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Chapter Text

Lao Dong must marry the white haired demon! For the glory of his fallen clan! 

He doesn’t know what noble bloodline they have but they must be powerful. He can see that the white hair demon wears the finest fabrics in the world! He even has a beautiful appearance; red eyes and fair white skin. 

A-ah?

When did he fall? 

And since when did the white hair demon have four arms…?

Lao Dong thinks he will feel the cold stare of the white haired demon even after his death. What noble bloodline is he even from? 

He had escaped!

Shen Yuan had finally escaped! 

After so long, he had escaped the grasp of his owners. Shen Yuan was a normal human before he got reincarnated into a damn insect! 

His owners aren’t sure what he was reincarnated to but they sure as hell liked him. They nicknamed his species Heavenly Demonic Bug. Nonsense! It’s utter nonsense! 

National Level his ass! People don’t know the pure nonsense he has seen from his owners. They have no common sense! They didn’t even question him when he gained a humanoid form!

(It was a gross process that Shen Yuan would rather not retell. That was between him and god, no one else.)

His humanoid form is a pretty thing but owner number one did not care for that! He made Shen Yuan do labor work while owner number two did nothing! They had even made him eat his fellow brethren! 

He…he had finally gone and escaped! 

Truthfully, he was fine with his owners. As much as he cursed them (still does), they kept him alive. They have called him a friend. They have fed him and given him a home. They let him do his thing as long as he returned home in one piece.

But it was the other National Levels who had a problem with him! They had a problem with him. Him! 

His owners are strong but he is enormously weak compared to them. The other National Levels would’ve planned his death and told his owners that he died tragically in some mission! And they would’ve believed them! 

His owners are idiots!!!

Escaping to another world was the best idea he has ever thought of before it was quickly thrown out the window when he discovered that the new world is scary! His Xiao Jies would be able to help him this time! 

Heavenly Demonic Bug his ass!

The thing Shen Yuan was just fighting was a true demonic creature! He even had to force his other arms to come out. It may have been too much but the demonic creature is still a demonic creature. It was so ugly. 

Shen Yuan just wants to be a normal pretty man! He may have distracting white hair but there was no need to try to kill him for it!!!

UGH!

After calming down, Shen Yuan goes to kick the demonic creature. It’s already dead.

He knows some creatures are intelligent enough to play dead but this one is definitely dead. It’s weak…or maybe Shen Yuan is just stronger?

It could be a possibility. 

Shen Yuan has arguably been the weakest in terms of strength for many years. Shen Yuan can use this as an advantage then…

If every demonic creature is weaker than him then he can do whatever he wants! He can make them submissive under him. He can kill them. He can eat this flesh and bones to grow stronger. Shen Yuan can do whatever he wants.

“It's the law of nature. Only the strongest survive and the weak perish. If you are this weak then being alive is a blessing in itself. Remember that Bai Bao.”

Owner number one and two, Shen Yuan can finally be strong. Bai Bao is strong without you two! 

Watch this Bai Bao! 

Shen Yuan doesn’t like it here.

He hasn’t found human civilization anywhere! Granted he’s only been looking for it for a day but Shen Yuan isn’t that weak to not find a single human. Besides, his collar could feed him until he finds civilization.

It's just that demonic creatures are practically crawling everywhere.

Maybe all the humans are gone. Maybe humanity didn’t survive the invasion of demonic creatures…

Hmph!

No way! Humanity wouldn’t fall by the filthy hands of some demonic creatures. Especially not when there are humans that are capable of disasters! There are mothers who can lift up cars, there are men that can sacrifice their limbs to survive, there are children that can and will find government secrets for fun. 

Humans, once given the chance, won’t live pitifully. Some may be crazy, some may have irrational optimism, and some may be completely normal, but humans won’t settle for anything but the best for them. Like hell they will let a world be taken over by demonic creatures! 

He has seen humans eat nearly anything. He has seen them withstand an unimaginable amount of damage and pain while continuing to fight so they live another day. Humanity isn’t that weak to lose against demonic shits! Humanity has faced challenges that ultimately shape them into what they become.

Why would they lose in the first place when they’re so damn stubborn? 

And that’s coming from a former human.

Shen Yuan was a weak thing as a human but he managed to pass one of the hardest university exams. He did it just because he could. He wanted to prove a point and he did. If someone like him could pass then what is stopping others? 

He was someone who read novels all day and didn’t study and yet passed his exams. He was someone who didn’t exercise and yet he remained healthy (for the most part). He was someone who was considered lazy by his family and was still considered as an elite to the outside world.

If someone like him could do that, then imagine the hard workers. The humans who have done something with their lives instead of wasting it, they would not stand still and let their world fall. They would not let the world crumble without a trace of their existence.

Shen Yuan refuses to acknowledge a world without stubborn humans.

Chapter Text

A part of Cao Ting’s mind recognises that the man in front of her is something dangerous. Something more than human, something terrifying.

She knew that if she tried to run she would find no escape. Not even death would save her if she dares to try.

She knows she can’t be scared of the man who saved her and her escorts.

They were in a tight spot before the man with white hair saved the day. It wasn’t the nice relief one would expect from being saved but a terrifying mess.

The demon before wasn’t as scary as the man in front of her. 

The man is…polite, she supposes. He doesn’t talk much, quietly accepting the reward (including a change of robes) she gave out for protecting her. All he really asked as a favor was to be escorted to the nearest town.

The more she looks at him, the more the man resembles a white dragon in a human form. The man has long nails not unlike the nailguards that some noble women wear. The man has long beautiful hair that shines brightly when the sun hits it. He has deep red eyes, an uncommon color, they look like rubies. 

She knows tales about dragons that can change into different forms, even humans if they desire. 

White on a dragon is associated with purity and virtue, upholding morals and integrity. But the color itself symbolizes mourning and mortality; an omen of death. 

She hopes that tales of the white dragon are true.

She doesn’t want to die yet.

Shen Yuan didn’t know what in Nine Realms of Hell he just walked into. All he knows is that he saved a group of humans that have absolutely nothing to do with him.

At least he found some humans. 

Apparently he was far far away from human civilization.

(He was right that the human race would not die under the hands of demonic shits. Of course, no stubborn humans would.)

It does explain why he saw so many damn demonic shits running around instead of humans. The lady he saved kindly gave him some money—gold, he assumes by the look of it—and a change of clothes.

There’s always nice humans, you just have to look for them. Or stumble upon them, in this case.

She didn’t say anything about his appearance (and neither did her bodyguards), so at least he’s fine in that department. Shen Yuan would be heartbroken if he was going to be targeted again. 

Shen Yuan’s existence is strange as it is.

From being born as an unidentified creature to being owned by two National Level people, his birth is clearly strange. 

Not to mention his ability. 

Shen Yuan often compared himself to Kirby when he was younger. He lost that comparison in later years on his more grotesque discoveries.

But enough of his sad discoveries, like the video game character in his past life, he can gain the properties of anything he eats. 

An example would be his distracting white hair and also his eyes now that he thinks about it.

He didn’t have white hair in the beginning. Actually he didn’t even have hair! He was a damn insect! But when he actually gained humanoid form he had black hair and brown eyes. Just like how he looked in his past life.

He was rather sentimental about his looks before owner number two decided to go leave behind and be trapped. A trap surrounded by white snakes! He still blames owner number two for leaving him behind even when he already found out that the snakes were rather harmless. He thought he was going to die! But anyways. 

He gained his white hair and red snake-like eyes that day by eating them before they could do the same to him. 

Shen Yuan could never turn his hair black again because no amount of ‘food’ he ate was comparable to the white snakes. He was trapped there for a long time so understandable. 

His new appearance is nice to look at so he’s not that mad about it. He’s glad that no one in this world is going to target him for his looks. Ancient times were superstitious.

“Say goodbye to….” It’s time to go!

The lady was older than him so…

“Furen, Xiansheng.” He doesn’t mind the surprised look on the older man's face. Most people don’t think he has manners either. 

He’s more worried about where in the world he’s going to sleep. He’s currently homeless. At least the kind lady gave him some money.

The clothes are nice too.

Shen Yuan thinks he knows a home when he sees one.

The red-light district has always been a place where he escaped from his owners. It had been times where owner number one found him and dragged him out the sheets with nothing on but a nightgown.

Shen Yuan likes the comfort of women there. They liked him and he liked them back. They often complimented his clothes, did his hair or just messed around having fun. They encouraged to plan his death and go far away where no one could find him. They said that one day he didn’t return to them, they would celebrate that he ‘escaped’ no matter what form.

It’s odd seeing the red-light district look so lively. He knows some red-light districts are popular but the ones he usually went to were more relaxed. 

He has learned from his Xiao Jies that the past and modern views of them are quite different. They said that both courtesans and clients were well-respected members of society unlike the modern age who viewed people as immoral for visiting such prostitutes. He doesn’t know whether to believe that or not but he thinks it’s true seeing as all these people in the district seem so proper.

Mmm.

He wonders if these sisters of this world will also like his clothes as he takes a seat in an establishment most people would consider scandalous. Time to find out then.

People take notice when a new face arrives in places like these. Especially a beautiful man like the one in white robes. 

Brilliant white hair and eyes red like rubies. 

They wonder who he is.

They watch as their fellow patron gets surrounded by courtesans of various beauties and ages. The man is not surprised at their appearance, so he’s not new at places like these.

They hope to make friends with him. It’s always nice getting along with other patrons. Making connections is always wonderful too.

Oh dear.

Shen Yuan just missed a bullet. He doesn’t want to be served by someone younger than 20. Some of those ladies at that establishment looked like they were teenagers or barely pushing as an adult. Whatever circumstances they have, Shen Yuan doesn’t know. A job is a job. 

Xue Xiang ended up being the one to serve him. She’s an older woman (compared to the other ladies), likely in her mid twenties. She’s nice, she complimented his hair. Honestly, who wouldn’t?

Shen Yuan will return again.

He likes her so far.

If she likes him back along with other ladies, then he’ll have another group of Xiao Jies again. He hopes his past ones are doing well. Knowing them, they’re rejoicing over his planned escape! He misses them.

Bai Bao is doing fine, Xiao Jies. He wants to tell them. 

No one is here to order him around like his owners and no one wants his head. Yet.

Anyways, time to explore and make some money! 

The kind lady’s money won’t last that long! And Shen Yuan is a working class citizen from this point onwards. 

Chapter Text

Madam Lu is used to seeing men (and women occasionally) of all statuses and ages come into her Leisure Pavilion. 

Cultivators are not often the type to enter. They see her girls as below them despite her girls being high-end courtesans including being well learned. Some of them have married wealthy men and few have even entered the imperial family. 

Someone like the white haired cultivator is uncommon to be entering through her doors yet he walked in without a care in the world. He possesses beauty that can charm others like some cultivators, some claim. 

She knew he would be a high paying client so she sent a few of her girls to see what he likes. In the end, Xue Xiang was the one who accompanied him.

Xue Xiang is one of her girls that deal with haughty officials and others alike. She reported that the client calls himself Bai Bao and does not seek any sexual intimacy. He only asks for Xue Xiang musical talents and her opinions on certain matters.

Bai Bao must have liked the services provided by Xue Xiang because he visits regularly. He often calls for Xue Xiang to entertain him. If not, he calls on her other girls like Xue Xiang who are talented with their instruments.

And like Xue Xiang, her other girls also report back to her about Bai Bao. He has become quite popular with her girls but even so there isn’t much information about him. Bai Bao barely ever says anything about himself, only offhandedly saying something.

But she hears her girls’ clients whisper as he walks by, calling him a ruthless master whose skills can’t be described. Clients say that he was either in seclusion for a long time or he is a rogue cultivator that is just particularly powerful in taking down bandits. They would be wrong about the former.

Bai Bao is not officially an adult yet. He hasn’t spent years in seclusion to become an immortal. This person complains especially about his two immortal masters (that he firmly dislikes) running him about everywhere since he was a child—bringing about his age in that particular conversation.

Her clients were also half wrong about Bai Bao being a rouge cultivator because even rouge cultivators aren’t so idle like Bai Bao. He spends most of time with her girls at her Leisure Pavilion. That is a fact, an observation.

Bai Bao is just a free spirit, with no true aspirations. He earns as much money as he spends. 

As far as she is concerned, Bai Bao is a well paying client. It doesn’t matter if he was truly a ruthless ‘master’ outside of her establishment. She doesn’t necessarily care for his affiliations either. He pays and her girls provide their services without fail. 

He vaguely reminds her of one of her sister's high paying clients at the Warm Red Pavilion. What was his name again?

Never mind that, she must keep Bai Bao visiting her establishment like her sisters over at the Warm Red Pavilion. They can’t show her up.

Ah, my clothes are ruined.

A-Xiang liked them too.

There goes another robe of his. This one was pretty too, much like the other ones. What a waste.

Hunting down criminals is such a pain. Being a normal working class citizen is hard when you don’t know anything. Shen Yuan is only good for three things: being pretty, lazy, and hunting and killing. Four things, he corrects.

Shen Yuan sighs. 

He has to earn money somehow. 

The fault is on him this time, he wrongly assumed that his pretty threads would stop so much blood from spilling once he captured criminals compared to using his hands. Guess not.

He retracts his threads, trying not to stir up the criminals awake. 

He should make these petty criminals wake up and take a beating for doing this. It wouldn’t be the most ethical choice, but it sure would be satisfying. Tsk.

Shen Yuan had gained his pretty threads when he ate a nest of spiders. They produced threads even at the verge of death to try to kill him. Didn’t work out well for them. They only wasted the energy of their huge bodies. Shen Yuan simply used their threads against them, using up his energy instead. 

The only consequence of this ability is that he quickly gets hungry, even if he has eaten beforehand. And he is craving for some food now.

Shen Yuan glances down at the criminals' unconscious bodies. Maybe, he shouldn’t do that. There are some great sources of nutrition, like the Golden Teahouse’s food.

He has to get money first from the bounty of these criminals, though. Then he has to get new clothes, because his clothes are dirty. Who likes eating food while covered in gross shit? Not him.

The Golden Teahouse’s food can wait.

“Shopkeeper, I need a new robe.” Shopkeeper Liu's store has been his favorite place to replace (and wash) his robes. The man is super nice too.

“Again, Xiansheng?” He’s also exasperated at Bai Bao’s antics of staining everything red! Bai Bao has done nothing wrong to deserve that level of exasperation.

“You make it sound like I do this everyday.” Shen Yuan checks out the new robes on display. Very pretty, he would praise Shopkeeper Liu but that would feed the man’s ego. Shen Yuan is already practically keeping the man’s shop in business (and other expensive hobbies available). 

Shen Yuan feels a stare burning through his blood soak robes. That’s none of his business.

Finally choosing three new sets of robes, he asks, “So how’s business been doing?” He knows the robes won’t last for very long, but they will do for now. 

Shopkeeper Liu huffs at his question. Rude. “Greater than ever. You attract a lot of customers for me, Xiansheng.”

Bai Bao has, truly. A-Xiang asked about his robes once and where he got them. Apparently word spread about where Bai Bao got his clothes from.

“That’s nice.” Shen Yuan hands over his precious hard earned money. The guards always say he should enlist so he can have a stable income. What nice people, but no thank you. Nope. 

Shopkeeper Liu counts over his money because Bai Bao supposedly can’t be trusted to know how much everything is. Which again, rude. Shen Yuan can count just fine. 

Shopkeeper Liu decides Bai Bao has handed over the correct amount because he continues their small talk. “How about you? You’re not fooling around with those women over there as much.”

Those women that Shopkeeper Liu refers to are the Xiao Jies from the Leisure Pavilion. 

“Fooling around? You’ll hurt their feelings with those words, Shopkeeper Liu!” They wouldn’t. They couldn't care less about what people said about them, unless it significantly harmed their wallets. 

“Hmph.” Shen Yuan walks down to the door, putting his new clothes in a qiankun pouch. His collar could do the same but that would attract unneeded attention. That needs to stay invisible. 

“Good day, Xiansheng.” 

“You too, Shopkeeper Liu.” He waves the man goodbye, heading for the Golden Teahouse’s food. 

Multiple gorgeously dressed courtesans are enjoying themselves in the same room as Bai Bao. The white haired client, essentially, pays them to laze around and talk to him. Sometimes they play music for him or something similar. Nothing too daunting. 

Bai Bao is currently braiding Xue Xiang’s hair, for no other apparent reason but to play. The other ladies are chatting about, enjoying themselves as they eat some of the food Bai Bao had given them before. They quietly listen to the conversation of the latter two, as they do this. 

“Could you help?” Xue Xiang asks, after explaining the situation of Madam Lu’s request for the man. It wasn’t much of a difficult request, but rather tedious. 

“What is my Xiao Jie willing to give?” Bai Bao asks, trying to be serious yet his face is fighting off a grin from surfacing. 

Sometimes Bai Bao feels like an older brother. Like a playful older brother who doesn’t know how to act serious around his younger siblings. None of the courtesans will ever say it to his face though. 

“A new ribbon to match your eyes.” Usually, it’s Bai Bao bringing in gifts and trinkets for them, not the other way around. They think Bai Bao would like the gesture, but he shakes his head at this. Although, his smile still remains on his face.

“No need. I was joking, of course I will help them.”

The smile on Xue Xiang's face is comparable to that of the sun’s intense light. “I will inform Madam Lu to write a letter then.”

Bai Bao finishes up the braid at that, leaving the ladies glancing at the complicated braid. 

“And I’ll be sure to complete this request with the utmost importance.”

The Warm Red Pavilion is a popular place to visit.

There isn’t a secret that most patrons and other customers are high profile individuals. No one says a word, continuing to enjoy themselves without disturbing anyone. 

But there are a few people that don’t follow that.

Shen Qingqiu is one of those. Indirectly.

From what most people can tell, he’s quite the hated individual by his martial siblings. It was a few years back when the man was barely an adult when it all started. A rumored lecherous young man seeking comfort in women that aren’t his wives. 

Frankly speaking, some people that come to places like Warm Red Pavilion aren’t exactly faithful. They don’t care whether Shen Qingqiu seeks out women that aren’t his wives. They would be hypocrites to do so. 

They don’t understand why Shen Qingqiu is so hated, when the rest of them are government officials or something similar. Who cares if the man is supposed to be a future immortal master, he’s still a mortal man. He seeks companionship like the rest of them. 

(It is also not a secret that Shen Qingqiu is also quite favored by the Warm Red Pavilion women. They applaud the man for his skills.)

It isn’t hard to notice that another person that has the same air to disturb others. 

A beautiful man with white hair and ruby-like eyes. Powerful too, by the way he walks. They hope that he isn’t so aloof like Shen Qingqiu. Everyone wants to get along inside the Warm Red Pavilion (the outside is a different story).

They subtly watch as the man calls for the Madam. The woman looks him over and calls one of her flowers telling something to her. The flower leaves.

They continue to observe the man's pretty face, their faces red from the alcohol they drank. A young master, huh? They wonder what family the man comes from to have a good appearance.

The flower that the Madam called came back with Shen Qingqiu. Of course.

The man is here to berate Shen Qingqiu right in front of everyone. Great. These people never seem to let go of this man. 

“This one has given the honor to deliver this letter from Madam Lu.” He has such a nice voice too. Too bad it would be wasted, giving a lecture about propriety in a brothel of all places. You think some people would not try to humiliate a fellow associate, therefore the entire association in the long run. 

The man gives a simple bow to Shen Qingqiu, saying, “But if I may say, you are a dazzling man, Shen-xiansheng.”

That is…not what they were expecting and certainly wasn’t what Shen Qingqiu either judging by his expression.

An outright compliment is rare for Shen Qingqiu, especially from a man. Some of them do have a good opinion or neutral stance on Shen Qingqiu’s character. The man himself doesn’t cause much trouble, that was other people. They can tolerate it because he has a good face (and would like some advice for certain skills). 

Some of them even swear that they would start a fight against the next person who tries to berate Shen Qingqiu in front of them. They rarely do, of course, most of the people that come to harass Shen Qingqiu are cultivators. On the off chance that they weren’t, they would send the person out of the establishment. This wasn’t out of the goodness of their heart, but rather to get rid of nuisance.

Giving a compliment to Shen Qingqiu…the white haired man is rather shameless, isn’t he? At least, he isn’t here to berate Shen Qingqiu—they have had enough of that sort of thing. Who likes hearing such talk in a place of pleasure and fun? 

Shen Qingqiu just looks like he doesn't know how to deal with the shameless man. Experienced with women, not men, it seems. They try not to laugh at their fellow patron’s face, lest they want the ire of the man. 

Chapter Text

If Shen Yuan was any younger and immature he would have likely thrown hands with Shen Qingqiu. If he was still twenty years of age like in his first life, he would’ve kicked Shen Qingqiu’s ass with all the hate he could muster for a person. Which is a lot, surprisingly. He doesn’t really know where he stores all those feelings, really. 

Ignoring that, he knows he is a responsible adult that can work with others just fine and well. He liked living, thank you. He wouldn’t have made it this far in life if he acted without manners. Forget that he’s in a less than appropriate piece of work! That is an existential crisis for future Shen Yuan to worry about. He has a job he has to fulfill with Shen Qingqiu.

Madam Lu has requested him to help Shen Qingqiu discover the cause of disappearances of the young women around the Warm Red Pavilion. The Madam of the place apparently knew of him and his spoiled nature with the young ladies in the occupation, though he isn’t quite sure how that sort of information got around this far. 

Apparently, that lone reason means he is a good enough person for the Warm Red Pavilion’s Madam. That and the other nearby sects won’t do anything because the young women are either prostitutes or common women. 

Shen Qingqiu had been a fictional character that he (along with others) demanded for his dick to be chopped off. It was a whole thing, if he remembers right. He hated the guy, sure, but he hates people who willingly ignore the pleas of innocents more. And especially if it concerns the livelihood of young women. 

He had a little sister once. He adored her, loved her to bits. He had plenty of female figures in his life too. He wouldn’t like it if they were in this sort of situation. 

He will tolerate Shen Qingqiu for now, if just to get the job done quickly. That doesn’t make him less annoying to deal with, though. If he has to deal with this problem, then he will make a problem for the other party too. 

Shen Qingqiu, from what he barely remembers, absolutely hates nice people. He’ll just have to suck it up with the nicest Shen Yuan will act as in years. Annoyingly and disgustingly nice to the point where he will question if Bai Bao is okay in the head. There are worse in the world and this certainly isn’t going to kill the guy. 

“We will conduct an investigation separately, understand?” He speaks as if Shen Yuan were a child, but he smiles despite that. 

“Yes, Shen-xiansheng. We will return back here in a shichen, correct?” Shen Qingqiu curtly nods, turning the opposite way of his direction. Rude much.

He decides to do the same and walk off, pondering how he should go about his investigation. The current situation given by the Warm Red Pavilion’s Madam goes as follows: low courtesans and women have been targeted. All are relatively young, the oldest sitting at twenty-five and youngest at fifteen. They disappeared at random times, although it is noted that they were alone during their disappearance. None have any conflicts that would warrant this, the courtesans at least. She couldn’t speak of the young women outside of her circle. 

Since none of their bodies turn up, their deaths are not still not confirmed. He certainly hopes not but he does not let himself expect the best. With situations like these, it’s best not to have high hopes. 

He closes his eyes for a moment, letting his mana gravitate over the area of the town. Hm. 

Nothing demonic in nature. 

He knows how the general feel of demonic creatures, of their horrid stench, of their terrible energy, of their everything. This world’s demonic monsters and beasts may differ, but he can still feel their nature regardless. Their revolting nature couldn’t hide. 

He opens his eyes again. The disappearances of the young women are not caused by demonic creatures then. He can’t even sense the slightest of them even outside the boundaries of the town. 

If there is not a single trace of demonic activity, then that leaves one likely choice. This is the activity of humans, whether they are normal humans or not is undetermined. He isn’t quite specialized in that particular field. There were cautions regarding his being, especially against his intelligence, and no one really wanted to let a flower bloom that could overpower them. 

With this mind, he heads towards the places where information is gathered. If anything, humans always liked gossiping and talking. Inns and tea houses are such places. 

Seeing a particular popular one, he walks in knowing the interested glances his way. With all the confidence in the world, he walks up to a table. 

“Would you gentlemen mind sharing your table?” The man in green flushes, his friend elbowing him. 

“Not at all.” The friend says, smiling at him. He takes a seat, flipping his white hair to the side. 

“Thank you.” His eyes curve, his hair reflecting how bright of a person he is. He can already tell these people are much more personable than a certain someone he is acquainted with. 

Shen Yuan mulls over the information freely given to him by the men. The disappearances aren’t a major concern for most of the people, they explained. There had been an influx of cultivators around and they would get to the issue sooner or later if the situation got worse. No one was found dead, after all. The men had been more interested and concerned with the local lord’s daughter’s festivities, saying that there would be more merchants coming to the town. 

The women, however, are clearly more concerned. Seeing as how fewer women are roaming in the market in daylight, he could guess they didn’t want to particularly find themselves in a situation that could prove deadly for them. Lingering around certain stalls and shops, he listens as the  few women that are running errands are warning the lone women to watch out and to keep someone with them. 

It’s a rather open and shut case in his mind. 

He hums as he passes through the market, watching for any unusual activity. None catch his eye, except maybe a couple heading down an alley. In broad light no less, some people have no shame. 

Seeing Shen Qingqiu up ahead, he swiftly makes his way over. For someone of his nature, he certainly looks like an elegant and polite young gentleman. With an appearance like that, he wonders how he turned up so horrible in the novel. 

“Shen-xiansheng, how has it been on your end?” He asks, a pleasant expression on his face. 

Shen Qingqiu glances at him, looking away as he answers his question. “Nothing much of importance. The women have no personal connection to each other and have no similar appearances.” Oh? He hadn’t really thought about connections or similarities in appearances. 

This just confirmed these are likely opportunistic kidnappings than anything else. 

“Did your investigation find anything of significance?” 

Ignoring the other’s tone, he replies, “This Bai Bao found a lack of demonic qi, not even in the most recent disappearance.” 

“This one is surprised that Bai-gongzi has the ability to detect demonic qi after a long period. Would he specialize in detecting demonic qi?” Shen Yuan blinks at the questioning, refraining from frowning. Is that really what he should be focusing on? 

“This humble one’s teachers taught him to trace even the smallest amount of demonic qi and find its source. Given this, I can only conclude that this is the work of men.” He redirects, his finger twirling his white hair. 

Shen Qingqiu has an odd look in his eyes for a moment—a look he would later compare to a black hole: all-consuming and shrouded in darkness. 

“Slave handlers, is that right Bai-gongzi.” He doesn’t phrase it as a question, rather a confirmation. Shen Yuan wouldn’t call them by that specific term, but essentially yes. 

He nods. “Likely.” 

Slavery is rather commonplace in this time period, nonfictional world or not. Even so, there are laws regarding legal slavery. This isn’t the sort of matter where cultivators and the alike involve themselves with. This is something that would be handled by the magistrate’s office or something. However Shen Yuan is disinclined to leave such a matter to be resolved by them when it took this long. 

“Will you continue with this mission Shen-xiansheng?”

Shen Qingqiu sends him a glare before retorting. “Of course. Will Bai-gongzi be departing?”

“Oh no. Do you think of me as such a person who leaves behind young ladies in danger, Shen-xiansheng?” He doesn’t expect an answer from the rhetorical question but it does sting when there is no response. “Do you have a plan in mind then?” 

Although Shen Yuan could in theory track them down, the ladies are nothing more than civilians. He couldn’t distinguish them from the rest of the townspeople. 

For a moment, Shen Qingqiu's dark eyes land on him again. He almost feels like he’s prey in front of a predator, strangely enough. He is almost always the exact opposite. He doesn’t have the slightest clue what goes up in Shen Qingqiu’s head to make his instincts feel that way. 

“I do, in fact.”

Shen Yuan tilts his head to the side, stopping his finger from twisting his hair. 

“Bai-gongzi, would you mind acting as bait?”

What?!

“What?” He asks, his smile finally slipping from his face. 

When the madams had requested his help, he hadn’t expected to play dress up as if he were a child playing with dolls. He hasn’t done such a thing since his first life with his little sister, unless you could count the few times he played around with demonic creatures in a warzone. 

He looks at himself in the bronze mirror, the odd reflection smiling at him without a care in the world. 

The mirror reflects an impressionable young maiden. Hair braided with flower accessories and face painted with soft pinks and reds, he certainly looks like a maiden who has suitors falling over themselves to receive a glance of hers. Very pretty but still odd looking. 

Although he looks odd, he isn’t the strangest thing in the room. Over in the corner is also a beautiful woman in blue robes. Elegant features and disposition, she is someone who people would have to war for. If it weren't for the fact that is Shen Qingqiu, he would’ve asked if she was available because such a woman cannot be single. 

“This isn’t what I had in mind, Shen-xiansheng. But I won't complain, we look great.” He can’t really say he feels uncomfortable either. His new clothes are of great quality, the pink matches well with the accessories. He commends the shop owner for picking well. 

“It would be pointless if we didn’t attract attention from the abductors.” Shen Yuan stares for a moment, then smiles, too bright and too quick. He resembles the bait he is expected to act all too well. 

“This guniang will make sure to perform to the best of her abilities.” 

“Seeing as how the plan is largely reliant on your success, you are to do so.” The smile reaches his eyes, something he was sure was improbable. Really, how is this the same man who caused his own demise by trying to go against the heavens? He doesn’t look the part, even more with what he looks like right now. 

But with the Trojan horse plan he came up with, he certainly has the potential to. It is quite the disappointment knowing the future that lies ahead for the man in front of him. But for the moment, he looks forward to seeing the kidnappers' reactions to being played for fools by a pair of young men just out of their teens. He may even get a bite out of it. 

Chapter Text

Laughter rings out, soft and rich. 

“Don’t be silly, A-Jie. I’m sure you’re strong to keep this mistress safe!” Shen Yuan says in a tone that conveys how the sun rises in the east. His voice is higher than usual, but it’s enough to convince any passerby at first glance that he is a young maiden. 

“Guniang is the one being ridiculous. The sun has already set and you still want to play.” Shen Qingqiu’s voice hasn’t changed much as it is rather indistinguishable from male or female. He certainly has a perfect body for a spy too. 

For the most part, they had walked around the town. His role as a blind young mistress mainly consisted of listening to storytellers, eating street food and drinking tea. In short, playing. ‘Her’ guard followed behind quietly but sometimes made complaints in the meanwhile. 

Shen Yuan almost finds it fun to listen to the small changes in the other’s tone. He’s sure if he had his eyes open the most amusing part would be the subtle twitches or shifts in the other’s expression. 

They have made themselves easy targets, at least he has. 

And currently they are in the perfect position for a kidnapping. The roads are devoid of people, the dull sound of night settling in. Two women alone, one blind and the other seemingly mortal despite the sword she wields. Human men tend to look down on women, consciously or subconsciously. 

It is not much of a surprise when he hears the sounds of weapons withdrawing from their scabbards. 

“Stay behind me, Guniang.” The weight of multiple eyes lays heavy. Disgusting. 

“What’s happening A-Jie?” He asks, a nervous tone in his voice. 

A clash of swords rings loudly in his ears. Ugh, could they go a little further away from him? 

“A-Jie?!” His acting is amazing, phenomenal. So great in fact he is already snatched away from his guard. The wind feels terrible with how it blows his hair directly in his face with all his hair accessories falling off. 

He almost his urge to stab the kidnapper’s head instead opting to let his annoyance be known. “Let go of me you lout!” The kidnapper’s firm grip didn’t budge as he tries squirming his way out. “Once my guard comes you'll regret this!” He yells, sounding every bit like a spoiled princess. 

The kidnapper doesn’t let him go, only tightening his grip on his waist. Bastard. At least Shen Yuan has accomplished one of his goals. 

“I am the young lady of the Shen family! How dare you keep me here!” He could easily get of the restrains the kidnappers have put on. 

A guard opens the door, stepping into the room just a short distance from him. “Quiet down. No one is coming for you.” A solemn tone in his tone. Gross. 

“What do you mean by that?” He asks, making sure there is a noticeable tremble throughout his body.

“No one will find you stupid woman.” Says another voice behind the door, irritated. 

Is that asshole really threatening him? 

For a moment, he feels the urge to put down the man but keeps quiet. The kidnapper goes back to his post, closing the door as if being considerate to the women inside. 

He thinks over the interactions he has so far. The kidnappers are composed, even as Guniang screamed of her family finding her. Did they think they had the man power for such a thing?

Overconfidence would be their downfall. By now, with his help luring out enforcements to silence his ‘guard’ in hopes of stopping ‘her’ reporting back, Shen Qingqiu should be eliminating some of the kidnappers sent out for him. Soon he should be extracting information from them and be on his way to the kidnappers’ strange hideout. With most of the kidnappers focusing on Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan has to deal with the few remaining with the young women. 

The place doesn’t seem grand, though it does have some kind of weird vibe. The women, especially. They all look drained, as if their souls were sucked out. Not distressed or angry, nothing of that sort. But strangely, they don’t appear to have the tell-tale signs of starvation or dehydration. 

Scooching his way over, he calls out, “Miss.” The young woman turns to him, not saying a word. “Are all the people who were captured here?”

“…no.”

Not ideal but he could have to make do with it. 

There are only two guards on standby that he knows of. They haven’t changed spots yet, confirming that they have indeed sent some of their forces to Shen Qingqiu. 

Deciding this rather the best time to act, he allows his pretty threads to come to work. His pretty threads spun around the women, like a cocoon of safety for them to be protected and cared for until they emerged beautiful and strong. 

His body shifts, a series of cracks and hisses bounce off in waves. 

He opens his mouth and screams.

The door predictably swings open, the kidnappers eyeing the creature in front of them. Or at least half of the creature. A tail so long and considerable in size, it could crush them in one fell swoop. 

Hisses come from above. 

Their eyes slowly trail upwards. Something grotesque moved on the creature’s head, hissing at them. Dozens of condemning eyes stare back at them. 

Snakes. 

This form is terribly inconvenient. Not only has he a considerable height, he is also significantly slower than if he used his more humanoid appearance. 

He could have used his natural strength in that form but what was the fun in that? He thought he would be much more fun terrorizing these failures of humankind in this snake-like appearance. Evidently not. 

Shen Yuan had come up with the realization that these people weren’t seeing him as a threat, as something to be feared sometime between the fourth or fifth kidnappers. Not even those criminals he helped capture saw him a threat—they weren’t underestimating him just because he was pretty. Well. That could have helped too. But the large extent of it is due to one of his passive abilities. 

It was a rather useless ability back in his old world. Anyone weaker wouldn’t see him as a threat no matter what he did and would continue treating him as any normal person. It did nothing to those stronger than him, which was the majority of the people around him. Damn National Levels, they could see through illusions. 

There are ways to bypass this ability but the kidnappers clearly didn’t have the capabilities to see through the mask. They didn’t think of him as dangerous even as they were flanged to the wall. They don’t even appreciate how horrifically beautiful he is. 

Still, there are a lot more kidnappers than he expected. With this many people, Shen Yuan is almost disappointed with how their organized crime has fallen apart so easily. Humans can be stubborn once they taste a small level of power. 

What’s more there is something pulling at his mana, clinging onto him like an overly obsessive lover. He can nearly imagine a person clinging to his torn skirt as they call his name over and over, begging him to not leave them and stay with them forever. Okay.

Maybe that is too much even for him. 

Curious, though likely a bad idea, he follows the tug. The kidnappers aren’t a good hunt by themselves. This seems much more enlightening. What are they hiding here? What could cause them to capture women? What is their purpose for doing all this? 

Slithering for a good while he notices the tug pulling him stronger. 

A door stands his way, ominous. He hears no noise beyond the door. Strange. Is there nobody guarding this part of the building? 

He smiles at the stupidity of the kidnappers, pretending not to hear the imaginary scolding of his owners. 

Slamming the door open, he blankly stares at the scene he has interrupted. 

A woman lays next to a strange object and evidently this is the thing that makes the other kidnapped woman so listless. He would be a fool not to realize as the object begins pulling his own mana.

The kidnappers, seeing him, draw their weapons but quickly turn around as they all hear a clear crack echo through the room. 

Shen Yuan in turn kneels over, legs suddenly appearing and hair falling over. In a last ditch effort, he throws over the largest shield he can make of his pretty threads to protect the vulnerable woman. The ache in his stomach makes it clear this is not appreciated but the continuous sound of something breaking finally comes to end. 

“Shit.” He says, a dull tone in his voice. An equal sentiment also in the kidnappers’ minds.

That doesn’t seem to bode well for them. 

However, it is already too late, a rush of his own mana comes pouring out. His head slams against the floor, hearing the sound of the kidnappers also falling. 

This would be a good time for Shen Qingqiu to show up by now. Asshole.