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Chapter Text

Shang Qinghua had always wished to live long enough to witness the downfall of Cang Qiong and its Peak Lords. He hated everything about the Sect. An Ding Peak has always been treated as the bottom. However, the An Ding Peak Lord has always been respected, but it was different for this generation. The others couldn’t even be bothered to do their own paperwork right! While they got to enjoy the privileges that came with being a Peak Lord. Shang Qinghua was forced to fix their mistakes. 

With no ‘thanks’ or anything!. 

The rest of the world might not know, Shang Qinghua knew, the bond they shared was nonexistent. Sure some Peak Lords were close with each other, but that didn’t extend to the rest. Family!? What Family!? The only thing they all share in common is the ‘Qing’ in their name. 

Cang Qiong was away from him to escape the poor village he lived in, but he didn’t hold it as a special place in his heart. At least, not in a positive way. It’s why he was able to become a spy without feeling guilty. 

When he first met Mobei Jun, it was either him or them. He wasn’t going to feel guilty for surviving at the cost of their lives. No, he didn’t care enough for them to sacrifice himself. Shang Qinghua wasn’t going to die for a place that felt more like a prison than a home. 

When Yue Qingyun suggested that they do some activity to strengthen their bonds by going around the room and saying whos your favorite Peak Lord, Shang Qinghua had been against it. It wouldn’t have been a problem if Yue Qingyuan hadn’t placed truth talismans across the room. 

Nobody said it, but all the Peak Lords were thinking the same. Shen Qingqiu , they all thought. Yue Qingyuan wasn’t even trying to hide his intense starring. Shang Qinghua could almost bang his head at the sight of how pathetic this was. 

God, could Yue Qingyuan be any more obvious? 

He didn’t care if they bonded or not. He just wanted to hear what Shen Qingqiu’s response was. And for that, they couldn’t help but glare at him. 

Yue Qingyuan must have known that Shen Qingqiu wanted nothing to do with this bonding activity because he didn’t admittedly ask him to go first. Instead, he said, “Shang-shidi, why don’t you start off?” 

Naturally, there was no way that they could turn down their sect leader. Only Shen Qingqiu had that privilege, and he wasn’t Shen Qingqiu. He was Shang Qinghua from An Ding Peak. The only thing he could do was take a sip from his tea and smile back. 

He had to be careful. One wrong question and he could be exposed. 

Shen Qingqiu must have found something amusing in his behavior because Shang Qinghua spotted a hint of amusement in his eyes. Of course, Shen Qingqiu would see right through his act. Unlike the rest of his stupid martial siblings, Shen Qingqiu was born with a brain. 

In honesty, he was the only person that Shang Qinghua feared in the sect. And the only one who suspected that he was lying, but thanks to the rumors about him, nobody believed anything he said. He had to be careful with Shen Qingqiu, knowing that he wouldn’t put it past him to ask him a tricky question. 

However, if Shang Qinghua had to admit, he liked Shen Qingqiu more than the rest of the Peak Lords combined. (It wasn’t a lot. Considering how much he hated the others.)  Even though Shen Qingqiu doesn’t trust him, he at least knows how to not cause trouble for him. He wasn’t a fan of his attitude, but who was? Especially when Shen Qingqiu is feeling spiteful. 

Without any hesitation, Shang Qinghua says, “Shen-shixiong.” He took pleasure in their stunned reactions from everyone, including Shen Qingqiu’s. It wasn’t every day that he managed to surprise all of them. He could have stopped right there but was feeling like messing with them. “He’s a better Peak Lord than anybody gives him credit. Unlike the rest, he doesn’t have other people do their simple paperwork for them.” Perhaps it was because of the truth talismans that prevented him from stopping. “Was Shen-shixiong the only person who ever learned how to count?! The other day, I received this poorly done budget report from Liu Qingge. I thought he had one of his disciples do it for him, but nope! It turns out that our War God never learned how to count past ten.” 

A soft chuckle escaped from Shen Qingqiu’s mouth, and Shang Qingqiu figured that was enough to keep going. Huh, it turned out, this didn’t feel so bad. He now understood what Shen Qingqiu felt when he would talk down to the other Peak Lords. If that was the case, he understood why Shen Qingqiu kept doing it, despite giving him a bad reputation. “And Qi Qingqi! You always buy the most random and useless items solely because they look pretty. And then complain that Xian Shu doesn’t have enough of a budget. Maybe it’s not because Shen-shixiong is manipulating Yue Qingyuan in lowering the budget, but because he earns his own. Qing Jing makes extra money by selling his art.” 

Shen Qingqiu would have to be stupid to not make a profit from his talents. If Shang Qinghua had even a quarter of Shen Qingqiu’s talent, he wouldn’t have become a Peak Lord. Which only added to Shen Qingqiu’s mysterious reason as to staying here. 

He must have hit a nerve because suddenly, Qi Qingqi came stopping right in front of him. Shang Qinghua chuckled nervously, taking a step back from her. Before anything could happen, Shen Qingqiu quickly got in between them. Even though Qi Qingqiu was glaring at him, Shen Qingqiu’s eyes hadn’t left him. 

“Sit down. It’s not your turn and Shang Qinghua, stop talking.”

‘ What an asshole ,’ Shang Qinghua thought, ‘ I should have just kept my mouth shut.’

He glanced at Qi Qingqi, who gave one last scoff at him before going back to her seat. Out of everyone, Qi Qingqi had been the only person who Shen Qingqiu ever showed any respect. He doubts that any of them have picked it up, but considering how much time he spends observing them, Shang Qinghua obviously noticed the difference. It didn’t seem like Shen Qingqiu lusted over her. In fact, he wasn’t sure if Shen Qingqiu had even liked her, but there was something. 

Always the peacemaker, Yue Qingyuan, but never actually of any help, decided to interfere. “Why doesn’t Liu-shidi go next?.” 

For a split second, Liu Qingge gives a subtle eye glance to Shen Qingqiu. One that didn’t go unnoticed by him. A weird twisted feeling came in him. He felt like they were back to being disciples, and Shang Qinghua was forced to watch as Liu Mingyu had an obvious crush on Shen Jiu. Before any of them were given the position of head disciples, a few of the current Peak Lords had been desperate for his attention.

Surprisingly, Shang Qinghua had been one of them, but he hardly glanced in his direction. Instead, either Yue Qingyuan or Liu Qingge took his attention. He wasn’t heartbroken by this. Shen Jiu was just some pretty face. 

Even though it’s been years, old feelings seemed to resurface. Maybe the truth talismans did more than just being honest with your words. 

He hated it. 

This weird feeling in his systems that he thought he had gotten rid of. He buried them in the ground the day when he decided to plot against Cang Qing. When he first met Mobei Jun, he gave up everything that day. He got rid of everything, including whatever feelings he might have for others. Not because of his loyalty to him, but because he had a realization. 

‘He was going to die, and nobody would care. Because I’m just a nobody.” 

Once Shan Qinghua realized this, he knew that his life would never be the same. Not when he realized how meaningless his life means nothing to the sect. 

Shang Qinghua had always thought that if he did well to please others. It would mean something. It didn’t mean anything. 

Shen Qingqiu must have known from the first day he entered the sect. There was a specific memory ingrained in him. Shang Qinghua, with a few other disciples, had taken this chance to look for the new Qing Jing disciple. Back then, he didn’t carry a fan with him. And for a split second, there was a hit of realization in his eyes. 

At that time, he thought it was hope in his eyes, but looking back at it, it was the look of a child’s dream being crushed. 

Just as Liu Qingge would be responded, Shen Qingqiu hit him with his fan and answered first, “I’m not sure if I have favorite Peak Lord, because frankly, I’m disgusted by you all, but right now, I would say Shang Qinghua.” What?! Did he hear that right!? No, that can’t be right. Shen Qingqiu hardly ever talks to him! “I have a class to attend to now. Let’s end this.” 

Yue Qingyuan had no choice but to end this activity this early as Shen Qingqiu had already begun to walk out, and not to mention didn’t get the results he wanted. 

‘ But for right now.’ 

That’s what Shen Qingqiu said. It didn’t mean anything. 

Shen Qingqiu just wasn’t used to being complimented by another Peak Lord.

He’ll probably take any, even if it came from the An Ding Peak Lord. 

Chapter Text

Shang Qinghua would have never said this out loud, but he always thought of Yue Qingyuan as pathetic . 

He was supposed to be their leader, but he always gave in to whatever Shen Qingqiu needed. 

Even if he didn’t want it, Yue Qingyuan wouldn’t stop. 

More than once, Shen Qingqiu had to personally come and visit his peak to prevent an order request. They weren’t for the sect or even for Qing Jing, they were simply a large purchase to please Shen Qingqiu. 

Shen Qingqiu didn’t need to threaten him to disobey Yue Qingyuan, he did so gladly. It meant less paperwork for him! And not to mention, it would prevent Cang Qiong’s budget from being reduced. By now, he knew to inform Shen Qingqiu whenever Yue Qingyuan would put a request for an expensive purchase for the Qing Jing Peak Lord. 

Shen Qingqiu always seemed disgusted by the amount of money that Yue Qingyuan would throw at him. 

Nine out of ten times, Shen Qingqiu didn’t want his gifts. The idea of accepting them always seemed to revolt him. However, it hadn’t always been like that. Back when they were disciples, Shen Qingqiu almost always accepted Yue Qingyuan’s gift. 

Though he didn’t look happy whenever he accepted them, Shang Qinghua realized that he didn’t throw them out. The rumor was that Shen Qingqiu would ruthlessly throw the gift at him, but that was later in the years. Back then, Yue Qingyuan would give him fans, candy, and flowers. Only years later when Yue Qingyuan would obtain more money, he would give him a more expensive gift. 

Shang Qinghua also thought that Yue Qingyuan was stupid for not realizing this. Shen Qingqiu preferred simple gifts over expensive ones. Heck, Shen Qingqiu seemed to have preferred Liu Qingge gifts over Yue Qingyuan! And those were the dead corpses of wild beasts! 

(Liu Qingge stopped after that one mission, but Shang Qinghua never had any reason to tell him the truth.) 

The point was that Yue Qingyuan's attempts to gain Shen Qingqiu’s affections were depressing, and at most, creepy. 

Like today, it seemed that Yue Qingyuan had become even more desperate than before. 

Shang Qinghua would assume that this had something to do with their last “bounding” meeting.

It must have gotten to Yue Qingyuan that he hadn’t been Shen Qingqiu’s favorite because after he had received more paperwork than before. 

Unfortunately, it hadn’t only been him. The rest of the Peak Lords decided to be petty and give him more work to do. 

Damn, he should have just kept his mouth shut.

At least that he wouldn’t be being glared at by Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge. 

Shang Qinghua didn’t even get to rest because as soon as they’re eyes were latched onto someone else’s, said person was staring at him. 

Shang Qinghua suddenly wished that it was them staring, instead of Shen Qingqiu . At least, they were easy to figure out. Shang Qinghua never knew what was going on in his mind.

Nobody did, and that was the appeal of Shen Qingqiu. 

Somehow, Yue Qingyuan had another great idea to get Shen Qingqiu to open up more. 

“Why don’t we go around the room and say one nice thing about everyone in the room. Shen- Shidi, why don’t you start first.” 

Internally, Shang Qinghua cringes at his words. 

He felt pity for Shen Qingqiu. 

Shen Qingqiu was the sole reason that he wasn’t jealous of being born with a plain face. 

“This stupid so stupid.” Shen Qingqiu mumbled under his breath. “I have paper grades, and this is what you call us in for? Another lame attempt to get us to bond.” 

And for once, everyone agreed with him, but they also wanted to hear what his response would be. 

Shang Qinghua wondered why Shen Qingqiu even appeared today…or as to why he’s sitting next to him! At the edge of the table when he’s supposed to be sitting next to Yue Qingyuan as his second in command. 

Perhaps, if he had been someone else, he would have already cowered at the sight of Liu Qingge’s glaring, but he wasn’t. Instead, he pretended as if he didn’t see anything and continued to drink his tea.  

Having Shen Qingqiu sit so close to him had its perks.

For one, all the food and sweets were closer to him because Yue Qingyuan always pushed them to be closer to Shen Qingqiu. 

Second, he could witness Shen Qingqiu’s reaction closer and father more information. (Not for anything else.) 

And third, he was petty. Shen Qingqiu chose to sit next to him , and not them. 

If he sat closer than intended next to him. Shen Qingqiu didn’t say anything. 

If Shen Qingqiu put the tray closer than him, Shang Qinghua didn’t say anything. 

Maybe, Shen Qingqiu sat next to because he knows he’s a traitor? Or because of their mutual hatred for the other Peak Lords. 

No, Shen Qingqiu has long suspected him of being a traitor. Besides, Shen Qingqiu would have already told Yue Qingyuan who would have had him arrested. And Shen Qingqiu didn’t seem to hate the Peak Lords as much as they thought. Shang Qinghua didn’t know how he came to that conclusion, but something about the way that Shen Qingqiu was quick to react to protect other Peak Lords spoke volumes for his character. 

“Shang-Shidi has pretty eyes.” 

Oh…Shen Qingqiu thinks he has pretty eyes?

Shen Qingqiu stopped and drank his tea without saying anything else. They waited and waited but Shen Qingqiu didn’t speak again. 

“And what about the rest of us?” Liu Qingge uttered. “The activity is to compliment everyone.” 

“What about it?” 

Being bold, Shang Qinghua turned to the rest and proceeded to move closer to Shen Qingqiu. “I think you have far prettier eyes than me.” Shang Qinghua said, which wasn’t a lie. Shen Qingqiu was ranked as the number one beauty of Cang Qiong for a reason. “Shen-Shoxiong, however, has better qualities than just being beautiful.” 

Shen Qingqiu glanced at the Peak Lord who is constantly overlooked, Shang Qinghua. They were never particularly close or anything, but he was the only one to call him ‘Shixiong’ and mean it. The other Peak Lords only call him that because of Yue Qingyuan, they don’t mean it. 

“It’s true, Xiao-Jiu has always been beautiful since we were kids.” 

“And look what that got me.”

“My apologies…”

Yue Qingyuan should keep his mouth shut, but obviously, he couldn’t say this, “It’s true that Shen-Shoxiong is beautiful, but I've always preferred your music to your beauty. Unlike some people, Shen-Shoxiong was blessed with more than one talent.” This was a diss to other Peak Lord’s. To be more specific, Qi Qingqi has always been sensitive when it comes to being compared to Shen Qingqiu. She’d never been able to beat him anything. She has always been ranked behind Shen Qingqiu in everything.  

Shen Qingqiu wondered how this activity that was supposed to be complimenting everyone led to this weird decision about his appearance. It wasn’t like he didn’t know that he was beautiful. (Living in streets never failed to remind him.) However, it was the first one somebody has admitted to enjoying his music more than his looks. Even his Shizun had only taken him in because of his appearance. 

It was refreshing to hear.

It made him feel less like a doll and more of a human. 

“Shang-Shidi, do you want to have tea later this afternoon?”