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They’re hunting Malevolent Flame Bison, because Shen Qingqiu had asked Luo Binghe if they could, and Binghe knows full well that he is loath to deny his Shizun anything. Just the thought of doing so has Binghe’s features darkening (if only for a moment).
Calming himself, Binghe turns to observe Shen Qingqiu.
Shizun looks gorgeous like this—there’s a barely-noticeable sheen of sweat on his skin that makes Binghe want to lick his cheeks. Binghe flushes and shakes off the indecent thought. He must focus on the task at hand. They’ve been tracking the herd for some time now, and have reached their grazing spot. It’s within the Borderlands, which means they need to tread carefully.
Well. Not that Luo Binghe needs to worry about treading carefully. It has been months since he last got injured badly enough to describe the wound as an ‘injury’, and even that healed within a minute. Licking his lips, Binghe places a hand on the small of his Shizun’s back.
“Shizun,” he says in a low voice. Next to him, Shen Qingqiu gives the subtlest of shivers. This pleases Luo Binghe, as do all of his Shizun’s many little reactions.
“Yes, Binghe?” Shen Qingqiu replies, casting a glance towards his disciple. Luo Binghe smiles, sliding a hand onto the small of his Shizun’s back. This time, Shen Qingqiu’s tiny shiver develops into a more noticeable shudder.
Binghe leans over until his mouth hovers next to Shen Qingqiu’s ear. His lips are so close to Shizun’s ear that he could kiss the shell if he moved any closer.
Luo Binghe restrains himself.
“Let’s wait until the herd is gathered by that tree. It’s a Decadent Firewood Peach tree, right?” Binghe asks, his hand slowly moving until it’s curled around Shen Qingqiu’s waist. His Shizun nods, just barely perceptibly, and remains motionless. His shoulders have gone rigid with tension. Binghe just grins.
Sure enough, after one incense time, the Malevolent Flame Bison herd moves over to the peach tree. They begin to grab the peaches off the tree, crunching the fruits with their powerful jaws. Though the peaches might be delicious to the Malevolent Flame Bison, humans and cultivators can’t eat them due to their wooden consistency. In fact, Luo Binghe thinks, Malevolent Flame Bison are the only creatures that consume Decadent Firewood Peaches in this way. Cultivators normally use the peaches for—well, firewood. That is, if they can obtain them.
Decadent Firewood Peaches were notorious for being incredibly difficult to acquire. Naturally, this was because of the Malevolent Flame Bison. Standing at over eight feet tall, the bison could breathe fire and had flaming manes that would burn humans to a crisp on contact.
Normally, creatures like this are stupidly easy for Luo Binghe to take down. He is the Heavenly Demon King, after all. However, Binghe’s priority this trip is not to kill all of the Malevolent Flame Bison, but to slaughter a single bison. They will take it back to Qing Jing peak for Shen Qingqiu to analyse further.
Ever since Shen Qingqiu made a breakthrough in attempting to invent an item that would reduce the likelihood of a qi deviation, he has been begging Luo Binghe to assist him in finding creatures that may hold the key to refining his creation.
Shen Qingqiu has narrowed the required components to a small list of creatures. As his Shizun’s husband, Luo Binghe has taken it upon himself to assist Shen Qingqiu in hunting some of the creatures in order to figure out which one will complete Shen Qingqiu’s device the best.
It is a little amulet, no bigger than the pad of his thumb, but requires a ground powder of sorts to function as Shen Qingqiu intends. Though it is cruel to hunt bisons merely for their horns, Malevolent Flame Bison are incredibly dangerous, and measures to cull their numbers must be taken regardless of whether their horns are harvested or not.
For this reason, his squishy mantou of a husband does not mind hunting the Malevolent Flame Bison as much as, say, an Oscillating Wind Deer, which is about as dangerous as Shen Qingqiu when he’s asleep, and has the personality of a chortling infant.
Binghe finds his gaze softening as he looks upon his husband, whose eyes look a little tight around the corners. Aiyah, Luo Binghe thinks. Even after I have reassured you time and time again that the bisons will be killed regardless, you still make that face.
Luo Binghe tugs Shen Qingqiu into his side, a deep and intense fondness overcoming him without warning. “Husband,” Luo Binghe breathes, “do not look so pitiful. I chose this herd because it razed a village to the ground just a week ago,” Binghe coaxes, thumb rubbing soothingly over Shen Qingqiu’s clothed waist.
His Shizun inhales sharply, and though there is a soft dusting of pink on his jade-white cheeks, he still manages to look disgruntled. “Who’s pitiful?!” he snaps, fan covering his mouth as he averts his eyes. Though Luo Binghe is certain that Shen Qingqiu does not mean it to be so, the sequence of actions is rather coquettish.
Binghe steels himself, breathing deeply. Now isn’t the time to push his Shizun to the ground and have his way with him, as much as Binghe would like to do so. If they wait for too long, the Malevolent Flame Bisons will finish plucking the Decadent Firewood Peach tree of its fruit and move location.
Finally getting a hold of himself, Luo Binghe takes a slight step to the side. Best not to tempt myself, he thinks, removing his hand from his Shizun’s waist (albeit reluctantly).
The best way to take down Malevolent Flame Bisons is to approach swiftly, without indication of one’s presence. Once they have been noticed, the bisons will not rest until the threat to their herd has been eliminated. This either requires the perceived threat to perish, or flee.
Naturally, since Luo Binghe aims to slaughter only one of the herd, manoeuvring the bison will be difficult. For this reason, Binghe places a hand on Shen Qingqiu’s sword. “Shizun, please use Xiu Ya to fly overhead while this disciple catches a Malevolent Flame Bison,” Luo Binghe murmurs, hand lingering on the hilt of Xiu Ya for slightly longer than necessary.
Shen Qingqiu looks at him quickly, brows downturned. “Binghe—” he starts, but Binghe raises a hand.
“Shizun,” he argues gently, “your body is not as hardy as mine. Though you are a powerful immortal, you will still sustain injuries if the Malevolent Flame Bisons touch you.” When Shen Qingqiu’s expression grows ugly, Binghe adds a “Please.”
Shen Qingqiu is silent for a long, long time. “I will not stay idle, like some sort of pampered empress, while my husband does the grunt work for me,” Shen Qingqiu spits, body quivering like a leaf during rainfall. Ah, Binghe thinks, closing his eyes as he shakes imperceptibly. He used my weakness.
Though Binghe tries his best not to let the pleasure show on his face, a single look from Shen Qingqiu has him melting. “Husband,” Shen Qingqiu repeats, clasping Luo Binghe’s hand between his own slender ones. “I am perfectly capable of escaping should the situation truly escalate,” Shen Qingqiu murmurs, cupping Binghe’s cheek with one of his slender hands.
Luo Binghe loves these hands. They’re gentle, soft, and unfairly sexy. The fingers are slender yet powerful, and the wrists are thin but wield unfathomable strength. Furthermore, they belong to his Shizun. Binghe leans into Shen Qingqiu’s touch, eyes fluttering closed as he releases a breath. It is sneaky of Shen Qingqiu to call Luo Binghe his husband. Shen Qingqiu is well aware that hearing that name fall from his lips is one of Luo Binghe’s fatal weaknesses.
“You must promise this one that you will use Xiu Ya if necessary,” Binghe relents. He leaves no room for argument. Binghe’s eyes flash red with warning, hands moving to grab Shen Qingqiu’s waist. “This one begs you, Shizun,” he says heavily.
Shen Qingqiu huffs, fan opening with a ‘clack’ as he uses it to cover his face. “Calm down, Binghe. I will do as you say,” Shen Qingqiu acquiesces, patting the hilt of his sword as if to reassure Luo Binghe that he knows his sword is there.
The action does the opposite of what Shen Qingqiu likely intends. Though Binghe is fully aware of Shen Qingqiu’s extensive capabilities, he can’t help but worry. Binghe’s possessiveness has only increased since they did their bows two years ago.
Now that Shen Qingqiu belongs to him—is his husband —Luo Binghe is reluctant to let him lift even a finger. That should be Binghe’s job, not Shizun’s. However, at a stern look from Shen Qingqiu, Luo Binghe acquiesces. “This one trusts Shizun,” Binghe murmurs, leaning over to kiss Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu goes red, leaning away momentarily before allowing Binghe to kiss his cheek.
“Alright,” Shen Qingqiu utters, his voice wavering just slightly. Awkwardly, he clears his throat, moving his fan until only his eyes are visible. They’re a captivating jade-green colour, and Binghe finds himself staring (as he is wont to do). Entranced as he is, he nearly misses Shen Qingqiu’s next words.
“Let’s go, Binghe.”
Luo Binghe nods, and they vault over the volcanic rock that they’d been hiding behind. Binghe easily lands on Zheng Yang and courses through the air, wind whipping past his face as he flies directly towards the herd.
Shen Qingqiu is right next to him, Xiu Ya keeping pace. Both of them are focusing on the herd ahead. Their strategy is as follows: Shen Qingqiu will head in first to shock the herd. This is the less dangerous part of their operation; all Shen Qingqiu has to do is shoot a blast of qi at the centre of the herd, then continue to separate the bison until Binghe can lead one away from the body of the herd.
Binghe’s job is a little more difficult. As they approach the herd, his mind rapidly files through what he needs to do. As soon as Shen Qingqiu shoots his blast of qi, their element of surprise will be gone. Malevolent Flame Bison are close combat fighters, but have the potential to hold their own in ranged combat, as well.
Shen Qingqiu had spent a whole afternoon detailing how their flames could shoot up to several zhang. With this in mind, Luo Binghe stays close to the ground, watching as his husband rises up, up until he’s well out of reach of the bison.
Then, Shen Qingqiu charges up a blast of qi and shoots it towards the centre of the herd. The bison let out an ear-piercing shriek when the qi lands, sparks flying up from the impact. They immediately scatter, their flaming manes spiking as the scent of killing intent thickens.
Binghe’s eyes narrow. He watches with bated breath as Shen Qingqiu cuts through the sky on Xiu Ya, small bursts of qi landing at the feet of bison that are too close together. Slowly, his husband creates the perfect opening for Binghe to dart in and begin leading a bison away.
Luo Binghe picks his target. The bison is cantering at the edge of the herd, its eyes wild with panic as Shen Qingqiu shoots a ball of qi directly at its hind legs. It dodges the blast, its hooves kicking up dust as it retreats from the attack.
Now, Binghe thinks, flying towards the bison like a hunter’s arrow. He gathers his own demonic qi, repeatedly shooting at the bison’s hind legs until the creature is as far away from the herd as Binghe can get it.
Shen Qingqiu is doing a remarkable job of keeping the entire herd of bison busy. Luo Binghe wants to fawn over his husband’s prowess, but knows that Shen Qingqiu will be far less amenable to such an activity if Binghe does not accomplish what they set out to do. Gritting his teeth, Binghe jumps off his sword and grasps the hilt. It’s time.
Zheng Yang thrums with energy as Luo Binghe sprints towards the bison. His meridians are pulsing with qi, the demon sigil on his forehead glowing as he draws an arc through the air with Zheng Yang. The blade clashes with the Malevolent Flame Bison’s horns, and the creature rears its head. Its mane flashes blue for a scant moment, and Binghe’s muscles tense.
They play a taut game of cat and mouse. Binghe darts in with Zheng Yang, the edge of the blade just missing the bison. The monster charges towards him, forcing Binghe to flip backwards. They exchange blows, Binghe skidding backwards at a particularly forceful lunge from the bison.
There is a weak spot that all Malevolent Flame Bison guard carefully. This is the main reason that they are so difficult to kill. Normally, weak spots are located in the eye, or the throat, or perhaps the underbelly. For the Malevolent Flame Bison, it’s not so simple.
Their hides, like their manes, are made of fire. They reach near to the ground, making it impossible for Binghe to, say, roll under the creature and stab upwards. In order to kill the bison, Binghe must figure out a way to roll it onto its back then locate the soft spot nestled behind its right foreleg. Figuring out how to manoeuvre that is the hard part, Binghe thinks, ducking as a plume of fire shoots towards his face.
Nevertheless, Binghe is determined to succeed. Success means a happy Shen Qingqiu, and a happy Shen Qingqiu is Binghe’s main goal. I want to see him smile, and laugh, and let him talk my ear off about the mechanics of qi deviations, Binghe thinks, somersaulting through the air, as the bison swings its horns through the air.
I want to hold him on my lap as he points at his adorable little drawings and tells me how each component of his genius design fits together, Luo Binghe thought, and then I want to kiss him until he forgets his own name.
This thought is particularly motivating. With a low grunt, Binghe sends a shockwave of qi towards the bison’s side. The Malevolent Flame Bison topples onto its side, hooves circling through the air uselessly as it attempts to find purchase.
Luo Binghe has precious few moments to kill the beast. He lunges towards the bison, Zheng Yang in hand. With a roar, Binghe sinks the blade into the soft part behind the bison’s leg. It gives a soul-shattering howl, its flames flaring up just as Binghe leaps backwards.
Then, with one final cry, the beast slumps over.
Instantly, Luo Binghe scans the sky for his husband. He spots him, one li away, hovering mid-air. They need to get the corpse out of the field—this is the difficult part. Shen Qingqiu is doing an admirable job of keeping the herd away from their fallen kin, but it won’t be long before the stench of the corpse permeates the air and alerts them to what has happened.
Binghe waves to Shen Qingqiu, who gives him a nod. In a split-second, Shen Qingqiu has flown over, almost stumbling when he reaches the ground. Luo Binghe reaches out to steady him, the action so natural that it feels reflexive rather than conscious.
“Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu utters, his voice thin with exertion. Binghe’s hand moves from Shen Qingqiu’s arm to his waist.
“Shizun,” Luo Binghe smiles, squeezing Shen Qingqiu’s hip. “This one has done as requested, and the beast is slain.”
Shen Qingqiu regards Luo Binghe for a moment, before nodding gently. “Well done, Binghe. This master is satisfied.”
Binghe puffs out his chest, pleased with Shen Qingqiu’s words. His Shizun isn’t stingy with compliments, but Binghe enjoys hearing the praise nonetheless. “Shizun, we need to use a weight-diminishing talisman and tie up the creature before we bring it back,” Binghe says, moving towards the dead Malevolent Flame Bison. Shen Qingqiu acquiesces, and they walk over to where the beast lies.
Shen Qingqiu removes a thin slip of paper from his sleeve and places it on the bison’s body. They had prepared the talisman in advance (Binghe’s idea) as well as thick ropes with which to bind the creature. Luo Binghe crouches down and begins winding the rope around the bison’s body.
It happens almost instantaneously.
One moment, Binghe is looping the rope around one of the bison’s hooves. The next, Binghe feels a white-hot bolt of pain lance through his body. When he leaps to the side, he leaves a trail of blood. Sparing a moment to glance down at himself, Binghe cusses at the sight of a red-black patch on his abdomen.
Already, he can feel his heavenly demon blood working fast to patch up the injury. With a single swipe of Zheng Yang, Binghe strikes the bison’s weak spot once more, then slices open its stomach for good measure. Demonic qi shoots out from his palms as he prevents the bison’s guts from spilling everywhere, and finally, the light fades from the beast’s eyes.
I let my guard down, Binghe thinks, heat crawling up his cheeks as embarrassment washes over him. Whatever will Shizun say? Such a shameful display on my part… Binghe shakes his head, and sets about healing his injury.
It’s nothing he can’t fix, and already, the skin has knitted itself back together. Binghe pats his stomach, looking back up at Shen Qingqiu with a wry grin on his face. “Many apologies, Shizun, this one was too complacen—”
The grin slips off his face.
Luo Binghe has been married to Shen Qingqiu for two years, in love with him for many more, and living with him for over a decade. He knows all of Shen Qingqiu’s tells, from the most minute change in his expression (his nose twitching means he’s hungry, and his eyes soft when Binghe is particularly thoughtful) to his contradictory reactions (complaining when Binghe takes him to bed).
Shen Qingqiu is covering his face with his fan. This is not out of the ordinary, but the sleeve that is covering his eyes is.
“Shizun,” Binghe blurts, nearly falling over himself to reach his husband’s side. “Shizun—did this one—are you crying?”
Shen Qingqiu refuses to answer for several seconds, his uneven breathing the only thing to be heard in the space between them. Then, Shen Qingqiu takes a deep, wavering breath. “This master is—... this master is fine,” Shen Qingqiu manages, his voice wobbling dangerously.
Binghe places a finger on top of Shen Qingqiu’s fan, but does not apply any pressure. It is an unspoken question. Shen Qingqiu’s hands drop. Binghe sucks in a breath.
Shen Qingqiu’s face is a mess.
Granted, it’s still a beautiful mess, because it’s Shen Qingqiu, and Binghe’s husband is the most gorgeous creature he’s ever met, but… Shen Qingqiu’s eyes are teeming with unshed tears. Wet tracks line his ruddy cheeks, and already his hands are rising in an attempt to hide himself once more.
“Oh, Shizun,” Binghe breathes, gathering his husband into his arms. Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders shake as he continues to cry, face buried in Binghe’s shoulder. Binghe almost cannot believe Shen Qingqiu’s willingness to be open like this—it worries him. Shizun’s face is thin. The normal course of action for him is to scrub his face and pretend he never cried in the first place.
“Shizun?” Binghe murmurs, hands wrapped around Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders. Shen Qingqiu reaches his arms around Binghe’s waist and clutches at his back, as if Binghe is a lifeline. Shen Qingqiu keeps making these pitiful noises, not unlike someone gasping for air. Binghe feels rather than sees his own expression crumple. He has always been so terribly affected by his Shizun’s emotions.
“This one is fine, see?” Binghe whispers soothingly, taking one of Shen Qingqiu’s hands and moving it under Binghe’s clothes. When Shen Qingqiu feels the solid curve of Binghe’s abdomen, he only cries harder, gripping the lapels of Binghe’s clothes as he hangs his head.
“Shizun,” Binghe says helplessly, holding Shen Qingqiu as he cries for all he’s worth.
“Binghe,” Shen Qingqiu says wetly, forehead bumping against Binghe’s shoulder. Luo Binghe cards a hand through his husband’s hair, kissing the strands as they sift between his fingers.
“I will never leave Shizun,” Binghe promises, pulling back so that he can lean down to kiss Shizun properly. Shen Qingqiu gasps into his mouth, fresh tears wetting his cheeks as his arms slide up and around Binghe’s neck. Binghe presses their bodies flush together, deepening the kiss as Shen Qingqiu’s tears start to abate.
“Shh,” Binghe coaxes, kissing Shen Qingqiu’s forehead. “This one is here. This disciple will never abandon his master, hmm? This disciple is very strong!” Binghe quietly boasts, lifting Shen Qingqiu into his arms. “So Shizun mustn’t worry,” Binghe finishes, kissing Shen Qingqiu once more.
Shen Qingqiu wipes his eyes. The corners are red in a way that would be alluring if not for what had just passed. Instead, they serve to make Shen Qingqiu look unbearably cute. Binghe reigns in the “Shizun is too adorable!” that had been about to spill from his lips, and occupies himself by stroking Shen Qingqiu’s face instead.
“Binghe, I…” Shen Qingqiu pauses, fan covering the lower half of his face once more. Like this, Shizun looks somewhat pitiful, his eyes swollen and red, his brows scrunched up. Binghe waits patiently, intertwining their fingers as they move back to continue binding the bison.
The commotion hasn’t drawn the attention of the herd just yet, but they need to move quickly. “This one will speak to you more later,” Shen Qingqiu decides, helping Binghe to tighten the ropes around the bison’s body. Luo Binghe nods, affixing the rope to the handle of Zheng Yang.
Once they’ve secured the bison onto Luo Binghe’s sword, Binghe climbs on eagerly. “Shizun,” he smiles, gesturing to the space in front of him. Shen Qingqiu gives a long-suffering sigh, but his actions contradict the glower on his face as he easily climbs on in front of Binghe.
Binghe’s hands settle on Shen Qingqiu’s waist before his Shizun can properly stand on the sword. “Binghe!” Shen Qingqiu exclaimed, shooting a dirty look at Binghe. Binghe just grins, grip tightening on Shen Qingqiu’s waist.
“Yes, Shizun?” Binghe simpers, blinking coquettishly. Shen Qingqiu flushes (cute!) before giving a ‘hmph’ and turning around.
They fly back like that, Binghe sticking to his Shizun, Shen Qingqiu pretending that he doesn’t enjoy Binghe’s stickiness. Later, they will talk again about Shen Qingqiu’s fears. They will cry, and argue, and cry some more. But they will overcome it, and heal. Just like they always do.