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"Oh for heaven's sake," the woman says under her breath, only audible to Jiang Cheng because of his qi. "Another one?"
Before he can respond, she lowers herself into a bow, and when she looks up, she is smiling. "Good evening, Immortal Master," she says.
"Good evening," he says, bowing in return. "I spoke with the village head—"
"And he sent you here for lodging, I'm sure."
It startles Jiang Cheng to a halt; he is unused to being interrupted.
"The more the merrier," she cryptically lilts, an edge to her voice Jiang Cheng recognizes from his own interactions with less-than-welcome surprise guests, and backs into the room, gesturing for him to come in. "If the immortal master is hungry, I was just about to serve supper."
Scanning the premises out of habit, he sees two doorways other than the one he stepped through, and a low table set with humble but filling food—which occupies most of the otherwise unremarkable room. Good grief. The place is tiny. Does this woman get strangers dumped on her every time someone visits their village? She probably rues the day she had that extra room built.
"My apologies for intruding, Furen."
"Everyone around here calls me Xie ayi, and you are welcome to do the same."
"Of course," Jiang Cheng says with another bow. He is getting the distinct impression she would rather he not be filling the majority of her living space with his too-broad shoulders. Before he can introduce himself, his attention snaps to the sliding door opposite him.
A man, of a height with Jiang Cheng, steps into the room. His garments are largely white, with silver and black detailing, and Jiang Cheng eyes the fine jade pendant hanging from his sash.
Cang Qiong? he thinks, and, when he looks up, the man has come to a stop, blinking at him in surprise.
"Peak Lord Liu," Jiang Cheng murmurs, saluting.
"Sandu Shengshou." Liu Qingge returns his courtesy, eyes darting to Xie ayi before returning to Jiang Cheng. "You came about the river demon."
"Yes." Suddenly, Xie ayi's exasperation makes more sense. "As did you, I assume."
"I was nearby."
A non-answer; Jiang Cheng finds himself surprised. He hadn't pegged Liu Qingge as a man with much social or political acumen. Then again, if his original read on the war god is correct, it is entirely possible the guy was simply nearby, no prevarication intended.
Not that it really matters. Yes, this is technically Yunmeng, and therefore still within the Jiang sect's purview, but Jiang Cheng isn't enough of an asshole to begrudge his people help where they can find it, especially this far from Lotus Pier.
"Xie ayi," Jiang Cheng says, instead of questioning Liu Qingge further. "It seems we are truly inconveniencing you, tonight."
"Two esteemed cultivators beneath the same roof? What lowly peasant wouldn't be thrilled?" she replies, sounding resigned.
Liu Qingge meets Jiang Cheng's eyes, then clears his throat. "You have prepared food."
Indeed, she has. Reluctant host or not, she's provided for them. Jiang Cheng makes a show of smelling the air, and is pleased when he does not have to feign interest. "It smells wonderful."
"Pah," she says, waving them toward the table. "You young men need to maintain your strength. Come. Eat. Otherwise I'll have to throw it to the hogs."
It is quiet as they begin, but that's nothing Jiang Cheng isn't used to. Liu Qingge seems unbothered as well, studiously making his way through his meal. Xie ayi appears to count every grain of rice they consume while simultaneously giving not a single shit about anything, placid smile in place as she feeds herself.
Jiang Cheng kind of likes her. He wonders if she could be convinced to make a move to Lotus Pier; the food isn't bad, and he appreciates her type of restrained pique.
"Immortal Masters, if I could ask…" she says after a hearty slurp of soup. Jiang Cheng glances at Liu Qingge, and sees a shoulder lift infinitesimally in a shrug.
"Please. Speak comfortably," Jiang Cheng says. He's half-convinced she's about to kick them out. He wouldn't blame her. Hell, he's tempted to run back to that village head and loudly camp out in his courtyard, just to be an ass. A just punishment for foisting two complete strangers—and men, no less!—on an elderly widowed woman.
Except it is freezing outside, which is why he did not turn around immediately to sleep in the woods when he saw the Bai Zhan peak lord.
"I have always been curious," she says. "The work cultivators do—it is often referred to as a 'nighthunt', correct?"
"Mn," Liu Qingge offers, and, apparently deeming his contribution adequate, goes right back to eating.
"Yet few seem to actually take place at night," she continues. "At least, not that I have seen."
"Ah," Jiang Cheng says. "Many of the troubles cultivators address are more likely to occur at night, or are more powerful—and therefore, more problematic to non-cultivators—at night. But yes, as you have observed, there are many issues that can be handled whether the sun is down or not." Thinking, he hums. "Perhaps the term 'nighthunt' is a hold-over from ancient times."
"And this river demon?"
"Yes?"
"Do you intend to 'handle' it during the day?"
His eyes dart to Liu Qingge, but the man is shoveling in food like he hasn't eaten in weeks. "I cannot speak for Peak Lord Liu, but I intend to investigate—and hopefully engage—during the day. Its eyesight is better than mine in the dark, and I would be at a disadvantage if I attacked then."
She nods, then looks curiously at Liu Qingge until he stops chewing and actually responds. "Yes," he says, waving his agreement with Jiang Cheng's words.
"And will this… investigation take long?"
"Perhaps a day, likely less," Jiang Cheng says, watching her carefully. He has finally grasped her intent, and he's trying not to laugh.
"I see. Well, you are both welcome here as long as you need," she says. "Though it is pretty tight quarters."
"I thank you for your hospitality, on behalf of myself and the Yunmeng Jiang Sect," Jiang Cheng murmurs, and can't help his smile. "If you will allow me to address what you have perhaps left unspoken…"
Her eyes dart to his, guilty, and his smile brightens. "Depending on the hunt, the work can be exhausting. It is common practice to travel to a potential disturbance the day prior, and to rest there for at least an evening after, to preserve and regain strength." Finally, he allows himself to chuckle. "But you have my solemn promise, Xie ayi. I will not stay longer than is absolutely necessary."
She grumbles something conciliatory, obviously embarrassed at being caught out, but the rest of their meal passes in pleasant, comfortable silence.
*
"I'll let the esteemed cultivators sort out their situation," Xie ayi says after dinner, sweeping her hand toward the door Liu Qingge had exited earlier. "I put myself to bed early these days."
"Of course," Jiang Cheng murmurs, inclining his head. "Rest well."
She eyes him, then gives Liu Qingge a once-over. "Sorry I can't do more," she says, her tone of voice strange, then bows and heads off to her own room. Jiang Cheng glances at Liu Qingge, an eyebrow cocked in question.
"You'll see," he says, and opens the door.
Jiang Cheng does see. Immediately. The 'room' where they are to sleep is more like a closet, so much of it taken up by the single bed frame that there is hardly enough clearance to stand next to it and slide the door closed.
"Shit," Jiang Cheng mutters, shoulders sagging. There isn't even room to stretch out on the floor. "I was really hoping to avoid sleeping outdoors, tonight."
"It is too cold," Liu Qingge states, removing his sword from his sash and propping it carefully against the wall. "There is enough room here."
A laugh shocks its way from Jiang Cheng's chest. "How so? I'm uncertain that bed is large enough for either of us, even individually."
"We will make do."
"While I appreciate your generosity, Peak Lord Liu, I'm afraid I'll have to refuse. I'll just sleep out here, in the main room."
Liu Qingge tsks his tongue, and did he just roll his eyes? At the zongzhu of the Jiang? "You will frighten her, if she wakes in the night."
"I don't think that lady frightens as easily as you'd expect," Jiang Cheng grumbles, but the man has a point. He darts a glance at her closed door.
"It will be warmer with two of us," Liu Qingge points out, already stripping his outer layers. "There is no need to be prissy."
"Prissy?" Jiang Cheng snaps, voice raised, then winces and quiets himself. "Peak Lord Liu, that is hardly the issue—"
"Then stop complaining." Liu Qingge sits on the bed, removing his boots. "It is of no consequence; I have done similar things before, out of necessity."
It's difficult to argue with that; during the war, Jiang Cheng was occasionally forced to do the same. He watches Liu Qingge, expression blank, as the man lifts the quilt and scoots across the bed, back pressed to the wall, making as much room for Jiang Cheng as he can.
"Hurry up," Liu Qingge says. Jiang Cheng cannot remember the last time someone spoke to him so rudely. Liu Qingge waves the blanket at him, scowling. "It is cold."
Jiang Cheng wants to refuse; he has not been in such close proximity to another person in decades, and it makes him uneasy. Still, the whole of the jianghu knows of Liu Qingge's honor and righteousness. He's not going to slip a dagger into Jiang Cheng's gut while he sleeps. And it is brutally cold outside…
"Whatever," he mutters under his breath, and steps into the room, closing the door behind him.
*
A sound, muffled, tugs Jiang Cheng gently from his rest. He's warm, and passably comfortable, and there does not seem to be any danger, so before he can even open his eyes, he finds himself drifting back off. Could be a left-over sentiment from the Sunshot campaign years ago, but he takes sleep when he can get it.
Another small noise rouses him, and this time, he peels a single eye open. He's been drooling on the pillow, and his nose crinkles in disgust. Huffing, he shifts his head to get his face out of his own mess, and freezes entirely.
What pillow? That is another human being's chest. Oh shit, he is wrapped around Liu Qingge like a vine.
Mercifully, the Bai Zhan war god sleeps on, unaware, and Jiang Cheng now realizes the fool is talking in his sleep, which must be what woke him in the first place. Taking stock of himself, Jiang Cheng catalogs the arm around his midsection, the thigh hitched over his legs, a foot wedged firmly between his ankles.
At least this… subconscious cuddling is not entirely his fault.
He still needs to extract himself, however. Preferably before Liu Qingge awakens and reflexively stabs Jiang Cheng for his presumption.
"Mmridiculous," Liu Qingge slurs, forcing Jiang Cheng to stifle a snort. Looks like this guy is contrary even in his sleep. The broad hand spread over Jiang Cheng's lower back twitches. What is he dreaming about?
"Hrrgh," Liu Qingge grunts. Jiang Cheng can understand the sentiment. Carefully, he lifts the arm he'd slung over Liu Qingge's chest and reaches back for Liu Qingge's wrist. "No," Liu Qingge grumbles, tugging Jiang Cheng closer and stealing his breath. Is he awake?
"Potatoes… Meat of the earth."
Clearly not, then.
Once again, Jiang Cheng sets himself the task of sneaking out of Liu Qingge's full-body grasp. How did this even happen? Did they seriously snuggle up to one another in their sleep? If he weren't half-afraid of the man, he'd be cracking up.
Stealthily, Jiang Cheng once again attempts to reach for the arm clamped around him. If he can—
"Annoying," Liu Qingge says. Jiang Cheng can't help his breath of laughter. "Lay still," the man adds, freezing Jiang Cheng in his tracks. Dumbstruck, he watches Liu Qingge open his eyes, reaching for the arm Jiang Cheng still has suspended in the air. "Go back to sleep."
Jiang Cheng, unable to compose a single thought, allows Liu Qingge to tug his arm back into place around his torso. He pats Jiang Cheng's shoulder like he is a well-behaved dog and closes his eyes.
"Peak Lord Liu?" Jiang Cheng tries, receiving an obviously displeased grunt in reply. "Shouldn't we… separate?"
"It is warmer this way," Liu Qingge rumbles, and slides the hand on Jiang Cheng's back up to his hair, tucking Jiang Cheng's face into his neck. "Sleep."
It is so staggeringly unexpected, both the insistence and the situation in general, that Jiang Cheng cannot formulate a way to protest. Liu Qingge is not wrong, and while the unspoken impropriety of the whole thing would be enough to send Jiang Cheng scampering into the frigid night, it seems Liu Qingge does not feel the same.
"This is fucking bizarre," Jiang Cheng whispers, cheek squished against Liu Qingge's collarbone.
"Shh. Sleep, Jiang zongzhu."
While Jiang Cheng is tempted to scream 'who could possibly sleep in this situation?' , Liu Qingge is the answer to that very question, as the man's breath is already evening out. It sparks something competitive within him. Fine. If Liu Qingge is capable of acting like this is normal, so is Jiang Cheng.
Grumpily, he squirms, moving his face back to the more comfortable pillow of Liu Qingge's chest. He pulls a knee up between Liu Qingge's legs so he can turn his hips to the side, and tucks his cold fingers into Liu Qingge's armpit.
Liu Qingge huffs, and Jiang Cheng swears it is a laugh. He falls asleep before he can ask.
*
"—assholes were gonna take off early, the least they could have done was leave a note. Who the hell is going to eat all of this breakfast? Cultivators, I swear."
It does not register to Jiang Cheng that the woman's muttering is steadily drawing nearer until the door to the tiny bedroom is thrown wide open.
"I bet they didn't even— Oh gracious!"
Her shock is echoed within Jiang Cheng, who shoves bodily at Liu Qingge to remove the limbs wrapped around him. Of course, Liu Qingge is already crammed against the wall, so all Jiang Cheng succeeds in doing is pushing himself off the bed, where he falls and wedges very ungracefully between the frame and the other wall.
"Im-immortal Masters, I apologize, I did not intend to interrupt your intimate—"
"You have interrupted nothing," Jiang Cheng manages, twisting his neck to make eye contact with her. He settles his voice as well as he can. "Did you mention breakfast?"
Xie ayi is already scuttling backward, gaze averted and head bowed. "Certainly, yes, the esteemed cultivators must be hungry after a night of exertions…"
"My god! There were no exertions!" Jiang Cheng bleats, his voice cracking. He cannot remember the last time he was so humiliated.
"This lowly peasant did not realize the two honorable gentlemen were already acquainted in such a way—"
"STOP TALKING!" Jiang Cheng barks, attempting to dislodge himself from his trapped position and failing. Xie ayi squeaks and disappears from view. "Liu Qingge, make your goddamned self useful!" When Jiang Cheng turns his head, Liu Qingge is peeking over the edge of the bed, and it is the first time Jiang Cheng has ever seen the man smile. What a bastard.
"I'm stuck," Jiang Cheng mutters, and Liu Qingge laughs, quiet and low.
"So you are."
"Help me out of here, Peak Lord Liu, before I blast this entire room apart to free myself."
The man is still smiling when he offers a hand, and lifts Jiang Cheng from his prison with nothing more than the flex of an impressive bicep. Indignant, Jiang Cheng quickly redresses in his outer layers, scowling at Liu Qingge all the while.
"It seems we overslept," Liu Qingge says, his tone blank. Jiang Cheng wants to punch him so badly. The man is doing up his sash over his own garments, appearing completely unperturbed.
"She thinks we…" Swallowing, Jiang Cheng glances to the table in the other room, where Xie ayi has seated herself with her back to their door.
When he returns his attention to Liu Qingge, the man has a single eyebrow raised. "Does it matter?"
"I would never— In her home! Where we are guests!"
"I assure you, Immortal Masters, I heard nothing. You were quite considerate."
"WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!" Jiang Cheng bellows before he can stop himself. Oh mercy, could he sound more childish? He almost stomps out of the front door, eager to rid himself of these two buffoons, but Liu Qingge floats over to the table with the grace and confidence of a true immortal, and suddenly Jiang Cheng feels shown up in the worst way.
"Good morning, Xie ayi," Liu Qingge says, seating himself. "Thank you for breakfast."
"Don't thank me until you've tried it," she says, smiling, and Liu Qingge's mouth tilts.
"It will be delicious," he says.
Jiang Cheng swallows his pride and reluctantly steps to the table himself. "It looks very good, Xie ayi." She shoots Jiang Cheng a knowing smile, but nods and gestures for him to take a seat.
They eat in silence at first, and Jiang Cheng is grateful. The food is warm and hearty, and as they all sink into the meal, Jiang Cheng feels himself relaxing a bit. She doesn't seem like a gossiper, so it is likely the events of the morning will not stray beyond the three of them.
Of course, he should know better than to let his guard down.
Xie ayi leans toward Liu Qingge, her eyebrows raising. "He seems like quite the catch," she says conspiratorially, and Liu Qingge blinks, then looks to Jiang Cheng. Chopsticks halfway to his mouth, Jiang Cheng bristles.
"Mn," Liu Qingge responds, clearly stifling a smile.
"Rich, high status, beautiful, and sassy, too. I've always liked my men with a little sass," she continues, and when she darts a glance at Jiang Cheng, she presses her lips together like she's trying not to laugh.
"I did not travel for a day and a half via sword to this tiny village to be ridiculed over congee and—"
"And he's so fun to tease!" she exclaims, and finally lets herself laugh. Liu Qingge is smiling again. "Snap that one up, Immortal Master Liu. He'll be a lot of trouble, but with men like him, the surrender is always worth it."
"I AM RIGHT HERE," Jiang Cheng roars, shoving himself to his feet. "Thank you for the meal, my most honored elder, where I've been made to feel comfortable and welcome and treated with the utmost respect—"
"He's pretty when he's angry," Liu Qingge notes, and Xie ayi nods sagely.
Fuck this. Jiang Cheng has had enough. With a sharp snap of his sleeves, he strides to the door.
"Don't let him get away," she whispers, purposely loud enough for Jiang Cheng to hear.
"I know where to find him," Liu Qingge responds. Jiang Cheng doesn't have to turn to know Liu Qingge is grinning at his retreating back.