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Chapter Text

The night breeze gently swayed the tranquil bamboo forest around the hut. Wrapped in his disciple's arms, the man sighed tiredly. Sleep didn't come, and he couldn't concentrate enough to meditate.

He didn't want to sleep either, he didn't want to…dream.

His body complained of pain that he couldn't get used to, and the numbness from the alcohol also disappeared. He felt bad for being so…depressed. So tired and discouraged. How could he be so ungrateful?

Everything was so…

It was simply exhausting, and knowing that there was nowhere he could truly rest made his stress even greater.

Shen Yuan felt tired, so tired, so emotionally drained, he missed something he didn't even really understand what it was, and he knew he couldn't let his mind wander too much about it.

It was dangerous to think too much.

If your mind wanders, it will seep into your subconscious, if it does, it will manifest in your dreams. If it's in his dreams, Binghe might notice it, and he doesn't want to deal with the argument it will bring, nor the tears his disciple will shed at the thought that his Shizun could...

No, don't think. Don't let it get to you.

Don't think about…don't think...about him.

A silent sigh escaped Lord Qing Jing.

When did things get like this? When everything became so…tiring? When did not seeing his friends become something he was uncomfortable doing and not something he did willingly?

(Has he ever actually done this willingly?)

He missed Liu-shidi, he barely had time to see him lately. The man always brought him some dead monsters and things from his travels, sometimes a gift, his lost fan, a new tassel after the previous one broke. A strange book he found when he was away - even though he himself wasn't a fan of books, Liu Qingge cared about bringing him something that would please him.

It showed him that he was thinking about Shen Yuan, and Shen Yuan knew that his heart would skip a beat at every moment, the heat in his cheeks that he would blame on the heat. It felt good to be around Liu Qingge.

But it wasn't good for his poor heart either. Because it brought him several feelings. Strange, fluorescent feelings that he couldn't just twist away.

He felt strange around Liu Qingge and…it wasn't good to feel this way around him.

Talking to Shang Qinghua didn't help at all, that hack author only made his situation worse by insinuating that he might be in love with Liu Qingge.

“Bro, you are describing all the feelings of someone who is in love” - Normally, Shang Qinghua would appreciate letting his dense bro sort things out on his own and find out about having rather romantic feelings for Liu Qingge, but his situation was a little more, It was hard for Shang Qinghua to let his brother take risks like that.

“Stop saying that kind of stupidity! I'm not in love with Liu-shidi! He… He doesn't even like men! He's not a cut-sleeve! And I…I don’t even like men like that!”

The horror and fear, as well as the soft and almost non-existent hope in Shen Qingqiu's eyes, made Shang Qinghua quite worried.

“But what about Lu-”

“You’re just talking nonsense, Airplane!” -Lord Qing Jing didn't give him time to express anything else, hurriedly leaving An Ding Peak as if he was escaping from a plague.

Running away in fear of what those words could mean, that they are confirming something. Giving a name to something that could not be named, giving fertilizer and nutrition to a small flower that grew even in the midst of a negative and infertile environment.

He needed to clear his mind, needed to get it out of his system and purify his thoughts. Imagine what would happen if Binghe suspected something like that? He almost killed everyone before because Shen Qingqiu didn't want anything to do with him, now if he wanted something to do with Liu Qingge...

No, don't think about that. This is not good, this is troublesome and…and it might hurt Liu-shidi.

He needed to think about something else. Walk a little, let nature clear your mind of these thoughts.

Fortunately, Binghe knew he would take his time - it wasn't easy to take his time with the hack author, but he eventually managed it - so he managed to walk around a bit aimlessly and clear his mind.

Except, his traitorous feet led him to Bai Zhan and…to Liu Qingge, and Shen Yuan couldn't help but invite him for tea.

Get Liu-shidi out of your mind, my ass.

Then the two went to Liu Qingge's house in Bai Zhan and drank almost three pots of tea. The environment was simple and sparsely decorated, reflecting his shidi's tastes, as well as the fact that he generally spent little time in Cang Qiong, but there were little personal things there. Some weapons arranged in a small personal arsenal, one of them specially made to order by Shen Qingqiu for the god of war. Cheng Luan was as reliable and steadfast as his wielder, of course, but that didn't stop Shen Yuan from wanting to gift other types of weapons to his shidi.

That spear made from the tusks of a Misty Night Elephant Tiger was something Shen Yuan made sure to give to the god of war, even though it was the god of war himself who killed the monster, the two of them making matching waist ornaments with the creature's fur. 

Shen Yuan loved watching him train with the spear, especially when he was shirtless…it was so…

Oh, so good...so hot…!

Sitting side by side while enjoying the special spiritual tea that was a gift from Shen Yuan himself to Lord Bai Zhan, they barely said anything, but the comfortable silence was a type of coziness that Shen Yuan enjoyed with his shidi.

Liu Qingge handed him a new coat, saying it was made from the skin of a monster he had killed, Shen Yuan's eyes shining as they started talking about the creature. The Emerald Cerberus Wolf was an extremely dangerous and deadly creature, with its enormous fur with a shine identical to thousands of emeralds, being extremely resistant and soft, also having this name for its three heads (obviously the Airplane used this type of reference) and each head with a third eye being literally an emerald.

One of which Shen Qingqiu recognized was the jewel that held up the coat. He did not want to think about the auspicious meaning that was attached to the wolf that giving an emerald to a loved one meant eternal affection and selfless devotion, as well as a promise to always be by the loved one's side.

He would not think about what meanings this acquired when receiving this gift and accepting it. He didn't want to think about how he let Liu Qingge put the coat on him and how much he enjoyed having him close and how the coat had the same agarwood smell that Liu-Shidi always seemed to have.

Because these thoughts were dangerous, because they could get Liu Qingge into serious trouble.

Feeling suffocated in the bamboo house, Shen Qingqiu managed to escape from Luo Binghe's arms, feeling that tired weight in his heart tightening even more. Guilt and sadness mixing in his chest. He didn't know what made him go out for a walk - snuggling into the coat Liu Qingge gifted him, letting that smell soothe him.

Binghe had been in a bad mood the last few days, trying to convince him that it would be okay for them to actually get married. After all, what harm would there be in doing the three bows if they already lived together as a couple?

What would be the problem, Shen Qingqiu?

With a painful emotion trapped in his chest, Shen Yuan pressed the thin cloak against his skin, adjusting the coat better to keep him warm, thanking the cold for numbing the pain in his body and his depressive thoughts, as well as the smell of agarwood that relaxed his nerves.

“Shen Qingqiu?” - Shen Yuan looked up, seeing Liu Qingge approaching him at Cheng Luan. The Lord of Qing Jing couldn't help but let out a bittersweet smile, the sight of which had greeted him a countless number of times, taking him everywhere when No Healing was still active. Now that he was cured and could use Xiu Ya again, there were no more excuses for Liu-shidi to take him to places.

He loved being able to fly, of course. It was incredible, liberating, exciting, but still...he missed being able to hug Liu Qingge, trusting in his firm and constant posture, always so close and trustworthy. Your dear shidi...

“Liu-shidi” - He looked so discouraged, so tired. Liu Qingge jumped next to him, looking at him as if he was trying to understand him better, to figure out what was going on in his mind.

Liu Qingge avoided looking down at the other peak lord's body, his face growing hotter as he noticed the only layer covering his body beneath the coat - the coat he himself had gifted Shen Qingqiu, which he seemed to cling to so tightly.

“Did you have any trouble sleeping?” - Liu Qingge finally asked, trying to suppress his embarrassment and nervousness, keeping his gaze on the sad green eyes, but which seemed to have a slight shine when looking at him, full of sweet secrets that Liu Qingge wanted to discover. His hand raised as if he wanted to touch him, but hesitating, not knowing if he really could.

It was so easy to defeat monsters and demons, but it was not at all easy to fight his feelings for the scholar, never knowing what to do.

Oh, Shen Yuan knew he couldn't. He knew it was wrong, that he shouldn't have, but…

But he leaned into that touch, closing the space between them as he felt the other man go rigid but still hold his face tenderly. A weak but longing sigh escaped his lips, feeling comfort from that small, gentle touch. The rough hands on his skin being sweet as they caressed his cheek tenderly.

It was so wrong… But also everything Shen Yuan needed.

"I dont want to sleep. Not even dream.” - Because I'm afraid of dreaming about you and putting you in danger. Because I'm thinking about you more often, and I'm afraid of what that means. Because I know what it means.

Liu Qingge furrowed his eyebrows, the handsome features worthy of a true prince that always left Shen Yuan fascinated, the gray eyes like a stormy sky focused on him as the hand gently caressed his face, that beautiful little mark below the left eye always fascinates Shen Yuan. The green eyes focused on the gray ones as Shen Yuan thought that it would be great to get wet in the rain. That those skies could fall on him, and he would be…safe. Protected. In a cloud full of lightning, ready to release so much rain that it would flood the world, but that would protect it from everyone.

He... Would like that.

“I can take you to a safe place for meditation.” - Liu Qingge finally offered.

“It’s not the Lingxi Caves, is it? I don’t want Liu-shidi to put himself in danger again because of me.” - He joked, opening a small smile, burying his face deeper into that calloused hand that was touching him with so much affection, seeming to untie the heavy knots in his chest.

Liu Qingge blushed at the insinuation, remembering when he had his life saved by Shen Qingqiu. The clear and gentle eyes saving him from death, bringing him back to life, and becoming the world of the god of war.

The world he couldn't protect but still fought for every day. The spring that Liu Qingge would always hope for and desire, that if he could, he would cherish and protect for all eternity.

"No. But you would like it.” - He shouldn't have, it was so late, Binghe will wake up soon and realize that Shen Qingqiu got out of bed and will be worried, so he will go after him and realize that he was with Liu Qingge, and Liu-shidi would be stubborn and protect him. Maybe even risk taking him somewhere else, to a safe place, but there was no way to escape the protagonist, Binghe would find them soon and probably start a fight with Liu Qingge It is... And...

And Shen Yuan wants so badly to throw himself into his shidi's arms...

He can't, but... But he...he wants to...

A bright blue screen appeared before his eyes. But Shen Yuan didn't read it.

This damn system was the real culprit for everything, and Shen Yuan didn't want to deal with it now, so he turned off the system notifications.

Just a little bit, it will be quick.

He just wants to feel that again. Being hugged by those arms just a little...

“Take me away.” - It was a totally impulsive decision, so selfish and hasty, but…but he could come back before Luo Binghe woke up and found him missing, couldn't he? It would just be a little. Just flying with Qingge, it wouldn’t do any harm…

Liu Qingge didn't need another word, summoning Cheng Luan again, pulling him to go up with him. Shen Qingqiu did not hesitate to snuggle in front of Lord Bai Zhan, feeling the strong arms holding his waist tightly as they took to the skies, the chilly winds of late autumn stirring the thin sleeping layer beneath the green coat.

Shen Qingqiu felt his body a little weak and painful, but it didn't seem to matter as they moved forward to move away from the great mountain range of Cang Qiong.

Liu Qingge seemed to notice his discomfort, the grip on his waist tightening a little as he lowered his head, whispering in his ear so that it would be heard through the wind. 

"Are you hurt?" - The anger in Lord Bai Zhan's voice was palpable, just as the low, hoarse sound in his ear caused goosebumps that were not at all the fault of the cold on the scholar's skin.

“I’m used to it, Liu Shidi…” - It wasn’t that it didn’t hurt…it was just…it was inevitable. He didn't really have a way to lower the protagonist's pillar, and it didn't make him any less uncomfortable, so Shen Qingqiu just started to...accept it. It was what it was, and it made Binghe happy. 

Then fine.

Right?

Everything would be fine and everyone would be fine as long as the protagonist was happy. Right?

Shen Qingqiu could be sure he almost heard a growl coming from the man behind him, feeling the two arms around him holding him even closer, making him lift his head a little so he could look at Liu Qingge, the tip of his nose brushing lightly on Liu Qingge's chin, the skin warm to the touch against his skin chilled by the cold.

His Shidi was always so warm, so comfortable and protective, it felt so good.

“Don’t be mad, Liu-shidi. I'm fine, right? It's inevitable."

“It shouldn’t be.” - Liu Qingge did not agree with this at all, the frown on his features deepening, dissatisfied with that conformity of his shixiong.

“There is nothing to be done. But I'm happy to be here with Liu-shidi.” - He was just accepting reality as it was. Even though he was in that trashy novel, there were things that were simply beyond his own powers, even though he was a powerful cultivator, he would never be able to break free from the system. And Luo Binghe's protagonist halo would always protect him and give him everything he wanted.

He would be happy in that small forbidden moment feeling the wind cut the skin of his face, drying any trace of ungrateful tears, warmed by the arms of someone he could never want.

“I can heal him.” - It was a statement, but also a request, Shen Qingqiu smiled to himself, burying his face a little in the soft part of his coat, still smelling of Liu Qingge, now even more intense due to the man himself being so close.

It was almost useless, but he wouldn't deny that he would like to feel his normal body again faster, and it had been so long since Liu Qingge had done his qi cleansings - he didn't need to, but he missed it anyway - that Shen Qingqiu really wanted to be able to feel that energy in him again.

"All good." - His voice was soft, accompanied by a nod of the head to ensure that he would be correctly understood. One of Liu Qingge's hands left his waist only to intertwine with Shen Yuan's fingers, holding his tightly. It was so dangerous to do this in mid-flight, so risky, but Shen Yuan knew...

He knew that Liu Qingge would never let him fall. His beautiful and trustworthy shidi who always came when he needed him. Even with his frown and his rude manner, he was always so kind and trustworthy, unfairly handsome.

So Shen Yuan just gave his shidi's hand a light squeeze, enjoying the comforting feeling of the calloused hand in his own, feeling the roughness against his own softer palm, even though he had his own calluses, they weren't as hardened as Liu Qingge's, feeling the energy of your shidi begin to flow through his meridians.

It was the same constant and cozy pattern, coursing through his veins and mixing with his own energy. Immediately, he felt his body relax even more, leaning fully on Liu Qingge's chest. It felt so good, so comforting. All of his body aches disappearing with a sigh, as he seemed to be completely enveloped by Liu Qingge. His smell, his heat, his arms, his energy…

“Qingge… This feels so good…” - Shen Yuan whispered, sighing contentedly, thinking that he would love to be able to return such intense sensations to his shidi, thinking that he wanted Liu Qingge to feel how good he made Shen Yuan feel. So protected, so comfortable.

A little shyly and hesitantly, Shen Yuan begins to flow his own energy through Liu Qingge, returning the flow through his palm. The action catches the other man by surprise, with Cheng Luan losing some altitude but soon recovering.

Liu Qingge looking at him a little surprised, but not rejecting his actions, giving his hand a light squeeze, opening a small smile that softened his stern features, making Shen Yuan lose his breath a little.

It was so unfair how beautiful this man was! Simply unfair! It wasn't good for Shen Yuan's heart, but Shen Yuan wouldn't trade it for anything.

"Bold." - Liu Qingge said simply, his ears turning a little red as the energies of both cultivators flowed between their bodies, every part they touched seemed heated. Everything was so intimate and immersive, it felt so right. That fluid heat coursing through their bodies and mixing, as if they were one, as if it were totally right.

In that secret moment, which shouldn't feel so right, they were protected by the clouds that hid them from the world.

Free just to feel that comfort.

“But Liu-shidi likes it. Can’t this shixiong give shidi what he wants, just like he always does to me?” - He asked cheekily, smiling slightly as he teased him, seeing the other man's blush increase. So cute!

"You…!"

“Liu-shidi is always so good to this shixiong, is there… Is there anything this one could do for Liu Shidi?” -He provokes him a little more, despite knowing how dangerous his words are.

“...” Liu Qingge looks at him dazedly for a moment, lightly tightening his hand on his waist, his storm gray gaze rivaling the clouds surrounding them, enveloping Shen Yuan in the way he wishes he could do more often. - “Call me by my name more often.” - He finally says, not caring about the ambiguity of his request.

This caught Shen Yuan by surprise, looking at him for a few moments before breaking into a sweet smile. - “Okay, Qingge. I will call you by your name more often.”

Shen Yuan understood him perfectly, and was sincerely happy to accommodate his request as much as he could.

With a slow exhale, Liu Qingge felt those words shaking him in a familiar way. The warm feeling surrounding him like a tender hug, with the same softness that came with those beautiful green eyes

“I will protect you.” He knew he had said this before. And he knew he had failed at many of them.

Shen Yuan smiled sadly, knowing that no matter how incredibly strong Liu Qingge was, as long as there was the system, as long as there was the protagonist's halo functioning…he could never truly be protected.

(He shouldn't need protection, right? Why did he want to protect himself from the protagonist? Luo Binghe adored him, he should...should be happy... He cared about Luo Binghe, honestly, he just...just was...just was a little...too much. Things were just...a little too much.)

Sometimes he just wanted...

He just wanted...

He wanted...

He wanted... Liu Qingge

He wanted to tell the system to go fuck itself and do what he wanted.

The flow of spiritual energy between the two Peak Lords grew more intense, the stormy clouds reflected the powerful gaze of the man who was known as the god of war, looking intensely at the one who had his heart.

He had so much conviction, so much intensity, Liu Qingge was always so serious and determined, so trustworthy…

Shen Qingqiu… Shen Yuan wanted to believe him.

He wanted to be hugged by his shidi, his dear Liu Qingge… He wanted to feel protected. Feeling like he could truly make whatever choice he wanted.

He wanted to know he could.

“Liu-shidi….Qingge…” - He panted, feeling his heart so tight that it could actually be crushed, at the same time being so fed by the constant flow of spiritual energy exchange between their bodies that the tightness was counteracted and softened, freeing him from that agony, from those shackles that he couldn't get out of any other way. 

"Protect me." The voice sounded like a whisper. So low it could barely be heard. Looking at Liu Qingge through his eyelashes as he whispered a request, a prayer. It was completely irrational, but it was the truth in his heart.

He could know different monsters, he could know everything there was to know about all the fantastic creatures and plants in that world, he could have become a master of the four arts as his role as Shen Qingqiu called for, he could play the most beautiful melodies with a guqin, but there, flying aimlessly amidst the storm clouds, Shen Yuan thought that there was no melody more beautiful than the one he was hearing.

The gentleness of their energies converging together, in an ever-increasing flow, never tiring them, only making them even stronger, feeding each other such an intimate part of themselves, the wind biting against the stormy clouds and their hearts beating so, so fast that they could be faster than the lightning that falls on the earth.

Liu Qingge always wanted to improve, get stronger, he wanted to fight more and more powerful opponents, defeat the fiercest monsters, but there was never a defeat that made him more bitter than losing to Luo Binghe. Losing Shen Qingqiu and seeing him trying to convince himself that everything was okay. Liu Qingge didn't understand, but he knew it was not his right to interfere.

He didn't want to force Shen Qingqiu into another situation that would make him tired, so he was content to watch from afar, take care of the other and protect him as best he could.

Liu Qingge did not expect such a sincere request from his shixiong, he could feel the small thread of hope that curled into Shen Qingqiu's voice against his own will, contradicting his beliefs.

And that was it, certainly. It could only be that. He would do it. Liu Qingge would protect him. He would take him wherever Shen Qingqiu desired. There would be nothing to stop the god of war.

How could he allow himself to have any restrictions when he had those eyes focused on his?

A resplendent light illuminated the entire stormy sky, a flash illuminated the two men, the sound of gongs ringing in their ears, an intense force pulling them up, up, up!

Liu Qingge didn't know what this was, but he held Shen Qingqiu even more tightly against him, pulling the other man to protect him.

The next thing Liu Qingge saw was golden light everywhere. He was no longer flying Cheng Luan.

Shen Yuan felt that strange tug on his mind again. Seconds before that blinding light hit them, he saw the system's window suddenly opening in front of him, shining with bright red lights. The Google Translate voice sounding much more emotional than Shen Yuan could have expected from him.

[ERROR]

[ERROR]

[ERROR]

What?

[SYSTEM FAILURE!]

[E-R…RO…R]

[INT... INT.. ERR… R… RUPT! USU-..US... INTERR…. RUPT….]

The voice screamed loudly in his head the moment the light hit him, the glowing screen multiplying with countless “[ERROR]” messages and strange interrupt and failure requests, the pixels distorting and getting lost in the surrounding space. The red technological light of error turning blue and then turning an eerie green.

The distortion of space created by the bright light and the sounds of gongs, directly contrasting with the screaming robotic voice and the pixels glitching everything around it.

[ERROR]

In the midst of that strange light, Shen Yuan could see a silhouette. Squinting his eyes to try to get a better look at what it was, tentatively reaching out his hand, he finally saw it.

[E...RR...OR]

A silhouette, it looked like a person, a body made entirely of phantom green light, only the outlines glowing as he looked at it. He had his hand slightly extended towards him.

That ghostly green silhouette was surrounded by the pixels and seemed to be stuck in the middle of the many failure screens that the system was displaying.

[ERROR]

[ERR….]

The sounds of gongs increased, sounding rhythmically, the light also became brighter

[FAIL…..N….SIST…..]

That silhouette seemed to grow fainter, the brilliant sound of the gongs and the system's frightening screams seemed to reverberate throughout its translucent body.

Somehow, this broke Shen Yuan's heart.

[SISTE...]

Before the loud voice became hoarse and finally died down, Shen Yuan reached out and grabbed that hand extended to him, holding that silhouette tightly as he was pulled by the light.

[SYSTEM...M...a... cor...om...]

He knew he couldn't hesitate, couldn't think or ponder.

Not at that moment, no.

If he hesitated, he knew, deep in his soul…that silhouette…that creature…that…that man would be lost forever.

He couldn't allow that.

Then Shen Yuan held him tightly and pulled him towards him, taking him out of that pixelated limbo as he felt himself being taken away, and the light finally enveloped all of his senses, all he could feel now was his power being at its purer than he ever was, that other person's arm in his hand and Liu Qingge's firm hands around him.

Shen Yuan…somehow knew that everything would be fine.

When he opened his eyes and found himself surrounded by gold and white, clouds now white and fluffy around him, he knew.

Shen Yuan just knew that he would be fine.

A small smile escaped, slightly lifting the corner of his lips as he thought that after all, Liu Qingge really took him away far away.

Chapter Text

The three men who had just appeared in the middle of the Avenue of the Martial God were stunned, taking in the entire huge place, so bright, with the spiritual energy pulsing in the air itself was so strong and pure that just breathing in it filled it with power.

That... that was really...!

“Welcome to the heavens. It is unusual for three gods to ascend at the same time.” A woman's calm and slightly tired voice came from a point in front of them, making the men look over. Her bluish hair tied back as she looked at them with a tired look. - “It is a pleasure to welcome you among our ranks,” With that, her gaze passed over each of them, starting with Liu Qingge - “Your Highness, God of War” Her gaze going to Shen Yuan, so firmly trapped in her arms, raising his eyebrow a little, the only real reaction to their state being - “Your Highness, God of Liberty, and...” - Looking at the other man that Shen Yuan held so tightly, - “Your Highness, God of Arts and Second chances.”

Liu Qingge finally seemed to notice the other man present, looking over Shen Qingqiu's shoulder, eyes widening as he found...Shen Qingqiu??

What??

“You… Who are you?!” - This finally seemed to break Shen Yuan out of his trance, looking at the man in front of him more carefully. He was no longer a greenish, ghostly silhouette, as solid as any living person. The green eyes that stared back at him were identical to his own, the pale skin like jade and the brown hair now loose and long made up the ethereal features that were identical to the ones Shen Yuan saw every day in the mirror for the past few years.

The man before him was none other than… “The original goods!”

“...??” The confused sound of Liu Qingge looking at him without understanding what it was, what do you mean original?

“...Shen Jiu” - Shen Yuan tested, seeing the look of recognition on him, Shen Yuan opened his eyes even wider, perplexed. Was he this whole time…? Wait… And the system?

System? He tried to call out to him, hesitantly. Waiting to hear the robotic voice and know what would end up being his punishment for going against the system.

Silence.

There was no response. Just a void in your mind. It wasn't like when he was in hibernation. Just… Quiet. 

As if it had ceased to exist.

“You…freed me.” - Shen Jiu realized, perplexed. Looking at Shen Yuan's hands and his, finally being able to feel something other than that constant and painful cold, the heat coming from the other man, making the former lord of Qing Jing feel a strong urge to cry. He could feel his body again, feel things around him.

It could be felt…

He was really free from that thing. Shen Jiu felt the pressure in his chest increasing and his heart racing, that feeling brought so much comfort to the man that he could feel absolutely nothing but emptiness for years, which was met with nothing but joy.

Even looking at his old body, at the face that was just like his, brought him happiness. How could it not be?

After almost two decades of just being a ghost who couldn't be seen, heard or felt, feeling everything around him was suffocating but also a blessing.

It was surprising that he was actually a god, he didn't even know that it was really possible, but... but apparently it was.

He could feel again, so...he could touch things...he was a god of second chances...he had... He had a second chance.

Maybe we too can have a second chance. Dark, gentle, yet so sad eyes came into his mind. The tired face he was looking at moments before he was pulled towards Shen Yuan.

Seeing that Shen Jiu was almost crying with pure bewilderment, looking at himself, finally freeing the other man's hand, watching him touch his own face, noticing how two thin lines of tears escaped from the beautiful green eyes like bamboo, probably escaping without him even noticing, Shen Yuan approached somewhat hesitantly, hugging the man as gently as he could.

He was a god now.

They were…they were gods.

And putting together what you just saw of the system...it might...maybe it had...broken.

Shen Yuan was…

"I'm free." He whispered. “We... We are free.” He let out a slightly incredulous laugh, with Shen Jiu letting himself be hugged a little dazedly, Shen Yuan looking up at Liu Qingge, looking at the god of war as he cried as much as the man he hugged. “We are free, Qingge…”

Extending a hand that was quickly grabbed by Liu Qingge, Shen Yuan let out a wet laugh, barely able to believe it.

He was free.

Everyone was free now.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

After the initial crying and shock, the goddess - Ling Wen - led them to one of her palaces so that everyone could get comfortable and change into more suitable clothing before speaking to the Celestial Emperor and introducing themselves. 

At Liu Qingge's insistence, everyone stayed in side-by-side rooms. They had a lot to talk about.

Shen Qingqiu - his Shen Qingqiu? - was left alone for a while with the other Shen Qingqiu - Shen Jiu? 

Shen Jiu's icy gaze reminded him of what his shixiong was like before that fever, stunned to see the eyes of Shen Qingqiu - his shen-shixong - smiling gently at him, asking so that he could talk to the other man for a while before turning to him and explain everything.

Well, he definitely needed an explanation. Shen Qingqiu - that wasn't his name, was it? He was not Shen Qingqiu, his shixiong that he knew in his disciple days, but he was his Shen-shixiong who saved him, the one who smiled at him.

But that only answered one of his questions. The parts of how, why and what had happened, those were still unanswered.

Sitting in his room, with his mind racing, he didn't have much to do at the moment, his hand absently fiddling with the small ornament on his belt. He didn't usually wear many accessories, but this was one of the small items that he and Shen Q...no…that he and his Shen-shixiong shared

Sighing, Liu Qingge waited. He wasn't good at waiting, but for his Shen-shixiong, he would wait.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Yuan finally stopped shaking, sitting down face to face with the original goods, a little uneasy as he finally found himself face to face with the man whose body he had unwittingly possessed, and apparently, he also freed him now.

“So… I think we should start with me…saying my real name.” - He tried, a little awkwardly.

Shen Jiu, now more recovered and looking quite embarrassed from having cried in public, nodded, his face clear, his icy and stern expression returning, Shen Yuan thinking that this was the cold and cool face of the main villain! Oh, he didn’t know that he could make such a cold face!

“My name is Shen Yuan. I was transmigrated to this world…after dying in my own. I didn’t take your body on purpose, I swear!” He assured, it was good to avoid misunderstandings, he knew that the story of the original was already full of them. “I don’t know what you know about the last few years, or about the system-”

"I know everything." - Shen Jiu interrupted him, frowning slightly, surprising Shen Yuan. He didn't intend to waste time on this, even though he appreciated the other party's sincerity. - “And about that…strange voice that controlled everything.”

“You also had access to the system?!” - He was surprised.

“You and that other Peak Lord are not from this world. I've been…" - Shen Jiu normally didn't like sharing his pains, it made him weak, he didn't want to be seen as vulnerable, even now that he was a god, no, especially now that he was a god. However, having had access to the thoughts and life of this man who took over his body…Shen Yuan…for so many years, they must have softened him a little.

Inevitably, he came to care about the younger man.

“I have been present since you occupied my body. Like a ghost, but I could not be heard, seen or felt. But I...I could hear and see everything, and listen to your thoughts.” The last sentence made Shen Yuan's eyes widen, his face heating up absurdly at that. Oh my, could he…? So he witnessed everything…! Oh heavens… Oh hell…

“Y-you still...?”

"I do not think so. I haven't heard anything so far, and you usually think a lot of things, so I believe that when you took me out of the domain of…System” Despite hearing Shen Yuan complain so much about the voice, it was still a strange name, and he knew that it originated from the world of Shen Yuan - “I can’t hear you anymore.”

Shen Yuan sighed with relief, despite the enormous embarrassment he felt, knowing that all his thoughts were heard by the original goods as he lived the story.

Wait, does that mean…

“I know that in your world, my world, I…I was…a character in a book.” - He spoke with a bit of bitterness, - “The Scum Villain” An even more bitter smile appeared on Shen Jiu’s face, but Shen Yuan could see a trace of sadness, - “I believe I should thank you for fixing my story, even though you ended up sacrificing yourself and having to stay with that little beast for it.”

“B-binghe is not a beast! He's just a bit…”

Shen Jiu raised an eyebrow, looking at him judgmentally - “You were crazy about running away from him just a while ago. He does not have all his actions forgiven for being the “protagonist”. Preserve yourself a little more!”

Shen Yuan shrugged his shoulders, looking away guiltily. It has already become a habit.

“Over the years, I... managed to influence you a little.” - Shen Jiu revealed - “I couldn’t do much, but for example...I made you go out tonight.”

“Oh...” - Shen Yuan shrugged, smiling faintly at the other - “I guess I owe you a thank you then.” With his eyes downcast, he fumbled a little with the side of his coat. After a shower and more suitable clothes, he still wanted to keep wearing it.

It was a gift from Liu-shidi, and he wanted to keep it with him, especially because he didn't know if he would be able to recover all the others that Liu Qingge had given him. He didn't even know if it would be safe to go after it at all.

“Well...help me bring Yue Qingyuan here, and we’ll be even.” - Shen Jiu couldn't help but miss the opportunity, of course. He had no way of knowing if Qi-ge would ascend, even though he knew the man would probably be able to do so, he didn't want to wait. No more.

Shen Jiu wanted to talk to Yue Qingyuan so much since he found out the whole truth…he wanted to hear him say everything looking into his eyes, he wanted to make the man promise never to leave him again. Well, he wasn't sure if Qi-ge had romantic feelings for him, but Shen Jiu had his suspicions.

And even if he wasn't, he knew he could demand that the man marry him to make up for his mistakes. With a satisfied smile, Shen Jiu thought it was a great plan.

Qi-ge would be his before the heavens and earth, his alone to claim for all eternity.

Shen Yuan gave him a surprised look, then realizing that…

“You were there that day…you know the truth about your past.” - Heaving a sigh of relief at not having to be the bearer of the news, especially when he didn't know Shen Jiu's reactions that well, but he doubted that he would react well to finding out all those things.

“Hmm. Anyway, that's just what I want. Of course, we need to be careful that the beast doesn't discover where we are. From what I understand, he has this… “Protagonist halo” that could be our downfall. Our peace would be ruined if he also ascended. In fact, we should destroy him and that stupid system.”

“Not that I'm against the idea, but I don't know if there's a way... I mean, the system practically controls the world, and he feeds on Binghe’s energy and…let’s not kill the protagonist!”

Shen Jiu rolled his eyes, dissatisfied but giving in. For now.

“Tsk, right, there must be other ways to destroy this stupid system and if possible, the little beast’s ‘protagonist halo’.” - Shen Yuan didn't know if that would be possible, but he would definitely…I would love to be able to do that.

It would be righteous revenge against everything the system forced him to do. And it would save him from the plot's biggest problem!

“Okay, but…I believe we should talk to Qingge first, and explain everything to him. He deserves an explanation, and… I suppose zhangmen-shixiong will also need an explanation.”

Shen Jiu raised an eyebrow seeing him call Liu Qingge so intimately, considering that even in thoughts, Shen Yuan didn't do it often. The transmigrator was silent, his face turning a little red.

“I believe it is not good to say that we are all Shang Qinghua’s creation.” He began “Even for me who has known this for years it is still…difficult to accept that in a way, all of this was taken from a person's mind, and that he purposely made us tragic and stupid because of “readers” who only wanted to watch porn with Luo Binghe.”

Shen Yuan offered an apologetic smile - “Well, I would have loved to see everyone’s character development.”

With a slightly irritated roll of his eyes, Shen Jiu regretted being without his fan. "And I do not know? You thought about it with an almost irritating frequency. I don't think I would have felt like helping you if you were one of those brainless, promiscuous brutes. And please stop referring to us as “characters”. You have lived here for over a decade, Shen Yuan.”

“Sorry, sorry…force of habit. So what will we say to Qingge and zhangmen-shixiong?”

It took almost another twenty minutes to decide the whole story, like any good lie, there were many points that were in fact true, but some points were purposely hidden. For everyone's sake.

Shen Yuan didn't want to have to tell Qingge that he was a character from a trashy novel who didn't even appear in the story but died tragically before the canonical events!

Not even he himself would believe this kind of thing if someone told him, even if it was his own…well… He and Liu Qingge still haven't defined what they were, have they? Even though they obviously both had mutual feelings for each other.

“Liu-shidi” -  Shen Yuan entered the room Liu Qingge was in, his coat hanging loosely on his shoulders, revealing the white and light green robes he wore underneath, provided by Ling Wen, his brown hair now carefully combed and half tied with the help of Shen Jiu by a green ribbon. So beautiful. Liu Qingge would like to look at him forever. - “...Qingge” With a weak cough, looking away while hiding half of his face with his sleeve - since he was without his fan, “Can you come over? There are... Many things to explain to you.”

Shen Yuan thought he didn't respond initially to calling him Liu Shidi, strangely shy about saying it to the man's face now that he was actually sober again.

He had a face too thin for such things, Liu Shidi! Have mercy on this old man!

“Hm” - Going into the room with the pair of scholars, Liu Qingge kept looking at his Shen-shixiong, curious about what had happened and how the two had switched places or anything like that.

In any case, Shen Jiu's cold and stern gaze was enough to make him sure that this was the man with whom he became Peak Lord with.

“I think it’s right for us to start with introductions… My real name is Shen Yuan, and he is the real Shen Qingqiu, Shen Jiu” - Liu Qingge nodded, thinking that he liked his Shen-shixiong's name.

Shen Yuan .

“Shen Yuan” - He tested, his voice a little lower than normal, satisfied seeing how his scholar got goosebumps and the beautiful shade of pink that colored the beautiful face.

“I don’t know if you…realized that I wasn’t him, but I came into this world when there was that fever. I didn’t enter his body willingly!”

“I knew from the beginning” - Liu Qingge wanted to comfort him as well as assure him that he fell in love very aware that Shen Yuan was a different person.

He noticed from the beginning how different “Shen Qingqiu” was. How could “Shen Qingqiu” be so sweet to him.

The rest was easy to put the pieces together and understand that this was someone else. And then he totally fell in love with him.

“Oh…” - Shen Yuan let out an embarrassed laugh, his face flushed even more, looking away trying to hide his smile, while Shen Jiu made no effort to hide the roll of his eyes.

“Try not to flirt in front of me.” - With that, Liu Qingge felt his ears also getting hot, scowling at Shen Jiu.

The exchange of cold glances between the two men made Shen Yuan have to clear his throat to draw attention back to himself. Oh dear…

“I died in my home world and was brought here by a Magic System that has great power over this world. It is practically absolute, or was, from what Shen Jiu and I realized. We're not...trapped by him anymore. At least that's what we believe in being able to talk to you about it, since under normal circumstances I would be punished for it.” - The frown on Liu Qingge's face deepened, not liking this - “Magic System” - at all. Who did it think it was? Threatening his Shen Yuan?

At the same time, in a way, it was apparently thanks to this being that Shen Yuan came to him.

“Then we must go to it and destroy it before it can hurt us again!” - Shen Jiu, for the first time, nodded in agreement with his shidi. He wanted to destroy this creature, even if the System was intangible, he would find a way!

“It’s something to be studied… I don’t know yet how we would do that. But…I think it might be a good idea. We will need Shang-shidi for this.” - Seeing Liu Qingge’s questioning look, Shen Yuan added, “Shang-shidi is also from the same world as me, but he came to this world much earlier, it can be said that this is indeed a second life for him, as he has been like Shang Qinghua since he was born.”

After all, this was why no peak lord found Shang Qinghua strange. He was always himself, but he also… wasn't.

Besides Shen Jiu, Shang Qinghua was the one who understood Shen Yuan the most.

Wait, what?

Before their thoughts could continue, or the discussion could continue, a bright light came from outside followed by a loud bang, throwing everyone off balance. Liu Qingge immediately supported Shen Yuan and helped him from falling, maintaining his axis of gravity and making his own body heavier - much easier than he normally had to do, he noted in surprise - hugging the smaller man protectively, feeling his face burned as he was immediately hugged back.

With his heart beating much faster than usual, Liu Qingge felt his chest warm with that sweet feeling, hugging Shen Yuan's waist and back more protectively, smelling his scent of bamboo and paper, with a slight touch of...cucumbers?

He could never stay so long around Shen Yuan, his scent too light and soft to notice so quickly, and the mere idea that he could now hug the other man as much as he wanted... This sent sparks throughout all of his meridians.

Leaning fully on Liu Qingge, Shen Yuan felt his face even redder, he would probably be on fire as he felt the Lord Bai Zhan burying his face in his hair, but it wasn't like he could - or wanted to - break free from Liu Qingge's embrace. His shidi remained perfectly solid between the tremors, as reliable as ever, and with the gentle touch and his vision taken only by the pure white of his robes, Shen Yuan almost forgot that they were not alone.

Almost.

Shen Jiu immediately made sure to remind them of his presence. “If you are done throwing dog food at whoever wants to see it or not, the tremors stopped.” He announced, looking out the window to find... - “Shang Qinghua?!”

"What?!" - The shock and bewilderment was not only heard in Shen Jiu, but also in Shen Yuan, even Liu Qingge raised his eyebrows in surprise, everyone going to the window to see and…it was undeniably Shang Qinghua.

What the hell??

The trio quickly left for the God of Fate's Main Avenue, arriving there at the same time as Ling Wen, who was carrying the same golden scroll that she had been carrying hours ago when they ascended.

Shen Yuan looked closely at the parchment, it was golden and shiny and the paper it was made of seemed both old and new at the same time, so old that it could dissolve into dust if touched even the slightest, but at the same time so new that it seemed to shine. It was made of pure gold, emanating power, pure and complete, and if you looked closely, small particles of light came out of the paper, so fine that it was as if they glowed. There was a dragon's head in the upper half where Ling Wen held it, and there seemed to be another in the lower half, as if when closed it formed the image of a dragon devouring its own tail.

A dragon's Ouroboros, the cycle of the end and the beginning.

It didn't even make sense, but it was right before her eyes, and it was undeniably beautiful.

The characters formed on the parchment, the particles of light coming together and showing three startling words: God of Destiny.

Shocked, just like Shen Jiu who was looking at the same place as him, Shen Yuan realized that even Ling Wen herself didn't seem to believe what she read.

"Am I... really in heaven? Did I die?" - It was difficult to process everything, trying to correctly absorb your memories “Or did I… did I ascend?” - Cleaning his own clothes of small fragments of ice while trying to fix them so that no one would notice what he was doing before ending up there, Shang Qinghua noticed the three figures looking at him as if he were an alien.

Wait, three?

"Cucumber Bro!" - He blurted out - "What happened anyway?" - Considering that Shen Jiu was right there, it was obvious that Shen Jiu and Liu Qingge must already know some things, right?

In any case, he could always pretend that it was their delusion because they had just seen him ascending.

"Y-your highness..." - Somehow, that serious and tired looking woman's tone seemed extremely respectful and... she was addressing Shang Qinghua?? - "Lord Master of Stories and Fate."

EXTRA

Chapter Text

A god of fate.

A deity who, with enough power, could manipulate destiny itself, the past, present and future. There was only one like him, in time immemorial.

The god who is said to be the father of all Celestial Demons, the very first, coming from the beginning.

Airskhie.

(Yes, blame him for giving his primordial being the joining of two parts of his more stylized pseudonym, the world he created! Cucumber-bro can't complain about that! At least it was an original name!)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Shang Qinghua noticed the system going strange, he was in a moment too...good with his King to care, so he only went to investigate it a short time ago.

Shang Qinghua ended up facing a frighteningly weak and angry system, trying to assign his the mission of informing the protagonist that his husband has fled to the heavens. The heavens? What?

And when the faulty and stuttering text box finally managed to pronounce "Heavenly Capital", Shang Qinghua finally connected the dots - very perplexed by it.

Cucumber-bro ascended! He became a god!

But... why didn't Shang Qinghua himself ascend? He...he was the author! He created that story, that whole world! He should ascend! How would that be fair?

He fought with the system, indignant, demanding his own ascension, guaranteeing that he would sue that stupid program for copyright and everything else!

He was so furious that he didn't realize he was speaking out loud, not caring about the system, for the first time, actually seeming to listen to him, almost intimidated.

Not until, before his eyes, an interface glowing red said "God Mode: Unlocked" before fading into pixels and an electronic hiss so painful to his ears it made him wince and fall over.

Falling into the arms of his king, just before he glows and disappears.

Afraid of what it might mean, he could only shout that everything was fine and for him not to tell Binghe anything.

Shang Qinghua prayed that Mobei-jun had heard and understood the message, and that, by the heavens, he would hear him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Ling Wen didn't let him off as easily as the other three, in fact, barely letting them actually talk. Shang Qinghua would have to thank ascension for leaving his body in perfect condition, because he definitely wouldn't be walking normally now, despite the strange goosebumps shuddering beneath his skin every few minutes.

Luckily for him and to Ling Wen's complete admiration, Shang Qinghua was an expert at handling paperwork. He handled the logistics of 12 peaks and a demonic realm, no small feat! Heavenly Logistics was simply his breakfast.

After Liu Qingge kicked down the door of the Ling Wen Palace (it almost broke under the force of the God of War's impatience, it was close!), Shang Qinghua felt every hair on his body stand up in fright as he was dragged to the four members of Cang Qiong to have a private meeting.

Liu Qingge could no longer bear having to look at Shen Jiu's irritating face, the two of them returning to exchange barbs the moment things became calmer, and even though Shen Yuan managed to calm the duo by rambling and theorizing together with Shen Jiu about the scroll that both saw and where it came from, with Liu Qingge listening to him calmly, Shang Qinghua was already taking too long!

They had plans to make about getting rid of the system, how to punish it and other questions to answer!

Shang Qinghua had a bad feeling from the venomous look he received from Shen Jiu when he entered the room.

Oh, Cucumber-bro, what did you tell them??

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Well, what are your private passwords?” - Shang Qinghua asked, trying to take a while to start the subject that was clearly the main one.

And it was also a valid question!

He received somewhat confused looks from two of the gods in return.

“Private password for what?” – Liu Qingge asked first.

“From his personal Communication Matrix, of course” - Shang Qinghua might have just ascended, but that was simply a common thing in xianxia novels! The xianxia equivalent of sending voice messages, like WeChat!

Used to multitasking, he set his password while working with Ling Wen at a speed that scared even the goddess a little.

“We were in a bit of a delicate situation when we arrived, we still didn’t have time to talk to Ling Wen and catch up on things in the heavens.” Shen Yuan intervened.

“Oh! Well, anyway, my password is ‘Aim for the skies’” - Shang Qinghua declared proudly, ignoring the dirty look he got from his bro. It was a clever pun! Only Cucumber-bro would notice, but it would be a great tease! “You only need to remember this three times, then you’ll be able to talk to me directly, but it’s a secret just for you!”

Naturally, Shang Qinghua did not intend to distribute his private password to everyone. He only gave it there in front of the others because he needed Shen Yuan to be able to talk to him without the other two hearing him!

He didn't expect the slap he received from Shen Jiu with that. Shen Jiu usually preferred to use his fan, but he would work with what he had at the moment.

“Ouch!”

“It’s a bad pun.” – Shen Yuan’s angry voice sounded in his mind.

“You have no sense of humor, bro! So…what do they know? Why did my villain hit me like that? I didn’t even do anything!”

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes at the last sentence.

“ Shen Jiu knows everything. He had…access to my thoughts. He was trapped by the system all this time like some kind of ghost. Qingge doesn’t know about PIDW or that you are the author, and it’s best to keep it that way.” - Well, Shang Qinghua couldn't really complain, could he? This was even more convenient for him!

Clearing his throat, Shen Yuan waved the fan that Liu Qingge handed him while they waited for Shang Qinghua - Shen Jiu was furious, he also wanted his fan back, but he couldn't do anything about it. It was one of the Lord Bai Zhan's gifts to his beloved, and one of Shen Yuan's favorite fans, even though he kept losing it.

(It was just a fake excuse so that Liu Qingge needed to take it back to Shen Yuan and could see him, but whether it was on purpose or not, was no one's business.)

“Shang-shidi, even though changing our passwords is a great initiative, I believe we should focus on some essential things now. Qingge already knows that we are transmigrators, so the main points now are whether Mobei-Jun will tell Binghe about you ascending, whether he knows about it and…what is this god of fate thing? Why does this seem like a…”

“One of your discarded plots” - Shen Yuan added in the matrix

“...A complicated situation for us to deal with.” - Shen Yuan chose his words. It was definitely difficult to control this part of the story without revealing the book part to Qingge, and it seemed even more unfair when Shen Jiu knew all these things.

“I asked my King not to tell Binghe anything, but I don’t know if he will really listen to me…but I believe he will.” - Would he be able to talk to Mobei-Jun?

Feeling his skin crawling again because he no longer knows how many days had passed since he arrived in the Heavenly Capital, he simply couldn't tell - besides being used to feeling pleasant goosebumps, thanks to being married to a handsome and hot ice demon, Shang Qinghua ran his hands down his arms as he walked excitedly around the room.

He needed to get in touch with his king soon, he knew he had given him quite a scare when he disappeared out of nowhere.

“We can't trust a demon to just listen to you. Even more so with you disappearing before is eyes. We have to somehow stop him from talking to Luo Binghe.” - Shen Jiu never liked demons, and Luo Binghe didn't do much to alleviate his prejudices.

Qinghua

Almost jumping out of his body in fright, Shang Qinghua felt those goosebumps again on his skin, his king's voice sounding in the back of his mind much clearer now.

What?! Wait… That…?

Qinghua, where are you? Why is it taking so long?

It seemed…it didn't seem like Mobei-Jun was actually talking to him. It was more…a thought. Mobei-jun…was thinking about him.

Qinghua, are you really okay? You will come back to me?

Feeling his face heat up, barely believing that he could hear his king's thoughts, Shang Qinghua's heart was pounding in his chest. He knew his king loved him, of course, but it was… different to hear him so openly concerned about him.

He couldn't stop himself from smiling goofily.

“Why do you look like an idiot now?” - Shen Jiu called him back to reality, actually jumping in fright. Oh god, he shouldn't have made the original goods so fierce!

Either way, having listened to his king was great. He had a way to talk to Mobei-jun now.

Taking a deep breath, focusing fully on his big, hot ice demon, his husband, his Mobei-jun, Shang Qinghua tried to make his voice reach him.

"My king?"

Answering his first prayer! That was so cool! Because, well, it was a prayer, wasn't it? He was a god now, so it would make sense that he could hear this kind of thing.

The silence that greeted him for a few moments caused the young god to become discouraged, thinking that he was not yet strong enough to speak to his worshipers.

“Qinghua?” Mobei-Jun's shocked voice sounded back, silencing Shang Qinghua's self-deprecating thoughts.

"My king! You can hear me!” - He celebrated, answering him. - “Did you say something about how I disappeared to Luo Binghe?” - Unfortunately, it was a time when Shang Qinghua needed to be direct, as he had no time to waste on Shen Jiu's sharp gazes.

“I haven't told him anything yet, but why? What is happening?"

“I'm fine, I need... I need you to trust me, my King. I can't tell you, not yet. But if Luo Binghe knows, it could cause us problems... “

“Don’t tell him I contacted you or what you saw. I'll explain as soon as I can, but I'm fine!! I’ll come back as soon as I can...”

“Hm, right. I will do as Qinghua asks.”

Shang Qinghua sighed in relief, smiling victoriously at the other four who were now looking at him a little curiously, realizing that he was doing something since he hadn't paid attention to what they talked about in the last few minutes.

"My King won't tell anything! It's okay, we have time now!" - Shang Qinghua declared proudly, despite Shen Jiu's suspicious looks. - “I just spoke to him! He looked like he was praying to me” his eyes almost seemed to glow at that.

Shen Jiu sighed, dissatisfied, but also unable to do anything about it.

“Okay, what about ascension and how it affects the system?”

“I think there is something more to this that we should consider” - Shang Qinghua pondered - “Why only now?”

That, in fact, was an important point.

“Maybe we broke some kind of boundary?” - Suggests Shen Jiu, a little uncertain as he tries to think more about it. He was at Qiong Ding Peak before everything happened. His ghostly form snuggled pathetically on top of Yue Qingyuan as he wished he could feel the other man's warmth. It was completely self-imposed torture.- “Maybe we met some pre-requisites?”

“Maybe…I think this might make sense.” - Thinks Shen Yuan.

“Shizun said that ascension is a matter of merit and destiny.” - Liu Qingge offers. He's not the type to think too much about this kind of thing. He knew what he needed to know, but he never really sought ascension.

“Well, we all have destiny. This whole generation should rise.” - Shang Qinghua blurts out, earning quite dismayed looks from the two Lords of Qing Jing and a curious and suspicious look from Liu Qingge.

“How can you be so sure?” - Liu Qingge asks.

“Ah…God of Fate thing, you know!” He laughs nervously, “It just seems to… appear in my mind. Like magical answers! It's like I always knew this, but…”

In saying this, in fact, something happens.

As if he was just waiting for the question, a memory appears in his mind, and with it, more information.

A book being opened and words from it simply flowing to Shang Qinghua, with it, knowledge. The stories of Fate.

Not only a knowledge coming from lost memories that he thought would probably never return due to his long years in that world, but also, somehow, he seemed to simply know the answer to what he was looking for.

It was a little strange and quite scary, especially since he had no idea of the limits of it. How far would something like that go, but he focused on what he discovered and of course told the others.

Apparently, Shang Qinghua could not ascend. Not Shang Qinghua, the original products, but Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky.

As the lord of An Ding Peak, yes, he would ascend. It was his destiny. He would be a minor civil god.

That is, if the original hadn't died a traitor.

But the Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky... that spirit only had one divine position to actually occupy, although everyone would think that he would ascend as a normal civil god, he was actually the God of Fate.

As a writer and creator of that world, he was a natural.

And as the god of Fate, he would have much more power than the System...so naturally he could ascend.

Most surprising of all, that was what went through his mind. How this knowledge flowed so easily and how it came as a memory.

No, it wasn't like a memory. That was a memory.

All of this was...it was exactly how he was thinking when he thought of the idea.

Because in fact, he didn't even sketch it out in his notebook: that all 12 lords of Cang Qiong in that generation could have ascended to godhood.

What didn't happen in PIDW, because Luo Binghe took out his revenge against the sect and destroyed it and with it all the Lords of the peak died.

But now...it seemed like that became possible again.

Apparently, it only took one of them to reach this destination to unlock all the others. How to break a dam at the right point so that the flood would devastate everything.

He relays all of this in the matrix to Shen Yuan, who looks... perplexed.

At the same time, he explains it out loud to the other two present.

Excluding the parts about him being the author, he mentions about another reality. A reality that the System considered as the “true one”. The one that everything was based on, but it was not the same one that he and Shen Yuan came from, and in this reality there was the possibility of his ascension, but everyone died before, and it was as if he had never existed, because…the System wanted it (Cucumber-bro, don't look at him like that!)

“Anyway” - Shang Qinghua continues, clearing his throat while not looking at anyone in particular - “It wasn’t meant to be, and I didn’t know it was yet…possible for everyone to ascend, but my destiny to ascend as the God of Fate made the system block the ascension even more strongly, since I would have more power than it. Now…I'm really curious about what you guys did to break it first.” - Shang Qinghua finally concludes, looking at the three who clearly got there first.

Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge exchange a look, remembering the moment before they ascended. Each thinking about how their thoughts were so focused on each other. How they were simply determined to do something that seemed impossible, but...

Somehow... Somehow feeling free from ties. With no intention of letting anything hold them back.

How Shen Yuan wished for his freedom.

How could Liu Qingge not feel that he would no longer hold back.

How they were…determined to be together.

And the exchange of qi between the two, their energies flowing in their bodies in perfect harmony. Almost a silent and incredibly pleasurable dance.

The blush on their faces blooms easily at the thought.

Shen Yuan thinks, well, it was still a world created by a story, and generally... acts of love usually carry great weight.

“You mentioned the god of fate. Not a god of fate. Why?" - Completely avoiding the question, Shen Yuan shifts his attention to the part that caught his attention in the Airplane's words.

“Ah, yes…there was another one. Long ago."

“And he can help us destroy the System?” - Liu Qingge asks, interested - “Or is it already gone?...Can gods die?”

“As far as I know...only by complete forgetfulness.” - Shang Qinghua thinks reflexively - “But the ancient god of fate died from other causes. There are some ways to kill gods, they are few and extremely difficult, but they are also practically unknown. Airskhie was not just a god, in fact he was only considered a god, but he did not want to exercise his divinity and preferred to live his life normally. In fact…he was a heavenly demon.”

Shen Jiu looks shocked and curious, Liu Qingge almost looks disappointed that he is dead already. Whether it's because he won't have the chance to fight Airskhie or because he will no longer have the god's possible help in destroying the system.

Then, with his memories about the first heavenly demon, Shang Qinghua explained about Airskhie.

(What a miracle he didn't receive any mental criticism from Shen Yuan on his private channel yet for the name he chose.)

Reflecting, feeling that his mind had that chilling, yet comfortable effect again as knowledge spread into his thoughts, ordering itself as words that came to his mind and could easily escape through his lips. Like reading a book that he never knew the language, but now it was easy.

He remembers that Airskhie was a primordial fire demon, a flame that was born from an intense spark, a powerful spark, with almost endless energy.

Xin Mo came from his own heart, when they ripped it out and forged the demonic sword with his blood, hoping to obtain more power.

A mistake, because abusing the heavenly demon's kindness was what caused everyone's ruin.

As a last act, Airskhie cursed whoever used Xin Mo, so that everything in his heart would be heightened, all of his most primal desires and secret desires. If they desired an immortal demon heart, then they would have their hearts and minds devoured by Xin Mo.

A heart for a heart. Xin Mo could grant enormous power, but it would exact just as great a price. It would consume his mind while making him lose control over his heart.

The only one who could use it without suffering from its effects and finally breaking that curse would be Airskhie himself or his divine successor, a god of fate.

Something that, Shang Qinghua thought as he devised this plot, no one would become. Not even its protagonist. Luo Binghe was supposed to be amazing, of course, but he wasn't going to make him a god of fate.

And after all, who better to be the lord of destinies than the author of history himself?

Who knew those thoughts would come back to bite you in the ass now.

Heavens, who would have thought those thoughts would return.

It was still impressive to realize this.

Shang Qinghua remembered very little of the more delicate and subjective parts of the plot, being almost sixty years old mentally and literally decades since he lived in his home world, Shang Qinghua found it surprising that he was able to remember this.

Now, knowledge came easily. His mind seemed to be so clear, that even his chaotic thoughts flowed much more easily than before.

It was incredible.

“So…you are basically like a reincarnation of that first heavenly demon as you assume your divine position and become the new God of Fate.” – Shen Jiu concludes, looking really impressed. - “And you can take Xin Mo out of that beast without suffering side effects”

“Yeah…well…ehehe. In a way… yes, I can.”

“We will have to face Luo Binghe anyway.” - Liu Qingge declares. Well, the protagonist's greatest source of power was indeed Xin Mo, but…even as gods…could they win against the protagonist's halo?

“A direct confrontation could be dangerous, shidi…” - Shen Yuan seemed hesitant, he didn’t really want to fight against his former disciple, and he didn’t want to find out what Luo Binghe could do against them.

“And what would be the alternative? Hide forever in the heavens?” - Unfortunately, Liu Qingge's argument was valid. As gods, they could not simply live in anonymity, especially with their titles, they would eventually realize who they were.

Unfortunately, it was just postponing the inevitable. They were biding their time while they figured out how to deal with the problem, but it wasn't going to be a permanent solution.

“We need to think of a strategy to beat him.” - Unfortunately for Shen Yuan, Shen Jiu is actually agreeing with Liu Qingge.

At least they had Cang Qiong's best strategist with them…and without the system making him dumb. Well, maybe there was a way to defeat the protagonist.

Or at least delay it long enough for them to take out Xin Mo and destroy it. Without it, Luo Binghe would be significantly easier to deal with.

“We also have an additional problem, since Shen Yuan doesn’t have a sword...”

“I can use Xiu Ya too!”

Shen Jiu gave him a dark look - “Xiu Ya is mine, now that I have returned, it will respond to me better than you.” - And to prove his point, Shen Jiu raised his hand, summoning his sword.

Indeed, Xiu Ya appeared, immediately responding to his original owner. Shen Yuan, curious - and a little tempted to provoke the other man as well - tried to make the sword fly towards him. Which it did initially, responding as naturally as ever. Shen Yuan smiled triumphantly at Shen Jiu, who just looked at him calmly before summoning Xiu Ya back to himself, and it quickly left despite Shen Yuan's wishes, and Shen Jiu gave the transmigrator a smug look.

“I believe that my will still prevail over my sword.”

“That would give you a really cool joint fighting style” - Shang Qinghua comments. “But it would also be useful if Cucumber-Bro had his own sword. Fans alone might not be enough when fighting Bingmei.”

“We have to talk to Wei Qingwei so he can create Shen Yuan’s spiritual sword then.” - This surprised Shen Yuan, looking at Liu Qingge really surprised that the man wanted him to follow Cang Qiong's traditions, even though he was basically a foreigner who entered the sect out of nowhere. Liu Qingge noticed his gaze, even though he couldn't decipher it completely, he knew the scholar well enough to understand certain things. “You were part of the sect for years, helped and cared for everyone in Cang Qiong, even though it wasn't your duty. Even though you are under threat from this System. You are still part of Cang Qiong.”

Oh…. Oh….wow, that…that really took him by surprise. Liu Qingge didn't usually talk so much, but these were definitely nice words, Liu Shidi!

With his heart racing, unable to contain the affection in his expression, Shen Yuan felt unexpectedly welcomed. Liu Qingge did not react negatively to him not being the original goods, in fact, he knew from the beginning that Shen Yuan was not Shen Qingqiu.

And he accepted him anyway, accepting Shen Yuan as he was without even knowing who he was or where he was from, allowing him into his life.

Oh, how Shen Yuan wished he had realized his feelings for Liu Qingge sooner…

But well, knowing the crap of the system, maybe he would have ordered Liu Qingge's death, since he was placed in the role of harem wives. If that happened… Shen Yuan would never forgive himself. He doubts that even Binghe could have done anything to stop him from doing something crazy, or that he would have been able to continue by his disciple's side if he did that.

“You apparently know how to use your words when you want.” - Shen Jiu says acidly, earning another furious look from Liu Qingge, but Shen Yuan slams the fan in his hand to get everyone's attention.

“So, let’s organize our plans! First, we need a sword for me. Afterward, we will inform Zhangmen-shixiong that we ascended, okay?”

“Hmm”

“I believe this means that this generation of peak lords will be passed down.” - Shen Jiu reflected - “I believe that all the peak lords have their main disciples already chosen?”

“If we’re not running away, there’s no point in rushing through the generation.” - Liu Qingge countered - “Not everyone is ready, and we won’t be running away like cowards from Luo Binghe.”

Shen Yuan knew that Liu Qingge would fight Luo Binghe no matter what, even without having the great chances of victory that Shang Qinghua's new status granted them. He did this for five years, determined to get his body back, no matter the danger. Always so loyal and trustworthy, his Liu-shidi!

“And you expect us to continue taking care of business like Peak Lords while being gods?” - The acidity in Shen Jiu's voice could have melted stone, but Liu Qingge just looked at him as if that was, in fact, the most obvious option. - “Do you even hear yourself?! This has never been done!”

“The biggest problem with us doing this would be explaining to our martial brothers and sisters about you two.” - Shang Qinghua commented, chewing some melon seeds - where did he get that from?

“We will not explain transmigration to anyone more than necessary.” - Shen Yuan wanted to make this clear, just in case.

“...We can say that we are brothers, twins.” - Shen Jiu offered, a little hesitantly, his heart beating much faster than it should. He swallowed the hesitation that filled his heart and remained firm. It was logical and well-founded thinking! - “Qi-g…Yue Qingyuan can attest to our history.”

Eyes shining, Shang Qinghua seems to simply be bursting with ideas.

"Excellent! So Cucumber-bro will be your twin brother who disappeared for several years, and you went looking for him! So you were cursed and switched places, you were trapped by a curse and your brother was trying to save you, but it had to be in secrecy because one of the conditions of the curse was not to talk about it, or it would kill him and then both of you would die! And the cure for the curse was unknown but was broken when you ascended!” - Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu may not be twin brothers, but they definitely mirror their expressions of irritation and disgust with this narrative by Shang Qinghua, even if for different reasons.

Even though it was, in fact, a very plausible story.

A knock on the door interrupted any acidic comments regarding Shang Qinghua's ideas, who ran to see who wanted to talk to everyone, seeing that it was one of Ling Wen's palace deputies, calling for Liu Qingge, Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan to come to a meeting with the goddess. To make everything more organized, everyone would see the goddess one at a time, then all four would be introduced to his Majesty, the Celestial Emperor.

With the - not satisfied - departure of Liu Qingge, who after gentle insistence from Shen Yuan ended up giving in and leaving, Shen Jiu decided that he would take advantage of this moment to summon Yue Qingyuan there.

(He wasn't going to mention that he got a little excited when Shen Yuan called him “Jiu-ge”.)

Shang Qinghua and Shen Yuan, like the two avid readers of Xianxia that they were - and one was literally the creator of that world - managed to figure out how to summon Sect Leader Yue there, so Shen Jiu went to his own room to do so, leaving the two nerds alone to talk.

(Or for Shang Qinghua to be silently murdered by Shen Yuan, no one needed to know.)

EXTRA

Chapter Text

With Liu Qingge busy with Ling Wen and Shen Jiu going to call Yue Qingyuan, the two transmigrators were left alone. Sitting at the small table while Shen Yuan served tea, they had a lot to talk about.

Shen Yuan began to fiddle with his fan a little, carefully tracing the guard, he didn't want to have to stay away from Liu Qingge for so long, so having the fan with you was a comfort. Being with Shang Qinghua, even though Airplane was a bit of a jerk sometimes, also comforted him. The last few years it had really been just the two of them with that secret and burden.

(Although a petty part of him pointed out that Airplane Juju was doing much better than himself, actually living a dream life with his demon husband.)

Despite everything, it was still easier to talk about it just between the two of them.

"So, since when could we ascend? I mean, this plot has some wife plot. I understood the part about it being a destiny that our entire generation shares, but…since when has that possibility existed in the story?" - Shen Yuan began, as always, straight to the point, very curious about this unknown part of the story.

At least that answer was easy.

"Ah, well, it was part of the original plot, and it would be much more than a wife plot! Unfortunately, that would also cause a lot of problems, it was one of my first ideas, but it ended up being discarded."

Shen Yuan seemed to want to kill him. Again. But it was nothing astounding.

“Did you give any hint of this in one of Binghe’s harem plots, by any chance?” - Shen Yuan had some theories, calmly thinking about it while remembering the three thousand wives, the small details that seemed just random now making more sense.

"I tried to give some hints, but the public was so interested in the papapa that, like everything else, it was discarded. Furthermore, if everyone just ascended, then Liu Qingge could have ascended when he was supposed to die from qi deviation. Despite everything, he would clear Shen Qingqiu's reputation by revealing that it was not a murder or an assassination attempt! Yue Qingyuan would come and fight directly with Luo Binghe after his tragic ascension!" - He begins to ramble animatedly, very excited by his newly acquired memory. The plots he thought of long ago, simply popping into his mind again. It was electrifying! - "And that would of course bring about an epic fight, but the readers wouldn't like that, they wanted Binghe picking up girls and not being passive to a vengeful cult leader! Don't look at me like that! You know, most people read it for the free porn!" - Shang Qinghua defended himself, despite everything, Cucumber-bro would always judge him to the fullest for his terrible narrative choices.

Shen Yuan massaged his forehead, resisting the urge to hit Shang Qinghua with the fan. That was a disturbing image he DEFINITELY didn't want in his brain, thank you! He wishes he could pour bleach on his mind so he could erase this terror.

"Even though it would also be interesting for the plot if Liu Mingyan had actually ascended, that would generate a really cool, but again, very complex new plot that the audience didn't want to read. And when Shen Qingqiu ascended after dying from years of torture, blackened Binghe would feel wronged and try to rise, but he wouldn't make it!"

Shen Yuan looked shocked - "What do you mean? He's the Protagonist!" - Was there really something that Luo Binghe - Bing-ge - adult, post-abyss and Emperor of the demonic and human Realm couldn't do??

And this was THOUGHT UP BY THE AIRPLANE?

"Yes, well.... hehe... He can't ascend because of Xin Mo! One of the curses of the sword is that it destroys the paths of ascension! But My King could ascend, and he becomes the god of Winter!" - Shen Yuan's Judgmental look says it all.

Everything Shang Qinghua happily ignores!

"But the end of the story...this entire plot was discarded, and you never wrote it down anywhere? Or was it in some lost note, forgotten in the limbo of your laptop?"

"Well, I just thought about it one day, and eventually I still remembered it as I progressed through the story, but I didn't really write anything down. I preferred to discard the entire plot of the gods because it would be too complex, and the readers wouldn't like it. Although…"

“Although, what?”

“Well…the ending where Binghe just disappears is for other reasons, and it wasn’t really out of nowhere.” - Shang Qinghua reveals, making Shen Yuan's green eyes focus so intensely on him that he was sure that if he doesn't tell his brother about the real plot of his ending, he will really be strangled.

“In the end...Shen Jiu truly ascended and Binghe found out, he found himself defeated, unreconciled and hopeless when even fate awarded his cruel teacher with divinity. He disappears because he's going to look for more information about it and try to ascend. That's when he finds scrolls almost completely destroyed in the Endless Abyss, manages to restore it with a rare flower grown inside a volcano and some more parts of monsters and rare plants to make up the restoration spell.”

Shen Yuan's irritated look at his convenient rare flowers growing like grass is also completely ignored by Shang Qinghua.

“When he discovers that he cannot ascend and refuses to accept the happy ending of Shen Qingqiu, who was reunited with Yue Qingyuan, who was now a powerful ghost and the two were living out their immortality happily married... he performs a ritual to be reborn with his memories, to be able to ascend and further his revenge on Shen Qingqiu."

Upon completing this explanation, it only takes a second for him to have to run away from an angry Shen Yuan, because how dare he give that dark ending to the novel than tell all that? Even though the "real" option is also terrible and depressing, at least it would have given more context! Not a stupidly abrupt disappearance!

Besides... - "That was just an excuse for you to give even more wives and stupid papapa plots, wasn't it??" - He was indignant! - “And then he would have goddess wives? Get the whole harem back again?”

What a fucking horrible plot...

"Actually... the ritual goes wrong!" - Shang Qinghua dodged another slap from the fan, jumping behind a sofa - "Luo Binghe realizes at the last minute that it doesn't work, but he can no longer stop the ritual... so he is actually reborn, but without his powers or anything like that! The last scene was supposed to be Binghe dying bitterly when he saw that he was still defeated by his Shizun!"

Not only that, but a tragic end for its tragic blackened protagonist.

Shen Yuan might have thought it would be an interesting script choice, but now he was just furious!

All this work for Binghe to die in the end? What the hell was that ending? Did Airplane waste the complex plot on papapa and still not give the protagonist a damn happy ending?

And even when Shen Yuan was having to take the place of three thousand wives, was this still where his story was headed? Was all this crap for nothing?

He...he thought being where he was meant everything would be okay. That if Luo Binghe was happy, then everything would be fine. What if…if Luo Binghe was happy, then everyone else he cared about would be too. So everything was fine! He could handle his clingy and potentially dangerous student! He really could! Of course! Even though it tired him sometimes, even though sometimes he just wanted to run into Liu Qingge's arms and sink into his comforting scent and stay there.

If this was the protagonist's original ending, then were all those years of acting as Luo Binghe's “wife” for nothing?

All he endured was…for nothing?

Well, not for nothing, he thinks. There were things that changed. There were things that got better.

He could be happy with Qingge now, and of course, he was happy about it! It was what he wanted, but...

A part of him still felt guilty about Luo Binghe and wished the protagonist had had a happier ending. An ending where he would be truly happy.

And that didn't mean he was the wife! An ending where the protagonist would move on with his life and he could follow his own path! A path that was chosen by Shen Yuan.

(A path with Liu Qingge as his husband.)

(And maybe... A way he had two brothers)

Maybe he was selfish, or greedy. He wanted the protagonist he became attached to, to pursue his own happy life, Shen Yuan just wanted Binghe to be happy… Without that meaning that Shen Yuan himself would be his wife. 

Because, again, he wanted to be with Liu Qingge!

(Thinking about it still made him blush and have butterflies in his stomach. It was so…so good to be able to just think about it without fear. It was so good to not be afraid of thinking about the person he liked that it was hard to avoid repeating it. He felt like a child who got the toy he wanted for Christmas and couldn't stop talking about it.)

His dear and trusted Liu Shidi, who waited for him for so many years, who made his heart flutter and wasn't good with words - Shen Yuan wasn't that good either- but his actions said a lot about it.

Oh, hell!

It was illogical, ah! But maybe being there living that life, with all those people, he couldn't help but want everyone to actually be happy, not just an intriguing plot.

Shen Yuan wanted to be happy with Liu Qingge. Allow yourself to feel his own feelings for his beloved shidi and be reciprocated. He wanted the original goods to be happy, so that Shen Jiu could have his much-deserved second chance with Yue Qi, without the bitterness to guide his actions. He even wished that stupid Airplane could be happy with his ideal man.

Shen Yuan wanted everyone from Cang Qiong Mountain to prosper.

Shen Yuan wanted Luo Binghe to be able to grow up and have a life without suffering. Because... it wasn't a story anymore.

They were all real, and their pain was real. Everything that hurt them caused wounds that would bleed and leave scars, which could not always be healed so easily.

That world might not be their world of origin, it might all originate from a trashy and poorly written novel, but after so many years...Shen Yuan couldn't really see them as just two-dimensional characters who needed to develop their complexity to improve their character’s plot.

To the people of their original world, perhaps everyone there was indeed a great story being told, but that was no longer the main plot.

Shen Yuan was living the untold story after the “Happy” ending, which was not happy at all.

And now, he felt his chest hurt, seeing so many people who directly, or indirectly, he wished were okay. But it wasn't like he could just type on a notebook and everything would be fine.

Shen Yuan was now a fucking god! He needed to do something! He needed to…free everyone.

But…what to do when destiny is headed towards disaster? How...how could he free them all from the damn system? Of the tragic end that awaited them?

Shen Yuan couldn't sacrifice himself for this, he didn't even really want to, he wanted to live! But he also didn't want to sit still and do nothing.

“We’re going to get that damn cursed sword, and you’re GOING TO FIX IT!” - Shen Yuan fights, furious with that stupid Airplane, not being able to express his anguish as strongly as he would like, his vision blurred, but he refused to cry. In a way, he was used to hiding his feelings, thanks to all the years of pretending to be Shen Qingqiu and his habitual emotional constipation.

Perhaps, the tears are coming a little easier due to his recent rise as a god of freedom, which probably includes freedom in expressing his feelings. He won't think about it now.

"It is fine! There! Cucumber-bro, that hurts! There! Let’s resolve this! I promise, okay?”

After properly beating his martial brother, Shen Yuan huffs in frustration and restlessness, wiping his face on his sleeves to get rid of the small tears that still managed to escape.

“Let’s bring happy endings and peaceful lives to everyone.” - Shen Yuan declares.

“Right, right…should I look for the next auspicious date for your wedding with Liu-shidi, then? Or should I leave this job to Qing-shimei anyway?” - Shang Qinghua provokes him, and this definitely makes him need to run away from Shen Yuan again to avoid being beaten.

Chapter Text

In the beautiful room of the heavenly palace, a god had been walking around in circles for a while. Elegant robes fluttered around him like curving leaves moving in the wind, a furious, restless wind.

The man had already tried to take a deep breath and count to 10, he almost gave in to the bad habit of biting his nails that his now younger brother sometimes had, but not even that could calm his anxious heart. Nothing seemed to be enough to give real confidence to Shen Jiu, whose greatest enemy did not have a physical form, nor was it that hateful former disciple of his, it was his own stormy mind.

Shen Jiu was nervous. No, he was incredibly nervous.

He knew what to do, yes, and he had everything ready, but that wasn't the problem, unfortunately. The problem was…the reaction Qi-ge would have.

He knew that everyone was surprised by the sudden change in his personality, but everyone…just accepted and liked that. Everyone liked that they now had Shen Yuan, even without understanding the real reason why who was there was Shen Yuan's soul and not Shen Jiu’s own.

Yue Qingyuan must have noticed, right? He definitely had noticed! He must have noticed... Because...why else would he have such sad eyes for Shen Qingqiu whenever he saw him if not - other than the reasons Shen Jiu discovered in Maigu Ridge - for realizing that his Xiao Jiu was missing?

Why did he stop visiting him at every foolish chance he found? Even if the reasons were weak, without being able to actually justify a visit to another Peak Lord, Yue Qingyuan never stopped visiting him, like clockwork, but clumsy and never having a standard moment due to his own obligations as sect leader, but he never stopped appearing.

Why after the fever, Yue Qingyuan didn't come to visit him?

Why, on dark nights when Yue Qingyuan finally got out of his huge pile of work as a sect leader and walked alone up Qiong Ding Peak - accompanied by a ghost who only wished he could touch him or at least talk to him - he looked at the stars and sighed wistfully?

For what other reason than to know…to know that Shen Qingqiu was no longer Shen Jiu?

Shen Jiu would never have been so close if he could be seen, but no one could see him and witness his secret, and immoral desires, his wicked and possessive will, so he was always very close to Yue Qingyuan, listening to his heartbeat - he always passed to do so after he heard about Yue Qingyuan's death from Shen Yuan.

Yue Qingyuan, who in another life, died for Shen Jiu. He kept the stupid promise and returned to Shen Jiu even though it would kill him - and it did.

You stupid, stupid Qi-ge.

Why would he whisper “Xiao Jiu” while looking at the stars if not because…somehow he knew he had lost Shen Jiu?

He…he didn't prefer the sweet, gentle and friendly Shen Yuan to Shen Jiu, did he?

Qi-ge…qi-ge wouldn't want Shen Yuan, right?

That doubt gnawed at Shen Jiu insides, making him so nervous that he began pacing in circles impatiently, stretching his arms as he tried to calm himself down. He needed to stay calm!

Breathe, Shen Jiu, breathe. He always hid his emotions behind a cold facade, suffocating everything inside, protecting himself from everyone so he wouldn't know how, or how much every word and action affected him.

The storm of emotions was left for Shen Jiu himself to deal with and process on his own. He always ended up with a grudge against everyone, uttering curses in his mind and licking his wounds in the protection of his bamboo house.

But seeing Shen Yuan interact with Yue Qingyuan all these years, seeing several of Yue Qingyuan's actions that normally would have deeply irritated Shen Jiu be put into another perspective...it made the man wonder if...if he hadn't misinterpreted his Qi-ge all this time.

That he could have brought about his own downfall while seeing only the worst of everyone around him, just as he was always used to seeing.

When Shen Jiu finally got the strength to move far enough away from Shen Yuan, and go to Qiong Ding, he followed Yue Qingyuan almost the entire day. The man always worked, slept very little, so little care for yourself, stupid Qi-ge…

Shen Jiu noticed something he hadn't seen before: a painting.

A painting that Shen Jiu himself made.

It was hung carefully in the sect leader's private quarters. In a truly beautiful condition, well-preserved and protected. It was the landscape of his bamboo forest, one of his favorite paintings. It had disappeared years ago, due to Shen Jiu himself.

He received a sample of a fragrant spiritual wine, it was of very high quality. Being a lonely and prickly person, Shen Qingqiu had no one to share the wine with, so he decided to enjoy it alone. He was feeling more bitter than usual after the meeting between the peak lords. Liu Qingge angered him, and Shen Qingqiu insulted him, making Lord Bai Zhan even angrier, then they exchanged a few sword blows before Yue Qingyuan intervened and dared to insinuate that Shen Qingqiu was misinterpreting that brute and defended Liu Qingge on top of that!

(Looking at it now, Shen Qingqiu thought that maybe…maybe he had misunderstood Yue Qingyuan's words.)

Furthermore, he saw that a smaller sect had sent gifts to the esteemed sect leader - one that Shen Qingqiu knew had a daughter among the main disciples and was of marriageable age.

He was furious.

And thanks to that, he felt tempted to taste the wine.

It was a big mistake.

He wasn't strong enough to handle the drink, and soon he found himself unstable, drunk, and uninhibited.

Or just a little crazy.

Shen Qingqiu doesn't exactly remember the drunken reasoning he had, only that he thought it would be a great idea to show off a little for his stupid Qi-ge.

He wasn't as good a warrior as Liu Qingge - and hated himself for it -, nor was he from a loving, noble family - Yue Qi wasn't either - but Shen Qingqiu was the lord of Qing Jing Peak! The peak of the four arts! So look, Qi-ge, see how beautiful his paintings are!

He chose one of his best paintings, of his bamboo forest, done on fine silk in a delicate shade of green, but painted entirely in Qiong Ding's colors, for reasons he won't explain to anyone. He tried to scribble some note for Yue Qingyuan, but his handwriting was a bit shaky, and he didn't like it, so he just had Ming Fan hand the painting over to the sect leader directly .

Shen Qingqiu wasn't conscious for much longer after that, and fortunately there was no damage to his reputation-how, he'll never know. Just an uncomfortable headache wracking his nerves and one less painting among his belongings.

It took a while for him to recall what had happened, endless embarrassment churning his insides at the thought that he almost left a scandalous and expository note for Yue Qingyuan. Good thing his handwriting was so bad that his drunken self didn't want to send the note along, or Shen Qingqiu might as well have buried himself in the ground of his bamboo forest and never come out again.

He pretended that he didn't know anything and didn't let Yue Qingyuan say anything about it, shamefully furious as he imagined Yue Qingyuan's reaction. How he must have thought the painting was some kind of stupid bribe. How he must have criticized him and thought he was nothing compared to the many arts that, as a sect leader, Yue Qingyuan should have access to on his own.

The sect leader's room was actually rarely used, because Yue Qingyuan barely slept, but still, he placed the painting gifted by Shen Qingqiu in a place that would easily be seen by him from various angles as he walked through his quarters.

Shen Qingqiu's chest hurt, phantom tears coming to his eyes at the sight, full of anguish. The pain worsened as Yue Qingyuan stared at the painting for several moments with an unfamiliar and complicated gaze, full of feelings that Shen Qingqiu didn't understand so well, just a sadness so great that it was almost palpable even in his ghostly state, as he called out his old name with a longing that made Shen Qingqiu sob, choking.

He took his time returning to Qiong Ding after that, still too dazed to process the strength of those emotions.

Now, Shen Qingqiu could feel things again. He could touch and be touched, and he was…

He was terrified.

He wanted so badly to hug his Qi-ge... He wanted to touch him and...

Oh, hell…

He will do it. He will call Yue Qingyuan over there and tell him the truth, and it will require him to apologize properly. Shen Jiu will demand whatever he wants, because if this stupid man is willing to die for Shen Qingqiu, he has to be willing to live with him, right?

...Right?

Taking a deep breath, Shen Qingqiu concentrates, doing exactly as Shang Qinghua and Shen Yuan explained to him. He feels his energy fluid and strong, far more powerful than he ever was in his own body, even as an immortal. His pure and clear spiritual veins flowing like a river throughout his body. This leaves him a little breathless, the pure energy of the celestial capital also strengthening him beyond measure. It's incredible, Shen Qingqiu can hardly believe that he has so much power flowing through himself.

That he is so powerful.

His late start has always been a problem in his cultivation, but now...now Shen Qingqiu no longer has that impediment and that's incredible .

“Qi-ge” - Shen Qingqiu tests. He shouldn't use that name, but he does. He concentrates, visualizing the man in his office, where he, in fact, was.

“Qi-ge, do you hear me?” - Shen Qingqiu questions, anxious beyond measure. He wishes he could see Yue Qingyuan now, but all he can do is project his mind and thoughts, connecting them.

“X-xiao Jiu…?” - Cheering up with the answer, Shen Qingqiu feels a shaky breath escaping between his lips.

He was heard, Yue Qingyuan answered him.

“Qi-ge, it’s me. I have something to tell you.” - He needed to be direct, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t leave room for it to be misinterpreted. “Are you in your office?”

“Yes, Xiao Jiu. I am here." - Shen Qingqiu feels his heart pounding. He had his location, so this wouldn't take long.

“I want to take you somewhere. I want to bring you to me. Are you willing?” - Sincerely? He would do it anyway. Shen Qingqiu was already concentrating his powers to summon Yue Qingyuan there. Asking was just a formality.

Because…in a way, Shen Qingqiu wanted Yue Qingyuan to want him too. He wished that Qi-ge…Qi-ge still wanted to come to him willingly.

Shen Qingqiu was naturally possessive, he clung to everything that was his with all his might, and Qi-ge belonged to Shen Qingqiu. So of course, he wanted to hear Yue Qingyuan saying that he wanted to come to him.

The silence greeted him in a way that almost caused him physical pain. Ah, what a fool, Shen Qingqiu…He asked too much, didn't he? He was overdoing himself and Qi-ge wouldn't really…

" Always. " - The answer broke him out of his spiral, the incredibly firm words causing a shiver in the god. - “Always for Xiao Jiu”

Qi-ge…

Oh, you have no idea what you're saying.

The implications this has.

You shouldn't make a promise you're not willing to keep. Not for someone as selfish as Shen Qingqiu.

Focusing entirely on bringing Yue Qingyuan to himself, Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath, his powers reaching Cang Qiong, the path he already knew with ease, reaching the sect leader's large and strong figure.

Slightly hesitant, Shen Qingqiu let his spiritual energy, much greater than he would have expected due to his new status as a deity and the spiritual strength that the Heavenly Capital itself possessed, flowing through him just by breathing, as well as the cultivation he had carried out throughout those years of ghosting that could finally be used, gently envelope Yue Qingyuan.

First almost like a caress, hesitantly, and when he met no resistance, Shen Qingqiu fully claimed the man. His man, his Qi-ge. He enveloped him in his energy completely, because that incredible man, the strongest cultivator of his generation, was his.

Yue Qingyuan belonged to Shen Qingqiu, and Shen Qingqiu would make sure to make that clear to everyone.

Just as it was explained to him, Shen Qingqiu pulled.

With his energy completely surrounding Yue Qingyuan, Shen Qingqiu imagined his returning to himself as he clung to the man, the space opening up like a matrix, guided by a rope towards Shen Qingqiu. His energy returning to him, functioning as the teleportation matrix.

The feeling of pulling something intensified as he guided Yue Qingyuan to where he himself was, soon being able to see the huge man appearing enveloped in pure light, a golden one with soft touches of green, like bamboo, just before Shen Qingqiu pulled his energy back, not without first boldly teasing Qi-ge by sliding it along him like a caress.

Blame him for his boldness, he doesn't care.

Qi-ge is now right where he wanted him to be.

And precisely because of this, Shen Qingqiu's great confidence wavered a little. Looking at the firm curve of his back, the hand on Xuan Su on his hip as the man he had waited for years remained with his back to him.

Shen Qingqiu only needed to demand what he wanted, but still…his heart was filled with the fear of being rejected.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yue Qingyuan was patiently reading a report, having not slept that night, sighing tiredly when he heard it.

The man's entire body freezes, looking around as if he actually saw a ghost. This voice, this calling, this could only belong to one person.

But it couldn't be, could it...?

Yue Qingyuan immediately abandons the papers, standing up as he searches the entire place, trying to figure out where that voice is coming from, not really daring to hope.

“X-xiao Jiu…?” - He calls out loud and in his thoughts.

Would it be a curse? Some kind of poisoning or demon? He knew that Luo Binghe had powers related to dreams, perhaps the half-demon was wanting to torture him in some way? Wasn't it enough to have Xiao Jiu's body?

But in what sense? Even though Yue Qingyuan deeply loved Shen Jiu…

“Qi-ge, it’s me. I have something to tell you. ”-That voice interrupted his thoughts, sounding directly in his mind. That same voice he dreamed of hearing calling him that again. “Are you in your office?”

It was torture, right? Some monster that wanted to mess with his memories. Some demon that would affect the leader of the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, attacking him at his weakest point, his most dear person. Somehow entering his mind and knowing exactly that that person…Yue Qingyuan could never truly deny that person anything.

So, even though it could be a demon, even though it could be a curse, even though Yue Qingyuan could be risking his life, he responded.

“Yes, Xiao Jiu. I am here. " - He found himself thinking, trying to reach that voice, resting his hands against the table full of parchments. Heart as fast as a scared rabbit.

He shouldn't dare hope, but it was inevitable.

“I want to take you somewhere. I want to bring you to me. Are you willing?” - Yue Qingyuan laughed at that, in disbelief. It was… It was clearly a trap.

And he couldn't help but take a risk.

Because part of him was still the fool who took thoughtless risks.

Because there was a small chance it was true.

And if it wasn't and somehow someone knew about his Xiao Jiu… He wouldn't let that person do anything. He will not allow anything or anyone to hurt his Xiao Jiu.

It only took a second for the answer to escape his lips, spoken so clearly in his mind, with unshakable certainty.

"Always." - And he added - “ Always for Xiao Jiu”

Clutching Xuan Su, the cultivator waited.

For a moment, there was no more response, there was no reaction or change in the environment, but soon Yue Qingyuan felt…something.

First, it lightly grabbed his foot, almost afraid of his reaction. Holding his breath, Yue Qingyuan didn't react, curious about that approach. His cultivator senses were strong enough to easily perceive that the spiritual energy that touched him was…pure. Very pure and powerful. This surprised him.

But what completely stole his breath was when that energy completely enveloped him. It wasn't its power, its strength, or its purity that left him equally stunned, amazed, shocked, and...slightly hopeful.

It was familiarity.

That spiritual energy was familiar. Very familiar. It was an energy he would never forget.

It was the light and flowing energy that he felt in Shen Qingqiu's body. When, many years ago, he helped Xiao Jiu stabilize himself from a near qi deviation. That energy with which his mixed as well as if it were his own.

That one…that seemed like Xiao Jiu's spiritual energy.

It was slightly cold and almost felt like a breeze surrounding him, it stung his skin slightly but didn't make him uncomfortable. It was just Xiao Jiu's slightly skittish way of being. At least that's how he was.

Feeling that, completely stunned, Yue Qingyuan simply let himself go. That he would kill him, if that was what that person wanted. If it was somehow Xiao Jiu…if it somehow had something of Xiao Jiu's soul, the real Shen Qingqiu with it, Yue Qingyuan would willingly go.

He didn't spend all these years searching for Shen Jiu's soul with no results, only to chicken out when he finally got a chance with some real clue.

Yue Qingyuan felt himself being lifted into the air for a few inches before the landscape of his office completely disappeared in the light. When he blinked, he was now in some other room. In the bedroom, he noticed the privacy screen and the double bed. It was an elegant but practical place with no real personal touches.

The energy that he reminded of Xiao Jiu slowly dispersed, sliding down as if he didn't want to leave him, like a tender caress.

It gave him goosebumps and sent a warm feeling to his core.

If it really was Shen Jiu, then maybe…?

He…could he really have hope?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Qingqiu's breathing was purely shallow, escaping his lips carefully with his nerves shaking as much as his hands, which he clenched inside his sleeves.

Oh, well, things could get a little awkward if he wasn't careful, but it was hard to contain himself.

“Qi-ge, turn around” - He commanded as softly as he could, but it still sounded like an order. At least he didn't sound as tart, but he wasn't nearly as sweet as Shen Yuan.

If Yue Qingyuan was hesitating to turn around and analyze his surroundings more - to see who the person behind him actually was - this call made him turn around with such speed that he probably would have strained a muscle in his neck just from the force of the movement.

Fear filled Shen Jiu's veins, but he had already started, there was no way to back down now.

“I hope you know who I am.” - It was an obvious line, but no one could blame him for being selfish enough to want to hear from Yue Qingyuan's lips that he was able to recognize him.

This desire was intertwined with the fear in his heart that Yue Qingyuan hadn't noticed and might have thought that Shen Qingqiu would have had a relationship with someone other than Yue Qingyuan.

Worse, he might have liked the new “Shen Qingqiu”. That he could have preferred Shen Yuan, gentle, kind and caring, so much more captivating than the old, prickly and unpleasant Shen Jiu.

The larger man was looking at him intensely, those dark and gentle eyes were turbulent and dark, the delay in responding increased Shen Qingqiu's hesitation, and he almost cut off any chance for Yue Qingyuan to respond with some scathing response.

But this time it was Yue Qingyuan who spoke first, drowning out Shen Qingqiu's biting and slightly frightened words of self-protection.

“Qi-ge will always recognize Xiao Jiu”

That was all Shen Qingqiu wanted to hear.

Apparently, Yue Qingyuan had finally learned to say what Shen Qingqiu wanted to hear, or this really was the sweetest dream the god had ever had.

“Even if it is under the same face, I knew from the beginning when it was Xiao Jiu.”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yue Qingyuan looked at that face for the past few years, seeing a stranger behind his eyes. They glowed differently, the way the shades of green mixed and their expressions formed were totally different. The totally different temperament made Yue Qingyuan immediately know that he had lost his precious person.

When he looked into those green eyes, the color of the summer bamboo trees that greeted him was utterly familiar, and it could only be one person before him.

Still, this was…was this even possible? Was he really so blessed?

Did Xiao Jiu really return to him?

The other man's provocative words contained a question and an implication that did not go unnoticed by Yue Qingyuan. Its real meaning also caused the Sect Leader's heart rate to rise, his lips trembling, the heavens were giving him a gift, a blessing.

Of course, he said the only thing he could have in his heart, wanting to ensure that Shen Qingqiu, no, Shen Jiu, knew that he knew. That he knew from the first moment when the one holding the rank, title and even the body of Peak Lord Qing Jing had changed.

And he could see how Shen Jiu's eyes became bright with unshed tears.

“Even after all these years, you still call me that.” - The reprimand was gentle, because Shen Jiu no longer knew exactly where to start now.

Qi-ge recognized him, he even knew it wasn't him.

That... It felt really good to be sure of that.

Yue Qingyuan knew that he might be overdoing himself, and he feared what would happen, but he couldn't really stop himself. Not when his greatest wish came true. He didn't hesitate, walking up to Shen Jiu and hugging him tightly, shedding his own tears.

Full of relief, full of regret, full of happiness.

He heard Shen Jiu gasping against his chest, lightly touching his brown hair as if he was afraid it would fall apart in his hands if he was too rough, but at the same time he couldn't help but hold him against himself. Touching him and feel him enough to know it wasn't just an illusion.

“Stupid Qi-ge...when did I say you could touch me?” - Despite his words (without any real bite), Shen Jiu found himself reciprocating the other man, wrapping his arms around him with all his strength, trying to disguise the tremor in his hands, squeezing him against him. He could feel Qi-ge, he could hear his heart, he could smell him, he could feel his heat, he was here.

“Forgive this Qi-ge…” - It still felt like a dream, so good that it couldn’t be true, but it was so palpable that it couldn’t be countered by Yue Qingyuan.

To be allowed to use that name, to smell that perfume with all the right notes, to hug that person, to feel their touch, to feel them hugging him back, this was…this was more than Yue Qingyuan could have ever wanted, that he had imagined. It was better than his best dreams.

“You have a lot to apologize for.” - Shen Qingqiu agreed, several minutes later, finally managing to remove his face from Yue Qingyuan's chest, looking directly into those dark eyes, which were as reddish as his own, that vision so strange to Shen Jiu in the older man's face. - “Starting with not telling me the truth from the beginning.”

Surprised, but not that much, Yue Qingyuan froze, squeezing the smaller man in his arms a little tighter.

He really…?

"Why?" - Shen Jiu questioned, pulling him by the front of his clothes, even with the little space there was between the two. - “Why were you so stupid? Stupid Qi-ge, you almost… you almost left me for real!” - Shen Qingqiu raged, thick tears running down his beautiful face again, so beautiful that he could be mistaken for a jade statue even when he was in anguish - “Did you think I wouldn’t accept what happened? Yue Qingyuan, you are a fool! How could you have thought you had the right to hide this from me? When you could only belong to me? Everything that is mine will be mine forever, even you. It doesn't matter if it's broken, you're mine, Qi-ge. Mine…"

Yue Qingyuan choked, engulfed by all those emotions, those words, barely able to believe it. He never cried in front of anyone for years. He never could, not when he needed to be the person everyone else trusted, so at some point in his childhood, they just dried up.

Yue Qingyuan simply felt infinite sadness every day of his adult life since he lost Shen Jiu, in countless different ways.

He had been crying in those few moments since he had held Xiao Jiu in his arms more than he had in years.

That day, at Maigu Ridge, Yue Qingyuan felt that Shen Jiu was there. Somehow…that he was really there, and that's why Yue Qingyuan was brave enough to tell that secret he had hidden for so many years. When he thought he was close to his end, feeling the presence of the only person he truly loved so close, he revealed it, even though he knew that the person in Shen Qingqiu's body was not the one he should have said it to.

Yue Qingyuan thought that he would die there, and if so, he wanted to go to the next life, having finally told Xiao Jiu what he needed. Say he came back too late, he was weak, but he came back.

Shen Qingqiu wanted to hit Yue Qingyuan when he heard him, he wanted to strangle him for thinking that he would be rejected for such stupidity. He wanted to kiss and hug him for keeping his promise, he wanted to heal all the wounds that Qi-ge had done to himself because of him.

They were finally able to be in each other's arms, after so many disagreements, after their thread of destiny broke, finally reconnected by pure chance.

And there he was, his Qi-ge, the one who had been his safe haven for so many years, the one who was the cause of his pain and suffering, the one he loved, crying because of him. Yue Qi, who never cried over anything, who always had a kind smile for everyone, in every situation.

He was crying because of Shen Jiu. Just for Shen Jiu himself.

“Yours…” - Yue Qingyuan whispered, his hands going up to Shen Qingqiu’s face, holding him with so much affection, his dark eyes meeting the green ones with an amalgam of feelings so strong that they took his breath away, that affection caused a hopeful warmth in Shen Jiu's chest that gave him courage for his next words. That love that Shen Jiu never thought would be his.

“Qi-ge needs to apologize properly.” - Shen Qingqiu demanded, holding the man tight. His courage wavering with the fear of rejection, but he didn't show it. It would be great to have a fan now.

"Anything." - Yue Qingyuan assured, his eyes serious and focused, almost desperate. Maybe he really was. - “I will do anything for Xiao Jiu’s forgiveness.”

That was all he wanted to hear. There could be nothing different.

"Marry me. Being by my side for a lifetime, that's what Qi-ge should do. Never leave me again.” - It was an order, a request, a plea. Those words were so many things that, if he was refused…

Yue Qingyuan gasped, surprised by the request, amazed by the gift. His heart could have jumped out of his chest, as it was beating so fast that surely, Shen Qingqiu must have been able to hear it.

“This Qi-ge will be honored.” - Yue Qingyuan's smile calmed that raging storm in Shen Qingqiu's chest, his gaze shining so brightly that it seemed like there were literally stars shining in his beautiful darkness, his calloused fingers lightly tracing the contour of his face with a sweet affection, letting his hand lean on his face, and his thumb caress his damp cheek. - “I will be Xiao Jiu’s husband.”

Ah.

He accepted?

Blinking slightly, Yue Qingyuan's words were absorbed, processed. He said…he said yes.

Yue Qingyuan will be his husband. He will be Shen Qingqiu's husband.

Did he really say that, or am I dreaming?

“It’s not something you can take back.” - It would be his last kindness, his last altruistic act, before taking what he wanted and not letting anyone else touch it. It was a warning, because he couldn't bear to lose it after having it.

Shen Qingqiu’s heartbeat left his ears deaf, he must have been so red, it was so shameful, the sound of his racing heart deafened him to almost everything.

Yue Qingyuan smiled, that gentle smile as bright as a sunny summer day and with so much affection and something more that Shen Qingqiu didn't have the courage to utter even in his mind.

“There is nothing I want more than to join my Xiao Jiu and make him happy. This Qi-ge wants to give all his love to his Xiao Jiu” - Yue Qingyuan declared boldly, heat rising to his face, but he didn’t care.

There were many things that needed to be said, and he could no longer hesitate.

And that was all Shen Jiu wanted to hear.

He couldn't help but lean in, pulling the other man towards him to kiss him. He…

He was loved.

By Qi-ge.

By Yue Qingyuan.

He was loved.

His feelings were reciprocated! Truly!

Living as a slave for as long as you can remember changes you, experiences can change a man, and definitely, his early years changed Shen Qingqiu in a way that could hardly be fixed. He clung to everything that belonged to him, no matter how little it was, how dirty and miserable it was - he was dirty and miserable too.

For years, he thought that Yue Qingyuan had left him behind, discarded him like everyone else, because after all, he wasn't worth enough for Qi-ge to even come back. He was not enough for Yue Qi.

He was never enough for anyone, he was never enough for anyone to treat him with kindness and affection. The only one who did it got tired of him, of his prickly and cruel ways, and also abandoned him.

When he became a peak lord, Shen Jiu thought that he might have something for himself, that even if he wasn't enough for Yue Qingyuan, for anyone, he would still…he would still be strong. He would survive and have everything he wanted.

Until he lost everything, and everything that was once his became someone else's.

(Except Yue Qi.)

Shen Jiu spent years needing to see everything that belonged to him being used by someone else. His name, his face, his body, his things. Everything... absolutely everything that was once his was now used by someone else.

(Except Qi-ge.)

He hated it, then he resented it, then he accepted it.

Shen Qingqiu knew about his future, he knew about his destiny, and he feared. But beyond that, he suffered for years what was, in some ways, as bad as turning into a human cane. He couldn't feel physical pain, but he couldn't feel anything either. And he almost went crazy over it.

Because his limbs were there, but he couldn't feel anything. He couldn't touch anything. He was a ghost, in the greatest sense of the word.

It wasn't easy to adapt to his new lifestyle, but he managed it, because that's what Shen Jiu always did. He endured and adapted to what life threw at him.

When Shen Yuan declared that he didn't deserve everything he went through, it was…strange. Even though the transmigrated didn't know what Shen Jiu was currently experiencing, he seemed to feel truly touched by Shen Jiu's story. Not with pity, but with understanding, kindness. A kindness that few sincerely offered to the former slave.

It was…strange, but good. It was a really good feeling. But it was not what Shen Jiu wanted or what gave him peace, because Shen Yuan was not Yue Qi. He couldn't repair the biggest crack in his broken heart, which could never sincerely let go of the past.

He discovered that it was actually all a terrible misunderstanding too late, when he could no longer hold on to anything.

And Shen Qingqiu was glad that Shen Yuan hadn't tried to get Qi-ge back, or tried to get closer to Yue Qingyuan because that's what Shen Jiu would have done when he discovered the truth.

Even though he had grown fond of Shen Yuan, Shen Jiu did not want to have to share Yue Qingyuan.

Yue Qingyuan was his . He was for Shen Qingqiu.

Just for Shen Jiu.

Even if Shen Yuan has his body, he is not Shen Jiu. He can't touch his Qi-ge.

Qi-ge had waited for years to be able to get his Xiao Jiu back, and now Shen Qingqiu would cling to this man so tightly that not even the sharpest sword could break the bonds of destiny that bound them together.

No more.

Their thread of destiny was so tightly tied again that nothing could break it.

With his face burning with embarrassment, his kiss was returned without hesitation by his fiancé. His fiancé. That wanted to be by his side. His Qi-ge.

Shen Qingqiu thought it was very good to be able to feel again. The pleasant tingling on his lips was proof that this was all happening . That everything was real .

He reveled in every sensation, wanting to feel so much more, allowing himself to be greedy with his Yue Qi. Because he would never deny Shen Jiu anything.

Because he wanted it too.

Shen Jiu was a god, he ascended and now had the power to have his Qi-ge and claim it. He was the god of second chances, and he would start by giving himself and Yue Qi a second chance.

Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu's second chance.

This would be the perfect second chance for both of them. They would make everything work out now.

Because finally, there would be no more walls between them.

They had eternity to make it work and heal their hearts. And they would do it together .

Chapter Text

Resolving all matters with Ling Wen was nothing but tedious. She was efficient, of course, but there was something that even the almost brutal efficiency of the civil goddess couldn't reach the modern standards that Shen Yuan and Shang Qinghua came from. Peak Lord An Ding even gave some very valuable tips to the goddess.

After that, he came to meet with the Heavenly Emperor, which definitely made everyone nervous, even Liu Qingge seemed more tense about this meeting.

Unexpectedly, the Heavenly Emperor was a very kind and thoughtful man, very curious about the succession of four ascensions in a minuscule period of time.

Shang Qinghua was actually questioned the most. His role as a god of destiny made him an easy target, even more so due to his marriage to the Demon King of the North, Mobei-jun. Much to their surprise, it had become something quite…not common, but not exactly a problem. Greater care should just be taken with the winter kingdom’s politics.

Apparently, there was a martial god who was married to a so-called Ghost King - Shen Yuan and Shang Qinghua were very curious about this since he was not the same as a Demon King, but they had to leave their investigation and curiosity for later.

They also discussed Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu being basically…identical twins, and fortunately Shen Qingqiu previously discussed the already established plan with Yue Qingyuan, so when they presented their story to the Emperor, everything went perfectly well.

There was some discussion and debate about, but both agreed about being worshiped as twin Gods of Freedom and Second Chances. Shen Qingqiu was quite vocal about the possibility of one of them being worshiped as a woman, and they both agreed that they would ensure that no one insisted on it.

Shen Qingqiu might adore his brothel sisters, in fact he had a lot more affection for women than he did for most of the men who had ever been in his life, but he liked the way it was, and after so many years of being practically a ghost, he wasn't going to accept having to change his form for the stupid satisfaction of some idiots.

Shen Yuan simply didn't want to have to change his form, despite a slight curiosity about what he would be like as an attractive sister, another part of him felt a little uncomfortable with the situation in which he found himself occupying the role of “harem wife.” in the protagonist’s life. Besides, he just didn't want to, and that was reason enough.

Yue Qingyuan was appointed as Shen Jiu's first deputy, the Emperor's amused gaze looking at the relationship between the two, without mentioning anything beyond that.

Fortunately, everything was properly organized, at least this first part.

With these first issues resolved and everyone's palace on the way to being built, Shang Qinghua himself went out to summon his husband there, and find out more about these… Ghost Kings.

Shen Yuan was... tired. Finally, with all things seemingly resolved or resolved, the wave of emotions that overwhelmed him took its toll, taking his strength with it, making him feel as if his limbs were made of lead.

As an immortal cultivator, he did not need rest, as a god, he needed it even less. But his mind became so completely exhausted that all Shen Yuan wanted now was to sleep for an entire week.

"Come." - Liu Qingge's simple call caught the scholar's attention, and he found himself holding the other man's hand and being gently led down the avenue and through the corridors. Shen Yuan gave a small smile, walking slowly with his shidi, walking at a slow and tired pace, until Liu Qingge stopped.

Before Shen Yuan could ask what made him stop, he let out an inelegant squeak as he was picked up, his breathing audible as he held onto the war god's shoulders to save himself.

“Q-qingge?” - He asked, confused.

"You're tired. It’s faster this way.” - The answer was simple and direct, and indeed, Liu Qingge quickly led them to the room in Ling Wen's palace. Shen Yuan's face was burning with embarrassment, his thin face not used to this, his heart beating as fast in his chest as a hummingbird.

“Liu-shidi spoils this Master” - His voice was light, muffled by the other man's chest, the comforting beats of Liu Qingge's heart calming his thoughts.

Liu Qingge seemed hesitant to put him on the bed, standing in front of it, looking at the soft sheets.

"Do you want to sleep?" - It was a thoughtful question, since Shen Yuan, until that moment… didn’t want to sleep, afraid of what could happen.

Shen Yuan gave a sad, uncertain smile. He wanted to sleep, but he was still afraid.

"I don't know... I am afraid." - It wasn't exactly pleasant to admit that, but it was necessary, right?

Liu Qingge seemed to think for a few moments, sitting on the huge bed with Shen Yuan still on his lap, the arm supporting his back and gently stroking it.

“Gods often have power over the dreams of mortals. Luo Binghe is still mortal, so he shouldn't be able to access your dream realm now that you are a god.” - Shen Yuan snuggled closer against Liu Qingge's chest, breathing in the smell of agarwood that brought him so much comfort.

“I...I'm scared” - The scholar's voice sounded low, but in the silence of the room broken only by the uneven beat of the hearts of the two gods, Liu Qingge heard him, holding him tighter against him.

"I will stay here." - Liu Qingge promises, a little hesitantly, before placing a tender kiss against Shen Yuan's temple, pressing the man against him as Shen Yuan moved, making the god of war himself move until they were both lying down, and Shen Yuan was fully hugged by Liu Qingge.

The weight of his arms, the warmth of his body, his scent enveloping Shen Yuan's senses were absolutely comforting.

Shen Yuan felt fragile, silly, but he still looked at his shidi, his most beloved and trusted shidi, truly believing that he could protect him. Maybe it was just the euphoria of the newly acquired freedom, maybe it was his hope and faith in the god of war, in loyalty and how absolutely trustworthy and kind that man was, but he finally felt himself relaxing.

His breaths mixed, and soon evened out until Shen Yuan finally found himself able to fall asleep. The gentle, fine flow of qi coursing through his meridians with Liu Qingge's familiar signature warmed his chest and worked better than a lullaby.

Liu Qingge hugged Shen Yuan protectively, being careful not to move the smaller man too much. He hoped he was right, and made sure to feed Shen Yuan his qi to ensure they stayed connected and somehow helped avoid the dream demon's power.

He finally felt powerful, felt like he could truly do anything. The battle that Liu Qingge started almost 10 years ago when Luo Binghe stole his betrothed.

Things took a development that Liu Qingge definitely couldn't have imagined, he felt heartbroken when he thought he lost his beloved, but he didn't try to force his feelings on Shen Yuan. So, he just suffered in silence, not knowing how to act with all the sweetness and affection that the man had towards him, how it left him confused with each situation.

His biggest blessing was when Shen Yuan asked him to get him out.

He would take him to another world if it meant Shen Yuan would be happy and well.

With his beloved finally asleep and safe in his arms, Liu Qingge allowed himself to dream of a future where the two of them could truly be happy together and have the peace of mind they once lost.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“What would Xiao Jiu like to do now?” - Yue Qingyuan questioned while they both drank some tea. Shen Qingqiu was completely wrapped in his fiancé's arms, the conversation they had was long, but necessary.

There were still things that needed to be said.

“Maybe we should train a little. I haven't practiced my sword forms since I was removed from my body.” - Shen Qingqiu suggested, but made no effort to move from where he was, his arms comfortably positioned around Yue Qingyuan, his voice sounding slightly muffled by the other man's broad chest.

“This one would love to train with Xiao Jiu.”

“A sparring match against the Xuan Su sword? What an honor Qi-ge gives this shidi.” - Shen Qingqiu teased him, opening a slight smile. He never trained against Yue Qingyuan, but it would definitely be great for him to find out what level his skills would be.

Yue Qingyuan kissed the top of his head tenderly, Shen Qingqiu could feel the soft curve of the other man's lips against his skin. "The honor is mine. Whatever I can do to make Xiao Jiu happy, I will.”

"Shameless!" - Shen Qingqiu felt his face heating up like a lit flame, filled with a furious blush and hid his face in his fiancé's chest.

Yue Qingyuan let out a soft laugh, hugging his beloved even tighter. He felt simply on cloud nine, filled with a happiness he hadn't felt in decades. A happiness that Yue Qingyuan thought he would never feel again.

Neither of them were in a hurry to get up, just enjoying each other's presence and the peace of finally being together.

Feeling the cold coming from the next room - this could only belong to Shang Qinghua's husband - Shen Qingqiu remembered something important said earlier by the annoying little man - he still couldn't really conceive that he was somehow that idiot's son!

“I need to set a password for my private communication matrix.”

"What would that be?" - Yue Qingyuan looked at him curiously.

With a brief explanation of what it was and how it worked, Shen Qingqiu found himself with his new little problem: What would be his private password.

If this “problem” was just an excuse to spend more time in Yue Qingyuan’s arms, that was his business.

“I don’t know if I will ever ascend-”

“Of course you will, if that stupid hamster Shang Qinghua can do it, you are more than capable.” - Shen Qingqiu defended, remembering what he heard from Airplane-juju earlier.

‘All of the Cang Qiong Peak lords of this generation have the potential for ascension.’

“...Thank you, Xiao Jiu.” - Yue Qingyuan smiled a little more, his heart beating faster with such defense from Shen Qingqiu. - “But… I know what private password I would have.”

Shen Qingqiu looked at him for a moment, curious but not letting it show, just waiting for the other man to continue.

“My private password would be “Shen Qingqiu” twenty seven times.” - The sweet and slightly playful smile on the sect leader's lips made it clear that there was something hidden there, but the man's own words brought a blush immediately to the god's face.

He could only be provoking him! Say his name twenty-seven times?! But that...

That...

Oh!

Oh!

Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened, realizing the prank there. The riddle that probably no one else could understand, because no one else understood Yue Qingyuan that well.

Oh, that silly man...

“That password is ridiculous.” - Despite scolding him, the heat rose very quickly through his body, painting the god's neck and ears with a strong shade of crimson,

Silly Qi-ge, so silly! Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but gently curve his lips into a smile full of affection.

You silly Qi-ge...

He loved him so much.

(It felt so good to be able to say that calmly, even in your mind. To know that your feelings were welcome. That your feelings were reciprocated.)

“This Qi-ge may be ridiculous, but the password is beautiful.” - The man's calm and confident words only increased Shen Qingqiu's blush, his heart beating so fast that it was impossible to question that he was definitely very much alive.

“Xiao Jiu, would you like help with your password?” - Yue Qingyuan offered - “Qi-ge may not be as cultured as Xiao Jiu, but I know some poems that could work.”

“I would like the name of a song.” – Shen Qingqiu reflected. Not just one song, it would be a very specific song.

As Peak Lord Qing Jing, the peak of the four arts, there were several pieces of music written by Shen Qingqiu himself. It was something common among scholar peak lords, and during those years when Shen Qingqiu was trapped like a ghost, there was a single song that he longed to play in his guqin.

One that he composed during those years, even without being able to play. He had his voice, and Shen Qingqiu owned the entire melody of that piece. It was a song he longed to be able to write correctly in a musical sheet and play for the man who inspired it.

“We can choose the title of one of Xiao Jiu’s favorite songs. Or some excerpt with poetic meanings.”

“Actually, I’ve already chosen what my password will be.” - Shen Qingqiu declared, ignoring the almost timid heat that crept up his neck and turned his face a bright red.

Yue Qingyuan's calm gaze never left his face, anxiously waiting for his answer. It was a little disconcerting, but no less welcome.

“My sun rises at seven.”

Blinking, a little confused, Yue Qingyuan took a while to understand the meaning.

“I don’t know this song, would Xiao Jiu play it for me someday?” - Feeling his heart racing at the small possibility of being able to hear the other man play - and finding out what that song would be - stirred Yue Qingyuan, as well as the suspicion about what that meaning could be.

Shen Qingqiu nodded. “There would be no way for you to know it. I composed it myself, and to this day I have never played it for anyone.”

Shen Qingqiu's intense gaze was loaded with meanings, now looking directly into Yue Qingyuan's dark eyes, despite the shame contracting his stomach like a raging beast, it was worth it to see when realization finally hit his fiancé, realizing what sun Shen Qingqiu referred to in his music.

His sweet and gentle Qi-ge, warm like a summer morning. His dear sun.

Satisfied at seeing his fiancé's red ears, Shen Qingqiu finally hid his face in the man's chest, even more embarrassed by such a bold statement.

They could stay there for a while longer. The comfortable warmth of each other's arms, without the suffocating weight of secrets and past hurts finally left behind, leaving only the lightness and warmth of old feelings finally blossoming between the two.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Kissed by sunlight, golden and bluish tones warmed the environment along with a pleasant temperature for that late afternoon. Time seemed to pass differently in the celestial capital, but it must have been past noon. After some more tea and a nice meal, Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan finally went to do the training they had discussed earlier.

Shen Qingqiu spent years without wielding Xiu Ya, and despite the ascension, he was no longer even in his own body, being in that new stronger and more powerful body, which despite being so equal to his original body still had unknown limits, which meant he needed a lot more practice.

He would have time to reach the level of perfection he desired, but for now, Shen Qingqiu needed to get used to fighting again.

The two stayed in a more distant courtyard in the Ling Wen Palace, which the goddess allowed them to use for this purpose. It would be great to go to Qiong Ding's private courtyards, but it would be better to avoid leaving the Celestial Capital before they were fully ready to face Luo Binghe - and Shen Qingqiu was the most paranoid about all of this, much more so than Shen Yuan.

Knowing what that beast did to him in another life…even with his many mistakes, it would be difficult to control his fear and loathing for Luo Binghe.

The two men removed most of their layers of clothing, leaving only their pants and a thinner inner cloak on. Yue Qingyuan was quite an opponent, living up to the title of the greatest cultivator of his generation. Even without drawing Xuan Su, Shen Jiu was having difficulty with the fight.

Fortunately, his body seemed to retain the muscle memory of his fighting style, Xiu Ya responded to his commands calmly, as if they had never been separated. After its ascension, the sword seemed even more powerful than before, perhaps due to having absorbed the burst of spiritual energy its two wielders had during their ascension.

Even though he was a spiritual cultivator, one method that Shen Qingqiu discovered to improve his cultivation was by combining spiritual cultivation with physical cultivation, like blade poetry, stimulating the mind and body so that both were in a greater tune.

It was not so easy to do it alone, as this type of cultivation required a cultivation partner, a joint stimulus.

(Shen Qingqiu ignored the part that the cultivation manual instructed that it would be a great preparation for dual cultivation, as it left the meridians stronger and the body already warmed up for the activities. Since it was highly recommended to be done together, both would be in good health, tuned to perform dual cultivation next.)

Of course, he didn't mention that part to Yue Qingyuan, he still wasn't shameless to that level. The two would still need to get married! He didn't intend to rush things…even though… He wouldn't deny that he would like to kiss Qi-ge more.

They had shared more kisses since the first. In fact, Yue Qingyuan proved to be even more clingy than when they were young, not missing any opportunity to keep close to Shen Qingqiu. Whether resting his hands on the god's waist - Shen Qingqiu was grateful to have his fan to hide his blush when they were before the Emperor - or kissing him on the face, on his hands...

Shen Qingqiu wouldn't say that he didn't like it, feeling all that affection from Qi-ge was simply wonderful, he loved being able to feel his touch, his presence, but despite that, his face still wasn't that thick!

“Xiao Jiu is in great shape.” - Yue Qingyuan praises, his dark eyes shining with affection and excitement, small drops of sweat giving a bright look on his slightly flushed face, the sweet and gentle smile directed only at Shen Qingqiu.

“Qi-ge should be less flattering. He should only say that when I defeat him.” - Shen Qingqiu scolded, but really appreciated the praise.

“I couldn’t offend Xiao Jiu by taking it easy, this Qi-ge promises that he will do his best when Xiao Jiu defeats him.” - The affectionate provocation did not go unnoticed, but in fact, Shen Qingqiu could not accept anything other than Yue Qingyuan fighting against him properly.

His “dirty” tactics would be for really serious fights, there, he wanted to test his limits until he became stronger, and the best person for this was definitely Yue Qingyuan. He wouldn't pressure Shen Qingqiu too much, but he wouldn't be too gentle either.

Shi...

Until he heard a strange voice in his head, just as he was about to strike another blow at Yue Qingyuan, that call appeared loudly in his mind.

He was the first to hear that.

(Shen Yuan was pleasantly asleep and protected by Liu Qingge, finally getting the rest he so needed.)

Shizun!

Frightened, a shiver ran through his entire body, raising all the fine hairs there and making the scholar lose his balance, dropping his sword. Yue Qingyuan noticed the change in his partner and abandoned the fight, rushing to catch Shen Qingqiu before he hit the ground. The tremor in the god worried Yue Qingyuan, who immediately sent a wave of spiritual energy to try to find out the cause of it.

"He woke up." - Shen Qingqiu whispered, weakly squeezing Qi-ge in his arms, hiding his face in his broad chest while the Sect Leader cradled him affectionately, increasing the tightness of his embrace protectively.

There was no need to explain who “he” was.

The calls for “Shizun” kept coming to Shen Jiu’s mind, probably caused by Luo Binghe not knowing that they were actually two people under the name “Shen Qingqiu”

Yue Qingyuan's flow of spiritual energy definitely helped, Shen Qingqiu clinging even tighter to his companion, focusing on the affectionate words whispered in his ear and those protective arms around him.

“We have to hurry. Prepare the sword for Shen Yuan and tear Xin Mo away from that beast.” - Shen Qingqiu said, he doesn't know how long later.

“We will do it. I won’t let him harm Xiao Jiu unfairly.” - Yue Qingyuan heard about Shen Qingqiu's accounts of the “other life” they had, where Shen Qingqiu was tortured for years before he died, and the entire sect was razed to the ground.

He would not allow this to happen again.

There were still many things to sayl between the two, but for now, Yue Qingyuan was satisfied with having Shen Qingqiu in his arms and being able to protect him.

When Shen Qingqiu finally felt better again, managing to ignore Luo Binghe's calls, they decided that they would go after Wei Qingwei to forge Shen Yuan's sword.

Shen Qingqiu discovered how he could hide his divine aura and change his appearance, which made it easier for him to accompany Yue Qingyuan back to Cang Qiong.

Liu Qingge was valiantly protecting Shen Yuan's sleep when the other two found them.

“We will notify Wei-shidi, so he can prepare everything for Shen Yuan to obtain his sword.” - Yue Qingyuan informed in a low voice so as not to wake the sleeping god, holding Shen Qingqiu firmly around the waist, who just preferred not to deign to speak to Liu Qingge.

With a firm nod, the god of war continued stroking his lover's hair.

“We need to communicate remotely.” - Yue Qingyuan recalled - “We will need to change our private array passwords.”

“Does Zhangmen-shixiong have access to the communication array?” - Liu Qingge looked at him in surprise, a look of admiration in his gray eyes.

Shrugging his shoulders, the cultivator gave a somewhat shy smile. “With the abundant energy of the celestial capital and Xiao Jiu’s help, I managed to gain access to the communications system, so I have my own password. I can listen more easily than start the conversation.” He explained.

He still remembered how the blush appeared on Shen Qingqiu's face when he told him what his password to the spiritual array would be. That's how they decided to test how Yue Qingyuan could create his own.

“Just say ‘Shen Qingqiu’ twenty-seven times.” - Yue Qingyuan's smile was gentle, but there was a small glint of playfulness present, Shen Qingqiu's face turned several shades of red that were not lost on the cultivator.

Liu Qingge was quite confused by this.

Squinting his eyes suspiciously at Shen Qingqiu's smile full of hidden meanings, but unable to conceive what the mystery behind this password was, he just nodded. Liu Qingge didn't imagine that Zhangmen-shixiong would have played some kind of prank on his private password.

“My password is ‘Spring in a Hundred Battles’” – Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes.

"Ridiculous." - Different from when he criticized his fiancé's password, Shen Qingqiu had every intention of being scathing now.

Liu Qingge's frown deepened.

“It is practical. Say yours.”

Shen Qingqiu definitely didn't want to give free access to his array to that brute, but given the situation, he didn't have much of a choice. Besides, he didn't want to have to change his password because of him.

“My sun rises at seven” - He declared proudly, his look smug as Yue Qingyuan's ears turned an extra shade of red, the god of war simply didn't understand why his password was stupid while Shen Qingqiu's would be any better.

"Right, when Shen Yuan wakes up, I will let you know.” - Liu Qingge didn't comment anymore, the frown on his face almost didn't look any different from Shen Qingqiu, and he really didn't care.

Liu Qingge wanted to say something against Shen Qingqiu, that irritating man really got on his nerves, but Shen Yuan moved slightly, squeezing him in his sleep as he buried his face further into his chest. He didn't want to wake his beloved, so he ended up staying quiet.

Shen Qingqiu might think he won that argument, but there was no better prize for Liu Qingge than having Shen Yuan sleeping so peacefully in his arms.

Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu left the room, finally descending into the mortal realm, straight to Cang Qiong.

There was no time to lose.

Chapter Text

Reaching Qiong Ding was simpler than Shen Qingqiu had imagined, changing his appearance to a simpler face of one of the many he had seen over the years as a ghost.

“This skill is definitely very useful.” - He analyzed, looking at himself in the mirror in Yue Qingyuan's quarters, while the man took some of his own clothes for Shen Qingqiu to wear.

“Maybe they will be a little big on Xiao Jiu, but they will be more discreet.” - Yue Qingyuan took a slightly simpler set, so that it was a little less apparent that it was the sect leader's robes. “If Xiao Jiu wants, I can get some clothes suitable for the disci-.”

"The size doesn’t matter. Let's focus on what's important, besides, we don’t have time, Qi-ge.” - Shen Qingqiu cut him off, picking up the folded robes before the man could continue, walking quickly to the privacy screen in the room.

His ears felt hot as he passed the painting that decorated the room so carefully. He would do other paintings to make the room more welcoming in the future. To make Yue Qingyuan's room feel more like home.

For their home.

But that would be a plan for the future.

Shen Qingqiu - who had chosen to make his body the same build he normally had because it was easier - felt a blush creep up his face as he put on Yue Qingyuan's clothes, the sleeves hanging over his hands, and the hem lower than what would be appropriate, loose on his body, but it brought a feeling of comfort.

They had some of the warmth of the man who handed them over, but the soft smell of sandalwood and damp earth coming from them, in shades of dark gray and black with Qiong Ding's sigil. The clothes may have been a little big on Shen Qingqiu, but he had no desire to alter his body to make them fit better, in fact, it stirred his insides in an undeniably pleasurable way.

That enveloping affection surrounded the peak lord Qing Jing just like his lover's clothes, quite clearly saying “mine”. Shen Qingqiu liked it, he would have to admit.

Side by side, Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu walked towards Wan Jian Peak, meeting Wei Qingwei's main disciple, who guided them to the man himself.

Things seemed peaceful for now. Shen Qingqiu's disguise worked perfectly, and despite being an unknown face, no one was really asking questions. The only indication that Shen Qingqiu was someone strange were the looks the couple had received so far.

However, this could also be associated with the simple fact that Shen Qingqiu was wearing Yue Qingyuan's robes, and this might have been noticed. Anyway, it wasn't really important to Shen Qingqiu.

“Zhangmen-shixiong wants to talk to this one? What do you need?” - Wei Qingwei asked curiously, adjusting his cloak over himself. The sword peak lord was almost as tall as Yue Qingyuan himself, with almost minimal difference between the two men, but Wei Qingwei was even more robust and by the man's own choice, he had aged until he appeared to be just over thirty years old, with harder and more severe features, his face tanned from spending so much time in the forge. Shen Qingqiu never understood his martial brother's fondness for allowing himself to age to such an age, it was never up to him to ask either. Somehow, Wei Qingwei still looked handsome, a little too rustic for his taste, but in a way that curiously attracted Mu Qingfang's attention.

“Wei-shidi, let’s talk privately. There is something important I need you to do.” - The Sect Leader's serious tone and focused dark eyes soon sounded an alert in Wei Qingwei's mind, confused to see his Sect Leader like that, just nodding silently and leading him to his own office.

It was a room that was a bit messy and visibly not frequently used for its original purpose, looking almost like a creative studio, where there were several papers scattered around with the paperwork of Wan Jian Peak's affairs, as well as several drawings and models of swords scattered around the place. Theories about development and metallurgy, as well as ways to use different types of materials to forge the most different weapons.

Shen Qingqiu had never been to Peak Lord Wan Jian's private office, and the way the man organized his study materials definitely looked very interesting. As a scholar, Shen Qingqiu was naturally interested in a wide range of areas, even those he had little knowledge of.

It was funny to think that perhaps, he and Wei-shidi could have been friends in some way, united by their curiosity for study and research.

Yue Qingyuan took out a few silencing talismans from his sleeve, illuminating them with a pulse of spiritual power, making them shine before attaching themselves to the walls, one on each, and three of them sealing the door, definitely a bit exaggerated, and such excessive care made Wei Qingwei even more curious and slightly worried.

“I assume it is an important matter to require so much care.” - The caution was predictable, and definitely a great start. Shen Qingqiu picked up his fan, waving it lightly over his face, keeping his face serious. It was one of his favorite fans, which ended up with Yue Qingyuan before he got the fever and his fatal Qi deviation that caused Shen Yuan to transmigrate into his body.

Yue Qingyuan never found an opportunity to return it, and in the end when he realized that Shen Qingqiu was no longer himself… Yue Qingyuan simply gave up on returning it. It was a part of his Shen Qingqiu, his Shen Jiu, that he could not allow himself to lose either.

The tassel was something new, which Yue Qingyuan himself added, and Shen Qingqiu would not deny that he had loved it. The slight blush that was on his face at the thought of this was carefully hidden by the fan.

Lord Qing Jing's signature movement caught Wei Qingwei's attention, as did the familiar fan and sharp gaze directed at him, making Lord Wan Jian frown in confusion.

“Wei-shidi, I believe you remember that after the fever that Qingqiu-shidi had years ago, he became very different.” - Yue Qingyuan began, sitting on the chairs in front of Wei Qingwei's work desk, Shen Qingqiu silent beside him.

With a slight nod, demonstrating that he was paying attention to his senior's words, the blacksmith's attentive gaze drawn to the man whom he couldn't recognize the face of. The mannerisms of the man accompanying Zhangmen-shixiong were very familiar, undeniably belonging to Shen Qingqiu, especially to the former Shen Qingqiu.

“We were unable to prove that Qingqiu-shidi was possessed, however, he was not actually the same person as before, and recently…I was able to prove my theory.” - Wei Qingwei's eyebrows rose so high that they almost got lost in his hairline, confused about such a thing.

“But not even Hongjing was able to reveal this…” - Of course, Wei Qingwei also found it highly strange, but there was no way to prove any kind of real possession over Shen Qingqiu, so they could only accept it.

What's more, the man became so pleasant that Wei Qingwei would be lying if he said he didn't appreciate the change. Probably everyone appreciated it.

“What caused Qingqiu-shidi's soul to be removed from his body was an…entity, much more powerful than we imagined. However, the one who came to inhabit Qingqiu-shidi's body had no guilt, or choice, about what happened. In the end, they were both victims.” - Yue Qingyuan explained, holding Shen Qingqiu's hand, giving it a light squeeze as the two exchanged a meaningful look.

Wei Qingwei's curiosity has never been greater, his suspicions reaching absurd levels with the totally impossible, but apparently, perhaps real, possibilities.

He took a long look at the two men in front of him, waiting for Zhangmen-shixiong to continue his story.

“Liu-shid and Shen-shidi ascended yesterday.” - Yue Qingyuan revealed, stopping for a moment for his words to be absorbed by the blacksmith, who opened his eyes wide, blinking several times processing such a thing.

“They…they… Ascended? Did they…become…?” - The word “gods” was not said, suspended in the air as if it were a secret too big that even with almost ten silencing talismans it could not be said.

Yue Qingyuan nodded, his gaze serious.

“With the ascension, the entity that held Shen-shidi lost its control over them.” - It didn't escape Wei Qingwei that Yue Qingyuan said “them”. - “The man who was with us in recent years, as Shen Qingqiu, was not Shen Jiu, but Shen Yuan, Xiao Jiu's brother. We lived together for several years before A-Yuan ended up losing us, and yesterday, both Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu ascended as the gods of freedom and second chances.”

With that last part, Shen Jiu finally closed his fan, coordinating the movement with a gentle flow of power, his form changing into his real appearance, still carefully wrapped in his fiancé's robes.

If Wei Qingwei's jaw wasn't dropped by now at zhangmen-shixiong's bombastic revelations, seeing the shape change before his eyes and recognizing not only the Lord of Qing Jing's sharp and beautiful features as well as his sharp gaze left the man's jaw on the ground, gaping so deeply that several swords could fit inside.

“What the fuck...?!”

It took a while (a lot) for Wei Qingwei to calm down and for more detailed explanations of what happened with Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu. Fortunately, the story had been agreed in advance, and as much as Yue Qingyuan did not want to lie to his sect brothers, he also knew that there were some secrets that should remain hidden.

And unexpectedly, the explanation was…really well received by Wei Qingwei. A powerful curse and an entity that had so much power actually made perfect sense.

Probably having Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan agree on something was too surprising for the lord of Wan Jian to really think that there could be some kind of falsehood there, especially knowing that that Shen Qingqiu was…the real Shen Qingqiu.

(Shen Qingqiu kept ignoring that desperate call that sounded in the back of his mind. Luo Binghe's calls never stopped, and seemed to get worse by the second, but they were firmly ignored by the god.)

Finally, they arrived at the subject that initially led them there: Shen Yuan's sword.

Fighting Luo Binghe would not be easy by any means, and it was difficult to explain how the same entity that threatened and imprisoned Shen Jiu and Shen Yuan, protected and depended on the half-demon so much. It would be necessary for Shen Yuan to have his own spiritual sword, and definitely, according to Wei Qingwei himself, the immortal link would be much more effective and faster to do with Shen Yuan now being a god.

(Yue Qingyuan's concerns were very justified, and Shen Qingiu felt a certain fondness seeing how his fiancé acted, truly embodying the role of big brother, fully assuming his role and not hesitating. The jealousy he imagined he would feel did not come, knowing Yue Qingyuan's typical condition was something expected of the man, and Shen Qingqiu, despite everything, shared his fear, he didn't want anything bad to happen to Shen Yuan.

Maybe it wouldn't be so difficult for the three of them to take on this role as a family after all.

And with him and Yue Qingyuan married, it would make even more sense for Shen Yuan to recognize Yue Qingyuan as his brother-in-law.)

The thought brought a soft smile to the god's lips.

He gained a brother and gained a husband, his life seemed to finally be heading in a really good direction.

He also ignored the nervous pang that sounded in his heart when he thought of Shen Yuan, his new little brother. Where Shen Yuan came from. What Shen Yuan left behind in his world.

He already has a family, why would he want to be the brother of a slave like him?

He might understand him, but he wouldn't really be willing to call him his brother, would he?

Yue Qingyuan might be a good brother to him, but what about Shen Qingqiu? He was so rough, he hadn't even really existed for years, how could he be a good big brother?

Those voices kept appearing in his thoughts. His self-loathing manifested like those heart demons, but given the many experiences Shen Qingqiu had, he flatly ignored them.

It was not the time to think about it, nor to let such a thing distress himself.

He would have time to drown in his own worries in the future, and maybe…maybe he was wrong.

Right?

(He hoped he was wrong.)

(He didn't want to be rejected, he didn't want to stop having this new family, he was greedy, he wanted this happiness.)

(Shen Yuan saved him, he could have let his soul remain trapped, be collapsed and destroyed when the system was ruined, but he chose to save him. He cared.)

Wei Qingwei took a much more serious stance in the face of that situation, easily agreeing to help Shen Yuan. Even if not in the conventional way, he became part of his martial family through coexistence, and indeed did an excellent job as Lord of Qing Jing.

He would prepare the caves to receive Shen Yuan, even if he was no longer a disciple. He assured them that they would receive Shen Yuan and guide him to his destined spiritual weapon, as with any member of Cang Qiong.

Now, they just need Shen Yuan himself, and escape from Luo Binghe for a little longer.

Shen Qingqiu would have to admit that removing that ice demon from the play was actually a good move by Shang Qinghua, he just hoped that Airplane could keep his husband busy enough so that he wouldn't become an obstacle that they would have to overcome.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Yuan finally woke up from his long sleep, feeling that gentle thread of spiritual energy flowing through his meridians, it was small and gentle but constant, it brought a comforting and somewhat nostalgic feeling.

He opened his eyes for a moment, seeing only a soft white surface, burying his face deeper against that huge heated pillow, breathing in that smell that made his heart lighter, reminding him of his beloved shidi.

It was so good...it seemed like such a perfect dream...it must have been a dream...

“Good morning, Qingge” - He whispered without realizing it, still half asleep, his voice hoarse and confused with drowsiness, his mind still reorganizing about everything that happened.

“Good morning, A-Yuan.” - The affectionate response came from above his head, making him stop for a moment.

Wait, what?

He didn't know how Liu Qingge was there, but that agarwood smell was unmistakable…

Liu Qingge...

He was sleeping hugging Liu Qingge?! Really?!

The spiritual energy flowing through him was indeed unmistakable, and brought the unique sense of comfort that could only be provided by the War God, the smell was that of Liu Qingge, that familiar warmth and the feeling of the protective embrace around him. They could only belong to man, but...but...?!

Opening his eyes at the same time as a voice screamed in the back of his mind calling for his shizun, Shen Yuan looked scared at the gray eyes that watched him sleep.

His mind finally woke up a little more, blinking rapidly as he took in the sight in front of him. Immediately, sensing his agitation, Liu Qingge's embrace held him a little tighter, spiritual energy starting to search for some sort of flaw in his meridians. “Qingge…”

"I am here." - He continued looking at Liu Qingge, his eyes the size of saucers, with pure shock.

Last night and everything that came after came flooding back to him, seeming too good to be true, but the surrounding environment, the man holding him…it was too real to be an illusion.

He ascended... Oh, heavens...

“Is this really real?” - It was good…it was good to be sure. He touched Liu Qingge's cheek lightly, his fingers lightly calloused at the tips by the guqin, running his fingers over that irresistible beauty mark that always attracted his attention on his beautiful face. Liu Qingge leaned into the touch, gray eyes like twin storms still focused entirely on him.

“It's okay” - Shen Yuan was so close that he could notice the slight red tone on Liu Qingge's cheeks, his ears an even stronger shade of red, the heat radiating from his skin was palpable in the young god's hands. - "You're safe. I'm here with you."

Always so trustworthy, Liu shidi! So ready to throw himself into danger to protect him… Shen Yuan couldn't stop himself from smiling, warmed by that comforting feeling that he didn't try to suppress. He slept well, he actually rested very well, and he couldn't deny how protected he was feeling.

Despite the guilt, it was inevitable that he loved being there.

"Did you sleep well?" - Liu Qingge interrupted his thoughts, before Shen Yuan continued to wallow in guilt for being so…happy there.

“En. Better than I have in a long time. I overslept? Has Qingge rested?” - Seeing that he would not be turned away, Shen Yuan's cheeky hand continued to caress his face affectionately, his fingers touching that cute little spot below his left eye, such a small but so cute and perfect detail on that man, fascinated by how it seemed to be connected to the blush that rose and spread across the face of his beloved shidi.

“You needed to rest. Zhangmen-shixiong and…Shen Qingqiu came here. They went to talk to Wei-shixiong about his sword. Maybe they’ll come back soon.” - Okay, that was good. He could rest better and eat something.

“We can have tea.” - Shen Yuan would like that even if they weren't in the bamboo hut, after he relaxes even more. He could be a little lazy in that comfortable hug, right? In fact, he could almost feel sleep wanting to return, his body wanting to fall asleep again in that safe embrace.

Shen Yuan realized something, smiling cheekily at his shidi

“And Qingge should refer to Jiu ge as his shixiong, you have to win your brother-in-law’s favor, don’t you?” - He teased him, it was good to start getting used to calling Shen Jiu that way, and in a way, a part of Shen Yuan missed having brothers.

"You...!" - With an even redder face, Shen Yuan laughed, Liu Qingge reversed their positions, the world around him spinning and shaking as he found himself completely dominated by the War God, his heart stuttering as his face was on fire at the situation. - “Shameless!”

“L-Liu shidi who is being bold” - He tried to change the subject, escaping the guilt, he couldn't handle this face being so close! Liu shidi control yourself! His beauty is too much for this old man!

The gray eyes narrowed, staring at Shen Yuan with such intensity that he could feel his own soul being the harmless prey of that voracious predator. (And he would gladly let himself be devoured.)

(It just wasn't fair how handsome Liu Qingge was!)

Liu Qingge bent down, his shallow breaths tickling Shen Yuan's cheeks as they practically breathed each other's breath, their lips almost touching as his pulse quickened so much that he was sure it could be heard. Or was that Liu Qingge's own heartbeat? It was difficult to say.

“If A-Yuan can provoke me, then this shidi will be bold with his shixiong.” - Shen Yuan held his breath, the anticipation of what was to come raising all the fine hairs on his body. - “Will Shixiong allow it?” - That low and provocative voice was frying all of Shen Yuan's rationality, as if it were Liu Qingge who was still drunk with sleep, being as strong and virile as if he hadn't spent the last few hours giving spiritual power to Shen Yuan.

Closing his eyes, enraptured, the world shrank to that moment. That person, just the two of them. - “Kiss me” - Was that all Shen Yuan could whisper, leaning against Liu Qingge, or was it Liu Qingge who sealed the space between the two? Whoever it was, they finally got what they wanted so badly.

It was like a slight shock, a shiver running through their bodies, sending wonderfully chilling sensations to their core.

Liu Qingge's lips were soft, a little chapped against his, they moved a little, adjusting the angle, not wanting to move too far away. Liu Qingge didn't give him time for anything with each new kiss, and Shen Yuan wanted nothing more than to continue there, with that delicious flame becoming more dangerous and hot and filling him with desire.

“Qi...Qingge..” - Shen Yuan whimpered between the kisses, teasing the god when their lips joined again, pulling Liu Qingge's lower lip between his and biting it a little. The sound that Liu Qingge made almost sounded like a growl, and he could hear the sound of tearing fabric (poor sheets) - “Put your hands on me” - The request was almost a wail, and it was immediately granted.

Liu Qingge would never deny his shixiong anything, especially when Shen Yuan's requests were exactly what Liu Qingge most wanted to hear.

Liu Qingge's comforting weight on him clouded his senses, drowning out any other sound, his mind clouded with desire, feeling those hands touch his sides, slowly exploring his body, sending pleasurable shivers down his spine, eliciting a slight smile from Shen Yuan against Liu Qingge's lips.

Liu Qingge did not hesitate to claim his shixiong's mouth for himself again, repeating Shen Yuan's actions, delighting in the low moan Shen Yuan let out on his lips. He may have been inexperienced, but his sister did…it was a matter of keeping him well-informed, and his own flaming desires for Shen Yuan were an excellent guide, the happiness and scorching heat in his veins were amplified with every murmur and sigh of satisfaction the man let out.

He wanted to touch his shixiong, he wanted to kiss him, he wanted to feel him, he wanted to hear him make those lovely moans again.

Shen Yuan was always the more talkative between the two, at that moment Liu Qingge drank in each of his disjointed words, firmly but gently holding onto his soft thighs to make room for himself, Shen Yuan gave in easily, feeling Liu Qingge settle into the empty space between his legs and their bodies pressed even more against each other, their energies converging and merging as if their souls could connect more easily, guiding their bodies to never be separated again. So warm, so bright.

Shen Yuan's hands were even now holding and pulling Liu Qingge's soft hair, messing up that ponytail as he made it fall loose, pulling the ribbon that held it in place and intertwining his fingers into the soft texture of his strands, the blunt edges of his nails lightly scratching the sensitive skin on the back of the neck. He slid his hand through Liu Qingge's hair to his strong back, gripping the fabric there, pressing himself further against Liu Qingge's torso, loving that trap against the bedsheets.

Shen Yuan guided his beloved shidi, deepening the kiss the instant their lips parted so they could both breathe heavily, the edges of their vision blurred and bright, the person in front of him was all that mattered, the rapid breaths between his lips left him stunned, feeling Liu Qingge's grunt of satisfaction at the new contact reverberating against him, so enveloped by Liu Qingge, so completely enraptured by the god's energy and presence, his body felt like it was on fire, wanting, wanting, wanting….

Feeling Shen Yuan's tongue on his felt divine, the most truly divine thing he had ever felt, and he responded with all his desire, sucking back and dominating that sassy mouth.

The energy in his veins seemed even greater, more intense, he let that fire spread, he wanted to feel more of the other man, touch him even more, the clothes seemed too tight, the claws of desire destroying his rationality and there was only one constant whisper of Shen Yuan, Shen Yuan, Shen Yuan...

The gentle touches soon became intense, squeezing and scratching every bit of Shen Yuan he could touch, loving the sighs of pleasure and the whispers of desire, acting purely on instinct, rubbing his lower half against Shen Yuan's, feeling the god's excitement as great as his.

Shen Yuan whimpered, shamefully feeling that friction, tightening his legs around Liu Qingge, trapping the other man against him, he didn't have the face for it! But it was so hard to avoid it... not when he smelled Liu Qingge on him, when he had his shidi's hands on him, he just wanted more...

Seeing the world around him spin again, Shen Yuan found himself sitting on Liu Qingge's lap, the sound of something falling sounded low in his ears, not registering in his confused thoughts, he could only pull his shidi further against him as the calloused hands squeezed his pantyhose, eliciting another needy moan feeling their lower halves pressed together, heavens he had never been so aroused….

He wanted to get rid of those clothes, why was it so hot?

“Qingge… Qingge n-”

“BUT WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?” - Shen Qingqiu's rather exasperated scream scared the horny couple, making them break the kiss and turn towards the two men who had just arrived there.

Only to see a column of flames next to the bed that was spreading across the sheets lying on the floor.

Oh

Oh, no.

Looks like they were in trouble.

(Somewhere in Shen Yuan's mind, he heard the whisper that he was doing a terrible job of creating a 'good impression' of his boyfriend to his 'big brother' (brothers, if he considers that soon Yue Qingyuan will also would be his brother-in-law), but he deliberately ignored the awkward situation.)

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Apparently, the “mess” they made on the bed ended up shaking things on the dresser next to it, knocking things onto the floor, and with Liu Qingge's power and divine aura spread all over the place, the candle flames which would have gone out with the fall, became even more intense.

It took a bit of effort to put out the flames, and Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan's lust was quickly forgotten. The sheet was now a little singed and Shen Yuan's face was bright red - both from the swollen lips and the obvious signs of what he was doing, and from being caught in the act by Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan. How embarrassing!

“Shameless! You two!" - Shen Qingqiu complained, giving them a dirty look, making them both blush even more for being caught in the act.

“You didn’t knock.” - Shen Yuan defended himself weakly.

“Actually, you didn’t listen to us.” - Yue Qingyuan's gentle observation almost drew a grunt of embarrassment from Shen Yuan, wanting to sink his head into a hole and not come out again.

“...Nice clothes.” - Blame him for wanting to take the focus off himself! Shen Yuan couldn't help but notice Shen Qingqiu's different clothes, and knowing the original goods, that would definitely be an issue!

Shen Yuan would pat himself on the back for being right, seeing Shen Qingqiu let out a disapproving snort, waving his fan as he looked at them with his sharp gaze, Shen Yuan's same green eyes, but much brighter and deadlier, hiding the red he took on account of his face.

"It doesn't matter. We spoke with Wei-shidi. He will prepare your sword. Go change and get ready, we’ll go back to Wan Jian.” - Shen Qingqiu warned, changing the subject on his own as he pulled Yue Qingyuan out of the room. - “We’ll wait outside, hurry up!”

The door closed with a loud slam, Shen Yuan sighed in his heart, he really lost face. However, considering that Shen Qingqiu had access to his thoughts for literally years, he probably no longer had any kind of dignity in his eyes.

He didn't know if this was better or worse.

Liu Qingge seemed hesitant about what to do next, his completely rumpled and messy clothes and loose long dark hair made the war god look adorable and very seductive. Shen Yuan blushed seeing what he did to his lover, not even wanting to see what he himself must be like now.

“Let’s... Get some clothes, I guess? More discreet.” - He suggested, Liu Qingge nodded, looking for his hair ribbon, and Shen Yuan decided he could be bold. - “Can I… fix your hair?”

Liu Qingge felt heat rising to his face, his ears even redder.

“Hm. I’ll fix yours too.”

Shen Yuan perked up at this, taking off his outer robe and keeping only a soft white inner robe, watching Liu Qingge do the same before sitting down in front of the dressing table.

Picking up the wide-toothed comb, Shen Yuan began to carefully brush his dark, straight strands. He wasn't very good at it, but he was passable. Thanks to his meimei, he was good enough to do some cool tricks - Liu Qingge's typical ponytail would definitely be easy!

It was also much easier to fix other people's hair than your own.

“How do we remove the swords?” - He asked curiously, taking one of the oils there to make the hair even softer, listening to Liu Qingge's soft murmur as he worked, so cute!

If it wasn't his curiosity, he would definitely be very dissatisfied with himself for interrupting that vision. Liu Qingge's usually serious face became absolutely peaceful under his control, it was so adorable that Shen Yuan could stare at it for hours!

His gray eyes opened to stare at him through the bronze mirror’s reflection, the glow of a storm hidden in that gaze seemed to shine for a moment as he stared at him, sending a shiver down his spine.

“It depends on each person.” - As always, Liu Qingge was not the best at telling stories, offering no further explanations beyond that. Shen Yuan knew he had to encourage his shidi to talk more, accustomed to his less talkative manner, smiling tenderly at the man's manner.

"Like this? How did you get Cheng Luan?” - He instigated.

Liu Qingge stopped for a moment, thinking.

“I entered the caves and removed the metal from which it was forged.” - He tried to explain better, Shen Yuan became even more curious.

“I never understood how Wan Jian’s swords work, even though I sent my disciples to get theirs.” - Shen Yuan reflected, making some small braids on the right side of Liu Qingge's hair, even though the left side still needed to be combed.

“The caves protect whatever is there inside.” - Liu Qingge hoped this would be better, frowning in concentration trying to think more about the matter - “You wander through them until you find what you’re looking for.”

“I…wander through them?” - That was new.

“Hm.” - He couldn't move his head, so he just mumbled the answer. - “For disciples, it usually takes a short time, we don’t know how it works for adults. It might take a few days.”

“...Oh!” – This worried Shen Yuan. They didn't exactly have days, and even though he could practice inedia, he didn't want to be alone wandering around a huge cave until he found his own Excalibur.

What if Binghe found out where he was in the meantime? If he got tired while searching and fell asleep and Luo Binghe tracked him with his dreams? Coming to destroy Wan Jian Peak and wipe out Qingge and everyone else? And would this trigger Cang Qiong's destruction again?

Misinterpreting his shixiong's dark expression, Liu Qingge thought that he might not want to go to the caves because he thought he would not be able to receive his sword since he was not a disciple.

"You will get it." - Liu Qingge wasn't the best with words, but his determined look conveyed a confidence that Shen Yuan lacked, the other man giving him a weak smile in the mirror.

Shen Yuan weakly nodded his statement, not very confident, continuing to take care of his hair until he finally carefully tied it into his usual ponytail, tying it with a…green ribbon?

Liu Qingge felt his face turn red again, Shen Yuan didn't realize that he took his own ribbon to tie Liu Qingge's hair, and well…Liu Qingge wasn't going to make his shixiong take it off.

It actually caused a very pleasant feeling in Liu Qingge, using a symbol of the other man, Shen Yuan's colors itself. This brought a soft smile to his lips, his expression softening as Shen Yuan finally finished combing and brushed his hair one last time, carefully securing the crown.

Looking in the mirror, Liu Qingge noticed several small braids carefully weaved in his hair, with two of them intertwining in two loops around the crown and ribbon he always wore.

"Thanks." - He looked at Shen Yuan affectionately, without bothering to hide his feelings, gently holding his lover's hands, leaving a tender kiss on his fingertips, drawing circles on those delicate hands before leading the man to sit down so he could reciprocate the care.

Shen Yuan was caught off guard by the look full of tenderness he received, feeling his heart stutter unpreparedly, he left the comb on the dresser and was about to touch that face, let his fingers move to that beautiful little spot below his shidi's eye when Liu Qingge held it his hands.

His face turned absolutely red from the dedicated and tender kisses on his fingers. Liu Qingge looked like a knight from romance stories, pledging his loyalty to the beautiful princess, except he was the strong and courageous War God pledging loyalty to the 21st century transmigrator, Shen Yuan. Well, now he at least had his own special title that was actually earned by himself.

The War God swore allegiance to the god of freedom.

This completely took Shen Yuan's breath away, shaken and happy to know that he would always have his beautiful Liu-shidi by his side.

This eased his worries a little as he sat down and let Liu Qingge take care of his hair.

Slowly, Shen Yuan relaxed even more with the care and affection on his hair. Liu Qingge's hands were gentle, ever so gentle, in a way that few would believe would come from the great and feared War God, but he was, in fact, so affectionate that he completely dismantled Shen Yuan, carefully leaving the strands completely soft and untangled. Shen Yuan's defenses reduced to nothing, his body just relaxed, as well as his thoughts floating gently.

Luo Binghe's voice calling him from afar, in the back of his mind, raised every fine hair on his body, filling him with fear. Remembering what he was about to face, pressing his hands against the fabric of his inner robe tightly.

Maybe, he was much more tired than he realized.

“I don’t want to have to…do this alone.” - He admitted, his voice sounding low like a whisper, so low that it normally wouldn't be heard, but Liu Qingge's senses were keen and understood his words, his eyes still closed, not wanting that beautiful vision to dissolve into some nightmare.

Maybe it was just fear, well, it was fear, but Shen Yuan went through so many things in that world, depending only on himself, facing that damn system, having to die more than once, seeing the people he grew to love taking so much risk alone. Being the only one who knew what was happening and yet, with so little information that he was frustrated, incapable and powerless, with anguish radiating from his heart, and eating away at him, worse than Without-a-cure, which he really…he had to admit that he was afraid.

And he's been scared for a long, long time.

Mostly, he was tired. He was really tired. Tired of depending mainly on himself. Tired of having to fight alone, and in the end, fail and lose more than win. Tired…just tired.

Liu Qingge frowned, his expression serious as he held Shen Yuan's hand, leaning towards him, almost in a hug, holding his hand closed tightly, Shen Yuan felt his fingers relax only for them to intertwine with Liu's Qingge.

"I will go with you." - There was no need to ask, his shidi, his Qingge, so trustworthy, so loyal, knew what he needed. - “I will accompany you as long as I can, but when you receive the call of your sword, I will no longer be able to follow you. As far as I am allowed, I will be by your side.”

Shen Yuan would always allow it if he could. This serious promise that he knew, knew in his bones and his immortal soul that it would be fulfilled, calmed him.

Liu Qingge didn't seem to like having to leave him alone, especially with his anguish over the situation, but it was what it was.

His spiritual weapon’s calling was something that could only be heeded by the destined wielder, no one else.

Still, this comforted Shen Yuan.

“Thank you, Qingge.” - The familiar call caused a blush to easily come to the face of the War God, still not used to such intimacy, but definitely enjoying such a thing, affectionately squeezing his partner's hand.

EXTRA

Chapter Text

The mountain upon which Wan Jian Peak resided possessed a network of spiritual caves that extended far underground, almost as large as the Lingxi Caves themselves. Maybe even bigger, since no one knew for sure how deep it went. The metals and spiritual ores cultivated by the natural energy present there were of extreme strength, and the ancient caves seemed to have a life of their own, only allowing the Peak Lord himself to move freely through them.

There were two ways to obtain a spiritual sword from Wan Jian, one could obtain an already forged sword, generally still unnamed, which resided in the caves, or obtain the necessary material to forge the sword (that is, if the weapon in question was in fact a sword, since according to Wei Qingwei, there were metals that simply wanted to be something else.)

(Wei Qingwei's own spiritual weapon was a great example of this, a hammer that was almost the same size as the man, and was usually attached to his waist in a small size, so well hidden that everyone seemed to forget about Lord Wan Jian's weapon.)

The spirits of spiritual weapons usually take form only after connecting to their bearers, usually before that being was just a will that came from the very essence of that powerful weapon, but without a fully formed consciousness.

Spiritual weapons in that world generally belonged only to one person, linking themselves to their soul until their death, at most, they would only be able to respond to some member of the direct family, very close to their original bearer, but the further away, the less of their potential could be utilized. Direct permission from the original wielder also worked for the sword to respond appropriately to another user.

Cheng Luan was a sword created especially for Liu Qingge. Its metal was taken directly from the Wan Jian caves, creating the powerful sword of the war god Bai Zhan, the one that always defeated his enemies no matter what they were. All of Wan Jian's swords had a very high level of excellence, but as one of the swords made by the current peak lord Wei Qingwei, who was still a young disciple, it became even more famous, a sword made between two martial brothers, showing the strong bonds among the current generation.

The sword that always stood up to protect Shen Yuan.

But there were also swords that were centuries old, hidden in those caves that might never find their real bearers, but they were there, waiting patiently.

Xuan Su was one of those ancient weapons, a sword that was made by one of the first Lords of Wan Jian, but which never responded to anyone. The centuries in which it remained ownerless in the caves of Wan Jian made the sword stronger and also more demanding, its spirit almost fully formed, so its choice of Yue Qingyuan was a surprise to everyone, and further revealed the young man's potential, which motivated the former Sect Leader to take him as his main disciple.

Xiu Ya was also ancient, not as old as Xuan Su, but it still seemed to be made especially for Shen Qingqiu, it was light and elegant, but deadly. If Shen Yuan had not been placed into Shen Qingqiu's body by the system, with his soul connecting to that body, along with the original Shen Qingqiu's soul being practically attached to the body almost like an obsessive spirit, Shen Yuan probably would not have been able to control it with such precision.

Two ancient and powerful swords found their owners in the current lords of Cang Qiong, this was a cause for great celebration for the entire sect! Very auspicious for that generation and further strengthened Cang Qiong's reputation and position as the largest sect in the world.

Now, there was a thirteenth lord in Cang Qiong, one who came unexpectedly, who only five of the twelve Lords knew about. Shen Yuan didn't know if he would actually be well received, he still feared the reaction of others upon learning the truth, even if the "truth" given to the other eight lords was a very elaborate fanfic, it still meant that he spent years in their martial brother's place, whom they had ascended as Peak Lords and took their vows of loyalty, he could still be considered an outsider at the end of it all.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

It was quite strange to meet Wei Qingwei again. He spoke to Shang Qinghua through the private headquarters before they got off, Airplane was busy with his husband and some other things that he promised to tell more about later. Shen Yuan just accepted it, they were in a hurry.

Wei Qingwei provided Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu with a set of peak Wan Jian robes so that Shen Yuan could disguise himself, Shen Yuan took on his own original appearance, only keeping his hair long, which greatly shocked Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan, even Liu Qingge was surprised.

"What was it? This is just my original face…don’t tell me that I’m ugly?” - He wasn't an incomparable beauty like all those beautiful peak lords, but he wasn't ugly either, okay? He just wasn't a movie star like these peak lords! - “I know I’m not an incomparable beauty like Liu-shidi, but it’s not possible for me to be so unpleasant…”

Whatever words Liu Qingge had intended to say were cut off with such a statement from Shen Yuan, leaving the man undeniably flushed and unable to speak – “You…!”

“You look a lot like Xiao Jiu.” - Yue Qingyuan finally managed to say, hiding a laugh at his shidi's embarrassment.

Shen Yuan looked at them in confusion. - "Like this?"

“What do you mean, what?!” - Shen Qingqiu criticized - “You…! You look like me!"

Shen Qingqiu didn't know whether he was impressed or irritated. Shen Yuan clearly seemed to be some relative of his, they had the same features, except that Shen Yuan seemed softer, more gentle and caring.

It was really his younger brother, this infamous one!

“I guess… I never noticed that before.” - Shen Yuan reflected, taking a mirror and looking at himself, then at Shen Qingqiu's face. They indeed had a great resemblance.

“I think this further reinforces Shen Yuan as Xiao Jiu’s younger brother.” – Yue Qingyuan mentioned with a soft smile directed at Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Yuan gave them a half smile.

Shen Yuan felt the need to say something despite his nervousness. He hadn't thought much about it since Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua came up with that idea, but at the same time, it was something he held close to his heart, and he would like to put it out there despite his thin face.

“In my world, I had two older brothers, and a little sister, Hui-ge, Yun-ge and Biyu-mei.” - He began, a little hesitantly, but calling upon all his experience as a cool and cold peak lord of years to maintain his composure. - “I don’t intend to replace them in my heart, but I hope that...I hope that now we can be a new family. Not just to everyone else on the outside, but to each other.” - It was a bittersweet feeling. He rarely thought about his original family, not wanting to dwell on complicated feelings, but this moment felt appropriate, showing his true face to everyone who had now become his new family. - “I believe they would be happy to see the path I have built and my...” - Shen Yuan took a deep breath, a little (very) uneasy, but it needed to be said - “...new brothers” - Clasping his hands together, Shen Yuan bowed lightly, leaning towards Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu. - “Qi-ge and Jiu-ge, I will be a good brother, I ask you to take good care of me.”

Yue Qingyuan always reminded him of his elder brothers, and had become a person he trusted, a true elder brother. Now there was Shen Jiu, who also entered the small family that Shen Yuan had built in his heart, and Shen Yuan wanted to value it properly. He really didn't want to miss the opportunity to have a new family and have them close to his heart.

Being a god of freedom certainly had many meanings, and Shen Yuan thought that one of them was certainly being able to be free about his own feelings and the truths he hid in his heart.

(His thin face would suffer a lot to learn how to properly express all of this, but it was an ongoing process.)

This deeply moved both older men, having not expected such words from Shen Yuan. Shen Qingqiu, who knew much better about Shen Yuan's family, was a little more fearful. He had liked the idea of having a family, and had become attached to Shen Yuan, especially after the “canonical events” as Shen Yuan called it, but deep down…

Deep down, he still feared being put in the background by Shen Yuan's original family.

He must have been very sensitive to emotions and physiological responses due to his time as a ghost, it was the only justification for the burning in his eyes.

Shen Qingqiu was getting used to having a new member in his strange family, gathering this thought into himself, and Shen Yuan's sincere and kind request clouded that dark feeling in his heart, dissolving the bitter claws into nothingness.

He hugged Shen Yuan tightly, hiding his face so that his tears could not be seen.

He now had a younger brother.

"Stupid. Don’t take back your words!” - He threatened, squeezing Shen Yuan. - “A-Yuan must be a good brother.” - His voice came out much gentler than usual, with a tenderness that was strange to him, but welcome.

Yue Qingyuan also joined in the hug, hugging them both affectionately, truly a hug worthy of a big older brother.

“We will take good care of A-Yuan.” - Yue Qingyuan's voice was choked, overcome with emotion, but full of happiness.

Fate was finally moving positively towards them, the scales tipping towards them achieving their goals and happiness. They would not waste such an opportunity.

They had to recover from this whole emotional moment, taking a little longer to finally leave. Liu Qingge let them have their time, understanding the delicacy of the moment.

(Shen Qingqiu was surprised by this, expressing how surprising it was that the brute understood something about human emotions, becoming quite embarrassed when Shen Yuan teased him about already being so protective of him, Shen Qingqiu hit him with the fan for it.)

Shen Yuan changed into another appearance, using a face that, although not the same, invoked a kinship with Shen Qingqiu could attract Luo Binghe's unwanted attention. He took advantage of the situation to use the face of a famous actor who made an adaptation of a novel he read - and the drama was actually very good - about a cultivator who created demonic cultivation. He liked looking like a good guy! He didn't take the protagonist's appearance, but his younger brother's (Airplane would have understood that joke). This ability was definitely really cool, and he had to admit that even though it was a little strange, it was fun too.

He looked very dashing with that square chin and serious look. It was a bit like how he imagined Liu Qingge would be before meeting him.

Wei Qingwei was shocked when he saw him take on his true appearance as Shen Qingqiu, even though he had already been told the whole “truth” by Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu, it was still surprising to see with his own eyes how genuinely the Shen brothers were identical.

“It’s a pleasure to officially meet you now.” - Lord Wan Jian bowed respectfully. - “Should I also call you Shen-shixiong?”

“En, I believe it is the most appropriate?” - Despite everything, Shen Yuan looked at the Lords of Qiong Ding and the original Lord of Qing Jing, he no longer wanted to pretend to be someone he was not, even though he was technically still in Shen Qingqiu's original body.

With an exchange of glances - and probably a conversation in the private headquarters - both men nodded.

Shen Yuan smiled brightly, he really felt better and better.

That stupid world was finally being kind to him.

Wei Qingwei carefully explained about the caves before letting them enter, handing him everything he would need to obtain his spiritual sword and doing the entire process carefully, just as it would have been done if he were a disciple, processes that left Shen Yuan was very curious and attentive to how they were made, fascinated. The spiritual sword was a very important part of everyone's xianxia world, and he could hardly believe that he would have his own!

It was definitely really cool to participate in the whole process of getting one legitimately, and he was nervous. The magic ink in his hands dried quickly and, according to Wei Qingwei, even if he got sweaty, it wouldn't run off.

(Of course, he wasn't sweaty! He wasn't going to lose face like that! He was close to thirty years old already! It was just a little bit of anxiety that definitely didn't lessen knowing that he would have Liu Qingge with him.)

(Maybe he was having problems with anxiety, and this whole thing with Luo Binghe and Luo Binghe himself was the main cause of his anxiety, but there wasn't a Therapy Peak for him to take care of these problems, was there?)

They were led deeper into Wan Jian Peak, arriving at an entrance made of large stones with various inscriptions of talismans and runes, the sigil of Wan Jian carved into the main rock, where Wei Qingwei touched it with the palm of his hand, the qi flowing against the scriptures making them glow softly before he withdrew his hand and the opening in the stone was revealed.

“I will accompany Shen Yuan until he receives his weapon’s call.” - Liu Qingge declared, leaving no room for discussion, his hand never letting go of Shen Yuan's as the two advanced.

Wei Qingwei was surprised, but he didn't exactly have a way to stop the other man - he did, but it would be far more costly, and he didn't want a fight against the now literal War God Bai Zhan at his peak when they were trying to be discreet - so he just touched the stone, communicating with the caves so that they would not expel Liu Qingge.

Fortunately, that would be enough.

When they found themselves alone, Shen Yuan ignited the talisman given to him, before assuming his true form, his original appearance as Shen Yuan. This would probably help the cave know that he was not Shen Jiu, increasing his chances.

Liu Qingge gave his free hand a confident shake.

"You will get it." – Shen Yuan trusted him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Yuan took a deep breath, this was not the time to think too much. He had a sword to find!

It was exciting to actually receive a calling.

Shen Yuan continued walking down the stone corridor, the small talisman in his hand glowing softly and illuminating the way, but the cave stone itself emitted an unearthly, multicolored light, wherever he saw, there were colors upon colors infused into the stone. It was different from the Lingxi Caves, mysterious and beautiful, alive.

The cave seemed to be guiding him, just as Wei Qingwei explained to him, the tug he felt deep in his consciousness was still there, guiding him. It was like following an invisible rope to your goal, firm and always pulling you, but not too tense as if it were going to burst, in fact, it was a continuous path and much more peaceful than imagined.

Shen Yuan had to admit that it was taking him a while, even now without Qingge by his side, it was still difficult not to stop and look at the other swords stored there, every now, and then he would pass by a sword guard, some were so beautifully adorned with jewels which almost looked like a stylish accessory to be displayed, others were simple but filled with a highly powerful aura. There was even one he found that had a strange evil aura, but he was repelled by the sword as soon as he touched it (Liu Qingge seemed to hide a smile as he saw his excitement over the weapons and the stories behind each one, nursing his hand a little red.)

It wasn't his fault, okay?

This was all part of the really cool world building details that Dumb Plane failed to mention! He was simply curious!

With a sigh, he finally felt the rope loosen, arriving in a more open part of the caves, seeing the light of the talisman reflecting off the various weapons, the stone walls reflecting that opalescent glow almost like a black shell, full of brilliant spiritual energy and floating.

The rope guiding him seemed to coil around him, waiting for Shen Yuan's action. Thinking that this was the point he had been warned about, he calmly sat down on a part of the floor near the middle of that cave, looking in awe at the ways the stone moved and formed to form an almost circular room.

Leaving the talisman's light floating in front of him, Shen Yuan straightened his posture into a lotus posture, leaving his open hands facing upwards, closing his eyes with a deep breath as he let his spiritual energy flow carefully. It was a similar process to cultivating and circulating spiritual energy through his meridians, however, it also expanded his senses, letting the energy flowing through his body soak into the solid rock around him, the energy flowing around him like an aura of power and intensity, reciprocated by the cave itself that let its energy pass through Shen Yuan.

The scriptures placed in his hands made by Wei Qingwei, which were to be a guide for the caves to hand him his sword, glowed, Shen Yuan could feel a slight burning sensation, as if the meridians in his hands directly connected with the carefully traced strokes in his skin and he was able to hear the voices of the cave and the swords there.

His consciousness felt slower, as if he were slowly sinking into the ocean, but it didn't have a suffocating feeling of drowning, it was like walking through a bustling crowd and going with the flow.

He found himself plunged into that sea of solid rock and flexible metal, pure and dark energy, blinding light and enveloping shadow, but Shen Yuan was not the type to let go with the tide.

No, he never followed others just because it was easier, he became a little gremlin on the forums with his deep and insightful analyzes of the stories he read and his acidic opinion when something displeased him.

Isn't that what brought him to that world, after all? His strong opinion about how horrible that story was?

With a deep breath, he stiffened his posture, fixing himself in place so he could better analyze where he had gotten himself.

But as he did so, that entire ocean of consciousness and energies seemed to stop and disappear, becoming silent, while the talisman marks drawn on his skin burned even more, scaring him a little before the burning suddenly disappeared, leaving only a cold feeling.

Confused by that sudden silence, even with the cave stopping responding to his energy, Shen Yuan opened his eyes to investigate what had happened, finding a strange metal directly in his hands.

It was shiny, even though it had not yet been refined, its light color was noticeable, almost resembling a vivid shade of white gold, but he could make out minty veins running through the metal.

That was when surprise struck him: that was what would become his sword.

He did not receive a ready-made sword, but the cave answered him anyway. He was not rejected by the cave! Shen Yuan would have his own spiritual sword, made especially for him!

A smile full of happiness spread across his face, he almost couldn't contain the slight burning in the corners of his eyes or the trembling shiver that ran down his arms.

This would be his, truly his, something he received on his own in that world.

Like a god, without the system and utterly stunned to finally admit that he didn't like how his life had turned out alongside his former disciple, wishing to be the cultivation companion of a man who so sweetly captured his heart, to receive his own spiritual sword, made especially for him, was something very special.

Shen Yuan couldn't put it into words completely, but he assured himself that he would take great care of his sword and use it to achieve his goals with great determination!

A humming sound came from the cave around him, but it didn't feel like a tremor that would worry him, like the cave was going to collapse or something, it was almost as if the cave expressed its satisfaction and could hear his thoughts.

A noise from the opposite corner of the cave sounded, making him turn around in time to literally see the rock moving and opening a path for him to follow. Struck by how literal the term “living cave” could be, he continued moving forward, carefully carrying the materials for his future sword, finally meeting Liu Qingge who was walking towards him.

His shidi's look of pride left him a little blushing, but inevitably happy to welcome him.

“When the walls moved, I had a feeling.” - Liu Qingge commented, lightly touching his cheek while tucking a few loose strands behind his ear. - “It will be a beautiful sword.”

Liu Qingge was not like Wei Qingwei with great knowledge of metallurgy and blacksmithing, but he could recognize the strong spiritual energy of what would become Shen Yuan's sword.

“I was…afraid of going nowhere.” - He admitted, walking next to the War God and finally feeling a knot in his heart being untied, a fear that had been there since the subject of him obtaining his own sword had come up, and he hadn't even realized it. - "Thanks for waiting for me."

Liu Qingge hesitated for a moment, before leaning towards Shen Yuan and giving him a tender kiss, which lasted only a moment and left the god wanting more.

"I will always wait for you. No matter how long, and I will always come after you, as long as you let me."

Liu Qingge's ears were very red, and his sincere statement made Shen Yuan equally flushed.

"Qingge says he is not good with words, but he makes the sweetest statements to this master" - Shen Yuan joked, feeling his heart light and sincere, pulling that man to kiss him again.

Before they left, Shen Yuan lightly touched a smooth surface of the stone wall, mentally thanking the cave for the gift and honor, before returning to his normal form. In the end, the differences between his current face and his original face were very few, and he was already so used to his new appearance that he ended up preferring the new one.

His new life, with his new brothers and with his new cultivation partner. One that he chose with his heart and sincerely, without any butcher's knife urging him to do so.

When the rocks of the Wan Jian caves opened, he took another step towards his new life in that crazy world.

It felt good to finally make your own choices.

There was no longer a butcher knife in his neck. He destroyed it and freed himself from it, now he would be the one to bear a deadly sword upon those who hurt him.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next part wasn't exactly their responsibility, or there was anything they could do to help. Wei Qingwei assured that he would do it as quickly as he could, but he could not rush the process too much or the sword would be damaged and not be fully effective.

Wei Qingwei wanted to know what name Shen Yuan would give his sword, if he had already thought of one. This could help, and the response was quick.

Jueshi.

(The noise of Shen Qingqiu slapping his own face when he heard this almost gave everyone a fright, clearly outraged by his younger brother's questionable choice of name.)

“ I don't know why I still expected him to give a poetic name to his sword” - Yue Qingyuan heard in his mind, having to stifle the laugh that escaped his fiancé's acidic comment.

They would have to wait a week or two.

Until then, Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan, Liu Qingge and Shang Qinghua would stay in the heavens for safety. Liu Qingge didn't like this, but was firmly persuaded by Shen Yuan.

Yue Qingyuan would stay in the heavens for a while too, but for safety's sake he would keep his job as a sect leader, so that there would be no rumors that could reach Luo Binghe.

This time would be used to train and prepare his strategy for the fight.

Shang Qinghua finally joined the group as they returned to heaven, now without his husband, but there were snowflakes in his hair, he emanated an icy aura and seemed to almost emit demonic energy - it was obvious what they were up to earlier.

Shen Yuan was confused about this, after all, wouldn't it be dangerous to send Mobei-jun back to the north now? With a suspicious look at Airplane, he was about to question the reasons for this, but Shen Qingqiu was quicker.

“Did you send that demon from the north to help that Beast by any chance?”

Shang Qinghua despaired, giving an undignified cry in fright - “No! My king is far away now! He has no way to help Luo Binghe anymore!!”

The assurances made quite curious gazes fall on the god, and he needed a few seconds to recover from Shen Qingqiu's accusing and fierce gaze.

The original goods were definitely MUCH scarier.

“He went to Mount Tonglu” – Shang Qinghua clarified. - “He will gain more power there and become a Supreme Demon Ghost King!” - He declared proudly, smiling brightly. - “This title does justice to my king, and he will be even stronger!”

Shen Qingqiu was still suspicious, probing the god. He knew everything about Shang Qinghua, so his suspicions about the man were even greater.

“And how did you convince him to stop helping Luo Binghe?” - Shang Qinghua blushed furiously at this question, making everyone suspect what means were used to persuade the demon king of the north.

“I told him the truth!” - He hurried to say, but the topic had died with that.

It was enough for the others. Shang Qinghua's apology would no longer be effective at the thought of hearing about the papapa from Mobei Jun.

“ The whole truth ” - He added in Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu’s private matrix - “ Including me being the author and…that Luo Binghe defeated him thanks to the protagonist’s halo. ”

Well, they had long days ahead of them now.

Shang Qinghua even more so being without his husband.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Wei Qingwei was very efficient, despite the delay there was (according to him due to the peculiarity of the material and the particularities that excited him when working on the sword), delivering Jueshi only at the end of the second month, a total of 48 days! Shen Yuan was very anxious, and even though he didn't like fighting that much, he trained diligently this entire time.

Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge were very different teachers, the sparring sessions being almost exhausting to make Shen Yuan better prepared to fight and to leave Shen Qingqiu in better shape and free of rust. Even Shang Qinghua had to participate in the training, after all, he was the only one who could really use Xin Mo there.

It was quite interesting for everyone to see Shang Qinghua actually fight for the first time. He was one of the weakest Peak Lords in terms of combat, but he had many tricks up his sleeve and strategies that were quite surprising. He and Shen Yuan made a good team, used to each other, which caused Shen Qingqiu to be a little jealous.

Easily placated as the two fought in perfect sync, dividing Xiu Ya between them and making the Shen brothers ruthless.

Thanks to Shen Yuan - who was the most communicative among them all - and Shang Qinghua - who in some somewhat frightening way was already slowly infiltrating the sky structures, did Ling Wen know about this? It was definitely good to be careful with Airplane - they got help from other martial gods.

They were formidable opponents and truly difficult to deal with, which made training much more satisfying, especially for Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge, who could truly pose a great challenge.

Shen Qingqiu knew that Yue Qingyuan was not giving his all as a warm-up, but he still managed to match up to the two bickering gods. He still didn't know how to feel about Liu Qingge defeating this Mu Qing god in sparring, but he knew that the other man didn't like it at all.

Shen Yuan was quite excited, saying that this could result in a beautiful friendship of arms between the two.

The years that Shen Qingqiu spent as a ghost cultivating finally appeared at that moment, the man converted all that “ghost power” into spiritual energy and now had absurd reserves of power. Perhaps it was good karma due to his late start and faulty cultivation bases, now he had more strength and power than ever before.

Shen Yuan also used all his encyclopedic knowledge to gather some high-grade artifacts and plants for this fight. Which also meant telling Mu Qingfang the truth so he could properly work on refining the pills and medicine. Peak Lord Qian Cao handled this much more calmly than they imagined, even though Mu Qingfang had always been a calm and peaceful presence, his reaction was almost as if...he had expected this? But who would have told him in advance? Wei Qingwei?

When Shen Yuan tried to get answers about this, Mu Qingfang just smiled calmly, explaining that he found out from Wei-shixiong, but assured that Lord Wan Jian didn't go around spreading that gossip indiscriminately.

Shen Yuan couldn't help but become even more curious.

“But why would Wei-shidi give you special treatment, Mu-shidi?” - He questioned sincerely, I mean, it's not like they had any kind of special relationship, right?

“Wei-shixiong and I prefer not to keep secrets between us.” - Mu Qingfang explained calmly, understanding the other's curiosity, but still having a little fun with it, he opened a gentle and knowing smile, a light shade of pink coloring his ears. - “I don’t keep secrets from my husband.”

“Oh, yes, you…your HUSBAND?!"

"Are you married?" - Liu Qingge, who had been quiet until then, was equally shocked. Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes, hitting his brother's head with the fan.

“How come you haven’t noticed yet?” - Shen Qingqiu scolded.

“How did I not notice? How did you know that? How come Mu-shidi is married, and it seems like no one knew about it?” - Shen Yuan was quite surprised, trying to express his shock to others, Liu Qingge nodded positively, agreeing with him, casting curious glances at the doctor. - “Not even Liu-shidi knew that! And he visits Qian Cao often!”

Mu Qingfang had to admit that he was having a little fun with this. He has always been very discreet about his personal life, and a little shy about exposing it without hesitation to others. Despite not wanting or trying to hide his relationship, he also didn't talk about it to anyone who would listen.

Shen Qingqiu discovered their relationship by accident, also because he was very observant, Yue Qingyuan knew from having already seen them together. Besides the two of them, only Qing Qingxing, the Lord of Peak Xing Kong, knew about them, as she was the one who performed their ceremony when they were still disciples, just before the lords' generation changed.

“We have been married since before we became Lords of the Peak.” - Mu Qingfang clarifies gently, but this only seemed to make the two who didn't know about it even more dismayed.

Well, it was really fun to see the couple's shock upon discovering that he had a life outside his work as a doctor. In fact, Mu Qingfang would say that it is thanks to his husband that he has a life outside of work, and vice versa, as both he and Wei Qingwei have the terrible tendency to be so fixated on their respective jobs and passions.

Somewhat ironically, it was precisely his partner who kept each other from drowning too much in their work and having quality time together.

Shen Yuan was still processing that information. Everyone in that world were cut-sleeves?! Is that world of fifth-rate stud romance actually a world full of cut-sleeve men and women? Airplane you idiot!

Trying to put the final nail in the coffin, or find out if he was actually just coincidentally attracting and converting more people into cut-sleeves, he asked “Are there any peak lords who like women?”

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes, already wondering what was going on in his younger brother's head.

“Qi-shijie and Qing-shimei, as far as I know, Shen-shixiong.” – Mu Qingfang replied after thinking for a brief moment.

With an undignified grunt, Shen Yuan just gave up for good. It wasn't like he was any different either, after all there was no doubt that he was indisputably in love with Liu Qingge, so who was he trying to fool?

Shen Qingqiu hit his head with the fan again, making him hug Liu Qingge to protect himself from him. Shen Qingqiu's expression became even more severe.

“Stop thinking such nonsense, and hiding behind this brute!”

“ You don’t even like women to be asking these things! ” – Shen Qingqiu spoke in the private matrix, his tone reprimanding.

“You don’t even know what I’m thinking! And Liu-shidi is not a brute!” - Shen Yuan tightly hugged Liu Qingge's arm to protect himself, while the man positioned himself between him and Shen Qingqiu like a barrier.

“ And I do like women!” – Shen Yuan defended himself, hugging Liu Qingge’s arm more firmly, “I have already kissed a girl in my world! It's just… I kind of… I like…Liu-shidi more…” - He admitted with a very red face - “It's weird, okay? It’s just… Qingge is handsome like a prince, and he’s so sweet and kind and trustworthy and protective, and…”

“Tsk, your taste in men is terrible.” - Shen Qingqiu cut him into the matrix, making a face worthy of someone who was about to vomit. He definitely didn't want to hear about the brute Bai Zhan's “good points”.

Shen Yuan would not give up so easily.

“You don’t even try to see Qingge’s positive points! He is kind, sweet, attentive, and an incomparable beauty!” -  Shen Yuan defended passionately, repeating the firm words he had said in Shen Qingqiu's head previously, full of unshakable confidence, hugging his shidi's arm tighter as the man in question turned completely red.- "There's no way I can't fall in love with Qingge!”

Yue Qingyuan laughed at the situation and the silly fight between the two, hugging Xiao Jiu around the waist to appease him, truly feeling at home.

The days continued to rush by, sometimes they seemed too fast, and sometimes they were slow and dragging, but everyone did their duties and prepared diligently.

In his spare time, while Yue Qingyuan had to stay in the sect just to keep up appearances, Shen Qingqiu would disguise himself and accompany him, with the two enjoying their time together in the sect leader's office. Meanwhile, Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan disguised themselves and walked together to search for the various materials and monsters for Mu Qingfang.

Shang Qinghua accompanied them a total of two times, and Shen Yuan wondered how Liu Qingge didn't throw the man off his sword for angering him, but was happy to spend time with his friend.

It was strange, but not bad, spending so much time away from Luo Binghe. Shen Yuan constantly found himself being anxious, worried, looking over his shoulder every moment, clinging onto Liu Qingge tighter.

Luo Binghe's calls in the back of their minds never stopped, the thoughts that Luo Binghe didn't know were like prayers to the two gods kept coming and made them both scared and worried. But while Shen Qingqiu became more obstinate and furious, Shen Yuan was filled with anxiety and nervousness, as well as a bit of remorse.

The “disappearance” of three peak lords did not go unnoticed by Cang Qiong, and the search for Luo Binghe - who was furious about not finding his right-hand man and having left the Northern palace even more restless - reached Cang Qiong and the lies were already ready.

Liu Qingge didn't disappear, after all he went on a mission and should still be busy taking care of it, he didn't return to the sect and wouldn't return for another month, that's what Yue Qingyuan said to the half-demon. He calmly explained that he had no way of knowing where Shang-shidi and Qingqiu-shidi were, since one regularly went out on his own errands and the other was usually with Luo Binghe himself, how could Luo Binghe have no clues?

This angered the half-demon, which almost made him pull Xin Mo against Yue Qingyuan, until he was reminded that he was not welcome in Cang Qiong, and Yue Qingyuan was giving him that information purely out of courtesy to Shen-shidi.

Fortunately, Luo Binghe really left after that.

But things didn't get easy just because of that, the tension was constant and the only appearance of tranquility was in the celestial kingdom, where they were sure they could not be reached.

Shang Qinghua was the one who took the most risks in the group, taking care of the affairs of the Northern kingdom, since in Cang Qiong, fortunately Shang Qinghua's disciples were able to handle the ends without him - despite being much less efficient. (Shen Qingqiu said that because he should train his disciples better.)

Shang Qinghua had to do a lot of work to be able to continue administering the Northern Kingdom effectively, even more so now that its king was at Mount Tonglu - which actually opened and caused a bit of an uproar among the gods, Shang Qinghua was very happy for his king become even more powerful!

Making use of his new shape-shifting ability, Shang Qinghua placed two clones to handle paperwork in the North, along with one of his many contacts, he enlisted the help of an ally his king had won over. The demon general promptly came to help him, even though he had to listen to Cucumber-bro's mockery and complaints about how she was so little used in PIDW as just another one of Binghe's wives and now revealed herself very interesting, and with an even deeper background then when Shang Qinghua told him.

He should have kept quiet about General Xuejie's past, but he got too excited and said everything Shen Yuan wanted to know, after all he couldn't explore it in the novel and thanks to his newly acquired magical memory/special god powers Destiny and Stories, he was able to remember all of her past to tell Cucumber-bro.

With Xuejie, his fierce reputation among the demons, and being the face that took from Luo Binghe the role of managing the kingdom temporarily, Shang Qinghua managed to keep things relatively calm. And he wasn't discovered by his protagonist son, so everything was more than great!

Finally, Wei Qingwei called them to hand over Jueshi to Shen Yuan.

He was anxious, all five of them went together to Wei Qingwei's forge, it was his private forge, where he dedicated himself to making experimental swords and weapons that would be too risky to work around other disciples.

Shen Qingqiu shook hands with Yue Qingyuan, the two exchanged a look. There was something else they wanted to do there, and they asked Wei Qingwei in advance to help them.

Lord Wan Jian had his sleeves rolled up to the elbow, with metal gauntlets and bandages around his arms and chest, wearing only an inner robe in the colors of his peak in addition to dark pants, his hair tied tightly away from his face, with two strands of fringe tied carefully, showing a triumphant and quite satisfied smile as he picked up a long dark-colored and unadorned box. It was made of dark wood, and it was obvious that Shen Yuan's sword was there.

“It was an honor to do Jueshi, I hope you have a good relationship.” - With a somewhat mysterious smile, Wei Qingwei handed the box… to Shen Qingqiu?

Shen Qingqiu cleared his throat, putting away his fan on his waist again, a somewhat serious look, drawing everyone's attention, receiving the box containing Shen Yuan's sword and turning to his younger brother.

They were already used to these titles, and over the past few months, they had acted as such. It was easy, like water flowing easily through a clean, flowing river, your precious family tightening their bonds with the firmness of a mountain.

Shen Yuan curiously looked at Shen Qingqiu,

“This is usually done when we become core disciples.” – Shen Qingqiu explained. - “You arrived by surprise, but you are part of Cang Qiong and one of the lords of Qing Jing. Which means it needs to have a suitable courtesy name.”

Shen Yuan finally understood, feeling his heart beat rapidly in his chest. He didn't really expect to receive a courtesy name like the other lords, satisfied with just being called Shen Yuan, but knowing that Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan worried about it left him with a tender feeling so intense that it almost made him fall in tears.

Shen Yuan clasped his hands in front of him, bowing respectfully to the Sect Leader and his second-in-command, the excitement of experiencing such an iconic moment making him almost dizzy.

Shen Qingqiu smiled softly, in a tender and gentle way that was rarely seen by other people, extending the sword to Shen Yuan, he and Yue Qingyuan accepting his bows like elders. Liu Qingge assumed a serious and even elegant posture, a tone of indescribable respect in his actions and his gaze, even Shang Qinghua was much more serious, looking at him with a mix of excitement and satisfaction, happy for his brother.

It was a little scary, but really cool. Did they all feel this way when they became head disciples, destined to be Peak Lords?

“I, Peak Lord Qing Jing, Shen Qingqiu, name you Shen Qingchun, second Peak Lord of Qing Jing, my brother.” - Shen Yuan swallowed the emotion that stirred inside him, trembling with excitement and happiness, leaving his back straight and accepting his new name and title.

“I thank Shen-shixiong and Zhangmen-shixiong for the honor.”

Shen Yuan walked over, lightly running his fingers along the edge of the box, working up the courage to open it.

Things happen in a funny and unexpected way, how could Shen Yuan say that after years in that world, he would reach that point? Certainly, not the him from years ago.

It still felt almost too good to be true, but the texture of the cool wood against his fingers assured him it wasn't.

Finally opening the box, his racing heart contrasting with the caution in the action, Shen Yuan looked over, being in awe at the sight of his new - and now truly his - sword.

The blade of the long sword was a light shade of silver, he could make out small veins of that greenish shade he saw in the raw metal running carefully up the base of the blade, as well as a thread of the same shade of almost mint green running up the middle of the blade. On the hilt, there was a simple design of firm bamboo leaves surrounding the carving of the sturdy and firm bamboo trunk and some jutting out in relief forming the guard of the sword.

The sword was both beautiful as a complicated prop made just to be an anime protagonist's cool accessory, and a deadly and elegant weapon worthy of a cultivator.

“It...it is beautiful” - He sincerely praised, delighted, holding it carefully, he removed the sword from the box, raising it. Wei Qingwei took a few steps back, giving Shen Yuan more room to maneuver, seeing him move the sword with ease, like an extension of himself.

Shen Yuan felt something similar to what he felt when using Xiu Ya, but now it was much more intense, like a connection rooted much deeper into his soul.

As he made an arc with the sword, he noticed something at the tip of the hilt, the soft, greenish glow emitted by the mint-colored veins reflected off a black stone that he initially mistook for a normal part of the hilt,

“Bro, this sword is amazing!” - Shang Qinghua praised, really impressed. He was hoping for something cool from Wei Qingwei, but this definitely turned out much better! He couldn't help but applaud.

Approaching it, Shen Yuan could see that the stone was completely black, the part that met the handle was also surrounded by that shiny green metal, inside the stone there seemed to be small lights, like stars, shining in different colors.

Is this a...?

“If Shen-shixiong is thinking that it is a stone made with Cloud Spirit Stone Butterflies, he is right. In fact, the metal of Shen-shixiong's sword has these greenish veins due to a material coming from a monster.” - Wei Qingwei clarified, amused. He was always very interested and excited when the caves gave him something that came from some monster or plant as material. It made the work much more difficult, but it also made it much more exciting.

He had barely slept these past few days, fortunately as a cultivator he didn't really need sleep, and he had only eaten because Mu Qingfang came to him to make him eat. The two of them were almost as busy as the gods themselves, preparing for battle against Luo Binghe.

Wei Qingwei's statement made Shang Qinghua's jaw drop to the floor in surprise. Was this what Liu Qingge went to all that trouble for...?

“According to the records I found in the notes of previous peak lords, the green metal veins come from one Jade-Koi Infinitus, two in fact. From the energy, the creatures had fed on Abyssus Aurora Judicii before they were killed, so the spiritual energy is very good and powerful. I made sure to use some Abyssus Aurora Judicii as well to strengthen this part of the sword. Combined with Jueshi's cold and light metal type, the sword has become very strong and intuitive, it will probably form an even greater bond with Shen-shixiong.”

The Jade-Koi Infinitus was a legendary monster, it did not appear in the original novel, but Shen Yuan found out about it by researching and building its bestiary. It was a gigantic type of koi fish, of a size that in scale would be the size of the British Bing Bang. It was made of clouds and took a long time to form because it was cultivated from the energy of the heavens contaminated by the deep corruption of the Endless Abyss. 

A monster that generally had no colors and, surprisingly, mated for life with its companion, although they tended to be quite solitary since they are creatures that rarely formed, making a couple of these monsters even more unexpected and beautiful.

And incredibly deadly, since a couple of these beings would always be flying in sync, whether in the air or in the water, stirring the winds causing storms, typhoons and tsunamis. Even though they were born from the demonic energy of the abyss and the thirst for blood, these practically gaseous creatures loved to taste plants and other herbs with pure spiritual properties, which caused them to take on the most varied colors.

They were too dangerous to fly freely near any inhabited place, as they caused devastation with their aerial dance alone, the choice would usually be to drive them away and try to drive these creatures back to the Infinite Abyss, as they were usually almost impossible to defeat. They were like the SSS rarity card in the deck! And they were on Shen Yuan's sword!

Shen Yuan could barely contain himself because his sword had such cool monster parts!

Apparently, the reason there was such rare and incredible material was that these Jade-Koi Infinitus made the mistake of eating an Abyssus Aurora Judicii.

A rare flower (oh how new) that bloomed in a secret kingdom. The Abyssus Aurora Judicii tree was huge. Shen Yuan had the pleasure of finding this specimen when he went on a mission with Liu-shidi to the secret realm, it was simply magnificent, a setting worthy of a romantic moment indeed!

(If he and Liu Qingge took much longer while resting on that giant tree, snuggling close to each other, just…just enjoying the moment with comfortable warmth and the pleasant scent emitted by the tree, then it was just their business.)

A single petal of these flowers was the size of a grown man (and the grown men of that world had in common that they were simply too tall, so that was really something!) a deep shade of purple, slightly transparent, but at the same time throughout the day, the petals changed color, their peak was always at dawn, where they gave off a slight glow and the energy throughout the flower was almost overwhelming, but great to cultivate if you were able to handle it.

The fish must have eaten it when it was in the morning stage, probably between morning and noon, where the energy was no longer so oppressive, but due to one of its properties that could cause intangibility when used correctly, just like the overwhelming cleansing of demonic energy, it must have weakened the beasts.

Wei Qingwei confirmed his suspicions, explaining that a group of cultivators from Cang Qiong at the time went to the secret realm to gather materials and found such a thing, taking advantage of the situation to successfully claim the beasts.

“They actually tried to domesticate them. They wanted to have them as a Spiritual Beast, but it went wrong and they almost killed their companion. Thanks to this, the two fish escaped and almost all of them died, only two survived and returned to record the story. These scales that were added to Wan Jian’s caves were the result of the fight that they fortunately recovered.”

It was truly tragic (for the cultivators), and a little comical, but no less impressive.

“Definitely, very good taste.” - Shang Qinghua declared. - “I'm almost jealous, but Jia Xiang is a good sword so it's okay, even though it's not made from rare monsters.”

“I can’t help it if my taste is better than yours.” - Shen Yuan provoked, elated that his sword was so cool. -

“Bro! Do not be so mean!" – Shang Qinghua whined, making Shen Yuan want to intimidate him even more.

“I'm not being mean, I'm being realistic. If you listened to me a little more, we wouldn’t be in this kind of situation.”

“Realistically speaking” - Shen Qingqiu took advantage of the hook of Shen Yuan's own words, provocation shining in his voice. - “Even the caves know you love monsters.” - Shen Qingqiu skillfully waved his fan, hiding a proud smile behind the fan.

“Jiu-ge!” - Shen Yuan complained, wielding his sword excitedly as he listened to the reports.

“It is a strong material, but also difficult to work with, forgive this shidi for the delay.”

Yue Qingyuan was impressed, but also curious about something else Wei Qingwei noticed.

“What about the Cloud Spirit Stone Butterfly stone?” - Noticing Liu Qingge's ears suddenly turning red, Yue Qingyuan gave him a careful look, making Shen Yuan chuckle as he noticed, a warm and cozy feeling coming over him thinking that Yue Qingyuan had truly taken on the role of big brother to him, even more than before.

“It was a request from Liu-shidi so that I could add this if possible.” - Cloud Spirit Stone Butterflies were not really dangerous monsters, they were the size of your palm and always walked in groups, their delicate spectral wings emitted the most diverse shades of brightness, they got their name thanks to the chrysalises from which they emerged, which They were made of stone, and when the butterflies emerged, the stone cocoons could be pulverized and turned into beautiful multicolored jewels.

The difficult part of cultivating these jewels was the need for spiritual energy to crystallize them; jewelers used to have a lot of work to refine a stone the size of a melon seed, let alone one as large as the one in Shen Yuan's sword!

Liu Qingge found a cave where these butterflies had just emerged, and he remembered the stories Shen Yuan told him about such butterflies and the jewelry made from their cocoons. He immediately took all the cocoons present there and stored them in his qiankun bag so that he could make a large and beautiful stone for his shixiong.

He tried to do it himself, but always ended up blowing up his attempts and getting covered in multicolored sparkling dust. Of course, this made Shen Yuan curious, but he refused to answer every time, bravely resisting the other man's provocations, but loving seeing him covered in the colored dust as well after he himself had spread it all over Shen Yuan. It was beautiful, and he wanted to kiss Shen Yuan, but he didn't have the courage to ask for a kiss at that moment.

It was with the tip of Mu Qingfang who recognized all the glitter on top of Liu Qingge, that he went to Heng Qingyi, the lord of the peak of magical artifact manufacturing, to help him properly refine the stone. Thanks to that, he managed to make that huge stone, Liu Qingge made sure to use his own spiritual energy for this.

“I needed a little help from Heng-shidi and Mu-shidi, but I managed to combine it perfectly into Jueshi!” - Wei Qingwei declared proudly, placing the wooden box on a table while releasing his hair from the bun, the ponytail tied at the end with a ribbon fell down his back along with the two strands in front of his face also tied with ribbons.

“It looks amazing, Wei-shidi. This shixiong thanks you.” - Shen Yuan smiled again, excited and very happy with his sword, it was as if it were part of his own body, an extension of himself. So cool! So amazing!

Putting it back into the sheath provided by Wei Qingwei, Shen Yuan was a little cheeky, pulling Liu Qingge into a tender kiss, ignoring the surprised gasps from everyone there and the teasing whistle from Wei Qingwei and Shang Qinghua.

Walking away with his face aflame, barely giving Liu Qingge time to react - who was equally red - he looked at the other peak lords, determination shining in his spring green eyes.

“Jiu-ge, Qi-ge, Air-Bro, it’s time for us to go face Luo Binghe.”

No more running and hiding, it was time to face your opponent head on.

Shen Yuan lit a candle for all of them in his heart so that everything would be fine. So that everyone would be okay.

So that everyone can be free and have their deserved second chance.

They needed to defeat the protagonist, and that's what they would do.

EXTRA

Chapter Text

Despite his initial courage, the closer he got to the meeting time, the more nervous Shen Yuan became.

There was some difficulty in determining the place to hold the fight. A place far from the border between the human and demon realm would be better, not wanting to strengthen Xin Mo or Luo Binghe any further.

In fact, a place where there also wasn't so much vegetation for Luo Binghe to hide would be better. Shen Yuan and Shang Qinghua knew well how the world itself shaped itself to help and protect the protagonist.

After all, Luo Binghe was considered the child of destiny of that world, the one who was blessed with the protagonist's golden halo to rule over everything and everyone!

Who would have thought that destiny was actually a trashy writer who writes pornography to survive?

Now, it was time for destiny to change and go in another direction, recreating that story in another way, Shang Qinghua could no longer let his son act all messed up and screw his best friend.

They chose a secluded place, there were enough trees for Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu to use their leaf and wind techniques effectively, which were even more magnified and deadly now. There was no village or sect for dozens of li, Shang Qinghua placed several talismans around the mountains, forming layers and layers that would keep Luo Binghe there even with Xin Mo.

Fortunately, they had an array and talisman master like Shang Qinghua to help them, or they would be even more inconvenienced.

The slightly difficult part would come now, as they still hadn't exactly come to an agreement on how they would be when Luo Binghe finally arrived.

“An element of surprise would be favorable for us, he won’t know what to expect.” - Shen Qingqiu argued.

“We managed to defeat him, we don’t need wicked tactics” – Liu Qingge replied. Shen Yuan sighed, two months, two months, and they still haven't decided how to start.

“They’re not wicked, you idiot! It's called war tactics! Have you no other use for that head of yours than to rest it on your shoulders?” – Shen Qingqiu got angry. This idiot never listened to him! - “Shen Yuan! Talk to this fool! I’m not going to waste my education anymore!” - He snorted, irritated.

“Jiu-ge…”- Shen Yuan sighed, he could see the strengths and weaknesses of both strategies, and he couldn’t just suggest that each one do what he wanted, that would be asking for defeat.

“I believe that this decision should be made by A-Yuan and Shang-shidi” - Yue Qingyuan intervened, patting Shen Qingqiu's back affectionately, practically hugging him there in front of everyone. Shen Qingqiu turned visibly red at such a public display of affection, but remained silent, truly enjoying his fiancé's affection, snorting softly with dissatisfaction.

“If you want to agree with the brute, just say so, don’t put it behind A-Yuan’s back.” - Shen Qingqiu complained, poking Yue Qingyuan's chest with his fan.

Yue Qingyuan gave an apologetic smile, truly hugging Shen Qingqiu, trapping him in his protective embrace.

“Actually… I agree with Xiao Jiu.”

Liu Qingge looked surprised. - “Do you agree?”

Shen Qingqiu, even more so. “Do you agree?”

“En. Luo Binghe is a powerful opponent, even though we have all grown stronger over the past month, we must remember that, as A-Yuan and Shang-shidi explained to us, he is protected by the golden halo of fate. Our goal is not directly a fight, but to take Xin Mo away from him.” - Yue Qingyuan explained patiently, his fingers reaching the back of Shen Qingqiu's neck and scratching gently in a caress, softening the man.

“Let's listen to Zhangmen-shixiong. Maybe we can resolve this without fighting!” - Shang Qinghua nodded energetically, shaking himself even more. Despite everything, he was still afraid of what could happen. He didn't want to be killed by Binghe or see any of his friends being killed.

“So, initially, I will be “alone” to find Luo Binghe.” - Shen Yuan declared with a courage that he didn't really feel. - “Everyone else will stay hidden under their divine auras and I will try to talk to him. If he attacks, we will fight. I will try to make him give up Xin Mo voluntarily.”

Despite his inner fear gnawing through his veins like poison, he kept his voice firm and authoritative, leaving no room for arguments. Liu Qingge didn't seem satisfied with the plan at all, but he accepted it. He seemed to sense Shen Yuan's true mood, hugging him tightly before cupping his face affectionately and kissing him, ignoring the audience.

The kiss was intense, affectionate and at the same time domineering, leaving Shen Yuan weak in the legs and dazed with excitement. Damn, how did this man learn to kiss like that? No matter how many kisses they shared in the past few months, Liu Qingge still left him like this every time, wanting even more.

“Qingge...”- He almost forgot what he had to do, face hot as he held the other god tightly.

"I'll be by your side." - Liu Qingge assured, firmly. His words calmed Shen Yuan's anxious heart a little. Squeezing it with a little force.

Quickly, everyone became invisible to mortal eyes, Shen Qingqiu using his power to hide Yue Qingyuan together, the two lords positioning themselves with their guard up.

Liu Qingge remained holding Shen Yuan's free hand, while the other went to his temple, next to Liu Qingge's hand, after obtaining Shen Yuan's permission, so that he could listen to the conversation, pressing with both fingers, concentrating. If in Luo Binghe.

The call didn't take long to come, making him shudder with its tone full of anguish. It was frantic, in time with Luo Binghe's racing thoughts, stunning Shen Yuan a little - and terrifying him in equal measure.

Shizun, where are you? It's been two months... I need to find him, I need to find him. When I find him, I won't let him go again. I promise. Shizun, you won't stay away from me anymore, I will keep you in Huan Hua Palace, away from Cang Qiong, these stup-

“ Binghe! ” - Shen Yuan interrupted him, unable to continue listening to those ramblings that brought fear into his heart, squeezing Liu Qingge's hand tighter, he received a squeeze in response, his shidi's stern expression was not good at all.

“ Shizun?! ” - Luo Binghe questioned, hopeful.

"Yes it's me. B-"

“ Shizun!” - Luo Binghe whimpered, Shen Yuan could see the black eyes filling with tears even without being able to see him. - “Shizun, where are you? How could I not find you? Shizun, those idiots in Cang Qiong were so mean! They refused to help me find you! I almost destroyed them when-”

“Binghe, Binghe calm down…” - Shen Yuan asked, feeling that there was something strange with the half-demon. He had suppressed his divine aura, appearing once again to be just the immortal cultivator he once was. He could tell that Luo Binghe seemed to be trying to reach him through the power of the dream demon, but thanks to his new status as a god, he was protected.

“Shizun, why can’t I find you?" - He whimpered, Shen Yuan hardened his heart, he couldn't let himself fall for that puppy dog face! And he wasn't even in front of Luo Binghe yet... Oh, damn...

Shen Yuan explained where he was, asking Binghe to meet him there quickly. He knew that he needed to make his disciple carry the demonic sword, so he “accidentally” blurted out that Liu Qingge would come to pick him up soon, if Luo Binghe took too long, then he didn't need to worry.

It worked really well.

The energy became a little heavier, soon a black rift opened in the clearing. Shen Yuan took a few steps forward, tightening his grip on the fan in his hand as he let go of Liu Qingge's hand, giving him a slightly frightened but courageous look.

Liu Qingge understood, standing behind him with his hand on his sword, ready for battle.

His beautiful War God.

Thinking this brought a soft smile to Shen Yuan's face as he turned back to the rift, where Luo Binghe instantly came out of.

And the sight he was in…well, this was not what Shen Yuan expected.

Luo Binghe looked…finished. His long, messy hair was dry, as if he hadn't seen care for some time, there were purple spots under his eyes and a roughness all over the man. He had gone there as he was, without any care, and his evident fatigue could certainly be a great advantage to the gods. Annoyingly, even though it was visibly tired and worn out, he still looked beautiful.

(Only the protagonist can look like a seventh-period university student who doesn't eat, sleep and has no social life and still looks good.)

“Shizun, I finally found you!” - Shen Yuan couldn't help the pang of guilt he felt upon seeing the relief on Binghe's face. Oh, well, this is going to be difficult… - “What happened, Shizun? Who kidnapped Shizun? Was it the stupid Liu Qingge? Don't worry Shizun! I will eliminate everyone who helped keep you away from me! I’m going to find out how they took you from me that night, and it will never happen again!” - Shen Yuan felt a discomfort come over him, like an impulse coming to him. It was almost like…wanting to give in. Wanting to do exactly what Luo Binghe was asking, give him what he wanted.

A soft golden light seemed to surround Luo Binghe, it only lasted for a second, when Shen Yuan blinked again there was no more, but that energy was still there. That urge to give in to his sad disciple. He blinked several times to get rid of that feeling, controlling his breathing. That couldn't be good...

Could this be…?

Yeah, the hard part is just beginning, Shen Yuan thought, ignoring the venomous grimace that Shen Qingqiu gave. He also had to control his expression so it didn't turn into a frown.

“Binghe, calm down. Let's talk." - Shen Yuan asked, keeping his voice calm. - “Release Xin Mo, okay? There are…a lot of things I need to tell you.”

Luo Binghe found the request strange, or maybe he was just tired, after all Shizun never liked Xin Mo, even so, Luo Binghe couldn't help but tighten the grip on the sword in his hand, hesitating to let go and giving Shen Yuan a long look. The black eyes analyzing him left the god with slight discomfort, needing to control himself to not squirm a little, but he maintained his firm posture.

Again, that strange feeling came over him, flashing before his eyes, the golden light surrounding Luo Binghe seemed a little bigger, and what was that thread around him?

Before he could squint his vision to better focus on that thread, it disappeared again. Damn it.

“Shizun….what happened to Shizun?” - Begging for his Shizun to give him the answers soon, Luo Binghe's eyes soon filled with tears, getting a little closer.

But Luo Binghe continued to look at his shizun for a long time, noticing how his long brown hair was soft and shiny, very well cared for, his skin was healthy and flushed, just as his clothes were very similar to the ones Shen Qingqiu always wore, but in fact, they seemed to be made of an even richer, and more valuable material, not being the usual formal attire, but rather shorter, tailored and suitable for missions. That…what was that pendant on his waist?

Shen Yuan noticed him looking at the ornament on his waist, holding it at the same time, a little guilty. His face turned a few more shades of pink, remembering when he got it.

Luo Binghe's Shizun didn't seem to have been kidnapped.

“Shizun… Shizun, what happened?” - Luo Binghe seemed almost desperate for an answer, for confirmation that he was right, that everything was a conspiracy against him, and that everything would be fine, tightening his grip on his sword, already a little suspicious of the lack of response from the Lord of Qing Jing. He could hear the voices dragging him, those distorted, tortured voices calling him to slaughter and sex, telling him he was being deceived. - “Shizun, how were you kidnapped? Who did this? How did Shizun escape? Why…why doesn't Shizun respond? We were so happy, so who wanted to get in the way of our happiness?”

Shen Yuan tightened his grip on his fan, strengthening his resolve. He couldn't drag this out any longer, even though a part of him seemed to be pushing him to take advantage of this cue. Say he was kidnapped, accept this mercy, return to him...

But he...

I don't want to. He thought to himself, looking at his disciple with serious eyes.

“I wasn’t kidnapped, Binghe. I left because I wanted to. No one… was responsible for this other than myself.” - Important things must be said clearly. He learned this in several ways.

Luo Binghe looked at him, stunned at his admission, watching him close his fan. Shen Yuan would not hide, he could not allow there to be some kind of misunderstanding.

“Is someone making Shizun say these things? Don't worry, Shizun! This disciple will destroy them!”

“No…Binghe, listen to me!” – Shen Yuan raised his voice, scaring Luo Binghe. He rarely raised his voice, rarely shouted, despite showing dissatisfaction, he always easily gave in to Luo Binghe's tears, but not now.

The clear green eyes were now the relentless storm of spring.

“I do not wish to marry you.” - It was something he dragged on for a long time, but since he was saying everything… - “I… I don't like you that way. We are master and disciple, I’m sorry.” - Why did it seem so difficult to say those words? That pressure was back, he swallowed hard to keep his voice steady, forcing himself to stay steady. Again those lights were before him, those wires...those golden wires were around his throat, trying to squeeze him. When he looked again, they seemed clearer.

What the hell was that?! This... was this really an effect of the protagonist's halo?!

But what stupid halo was that anyway?!

“Shizun!” - Luo Binghe whimpered, trembling, fat tears streaming down his eyes and creating an appearance of tragic beauty, Xin Mo starting to emit a dangerous glow as Luo Binghe squeezed it tighter. - “Shizun, I know that's a lie, you would never say that! Why would Shizun say that? Shizun loves me!”

“Binghe…. Binghe, it’s nothing but the truth, this master is sorry for hiding it for so long. It was my mistake, I shouldn't have...” - Shen Yuan pressed a hand over his neck, trying to concentrate on some way to loosen those suffocating chains. He won't give in to them, he won't give in, he won't, he won't!

“Shizun, how is this possible? Us…we were happy! We lived a perfect life! Shizun always…”

“I was… I was scared, okay?” - Shen Yuan finally admitted, managing to grab those threads that surrounded his throat, pulling them hard and ripping them off. In the next instant they disappeared as if they had never existed.

His breathing now became lighter.

If this was, as he suspected, the effect of the protagonist's halo, then how come he had never felt it before? Or…did he always feel it, just never realize it? Was this one of his divine abilities? Could he now notice when he was affected by the protagonist's halo?

Could he sense when others were affected?

With a slightly shaky breath, Shen Yuan steadied himself, looking at Luo Binghe's eyes that were shedding beautiful and painful tears, perhaps now for real. He didn't intend to give in this time.

“I was…afraid you would kill everyone, Binghe. I couldn't lose everything again. Losing my family again. I cared a lot about your feelings, but…I neglected my own. My affection for you is not romantic. I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have let this drag on for so long.” - The system revolves around Luo Binghe, his will, his desires, what to do to make him happy. His feelings were the most important above everything and everyone, so what did it matter if Shen Yuan was not satisfied with being his partner because his feelings were directed towards someone else?

What did it matter if Shen Yuan, who wasn't even from that world, who was brought there to make the story better and make Luo Binghe happy, felt it?

Shen Yuan discovered that his feelings were very important indeed, and it was okay to not be happy in the situation he found himself in.

Liu Qingge never left his side, whether as a romantic partner or friend, ensuring that he did not need to wallow in the misery of his complicated emotions, and Shang Qinghua, Shen Qingqiu, and Yue Qingyuan were also constantly helping him to distract himself,

It was strange and a little scary to accept that…he wasn't happy, and that's okay, even if it was with the protagonist. It's okay to love someone else, and Liu-shidi would respect whatever boundaries he needed, not forcibly cross them. Liu Qingge was so trustworthy, so kind, and it had brought tears to Shen Yuan more than once.

He chose well.

Unfortunately, all of his other bad choices were coming to bite him in the ass now.

That admission lifted a huge weight off his chest, but it seemed to increase Luo Binghe's anguish even more. The heavy aura coming off of Xin Mo deepened.

“But…but I thought Shizun…when Shizun saved me at Maigu Mountain! Shizun took the initiative!” - He accused, trembling, the sword pointed at him.

Shen Yuan gave him a complicated look.

“I didn’t make that decision on my own. I was just desperate to stop you from destroying the world and killing everyone. I thought we were going to die, or that I was going to die. If we were to die, we would all go together, like this…then maybe everyone else would be okay.” - The pain of admitting that was not something Shen Yuan anticipated, but he held back the urge to also give in to the tears. It wasn't time to cry. Even so, he noticed the worried looks everyone else gave him in his peripheral vision. Oh well, he really wanted a hug now, but it wasn't a good idea to hug anything (from Binghe's view), so Shen Yuan swallowed this feeling to deal with it later. - “I'm sorry…” - Shen Yuan couldn't continue lying, and he really didn't want to lie to himself, or Luo Binghe anymore.

Luo Binghe was silent for several moments, the knuckles gripping Xin Mo were white from the force exerted, the murderous aura becoming more severe, a thin and low sound being emitted by the black sword, like the voices of the abyss itself whispering through Luo's mind. Binghe.

“You…you are not my shizun!” - Luo Binghe accused with a strangled voice, gritting his teeth, he could hear those louder voices.

Shizun would never say that to us.

How could it be shizun? He was always so good, he always gave in when you were miserable and sad. This is not shizun.

“Binghe…I really… am not Shen Qingqiu.”

“So you actually took my Shizun’s body! Give it back! He will marry me, and you can’t stop that!”

“I can because your shizun is still ME ! And I do not want it! Not even the real Shen Qingqiu wants it!” - Shen Yuan retorted determinedly, earning an approving look from his brother.

Unfortunately, this emotional outburst was not the right choice of words for Luo Binghe.

For a second, things seemed to be slowing down, he saw Luo Binghe wield Xin Mo, finally charging towards him. Well, he really talked nonsense and forgot the point, didn't he?

It seems that this time he was the one who messed up.

But before Shen Yuan could catch Jueshi, another sword was in front of him, a yellow figure moved first, and he could see Shang Qinghua holding his sword while being held down by a furious Luo Binghe with Xin Mo emitting a dark and wicked aura.

“Is Shang-shishu helping this fake shizun?” - Luo Binghe said irritably - “Mobei will kill him for this betrayal.”

"There is! My king is on my side in this! I will discipline my wayward son!” – Shang Qinghua uttered proudly, confusing Luo Binghe with this. The information that he was betrayed by Mobei-jun made him furious but was also confused by…what do you mean, son?

"Son?" - Luo Binghe's eyebrows furrowed, not even Xin Mo expected this.

“Ahem…long story…”

Oh Lord… well, it was what it was after all, and Shen Yuan could not hesitate.

Jueshi was unsheathed for a serious battle for the first time, attacking Luo Binghe and causing him to retreat, freeing Shang Qinghua.

“That’s not Shizun’s sword! What did you do to Xiu Ya?!” - Luo Binghe asked furiously, blocking Liu Qingge's attack at the last second, but Cheng Luan's impact still reverberated with force, sinking Luo Binghe a little into the ground.

“That’s his sword.” - Liu Qingge said simply, his frown firmly on his face, looking sternly at the former disciple. - “Your unfilial disciple.”

Luo Binghe laughed, a broken and angry laugh.

“Unfilial? I? And you? Liu-shishu ” - The respectful term full of disdain - “You are so interested in honor but want to steal another man's partner! Do you think shizun would want a weak partner like you ?” - He attacked venomously, his eyes looking crazed and furious.

“Don’t talk about Qingge like that!” - Shen Yuan jumped in, indignant - “He is very trustworthy and respectful!” - Shen Yuan would ignore Shang Qinghua's intelligible grumble. Soon Xiu Ya flew, attacking Luo Binghe, but was deflected in a furious blow, causing the half-demon to become unbalanced. Shen Qingqiu took advantage of the opportunity and attacked again, managing to cut the arm holding Xin Mo.

“Don’t even direct your filthy mouth at my younger brother.” - Finally revealing himself, Shen Qingqiu made himself present, causing Luo Binghe great confusion when he saw two Shen Qingqius, but the cold and acid look of the one who revealed himself now was very similar to how Shen Qingqiu was before treating him good.

This sent a shiver down his spine, hesitating for a second before receiving another powerful blow from Liu Qingge that caused him to be pushed back again. Successfully diverting Luo Binghe's attention, Liu Qingge arced his sword, hitting Luo Binghe and causing his entire body to shudder from the impact.

Unexpectedly, Liu Qingge lost his balance, giving Luo Binghe a new opening. Yue Qingyuan arrived at just the right moment, parrying the blow with Xuan Su still in its sheath.

Luo Binghe smiled wider, his eyes cruel.

“Is this the famous War God? Do you really think you can defeat me now?”

“Don’t insult him!” - Shen Yuan got angry, attacking Jueshi again, feeling a pull on his body to lean, to go in one direction. He ignored him, continuing as he intended, pushing Luo Binghe away just in time for Shang Qinghua to slash his arm with his sword, blood running down the black fabric of Luo Binghe's sleeve and dripping onto the floor.

“Shizun, why are you being so mean to me, Shizun? You should love me, shizun!”

"You idiot!" - Shen Qingqiu interrupted, irritated, launching himself at the half-demon, making Luo Binghe jump to be further away, scared, Xin Mo's murderous aura becoming heavier.

“I was the one who accepted you as a disciple, report to me.” - Shen Qingqiu declared darkly, Xiu Ya returning to his hand. - “And even though I don't like this brute, my brother cares about him, so don't you dare, don't you dare hurt him, because if A-Yuan cries, I'll slice you up for it!” - Shen Qingqiu jumped at Luo Binghe again, his murderous and fierce gaze shaking his former disciple, confusing him even more.

Shen Qingqiu's blows were fierce, and Luo Binghe's defense was shaken, even if not completely, Shen Yuan could perceive the beams of golden light emanating from him, trying to cling to his brother, the protagonist's golden halo protecting him. The blood on Binghe's arm kept oozing out, and it reminded the half-demon of the blood parasites he placed on Shen Qingqiu, which he had lost contact with over the past few days, but he tried to sense them, to stop Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Yuan panted a little, feeling the discomfort of the parasites in his blood, but his divine power managed to suppress them, staggering for a moment and being held by Liu Qingge.

“I’m… I’m fine. It’s the parasites.” - Shen Yuan smiled weakly, and if Liu Qingge's stern look said anything, Yue Qingyuan's cold look was even worse.

Before he could stop the sect leader, Yue Qingyuan pulled Xuan Su again, still trapped in its sheath, charging towards Luo Binghe to support his fiancé, arriving at the exact moment when Shen Qingqiu was almost hit by Xin Mo.

“Don’t hurt my little brother.” - Yue Qingyuan's icy voice sent a shiver down everyone's spine, the always kind and sweet Sect Leader displayed a side that no one had ever known. - “A-Yuan and Xiao Jiu are my responsibility to protect, my brother and husband, and you will not harm them.”

Luo Binghe stumbled, knees buckling against Yue Qingyuan's own murderous intent, his arms trembling, almost being overcome, almost unable to keep Xin Mo in place.

Almost…

“Shizun…shizun still has my parasites…but then…. Shizun really…betrayed me…” - Luo Binghe paid no attention to Yue Qingyuan, despite the slight fear creeping into his bones at being the target of the wrath of that ever-so-gentle man, and being harshly pressured by the joint forces of Xiu Ya and Xuan Su. His mind and eyes were on the scene starring Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge, how the two were so comfortably close, much closer than before, how Liu Qingge held Shen Yuan while transferring spiritual energy to him to suppress and try to kill the blood parasites.  An energy much more intense than the spiritual energy of cultivators. The bright green tassel hung from Shen Yuan's waist, with the Emerald Wolf Cerberus's Eye stone on the string in Bai Zhan's exact shade of gray.

The meaning of this and Shen Yuan's words in his rejection.

The shock from this was much greater than the shock from the blood parasites in Shen Qingq… Yuan's body? Actually be killed, even if this was not just by divine spiritual energy, but a manifestation of Shen Yuan's own divine powers.

Shen Yuan widened his eyes as he saw the golden light on Luo Binghe grow stronger, the threads escaping from him pulling Yue Qingyuan, causing him to weaken, weakening his offensive and taking Shen Qingqiu along as Luo Binghe charged at them with renewed strength, his eyes insane.

“You all…you all united against me…” - Luo Binghe let out a slightly maniacal laugh, Shen Yuan and Shang Qinghua could see how around Luo Binghe the air trembled, with glitches and pixels distorting reality for seconds before disappearing, a voice sounding in the back of their minds before dying, as if the System tried to return, without success. - “If I can't have Shizun, NOBODY can! It doesn’t matter who it is!”

“Damn, damn, damn…” - Shang Qinghua mumbled to himself, becoming invisible to Luo Binghe again, with a risky but necessary plan. - “Yue Qingyuan is still affected by the halo!”

“I noticed, hell!” - Shen Yuan grumbled, squeezing Jueshi. He needed to fix this, he just didn't know how. Everyone there was a god except Yue Qingyuan, and the system could use Yue Qingyuan to weaken them, even if he was one of the strongest.

Shen Yuan…Shen Yuan needed…he needed to think…he needed to do something…he needed…he needed…he needed to free Yue Qingyuan from the system, but…but…how…?

“Cucumber-Bro!” - Shang Qinghua gasped in surprise, pointing at Shen Yuan, drawing Shen Yuan's attention back from his intense reasoning trying to rethink his strategy, while Shen Qingqiu used Xiu Ya to block Xin Mo's attack against him and Yue Qingyuan.

Shen Yuan noticed Shang Qinghua's surprised look and looked… Jueshi was… Glowing?!

In his hand, his sword glowed, the silver blade now seemed to be made of pure light, the greenish veins now also glowed softly while the Cloud Spirit Butterfly Stone reflected this light and seemed to release true stardust, which floated and surrounded the sword, making it incredibly shiny.

Shen Yuan didn't know where this instinct came from…but he... knew what to do.

It could be instinct, or it could just be a consequence of all the anime and novels he read, it would be cooler to think that it was a divine consciousness that took over him to give him this inspiration! It wasn't just because he was an otaku!

“QI-GE!” - Shen Yuan shouted, it was a bad time for philosophical reflections, but it was what it was. - “Do you…do you trust me? I need you to let me do something!”

Yue Qingyuan glanced at him briefly, nodding.

Perfect.

Gods, may he be right, or Shen Qingqiu will kill him!

In one movement, Shen Yuan launches Jueshi, with a hand seal, commanding the sword towards Yue Qingyuan. His action surprises everyone, but Yue Qingyuan doesn't avoid it. Shen Qingqiu looked a second too late to do anything, still stuck holding Xin Mo, his eyes widened when he saw…

Jueshi's shining blade impaled against the exact spot in Yue Qingyuan's dantian.

“QI-GE!” - The cry of despair escapes Shen Qingqiu, losing the strength in his arms when he sees this, the icy blood in his veins, really being thrown away with the strength of Xin Mo and Luo Binghe's almost manic laugh.

“Shizun…Shizun attacked them… Shizun is really on my side then?!” - He rambles, celebrating, but the murderous aura in Xin Mo only increases, taking over the entire place, the vegetation appearing more withered.

He points Xin Mo to Liu Qingge.

“Now that Shizun has killed the sect leader, I will kill you, and nothing will come between-”

His sentence never came to an end.

Because Xuan Su smashes through his chest, blood running down and smearing Yue Qingyuan's face. There was no blood oozing from the place where Jueshi stabbed him, just the torn fabric of his clothing.

Turns out, Shen Yuan didn't stab him to kill. No, he freed him.

But to free someone, the person must want to free themselves.

There are many things that bind Yue Qingyuan, but one of them is easier to cut than the others. The constraints of the system. How he was affected by the protagonist's halo.

Jueshi, carried by Shen Yuan's intense desire, was able to break these bonds, and now, Yue Qingyuan was free.

Free enough to be bold in drawing Xuan Su despite the risks.

“Enough of that.” - The shock, the realization that Shen Yuan was helping Yue Qingyuan in some strange way, the last thread of hope broken, Luo Binghe finally…finally fully hears his sword.

Let's kill them. Dead, everyone will do what you want. Dead, Shizun will be yours.

“Dead, Shizun will be mine…”

The black pupils expand, completely covering his eyes, the tips of his fingers seem almost necrotic by the dark tendrils, like a corruption.

“Fuck!” - Shang Qinghua exclaims again, whether it is out of surprise, shock or fear, no one can say.

Luo Binghe and Yue Qingyuan cross blades, Yue Qingyuan's oppressive strength just doesn't shake the others present because they are gods, because if they were any other cultivator, even an immortal cultivator, they would fall to their knees before this power. Even Luo Binghe is having difficulties, despite the protagonist's halo, Yue Qingyuan easily slices the falling trees, redirecting the rays that come from the clear sky, fighting to his full potential, showing how dangerous the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect Leader is.

The other four gods look on in awe and perplexity, but ready to enter battle if necessary.

Well, Liu Qingge, Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu look on ready to engage in combat, Shang Qinghua pulled Shen Qingqiu close to the couple and installed an array around the three of them, creating a glowing protective barrier with an array.

"What the hell...?!" - Shen Qingqiu looks at Lord An Ding in shock.

"What is that? Remove this barrier!” - Liu Qingge demands.

“Believe me, shixiong, shidi, you don’t want this…what’s about to happen…ah…” - Shang Qinghua fumbles, all the while looking at the fierce battle between Luo Binghe and Yue Qingyuan, everyone only being able to follow due to their high level as cultivators and their divine power.

Luo Binghe used Xin Mo with an efficiency that could only be worthy of Bingge, in fact, more than Bingge, attacking Yue Qingyuan violently, at the same time, Yue Qingyuan even had his life slowly drained by Xuan Su, with his hair slowly gaining some white threads, marks on his expression that would usually never exist due to his high cultivation, but he doesn't care, he continues his relentless attacks, with a power so frightening that just being a god would make him stronger, not just defending himself from the attacks of Xin Mo with his spatial rifts, as well as attacking him ferociously.

“Speak up, Airplane!” - Shen Yuan shook him, wanting answers right away.

“Yue Qingyuan is about to…”

Shang Qinghua's sentence is cut off by the loud sound of a gong, a bright light washes over Yue Qingyuan, but he doesn't disappear into thin air. He remains in place, his strength increasing even further as the next blow he delivers to a stunned Luo Binghe cuts off the half-demon's hand, ripping Xin Mo out of his control along with his own hand, causing him to scream.

The thick white streaks in his hair disappear, now again such a deep shade of black that they become shiny, the wrinkles and signs of old age also disappear, his face returning to being young and mature, his bright and kind black eyes are serious for the battle.

“That was it!” - The ground trembles before the power of the new ascended god, cracks appearing on the ground, Xuan Su glowing in his hand with an aura of danger and ancient power, an ancient sword with a young wielder, finally reaching a level so superior that his bond of soul with the sword was broken, no longer binding his life and limiting his days.

No…his bond with Xuan Su has become different now.

So now, do you hear me?

Yue Qingyuan was surprised. He didn't recognize that voice, but he didn't have much time to spend thinking. Every second counted.

"Who are you? " - He asked directly to the voice in his head, his sword vibrating in his hand.

So many years by my side, shouldn't you recognize me, Yue Qi? I'm here to help you. Our bond has become stronger and will no longer deteriorate you.

It was Xuan Su, he realized. It couldn't be anyone else, and it made sense that the sword knew its old name.

I will help you defeat Xin Mo. From one ancient sword to another, I don't like it.

Well, that was good for now.

Shang Qinghua had this feeling, seeing how the glowing aura on Yue Qingyuan grew even stronger and blinding, a pure and hot glow, he knew it would be a bang, so he prepared himself. He was always preparing, and thank goodness! Because the huge tree that fell on top of the barrier could have almost crushed their heads!

Luo Binghe screamed in pain as his hand was cut off, jumping away from Yue Qingyuan and now having to dodge his attacks, unable to get close to Xin Mo again with the Sect Leader in his way.

"Do not waste time." - Before Shang Qinghua couldn’t say anything, he was grabbed by Liu Qingge by the collar of his robes, thrown towards Xin Mo, finally breaking the protective barrier, while Liu Qingge climbed onto Cheng Luan together with Shen Yuan to defend the safeguard of Shang Qinghua, and Shen Qingqiu approached to help Yue Qingyuan.

(If this was some kind of little revenge for the little beast turning him into a human-stick in another life, then that was his business.)

Shang Qinghua was nervous, even though he knew everything about Xin Mo, it was still a lot of responsibility. Luo Binghe's pitch-black hand still held the shadowy sword, earning a grimace from the god of fate. Oh well, that was it, isn't it?

Shang Qinghua held Xin Mo, sheathing Jia Xiang, the black sword flashed once, expelling Luo Binghe's hand causing his to let go, at the same time, Luo Binghe screamed in agony, the red mark on his forehead shining brightly, struggling against Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu with his hands - now just one - bare, with one hand missing, one arm bleeding and the chest spilling even more blood, but not giving up, not saying anything else, just grunting and calling for everyone's death.

Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan exchanged a quick glance, Liu Qingge stepping forward to fight with his martial brothers, three gods against a demon maddened by darkness, two gods to contain the source of this dark and ancient power.

Shang Qinghua couldn't join the fight, focusing his qi on Xin Mo, trying to subdue the sword, Shen Yuan had Jueshi in hand to protect him while he made the connection.

His mind projected onto the sword, feeling the strong energy it emanated, pulsing vividly like a beating heart, it was a little dizzying, but it didn't reject him, in fact, it softened as he felt Shang Qinghua's aura, almost as if knew who and what he was.

Well, that was good.

Resting his palm on the long blade, Shang Qinghua concentrated his qi more, trying to speak to the sword, the world around him becoming almost a white hum around him.

“I am Shang Qinghua, the god of fate, Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky! The creator of this world! Obey me!"

You…. Are you the god of destiny? Airskie?

The voice finally responded, it wasn't a single voice, it was like thousands of voices, low and hissing, giving Shang Qinghua some goosebumps, making him flinch a little, but he kept a firm grip on the sword. This was worthy of a horror movie, ha!

"Yes! It is me! You need to serve me!…It is not?"

Shang Qinghua was already becoming afraid that he was making a mistake, but now it was too late to turn back.

Oh, I see...

The silence that followed was worse than any noise, increasing Shang Qinghua's anxiety. He was already almost shaking. He noticed how his fingertips began to gain dark stains, like black roots flowing from the sword directly onto his skin, making him startle and launch a pulse of strong energy over his meridians all the way to his fingertips and pulsing against the sword again.

Finally...it looks like it's over.

The veins disappeared, Xin Mo glowed for a moment, the heartbeat in the sword increasing almost frantically before becoming soft and smooth.

He didn't hear the scream that shattered the air, although he felt something shuddering as it passed him, a strong wave of energy surrounding everything before the evil aura in Xin Mo dissolved like dust in the wind, Shang Qinghua felt a sharp headache, and like a stitch on your forehead.

Welcome, shenjun.

Xin Mo finally found a new owner, willingly submitting.

The once dark and murderous energy became gentle but no less powerful, enveloping Shang Qinghua, penetrating his skin and becoming part of him, strengthening his meridians and his golden core, his own immortality stronger than ever.

The new god of destiny, whose heart could never be taken against his will, only given to the demon he loved willingly.

Standing up a little unsteadily with the black sword in his hand, Shang Qinghua felt a strength that he never imagined he would feel. He felt that he could easily compare to Liu Qingge or Yue Qingyuan now with that power.

His hair was loose, he noticed, and it looked longer. Standing up, he turned to the others, his long brown hair was trailing the floor in messy, soft waves, the sparkle in his eyes was blinding, and the mark on his forehead glowed a soft shade of gold.

The demon's heart was finally appeased in the hands of a god.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Liu Qingge didn't know whether to be impressed or angered by this demon's stamina, even in the state he was in. A part of him might respect him for his persistence, another found him unworthy for not accepting defeat.

(He remembered the five years he never accepted defeat, fighting every day. Even though he lost all 1,770 battles against Luo Binghe, he never gave up.)

Well, he couldn't be the one to talk about not accepting defeat. As long as his resolve was firm, he would never truly give up.

Not until he died.

Yue Qingyuan delivered a blow that completely severed the arm whose hand was torn off, while Shen Qingqiu managed to cut off the other arm with a fluid movement from Xiu Ya, but the demon still had both legs and was crazed with bloodlust, muttering intelligible words full of hatred and resentment.

For a moment, Luo Binghe froze, his entire body shuddering in pain, the dark aura around him faltering and weakening, becoming more chaotic and diffuse, the ground beneath his feet was rotten and a little slimy, the air was suffocating and filled with murderous intent, he let out a loud scream, filled with hatred, grudge, anguish and resentment, the murderous intent was oppressive and made them shudder.

Shen Qingqiu managed to use Xiu Ya to destabilize his left leg, failing to cut it off, but it was enough to create the opening that Liu Qingge needed.

With one kick, Liu Qingge managed to throw him away, slamming him against a tree, and before Luo Binghe - or whatever that beast had turned into - could recover, Liu Qingge ended that fight with a clean blow of Cheng Luan.

The silver blade flew with blood back into his hand.

A strong wave of red and gold energy exploded from Luo Binghe's body, an earthquake resounding like a wave along with the sound of reality itself shattering as Luo Binghe's head fell to the ground with a hollow sound, his eyes finally slowly closing, the almost blinding glow of the mark on his forehead fading as the life finally leaves him.

This wave swept across the entire world, a strange golden and red light running through everything and dissipating before the eyes of normal people, only immortal cultivators could truly perceive that abnormal energy, but they didn't know where it came from. But the world did not break, even if the child of destiny of that world was destroyed.

The world continues, even without the protagonist.

Because now there is a god of destiny to guide the paths.

Now, there is a god of freedom to help them overcome difficulties.

Now, there is a god of second chances to give them hope for new beginnings.

Now, there is a god of war to guide them in their battles and never give up.

Now, there is a god of justice and vengeance to avenge his misfortunes, persevering even when there is no hope.

Because the world is too big to depend on just one person, and all paths are important and deserve happiness.

Everyone deserves happiness, it's not just one person who suffered which deserves everything. Everyone has their own stories, their own pain, their own traumas, their own karma. And all stories deserve a happy ending.

There will be some villains who have no solution, there will be people who don't want to correct their mistakes, but that is a choice, as long as there is hope, as long as there is a possibility , a chance, a second chance to free yourself from the demons in your heart and follow a path for happiness.

Because life is made of choices, not all of them are made at the right time, some come too late, but the important thing is to keep trying.

Chapter Text

Once the battle was over, everyone had to recover from the shock.

Shang Qinghua was a little…different, so to speak.

They had actually killed Luo Binghe.

Despite everything, there was really no regret in any of them. Even Shen Yuan did not feel regretful. Perhaps sad for the final fate that the protagonist he had cared for so many years suffered, but…there was really no regret.

Not when his family was finally safe.

Shen Yuan felt his chest tremble, rushing to Liu Qingge and hugging him tightly.

"It is over." - He whispered, barely able to believe his own words. The murderous aura around the entire place gradually disappeared, until, with a gesture of his black sword, Shang Qinghua cut through the air itself, opening a dark rift that absorbed all the murderous and dark atmosphere into it before closing it.

"There is! It really worked!” - The god of destiny celebrated, completely breaking the solemn and imposing aura he exuded previously, smiling satisfied with himself.

Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but laugh weakly at this.

“Always full of surprises, Airplane-juju…”- His whisper could only be heard by Yue Qingyuan, who was beside him, protectively hugging his fiancé. Shen Qingqiu let out a long sigh as he sank into Yue Qingyuan's arms, turning to face him and hugging him tightly.

“Qi-ge is now a god too.” – Shen Qingqiu murmured with satisfaction. Yue Qingyuan was already immortal, but Xuan Su's risk was still a danger to his life, so Shen Qingqiu planned to make him his deputy, to ensure that he would never leave. Now, it would be much easier with Yue Qingyuan being a god as well.

Shen Qingqiu couldn't deny that he was proud of his Qi-ge, despite the huge scare he got when Shen Yuan pierced him with Jueshi.

“Qi-ge will always follow Xiao Jiu. Even if it is in divinity.” - Yue Qingyuan promised, kissing his forehead affectionately.

“I can’t believe we all became gods! I mean, of course I believe it, but it’s so cool!” - Shang Qinghua celebrated, stumbling closer to the other four. - “Urgh, I didn’t think I would instantly get a super hair upgrade with Xin Mo!”

“Stop complaining, you can just cut it later.” - Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes impatiently, making Shang Qinghua shudder.

“I’ll need a new scabbard for Xin Mo…”

“That’s the least of our problems right now.” - Shen Yuan commented, finally freeing himself from Liu Qingge's embrace, but still snuggled in his arms, preferring not to look at the dead body not far away. - “The demons may end up posing a new problem now that Binghe has died…and that you, a god and cultivator, carry Xin Mo.”

“Well, I’m already almost a king to them!” - Shang Qinghua stated calmly, leaning on the sword and immediately getting tangled in his hair, which was now huge. - “ARgh! I’ll cut it!”

“Maybe you should let your husband see it first.” - Shen Yuan teased him, seeing his friend blush at the mention of Mobei-Jun.

“Okay… I guess…my King might like to see my Rapunzel-self before I return to normal. Anyway, I am in charge of the North until my King returns from Mount Tonglu! The problem will be the Southern Tribe…we will need to talk to Tianlang-jun.”

“Some problems go away, others just start! GE!” - Shen Yuan was startled by the slap he received from Shen Qingqiu, jumping in place. - "Why?!"

“For stabbing Qi-ge!” - Shen Qingqiu argued, feeling very justified.

"I needed to do it! And without that, Qi-ge would be in danger from the system!” – Shen Qingqiu shrugged, not apologizing. He knew all of this, but his heart almost stopped when he saw Jueshi crossing Yue Qingyuan.

Shen Yuan snorted at this blatant intimidation from his brother, being hugged again by Liu Qingge who gently stroked his head where he was hit, leaving a soft kiss. Shen Yuan blushed a little, appeased.

“Eherm, we have a lot to do. Cang Qiong, demons… a burial.” - Shang Qinghua commented, arranging Xin Mo in his qiankun bag, gathering his hair little by little, which had actually become almost twice his size, and even if Shang Qinghua was not exactly a small man, almost four meters of hair was definitely not a joke.

“Let’s go back to Cang Qiong first, we have a lot to tell our martial brothers.” - Yue Qingyuan commanded, comfortably hugging his fiancé.

They had defeated the protagonist, now it was time for what came next.

Which, actually, was a lot.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Yue Qingyuan called a meeting with all the Peak Lords. The monthly meeting between the peaks had been a bit chaotic and confusing for the past two months. The next meeting would be in a short time, but given the situation, Yue Qingyuan and all the other gods thought it would be best to bring it forward. His martial brothers deserved an explanation.

And well, there were many.

Shang Qinghua fulfilled his duties as Peak Lord An Ding in those two months, with some of the work being carried out by his main disciple and other senior disciples of his peak, but during the meetings, it was Yue Qingyuan who took care of this matter, presenting all the points which would usually be conveyed by Lord An Ding.

They needed a slightly less chaotic way to speak the truth to their martial brothers, both about Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu's situation, as well as everything involving Luo Binghe and the current situation of the five ascended lords.

Then Shen Yuan made a slightly unexpected but actually very effective suggestion: Revealing everything to them through dreams.

It was a common power for gods to transmit messages through dreams, so all that was needed was a grand dream shared between the twelve Lords to explain everything!

With this goal in mind, instead of using the meeting room as usual, one of the rooms in the sect leader's mansion was arranged by Shang Qinghua with several cushions and the floor was covered with a huge soft sheet, forming the perfect space for a slumber party!

A sleepover where a lot of things would be said, so of course Shang Qinghua also planned a lot of snacks.

At the same time, Shen Yuan, Shen Qingqiu, Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge were preparing how these “dreams” would be shown to their martial brothers. Mainly because they couldn't tell the truth about Shang Qinghua and Shen Yuan's transmigration, so all the "memories" about the system and transmigration were not really suitable to be shown.

Despite everything, they took a good part of what actually happened, just distorted it a little to fit the story involving the Shen brothers, with Shen Qingqiu allowing what happened involving the Qius to be partially mentioned.

They wouldn't say much, and would show even less, Yue Qingyuan looked very gloomy just imagining what actually happened, hugging Shen Qingqiu tightly as they talked about the matter and discussed what would be said.

And if Yue Qingyuan went after Qiu Haitang to resolve some “unresolved issues” regarding this matter, even if this attitude was not “good” at all, that was his business alone. This woman had already survived long enough, and Yue Qingyuan destroyed whatever was left of her sanity before taking her life completely.

That crazy woman did too much harm to Xiao Jiu to deserve any mercy.

All the peak lords who did not know about the ascension issue, and even those who were knowledgeable about it like Mu Qingfang and Wei Qingwei were very curious as to why the monthly meeting would be held in the sect leader's private mansion and the reason for the recommendation of… Come with socks to sleep? How stupid was this Plane?

Shang Qinghua tried to argue that due to the nature of the meeting it would be appropriate for everyone to wear comfortable clothes - and because he lived so much in the north, the god acquired the habit of sleeping with socks.

Shen Yuan beat him before his brother could do so, and in the end, Shen Qingqiu decided that everyone should come in more casual and comfortable clothes.

This was so strange!

Gossip began to spread about this strange and mysterious meeting, until the day in question finally arrived, everything was organized as quickly as possible, so they had been without really sleeping for almost three days.

Fortunately, no news about the real status of Luo Binghe or the two Lords of Qing Jing was leaked, so it would be…really a surprise for all the other lords.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

“Wait, so it’s really going to be a collective dual cultivation among all of Cang Qiong’s Lords? Why didn’t anyone tell me before?” - The peak lord's shocked exclamation sounded a little sharper than it should have.

Mu Qingfang was wondering how the discussion had reached this absurd point.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A few moments before…

Qi Qingqi was very suspicious, and worst of all, she couldn't get any information about what would happen at the meeting that day! Shang Qinghua still hadn't shown up, and despite the rumors, she couldn't truly confirm or deny, and the man had an even bigger information network than hers - much to the Peak Lord's utter frustration.

Even her best spies and informants brought her nothing, so all she had were actually slightly absurd and slightly worrying rumors.

They ranged from Sect Leader Yue wanting to change the generations of Peak Lords to…well, his main disciple made a rather disturbing suggestion that almost made Qi Qingqi give up on coming to Qiong Ding that day.

Because if Yue Qingyuan was really planning for all the peak lords to perform some kind of dual cultivation together, Qi Qingqi would definitely not play along!

(And she definitely wouldn't let a certain other Peak Lord participate. How? She had her ways.)

Despite her suspicions and worries, Qi Qngqi actually chose a more comfortable outfit to wear that day, with fewer layers, but not too many. Her clothes in a shade of plum purple and almost magenta pink overlapped, her peak colors were soft but always showing her almost fey beauty, just like all the immortal ladies of Xian Shu. Her hair was tightly tied with a rose gold guan and hung with some delicate ornaments. She didn't wear many normally, and on this occasion she wore even less. Even though Qi Qingqi liked wearing accessories, she didn't find them practical and since she was able to become a cultivator, she discarded most of them.

Different from her usual clothes, Qi Qingqi this time wore slightly larger and looser robes, which fluttered with her movements and made her more ethereal as she walked.

To be exact, if it weren't for her tingling curiosity, she really wouldn't have come to that meeting, but the Peak Lord knew that there was another Lord who would definitely be present, and if the speculation about collective dual cultivation among all twelve Lords was indeed true, Qi Qingqi did not intend to let Peak Lord Xing Kong participate!

Of course, she would never force Qing Qingxing not to participate, but she could gently persuade her to just be in the company of Qi Qingqi herself.

And when she saw the other Peak Lord, Qi Qingqi definitely praised herself for coming. It was a great choice. With a satisfied smile on her pink lips, she slightly tilted her head, greeting the other woman who approached her.

“Qing-shimei, you look stunning.” - And she actually was.

Seeing her martial sister greet her, Peak Lord Xing Kong's half-blind eyes immediately shrank into two happy and excited crescents. She had some small books under her arms.

“Oh! Qi-shijie! I'm so glad you came too! I'm so curious, does shijie know anything about this meeting that Zhangmen-shixiong called, and its reasons?” – Qing Qingxing asked excitedly.

Qi Qingqi let out a dejected sigh as she was reminded of her failure to discover this information, her expression falling a little.

“Unfortunately, this Shijie was unable to find anything concrete regarding the mysterious meeting. Has Qing-shimei received any revelations from the stars regarding this?”

Qing Qingxing let out an even more helpless sigh, lightly leaning on Qi Qingqi's shoulder.

“I tried all the divination methods Shizun taught me, seriously! All! I even looked for some slightly different methods. I tried everything! But simply, the only answer I got from absolutely ALL of them was that I should be patient! Seriously! I know that everything has its time, and we shouldn't rush destiny, but I hate it when the answer is just “wait for things to happen”! It’s so unsettling!”

Qi Qingqi laughed at the other Lord's spoiled manner, letting her lean on her.

“I see that all we really have left is to wait and see.” - Qi Qingqi concluded helplessly as they walked along the peaceful stone path that led them into Qiong Ding Peak. A senior disciple immediately led the two Lords to the Sect Leader's mansion as instructed.

The poor disciple turned very red when he saw the more casual attire of the two women, stumbling several times along the way. Even though he was used to seeing the legendary and gorgeous figures that were all twelve Lords of Cang Qiong, the current sight was new and destabilized many of the disciples present, making them even more curious about what was going to happen in the Sect Leader's private mansion.

“Qi-shijie’s words are very wise, I’m sure the stars sent her to ensure I seriously listened to their message!” - Qing Qingxing spoke expressively, the gentle wind rustling the Peak Lord's dark robes and contrasting light hair, the delicate crystals on the blindfold on her eyes making a soft clinking sound.

Qing Qingxing's long hair was in the typical partially loose hairstyle that the Lord liked to wear, two buns adorned the sides of her head with a long, shiny lock escaping from each of them, being just a little shorter than the rest of Qing Qingxing’s long silver hair.

Silver hair is said to be an ancient symbol of immortality that gods often display when ascending. Even though all of Cang Qiong's twelve lords had already reached the state of immortality, Qing Qingxing was the only one who actually had completely silver hair since she was a disciple.

Her long hair had a light that seemed to reflect the bluish-purple robes of her peak, giving off a glow that almost resembled that of pearls and shells, the light shades of blue and violet that reflected off the pure white of her hair made the Lord from the peak an almost ethereal figure worthy of its title. Qing Qingxing's beautiful hair was delicately adorned with just two ribbons in the same shade of almost black purple as her outfit, very different from the various accessories the Lord usually wears.

In contrast to her hair, Xing Kong Peak's robes were dark, having a deep shade of dark purple and some shades of blue purple that were reminiscent of the night. Qing Qingxing's outfit was light and loose, with a layer of transparent fabric over the entire dark attire in a deep blue, almost black tone filled with an embroidery of sparkling stars.

Despite all this, the Peak Lord's most striking feature was, from her time as a disciple, her eyes.

Or actually, the fact that she hid them.

Qing Qingxing always wore a delicate veil with small embroidery all in a very dark shade of blue and purple covering her eyes, with delicate crystal beads falling over her face, partially obscuring the view of the Peak Lord's eyes.

As the peak of Feng Shui, divination, star reading and astrology as a whole, Qing Qingxing said it was something that helped her cultivation, allowing her vision to be clearer to what the energy of heaven and earth were telling her.

And that it was a very beautiful accessory that Shizun allowed him to use, and that was a response that surprised Shen Qingqiu a lot when he asked her sarcastically (as always) about it. Qi Qingqi really liked her for her witty and irreverent response.

Approaching the Sect Leader's imposing mansion, the two caught a glimpse of the figure of the Peak Lord of beasts, Jia Qingxiang. Peak Lord Mo Shou seriously nodded to his martial sisters. Just like the two women, Jia Qingxiang was dressed more casually, with a brocade and cotton fabric in the shade of cyan at its peak. The man's long, messy reddish-brown hair was sticking up in every possible direction, while part of it was tied up to try and lessen the lord's chaotic appearance.

“This shidi greets Qi-shijie and Qing-shijie”

“Jia-shidi! Glad you came too! Has anyone else arrived yet?” - Qing Qingxing greeted the other lord with an excited smile, Qi Qingqi nodded calmly, recognizing her martial brother.

“Heng-shidi is here too, I believe only Mu-shixiong and Wei-shixiong are missing? If Shang-shixiong isn't already here too... Ah! And Liu-shixiong also hasn't returned from his mission yet, so besides Shang-shixiong and Shen-shixiong, who we haven't heard from, there are only the three of them left!”

Lord Ku Xing, Kang Qingxuan sighed a little impatiently, trying to meditate while everyone spoke, just ignoring the commotion as he waited for the sect leader, while Heng Qingxun was, surprisingly, sober. Peak Lord Zui Xian had his eyes sharp and quite worried as he ate some dumplings that he brought from his own peak.

“Will Mu-shixiong and Wei-shixiong miss the meeting? Could this be some kind of bad omen?” - The lord asked worriedly, offering some of his steamed dumplings to his martial brothers, who gladly accepted them. There was no alcohol, but it was good to fill the stomach and distract the mind from the unknown that was unfolding before the lords of the peak.

“That kid Luo Binghe was causing a ruckus a few weeks ago in Qiong Ding, maybe it’s something related to his thoughtless actions, and we’re finally going to take some action against that annoying half-demon?” - Qi Qingqi suggested, thinking seriously while eating her dumpling, enjoying the tasty crab paste with the light sweet cream, sighing. - “Heng-shidi, these dumplings are delicious.”

Heng Qingxun smiled lightly at Qi Qingqi, happy to make his martial brothers happy with his food.

“This shidi is happy to please Qi-shijie. Oh, look! It’s Wei-shixiong and Mu-shixiong!” - Indeed, there were Mu Qingfang and Wei Qingwei themselves walking calmly being guided by a disciple of Qiong Ding, Mu Qingfang casually holding his shixiong's arm as they walked at a leisurely pace, the two dressed casually in light clothes in the colors of their peaks. It was a rare sight to see Wei Qingwei without his iron gauntlets or the bandages on his body peeking out discreetly from beneath his robes, or Mu Qingfang looking so…relaxed.

“Mu-shixiong seems to have had a great night’s sleep, did Wei-shixiong take good care of him?” - Qing Qingxing teased them by letting out a cheeky laugh, hiding her face in time behind her sleeve, but her eyes behind the dark veil were warm.

“This shixiong greets Qing-shimei and the other martial brothers.” - Mu Qingfang spoke first, calmly, then looked at Qing Qingxing. - “I was just finally able to rest peacefully, I appreciate Shimei's concern.

Even though they didn't know the specific reason for the meeting called by Yue Qingyuan, Mu Qingfang and Wei Qingwei knew it must be some, if not all the stunning revelations that had been made to them over the past month. And for the instructions to be so…peaceful and relaxed, surely the result of his divine shixiong's actions was positive.

“So…does anyone have any information about what will happen at the meeting?” - Heng Qingxun questioned, unable to wait any longer.

Qing Qingxing did not miss the opportunity to add fuel to the fire, before Mu Qingfang could say something to calm her martial brothers.

“The most talked about rumor is that it will be an intense, collective, and erotic activity between all of us!”

That was all it took for chaos to break out.

“Wait, so it’s really going to be a collective double cultivation session among all of Cang Qiong’s Lords?” - Jia Qingxiang questioned, shocked, his jaw slacking as he contemplated this possibility - “Why didn’t anyone tell me before?”

"No!" - Mu Qingfang exclaimed, a little desperate, Wei Qingwei was holding back his laughter. - “That wouldn’t be possible! Wei-shixiong and I are already married, we won’t participate in something like that!”

“Wait, so you think we and Zhangmen-shixiong would participate?” Xie Qingyin asked, a little offended, it's not that he was against it, but also...

“That wouldn’t be possible on Zhangmen-shixiong’s part either, Heng-shidi.” - Wei Qingwei reassured, unable to hold back his laughter. “Zhangmen-shixiong, Shen-shixiong, and Liu-shidi are committed already.”

“Wait, Wei-shixiong, are you saying THE THREE are taken?! How am I the last to know this?! Since when are they a trio?!” - Qing Qingxing was astonished, and a little indignant that she hadn't realized this sooner. - “I mean, individually-”

“By heaven above, will we stop this?” - Mu Qingfang pleaded, massaging his temple, wondering why the argument had reached such an absurd point, resting his head against his husband's chest. The lingering heat from the forge seemed to never fully leave Wei Qingwei's body, and it actually worked wonders in relaxing the tense rope of stress that was always strangling Mu Qingfang.

“Mu-shixiong can't just expect everyone to act as if the news of three peak lords being partners isn't something incredible,” Qing Qingxing insisted, waving her sleeves to emphasize her point.

“But they’re not… Ah, I give up.” - Mu Qingfang sighed in defeat, and to his relief, the doors of the closed room were opened by Shang Qinghua.

Qing Qingxing let out a hiss, her blue eyes widening behind her blindfold.

“Oh gods…so it’s not a threesome…but a foursome?! But Shang-shixiong was such a beautiful match with his ice demon husband!”

“Or…are they a group of five?” - Jia Qingxiang offered, stunned by the possibility, Qi Qingqi was just gaping.

Mu Qingfang looked at the Peak Lord, exasperated and very tired. All his previous rest felt like it had never existed.

“Shimei, I think you are reading too many inappropriate novels.”

EXTRA

Chapter Text

Shang Qinghua opened the doors to greet his martial brothers, enjoying the discussion that disturbed all the peak lords.

His hair usually tied into a tight bun was now braided and fell down his back, with the help of Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan it was well groomed and taken care of, truly making him look as beautiful as a Disney princess. He was using the shape-shifting ability of the gods to hide those four meters of hair, but at the insistence of his favorite anti-fan, Shang Qinghua relented in using his current Rapunzel mode look for that meeting.

It would be an excellent visual aid, declared Shen Yuan, and in the end the new sibling duo teamed up to spend almost three hours taking care of Shang Qinghua's hair. This didn't make his companions happy at all, so in the end it all turned into a kind of collective bath, with everyone dressed in soft bathrobes and taking care of each other's hair.

“Shixiong, shidis, shimeis, sorry for making you wait! Come in! Everyone, just keep your socks on, the floor is soft!” - Instructed Shang Qinghua, leading all eight lords. Once everyone was properly inside the room and the doors were closed, Shang Qinghua looked at them excitedly.

Inside, Yue Qingyuan, Liu Qingge, Shen Yuan, and Shen Qingqiu, who was hidden from mortal eyes, so he was not seen by the other lords, were already there. Thanks to that, Yue Qingyuan took the opportunity to hold his hand affectionately, while Shen Qingqiu hid his flushed face behind the fan.

The other lords couldn't see Shen Qingqiu there, but they felt an unknown thirteenth presence in the room - the deliberate choice of all the gods. Mu Qingfang and Wei Qingwei already deduced what it was about, looking at each other curiously about their martial brothers' approach to what had happened.

“Shidis, shimeis, thank you for coming. There is a lot to be explained. I ask you to sit on the cushions.” - Yue Qingyuan instructed calmly, his typical calm and gentle expression calmed the mood of his curious and confused martial brothers a little, at least in part.

But it was difficult to prevent the question from coming.

Xuan Qingyin took the initiative to clear everyone's doubts: "Zhangmen-shixiong, be honest, is this some kind of strange, collective dual cultivation technique?" - He could clearly see when Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge gasped at this suggestion. Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge's faces getting much hotter at the suggestion, thanks to the recent stories the Airplane was writing about them, and the conversation Liu Qingge had with his sister.

“Xuan-shidi…” - Yue Qingyuan looked at Lord Wen Shi a little helplessly and laughed softly, shaking his fiancé’s hand. An act that did not go unnoticed by any of the immortal cultivators present there, noticing the action with curiosity. - “There will be no dual cultivation involved between any of us, don’t worry. However, the recent news and events are too complex and require too many details, so I, Shens-shidis, Liu-shidi and Shang-shidi decided to use a slightly different method to share the information, and with that also announce the first of these news: We ascend.”

The use of the plural when referring to Shen Qingqiu did not go unnoticed, making Qing Qingxing raise her eyebrows curiously, Qi Qingqi closing her eyes suspiciously, but this was soon forgotten due to the other auspicious and somewhat unbelievable news.

“Wait…Zhangmen-shixiong is now…a god?!” Peak Lord Ku Xing asked perplexedly, his bald head might as well have split open to reveal a miniature explosion at his surprise. Yue Qingyuan nodded.

“In fact, I was the last to rise among our brothers. Thanks to our new status and divine power, we have the ability to share dreams with others and transmit messages through them, so we intend to show and explain everything that has happened in the last two months in this way.” - Yue Qingyuan explained, not wanting to dwell on the subject too much yet. - “The meeting is so that everyone knows what is happening and there are no more doubts.”

“Everyone, please take a seat” - Shen Yuan instructed gently, he looked much calmer, his green eyes shone behind the fan with the design of two mandarin ducks.

It was the same Shen Qingqiu that all the lords had seen over the past few years, however, he looked…happier. Much lighter and calmer, and it didn't escape Qi Qingqi's gaze as his shixiong held Liu Qingge's hand affectionately, with their fingers intertwined.

Curious and attentive, all the lords of the peaks settled down on the comfortable cushions, Shang Qinghua lit two incense sticks to encourage sleep, also sitting down and taking care of his hair, placing it around him.

The five gods concentrated their powers, and soon all twelve lords of Cang Qiong found themselves in a dreamscape.

It was a peaceful and tranquil environment, like the bamboo grove of Qing Jing peak, with bright and clear colors reminiscent of spring, Shen Yuan went ahead to explain how he and Liu Qingge ascended, which was the beginning of that whole story, and revealing to everyone that he, was actually not Shen Qingqiu, but his younger twin brother.

It was a shock for all the lords, Mu Qingfang and Wei Qingwei who already partially knew about the story helped calm everyone's reactions.

The most curious thing was Lord Xing Kong's reaction.

“I KNEW something was wrong, even though the possession turned out to be fake!” - Qing Qingxing declared proudly - “There was no way the paths of the red thread of destiny that connected Shen-shixiong and Zhangmen-shixiong suddenly changed completely and Shen-shixiong's thread connected to Liu-shixiong's! That explains EVERYTHING!”

All four men turned very red at this statement from the ceremonial peak lord, Shen Yuan cleared his throat a little nervously and with a movement of the fan, several leaves fluttered and the air. Before everyone's eyes, the leaves became bright and a greenish mist, with an intense sensation being in every particle of air. It was like wind and ink, moving in a playful and delicate manner, swirling around Yue Qingyuan's side until, as if a watercolor painting came to life, Shen Jiu took shape beside him, finally revealing himself to other peak lords.

It was truly shocking to see the two Shen Qingqius next to each other, further confirming the story they were told.

Shen Jiu's stern and biting gaze was unmistakable, of course, and it soon made everyone recognize the god as their martial brother.

It was also a little strange to see Shen Yuan and Shang Qinghua do a high five, very pleased with the introduction of Shen Qingqiu, and then Shen Jiu hitting Shen Yuan on the head with his fan.

"Jiu-ge! What did I do to deserve this?” - Shen Yuan questioned unfairly, massaging his head.

“Your ideals of discretion are completely spoiled!” - Shen Qingqiu scolded severely, opening his fan immediately.

It was a little scary for everyone to know that they had been with a “stranger” for so many years, even more so to know the truth about Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu being actually orphans, just like Yue Qingyuan. Everyone's mental image of Shen Jiu changed radically, and it was undeniable that there was now a certain respect for the man.

With Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu holding hands, they continued explaining about the story, telling about the courtesy name Shen Yuan was given, as Shen Qingchun.

The lords ended up being very receptive to Shen Yuan. They all fought for him against Luo Binghe and Huan Hua Palace and served together for several years. Even though it was now revealed that he was not Shen Qingqiu, he was accepted, and now Qing Jing had two peak lords.

Luo Binghe's matter was a little more tense, beyond the surprise that all five had become gods, and that Yue Qingyuan had ascended in the midst of battle, just like Shang Qinghua's shocking title of God of Destiny.

And at the end they showed the big battle.

Shang Qinghua managed to create a truly immersive experience, worthy of a Hollywood superhero super-production, with everyone visibly seeing the difficult and deadly battle, until the end with Shang Qinghua taking control of Xin Mo and Luo Binghe being decapitated.

Despite the dissatisfaction with having kept it a secret, the very fair explanation that the “System” would control them to end up giving Luo Binghe the advantage was quite convincing. What's more, Shen Yuan's liberating power was discovered literally during the battle, there was no way it could have been used on everyone in advance.

In the end, everything was fine.

Qing Qingxing was excited to look for the next auspicious date for Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu's wedding, wanting it to be a wedding that will be remembered for centuries even after Cang Qiong's generations change.

Just like Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge's wedding. The two will literally be divine marriages! It can't be anything less than incredible!

Shen Yuan sighed, relieved that things were finally moving towards a peaceful routine full of happy conveniences, and the typical lives of Peak lords and their new roles as gods.

He could peacefully plan his wedding, while enjoying the days with Liu Qingge. There were still things he wanted to do, but it seemed like…he could finally do things calmly. There is no longer a sharp thorn in his back making him anxious, no more pressure to meet someone else's needs.

Shen Yuan…he could rest peacefully now, and there was no better place to be at peace than in Liu Qingge's arms.

Chapter Text

The room was calm, there was no sign of anyone's presence there other than the gentle afternoon breeze, in the next room, the god of freedom could be seen lost in thought. Surrounded by countless talisman papers and discarded stones, the green outer robe was lazily hanging on a chair without much care.

The man seemed lost in thought, a brush in one hand, as his eyes remained fixed on the piece he was making.

Shen Yuan absentmindedly fiddled with his waist ornament. He had hung the new one next to the old one, which was a pair with Liu Qingge's own. The two ornaments now combined have become some of his favorites.

The one made with one of the Emerald Cerberus's eyes was one that he did not intend to take away at all and, if it were up to him, it would always be used.

Shen Yuan smiled, smoothing the strands with his fingertips. He found that ornament among Liu Qingge's things by accident when they were getting dressed. He was looking for something and found it carefully wrapped.

His curiosity was too great for him to contain himself, and he couldn't resist taking a peek.

Liu Qingge was livid when he saw him peeping, but it was already too late, and Shen Yuan was a little red. With nowhere to go, Liu Qingge confessed that it was for him, so he could stay. Shen Yuan had to ask several times to be appeased, and he couldn't argue anymore when Liu Qingge held him tightly in his arms and kissed him until he lost his breath.

Shen Yuan knew that it was one of the Emerald Cerberus Wolf's other three eyes, and he was flushed and excited upon receiving it. Giving an emerald to someone meant eternal affection and selfless devotion, as well as a promise to always be by the person you loved, giving two made the meaning even deeper, a promise of protection, almost like an engagement or even marriage. Two meant that the two people mutually promised to be by each other's side, deep and unprejudiced love.

Of course, Shen Yuan was wearing that waist ornament on literally every occasion after receiving it.

Shang Qinghua teased him a lot about this, asking when he would give Liu Qingge an engagement gift, and even though Shen Yuan hit him with his fan and pretended to ignore him, he actually thought about his words.

His Liu-shidi deserved a magnificent betrothal gift, but what could he give to the incredible and powerful War God Bai Zhan?

Accessories seemed a little outdated, Liu Qingge didn't usually wear any kind of accessories, at most the crowns for his ponytail. So what?

He wanted to make something that was to his shidi's taste, something that could actually be used as often as he always wore his waist pendant, and if possible, have an extra meaning as well.

In those days, when they were waiting for Shen Yuan's sword to be finished, Shen Yuan discovered his new power. It was subtle and weak, and needed to be developed better, however, it cheered him up a lot!

He could train more and use it in the future, he just needed to figure out how to use it intentionally and if he could place it on an object.

Talking to Airplane, Shen Yuan finally had a good enough idea.

As he had no idea how to use his new power and the saying had only appeared randomly, like some kind of strange vision, Shen Yuan decided to test a new, and slightly more common method: spells and talismans.

Shen Yuan began experimenting with arrays and mental clarity spells, thinking they would be effective if Liu Qingge found himself close to qi deviation again in the future. From then on, he always carried a book on this subject with him to read whenever he had the opportunity.

After Luo Binghe's defeat, Shen Yuan could understand his power a little better. It was a divine inspiration that finally led him to understand that mystery that was, in fact, quite philosophical, and now he had more light on the subject at hand.

Unifying his studies on talismans and arrays (which he also received help from Shang Qinghua and Shen Qingqiu with this), he was able to successfully refine a delicate stone, made of jade.

Shen Yuan had many tests, using jades of lesser quality instead of rare ones, after all this takes time. He had varying degrees of success and was accumulating them in little piles with notes on the subject.

Finally feeling confident in his abilities, Shen Yuan decided to make a truly decisive test, taking out a piece of delicate pure jade that he had purchased especially for this purpose. He carefully carved two Faithful-Winged Cats out of the jade, their tails intertwined as they stood side by side, a pair of wings from each of them causing them to fly in the sky.

Faithful-Winged Cats are a very harmless type of monster, even more so than Short-haired Monsters, they are almost like normal cats, even in their size, except that they have a wing. All of these cats are born with just one wing on their body, which develops and becomes almost twice their size, but because there is only one, they cannot fly on their own.

So, only when they find a mate can Faithful-Winged Cats fly freely, flying together with their tails intertwined, together with their partner for life.

It is said that seeing a pair of these with your partner or the person you like is an auspicious sign and indicates that you will have a relationship full of happiness and prosperity.

He and Liu Qingge encountered these cats on a mission once, in the three years that Luo Binghe was in the Endless Abyss, it was shortly after the mission with the Succubus Cave, and Shen Yuan, who didn't know the story about the cats, was delighted when he finally managed to get Liu Qingge to tell him about them.

Liu Qingge was so red, he was so cute!

Shen Yuan couldn't help but smile.

“Liu-shidi looks so adorable. Could it be because he saw Faithful-Winged Cats with this shixiong?” - He teased him gently. - “Maybe it means we’ll be together forever! Isn’t it great?” - Shen Yuan spoke a little absently, ignoring the slight heat that rose in his face at the ambiguity of his words.

Liu Qingge's face could almost drip with blood at this point.

“Shen Qingqiu! Think about your words!” - Liu Qingge looked dazed, holding the wrist of the other peak lord who held the fan with beautiful bamboo landscapes hiding half of his face, pulling it away to reveal Shen Yuan's slightly flushed face.

"Why? Wouldn’t Liu-shidi like to stay with this shixiong forever?” -Shen Yuan questioned mercilessly, but his face now could certainly be turning red. What the fuck was he talking about?

"You…!" - Liu Qingge seemed about to have another qi deviation, his rough fingers reaching up to Shen Yuan's hand, carefully taking out the fan with his free hand, interlacing their fingers, taking a few steps forward, invading Shen Yuan's personal space. Liu Qingge's eyebrows were furrowed, the furious blush on his face highlighted the stormy gray of his eyes that were fixed on Shen Yuan's spring green eyes as he carefully kept the man's fan at his waist, taking advantage of the situation to slide the fingers around Shen Yuan's waist and hold him even closer, their chests pressing together slightly.

Shen Yuan's breath caught at Liu Qingge's bold actions, slightly squeezing the hand whose fingers were intertwined with Liu Qingge's, slightly clumsily holding his shidi's shoulder, Shen Yuan's heartbeat seemed so loud that it should have been deafening him, surely Liu Qingge could hear his confusion?

“Shidi would be…honored to spend a lifetime with Shen-shixiong.” - Liu Qingge finally spoke, his voice much lower than before, when did his voice become so hoarse? Shen Yuan didn't know, but that voice must definitely be a crime with all the sensations it caused in his body!

Ayah, his poor heart!

With a very red face, Shen Yuan bit his knuckles a little as he remembered this ambiguous moment, wondering if that was where his most embarrassing moments and practically promises of marriage began.

No wonder he couldn't marry Luo Binghe. Shen Yuan had already promised himself to Liu Qingge a long time ago, and his heart…his heart also belonged to the War God.

Taking a deep breath, Shen Yuan carefully picked up the delicate jade and the various carefully designed talisman papers. The features were firm and clear and had several protections of the most diverse types. Living in a xianxia world makes you a little paranoid about things, and thanks to some experiences Shen Yuan had watched tabletop RPGs, he ended up having a lot of inspiration for this.

Protection against damage from fire and ice, poison, electricity and especially psychic damage of the most diverse types, all carefully transcribed in the various talismans, all that Shen Yuan could think of, as well as asked of Airplane and Jiu-ge.

He needed extra help when refining the last few tests, relying on peak artifact lord Wen Shi to teach him properly, so Shen Yuan could say that he was more confident now!

Carefully, Shen Yuan guided his spiritual power, guiding the talismans and their magical texts, fusing them into the spiritual jade. After a few hours of properly infusing all the protections into the jade, Shen Yuan reached the hardest part: the protection he would create with his own divine power.

He remembered what he felt when he made Jueshi shine like a lightsaber, the intense emotions that wracked him, the strong desire for freedom. The strong and overwhelming desire to never again have your life in the hands of something that wouldn't really value it.

A slight shiver ran through his body, power flowing like water through his meridians and spreading through his limbs, concentrating that energy in his hands, guiding it to the jade piece, wanting that energy to join the protections already firmly imprinted on the jade spiritual stone, wanting it to protect Liu Qingge, for this magic to be at Liu Qingge's side to free him from any psychic harm, from any spell that tried to twist his mind, to free him from his own limits.

Shen Yuan doesn't know how much time has passed, stopping when he finally felt tired, but he felt that will was completely embedded in the jade, opening the eyes he didn't know when he closed to see the pure spiritual jade stone emitting a faint greenish glow.

The young god felt tired, but when he picked up the pendant, feeling it pulse slightly with power, recognizing his own qi signature, he felt great satisfaction. He was a little exhausted, but so what? It worked!

Finally, he picked up the string, the high-quality soft strands made of Twilight-Blossom Spider silk, a vibrant red that could only be considered the auspicious color of marriage, and Shen Yuan admired his work.

Now with the tassel apparently ready, seeing the soft green in contrast to the bright red, Shen Yuan thought something was missing there. Searching through his belongings, he finally found what he was looking for in a somewhat unexpected way: the blue-gray ribbon on his hair!

That color of stormy sky belonging to Bai Zhan, that was what was missing!

Tying the ribbon around the red string, making a delicate bow before cutting off the excess, Shen Yuan was finally satisfied with his work. Now he was ready!

All that was left was to hand it over to Liu Qingge!

And it was definitely great luck that Shen Yuan managed to achieve this before Liu Qingge handed him the Emerald Cerberus Wolf's third eye, the meaning of which was completely obvious to Shen Yuan: three eyes to see beyond what the eye sees, three times chosen to love without forgetting, three phases of life to follow until you perish. Love that lasts beyond earthly life and continues after reincarnations.

Shen Yuan couldn't accept a wedding gift like that without having one of his own! He wanted to be able to spoil his beloved shidi too!

He just…well, he needed to take a little nap first, the god realized with a slightly blurred vision. Maybe he got a little too excited, just, maybe.

Keeping the jade in a velvety box, well protected, he hid it inside his qiankun bag and stored it on the bedroom dresser as soon as he entered, falling on the bed with full force, going out like a candle soon after.

Oh, Liu-shidi's scent was still there... Shen Yuan hugged the pillows even tighter, falling asleep, lulled by the scent of agarwood.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The warm sunlight streamed through the bedroom window, casting shadows and making the room feel a little warm. There were signs of mess here and there, scattered papers and a few thrown qiankun bags. In the peaceful silence of the late afternoon, only the soft sound of the breathing of a deeply sleeping god could be heard.

Liu Qingge entered the room as usual, kicking the door impatiently, looking for Shen Yuan who had simply vanished into thin air, but soon regretted his thunderous actions when he saw his sleeping companion.

Completely changing his noisy ways, Liu Qingge carefully closed the door and approached a sleeping Shen Yuan, sitting on the bed.

Those days of peace seemed to have come from Liu Qingge's sweetest dream, and sometimes he still found himself silently admiring how lucky he was.

Lightly running his knuckles across Shen Yuan's forehead, Liu Qingge admired his beloved's peaceful, sleeping features. A tender smile graced his face as that warm feeling already well known to Lord Bai Zhan stirred in his chest.

Liu Qingge took too long to realize the reality of his feelings, failed when he shouldn't have, and he thought he would be tormented by this for the rest of his immortal life.

But Shen Yuan chose him. He chose him and wanted Liu Qingge to protect him.

Liu Qingge swore that he would give his life if necessary.

Fate, in the end, was benevolent to him, and Liu Qingge would spend every day being grateful for it.

Shen Yuan felt the fleeting touch on his forehead, turning towards that warm feeling, holding him tight. Turning in his tired sleep, the god released his soft pillows and found a much more comfortable and warm pillow, curling around him like an octopus. Even though the Celestial Capital wasn't cold, Shen Yuan didn't miss the opportunity to hug that cozy pillow.

When Shen Yuan woke up again, he found himself facing a stark white view. Confused and unable to distinguish between dream and reality, Shen Yuan slid his hand across his pillow to touch it, admiring the wonderful warmth.

It was firmer than his other pillows, warm to the touch, making Shen Yuan hide his face against it, holding it closer. Shen Yuan didn't know how long he had slept, but he didn't mind sleeping a little longer if it was like this...

Slowly becoming more aware of things around him, he noticed a caress in his hair, which was until then constant and comforting, but when he began to touch her soft pillow, he became hesitant and a little shaky.

He really could continue sleeping through all that…

Wait, he was getting a pat on the back?

Raising his head from his refuge, Shen Yuan found himself staring into that beautiful pair of gray eyes again. Blushing at his brazen actions, Shen Yuan focused on staring at the cute little mark below Liu Qingge's left eye.

It wasn't like they hadn't done much more embarrassing, intimate things than just “hugging”, but Shen Yuan was still embarrassed and blushing every time.

"Did you sleep well?" - Liu Qingge's voice was firm, despite the slight trace of sleep in it.

Liu Qingge did not really sleep, being in a half-asleep state, with his eyes always open to look at Shen Yuan. He knew he could fall asleep, relax, his body was undeniably comfortable there, but the War God remained stubbornly conscious so he could continue looking at his beloved.

“I slept well, yes… What time is it?”

“The sun set a few hours ago, so we must be at the end of the dog hour.” - Liu Qingge thought a little to respond, hugging Shen Yuan a little more and kissing his forehead.

“Uurgh… I slept too much… We still need to have dinner…” -Shen Yuan mumbled dissatisfied, enjoying his partner's affection, not wanting to have to get up and preferring to remain exactly where he was. In sync with his words, his stomach actually growled, making him groan with even more dissatisfaction.

Liu Qingge didn't let him grumble and linger on the bed any longer.

“Come on, you need to eat.”

Liu Qingge was intending to leave his bold plan for later, but since the two would really have to stand up, he returned with his objective.

Shen Yuan remained limp in his arms despite his hunger, being lifted by Liu Qingge and cared for affectionately. His hair was completely tangled and was combed carefully, putting on a new set of comfortable yet elegant robes in Qing Jing's colors.

Shen Yuan seemed a little distracted, hunger seemed to be the main factor in keeping him firmly awake, despite his grumbling. He was well-behaved and needy, clinging to Liu Qingge whenever he could, making the war god very red.

Shen Yuan even pulled Liu Qingge into his arms, locking their lips together. His kiss was languid and lazy, Liu Qingge held him tightly, stabilizing his slightly wobbly body. Shen Yuan's arms rested on his shoulders as he tasted his lips as if Liu Qingge was his own dinner. Or rather, the dessert that the cheeky kitten stole in advance.

Liu Qingge doesn't know how long they stayed there, he was getting distracted very easily lately. But it was difficult not to when Shen Yuan was the distraction in question.

However, Shen Yuan's empty belly was quite proficient in recalling the two passionate lovers that needed to be fed, interrupting the atmosphere filled with ambiguous and provocative tension, making Shen Yuan mumble a little.

Liu Qingge chuckled softly at this, enchanted by these little moments with his beloved, taking out a soft and juicy plum from his sleeve, placing it in the other god's hands. This way he could distract himself from hunger a little while they went to the place Liu Qingge planned to take him.

Satisfied, Shen Yuan stifled a yawn as he took a firm bite of the fruit, being absentmindedly led by Liu Qingge.

Climbing onto Liu Qingge's sword before he could think about pulling Jueshi to fly, Shen Yuan settled comfortably against his lover's warm body, devouring the plum that proved not to be enough to satiate his hunger, but at least it was a little less hassle. It was only then that Shen Yuan only truly woke up from his sleepwalking drunken state to notice that they had been flying for some time.

“Are we going to Cang Qiong?” - He questioned a little confused, enjoying the comfort of Liu Qingge's embrace, realizing only now that he was dressed in the Emerald Cerberus Wolf fur coat to protect him from the cold winds of the night, his face turning pink as a result.

"No. We’re going somewhere else.”

Shen Yuan was curious, slightly raising his gaze to try and fish for some clue in his shidi's stoic face.

“Have we been there before?”

“No, it’s a surprise. I’m not going to say anything.” - Shen Yuan snorted softly, laying his head on Liu Qingge's chest, accepting defeat, lightly squeezing his firm arms around him.

Shen Yuan knew that they would not fight any creatures, that was for sure. He was still hungry, so it would definitely be a good place for them to have a snack, or perhaps a place where they could get their own food, that would be very likely of Liu Qingge.

Biting his lower lip a little, Shen Yuan resisted the temptation to reach into his sleeve to feel the box he stuffed there while they were getting dressed.

He was hesitant to bring the box with him, but in the end he chose to adhere to the adage that prevention is better than cure. It was a miracle that Shen Yuan managed to put it on his clothes without Liu Qingge noticing while he was still so soft from sleep.

Oh, Shen Yuan actually knows how he managed to distract Liu Qingge so he could safely hide the little box in his sleeves: He just threw himself at Liu Qingge and kissed him.

It was definitely a good strategy! Even Shen Yuan himself was distracted after managing to tuck the little box into his sleeves, until he was reminded that he was hungry.

Looking around trying to figure out where they were going, Shen Yuan watched the landscape flying around them like a darkened blur, seeing how fast they were flying. The most constant thing was, in fact, the dark clouds that made the view around them even more distorted.

The storm clouds surrounding them like a cold blanket made Shen Yuan let out a low laugh, remembering how this whole story started. When he and Liu Qingge flew together amidst the clouds. It felt like years had passed, the tiredness and sadness present in his heart dissipated as if washed away by the rain, those suffocating claws were no longer squeezing his throat and scratching his arms with the persistent reminder of danger. Shen Yuan was finally feeling safe.

“We're almost there” - Shen Yuan looked up at his shidi again, noticing a light shade of pink in his ears, noticing a slight trace of nervousness in the gray eyes, as stormy as the surrounding clouds. Giving a small smile, the god wondered why Liu Qingge could be so anxious.

Shen Yuan noticed that they were high in the sky and began to climb even higher, surprised to see an even taller mountain in the distance as they broke through the clouds.

“Wow…” - In awe, he found himself climbing even higher, the noise of the freezing wind drowning out any other sound around him, but the coat and Liu Qingge kept him warm.

They went up and up and up, until finally Liu Qingge broke through the layer of clouds and stabilized Cheng Luan, flying straight towards a small green island. Finally landing, Shen Yuan looked around and realized that it was a gigantic lotus leaf.

“It took a little longer than I thought, but we arrived.” - Liu Qingge explains, also getting down from his sword and putting it away.

Shen Yuan looked around in delight, the full moon was bright and seemed so close that he could almost feel like he could touch it. The surrounding lake was huge and reflected the stars and their flickering light, giving the feeling of literally being on a sea of stars. The gentle fragrance of the lotus flowers around them perfumed the air and was carried by the almost invisible layer of mist that hung beneath the lake. The mist itself seemed to magnify the starlight and shine with the silver glow of the moon, making the entire environment magical and ineffable.

“Qingge…this place…it’s beautiful!” - His eyes curved into two crescents as he smiled as bright as the moon itself, leaving Liu Qingge truly breathless.

“So you…did you like it?” - Liu Qingge looked a little anxious, looking at Shen Yuan expectantly, Shen Yuan looked bright and excited and nodded excitedly.

"Yes! It’s incredible!” - With a soft look, Shen Yuan wanted to tease him a little, looking at the gigantic moon before them. “The moon is beautiful today, isn’t it? Liu-shidi, why did you doubt that I wouldn’t love it?” - Shen Yuan continued to look around, examining every part of the lotus leaf, which was very firm under his feet, noticing a slightly red Liu Qingge taking out some things from his qiankun bag. The delicious smell of food quickly filled the air and attracted Shen Yuan's attention, causing him to move away from the edge of the lotus leaf and come closer again, seeing Liu Qingge placing several of his favorite dishes on a towel that the War God placed in advance.

“Hm, it really looks beautiful.” - Shen Yuan smiled even more, his face red with this answer, even though Liu Qingge may not know the meaning of such words, Shen Yuan knows that they are true.

Looking at the dishes being uncovered, still hot, it really looked like a perfect feast for two.

“Were they made by peak Zui Xing?” - The smell was wonderful, and even though each peak had its own kitchen, the spiritual cooks of Zui Xing Peak were the most skilled and made dishes so delicious that they could even compete with the protagonist's cuisine!

“Hmm. And by me.” - Liu Qingge mentions, his voice so low that Shen Yuan barely heard him if it weren't for his special cultivator's hearing, the blush in his ears now so intense that it has spread to his cheeks, highlighting the cute mark below his eye.

Shen Yuan was surprised and smiled even wider, his heart pounding in his chest at this sweet admission.

“Then they must be even more delicious if it was Liu-shidi who made them for me.” - It was an undeniably sweet act, and Shen Yuan was happy to be able to taste what certainly required a lot of work for Liu Qingge.

There were different dishes, several sweet pastries, cupcakes, sweets made from fruit, some candied fruits and there even seemed to be chocolate! (How did Liu Qingge get chocolate, Shen Yuan doesn't know, but wants to kiss him for it anyway.) There were even well-seasoned noodles, looking a lot like the fast food dishes Shen Yuan liked to eat in his past life.

And the taste really lived up to it! The warm and delicious seasonings and texture made Shen Yuan undeniably ecstatic. Healthy food back then was really great, don't get it wrong! But he missed being able to eat some of his junk food every now and then!

Liu Qingge ate the dishes with milder flavors and didn't even touch the noodles, sometimes giving him some very surprised looks, realizing that Shen Yuan was devouring all those foods with strong seasonings. When he asked Shang Qinghua to help him make some of Shen Yuan's favorite dishes from his previous life, Lord An Ding quickly instructed him on a seasoned noodle that Shen Yuan would definitely love.

This led to several tests and Liu Qingge being sick of all the food with highly strong seasonings, Heng Qingxun still managed to eat a little, but it was strong even for him! The very lord who had one of the toughest stomachs in all of Cang Qiong!

But they finally came up with a recipe that Shang Qinghua assured was the exact flavor of Shen Yuan's favorite noodles. Heng Qingxun seriously asked if Liu Qingge was really going to serve that strong food to the youngest lord of Qing Jing, but Liu Qingge was stubborn and decided to take the dish!

It was the most seasoned food he prepared, the others he could at least eat, despite not being used to it.

Peak lord Zui Xing helped him with all the dishes, Liu Qingge made sure to cook each one, at least with help. He wanted it to be very special for Shen Yuan, and was nervous that his cooking skills wouldn't be as amazing as his shidi's or Luo Binghe's.

Fortunately, Shen Yuan seemed to be loving it all, if Liu Qingge considers the sighs of satisfaction and obvious happiness of Shen Yuan eating.

They ate in comfortable silence, enjoying the moment and the magnificent scenery that surrounded them.

“Liu-shidi tried so hard to satisfy this shixiong’s tastes, is there anything special for today?” - Shen Yuan asks, gently teasing him, pressing a little on Liu Qingge's cheek with his index finger, just below the man's beauty mark. - “Qingge even carefully arranged this Shixiong.”

A lovely shade of pink colored Liu Qingge's face, but he didn't complain about his shixiong's bold provocations as usual, swallowing hard.

“Shen Yuan… I… I brought you here today because… I wanted to do something special.” - He began, a little hesitantly, stumbling over his words. He was never good at words, and even though he was a young master from a wealthy family, Liu Qingge never mastered the art of eloquence as well as Shen Yuan.

Noticing Liu Qingge's seriousness, Shen Yuan also felt a little nervous, watching Liu Qingge closely, giving him time to gather his words.

“I’m not…good with words like you, but my feelings are sincere. AND…." - Liu Qingge took a deep breath, his chest beating rapidly, the feeling of anticipation feeling like when he was about to enter a fierce and dangerous battle, but somehow now it was much more intense. - “You don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to!” - He looks like a teenager - “But if….you want…. to do me the honor to…”

Liu Qingge took out a delicate box made of wood with golden carvings from his sleeve. With uncharacteristic insecurity, he opened it to reveal a delicate necklace inside. The emerald eye of the Cerberus Wolf shining brightly against the pale light of the moon adorned by silver details of a richly crafted guan, small other jewels complement its shine and further emphasize the main jewel present there.

Shen Yuan's heart was racing, the gentle sounds of the lake and the night becoming silent against the roar of his heart in his ears, the only thing he could really hear was Liu Qingge's hesitant and courageous words. The gray eyes were fixed on his, filled with that intense feeling that Shen Yuan had run away from for years, that he feared to name, but now it was all his. That immeasurable and unwavering love that could only be from your beloved shidi.

Liu Qingge chose to give the three separate emeralds because of what Shen Yuan himself told him about the beast and its meanings. But despite everything, Liu Qingge didn't want to pressure his partner, fearing that he was overstepping his limits, but still unable to put it off any longer.

He was a warrior, he would not run away from a battle, no matter how dangerous it was. He wouldn't hesitate, no matter how scared he was. And if you were to receive a no…then so be it.

Shen Yuan swallowed hard, trying hard to hold back the strong emotions shaking his chest. Good thing he had finally managed to make his own gift, or else how could he look at Liu Qingge now?

A little nervously, he took out the small box from his own sleeves, giving Liu Qingge a hesitant and equally anxious but full of affection smile.

“Only if Qingge honors this shixiong as well. Then I will be your husband and you mine.” - Oh yes, Liu Qingge's surprised expression was definitely worth the exhaustion Shen Yuan felt after doing that!

Liu Qingge takes a few seconds to process what this response means, what this request means. The knot in his chest immediately loosened and was replaced by a happiness greater than the mountain itself, pulling Shen Yuan onto his lap and kissing him with all the intensity of the feelings that are in his chest.

“I love you” - Liu Qingge whispers against Shen Yuan's lips, not giving the other god time to respond because he kisses him again, feeling a bit of the strong taste of the noodles mixed with the taste of Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge just loves it.

“Qingge…Qingge…Ah…I love you too...” - Shen Yuan whispers. He knew. Of course, he knew. Even though he was in denial, even though he tried not to see it, it was clear that Liu Qingge loved him.

If Shen Yuan had any doubts about it, practically receiving a marriage proposal in the form of three emerald Wolf-eyes would be a clear enough slap in the face for him.

Chosen three times to love without forgetting.

Love that lasts beyond earthly life and continues after reincarnations.

When they finally break free to breathe again, Liu Qingge takes off the guan he had put on earlier, Shen Yuan bending down to facilitate the process. Carefully, the hairpin was tied into his hair and he wore the three eyes of the Emerald Wolf.

Shen Yuan smiled, his face red from the kisses and the moment, handing over the tassel for the sword. Liu Qingge looks closely at the ornament, feeling the pulsing energy coming from it, but looking even more surprised when he sees the delicate carving of the two kittens.

“Faith-winged cats have a companion for life. You are my companion, Qingge.”

“I will stay by your side for life.” - Liu Qingge promised, attaching the ornament to Cheng Luan with great care. Looking into his fiancé's eyes, Liu Qingge held his hands, the soft palms with light guqin and sword calluses, much softer than Liu Qingge's rough hands, kissing the fingers with devotion.

Shen Yuan smiled, he shined brighter than the moon itself. He was Liu Qingge's moon, his stars, his sun. Liu Qingge loved him so much that he would take the entire sky and give it to him if he asked him.

“My right is with you, shidi.”

Chapter Text

Qing Jing Peak remained practically the same. The sky was a soft shade of blue, with no storm clouds, seeming to glow in a way that almost seemed like summer. The dense bamboo forest was gently swayed by the cool autumn wind, carrying the gentle melody of guqins, kites and other instruments that played. They were played by disciples of the learned peak, mature voices leading the voices of younger disciples in their lessons.

Everything seemed the same, and despite that, it couldn't be any different.

Still, it felt no less right to the two men as they approached the beautiful bamboo house that was carefully sheltered on the highest part of the peak, surrounded by the bamboos and looking almost ethereal, if a little desolate.

Both men knew that their disciples were careful in trying to keep the house as clean and tidy as they could, but it was difficult even for the oldest disciples to keep the house organized when there was a presence that made a point of leaving the place chaotic for two months that passed, and almost threatened to kill Ming Fan when Qing Jing's main disciple tried to approach. The young man was only spared because Ning Yingying managed to spare him, and since then, no disciple has dared to approach him again out of fear.

It was also because of Luo Binghe's chaotic state that peak Qing Jing was the first to worry about Shen Qingqiu's absence.

Shen Qingqiu wanted to take away any and all memories that were in his precious bamboo house of that beast, but Shen Yuan reminded him that there must be things that were still worth saving from the bamboo house. Shen Yuan couldn't say that he didn't like the idea of renovating everything and getting Luo Binghe's traces out of there.

The last time they were there, Shen Yuan was still pretending to be someone else and was stuck with a man he tried to force himself to love, Shen Qingqiu was a ghost who could do nothing but watch the misery of the poor soul who was placed in his body and regret that he can no longer fix his own mistakes.

Now, they were both gods, free from what had afflicted them in the past, and they were ready to put the last closure on that tragic story.

Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge wanted to come along, but after some conversation, the Shen brothers decided that it was something they should do alone. They would take what they still wanted from the bamboo house before it was completely rebuilt, now for two peak lords (and their future husbands).

It wouldn't be the first time the bamboo hut had been rebuilt since Shen Yuan came to that world, but it would hopefully be the last in his generation as a peak lord.

“Do you want to go first, ge?” - Shen Yuan offered, a little hesitantly, when the two stopped in front of the closed door. Shen Qingqiu said nothing in response, taking action on his own and entering his old home.

“Let’s get this over with, A-Yuan.” - Shen Qingqiu didn't have so many things that he would actually take out of the house. Not like before, at least. He would mainly go after the gifts that Qi-ge gave him and treasures and precious things that he obtained throughout his years as a peak lord.

Shen Yuan mainly went after the gifts that Liu Qingge gave him and the books he bought - the pornographic books that Luo Binghe insisted on bringing would be burned until there was nothing left but ashes.

As soon as they stepped inside the bamboo hut, the brothers were surprised by the state in which everything was. It wasn't really as destroyed as they both imagined finding things, but Shen Yuan identified a fan that he received as a gift from Liu Qingge destroyed in the middle of the room, there was a strong demonic energy spread throughout the house, almost as if Luo Binghe was trying to mark territory in the bamboo hut.

Shen Qingqiu turned up his nose at this.

“It looks like a dog.” - With a flick of his wrist, he directed spiritual energy through the fan he carried with him, spreading it throughout the bamboo hut and dispelling the strong demonic energy that was in there, as a pure and gentle wind cleansed every contaminated surface of the place.

Shen Yuan didn't want to comment, Luo Binghe really acted like a puppy sometimes, but he was usually a wolf in disguise behind his crocodile tears.

“We’re going to get everything we want and then everything will really be made from scratch!” - Shen Yuan offered, going first to the private mini-library in the bamboo house. It was where he really kept his favorite treasures.

Since he had realized a part of the real nature of his feelings for Liu Qingge, Shen Yuan ended up keeping…some of the gifts that the War God brought him in a special, well-hidden place. Fortunately, it remained that way, and the small hole he made through some talismans arranged with Airplane actually was effective: everything was where he left it.

It was behind some of his least read books and some music scores, and was a little bigger than when it was initially created, thanks to the constant additions of treats that Shen Yuan received and was too attached to put an end to, but too fearful to use publicly often.

In fact, this hidden place was not created to protect your courtship gifts, but to store… Another thing. Something Shen Yuan did after he arrived in that world and became skilled enough.

A painting of his old family.

When he finally reached a satisfactory level of skill to be able to more accurately portray his memories, also thanks to the skills of the original Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan made that drawing over the course of several weeks.

There were all those he left in his original world. His father, his mother, his brothers, his little sister, and even his grandmother, who was still alive when he died. He also added his grandfather, even though the man had left when Shen Yuan was around six or seven years old, his memories of the photos of his grandmother's house were enough to be able to portray the old man well.

It was the only real, physical memory Shen Yuan allowed himself to have of his world, of the family he lost.

Airplane told him what had happened in their world when Shen Yuan died. Thanks to Xin Mo and God of Fate's powers, Shang Qinghua was able to briefly see what happened after their deaths. Thanks to Peerless Cucumber's disappearance from the forums, his chat friends were worried about his disappearance.

This led to his family being contacted by some concerned readers and...it was his little sister who found his body in the apartment, a week later.

Shen Yuan cried a lot upon hearing this, even more so upon learning the message that Shen Biyu posted with his latest scathing comment to PIDW. Shen Yuan didn't want to talk to anyone after they had this conversation, the most he would accept of human interaction was basically using Liu Qingge as a pillow, and it took a lot of work for Shen Qingqiu to get him out of his shell and get him back into speak something. Shen Yuan doesn't know how long he was in that state, and he doesn't want to worry about it.

He hadn't realized how little he'd processed his emotions and the loss of his previous family until that situation, but the presence of his new older brothers…it really eased that pain a bit.

Just like Shen Yuan spoke before, Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan could not replace their ancient family, but they were no less important because of it. And this…this was really important to Shen Yuan.

Lightly tracing those faces that he hadn't seen in so long that they were already starting to become blurred in his memories, Shen Yuan gave a somewhat rueful smile, brushing away the stinging in the corners of his eyes. He hoped his family would be proud of who he had become, the people he had met, and his new family.

He had a feeling that it would be so.

And….he kind of wanted everyone to be able to meet someday. Somehow.

Looking at that portrait, he had an idea.

Shen Yuan gathered all his things, storing them carefully in the qiankun bag, he even took out some clothes as well, sending a message to Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu through the private matrix.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Qingqiu selected all the things he thought were worth preserving. He could be called a materialist, but even though he needed his qiankun bags to store everything, the god didn't feel embarrassed at all.

It belonged to him and him alone, how could he be ashamed of taking what was his?

When the bamboo hut was rebuilt, Shen Qingqiu planned to place all those things around the house carefully, as well as the other gifts Qi-ge would give him. It wasn't your presumption! It was Yue Qingyuan himself who promised this!

Shen Qingqiu just needed good places to store the wedding gifts! Of course, he's not going to consider all the gifts Yue Qingyuan has given him over the years as wedding gifts, even though when Shen Yuan commented on it seemingly wanting to tease his older brother, Qi-ge was in various shades of angry red, even though his expression hasn't changed any more than that.

(Of course, stupid Airplane-juju was on hand at the time to jokingly comment that “Of course these two were meant to be brothers! They're even equally dense about their boyfriends, obviously in love with them and showering them with courtship gifts, aha!”

To then have to run away from Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan, who intended to hit him with their fans, fortunately Shen Yuan actually managed this before Shang Qinghua successfully fled.)

And it is definitely not because they are a type of engagement gifts that Shen Qingqiu exchanges all of his accessories that he is wearing for the gifts he received from Yue Qingyuan, including wearing a beautiful pair of leaf-shaped starlight diamond earrings, which definitely are worthy of the learned god that he is.

And if anyone (his brother) says anything about this, Shen Qingqiu might very well hit him with the fan.

Admiring his appearance in front of the mirror, including the blush that spread across his face, Shen Qingqiu wondered how Qi-ge would react to seeing him wearing them, until his thoughts were distracted by Shen Yuan's voice in the private array.

“ Jiu-ge, Qi-ge, can we meet at Qiong Ding Peak? There’s something I want to talk to you about.” - Shen Qingqiu frowned, confused about what the content of the conversation would be, but agreed anyway. Shen Yuan seemed a little strange when speaking, and this soon worried Shen Qingqiu.

Urgh, he knew that being in the bamboo house without properly cleaning it of all traces of that beast wouldn't do his little brother any good!

Gathering everything he needed, Shen Qingqiu thought he could send Ming Fan to get the books later, seeing Shen Yuan exit the bamboo hut at the same time, Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes at his brother, trying to decipher his thoughts and what he had in hands, but before he could say anything, as soon as the two set foot outside the bamboo hut, they were approached by several disciples who noticed their presence there.

“Shizun! Are you back-” - An anxious Ming Fan stared at the twins, completely perplexed, looking from one to the other, getting lost in their words. - “...Shizun, you….have two shizuns?!”

Even Ning Yingying looked confused, and the younger disciples, who Shen Qingqiu only knew as a ghost, also stared at them in shock.

“Ming Fan, it’s me. Well, that's us. I believe you don’t know what happened yet, but as Qing Jing’s disciples, we will tell you first!” - Shen Yuan took the lead, he seemed much more relaxed now without the system in his head or any other stupid plot hanging under his neck.

Shen Yuan's soft eyes and calm manner soon made all the disciples recognize the shizun they met, but the older disciples noticed the difference between the Shen brothers, looking at Shen Qingqiu with hesitation and curiosity. Shen Qingqiu's sharp and stern gaze was recognizable from afar.

“I am Shen Qingchun, twin brother of Shen Qingqiu. Your Shizun is my older brother. We are currently…both Lords of Qing Jing, and we will take care of the peak together.” - Shen Yuan begins, it's a little funny to hear him refer to himself by his new, unusual courtesy name, even more so when it has become customary for everyone to refer to him as Shen Yuan, or just A-Yuan, but the feeling of comfort stirs in your chest hearing him use Shen Qingqiu's chosen name with pride.

Shen Qingqiu doesn't miss his brother's cue, taking a few steps forward, proud like the immortal god he is.

Not that this is anyone's business, however, if Shen Yuan thinks we should share this with the disciples, Shen Qingqiu will play along, and he understands the strategy: rumors will emerge anyway, it's best to take the initiative and command the narrative on its own.

Shen Qingqiu is already aware of the rumors about the abandonment of Luo Binghe, about how he was brought back and as some consider him a poor husband . Shen Qingqiu was furious, and Yue Qingyuan, despite not showing it so visibly, was equally upset, giving express orders to burn any books that referred to this stupid story.

Somehow, there are also yellow books that talk about Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan as an unlucky couple in love. This, Liu Su Mian Hua published a sequel to Chunshan's Resentment that…. well, Shen Qingqiu didn't hate totally, despite the excess pornography, he could admit that the underlying plot of the demonic beast being abandoned and the plot of the brothers needing to be saved, named Chunshan's Promises and the apparent promised sequel would be about him and Qi-ge. (Which Shen Qingqiu definitely wouldn't steal from his brother's shelves to read, just out of academic curiosity.)

There is also another work that was recently published by a certain Magnificent Heavenly Sword who is definitely Shang Qinghua, even if the man will never admit it - perhaps only to his brother - and that Shen Qingqiu... Well, he didn't hate her very much, either.

Of course, he didn't want to be the protagonist of one of these stupid stories, but a small part of Shen Qingqiu was secretly pleased that everyone could see what Qi-ge was like to him . And how Shen Qingqiu would never accept anybody in his bed or his heart beyond Qi-ge.

“I was cursed a few years ago, my brother found Cang Qiong in time so that I wouldn't be killed, so he took my place to save me. Finally, he did it.” - Shen Qingqiu does not look at any of the young people present there when he speaks, he is almost as before, cold and distant, but there is a warmth in his words that his disciples recognize, stunned to hear such a soft tone in his shizun.

Ning Yingying looks equally horrified and worried by this explanation, Shen Qingqiu's look at the little girl he adopted is a little complicated but gentle as she speaks: “Was Shizun cursed? When? This…no one noticed…! We apologize to Shizun!”

Shen Qingqiu feels his throat tighten a little, pressing his lips together, trying to find words. Fortunately, Shen Yuan understands him better than he expected.

“Ayah, there’s no need to cry!” - Shen Yuan stepped forward, not liking to see his disciples crying (or his brother almost crying). Not even Shen Qingqiu liked it, relieved to see his brother giving his disciple a few comforting pats on the head. Despite everything, Shen Qingqiu was still not very inclined towards touching and public displays of affection, even with his disciples, who were almost like his children. - “Don’t worry, we couldn’t involve you in this! Everyone did a good job, though! So don't blame yourself, okay? Jiu-ge and I are safe now! We have to go see Zhangmen-shixiong now, but gather your shidis and shimeis when we get back! We will tell everyone the whole story!” - Shen Qingqiu frowns behind his fan, not really liking having to explain himself to his disciples, but Shen Yuan looks at him as if to say 'we need to do this', and Shen Qingqiu knows he's right, so he just sighs and shakes his head, agreeing.

The dynamic between the Shen twins seems to greatly surprise the older disciples who actually knew Shen Qingqiu and noticed the difference in their shizun's actions when Shen Yuan took his place, so to see the person they called shizun in recent years, soft and gentle, and the person they called shizun at the beginning of their lives as disciples, cold and distant, calmly interacting with each other, truly surprised them beyond measure.

“I hope to hear about everyone’s progress when we return, Ming Fan, prepare the reports and leave them in my office in the future.” - Commanded Shen Qingqiu.

“Y-yes, Shizun!” - Ming Fan is still a little stunned but nods, still looking at his two shizuns with wide eyes as they both move far enough away from their disciples to summon their swords.

Shen Qingqiu summoned Xiu Ya, who was soon recognized by the disciples, who then watched Shen Yuan summon Jueshi, looking at the beautiful unknown blade as Shen Yuan climbed onto it at the same time as his brother.

“Get back to your duties, you shouldn’t neglect your classes just because we’re out for a bit!” - Shen Yuan teases them, hiding half of his face behind his own fan he took from the bamboo house, one of Liu-shidi's gifts. The two immortals waved to their disciples before flying together towards Qiong Ding, leaving the disciples still stunned at such a display.

When they are far enough away to not be heard, Shen Yuan lets out an amused laugh.

“Wow, I wasn't expecting that we would run into them like this! Good thing we already knew what to say! They stayed so shocked! I really wish I had a camera!” - Shen Qingqiu allows himself to give a small smile to his excited little brother, just because that strange aura that was in Shen Yuan when they were leaving the bamboo hut had dissipated a little.

“It’s going to be an…interesting development for everyone now that there will be two lords. Perhaps, mainly, for the disciples.” - Shen Qingqiu commented, looking a little lost.

“….Ge, I… I know it must have been a little strange for you to see Ning Yingying and Ming Fan again after all. And the other children too. But hey… They seemed really worried about you. I think both old and young people will enjoy having the cool and cool old-new tsundere teacher!” - Shen Yuan ended up being very good at understanding Shen Qingqiu's emotional nuances, gently teasing him, even though, despite all this, neither of them were excellent at talking directly about feelings.

“Who are you calling a tsundere?! Your modern slang is so stupid!” - Shen Qingqiu complained, pondering whether it would be a good idea to throw the fan at his idiot brother (since actually hitting him with the fan wasn't very effective in mid-flight), but decided that he didn't want to lose Qi-ge's gift, So the little brat got away for now.

Shen Yuan moved a little away from Shen Qingqiu with the sword, trying to imitate - at least in parts - a cool sword maneuver he saw Liu Qingge do, enjoying his brother's indignation. He had noticed how emotional Shen Qingqiu was when he saw his disciples again. Even though he spent several years as a ghost and was around, it was the first time he had seen them in his body.

Shen Qingqiu wasn't the best at expressing his emotions, usually his tongue was sharp like a deadly sword, but his actions - especially if he thought no one was watching - often demonstrated how sensitive a heart he really had, he was just very well protected. Through many, many, many layers of barbed wire, electric fences, and who knows how many other deadly defenses in the form of scathing and cruel words. So it was up to Shen Yuan to take the initiative and bring his tsundere brother out of his shell and make him comfortable enough to show his disciples how much he missed them.

Finally in Qiong Ding, they both go directly to the sect leader's mansion, Shen Yuan is practically running from Shen Qingqiu to avoid taking a few blows to the head because he knows he provoked Shen Qingqiu enough to do so, so he no longer cares about look like a worthy immortal. Shen Qingqiu, who can maintain class much more easily, is walking calmly while his younger brother is almost 20 steps ahead of him while giving him a murderous look.

“Xiao Jiu, A-Yuan” - Yue Qingyuan was walking out of his office at that moment, smiling gently at the two as soon as he saw them, and Shen Yuan wasted no time in hiding behind Yue Qingyuan to avoid Shen Qingqiu's fury.

Bingo! Why did Yue Qingyuan actually embrace Shen Qingqiu as tenderly as she could want, her eyes staring at the lord of Qing Jing with undisguised intensity.

Shen Qingqiu snorted but made no effort to move away, snuggling into Yue Qingyuan's embrace as he rested his head on his broad chest. Shen Yuan has seen this happen enough times in the past few days to be sure that there was no better stress ball for his brother than Yue Qingyuan's huge tits! And Shen Yuan would be making use of this resource as much as possible!

“Don’t think you’ll get away so easily.” - Shen Qingqiu scolded, glaring at his brother, earning an apologetic smile from the younger man.

“Erhm… Qi-ge, Jiu-ge, can we come in? I have…something I want to talk to you about.” - Shen Yuan deviated from the topic, returning to the initial reason that led him to call the two to Qiong Ding, entering Yue Qingyuan's office first.

As soon as the three entered and the doors were closed,

“Well… You know I’m not from this world.” - Shen Yuan began, trying to think of how to say that, carefully holding the painting of his family, leaving the qiankun bag on the table, taking a deep breath before continuing.

It didn't help much, unfortunately

“And I…Ah…” - Why did it have to be so difficult to make such a simple request?! - “I… I did this…painting a few years ago and I… I think…” - Come on, take off the band-aid, speak before you lose your courage! - “I would like to do a new painting with all of us together!”

Why was it so difficult to say this?

Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu seemed surprised by the request, and Shen Yuan swallowed hard, very uneasy about it all, placing the painting open on the table for them to see, choosing to say whatever came to mind. Eventually he would say the right thing, wouldn't he?

“Well, you don’t have to accept it if you don’t want to! It was just a silly thing I thought! Ahaha…. It's just… You are my family! And they were kind of my family in another life, so I... I kind of wanted us all to be together in some way and there are no photos or photoshop in this world, oh, you probably don't even know what photoshop is, but it doesn't matter! It's just…you'll never get to know them and they'll never get to know you, and I kind of… I just wish…you know? Somehow having my whole family, both of them, together…so like, I just thought it would be a good idea!” - He said nervously, damn, this strategy wasn't anything good, he would definitely blame Shang Qinghua for this somehow. He doesn't know how, but he will do it!

Everything is always the plane's fault!

“A-Yuan…you…you want us with…like this?” - Shen Qingqiu, as proficient in the talk-about-your-feelings task as Shen Yuan himself, opened the fan, partially hiding his face, but his greenish bamboo eyes said everything about how much that request moved him.

“I… I would like it, if you like it. I wanted… A portrait with all my brothers…. my parents and…. my… fiancé… All together.” - Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes at the mention of the “fiancé”, still not liking this story of Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge together at all, but there wasn't much to discuss and Shen Yuan could be quite stubborn when he wanted to.

“So…” - Shen Qingqiu cleared his throat a little, trying to maintain his composure. - “I’ll help you do the painting!”

Shen Yuan cheered up at this, surprised by this development.

"It is serious?! You, you…?!" - He looked from Yue Qingyuan to Shen Qingqiu, both agreeing to the proposal, pulling him into a loving hug, and Shen Yuan couldn't help but sigh happily. He was very lucky after all!

“I can’t let there be any mistakes when I am portrayed, or Qi-ge! As for that brute… He could be perfectly hideous.” - Shen Qingqiu commented a little irritatedly, not willing to help with the “painting Liu Qingge” part.

Shen Yuan snorted amidst laughter.

“Ge, you can let me make sure to portray all of Qingge’s unparalleled beauty. It will be almost as beautiful as the original!”

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

When Shen Yuan returned to Bai Zhan to stay with Liu Qingge - the bamboo house would not yet be inhabited, none of Qing Jing's lords wanted to be there for long - it had already fallen, and the lanterns leaving the sect leader's mansion illuminated already emitted a warm light throughout the place.

Shen Qingqiu sighed, sitting on the sofa in Yue Qingyuan's office, looking at his fiancé as he watched him organize the papers he was reading earlier. The work as a sect leader was definitely never over, but that didn't mean Shen Qingqiu would let his Qi-ge continue to have bad sleeping habits.

“I'll have dinner brought over. Then leave the rest of this for tomorrow.” - Shen Qingqiu commanded, fanning himself with his fan.

“As Xiao Jiu wishes” – Yue Qingyuan had a gentle and satisfied smile on his face, organizing the papers quickly, while Shen Qingqiu gave some orders to a disciple observing the qiankun bag embroidered with Qing Jing's symbol, remembering to have seeing her with Shen Yuan and leaving him in a more visible place so he could hand it to the younger twin later.

“Qi-ge…” - Yue Qingyuan looked up from the paperwork, meeting Shen Qingqiu’s green eyes a little hesitant. The god waited, letting his beloved continue in his own time. - “Do you think A-Yuan is doing this because he really wants to?” – Shen Qingqiu finally asked hesitantly.

“I think A-Yuan cares about us. And it's like he said. He wants the whole family together.” - Yue Qingyuan comforted him, getting up from his chair behind the large mahogany table to sit next to Shen Qingqiu and pulling him into his arms, taking one of the fruits that was arranged on the coffee table and handing it to him. Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Qingqiu sighed, hiding his face in Yue Qingyuan's shoulder after taking a bite of the sweet pear. The sweet taste calming him down a little.

“It’s just…what if he wants to come back?”

“Go back….to the previous world?” – Shen Qingqiu nodded.

“He never had that possibility. The… system never gave him this option, even though he offered it to Shang Qinghua. And… Shang Qinghua told him about what happened in his old world, and he felt…so bad and…” - Shen Qingqiu's hand closed around Yue Qingyuan's robes and squeezed tightly

“It’s inevitable that he will miss those people, Xiao Jiu. We will be with him whenever that happens.” - Yue Qingyuan gently kissed Shen Qingqiu's forehead, a gentle caress as she cradled the man in her arms.

"And I think... I'm grateful to them for taking care of A-Yuan until he came to us." - It was still difficult for Yue Qingyuan to get all her thoughts out, to transform all the confusion of emotions that had been going on, hidden in their chest in understandable words, was a much more difficult job than it seemed.

Both he and Shen Qingqiu were learning to be more patient with each other. Sometimes this made their conversations long, as it was difficult for both of them to put everything into words. Sometimes they didn't always manage very well.

But they were trying hard.

Shen Qingqiu snorted softly, dissatisfied.

"These people can't steal him from us anymore. Now he's our little brother. And when we get married, there won't be anyone who will question that!" - Shen Qingqiu said, taking a few more bites of the pear.

It was simply adorable how Shen Qingqiu became protective of Shen Yuan, no one would doubt that the two really are brothers.

"Xiao Jiu is very jealous of his twin brother." - Yue Qingyuan commented a little amused, stroking his hair and lightly scratching the hot skin on the back of his neck, pleased to see Shen Qingqiu's shivers of satisfaction, who remained enjoying where he was.

Shen Qingqiu stayed like that in Yue Qingyuan’s house for a long time as a ghost, but now it was much better, smelling the scent that reminded him of what was always related to Yue Qi, and letting himself be enveloped by that warm and comforting feeling that only Qi-ge caused in him.

Now he could enjoy all the sensations of being with his Qi-ge, Shen Qingqiu thought with satisfaction, finally finishing the fruit, licking his fingers that had become dirty with the pear juice, not worrying about the impropriety of his actions. Not with Qi-ge there.

“Is Xiao Jiu also jealous of Qi-ge?” - Yue Qingyuan asked, her voice much lower and a little soft, almost blowing the words against Shen Qingqiu's skin, holding the hand that was holding the pear, interrupting Lord Qing Jing's actions.

Shen Qingqiu raised his head from where it was buried comfortably in Yue Qingyuan's shoulder, squinting his eyes at his fiancé, the bright, clear green reflecting the earrings in his ears shining like little stars.

He was somewhat surprised that Yue Qingyuan mentioned what happened in the Celestial Capital, where a woman tried to get close to Yue Qingyuan - how dare she?! - and Shen Qingqiu almost kissed him in public for it, furious that someone would dare question and desire the man who belonged to him.

"Bold! You are only mine, Qi-ge." - Just to prove his point, Shen Qingqiu bit a little too hard below Yue Qingyuan's chin, where the collar of her clothes wouldn't hide, being rewarded by the god's satisfied sigh.

"Qi-ge is only Xiao Jiu's. Forever" - Yue Qingyuan's hands tightened on Shen Qingqiu, encouraging the god to continue marking him, bringing the hand he was holding to his lips, sucking each of his slender fingers, tasting what was left of the sweet taste of the pear and Shen Qingqiu himself who licked it before.

Shen Qingqiu smiled slightly, his smile hidden just like the bright red on his face, biting his fiancé's ear. He could easily be embarrassed, but the satisfaction that came over him was undeniable when he realized that Yue Qingyuan didn't let the marks he placed heal quickly, noticing one of those same marks not completely hidden by the collar of his clothes.

Shen Qingqiu felt Yue Qingyuan's hands roam his body as he opened the front of his black and white robes, finding the warm skin shivering against his touch, as hot as Yue Qingyuan himself made him with her touches.

“And Xiao Jiu is just this Qi-ge’s.” - Yue Qingyuan teased, satisfaction bubbling inside him ever since he saw Shen Qingqiu wearing his gift, a subtle symbolism that the lord belonged to him.

Shen Qingqiu let himself move easily, pliable in his partner's large, calloused hands, his hand slipping out of Yue Qingyuan's grasp and sitting forward on the god's lap, letting the layers of his robes fall aside as the sect leader sought more contact, pressing Shen Qingqiu's waist against her inner layer, their hips brushing against each other.

They couldn't do much, dinner would be here soon….

Coherent thoughts were skillfully muffled from Shen Qingqiu's mind as Yue Qingyuan guided her mouth to meet his, claiming his lips while pressing their bodies together. Shen Qingqiu clawed at his fiancé's chest, drinking in Qi-ge's sighs as his own were muffled in the god's mouth.

Shen Qingqiu clung closer to Yue Qingyuan, responding to the kiss, letting Yue Qingyuan adjust the angle between them and sighing at the perfect fit of their mouths, not caring about the soft sounds that escaped him, being devoured by the other man. He would like to let Yue Qingyuan do just that to him.

When Shen Qingqiu tried to move away a little to catch his breath, Yue Qingyuan soon found him again, as if he didn't mind needing to breathe, even with his lungs burning, as if all he needed to live was Shen Qingqiu and just Shen Qingqiu.

So reckless his Qi-ge…

“Qi-ge…” - Shen Qingqiu whispered, moaning hoarsely as he lightly pulled Yue Qingyuan, holding him by the back of his head, freeing his lips, leaving a butterfly kiss on the tip of his fiancé’s nose with a reprimanding look, his lips bright red of the intense kisses while trying to catch my breath.

Yue Qingyuan was equally panting, his dark and affectionate eyes full of desire, focused entirely on Shen Qingqiu, giving an apologetic smile to his fiancé, placing a light kiss on Shen Qingqiu's chin, bringing his lips to Shen Qingqiu's ear, kissing lightly before biting into the beautifully red stained skin.

“So beautiful my Xiao Jiu… Qi-ge will give you even more gifts… Xiao Jiu looks so beautiful wearing them.” - Yue Qingyuan was as red as a tomato at this moment for daring to say such things, but also full of satisfaction as he felt his fiancé's labor even stronger, the almost painful scratches and the goosebumps that ran through Shen Qingqiu's body, Yue Qingyuan He continued trailing kisses down every piece of skin that was exposed, sucking marks on the slender neck, loving the taste of Shen Qingqiu's skin, wanting more and more of his beloved Xiao Jiu.

Shen Qingqiu didn't know what drew louder, more panting sounds from him, whether it was when Qi-ge bit him or when he sucked on the soft skin there, leaving warm marks that would remind Shen Qingqiu how much he was desired, loved, the desire-filled touches making him squirm in Yue Qingyuan's lap, his toes curling as he searched for more.

“The… Dinner…” - Shen Qingqiu vaguely remembered through the haze of pleasure, finally managing to whisper something coherent as the ties on his clothes were loosened to give Yue Qingyuan more access.

Feeling his fiancé's smile against his skin before he sucked on the newly revealed soft skin, eliciting another yearning moan from Shen Qingqiu, the sect leader's hoarse voice sent pleasurable shivers down the Lord of Qing Jing's spine.

“My dinner is here, won’t Xiao Jiu feed your Qi-ge?” - These words made Shen Qingqiu's already tight pants become even more uncomfortable, eliciting a very undignified and needy sound from him as he rubbed himself against Qi-ge, his absurdly hot face feeling his erection against his own, already being also kind of hard.

Shen Qingqiu buried his face in Yue Qingyuan's shoulder, trying to hide the blush on his face, Yue Qingyuan's grip around him tightening.

He wasn't good at saying such lewd things, but he couldn't deny that he loved hearing what Yue Qingyuan had to say. He loved how it made him feel.

“Audacious…” - Despite his words, Shen Qingqiu wrapped his arms around Yue Qingyuan’s shoulders, pulling him closer to him, with the hand that was originally inside the god’s clothes remaining there, scratching the skin of his back with new scars that were caused by Shen Qingqiu alone.

The hand on his waist went down until Yue Qingyuan squeezed his ass, pressing their erections, both of them moaning from the friction. Shen Qingqiu moved his hips seeking more of that contact, with his fiancé's subtle guidance.

“Xiao Jiu should punish this shameless sect leader then.” - With her face hidden in Shen Qingqiu's chest, it was not possible to see how red Yue Qingyuan's face was. He knew he was bold to say such things! But his desire left him with a much looser filter when it came to restraining his words towards his beloved Xiao Jiu.

The two were too distracted in their haze of desire to notice anyone approaching outside, so when Shen Yuan suddenly opened the office doors, everyone ended up being surprised by the situation.

“Ge, I forgot my bag qian- AAAH!!! W-WHAT THE HECK??" - Shen Yuan spoke absently, entering without worrying. He had forgotten his qiankun bag on Yue Qingyuan's desk, and didn't want to leave it for another day - he knew he wouldn't remember - so he ran back to get the bag and opened the doors without worrying about what he would find.

Surprised by the sight that greeted him, and Shen Qingqiu's equally surprised exclamation, Shen Yuan quickly left the office, almost bumping into the disciple bringing dinner, closing the door with a loud thud.

“L-let me know when I can come in!” - He asked, his voice sounding a little shrill, his face very red, totally embarrassed for having caught his brother in that situation.

Inside the office, Shen Qingqiu was as red as a ripe strawberry and Yue Qingyuan mirrored his features, both completely stunned at being caught in the middle of their intimate moment by Shen Yuan, but inwardly thankful that Shen Yuan arrived soon, or could he have seen them with much fewer clothes.

Awkwardly, the robes were placed in their proper place again, Shen Qingqiu barely looking at his fiancé, unable to get rid of the lingering heat on his face.

"I think…. I think we can call A-Yuan now.” - Yue Qingyuan said, coughing a little, despite the clothes being in place, it was impossible to hide the marks on his neck unless he made them heal faster, and that was not his intention.

The soft pink that still adorned Shen Qingqiu's face turned darker as he realized that Yue Qingyuan had no intention of healing the marks on his neck, stuttering awkwardly as he hit the man, wondering where the hell his fan went.

“C-cure it!” - He ordered, receiving a look that looked like he had kicked a puppy and not told his fiancé to cure his love bites.

“But Xiao Jiu made them so that this Qi-ge would have them visible.”

“N-not for A-Yuan!” - He could very well be on fire right now, definitely. Shen Qingqiu looked around, searching for his fan, finally receiving it from Yue Qingyuan, who noticed his fiance's search. Gratefully, Shen Qingqiu hid the lower half of his face behind the bamboo painting.

“Alright…” - Despite everything, Yue Qingyuan did as he was told, circulating his spiritual energy until the reddish marks disappeared on his skin. Well, despite his words, Shen Qingqiu couldn't have his face thick enough for that . 

“Later… I’ll do it again.” - Lord Qing Jing promised, his voice sounding so low that if it weren't for Yue Qingyuan's keen senses, he wouldn't have heard her. This earned Shen Qingqiu a heated look, allowing Yue Qingyuan to hug him around the waist with one arm before they finally let Shen Yuan enter.

“T-thank you… I just…Ah… Came to get my qiankun bag.” - Shen Yuan spoke a little awkwardly, looking anywhere but at his brothers, relieved that they were both dressed again.

"It is on the table." - Yue Qingyuan explained, indicating the clearly visible bag. Fortunately, the activities of the couple were on the couch and not at the sect leader's table, or this situation would be very….different. Definitely a lot more embarrassing.

Shen Yuan muttered a thank you, grabbing his qiankun bag and escaping from the office quickly as lightning, at the same time a very confused disciple left his dinner on the table, then left.

"Let's have dinner." - Shen Qingqiu said, fanning himself with his fan, trying to drive away the heat on his face. - “And don’t you dare say that again!” - Remembering Yue Qingyuan's indecent words caused his efforts to return to normal to be completely undone.

With a gentle smile, Yue Qingyuan took a seat nexto to Shen Qingqiu, taking his chopsticks.

“As Xiao Jiu wishes.”

After dinner, Yue Qingyuan could slowly enjoy his dessert.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Yuan flew back to Bai Zhan, seeing no one in his way until he entered Liu Qingge's house slamming the door.

He was very embarrassed! Of course, he knew his brothers did this kind of thing, but one thing is the vague awareness that your brothers throw dog food at everyone, and you have your boyfriend too, so it's not so bad...

It's quite another to catch them both horny live and in color! Heavens, Shen Yuan wanted to crawl under a rock and never come out.

Maybe under Liu Qingge it would be efficient enough, it would also be warm.

“Qingge! I… Oh!” - Well, it looks like he was really having some kind of luck today! This is the second time he has interrupted two people in something!

At least this time, it was his boyfriend and his sister-in-law.

“Liu-shizhi! Good to see you!” - Shen Yuan said, smiling gently, until he looked at Liu Mingyan's face...and realized that she was without her veil!

Oh oh!!! It's so amazing! He finally got to see what wife No. 1 in the novel looked like! Shen Yuan couldn't help but go wide-eyed upon realizing this.

“Shen-shibo, I was about to leave.” - Liu Mingyan comments kindly, nodding at Shen Yuan as he sits next to Liu Qingge, still looking from one Liu brother to the other. - “I hope you don't mind seeing me without the veil, after all, now that Shen-shibo will be my brother-in-law, I don't need to hide my face.”

Shen Yuan nods a little mechanically, barely noticing the subtle nervousness coming from Liu Qingge.

“It’s okay, Liu-shizhi! Ah… Would it be appropriate to call her Mingyan? If so, you can call me A-Yuan! It's okay, it's okay! Liu-shidi is really very beautiful! Like the heavenly plum trees of spring! And you… are really a lot like Liu-shidi, actually!” – Shen Yuan admitted, a little anxiously. If he was going to see the number one beauty in romance without her veil, he should have prepared himself! It's like meeting a superstar walking through the mall! Picking up his fan to fan himself a little and relieve the tension, Shen Yuan leans his shoulder against Liu Qingge's, relaxing a little as he feels the warmth of his shidi. Analyzing the Liu brothers closely, he can actually say… - “This master could easily say that Mingyan is the female version of Liu-shidi! No wonder it is an incomparable beauty! I always thought Qingge was too beautiful for everyone's poor hearts! In fact, it worries me a little that there are other suitors wanting to take Liu-shidi away from me, you know? I mean, he looks like a heavenly prince! Simply very beautiful! And it even has a beauty mark, which is an absolute charm! It's so cute and just adds even more to how gorgeous he is! Your eyes look like storm clouds and are like the summer skies, but tr--mmh!!” - Shen Yuan was rambling, it was difficult to control himself when it came to talking about how beautiful his shidi was! He was very beautiful! It was difficult for even Shen Yuan to believe that Liu Qingge, the Liu Qingge I liked him! A reclusive nerd!

It was just a matter of perspective! Of course Liu Mingyan was beautiful, after all, she looked like Liu-shidi!

But his ramblings were silenced by a pair of insistent lips, feeling incredibly gentle calloused hands cupping his cheeks as he was kissed.

Shen Yuan blushed deeply as he was kissed in front of his sister-in-law, but it was difficult to even remember that Liu Mingyan was there while being kissed so passionately by Liu Qingge. He dropped the fan into his lap, holding onto Liu Qingge's robes, grunting a little dissatisfied as the War God walked away.

A low laugh was what stopped him from pulling Liu Qingge on top of him to kiss him again, reminding Shen Yuan that they had an audience.

Well, now how would he face his sister-in-law?!

“Liu-shidi!!” - Shen Yuan complained, taking the fan and quickly hiding his super red face behind it, while Liu Mingyan laughed at the two. At least, Liu Qingge seemed to be equally embarrassed by his outburst.

“I'm happy to know that my brother has someone who loves him so much. Our parents will love meeting you, Shen-shibo.”

"Your parents?!" - Shen Yuan asked curiously, his eyes widening as he realized that, oh shit, he has in-laws!! - “I…I have in-laws? Ah…what if they don’t like me?”

He would never have to have the difficult conversation with his parents about liking men and being in love with Liu Qingge, but it would be something totally different when it came to Liu Qingge's parents!!

“What if they don’t like me? Oh shit…” - The nervousness was so much that Lord Qing Jing even forgot to control his language in front of the lady. - “What if they heard that atrocious Bingqiu song?” - Shen Yuan became even more discouraged and uncomfortable just thinking about it. - “Urgh, or they might be upset because I’m a man! And I won't be able to give them grandchildren! All old people want grandchildren! Aaah!!” - Resting his head on Liu Qingge's chest, Shen Yuan fanned himself as a thousand and one things went through his head, the words coming out of his mouth unfiltered, while the Liu brothers were surprised by what was said.

Liu Qingge was already used to Shen Yuan's way, but Liu Mingyan had never been so close, seeing how his brother hugged his fiancé around the waist, drawing soothing circles on his back.

“Fuqin and Muqin will like you, A-Yuan.” - Liu Qingge assured, an incredibly soft smile drawn on his lips, his gray eyes shining with affection as he looked at his fiancé.

“But… But we won’t be able to have children! It wouldn’t be right to put that kind of responsibility in your sister’s hands!”

“We are gods, A-Yuan, we will live forever. And we can always adopt a child, or look for other ways to have children. My parents won't dislike you for such a silly reason. Mingyan can attest to what I say. Trust in me." - Liu Qingge calmed him down, giving a gentle kiss to Shen Yuan's hair, who signed in his nervous agitation, snuggling into his shidi's arms.

“Of course, I trust Qingge! Liu-shidi is the most trustworthy! I just... I'm scared. I’ve never done that before.” - Liu Qingge's eyes were incredibly soft as they looked at Shen Yuan, as if he were the very center of his universe, his sun, his moon and his stars, all that could matter.

"Everything will be fine." - Liu Qingge assured, and Shen Yuan couldn't help but believe him. Relaxing in the strong arms of your beautiful War God.

In fact, all this talk about Liu Qingge's parents reminded Shen Yuan of what he wanted to talk about his own parents, and the request he had to make.

Having Liu Mingyan there was actually a blessing in disguise!

“Ehr… Liu-shidi… Mingyan-shizhi… There is something I would like to ask of you.” - Sitting correctly, but still with Liu Qingge's arm around him, Shen Yuan looked at the brothers, a little nervous. There was always the possibility of getting a no!

The Liu brothers looked at him, waiting for him to continue,

“I intend to do a painting with my family… Old. Redo. Only with the new family members together.” - Shen Yuan cleared his throat, trying to remain firm. - “I would like to ask you to be part too, after all, Qingge is my future husband and Mingyan will be my sister-in-law.”

The Liu brothers seemed surprised by the request, but just like Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu, they were both very happy to be a part of it. Of course, Shen Yuan made it clear that if Liu Mingyan wanted to be painted with the veil, it would be perfectly acceptable and it would be done that way.

Qi-ge, Jiu-ge, Qingge, and Mingyan-shizhi would all be part of that portrait. Thinking about this warmed Shen Yuan's heart, making him happy and excited.

He and Qingge chatted some more with Liu Mingyan, drinking tea that was served by Shen Yuan, as the Liu brothers seemed to forget manners towards each other - what a bad influence on their sister, Liu-shidi! - before Liu Mingyan said goodbye to them, putting on her veil before returning to Xian Shu.

Shen Yuan showed the drawing he made of his family to Liu Qingge, introducing each one to his fiancé.

It felt bittersweet to talk about the past, but at the same time, it felt good to not hold it alone anymore. Being able to share these things made it…less painful to remember them. It was like being allowed to have your memories about your old life.

It was a relief.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu were in the sect leader's mansion, in a courtyard, along with various painting materials.

They carefully sketched out the first draft of what the poses of the new members of the painting would look like (Shen Qingqiu was surprised that Liu Mingyan was a part of it.)

“Gee! Qingge is not like that! His nose isn't that bad! And you missed his eyes!” - Shen Yuan complained, not knowing whether to laugh or cry when he saw his brother make Liu Qingge completely different, truly looking like a horrible barbarian.

“I’m just doing this brute as I see it. You don't need to waste so much time taking care of his appearance. It’s me and Qi-ge who have to have all the details correct.” - Shen Qingqiu replied calmly, his greenish eyes hiding his intentions, while an evil smile appeared on his lips.

Shen Yuan grunted a laugh at his brother.

“Jiu-ge! Don’t be mean to Liu-shidi!”

“Who is being mean? You are too sensitive, silly brat.” - Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes affectionately, poking his brother's forehead with the fan, making him make a mistake when drawing Liu Qingge. To Shen Qingqiu's satisfaction and Shen Yuan's sigh of defeat, he dropped dramatically onto the papers, soiling his clothes a little - luckily they were just disposable inner garments that he chose for this purpose.

“Tsk, don’t get dirty like that!” - The reprimand came with a gentle pull on his arm, making him stand up again.

"I am tired! We still haven't managed to finalize a beautiful version with everyone together so we can work on the final design! Jiu-ge, I'm thinking that Liu-shidi is too handsome for you to be able to draw him well, that's why you're making him so ugly.” - Shen Yuan provoked him, receiving a furious look from his brother for that.

“You cheeky brat! Of course, I could make it more beautiful” - Irritated, the eldest lord hit his little brother with his fan, furious at such boldness. - “It’s not worth the effort! He’s a violent brute!”

“I remember you saying that no one could hurt him so as not to make me cry~” - Shen Yuan used Shen Qingqiu's own words, protecting himself from the slaps with the fan.

“Urgh! You have terrible taste!” - Shen Qingqiu snorted, irritated, returning to his seat, picking up another clean paper. Now that he had perfectly memorized everything he wanted to draw, Shen Qingqiu concentrated some of his spiritual energy on the brush, drawing the sketch he wanted much faster than normal, while Shen Yuan looked on in awe at his brother's incredible powers.

Shen Qingqiu was a god of arts, after all, it was natural that he had innate abilities for the fine arts and to do them much faster and more skillfully than any human.

“There, I also did Liu-shizhi. Now make your brute and we can add your parents.”

Shen Yuan smiled in satisfaction, picking up the brush to draw Liu Qingge. It was actually very easy to draw Liu Qingge. Shen Yuan had done this dozens of times, he loved using his shidi as a model, drawing it from every possible angle. Of course, Shen Yuan chose to draw him by his side, making the beautiful beauty mark evident, so that everyone who saw it could notice how cute Liu-shidi is!

That day, after much effort, the Shen brothers finally finished the initial sketch of the painting, with Shen Yuan's original family behind, and positioned next to Shen Yuan, his new family. Surprisingly, the portrait looked very uniform, even with the modern clothes that his parents, brothers and sister wore, as if it was meant to look that way. All together.

Qi-ge and Jiu-ge stood side by side, Shen Qingqiu on Shen Yuan's side while Liu Qingge stood on the other, Liu Mingyan on Liu Qingge's side. Shen Yuan made his little sister, Shen Biyu hugging him from behind, because she liked to jump on him like that when they were going to take a photo.

As the days passed, they finally finished the portrait, thanks to Shen Qingqiu's powers, what would have taken almost two months was finished in almost a week, finally finishing the beautiful scroll with Shen Yuan's entire family together.

Shen Yuan couldn't hold back his tears, pulling his brothers into a tight hug when he saw the painting completely finished. Heavens, when did he become so sentimental? He just…he was just really happy. Happy to not be alone, happy to have brothers like Qi-ge and Jiu-ge, happy to have Qingge in his life.

Just happy to be alive and not alone, surrounded by the people he loved.

He even showed the painting to the plane, (along with a painting he did of the two of them together, as good friends, but of course he would never admit that out loud.)

It was shameful that Shang Qinghua also cried, and when they talked…

If anyone asks, only Shang Qinghua was crying and Shen Yuan's red eyes were from anger!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Days passed, stories about Cang Qiong's gods and their ascensions traveled everywhere, legends and romance books appeared, ballads being sung in teahouses.

In Cang Qiong, life flows like a river, everyone in a euphoric rhythm with the event that draws closer every day.

The bamboo house was finally destroyed, along with all the painful memories present there. An Ding had a lot of trouble redoing it, but things in the end actually turned out much better, even if the twins spent many nights with their respective fiancés, as usually Shen Qingqiu makes a point of throwing Liu Qingge out of the bamboo house.

Shen Yuan sneaks out every time to stay at Bai Zhan and comes back in the morning before Shen Qingqiu gets up, but it's not like his little brother is being discreet with the high collars. There were even times that Shen Yuan returned to Qing Jing at the same time that Yue Qingyuan was returning to Qiong Ding!

Shen Qingqiu could indeed be living in the sect leader's mansion with Yue Qingyuan, but - partly at Qing Qingxing's insistence - in the months leading up to the wedding, it would be better to keep them living separately. Something about making them look forward to the big moment. Shen Qingqiu thought this was nonsense, of course, but he actually listened to her (partially), and would only go there to spend time with Yue Qingyuan, where the two of them would work until it was time to go to sleep, when they would decide whether to sleep at Qiong Ding or in Qing Jing.

Qing Qingxing just shrugged her shoulders, accepting the situation, but not without making a comment about how some couples were so in love that they didn't know how to keep their hands off each other. Of course, Lord Xing Kong flew as quickly as possible away from Shen Qingqiu before he could hit her with his fan in anger.

Engagement gifts were exchanged. Every day, boxes and boxes wrapped in red fabrics arrived at Qing Jing, just as others were sent to Qiong Ding. Shen Yuan spent several hours with his brother organizing all the gifts that Shen Qingqiu received. And even though the eldest Lord Qing Jing maintained his cold and indifferent facade, Shen Yuan could tell how happy his brother was with such a blatant display of adoration from his fiancé.

That day, Shen Yuan had gone on a small trip with Liu Qingge, they went to the Liu family's territory, to meet Liu Qingge's parents, so Shen Qingqiu would be alone with Qi-ge for a few days.

Shen Qingqiu donned his greenish robes with bamboo patterns, the inner robes white, and the innermost layer black, with all the elegance he could contain as the lord of Qing Jing. He looked at the starlight diamond earrings and blushed as he remembered how much Yue Qingyuan had loved seeing him wearing them.

Qi-ge was so shameless sometimes! Shen Qingqiu was too flushed to have the courage to wear the earrings, picking up a more discreet gold pair - but which were one of Yue Qingyuan's engagement gifts anyway.

Yue Qingyuan was going to take him out today, so Shen Qingqiu would make sure to be properly groomed to accompany his fiancé. He needed to show Qing Jing's pride to everyone who still had any doubts about their relationship!

Fortunately, Qing Qingxing was doing an excellent job of planning the wedding. Since peak Xing Kong was officially the one who organized all the sect's ceremonies, and the marriage of a sect leader with one of the lords could not be anything less than impeccable - her words, not that he disagrees - preparations for the wedding were covering the entire mountain and were spread everywhere, both among mortals and immortals.

He was sure that Shang Qinghua must be drowning in paperwork and requests and everything needed for the ceremony and Shen Qingqiu himself was full of tasks for the wedding, he made sure to get involved in everything possible, a little surprised by the warm welcome from his martial sister to such a thing.

Shen Qingqiu almost regretted it a little when he saw the Lord appearing out of nowhere at her peak in a few moments, bringing some things that were just silly details, even though he was grateful that he could decide the small details of his special day. He also knew that everything that came to him were only things that were truly necessary, Qing Qingxing was brutally efficient at his job, having checked the auspicious date almost twelve times.

Shen Qingqiu would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous about his wedding, but he was also extremely happy. Yue Qingyuan was his, but with this, there would be no one in the heavens and earth capable of saying otherwise or trying to take his Yue Qi away from him.

Speaking of the man, Qiong Ding's black and white robes fluttered in the wind as the Sect Leader approached, descending Xuan Su with surprising lightness for his size before wrapping Shen Qingqiu in his arms.

“I missed you, Xiao Jiu.” - They were the first words spoken along with a tender kiss on his forehead.

Shen Qingqiu patted his fiancé's shoulder without energy. So shameless!

“Cheeky, it was only a few hours.” - Despite his words, Shen Qingqiu snuggled into the hug, ignoring the blush rising in his ears.

“I always miss Xiao Jiu. Let's go?" - Without letting go of Shen Qingqiu, Yue Qingyuan offered him to climb Xuan Su, which Shen Qingqiu immediately accepted.

Xuan Su remained sheathed, but now it was much more out of habit than actually a necessity. Shen Qingqiu would not deny that he loved his new privilege of being able to climb the most powerful sword in the world of cultivation - something that belonged only to him and that he made sure everyone knew about it.

It would be much easier for them to go to the surprise place Yue Qingyuan wanted to take him if they both went on the Lord of Qiong Ding's sword, so Shen Qingqiu simply took the opportunity.

To Shen Qingqiu's surprise, they flew back to Qiong Ding, landing in one of the courtyards of the sect leader's mansion. Shen Qingqiu looked at his fiancé with a raised eyebrow, whose questioning was answered only by a gentle smile from Yue Qingyuan as they descended from Xuan Su, the Lord of Qing Jing accepting the hand offered to him, being guided to wherever his groom wanted to take him.

They walked for a while until they stood in front of a pair of closed doors, Shen Qingqiu felt a bit of spiritual energy coming from the door, even more curious, as to what it could be, when Yue Qingyuan finally opened the doors, Shen Qingqiu's eyes could to have shone like stars upon realizing that.

They were candy!

In fact, there were many candies! Everywhere! Simply….simply full of sweets! Shen Qingqiu felt his mouth water just looking at it.

"Qi-ge...?"

“Xiao Jiu loves sweets, so I thought they would make a great gift. The hardest part was the spell to keep everyone preserved. Then Xiao Jiu can eat them whenever he wants, they will remain as fresh and delicious as when they were prepared.” - Yue Qingyuan explained, pleased to see the almost childish happiness on Shen Qingqiu's face, who soon took out a small box with crystal cakes, tasting it, letting out a sigh of satisfaction when he felt the perfect amount of sweetness in the cakes.

“Qi-ge knows this lord well.” - Oh, well, Yue Qingyuan wasn't really prepared to see the soft smile that would grace Shen Qingqiu's lips as he looked at him, the crescent curve of his clear eyes and his face completely devoid of masks or impediments for Yue Qingyuan to see that expression satisfied, and affectionate addressed him.

It was simply too powerful for any defense Yue Qingyuan could make, making him want to guard that expression and protect her from everyone. The strong feeling shaking his chest made his heart beat even faster, reinforcing the promise that he would do everything so that Xiao Jiu could smile like that for him, always.

“I have something I want to give to Xiao Jiu, although it may not be as good as everyone else.” - Yue Qingyuan managed to say, after finally situating himself in reality again, picking up a not very large box that he had left in a strategic place so that he could easily differentiate it.

Shen Qingqiu stopped devouring the box of crystal cakes - it was almost completely eaten - leaving it closed where he found it, approaching Yue Qingyuan.

“Are they sweeter?” - Shen Qingqiu asked anxiously, receiving an almost shy nod from Yue Qingyuan that made him curious. Were they spiritual sweets?

“I made these for Xiao Jiu.”

Oh!

Well, that changed things' perspective. Shen Qingqiu took the box carefully, his heart began to beat even faster in his chest. He knew that Yue Qingyuan was not good at cooking sweets, or anything else. They never learned to cook in their childhood, and cooking no longer became a necessity after they were disciples, much less with Yue Qingyuan becoming a sect leader.

The sweets might be horrible, but Shen Qingqiu would treasure them anyway. They were given to him by Yue Qingyuan, no, they were a very personal gift from Yue Qi, who was not good at cooking, but wanted to try hard for Shen Qingqiu. Because Shen Jiu loved sweets.

“Thank you Qi-ge.” – Shen Qingqiu managed to say, his face certainly bright red from that, opening it to reveal several osmanthus cakes. They were sweet-smelling, faintly fragrant, bringing a warm feeling to Lord Qing Jing's chest.

Both excited and curious, Shen Qingqiu took one of them to taste.

Yue Qingyuan looked a little nervous, but he stood his ground, his shoulders more tense than usual as he had his questionable cooking tested by his fiancé.

They were delicious, Shen Qingqiu could be sure. Maybe a little too sweet, but Shen Qingqiu…he was happy. They were made just for him, by Qi-ge. Of course, he loved them.

"They are great." - Shen Qingqiu decided, the corner of his lip lifting in a half smile as he saw Yue Qingyuan visibly relax after receiving approval.

“If Xiao Jiu wishes, I will do it more often, I promise to improve so that they are perfect.”

“Hmm. Use a little less sugar next time, and I want to be with you when you make them. We can cook together.” - Shen Qingqiu didn't need to say that he intended to make some dish for Yue Qingyuan, instead of his own sweets. He also wanted to please his husband, of course!

Yue Qingyuan smiled, leaving a sweet kiss on Shen Qingqiu's lips.

“We’ll do it together, then.”

They were perfect plans for the future. A future they could dream of.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Cang Qiong was partying. Finally, the auspicious date arrived, guests from everywhere in the cultivation world were present, even some lords from previous generations of Cang Qiong who still roamed around were present in their ancestral glory, to congratulate the newlyweds.

The event was huge, it covered all the peaks in red and would extend to the heavens, in a way never seen before. The common areas between the peaks were arranged so that most of the guests could be, flower petals scattered along the paths along with the sweet almost warm scent permeating the entire air. The ceremony will be held at Qiong Ding, where the memorial plaques of all previous peak lords are located. Generations and generations of lords of Cang Qiong, with their names written in history and faces that had long been forgotten, but could be remembered by looking at all the statues there.

In the great Meng Jìyì Hall, the shizun plaques of Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu were carefully removed, to be placed on the ceremony altar.

Neither of them had living parents, so in bowing to their ancestors and their family, they would bow to their former masters, their younger brother Shen Yuan, and to…. Shang Qinghua?

Yue Qingyuan was confused as to why Shen Qingqiu accepted this, even more confused that Shang Qinghua seemed so elated that he had been allowed such a thing.

Of course, they were all martial brothers, and it would make sense for all of Cang Qiong's lords to act like family to the bride and groom, which wouldn't be far from the truth, however, why specifically Shang Qinghua and Shen Yuan?

Apparently, all the other lords were equally confused, Qing Qingxing almost had a qi shift trying to understand what the hell that was, but in the end they just accepted that strange occurrence.

Shen Qingqiu promised to explain more to him after the wedding, and he readily accepted. Of course, Yue Qingyuan would be happy even if he didn't discover anything, but it was still satisfying to know something.

The path that Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan will walk together on their swords from Qing Jing to Qiong Ding is finely decorated with several rare specimens of red bamboos, wrapped in wedding red ribbons and gold decorations, invoking auspicious blessings on the marriage of the two lords. On the ground, rose petals and red tulips were scattered making the elegant path that stretched from Qing Jing to Qiong Ding, like this.

In the common areas, there were some circles made with special crystals, causing a brilliant fog that would project the entire wedding and the bride and groom's path so that those who were further away could see them perfectly.

Qiong Ding's gates were characters of happiness and huge banners, red ribbons adorning the gates praising the strength and kindness of the sect leader and the intelligence and beauty of the lord of Qing Jing, next to each, the sigils of the respective peaks, they glowed gold.

Everyone knew that it would be a cut-sleeve wedding, which made countless women across the country cry with resentment at having lost not one but two parties at once, and Yue Qingyuan vehemently declared that he would not take any concubines. It would only belong to his beloved Shen Qingqiu.

Some guests had small copies of books in their hands to distract themselves while they waited for the ceremony to begin. The book was none other than Liu Su Mian Hua's most recent publication, Ties of Qiushan, the third edition that continued Chunshan's Resentment and Chunshan's Promise. This, however, did not tell the story of master Shen Qingchun but rather of his older brother, the (real) Shen Qingqiu, telling the long love story (very spicy) between Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu.

The bingqiu song was replaced by the liushen ballad in the teahouses, which was always accompanied by the qijiu melody, to the utter consternation of the Shen brothers.

(Liu Qingge didn't know how to feel about being the target of this kind of thing, always opting for his approach of breaking everything in sight whenever he had to listen to this song, but only when his embarrassment was too great, because a part of him secret loved to hear about him and Shen Yuan.

Yue Qingyuan, on the other hand, barely had time to hear about this since he rarely left the sect, but he kept an eye out for this type of content circulating around its peak. He appreciated that everyone was viewing Xiao Jiu through a gentler lens, as well as his work to eliminate all content about Chunshan's Resentment and the Song of Bingqiu from the entire area near the mountain, Yue Qingyuan would rather people not have such libidinous thoughts about your Xiao Jiu.)

Of course, the author did not know about the real origins of Lords Qiong Ding and Qing Jing, so this painful part of their lives remained hidden and protected only for those closest to her trust.

Even so, it was much-coveted entertainment for everyone, very curious about the troubled relationship full of twists and turns of those who would now get married.

Everyone commented on the wealth and splendor of Cang Qiong, impressed by the decorations and the majestic surroundings, as well as the clouds that made room for the full and bright moon casting its pale rays against the red and golden lanterns, exuding a pure aura of magic and softness.

It would be the marriage not only of two Lords of the Peak, but also of two gods, married as mortals and immortals, uniting their destinies and their lives.

The sound of drums and gongs sounded in the distance, accompanied by the soft melody of various instruments echoing throughout the place, setting the scene in a majestic way, announcing the wedding procession.

The other lords of the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect took their places beside the bridal altar, waiting for the bride and groom. They were all breathtakingly beautiful, truly incomparable immortals, dressed in their richest and most luxurious attire, arranged in order of seniority… Or almost.

Shen Yuan was, by seniority, as Peak Lord Qing Jing, the first on one side, but at his side was his fiancé, Liu Qingge, while on the opposite side, facing Shen Yuan, was Shang Qinghua.

It was a setup that no one else fully understood, but everyone accepted the bride and groom's strange wishes. (Even though Qing Qingxing complained a lot in Shang Qinghua's ears about it.)

Soaring across the rainbow bridge, side by side on their spiritual swords – Xuan Su was out of the sheath! - the flower petals were stirred by the wind, and from the skies began to slowly fall small specks of gold and light as Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu flew side by side.

Neither of them officially occupied the role of the bride, both wearing rich red fire dragon robes, with gold trim, a red tassel adorning both their waists, as well as their swords. However, Shen Qingqiu still had a red veil with golden embroidery carefully peeking out from his guan, along with the golden crown and the red ribbons in his hair, as well as the many jade and gold ornaments. The red veil was embroidered with a fiery phoenix in its splendor, almost as long as the peak lord's silky hair, and as they flew to the stone path they would traverse on foot, it seemed as if the phoenix was actually fluttering in small flames, in contrast to the particles of gold and light that surrounded them, leaving them with a divine and majestic image for whoever saw them.

The maidens and women present did not know whether to admire the lords' beauty or whether to weep bitterly for the wedding, just as the invited sect leaders let out desolate sighs inwardly for the same reason of not being able to unite their sects with Cang Qiong through marriage.

Especially because, thanks to rumors from the books of Liu Su Mian Hua and Magnificent Celestial Sword, there were strong suspicions (not to say absolute certainty) that this would only be the first marriage between the Peak Lords of the Qing generation.

The guests bowed to the young couple, impressed by seeing two gods up close, and when they could no longer follow them with their eyes, they began to look at the projections of mist created by the crystals that were arranged with this motif, the image became very close to reality, except that, seen through the mist, Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan seemed even more ethereal and divine.

At the ceremonial altar, Yue Qingyuan helped Shen Qingqiu to kneel on the cushion arranged there, before accompanying him, Shang Qinghua was facing them as they made the first bow required in the ceremony.

In the next moment, the two turned towards the ceremonial tablets of the ancient Peak Lords, where Shen Yuan was joined and where Shang Qinghua was joined a moment later, the bride and groom performed their second bow.

Finally, when they stood up, dark eyes met bright green ones, both with the edges of their eyes hot and moist but holding back their emotions as much as possible to maintain their composure, bowing to each other in the third bow of the wedding ceremony.

Just as tradition dictated, they both cut a lock of hair to put in a bag, Qing Qingxing smiling brightly at the couple, handing the bag to Shang Qinghua, who pulled Xin Mo from where it was sheathed on his waist along with his own spiritual sword.

With an incredibly gentle and tender smile that no lord ever expected to receive from Shang Qinghua, Lord An Ding uses the black sword in the bag that contained the intertwined strands of hair, symbolizing the union of their destinies.

“The sword that once tried to separate them now unites them. Fate does not bow to anyone, but neither should they bow to the fate imposed on them.” - Shang Qinghua says, his voice confident and full of emotions that many do not understand. - “As the god of destiny, I bless you so that you can write your future together, always in agreement and unity. May there be only happiness on your path, and the stories told be of love and prosperity.”

A golden glow envelops Xin Mo as the bag transforms into a delicate pair of rings, which are handed to the couple.

“Put it on the ring finger of your left hand.” - Shang Qinghua instructs, watching as a black thread, almost as if they were actually the lords' hair, connects their fingers through the rings, gaining a red glow until it becomes completely scarlet, disappearing before their eyes.

“From now on, Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu are linked in life, death and eternity, their destinies are intertwined with a force that cannot be broken. The strength needed to go against an unhappy fate is not known to ordinary people, and to rewrite the hard lines into a happy future requires even more perseverance and dedication. May your paths never separate again, may malicious voices never overwhelm the unshakable trust between the two cultivation partners. From this day forward, you are each other’s husbands, for all eternity that accompanies you.”

With a kiss to seal the deal, the ceremony ends, causing happiness and excitement throughout the mountain. The couple finally was able to call each other husband.

All his martial brothers celebrate, happy for the couple's union and love, finally united to never be separated again.

Finally, happiness awaits them.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Shen Yuan couldn't be happier for his older brother. The wedding of Shen Qingqiu and Yue Qingyuan left the entire sect in celebration, and rumors about it spread throughout the country. Truly a divine marriage.

Meanwhile, he and Liu Qingge preferred a slightly more low-key ceremony.

They promised Qing Qingxing to have a splendid wedding in the future, but neither of them wanted to wait too long to be officially married, just as they didn't want to overshadow the marriage of the Sect Leader and the eldest Lord Qing Jing.

Then, a few months later, on an auspicious day chosen by Qing Qingxing, Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge wore their own red robes, surrounded by their martial brothers and Liu Qingge's family.

(They also bowed to the carefully painted portrait of Shen Yuan's family, complete. It was the suggestion of Liu Qingge himself, who warmed Shen Yuan's chest, only managing to think how much he loved that man.)

Shen Yuan would never admit to anyone that he had cried at his wedding, cried with happiness, with love, with affection. Crying because his chest was bursting with that feeling of tranquility and completeness of finally being with the man he loved.

That wasn't the end of the story, the story ended a long time ago, but they would live the “extras” throughout their long eternity. An eternity that would be filled with happiness and the people they loved.

Everyone could have second chances, whether in life or with rebirth. Shen Yuan was free and thanks to the discovery of Shang Qinghua's powers and the use of Xin Mo, those who had a painful end could now have a new chance.

Shen Yuan would leave it up to Airplane. He thought that hack author was an idiot, but he knew his friend would do the right thing for everyone.

It was no longer his responsibility to have to prevent everyone from dying, there is no longer a protagonist in this world to worry about him, Shen Yuan… Shen Yuan could be happy and carefree with his handsome War God.

He and Liu Qingge would live out their immortality together, fulfilling their duties as gods and living their best life. The ones they chose together.

It was the most beautiful beginning Shen Yuan could have wanted.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

In the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, there are twelve mountains as high as the heavens, they are connected by a rainbow bridge. There are clouds surrounding its peaks and the disciples' voices echo through the air. The Cang Qiong Sect is the most powerful sect in the cultivation world, centuries old, and in every generation, one must always pay close attention to its most brilliant treasures: Its peak lords.

The truly mystical immortals, shrouded in layers of enchantment and power, whose past might be unknown, but their deeds were undeniable. Their unity of brotherhood was so firm that even the attempts of fate to destroy it were thwarted.

They lead the sect and govern the twelve mountains, under the leadership of their Sect Leader, whom they have sworn to follow. Peak lords are martial brothers and protect each other and their disciples.

In the third generational cycle, the Qing generation had many things that drove the peak lords apart, and many other even more mysterious forces brought them together.

In the current generation of Peak Lords, something unusual happened: There were not twelve Peak Lords ruling Cang Qiong, but thirteen.

The Lord of Qing Jing ascended, something no one knew was truly possible until now, together with his lover, the Peak Lord of Bai Zhan, as they soared in the clouds, and with that the secrets were revealed. Soon, all the other peak lords were eventually achieving ascension, becoming powerful gods.

With this, Cang Qiong now had thirteen peak lords, thirteen gods who would guide the sect.

The Lords of Cang Qiong defeated the Emperor of the Demon Realm, who was corrupted by the demon sword Xin Mo, and Peak Lord An Ding managed to tame the sword, using it as a tool of the God of Fate.

The peak of scholars, Qing Jing Peak now possessed two peak lords, twin brother gods who brought freedom, second chances, and the arts to mortals. They both married two other gods, the eldest married Peak Lord Qiong Ding, the sect leader, and the younger brother married Peak Lord Bai Zhan.

There were other marriages between the other Lords of the Peak, and that generation became very prosperous. The Cang Qiong Mountain Sect established its position as the most powerful sect in the cultivation world under the protection of thirteen gods who guarded the mountains. And it continued to prosper even as that generation abdicated their positions and the new generation of Lords of the Peak Ascended.

And eventually, there were legends among future generations, passed down by the lords who succeeded them, that when there is great love between two Lords of the Peak, not even the cruel bonds of destiny are able to separate them. They say they will bend the threads of the future and weave their own path, and if your lover is in danger, you can always take them to be free.

They just need to fly as high as possible, into the skies.