Work Text:
Long ago there was a great hunter named Shen Qingqiu. He was known far and wide for the gleam of his snow coloured sword and the intelligence that shines behind his sharp brown eyes. The entirety of the heavens knew him to also be aloof and distant save for his closest friend, Yue Qingyuan.
One day the Jade Emperor spoke to him, his sons had grown unruly and he needed them to be dealt with. So Shen Qingqiu set out to the mortal realm and was greeted to twelve bright suns, all of them hovering over a mountain peak. He knew those were the Jade Emperor’s sons and planned his course of action. He first tried to reason with them, gesturing to the poor mortals who were overheated and the rivers that ran dry. However, they refused to go back.
So he thought of other ways, he tried intimidating them but they knew he was sent by their father and so he resorted to different means.
He went to Mu Qingfang, the god of medicine, and told him of his plan. If the sons of the Jade Emperor truly wanted to play on earth then so be it.
At first, Mu Qingfang was wary. After all, Shen Qingqiu’s plan was essentially suicide by a different means but he knew that Shen Qingqiu would have tried everything else so he did as asked and made twelve elixirs, all with the purpose of making one mortal.
With the elixirs, Shen Qingqiu gave it to the princes, telling them that it was a mortal wine that they never tasted before.
One by one, the princes fell for the trick and all drank, eager to taste this mortal wine. To their surprise they became mortal! The only prince who was not mortal was the Twelfth Prince, Gongyi Xiao, for he had grown tired of playing and was trying to convince his brothers to go back. With that, he ascended back to the heavens to join his father’s side.
However the Jade Emperor was furious. With most of his sons mortal, he was left with only Gongyi Xiao. So he banished Shen Qingqiu who had accepted it with grace. Angered that the banishment didn’t affect him as much as he wished, he banished Yue Qingyuan as well.
This had caused Shen Qingqiu, the aloof immortal, to plead for Yue Qingyuan’s innocence. He had tried to reason, telling the Jade Emperor that Yue Qingyuan had no part in this. Then he tried to bribe him with sweet words. When that failed, he was left begging for Yue Qingyuan.
It was then that Yue Qingyuan stopped Shen Qingqiu.
“Xiao Jiu, I’ll be fine as long as I’m with you.”
And so they fell from the heavens, into the painful embrace of mortality. Their names changing from Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan to a simplistic, Shen Jiu and Yue Qi, marking the end of their immortal life.
.
For a time, the two had grown used to mortality, making do as life went on. Shen Jiu had even gained a student in the form of Luo Binghe.
Life was good but Shen Jiu was not satisfied, knowing that Yue Qi was an innocent in his crimes, so he sought out the elixir of immortality from Xian Shu Mountain.
He faced many trials, such as having to fight the War God, Liu Qingge who had caught wind of his journey. Finally he reached Xian Shu and met the Mountain Fairy, Qi Qingqi. He spoke with her, telling her of his circumstance and so she gifted him the elixir alongside a warning.
The elixir was only enough for one person to drink.
Satisfied, Shen Jiu took the elixir and presented it to Yue Qi. But the man refused him.
“Without you, my immortality is for naught.”
And so they decided to keep it hidden, safe from others.
But one day, Luo Binghe heard them discussing the elixir and greed took hold in his heart. When Shen Jiu left to hunt, he used this opportunity to take the elixir!
But he had forgotten that Yue Qi was home and they fought over the elixir for a long time.
“Give it to me!” Luo Binghe roared as he grabbed a fistful of Yue Qi’s hair and pulled. “You and Shizun won’t even drink it so what’s the use! With this I’ll be with my mother!”
“Your mother is long dead, Luo Binghe! The heavens do not have the souls of the dead, only the gods and those who have ascended.” Yue Qingyuan kicked him away.
They continued fighting until Luo Binghe overpowered him and took the elixir. Yue Qi saw this and took the elixir, drinking it before Luo Binghe could, sacrificing his life with Shen Jiu to keep Luo Binghe from becoming immortal.
“No!” Luo Binghe growled and then he saw his master return.
Shen Jiu ran inside their home and saw the empty elixir as well as the glowing Yue Qi and the enraged Luo Binghe. Understanding what had happened, he had sent Luo Binghe away and approached the one person he cared for.
“Qi-ge…” He spoke, frightened like a small child, so unlike the aloof image he had portrayed himself to be.
Yue Qi smiled, “Xiao Jiu, I’m sorry for leaving you.”
“Qi-ge, I don’t mind as long as you’re fine then so am I.” Shen Jiu walked closer to Yue Qi, embracing him even as Yue Qi began to float upwards, ascending. “I’m happy as long as you’re happy. I’m satisfied as long as you’re satisfied. Because… Because I love you, Qi-ge!”
“Xiao Jiu…” Tears fell from Yue Qi’s face as he bent down, “I love you too.”
And as they kissed, Yue Qi had ascended to the heavens. “Look to the moon, Xiao Jiu! That is where you’ll find me!”
“Qi-ge!”
The light disappeared and night came, looking outside, he saw the round and full moon high in the sky. There is where his love will be. Determination settled in his heart, and that is where he will go.
.
Shen Jiu’s first course of action was to go to Xian Shu and see if there was another elixir but was disappointed when he wound that there was none.
Then he travelled around, in search of alchemists who could make it. There he met the Qiu’s and was disgusted by the men who ran the house. They used horrible means in order to achieve immortality, raising their daughters and sisters to use as cauldrons to gain more power. Due to this, he had saved the women and burned the house, directing the women to Xian Shu Mountain where Qi Qingqi will no doubt take them in.
His search continued on, frustrating him with the lack of progress as he turned and found trouble instead.
.
Meanwhile, Yue Qi who now regained his immortal name, Yue Qingyuan, spoke with his friends.
Liu Qingge, the War God, frowned when he learnt that the elixir was not meant for Shen Jiu but Yue Qinyuan.
He apologized and Yue Qingyuan told him, “If you are sorry then go to Shen Jiu and aid him on his journey. Tell him to go to Qing Jing Mountain and he will meet someone who may help him.”
And so, Liu Qingge did as told.
.
“You again.” Shen Jiu scowled as he saw Liu Qingge. “Here to stop me?”
Liu Qingge gritted his teeth. “I’m here because of Yue Qingyuan, don’t make me go back.”
Shen Jiu paused and sneered at him. “Fine, what is it?”
“He said, ‘Go to Qing Jing Mountain and you will find someone who may help you’.” Liu Qingge crossed his arms and Shen Jiu nodded his head.
“Understood, tell Yue Qingyuan, ‘I’ll be there soon, don’t get too comfortable on the moon’. Now if you excuse me, I have another mountain to climb.”
With a sigh, Liu Qingge watched Shen Jiu walk away to his new destination, Qing Jing.
.
Yue Qingyuan smiled when Liu Qingge relayed to him the message. “Thank you, Liu-shidi. Your help if greatly appreciated.”
And so, he stayed on the moon, petting a rabbit.
The moon was lonely but it was close enough to earth that he could watch over his Xiao Jiu, so with that he can be content for a while.
“Zhangmen-shixiong,” Mu Qingfang entered, “I have the elixir you asked me to make. Is this for Qi Qingqi?”
Yue Qingyuan simply smiled and took the elixir, “Thank you, Mu-shidi. You may leave now, I understand that you are busy.”
“…Zhangmen-shixiong, this is for Shen Jiu isn’t it?”
He did not answer and Mu Qingfang nodded his head. He knew they had loved each other but not to this extent. Well, either way, it was his version of repaying his debt to Shen Jiu for not selling his name out to the Emperor and getting him mortal too.
.
Shen Jiu travelled for seven days and seven nights to reach Qing Jing Mountain. Tired, he rested for a while and was met with a man named Wu Yanzi.
“Ah hello,” Wu Yanzi grinned, “Are you also going up this mountain?”
Wary, Shen Jiu nodded his head. “Yes, is there a problem?”
“Ah, it’s just… There have been rumours that this mountain holds an immortal named Shen Yuan who grows a peach tree that can make you immortal.” Wu Yanzi’s eyes glittered with greed.
Shen Jiu narrowed his eyes. “I see, so a fellow searcher for immortality.”
“You guessed it! Hah, once I’m immortal I can take as many villages as I want, burn it, murder it, whatever!” Wu Yanzi laughed. “Hmph, I bet you don’t think much of me anymore. But what can you do? Hehe, I can raise the dead with a wave of my hand.”
Ah. He knew it, a demonic cultivator. With one smooth movement, he brought out Xiu Ya and killed him.
With a sneer, he wiped the blood off of Xiu Ya on him and left to climb the mountain.
.
Yue Qingyuan sat before Shen Yuan.
“I am thankful that you are willing to do this.” He said as he handed the elixir.
Shen Yuan shook his head, “It’s the least I could do. Luo Binghe has been regretful ever since that day.”
“I see. Well, once he comes up, give it to him and tell him Mu Qingfang made it for him.”
And with that, Yue Qingyuan went back to the moon.
“A-Yuan,” Luo Binghe smiled, holding a tray of food. “I made dinner, let’s eat under the moon!”
Shen Yuan laughed behind his sleeve and gave his lover a kiss. “Yes. Hopefully, your old Shizun will come quick. I’m sure you’d like to apologize to him.”
“I hope so too.”
.
Shen Jiu squinted as walked through Qing Jing, the bamboo forest allowing the sunlight to filter through the leaves, leaving spots on light as he walked. He can tell he’s close to his target, the sound of a guqin and the scent of peach blossoms wafting in the air.
“A-Yuan, it’s beautiful as always.” He heard a man’s deep voice praise.
“Thank you, Binghe. Ah, I think our visitor is here.” The man, who must be Shen Yuan, replied.
And as he walked through the final bit of bamboo, he’s greeted to the sight of two men, one in a light white and green and another in black and red sitting underneath a peach tree as peach blossoms fell.
The man is black and red is too familiar to not be his former apprentice. With a scowl, he looked and said, “Luo Binghe, I see we meet again.”
“Shen Jiu, it is a pleasure to meet you once more.” Luo Binghe bowed and said, “I have grown and learned these past years. Looking back I now feel regret over my actions. Greed had taken place in my heart as well as the desire to see my mother, who I know is long dead and perhaps, already entering the cycle of reincarnation. In order to make up to you, I present you this.”
Luo Binghe took out a vial, filled with a golden liquid. “The very same elixir that made Yue Qi immortal is now yours to take.”
Shen Jiu hesitated, waiting to see if it’s a trap. He reached out and snatched away, holding it close to his chest. “I…This does not mean I forgive you just yet but…I’m willing to thank you for this.”
Shen Yuan stood up then and smiled. “Shen Jiu, Yue Qingyuan had arrived and said, ‘Mu Qingfang made it for you’. I believe this must be what you came here in search of. Well, no matter, it is still day time. Why not stay for dinner while waiting for the moon to come up?”
Shen Jiu looked at the food and agreed.
The dinner was awkward to say the least. Shen Yuan was trying his best to keep the atmosphere from growing too tense with gentle questions and comments. Luo Binghe was trying not to offend his former teacher by speaking when spoken too and generally behaving himself. As for Shen Jiu, he was too busy anticipating the rise of the moon to eat more.
“Oh good, the moon is rising. Please, finish up your food.” Shen Yuan urged and Shen Jiu nodded, eating as quickly as possible.
“Are you truly immortal?” Shen Jiu asked, his eyes fixated on the slow rising moon.
Shen Yuan nodded his head. “Indeed, I am. I was a cultivator who gained immortality however, I had stayed in order to care and guard this peach tree.”
“I see. It seems to be one from the heaven’s gardens, is there a reason for that?” Shen Jiu glanced at it. Truly, the tree does resemble the lively peach trees back on heaven.
Shen Yuan coughed into his hand. “That would be telling and I do not wish for people to get in trouble.”
“Shang Qinghua dropped a peach and it grew here.” Luo Binghe revealed, unlike his lover, he had no qualms about getting Shang Qinghua in trouble.
Shen Jiu scoffed, “What can you expect from such a man?”
“Oh look, the moon has fully risen now.” Shen Yuan pointed out, diverting the conversation away from Shang Qinghua and his apparent blunder.
And with that, Shen Jiu bade the two farewells and ascended to immortality.
.
He rushed his ascension, flying as fast as he could to Yue Qingyuan. The moonlight shining on him as he arrived to see his beloved smiling with the same radiant light as before, gorgeous and gentle like the moon itself.
“Qi-ge!” He shouted, tears welling up as he drank in a sight he never thought he would see again.
Yue Qingyuan ran-no, he glided to him, an angel surrounded by starlight with the moon lighting their path to one another.
“Xiao Jiu!” Yue Qingyuan rushed towards him. His arms open in order to hold him for the first time in years.
Shen Qingqiu, now lit with the snowy glow of immortality, stretched out his arms and leapt. Yue Qingyuan received him, tears falling down his smiling face as he turned around in order to receive him.
“Xiao Jiu-”
Whatever he was going to say was lost in the sweet kiss that Shen Qingqiu initiated. Their mouths melding together like a perfectly fitted puzzle piece. Nothing existed beyond the two of them in that moment, the moon but a lightened platform for the lovers that stood above. Yin and Yang, harsh and soft, in that moment they were one and simply were.
The kiss ended as abruptly as it started, their foreheads touching as Shen Qingqiu scowled.
“That took way too long! Next time you want to be a heroic idiot, tell me!” He scolded, hiding his relief and joy with worry and shallow anger.
Yue Qingyuan laughed, breathless and light headed. “Of course, Xiao Jiu. Next time, I’ll be sure to tell you.”
“Next time? There won’t be a next time! Now shut up and kiss me again.”
With another heady laugh, light like wind chimes and echoing like a bell, Yue Qingyuan complied.
The stars and the moon were together at last and nothing, not even the heavens could keep them apart.