly.

Shen Yuan saw him go to the bamboo groove, to the direction where Shen Qingqiu’s grave was.

The Shen brothers returned to their room.

It was a quiet night.

Each had their own thoughts regarding the trip to Qian Cao peak.

The day started normal the next day. Shen Yuan woke up to find Shen Jiu already ready for the day way ahead of him. They went to the mess hall to get a simple breakfast and then went to do their tasks.

Today, they needed to water the garden. Qing Jing peak didn’t have many gardens like Qian Cao peak, but many senior female disciples had arranged some flower beds that needed to be watered every day. Shen Yuan didn’t know if those shijie had aesthetic when picking flowers to plant, but all the flowers were very subdued and not vivid, which merged perfectly with the atmosphere of Qing Jing peak.

Even the fresh flowers in Shen Qingqiu’s grave were all elegant flowers, either white, light blue, or faded lilac. No vivid yellow, red, pink, or purple.

“I wonder what kind of flower this is, it smells good.” Shen Yuan had found out a long time ago that this world was different from earth, there were many plant species from this place never existed on earth.

“That’s Youth Flower,” Shen Jiu said offhandedly. “It can be used to make tea.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “Every flower can be tea if you have enough faith.”

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes behind Shen Yuan, he didn’t bother to argue, knowing Shen Yuan would just laugh it off. Shen Jiu watered his last flower bed and dropped the empty wooden bucket with a sigh. ‘Finally done.’

“Are you tired, A’Jiu?” Shen Yuan asked instantly. “Are you hungry?”

“...” Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan and sighed. “I’m not. You’re already hungry, aren’t you?”

Shen Yuan nodded sadly. Maybe it was because of his usually languid lifestyle be it in the Shen manor or in the academy, but Shen Yuan always liked to snack in between meals. When he came to Qing Jing peak, he rarely had the time for snacks. “You ought to be hungry too. You’re a growing boy, you should eat more,” Shen Yuan added, embarrassed. “How about this, after we finished this task, we’ll go to the bamboo forest to look for bamboo shoots?”

Shen Jiu tilted his head and smiled slightly, finding the idea acceptable. “Okay.”

Shen Yuan finished his last flower bed and took Shen Jiu to return the bucket and report back to the senior brother in the task hall. Shen Yuan then happily took Shen Jiu into the bamboo forest with a shovel and a wicker basket.

“Do you know? Bamboos are not trees.” Shen Yuan shared cheerfully to his little brother.

“Then, what are they?” Shen Jiu tilted his head.

“They’re grass!” Shen Yuan informed. “Really big grass. That’s why bamboo is not like other trees where they have branches, bamboos are just really big and tall grass.” He continued sharing modern knowledge with his little brother, happy to be the one sharing his knowledge.

Shen Jiu tilted his head silently, finding Shen Yuan’s words to be sensible enough to mull over. Now looking at these bamboos again, he realized they resembled grass more than trees. “Where did you even get this?” He arched his brows.

“That’s a secret. A big brother will always know more than his little brother,” Shen Yuan said and patted Shen Jiu’s head.

‘I’m older than you, though...’ Shen Jiu shook his head and let it slide. He found that he was more tolerant letting things slide when it came to Shen Yuan.

After walking around for a bit, they found a bamboo shoot easily. With qi, Shen Yuan easily extracted it with his medium-size shovel. He cut it to smaller pieces and left the useless pieces behind, either way it’d go back to the nature, zero pollution there.

Shen Yuan put the bamboo shoots into the wicker basket devotedly, thinking a few simple recipes that he could make with this.

“That’s everything. Is there anything more down here?” Shen Yuan gazed back at the soil critically.

“I don’t think so,” Shen Jiu replied. His eyes flashed and his hand inside the sleeve gripped a piece of leaf when he felt a presence behind them.

“What are you two doing?” Luo Binghe gazed down at the two.

The two brothers jumped. Shen Yuan because of Luo Binghe’s voice, Shen Jiu because he needed to pretend he didn’t notice. “Luo-shixiong!” Shen Yuan gasped, holding a hand over his heart.

“Did I startle you? I’m sorry,” Luo Binghe said. “Are you two collecting bamboo shoots?” he gazed at their basket.

“Yes...” Shen Yuan inhaled deeply and calmed down his heart. “I didn’t expect to see shixiong here...” he said and then noticed Luo Binghe’s appearance.

Luo Binghe looked pale, his eyes weren’t red but it gave the feeling of endless sadness, it wasn’t puffy but it looked like it could be, not to mention the slightly sunken cheeks that ruined his usually perfect handsome face.

Luo Binghe smiled. “I often walked around the grove.”

Of course, Shen Yuan had a strong suspicion that Luo Binghe had been in the grove, specifically Shen Qingqiu’s grave, since yesterday, but he still only displayed a respectful slight smile. “I see. It’s truly a coincidence. We were here to collect bamboo shoots to make some light meal.” Before Luo Binghe could ask, Shen Yuan decided to come off clean, hoping he could end this interaction and quickly return.

“I see...” Luo Binghe nodded. His eyes then landed on Shen Jiu. “I recall that I should have given you a present yesterday, but this shixiong forgot, I’m sorry.”

Shen Yuan hastily interfered. “Shixiong, please don’t apologize. How could we deserve your apology?”

Luo Binghe shook his head. “If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize. Why should you feel unworthy of my apology?”

‘Because we’re your juniors, protag! And it’s just a birthday present!’ Shen Yuan inwardly roared.

“Are you guys heading back?” Luo Binghe asked crisply. “Bamboo shoot has to be soaked for a while to get rid of the excess bitterness, you can’t immediately cook it. So it’s better to head back and soak it early.” Luo Binghe gestured and walked through them, essentially telling them to follow him out of the grove.

Shen Yuan regretted his craving for bamboo shoot at that moment. He grabbed the basket and dragged his feet to follow after Luo Binghe along with Shen Jiu.

After settling down the bamboo shoots they harvested, Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu sat in front of their shared abode, waiting for Luo Binghe who told them to wait for him there while he retrieved Shen Jiu’s present.

Luo Binghe came over with a gentle smile on his face. “Shidi.” He called out and took out a scroll from his sleeve. He gently took Shen Jiu’s hand and put the scroll in his palm. “This is my gift for you, train well.”

“Luo-shixiong...” Shen Yuan started weakly but changed his mind halfway through and looked at Shen Jiu instead. After all, the receiver was Shen Jiu, even though Shen Yuan was unwilling to have his brother accept anything from the protag, in the end, it was still Shen Jiu’s choice.

“Luo-shixiong, this gift is too heavy for this shidi,” Shen Jiu said plainly, not closing his fingers around the scroll at all.

“Shidi hasn’t even look into it, how could you say it’s too heavy?” Luo Binghe smiled. “This shixiong thinks it suits Shidi’s temperament, so this shixiong picked it.”

Shen Jiu automatically opened the scroll, wanting to see how it ‘suits’ his temperament and what kind of slander it would be because he would hold this against Luo Binghe if it was trash and he’d look for this brat to settle the score once he was strong enough.

The scroll contained a palm technique that emphasized on lightness and grace while also sharp and precise. After making sure there wasn’t anything remotely insulting in the scroll, he gloomily rolled it back up. “Thank you for your gift, Luo-shixiong. This shidi will work hard to live to your expectation...” Since he already opened the gift, it would be distasteful to return it, so he could only accept.

Luo Binghe smiled happily hearing that and patted Shen Jiu’s head.

“...” Shen Jiu’s eyes darkened again.

“I heard from Ning-shijie that you two are curious and interested about spirit swords matter?” Luo Binghe asked, looking at both Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan had a bad feeling about this. “It’s just a normal curiousity, shixiong. We’ll patiently wait until we’re deemed to be ready.”

Luo Binghe nodded. “That’s indeed the right decision. You have to strengthen your identity and sense of belonging first before you pick a sword,” he said appreciatively. “But this shixiong can take you to tour Wan Jian peak. Treat this as an apology that I didn’t give Qing-shidi’s present on the right day.”

“Thank you for your kind gesture, Luo-shixiong. But Yuan-ge and I have chores to do,” Shen Jiu said.

“You can be exempted from it,” Luo Binghe said with a smile.

‘Who are you to lay rules on my peak? You dare to exempt someone from chores!?’ Shen Jiu scolded in his heart.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan was carefully mulling over on how to reject Luo Binghe without looking that he was avoiding him obviously.

“Luo-shixiong, the peak is currently really busy. The two shidi also have a lot of things to do, I’m afraid we have to reject Luo-shixiong’s kind intention...” Shen Yuan said eloquently with a compassionate and troubled tone.

Liu Qingge sat on his work desk while reading through the mission reports his disciples had put in from the last few weeks, bored. Even though he had roughly recovered and could walk around, Mu Qingfang forbade him from doing anything strenous for a while and Yue Qingyuan also prevented him from taking in any mission.

Even though Mu Qingfang said he should rest, Liu Qingge was restless. He never spoke up about it, but whenever he was alone for an extended period of time without anything to do, he would always inadvertently think of Shen Qingqiu. The symptom actually grew worse after his last qi deviation. He found himself staring into spaces regularly, trying to recall the missing detail in his memory when... when Shen Qingqiu died in his hands.

Every time Liu Qingge recalled that bubbling feeling of glee in his chest when he lost his mind and killed Shen Qingqiu, Liu Qingge felt like throwing up.

“Hahahaha...”

There it was.

Liu Qingge slammed the reports in his hand back to the desk. Clutching his head, he growled to himself. ‘I’m going to lose my mind...’

Knock. Knock. Knock.

‘Go away...’ Liu Qingge furrowed his brows and slumped over his desk, squeezing his eyes shut.

“Shifu...? Shifu, are you in there? Luo-shixiong comes to visit.”

Liu Qingge could hear Yang Yixuan’s voice outside, he found the boy in Jin Lan City around a year ago when he went there with Mu Qingfang to investigate a demonic epidemic that caused even cultivators from other Four Great Sects to die. The boy was feisty, hissy, and distrustful at first, he reminded Liu Qingge of Shen Qingqiu somewhat so he inadvertently paid more attention to him and offered him to be his disciple not long after.

Why did everything always bring him back to Shen Qingqiu? Why?

“Shifu...?” Yang Yixuan’s voice echoed again.

Liu Qingge finally straightened. “Let him in,” he ordered calmly.

The door was opened by Yang Yixuan but he didn’t go inside, instead, Luo Binghe stepped in and greeted Liu Qingge with respect.

“Liu-shishu, I’ve heard about your condition from Xiao-shijie. I was away from the sect for the last two weeks and failed to visit, please forgive me,” Luo Binghe apologized first.

Liu Qingge waved him off. “Don’t mind it.”

Luo Binghe straightened. “Is Shishu feeling better now? Does shishu need anything that this shizi can fetch outside?”

Liu Qingge inhaled deeply. “No.” He had nothing against Luo Binghe, but every time he saw how obedient Qing Jing peak’s disciples were, he always felt guilty for taking away their Shizun from them.

It wasn’t him who they supposed to adore and respect. It wasn’t him that they supposedly showing piety to. But he couldn’t possibly return to the time where they were basically strangers, he had taken their Shizun’s life and he had a full responsibility over them now or else he’d never forgive himself.

Liu Qingge’s breath hitched a bit when his eyes wandered behind Luo Binghe and saw that Luo Binghe had other disciples with him waiting outside. There were two disciples with Qing Jing peak’s uniform, but what Liu Qingge could focus on was the smaller one.

It was the boy who asked him who brought up his home life which triggered Liu Qingge’s memory on that fateful day when he suffered qi deviation.

Luo Binghe noticed Liu Qingge was not looking at him anymore and craned his neck. “Oh, I brought my two juniors here with me. I hope you don’t mind, Liu-shishu,” he explained. He knew his Liu-shishu was a man of few words and never asked for mundane things, but he made it his job to explain anyway.

Liu Qingge looked back at Luo Binghe. “Mission?” he asked.

“No, I was bringing them out to tour around,” Luo Binghe said. He took Liu Qingge’s extra question as interest and decided to call the Shen brothers inside. “You two, come in. Liu-shishu wants to see you.”

When he heard that, Shen Yuan’s heart sank. ‘Why are you bringing us in? Are we not lowkey enough?’

Shen Yuan put his hand on Shen Jiu’s shoulder and politely stepped into the peak lord’s abode, head bowed all the time.

Shen Yuan honestly didn’t know why he was here. He had rejected Luo Binghe’s offer with the excuse of being too busy with chores, but Luo Binghe directly exempted them from chores and took them to Wan Jian peak- or at least that was the plan until Luo Binghe met one of the senior sisters of Qing Jing peak who offhandedly asked if Luo Binghe had visited Liu Qingge who had suffered from qi deviation two weeks ago.

Then Luo Binghe completely went off route and took them to Bai Zhan peak instead. Shen Yuan couldn’t protest since Luo Binghe was the protag and his ranking was much lower compared to Luo Binghe who was the real closing disciple of the late Shen Qingqiu.

‘I’m living the life of an NPC, is this good or bad?’ Shen Yuan wondered to himself as he bowed to greet Liu Qingge.

“Disciple Shen Yuan pays respect to Liu-shishu.”

“Disciple Shen Qing pays respect to Liu-shishu.”

Liu Qingge winced inwardly when he heard the smaller boy’s introduction. Of course he remembered the boy had a part of Shen Qingqiu’s name, but he was not used to hearing it at all.

“Forgo formalities,” Liu Qingge responded hoarsely.

Luo Binghe smiled at the two and then looked back at Liu Qingge. “Shishu, Binghe once again apologizes for Binghe’s lack of visit for the last two weeks. Binghe has this a-hundred-year-old ganoderma, please accept.”

Shen Jiu discreetly shot a glance at Luo Binghe, gritting his teeth inside. ‘Very good. I have no opinion that you pay him a visit, but you’re actually giving him rare herb too?’ why did all his disciples turn useless after his death? Not only they respected his enemy, they even revere him to this degree. ‘Why don’t you dance on my grave too to completely let me down?’

“I’m your shishu,” Liu Qingge said in a tone that conveyed ‘I don’t need disciples to give me prized items.’ “Keep it.”

“Shishu, herbs are for patients, by giving this to Liu-shishu, I’m letting this herb to be used as it ought to be. I don’t this currently, so it’s better if Liu-shishu has it,” Luo Binghe said with filial piety.

Shen Jiu closed his eyes and inhaled deeply and slowly. ‘You can piss my grave too while at it,’ Shen Jiu growled in his heart.

‘The protag is so filial...’ Shen Yuan thought. In the book, after he was cast down the Abyss and had to survive the terrible environment there, Luo Binghe rarely showed this kind of piety to someone. He became darker, daring, and outspoken, he would never persuade someone like this- well, unless it was a female lead that inadvertently did a good deed for him in the plot. ‘Is this the side effect of the scum villain dying early? Huh, I guess it’s pretty good.’

The ‘scum villain’ Shen Yuan was thinking of suddenly turned to look at Shen Yuan, feeling an inexplicable anger towards his brother all of a sudden.

Meanwhile, Liu Qingge firmly rejected Luo Binghe’s gift and Luo Binghe could only put it back, intending to pay a visit to Mu Qingfang later to ask him to make a tonic for Liu Qingge with the ganoderma.

“Then, Binghe will excuse himself first,” Luo Binghe bowed again, followed by the Shen brothers.

“Wait,” Liu Qingge spoke up when Luo Binghe was about to leave. “You two,” he coughed a little.

Luo Binghe understood immediately and patted the backs of his two juniors to step up.

Liu Qingge opened his drawer and took out two jade pendants randomly. He gave one to Shen Yuan first. “Keep your brother from trouble.”

Shen Yuan blinked in confusion.

Liu Qingge then gave the second one to Shen Qing, his brows furrowed. “Keep away from adults’ schemes.”

Shen Jiu looked down at the high-grade jade pendant in his small palm and looked back up at Liu Qingge, sneering inside.

“Thank you, Liu-shishu. Shizi will keep it in mind.” Shen Yuan bowed down, even though he was not fully sure what Liu Qingge meant.

Shen Jiu merely bent down slightly to follow Shen Yuan but said nothing, pretending to be obedient.

“Let’s go. Excuse us, Liu-shishu,” Luo Binghe once again cupped his hands and Liu Qingge waved at him to give him permission to leave while standing up himself, intending to go back to his room instead.

Luo Binghe left first, leading the other two to exit. Shen Yuan hastily followed him. Shen Jiu, though, lagged two seconds behind, turning back to glance at Liu Qingge. Their eyes met again for a split second and Shen Jiu naturally turned around and went after Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe.

Liu Qingge’s heart simultaneously felt relief and regret without him being able to explain why.

Chapter Text

It had been over two years ever since they worshipped Qing Jing peak and became official Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s disciples.

Shen Jiu was ten now and Shen Yuan was eighteen.

Time truly flew even in the quiet Qing Jing peak. One would think living in such a quiet and boring environment would make people feel like time was slow, but it truly wasn’t. Shen Yuan always felt that there was never enough time, especially since they always had new materials to memorize as a scholar.

It felt no different from college entrance exams back in the modern world, unnecessarily stressful for Shen Yuan. Luckily he was a cultivator now and his memory was several times much better than when he was in his world.

Forget the reading materials, there were simply too many scholarly art classes too. After the scholarly gathering had ended, Qing Jing peak’s seniors devoted themselves to make the new disciples as busy as they could by cramming as many things as possible into the schedule. Of course, there were elders to take care of the mundane business such as teaching the basics and else, but the senior disciples seemed to be adamant in involving themselves in the lessons. Eager, even.

He tried to stay away from the few key characters in Qing Jing peak such as Ming Fan, Ning Yingying, and Luo Binghe. For the most part, he was successful. Ming Fan was easy, he was always busy as the head disciple. Ning Yingying was a bit tricky, but it eventually got easier as she began busying herself with cultivation with a focus to break through. Luo Binghe was even trickier, the guy was rarely in the peak or even mingling and socializing with the new disciples, but when he did appear, he never failed to drop by and talk with the Shen brothers. Though in the last few months, Shen Yuan had yet to see Luo Binghe again.

In this period of time, aside from all the classes, the two of them were also focused on cultivation. Their efforts were very obvious as their cultivation stood out amongst the new disciples and earned praise from the more senior disciples.

Of course, without Shen Jiu’s experience, this would have been impossible. Shen Jiu had done his best to supervise Shen Yuan’s cultivation himself, helping Shen Yuan with everything he wasn’t too familiar with such as the advanced theory behind cultivation, the theory and practice of breaking through, and even comprehending some dao skills they got. Without Shen Jiu’s careful but strict nudges, Shen Yuan would also fall behind especially since he started out late.

Eventually, came the day that Shen Yuan had anticipated since the start. It was time for the new disciples to pick their own spirit swords from Wan Jian peak. Shen Yuan was ecstatic when he heard the information from a shixiong and couldn’t sleep all night, he ended up pestering the meditating Shen Jiu about it which annoyed Shen Jiu enough to entertain the idea of forcefully putting his elder brother to sleep.

The night ended up spent with Shen Yuan finishing up the story of ‘Martial Universe’. “And then, Lin Dong decided to ascend to the Great Thousand Worlds to find the remnant of his wife’s reincarnation. When he was there, he was faced with a gate and saw another group of people also breaking through their own’s plane of existence to enter another gate to Great Thousand Worlds. Lin Dong caught the eyes of the man in the other group. They looked at each other, smiled, and acknowledged each other. Do you know who that man is?” Shen Yuan asked.

“A new enemy?” Shen Jiu guessed.

Shen Yuan smiled. “The man had long black hair, was accompanied by two beautiful women, and had a large black ruler on his back. The man is the Flame Emperor, the main character of ‘Battle Through The Heavens’ with his two rightful wives.”

“Truly?” Shen Jiu replied, intrigued.

“Yes, they’re written by the same author,” Shen Yuan nodded happily and abruptly yawned. “What time is it?” He rubbed his eyes sleepily.

“Should be píng dàn. The sun will rise in half-a-shichen or so,” Shen Jiu replied calmly.

“What?” Shen Yuan blinked. “Hmm, I need to sleep. You too, A’Jiu...” he dragged himself back to his bed and lay down.

Shen Jiu shook his head exasperatedly when he heard that Shen Yuan’s breath slowed down the moment his head touched the pillow.

He got up to walk to Shen Yuan’s bed, picked up the blanket, and covered Shen Yuan with it.

The next day, the majority of new disciples were gathered right at the gate of Qing Jing peak and Ming Fan was there.

“Today, as informed before, we’ve decided to collectively take all the juniors to pick their spirit swords. Most of you are already of age and even already trained so hard in the way of sword, it will be inappropriate to wait any longer.”

Shen Jiu was at the back, bored out of his mind while rolling his eyes inwardly. Ming Fan was still Ming Fan, unnecessarily cautious and too bossy, he had long been dissatisfied with him as a head disciple but among all disciples, he was the only one who could actually do his job without several corrections from him so he kept him. Shen Jiu wouldn’t be surprised if it was Ming Fan who stalled this for so long to stunt the juniors a little bit.

A year and a half of study were enough, especially if the disciples were already of age, but he just had to wait till over two years.

He mostly didn’t care, but Shen Yuan would pick his spirit sword. While he trusted Shen Yuan’s judgment, he still only wanted the best sword suited for Shen Yuan. Only with a guide would Shen Yuan find a great sword to bond with. Shen Jiu knew just how unbearable and overbearing some of the swords in the Wan Jian tower.

The speech was finished and the new disciples were vibrating with anticipation. Shen Yuan turned to find Shen Jiu and put his hands on his brother’s small shoulders.

“I will be gone for a bit, you must behave, okay?” Shen Yuan stressed. From the novel, he had read that bonding with swords might need time and it varied from disciple to disciple. Luo Binghe in the novel bonded with Zheng Yang after trying to get its acceptance for an hour and needed an entire day to establish a bond and mutual respect for each other. Some other disciples needed more than that.

A senior female disciple giggled. “Don’t worry, Yuan-shidi. Littlest Shidi is the most well-behaved kid I’ve ever seen,” she assured.

“Why doesn’t he follow the rest to Wan Jian peak too?”

Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan, and the senior female disciple, all turned their heads to look at the speaker and found Luo Binghe striding towards them with a gentle smile

“Luo-shidi, you’ve returned, how are you?” The female disciple asked.

“The mission is a success, Hua-shijie,” Luo Binghe said respectfully and then looked at Shen Jiu. “Why doesn’t little shidi tag along? Your cultivation base is more than enough to pick a sword. Come on, I’ll suggest you to come.”

Out of all the accepted new disciples two years ago, there were three children aged twelve, eleven, and ten now respectively, and all three of them were not going to pick up their swords now. Shen Jiu was the youngest but his cultivation base could be said to be among the top. If Shen Jiu didn’t want to keep a low profile, he would have been lauded as a genius once in a century by now. But being an experienced adult in a child’s body, that sort of accomplishment seemed to be a bit shameless.

“Don’t be ridiculous, he’s still young, he won’t be able to withstand the mental pressure put forth by the swords in the tower.” Ming Fan resolutely disagreed with Luo Binghe’s suggestion.

“But little shidi’s cultivation is very high for his age. A beginner stage of foundation establishment at the age of ten, I’m sure his mental fortitude is stronger than the average boy his age. Besides, it’ll be better for him if we trained him in the way of sword early,” Luo Binghe said logically and then looked at Ning Yingying who stood beside Ming Fan. “Right, Ning-shijie?”

Ning Yingying saw Luo Binghe’s charming smile and happily nodded. “I think A’Luo has a point, Ming-shixiong.”

Ming Fan frowned at Ning Yingying. “Shimei, you can’t keep agreeing with Luo Binghe’s ideas. This is not something to play around with.”

“Liu-shishu is said to have picked his sword at the age of eleven,” Luo Binghe spoke up again. “And that’s only because he was ten when he was admitted to the sect. Ten or eleven, what’s the difference? Little shidi will be eleven soon too.”

Ming Fan scowled hearing that Luo Binghe brought up Liu Qingge as an example, now he couldn’t come up with an argument.

Shen Jiu inhaled deeply, willing himself to not yell at both. ‘These unfilial beasts...’ “With all due respect, Luo-shixiong. I don’t think I’m ready to pick my spirit sword yet. I don’t mind waiting for another year.” He said seriously.

Luo Binghe looked at Shen Jiu and smiled helplessly. “Alright, if little shidi thinks it’s still too early, then, it’s okay. You can just come with us to see how it works so you can have some ideas when you do choose later on.”

Shen Jiu’s eyes brightened up slightly. If he could go with them, he could supervise Shen Yuan. “Shidi listens to Luo-shixiong,” Shen Jiu said and cupped his fist.

Shen Yuan awkwardly put his hand on Shen Jiu’s shoulders and smiled at Luo Binghe. He truly didn’t like seeing his little brother becoming an object of argument by the protagonist and small antagonist, but he was helpless to do anything else. Forget arguing against Luo Binghe, the current Shen Yuan did not even deserve to speak out against Ming Fan.

The group then set out to leave and led by Ming Fan with Luo Binghe tagging along.

When they arrived at Wan Jian peak, it appeared that it wasn’t just Qing Jing peak’s new disciples who were there to pick a spirit sword.

Shen Yuan inhaled deeply and exhaled in appreciation when he saw several young fairies of Xian Shu peak gathered in front of the entrance of the tower of Wan Jian. Surrounded by those young fairies, there was a lady clad with white veil around her face, Shen Yuan’s heart skipped a beat.

‘Liu Mingyan!’ Shen Yuan was ecstatic when he recognized one of the major female leads with a face so beautiful that Airplane gave up trying to describe it and simply make her wear a veil to cover up her otherworldly beauty.

He didn’t expect to see her here! After all, such an important figure couldn’t possibly loiter around randomly. This might be the magnetic power of the protagonist. This was probably a plot for Luo Binghe and Liu Mingyan to further nurture their feeling?

Shen Jiu scowled when he saw Shen Yuan staring stupidly at the group of girls from Xian Shu peak, he noticed his eyes were especially glued to the one with a veil. Shen Jiu recognized that girl, mainly because of her veils, the last time he saw her she was still a little girl who had yet to have her hairpin ceremony. Liu Mingyan, Liu Qingge’s sister.

Shen Jiu didn’t care about Shen Yuan’s future romantic interest, but he absolutely refused for it to be the sister of his murderer in his past life. If it miraculously happened, wouldn’t that make him and Liu Qingge brothers-in-law?

Disgusting.

Shen Jiu sharply pulled Shen Yuan’s sleeve to snap Shen Yuan out of it. “Do you like her?” He hissed.

Shen Yuan blinked rapidly and paled as though he had been doused by a bucket of ice water. “Of course not, don’t be ridiculous!” Shen Yuan whispered back. ‘That’s the protag’s woman!’ like hell Shen Yuan would be interested in such a character. Aside from it being completely hopeless, there was a large chance he would be a canon fodder for their relationship. Nope! Never!

While the groups were discussing with each other, two people arrived and the noises instantly ceased. One of the two was a beautiful woman dressed in a luxurious dress and a charm that could make many men’s temples numb, the other was a man who wore a casual purple robe.

“These are the newest batch of disciples of Qing Jing peak from two years ago, right?” Qi Qingqi eyed the group and nodded lightly as Ming Fan led them all to bow and greet her. “It’s about time for the adults to pick their swords, their cultivations are not bad.”

“Shigu overpraises,” Ming Fan responded respectfully.

Wei Qingwei smiled at them all. “Since you’re all here, you can go into the tower now. Remember to pick what your instinct tells you to, not your greed. If you feel like you won’t be able to tame the sword, give it up. Forced melons are always bitter, that does not only apply in a relationship between man and woman but also in man and sword.”

“Yes, shishu.”

“Yes, shibo.”

The disciples from Qing Jing peak and Xian Shu peak responded one after another.

With a wave of his hand, Wei Qingwei opened the access to Wan Jian tower. Qi Qingqi took her disciples in without standing in ceremony, Ming Fan led the others in after the girls from Xian Shu peak.

“You listened to what Wei-shishu had said earlier, go in and pick your swords, don’t overestimate yourself,” Ming Fan said sternly to the junior disciples. “If anything goes wrong, it’ll be too late to regret.” He warned.

Several disciples gulped in anxiety.

“Okay, go. I will be waiting in that hall,” Ming Fan said as he pointed to a side hall near the entrance.

The party dispersed.

“You can wait with me for the meanwhile, shidi,” Luo Binghe approached Shen Jiu just when Shen Yuan was stressing about whether he should take along his brother or ask him to wait with Ming Fan.

Shen Yuan sighed in relief. “You behave for me, okay?” he whispered to Shen Jiu and then straightened and smiled at Luo Binghe. “I will trouble you, Luo-shixiong.”

Luo Binghe smiled in amusement. “It’s no trouble, shidi.”

With that, Shen Yuan left. Just after he left, another person walked up to Luo Binghe.

“Luo-shixiong...” Liu Mingyan greeted.

Luo Binghe smiled politely and cupped his hands. “Liu-shijie. Shijie ought to call me Luo-shidi now.”

Liu Mingyan let out a small, brief, chuckle. “A force of habit. It’s hard to fix it. I don’t mind calling you Luo-shixiong always.”

“That would be fine too, but we must adhere to etiquette,” Luo Binghe said respectfully. “Liu-shijie is now the succeeding disciple of Xian Shu peak, Binghe is merely a senior disciple of Qing Jing peak.”

Liu Mingyan shook her head slightly. “Is this your shidi?” she changed the topic, it was obvious that she didn’t really like the change in the way they address each other, but was helpless about it. She opted to look at the child beside Luo Binghe instead.

“Yes, this is the youngest shidi in Qing Jing peak,” Luo Binghe introduced.

“How old is he?” Liu Mingyan asked.

“Ten, right, shidi?” Luo Binghe looked at Shen Jiu for confirmation.

Shen Jiu nodded wordlessly.

“A foundation establishment at the age of ten, you’re really talented,” Liu Mingyan generously praised. “What’s your name?” She asked softly.

“Shen Qing,” Shen Jiu answered bluntly.

The two peak lords, who were discussing lightly near the entrance, paused slightly and looked over.

Liu Mingyan blinked when she heard the name and had to clear her throat a little bit. “Ehem, Shen Qing?”

“Clean as jade, clear as ice*,” Luo Binghe added, patting Shen Jiu’s shoulder affectionately. Shen Jiu restrained himself from frowning at the example Luo Binghe used.

Liu Mingyan’s eyes crinkled slightly as her gaze turned a bit complicated. “Good name.” she cleared her throat.

“A foundation establishment at such a young age, talent is pretty good.” Qi Qingqi walked over and gave Shen Jiu a once-over. Her devastatingly beautiful face was as impassive as always but she looked at Shen Jiu with an extra layer of curiosity mixed with irony that would have been missed by Shen Jiu if he was truly a literal ten-year-old.

“Thank you, shigu.” Heaven knows how much it hurt Shen Jiu to call his peer an elder in this life, but he had to be firm-hearted if he didn’t want trouble.

The more Qi Qingqi gazed at the boy’s young face, the more she liked him. She took out a jade pendant and handed it to him. “This is a meeting gift, cultivate well.” Putting aside that the boy shared the same name as her late shixiong, he was indeed a good talent that ought to be cultivated well.

Shen Jiu thanked her again and silently decided to give it to Shen Yuan instead. Perhaps it could be pawned off or something, as long as Shen Yuan didn’t learn that Qi Qingqi gave it. Shen Jiu had tried and failed to convince Shen Yuan to pawn off the jade pendants Liu Qingge gave them from over a year ago.

“He’s not here to pick his sword?” Wei Qingwei asked Luo Binghe.

“Ming-shixiong said that he’s still too young and ought to wait longer,” Luo Binghe answered.

“It is no problem to pick if his mind is already stable. After all, back then, Liu-shidi picked his when he was around this age too.” Qi Qingqi stated.

“Oh well.” Wei Qingwei glanced at his shimei and changed the topic before they breached too much into the peak management area. “This time’s batch is quite promising. Not to mention your successor is also very promising.” He smiled at Liu Mingyan with praise.

“Shixiong overpraises,” Qi Qingqi said impassively. “They’re all still young and immature, this shimei is already at ease if they can even take care of themselves properly.”

“Shimei is humble. I can see from Liu-shizi’s cultivation, she would be quite a star in the next Immortal Alliance Conference.”

Qi Qingqi finally showed a trace of a smile filled with pride. “She still needs to learn a lot. On the other hand, Luo-shizi is much better than her.”

Luo Binghe smiled humbly. “Qi-shigu overpraises.”

Qi Qingqi smiled. “You were the black sheep of the previous conference and came up on top, even suppressing Huan Hua Palace’s First Disciple. I think at the next conference you will be the favorite. Take care of Mingyan if you meet each other.”

“Shizun...” Liu Mingyan protested softly.

‘Immortal Alliance Conference...?’ Shen Jiu frowned inwardly and did some calculation in his heart. That thing was usually a quadrennial thing. Before his accident, it ought to be three to four years away. He woke up in this body roughly around that time too and it had been four years since then, so the next conference should be around now... Hm, could it be they listened to what he'd been saying for years about making it quinquennial? Good. Four is a bad number anyway. They probably finally changed it because the last one was a disaster, right? Typical. Go ahead and keep using number four until the death toll suddenly exploded.

While he did the calculation, Shen Jiu couldn’t help but feel surprised when he heard more information about the previous conference.

Luo Binghe won the ranking?

Shen Jiu almost couldn’t believe it. How could the foolish sniveling beggar boy come up on top amongst many sects’ geniuses?

What made him even more upset was the fact that it was absolutely Liu Qingge’s teaching that made Luo Binghe win. It didn’t matter that Luo Binghe was the disciple of Qing Jing peak, Shen Qingqiu never even taught him anything before his death.

Forget it... Shen Jiu decided he didn’t want to have a headache by getting angry about it. But the Immortal Alliance Conference was too important to miss. He needed to prepare Shen Yuan in case he got chosen.

Thinking of this, Shen Jiu slipped out when Luo Binghe and the others were not looking and went upstairs, after all, he had seen Shen Yuan go up earlier and not downstairs.

Wan Jian tower had fifteen floors in total, disregarding the ground floor, there were seven floors above the ground level, and seven floors beneath the ground levels. While the swords didn’t necessarily get ranked according to which floor they belonged to, most famous swords came from either the highest above the ground or the lowest underground.

Xiu Ya was picked from the second highest level in the building, the sixth upper floor. Xuan Su was picked from the lowest floor underground, the seventh floor below the ground. But despite so, there were also strong swords residing on different floors and shuttling around to change places as they pleased. Luo Binghe’s Zheng Yang was the primary sword of the fourth upper floor and its prospect was in no way lower than Xiu Ya. As long as Luo Binghe continued to grow and become stronger, Zheng Yang would surpass Xiu Ya eventually.

Shen Jiu reached the third floor and sensed his surrounding slightly and couldn’t find Shen Yuan still. Inwardly, he was impressed and pleased that Shen Yuan was confident enough in himself that he kept going upward.

So Shen Jiu went up to the fourth floor and finally saw Shen Yuan gazing at some glowing swords embedded deep into a large rock. Shen Jiu strode closer and stood beside him as he waited for Shen Yuan’s decision. The swords on the rock were not that bad so he had no opinion if Shen Yuan picked one.

Eventually, Shen Yuan sighed. “No, the hilt is a bit too big...” Shen Yuan said after measuring the hilt with his palm. If he picked this sword, it’d put a strain on himself, it might even slip out of his grasp in the middle of a battle.

“Astute observation, Yuan-ge,” Shen Jiu commented.

Shen Yuan started and held his chest slightly in shock. “A’Jiu-!” he gasped. “You surprised me. Why are you here?” He put his hands on his hips, furrowing his brows.

“I want to see which sword you’ll pick,” Shen Jiu said.

“This place is too dangerous for children like you. Besides, once I picked my sword, I will need to consolidate with it, it might even get violent, you must not be too close,” Shen Yuan stressed and tried to persuade his curious little brother to go back.

“I’m not a baby,” Shen Jiu said coldly. “I can handle myself. Just go and slowly decide which one to bring back.”

Shen Yuan failed to persuade Shen Jiu to leave and can only let him tail him around while he looked for a suitable sword. In the end, Shen Yuan made Shen Jiu’s his conversation partner and second opinions.

“I mean, the length seems to be too long.”

“Yes, it will be a hassle to unsheathe,” Shen Jiu agreed.

“That one looks good.”

“You like Dao Sword?” Shen Jiu arched his brows.

Shen Yuan shook his head. “It seems heavy. I like lighter ones.”

“What kind of sword is your ideal sword?” Shen Jiu asked.

“Something slim and elegant. You know, perhaps like Xiu Ya sword,” Shen Yuan’s eyes brightened slightly as he recalled it. Though Xiu Ya had long lost its luster, having lost its master and been made into a sword mound for years, it was still a good-looking sword. “Or maybe, Zheng Yang?” Shen Yuan also took fancy to Luo Binghe’s sword.

After all, he was the protagonist, his sword was indeed very good-looking. Completely in line with how biased the world was toward the protagonist.

“Zheng Yang is a bit wider than Xiu Ya, though.” Shen Jiu pointed out.

“Yeah, but it still looked light,” Shen Yuan said. “Let’s go to the next floor, I want to see more.”

Shen Jiu followed Shen Yuan to the fifth upper floor. In this place, the sword intent was much stronger than on the previous floor, any cultivator below the foundation stage wouldn’t be able to withstand it. This was even already with the suppressing array. If all the swords on the fifth upper floor were left running rampant without the suppressing array, they would crush normal core-formation cultivator in a minute with their combined sword intent.

Shen Yuan inhaled deeply which caught Shen Jiu’s attention. “That one...”

Shen Jiu followed his line of sight and arched his brows. “The fifth floor’s primary sword...?” each floor had its primary sword, which meant it was the ‘boss’ of the swords on that floor. Zheng Yang was the primary sword of the fourth upper floor, from what Shen Jiu previously heard, Xuan Su was the primary sword of the seventh lower floor. Liu Qingge’s Cheng Luan was the previous primary sword of the fifth lower floor.

Primary swords rarely revealed themselves, usually, with the exception of the primary swords of the seventh upper and lower floor which were impossible to tame until decades ago with Yue Qingyuan, the freak, managing to do the impossible from the seventh lower floor.

In his previous life, when he was choosing his bonded sword, Shen Jiu couldn’t find the primary sword on the sixth floor at all, not even a glimpse of it. But every time they appeared, they stayed for a few years to show off and if no one managed to pull it out, they’d disappear again until they wanted to appear again. Back before Shen Qingqiu’s death, he had heard that a primary sword had appeared and became the goal of many new geniuses to tame to boost their fame, however it ended up in Luo Binghe’s hands instead and he only knew about this when he returned as Shen Qing.

Shen Jiu frowned. “I never heard a primary sword had appeared at all...” it would have been announced far and wide to encourage disciples to cultivate better for a chance to tame it.

Primary swords had an ethereal purple aura around them, signifying the favor of Wan Jian tower upon it, which became a sign of it as a primary sword.

“It’s perfect!” Shen Yuan’s eyes glowed, obviously not hearing Shen Jiu’s words at all, too enthralled at the sight of the sword with a glowing purple aura.

Shen Jiu frowned. He was optimistic about Shen Yuan, but not that optimistic. “That’s a primary sword, just look at that aura. Pick another.” He demanded.

Shen Yuan was already in front of the sword, not quite hearing Shen Jiu’s words at all. “It’s so handsome, I will try this one,” he said and turned his head to look at Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu inhaled deeply... and then exhaled. “Fine, go ahead.” He’ll protect Shen Yuan if something went wrong.

Shen Yuan wrapped his fingers around the hilt and closed his eyes. One minute... two minutes... three minutes...

Beads of sweat started to form on Shen Yuan’s forehead, and his back flexed when he finally tried to pull the sword, however, the sword wouldn’t budge.

Shen Jiu strode closer. “Calm your mind, try to build a bridge and negotiate, don’t rush to make a connection. Stand on the bridge and wait for it to come to you,” he advised and took out several talismans to safeguard Shen Yuan. Primary swords were usually arrogant, they might attack potential wielders.

Shen Yuan’s furrowed brows gradually loosened. He tried to imagine a wedge between himself and the sword and built a bridge between it. He stood on the bridge just like Shen Jiu advised and waited for it to respond as he tried to lure it with his spiritual sense.

A wisp of spiritual body appeared, it was cloud-like at most and in no way shaped like a creature. Shen Yuan patiently waited and eagerly showed his sincere hands so it would approach him on its own. The spiritual cloud inched closer and finally stepped into the bridge, but it was nowhere close enough for Shen Yuan to reach it. He didn’t mind, it might take a while.

Shen Yuan tried to slowly communicate with it, subconsciously treating it as a stray cat minus baby-talking it. When it got close enough, Shen Yuan reached out only to find an invisible film separating them both, he saw the spiritual cloud standing there impassively as a new figure appeared slowly from behind it. A sharp pain attacked Shen Yuan’s head, making his head throb, he immediately retreated.

Shen Yuan opened his eyes with a start and stepped back. He felt a small hand steadying his back and looked back to see Shen Jiu.

“Unsuccessful?” Shen Jiu asked. “It’s okay, your spiritual sense is just exhausted. Here.” He gave him a bottle of pills to recover his strength.

Shen Yuan took one pill and wiped his sweat. “There’s a barrier between me and it. It didn’t reject me but it didn’t want to leave with me either.” Or at least that was how it felt for Shen Yuan.

“You did well,” Shen Jiu said generously. “I can see it didn’t reject you. After all, you’ve been trying to win it over for hours with no repercussion.”

“Hours...?” Shen Yuan gazed at Shen Jiu incredulously.

“It’s been four hours,” Shen Jiu replied flatly.

“No way, it only feels like ten minutes or so for me...” Shen Yuan swallowed. “Maybe my cultivation is not enough yet...” he said with dismay as he gazed back at the sword he liked.

“No, look again.” Shen Jiu pointed. “Behind it.”

Shen Yuan raised his brows and followed Shen Jiu’s instruction. He finally saw another sword embedded into a slot behind the sword he fancied, the sword had an aura that was also faintly purple.

“That one has the same aura as this...” Shen Yuan’s eyes widened. “Wait...” he narrowed his eyes, he felt familiar with the other sword’s aura. “This aura feels like the other spiritual cloud in my mind...”

Just before he retreated, a new spiritual cloud appeared on the bridge Shen Yuan had imagined but Shen Yuan couldn’t handle the strain and had to retreat instead.

Shen Jiu flicked a glance at Shen Yuan. “That one showed its aura just before you woke up. These swords are bonded pair.”

“. . . ?” Shen Yuan gazed at Shen Jiu in confusion.

Shen Jiu started to explain. “It’s not just humans that can have bonds. Swords too. On some rare occasions, swords that were made from the same chunk of metal by the same blacksmith would be a bonded pair. These swords are an example. Try reading more, Yuan-ge,” Shen Jiu added the last sentence so Shen Yuan wouldn’t question where he got the knowledge. He then squinted his eyes solemnly. “I never heard of bonded primary swords, though...” Perhaps this was the first.

Shen Yuan nodded in understanding. “So, you can’t take one out without the other?”

Shen Jiu nodded, feeling inwardly pleased with Shen Yuan’s quick understanding.

Shen Yuan frowned solemnly. “So... You have to be a dual-swords wielder?” he murmured with a complicated emotion.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Shen Jiu deadpanned. He facepalmed when Shen Yuan already spread his hands to grab both sword hilts at the same time. “Don’t be stupid and greedy, Yuan-ge.”

Shen Yuan grinned a little bit when he failed to pull out the two swords.

Shen Jiu walked and stopped across Shen Yuan, facing the second sword. Shen Yuan’s eyes widened in surprise. “You mean, you want to...?” Shen Yuan gestured slowly.

Shen Jiu smiled. “Why not?” Both swords shared equal priority but the second sword was just much more subtle than the first sword, he had taken fancy of it too. Since Shen Yuan took fancy to the first one, why not try it out?

“You’re still too young, what if you can’t handle it?” Shen Yuan exclaimed anxiously.

“I can do it,” Shen Jiu said in annoyance. “Just focus.” When Shen Jiu’s hand landed on the second sword’s hilt, he recalled Xiu Ya and felt regret.

If only this whole situation never happened, Xiu Ya would forever be his only bonded sword. But at this moment, Shen Jiu had to pick another sword to protect himself in the absence of Xiu Ya. Xiu Ya belonged to Shen Qingqiu, not Shen Qing.

‘Xiu Ya...’

The second sword trembled and Shen Jiu stabilized his mind. He sensed a rejection and had a feeling that the sword was upset that he was not sincere enough. Shen Jiu inhaled and exhaled, at that moment, he tried to release his attachment to Xiu Ya.

Swords of Wan Jian peak were all prideful, especially the primary swords.

‘I have an attachment indeed. But you will be my partner from now on if you want it. My brother has taken fancy to your bonded partner. Everyone will be brothers.’ He tried to appease it. Ideally, once Shen Jiu was strong enough, he longed to take back Xiu Ya. But realistically, for now, he can only leave it to guard the grave.

The second sword was reluctant but finally accepted Shen Jiu’s proposal. Once the second sword accepted Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan’s sword also flashed. Both swords finally got out of their bounds once they both accepted a master.

All the swords on the fifth floor trembled, their restlessness could be heard across the whole tower. One by one they flashed, some swords got out of their bounds and started attacking each other before Wan Jian tower’s suppression came upon them and made them obedient once again.

“What just happened?” Shen Yuan’s eyes were wide. He thought that the swords would be attacking them just now.

“The primary swords were taken out, they naturally wanted to immediately decide who’s got to be the next primary sword of this floor,” Shen Jiu said.

“Even the competition is tight amongst swords...” Shen Yuan remarked in astonishment.

“Shidi...!”

Both brothers turned their heads and saw Luo Binghe looking at them both in slight astonishment.

Qi Qingqi, Wei Qingwei, and Liu Mingyan were with him.

“Primary sword?” Wei Qingwei arched his brows with surprise.

“I never heard the news about a primary sword’s appearance at all, shixiong,” Qi Qingqi said sourly to Wei Qingwei.

Wei Qingwei smiled helplessly. “Shimei, this shixiong is also clueless. It probably only showed itself today and already got to its fated person.” He then looked at the brothers and strode towards them curiously. “Who got the primary sword?”

Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu shared a look. Shen Jiu truthfully wanted to lie and threw Shen Yuan to be the star child, but he knew if he talked too much he might expose himself instead. Besides, as the current peak lord of Wan Jian peak, Wei Qingwei was much more knowledgeable than him in this area, he wouldn’t be able to lie convincingly at all.

Wei Qingwei took one look at both swords and his eyes flickered. “Bonded pair?”

“Oh?” Qi Qingqi quickly walked over too with extreme interest. She took a deep look at the two swords and exhaled as she looked at them both. “Fated, really fated.”

Wei Qingwei smiled. “I didn’t expect it. The fifth floor’s primary sword’s position was held by two bonded swords.”

Luo Binghe and Liu Mingyan paused in surprise when they heard that.

“What’s your name?” Wei Qingwei knew Shen Jiu but he didn’t know Shen Yuan yet.

“My name is Shen Yuan, shishu,” Shen Yuan answered seriously.

“Are you two brothers?”

“Yes.”

“Good, good,” Wei Qingwei’s smile grew gentler.

Luo Binghe walked forward, he cast a glance at Shen Jiu, who had disappeared from his supervision hours ago, and then at Shen Yuan. He didn’t question much about Shen Jiu much because he was in favor of Shen Jiu picking his own sword as soon as possible. “Congratulations to you two,” he said sincerely. “I’ll take my two juniors to consolidate their bonds with their swords at the side hall, shishu, shigu.”

Wei Qingwei nodded. “You’re their senior and are already experienced, teach them.”

“Yes.”

Luo Binghe bowed down to excuse himself and brought the two brothers to the side hall which was quieter and more isolated.

When they arrived, Luo Binghe told them both to sit down and congratulated them again. “You two managed to find a bond with bonded pairs, it’s such a rare occurrence. It shows you, two brothers, are indeed of one heart.”

Shen Yuan was a bit flattered. “Thank you, shixiong.”

“Alright, it’s time to consolidate your bond. It’s almost the same as when you try to create a connection, just meditate and get to know your swords.” Luo Binghe explained the rough details to the two. “Oh, before that, you ought to name them first.” Luo Binghe informed.

Shen Yuan gazed at Shen Jiu who gazed back at him.

“Name them, Yuan-ge,” Shen Jiu said. After all, Shen Yuan was the first one to make a move on one of the swords. He just hoped Shen Yuan wouldn’t be too inept at picking the names.

Shen Yuan suddenly felt pressure to name the swords. He suspected even if he had a firstborn, he wouldn’t feel this much pressure to name him.

Luo Binghe smiled. “You think about it for a while, I’ll go check on the others first and come back later. If you have any questions, hold it until I’m back.”

With that, Luo Binghe walked out and the pressure in Shen Yuan’s heart lightened somewhat.

Shen Yuan thought for a while when an ode came to him out of nowhere, he was a bit hesitant at first but then looked at his brother.

“Shi Yu, Shi Bao.” Shen Yuan softly whispered.

Shen Jiu’s eyes flickered. He hummed and opened his mouth.

“On the mountains are the thorny elms,
In the low, wet grounds are the white elms.
You have suits of robes,
But you will not wear them;
You have carriages and horses,
But you will not drive them.
You will drop off in death,
And another person will enjoy them.”

Shen Yuan pursed his lips and nodded at Shen Jiu who then resumed reciting the second part.

“On the mountains is the Kao,
In the low wet grounds is the Niu.
You have courtyards and inner rooms,
But you will not have them sprinkled or swept;
You have drums and bells,
But you will not have them beat or struck,
You will drop off in death,
And another person will possess them.”

“Yuan-ge, picking the last two characters from these is a bit deceptive,” Shen Jiu’s lips twitched but a ripple appeared in his heart slightly.

Shen Yuan smiled hopelessly. “I know. I’m bad at choosing names. How about we pick another one?” he didn’t know why but that poem just appeared in his mind out of nowhere and he had a strong desire to use those names. But hearing Shen Jiu reciting it made Shen Yuan’s heart restless.

The poem was talking about death and how the belongings of the previous owner would be owned by the next owner, it reminded him of his transmigration, which creeped him out. Wasn’t he also taking all the things the previous owner of this body had and using them to his heart’s content?

Why did this poem suddenly come to mind at all?

Was it his subconscious telling him to restrain himself a little bit?

That poem originally came from Book of Poetry, Odes of Tang. A few years ago Shen Yuan found out a few original works from his world was also in this world under different creator’s names, no doubt it was because the world building itself was created by a man from modern time, so it was no surprise that Shen Jiu also knew this ode.

Shen Yuan felt guilty all of a sudden and wanted to change his decision.

“No. I like it,” Shen Jiu said, cutting off Shen Yuan’s wish to change the names. “It’s a good poem and the two names are great.”

Shen Jiu smiled as though nothing happened, but inside, he was thinking roughly the same thing as Shen Yuan. This poem represented his life after this reincarnation very well. Perhaps Shen Yuan thought it sounded nice, Shen Jiu was used to Shen Yuan’s simplicity so he didn’t think too much about it.

“’To Be Happy’ and ‘To Protect’. It sounds poetic,” Shen Jiu praised. The poem was an obscure poem, and Shen Jiu was surprised Shen Yuan even knew it. The names would be subtle and sound more normal instead.

“Are you sure?” Shen Yuan asked.

Shen Jiu nodded.

Shen Yuan’s heart softened and he smiled. “Okay. Shi Yu is mine and Shi Bao is yours.”

The two swords flashed and their new name appeared on the surface in an elegant stroke.

The news that a primary sword newly appeared and immediately got snatched spread across the mountain range. Several disciples were dumbstruck at the news.

What the hell...? They hadn’t even heard the news and it was already snatched away? They felt unreconciled!

The ones who were inside the tower when it happened felt even more unreconciled. If they knew a primary sword appeared on the fifth floor, they would have sacrificed their well-being to just go and see the sword or even try their luck with it!

It made a lot of people feel disheartened. If a disciple managed to claim a primary sword, they would receive more attention from the sect, the example would be Qing Jing peak’s Luo Binghe who had grown in popularity since he claimed Zheng Yang. It seemed like another genius appeared in Qing Jing peak.

Liu Qingge heard about it and thought that it had been a while since he checked up on the disciples in Qing Jing peak. He didn’t think too much about the primary sword, after all, a sword’s strength could only be attributed to its wielder. Even if it was a primary sword, if the wielder was weak, it would stand no chance in the harsh cultivation world. Cheng Luan was not powerful because it was a primary sword but because Liu Qingge was its wielder.

When Liu Qingge walked into Qing Jing peak’s living area, he frowned. He saw Ming Fan and Luo Binghe were hosting hostile expressions towards each other, Liu Qingge gained another headache. He knew the bad relationship between the two of them and honestly couldn’t do anything about it.

Ming Fan did some mistakes in his youth, regretted it, but grew more arrogant as time passed. Luo Binghe nursed the grudge from their youth and grew even more indifferent and even disdainful towards Ming Fan.

Liu Qingge couldn’t fully blame Ming Fan as it was a past mistake and he had since repented, but he also couldn’t blame Luo Binghe for nursing a grudge as he might have died if only he wasn’t so damn lucky. So now he was stuck with the two children hating each other, cannot reconcile nor kill each other.

Luo Binghe spotted him first, his cultivation had another breakthrough it seemed, and bowed down to greet him. “Liu-shishu.” The rest finally realized his presence and saluted him respectfully.

Liu Qingge flicked a glance at them and nodded. He didn’t comment on their problem, he was already too tired to. As long as they didn’t outright kill each other and repeat the tragedy similar to what caused their Shizun’s death, Liu Qingge didn’t care.

“Immortal Alliance Conference is next year,” Liu Qingge stated.

Truth be told, he couldn’t care less about it. After the last one where Luo Binghe won the competition and an accident that came after- he almost picked a fight with Huan Hua Palace’s master back then. There was a difference between your own disciples possibly getting in danger and your dead shixiong’s disciples possibly getting in danger, Liu Qingge was heavily biased toward the latter due to guilt and he’d rather chug a poison to die than let the kids from Qing Jing peak suffer any danger.

Luckily no one from Bai Zhan peak and Qing Jing peak perish in the battle, but Luo Binghe was very close to danger back then had Liu Qingge didn’t come at the right time.

“Liu-shishu, we’ll do our best for it,” Ming Fan said respectfully.

Liu Qingge nodded quietly. “How are the new disciples?” He asked.

“Shishu, everyone is progressing smoothly.” This time, it was the sweet Ning Yingying who answered him. Her aura was stronger than the last time he saw her, she most likely had a breakthrough. “Everyone except the two children already picked their swords.”

Liu Qingge vividly recalled there were three children in the group, where was the other one?

Ning Yingying eagerly continued. “Yuan-shidi got a primary sword from the fifth upper floor,” she said with praise, it wasn’t hard to see how sincere she was. “Little shidi also got his own sword.”

Liu Qingge’s eyes instantly found ‘Yuan-shidi’ because Ning Yingying excitedly pointed at him, his eyes then slid down to the kid beside ‘Yuan-shidi’ who barely reached the older one’s stomach in height. “Practice well.” He told them.

The sword’s size was certainly not the kid’s size, it made him look eye-catching. It reminded Liu Qingge of himself a long time ago when he also struggled to unsheathe Cheng Luan properly in an instant fight.

Liu Qingge didn’t say anything else. If he showed too much favoritism or expectation, others might get jealous. These two were not his disciples by right, he couldn’t always protect them from such things. He’ll just let the others from Qing Jing peak decide what to do with their training. He then proceeded to ask if anyone encountered a bottleneck in their cultivation and needed a pointer, afterwards, he left with a clear conscience.

Luo Binghe maintained his posture until Liu Qingge left, he then looked at the two Shen brothers and smiled. “Shall we start practicing sword arts now? I know several sword skills that would be suitable for you. Everyone can also come to watch and learn,” he gestured. He ignored Ming Fan’s dirty glance with practiced ease.

Shen Yuan smiled humbly. Inwardly, he kinda regretted taking fancy on Shi Yu, too much attention on him now he got dragged into this stupid conflict. He looked down at his sword strapped on his belt. ‘I hope you’re worth the trouble, Shi Yu.’

Shen Yuan was bored.

Why?

Luo Binghe had promised the new disciples to teach them an advanced sword skill, but it turned out that what he taught was roughly familiar to what Shen Jiu hammered to Shen Yuan back in the academy and whenever he was free of chores in Qing Jing peak. Shen Yuan comprehended it fast enough whereas the others lagged behind with the exception of Shen Jiu. Luo Binghe had given them both a break from the training since it didn’t give them much new knowledge anyway so now Shen Yuan had a lot of free time.

There were simply too few things to do in Qing Jing peak, Shen Yuan had read all the demon and monster encyclopedias thrice each. It had gotten a bit too repetitive. He really missed the internet where he could just mess around when he was bored. He could read trashy web novels if he was bored in modern time, but right now, he didn’t even have trashy novels to read.

Usually, he would try to fix his boredom by bothering Shen Jiu and teasing him, but Shen Jiu often times disappeared into the bamboo forest for ‘training’ in the last few months and became more frequent in disappearing right after they got their spirit swords.

Shen Yuan often asked to tag along, of course, but Shen Jiu really valued his solitude and times of the day, always citing he didn’t like it when he was being watched while training. He was probably entering his rebellious phase.

Sigh, why did Shen Jiu have to be such an early bloomer?

‘In three years, he will be a teenager, things will only get worse then...’ Shen Yuan stressed and pulled out his white paper fan. He began fanning himself slightly. Was this how old parents feel when their kids grew up? So stressful.

“Yuan-shidi, you’re here.”

Shen Yuan snapped his head up and saw Luo Binghe approaching. He immediately stood up and saluted him. “Luo-shixiong.” he nodded curtly. “Is there anything you need?”

“Forgo the formality, I just happened to see you here while passing by so I decided to approach,” Luo Binghe said calmly. “You looked lost in thought, is there any problem?”

Shen Yuan shook his head. “No, Luo-shixiong. This shidi was just zoning out...”

Luo Binghe smiled exasperatedly. “It’s a bit boring without anything to do, right?” He said as though he understood. “I didn’t expect that Yuan-shidi could master the sword skills I taught really quickly. Yuan-shidi’s comprehension is truly one in a thousand.”

Shen Yuan chuckled humbly and shook his head, showing a harmless look. “Luo-shixiong overpraises, this shidi is just a bit knowledgeable about the basics. It’s Luo-shixiong who taught so comprehensively.” No matter what, praise the protag first. If the protag somehow looked at him as a rival, it would be too late to cry then.

Luo Binghe smiled meaningfully. “Yuan-shidi is too humble,” he said with interest. “Where’s little shidi?” he asked.

“A’Jiu went to train alone,” Shen Yuan said vaguely. “A child his age doesn’t like spending time with his older brother anymore,” he joked a bit, trying to not put too much emphasis on Shen Jiu’s absence from his side.

Luo Binghe chuckled. “That’s not true, I can see little shidi adores you so much, just as much as you adore him.” his eyes then shifted to the sword strapped on Shen Yuan’s belt. “You two even got acknowledged by a bonded pair of swords. I heard that the only masters bonded swords would pick are two people who had a very deep friendship, so close that they might as well be one person with one heart. Because bonded swords wouldn’t be able to betray each other. If there’s even a slight crack of trust between the two people, the bonded swords wouldn’t choose them.”

Shen Yuan absently touched the hilt of Shi Yu, feeling a bit flattered. “We were just lucky. A’Jiu is still young, it’s natural that he’s very trusting toward his older brother. I also love my little brother so much, of course I trust him.” Shen Jiu never gave him a reason not to. Though he might be harsh sometimes, Shen Jiu would always think of Shen Yuan first.

“Naturally,” Luo Binghe said with a smile. “The bond between you two is special.”

Even though he was usually nervous around Luo Binghe, hearing Luo Binghe’s praises for his bond with Shen Jiu made Shen Yuan feel happy. Because Luo Binghe would never say something he didn’t mean, so that meant it was truly obvious that his bond with Shen Jiu was truly good.

On Shen Yuan’s last birthday, Shen Jiu gave him a scroll containing poems he made. Shen Yuan was so touched and praised Shen Jiu endlessly to encourage his creativity at a young age. Shen Yuan wanted to store it safely somewhere so he could preserve it for years, but Shen Jiu threw a tantrum and demanded he always have to bring it with him, to coax him, Shen Yuan now always had the small scroll up in his sleeve.

Of course, Shen Yuan didn’t know that the scroll containing poems was created in the span of months and constantly depleted Shen Jiu’s qi. The moment Shen Yuan got into a life and death danger, the scroll would unroll to release the spells placed into the poems painstakingly written on it. One word of the entire poem alone took Shen Jiu almost half a day to write down.

Luo Binghe smiled harmlessly. “If you want, I have a sword technique with me that has to have two people performing it. You can study it with little shidi.”

Shen Yuan blinked. ‘A special technique that needs two people performing it? Luo Binghe, isn’t that supposedly for your wife and you?’ of course, Shen Yuan was not completely sure what technique it was... There were many techniques in Luo Binghe’s hands that could only be performed by two people as a plot tool to get close to one of the female leads, some of those techniques usually ended with ‘pa pa pa’ as a side quest.

Shen Yuan grew hesitant and began thinking about how to reject him when Ning Yingying appeared and patted Luo Binghe’s shoulder.

“There you are, A’Luo! I’ve been looking for you,” Ning Yingying said with a pout. “What are you talking about with Yuan-shidi?”

“Just some discussion about a dao technique. What do you need me for, Ning-shijie?” Luo Binghe asked back.

Shen Yuan heaved a silent sigh of relief when Ning Yingying appeared. This was truly a sign from heaven. Luo Binghe just spoke about a technique that would need two people, then Ning Yingying appeared, what else it would be if it wasn’t a sign from heaven that Luo Binghe should go practice this technique with Ning Yingying?

“The date of the next Immortal Alliance Conference is drawing close, we just got the participation scrolls for it,” Ning Yingying said.

Shen Yuan perked up upon hearing the familiar term. ‘The next Immortal Alliance Conference?’ It was supposed to be a quadrennial competition held by Four Great Sects with many other smaller sects participating in it. According to the book, Luo Binghe should have fallen into the Abyss in the previous conference, but here Luo Binghe was.

‘So it’s been roughly four years since that plot point?’ Shen Yuan wondered until Luo Binghe spoke up. "No, wait. The calculation seems to be a bit wrong. Did they change the schedule?"

“We already got the papers?”

Ning Yingying nodded. “Previously, Zhangmen-shibo and Liu-shishu took care of everything for us in the absence of Shizun, but now they said we should be able to fill in the necessary papers and registrations ourselves. Besides, this is a grand competition, the preparation will always be very early so we should already draw the plan a year in advance.”

Luo Binghe nodded. “I see.”

“What about it? Are you going to participate again? You’re the winner of the previous one, after all. We’re still young enough to participate still.” Ning Yingying said with an adoring smile.

Luo Binghe nodded with a slight smile. “I will. We cannot make Qing Jing peak look too shabby and make them look down on us.”

Ning Yingying smiled gently. Luo Binghe had brought glory to Qing Jing peak years ago in the conference, making them able to raise their heads high even if their Shizun had died prematurely. “Then, I’ll put your name in.”

“What about you, Yuan-shidi?” Luo Binghe turned to Shen Yuan out of nowhere. “Immortal Alliance Conference is a good opportunity to polish yourself.”

Shen Yuan began formulating a roundabout way to refuse in his mind. While Shen Yuan liked excitement, he was a firm believer in living leisurely and watching the fire going from across the river. Unless he had to, he refused to put himself through such stress.

Shen Yuan had yet to answer when Ning Yingying spoke up.

“Of course, Yuan-shidi will join, right?” Ning Yingying gazed at Shen Yuan with those glimmering doe eyes of hers. “Yuan-shidi is one of the best junior disciples in Qing Jing peak. Not to mention, you’re already in Foundation Establishment stage in just two short years in Qing Jing peak. Other junior disciples who had higher cultivation than you previously are now below you. With your talent, you will be among the geniuses from other sects for sure.”

‘I don’t want that...’ The reason why Shen Yuan could progress so fast was both because of this body’s talent and the fact that Shen Yuan had little to no emotional baggage to bring when he broke through. His breakthrough was even smoother than Shen Jiu’s breakthrough. Meanwhile, those other disciples, who were originally stronger than him, couldn’t muster up the courage to break through their bottleneck and even failed several times to pierce it.

“Little shidi is even more powerful, he’s in Foundation Establishment stage at the age of ten. By the time the Immortal Alliance Conference started, he should be eleven, he can join as well.” Ning Yingying advised.

Shen Yuan grew alarmed inwardly. ‘What makes you think I will put a child through such a dangerous competition?!’ “I think my little brother is too young for that...”

Ning Yingying and Luo Binghe gazed at him with a bit of confusion. “Little Shidi would be eleven, that’s old enough to join with a senior to take care of him. There are a lot of children his age that joined their seniors at the previous conference. Besides, he’s already built his foundation, which makes him very eligible to participate.”

‘No! Not this world’s distorted view of age!’

Shen Yuan knew that in this world, anyone who reached Foundation Establishment stage was already regarded as a young adult or a whole adult, even if they were literally ten. But his modern mindset refused to adopt this way of thinking.

For him, a ten-year-old was a ten-year-old, it didn’t matter if the ten-year-old already reached Foundation Establishment stage, period.

Luo Binghe smiled. “Don’t worry, we have roughly a year to prepare and improve ourselves.”

Shen Yuan nodded with a humble and understanding smile on his face while disagreeing vehemently inside.

Shen Jiu returned to his room to find Shen Yuan staring dazedly out the window.

Shen Jiu put Shi Bao on the table beside Shi Yu and walked toward his elder brother.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Jiu asked.

Shen Yuan frowned tightly and slowly turned his head to look at his little brother. “We... sigh, I just met Luo-shixiong and Ning-shijie earlier. They were talking about Immortal Alliance Conference. They insisted we participated in it.”

“Oh.”

“Oh? That’s it? It’s a very dangerous competition to participate in, A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan said, frowning.

“It’s not very dangerous,” Shen Jiu said, he paused for a bit and then continued. “I heard that it’s just a normal competition to train the younger generation for survival. The monsters in it wouldn’t be too strong to the point disciples couldn’t handle it.”

“Still. Something that can go wrong will go wrong.” Shen Yuan emphasized. It wasn’t that Shen Yuan was paranoid, but many things could go wrong whenever the protagonist was around. Luo Binghe would participate in this conference too, what did that mean? It meant that danger would be lurking around the corner. “It’s dangerous.”

Shen Jiu gazed at Shen Yuan in silence. “I understand.”

Shen Yuan smiled helplessly. “You understand, right?” How could they let a child as young as Shen Jiu be in that???

Shen Jiu nodded. “I will protect you.”

“...???” Shen Yuan stared blankly.

Who would protect who again???

Chapter Text

“I’m sorry, A’Jiu.” Shen Yuan sighed as he pulled away, eyes full of sympathy. “Maybe it’s my fault, after all. I didn’t pay attention to you enough...” he gazed at the wooden pillar with complicated emotion, worry appeared deep in his eyes. “I can’t believe you only grew half a centimeter in a year.”

Shen Jiu’s eyes twitched darkly as they both gazed at the clear scratch mark on the pillar, a clear mockery of his dignity.

Shen Yuan patted his little brother’s head. “It’s okay, you’re still young! Maybe you’re a late-bloomer, A’Jiu.” Shen Yuan’s reassurance didn’t make it better. “Just wait until puberty hits and you’ll be as tall as I am, believe it.” he kept trying but the younger’s face didn’t get any better.

Shen Jiu didn’t understand at all. If he was an abandoned slave boy who could only scavenge some food to not starve to death, he’d understand. However, Shen Qing’s body was obviously enriched with food and a lot of high-tier ingredients. Logically, he should be growing normally, but Shen Yuan kept getting taller and taller while he was stuck at the height that he could barely headbutt Shen Yuan’s hips.

Unacceptable.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to grow up too fast. Just let nature takes its course, little brother.” Shen Yuan cooed and gushed to himself while squishing Shen Jiu’s cheeks. “Heavens, you’re so cute~”

Shen Jiu angrily slapped Shen Yuan’s hands off of his cheeks. “How am I supposed to get people to take me seriously when they have to look down so low to see me eyes-to-eyes?!”

“A’Jiu, you’re still a child. Don’t stress over it. If you stress over it, you’ll grow less,” Shen Yuan said seriously to scare the boy.

Shen Jiu ignored Shen Yuan and thought seriously to himself. To his knowledge, he’d been eating fine and also had lived in Qing Jing Peak, a place with so much spirituality, for a few years already. He pretty much ate the same thing as Shen Yuan. He used to be able to headbutt Shen Yuan’s solar plexus but now he merely reached his hips.

“A’Jiu, stop eyeing my hips. Aren’t we over this? Not headbutting the place where my kidneys are.” Shen Yuan sighed helplessly while protecting his kidneys from the boy’s heated glare.

Shen Jiu harrumphed.

‘Teenage years will be a nightmare.’ Shen Yuan lamented. “A’Jiu, I know you’re insecure about your height, but you’re young, you’re still growing. You’re eleven now, you still have nine more years to grow. Come now.” He stood up and offered his hand to Shen Jiu. “It’s time.” he then frowned gloomily.

Immortal Alliance Conference.

After ceremoniously bidding goodbye and praying for good luck in front of Shen Qingqiu’s grave, every participant from Qing Jing Peak departed to gather right at the foot of Qiong Ding Peak. The gate was full of people from various peaks, they all made groups based on their own peaks and mostly stayed that way.

Shen Yuan held Shen Jiu’s hand and mostly stayed with the senior disciples of Qing Jing peak, amongst the new batch, they were the only two chosen to participate in this conference so it was not good to go out of line or be too eye-catching.

Each peak assigned its most talented and also new disciples to show off at the conference. Shen Yuan could sense the disciples of each peak, some were obviously the core disciples whereas a few were innocent-looking teenagers who seemed to have only just cultivated in the last two to four years.

Shen Yuan prayed that nothing would go wrong in this conference, especially seeing how young some of these disciples were. If the bloodshed that happened in the previous conference happened, Shen Yuan wouldn’t know how to feel.

“Sssh...”

Everyone quickly quiet down when the peak lords appeared. The Sect Head briefly said something encouraging and then the peak lords wandered off to speak to check over the preparation of their own disciples. Qing Jing Peak noticeably had no one to check over them for a while until Liu Qingge walked up to them.

“Everything is ready?” Liu Qingge questioned.

“Everything is well accounted for, thank you, Liu-shishu,” Ming Fan answered politely.

Liu Qingge nodded and gazed at Luo Binghe. “Don’t get reckless.” Out of all Qing Jing peak’s disciples in the previous conference, Luo Binghe was the only one who encountered a near-death experience. Liu Qingge truly wished to tell him to not be a hero, but he would come off as a hypocrite and it would also be the same as spitting onto Shen Qingqiu’s grave.

Luo Binghe bowed down. “Liu-shishu, Binghe is no longer a child. This conference too, Binghe wishes to bring glory to Shizun’s name again.”

Liu Qingge sighed and merely nodded at that.

“Qing Jing peak is doing great.” Unexpectedly, Yue Qingyuan came over and smiled at them all.

“Zhangmen-shibo.”

“Forgo formalities.” Yue Qingyuan waved them off. “Do you bring new disciples?” his eyes scanned the small group of Qing Jing Peak’s disciples before settling on Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu.

Ning Yingying, being the closest to the Shen brothers, introduced them. “We’re bringing our two juniors for this. Shen Yuan, Shen Qing.” He gestured to them respectively.

Yue Qingyuan nodded, his expression didn’t change. “Are they the ones who made a bond with Bonded Pair of swords?”

“Yes.” Ning Yingying nodded smilingly.

Yue Qingyuan smiled thinly. “So many talents.” In this generation, three primary swords appeared and all the owners were disciples of Qing Jing Peak. “Qingqiu-shidi would have been proud.”

Smiles appeared on Qing Jing peak disciples’ faces.

Yue Qingyuan went up and gazed at Shen Yuan and Shen Qing. “You two are brothers, correct? Take care of each other in the conference.” He recognized Shen Yuan right away. As a cultivator, his memory was very sharp, he still remembered their encounter in Qiong Ding’s public library. Looking at Shen Yuan again after a few short years, Yue Qingyuan suppressed the feeling that the youngster could have looked more similar to Shen Qingqiu had his eyes were not so innocent and his expression was not so light.

He then flicked his glance to the younger brother. The two brothers were very similar, no one could possibly deny that they were blood-related.

“You’re very young.” Yue Qingyuan said gently.

Shen Jiu looked up. For the first time in such a long time, he was eyes to eyes with Yue Qingyuan again. “I’m eleven.”

Ning Yingying stepped forward and smiled cheerfully. “Qing-shidi is already in Foundation Establishment stage.”

Yue Qingyuan nodded. “I see. Youth needs experience, but do pay attention to his safety.”

“Yes, Zhangmen-shibo.” Everyone bowed down.

Yue Qingyuan waved them off, he spared another glance at Shen Yuan and then lingered at Shen Jiu. He recalled those difficult days decades ago, the once stubborn boy who devoted all his loyalty to Yue Qingyuan only for Yue Qingyuan to fail him again and again. The boy named Shen Qing reminded Yue Qingyuan of his own Shen Jiu back in the day. However, they couldn’t be any more different. His longing made him see too much similarity between them.

Yue Qingyuan walked away and called for them all to board their horses and carriages.

Shen Jiu’s eyes followed Yue Qingyuan, he didn’t know what he was waiting for at all and he didn’t know what to feel when Yue Qingyuan didn’t spare another glance at him.

He smiled bitterly.

In this life, the furthest distance in the world is not the distance between life and death, but I walk past you yet you don’t know who I am. Shen Jiu thought wistfully.

Shen Jiu clenched his hand tightly inside his sleeves. ‘What am I expecting?’ he resentfully thought to himself. He couldn’t help but feel frustrated. He had taken so many extra measures to avoid Yue Qingyuan, worrying about getting recognized because Shen Qing’s appearance was nine points similar to his previous life’s appearance minus the malnourished part. But it turned out his worries were unnecessary. Yue Qingyuan wouldn’t recognize him.

“A’Jiu, let’s go.” Shen Yuan tugged Shen Jiu’s hand, awakening the younger boy from his reverie.

Shen Jiu inhaled and raised his head high. “Yes.” He held Shen Yuan’s hand just a tad bit tighter.

Upon arriving, Shen Yuan was fascinated with what the conference had to offer. The transmigrator was very content in checking in his mental checklist on what an Immortal Alliance Conference had to have. He temporarily forgot just how much he was against partaking in this event with his young brother.

A reader’s curiousity was really strong. Shen Yuan adopted an audience stance and observed his surrounding with a lot of enthusiasm.

‘I didn’t look closely at them before but as expected, Xian Shu peak’s disciples are all beauties that can shake the world!’

‘I wonder what’s Liu Mingyan’s real face looks like. Well, taking in Liu Qingge as the base look- which is already incredibly pretty- Liu Mingyan must be earth-shatteringly beautiful.’

‘Tsk, the girls from Huan Hua Palace are not bad either. Let me guess which ones are Luo Binghe’s future wives.’

‘Has Luo Binghe hooked up with any female lead yet?’

‘Oooh! That’s the triplet nuns from Tian Yi Overlook! Heh heh, they’re not from our generation but they still look gorgeous.’

‘Not as gorgeous as Qi Qingqi, though...’

Shen Yuan appreciatively flicked his eyes toward all the pretty young ladies in the palace. He was still a man after all, he still liked to appreciate beauties. Though even if someone pays him, he would never pick any woman here. He didn’t want to raise any flag about Luo Binghe’s supposed women. He had no intention to be the protagonist’s rival in love, he had a little brother to raise safely, thank you.

Speaking of little brother. “A’Jiu, look at those little girls from Tian Yi Overlook,” Shen Yuan spoke eagerly and reached to grab his little brother’s arm beside him. He paused and looked down. Where was the small and squishy arm and when did it become a big calloused hand?

Shen Yuan blanched when he realized what he had done.

“Luo-shixiong.” Shen Yuan let go of the hand he grabbed and hastily bowed down ceremoniously. “Pardon this shidi, this shidi wasn’t looking.”

“All is well, Yuan-shidi,” Luo Binghe said with a light smile. “You meant to hold your little brother, I understand.”

That’s right! Shen Yuan was about to hold Shen Jiu’s arm. He quickly looked for his little brother as a distraction but his heart sank. “Oh no...”

Luo Binghe also scanned the surrounding with him. “I think you lost him somewhere, Yuan-shidi,” Luo Binghe unhelpfully pointed out.

Shen Yuan cupped his hands, beads of cold sweat started to form on his temples. “I’m sorry, Luo-shixiong. This shidi excuses himself to look for Shen Qing.”

“I’ll go with you. Two pairs of eyes are better than one,” Luo Binghe said. “Littlest shidi is still so young, it’s a bit troublesome if he strayed too far.”

Seeing no way to reject, Shen Yuan could only accept. “Thank you, shixiong!”

Shen Jiu forgot just how much he hated Immortal Alliance Conference as a disciple. He had been in the position of power for so long in which he only needed to sit back and judge everyone, disciples or elders, in his mind and he had forgotten just how much he detested this conference.

It was a place where stubborn, prideful, impulsive kids, that had been coddled and praised non-stop by their elders, gathered and increased the unbearable feeling of a place exponentially. This year’s host was Zhao Hua Temple and by the heavens, it only doubled Shen Jiu’s resentment.

Even as Shen Qingqiu he never had a good relationship with anyone from Zhao Hua Temple. Those monks were among the most stubborn things Shen Qingqiu ever encountered in his life and it devastated Shen Qingqiu that he couldn’t scold them openly as an elegant scholar of Qing Jing Peak.

In any case, as a disciple, Immortal Alliance Conference was also amongst the most insufferable thing for you to partake in. He had to meet the rebellious young monks, the preachy ones, the coddled talents, the graceful hypocrites, and haughty beauties who always had their noses up (Qi Qingqi was the worst offender back in the days, that was the reason why he always drifted off of her, she always attracted a noisy and most insufferable group of arrogant people), and all sorts of people that Shen Jiu was glad to never orbit around him.

Now he was forced to repeat it all over again.

‘Damn you, Liu Qingge. This is all your fault.’ Shen Jiu thought sullenly.

Above all else, however, Shen Jiu was also forgotten by Shen Yuan.

Shen Jiu sneered in his mind. Just on the way here, Shen Yuan fussed all over him, complaining just how dangerous the conference is and repeatedly reminding Shen Jiu to always stick with him, but the good big brother just forgot about it upon seeing the fanfare, leaving his petulant little brother behind.

Shen Jiu was already ready for Shen Yuan to hold his hand but look what Shen Yuan did. Shen Yuan went off by himself and didn’t even glance behind him to see if Shen Jiu followed him.

It was easy for Shen Jiu to stick close to Shen Yuan, but at the time Shen Jiu refused to do that purely because of the fact Shen Yuan didn’t seek for him first. If only Shen Yuan looked back and called Shen Jiu to follow, Shen Jiu would have followed, but Shen Yuan didn’t so Shen Jiu just resentfully stood there until they were completely separated.

Childish?

No, it wasn’t childish. It was a lesson. He was merely letting Shen Yuan learn there was a consequence of forgetting the existence of your eleven-year-old brother in the crowd.

Either way, the conference wouldn’t start today, it was of no consequence to ‘get lost’ right now for Shen Jiu.

Let Shen Yuan panic. See if he would forget Shen Jiu again next time. Hmph.

While Shen Jiu was mentally scolding monks and Shen Yuan for being heartless in his mind, someone approached him with curiousity and concern.

“Little brother, are you lost?” a man with a familiarly kind face asked Shen Jiu in a gentle voice.

Unfortunately for that man, his kindness was bound to meet a prickly thorny wall. “None of your business.”

The man’s smiling face didn’t falter, however. “You’re wearing Qing Jing Peak’s robe, do you want me to escort you to them?”

“Mind your own business,” Shen Jiu hissed. Shen Jiu wouldn’t consciously return to anyone from Qing Jing Peak until Shen Yuan comes to find him himself.

“Gongyi-shixiong, what’s wrong?”

“This little boy seems to be lost.”

Shen Jiu’s face remained cold, he didn’t even acknowledge them.

“Little brother, big brother will escort you back. Who did you come with?”

Shen Jiu was getting impatient. What he wanted was to not be escorted back, he wanted Shen Yuan to find him. “I said to mind your own business, right?” Shen Jiu snapped impatiently.

“You don’t get to talk to Gongyi-shixiong like that!” A boy somewhat older than Shen Jiu jumped to defend his shixiong’s honor.

Gongyi Xiao had a headache at his shidi’s impulsive behavior. “Ji-shidi, it’s fine.” After all it was only a little boy, what was the point of getting angry?

“Shixiong, he’s rude to you!” Ji Guan said stubbornly.

Shen Jiu didn’t even bother to look at him, he started to scan the crowd around expectantly for Shen Yuan to come up because of the commotion, he didn’t even look like a part of the problem.

“Hey, you! Which sect cultivated an arrogant snot-nosed brat like you?!”

“Ji-shidi!” Gongyi Xiao exclaimed, inwardly alarmed. Provoking someone else like that in a gathering of the alliance was like asking to make relationships between parties sour! “You don’t get to say that! Apologize!”

“But—“

“Gongyi Xiao, what’s wrong?”

Gongyi Xiao quickly cupped his fist when he saw Old Palace Master approaching at a leisurely pace. “Master...” he then glanced at his shidi. “It’s nothing, master. Ji-shidi merely—“

“Master! I was just teaching this boy some respect!” Ji Guan was the youngest direct disciple of Huan Hua Palace. On good days he was lavished with resources and taught by other direct disciples. His temper was not good since the start but after worshipping Huan Hua Palace, he only grew more and more arrogant. Due to his position, he liked to abuse his power and turn blacks into whites.

Before Gongyi Xiao could interject, Shen Jiu already spoke up first. “Teach? It’s not your turn to teach me anything.” he fanned himself deliberately. “Seeing that you obviously never been taught about respect yourself.”

“What—“

Shen Jiu cut him in, not even looking at him. “Cutting in a talk between two people, refusing to apologize even at the behest of your shixiong’s order, and cutting in when your shixiong was talking. Is this a respectful conduct?” Shen Jiu chuckled childishly. “Maybe you and I have a different upbringing.” He flicked a glance at Ji Guan, Gongyi Xiao, and finally Old Palace Master. “This one couldn’t bear such unique respect.”

Someone in the crowd snorted and then suppressed their laughter after hearing Shen Jiu’s mockeries.

Gongyi Xiao stared at Shen Jiu and squeezed out a bitter smile. “Little brother is right. Do forgive my shidi.” He didn’t expect the little boy to have such a sharp tongue. He sighed helplessly. Ji Guan was usually taken care of by Xiao Gongzhu and other vain direct disciples, when it was his turn to educate him his character was already crooked like this. He was thinking of educating him slowly before he kicked an iron board but it seemed like it was too late.

Ji Guan was still young, he didn’t know the twist and turn of Shen Jiu’s words that had insulted Huan Hua Palace’s education of conduct, but hearing his shixiong on the enemy’s side, he was dissatisfied and looked at Old Palace Master for support.

Old Palace Master gazed at Shen Jiu thoughtfully. “This Palace Master recognizes that robe.”

“There you are, littlest shidi.”

Out of nowhere, a handsome young man appeared and scooped Shen Jiu up, breaking the atmosphere and disturbing the melon-eating audience. When Old Palace Master laid his eyes on this young man, his deep eyes brightened.

“Luo Binghe,” Old Palace Master called out his name as his gaze soften while Luo Binghe was adjusting his hold on Shen Jiu.

Luo Binghe seemed to only realize Old Palace Master’s presence and embarrassedly nodded in greeting. “Old Palace Master.” Because he was still holding Shen Jiu, he didn’t greet the Old Palace Master ceremoniously but the Old Palace Master didn’t seem to mind. Only then Luo Binghe seemed to realize something as he looked at the sour-faced Ji Guan, the embarrassed Gongyi Xiao, and the Palace Master. “Did my littlest shidi cause any trouble?”

“No such a thing, Luo-daoyou,” Gongyi Xiao said politely. “It’s just a small spat between children.”

“Is that so?” Luo Binghe swept a glance at Ji Guan who was dissatisfied.

Ji Guan felt a chill at the back of his neck and looked at Luo Binghe only to see him shifting his gaze away with a natural smile on his face.

“My shidi has a short temper and is spoiled by his senior sisters back at Qing Jing peak, if he said something, please don’t mind it,” Luo Binghe requested nicely.

“It’s just a petty children spat,” Old Palace Master waved it off kindly. “I’ve heard about Qing Jing Peak starting to accept disciples again. You must be very busy.”

“No, it’s rather nice to have a new thing to do,” Luo Binghe said lightly.

“Good, good...” Old Palace Master nodded while stroking his beard.

Luo Binghe smiled. “Well, then. Please excuse me first, Old Palace Master, Brother Gongyi. I have to give my littlest shidi back to his brother quickly.”

After bidding goodbye to them, Luo Binghe turned back and walked back at a pace neither too fast nor slow. Shen Jiu slung one of his arms behind Luo Binghe’s shoulder to stabilize himself. He glanced meaningfully at the brat holding him.

‘This kid already knows how to lie and act.’ Shen Jiu thought. As dumb as Luo Binghe was, he wouldn’t be dumb enough to not notice the conflict he took Shen Jiu from. Pretending to be dumb and naive was also a strength.

“A’Jiu!”

Shen Jiu perked up and turned his head to see a ruffled Shen Yuan approaching with his arms extended.

Luo Binghe smiled. “At ease, Yuan-shidi.” He handed over Shen Jiu to Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan lowered Shen Jiu to the ground and bowed down to Luo Binghe. “Thank you so much, Luo-shixiong.” he straightened up and put his hands on Shen Jiu’s shoulders as though afraid he would lose him again. “Where did you find him?”

“Not too far away from here.” Luo Binghe smiled at ease.

Shen Yuan then looked at Shen Jiu. “Didn’t I tell you to stick with me?”

Shen Jiu scowled. “Why didn’t you pay attention to your surrounding and make sure I’m with you?”

“You...ah...” Shen Yuan wanted to sob. Why did other family’s children become quiet once scolded but his family’s child scolded him back instead? Furthermore, he couldn’t argue against him because he was right! “I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention.” He touched Shen Jiu’s head.

Shen Jiu’s expression loosened. “Okay.” He then hesitated for a bit before saying, “I’m sorry I didn’t stick close to you either.”

Shen Yuan’s eyes softened, his heart was suddenly full. Truly, it wasn’t in vain he educated this little brother. Look at this! This was a fruit of his labor!

“Okay. I forgive you. But don’t scare me like that again, okay? I can’t be separated from you,” especially in this place. Who knew what kind of danger lurked in this place? If anything happened to Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan wouldn’t forgive himself.

Luo Binghe looked at the two brothers with a smile on his face and intrigue in his eyes.

Shen Yuan continued. “Besides, in a place like this, it’s really hard to find you. You’re so small you disappeared into the crowd easily.”

Shen Jiu’s obedient appearance turned cold again. “You mean to say I’m short?” He narrowed his eyes. “You’re despising me for being short?”

Shen Yuan froze. This... did he say that? “No, I didn’t say that—“

“You’re implying it.”

Shen Yuan began doubting reality and got dizzy. “Little brother, I never mean it like that—“

“Excuses!” Shen Jiu stubbornly accused.

“Shen Qing!” Shen Yuan wanted to cry. Cursed hormones! They didn’t make his brother taller but made him more irritable!

Luo Binghe laughed.

The next morning, Shen Yuan helped Shen Jiu to tie up his hair into a neat ponytail that truly cast a highlight on Shen Jiu’s baby face. Shen Yuan also tied his own hair up into a ponytail to match his brother and slipped matching small jade crowns to adorn their ponytails.

Shen Jiu didn’t know why Shen Yuan was so fond of dressing Shen Jiu like him but he let him be. It also helped they were both brothers and exuded similar scholarly aura so they didn’t clash at all. What looked good on Shen Yuan would look good on Shen Jiu, so he didn’t mind.

Shen Jiu looked back at his appearance, although the disappointing baby fat was still there Shen Jiu was pretty satisfied with his appearance. When he looked into the mirror, he didn’t see someone else, it went without saying that ‘Shen Qing’ was nine points similar to Shen Jiu back then if only back then Shen Jiu was also born sheltered and had enough food to support himself.

“There you go.” Shen Yuan stepped back and smiled. “Your hair is so smooth and silky, A’Jiu.” He loved styling Shen Jiu’s hair the most, not only he would be rewarded with the new cute look of his little brother but also because he could touch and play with this silky hair.

“Hm.” Shen Jiu absently stroke his hair that fell down his shoulder, feeling the silky texture of his hair a sour smile appeared on his face, a strong reminder that he was Shen Qing now.

Shen Jiu from back then never had silky hair. His hair had been coarse and oily, it was only slightly better than a bird nest, fitting for a poor slave boy.

“Come on, the gathering should start anytime soon.”

“Listen, if my theory is wrong and we’re not actually going to end up together just by holding hands before we enter, promise me you will avoid danger at all costs. Don’t make any big move until we reunite inside.” Shen Yuan whispered urgently to Shen Jiu while they waited for their turn to enter the secret realm of Zhao Hua Temple, the host of this time’s Immortal Alliance Conference.

“You’ve said this four times.” Shen Jiu gritted his teeth, consciously putting in the effort to not yell at Shen Yuan in annoyance.

Shen Yuan didn’t think his worry was strange at all. Anyone would feel distressed knowing an eleven-year-old boy being alone in a place filled with demons and monsters.

Finally, it was their time to step through the teleportation array.

Light enveloped them and new air greeted every participant that had stepped into the teleporting array.

Shen Yuan could feel the small hand he held dissolved and his heart skipped a beat. When he opened his eyes, Shen Jiu was no longer by his side much to his disappointment.

“Damn it...” Shen Yuan murmured in discontent.

He looked around for a bit, making sure that he was in a safe zone with no immediate danger in sight before sighing and sulking. He didn’t know how big this place was, it might be long before he finds Shen Jiu here.

‘I hope A’Jiu can find people he can ally himself with...’ Shen Yuan sincerely prayed before pausing for a bit. Thinking about it again, with Shen Jiu’s temper and sharp tongue, he’d be more likely to get into problems with other cultivators than monsters and demons alike, right?

Okay, forget about it. Shen Yuan just needed to focus on protecting himself and finding Shen Jiu, it would be fine.

As long as they stayed away from Luo Binghe, who would absolutely invite destined dangers because of his protagonist aura, Shen Yuan was confident they could pass this without accident. Shen Yuan was also a foundation building cultivator, he could handle the difficulty level of this secret realm.

Rustles—

Shen Yuan unsheathed Shi Yu without any hesitation only to stare in disbelief at what he saw.

Luo Binghe blinked when their eyes met. “Yuan-shidi?” He called out, confirming Shen Yuan’s fear.

Shen Yuan swallowed. ‘Heavens, you jinxed me.’ He forcibly answered, “Luo-shixiong.”

“You’re so tense, did you think I was a monster?” Luo Binghe guessed with a smile and approached Shen Yuan, his movement was unhurried and calm, he didn’t even have his sword unsheathed. Someone of his level naturally didn’t need to be too wary.

“Yes, I was a bit nervous,” Shen Yuan resheathed his sword and said sheepishly. ‘I’d rather meet a monster...’ Shen Yuan cried inside.

It was fine to be with the protagonist when they were in Qing Jing Peak, but in this kind of situation or event, the rule of thumb being the protagonist dictated the protagonist would naturally either attract or stumble into danger. Shen Yuan didn’t want that. He wanted to frolic in this place without worries and avoid dangers. Being with the protagonist would ruin that.

“This is your first conference, after all. Being wary is indeed just right. You can follow behind me from now on,” Luo Binghe said. He didn’t feel anything wrong with his offer, after all, anyone who could meet with someone in the initial phase of the conference would band together to make an alliance and protect each other. Besides, they were also from the same sect, it naturally made sense to band together to form a group.

However, Shen Yuan felt that this invitation was unfriendly to his safety. Shen Yuan mulled hard on how to reject this offer and gently part away from Luo Binghe without being seen as arrogant and rude which might offend Luo Binghe. “Shixiong, I need to find  little Qing first.” He cupped his fists and bowed down. “It will probably disturb Shixiong’s progress so we can part away here. Don’t worry, this shidi has enough strength to support himself.” After deliberate thinking, this was the most polite excuse Shen Yuan could come up with.

However, Luo Binghe didn’t seem to pick up Shen Yuan’s reluctance. “If Yuan-shidi wants to look for youngest shidi, I can come with you,” Luo Binghe said leisurely. “It’s just right. You two are the most junior from Qing Jing Peak to participate, as your shixiong, it’s my responsibility to look out for you two.”

‘No! Leave me be!’ Shen Yuan smiled amiably. “Luo-shixiong is thoughtful. Thank you.”

“It’s nothing. I’m also going to be worried for the Qing-shidi if I let you look for him yourself.”

“But shixiong, it will surely slow you down, are you sure?” Shen Yuan asked with an anxious tone. “You are one of Qing Jing Peak’s strongest participants, it will be a shame if you’re slowed down by us.” he carefully chose his words so he wouldn’t accidentally raise a flag be it with Luo Binghe or with other senior disciples should the content of their conversation went public.

Luo Binghe chuckled. “No worries, shidi. We have a few days, after all. I’m not in a hurry.”

‘This is the confidence of a protagonist...’ Shen Yuan was helpless and could only trudge along following Luo Binghe’s lead.

“I heard... that the last Immortal Alliance Conference had a very big accident,” Shen Yuan spoke up, opening a topic.

“Is Shidi worried that an accident will happen again at this conference?” Luo Binghe asked with a light smile. “Don’t worry. That was a freak accident. For this year’s conference, the elders already did double the effort to make sure it is safe. Trust the elders.”

Shen Yuan nodded silently but he didn’t put that to heart. What a joke. He couldn’t trust his safety to just some ‘elders.’ “Has it been found out what was the cause of such a big accident, shixiong?” he was incredibly worried. Prior to coming, he was already asking around to the senior disciples but they all perceived it as Shen Yuan being a bit overly worried so they all mostly brushed it off with a simple and crude assurance.

Luo Binghe nodded. “I’ve heard that the sudden spike of demonic creatures was caused by both a natural phenomenon and a flaw in the security.”

“Flaw in security?” Shen Yuan immediately jumped on the words.

Luo Binghe nodded.

Shen Yuan cautiously spoke up again, “How can it be there’s a flaw in security for such an elite event like this?”

Luo Binghe’s eyes flashed slightly. “Truthfully, I don’t know as well. I was still young back then so I didn’t really get involved.”

Shen Yuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Has anyone suspected any tampering?”

Luo Binghe finally turned to look at Shen Yuan and Shen Yuan held his innocent but curious gaze. “Shidi has a very vivid mind and intriguing ideas.”

Shen Yuan tried not to falter. He knew they were being watched and he knew Luo Binghe was subtly reminding him to not overstep which might lead to slanders and gossips, but he needed to somehow nudge people in that direction. After all, the last accident of the Immortal Alliance Conference was a result of tampering.

The last time he checked, Shang Qinghua from An Ding Peak was still a peak lord. No matter what, Shen Qingqiu wanted this traitor to immediately go out of the picture. Having this traitor in the sect meant the sect’s security would be jeopardized at any time, which meant his and Shen Jiu’s safety might be in jeopardy.

While Shen Yuan would hate to get involved in Sect’s politics, Shang Qinghua needed to go. Who knew if this conference was also tampered with? This was the reason he was anxious to find Shen Jiu. If anything happened to Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan wouldn’t let anyone off despite being at the bottom of the food chain right now.

Unknown to Shen Yuan, his eyes already darkened deeply at the thought of his brother being in any possible danger. “Sometimes the answer is clearly there but there’s too much fog obscuring the truth.” ‘Shen Qing, I hope you stayed out of trouble.’ “As a scholar, I think it’s just right for us to pursue the complete truth of matters.”

Luo Binghe gazed at Shen Yuan solemnly for a split second which caused Shen Yuan’s heart to jump slightly, nonetheless, Shen Yuan kept his neutral composure so that he could seamlessly take himself out of the topic should the need appear.

Shen Yuan blinked ignorantly. “Is there something wrong with my statement, shixiong?” he asked cautiously. He already measured his words, it would leave a lot of leeways should he ever get questioned for his audacity or accused of slandering. Moreover, Shen Yuan knew by heart that Luo Binghe was not the type of person who would condemn him for saying things like this. As long as it didn’t insult Luo Binghe or any of his many women, he would be fine!

After being asked, Luo Binghe simply revealed a neutral helpless smile. “No, there’s nothing wrong with what you said, Shidi. Shixiong is just surprised with your scholarly disposition.” He turned around and resumed walking before he spoke up again. “It is natural to feel suspicious and be cautious, but no worries. I’ll do my best to protect you.”

Shen Yuan lowered his head. “Thank you, Luo-shixiong.” He couldn’t keep the apathetic tone from his voice when he responded to Luo Binghe.

In the ‘harmonious’ hall with mirrors showing different kinds of disciples, the sect masters and elders observing the disciples turned a bit quiet.

As the previous champion, naturally Luo Binghe was quite the center of attention, they didn’t expect to hear things that would usually get a disciple to be punished severely when they paid attention to Luo Binghe, even though the offense didn’t come from Luo Binghe himself.

In the hall, several people who liked watching the fun immediately expected things to go down, the peak lady of Xian Shu peak was one of them. Qi Qingqi fanned herself with her circular fan, eyes faintly flicking around, scanning the crowd of sect masters and elders from various sects around. She then glanced at her own fellow peak lords before settling her gaze on Liu Qingge. She held back a smug smirk, hidden behind the silk fan she brought, and waited.

“Is this a new disciple from Qing Jing peak?” Someone finally spoke up, an elder from Huan Hua Palace, predictable.

“Just a young man, he’s probably just overly worried. This is his first time joining the conference, after all. It’s fine to speak up a little about his concern,” Another elder from Huan Hua Palace said lightly to his companion.

Great Monk Wu Wang held the Buddhist prayer beads in his hand and shook his head. “The disciple has the heart, but it’s too easy to spread doubts and chaos if he doesn’t know the whole story.”

“What whole story?” Liu Qingge bluntly asked, eyes lowered and focused only on his tea.

Qi Qingqi’s sneer turned into a smile before she quickly recomposed herself and lowered her fan slightly. So entertaining. If there was anything Qi Qingqi learned in the years after Shen Qingqiu’s death was that anything related to Qing Jing Peak was Liu Qingge’s reverse scale. Even though the one offending was not Shen Qingqiu’s disciple right now, but only disciple-in-name, Liu Qingge was still fiercely protective as always.

Liu Qingge put down his cup and spoke up again. “There’s a complete story?” he asked coldly.

There had been nothing conclusive from the investigation back then. Somehow those high-level monsters and demons snuck into Jue Di Gorge, they killed and injured a lot of disciples making the previous Immortal Alliance Conference one of the bloodiest ones in history.

As for how those things snuck in? No one was too sure. The Four Great Sects tacitly agreed to leave it at that when they couldn’t find anything, mainly because all Four Great Sects were responsible for a joint effort for the security of Jue Di Gorge. The blame game would be endless.

However, Liu Qingge had been, for the lack of a better word, upset. He held the principle of the host must be responsible very strongly. He had never been vocal about it, because Liu Qingge had never been vocal too much about anything, but everyone got the message with his gaze of distaste whenever Huan Hua Palace was mentioned.

Seeing the awkward situation, Mu Qingfang smiled refreshingly and spoke up. “Ah, it’s just a youth’s concern, no need to overthink about it.” He smoothed things over. “My little shizi raised a few fine points, but he’s new so he might be a bit blunt and overreaching. Moreover, it was in spite of a moment and he might thought it was a private conversation. We, as elders, should be generous.”

“Peak lord Mu is right,” The Palace Master finally spoke up with a peaceful smile, accepting the offer to drop the topic graciously. “This young man can be taught.”

It was fine if it was any other people from other sects who responded, but it just had to be Huan Hua Palace. Liu Qingge frowned in dislike. “No need.” Whose turn was it to deem whether a disciple of Qing Jing peak can be taught or not?

Everyone turned awkward again, some sect masters from smaller sects lowered their heads and drank their tea blankly.

Mu Qingfang smiled graciously when he heard Liu Qingge’s response and gracefully retreated.

It was rather Ye Qingjiu, the peak lord of Zui Xian peak who seemed to be under the influence of liquor which made him daring, that suddenly spoke up. “That blunt style is really similar to Shen-shixiong, isn’t it?”

Without comparison, nothing would be weird, but after he said it everyone turned deadly still. Yue Qingyuan finally raised his eyes and a glint appeared in his eyes as he recalled back some memories of the past, even everyone couldn’t help but recall back that graceful person with the elegance of an immortal.

The late peak lord of Qing Jing Peak had been a man with sharp eyes and an even sharper tongue, never afraid to argue and say the things he wanted to say regardless of the norm. If it was him... he would probably say the same thing as the young man in the mirror, perhaps even worse with more eloquence that would force anyone hearing it to cough out blood.

Liu Qingge’s taut eyebrows softened slightly. He nodded. “Right.”

This was obviously the style of Qing Jing Peak’s scholars. There’s nothing wrong with it.  

Suddenly, everyone who wanted to speak up to smooth things over also couldn’t speak up. If they continued picking faults, that meant they were also picking faults with the late peak lord of Qing Jing Peak.

Picking faults with the dead Shen Qingqiu with Liu Qingge around? That was a death request. Everyone knew Liu Qingge would turn rabid and tear someone a new one if his shixiong’s name was sullied in another’s mouth.

 So everyone tacitly dropped the topic and pretended nothing happened.

The Old Palace Master also didn’t speak up anymore, he simply watched the mirror that had Luo Binghe in it fondly before he glimpsed the young man they were talking about earlier was following Luo Binghe, his gaze darkened subtly.

A whole day passed since the beginning of the conference. Several disciples steadily climbed through the ranks displayed on the leaderboard. To no one’s surprise, Gongyi Xiao was leading again, it was almost the same thing as in the previous one. Liu Mingyan, the disciple of Xian Shu Peak, lived up to her name as the succeeding disciple of Xian Shu Peak and the little sister of the God of War, Liu Qingge, by achieving second in rank and in no way losing out in momentum against Gongyi Xiao.

However, no one knew what would happen in the next few days. The first day’s ranking could easily be overturned with the days they had left. After all, it also depended on one’s luck.

At this moment, Shen Jiu’s mind wasn’t on the competition at all. He completely disregarded the spirit of competition and wandered off uprooting anything he found worth harvesting. As a young participant, he initially attracted quite a bit of attention but eventually got ignored because he avoided most confrontations with the monsters, instead, the observing mirrors all focused on disciples in large groups or disciples that had been betted on by their elders.

Why did Shen Jiu avoid confrontation with the demons arranged for the conference? Shen Jiu’s mindset was the peak lord Shen Qingqiu’s mindset. Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t even glance at these weak demons, naturally, Shen Jiu also didn’t bother. What an embarrassment he would be if he took this children's competition seriously?

He already had a stable cultivation resource, already planned his cultivation progress, and even already had a back-up plan to be a merchant should things go south. He didn’t need fame. There was no one to please. The lord of Qing Jing Peak was dead, after all. So technically Shen Jiu had no ‘landlord’ to please as well, putting aside the fact that the said dead ‘landlord’ was him as well.

Shen Jiu walked calmly up to a clear pond deep inside a swamp. He glanced at the surrounding and saw several shrines overrun by vines and moss. This place had long been abandoned and reclaimed by nature, looking at the traces of shrines, Shen Jiu was confident this was the place.

A clear fragrance welcomed Shen Jiu when he stepped closer to the pond and his eyes immediately zeroed on the gleaming lotus with azure petals that looked like crystals.

Shen Jiu smiled cleverly. “It’s still here... Jadeite Heart Water Lotus.”

It wasn’t the first time Shen Jiu had been here. Decades ago when he was yet a peak lord and still only a direct disciple of the previous lord of Qing Jing Peak, he stumbled upon this place too out of pure coincidence. At that time, however, the water lotus had yet to mature so Shen Jiu didn’t remove it out of consideration. It would take at least a decade for Jadeite Heart Water Lotus to show its bud and another decade for it to bloom, after it bloomed, it would continue to age and gather the essence of heaven and earth until it was either destroyed or harvested.

It was purely fate for Shen Jiu to be reincarnated and at the right age to participate in a conference Zhao Hua temple hosted again and Shen Jiu just recalled this lotus’ existence out of nowhere. It ought to be said each secret realm used by the Great Sects to host Immortal Alliance Conference was not fully explored too. They just mostly made sure no immediate fatal danger inside before using it, as for the spirit herbs growing in it? They just mostly left it like that for the participants to find.

If it was some special herbs like Huan Hua Palace’s Jue Di Gorge’s Thousand Leaf Cleansing Snow Lotus that repelled demons, they would make a rule to not disturb it and put some restrictions on it. As for the rest? The Great Sects looked down on those enough to let them be harvested by other sects’ disciples when they participated.

On some rare occasions, though. A miraculous rare spirit herb like this lotus would form and grow with the support of the secret realm’s natural order and the essence of heaven and earth and the sects usually failed to notice.

Now, this rightfully belonged to Shen Jiu.

When Shen Jiu stepped into the water, a water snake appeared out of nowhere to bite him. In a flash, Shi Bao cut it into two. With another step taken after killing the snake easily, another snake lunged out of nowhere but Shen Jiu was not phased, like the first snake, he used Shi Bao to cut it into two.

Jadeite Heart Water Lotus’ guardians were slain just like that as they would never expect what they faced was not an eleven-year-old boy but an old master who had died once.

Shen Jiu cleanly harvested the lotus flower, there was a little lotus seed pod near the flower, and he harvested it too. He didn’t come here to leave treasures behind. He inspected the pod to see it had six seeds, so he took one and dropped it into the water as a gesture of returning something for the nature to nurture again. That was the etiquette of harvesting wild spirit herbs. If there were more than one seed, leave one.

After he stepped out of the pond and dried himself, Shen Jiu smiled in satisfaction. Jadeite Heart Water Lotus could aid in Shen Yuan’s cultivation. Shen Yuan’s root was dual-elemental root of Water and Wood. Not the most perfect combination, but it was decent.

Moreover, Shen Yuan’s root had been quite damaged because of the fetal poison he suffered in the womb, if it wasn’t because of Shen Yuan’s extremely stable mind, he wouldn’t even reach his current cultivation. This lotus could fix that problem and nourish Shen Yuan’s root. Just let him take a medicinal bath with this lotus flower for a few weeks.

He just needed to gather the side medicinal herbs later on, then, ‘Give it to him on his birthday...’ Shen Jiu thought secretly and kept the lotus in a jade box he had prepared to preserve its freshness and life essence.

Shen Jiu patted his hands and left the scene.

A small distance away, Shen Jiu cursed in his mind and quickly hid when he sensed a presence. A lone slim figure of a woman soon came into his vision, her lilac dress hugged her figure gracefully, not a speck of vulgarity on her. Just a glance at that familiar veil was enough for Shen Jiu.

Liu Qingge’s little sister. No, thank you.

Liu Mingyan suddenly squinted and turned her head sharply. “Who’s there!?”

Shen Jiu’s eyebrows jumped slightly, not expecting her to sense his presence. ‘No wonder she’s Qi Qingqi’s favourite...’ Shen Jiu kept his calm and stepped out of his hiding place.

The instant Liu Mingyan glimpsed his Qing Jing peak’s attire, her visibly cold eyes turned gentle.

“Little junior from Qing Jing peak?” Liu Mingyan asked, recognizing Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu cupped his fist naturally. “Shen Qing greets Liu-shijie.” He did the proper scholarly greeting without lowering his head.

Liu Mingyan gave a graceful nod in response. “Are you alone...?” For a split second, Liu Mingyan was clueless about how to address this little shidi. His surname was the same as her late Shishu whom her brother owed his life to, no matter what it didn’t feel comfortable for her to call out ‘Shen-shidi’.

“To answer shijie, this shidi is indeed alone.”

Liu Mingyan gave a once-over on Shen Jiu to check if the little boy suffered but to her surprise, she didn’t find any blemish on the boy. She then recalled that if it wasn’t because she scanned her surrounding twice with her secret means, she might not even notice this boy’s presence. Liu Mingyan looked at Shen Jiu even more appreciatively. In a few years, this boy would be one of the Sect’s most promising disciples like his senior, Luo Binghe.

“I have a friendship with Qing Jing Peak, you can follow me.” Liu Mingyan generously offered.

Shen Jiu smiled humbly, it had been a while since he had to wear a mask like this but he needed to put some effort if he didn’t want problems from this girl or the people who were watching over her outside. “Shijie doesn’t have to worry about this junior. This junior participates in the conference for experience and has made sufficient preparation. Imploring Shijie to not take offense.”

Liu Mingyan took a few seconds to look at Shen Jiu again, although she was still worried the other side already rejected her, so how could she, the principal disciple of Xian Shu peak, force it?

Nodding gracefully, Liu Mingyan replied. “Very well, then. I wish you success, shidi.”

“Glory to you as well, shijie.” Shen Jiu nodded. When he saw Liu Mingyan turning around and walking off, he straightened and slightly squinted.

The direction she walked to... Shen Jiu arched his brows mentally. He then recalled Liu Mingyan’s spirit root seemed to be water, she probably sensed something from the swamp. He then secretly patted the universe pouch in his sleeve and suppressed a smug smirk.

‘None of my business now.’ The treasure was in his hand, Liu Qingge’s sister would probably only find the spirit pond.

Thinking thus, Shen Jiu resumed his walk and disappeared from the place. A single leaf fell in the place he was standing, no more presence could be detected.

Chapter Text

Shen Jiu never expected his hoarding would go smoothly. It couldn’t be helped, some people who entered this place must’ve been also looking for spirit herbs that they may or may not need. It’s just some people were in no way better than Shen Jiu in avoiding monsters and beasts skillfully, so Shen Jiu was bound to be better in the aspect of gathering herbs.

So when someone else found him when he was harvesting Seven-Coloured Mugwort, Shen Jiu hardly bat an eye. He didn’t even rush to hide it.

He leisurely looked up and spotted a graceful figure wearing Huan Hua Palace’s uniform right across him just as a gust of wind blew past. Shen Jiu deft fingers froze for a split second and his brows furrowed for a breath.

For a split second, Shen Jiu saw another person in the place of the disciple. The lofty, valiant, and cold woman whom he also met in Immortal Alliance Conference decades ago. They met with almost the same posture, Shen Jiu crouching down but to check a beast’s footmark instead of harvesting a spirit herb and she appeared out of nowhere across him. It wasn’t even a memory that was etched deep in Shen Jiu’s mind but his brain out of nowhere supplied that.

Of course, once the wind stopped and he blinked, Shen Jiu spotted some glaring differences between that woman and this disciple.

For a start, this disciple was a male.

Gongyi Xiao, the first disciple of Huan Hua Palace, Shen Jiu remembered.

Shen Jiu blinked again. No wonder he found him somewhat familiar. ‘No, there’s something else...’ his mind hissed, however he pushed it aside in favor of sneering inwardly. ‘One must questions whether the Old Palace Master loves his original First Disciple too much. Even the replacement looked seven points similar.’

“Seven-coloured Mugwort...” Gongyi Xiao breathed out, his voice tinged with excitement. “This junior...”

Shen Jiu stuffed the Seven-coloured Mugwort inside his sleeve, not once breaking eye contact with Gongyi Xiao.

Gongyi Xiao wasn’t offended, instead, he smiled kindly. He started off slow first, not wanting to scare Shen Jiu away. “May I ask how should I refer to you, junior?”

‘Honorable lord.’ Shen Jiu sneered in his mind. “My family’s name is Shen, and my given name is Qing.”

Gongyi Xiao nodded gently. “Shen Qing, I need that Seven-coloured Mugwort, would you mind selling it to me?”

“No.” Shen Jiu answered tersely, leaving no room for negotiation. Had Shen Yuan been there, he would have choked violently at his little brother’s lack of tact.

Gongyi Xiao’s smile faltered just a tad bit. “Do you need it urgently?” he asked anxiously. “I can offer you a satisfying price for it.”

Shen Jiu turned around blankly, showing blatant disregard just because he could. “No.”

Gongyi Xiao was a bit anxious, but despite Shen Jiu’s blatant disregard, he still didn’t take offense. His mind just automatically excused Shen Jiu’s action as a natural reaction towards strangers, besides this child was so small and young, he was probably repeatedly reminded by his seniors to not trust strangers in the Immortal Alliance Conference and took the reminder very seriously.

“Wait, little brother, big brother also has several spirit herbs, I can exchange it with you if you don’t want to put a price.” Gongyi Xiao offered sincerely.

With his back facing Gongyi Xiao, Shen Jiu furrowed his brows in annoyance. “No.”

“Why not?” Gongyi Xiao asked while hurrying over to Shen Jiu. “I have Seven-Stars Flower with me, the effect is roughly the same.”

Shen Jiu was intrigued, why did Gongyi Xiao insist for his Seven-Colors Mugwort when he already had Seven-Stars Flower? Shen Jiu’s main study was not medicine however, so he didn’t think much about it.

But however intrigued he was, it was not enough for him to just hand over his mugwort.

Gongyi Xiao’s eyes widened when the little junior jumped off the cliff, he hurried to the edge to see Shen Jiu gracefully maneuver himself with his light-step skill to land down safely without the help of a flying sword.

Gongyi Xiao’s eyes gleamed with both admiration and interest. Qing Jing Peak had its own providence it seemed, despite being left lord-less, one brilliant talent after another appeared in it.

Gongyi Xiao also jumped off and landed smoothly at the bottom, much with the same trick as Shen Jiu.  He landed precisely beside Shen Jiu and beamed down at the boy. “Little brother, can I change your mind?”

Shen Jiu stepped aside, a layer of frost appeared on his eyes. “A gentleman’s words are his gold. Qing Jing Peak’s people meant what they said.”

Gongyi Xiao smiled helplessly and good-naturedly cupped his fist. “I must implore junior’s forgiveness, then. I’d like to try and change your mind because I really need that spirit herb.” A small movement caught Gongyi Xiao’s eyes and he squinted. With a smooth fashion, he unsheathed his sword and cut down an earth beastly bug that came out of its camouflage.

The bug buzzed hysterically as it was cut in half and green blood splattered.

Gongyi Xiao lifted his eyes and looked back at Shen Jiu only to find the boy still stood rooted in his place, still with the same dislike in his eyes. “Little brother...” Gongyi Xiao started but his eyes suddenly caught a silent movement from the dark shades of the trees behind Shen Jiu.

Gongyi Xiao’s heart skipped a beat and he hurriedly called his sword back.

“Care—“

A blur of shadow already leaped out of the darkness before Gongyi Xiao could even start.

Shen Jiu put his hand on his sword’s hilt.

Clink!

There was only a quick flash of sword light coming from Shen Jiu’s unsheathed sword, Gongyi Xiao didn’t even see when he unsheathed it but in a blink the boy already held the sword horizontally by his side and the blur of shadow tilted sideways, and tumbled down heavily.

Gongyi Xiao’s breath hitched in astonishment when he saw the Shadow Panther was dead after a twitch on the ground and its ruby-red eyes lost their brilliance.

Shen Jiu twirled his sword once to get rid of the force it bore and sheathed it back into its scabbard with an elegant sing of the metal grazing against air, not even once he turned to look at the prey he killed with his back turned.

“I’m lacking in etiquette, Gongyi-qianbei,” Shen Jiu started indifferently. “Forgive my impoliteness.”

The name ‘Shen Qing’ which was unassuming and not even within the top three hundred suddenly shook and moved upwards, it stopped stable at rank 180.

Everyone within the observing hall was taken off guard. As one of the favourites to win, naturally many people paid attention to Gongyi Xiao. Since the start of his interaction with Shen Jiu, some elders already criticized the young talent from Qing Jing Peak is too haughty and doesn’t know how to be flexible in front of a strong person, naturally no one voiced it out for fear of earning Liu Qingge’s ire but they all roughly thought the same thing.

After all, wasn’t the point of this conference to forge friendships and rivalries amongst young talents so they could spread their net and develop?

Shen Jiu’s rigid nature naturally annoyed some elders.

Wasn’t it good to forge a friendship with the First Disciple of Huan Hua Palace? If anyone was offered that chance, they would happily take it.

But when Shen Jiu swiftly killed the Shadow Panther with his back turned, some elders in the hall took a sharp intake of breath.

Shen Jiu’s ranking also jumped dramatically with just this one kill, which meant the Shadow Panther was already nearing a late Foundation Building stage. A beast like this could only be taken down with a teamwork of some low-ranking disciples, certainly not a solo job for a boy who wasn’t even ranked in the top three hundred.

This was the third day of the conference, which meant this boy hadn’t taken this seriously since the beginning at all.

Some elders furtively glanced at Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s seats, briefly lingering on the empty seat beside Liu Qingge before looking at Liu Qingge complicatedly. Unexpectedly, a talented young boy like this was put in a lord-less Peak rather than personally taken to Bai Zhan Peak by Liu Qingge, one had to ask whether it meant Liu Qingge valued his late shixiong’s legacy too much or if they meant to destroy this boy’s brilliant future by putting him in a peak without a peak lord.

While conspiracies were running freely and happily in the heads of the people present, the lords of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect were mildly surprised themselves.

They didn’t put too much hope on this youth, since he was still young after all. But they did have some expectations of someone who pulled a principal sword from the Tower of Thousand Swords.

“He has reached a great understanding with his sword,” Wei Qingwei commented, impressed.

Liu Qingge hummed. “Not bad...”

He didn’t care about Shen Jiu’s apparent disdain to interact with the First Disciple of Huan Hua Palace. This, too, was a style of Qing Jing Peak.

Liu Qingge nodded approvingly.

“That’s amazing!” Gongyi Xiao exclaimed and praised sincerely. “A late-stage foundation beast died in just one slash. Junior is talented.”

Against most of the audience’s expectations, there was no trace of negative expression on Gongyi Xiao’s face. He appreciatively praised Shen Jiu’s display of strength and talent without shame.

“Senior overpraises.” On the other hand, Shen Jiu didn’t seem to be all moved by the praises. It was like everything he did was within the boundary of calculation and it was just common sense for him to perfectly execute it. “I will excuse myself,” he emphasized and turned away, walking off.

“If I may ask, does junior have anything he wants?” Gongyi Xiao asked smoothly, following Shen Jiu. “I still want to do barter, if nothing I have is to your fancy, you can request something, I will do my best to look for it in exchange for the Seven-Coloured Mugwort.”

Finally, Shen Jiu really couldn’t handle it anymore. His desire to know what Gongyi Xiao would use the mugwort for grew the more Gongyi Xiao insisted to have it. “Then, tell me, what do you want to do with the mugwort?”

Of all things, Gongyi Xiao expected such a question the least. In his mind, a young cultivator like Shen Jiu shouldn’t have such elaborate thinking and ideas. Only shrewd older cultivators would do so.

“I need it for something that can help me make a breakthrough,” Gongyi Xiao said.

Shen Jiu blinked and sneered for a split second before turning around. “Then use the Seven Stars Flower, this junior is not from Qian Cao Peak, but this junior knows the effect should be roughly the same.”

“It is for other types of medicines, but the recipe insists on the mugwort.” Gongyi Xiao said honestly, subconsciously he started talking to Shen Jiu as if he was talking to a peer rather than to a junior. When he eventually realized this, even he got confused.

“Why? Seven Stars Flower clashed with another medicinal herb?” Shen Jiu sharply jabbed.

Gongyi Xiao paused, the gaze he used to look at Shen Jiu turned complicated and helpless. It seemed like Shen Jiu hit the mark but Gongyi Xiao didn’t voice out, most likely it was a secret of Huan Hua Palace.

Shen Jiu was no physician nor was he even interested in medicine beyond the basic that he taught himself in case of emergency. However, he knew that the components of Seven-Coloured Mugwort and Seven Stars Flower were almost identical and that they can be used interchangeably in some pill recipes.

The only herb that will immediately show the difference between the two herbs is Geocentric Lily. Seven Stars Flower would react violently to the lily, whereas Seven-Coloured Mugwort would mix just fine.

If Shen Jiu guessed right, this shouldn’t be for a cultivation breakthrough but a skill breakthrough. Huan Hua Palace had a lot of dao skills that could be upgraded if the user had the right ingredients, essentially mixing comprehension and wealth instead of just comprehension to achieve a result.

It was a very complicated way to learn and master a skill, Shen Jiu lost count of how many times he criticized those dao skills who needed those conditions. Although their effect might be grand but it was a complete waste of resources and time.

“What junior said is right,” Gongyi Xiao finally admitted. “You’re very talented, not only your cultivation and fighting skill is excellent, your knowledge is also vast.”

“What is Qing Jing Peak without knowledge,” Shen Jiu murmured blandly, shifting his gaze away from Gongyi Xiao boredly. ‘It’s time to look for Shen Yuan...’ he thought boredly.

He didn’t miss Shen Yuan much when he was alone but now he had someone pestering him, Shen Jiu would rather be with Shen Yuan. It wasn’t that Shen Jiu avoided looking for Shen Yuan, but he figured it would be Shen Yuan who would find him, but it seemed now they can only look for each other.

Shen Jiu raised Shi Bao slightly and a pulse of connection fluttered in Shen Jiu’s conscience, he could feel the rough direction of where Shen Yuan was.

This was the special ability only they had. Shi Yu and Shi Bao were a pair of bonded swords, or twin swords some would call, so even if their owners were separated far away, the swords would still be able to sense each other. This was the reason why Shen Jiu was not in a hurry to find Shen Yuan, because he could always find Shen Yuan.

After Shen Jiu sensed the direction where Shen Yuan was, he was about to resheathe back his sword when a flare of purifying aura burst out and spread out from a certain spot.

Shen Jiu slowly turned his head to the source and found it originated from a steep hill to his right, his eyes widened in astonishment when he saw a conspicuous green plant that looked like a flower with round twin buds and blue antennae on its base.

“Dao fruit...”

Shen Jiu’s breath hitched and he narrowed his eyes sideways, just remembering Gongyi Xiao’s presence.

Gongyi Xiao sensed hostility his way and glanced, clearly seeing Shen Jiu’s cold and distrusting eyes on him. He instantly knew that they would need to be rivals to seize the precious Dao Fruit.

Despite the prize right in front of their eyes, neither Gongyi Xiao nor Shen Jiu moved. From the deep plains and forest nearby, various dangerous beasts emerged, howling and roaring, they were strongly attracted by the pure aura and sweet aroma of budding Dao Fruit.

Still, Shen Jiu and Gongyi Xiao didn’t move.

When those beasts got close enough to the Dao Fruit, the ground shook. Cracks appeared on the surface of the earth and in a snap a hideous beast emerged from the ground, roaring and swiping any beasts close enough, instantly killing several and terrifying the rest.

‘There it is.... the spirit herb’s guardian beast.’

Shen Jiu gritted his teeth. “Fallen Dragon Dog...”

Mid-core formation...

Gongyi Xiao also inhaled deeply. Both of them glanced at each other.

“I want that Dao Fruit,” Shen Jiu said slyly. “Will Gongyi-qianbei hand it over to me for the mugwort?” his eyes glinted sarcastically.

“Junior is joking.” There was no way the mugwort was even comparable with the fruit.

The Fallen Dragon Dog roared and slammed its front legs into the ground. Light burst out of the ground and headed towards both cultivators who quickly jumped out of the way to avoid it.

Gongyi Xiao frowned. “Shen Qing, I don’t think it’s wise to advance. Let’s retreat.” He reminded kindly.

Shen Jiu pretended not hearing Gongyi Xiao’s reminder but he mulled over the pros and cons. He wanted it, but at the same time it was impossible for him to defeat the guardian beast and snatch the Dao Fruit.

At this moment, he recalled Shen Yuan’s words before they stepped through the teleportation array.

“Promise me you will avoid danger at all cost. Don’t make any big move until we reunite inside.”

Shen Jiu’s eyes flickered and he gazed at the Dao Fruit again. It wasn’t a dao fruit that he would glance at if he was a peak lord, at most, the age of that Dao Fruit was about fifty years looking from its blue antennae-like leaves. At the beginning of its growth, the leaves would be white, after it aged ten years it would turn green, after it aged over fifty years, it would turn blue, after one hundred it would turn purple, after five hundred years it would turn red. Dao Fruit that would be desired would be one with purple leaves or red, but blue leaves Dao Fruit was also a very great thing to have and use.

This one probably grew unnoticed like the Jadeite Heart Water Lotus, if not, it wouldn’t be displayed recklessly like this.

Shen Jiu inhaled. ‘Shen Yuan, I’ll have to break my promise for this.’ he mentally smiled wryly. He had no choice.

“Shen Qing!” Gongyi Xiao yelled. “Come on!”

“You can try,” Shen Jiu said calmly. “The space around us is sealed. Unless you’re stronger than a core-formation beast, you can’t break out of here.”

Hearing Shen Jiu’s calm words, Gongyi Xiao couldn’t digest it for a while, when he did, though, his face paled slightly. Gongyi Xiao used his sense to roam the surrounding, indeed, there was an invisible barrier trapping them. “Since when...” he blurted out.

“It’s a dog, but it has dragon blood, after all.” Shen Jiu stared at the Fallen Dragon Dog intently, calculating. “Spatial manipulation is not surprising.” All kind of dragons would naturally know spatial manipulation, just not every dragon could use it.

Gongyi Xiao smiled bitterly. “This is bad.” he took out the emergency flare, an item to signal complete surrender and a request for assistance from the outside world.

“It’ll take a while for an elder to appear and help us,” Shen Jiu said while rubbing the blade of Shi Bao carelessly. “If you can’t flee, let’s fight.”

He suddenly pulled back Shi Bao and a sword light flashed from the tip of the sword, attacking the Fallen Dragon Dog. The monster roared in response, but the moment the sword light disappeared, dozens of talismans already replaced it, flashing about and creating a barrage of attacks that keep the monster busy.

By instinct, Gongyi Xiao instantly saw several points to attack and immediately lunged along, making use of Shen Jiu’s distraction to land a few heavy hits.

When the lights from the talismans receded, he jumped back and brandished his sword valiantly. “Junior is right, if our backs are on the wall, there’s no need to fear confrontation.”

Fallen Dragon Dog took a swipe furiously, green saliva kept dripping off of its mouth, and when it fell to the ground, the ground sizzled. Its eyes suddenly glowed and it roared once again. But this roar was different from before, it instantly burst out and uprooted every tree in its surrounding.

Shen Jiu grunted when he received the brunt and his small body flew back like a kite, a talisman flew out of his sleeve and flashed behind him, stopping his momentum firmly without hurting him. Gongyi Xiao fared better but not much better.

“As expected, it’s a bit hard...” Gongyi Xiao wiped away the blood from the corner of his lips. “Shen Qing, you step back and just provide support. Can you lend me some of your power?” he glanced at Shen Jiu and requested politely. “Truce?”

Shen Jiu straightened and brushed off his sleeves, frowning. “Every dragon has its inverse scale. For this dog, it’s even easier to spot.” He took out several talismans, his last prepared ones. If he wanted more talismans, he had to write them down from scratch. “Aim for its mid-cranium.”

Gongyi Xiao blinked in surprise and squinted at the Fallen Dragon Dog, gazing incredulously at its head that had so many tough tendons bulging from it.

The monster prepared to attack again, Gongyi Xiao gasped and instinctively flashed over to Shen Jiu, picked him up, and tossed out a defensive spirit item from his universe bag.

With great expertise, Gongyi Xiao tactically retreated with his spirit item while holding Shen Jiu until his back hit the transparent barrier preventing them to escape.

“This is bad.”

“Put me down.” Shen Jiu turned his head and scowled at Gongyi Xiao. “It’s useless to run. Attack its mid-cranium!”

“Are you sure?!” Gongyi Xiao yelled over the furious attacks from the monster. “That looks like the toughest part of its body.”

“Dragon and dog are not meant to mate! The existence of Fallen Dragon Dog is precisely because of this! Its dog form can’t bear the pressure of its dragon blood and inheritance! That’s why they’re prone to madness!” Shen Jiu explained in annoyance, in the end, he couldn’t resist the urge to mock. “If you READ and comprehend more you will know this!”

Shen Jiu gripped the talismans in his hands and tossed them all out the moment, he also pushed Gongyi Xiao out of the way. “I’ll cover you! Don’t think too much!” Shi Bao flew and deflected the ray of attacks from the Fallen Dragon Dog desperately. “Attack its head with all you got!”

Gongyi Xiao’s eyes flashed and he leaped forward. With all he got, he raised his sword and stabbed it into the monster’s head.

“Ah!” From the point where Gongyi Xiao stabbed the monster’s head, the build-up pressure gathered there and burst out violently. Gongyi Xiao exclaimed and was thrown off, tumbling onto the ground with a grunt. He lifted his head and saw the invisible barrier shattered, but the danger had yet to pass.

GROOOOAAARRRR!!!

Gongyi Xiao turned and his eyes widened in horror when the Fallen Dragon Dog, with Gongyi Xiao’s sword embedded deep in its head, madly swiped at him. A power that could shake even a late-stage core-formation cultivator was instantly on Gongyi Xiao.

A golden talisman slithered in the air and float in front of Gongyi Xiao, as it burned into ashes a golden dome formed to shield him from the brunt of the attack.Gongyi Xiao rolled away and quickly jumped back. He instinctively recalled his sword but it was embedded too deeply inside the beast’s head and Gongyi Xiao’s effort seemed to only provoke the Fallen Dragon Dog further as it began swinging its head around madly in pain.

“It’s time to end this,” Shen Jiu murmured. With a flick of his wrist, a peacock plume appeared out of nowhere, while it looked too big for him, his grip was somehow very secure.

He couldn’t say this out loud but this needed to end before anyone came and disturb them. With this dog’s noisy and annoying roars, some people were bound to come and check, Shen Jiu didn’t like that. That only meant more rivals to get the Dao Fruit. Gongyi Xiao’s position might make it better for him since he was a First Disciple and would absolutely get something in return, but for the current master-less disciple like Shen Jiu that was essentially giving away his supposed spoil.

With a twirl of his hand, he spun on his heel and snapped his wrist upward, sending a dozen feathers out, cleaving the air and instantly locking the beast’s movement.

It started bleeding out of its seven orifices in addition to its head wound, soon the Fallen Dragon Dog tumbled down in its own pool of blood.

Shen Jiu stored Wu Ya back inside his universe pouch, he initially had no intention to reveal it, but the situation called for it. After storing his prized immortal item, he flashed to the cliff and stood over the blue-leaved Dao Fruit.

Gongyi Xiao arrived after he retrieved his sword and saw that Shen Jiu already harvested the Dao Fruit. There were two fruits in one plant and Shen Jiu decisively gave one to Gongyi Xiao.

Gongyi Xiao was also not a hypocrite and accepted his part of spoil with a gentle smile. “You are very skilled.”

Shen Jiu hummed in response and turned away.

“Where are you going?” Gongyi Xiao blinked.

“Away.” Shen Jiu spared a blank glance at him. “The noises just now will attract others here.”

Gongyi Xiao understood and followed Shen Jiu’s example.

While the two disciples disappeared from the observing orb, the elders of the sects were discussing fervently.

The monks from Zhao Hua Temple kept transmitting messages to each other’s conscience, asking each other if any of them had spotted the Dao Fruit before they started this whole conference. Naturally, the strength of mid core-formation stage beast might not be a danger to them, but to average disciples, they would be killed easily and it wouldn’t be out of incompetence on the disciples’ part.

None of the monks dared to glance at the seats from Cang Qiong Mountain Sect where Liu Qingge was exuding a very cold aura similar to a snow cap mountain. Why? Because there was no Fallen Dragon Dog in the list of agreed beasts inside the secret realm.

One of the triplet nuns of the Tian Yi Overlook cleared her throat. “Fortunately, young man Gongyi can handle the situation greatly. The little boy from Qing Jing Peak is also very skillful.”

No one died so suddenly, so Liu Qingge also didn’t want to make a fuss about it. However the other peak lords knew he was holding back.

“It’s better to do another serious scan in the secret realm, no?” Mu Qingfang supplied. “We must make sure if it’s an isolated incidence or bad news just like the previous one’s incident.”

Everyone agreed and several people were dispatched to do another screening without interrupting the participants.

While the screening was being done in the background, everyone naturally changed the topic of talking. Some people turned and congratulated the Old Palace Master for having such a talented and skilled First Disciple and praised Gongyi Xiao to the sky. Others would offhandedly mention that the young boy from Qing Jing Peak was brilliant and would subtly praise Qing Jing Peak for being a beacon for talents even though inwardly they felt it was such a waste that a talent such as the boy named Shen Qing would be simply wasted in a lord-less peak without a master to really mentor him.

Yue Qingyuan courteously handled them all while the other peak lords leaned back and started conversing on their own too.

“But that boy, Shen- uh, Qing-shizi is indeed very skilled,” Qi Qingqi said. “That is quick thinking on his part and I’m impressed he knew the weakness of Fallen Dragon Dog.”

“Perhaps, he studied the encyclopedias of demons and monsters?” Mu Qingfang said.

“Never in my lifetime would I ever expect anyone other than Shen-shixiong would study the niche parts of those tomes,” Wei Qingwei transmitted doubtfully.

There were complete series of encyclopedias of demons and monsters in Qing Jing Peak, courtesy of centuries of knowledge compiled by many generations of scholars and researchers. To public, there were three parts of encyclopedia, but in reality, there were a lot. Even the basic encyclopedias involved seven volumes. The intermediate level had five volumes. The advanced level had three volumes. In addition, there was the rare tome of ‘legendary’ creature that no one ever bothered to touch. Many monsters and demons had very similar physical attributes too.

Even if you had the brilliant memories of cultivators, trying to cram all seven volumes of basic level knowledge would make anyone vomit in disgust even to them, Peak Lords, it made them reel back. Normal cultivators wouldn’t even stand cramming half of that amount. That was why the scholars of Qing Jing Peak made summarized versions with monsters and demons that people either often or sometimes find in the wild.

The only one who had done such a feat was Shen Qingqiu, the late peak lord of Qing Jing Peak. Or at least he claimed so once, some people doubted him, but others who had been in a mission with him wouldn’t find it hard to believe. That man seemed to know a lot. Even if he didn’t know the weakness of a monster, he would at least know its name and attributes.

It wasn’t even like how the physicians of Qian Cao Peak operate with books about spirit herbs. They would just pick the important herbs, the herbs often used, the rare herbs, and the herbs they were interested in to memorize. No, but the whole thing when it added nearly nothing to one’s sea of knowledge, because unlike spirit herbs that could be useful no matter how common; monsters, demons, or beasts weren’t always useful to study.

However...

Liu Qingge didn’t think too much about it. He didn’t know much about being a scholar but from his impression, it was a pursue to expand one’s knowledge. In his opinion, nothing was useless in studying monsters, demons, and beasts.

“A good seedling.” Liu Qingge nodded.

Qi Qingqi glanced at her shidi doubtfully. “Liu-shidi, your bias is getting stronger by day.”

This guy, as long as you mention that ‘Shen Qingqiu did it when he was alive’, no matter how niche and useless it was, Liu Qingge would immediately stamp it as a very good thing.

That cannot be good for one’s psyche.

Mu Qingfang sighed, silently agreeing with Qi Qingqi. Although they now could playfully took a jab and comment on it and Liu Qingge could calmly face it, Mu Qingfang was always plagued with worry. It had been years, everyone had long moved on, Liu Qingge looked like he had moved on and no longer moping around in regret to others, but Mu Qingfang knew better.

Liu Qingge was always subconsciously chasing after Shen Qingqiu’s shadow, greedily taking in everything he never noticed or knew about Shen Qingqiu when he was alive.

Mu Qingfang can only hope he would stop.

Laughters filled the air as the morning sun shone down on the secret realm. The glittering of water droplets in the air made the atmosphere feel even more harmonious.

Beauties. A lot of beauties giggled and played in the water, taking advantage and feeling delighted that they found the source of water finally. The juniors in Qi Refining realm finally could refill their water gourd. In their delight, they were even in the mood of playing around.

It would be a shame if something bad were to happen right now in the river and turned their happy mood to terror.

It was such a negative idea, but Shen Yuan couldn’t help it. Looking at these girls made Shen Yuan remember that they weren’t a pretty sight to behold inside this conference. If anything were to happen due to the strong aura of protagonist halo, those girls would turn into damsels in distress in a snap. As the only other rare male in the group, Shen Yuan had a feeling that he’d probably be a sacrifice if he put his heart into any of these ladies so he kept his distance and guarded against them faithfully.

‘Fuck, I want to go ahead...’ Shen Yuan thought depressingly. ‘How fucking big this secret realm could be?!’

It had been two whole days since he journeyed with Luo Binghe unfortunately, which meant it was already Day 3 of the conference, and instead of finding Shen Jiu, they only encountered pretty damsels who got charmed by Luo Binghe’s mere presence alone.

Luckily, Luo Binghe was not like some brainless protagonists in standard stallion novels who would chase after beauties or ‘unwillingly’ help a beauty who tricked him into assisting her. So far, Luo Binghe was very courteous and firm in his decisions, he was the very epitome of Qing Jing peak’s strict and untouchable scholar, unperturbed by the mundane world and beauties.

However, if there was a good thing, there must be a bad thing on the side, after admiring that Luo Binghe wasn’t brainless, Shen Yuan quickly lamented that Luo Binghe wasn’t brainless. If only Luo Binghe got ensnared by any beauty they found on the way, Shen Yuan could have used that as an excuse to part ways with him and wouldn’t need to agonize himself like this.

And now these people from different sects actually insisted to cling on Luo Binghe, going wherever Luo Binghe wanted to go. Leeches... Luo Binghe attracted butterflies, bees, and leeches.

“Do you want to rush on, Yuan-shidi?” Luo Binghe asked, noticing Shen Yuan’s increasingly cold expression.

Shen Yuan restrained himself, reminding himself that this was the protagonist. However, his patience was very limited already so he forced out a smile. “Imploring Luo-shixiong to grant this shidi the permission to go ahead.” He bowed down.

Luo Binghe smiled. “There’s no need for permission. If you need to rush, I will naturally make haste along.”

With a wave of his hand, Luo Binghe lightly informed the group of Huan Hua Palace. “You all may remain to enjoy this river, my shidi and I will leave first.”

“Eh?”

The joy of the people by the riverbank dampened by a lot. The two boys in the group seemed to be annoyed but ultimately accepted it, the girls were more unwilling.

“Luo-gege, why the rush?” Qin Wanrong complained coquettishly, her gaze expressed her unwillingness to part from her long-time first love. Ever since Luo Binghe saved her life in the previous Immortal Alliance Conference, the young girl had nursed a very insistent love for Luo Binghe, it just that unfortunately they rarely crossed paths in the outside world and to make visitations to Qing Jing peak was harder than swallowing a sword.

It was by pure luck meeting Luo Binghe in this secret realm and she didn’t intend to part so soon. She then disgruntledly glared at Shen Yuan beside Luo Binghe.

Shen Yuan who received the end of one of the female leads’ glare felt funny. It wasn’t his fault that Luo Binghe picked him, a junior of the same sect, rather than outsiders. ‘You’re not even his wife yet, so work hard on that, don’t blame me.’

Qin Wanyue noticed her little sister’s discontent and mediated. “We’re about to be done too. It’s not nice to stay too long in the river.” She obviously still remembered the tragedy of the previous conference.

Qin Wanrong wanted to disagree with her sister.Unlike the previous conference, this river was shallow and they were in an open place at mid-day, it was very unlikely to get attacked like previously. However, she swallowed her temper and followed her out of the river. “My sister is right. We’ll just keep following Luo-gege.”

Shen Yuan used to think that coquettish girls were cute, now he realized he didn’t really like the real life example of it. Shen Yuan retracted all of those mindless votes he casted to coquettish female leads in the previous life.

Luo Binghe simply nodded, he didn’t seem to have much opinions about getting tailed by outsiders. Shen Yuan simply lifted his leg and started walking away.

“Hey, wait for us!”

“Luo-gege, your junior brother is so rude. He walks ahead of you without your order,” Qin Wanrong’s voice could be heard contemptuously slandering Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan stopped listening and kept going.

Luo Binghe watched Shen Yuan’s cold back for a while before looking toward the group of Huan Hua Palace. “On the contrary, I think my shidi is very accommodating. If Miss Qin and the rest don’t feel like keeping up with our pace, we can respectfully part ways here,” Luo Binghe said with a smile but his eyes were void of it.

Qin Wanrong panicked and felt a bit guilty. “No, no...”

Qin Wanyue pulled her sister’s sleeve and smiled apologetically toward Luo Binghe. “Wanrong is willful, please don’t mind her words.”

After walking for a while, they finally caught up again with Shen Yuan. Naturally, despite feeling bitter, Shen Yuan knew there was more bad than good in purposefully leaving Luo Binghe behind especially since the other party had expressed nothing but good will toward him so far.

Luo Binghe flicked a glance at Shen Yuan’s expression once they caught up and only saw a neutral expression on the youth’s face, he naturally shifted his eyes away again.

“Yuan-shidi, if you’re not happy with the current situation, you’re always free to voice it out. We can leave the group of Huan Hua Palace,” Luo Binghe said, just barely above a whisper, from beside Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan shook his head. “How come I dare to have opinions. I listen to Luo-shixiong’s arrangement.” Although Shen Yuan wanted to drop the girls behind, two of those girls would be Luo Binghe’s wives in the future. If he acted arbitrarily, what should he do if they hold a grudge and decided to make him pay in the future?

Qin Wanyue might be fine, but Qin Wanrong was one of the willful wives that always come to Luo Binghe to complain if she was even slightly wronged. She was one of the rare wives who dared to talk back to Xiao Gongzhu in the novel, Shen Yuan didn’t want to risk anything despite feeling dissatisfied in his heart.

“You know I’m your shixiong and not their shixiong, right?” Luo Binghe suddenly said, pulling Shen Yuan out of his train of thoughts.

Shen Yuan’s pace slowed down slightly as he turned to gaze at Luo Binghe in surprise.

Luo Binghe smiled kindly. “If you have any opinion, just tell it to me. Qing Jing Peak no longer has a lord so we must support and look out for each other more as a family.” He looked at Shen Yuan silently. “Even more so in the field, we have to be transparent about each other’s opinions. If you need anything, it’s okay to rely it to your senior or at least relay what’s your honest opinion about it.”

Shen Yuan listened to Luo Binghe’s words and felt that it made sense. With the absence of a master, the disciples would naturally turn to each other, if not, they’ll soon turn against each other. Shen Yuan was too used to just mind his own business and accepting what came his way because he didn’t want to stick out, he rarely had opinions to voice. Especially since the life and living arrangement in Qing Jing Peak were all decent and quiet, very leisurely and serene, very suitable to his liking, he had nothing to complain.

Shen Yuan opened his mouth but one look at Luo Binghe’s face made him pause again. ‘But this is the protagonist.’ He lamented. Although he was Luo Binghe’s shidi now, those girls would be his future wives.

Sensing Shen Yuan’s hesitation still remained, Luo Binghe smiled helplessly. “Am I that unreliable as a shixiong?” He asked helplessly.

Shen Yuan blinked. “Ah, of course not, Luo-shixiong.” he shook his head and smiled sheepishly. “In fact, shidi understands that Luo-shixiong is just being polite to them.” He scratched his cheek. “It’s not pleasant for Qing Jing Peak to be withdrawn, after all. So connections are important, I understand that.” Shen Yuan said randomly.

In fact, Shen Yuan somewhat understood. The situation was similar to kids who no longer have their parents to support them, once those kids were sensible, they would look out for themselves by either locking themselves in or desperately forging connections as they no longer had the backing of their parents. Obviously Qing Jing Peak couldn’t do the first choice, so they would try their best to forge some connections.

Luo Binghe raised his brows and glanced sideways at his shidi again.

Shen Yuan didn’t notice his glance and only gazed forward carelessly. “It’s just that, shidi doesn’t really like forging connections and cannot share shixiong’s worries.”

“...” Luo Binghe shifted his surprised gaze away from Shen Yuan and cast his eyes down blankly, a glint of gladness flashed in his eyes and his expression turned gentler. “You don’t have to worry, shidi. It’s a senior’s job to bear the burden.”

Shen Yuan gazed at Luo Binghe again and was surprisingly attacked by Luo Binghe’s handsome smiling face and turned dazed.

After a while, Shen Yuan cupped his fist sheepishly. “Shidi is ashamed.” What else can he say?

After traveling for quite a distance and fighting every obstacles on the way. As always, Shen Yuan always picked the laziest choice and perform behind Luo Binghe. It wouldn’t do anyone good to be too capable in the protagonist’s presence unless you want to be either a henchman or a hidden enemy/rival. Shen Yuan wanted to be neither, thank you.

Loud sound coming from a falling tree caught Shen Yuan’s attention, he glanced over to see a dead orc and Qin Wanrong standing over it in triumph.

Truth be told, if she wasn’t so noisy and coquettish, Shen Yuan would have liked her more as a teammate, but unfortunately she was love-brained and can’t stop throwing those smitten looks at Luo Binghe.

Qin Wanrong caught him looking her way, raised her head haughtily and harumphed. She arrogantly resheathed her sword while tossing a disdainful glance at Shen Yuan’s opponent, a mere low goblin that was way weaker than her opponent.

Naturally between Shen Yuan and Qin Wanrong, there was still a gap in cultivation, the girl was still one of the favoured disciples in Huan Hua Palace whereas Shen Yuan was merely a new batch disciple from Qing Jing Peak, even in terms of experience, Qin Wanrong was still a little bit better so Shen Yuan didn’t bother to compare.

Of course, it was all in Shen Yuan’s head. If Shen Jiu was here and knew what he was thinking, he would disagree wholeheartedly.

A mere squeamish sheltered young lady from Huan Hua Palace? Shen Jiu knew Shen Yuan was stronger than that. Although Shen Yuan’s cultivation could be said to be average of average, the combination of ‘basics’ Shen Jiu (forcibly) introduced and Shen Yuan’s own unique takes and understanding were enough for him to fight Qin Wanrong and defeat her several times.

It was only because Shen Yuan’s only serious sparring partner was Shen Jiu, his own little brother, that he thought others were great. After several times being beaten without a chance to fight back by your own much younger brother, it bound to leave some mark, Shen Yuan’s perceived standard had long been skewed by Shen Jiu.

“Good job, shidi.” As always, despite how average Shen Yuan did, Luo Binghe always supportively praised his work with a kind smile.

Shen Yuan chuckled awkwardly. “Luo-shixiong overpraises. Luo-shixiong killed more in numbers.”

Qin Wanrong stomped dissatisfiedly. “Luo-gege, look!” She waved and pointed at her own prey. “It was pretty strong! I listened to your advice and the efficiency of my skill increased.”

“Ah, Second Miss Qin is talented,” Luo Binghe said. “This is my first time seeing an orc like that,” he said ponderingly.

“I also wondered. The orc attacked with dark smoke earlier.”

“Could it be Abyss Orc?!”

Qin Wanrong smiled triumphantly hearing her junior sisters’ discussion. “The body is dark and spiky, not to mention it can attack with dark smoke, this should be Abyss Orc.” she concluded proudly.

“I did hear there will be Abyss Orc,” Luo Binghe nodded and said perfunctorily.

“Abyss Orc is famous for being really strong and durable.” Qin Wanyue gazed at the orc her sister just defeated. “Wanrong has improved tremendously.”

Shen Yuan took another look at the orc and his lips quivered, he finally couldn’t resist speaking out. “That’s Dark Moon Orc, not Abyss Orc.”

Everyone snapped into silence and they turned to look at Shen Yuan.

“The body is dark but not dark enough, it’s even slightly bluish, also the shape of its skull is wrong.” Shen Yuan pointed out and then gestured to his own chest. “Look under its shawl, there should be a black crescent symbol, the telling sign.” The orc in question was wearing worn-out smelly shawl around it, covering its ancestry symbol.

“I see.” Luo Binghe gazed at Shen Yuan in innocent amazement. “Yuan-shidi is very knowledgeable.” He praised brightly. “Dark Moon Orc is not as durable nor as tough as Abyss Orc.”

Qin Wanrong bit her lips and blushed slightly in embarrassment for being wrong. “I see, Wanrong is wrong, I don’t really study much about this and am too focused on cultivation.” She crossed her arms and subtly glared in dissatisfaction at Shen Yuan.

They continued to travel again, the sun in the secret realm slowly descended and the sky turned orange with magenta hues on the horizon.

The birds began to be much more active in the sky, squawking and calling here and there, eager to rush to their nests before the sun completely disappear.

Unfortunately for those birds, some were destined to never return to their nests as they were shot down by several cultivators who wanted an easy dinner.

“How many of you are still not in the state of bigu?” Luo Binghe asked as he handed them one catch he got himself.

Qin Wanyue answered honestly and thanked Luo Binghe for his contribution.

Luo Binghe then turned to Shen Yuan. “Yuan-shidi? You still eat, right?” he asked.

Shen Yuan shook his head. “I only eat when I’m bored, Luo-shixiong.” which was always back in Qing Jing Peak. But right now, how could he be bored? He was still anxious to find Shen Jiu.

Luo Binghe nodded and gave another bird to Huan Hua Palace’s disciples.

Shen Yuan sighed and looked at Shi Yu.

“By the way, Luo-gege. Where are we going next?” Qin Wanrong asked as other disciples prepared their catch in the background.

Luo Binghe subconsciously turned to Shen Yuan. “Where are we going next, shidi?” he asked.

Not quite listening to their conversation, Shen Yuan bluntly said, “To the south.” He caressed his sword.

Qin Wanrong snapped up. “What? Why would we go south?” she turned to Luo Binghe. “A senior once told us about the layout of this secret realm from his experience. I recognize the valley upfront, if we turn left to the north we’ll get to a waterfall with a lot of spirit herbs.”

Luo Binghe smiled apologetically. “We’re going to the south. I’m guarding my shidi.”

Qin Wanrong couldn’t bear it, she turned toward Shen Yuan. “Hey, the north has a waterfall and a lot of spirit herbs. Since Luo-gege has helped us a lot, we’re willing to share good things.”

Shen Yuan glanced at her strangely. “I’m going south,” he emphasized. So what about spirit herbs? Even if there was a nest of Eight-Faced Ghost Yin Spider in the north, Shen Yuan would still go south to look for his little brother.

“You!” Qin Wanrong glared.

“Wanrong,” Qin Wanyue reminded her sharply. “Since we have different destinations, then we’ll part later.” She politely curtseyed to Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan. “However, for the meanwhile, let us treat you two. Please don’t hesitate. The animals in this secret realm are all spiritual, it won’t affect our cultivation, please eat with us.”

“It will be rude to decline Young Miss Qin’s good intention.” Luo Binghe cupped his fist and nodded politely with a gentle smile.

So they all sat down to feast before the sun set since fire during the night would invite more trouble than good. Some disciples from Huan Hua Palace brought some wine with them and shared it with everyone.

Shen Yuan ate a few bites and took one sip of the drink before stopping. He didn’t mean to be picky, but these rich sheltered disciples from Huan Hua Palace all couldn’t cook their food properly. Such superb meat actually reduced to a plain one in their hands, such a shame.

As for the wine, Shen Yuan was not one to drink a lot as he took his role as a big brother and role-model very seriously, but the wine from Zui Xian Peak had spoiled him.

Shen Yuan noticed that Luo Binghe didn’t touch a lot of food either and only perfunctorily gave a taste before completely ignoring his food. Shen Yuan leaned closer. “Luo-shixiong, not eating and drinking?” he asked simply.

Luo Binghe shook his head. “We have to stay alert in this kind of situation. I have no appetite to eat or drink,” he said.

Shen Yuan nodded and decided to sit aside and close his eyes to meditate.

After a while, his eyes snapped open. ‘The protagonist said we have to stay alert while there’s a feast around him? That’s a flag!’ just as Shen Yuan thought so, one of the only two male disciples in Huan Hua Palace’s group screamed.

“AAAHHHH!!!”

Shen Yuan instinctively pulled out his sword and turned to see the male disciples getting mauled by his mid-section and looked away again. He didn’t see any detail and his subconscious somewhat blocked most of what he saw. His grip on Shi Yu trembled.

In a split second Shen Yuan tried to recollect himself, more monsters emerged and it became clear that they were surrounded.

Shen Yuan looked up at the monsters instead. “Flame Tail Wolves!” He exclaimed and complained at the same time. It was really a wolf with its still on fire, this was truly lazy!

This kind of beast was weak, but they always had their strength in number.

Everyone scrambled to guard themselves.

Luo Binghe stood guard behind Shen Yuan. “Shidi, be careful. Although they’re weak, they have a really good teamwork.”

Shen Yuan nodded silently.

The wolves leaped forward to attack and they fought back. Despite being caught off guard, they could fight back well after a while. With Luo Binghe’s skill and lead, they naturally had an easier time.

When Luo Binghe cut down its leader, everyone exhaled a sigh of relief.

“Fan-shidi!” They immediately rushed to the male disciple who got the initial attack and suffered the worst injury. Because of the attack, no one had the time to tend to him so laid there in his own pool of blood.

‘Fan-shidi’ was young, younger than Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan’s heart tinged when he saw his sorry condition.

“Pick him up, we have to leave,” Shen Yuan said urgently.

“It’s impossible to pick him up. He lost too much blood, if we move him he’ll lose more and die,” cried a girl who tried to stop the bleeding.

“Don’t you know how to seal the bleeding?” Shen Yuan asked desperately. Or was that request too much of a fantasy in this world?

“It’s unfortunate we don’t have the skill of Qian Cao Peak’s disciples,” Luo Binghe said.

‘So the skill did exist?’ Shen Yuan thought, but then again Qian Cao Peak was a peak of cheat medics.

“We have to wait until the blood clod pill works,” Qin Wanyue said.

“No other alternative?” Shen Yuan asked. “Our position is compromised.”

“My shidi is dying! Can you stop being cowardly?!” Qin Wanrong yelled with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Shen Yuan turned cold. “If we stay here, more lives will be compromised.” He felt bad, but ultimately he didn’t know the guy that well.

“Scholar Shen is right, Wanrong, don’t be too emotional,” Qin Wanyue mediated.

“But sister! Fan-shidi can’t be moved!” Qin Wanrong protested. “I don’t want anything to happen! We’ve lost so many of our juniors and seniors in the previous conference!” she cried.

Shen Yuan felt distressed and began to question himself on the morality of the situation. Stay and be exposed to possible danger to tend the dying stranger or leave the premise while actively endangering the said dying stranger? The modern man in him wanted to help, but the logical novel reader in him wanted to leave so badly regardless.

Shen Yuan bit the inside of his mouth for a second before speaking up again. “Then, pull your emergency flare.”

Panicky voices ceased to exist and they all gazed at Shen Yuan in shock. Luo Binghe’s eyes glimmered.

While they were in a dilemma on what to do, another problem came knocking.

Suddenly, a group of ape-like beasts appeared and started making chaos. Although they were not as organized as the pack of wolves from earlier, they were much more menacing, many of them eyed them from up the tree, giving the impression of them getting cornered even more than the wolves from earlier.

The apes started swinging down, leaping at them. Those who leaped down first snatched the food and drinks they had yet to finish, shrieking and hitting their chests rowdily.

“Fanged Red Gorillas...” Shen Yuan’s face turned dark as he slowly stepped back.

Luo Binghe sighed. “We should’ve left earlier.”

The faces of the disciples from Huan Hua Palace turned ugly.

“No way, why are there so many grouped beasts nearby?!”

“Probably connected to the waterfall you told us about,” Luo Binghe said calmly. “If it’s full of spirit herbs, that means it’s full of spirituality, it’s not strange for several tribes of beasts living close by.”

“No way...”

“Damn it!”

“No use to lament now. You all protect your fellow disciple’s life.” Luo Binghe raised his sword and flashed forward to attack one leading gorilla.

Everyone immediately prepared themselves for a battle again despite their fatigue from the earlier ambush.

Shen Yuan also raised his sword again and started nimbly dodging and attacking the gorillas that came to attack.

While Fanged Red Gorillas did not seem as menacing as Flame Tail Wolves, they were much more intelligent and stronger in defense, in a prolonged fight they would absolutely triumph over humans of the same level of power so they needed to end it as quickly as possible.

If possible, they needed to wrap this up before the sun completely disappears into the horizon!

Shen Yuan quickly conveyed this to Luo Binghe who agreed with him silently and added more power to his attacks. In a flash Shen Yuan saw that, a doubt raised in his heart.

‘Is the protagonist holding back his strength?’ Shen Yuan mused doubtfully.

However, the moment that doubt appeared, Shen Yuan kicked it aside because of the situation. He suddenly remembered he didn’t seem to have spot the king of this Fanged Red Gorillas just yet. The king was usually the most eye-catching and big as most of the resources the group of gorillas found would go to the leader first, so the king enjoyed the best resource and could develop much better than the rest.

‘Where is it...?’

Suddenly, Shen Yuan could feel goosebumps crawling on his skin starting from the back of his neck, cold sweat drenched his back in an instant. With all self-preservation instinct he saved in two lives, Shen Yuan scrambled to duck down but that didn’t completely protect him at all as sharp pain jolted from his shoulder.

Shen Yuan did a front flip and turned to see his attacker while wincing. His eyes widened. “Fanged Blood Gorilla...” he murmured. It was an evolution from Fanged Red Gorilla from what he had read in the encyclopedia of beasts and monsters.

Shen Yuan grasped his shoulder to feel it for a bit, making sure nothing was dislocated or fractured. Shen Yuan hastily raised his sword and blocked a punch from the Fanged Blood Gorilla, he was pushed ten steps back while the gorilla stayed in its place.

“So strong.” Shen Yuan breathed out. The gorilla was entirely focused on him, he had no chance to exploit its weakness at all. He furtively glanced around but he found that Luo Binghe was not anywhere nearby at all so asking for his assistance was impossible.

However, Shen Yuan soon spotted Qin Wanrong dealing with a gorilla herself.

“Second Young Miss Qin!” Shen Yuan called out loudly.

Qin Wanrong paused and turned slightly, but she didn’t look at Shen Yuan.

“Help me for a bit!” Shen Yuan requested and barely dodged as the Fanged Blood Gorilla took a swipe at him again.

Qin Wanrong turned her head away and jumped away without any intention to listen to Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. The Blood Gorilla flashed behind him and raised both fists clenched together.

BAM!!!

Dust rose up and someone looked over, gasping.

“Heavens! I-is that Fanged Blood Gorilla?! That’s the king!”

The Fanged Blood Gorilla howled from within the natural smokescreen, creating a haunting atmosphere.

Everyone blanched.

“Where’s my shidi?” Luo Binghe looked around.

Qin Wanrong clasped her sweaty hands together and stayed quiet.

“What should we do? I heard that Blood Gorilla is extremely strong and fast.”

“Look out!”

“Wanrong!” Qin Wanyue screamed.

Qin Wanrong froze in place with a guilty conscience, a large gorilla had jumped towards her and when she snapped out of it, it had been too late to dodge.

Screams rang out in panic but suddenly a sword light flashed out of nowhere.

The growling gorilla suddenly stopped making noise and tumbled to the ground, bleeding out.

“Is everybody okay?!” A handsome young man stood over the gorilla’s carcass.

Everyone from Huan Hua Palace was struck speechless before letting out the breath they had held. “GONGYI-SHIXIONG!!!” Everyone exclaimed.

Qin Wanrong snapped out when the danger passed, she also immediately called out to Gongyi Xiao and ran towards him with increasing gladness in her heart completely overshadowing her slight guilty conscience.

"Da Shixiong!"

“Gongyi-shixiong!”

“It’s lucky shixiong is here!”

“You finally found us!”

“Are you alone?!”

Gongyi Xiao was about to calm down his juniors when a terrifying sword wave blasted out and stopped him from voicing anything.

The dust settled forcefully by the sword wave and suddenly the scene of the Fanged Blood Gorilla became clear. A child no older than eleven was in front of the gorilla and standing in front of Shen Yuan with his blade stabbing the Blood Gorilla’s hand into the ground.

Shen Yuan slowly blinked when the dust settled. “A’Jiu...?” He murmured dazedly. He blinked again and was sure that it was Shen Jiu, his first reaction was to be happy to see Shen Jiu again after days not seeing each other.

Shen Jiu didn’t answer him, he pulled out Shi Bao from the blood gorilla’s tough flesh and swung it towards the gorilla’s chest angrily. He leaped up and kicked the blood gorilla’s chest and used the tough chest as his stepping stone to leap higher, Shi Bao’s point aimed for the ape’s head.

Shen Yuan saw Shen Jiu’s dangerous action and immediately sprung into action himself. Shi Yu flashed awake, becoming more sensitive when it sensed its other half was nearby.

While Shen Jiu was mid-air, Shen Yuan aimed for the legs. Although they didn’t communicate, their swords communicate with each other. Shen Yuan roughly knew what Shen Jiu wanted to do even if Shen Jiu said nothing.

Both slashes landed almost at the same time, earning a pained howl from the Fanged Blood Gorilla as it staggered back. Shen Jiu landed on his feet and used his lightness skill to instantly appeared on the ape’s right side just as Shen Yuan slightly shifted his body to position himself on the ape’s left side.

‘The point between the fourth and fifth rib is the weakest part!’ Shen Yuan recalled the content of the second volume of basic encyclopedia of beasts and monsters and aimed for the space between the fourth and fifth rib according to his estimation. Although he didn’t know if he was right or wrong, he just followed what Shi Yu conveyed to him through their connection.

Shen Jiu moved again and Shen Yuan moved after him, they worked in tandem until the Fanged Blood Gorilla howled desperately for one last time before falling to its knees and then on its face.

Shen Yuan gasped breathlessly after the beast tumbled, feeling mentally drained. From the beginning to the end, Shi Yu kept on nudging him through their connection, it was incredibly taxing for his current mental power. Shen Yuan instead used Shi Yu to prop him up while he was gasping for breath.

With their king’s fall, the remaining Fanged Red Gorillas lost their willpower to fight again.

Shen Jiu glared at them all. “Scram!” he snapped and the Fanged Red Gorillas quickly flee, already acknowledging the strongest was not from their own.

After the beasts all fled, everyone let out a sigh of relief through their fatigue.

Shen Jiu glared even harder when he heard their sighs. “Are you all idiots or mentally retarded?!”

The sudden harsh insult coming from the young boy caught everyone off guard.

Shen Jiu pointed at every single disciple of Huan Hua Palace in the vicinity. “Incompetent! All of you! What did you learn in Huan Hua Palace? You actually have the gal to join Immortal Alliance Conference with your pitiful amount of experience and knowledge?! Who gave you the courage?!”

Shen Yuan blinked rapidly while still trying to catch his breath. “A’Jiu...” when he realized it was indeed his little brother who was scolding the other group, he quickly called out again. “A’jiu.”

“Shen Qing, please calm down,” Gongyi Xiao said placatingly. “I know you’re frustrated—“

“Shut up.” Shen Jiu gazed coldly at Gongyi Xiao. He directly pointed at Qin Wanrong who was standing behind Gongyi Xiao. “You think I didn’t see you turning away when my brother called for your help?”

Gongyi Xiao turned to look at Qin Wanrong who went pale and clenched her hands tightly.

“Don’t slander me! The situation was a mess earlier, how could I know he’s in danger...” Qin Wanrong bit her lips. "I was also in danger earlier if it wasn't because of Gongyi-shixiong!" She reasoned, convincing herself as innocent.

Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes. “A cultivator who couldn’t hear an ally’s request for help nearby. What’s the use of you cultivating? I didn’t know Huan Hua Palace is cultivating dregs of trash.”

“You!” The disciples of Huan Hua Palace all gritted their teeth furiously.

Shen Jiu sneered but Shen Yuan grabbed his shoulder from behind and pulled him back.

“Enough, it’s unbecoming of you to argue messily like this,” Shen Yuan said strictly.

Hearing the reproach, Shen Jiu gazed at Shen Yuan’s stern gaze and calmed down. He mulled it over and thought that indeed, he had lost his composure. He shouldn’t deign to argue with these brats.

Shen Jiu’s gaze then lingered on Shen Yuan’s shoulder before he looked away.

Shen Yuan sighed in relief when Shen Jiu settled down. After years of cohabiting with this little brother, Shen Yuan had finally learned that Shen Jiu rarely listened to soothing words, Shen Yuan had a higher chance of being heard if he used a sterner tone and provide a logical reason why Shen Jiu had to calm down.

Of course, learning from previous mistakes, Shen Yuan only did it sparingly, since if he did it too often Shen Jiu would start argue his logic. It was important to let Shen Jiu have his way sometimes, but ‘sometimes’ was not this time. Raising a firecracker of a little brother who also happened to be a tsundere was not a hard job at all if you did it sincerely.

Gongyi Xiao gazed at the quiet Shen Jiu and then at his own juniors, he sighed. He had only known Shen Jiu for a few hours at most, but he knew Shen Jiu was always honest and blunt, he didn’t seem to be the type to lie. Not to mention earlier Shen Jiu had arrived first, perhaps...

Gongyi Xiao shook his head. He didn’t want to think of the possibility that Qin Wanrong was that unnecessarily cruel to a disciple from a different sect. She was willful indeed, but she wasn’t vicious. It might be a misunderstanding.

“Shen Qing, there might be some misunderstanding. But if you don’t feel satisfied, then I’m willing to apologize in place of my juniors.”

“Da shixiong...” Gongyi Xiao’s juniors all gazed on unwillingly.

Shen Jiu crossed his arms coldly. “Covering up garbage with silk doesn’t automatically make it nice.”

Shen Yuan sighed. “Sir Gongyi doesn’t have to do so.” He then recalled Qin Wanrong’s heartless appearance when abandoning him and felt bitter, his tone automatically turned cold too. “There’s no meaning in apologizing over something you don’t even understand.”

The words sent a wave of surprise for Gongyi Xiao who immediately knew that Shen Yuan was subtly telling him that he was perfunctory and not sincere. He closed his eyes as he cupped his fist anyway.

“Then, we’ll part ways here.” Shen Yuan also cupped his fist but didn’t bow down.

Shen Jiu sneered and resheathed his sword back.

Luo Binghe appeared after that with quiet steps and smiled at Shen Jiu. “Little shidi, you’re so strong. We’ve been looking for you, it’s good that you’re okay.” He didn’t seem to want to address the brothers’ conflict with Huan Hua Palace, but from beginning to end, he didn’t spare a glance at the disciples of Huan Hua Palace.

Shen Jiu didn’t want to bother with this unfilial disciple at first, but he had been rude to too many people now so it wouldn’t be good for Qing Jing Peak’s face if he also gave a cold shoulder to Luo Binghe too, so he cupped his fist politely and lowered his head slightly. “Shidi has burdened Luo-shixiong.”

“Not at all,” Luo Binghe said gently. He then finally turned to look at the group from Huan Hua Palace. “Then, we’ll part here. You have also found your Da-shixiong*. Gongyi-daoyou, it’s a pleasure to meet you again.” He lightly greeted Gongyi Xiao.

Gongyi Xiao also bowed down slightly. “Thank you for taking care of my junior sisters and brothers.”

Luo Binghe nodded wordlessly with a smile and turned to his junior brothers. “Yuan-shidi, Qing-shidi, let’s go.”

Qin Wanrong bit her lips when she saw Luo Binghe easily broke their alliance. She wanted him to stay but too ashamed to, her guilty conscience was not ready to face him again. Qin Wanyue also gazed at Luo Binghe’s back unwillingly but she was much more subtle about it compared to her little sister.

Shen Jiu, on the other hand, gazed blankly at Luo Binghe, wondering just when did he ever invite Luo Binghe to come along.

“And...” Shen Yuan started before they walk away. Shen Jiu and Luo Binghe paused and looked back.

Shen Yuan gazed at each of the disciples of Huan Hua Palace expressionlessly. “If you’re truly concerned for your fellow apprentice’s life, you probably should pull the emergency flare next time.”

After saying that, Shen Yuan cupped his fist to Gongyi Xiao perfunctorily and turned to leave while holding Shen Jiu’s hand, leaving several of Huan Hua Palace’s disciples pale-faced. The brothers walked past Luo Binghe and Luo Binghe gazed at them with a clean gaze.

Luo Binghe glanced back at the people of Huan Hua Palace and turned around.

“What happened to Fan-shidi?!” Gongyi Xiao exclaimed from behind Luo Binghe.

Hearing that, Luo Binghe smirked subtly and continued to follow the two brothers leisurely.

Chapter Text

The atmosphere within the spectating hall became a bit weird after the clash between the disciples of Huan Hua Palace and Qing Jing Peak.

A tense situation where one side accused the other side of something was very common in the Immortal Alliance Conference, it usually was solved by strength, and they didn’t think much about Shen Jiu’s enraged accusation. Not to mention it was very common, this time it was a child who did it, very prone to be emotional and less understanding of the whole picture. He would most likely be disciplined later behind closed doors going by the usual routine.

But Shen Yuan’s last sentence before they parted ways with Huan Hua Palace changed everyone’s mood. Some felt amused, others felt scandalized, and the rest was watching with gusto on how it would prevail for Huan Hua Palace that got their face slapped by a junior disciple from Qing Jing Peak.

“The spirit of Qing Jing Peak lives on…”

It was indeed a peak of scholars, their disciples were always bound to develop a poisonous tongue upon spending time with its teaching. People would often mention how pretentious scholars of Qing Jing Peak were, but no one would dare to enter a debate with them, it would be endless and they would still find more topics to criticize your morals and characters even after dismantling it piece by piece.

The last time someone challenged a person of Qing Jing Peak to a debate was decades ago when Shen Qingqiu was still a newly named peak lord. Ten cultivators left the debate with inner demons, nine of whom succumbed to their inner demons and died under various circumstances, the other one found peace in Buddhism, created his own temple, and declared that he never wanted to get involved in rivers and lakes anymore.

Since then, the old saying about Qing Jing Peak has become more prevalent. ‘Qing Jing Peak scholars look good, as long as they don’t open their mouths.’ That nine out of ten fatal consequences was simply too deadly.

When Shen Qingqiu died at the hands of Liu Qingge while he was suffering qi deviation, many people laughed and sneered that he got his deserved end for instilling inner demons in other cultivators with his unforgiving words… of course, no one dared to say this out loud after eleven powerful cultivators met their ends at the tip of Cheng Luan blade for even insinuating it.

Everyone had learned what to say and what not, or else they wouldn’t live this long in a world of cultivators where no one would know when things become a sore spot for someone.

“Maybe the disciples of Huan Hua Palace just forgot they could surrender and call for reinforcement,” Ye Qingjiu said carelessly with a light smile.

Everyone had seen that Shen Yuan had reminded them to use the emergency flare, Ye Qingjiu’s words just made it even more awkward.

Mu Qingfang noticed the thickening atmosphere and sent a look to his shidi’s way. The peak lord of Zui Xian Peak was always fond of pretending to be stupid just to stir more trouble, something that Mu Qingfang was not too fond of.

Qi Qingqi smiled. “If I’m not wrong, that shizi is called Shen Yuan, right? He pulled one of the twin bonded swords from Wan Jian Tower a year ago. The one with the primary sword, right?” This time wasn’t the right time to stir for problems. Moreover, they were involved in it. It would be good to stir the trouble when it involved other sects instead of their own.

“Indeed, I remember his face,” Wei Qingwei nodded with praise. “Truly a talented young man.”

Several prominent figures mentally scrutinized the peak lords after hearing that. One part was surprised that the seemingly lowkey disciple was an upcoming talent who could pull out a primary sword of the famous Wan Jian Peak, the other part they were arching their brows meaningfully.

It was subtle, but with Qi Qingqi bringing up the young man’s ‘achievement’, it meant silent support.

Other sect’s elders might still dare to pick faults with normal disciples from another sect, but a talented disciple was not so easy to pick faults with.

It seemed like this year’s Immortal Alliance Conference would still be full of undercurrent power struggles again.

One disagreement hardly affected the conference as a whole, the competition resumed as normal. On day 5 mid-day, they met up with Ning Yingying who happened to be in a group with a few girls of Xian Shu Peak.

While Xian Shu Peak was very strict about the prohibition of no men in their peak, outside the peak, especially in a competition like this, they had no problem teaming up with their male peers from the same sect.

Shen Yuan, however, was still traumatized by the event he experienced when teaming up with the group from Huan Hua Palace. Of course, he didn’t doubt the fairies of Xian Shu Peak but he doubted Luo Binghe’s thread of fate.

Last time, he was in a group with Luo Binghe, a bunch of girls, plus two guys. One of the two guys ended up mauled and even Shen Yuan was not sure how he was right now. Now, the composition stayed the same, Luo Binghe, a bunch of girls, and finally, the only other two males were Shen Yuan himself and Shen Jiu.

‘Absolutely not!’ Shen Yuan howled in his mind.

Shen Yuan refused to fall into the same formula! No! Damned Airplane and his idiotic formulaic plotlines! Shen Yuan refused to be a sacrificial lamb to contrast with the protagonist’s brilliance!

So, Shen Yuan spent the rest of the day planning how to get away from this group, if possible, he wanted to go to the opposite direction of wherever Luo Binghe was going.

Nothing much happened on Day 5 for them, mostly just low to mid-level demons and beasts, nothing that couldn’t be cleaned with their group’s combined power. When night fell, they all decided to settle until morning. All of them were already in a state of bigu, so they didn’t need to eat and didn’t bother to.

“I wonder where Liu-shijie is right now,” Tang Wanqiu, a young girl from Xian Shu Peak, wondered.

“If it’s Liu-shijie, she can even operate alone,” Hong Yuting said. “Like Luo-shixiong here, Luo-shixiong would have no trouble to scour this place unhindered.” She smiled flatteringly.

“Leave some room for error for me,” Luo Binghe said helplessly.

Ning Yingying giggled. “I’m so lucky to meet A’Luo at this conference, back then, I couldn’t even find your shadow!”

Shen Yuan watched and learned their pattern, subconsciously categorizing this interaction as ‘Luo Binghe interacting with future wives/wife’s entourage’. If this was narrated in a novel, Luo Binghe must be thinking of Liu Mingyan and her peerless face that not even the creator, with his very limited talent in writing, could describe.

It was a set. In the previous conference, Liu Mingyan probably already noticed Luo Binghe for winning. The plot had changed, Shen Yuan didn’t know what kind of trajectory Luo Binghe and Liu Mingyan’s development would go. After all, they got close because Luo Binghe wanted revenge on Shen Qingqiu and Liu Mingyan wanted to bring justice to her dead brother.

But right now, Shen Qingqiu was dead and Liu Qingge was still alive and kicking. There was absolutely no reason for them to bond over their hatred on Shen Qingqiu like in the novel. If the world still insisted Luo Binghe was the protagonist, Liu Mingyan would still be interested in Luo Binghe, but perhaps this time they would take rival-route instead?

Either way, Shen Yuan didn’t want to be involved.

‘How to leave…?’ Shen Yuan bemoaned inside. ‘I don’t want to be with this trouble magnet…’ Shen Yuan cursed inwardly.

There was still quite a while before a week was up. Too long. Too many dangers the protag could possibly pull.

“Luo-shixiong, how’s your progress so far?”

“So-so.”

“That can’t be! You were the previous champion of the last Immortal Alliance Conference!”

Luo Binghe smiled breezily. “My luck is not good recently, that’s all.”

“It is my fault,” Shen Yuan said demurely. “Because this shidi is still new, Luo-shixiong felt bound by duty to guide and protect instead of letting loose. This shidi is also incompetent for putting worries in Luo-shixiong’s mind.”

“Ah, shidi, you’re too serious.” Hong Yuting quickly disagreed. “This is your first Immortal Alliance Conference, it’s natural for you to be taken care of. Moreover with the last one…” she sighed and decided to not finish the sentence she wanted to say and changed it to another, “If Liu-shijie is with us, I doubt she’ll leave us alone too.” She shrugged.

On the side, Shen Jiu grasped a bluish beetle with his bare hand and gazed at it with waning interest. “I saw Liu-shijie a few days ago.” He carelessly revealed.

“Really?” The fairies of Xian Shu Peak paused.

“Mm. Somewhere in the east, the forest was thicker and more moist. We parted around there.” Shen Jiu walked back and sat down beside Shen Yuan.

“Liu-shijie didn’t take you in?” Tang Wanqiu asked.

“This shidi refused on the basis of training,” Shen Jiu answered easily.

Shen Yuan’s eyes gleamed. “I see, A’Jiu is very brave…” He praised his little brother while also having his own calculation in his heart.

“Well, it’s time to rest for the night. Who will be the first one to guard?” Ning Yingying clapped her hands.

“I’ll do it,” Luo Binghe said. “Junior brothers and the girls should rest first, I’ll alert everyone if there’s something wrong.”

“Then, I will accompany A’Luo,” Ning Yingying said. “Shidi and you girls should go rest first.”

“Thank you, Ning-shijie, Luo-shixiong.” Shen Yuan grabbed Shen Jiu and dragged him behind a tree that Shen Yuan had judged to be the safest spot with little to no blindspot in case they got ambushed.

Shen Yuan sat down and wanted to meditate for a while for show. After about half an hour, he opened his eyes and looked at Shen Jiu, wanting to convey his intention.

“A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan called out.

Shen Jiu looked up and blinked.

“What are you doing?” Shen Yuan asked randomly, starting the conversation on a smoother path.

Shen Jiu showed him and Shen Yuan blinked when he saw a mangled body of a bluish beetle, Shen Jiu then showed him his other hand which had a pair of flawlessly plucked iridescent wings.

“Northern Night Blue Beetle’s wings, twenty merit points in Qiong Ding Peak’s Merit Hall.” Shen Jiu said bluntly. “Do you have a jade bottle? I used up mine.”

“…Oh.” Shen Yuan passed an empty jade bottle to Shen Jiu. “A’Jiu, I want to discuss something with you?”

“What?” Shen Jiu responded indifferently but his eyes were trained on Shen Yuan, giving Shen Yuan’s clear look that Shen Jiu was paying attention.

Shen Yuan lowered his voice slightly. “Do you want to part ways with the others tomorrow? It might be a bit dangerous and riskier than staying together, but I’m sure we can manage.” Just kidding, as long as they were far away from the protagonist, it would lower their chance to encounter danger by fifty percent as long as they parted ways with the protag with good will.

Shen Jiu nodded. “I can protect you.”

Yet again, Shen Yuan’s pride was poked. He clenched his hands and grasped Shen Jiu’s shoulders. “I will protect you.” He emphasized. “Alright, it’s decided then. We’re going to go away in the morning, okay? I’ll talk to the seniors.”

Shen Jiu nodded again, after all, he didn’t really care. If Shen Yuan wanted to go off alone with him, that would be much better than staying with unimportant people.

So when morning came, Shen Yuan steeled himself and went with his plan to part away from the protagonist and the group of girls that might become his bane.

Shen Yuan gathered his things… which were only a canteen of water and his sword, since everything else was stored in his cheap qiankun pouch. Feeling a bit underwhelming, Shen Yuan readjusted Shen Jiu’s robe instead, treating his little brother like a travel backpack in the absence of a real backpack.

Shen Jiu was left to wonder what was Shen Yuan fixing about his robe but he was too lazy to pick fights with his elder brother.

Dignifiedly, Shen Yuan showed his humble and professional smile and approached Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying, bowing down obediently.

“Ning-shijie, Luo-shixiong, shidi excuses himself to part ways here.”

Shen Yuan already had a script in his heart, this separation must be completed successfully!

“Ah? Yuan-shidi, why? It’s safer to travel together,” Ning Yingying was the first to disagree while Luo Binghe watched on calmly.

“Shidi just realizes shidi hasn’t had any chance to gain experience at all,” Shen Yuan said righteously. “Shidi can’t possibly always be under the shelter of capable shixiong and shijie. That’s why, shidi wants to go off and look for a chance somewhere else with Shen Qing.”

“You two are the most junior ones from Qing Jing Peak in this conference. In reality, it is already a good experience to travel together with your seniors,” Ning Yingying still persuaded caringly.

“With the blessing of shixiong and shijie, we will be fine,” Shen Yuan said, he had steeled his resolve. Absolutely no staying with the protagonist when there was a group of girls present in a possibly dangerous situation. “Besides, there are only two days left to the competition, if this shidi can’t even avoid danger with such a short deadline, then this shidi will be ashamed.”

“It seems like Yuan-shidi has thought this through.”

At this moment, the silent Luo Binghe finally spoke up with a clear smile on his face. Shen Yuan was absentminded for a split second and accidentally looked up to glimpse at his relaxed smile.

“A’Luo,” Ning Yingying still wasn’t fully on board with the idea and furrowed her brows at Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe shrugged lightheartedly. “It’s fine, isn’t it? Not all newcomers would get in danger, I believe in Yuan-shidi and Qing-shidi’s capability.” He gazed at the two brothers confidently. “With their flawless teamwork, few things could stop them in this secret realm.”

Shen Yuan took his chance when he saw it. “Thank you, Luo-shixiong!” he cupped his hand and bowed down again, taking Luo Binghe’s vague permissive words as true permission.

With that, Shen Yuan successfully brought Shen Qing and separated himself from the protagonist team.

When they could no longer see the backs of the two brothers, Ning Yingying turned to Luo Binghe, a little bit dissatisfied but not antagonistic about the decision. “Yuan-shidi is very lowkey on average days, Qing-shidi is even more withdrawn, are you sure they’re going to be okay?”

Luo Binghe smiled. “This is Immortal Alliance Conference, shijie. No matter how lowkey one can be, there’s still a longing to shine alone.”

Ning Yingying exhaled and nodded. “Alright.”

Had Shen Yuan heard Luo Binghe’s words, he’d immediately disagree.

Shine?

Please, protagonist.

He’d rather be dim!

However, Shen Yuan was already far away by now, he had used his lightness skill to immediately get away from Luo Binghe and the others after a safe distance as if he was afraid Luo Binghe would change his mind and tail after them or other kinds of problems suddenly arise and stopped them from going away.

After a while, he finally stopped, out of breath and sweating like a bull. He turned around, worried if Shen Jiu had difficulty keeping up but only glimpsed Shen Jiu’s unperturbed form behind him. Seeing this gap, Shen Yuan felt a bit depressed.

“How come you’re not even breaking a sweat?” Shen Yuan complained in a low voice.

Shen Jiu blinked. “Breathing exercise,” he said bluntly. “I told you to practice instead of idling whenever you’re free,” he added disdainfully.

Shen Yuan looked away petulantly in depression. He knew breathing exercise, he just didn’t feel like he needed to exercise breathing since it came as an instinct after all. In reality, Shen Yuan just couldn’t bear the boredom of breathing exercise, to every cultivator, it was very easy for them to enter the state of comprehension and not sense the passing of time, but Shen Yuan had a hard time not sensing the passing of time, hence, the boredom, especially when he had such a cute little brother to tease when he was free. Who would give up teasing Shen Jiu and stealing pinches of those dumpling cheeks for breathing exercise?

After this conference, he would exercise breathing diligently. He can’t let Shen Jiu look down on him again.

Shen Yuan plopped down on his butt against a nearby tree. “Let’s rest here, come, come.” He patted the spot beside him for Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu didn’t sit down. “Where do you plan to go now?” In his head, since Shen Yuan proposed to separate from Luo Binghe and the others, there should be a goal in Shen Yuan’s mind. Since the beginning, Shen Yuan had been looking for safety, and being in a group meant safety. If he gave up safety, there must be something else Shen Yuan really wanted, no?

Unfortunately, Shen Jiu overestimated Shen Yuan’s mind. “We can just explore along, keep away from smoke and fire, and treat this as a camping experience.”

“…” Shen Jiu furrowed his brows. “You don’t want to do anything? Go somewhere?”

Hearing Shen Jiu’s prompting, Shen Yuan’s face also became serious. “You’re right…” Shen Yuan straightened up. “Do you know where the exit portal would be when this thing ended?” he gazed to the horizon solemnly. It’d be better to be closer to where the exit would be so they could just directly step out of this forsaken realm when the time was up.

“You don’t want to go anywhere,” Shen Jiu bluntly stated with a deadpan look.

“I have nothing particular in my mind, as long as we’re safe,” Shen Yuan said.

“It’ll be much safer in a group,” Shen Jiu pointed out. “But you didn’t want to stay in the group earlier. If you have nothing in mind, why separate ourselves from them?” Shen Jiu couldn’t stand being in a group himself, hence he could bluntly reject Liu Mingyan at the start, but he could bear with it since Shen Yuan was a worrier. He thought being in a group would make Shen Yuan feel at ease so Shen Jiu had no opinions on forming a group with Luo Binghe, Ning Yingying, and two girls from Xian Shu Peak.

“You can’t be salted fish in a group of high-achievers, A’Jiu,” Shen Yuan said with a long sigh.

“…” Shen Jiu stared blankly.

Shen Yuan continued, “There will be certain expectations to be met in a group. I just want to relax and pass this thing safely.” Besides, who wanted to achieve anything when the protagonist was there? What if he triggered a flag? Cultivation was fun, competing with the protagonist was not fun, it could be deadly. “We’ve gained enough experience from the first few days, let’s just relax until the deadline.” Shen Yuan made himself comfortable and fanned himself with his paper fan.

Shen Yuan fanned himself with gusto, feeling satisfied with his planned vacation. The weather in this secret realm was also perfect, not hot and bothersome, nor was it cold and depressing like Qing Jing Peak. He then realized that Shen Jiu had been silent and looked up at his little brother.

“What’s wrong? Why are you standing frozen there? Come sit here.”

Shen Jiu gave Shen Yuan a look. “You’re foolish and impossible.”

“…” Shen Yuan angrily closed his paper fan, using it to point at Shen Jiu. “What did I say about undeserved insult?”

“You deserve it!” Shen Jiu snapped. He shifted his sword and dropped down beside Shen Yuan unwillingly. “So, we’re going to wait here, staring at trees while doing nothing, and wait for two days?” he said bitingly.

“We can change the scenery,” Shen Yuan offered and sighed, hugging Shen Jiu by his neck. “A’Jiu, this place is dangerous, you don’t know when a demon beast that severely outclasses us might appear. Being cautious will not hurt us. It’s better to just find a safe shelter and wait it out.” That was Shen Yuan’s original plan but then he met Luo Binghe and it all went to drain for the last few days. He couldn’t possibly take the protagonist to be a salted fish and observe the fauna of the realm, right? Impossible.

“This isn’t being cautious, this is being lazy. You have no goal and you have no passion. At least other people would willingly scavage even though they didn’t have the gall to go to the frontline. You? Just sit around and do nothing, aren’t you shameless?” Shen Jiu ridiculed.

“Cough!” Shen Yuan held his chest. It wasn’t his fault he couldn’t liven up to his ancestors’ spirit of socialism, okay?! Who told this world to be so dangerous that you wouldn’t even know how you died if you just took one wrong step?! Moreover, why was he hearing the lecture, that often came from his social teachers back in his world, from a little eleven-year-old boy that he called his little brother!?

Ruined!

Shen Yuan forced out a smile. “A’Jiu, I’m not being shameless. It’s just… I’ve done enough work for the last few days. It’s not a shame to take a rest for the rest of the conference, no? We’ve experienced what we wanted to experience.”

“You experienced a near-death situation,” Shen Jiu said, tone softening.

Although Shen Yuan didn’t like speaking about the accident a few days ago, hearing his little brother’s softening tone made him eager to grasp this possible chance to ‘rest’, however, his hope was crushed when Shen Jiu clenched his jaw and hardened his tone again to say.

“That’s why you need more experience to not get in that situation again!”

Shen Yuan, who just wanted to sit and be salted fish: “…”

Before Shen Jiu had any chance to drag Shen Yuan to ‘look for more experience’, Shen Yuan quickly raised his voice.

“Okay! But let’s rest for a day!” Since he couldn’t get a rest for the rest of the conference, he’d get this one day! This was already meeting Shen Jiu’s intention in the middle. They were good brothers so this much should be enough!

Shen Jiu finally calmed down upon hearing that. Contrary to everyone’s thinking, Shen Yuan was not the only one who gave way to Shen Jiu. Shen Jiu, too, after cohabiting for years with Shen Yuan, had learned Shen Yuan’s inner mind and ideas quite familiarly. Since they met in the middle, Shen Jiu didn’t want to pull Shen Yuan over forcefully since they would just play tug-o-war with no apparent result and Shen Jiu was not one to waste his time and effort for a pointless argument.

“Okay. Rest for a day.”

Shen Yuan’s plan went well.

In a good mood, Shen Yuan looked around the surroundings and found that the tree they took shelter in actually had ripening fruits on it. After confirming the fruits were not poisonous, Shen Yuan happily took Shen Jiu to climb the tree and perched there for a rest and sightseeing while snacking on fruits.

“This looks like mangosteen,” Shen Yuan said with interest as he plucked the fruit.

“Mountain bamboo?” Shen Jiu tilted his head.

“Yeah, but the color is not the same.” Shen Yuan sniffed the mangosteen-like fruit. “The smell is more like lychee.”

“Li. Zhi?” Shen Jiu blinked. “I don’t know what those are but that’s Sunset Heart Fruit.”

“I figured the name would be poetic,” Shen Yuan commented and peeled the fruit. “Why is it called that?”

“I don’t know,” Shen Jiu bluntly said. “I’m not a buddhist monk, ask them why the fruit that grew in their secret realm is called that.”

Shen Yuan ignored Shen Jiu’s retort and ate the fruit. Surprisingly, true to the scent, it did taste like lychee. “Delicious! Try it!” Shen Yuan fed one to Shen Jiu.

“I can do it myself.” Shen Jiu flicked his wrist and one fruit fell into his small palm smoothly.

Shen Yuan shrugged and started snacking without worry. “This secret realm is really nice. Pretty calm, there’s water but not too much water.” Too much water would mean too many water monsters that could drag anyone down to drown.

“Mm…”

Zhao Hua Temple’s secret realm was in the form of a low mountainous area that was easy to travel in if you were experienced enough. As long as one didn’t venture too far into questionable territory, everything would turn out fine. The forest of the mountainous area was dense but it wasn’t as scary after getting used to it.

“I heard the previous Immortal Alliance Conference is held by Huan Hua Palace and the secret realm is a gorge,” Shen Yuan casually mentioned. “I wonder what kind of secret realms other sects have?”

“Probably not interesting.” Shen Jiu had seen every single one.

Shen Yuan leaned back. “Yeah, probably just as dangerous.” He peeled another fruit. “We should skip the next one. This kind of intense competition is not really good for growth no matter what the elders say, maybe we can travel instead, much calmer and we’ll still get experience.” Shen Yuan could imagine that beautiful experience. In a few years, he and Shen Jiu would be strong enough to fend for themselves and take missions outside, just the two of them of course.

Shen Jiu knew Shen Yuan’s temper very well. Shen Yuan disliked anything intense and disliked pressure. But despite so, Shen Jiu couldn’t disagree with his view.

So while looking at the steadily rising clouds stained with bright sunlight of the secret realm, Shen Jiu let himself smile. “Okay.”

The rest of the days of the Immortal Alliance Conference went on normally for the Shen brothers. They killed some monsters, found some low-level herbs, enjoyed scenic places, if only Shen Yuan had a camera, there would be thousands of pictures already.

Did they meet any danger? No. Enough excitement for one conference, Shen Yuan made sure to immediately go the other way whenever he heard or saw something that could potentially be a major problem.

When the portals to go back appeared, every participant must immediately go back. Some insisted on staying until the last minute just to get something they had been eyeing for days, others got stuck and had to helplessly ask for help to get back.

Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu got out together with a clear conscience and with no attachment left behind in the secret realm.

Stepping out of the secret realm, they greeted the clear air of the holy ground Zhao Hua Temple had prepared to house the conference, it was a spacious valley near Zhao Hua Temple, and there were smaller temples nearby for worshipping buddhas, just one look would make people feel that it was lowkey and isolated.

Compared to the previous conference’s Huan Hua Palace’s luxurious accommodations, Zhao Hua Temple’s accommodations might not be as luxurious but it was tasteful. However, as Shen Yuan didn’t participate in the previous conference, he naturally couldn’t make any comparisons. All he could think about was that he was glad he finally could get out of the secret realm.

After getting out, what was in the minds of the participants naturally was the ranking. Shen Yuan was no different. Out of curiosity, Shen Yuan took Shen Jiu to look at the ranking, a glance told him Luo Binghe, as expected, ranked first. Nothing less from the protagonist.

After a quick skim, Shen Yuan spotted a few familiar names but didn’t linger on them until he found his name on the top two hundred. He exhaled with a complicated mood. The quota of the current conference was about six hundred or so. Just from the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect alone, each peak sent several disciples. Qing Jing Peak had the least quota and even gave two places to junior disciples like Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu.

Being in the top two hundred was considered to be quite an achievement. Somewhat mediocre compared to the top one hundred, but not too lousy. After all, the bottom-rankers were those who quit midway and didn’t finish the competition.

“Well, it’s not bad…” Shen Yuan said, eyes lingering on his rank; 119. He then spotted Shen Jiu’s name and he paused. “A’Jiu, you’re ranked… 47?” Top fifty…?

“It doesn’t matter.” Shen Jiu didn’t display any trace of delight or pride on his face, instead, he seemed impatient. “Let’s go back.”

“No way! That’s big!” Shen Yuan stared incredulously. One had to know Shen Yuan could get to his rank despite being quite leisurely at the latter half of the conference because he teamed up with the protagonist! Shen Jiu’s itinerary for the latter half was basically the same as Shen Yuan's since they were together. How could Shen Jiu’s rank be much higher than Shen Yuan? Unless, of course! Shen Jiu faced so many dangerous monsters before he met up with Shen Yuan!

Shen Yuan was in disbelief and then showed distress, and then his face finally paled at the thought Shen Jiu was possibly in danger when he wasn’t by his side.

Shen Jiu knew Shen Yuan’s mind had already flown off randomly again and sighed. “It wasn’t a big trouble…” he thought for a bit. “Gongyi Xiao from Huan Hua Palace… assisted me.” He gritted his teeth, a little begrudgingly.

“Senior Gongyi,” Shen Yuan automatically corrected. He then blinked. “Oh yes, you were with Gongyi— I mean, Senior Gongyi?”

“A little bit,” Shen Jiu nodded tersely.

“Oh…” Shen Yuan sighed with relief. “Good, good. That’s good. Fortunately, you were not stubborn and could team up with a strong man.” Shen Yuan was even more at ease. At least he knew his brother was not wronged or burdened alone.

“In reality, I don’t need his help at all.” Shen Jiu crossed his arms.

“Don’t be full of yourself, ah. You would never know when something outside your ability will appear. At that time, you need a skillful adult with you.” Even though Gongyi Xiao was essentially a canon fodder tool man in the novel, his character and strength were unquestionable. He was upright, a little too naïve, and talented. A good thigh to hug in an emergency. Much more stable than Luo Binghe who attracted troubles everywhere he went.

Satisfied with the explanation, Shen Yuan ushered Shen Jiu along to take a rest. He spotted several bamboo benches underneath a banyan tree and quickly took Shen Jiu there.

Shen Jiu didn’t mind wherever Shen Yuan took him. He just wanted this conference to be over so he could go back to his usual routine of not caring about other people. He missed Qing Jing Peak. The place was sparsely populated and he could always avoid meeting people outside the mandatory classes.

Shen Jiu couldn’t help but praise himself, luckily he didn’t like taking in disciples in the first place.

More and more disciples were stepping out of the secret realm, the place that was originally filled with only a few voices became increasingly noisy. After days of idle silence in the secret realm, Shen Yuan welcomed the change quite enthusiastically until the hair at the back of his neck stood up.

Once someone stepped into the realm of cultivator, their sense was heightened to a degree. Although Shen Yuan was an idle cultivator, his sense could be considered to be quite high for his level, he could immediately sense danger heading his way.

“A’Jiu, get down!” Shen Yuan grabbed his sword’s hilt.

Clang!

Shen Jiu slashed off two small blue arrows and pulled back his arm before promptly thrusting his sword forward, creating a sharp spear-like that shot out and directly hit the attacker. Flawlessly, Shen Jiu resheathed his sword, not moving an inch from his spot.

Shen Yuan blinked twice and the problem was solved. His eyes twitched and he looked down at his own sword that was only halfway leaving the scabbard.

He only managed halfway and Shen Jiu already resheathed his sword.

He didn’t expect their gap to be this big!

No wonder Shen Jiu was ranked 47 and he was 119!

Temporarily suppressing his depression, Shen Yuan squinted his eyes and…

“A child…?” Shen Yuan blurted out incredulously when he got a good look at the culprit.

The culprit was wearing a familiar lavish color of Huan Hua Palace, nobody would mistake that mix of golden colors anywhere, and he didn’t look like he hit puberty yet. The question was, why did this boy attack them?

The boy grunted and pushed himself off the ground to shoot them a death glare.

“Ji-shidi!” A pair of Huan Hua Palace’s disciples came forward flusteredly and helped the boy up while fussing about him. One of them gazed at Shen Jiu with dissatisfaction.

“Aren’t you too heavy-handed?!”

“Excuse me?” Shen Yuan was instantly offended. “Your shidi made the first move.”

On the other hand, the other senior disciple of Huan Hua Palace fussed. “Ji-shidi, what’s wrong with you?” She stressed.

Ji Guan wiped the dirt off his cheek and pointed at Shen Jiu angrily. “That bastard snatched my Fallen Feather Grass in the secret realm!”

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes in an attempt to recall and he did. On the first few days, he was alone exploring as he pleased, he encountered many scenarios of people wanting to harvest spirit herbs or people fighting over spirit herbs. Adhering to the long-standing wisdom of being a fisherman in the murky water, Shen Jiu simply did what he ought to do if he wasn’t an incompetent fool or braindead human being; fish in the murky water.

If he wasn’t at least that competent, he shouldn’t be called the most capable scholar of Qing Jing Peak in his generation. Being an oriole stalking the mantis and cicada was common sense for scholars of Qing Jing Peak. If he couldn’t even do that, the spirits of previous generations of Qing Jing Peak’s peak lords would have been tortured to know Qing Jing Peak was in a fool’s hands.

“The grass was still rooted in the ground, I harvested it first. From start to finish, it was mine,” Shen Jiu said, more for Shen Yuan than the fools of Huan Hua Palace. Technically, even if he snatched it straight from the brat’s hand, he wouldn’t even apologize.

Hearing Shen Jiu’s explanation, Shen Yuan sighed in relief. He knew this was a different world compared to his original world. In this world, might makes right. He couldn’t always apply his original world’s morality to this world nor could he imagine to instill the morality he grew up with to Shen Jiu because that would only get them killed. Still, Shen Yuan had hopes that Shen Jiu wouldn’t resort to robbing people until he was at least a bit older so he didn’t make it a habit.

“You heard my little brother,” Shen Yuan said toughly.

“No!” Ji Guan screamed. “I spotted it first! It’s mine! You snatched it from me! Qing Jing Peak’s disciples are filthy thieves!” He yelled with bloodshot eyes.

Shen Yuan’s eyebrows twitched. ‘Terrible manners… This is a sign of a kid with little emperor syndrome.’ Comparing the furious ‘little emperor’ with Shen Jiu was like comparing the clear white clouds and a puddle of mud. Shen Yuan’s brother complex subconsciously became worse.

Ji Guan’s accusation was not quiet, on the contrary, it was very loud, it soon attracted more attention, however, one of the main characters in the scenario, Shen Jiu simply calmly stood there, assuming the posture of watching a joke.

“It’s one after another…” Shen Jiu murmured with annoyance. He still didn’t forget about the offense Qin Wanrong did in the secret realm, now one Ji Guan also came along. Huan Hua Palace seemed to be competing to have the most incompetent disciples in this generation.

Shen Jiu already didn’t like Huan Hua Palace as Shen Qingqiu. His impression of them was nothing beyond ‘spoiled’ and ‘pretentious.’ Huan Hua Palace was the wealthiest sect but remained under Cang Qiong Mountain Sect in terms of power. If this wasn’t a sign of uselessness, Shen Jiu didn’t know what else to say.

That was also already counting An Ding Peak, the biggest letdown.

At this moment, Ji Guan pulled out his sword and the surrounding atmosphere changed. The foliage up in the tree started to rustle though no wind was present and a faint bluish aura rose up from the young boy.

Shen Yuan frowned in disapproval and gazed at Shen Jiu to see his reaction only to see Shen Jiu did not react at all. Shen Yuan immediately knew his little brother had zoned out. Thinking of Ji Guan’s furious accusation and monologue prior to exploding like this, Shen Yuan sweatdropped and quickly tapped Shen Jiu out of his self-indulgent musing.

“Let’s have a duel! The winner will take the Falling Feather Grass. Full ownership!” Ji Guan declared proudly.

Shen Jiu blinked and sneered. “Just you?”

‘Heavens!’ Shen Yuan’s lips twitched. ‘Who taught him such a mainstream villainous line?!’

Shen Yuan gritted his teeth in annoyance and glanced at the two older disciples behind Ji Guan. “Two fellow daoists are letting your shidi go rampant?” translation: Stop your family’s damn bear child!

They hesitated. “Ji-shidi…”

“NO!” Ji Guan screamed over his two seniors. “I will take back my Falling Feather Grass! You can’t interfere or else I’ll tell my mother!”

The two older disciples’ faces became not good and they stopped trying to persuade the spoiled Ji Guan.

Shen Yuan’s face darkened. “Unruly!” He subconsciously raised his voice. “Does no one teach you manners and rules? It is clearly stated anything gained inside the secret realm, as long as it is brought back outside, fully belongs to the one who brought it out unless it is entrusted. Fighting within the ground of conference for loots is strictly prohibited.”

To make sure he wasn’t going in completely blind because the original novel was useless and not detailed enough, Shen Yuan had read the written rules of the conference several times. It was strictly prohibited to snatch loot from inside the secret realm once you were outside of it. Of course, this rule was only applied as long as you were within the holy ground. Once you leave the conference, anyone could be robbed by anyone.

This was the reason why no fights suddenly started upon the participants stepping out of the secret realm. If this rule didn’t exist, countless fights would effectively ensue in an attempt to snatch other people’s loot and lucky findings. Of course exceptions existed, but this was certainly not one of those rare cases.

The female senior became anxious. “That’s right, Ji-shidi. It’s forbidden. We’ll get in trouble, come on let it go.” She hoped to persuade her junior to step back.

“That’s right, if you really want it, let’s buy it instead.” The male senior raised his head and looked at Shen Jiu. “This junior, how much are you willing to sell the Falling Feather Grass to me.” The man’s tone was not friendly nor was it polite, only maintaining the basic surface decency.

“Not selling.” Shen Jiu grasped Shen Yuan’s sleeve and tugged him to leave.

They left very decisively, not giving the other side to respond at all.

“Hey you!” Ji Guan yelled.

“Ji-shidi, leave it.”

“Who does he think he is?!”

Everyone who paid attention to watch the fun shifted their eyes away when the scene ended in an anticlimactic way, this was not an unusual sight after all, just one in many scenarios and arguments between disciples of great sects.

Luo Binghe stood beneath a banyan tree with his arms crossed, leaning his shoulder on the sturdy trunk with his sword in his crossed arms. He looked an idle royal just by posture alone but his devilishly handsome face added a touch of unspeakable charm. He lowered his head slightly and a flash of dark intrigue glinted in his eyes where no one glimpsed it, his lips curled up into a thin smile.

“Such clever mouth…”

The very light murmur just left his mouth when another voice called out for him.

“A’Luo.” Ning Yingying patted Luo Binghe’s shoulder.

Luo Binghe raised his eyes and smiled warmly. The unspeakable charm was gone just like that, replaced by a harmless and clean aura that was appropriate for a scholar. “Yes, shijie?”

“Let’s go, we’ll gather with the others. I see Ming-shixiong in that direction,” Ning Yingying said while pointing. She didn’t see the scene of the two only juniors confronting the disciples of Huan Hua Palace earlier, if she saw or knew, she would immediately roll up her sleeves to argue with the people of Huan Hua Palace.

“Okay.” Luo Binghe nodded, having no intention of telling her. “Let’s go and meet up with the others.”

On the other side, Shen Yuan was very dissatisfied and upset. No matter how much fresh air hit his face in the pollution-free holy ground that was filled with banyan trees, bodhi trees, and even cypresses that added a touch of fresh scent to the surrounding holy ground, Shen Yuan was still upset.

“Those people are unreasonable. Their shidi attacked first, they didn’t even apologize and just asked you to sell them the herbs, very rudely at that.” Shen Yuan gritted his teeth. Due to his upbringing, he didn’t want to blame Ji Guan too much, after all, the kid looked no older than Shen Jiu, probably around twelve or thirteen, his voice hadn’t even gone through a change yet, so why should he take offense from a literal child? But the two older disciples should have known better than the ignorant child they failed to educate.

It was fortunate that Shen Jiu was talented and skillful, if not, he would have suffered a loss from the earlier sneak attack. The older Huan Hua Palace’s disciple was also shameless enough to ask Shen Jiu to sell the herbs to them, not even asking if Shen Jiu even had the intention to sell, they just told Shen Jiu to set the price! Too bullying!

Shen Yuan could only grit his teeth with anger. Imagine if Shen Yuan was not with Shen Jiu, Shen Yuan didn’t doubt those people would still do the same! Just thinking how two adults bullying his little brother made him so angry, even though he knew Shen Jiu could have handled it too.

Still, it was the principle of things. Big man and woman bullying a little kid to sell them goods, how shameless could one be?

Moreover, they didn’t even apologize!

If it was Shen Jiu sneak attacking a random kid for petty reasons, Shen Yuan would be there bowing down and humbly asking for forgiveness to the kid’s guardians.

“That is the arrogance of disciples from Great Sects,” Shen Jiu said. Initially, he didn’t want to even bother to talk about them, but he figured Shen Yuan needed to know more about what kind of people they might need to deal with in the future. Don’t set the standards too high for these people. They looked good and pretended to be great, in reality only a few cultivators truly lived up to their reputations.

Shen Yuan furrowed his brows. “We’re from a Great Sect too, what are they so proud of?”

Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan without a trace and looked away. He then said with a flat tone, “Qing Jing Peak is masterless.”

When Shen Jiu’s words fell, Shen Yuan went quiet for a moment, lost in thought.

“Masterless…” Shen Yuan murmured absently.

Shen Jiu exhaled and let the words sink in Shen Yuan. It couldn’t be helped. He supported Shen Yuan in joining Qing Jing Peak because no masters present to be picky about the disciples. But on the other hand, the state of Qing Jing Peak which had no master was also unclear in the eyes of outsiders.

Bluntly speaking, most people probably despised the disciples of Qing Jing Peak secretly because they had no master. No master meant no support and no background. In the eyes of their peers from outside, they probably thought the disciples of Qing Jing Peak were just living and cultivating under the pity of the Sect Head.

Although Qing Jing Peak’s situation was not bad and the sect as a whole supported them very much, even letting them have a normal quota to participate in the conference, they were still essentially living with the alms of the elders’ affection. This affection was not true affection from elders to their juniors, after all, they were not other peak lords’ true disciples, but merely martial nephews and nieces. Who would prioritize nephews and nieces compared to their own children?

But in Shen Jiu’s eyes, this was all unimportant.

Shen Qingqiu is dead. Dead in the hands of his own shidi.

Cang Qiong Mountain Sect owed this to Qing Jing Peak.

Shen Jiu knew Yue Qingyuan. He would die first before abandoning Qing Jing Peak. That man was like that, disgustingly hypocritical.

Yue Qingyuan would do anything to ‘atone’ himself, he would throw away everything he had. Everything that served no purpose other than reminding Shen Jiu that all glittering gold couldn’t replace the charcoal in winter.

All of Yue Qingyuan’s offerings served no other purpose than reminding Shen Jiu how pitiful his past was.

The very same past he wanted to forget and erase.

Shen Jiu’s steps paused and Shen Yuan immediately noticed.

“A’Jiu…?” Shen Yuan’s eyes widened and he quickly held Shen Jiu’s shoulders. “A’Jiu, what’s wrong? You look so pale. Are you okay?” he instinctively took Shen Jiu’s wrist to do the first aid check-up by injecting his spiritual power into his meridian but Shen Jiu swiftly pulled his hand away.

“I’m fine…” Shen Jiu’s lips trembled and he inhaled deeply. Beads of cold sweat formed on his temples, and his small young face scrunched up as if in pain, making Shen Yuan distressed.

“Shen Qing…” Shen Yuan called out softly.

Shen Jiu inhaled and exhaled a few times before he finally exhaled a huff of foul breath and opened his eyes. “It’s okay…” He looked at the worried Shen Yuan.

“What happened? Did you get injured? Long-lasting poison? Your cultivation goes the wrong way…?” Shen Yuan tried to think of anything that could possibly be wrong. He had been with Shen Jiu for the last few days, he ought to notice anything strange that could hurt his brother but he couldn’t think of any.

Looking at the genuine worry and distress in Shen Yuan’s eyes, Shen Jiu’s heart softened and he couldn’t help but explain. “It’s just my dao heart…” Shen Jiu’s hand went up to touch his chest. “It’s okay now.”

“Dao heart…?” Shen Yuan’s eyes widened. “What triggered it?” The only source Shen Yuan could think of was the group from Huan Hua Palace earlier, but those unimportant people couldn’t possibly affect the ever-steady Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu shook his head, knowing what Shen Yuan thought. “It’s just some bad memory…” Shen Jiu said calmly. “Nothing important.” He rubbed his chest.

This was his new life. He wouldn’t let the unhappy memories from his past life affect his cultivation in this life too.

The pain and difficulty of his cultivation in the past life was enough. He didn’t want to repeat the same mistakes in this life too. It wasn’t worth it.

A hand reached out and patted Shen Jiu’s head which caused him to look up in surprise to see Shen Yuan’s concerned look.

“If you need it, you can tell anything to Yuan-ge,” Shen Yuan said softly. “Don’t try to navigate through problems yourself, it’s okay to ask for help.”

Shen Jiu paused before reluctantly nodding. As for whether he would listen to Shen Yuan’s advice or not, that wasn’t important. In any case, just make Shen Yuan feel at ease first.

Shen Yuan smiled and withdrew his hand from Shen Jiu’s head to grasp his hand, he sent a wisp of his qi to feel Shen Jiu’s pulse to make sure he was okay. This time, Shen Jiu let him.

After he was sure nothing was wrong, Shen Yuan held Shen Jiu’s hand and pulled him along to resume walking until they found where disciples of their sect were gathering and continued walking slowly until they found Qing Jing Peak’s gathering.

When they walked closer, Shen Jiu sensed Ming Fan’s eyes flitted to him and a glint of impatience flashed in his eyes before he shifted his eyes away naturally. Shen Jiu arched his brows, thinking about what this unfilial disciple wanted now.

On the other hand, Luo Binghe slightly tilted his head absently and spotted the two brothers. His eyes lit up and he waved at them. “Yuan-shidi, Little Shidi, how are you? I’m glad to see you well after the secret realm.” His actions and tone indicated he had just seen these two brothers after their separation in the secret realm.

Shen Yuan put on his business smile and released Shen Jiu’s hand to cup his hand politely at Luo Binghe. “Greetings to Luo-shixiong, this shidi’s condition is good. This shidi is lucky to not embarrass himself.” The last part naturally referred to his ranking. He was mediocre but at least it wasn’t an embarrassment.

After greeting and replying to Luo Binghe, Shen Yuan greeted everyone politely with Shen Jiu and went to stand at the edge, where they wouldn’t get in the way but still socialize with the seniors who stood near them.

It didn’t take long before the elders responsible came out. As the host, Zhao Hua Temple’s head monk, Great Monk Wu Wang made his speech. Wu Wang was not one to be long-winded in formal speech in the first place, he was always straightforward and stubborn, so his speech didn’t last long and only praised the rising talent and told them not to be arrogant.

Next, other sect heads chimed in with their own light comments and encouraging speeches. Shen Jiu frowned when he saw Yue Qingyuan didn’t speak, instead, it was Wei Qingwei who made some light comments praising the youths.

That was unusual.

Yue Qingyuan was never stingy in giving speeches. It was a saving grace too for Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, since the second-in-command was a cold and aloof scholar who could offend anyone when he spoke. As the third-in-command and a sword cultivator, Wei Qingwei was also not good at talking that didn’t involve swords, the next in command according to seniority would be Shang Qinghua and that fool was never coherent in a public setting, the next after Shang Qinghua would be Qi Qingqi and the condescending beauty treated her words as a rare commodity not fit to be spread to common audience randomly. Going down according to seniority, only Fu Qingwu, the sixth in seniority and the peak lord of Ku Xing Peak, would be able to handle public speech without it being too perfunctory or condescending.

After the speeches were off the way. It was time to distribute the prizes to the people who performed well in ranking and Shen Jiu was quickly distracted by Shen Yuan who was really interested in watching the top rankers earn their rewards.

The rewards were naturally separated into a few parts according to rank. The top three had the richest reward. Next was the top twenty. After that was the top fifty. People ranked below fifty just basically got consolation prizes.

Shen Jiu took the bag of rewards for the top fifty and looked at the content. Not bad for cultivation resources for several months. Anyway, he had enough from looting in the secret realm so he wasn’t all that attached to the rewards. If he cared, he would be in the top three.

Meanwhile, Shen Yuan had something else more important than his consolation prize, that was, Luo Binghe and Liu Mingyan who were talking not far away just below a young banyan tree. In the competition, Luo Binghe was ranked first but Liu Mingyan ranked close second, beating even Huan Hua Palace’s First Disciple, Gongyi Xiao, and cementing herself in the position of the absolute goddess of their generations.

Tsk, Luo Binghe’s love life is always very lucky… The protagonist’s halo is cheating.

Shen Yuan made several comments in his heart but was enjoying the show. He wondered if there would be a showdown between Luo Binghe’s future wives here. After all, many future wives were gathering here. Huan Hua Palace’s Xiao Gongzhu was just around the corner, the Qin sisters were only a distance away, the triplet nuns were on the platform, Ning Yingying was not too far away and even watching their interaction silently.

Shen Yuan didn’t count himself as a gossipy person a person who liked to see drama. But in situations like this, love drama was better than bloody tragedy.

As a reader, Shen Yuan hated reading about Luo Binghe’s love trysts the most.

As a person living in the story, Shen Yuan would rather Luo Binghe go sleep around more rather than plotting to kill people or commit slaughters.

Ai, people change according to situations, Shen Yuan never thought he would wish someone to get laid so much for the sake of his little life.

Shen Yuan shifted his eyes away and observed other people, his eyes naturally focused on the platforms where the big guys were. He carefully avoided eyeing the triplet nuns, appreciated Qi Qingqi’s beauty, and looked at other important characters.

Sect Head Yue seemed to be absentminded. He sat there solemnly, looking neither cold nor warm. The seat beside him was empty. Liu Qingge was sitting on the other side of the empty seat, playing with his thumb ring, looking even more absentminded but sharply aware of his surroundings, he quickly raised his eyes when he sensed Shen Yuan’s gaze and Shen Yuan politely lowered his head with a humble smile when he their gazes met.

‘No way, no way, his sense is too sharp, isn’t it?’ Shen Yuan felt flustered in his heart and a little bit guilty.

Shen Yuan naturally didn’t notice that before he even gazed at Liu Qingge, Shen Jiu was already gazing deeply at the peak lord of Bai Zhan Peak and had shifted his eyes away before Liu Qingge caught him staring, as a result, it was Shen Yuan who got caught.

Shen Yuan didn’t dare to look at Liu Qingge again and his eyes subconsciously shifted to another person randomly and he paused.

Shang Qinghua. The traitor.

Shen Yuan knew the plot and knew this character, he scrutinized the man, categorizing him as an enemy since Shen Yuan’s current affiliation was with Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. There was no movement in this conference, but Shen Yuan felt that one of these days he should look for a way to expose this mole anonymously.

‘What is he looking at…?’ Shen Yuan thought warily, noticing that Shang Qinghua seemed to be rather focused in one direction.

Following his gaze, Shen Yuan saw Luo Binghe again. This time, in addition to Liu Mingyan, there was also Xiao Gongzhu who stood before Luo Binghe proudly like a peacock but her tone of voice was friendly.

“Thank you for your assistance in the secret realm. I’ll invite you to Huan Hua Palace to give you a proper thanks.” Xiao Gongzhu patted her chest proudly and confidently, her eyes shone with deep interest and affection of a young maiden, completely ignoring Liu Mingyan who was conversing with Luo Binghe first.

“That is unnecessary, Xiao Gongzhu,” Luo Binghe replied politely. “We are all peers, it’s just right to help someone in need.”

“No way, I insist!” Xiao Gongzhu exclaimed. “I’m not someone who doesn’t repay a grace. If you need anything, just come to Huan Hua Palace.” She then smiled with a little bit of blush. “Or if you don’t need anything, you can still visit…”

“We’ll keep that in mind, Xiao Gongzhu.” It wasn’t Luo Binghe who answered but rather Ning Yingying who walked into the scene gracefully with her signature bright innocent smile, yet her eyes somehow expressed disdain. “Just as A’Luo said. We,” she put a light but a noticeable emphasis on ‘we’, “saw you and your group needed help, we naturally helped without expecting anything back. It’s just righteous to do so.”

There was an undercurrent going on when Ning Yingying and Xiao Gongzhu’s eyes met. Several other female disciples of Qing Jing Peak subtly gave a nod to Ning Yingying’s gentle retort.

Classy… They evaluated.

Meanwhile, Ning Yingying was thinking how shameless Xiao Gongzhu was. ‘Obviously, when we helped them, it wasn’t just A’Luo. Yet she deliberately only invited A’Luo in her words…’ Ning Yingying had no qualm in other girls approaching Luo Binghe, but she took offense when they were hypocritical.

Xiao Gongzhu’s smile faded and her beautiful brows slightly furrowed. Red flush slowly appeared on her face. “Naturally.” Xiao Gongzhu glared, unable to retort for a while before letting out a snort. “If you also need something, you can naturally come to visit too. Huan Hua Palace has a lot of cultivation resources, this princess will not wrong you and will definitely repay your help,” she flaunted.

This time, it was Ning Yingying’s smile that faded, however, she kept her graceful disposition. “Xiao Gongzhu is too kind, you can keep those resources to help yourself. My cultivation is already decent enough.”

What Ning Yingying hated the most in this world was people looking down on Qing Jing Peak. Just because their Shizun died early in an accident, did people think they, disciples of Qing Jing Peak, were so poor that they needed alms from outsiders? Not much changed with their Shizun’s death. Their resources were still fair because other peak lords took care of them, sure they had no master to fight for extra resources for them, but they could prove themselves to be deserving of those resources themselves. Besides, they still had Liu Qingge who was half a master to them, although not as good as a real master, Liu Qingge still remembered them on weekdays.

Sensing the underlying tension, a melodious voice resounded again. “Cultivation resources are good. Some of those can’t be bought with money, we have a lot of those in Cang Qiong Mountain Sect.” Liu Mingyan said unhurriedly with her beautiful autumn water eyes side-eyeing Xiao Gongzhu.

Having been subtly hinted at as having ‘less than decent’ cultivation by Ning Yingying, Liu Mingyan’s words made Xiao Gongzhu feel even more dissatisfied. Her words were soft but wasn’t Liu Mingyan just hinted that Huan Hua Palace’s resource was vulgar?

Watching them from far away, Shen Yuan took out his handkerchief and wiped his perspiration. ‘Women, they’re really born to talk with hidden knives…’ Just watching them made Shen Yuan remember the ancient court drama his mother often watched in modern times. They talked so beautifully with so many twists and turns, but wasn’t it just to call the other a bitch?

Shen Yuan’s brows furrowed and he looked back at Shang Qinghua, he blinked in surprise.

‘Why is the traitor looking like he’s meeting melons while watching Luo Binghe and his harem…?’ He wasn’t even subtle about it!

Shen Yuan looked around, trying to see if anyone saw it only to realize that… perhaps because Shang Qinghua was the peak lord of An Ding Peak, few people paid attention to him. Wasn’t that also the reason why he could be a spy for so many years?

Unconvinced, Shen Yuan gazed at Shang Qinghua again. Yes, that was absolutely the gaze of someone who was enjoying a show.

Feeling at a loss, Shen Yuan suddenly felt a sharp pinch on his wrist and he hissed in pain. “Shen Qing!” Shen Yuan rubbed his wrist and rebuked Shen Jiu.

“You didn’t respond to my call,” Shen Jiu said bluntly, feeling fully entitled to pinching Shen Yuan just because he was ignored. “What are you looking at?” he narrowed his eyes with dissatisfaction.

Shen Yuan paused and looked back at the peak lord of An Ding Peak on the platform. “Nothing…” he shook his head.

Chapter Text

Shen Jiu watched as Shen Yuan once again lost his attention to some foolish things that Shen Jiu couldn’t see due to his height and the pesky crowd. He raised his hand, debating whether to pinch Shen Yuan again or not but decided against it.

Shen Yuan had been a bit weird since they arrived at the conference, Shen Jiu noticed that. He initially thought it was just the new environment that made Shen Yuan often forget himself, not to mention Shen Yuan acted normal inside the secret realm, but now they got out of it, Shen Jiu was sure Shen Yuan was really distracted and it wasn’t a normal kind of distracted. He seemed to be really deep in his thoughts.

‘It seems like he still hasn’t learned the scare of losing his little brother…’ Shen Jiu thought darkly as he stared up at Shen Yuan’s face.

In another fit of pettiness, Shen Jiu walked away without Shen Yuan. He needed some time alone anyway, the crowd gave him a headache.

Shen Jiu walked past a throng of people, ignoring them if they acknowledged him, just like he used to do. It felt good to return to his old habit of ignoring people, with his new identity as the youngest disciple of Qing Jing Peak it was really hard to ignore people.

Shen Jiu found a big banyan tree and checked if anyone had used it to hide in first before he jumped at the top and settled down on one of the branches. Finally, he stopped getting disadvantages from his disappointing height and could observe people below more clearly. He settled down and looked around the foliage on top of him, this seemed to be the first time he found an ideal tree to hide in, often times it would be occupied first.

Shen Jiu shifted Shi Bao in his arms and leaned back. “Now let’s see if Yuan-ge will remember our swords are bonded swords and he can locate me if he wants.” He had told Shen Yuan before they entered the secret realm that their swords were connected so he could look for him and not become a bumbling frantic idiot when he lost sight of Shen Jiu, he would see how it would go.

Shen Jiu closed his eyes and decided to take a small break by meditating. All sounds and voices faded away from him but he retained awareness if anything ever breached his calm personal space.

He reflected a bit on his cultivation. He was already at late-stage of Foundation Establishment and he couldn’t advance. If in his previous life, he couldn’t advance because he made too many mistakes which affected his cultivation, in this life he couldn’t advance because it would be too early.

Advancing to Core-Formation stage should only be done once one reaches twenty ideally. Any younger would immediately wipe off any growth spurt because core-formation stage froze cultivators’ appearance until they near their lifespan which would take about three hundred years.

Shen Jiu, as Shen Qing, was currently eleven years old. It would take another nine years unfortunately until Shen Jiu could ideally advance. But if push came to shove, he could just do it whenever his growth spurt hit him to an ideal extent.

Shen Jiu didn’t know for how long he stayed up in the tree but he opened his eyes in ill-ease. ‘It’s too quiet…’ Shen Jiu thought as he broke the sound barrier he set and he paused.

Too quiet…?

Shen Jiu stared at the bustling and noisy crowd below in a daze.

He used to like quietness so much. None of his disciple dared to make noise in the early morning or when the sun was about to set, let alone even make a noise during lessons. It was for the best. Loudness made Shen Jiu’s head ache and when his head ached there would be a hell to pay for the one who caused it.

But now, he couldn’t handle the absolute quietness he used to prefer. Looking and listening to the bustling crowd below, he also didn’t like their loudness and noises. It took him a while to realize he was getting too used to Shen Yuan’s sounds nearby.

He could ignore it when he was in the secret realm since he had a mission to harvest as many cultivation resources as possible, but in this kind of situation, he truly couldn’t deny Shen Yuan’s presence was already a habit. Shen Jiu sneered to himself and crossed his arms, hugging his sword closer. “No, this can’t be.” He needed to wean off of this.

He glared at space. The more time he spent glaring, the angrier he became. His hand reached for a fruit dangling near him and he took a bite, but the fruit was not yet ripe so the taste was unbearable sour, and even a tad bitter.

Shen Jiu had enough, he crushed the fruit in his hand and sat up straighter. “Where’s Shen Yuan?!” he snarled to himself.

Where was that good brother of his?! Did he really forget about Shen Jiu?!

“Older brothers are undependable!” Shen Jiu gritted his teeth, Shen Yuan didn’t even look for him when it would be so easy, with Shi Yu in his hand, to sense Shen Jiu’s Shi Bao. “I bet he’s living his best life, enjoying the liveliness and watching the festivity.”

Meanwhile, away from the crowd, Shen Yuan was sobbing. His eyes never stopped scanning the crowd hoping he could see his tiny little brother in it. Contrary to Shen Jiu’s expectation, Shen Yuan thoroughly forgot about their swords being bonded, not when his panic made his mind blank with anxiety and reduced him back to his old modern mindset.

“Heavens, where is he? I told him to hold my hand,” Shen Yuan murmured in distress. “No, this is my fault, why didn’t I hold his hand? Stupid Shen Yuan!” He scolded himself.

Meanwhile, Shi Yu stayed quiet in its sheathe, if Shi Yu, a sword, could express itself freely, it would be wondering why its master was so simple. Wasn’t he a scholar? But alas, Shi Yu was a sword.

Shen Jiu got up and stood at the branch weightlessly. Distraught that Shen Yuan dared to not look for him, he decided he had enough and wanted to head back to the little cabin that Zhao Hua Temple prepared for the Great Sects’ disciples.

He slung Shi Bao over his shoulder. Due to his height, his scabbard was equipped with a strap so he could swing his sword over his shoulder instead of strapping it on his waist or holding it everywhere but still loose enough he could sling it off his shoulder anytime to unsheathe his sword conveniently. After all, it became a hazard with his current body if he tried to unsheathe his sword by hand when it was positioned on his back.

Shen Jiu jumped off the tree, landing smoothly on the ground right in front of an unexpected, and certainly unwelcomed, surprise. He cupped his hands despite his inner ire. “Greetings, Old Palace Master.”

It appeared to be not only Shen Jiu was caught off guard by their encounter, the Old Palace Master also appeared surprised and dazed.

Shen Jiu inwardly frowned.

“I have offended, I didn’t see your venerable self before jumping.” I hope you’re offended, what are you gonna do about it?

Shen Jiu now truly and deeply resented the fact he needed to wait for years before even attempting to break through to Core-Formation Stage if he had to always be this humble towards the people he used to despise.

“It’s okay, no need to be so polite,” the Old Palace Master said gently, very much an image of a loving grandfather if Shen Jiu didn’t know how rotten and sly this old bag was. “You’re the talented child from Qing Jing Peak. Very good…” he nodded appraisingly.

Any other kid being praised like this by a sect head from a Great Sect would be incredibly flattered by Shen Jiu remained unimpressed and only nodded. “Senior overpraises.”

Seeing the calmness and maturity from Shen Jiu in the face of his praise, the Old Palace Master’s eyes brightened even more. He kept nodding in approval. “You are impressive. It’s too bad you’re already in Qing Jing Peak. There’s no master there, it is hard to develop.”

‘You’re speaking to the master, keep going.’

“If you’re interested, Huan Hua Palace can welcome you,” Old Palace Master offered kindly.

“Old Palace Master, I have pledged discipleship to Qing Jing Peak, once a person of Qing Jing Peak, I’ll die a person of Qing Jing Peak.” Shen Jiu stated with ease. In any case, he already died a person of Qing Jing Peak, he would borrow his previous life’s good deed for this statement. As for whether or not Shen Qing would die a person of Qing Jing Peak? It all depended on fate and his desire.

Old Palace Master’s smile bloomed wider, his face wrinkled like a chrysanthemum. “You are very steadfast. Reminding me of someone.” He didn’t seem to be bothered that Shen Jiu rejected his invitation, still the very image of a compassionate old man.

Shen Jiu wasn’t afraid, even if the old sack had bad intentions, he couldn’t do anything in this place. Outside of this place, Shen Jiu would like to see how he could harm Shen Jiu. In this world, few people could outsmart the peak lord of Qing Jing Peak in using underhanded means.

“Thank you,” Shen Jiu answered briskly when he noticed a familiar figure passing by at that moment. “Qi-Shigu!” he called out and the world’s fairest fairy paused.

Qi Qingqi looked over, hiding half of her face behind her embroidered circular fan. She blinked when she noticed a familiar uniform and the little boy that pulled her attention in the conference. “Shen-shizi,” she called out, recalling his name.

Shen Jiu, fully using his advantage as a child, left the Old Palace Master and walked over to Qi Qingqi. While Qi Qingqi always kept her distance from men, Shen Jiu knew she made exceptions to well-behaved children regardless of gender.

“Qi-shigu, I got lost. I don’t know where the rest of shixiong and shijie is,” Shen Jiu used the oldest trick in the book.

Qi Qingqi nodded elegantly. “Follow me.” She then shifted her gaze to the Old Palace Master. “Old Palace Master, fancy seeing you here. Is there anything you need?” she asked with her usual cold and indifferent tone.

The Old Palace Master smiled and shook his head. “There is nothing, Fairy Qi. That little boy is very talented, Cang Qiong Mountain Sect is very fortunate, I can’t help but feel a bit disheartened.”

Qi Qingqi nodded gracefully, that was what she thought. At least this old fox was still good enough to be honest. “Our sect is tirelessly cultivating talents, Huan Hua Palace is the same, you have…” she trailed off a bit when she glanced at Shen Jiu and recalled the tomfoolery some of Huan Hua Palace’s disciples did in the conference but quickly recovered, “…good enough disciples, they’re all talented in their own ways.”

Shen Jiu inwardly glared at the Old Palace Master. Different from Qi Qingqi who was too arrogant to look at the underneath, Shen Jiu was always full of caution. There was no way this old bag was actually jealous of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect or even sincerely admitting to it, which meant he actually said that to hide another intention. ‘He’s hiding something…’ Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes slightly. ‘Did he actually plan to kill me…?’ he thought doubtfully.

No, for as much as Shen Jiu ridiculed this old sack of shit for being pathetic, there was no way he was so dumb and narrowminded enough to kill a disciple from another Great Sect, especially in this setting.

While Shen Jiu was silently pondering what the Old Palace Master’s real intention was, Qi Qingqi already wrapped up the exchange with the Old Palace Master and took Shen Jiu’s hand to lead him away.

“Don’t wander around too much,” Qi Qingqi chided indifferently as she led her martial nephew away. If it wasn’t because she recognized he was from Qing Jing Peak, she probably would have kept walking. Ever since Shen Qingqiu’s untimely demise, all the peak lords pitched in their own small efforts to help the disciples of Qing Jing Peak. Qi Qingqi, herself, still sometimes took care of the girls of Qing Jing Peak when outside.

“Yes, Qi-shigu,” Shen Jiu said obediently.

Qi Qingqi glanced at the well-behaved boy and tilted her head slightly. “You’re very quiet, somewhat like him,” She commented. Then, in a quieter voice, she murmured to herself, “Are all disciples from Qing Jing like that, or is the surname…?”

Shen Jiu arched his brows but dutifully asked like a curious ignorant eleven-year-old boy would, “’Him’ who, shigu?”

Qi Qingqi hummed. “The late peak lord of Qing Jing Peak.”

“Oh…” Shen Jiu nodded.

Qi Qingqi took Shen Jiu back to where most of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s disciples were gathered and left him when she noticed her disciples were looking for her.

Freed from her, Shen Jiu wandered and sat underneath a banyan tree while slinging off his sword from his back.

He unsheathed his sword and took out the sword’s cleaning kit he had brought, determined to at least be productive while he was ‘lost’. He carefully rubbed his sword with a clean sheet of white linen and then carefully pat down flour onto the surface before he rubbed it again.

“Cleaning your sword, shidi?”

Shen Jiu snapped his head up and squinted instantly at the bright sunlight coming straight to his eyes, rendering him only able to see the silhouette of the man who spoke to him.

There was a chuckle and the man jumped off from the tree. Shen Jiu’s eyes followed him and the foliage of yellowing leaves that left their branches to flutter and dance with the wind. Shen Jiu’s eyes widened slightly as the scene in front of him somehow overlapped again with one in his memory.

Someone with sharp eyes who jumped off a tree right in front of him, a memory of Immortal Alliance Conference he had joined in the past. A graceful and valiant woman who always occupied the most strategic tree in the vicinity to be alone. Yes, that woman was the reason Shen Qingqiu couldn’t find ideal tree to hide in the conference because she always occupied it first and Shen Qingqiu was antisocial enough to not even approach.

Such was a trifling memory from his past, a passing memory, not even as important as what to eat at lunch.

When the person landed on the ground, Shen Qingqiu blinked and looked up at the person with complication in his eyes as he noticed a glaring difference.

For a start, this person was a male.

Secondly, this person wore Qing Jing Peak uniform.

Shen Jiu didn’t know what to feel now he finally realized that his last taught disciple’s face was jarringly similar to that woman's.

First Gongyi Xiao. Now it was Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe beamed. “Why so shocked, shidi? Did this shixiong’s dashing entrance fascinate you?” he said jokingly with a charming smile and patted Shen Jiu’s head without restraint.

Shen Jiu almost stabbed Luo Binghe with the unsheathed sword in his hand but he had a better self-control than that. He got up and saluted him, “Greetings, Luo-shixiong.”

“Forgo the formality when with me, Little Shidi,” Luo Binghe said, waving his greeting carelessly. “Congratulations on being in the top fifty.”

“It’s so-so,” Shen Jiu answered humbly.

“Not affected by success, good job,” Luo Binghe said with a subtle nod. “Where’s your brother?”

“Lost,” Shen Jiu answered.

Luo Binghe’s lips twitched. “I’m pretty sure it’s you who got lost. You’re the younger brother.”

“I’m precisely where I needed to be,” Shen Jiu disagreed and then gestured to the groups of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s disciples not far from where he was sitting.

Luo Binghe blinked before bursting into laughter. “Indeed, you are. But Yuan-shidi must be really stressed right now, so let’s look for your brother, shall we?” he extended his hand.

‘Why is everyone expecting me to hold their hands while walking?’ Shen Jiu frowned. “Luo-shixiong, I should stay put. Yuan-ge has ways to locate me.” He refused to elaborate further.

“Is that so? Then, I will wait for him with you,” Luo Binghe said and plopped down beside Shen Jiu.

“Luo-shixiong doesn’t have to,” Shen Jiu said, furrowing his brows.

Luo Binghe smiled and patted the spot beside him. “Sit down, shidi. It’s okay.”

Shen Jiu sighed inaudibly and sat down. He continued maintaining his sword silently with practiced ease while Luo Binghe put his hands behind his head and relaxed.

“You’re ranked nine in your family, right?” Luo Binghe asked. “How many brothers you have again?”

“Nine. I’m the ninth. Eight half-brothers, one brother with the same mom,” Shen Jiu answered concisely.

“Yuan-shidi is your brother with the same mom?” Luo Binghe asked.

Shen Jiu frowned. “No, he’s my half-brother,”

Luo Binghe nodded in understanding exaggeratedly. “Do you have cousins?”

None that Shen Jiu knew of. The seed donor seemed to only be the only son because Shen Jiu didn’t think he’d ever see a branch family member. “No.”

“Uncle?”

“No.” Shen Jiu frowned and finished cleaning his sword from the powder he applied. He opened the lid of a container of expensive sword oil Shen Yuan gave to him for his latest birthday.

“I see…” Luo Binghe hummed absently. “Shidi, if there are people who resemble someone in this world, what do you think?”

Shen Jiu hummed seriously, his mind went to Gongyi Xiao and Luo Binghe and their likeness to that woman who was once one of the top talents of their generation; Su Xiyan. He hesitantly glanced at Luo Binghe’s face again while his deft small fingers dragged the linen cloth across his blade from the base to the tip, stalling for a bit.

“It’s either a coincidence or maybe they’re related distantly…?” Shen Jiu supplied, mulling. He didn’t want to think about Gongyi Xiao’s likeness to Su Xiyan initially but now Luo Binghe also somewhat resembled both Gongyi Xiao and Su Xiyan, he couldn’t help but think about it. Why was it two people who resembled one of the most beautiful female cultivators decades ago turned out to be men, he didn’t understand.

“Then what if they behave similarly?” Luo Binghe asked again.

Shen Jiu frowned. Again, he recalled Gongyi Xiao’s posture, the way he walked, or the way he swung his sword, with the exception of his amiable expressions and kind personality he behaved almost way too similarly to the previous First Disciple of Huan Hua Palace, the kind of similarity that people, who weren’t the perceptive lord of Qing Jing Peak, would overlook.

His brows furrowed in subtle revulsion when he made connections in his mind. This was why he didn’t want to think about things he had no business to be thinking about. He turned to look at Luo Binghe who was staring at him curiously.

Shen Jiu answered, “If they behave similarly, then there must be someone trying to mold them into the same person,” And that is disgusting.

Shen Yuan almost fell down in relief when he found Shen Jiu beneath a tree, it took him embarrassingly a long time to remember he had GPS unique only for Shen Jiu in the form of his own sword. He would forever refuse to admit how long it took for him when he literally used Shi Yu constantly to detect where Shen Jiu was in the secret realm.

Shen Yuan kneeled down and sighed fondly when he saw Shen Jiu breathing evenly and no circulation of qi around him. He gently held Shen Jiu’s shoulder and shook him awake. “Little brother. Didi. Wake up, don’t sleep here.”

Shen Jiu’s brows furrowed cutely and his eyes fluttered open. “Mm… Yuan-ge?” Shen Jiu rubbed his eyes. “Took you long enough…” he said grumpily and yawned.

Shen Yuan sighed helplessly. “I was looking for you everywhere,” Shen Yuan said with a hint of complaint as he plopped down beside Shen Jiu, panting.

Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan’s sweaty condition, scooted a bit further away, and put his sword horizontally on his lap. “You forgot how to locate me?” he said with a hint of mockery.

“…” Shen Yuan took out his fan and fanned himself, clearing his throat awkwardly. “What are you doing here alone, anyway?” he asked.

“I did some sword maintenance,” Shen Jiu said and unsheathed his sword slightly to show the blade briefly before resheathing it back. “And then, I waited for you to find me but it took too long.” He frowned.

Shen Yuan pouted slightly. “Next time even if you got lost, look for the safest place but not too far, you scared me.”

“Hmm…” Shen Jiu hummed. “I didn’t go far earlier. I met the Old Palace Master of Huan Hua Palace, he talked to me for a bit.”

Shen Yuan sat straighter. “What did he want?” Why was a grandpa approaching Shen Jiu? Moreover, wasn’t this the protagonist’s second grandpa, the master of Luo Binghe’s actual mom?

“He praised my cultivation.” He glanced at Shen Yuan. “I don’t like him so I called Peak Lord Qi who passed by to escort me here.”

“Peak Lord Qi? Fairy Qi?” Shen Yuan paused and hissed to himself, a bit jealous. Qi Qingqi was so beautiful Shen Yuan felt he wouldn’t get tired to look at her face if only he wasn’t afraid to get found out.

Wait.

“Fairy Qi?” Shen Yuan asked again, horrified. His little brother was approached by a grandpa and got help from a beauty in one swift scenario?!

This is an MC template!

“A’Jiu, next time when you’re approached by a stranger old man, immediately leave the premises, avoid it at all costs, understand?” Shen Yuan couldn’t deprive Shen Jiu of pretty girls, but a troublesome grandpa that might give him status and put him in danger? Absolutely not! “The list includes old beggars you find on the street, old elders, old cultivators, and the like.”

“Why old men in particular?” Shen Jiu was curious.

“They’re source of perverted problems,” Shen Yuan said solemnly.

Shen Jiu stared. Shen Jiu nodded.

“Okay, let’s go and join the others now.” Shen Yuan stood up and extended his hand.

Shen Jiu reached and grabbed his hand.

Luo Binghe walked along the line of trees silently in thought, his mind was filled with many thoughts that he himself couldn’t make the head or tail of.

“Luo Binghe?”

Luo Binghe snapped his head up and smiled amiably. “Liu-shishu.” He saluted his half-master politely. “I should have known I would find shishu here.” Liu Qingge was not fond of bustling excitement and always found a place where he could be in solitude. Coincidentally, at the moment, Luo Binghe was in the same mood so they encountered each other.

Liu Qingge walked over and gave Luo Binghe a once over, noticing Luo Binghe’s absentmindedness. “Any difficulty?” He asked tersely.

Luo Binghe smiled and shook his head. “No. Just recalling Shizun…” He looked up and the wind picked up, rustling the trees and swallowing the noises that wasn’t its own. It wasn’t as peaceful as Qing Jing Peak but it was peaceful nonetheless. “Lately, there are so many things I recall about him.”

“Hm.” Liu Qingge looked down. “You have to move on,” he told Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe smiled. “Perhaps in the future… But right now I can’t forget about him.” It was short. He had only known his Shizun in just over a year and he hadn’t even been able to dip his nail into understanding what his Shizun had done for him. That short time was amplified, however, by him reading the note Shen Qingqiu had left behind. “Has Liu-shishu moved on yet?” He asked.

Liu Qingge was silent, his gaze was straight towards the lake beyond the line of trees on the side of the path. The water was clear and calm, unlike his turbulent heart, the beautiful orange light from the dusk hit the water just right it sparkled and reflected clearly in Liu Qingge’s downcast eyes.

“You’re young.” Liu Qingge started flatly. “It is natural for the old to precede the young, the new generation must move on,” he said dignifiedly and closed his eyes.

As for Liu Qingge, he would stay with that memory of the man whom he killed… whom he fell for.

Luo Binghe smiled sadly and Liu Qingge walked past him with eyes closed, leaving Luo Binghe alone to his thought once again.

Lifting his leg towards the lake, Luo Binghe bypassed the line of trees and stood at the edge of the lake. He inhaled deeply and exhaled heavily.

“Looking into their memories, there’s nothing off either…” Luo Binghe murmured darkly to himself.

The orange-ish light in the horizon faded into magenta and soon several stars peeked out from the curtain of light basking the sky. The day swiftly became dark and a gust of wind blew past, not helping with Luo Binghe’s complicated mood. The man remained motionless and alone by the lake.

“That peak lord of Bai Zhan Peak seems to be plagued by nightmare, did you see?”

“I know,” Luo Binghe answered absently, it was not hard to notice with his current cultivation, but it wasn’t like he could do anything to help. “Don’t get involved with Liu-Shishu, you’ll get killed. Know your current strength.”

“Hmph! If I am in my prime, he would only be a child in my eyes.”

“Are you in your prime now?” Luo Binghe answered back sarcastically. “Not to mention, with your age, of course, Liu-shishu is a child compared to you. You’re what, a thousand years old? Two thousand years old? Three? Have some shame.”

“…” The Dream Demon choked. He had occupied this boy’s mind for years and had been communicating with him ever since the failed raid of the demons to the sect a few years ago. Although he had been around longer than that and was just waiting for a time to seize him when he was weak and desperate, he had yet to successfully make this brat even desire to be his disciple. In the end, it was Dream Demon who got desperate instead and still taught him his art and skills. No one ever suspected the last true disciple of Qing Jing Peak’s current generation was a half-demon by blood and had learned some demonic cultivation for a few years now.

Luo Binghe rubbed his chin. “Yuan-shidi and Little Shidi’s histories are clear. Although I didn’t see details of their memories, their memories are also consistent.” He tapped his chin and looked down absently.

“I told you you’re delusional!” The Dream Demon jumped at the chance to ridicule Luo Binghe.

Luo Binghe clenched his hands. “But I can’t move on.” He held a hand on his chest and clutched it tightly. “I can’t let go. I will not let go. If even for the slightest bit of hope Shizun is still here…”

Dream Demon was silent. If others heard Luo Binghe, they would think he was crazy. Well, they wouldn’t be wrong, but Dream Demon knew this was the influence of his demonic bloodline. After all, the people of his bloodline have all been obsessive maniacs throughout history. Once they found an object of obsession, that object would remain in their hearts until they died.

There was one thing, though. When inspecting that pair of brothers Luo Binghe observed so much, although their dreams of memories were consistent, there was something strange that he found. It seemed that at some point, there was a thin invisible layer that kept him from inspecting further, which was incredibly suspicious because why would two common sons from a common scholarly family had anything that kept him, the Dream Demon, out? And he only found this not long ago.

Dream Demon debated for a while whether or not to tell Luo Binghe this but decided it might give him some favor. “I do find something off about that pair of brothers. Although their memories are normal. There are some part that even I can’t touch.”

Luo Binghe snapped his head up with wide eyes. “What did you say…?” he narrowed his eyes.

Dream Demon had waited for this. “I won’t tell you the details unless you get me that Bewildering Dust Flower and Cloudmist Mineral.”

Luo Binghe narrowed his eyes and growled. “If I can lay my hands on you, you would be pulverized by now.”

Dream Demon snorted.

There wasn’t much happening for the rest of the conference’s formality. Or perhaps the tensions were away from the background characters like Shen Yuan in his humble opinion. Shen Yuan briefly took Shen Jiu for a sightseeing around and looked at the old temples nearby. Other than that, there was nothing noteworthy.

Other than the disciples who had to take a trip to Qian Cao Peak because of the injuries they sustained at the conference, they all returned to Qing Jing Peak peacefully.

The dusk already settled its color when they made a headcount at the main courtyard they usually used either for a gathering within the peak or to train when the training grounds were occupied for something else.

Ming Fan furrowed his brows and scanned the crowd of juniors before his eyes stopped at the boy who had become quite a topic amongst the participants of the Immortal Alliance Conference. “Shen Qing,” Ming Fan called out dignifiedly.

Shen Jiu, who was boredly eyeing the crease on Shen Yuan’s robe, lifted his eyes calmly. “I’m here, Shixiong,” he responded evenly.

“Congratulations on your achievement in the conference,” Ming Fan started.

Shen Jiu was a failure if he didn’t already know there was a ‘but’ behind that, however, he played his part as an ignorant junior. “Thank you, Ming-shixiong.”

“However,” Ming Fan narrowed his eyes. “I’ve heard about your exploit with the disciples of Huan Hua Palace, it is unbecoming of you to resort to shouting over small matters,” Ming Fan said distastefully.

Frost gathered in Shen Jiu’s eyes.

“As a scholar of Qing Jing Peak, it is beneath us to vulgarly yell. Furthermore, it is toward the disciples of another Great Sect.”

“Why should he be afraid?” Out of nowhere, Luo Binghe swaggered into the conversation with a light smile.

Ming Fan’s frown darkened. “Luo Binghe, step out of this. You might be lawless but we can’t afford to have another you in Qing Jing Peak.”

Ming Fan’s statement didn’t just jab at Luo Binghe but also offended Shen Jiu deeply.

How dare Ming Fan insinuate that Shen Jiu was anything like Luo Binghe?

Shen Jiu looked absolutely neutral outwardly but clenching his hands so hard inwardly, missing the days where he could discipline Ming Fan by whipping his palms with a rattan.

Luo Binghe’s smile deepened. “Isn’t that good? Another me means another rare talent.”

“Another you is another troublemaker.”

Now Ming Fan, without fully knowing it, had fully offended Shen Jiu. Not only the brat insinuated that Shen Jiu was like Luo Binghe, but he also rather blatantly said that going with the path Shen Jiu took he would be a troublemaker.

Troublemaker, he dared say?

Shen Jiu would note this in his mental grudge note.

How dare he, the only one Shen Jiu allowed to judge him was his former Shizun, the former lord of Qing Jing Peak, mainly because he needed that man’s judgment to be the peak lord.

“Huan Hua Palace is one of the Four Great Sects. Your little petty outburst might sour the relationship between our two sects.” Ming Fan narrowed his eyes. “Before you make trouble, you better know what you’re facing. It is bad for Qing Jing Peak’s face to have its disciple disregard grace to messily accuse another Great Sect’s disciple.”

“Huan Hua Palace is a Great Sect indeed, but Qing Jing Peak is a part of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. There’s no reason for us to swallow our anger.” Luo Binghe said bluntly and Shen Jiu glanced at him.

“We don’t. But it is not an excuse to act like a shrill over some petty problem.”

Shen Jiu’s eyes earned another layer of frost to them.

“Yuan-shidi could have lost his life,” Luo Binghe retorted coldly. “Where is that a petty problem?”

“And what good does it do to us to accuse a disciple from another sect about it?” Ming Fan demanded. “To show others that Qing Jing Peak’s disciples can only blame others instead of taking responsibility for their own incompetence?!”

Shen Yuan’s lips subtly tightened and Shen Jiu caught it, however, before he could burst out in anger, Luo Binghe snidely remarked.

“Ming-shixiong is talented, you were not there yet it seemed you had your eyes and ears there.” Luo Binghe narrowed his eyes with a flash of sneer in his eyes, but otherwise his expression remained stoic. “It’s useless to be competent when your teammates are incompetent. In which case, should we let incompetency slide off while punishing the competent one by letting them die?” he said sharply.

The atmosphere became thicker that someone could probably slice it with a knife. The argument between the two senior disciples made the junior disciples nervous.

“I might not be as talented as you,” Ming Fan hissed. “But I’m thinking about our peak’s dignity.”

“By giving ways to others when we’re wronged?”

“There isn’t even a concrete evidence about that! It might be an accident. We’re just being a nuisance for making a racket! Qing Jing Peak is indeed a peak of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, but we don’t have a peak lord!” Ming Fan said in frustration. “Being careless will only make other peak lords look down on Qing Jing Peak’s quality.”

“As disciples, our goal in life is naturally to live up to Shizun’s expectations. Since Shizun is no longer here to protect us, then we have to protect our Shizun’s dignity and Qing Jing Peak’s glory.” Luo Binghe nodded. “By not letting anyone trample on us,” he said coldly.

“Do you have any idea how poorly that will reflect us in the eyes of other peak lords? Don’t you know how many people see us as living off the alms of others?!” Ming Fan had his own thoughts. It had been eight years since Shen Qingqiu’s death, they were all already full-fledged cultivators and had their own responsibilities now. Long after the haze of Shen Qingqiu’s death lifted up, other peak lords would naturally expect something out of them. The least they could do was to develop and behave lest they were seen as ungrateful and wild.

However, Luo Binghe had another thought. While their Shizun was no longer here, it was nobody’s turn to dictate what they should or shouldn’t do. He spent countless nights reading and re-reading his Shizun’s journals secretly, he grasped his Shizun’s personality really well through the elegant writings on the paper that contained his Shizun’s true thoughts.

Shen Qingqiu was a prideful and capable person, he disdained to be pulled into a dance of Sect Politics or made-up controversy. He hated to care about other peak lords’ opinions, but he should so he always found a way to fulfill his responsibility while still spitting on others to prove they were wrong and he was right. Should their Shizun was still alive now, where would his dignity be if he saw his disciples cave in to this kind of social pressure?

“Qing Jing Peak is ranked second in seniority. The only one above our Shizun is Zhangmen-shibo, Zhangmen-shibo hasn’t said anything about Little Shidi’s action.” Luo Binghe crossed his arms stoically.

Shen Jiu subconsciously nodded at his argument. The only one above Shen Qingqiu in ranking was Yue Qingyuan, that was the whole reason why Shen Jiu could do as he pleased even though he didn’t want to admit it.

Shen Qingqiu always tried to cross Yue Qingyuan’s bottom line, but he never found it in his life. It only frustrated Shen Qingqiu. Because the absence of Yue Qingyuan’s bottom line for Shen Qingqiu only made him seem fake in Shen Qingqiu’s eyes.

Shen Qingqiu hated fakeness. If you tolerated everything, you stood for nothing. Yue Qingyuan stood for nothing in front of Shen Qingqiu.

Spineless. Coward.*

The suffocating feeling of resentment almost bloomed in Shen Jiu’s chest as he recalled his past life but his small hand was squeezed tightly by Shen Yuan just as Ming Fan raised his voice angrily.

“Tact, Luo Binghe!” Ming Fan gritted his teeth, dropping his usual dignified and elegant mask, scaring Shen Yuan enough for him to grasp his little brother’s hand tightly, fearing a heavy punishment would befall Shen Jiu. “If Shizun is still here, you think he’ll be happy to see a little disciple picking fights with a direct disciple of a Huan Hua Palace’s elder?!”

Maybe their Shizun would be unhappy outwardly, Luo Binghe thought. But as written in the fourth journal, page sixty-two, of his Shizun’s discipleship days, his Shizun would find a flaw on the opponent’s argument or action and use it against them to benefit him.

Luo Binghe was not stupid, he knew Qin Wanrong was dissatisfied with Shen Yuan but he let her be in the Conference since girls his peers got upset about many weird things. However, when Shen Qing came and accuse Qin Wanrong of abandoning an ally, Luo Binghe also couldn’t muster up doubt that Qin Wanrong could do that.

She absolutely could. Of all people there, she could. Perhaps not with the intention for Shen Yuan to lose his life, but only to vent her dissatisfaction.

But fact was, if Shen Qing didn’t arrive on time, Shen Yuan would have lost his life or perhaps been crippled for life, hence, Luo Binghe could also understand Shen Qing’s outburst.

The little shidi was always indifferent on average days, just muddling along with lessons and classes, but there was no question of his affection for his elder brother.

“Can we stop arguing?” Ning Yingying asserted herself between them. “It has passed, there’s no use to argue about it. Ming-shixiong, little shidi might be impulsive, but he’s young after all, moreover, he had his merits in the Conference, he didn’t make us lose face.”

“It is about discipline, Ning-shimei. Are you trying to teach him that only with merits all his deeds will be whitewashed?”

“Why not?” Luo Binghe cut in with a snort. “Everyone cared about the result, not the process.”

At first, Shen Jiu inwardly sneered and wished they would just tear each other apart. But further into the arguments, Shen Jiu began nodding mentally at Luo Binghe.

Qing Jing Peak was a part of Cang Qiong Mountain Peak, so why should he care about Huan Hua Palace? When he was a Peak Lord, it wasn’t just once or twice he insulted Huan Hua Palace’s elders for petty reasons.

When it was a face-off between two Great Sects on who was right, the answer would always come down to who was the strongest. Shen Qingqiu never lost an argument with low-class pretentious bastards like the people of Huan Hua Palace.

“You!” Ming Fan exclaimed, glaring at Luo Binghe. “Are you trying to lead them astray?!”

Luo Binghe smirked. “Lead them astray? Did I give them a faulty manual?”

Ming Fan paled upon hearing that while glaring resentfully at Luo Binghe. His expression turned colder and he turned to look at Shen Jiu then. “This will be the last time, you understand?”

Shen Jiu didn’t answer but Shen Yuan quickly replied for him. “Yes, Ming-shixiong. This will not happen again.”

Ming Fan snorted and flicked his sleeve, he left with a brisk pace and a solemn look on his face.

Everyone soon dispersed after that, either couldn’t care less or not want to get too much entangled with it. The more junior disciples didn’t really want to get involved, meanwhile the more senior disciples already long sensed a shift in dynamic within the peak.

It would be foolish of them to not realize Ming Fan and Luo Binghe had been at odds since years ago. But lately, Luo Binghe became more active at retaliating and contradicting Ming Fan, the majority of senior disciples didn’t know what was happening between the two recently, but no one wanted to pick a side.

One was the appointed head disciple of Qing Jing Peak prior Shen Qingqiu’s death.

The other one was the talented closing disciple, the very last disciple Shen Qingqiu accepted before he unexpectedly died.

It was better to stay neutral for the most part, picking sides would encourage others to start doing so too. They were raised scholars, they knew better than to be stupid and impatient.

The situation became sour, even Ning Yingying couldn’t spare a glance to comfort Shen Jiu and quickly pulled Luo Binghe away for a talk.

The object of the argument, Shen Jiu, was the most unbothered by the whole thing, but that was until Shen Yuan kneeled in front of him with a face full of distress and rubbed Shen Jiu’s cold face tenderly.

“It’s okay, you don’t need to worry. It was not your fault, you were only anxious.” Shen Yuan tenderly rubbed his little brother’s forehead, afraid that the boy was frozen in fear after getting scolded by Ming Fan. His heart cracked slightly. How could it be? Even on bad days, Shen Yuan couldn’t bear to scold his little brother, not even their nominal father ever scolded them. But Ming Fan did it so publicly in front of everyone, was he trying to force Shen Jiu into submission?!

There was a fire in Shen Yuan’s heart but he couldn’t vent it anywhere, he could only suppress his dissatisfaction and comfort his ‘upset’ brother.

“It should’ve been Yuan-ge who got scolded, after all, A’Jiu was mad for Yuan-ge’s safety. You don’t have to worry about it,” Shen Yuan comforted softly.

Shen Jiu gazed at Shen Yuan with his clear eyes. “I don’t care.” Who was Ming Fan? Barely an ant in Shen Jiu’s eyes. It never changed since he was a peak lord or he was as a little child now. Instead, Shen Jiu instinctively reached out and smoothened the anxious crease between Shen Yuan’s eyebrows. “You shouldn’t get scolded either.”

If it was Shen Yuan who got scolded so directly just now instead of subtly, Shen Jiu would be already plotting how to humiliate Ming Fan in the upcoming days.

Shen Jiu didn’t fully realize the values he had set in his heart unconsciously. He could lay low to guard his real identity and learn to not care about others scolding him in favor of bidding time to retaliate in the future when he was stronger.

But when it came to Shen Yuan, he wouldn’t wait to retaliate at all.

Because no matter how much Shen Jiu tried to avoid it.

Shen Yuan is his precious older brother.

Chapter Text

Shen Yuan’s birthday happened to fall a month after the Immortal Alliance Conference. It was his twentieth, in this world anyway, and by tradition, he should have his capping ceremony and receive his courtesy name during this birthday, something he kind of hoped for since he transmigrated into this world.

However, the trip back to Qing Jing Peak took too much of Shen Yuan’s energy and the subsequent event got him in a very low spirit that he didn’t even care or remember.

“Jiujiu… hm… don’t take it to heart…” Shen Yuan moaned in his sleep, whimpering sadly.

Shen Jiu stood by the bed, observing his older brother with annoyed eyes. “Wake up.”

“Huhu…” Shen Yuan hugged his pillow tighter. “Gege will support you…”

Shen Jiu climbed up to the bed, straddling Shen Yuan, and started slapping his face lightly. “Wake up. Yuan-ge.” He pinched Shen Yuan’s cheeks vengefully for all those times Shen Yuan pinched his cheeks. “Shen Yuan, wake up!”

“Ow- ow ow oww!” Shen Yuan woke up to see his darling little brother, who was a complete white lotus in his dream, looking at him fiercely. “A’Jiu-!” Shen Yuan winced and pried Shen Jiu’s hands away from his cheeks.

“The sun is already so high up.”

“We don’t even have classes today,” Shen Yuan rebuked. Because of the Immortal Alliance’s Conference, nearly every senior disciple went to digest their gains after the conference, several went on a retreat. All of them got an official break for a couple of months, basically a vacation.

“That’s not an excuse to be lazy,” Shen Jiu said heartlessly.

Shen Yuan pouted and then grinned.

“What are you- Yuan-ge!” Shen Jiu screamed when Shen Yuan’s hands came around his waist and pulled him down. His body crashed on top of Shen Yuan flat, a joyful tremors thrummed in Shen Yuan’s chest as he laughed and hugged Shen Jiu tighter.

“Little boys need enough sleep to grow,” Shen Yuan messed Shen Jiu’s carefully arranged hair, making him equally as messy as he was. “Less meditation, more sleep, and you’ll grow taller!”

“That’s not how it works,” Shen Jiu growled, flushed. Shen Yuan continued to attack him by rubbing their cheeks together.

“Yes, it is. Listen to your big brother.” Shen Yuan put his chin on top of Shen Jiu’s tuft of hair. “I would never lie to you. Sleep, sleep, I’ll accompany you.”

Shen Jiu’s breath hitched. “You just want to be lazy.” Shen Jiu glared at him.

“Once in a while is fine.”

“Indulgence is not good.”

“Excessive indulgence is. Sssh, sleep.”

Shen Jiu glared fiercely at Shen Yuan and helplessly leaned against Shen Yuan with his head tucked under Shen Yuan’s chin. The sun was already up high, it was not his habit to rest when the day was bright. But Shen Jiu made no move to get up. Shen Yuan’s arms around him, he could hear Shen Yuan’s breath and see the rise and fall of Shen Yuan’s chest. Shen Yuan was, of course, already passed out again.

The soft rays of sunlight from the window brought rare warmth even beating the natural cold temperature of Qing Jing Peak. Even when the sun was already high up in the sky, there was still nearly no sound coming from outside. Qing Jing Peak was a perfect environment to study and sleep.

It was so quiet that every single inhale and exhale could be heard clearly.

“…That’s enough. Wake up now.” Shen Jiu shoved Shen Yuan off of him with a growl after exactly one hundred inhales and exhales.

Shen Yuan choked awake and groaned. “A’Jiu… there’s nothing to do! Let me sleep!” Shen Yuan crankily snapped.

“Serves you right, who told you to always wake me up when it’s my birthday?” Shen Jiu snorted.

“…Huh?” Shen Yuan’s eyes flew open. “You mean—”

Shen Jiu got off the bed while Shen Yuan choked on emotion.

“That’s right… my birthday,” Shen Yuan covered his mouth. For some reason, the ‘Shen Yuan’ whose body he took over also had the same birthday as him on earth. Which made it all the way easier for Shen Yuan to adapt to his personal life, he had been spending several birthdays here without a hitch with Shen Jiu as his constant companion. Now he remembered that… it seemed today was indeed his birthday. “A’Jiu…” Shen Yuan’s nose soured in emotion. “My wish for this year’s birthday is to sleep in with A’Jiu in my—”

“No.” Shen Jiu rejected ruthlessly.

Shen Yuan sniffed and wiped away imaginary tears from his eyes, expecting such rejection.

“Today is your twentieth birthday, now you can be officially called a man. It’s an important milestone in your life. I offer you my sincerest congratulations.” Shen Jiu cupped his hands ceremoniously and bowed to Shen Yuan solemnly.

Shen Yuan got off the bed and held Shen Jiu’s arms to help him rise up again. “There’s no need for formality between us, A’Jiu. Just do as we do in my previous birthdays.”

“You just turned twenty, it’s different. You should have your capping ceremony today by tradition,” Shen Jiu said seriously. “But since here we are away from home and I don’t think most of the senior disciples care enough for the capping ceremony, we probably can’t do it.” Shen Jiu was sure of it. He didn’t know if any of his disciples ever held a capping ceremony, he died before any of his male disciples reached twenty. Thank Heaven.

Shen Yuan smiled. “That kind of thing is only for formality. I knew I turned twenty and have become an adult, no need for stuffy ceremony.” He touched Shen Jiu’s nose dotingly. “As long as I have you, it doesn’t matter.”

Shen Jiu’s nose tingled and he scrunched up, earning Shen Yuan’s cooing.

“You don’t become twenty twice, Yuan-ge.” Shen Jiu rubbed his nose. “Even if there’s no ceremony, it’s still an important milestone.”

“Then, I accept A’Jiu’s blessing with pleasure.” Shen Yuan beamed and stroked Shen Jiu’s head. “Where’s my gift?” he tilted his head.

Shen Jiu’s lips quirked up slightly, and a glint of pride appeared in his eyes as if he had been waiting for Shen Yuan to say that. Shen Yuan naturally noticed this and had to bite his tongue to not coo.

“Cover your eyes.”

.

.

.

“Alright…” Shen Yuan laughed nervously as he blindly took a step. “Where are we going? I hope it’s not far, because it’s kinda embarrassing.” It was fine if he was the one blindfolding Shen Jiu and dragging him around for the surprise. But Shen Yuan was already this old and big, it felt somewhat shameful.

“It’s in our room,” Shen Jiu replied.

“…I don’t think blindfold is necessary, baby brother.” Shen Yuan turned to where he thought Shen Jiu was with a concerned tone.

“Don’t protest,” Shen Jiu snapped unhappily.

Naturally, a big brother’s job was to indulge little brothers. Shen Yuan could only helplessly sigh and dotingly followed Shen Jiu’s direction. Their room was not big in the first place, in just a few steps, they stopped.

Shen Yuan had to hold in his amused chuckle and boundless urge to grab Shen Jiu and give him love for being so adorable but he knew his twentieth birthday was somehow important to Shen Jiu so he remained behaved.

“It’s kinda cold…” Shen Yuan commented. The aura around him got a bit cold, a pleasant kind of cold. Like a calming coolness of a flowing river.

“Hm.” Shen Jiu nodded and walked around the large tub, touching the lotus in the middle. “Take off your blindfold.”

Shen Yuan took it off and opened his eyes slowly to savor the beautiful moment of Shen Jiu’s first attempt to give him a birthday surprise. Although Shen Jiu never slackened off on giving Shen Yuan gifts on his birthday every year, this was the first time Shen Jiu didn’t just hand it over.

The lotus Shen Yuan beheld was the most beautiful flower he ever laid his eyes on. The petals were clear white, almost translucent, and it rotated gently on the water like a little fairy. Shen Yuan never really appreciated the beauty of flora and more interested in fauna, but right now he understood why famous poets liked to wax poetry about flowers, especially lotuses. It really captured the essence of nature and captivated one’s heart.

“So beautiful…” Shen Yuan breathed out. “Is this for me?”

“Why would I show it to you if it’s not?” Shen Jiu furrowed his brows helplessly.

“Thank you so much, little brother.” Shen Yuan sniffed. In fact, anything Shen Jiu gave him was beautiful and perfect in Shen Yuan’s eyes. Even if his little brother gave him a rock right at this moment, he would still smile and sincerely thank him. The only thing Shen Yuan could nitpick was the fact Shen Jiu stood so far away from him and they were separated by the large basin, because Shen Yuan couldn’t swipe him and smooch him like this. Why did he stand so far away?

Of course, Shen Jiu was an expert in dealing with Shen Yuan. He precisely chose to stand with something in between them so Shen Yuan couldn’t grab him and pepper him with kisses. “Do you like it?”

“I love it!” Shen Yuan laughed and looked at the flower adoringly.

Shen Jiu nodded. “Get undress.”

“…?” Shen Yuan blinked and Shen Jiu pointed at the tub.

“Get in there.” The little boy’s order was as stern as any commander in a battlefield. “It’s a treasure lotus, you have to absorb its essence.”

Shen Yuan never expected his twentieth birthday’s gift would require him to get naked.

Under Shen Jiu’s fussing, Shen Yuan finally took off his sleeping robe but left his trouser on and stepped into the tub. He sat down inside and the water was on his chest level, he splashed his face and wet his hair. He first felt a bit strange doing this but then he realized his little brother was just essentially preparing a relaxing bath for him for his birthday which was a very cute gift.

It would help if the water was a bit warmer, though.

Shen Jiu walked behind Shen Yuan and offered something in his fist. Shen Yuan looked over and Shen Jiu opened his palm to reveal a lotus seed. “Eat it.”

With the mentality of accepting a snack, Shen Yuan picked it and threw it into his mouth.

When Shen Yuan digested the lotus seed, his aura slowly became similar to the lotus and the lotus received the similar aura nicely. Shen Jiu observed it for a while and only then did he throw several other things into the tub and tap the water.

Heat spread out in the water and the lotus rotated serenely, earning a glimmer on its petals as it harmonized with the water and the herbs thrown in the water.

“Hah…” Shen Yuan sighed in contentment. It was truly a nice bath as a gift, he was incredibly touched by Shen Jiu’s attentiveness.

“Focus.” Shen Jiu didn’t let Shen Yuan relax at all. “Focus on the source of qi around you, there’s an eye to every ripple. Meditate.”

“Alright…” Shen Yuan closed his eyes and meditated. Shen Jiu’s voice softened as he began explaining how to harmonize and absorb the essence in the water. Shen Yuan could feel his breath and the lotus’s aura was one of the same and the lotus didn’t have any inhibition in coexisting with him inside the tub.

“Water is gentle, but it can also be stubborn. It is the most versatile element.” Shen Jiu recited calmly. “Rain can rejuvenate a forest, a tidal wave can sweep it barren. A drop of water can save a dying parched man, a consistent drip of water can drive a man insane.”

“People wrongly think that water is gentle and docile. It is not. It can turn hard and be ice, it can melt and be liquid again. A moving river can persuade the earth to change according to its flow, it can extinguish a spreading fire, it exists in air, it exists underground, it brings life to forests.”

Shen Yuan fell into deep contemplation as Shen Jiu continued to speak.

“It’s in you. It exists inside you.” Shen Jiu picked up a long bamboo stick and pointed at an acupoint above Shen Yuan’s heart. “Guide it here.” He proceeds to poke lightly at several acupoints, also instructing Shen Yuan to guide his aura there in sequence.

A layer of qi formed around Shen Yuan and the Jadeite Heart Water Lotus. A sign of harmonizing and smooth process of absorption. Shen Jiu took one look and relaxed as he sat down. He wasn’t worried that Shen Yuan wouldn’t be able to do it. Shen Yuan’s mentality was clear and worryfree, he always had a smooth time cultivating. He had a talent for cultivation, provided he wasn’t lazy and he retained his carefree mind since that was his advantage.

Hours passed and Shen Yuan finally opened his eyes when he felt the water around him had turned cold. The air around him had turned turbid at some point, not in the same color as vibrant blue before he meditated earlier. His body felt refreshed and light, he quickly moved his hand and channeled his qi which flowed smoothly.

“Congratulations for breaking to middle-stage of Foundation Building,” Shen Jiu’s voice pulled Shen Yuan’s attention. “Not surprising.”

Shen Yuan grinned and stood up. “I feel so great!”

Shen Jiu offered him a towel and lightly scooped up the Jadeite Heart Water Lotus from the water while Shen Yuan wiped himself dry.

“It feels magical. I feel like I can try to ride a sword now and it would be no problem because I feel so light.”

Shen Jiu smiled. “Then, you can start practicing flying sword.” Shen Yuan always refused to learn how to fly a sword, citing he was afraid of height, something Shen Jiu couldn’t comprehend at all. When Shen Jiu forced Shen Yuan to learn, his control was a mess and Shen Jiu had to give up because it was clearly a mental hurdle Shen Yuan had to get over himself.

Of course, Shen Yuan didn’t actually mean he wanted to learn flying a sword. “This lotus is really good, A’Jiu. Where did you get this from?” he asked.

Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan with a look of helplessness. “Where else? In the Immortal Alliance Conference naturally. Where else could I find a high-grade spirit herb?” Buy it? Too expensive. Finding it himself in the wild? Impossible.

Shen Yuan paused. “High grade spirit herb?” he looked at the lotus thoughtfully. “Did you get it with Gongyi-qianbei from Huan Hua Palace?”

Shen Jiu let out a disbelieving snort of disdain. “Him? Why would anything I picked with my own strength have anything to do with him? This Jadeite Heart Water Lotus is something I’m fated with.”

“Jadeite what?” Shen Yuan blinked, his pupils shook as his mind furiously rewound back to the content of the book and for the life of him he couldn’t remember it clearly at all. “This is… a water lotus?” Shen Yuan said meekly.

“Yes.”

Shen Yuan’s lips trembled. “Did… did you find snakes with flower mark on top of their heads and pupils like two mirrored crescent moons?”

“Viridescent Flower Snake,” Shen Jiu corrected with displeasure because he knew Shen Yuan knew the name.

“Viridescent Flower Snakes,” Shen Yuan repeated quickly without missing a beat, affirming.

“Yes, I killed them.” Shen Jiu tilted his head. “They’re not that strong,” Shen Jiu said slowly, thinking Shen Yuan was fussing over his well-being again and ‘how dangerous’ his action was.

However, Shen Yuan’s focus was on another thing. He now finally remembered this piece of side plot. In the original novel, the quadrennial Immortal Alliance Conference was held back a year because the previous one ended in disaster with so many casualties including Luo Binghe himself. It was only five years after Luo Binghe’s fall into the abyss that he returned to the human world and it was coincidentally at the same time as the Immortal Alliance Conference but he held back his appearance until he established himself in Huan Hua Palace.

In this Immortal Alliance Conference, it was mentioned that Liu Mingyan was injured by an incredibly venomous snake. It was an important romantic side plot to Luo Binghe for attaining (one of) his main wife(s). Shen Yuan didn’t really take this sideplot seriously since it was a romantic sideplot, kinda useless, and most importantly, this sideplot was solved with the greatest plot tool in this damn book; sex with Luo Binghe.

Because of this pa pa pa solution, the primary wife who was cold and ethereal was conquered and helped Luo Binghe wholly in his quest of taking down Shen Qingqiu. Shen Yuan didn’t remember, he skimmed that part a lot.

Shen Yuan snapped out of it. “You’re alright, right?”

“I told you I’m fine,” Shen Jiu defended himself.

“There were two snakes, right? Did you really not get bitten by one of them because you mistakenly thought there was only one beast guardian guarding the lotus?!” Shen Yuan demanded.

Shen Jiu blinked because Shen Yuan was very specific. “I sensed two immediately, they were not a threat to me.” It would be a stain to him if he even failed to do so, had that happen, Shen Jiu would just jump into a ravine and never seen again with such disgrace.

Shen Yuan stared at Shen Jiu.

“…What do you want?” Shen Jiu snapped. “We lived in the same roof together, did you see me getting sick once in the last month?”

Shen Yuan pursed his lips and reluctantly got convinced. “Okay…”

Shen Jiu sighed. “Clothe yourself. I’ve prepared your clothes.” He gestured to a neatly folded robe on a stool.

Shen Yuan absentmindedly changed his clothes behind a screen as his mind kept spinning. ‘I took the female lead’s fated treasure… the female lead’s plot tool to get with the protag… how could I get the female lead’s fated treasure…?’

He walked out from the screen and found Shen Jiu was busy with a wooden tray holding a jade crown and silver hairpin and Shen Yuan’s spinning mind stopped. “What is this?”

Shen Jiu turned around. “There is no rite and I don’t want to return to Shen Mansion, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do it.” He set the tray down. “Kneel down.”

Shen Yuan, a modern person, never saw such thing before beyond what he had seen from ancient dramas. He followed Shen Jiu’s instruction, face flushed with life, excitement and apprehension mixed into one. “You really… We’re really going to do it?”

Shen Jiu nodded and offered him a tea, it was warm and not hot but Shen Yuan still took a long sip of it. For a split second, he felt giddy. Only because his cute little brother was doing all of these for him. Even when it was only inside a small room and only the two of them with no proper rites.

Shen Yuan carefully watched Shen Jiu move and for a moment Shen Yuan could see himself doing the exact same thing Shen Jiu was doing but for Shen Jiu himself in a little over eight years. He must remember this, so he could do the same thing for Shen Jiu once Shen Jiu reached the coming-of-age. The thought of his cute little brother all grown up distracted Shen Yuan for a bit.

Shen Jiu stood up straight and seriously put the jade crown on Shen Yuan’s hairbun.

“In life, there’s spring of youth, summer of adult, autumn of the elderly, and winter of the dead. Though you are still in your spring of life, you’ve already taken a step to adulthood. Do not waste it.”

When Shen Jiu put the jade crown on Shen Yuan’s head and put a silver hairpin through it carefully, he felt like he had passed a hurdle. By normal standard, a courtesy name should be given, either by a master, father, or a respected person. Since the master of Qing Jing Peak was dead, that only left the sperm donator back home to give the name.

Shen Yuan waited for Shen Jiu to give a gesture that he was done but he didn’t hear anything. “I understand. I will be more hard working and I will absolutely not waste it,” he said gently.

Shen Jiu stared for a while and pursed his lips.

“Shixuan. Will you accept these words?” Shen Jiu said as he slowly let go of the silver hairpin.

Shen Yuan raised his head and gazed at his little brother’s solemn face. “For me?” He blinked.

Shen Jiu stared for a while before he turned around and grabbed a brush and a sheet of paper. He dipped the brush into a small bottle of ready-made liquid ink and started to write stroke-by-stroke. Shen Jiu’s form was perfect and always elegant, but there was a trace of solemnity in his brows at this moment which captivated Shen Yuan.

Shen Jiu put down his brush and let the ink dry with a wave of his finger. He then picked up the paper and presented it to Shen Yuan, who didn’t move an inch from where he was kneeling. “These words.”

It finally clicked in Shen Yuan’s head. “You mean, for my courtesy name?” he breathed out and gazed at the beautiful handwriting on the sheet of paper. He raised his hand and grasped the paper, his eyes became slightly sour. “Absolutely. Shen Qing, these are wonderful words. The best. Thank you very much.” Who cared about norms? Who cared that Shen Jiu was his younger brother? He felt nothing but pride when Shen Jiu presented this idea to him. Moreover, in this world, the only one very important to him was Shen Jiu. What’s wrong with accepting your loved one’s words?

“It’s just are you sure to add this? I already have water spirit root and my courtesy name has water again*,” Shen Yuan said teasingly since it was always Shen Jiu who strictly followed this thing that was mostly a tradition in Shen Yuan’s own world.

Shen Jiu snorted. “Courtesy name is given when you’re already established and strong. There’s no fault in adding your element into your name, you’re not a weak baby.”

Shen Yuan laughed. “I love it! Shixuan. Shen Shixuan sounds dignified and lofty.”

Shen Jiu showed a genuine soft smile. “It suits you.”

“When I’m stronger, I will be known by this name,” Shen Yuan said as he reached and wrapped his arms around Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu blinked in amusement. “You want to be strong and famous?” he chuckled. He was familiar with the Shen Yuan who was always lowkey and lazy.

“Well, the silver lining to that would be me using this name ostentatiously.” Shen Yuan grinned and pulled away.

Shen Jiu nodded. “But you shouldn’t use that name just yet, people would ask who gave it to you.” He said in good mood.

Shen Yuan nodded. “This name is special to me, I don’t think I will give it to anyone else to utter.” He stood up and looked at the paper again fondly. “Right, I will only share it when I’m worthy to share it.”

Shen Jiu picked up the wooden box with the Jadeite Heart Water Lotus in it. “Here, keep this. You haven’t fully absorbed the essence, it should be good for another two or three soaks.”

Shen Yuan gazed at the lotus and took it. “I’ll take good care of it.”

He closed the box.

.

.

Shen Yuan couldn’t erase the bright smile from his face at all in the next few days. Truthfully, he wanted nothing more than to boast and gush about Shen Jiu especially to some of his peers and fellow junior disciples but he restrained himself since it might invite criticism.

“You look really happy, Yuan-shidi, any good news?” Ning Yingying asked when Shen Yuan was helping her tidying the library.

“No, it’s nothing,” Shen Yuan said. “A’Jiu has just been really well behaved lately.”

“Ah…” Ning Yingying nodded, not quite understanding but empathetic to the happiness. “Your cultivation has improved, congratulations. You and Qing-shidi really cultivate fast, you’ve only been here for three years and now you’re mid-stage Foundation Building.”

“It’s just luck,” Shen Yuan said hastily. His talent could be said to be really good, but he started a bit late and the only reason he could advance was because Shen Jiu always thought of him. Usually it would take ten years to go through Foundation Building and that was already the ideal perspective, some would spend their entire lifespan in it even. Not just anyone could break into Core-Formation stage without a backing of a sect or powerful family.

“Don’t sell yourself short. Though, Qing-shidi is even better since he’s already mid-stage of Foundation Building before you.” Ning Yingying tapped her chin. The current youngest of Qing Jing Peak was simply too talented, it made her want to baby him but Qing Jing Peak’s condition made it hard to have a leisurely time to spoil her youngest shidi. If Shen Jiu was a disciple of other peak, he would be so spoiled to death now. However, in hindsight it was good, her cute youngest shidi was not spoiled and didn’t have a difficult temperament. Aside from being a little too introverted and occasional sour-bitter face, he was still a very cute boy.

“He worked harder than anyone,” Shen Yuan said. “I’ve been making him take a rest more often.” Shen Jiu had advanced to mid-stage Foundation Building before the Immortal Alliance Conference. However, now Shen Yuan was also in the same level, he had a very distinct feeling that Shen Jiu was still above him.

“Yes, he’s short for his age. You should let him rest more often. He’s already better than most,” Ning Yingying said. She, herself, had just recently promoted to mid-stage Foundation Building. When compared to the two newcomers who had only been here for three years, she was devastatingly left in the dust.

“Ning-shijie just haven’t find the right moment yet,” Shen Yuan said. “Who knows about the future? Ning-shijie is incredibly talented. It all comes down to luck, moment, and fortuity.”

Ning Yingying chuckled. “Don’t worry. I know my own limitations.” She put down a fresh pot of orchids at the front table beside the entrance. “I mourned for Shizun a lot and neglected my cultivation.” She barely managed to break into Foundation Building stage on her own three years ago, a shy few weeks before they decided to re-open Qing Jing Peak. She spent the whole day after consolidating her cultivation to cry in front of Shen Qingqiu’s grave.

The most spoiled little girl of Qing Jing Peak had to take flight from the nest without her master’s pointers or protection, establishing her own foundation so she can prove herself.

Ning Yingying caressed the plum blossoms print on the porcelain pot absently. “I heard from our shixiong that it’s time for you to start going outside the sect and taking missions. I think so to, especially for you and Qing-shidi. You are the best out of your batch.”

Shen Jiu was unquestionably the best and most stable from the beginning, but Shen Yuan came out like a dark horse. Shen Yuan’s cultivation speed in Qi Gathering Stage was quite average but he managed to break into Foundation Building Stage in one try whereas others had failed, it could be said he was very steady.

“Is that true?” Shen Yuan turned around.

“Yes, though it is very advised you team up with your peer for missions and just pick grade-two or grade-three.” Ning Yingying smiled.

There were ten grades of mission classification in Qiong Ding Peak’s Task Pavilion. Grade 1 being the easiest with little to no risk, and the risk and difficulty increased the higher the grade was. Grade 2 and 3 would be easy to solve for foundation-building beginners.

“I see, I will make sure to be on the lookout,” Shen Yuan said. He already knew who he wanted in a team.

Shen Jiu. No one else. Purely because Shen Jiu wouldn’t want anyone else with them. Just when Shen Yuan made a decision in his mind, Ning Yingying spoke up again.

“You can take both of your little brothers as well.”

Shen Yuan paused and his lips twitched. ‘Right… I have two little brothers here…’ But he wasn’t so close to Shen Ba as he was with Shen Jiu. If Shen Jiu was cute and moody, Shen Ba was just horrible and mean. Shen Yuan didn’t want to hold grudge against him because, let’s face it, Shen Ba was a brat not even an adult to Shen Yuan. While Shen Jiu wasn’t past insulting Shen Yuan, he did it out of love. Whereas Shen Ba did it out of malice. Shen Yuan couldn’t get along at all with this nominal brother of his.

“Shen Ba might not agree, but I’ll ask him,” Shen Yuan reluctantly responded.

The next day, the junior disciples studied in class and the senior disciple lecturing the class made a simple speech at the end of it.

“Traveling a hundred miles away is better than reading a thousand books. If any of you want to take outside mission, the time has ripened for you.” A handsome senior disciple said breezily. It sounded like a suggestion but everyone naturally knew it was quite a strong suggestion. They should at least take one mission now sooner or later.

Shen Yuan found Shen Ba after class and greeted him. “Eighth brother. Ninth brother and I will be going to Qiong Ding Peak to pick a mission, do you want to form a group with us?” he made sure to shoot a glance at Shen Jiu to make sure the boy didn’t make a threatening dark face. “We would take care of each other during mission.”

Shen Ba gazed at Shen Yuan and glared. Shen Yuan was a bit surprised with his complexion, he was pallid and there were thick dark circles under his eyes that made him look older than his fifteen years of age. He was slightly hunched too, unlike the proud and mean boy a few years ago. The aura around him was a bit unstable. Shen Yuan had heard that Shen Ba had failed to break through last year but was confused why he hadn’t recovered yet.

“No need. I have my own arrangement,” Shen Ba said scathingly. He then tossed a glance at Shen Jiu and glared even more sharply, Shen Jiu arched an eyebrow. The silent exchange between the two was somehow won by the shorter and younger one.

“What?” Shen Jiu sneered.

Shen Ba snorted and flicked his sleeve, turning around and leaving.

Shen Yuan sighed. “Well, I tried…” he turned to Shen Jiu, “Why do you need to offend him again?”

Shen Jiu blinked. “It was you who’s cruel, Yuan-ge,” he said calmly.

“How am I the one being cruel?” Shen Yuan clutched his chest in disbelief. He didn’t do anything! “You cannot slander people.”

Shen Jiu smirked. “That kid used to feel superior over us, now he’s the one left behind with the weakest cultivation. How do you think he would feel when two people he used to deem as inferior now offering him a place in their group half-heartedly?” he clicked his tongue and poked Shen Yuan’s side. “Cruel.”

Shen Yuan frowned thoughtfully and sighed. Shen Ba used to be the most promising, after all Shen Jiu’s talent was hidden and Shen Yuan was practically invisible and sickly in Shen Mansion. Yet now he no longer looked like the sly proud boy he used to be. Shen Jiu, whom he used to see as a non-threat, was the first to advance into Foundation Building stage. Not to mention Shen Yuan who just broke through out of nowhere unexpectedly by everyone.

“It is hard for him too,” Shen Yuan said with a sigh.

Shen Jiu snorted. “Yuan-ge, keep your sympathy for those who really deserve it.”

Then Shen Yuan remembered Shen Ba also actively sabotaged Shen Jiu all those years ago and his sympathy dissipated. “True. Let’s pack up first and then go to Qiong Ding.”

The pair of brothers headed back to their room. Shen Yuan didn’t have space bag or fancy space ring on his name but Shen Jiu got one from Immortal Alliance Conference. The size inside was merely ten cubics but it was more than enough. Shen Yuan longed the day he could get one for himself. He  got a hold of one of these as a safety measure and facilitate rations since they needed to spend seven days in the secret realm in the Immortal Alliance Conference.

Shen Yuan took Shen Jiu to Qiong Ding Peak. The Task Pavilion was just beside the Merit Pavilion, the Task Pavilion was smaller than Merit Pavilion and way more people were in it. The lower grade missions’ boards had full crowd. Shen Yuan deeply believed if he took Shen Jiu there, he would lose Shen Jiu in the crowd so he turned to his little brother.

“Wait here, I’ll go and look for a suitable mission.”

Knowing fully well if he had to squeeze into that crowd he wouldn’t be able to refrain himself from stabbing a few legs, Shen Jiu nodded.

Shen Yuan patted Shen Jiu’s head and bravely marched into the crowd to push and shove his way to the board. Shen Jiu watched in approval.

“This scroll is mine!”

“Get the hell out, I spotted it first!”

“Gentlemen, please—”

“Can you guys resolve disputes somewhere else?!”

“Everybody please DISPERSE, I LOST MY SHIMEI!!! I SWEAR—”

Shen Jiu watched and decided this was a threshold Shen Yuan must overcome- getting in a crowd with a bunch of sweaty disciples who might came from An Ding Peak and Bai Zhan Peak. Shen Jiu turned around to look for a place to sit and wait he inevitably glanced at the more isolated task board.

Shen Jiu walked up to the isolated task board instead and looked at it seriously. The reason why the boards of tasks in this part of the pavilion was isolated was because they were for extremely difficult tasks that usually only elders and peak lords took. Shen Jiu, as Shen Qingqiu, used to take missions from these boards. There were only a few scrolls put here, only cultivators above Core-Formation Stage could take them since there was a strength-limit seal on them. In fact, it wasn’t the same as the low-grade missions who had a wide board with missions posted on it. The high-grade missions had shelves with small racks that held mission scrolls in it.

Shen Jiu spotted a few scrolls of grade-7 and 8, and there was only one grade-9 task.

“The amount is so little…” Shen Jiu muttered seriously. He still remembered before he died there were more grade 9 tasks. The reason why there were so little of grade 9 tasks, it was because they were classified as difficult and deadly, not to mention very time consuming.

He once heard Liu Qingge took one grade 9 task, that brute didn’t return to the sect for over five years and missed contact with the sect on the fifth year. It was the best and most peaceful time Shen Qingqiu ever got on yearly peak lord meeting. Afterwards, no one really wanted to do one. After all, their disciples were still young and they still needed to help them to build a stable foundation. As for that brute, that brute didn’t even know how to be a master, why would he care about nurturing disciples?

While Shen Jiu was contently insulting Liu Qingge in his mind, a hand pressed gently on the top of his head. “What are you doing here?”

Shen Jiu’s back became cold, he looked up. His throat constricted and his breath hitched for a bit. “Yue—” his mind snapped awake, “-Zhangmen…” his mouth immediately amended without a suspicious or audacious pause.

Yue Qingyuan smiled gently. “No need to be so formal, you can call me Zhangmen-shibo like the rest,” he informed kindly. “What are you doing here?”

Shen Jiu shook his head and lowered his head, not noticing the flash of ache in Yue Qingyuan’s eyes.. “I’m just looking around. That place is so full, but this place is empty,” Shen Jiu said innocently.

“Because this place is for really difficult missions.” The ache in Yue Qingyuan’s eyes was quickly suppressed when he explained and observed Shen Jiu’s shy and curious countenance. By the end of his sentence, there was only indifference, but his expression remained kind and warm. “Are you here for your first mission outside the sect?”

“Yes…” Shen Jiu nodded.

“Are you coming with any of your seniors?”

“I’m with my elder brother,” Shen Jiu said tersely.

“I see. Shen Qing, your elder brother is called Shen Yuan, correct?” Yue Qingyuan said gently. “I notice you two from the conference. Incredible talents…” he smiled.

Shen Jiu lowered his head, not answering. He was aware it was extremely uncourteous as a small disciple to not respond properly to the Sect Head. But he couldn’t help it. He didn’t want to talk more than a few words to this man. Whether as Shen Qingqiu or as Shen Qing.

Yue Qingyuan didn’t seem to notice nor mind his behaviour at all and continued to speak. “If Qingqiu is still here, he would have been extremely proud.”

“Would he?” Shen Jiu bit his tongue.

“Of course,” Yue Qingyuan said. His tone when speaking about Shen Qingqiu was soft, almost reverent. “He most likely wouldn’t show it, but Qingqiu… would be quite proud.” He exhaled.

Shen Jiu smiled ironically. ‘I won’t.’ hidden inside his sleeves, his hands clenched into fists. ‘All of these, being a peak lord. Isn’t it simply a chore and a job?’ He didn’t feel anything when his disciples accomplish anything but he would feel angry when they failed. After all, if they failed, he was wrong. If they succeeded, he was just doing his job. Shen Jiu had done this so many times as a slave, nothing good would be accounted to him, but if there was a slightest mistake it would be his fault.

He had stopped feeling those fleeting emotions or expectations from a job well done.

An artist would only feel proud of his creation if he poured his love into his masterpiece. Shen Qingqiu didn’t pour any love in his teaching, just calculation, cold unfeeling calculation. So they could succeed. So he could finish his job and move on to another.

His disciples or Liu Qingge. Did he not do a good job for them? Because it was his responsibility. Not because he like it.

‘You still don’t understand me, Yue Qi…’ Shen Jiu thought. ‘Dead people are the most beautiful in memories.’ He wanted to laugh loudly. When he was alive and had all those allegations thrown to him, Yue Qingyuan defended him everywhere and covered it up. He preferred to not see his childhood friend had gotten twisted, rather than dig deeper and deeper and find the truth. He chose to give all his faith to Shen Qingqiu while also blatantly showing Shen Qingqiu that he didn’t trust him.

Sometimes Shen Qingqiu wanted to really torment his disciples to adhere to the rumors outside. Had they ever known what a real torture was? What he had done to those kids to observe them might look harsh but could it be half as harsh as what he had suffered as a slave?

How could a young slave bear with tortures beyond what young cultivators could? Laughable.

He wanted to hurt them. Hurt them worse as those rumors outside. Hurt them like how he had been hurt.

But as he wrote down his days in his journal and looked back at his old notes, he was always reminded at how far he had gotten without letting the years inside the Qiu Mansion get to him. So why bother to change that?

Shen Jiu looked up at Yue Qingyuan. “He sounds like a kind person,” he said blankly, absentminded.

“The kindest,” Yue Qingyuan said, his eyes softening with an ache as he stared blankly at the board before him.

Shen Jiu bit back a sneer.

“I think he would like you and your brother. He also has a habit of memorizing the encyclopedia of demons and monsters,” Yue Qingyuan said with a chuckle.

Shen Jiu didn’t comment on that. Because he liked Shen Yuan. Liked him so much. Anything Shen Yuan did made Shen Jiu proud and glad. He couldn’t deny a small part of his cold heart softened for Shen Yuan.

“He would be glad his legacy will continue if he could see Qing Jing Peak now,” Yue Qingyuan said. “So keep cultivating diligently, if you need anything, you can ask your seniors or can come directly to Qiong Ding Peak. Don’t hesitate, understand?”

Shen Jiu nodded indifferently. “Understood, Zhangmen-shibo.”

“Good boy.” Yue Qingyuan smiled and patted Shen Jiu’s head one last time.

Shen Jiu lowered his head. “Then, shizi excuses himself first.” Shen Jiu cupped his fist half-heartedly.

Yue Qingyuan nodded. “Good luck.”

The furthest distance is not between life and death but when I walk past you and you don’t recognize me.

Shen Jiu turned around and walked off, trying not to let bitterness swallow his heart. He thought he had gotten rid of Yue Qingyuan’s influence on him but he was wrong. Shen Jiu hated him for it.

Yue Qingyuan looked away after Shen Jiu walked away, his eyes glued to the mission shelves for two seconds and, slowly, he reached for the only Grade 9 mission scroll.

“I hope this one will do it,” Yue Qingyuan said indifferently. His left hand reached for Xuan Su’s hilt.

As he walked away in the opposite direction with the scroll in hand, his back looked incredibly desolate.

.

.

“Let me through! I have somewhere to be!”

“FUCK! You think you’re the only one with somewhere to be?!”

“Shidi-?! Where’s my shidi?!”

“I’m giving a fair warning if everyone around me didn’t take a step back I WILL poison you all!”

“YOUR MOM!”

“THAT’S IT!!!!”

Shen Yuan dug his heels while people around him shoved and pushed each others to move. “Fuck, can’t you guys be more civilized!?” Shen Yuan scolded. Living in Qing Jing Peak spoiled him, even if you gathered every single disciple of Qing Jing Peak in this place, it would still be sparse enough for each disciple to lay down sprawled off and they still would have their own breathing space.

He had worked harder than his life before he could reach Grade 2 missions’ board. When he couldn’t find a suitable mission there, Shen Yuan felt helpless and then inched his way to the Grade 3 missions’ board and nearly became an unlucky casualty from a fight that broke out right in front of the board.

This sight and situation deeply reminded Shen Yuan when he had participated in a con and they sold a limited edition pack for an extremely popular IP. The difference was this crowd had cultivation and each of their intentional elbowing, punching, and biting had a trace of qi.

Shen Yuan’s eyes caught a decent mission on the board and his expression lit up. “Got it.” He tip-toed to grab it, but another fight broke out behind him. A particularly big guy was kicked and staggered back almost weightlessly, smashing against Shen Yuan from the back.

Shen Yuan completely lost his balance but instinctively fell to the side to avoid getting squished. He braced himself for the ground but instead fell into someone else’s embrace. ‘This is extremely awkward. I hope it’s not a woman.’ Though, judging from the firmness of the chest, the one who caught him should be a brother. He could apologize and move on.

“Thank you, broth—” Shen Yuan looked up.

“Yuan-shidi?” Luo Binghe said at the same time.

“…” I wish it was a woman. “Luo-shixiong.” Shen Yuan straightened and stepped back in less than two seconds, putting proper distance between them.

“I knew it was you, I could recognize you from afar,” Luo Binghe said with a friendly chuckle. “Are you here to pick your first mission outside?”

Shen Yuan nodded. “Yes, I’ve found one.” Shen Yuan then realized he was holding nothing in his hands and turned around hastily only to see the mission he eyed was already snatched and currently being fought over by three people. His eyes twitched.

“Have you?” Luo Binghe also eyed Shen Yuan’s empty hands.

“…Not anymore.” Shen Yuan smiled helplessly.

“Then, how about joining me?” Luo Binghe invited.

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened by a fraction. “No. No, no,” he blurted out and quickly made excuses, making an incredibly smooth transition. “Luo-shixiong, you just returned from a mission, right? Shidi thinks Luo-shixiong must prioritize resting.” Shen Yuan wasn’t wrong, after the Immortal Alliance Conference, Luo Binghe didn’t linger long and disappeared again with the excuse of missions. It had been quite a while since Shen Yuan even saw him.

Luo Binghe laughed. “Oh, I’m not used to resting in Qing Jing Peak. It’s better to be outside.” Luo Binghe noticed Shen Yuan’s curious gaze and smiled. “It’s not the same without Shizun there.”

Shen Yuan was stunned.

Luo Binghe smiled and waved a scroll in his hand. “I’ve accepted a mission. It’s only Grade 5, we could work together.”

“…” Shen Yuan’s face didn’t twitch and betray anything but, inwardly, Shen Yuan was roaring. He wanted a Grade 3 and this guy wanted him to go on Grade 5 with him? The difficulty between Grade 2 and 3 were not big for Shen Yuan but as it got higher, the gap became more pronounced. “Excuse me, Luo-shixiong, but this shidi doesn’t think he’s capable yet for that level of mission.”

“You are. And I will be there. I’m used to taking missions on this grade, it isn’t hard.”

Respectfully, that’s for you the protagonist. Shen Yuan smiled and cupped his fist but Luo Binghe continued to speak.

“Besides, I could use this as an excuse to leave immediately. I don’t really want to stay in Qing Jing Peak. Can you help me, shidi?” Luo Binghe said with an undertone of pleading, his eyes glimmered with soft light.

“…” Shen Yuan forced out a smile. He really wanted someone to come and shove him at this moment so he could have an excuse to suddenly get injured so he wouldn’t have to, but he wasn’t so lucky. Instead, he realized the space around him was suspiciously empty and finally noticed other disciples seem to have made conscious effort to give them space, the way they looked at Luo Binghe was full of admiration and envy.

“Then, I must bother Luo-shixiong…” What else could he say?! Could he slap a smiling face away? In front of a crowd of his fans? No! Damn it!

“Great!” Luo Binghe beamed. “We’ll pick little shidi on the way. Is he waiting around here?”

“Yes. How does Luo-shixiong know?” Shen Yuan asked with an unbothered smile.

Luo Binghe chuckled. “Yuan-shidi and little shidi are nearly inseparable. I just guessed.”

Shen Yuan nodded with a gentle and understanding ‘ah.’ “That’s true.”

With Luo Binghe beside him, Shen Yuan could get out of the crowd smoothly as they parted around Luo Binghe. Shen Yuan spotted Shen Jiu under a tree, standing with his back towards them.

“A’Jiu!”

Shen Jiu could pick up Shen Yuan’s voice amongst all the shouts but he didn’t turn around immediately. He inhaled deeply first, trying to bury the irritating feeling of depression in his heart. Once he felt he could hold it barely, he turned around with masked gloom in his eyes before he spotted the unmistakable presence of his official last disciple, then, the gloom in his eyes increased with indignation forming on his face.

“Little shidi,” the beast greeted him with a gentle smile.

Shen Jiu was not even in the mood to pretend to be polite, he pursed his lips and glared at Shen Yuan for an explanation, the very picture of a petulant child.

Shen Yuan explained. “I met Luo-shixiong when I was choosing for a mission. He said he already picked one for himself and invited us to come. It’s also a chance for us to earn experience and learn more from Luo-shixiong,” he said. More a quick solution to explain it to Shen Jiu rather than his own belief.

The gloominess that appeared after meeting Yue Qingyuan quickly vanished and was replaced by deep irritation as he gazed at Luo Binghe’s smiling and indulgent face.

“Let’s work hard together, shidi.” Luo Binghe beamed and patted Shen Jiu’s head, then his hand sneakily slid down to touch Shen Jiu’s cheek but Shen Jiu turned his head away.

“Luo-shixiong, respect yourself,” Shen Jiu snapped. One would think he was a respectable young lady fending off an advance from a frivolous hooligan rather than a kid who refused to be pinched on the cheek by his shixiong.

Luo Binghe’s smile didn’t falter, instead, it became brighter. “Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t resist. Little shidi is very cute.” His gaze became kinder. “Alright, let’s make haste. I trust you two already made sufficient preparation.”

“Yes.” Shen Yuan nodded.

“Very well, let’s go.”

Luo Binghe walked off first in the lead. Shen Jiu turned to Shen Yuan, his eyes conveyed a thousand words and none could be expressed by his mouth. Shen Yuan’s smile remained flawless.

“Let’s go, A’Jiu.” He knew Shen Jiu was dissatisfied but he couldn’t just gush back and said he didn’t want it either. It seemed like he could only be resigned and become side-characters on-screen to Luo Binghe for a while.

Chapter Text

Despite knowing Shen Jiu was upset, Shen Yuan knew Shen Jiu was the type of person who would put aside his grudge to focus on the bigger picture. The only downside was Shen Jiu held his grudge for a long time. Shen Yuan still had to hear him randomly bring up that one time Shen Yuan sneakily sugar-coated a cherry tomato and pass it off as tanghulu as a prank when they were both in the academy as if that wasn’t a harmless prank but a betrayal of trust that cost an arm and a leg.

The key was just to pretend nothing happened, be serious, and then give him everything good after this passed to make amend. He had smoothly transitioned to pretending nothing happened but it was hard to be serious when Shen Jiu insisted to fly his sword at the front and Shen Yuan could see his hunched small shoulders that hissed ‘I’m angry.’

Shen Yuan wanted to grab those shoulders and squeeze them because how adorable was that? Like a kitten turning its back on you when it was upset. Shen Yuan wanted to eat him. His hands were itchy to smush that adorable little ball of anger regardless of the claws that might retaliate.

Shen Yuan must have stared intensely at Shen Jiu for so long because Luo Binghe flew closer to Shen Yuan and said with lowered voice.

“Little shidi is angry, isn’t he?”

Shen Yuan denied politely. “He’s just used to getting his way. He’s not actually angry.” Let’s not make his little brother seem petty to the protagonist. Even though he knew for a fact Shen Jiu was angry. From the corner of his eyes, the boy puffed up even more. A string of connection between Shi Yu and Shi Bao, their swords, told Shen Yuan that Shen Jiu was very, very upset and it was directed towards Shen Yuan.

Luo Binghe smiled indulgently, clearly treating Shen Yuan’s words as protecting Shen Jiu’s shortcomings. “A genius has their own temper. Little shidi is one. I’m very impressed even that little shidi could control his emotion to this degree.” He sighed in wonderment.

For a young child to have a temper was normal, it would be disturbing if they didn’t. But the fact the young child could control how he expressed his flaring temper, even though he was clearly dissatisfied, was very impressive on its own.

“Yuan-shidi must have taught him well,” Luo Binghe praised.

Shen Yuan smiled, flattered. “It’s all him, A’Jiu has always been very independent and well-behaved himself. I barely teach him anything,” he said humbly. “In fact, he’s still young, he still lacks many things.” He cautiously added. He wanted Luo Binghe to remember Shen Jiu was young and if Shen Jiu so happened to make a mistake, he hoped Luo Binghe wouldn’t hold it against the boy.

“He can slowly learn things. Current little shidi is already very good. Boys his age are usually very naughty and hard to teach. Huan Hua Palace’s youngest direct disciple, Ji Guan, is infamous for being arrogant and disobedient. Although there’s the youngest foundation building monk from Zhao Hua Temple that isn’t like any other kid, but he’s too reserved and doesn’t look like a child, which is uncomfortable to look at,” Luo Binghe said. “Little shidi has just the right character in the middle.”

Shen Yuan initially just wanted to listen and answer perfunctorily with a mentality of listening to a big boss prattling about bonsai, but he subconsciously nodded at every sentence and agreeing. At the previous Immortal Alliance Conference, he had met Ji Guan which he deemed as a very annoying child, and also the young monk Tang Ming, who was a year younger than Shen Jiu and had yet to break to Foundation Building stage at the time of the conference. For the young monk, Shen Yuan could only express the reserved and adult-like child gave him an unsettling feeling. He wouldn’t say it out loud but heavens... what a creepy boy.

Luckily Shen Jiu was reserved sometimes and also act precocious at times, but ultimately still talk and react like humans when teased. He’d rather see a petulant scowl on a boy rather than blank face with no emotion nor a spark of worldly emotions.

Thinking thus’, Shen Yuan once again felt his little brother was the best.

“I just want him to grow up normal, but not spoiled,” Shen Yuan replied to Luo Binghe proudly. He didn’t mean to boast, but who else in the whole mountain range could raise such a cute and perfect little brother as Shen Jiu? “But enough about that, Luo-shixiong, may I ask the details of the mission? This is our first time doing outside mission so please be more lenient and teach us slowly.”

Since the rice was already cooked and they already joined Luo Binghe to do a mission, Shen Yuan couldn’t complain nor avoid things at this stage. Might as well earnestly use this chance to learn well. If he could use the knowledge learned from Luo Binghe for future missions he’d take with Shen Jiu.

“Oh right, this shixiong is forgetful.” Luo Binghe tapped his forehead and exclaimed helplessly. The gesture didn’t make Shen Yuan feel anything but smile sheepishly, but Shen Jiu slowed down and narrowed his eyes subtly.

“You don’t even know the details of the mission?” Shen Jiu darkly asked Shen Yuan which made goosebumps crawl on the Shen Yuan’s skin.

Shen Yuan smiled sheepishly. “It’s not demon extermination.”

“That’s right, shidi. Don’t worry,” Luo Binghe agreed, smiling kindly at Shen Jiu.

Shen Jiu glanced coldly at them. “Any mission has the chance to become demon extermination mission by seventy percent,” he snorted sarcastically and turned his head away, sulking. Clearly, he was content in just voicing his discontent by subtly criticizing them.

Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan exchanged a glance and smiled hopelessly.

The trip to the location was a long one. Taking note that the two junior brothers were still new and this was their first outside mission, Luo Binghe courteously asked them to stop by a town on the way to rest.

They went to a fancy tea house on the town. Shen Jiu dragged his feet as he was pulled inside, Shen Yuan’s eyes roamed each corner with dignified interest and curiousity. Luo Binghe smiled at their different reactions and eyed Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu with keen interest.

Despite being the older one, Shen Yuan was always active and curious, although his gait remained calm and elegant there was an unmistakable glint in his eyes when he found something new. Meanwhile, Shen Jiu held no curiousity kids his age usually showed, he was focused in showing that he stubbornly didn’t like his current situation, refusing to be distracted by anything regardless Shen Yuan’s continuous effort.

“Look, they served thirty-six different teas, some of them I haven’t even heard yet,” Shen Yuan pointed, trying to redirect Shen Jiu’s attention to the menu.

Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes. “Because they made it up,” Shen Jiu retorted.

“Shen Qing,” Shen Yuan hissed helplessly. “Everything in this world is made up. Now choose one or I’ll ask them to add milk to your tea.”

Shen Jiu was successfully incited. “You despise me for being short again!” his eyes reddened.

“No, I’m not!” Shen Yuan defended. “But, dear little brother, you need to stop avoiding milk. It’s good for you,” he persuaded softly. “Maybe not with tea...” Shen Jiu despised milk tea, something Shen Yuan couldn’t fathom. He’d drink tea, and tolerate milk, but mix those two together and he became angry. He disliked it even more after Shen Yuan measured his height last year. Shen Yuan suspected Shen Jiu suspected that the milk tea was Shen Yuan’s insidious method to make him consume milk to grow taller, indirectly insulting Shen Jiu’s height, intelligence, and maturity.

Luo Binghe smiled, enjoying their interaction as he finished their order and sent the waitress away. “Yuan-shidi, you don’t have to be too anxious about little Shidi’s growth. Just let nature takes its course. As long as little shidi didn’t suddenly advance to Core Formation Stage, he will surely grow.” He blinked innocently, smiling purely at Shen Jiu. “Shidi, don’t randomly break into core-formation stage, okay?”

Shen Jiu turned expressionless. “Luo-shixiong is joking. It’s not that easy to breakthrough into Core-formation stage. Less than one-tenth of Foundation Building cultivators could ever breakthrough to Core-Formation stage in their life.”

In the world, only one in a hundred could cultivate. And if those people were gathered into another hundred, probably only one were worth to cultivate. Then, only one in a hundred of those ‘worth to cultivate’ people could breakthrough to Foundation Building Stage. Less than on of ten Foundation Building Stage could become Core-Formation Stage cultivator- a real ‘immortal cultivator’. Nascent Soul was even more difficult.

In a big sect such as Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, this number was blurred because only the best of those with talents could ever enter the sect. Most peak lords were on peak core-formation stage, Yue Qingyuan was already a Nascent Soul cultivator, the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator, in fact.

Luo Binghe simply tilted his head with a smile. “I believe little shidi will smoothly advance to Core-Formation Stage in the future.”

Shen Jiu cupped his fist and stood up. “After Luo-shixiong.”

“Haha!” Luo Binghe laughed. “I will borrow your words as good luck when the time comes,” he said flawlessly. “Don’t do it first and breakthrough when you’re under twenty.”

“That won’t happen.”

Shen Yuan frowned and distressedly touched Shen Jiu’s forehead when he sat back down. “Luo-shixiong is right, you should lessen your cultivating time. If you accidentally gained enlightenment because you cultivate too much and then accidentally breakthrough, you’ll remain this short forever.” This was confirmed records throughout history, anyone who broke into core-formation stage basically locked their appearance at that age they broke through. Shen Yuan had seen an elder from Tian Yi Overlook in Immortal Alliance Conference, she should be three generations older than Shen Yuan but she looked like a middle-schooler, flat from all directions.

“...” Shen Jiu glanced at Shen Yuan hopelessly. He handled Luo Binghe’s praises smoothly and politely, who didn’t know some people just liked to give empty praise with no meaning? But this one came from Shen Yuan and it was as sincere as it could be which made Shen Jiu doubt Shen Yuan’s intelligence.

Did Shen Yuan really think it was possible to accidentally breakthrough? That was harder than actually reaching Nascent Soul! Besides, he cultivated to strengthen his foundation while he was still in Foundation Building stage. He didn’t want to repeat the mistake he had as Shen Qingqiu, he didn’t want an unstable cultivation again.

“Just wait till puberty hit, it’s fine,” Luo Binghe said to Shen Yuan. “Just enjoy your present, Yuan-shidi. Once little shidi grows taller and bigger in the future, you’ll miss him being small.”

Shen Yuan paused and mulled a little as he gazed at Shen Jiu’s small glaring form. Indeed, he would miss having a squishy little brother he could pick up and hug. But the big brother in him, no matter how reluctant, also wanted Shen Jiu to grow up under his watch.

Their orders came and three cups of tea were placed on each of them. Shen Yuan ordered a citrus tea and Shen Jiu ordered a common green tea. The first to take a sip was Shen Jiu, eager to soothe his raising dissatisfaction towards the two doting older men, not bothered to even take a sniff of the tea first because he promptly regretted it.

Shen Jiu recoiled after a sip and Shen Yuan skillfully straighten his four fingers in front of Shen Jiu’s cup to prevent it from spilling when Shen Jiu inevitably push it away. Once the cup was safely on the table, Shen Yuan fished out a handkerchief with his other hand and put it over Shen Jiu’s mouth to let Shen Jiu spit out the undesired liquid inside his mouth and also to mute Shen Jiu’s inevitable unrestrained complaints that may include profanity (that Shen Yuan had tried very hard, and failed, to make Shen Jiu unlearn.)

The series of actions were too smooth and skilled that even Luo Binghe stopped and stared with wide astonished look.

Shen Yuan only let go when Shen Jiu was done muffling his curses and calmed down. Once the handkerchief was removed from his mouth, Shen Jiu glared at the cup of tea. “That thing is steeped for over three times already.” He was furious! It had been decades since anyone dared to insult his taste like this! It would be better to actually just blend leaves and put it in his mouth than to drink this ‘tea’!

Shen Yuan smiled apologetically to Luo Binghe. “His tastebud is a bit delicate and he’s just being picky.” Saying thus’, Shen Yuan picked up Shen Jiu’s cup and took a sip to show Shen Jiu that he was overreacting.

After one sip, Shen Yuan put the cup back down and pressed the handkerchief he just used on Shen Jiu onto his own mouth. This time, it was Shen Jiu who looked at him blankly as the older brother spat out the tea onto the handkerchief with suppressed coughs.

Luo Binghe pushed away his own cup of tea without changing his expression. “I suppose we drank a lot of tea in Qing Jing Peak already, why don’t we go somewhere else? Do the two shidi have any place in mind?”

“No, no, we’ll just follow Luo-shixiong.” Shen Yuan smiled graciously. ‘I was depending on you to be a tour guide but you’re worse than the tourist!’

After the fiasco about the tea, Shen Yuan bought some tanghulu to appease Shen Jiu and they went straight to an inn. Two rooms, a few silver coins, Luo Binghe would occupy one and the Shen brothers would occupy the other together.

Shen Yuan laid down and sighed. “Hah... I wanted to take advantage of going outside for mission to play but this unexpectedly happened,” he complained.

Shen Jiu rubbed the talisman paper he just stuck on the wall and cast a glance at Shen Yuan. “You told me you’d pick a suitable low-level mission for us but why did you return with him?” Shen Jiu hissed coldly.

Shen Yuan flipped on his side to look at Shen Jiu helplessly. “A chain of bad luck. I got one but then I lost it. The competition was tight in front of those mission boards. Then Luo-shixiong appeared when I lost the mission scroll and suggested to come with him instead.”

“And you stupidly agreed? You have mouth and tongue intact, but you can’t voice out a refusal?” Shen Jiu huffed. “Shen Shixuan, you accepted the words ‘Shixuan’ but that doesn’t mean, just like water, you just follow the current! Where’s your wisdom?!”

Shen Yuan shrank a bit and swallowed. He felt a bit in dilemma, he loved this new courtesy name but now Shen Jiu used it so seriously to lecture him, why did it feel so powerful? He suddenly envisioned the future where Shen Jiu would shout out this name every time he pissed him off.

“Have some faith on your big brother. I did refuse repeatedly. I used up all the polite excuses. But when your superior insisted, what else can you do?” Shen Yuan sighed. “He pleaded me. He gave me so much courtesy, if I keep refusing wouldn’t that offend him?” He was still a bit intimidated with Luo Binghe’s status as the protagonist.

Shen Jiu frowned tightly and flicked his paper fan open to fan himself. He also didn’t understand Luo Binghe’s intention at all. He had yet to spend a lot of time with his closing disciple to figure out his personality deeper. Shen Jiu just knew Luo Binghe was always eager to please, restless, and prone to using others’ pity to smoothen his path.

Yes, Shen Jiu could get a read of that little beast early on. He acted so innocently and naively, and perhaps there was a bit of naivety in him but Shen Jiu knew he was not above using other people’s feelings to get to his goal. Ning Yingying was a susceptible victim to this and the very first to fall for it, which was the reason why Shen Jiu disliked Luo Binghe even more. After all, who would be willing to see the youngest female disciple he had raised cleanly being deceived by a new good-looking face? Even though Shen Jiu could relate to Luo Binghe’s way to survive, he just couldn’t accept it!

‘Shen Yuan is the type to be susceptible too...’ Shen Jiu glanced at his older brother with a gaze of hating iron for not being a steel*. Shen Jiu was even more familiar with Shen Yuan’s temper. Shen Yuan was the type that would be resistant to the hard way, but reluctant to slap a smiling face. Luo Binghe was the type that shouldn’t be shown sympathy too. Shen Jiu deeply believed, if he was a bit lax and showed a bit pity to the boy as Shen Qingqiu, that brat would cling to him like a lifeline, so he told all of his disciples to not pity him... of course Ning Yingying didn’t get the memo, that girl never knew what’s good for her much to Shen Qingqiu’s chagrin.

While Shen Jiu was thinking hard just what prompted Luo Binghe to interact more with Shen Yuan and him, Shen Yuan’s mind already wandered off.

“Tsk, if only we’re not under supervision, we could have gone somewhere fun or somewhere with good tea,” Shen Yuan grumbled and put his head on the wooden pillow.

Shen Jiu hopelessly watched as Shen Yuan struggled with the wooden pillow sulkily with endless complaints for soft pillows. “We’re only going to be here for one night.”

After getting comfortable with the hard wooden pillow, Shen Yuan boredly stared at the ceilings. “A’Jiu, do you think Luo-shixiong would let us just roam the town by ourselves?” he really couldn’t stand having to watch how he acted with Luo Binghe, not to mention the pressure to always be polite to your senior brother. “Hey, hey, what should we visit after we’re done with this mission?”

Shen Jiu flicked his fan close. “Brothel?”

“...”

Shen Yuan gestured wordlessly for a few seconds with constipated expression, he would choose a brothel without a hitch to gather informations or regroup because it was a place where people lower their guards. But there was no way he would be teaching his adolescent younger brother that!

Before Shen Yuan could choke out a retort, a knock sounded on the door and they both turned to look at the door.

Knock, knock. “Shidi? Do you mind if I come in?”

Shen Yuan jumped off the bed and opened the door for Luo Binghe. “Shixiong, is there anything you need?” he asked politely but didn’t let Luo Binghe step in just yet.

Luo Binghe smiled. “I think we should talk about the details of the mission. Is the time appropriate?”

Even if Shen Yuan wanted to say it was inappropriate, the sun was still up so it wouldn’t make any sense. He flicked a glance at Shen Jiu who had started snacking on his tanghulu again, seemingly uncaring, and opened the door wider. “Of course.”

Shen Yuan pulled a mat for Luo Binghe to sit on and sat beside Shen Jiu.

Faced with two brothers who gazed at him with blank looks with their eight-points similar faces, Luo Binghe smiled and put down the mission scroll. “This mission is quite casual and simple. We’ll be going to Yanxu region and looked for Sorrow-Forgetting Flower while also investigating remnants of Samsara Sect.”

Shen Jiu frowned slightly but schooled his expression in less than a second as Shen Yuan questioned, “What is Samsara Sect?”

“It is an ancient sect from at least a few centuries ago. History records said it was once a great sect but it eventually became weaker and then got destroyed.” Luo Binghe unrolled the mission scroll. “Many said Samsara Sect kept a lot of its inheritance a secret even after it fell, not to mention many of its secret realms that were now lost. There are many missions involving researching this fallen sect but not much to be found on present days.”

Shen Yuan hesitated. This didn’t sound like a mission disciples should take at all. As expected of Grade 5 mission, could this be picked by rookies like them?

Luo Binghe noticed Shen Yuan’s nervousness and chuckled reassuringly. “Shidi doesn’t have to be too worried. Although it sounds grand, the fact is Samsara Sect is a long-fallen sect, after all. Up to this day, there’s no clear trace of their inheritance. It sounds serious but at most it’s just a pass time. If we can get some informations, it would be good, if not then we’re just gaining experience.”

Shen Yuan was enlightened and nodded.

“Samsara Sect did have their own specialty, though. It is recorded that they practiced a cultivation set that derived from the underworld and they could even summon the water of Yellow River. Their most famous deed is to nurture Sorrow-Forgetting Flower, it a rare medicinal herb that has a strong calming effect and said to only grow on soil that was touched by Yellow River water. After Samsara Sect declined and then fell, the flowers became rare and only appeared sporadically across the continent.”

Shen Yuan nodded calmly before asking the real question. “I see so the flower has little correlation with the possible clues of this Samsara Sect’s remnants?”

Shen Jiu fiddled with the clean tanghulu stick in his hands. “Yanxu region is also strongly suspected to be where Samsara Sect originated from according to Jianxing Record. Many people had investigated in the past but it didn’t really result in fruition from what I read.”

“But it’s still a suspected region, after all,” Shen Yuan murmured.

“If we’re lucky, we might be able to find some useful information to be taken back to the Sect and earn more merits,” Luo Binghe beamed. “It’s nice to hope, but don’t wish too hard. If we only find Sorrow-Forgetting Flower, I think it’s already good.”

Shen Yuan would wholly agree if only the one who spoke this was not Luo Binghe. According the law of cliché and protagonist, now it would be impossible if they only found Sorrow-Forgetting Flower in this trip.

“Was Samsara Sect famous for being dangerous?”

“Hm, no, just incredibly mysterious,” Luo Binghe said. “Quite frankly, I think they’re pitiful bunch. They used to be one of the greatest but they declined and lost most of their powers. In desperation to not become a prey to larger powerhouse, they were forced to disband the sect and buried their centuries of history to die with them.”

They then discussed more about the details of the mission and Shen Yuan asked a bit more about Samsara Sect, the history, and their alignment. Once the day turned dark, Luo Binghe bade them goodbye and returned to his own room.

Shen Yuan closed the door and exhaled. “That doesn’t so bad, this Samsara Sect was rich and unique but not too bad.”

Shen Jiu flipped the page of his storybook carelessly. “Why do you care so much about Samsara Sect? If you’re so interested you can just wait until we got back and read their history. It’s all there in the historical record section in Qing Jing Peak’s library.”

Shen Yuan took off his outer robe and tossed it to the bed with a helpless look. How could he tell Shen Jiu they were heading straight to finding Samsara Sect’s remains, hell, possibly even encountering all of its inheritance? After all, their travel companion was the protagonist!

“There’s no fault in trying to know some things better, no? Moreover, I’m nervous if we got unlucky- oh, I mean lucky. What if we get lucky and actually find an inheritance of Samsara Sect? We must know the sect’s personality first before we advance.” Shen Yuan gestured and took off his silver hairpin and jade cap. “But fortunately, from what I heard it sounds tame. They sound like a bunch of pseudo monks.”

Shen Jiu paused mid-flipping a page. “Except the reason for their decline was their newly-appointed Sect Head at the time turned insane and killed hundreds of the Sect’s members before killing himself.”

Shen Yuan, who was already laying down comfortably on his bed, shot back up and stared at Shen Jiu in disbelief. “W...What?” he picked his ears.

“Their tenth generation Sect Head turned insane and massacred nearly everybody,” Shen Jiu repeated casually. “A river of blood flowed incessantly from the Sect’s gate for three days and three nights. In the end, there were only twenty-six people left, including the Sect Head’s youngest direct disciple that was spared.”

Shen Yuan stared at his little brother, who was still reading storybooks like he wasn’t telling Shen Yuan the most gruesome story he ever heard, and his stomach even churned a little.

“Do you know why the exact location of the Samsara Sect was written to be unknown? Because after this incident, they moved location. But no matter how many times they moved location, a curse seemed to have been casted upon them. The new Sect Head also turned crazy, killed his Taoist companion and their daughter, and then committed suicide. It was said they’re haunted. They couldn’t recover no matter what.” Shen Jiu lazily leaned back.

The more Shen Yuan listened, the more horrified he felt. He quickly abandoned his bed and squeezed into Shen Jiu’s bed, silently lamenting he wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. “Well, the trauma must be too much. Is it really a curse?” He can’t speak a concept of PTSD to Shen Jiu, even though Shen Yuan strongly felt this sound like PTSD. Perhaps the tenth generation Sect Head was crazy, but the survivors could have been plagued by PTSD. But regardless, people died gruesomely! Just imagining it alone made goosebumps crawl on his skin.

“Who knows?” Shen Jiu said mysteriously and stared dead at Shen Yuan. His expression was frighteningly blank.

Shen Yuan’s goosebumps rose even more, numbing his skin. “A’Jiu!”

“ARGH!” Shen Jiu interrupted Shen Yuan’s stern cry with a sudden shriek of his own while clawing at Shen Yuan’s vulnerable side. The result nearly gave Shen Yuan’s heart attack and he fell from the bed with an embarrassing scream.

He hit the ground and at least one bone cracked, but Shen Yuan was more concerned about his palpitating heart that nearly burst out his chest. He writhed on the ground, curling up in lethal position. Shen Jiu crawled to the edge of the bed, staring down at him.

“Really?” Shen Jiu tilted his head, unimpressed. He smirked, “Just that much and your heart can’t take it?”

Shen Yuan raised his head and glared. “A’Jiu, that’s not nice!” he tried to sound stern but only came out as flustered. He struggled to sit up, still holding his chest and trying to calm his heart. “How could you do that to me?” he pouted.

“I just wanted to.” Shen Jiu smiled. Right now, the gloom in his eyes that persisted from the start of the mission had dissipated, replaced with gleeful, mean-spirited, pleasure.

Shen Yuan’s eyes twitched. “I see, this is your revenge? Are you happy now?” he glared and Shen Jiu’s eyes crinkled happily. He gritted his teeth. “Was the story just now also made-up?”

Shen Jiu happily nodded with blissful satisfaction. “Yeah. Your face is really funny.”

Shen Yuan’s lips twitched. “You little-“ he pounced on Shen Jiu but how could Shen Jiu make it easy for him? The boy nimbly dodged and jumped off the bed. “Get back here! If I don’t punish you now, you will get used to giving me heart attack in the future.”

Shen Jiu stuck out his tongue, only he could still somehow look graceful while sticking out his tongue like that. “A little bit of palpitations is healthy for your heart.”

Shen Yuan’s eyes gleamed. “Then a little tickle is good for you!” He yelled and pounced again.

The next morning, they went out the room to get breakfast. Naturally, it was Shen Yuan who wanted breakfast. Despite both of them needed not to eat, Shen Yuan still wanted worldly pleasure and he had been eyeing local specialty yesterday. How could he let the chance to taste new things slide?

He ordered a table of food with smaller portions to satisfy his taste while avoiding waste.

Shen Yuan observed the staircase lightly. “Luo-shixiong hasn’t come down yet. Take this chance to eat more,” he put more fish meat into Shen Jiu’s bowl. He paused for a bit. “Once Luo-shixiong came down, remember that you were hungry and I only come down to feed you, okay?”

“...” Shen Jiu’s disdainful stare conveyed a thousand words.

Shen Yuan knew his request was a bit shameless and smiled sheepishly. “Don’t blame gege, A’Jiu. You’re still young, it’s fine if you’re a bit willful and have cravings. No one will judge you.” He put another bite of spring roll into his mouth, chewing yet still talking with a whispering tone. “But I’m already old. If I said I’m the one who wanted to come down to eat, others will think I’m not stable enough.” He swallowed.

‘You are not stable enough. No doubt.’ Shen Jiu sighed in annoyance but voiced no complains.

“Say, did Samsara Sect have any notorious reputation? Or better yet, what’s their specialty?” Shen Yuan asked. “What caused them to decline, actually? Is there any speculation?” Shen Yuan felt a bit regretful that he spent more time on the monster section of the library than anywhere else, such as the historical record section.

Shen Jiu picked up a piece of fish meat Shen Yuan just placed on his bowl. “Didn’t I tell you yesterday? Their sect head went insane.”

Shen Yuan paused. “You meant the massacre? You said that’s a lie.”

“It was. There was no massacre, but the tenth Sect Head of Samsara Sect did go insane and die,” Shen Jiu said. “Or at least that’s what the surviving record and pass-on stories said.”

Shen Yuan nodded with furrowed brows. “I see...”

Shen Jiu drank his milk and put down the glass. “The part where they moved around is also true. After the Sect Head fell insane and died, they judged the feng shui in their original location was no longer good and resolutely moved... unheard of for a sect.”

After all, once one chose a location to erect a Sect, they would rarely ever move unless it was for the first several years. But at that point of time, Samsara Sect already had been operating for ten generations of Sect Heads. Any sect that had operated for that long on one exact location didn’t just decide to move.

Shen Yuan leaned on his elbow, interested. “It sounded like they moved around several times, what’s the reason for the next several times?”

“The next Sect Head’s wife and daughter were killed by an enemy, causing the Sect Head to fall into qi deviation and died. In another location, they failed to calculate their luck and suffered a land slide. So on, so on, the records didn’t record everything of course. Otherwise we’ll know every single spot they decided to settle on. That would be easier to investigate,” Shen Jiu said indifferently. “They grew weaker and weaker until becoming a husk of their former glory and then the rest is history.”

The stories were quite tragic, Shen Yuan found out that one-tenth of what Shen Jiu told him last night was derived from reality. He frowned. “Was Samsara Sect targeted? Those sounded like extremely bad luck, but it could also be man-made.”

Shen Jiu shrugged. “Who knows? It happened a long time ago.” He pushed a bowl of soup towards him when Shen Yuan hiccuped. “Why are you asking so much? It’s not like we’ll find the inheritance ruins of that dead sect.”

“...” Well... Shen Yuan coughed and drank a bowl of soup.

While distracted, Shen Yuan’s eyes wandered to the staircase again and saw Luo Binghe walking down, his eyes instantly finding them in the barely-filled dining area.

“Yuan-shidi and little shidi are up, have you waited long?” Luo Binghe asked.

Shen Yuan shook his head. “It’s no problem, Luo-shixiong.”

“Thankfully.” Luo Binghe’s eyes lingered on the dishes on the table. “You two are interested in the local’s dishes? I didn’t know that.” He smiled meaningfully.

Shen Jiu picked a small dumpling with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth, his eyes shifted to Luo Binghe calmly. “It was my idea.”

Shen Yuan smiled gently without batting an eyelid with a look of ‘it can’t be helped.’

Luo Binghe blinked in surprise. “I see. I didn’t expect that.” He chuckled. “Little shidi looks severe but has an unrestrained side too.”

Shen Jiu put down his chopsticks without blushing and wiped his lips with a handkerchief delicately. “Let’s depart immediately if there’s nothing more.”

Shen Yuan shook his head. “A’Jiu.” He then turned to Luo Binghe. “Does Luo-shixiong want to order something first?”

Hearing the mindful tone from Shen Yuan, Luo Binghe simply shook his head. “I’m good, shidi.”

Shen Yuan nodded and dignifiedly called to settle the bill.

The rest of the trip went smoothly and they arrived to Yanxu region without accident. Luo Binghe took out a compass-like device and kindly explained to his junior brothers.

“This device is from Xian Zhen Peak, it is used to detect unique spiritual circulation that spirit herbs exuded. Finding spiritual herbs becomes easier with this, since it will detect the strongest circulation,” Luo Binghe explained. “But it only works in normal environment. It will become useless in a secret realm.”

Shen Yuan nodded studiously. He had read about this device before, this was something he brought up as a complaint for the novel back then because this thing existed so conveniently but never got mentioned ever again. No one ever even use this seemingly amazing device in Immortal Alliance Conference, there were even dozens of chapters with just Luo Binghe tracking the spiritual herbs he needed the traditional blind way. For this plothole, he insulted Airplane’s inability to keep track of his own story. Unexpectedly, the complaint he had in his previous life was addressed once he transmigrated.

So simple, so this device was useful but only in normal environment and not in secret realms like Immortal Alliance Conference and the like? If only the author of this world could be this clear when writing his novel, Shen Yuan wouldn’t have rendered his fingers cramp to write down two-thousand words of criticism.

They followed the general direction where the compass pointed.

“Aside for cultivating and training, what do you two like to do in your free time?” Luo Binghe asked. “I like fishing. It makes me calm and gives me a chance to clear my mind.”

“Reading,” Shen Jiu answered tersely.

Shen Yuan thought for a bit before replying just behind Shen Jiu. “I like writing,” he picked the safest choice. Shen Yuan liked many things, most just actually bothering his little brother for attention and showering Shen Jiu with affection. But writing became quite a hobby he liked to do after attending academy a few years ago. He wrote the plot he remembered, then burned them, he also copied some monsters from the encylopedia he found interesting, he also wrote down stories from his past life sparingly. He had to thank Shen Jiu for this new hobby, because of Shen Jiu’s strict teaching, Shen Yuan’s handwriting became so beautiful that even Shen Yuan himself couldn’t resist to write more when he saw how good his handwriting was.

Luo Binghe’s eyes brightened imperceptibly. “You two are really what all scholars strive to be. I’m a bit ashamed as your shixiong, I have been told to have no scholarly airs.”

Shen Yuan chuckled in good nature. “Shixiong overpraises. Furthermore, any activity that clears mind is an act of cultivation in itself. People often looked down on fishing, but isn’t it actually a form of self-cultivation too?” he said passionately. “It clears the mind, trains patience, and gives us a space of mind to think deeply, I think it’s a gentleman hobby.”

Luo Binghe smiled cunningly. “Then, the two shidi wouldn’t mind if I ask you to join me on a fishing trip next time?”

Shen Yuan: ...That’s not what I mean.

Before the topic could go further. The compass in Luo Binghe’s hand stopped pointing to one direction and began spinning everywhere, signaling they were close. Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu pulled out their swords solemnly and Luo Binghe put away the compass while holding up his hands to signal them as a leader.

The surrounding became quiet and all that could be heard was the calm sound of rushing water upfront.

Luo Binghe jumped and used his qinggong to cover a large range before landing soundlessly. The two brothers shadowed him at a distance, prioritizing covert. Luo Binghe hid behind boulder that was covered by moss and peered over to scene beyond.

There was a waterfall ahead, neither high nor short. The water current was neither too strong nor too calm, just enough to create light mist at the bottom.

At a small piece of land a few steps away from the falling point of the waterfall sat deep dark blue flower. The day had grown a bit dark and with that color, the flower was nearly invisible even to cultivators’ eyes. Luo Binghe waved his hand behind his back and stood up while the two brothers hid themselves better.

Luo Binghe stepped out with his sword, Zheng Yang, drawn. He calmly stalked forward, his robe billowed at the force of the wind around the waterfall, his handsome face was expressionless and cold, like a piece of ice from early winter freeze. When he drew closer and closer to the flower, a growl sounded out and Luo Binghe lifted his head. His sword-like brows shot up arrogantly.

“Hmph.” He sneered.

The contemptuous harrumph made the water tremble. Soon, pitch black bled from the water, spreading bigger from a splotch to the size of horse, creeping to the banks. Dark yellowish eyes appeared in the pitch-black image and it crawled out of the water.

“It’s Murky Night Dragon Beast.” Shen Yuan inhaled deeply. The name was so but it wasn’t actual dragon, but a horse-like beast. Descended from dragons but eventually became a cursed bloodline. They usually dwelled body of water that wasn’t connected to the sea as the sea repelled their cursed bloodline. The fact this one could inhabit a river, a body of water that certainly connected to the sea, this one’s cultivation must be quite profound.

Shen Yuan became a bit worried. Mainly because this monster’s ability was closely related to illusion and nightmare. They mainly inhabit a body of water that was still such as an old well or an abandoned pond, or a lake. Anyone who get close to those places inhabited by Murky Night Dragon Beast would be pulled to drown or driven progressively insane as the beast would created an illusion on the surface of the still water to either entice or incite their preys. Beyond that, their ability wasn’t really known. There was no detailed record of their fighting prowess.

But a power over nightmare... Shen Yuan frowned imperceptibly.

Shen Jiu’s mind wasn’t as cluttered as Shen Yuan. Once Luo Binghe fought the beast and pulled it a safe distance away, he shifted. “I’ll take the flower. You stay here and be back-up. Get ready when I need to pass it to you.”

“What?” Shen Yuan hissed indignantly but Shen Jiu already disappeared from his side, Shen Yuan suppressed a gasp and tightened his grip on his sword.

Shen Jiu’s small frame allowed him to sneak flawlessly and landed silently on the small patch of blessed soil under the waterfall. He squatted down and a layer of qi coated his fingers, sharper than a knife. He didn’t bother with correct technique to harvest it and directly dug the soil around the flower to retain its spirituality.

Once the flower was moved, the beast seemed to realize that it was being tricked and roared furiously, sending a sonic wave that lurch towards Shen Jiu. Shen Yuan couldn’t stay still anymore and sent his sword towards Shen Jiu.

The two swords clashed, creating a distinct sound that directly became a destructive interference towards the sound wave and cancelled it out. Shen Jiu directly stuffed the Sorrow-Forgetting Flower into a qiankun pouch and tied it to Shi Yu’s handle before sending it back to Shen Yuan.

“Go!”

Shen Yuan was struck confused with Shen Jiu’s unhesitant and quick action but soon he found out why his little brother was so urgent. A translucent energy rose and created a clear dome on the surrounding. Shi Yu barely escaped before the dome completely formed and Shen Yuan cursed himself.

All beasts with dragon bloodline can awaken spatial manipulation!

Shen Yuan rushed inside and Shen Jiu nearly choked seeing it. “What are you doing?!”

“How do I have a clear conscience if I stay outside while my senior brother and little brother are inside facing the beast?!” Shen Yuan retorted.

Luo Binghe attacked the beast again. Within the dome, the law was tilted on the beast’s side, but not by much that they were helpless. Luo Binghe’s prowess alone managed to push back the beast several times.

A crack appeared in the air and the surrounding seemed to distort.

SHATTER

Shen Jiu’s eyes widened in alert and Shen Yuan looked up to find something seemed to have changed. Unseen by the two brothers, Luo Binghe’s eyes gleamed.

BANG!

A collision between Luo Binghe’s technique and the beast caused a shockwave that shook the air and ground. Trees uprooted from the ground, blown back. The same fate couldn’t be avoided by two foundation building. Shen Yuan stabbed his sword to the ground but it was useless so he grabbed Shen Jiu and braced himself for impact. They were blown back and straight to the waterfall.

“Shidi!”

Splash!

Shen Yuan shielded Shen Jiu tightly and-

“Gah!” Air left Shen Yuan’s lungs when he hit the ground hard. “Where’s the water?” He mumbled half-dazedly in pain.

Shen Jiu got up from Shen Yuan’s arms and looked around solemnly. He stood up just as Shen Yuan snapped awake.

“Where are we?” Shen Yuan groaned and flipped over, pushing himself to sit up. “A cave behind the waterfall?” What kind of cliché—

“No cave behind the waterfall, we’re bypassed a rift in space,” Shen Jiu said.

Shen Yuan blinked. “Is that why I’m feeling very disoriented right now?” he shook his head. “Where are we then?”

“A secret realm,” Shen Jiu gazed complicatedly at the water curtain in front of them, the gate they just accidentally bypassed when it formed. Beyond the water curtain was the waterfall.

Shen Yuan’s mind snapped alertly when he heard it. “Secret realm? Could it be the lost inheritance from Samsara Sect?” he quickly stood up and asked, even though he was already ninety percent sure it was a lost inheritance from Samsara Sect.

Shen Jiu nodded, still feeling complicated. He walked to a wall and touched it lightly, feeling the ancient engraving on it that had been faded with time, untouched by humans for a really long time. “Who would have thought...” a group of three young cultivators could stumble upon a secret realm of the fallen Samsara Sect by pure luck, wouldn’t it make everybody cough out blood in envy?

Shen Jiu walked forward and Shen Yuan gasped.

“A’Jiu, wait a minute.” He quickly followed anxiously.

They both arrived at a clear spring in a middle of a large chamber connected to the previous cave. There were countless rare spirit herbs growing around it, one side was filled with yang-natured spirit herbs, the other side were filled with yin-natured spirit herbs, creating a harmonious yet haunting atmosphere around the spring.

Shen Jiu inhaled deeply. “Spring of Reincarnation”

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened. “Spring of Reincarnation, the spring that is said to be able to count the karma from previous life till now?”

“It’s just a legend,” Shen Jiu said as he knelt down, peering into the water. “The original use of this is to see the true spirit of someone.” He stared at the water to see a very blurry reflection of himself back. “Normal people will see their reflection back.”

Shen Yuan also peered over and two blurry reflection stared back. “I read that it once used by an immortal cultivator to see if his beloved had reincarnated. But now... the power has dwindled and it couldn’t peer into previous life anymore.” He shuddered slightly. This spring could do that, he would stay far, far, far away from it.  

Shen Jiu picked a stalk of yang-attribute spirit herb and put it in his pouch. “Nothing stayed strong forever.” He picked another one. “Anyway, how’s Luo-shixiong faring with the beast outside?”

Shen Yuan blinked. If Shen Jiu didn’t mention it, he almost forgot about the existence of Luo Binghe! “Ah, we should help him!” don’t let them be ungrateful canon fodders that would abandon the protagonist in his hard time yet flock around in his glory. This secret realm was discovered fully because of Luo Binghe’s main character attribute, if Luo Binghe wasn’t there, Shen Yuan believed he would never ever find this place.

Just as Shen Yuan rushed back to the entrance while pulling Shen Jiu along. A handsome man walked through the curtain of water, that handsome man was naturally Luo Binghe. “Shidi, you’re all safe,” Luo Binghe sighed in relief.

Shen Yuan felt a bit guilty. “Luo-shixiong, the guardian beast...”

“Taken care of.” Luo Binghe nodded calmly and then looked around, voluntarily changing the topic without care. “I didn’t expect we’ll stumble upon a secret realm. Did you two find anything?” in the dim light, no one can perceive a deep expectation in his eyes.

“There are a lot of spirit herbs this way.” Shen Yuan readily pointed out.

The three walked back to the spring and Luo Binghe exclaimed. “There are so many of rare herbs here!”

Shen Jiu frowned subtly. Perhaps because he was used to many things going wrong in his life, when he suddenly had to face the fact they were lucky and found a precious inheritance, he felt that it was unrealistic. And he couldn’t help but feel that his closing disciple’s tone was very fake but he couldn’t put his finger around it.

Luo Binghe peered into the clear water, Shen Jiu stepped forward curiously with a strong sense of wanting to see Luo Binghe’s reflection but Shen Yuan grabbed him before he could go close enough and the younger Shen frowned at Shen Yuan with bewilderment.

Shen Yuan subtly pulled Shen Jiu back, ignoring his confused look. He smiled harmlessly. “There are so many rare herbs here. Luo-shixiong, A’Jiu and I want to take a few, is this allowed?”

Luo Binghe stared at his clear reflection on the water, gleaming red eyes and unmistakable royal demon mark on his forehead that were not present on him in reality. Despite reflecting a completely different image, the image was as clear as mirror. He smiled and shifted his eyes away from the water. “Why, of course. We found this place together and you two are my junior brothers. Take more. The stronger you two are, the stronger Qing Jing Peak as well. Then we don’t need to be afraid of being bullied.”

Luo Binghe moved away from the spring. “You two are cool-natured. Although yang-attribute herbs are good, it may clash with you, take a few yin-attribute herbs there.” He pointed at the edge of the spring.

“Yes, shixiong.” Shen Yuan pulled Shen Jiu with him.

The two brothers walked around the spring to get to the yin-attribute herbs while Luo Binghe stood a few steps away on yang-attribute herbs side. When the two brothers walked around the spring, they got close to the edge. The spring softly reflected their blurry forms.

Luo Binghe checked, but there was no ripple in the ever still water.