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How many days have passed? Certainly much longer than he anticipate or much shorter than he hope. Shen Qingqui doesn't know because as far as he can remember his been lock up in the water prison for months now that he just disposed the idea of counting time as he deemed it meaningless.
Maybe it's the fate of a street rat like him, to rot in this prison full of acidic water and be at his disciples mercy like what his been for months now. Truly, he should have killed the beast before he grew fangs too sharp to bite his master but past is in the past. He can't undo what he did before and certainly didn't regret what he did.
He just entertain the idea that the beast will probably forgot about his Shizun when he finally have another pet to play and just let him rot away or maybe grant him a quick death but certainly it's not happening now as the familiar clinking of mechanism move signalling him for a visitor he so clearly did not welcome. It is followed by the heavy footsteps of the beast he grew familiar (not that he like to know the beast footsteps but for how much he likes to visit his old Shizun, he certainly grew familiar of it even though he despise the beast so much).
The beast's usual grin is plastered again on his face as he confidently stride towards him, his steps steady and unhurried like he owns the time or maybe he did.
"Hello Shizun." The usual greetings is also there and as much as it made Shen Qingqui's nerves itch he already knows what the beast will say next.
'It's good to see Shizun is well.' "It's good to see Shizun is well."
I am well for whatever that implies, he still felt good. Despite the occasional aches and pain he felt it's certainly good compared to the time he first got here where he is always marked by lashes and bleeding.
The beast move, circling slowly around him. Occasionally lifting his hair and some of his robe like checking for a merchandise he think too lowly to enter his eye sight but nevertheless still displayed.
The beast usual monologue is here again, it's constantly buzzing and chirping but he is glad for that, while it is annoying him to the bone that the beast can talk for hours it's his only way of knowing what is happening outside of his prison. The constant update of the outside world pleased him enough to keep his annoyance of the beast at bay.
But really can't the beast know how to shut up?! His been talking for hours and his voice is getting a nuisance.
"Can't you shut up?" He cut him off sharply. The beast immediately cease his babbling but much to his dismay it just made the beast smile more and lean a bit closer that Shen Qingqui needs to lean back amidst being tied by the immortal binding cables. Too close.
"Why, if it isn't Shizun finally talking to this lowly disciple." The beast's drawled, humming and nodding slowly as if considering his suggestion.
"But Shizun can't get rid of me so easily like he did before. This disciple will be with Shizun for how many years to come so you better get used to me Shizun." The confident smile is back much to his annoyance.
Shen Qingqui huffed and glared at the audacity of the beast. "Why don't you marry me instead so you can finally say till death do us apart?" He bite back, pinning the beast with as much glare he can manage.
Much to his surprised the beast actually look taken aback by his suggestion and quickly get flustered, red completely overtaking his face and neck.
"T-that... Is.. H-how..."
The beast look so flustered that he can't even form a single sentence amidst the rambling he did earlier. Hah! So this will make you shut up! Shen Qingqui basked in delight knowing he can make the beast shut up. He can remember to use it later when the beast visit again to talk nonsense.
But the anticipated visit never once happened again since that time he tease the beast. As his disciple left him that time after composing himself, with a flush so glaringly obvious.
Hah! So this is it! His much awaited time for himself. If he knows that a little teasing will make the beast leave him alone his done it a long time ago but alas he can't be picky about it, now that he finally attain what he longed for.
***
His time alone lasted for two months or maybe more when he heard the familiar clinking of the prison's mechanism opening. He waited for the familiar steady footsteps ready to used the same tactic but it never came. Instead what followed is the shuffling of feet then five servants wearing gold and specks of red came with two guards in tow.
They bow in front of him and untied the cables that bound him and escort him out of the prison. Two guards lead them outside with him being the center of it.
They then bring him in front of door and lead him inside. The guards stayed outside the room while the servants pulled him in the lavishly decorated bathroom and proceeded in taking off his robes, then submerging him in the bathtub while different scented oils are applied in his body and hair.
What is happening?
The process took longer and also shorter for him to process everything, he didn't know if his sentence to be executed now and they just let him bath for propriety or his disciple finally get sick of him and deemed his presence unnecessary.
After the bath he got drag here and there, one for his nails, second is for the cream applied on his skin, third is for his hair, fourth is for his dress, fifth is for his make up and all through it all he is completely speechless. The servants never give him even a squeak for an answer to all his questions.
What is happening?!
They then proceeded of putting a veil on him covering his eyesight with red hues and escorted him out of the room. The walk took longer than he anticipated or is it just because they walk slowly? How can he tell? He might trip on his robes if he took big steps! But the guards and servants never commented on him being a slow walker instead they match his pace. They look so solemn walking like this. Am I going to be hanged? Or be strip off his cultivation? Or what?
They rounded a corner and now he can hear voices, chattering of mix voices his not familiar and he can distinctly outline a mass of people crowding on both sides that quickly quieten once they saw his party.
Then the idea hit him. He will be publicly executed. Maybe hanged or by cutting off his head as they obviously obscure his eyesight to prevent any unwanted ideas slipping off his head but it is a much welcome ending. Dying he means, if he knew teasing the beast will make him met his ending this quickly he probably try it on his first day being held in the water prison.
They arrive at the center where there are a few steps to be taken but the guards part ways and he thought to follow but which guard? The left or the right? His inner monologue is interrupted when one of the servants nudge him to take a step and take the awaiting hand that help him up. Wow! Such a gentleman! Are they being good because his being executed? A last goodwill to be shown for a man nearing its death?
What followed next is beyond his imagination. He is guided to bow three times (is this for him pleading guilty to the gods? Or forgiveness? What nonsense!), he get to drink something red and it taste like shit, is this poison? He will die being poisoned?! But I guess it's not lethal enough to make him immediately drop dead as he can feel the poison staying on his veins like trying to be accustomed of his body, it was a little uncomfortable a little bit hot but still manageable.
After what felt like a proper ritual for his burial the crowd burst into activity. The joyful singing and clapping, some bells and drums and a burst of laughter by the masses. Are they that happy for me to die? Tsk!
"Why not have some fireworks too to make it complete?" He muttered angrily.
"Don't worry Shizun this disciple arrange for fireworks to be displayed but it will be done in the evening." His disciple answered near him. Hah! That beast finally managed to gain some courage after a few months! Too bad he can't used the tactic he carefully reserve for him as he will die after this fiasco.
He clicked his tongue in annoyance and didn't bother to grant the beast his response. He is escorted to seat beside the beast the whole time the activities is done, he can hear the clinking of utensils too, are they eating?
Fuck! They are eating!
So what? Is this a new torture too? Have him salivate? Too bad he will not give them that satisfaction.
A few minutes have passed until some hazy figure arrived at his side followed by the ever familiar 'shidi'. Zhangmen-shixiong?
He can't be wrong. Only the sect leader can call him Shidi.
"Zhangmen-shixiong?" He muttered absentmindedly.
Why is he here? Did the beast invite the whole sect to witness his downfall?
He can fell the beast growing tense beside him and his shameless disciple actually have the audacity to hold his hand in front of the Sect Leader! Shameless brat!
"Shidi are you sure about this?" The Sect Leader asked him almost hesitantly.
Shen Qingqui can hear the beast beside him inhaled sharply. "What are you implying Sect Leader Yue?" He asked sharply.
Shen Qingqui can't help but feel agitated, a fight might broke out because of him and he can't have that. Let him die in peace!
So he talk what comes in his mind first. "Zhangmen-shixiong need not to worry. This is what this Shidi wanted." He answered honestly, bowing a little to show proper courtesy.
He might be dying but Yue Qingyuan is still his Sect Leader. A little respect is necessary.
And again he can hear the beast beside him let out a little chuckle. Oh this beast must be happy to see his Shizun wanting to actually die. This unfilial brat!
"Very well. This shixiong understand. But if you need something don't hesitate to asked for help. Cang Qiong Mountain will always welcome Xaio-- Shen-shidi."
"I will make sure Shizun doesn't need anything Sect Leader Yue. As this Lord will provide." The beast replied.
There it is again. The sudden tension. Heavens! Can't he die in peace? And what provide? Provide him with incense sticks?!
"I will put that in mind. Zhangmen-shixiong can also visit this Shidi (shidi's grave) when he is not busy."
After what felt like a battle, Yue Qingyuan finally excuse himself much to the delight of the beast.
"It seems our time will be disturb if we stay here longer Shizun. Shall we go now?" The beast said and offer him his arms. He accepted it much later just to appease the beast anger that is slowly surfacing since the interaction with the Sect Leader a while ago.
He sighed and resign to his fate. "Very well." His time finally came. His imminent end is near.
The walk is neither slow or fast, just a little uncomfortable because the robe is a little tight and heavy.
Finally they arrive at the room. He can't tell if it's the one he entered this morning but he preferred to be executed privately than in public actually. I guess the beast give him a little bit of mercy.
They both entered the room and the beast guide him to seat in the bed. So he will die here. Perhaps the poison will take effect now.
The quick death his anticipating never came but instead the veil is lifted and what he see first is the annoying handsome face of his disciple.
The beast might have fallen stupid by the way his looking at his face now. He looks like a fish out of the water with the way his mouth open and close and visible flush on his face. Idiot!
"Shizun looks beautiful." The beast exhaled slowly.
What? W-what? Is this torture too? Just another form?
"What?!"
The beast smiled and lean on him, nuzzling his face on his cheeks. Too close!
"I said Shizun is beautiful." The beast answered, inhaling the scent on his neck and something wet follows. What is that?!
His disciple finally look at him and smiled. "Shizun's wish is finally granted. Now this Binghe can finally say till death do us part."
What? What?! WHAT?!