Chapter Text
Liu Qingge searched in the destroyed remains of Maigu for Shen Qingqiu. He was the one who recovered an unconscious but still breathing Luo Binghe and a dead Shen Qingqiu. In Luo Binghe’s firm grasp, he saw Shen Qingqiu’s body, the hands bloody with cuts, Luo Binghe’s black robe on his shoulders, his remaining clothes in disarray, even torn in places, red marks on his neck, bruises, teeth marks. The still damp cheeks. And the bleeding.
Luo Binghe was truly a demon, to claim to love someone yet treat them so monstrously. Liu Qingge had never seen Shen Qingqiu cry, at times he had once wondered if the man was even capable of feeling emotions like sadness or joy, but after his qi deviation Liu Qingge had seen that Shen Qingqiu was capable of more than Liu Qingge had ever expected.
Liu Qingge had pried Luo Binghe off of Shen Qingqiu and attempted to adjust the man’s hair and clothing so that he wouldn't be disgraced in his death. Not like last time. Underneath what was clearly Luo Binghe’s robe, Shen Qingqiu’s clothes were torn, showing his blemished but pale skin to the world. Liu Qingge adjusted Shen Qingqiu’s clothes as best he could with the torn remains and then covered his cold body with his own outer layer. Luo Binghe’s robe was thrown aside, discarded.
Liu Qingge quietly hoped that Shen Qingqiu would bring out one last trick, one more secret plan of his that would mean he would suddenly wake up in Liu Qingge’s arms and smile at him.
Liu Qingge softly wiped Shen Qingqiu’s tears away with his thumb. Luo Binghe twitched and Liu Qingge shifted Shen Qingqiu’s body to one arm and held out Cheng Luan with his free hand.
“Shi- zun?” Called out Luo Binghe as he woke and began to sit up.
“You dare?” Liu Qingge challenged, “To still call him so after you’ve done this?”
Luo Binghe stood and faced Liu Qingge.
“You!” He yelled. “Return Shizun to me! He needs healing- I have to fix-his body-“
“Is already cold.“
Shock wracked Luo Binghe’s face.
“No.” He whispered, and Liu Qingge felt a cruel satisfaction in Luo Binghe’s apparent distress at his teacher's death at his own hands. Luo Binghe was certainly twisted but previously he had denied how much of a beast he truly was. Now he had to face what he’d done.
“The Holy Mausoleum.” Luo Binghe said. “I have access, I can bring him back again.”
As much as Liu Qingge wanted Shen Qingqiu to be next to him again, he knew what was right.
“You want to revive him again to be tortured by you? Hasn’t he suffered enough? Your teacher has died for you twice ready, how many times before you’re satisfied!” Liu Qingge yelled at Luo Binghe who was looking as unhinged as usual.
“I need him.” He whispered, eyes beginning to glow red, demon seal glowing ominously on his forehead.
“You don’t deserve him. Let him rest in peace for once.” Liu Qingge would prefer that Shen Qingqiu would enjoy eternal rest than having to endure Luo Binghe for the rest of his immortal life.
Shen Qingqiu seemed to think he deserved pain. He was willing to endure it for Luo Binghe’s sake. Liu Qingge would prefer that Shen Qingqiu never had to feel pain again.
“You can’t kill me, Liu Qingge.” Challenged Luo Binghe as he stepped forward.
“Maybe not.” Said Liu Qingge, and with a slash, he severed Luo Binghe’s legs from his body. He had no weapon to counter the attack. “But I don’t need to.” All he had to do was escape. He kicked Luo Binghe’s severed legs into the river and stepped onto Cheng Luan, speeding away at top speed as Luo Binghe raged and slowly regenerated behind him.
///
Presenting Shen Qingqiu’s body to Sect Leader Yue for the second time is far worse than the first. Perhaps it’s because the state he’s in is far worse. After core detonation, Shen Qingqiu didn’t have any open wounds, he wasn’t battered or bloodied, it was a rather tidy death. When he was retrieved from Luo Binghe he merely appeared to be sleeping he was so well kept.
Shen Qingqiu looked far more fragile now than he ever had.
Liu Qingge handed off the body to Mu Qingfang, who confirmed his cause of death to be from the high amount of demonic energy he had absorbed through dual cultivation with Luo Binghe. Liu Qingge is stone-faced, it merely confirms what he already knew, but Yue Qingyuan’s hands shake as he grips Xuan Su.
Liu Qingge knew that Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu had some kind of history that he wasn't privy to. He didn't care about the specifics. What mattered was that Yue Qingyan was just as shattered as Liu Qingge himself felt as they heard Mu Qingfang's analysis of Shen Qingiqu's death.
"Luo Binghe will not let him rest. For the rest of his immortal life, if Shen Qingqiu is alive, Luo Binghe will be dogging his steps."
"Then we can't allow Luo Binghe to return him to life." Yue Qingyuan summarizes succinctly. Liu Qingge knew that he would understand. Mu Qingfang leaves the room, leaving Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan alone with the body. He had been changed into proper clothing after Mu Qingfang's examination, which Liu Qingge was thankful for. Shen Qingqiu would’ve been humiliated if he were seen like that for much longer.
"Xiao Jiu..." Yue Qingyuan whispers to Shen Qingqiu as he approaches the body. "I've done you wrong so many times. I won't let you suffer any longer if I can help it. I'll do all I can." he says. Liu Qingge steels himself. Luo Binghe no longer had Xin Mo but he was still incredibly dangerous. Even with the entire sect, with other righteous sects fighting Luo Binghe, it may not be enough.
Liu Qingge hoped it was. He knew that Luo Binghe would happily step over everyone to get to Shen Qingqiu, and Liu Qingge couldn't bear to imagine Shen Qingqiu revived into the remains of Cang Qiong Mountain with everyone who would try to separate him from his captor gone.
It wouldn't be allowed to happen.
///
They can't lay him to rest with the other peak lords, as much as they want to. Luo Binghe is well aware of the Hall on Qiong Ding and wouldn't hesitate to invade it.
Instead, they bury him somewhere more secret in an attempt to keep Luo Binghe away. Meanwhile, a war rages on, worse than before, there are demons and humans mixed on both sides, some demons finding Luo Binghe to be powerful but disliking his rule, fighting against him and avoiding the righteous sects. Many Huan Hua disciples still follow Luo Binghe as their sect leader, respecting his power and control over the demons.
Casualties are heavy and every day Sect Leader Yue grows weaker, yet stronger.
The effect his blade had on him couldn't be hidden to Liu Qingge's eyes. He saw that Yue Qingyuan was growing paler and more sallow with every clash, while Xuan Su's power sung louder and stronger each time it was drawn.
The outlook wasn't good. Luo Binghe hadn't killed Liu Qingge yet, well aware that he was one of the few people alive that was aware of the location of Shen Qingqiu's body. The demon frequently invaded his dreams, attempting to find the location there but everyone who had been present for the man's burial had gone through extensive training to avoid Luo Binghe discovering it's location.
But things truly weren’t looking good. Luo Binghe was unstoppable, a force of nature. You would either eventually submit, or continue to be battered by his winds. Had Shen Qingqiu simply just given up early?
Liu Qingge can’t help but want to fix things, to go back to a time when Shen Qingqiu could live peacefully. Liu Qingge wouldn’t let things become so bad a second time.
It was insane. It was a fool's errand, but for Shen Qingqiu Liu Qingge would gladly be a fool.
///
He returns to when he had his qi deviation, where Shen Qingqiu had saved him, even when Liu Qingge had spit on his kindness, doubtful of Shen Qingqiu’s intentions.
As Liu Qingge stabilized, he looked up at Shen Qingqiu who was sitting nearby, and quickly sat up.
To see him alive and well again after all these years… the feeling was indescribable. He quickly tried to stand but only managed to cough up blood.
“Don’t be so excited. You’re still the Bai Zhan Peak Lord, how can you come to look so terrible? Do you have the face to look like this? Come, wipe up.” Shen Qingqiu hands over his handkerchief and Liu Qingge resists the urge to simply hold it to his face and inhale the scent.
He carefully takes the handkerchief and tries to wipe his face but only coughs up more blood, staining the cloth. Shen Qingqiu, like the first time, placed his palm on his back and began to channel qi to repair Liu Qingge’s meridians. Before Liu Qingge had thought Shen Qingqiu was going to take advantage of his weakness, to harm him while he was weak and Liu Qingge had flinched away.
Now Liu Qingge leaned into Shen Qingqiu’s feather-light touch, he wanted more, it was embarrassing, but to have Shen Qingqiu alive, to have him hold Liu Qingge so gently as he helped him.
It was pushing Liu Qingge to his limit.
He had thought about it while preparing the technique to send his soul back, what it would be like to have the long-dead man back again, but his own fantasies were nothing compared to the reality Liu Qingge was experiencing. Liu Qingge didn’t cry. He wasn’t a tearful person, even if he did feel deeply, so when his eyes watered lightly it surprised him. He hadn’t even cried at Shen Qingqiu’s last funeral. He quickly blinked away wetness, it would be odd if Shen Qingqiu saw him cry at this time, when they were still so unfamiliar.
“Liu-shidi? You seem quite distressed, don’t panic, this shixiong won’t harm you.” Assured Shen Qingqiu from behind him, his voice soft and bringing Liu Qingge relief at the same time it excited him to hear Shen Qingqiu after so long.
‘I know.’ was what Liu Qingge wanted to say, but he simply remained silent as Shen Qingqiu spoke more, his face close enough to Liu Qingge that he could feel Shen Qingqiu’s breath on his neck.
“Liu-shidi, this shixiong has recently gained some insights while in seclusion recently. Thinking of past events, this shixiong feels a little ashamed. Let’s leave past events in the past and become closer as brothers. What do you think, shidi?”
“Yes.” Liu Qingge answered immediately. Shen Qingqiu was clearly thrown off guard by his answer as the flow of qi that Shen Qingqiu, briefly faltered before stopping. Shen Qingqiu had done all he could and gracefully stepped away and Liu Qingge resisted the urge to reach out. He mustn't spook Shen Qingqiu.
Liu Qingge was no longer being touched by Shen Qingqiu but now the man was facing him and Liu Qingge struggled to meet his eyes but forced himself to. It would be strange if he avoided Shen Qingqiu’s gaze.
“This shixiong is glad to hear that Liu-shidi has found it in his heart to allow us to start over.” Shen Qingqiu said, and suddenly Liu Qingge was glad that Shen Qingqiu was no longer so channeling qi and wouldn’t feel Liu Qingge’s heart race. “This shixiong will let his shidi continue to cultivate in peace.” Liu Qingge forced himself to relax and let Shen Qingqiu go. It wouldn’t do to panic at his absence. Liu Qingge refused to be sticky. He couldn’t bear to become bothersome to his shixiong.
///
Liu Qingge didn’t dare to meditate too deeply, knowing what was soon to come.
Sha Hualing and her demon invasion, but more importantly, Shen Qingqiu becoming poisoned by the ‘Without A Cure’ poison that plagued him for years after. So he simply waited for the disciples that Shen Qingqiu had sent to rouse him to arrive and he would eviscerate the demon that would harm him.
“Liu-shishu!” yelled a green-clad disciple. “It’s- my shizun- demon invasion-” he panted and Liu Qingge stepped onto Cheng Luan.
“I’ll go ahead then,” he said and sped off as quickly as he could. Liu Qingge arrived just in time to see Shen Qingqiu block Luo Binghe with his body and Liu Qingge let his rage out on the armored demon, cutting him to pieces.
“It’s the War God!” yelled a demon and he could hear Cang Qiong’s people cheering as the demons hastily retreated. Liu Qingge let them go and turned to Shen Qingqiu.
“Are you out of your mind?” he asked. “To block with your body like that, are you a cultivator or not?” Shen Qingqiu’s face changed to look rather chided. “Be careful.”
I don’t know what I’d do if you died again so soon.
“Liu-shidi, thank you for your assistance, but this shixiong surely wouldn’t have been too gravely injured-”
“You could have died,” said Liu Qingge. Was Shen Qingqiu not aware of the poison's deadliness before he had stepped in the way? Or was Shen Qingqiu trying to fool him?
Shen Qingqiu looked mildly uncomfortable at Liu Qingge’s words. Good. Perhaps he would be more careful in the future.
“Shizun? Is Liu-shishu telling the truth?” asked Luo Binghe. Liu Qingge didn’t hear Shen Qingqiu’s reply as he thought about taking Cheng Luan and slaughtering the demon child where he stood.
Unfortunately, if he killed Shen Qingqiu’s beloved disciple then the man would never forgive him and it was highly likely that Liu Qingge would be expelled from the sect. Thus, Luo Binghe would continue to breathe for now.
///
Shen Qingqiu wasn’t sure why exactly Liu Qingge had accepted his bullshit about second chances so easily but Shen Qingqiu could say that he would take the victories he could get. Perhaps it was because he had saved the man’s life that he was so willing to forgive and forget, but then he had saved Shen Qingqiu at the invasion, so weren’t they even?
However, Shen Qingqiu wasn’t going to push away the powerful friend he had apparently made, even if he was at times abrasive and rather indelicate in manner, despite his soft looks. What was strange though, was his blatant dislike of Luo Binghe. Shen Qingqiu had once left them alone in a room together for 5 minutes and when he came back the coldness between them had even lowered the temperature of the room!
Liu Qingge, what beef did you have with an actual 15-year-old? He had once asked Liu Qingge and he had only replied. “He rubs me wrong.” Too vague, shidi!
Shen Qingqiu had theories. Liu Qingge was a complete jock, a tough alpha male type, and he had died in the original novel, so he had never actually interacted with Luo Binghe. Luo Binghe was currently a bun, a white lotus, a tiny child, but slowly he would be coming into his dominant blackened personality, and Liu Qingge could smell his stallion potential and felt threatened.
A pack couldn’t be led by 2 wolves, one would have to become subordinate. Shen Qingqiu, knowing Luo Binghe’s black lotus potential knew that it made sense for Liu Qingge to clash with Binghe, but really, what did it look like to other people?
A child challenging a renowned peak lord? A war god deigning to acknowledge this and forming a feud between them…
How was Mingyan going to join the harem if her brother hated Luo Binghe so much? Would it become a forbidden romance?
Shen Qingqiu sighed. Only time would tell the consequences of his actions.
///
Liu Qingge was well aware that his sudden association with Shen Qingqiu seemed odd. First, Shen Qingqiu had a sudden change in personality, and then Liu Qingge, the person he probably hated the most, or at least second most, was now his close friend.
When all the other peak lords discussed Shen Qingqiu behind his back, Liu Qingge couldn’t help but add in his own opinion.
“Shen Qingqiu experienced a qi deviation which changed his personality. He’s not possessed. We would know by now.” he said, and everyone stared at him. He didn’t care.
“He doesn’t need to be fixed, even if he’s different now. He’s more stable than he’s ever been. Even if he’s lost some memory, or if his personality is changed, why take that away?”
The other peak lords slowly began to agree, but there was still a pain in Yue Qingyuan’s eyes. Liu Qingge could admit he didn’t know how to comfort others, but after the meeting, he stayed after to speak with Yue Qingyuan.
“He’s happier now,” he said, simply. “Don’t feel guilty that he doesn’t remember, just treasure what’s left. Spend time together. You may not always have this chance.” Liu Qingge doesn’t wait for Yue Qingyuan’s response. He just leaves.
He would do his best to ensure Shen Qingqiu would live, but he wouldn’t squander any of the seconds they had together.
///
Liu Qingge didn’t often cross paths with Shang Qinghua. The two of them aren’t at all similar, their peaks aren’t close, and their respective duties aren’t related. So it doesn’t surprise Liu Qingge that he had almost completely forgotten about the man’s double-dealing with demons.
The man doesn’t seem to know how to act around Liu Qingge, constantly nervous. When had the man began his conspiring with demons? Before Shen Qingqiu had died the first time, or after? Did he start long ago?
Right now, it’s of no consequence. Whatever Mobei-jun is up to right now doesn’t concern them, and Luo Binghe hasn’t yet come to his heritage.
The current concern is the upcoming Immortal Alliance Conference. The one Luo Binghe had dominated before “dying” and leaving Shen Qingqiu in mourning.
So when Shen Qingqiu sets out to enter the gorge and fight off the demon invasion, Liu Qingge insists on going with him.
“Surely it would be better to have cultivators of our level separate? More ground would be covered.”
Liu Qingge can’t argue with that logic, he can’t justify his own wishes with anything but his own worries about Shen Qingqiu’s safety, so he agreed.
“I will be nearby. Shout if you need me.” He said. Liu Qingge dutifully mows down demons as he moves parallel to Shen Qingqiu, never too far away as they both recover the disciples they can until Liu Qingge feels the deep shuddering of the earth beneath him.
The Abyss had opened, and more demons poured out. Liu Qingge quickly rushed through them, he had a mission. From a great distance away, Liu Qingge can spot Shen Qingqiu at the edge of the Abyss, though it appears he isn’t being attacked. Liu Qingge rushes forwards and hears Shen Qingqiu’s soft scholarly voice speaking to Luo Binghe. It was colder than Liu Qingge had heard in years.
“Will you go down yourself, or do you need me to make a move.”
The words send chills down Liu Qingge’s spine and he freezes in place. When Luo Binghe doesn’t move, Liu Qingge watches as Shen Qingqiu strikes with Xiu Ya, driving his sword into Luo Binghe’s chest.
Shen Qingqiu himself had reported Luo Binghe’s death. He was the only person to witness the event. No one had looked any deeper at his words, no one questioned the circumstances of Luo Binghe’s tragic death. At least until he was no longer dead and the world turned upside down.
Had Shen Qingqiu done this the first time around? Did he try to kill Luo Binghe with his own hands, or was this different, a divergence that Liu Qingge caused?
Before Shen Qingqiu was constantly struggling with the Without A Cure poison, it was feasible that the first time, Shen Qingqiu had failed to save him and believed him dead when he was taken to the Abyss by demons. Now with Shen Qingqiu at his full martial power, he had defeated Luo Binghe’s attacker but his demon heritage had been awoken. Now Shen Qingqiu could only do as a righteous cultivator would and kill his own disciple.
It was a feasible form of events, but Liu Qingge could never know the truth of what happened the first time. Dead men tell no tales, and now what had happened had all been erased.
Perhaps it had happened like this the first time.
Liu Qingge watched in horror as Shen Qingqiu withdrew his sword from his disciple’s chest and stuck him down.
Shen Qingqiu stood at the abyss, unmoving for several minutes longer. When he finally turned, his eyes immediately met Liu Qingge’s. His face was closed off, his emotions all shut away, but his body froze up when he saw Liu Qingge watching.
“Liu-shidi. Luo Binghe, he was. You saw?” Shen Qingqiu, usually so graceful, fumbled his words and Liu Qingge could see the tight grip on his sword.
“I know.” Liu Qingge said simply. “You did the right thing.” He assured him. Even if Luo Binghe wouldn’t die from the abyss, a heavenly demon couldn’t be permitted to live among a righteous cultivation sect. “Demons should be exterminated.”
Even though Shen Qingqiu knows that a demon like that shouldn’t live, his eyes still looked so lost, half dead. Liu Qingge would do anything to make it stop.
He moved without further thought and wrapped his arms around Shen Qingqiu. Normally he wouldn’t dare to make such a gesture but Shen Qingqiu just looked too fragile.
As strong as he is, Liu Qingge can’t protect him from emotional pain. Shen Qingqiu is only slightly shorter than him, but he rested his head on Liu Qingge’s shoulder and seems to shrink as he leaned into Liu Qingge’s arms.
Liu Qingge had nothing more to say, so he simply remained silent. As he held Shen Qingqiu longer, he grew more anxious, did Shen Qingqiu dislike this? Should Liu Qingge let go? His heart beat faster and then he felt wetness on his shoulder and Shen began to shake, sobbing silently.
When Shen Qingqiu pulled his face away from Liu Qingge, he knew he was blushing. Even with eyes red-rimmed from crying, the tears that had leaked out smeared across his cheeks, Shen Qingqiu really was too beautiful. The closeness between them was almost overwhelming Liu Qingge.
“It’s going to be alright.” Liu Qingge said and hoped that it comforted Shen Qingqiu.
“We should collect the injured.” Shen Qingqiu said, pulling away suddenly, returning to a more respectful distance from Liu Qingge. He resisted the urge to reach out as the distance between them increases. “Our martial brother Shang was knocked unconscious, this shixiong thinks that he shouldn’t remain unattended for too long.”
Liu Qingge actually doesn’t give a damn about Shang Qinghua but he assists Shen Qingqiu in gathering the injured and says nothing as the man gathers the shattered remains of his disciple’s sword.
When Yue Qingyuan sees Shen Qingqiu and how shaken he looks he rushed towards him and reaches for his arm to check his pulse before stepping aside and letting Mu Qingfang take over.
When everyone sees the shattered blade of Zheng Yang, they know exactly why Shen Qingqiu looks so empty.
“Luo Binghe has died.” Liu Qingge announces for him as Shen Qingqiu continues to look forlornly at the shards.
Liu Qingge wonders if he had looked like that when he had looked at the shattered form of Xiu Ya.
///
Liu Qingge isn’t a planner. He doesn’t set up grand plans to sit back and watch, he prefers to do things with his own hands as they come. This may not be the best approach to this second chance.
He’s out of his comfort zone by far.
The question is, who can be trusted with this knowledge? Who would share this burden with him, gladly?
Who would even believe him?
Yue Qingyuan.
“I’m from the future.” Liu Qingge said to him. “I came back because it was bad.” He summarized.
Yue Qingyuan looked puzzled, he probably didn’t expect Liu Qingge of all people to come in and say something so absurd.
“I’m serious.” Liu Qingge said. “It’s bad.” Yue Qingyuan had a look like he didn’t want to doubt Liu Qingge but can’t quite believe him.
“I came back because Shen Qingqiu dies.” Liu Qingge heard Yue Qingyuan’s breathing change at his words.
“Liu-shidi. Please don’t joke with me.”
“I’m not. I’m not joking.”
Yue Qingyuan remained silent for a moment. He doesn’t move to do anything, only quietly thinking before he responded, very quietly. “How does he die?”
Liu Qingge isn’t usually the type of person to cushion harsh words, but it seems that Shen Qingqiu drives more and more exceptions to this as time goes on.
“His disciple, Luo Binghe developed an obsession with him. Shen Qingqiu resisted for a long time, but he grew more and more dangerous, and in the end, Luo Binghe was simply too destructive.” Yue Qingyuan looked up at Liu Qingge sharply.
“Luo Binghe? He’s just died hasn’t he?” Yue Qingyuan asked. Liu Qingge could see that he had captured his interest.
“Luo Binghe has fallen into the Endless Abyss. I watched Shen Qingqiu throw him down himself. Luo Binghe will return in a few years.” Liu Qingge wished he had told Yue Qingyuan earlier, now. If Yue Qingyuan knew that Luo Binghe had caused Shen Qingqiu’s death, then he had no doubt that the sect leader may kill the boy with his own hands to prevent it.
“X-Qingqiu-shidi threw him down? Why?”
“Luo Binghe is a heavenly demon.” How had he missed that? “The son of Tianlang-jun.”
“That explains how he would be able to survive a place like the Endless Abyss. It’s unfortunate that we cannot go down and dispose of him now.” The coldness in Yue Qingyuan’s voice reassured Liu Qingge that he again has an ally. “Tell me more about the future you’ve seen.”
Liu Qingge isn’t one that’s typically much for talk but he speaks about the events of the next 8 years until his voice becomes hoarse.
///
As much as Liu Qingge would like to pretend Shang Qinghua doesn’t exist, he’s forced to acknowledge his fellow peak lord’s presence as he begins to spot the man spending more and more time with Shen Qingqiu.
In his talk with Yue Qingyuan, they had concluded that Shen Qingqiu suspected that Luo Binghe may survive the abyss and take his revenge. His solemn mourning may not be for Luo Binghe’s death, but his own impending fate.
But if that were true, then why had he taken the reforged Zheng Yang and made a sword mound for Luo Binghe near his own home?
Regardless, it seemed that Shen Qingqiu had begun preparations to fake his death. At the siege that Luo Binghe had used to lure out his shizun, Shen Qingqiu had claimed that his artificial body had been grown from a rare seed and that it wasn’t meant to take 5 years to come back.
He had placed the blame at his botched revival on Shang Qinghua, meaning that the visits that the two were now paying to each other were definitely the beginning of their conspiracy.
Liu Qingge was already on Qiong Ding when the two of them came to Sect Leader Yue to request to go on a trip together.
“Of course you may go, but you should take Liu-shidi with you. This is a pleasure trip, but we live in dangerous times. It’s best that you be careful.” he said, just as he and Liu Qingge had planned.
“Zhangmen-shixiong, I really don’t think that’s necessary-” Shang Qinghua said but was interrupted by Yue Qingyuan taking Shen Qingqiu’s hand into his own.
“Please Qingqiu, you’ve suffered a recent loss and this shixiong is worried about you.” Yue Qingyuan said softly as he traced his thumb lightly over Shen Qingqiu’s knuckles. Liu Qingge watched as Shen Qingqiu barely reacted to the casual touch and form of address, even if his eyes did briefly flicker to the other people in the room.
Liu Qingge wondered if Shen Qingqiu would mind if Liu Qingge did the same.
“I wouldn’t want to trouble Liu-shidi.” Shen Qingqiu said.
“I don’t mind.” Liu Qingge said without pause. “We can go now.”
Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua didn’t have any more protests as they took the funds that Yue Qingyuan offered and set off with Liu Qingge in tow.
As they board the carriage, Liu Qingge is quiet and lets Shang Qinghua and Shen Qingqiu speak to each other without interrupting.
“Are you not going to ask as to where we’re going, shidi?” Shen Qingqiu asked him, face hidden behind his fan.
“No.” Liu Qingge answered and left it at that. He knows that Shen Qingqiu is an accomplished liar and that he likely didn’t trust Liu Qingge enough to give him the truth. Liu Qingge could threaten Shen Qingqiu, demand truth, but that wouldn’t gain the man’s trust. All it would do is push him further away.
All Liu Qingge could do was try to do his best to prove to Shen Qingqiu that he could trust him. All he could do was show him, with his actions that Liu Qingge would help him, no matter what his trouble was, that Liu Qingge would never hurt him, that he would stand by his side.
It was all he could do.
///
Liu Qingge simply watched as Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua devote much of their time to the seeds, speaking to each other in quiet tones as he stands vigilantly nearby. The conditions they plant the seeds in vary, some are planted almost submerged in water, and others are carefully covered so the rain doesn’t touch the soil and won’t seep in. The results of the growth are carefully drawn onto paper and discussed.
The amount of preparation Liu Qingge sees surprises him. The body that Shen Qingqiu had allegedly grown wasn’t something that was casually thrown in the soil just in case.
This was the diligent preparation of someone who knew he was going to die. Who knew that Luo Binghe was going to live, was going to come for him.
Take me to the roof of the highest building in this town. he had said. The words still haunted Liu Qingge, it was part of the last conversation he had had with Shen Qingqiu before his false death. Now Liu Qingge knew that the place was specifically chosen as the place where Shen Qingqiu would die.
In his faked suicide, he had hurt his own disciples, Liu Qingge, Luo Binghe, all who had witnessed the event. But it wasn’t done out of maliciousness, he didn’t want to trick them. All Shen Qingqiu had wanted to do was to escape from Luo Binghe’s revenge, to live a little longer.
Shen Qingqiu had foreseen his own death.
Liu Qingge entertained the thought that Shen Qingqiu had done the same thing that Liu Qingge had. That his personality change was the result of Shen Qingqiu playing out the events in a different way and becoming desperate. Shen Qingqiu had gone from treating Luo Binghe particularity terribly to being willing to die for him. But then why throw him down if he knew he would live?
The fact that Liu Qingge could do nothing but speculate made him angry. Thinking in circles would only drive him mad, he needed something that would have results, that would make him feel as if he had made progress in helping Shen Qingqiu against the fate that Luo Binghe would drive him to.
Shen Qingqiu was capable enough to escape even death on his own, he was a smart man and a strong cultivator. He didn’t need Liu Qingge by his side every second, even if Liu Qingge was willing to spend his seconds with Shen Qingqiu.
So Liu Qingge decided to follow up on the claims that would be made against Shen Qingqiu in Jinlan city.
The first was the sowers claiming that Shen Qingqiu had ordered them to Jinlan, which Liu Qingge knew was the machinations of southern demons outside of Luo Binghe’s control, though specifically why he did not know.
The second was that he had abused Luo Binghe, which wasn’t right. For several years Shen Qingqiu had treasured him, more than his other disciples even. Many of Qing Jing peak would attest to that.
The third… that Shen Qingqiu had been engaged, that he had killed that woman’s family and was the apprentice of a serial killer, that had never resulted in any evidence either way. Shen Qingqiu had ‘died’ before his trial and Qiu Haitang had completely disappeared after Shen Qingqiu’s revival.
The only person who was privy to Shen Qingqiu’s past was Yue Qingyuan.
“Qingqiu would be angry if I told you his past, but it’s for his own good.” Yue Qingyuan said. “You have already shared with me his future after all. As to his past… I only ask that you not look down upon him because of it.”
Liu Qingge sat rigidly as he listened. His tea sat in front of him, growing colder as he clenched his hands on the clothing that covered his thigs, gripping it as it bunched up.
“I suspect that he doesn’t remember some of the past himself, after his qi deviation, that the memory loss and personality change are connected.” Yue Qingyuan cleared his throat softly.
“Shen Qingqiu was born as Shen Jiu, and he was a slave.” It was as Qiu Haitang had said then. “I was born Yue Qi, and we lived in poverty together. We didn’t know our families, but we had each other as brothers and that was enough.”
Now this was new.
“Qingqiu was sold to the Qiu family. There was nothing either of us could do about it. They treated him quite terribly, people are never kind to slaves, but the Qiu were particularly cruel. I was able to escape my bonds and join Cang Qiong Mountain, but I’m afraid I left Qingqiu behind.”
Liu Qingge felt a coldness in his body as he listened. He had thought that Shen Qingqiu had just suffered at Luo Binghe’s hands, but it had seemed that Shen Qingqiu had suffered many more indignities in his lifetime.
“I wanted to come back for him quickly, I promised him that I would retrieve him from the Qiu but things… didn’t work out. When I returned to the Qiu estate I found it in ashes, every man in the household had been slaughtered in a massacre, even the servants, and the women and children had long since scattered. I lost Xiao Jiu.
“I’m afraid you may not be able to find evidence to prove Qingqiu-shidi not guilty. It may not exist.”
That was fine. Liu Qingge could work with that.
“They hurt him badly?” He asked Yue Qingyuan, who swallowed and affirms it.
“Yes. There were times he was so badly hurt he could barely walk.” The thought of Shen Qingqiu as a child, covered in bruises and unable to fight back made Liu Qingge’s blood boil.
“It’s good that they’re dead then.” Liu Qingge said and it looked like a weight had been lifted from Yue Qingyuan’s shoulders.
“I’m glad you agree with me, shidi.” He said and smiled softly. “I don’t know how he ended up with Wu Yanzi, but I found him years later under the man’s thumb. Wu Yanzi attacked me but Shen Qingqiu killed him and saved my life. He agreed to come with me to Cang Qiong, although a bit reluctantly, and I suppose you know the rest.” Yue Qingyuan summarized.
Liu Qingge had long felt poorly about how he treated Shen Qingqiu in the past, now that he knows more of Shen Qingqiu’s history, even more so. Liu Qingge was born into a family of cultivators, well off and treated well. Liu Qingge had never had to fear for his safety, as a child he was well protected and as he grew he had developed the capability to protect himself. He could afford to fight with honor, as an equal on an equal level.
Shen Qingqiu did not have the same luxuries. He took advantage of what he could, where he could find it because he was familiar with desperation.
But it was as Shen Qingqiu had said himself. The past was in the past. All Liu Qingge could do was move forward.
///
Liu Qingge went to the ruins of the Qiu estate. At this point it’s been decades, people can only vaguely recall the night that the Qiu were slaughtered and the estate set ablaze. Useless.
Liu Qingge doesn’t search for Qiu Haitang but he does keep an eye out for her. One way or another, she will appear eventually, and Liu Qingge is a hunter, he knows how to be patient, even if he doesn’t enjoy waiting.
When the time came for Liu Qingge, Mu Qingfang, and Shen Qingqiu to head for Jinlan City, Liu Qingge had an idea of what he must do, but there was a pit in his stomach.
Luo Binghe was here.
Liu Qingge wished that he could simply grab Shen Qingqiu and take him far away, a place where Luo Binghe could never find them, but it’s only an absurd fantasy. Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t leave Cang Qiong, leave his disciples, leave Yue Qingyuan behind to be with Liu Qingge of all people.
So Liu Qingge would stay with him here, even if he was stepping into a Lion’s den. Liu Qingge has interfered in Shen Qingqiu’s life so much already without his consent, but Liu Qingge can’t help it, he just wants him alive this time, happy, healthy, free. Liu Qingge would do his best to keep his shixiong that way while still allowing him his freedom to do as he wished.
Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to trouble anyone, he was all too willing to suffer quietly and alone. Perhaps it was because he truly expected that no one was willing to help him. Why else would he ally himself with the likes of Shang Qinghua?
Liu Qingge slipped away from Shen Qingqiu when he could. This is only something he’ll be able to do before Luo Binghe saw that Shen Qingqiu was in the city. Right now they’re ignorant of each other’s presence but soon Liu Qingge is going to feel uncomfortable leaving Shen Qingqiu alone for even a second. The clock is ticking.
Qiu Haitang isn’t that hard to find, residing fairly close to where the Huan Hua Palace disciples are staying. She recognizes him on sight, Liu Qingge’s reputation preceding him. Or perhaps she knew of him after finding out about where Shen Qingqiu’s current whereabouts and position.
“What can this cultivator do for Peak Lord Liu?” she asked him. There’s a coldness in her eyes that Liu Qingge can recognize as someone on a mission to drag someone down to their knees.
“I know that you’re planning to accuse Shen Qingqiu.” Liu Qingge said, staring her down, coldly. “I’m telling you to drop it.”
Qiu Haitang is a pretty woman but she gave Liu Qingge quite an ugly expression.
“So, Cang Qiong found out and sent their thug to threaten me? I won’t bend so easily. I’ve been searching for Shen Jiu for years and I won’t be deprived of this chance!” Liu Qingge knows that she isn’t a particularity powerful cultivator and he could likely beat her quite easily if he tried. Unfortunately, killing her would only cause more problems, unfamiliar ones.
“Does it not mean something to you that your shixiong is a murderer? Can Cang Qiong excuse the killing of innocents if it’s for someone as lofty as a peak lord? You claim to be honorable cultivators but want to avoid true justice.”
“Shen Qingqiu did not murder innocents.” Liu Qingge said firmly, which only made Qiu Haitang more upset.
“He slaughtered by brother! He stabbed him thirty three times, he killed my father, my uncles, even the servants! I saw it with my own eyes yet you still deny it!” she cried out at Liu Qingge.
“Shen Qingqiu did not murder innocents.” Liu Qingge repeated and the second time, Qiu Haitang’s face colored as she realized what exactly he meant.
“What did my family do to deserve such a fate?! What crime could Shen Jiu convict them and execute them for?” she looked more and more unhinged as she went on, but doesn’t raise a hand against Liu Qingge. She may think him a thug, but at least she doesn’t dare to do such a thing. “We treated him well! He served so diligently, we adopted him!” Liu Qingge wondered if she truly doesn’t know the truth or has somehow deluded herself.
“We were engaged to be married... I thought he cared for me..” she trailed off.
“Did you care for him?” Liu Qingge asked and Qiu Haitang immediately takes offense at the words.
“Of course I did!” she insisted. “Before I knew that he was a beast!”
“If you cared for him, then you would’ve realized how much he was hurting. You were blind and still are.” Liu Qingge said and Qiu Haitang’s painted nails dig into the table.
“I don’t know what Peak Lord Liu means,” she said. Liu Qingge wished that this confrontation had gone better, but he should’ve known that it would end this way. Qiu Haitang was just another spoilt child that didn’t grow up properly, Liu Qingge was simply wasting his time here when he could be with Shen Qingqiu.
“Drop the matter,” he said again, and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
///
Liu Qingge, unfortunately, missed Shen Qingqiu’s reunion with Luo Binghe, arriving as Shen Qingqiu correctly identifies the sowers in the city.
“The first one is dead?” he affirmed and Shen Qingqiu nodded. “Then the rest must be killed as quickly as possible. Let’s go.”
Before, Shen Qingqiu had stayed behind, out of commission due to the poison, but now he was in his prime, steadily progressing through the nascent stages. Now the two of them would fight side by side.
The two of them compensate for each other’s weaknesses well, and Liu Qingge is very careful to ensure that Shen Qingqiu isn’t infected.
Luo Binghe competed with the two of them, eyeing Liu Qingge with jealousy, but Liu Qingge paid it no mind for now. Shen Qingqiu avoided looking at Luo Binghe as much as he could get away with, often standing with Liu Qingge in between the two of them. His shixiong doesn’t look it, but Liu Qingge knew that he was afraid.
In the end, Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge together gather 3 more sowers and Luo Binghe catches 4. Together, they return to their lodging and Liu Qingge caught Luo Binghe watching them as they left.
Mu Qingfang was making great progress in the cure, the subjects that he tested cures on appeared to be slowly improving. Shen Qingqiu on the other hand, despite his good health, was quite shaken.
Liu Qingge walked Shen Qingqiu to his room, but before they entered he softly called out.
“Hey.” he said to Shen Qingqiu before the man entered his room.
“Liu-shidi.” Shen Qingqiu said, looking back over his shoulder.
“I know you’re afraid.” Liu Qingge said. “But you don’t need to worry. No matter what, Sect Leader Yue and I will protect you. All of the other peak lords would.” he said, and Shen Qingqiu looked surprised at his words before his neutral expression set in again.
“This master isn’t afraid.” Shen Qingqiu denied, as expected. “Luo Binghe’s survival has simply shocked your shixiong is all.” Liu Qingge could tell that it was all a front, yet again.
Liu Qingge struggled with himself for a moment, before softly, placing a hand on Shen Qingqiu’s shoulder.
“It will turn out alright.” Liu Qingge said, before letting go. “Goodnight.” he said, and Shen Qingqiu entered his room to rest. It would be alright. Liu Qingge would make sure it was all right.
Liu Qingge didn’t go back to his own room. He simply waited and watched vigilantly to see if Luo Binghe appeared, if the demon would try to confront him. Liu Qingge is capable of forgoing sleep for up to a week. It would only be one night and then, hopefully, they would be able to leave the city.
In the end, Luo Binghe didn’t face him. He could sense demonic energy faintly, but the man himself never showed his face.
The next morning, the city gates are opened and Yue Qingyuan and the Palace Master, enter the city to resolve the matter.
When Yue Qingyuan asked Shen Qingqiu how to best dispose of the sowers and Shen Qingqiu replied ‘fire’ in a few more words, Liu Qingge knew what he must do.
“Say no more.” Liu Qingge said to them and immediately drew Cheng Luan, letting his qi flow into the blade and making it hotter and hotter, the air around the sword rippled as the heat spread.
The sowers screamed out and the people of the city cheer as Liu Qingge slaughtered them. As he killed them, one manages to call out “Shen-xianshi-” before it’s throat is cut by Liu Qingge’s blade, the flesh sizzling as the sword cut.
The Palace Master, unfortunately, is annoyingly opportunistic.
“Peak Lord Shen, this creature called out to you. Do you have any explanation for this?”
At the Palace Master’s words, Liu Qingge could see his typically calm most senior brother become cold.
“Sowers serve higher-ranking demons. It’s natural they would address their betters respectfully.” Liu Qingge said.
“Even when it’s after an order to execute them, coming from an enemy?”
“One would think the palace master is attempting to accuse my shidi of something.” Yue Qingyuan stepped in front of Shen Qingqiu.
“I am.” The Palace Master said and it devolved from there. “Peak Lord Shen has been deliberately suppressing talk of how he’s beaten and harmed his disciples.” Despite Liu Qingge knowing that this charge could easily be thrown out in the future, he can’t help but tighten his hands on his sheathed and slowly cooling blade as the Palace Master continued to slander Shen Qingqiu.
“I would like to request that Peak Lord Shen has his past examined.” Qiu Haitang spoke up. “I believe that this man is of a disreputable character, the killer of my family, the Qiu. If Shen Qingqiu, Shen Jiu is guilty then I want him brought to justice.” Qiu Haitang caught Liu Qingge’s eye but looked away.
“That’s enough.” Liu Qingge said. “Neither of you have any sort of proof. If such an accusation came from less than a sect head it would be thrown out.”
“Is Peak Lord Liu afraid of what an investigation may find?” Qiu Haitang challenged him, but he didn’t respond.
“Huan Hua would like to request that Peak Lord Shen be detained in the water prison while these charges are investigated. If he truly is a dangerous man, guilty of these crimes then he mustn’t be allowed to roam about.” The Palace Master said and the thought of Shen Qingqiu in Luo Binghe’s hands again made Liu Qingge’s blood boil and he reached for his sword, only for Sect Leader Yue to hold his own, still sheathed blade up, held in both his hands.
“Palace Master. Xuan Su has only needed to be unsheathed twice in this master’s life before. Surely, you would not wish to be the cause of the third?”
Many of the cultivators watching step away at his words. Yue Qingyuan is well known for his calm and gentle manner, to have him threaten someone, to threaten another sect head is no joking matter.
The Palace Master recognized this and backed down slightly. “I insist that the charges are investigated at the very least.”
“No.” says Yue Qingyuan simply, and lets an inch of Xuan Su slide out, the energy from it suddenly radiating out like a powerful wave, making some of the younger disciples watching the commotion stumble at the unrelenting rush, and everyone’s hearts began to pound and their ears rang as the blade sung.
Liu Qingge was truly thankful that he had informed Yue Qingyuan now. The man was a powerful and devoted ally.
“Lay formations!” called the Palace Master, and that was when Shen Qingqiu seemed to draw the line.
“Wait!” he called out, not yelling but his voice enhanced so it would ring out clearly.
All eyes fell onto Shen Qingqiu, the man of the hour himself.
“This is pointless. If Huan Hua wishes to investigate then they shall.” Shen Qingqiu says. “Though with no proof of wrongdoing, Huan Hua cannot justify my removal from Cang Qiong.”
“Peak Lord Shen appears unafraid of conviction, why does he find the prospect of the water palace so daunting? Those who aren’t guilty aren’t harmed.” The Palace Master said this, but Liu Qingge was well aware that in his eyes, Shen Qingqiu had already been found guilty.
“If you are so insistent that I’m somehow restrained then I will allow myself to be confined to Qing Jing peak. Although the Palace Master appears to take offense to my treatment of my disciples, this master is certain that none of them will object to my continued presence.”
Liu Qingge was satisfied, thankful that Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t be entering the water prison for a second time. Confinement on Qing Jing is nothing to him, he knew Shen Qingqiu wasn’t like himself, who wouldn’t be able to stand such a condition.
Yue Qingyuan looked at Shen Qingqiu, observed him, his expression was as strong and cold as steel as he faced the Palace Master.
“If shidi sets these terms himself, then I shall agree,” he said. The Palace Master appeared disgruntled but didn’t dare to contest them again.
“In one month’s time we will meet again for trial,” he said. The Palace Master turned his back and walked away, the Huan Hua delegation following behind. Luo Binghe lingered for a moment, before reluctantly turning away.
Liu Qingge can’t help but smile softly at Shen Qingqiu as they walk away together, away from Jinlan, back towards Cang Qiong Mountain.
///
“You.” Liu Qingge said as Shang Qinghua approached to tend the body crop.
“Me?” Shang Qinghua said eyes widening as he saw Liu Qingge.
“That stuff you’re planning on using. Don’t.” Liu Qingge didn’t mean to be so threatening with his words, but a bit of his anger towards the botched revival that had taken Shen Qingqiu 5 years slipped into his voice, spooking Shang Qinghua.
“Liu-shidi! I’m afraid I don’t know what you mean!” Shang Qinghua instantly denied and for every second of Shen Qingqiu’s falseness he could tolerate, he couldn’t do the same for Shang Qinghua.
“The bodies you’re growing. You can’t put that stuff on it. It’ll have consequences. The revival will be delayed.” Liu Qingge summarized to Shang Qinghua who watches him with wide eyes.
“Liu-shidi- you know- well you have been watching...” Shang Qinghua said, eyeing him suspiciously.
“I know you want to fake his death.” Liu Qingge said. “It’s not a bad plan, if it gets Luo Binghe off his tail, but the two of you really are underestimating Cang Qiong.” They were underestimating him.
“He can be proved innocent of wrongdoing at the trial.” He said to Shang Qinghua. How much did he know about the massacre? What did Shen Qingqiu know, what had he forgotten?
Liu Qingge looked at Shang Qinghua. The man always knew more than he appeared to, much like Shen Qingqiu.
“Do you know a way to view someone else’s memories?” He asked him and Shang Qinghua swallowed.
“I do. But you’re not going to like it.”
///
Luo Binghe agreed to meet him easily.
“Shishu, if it were an ambush I’m sure I could fight my way out. If it’s not, then I have nothing to lose.” Luo Binghe concluded. He really is Shen Qingqiu’s disciple, even if he is a twisted monster.
But how twisted is he right now?
Liu Qingge would do anything for Shen Qingqiu. Luo Binghe would do anything to hold Shen Qingqiu in his own hands, constrained, guaranteed to never leave him.
“If you allow him to be trapped he will never care for you again.” Liu Qingge said. “You have a skill that allows you to view others memories. Look at Shen Qingqiu’s memories of the Qiu Massacre. You’re meant to be from a peak of scholars yet you often lack the ability to see others intentions.”
The Palace Master had made a design for Shen Qingqiu that did not align with Luo Binghe’s.
“Don’t let your new shifu keep you blind.”
Liu Qingge left without much trouble. Luo Binghe was too conflicted to bother Liu Qingge any further.
Liu Qingge’s own mind was far less burdened.
Shang Qinghua insisted that Luo Binghe could not be stopped, which made Liu Qingge’s blood crawl, he wanted to punch the man right then, even if he may have been right. However, Luo Binghe was moldable, fragile, and desperate.
As dishonorable as it was, Liu Qingge would take advantage of it for Shen Qingqiu.
All for Shen Qingqiu.