Chapter Text
"What do you mean there's a cultivator on Qing Jing Peak?"
At the growled out question and narrowed eyes of the Demon Lord, the reporting demon cowered slightly as he bowed his head. "Junshang, we saw him with our own eyes! H-He was harassing some weaker demons and had a sword with him…"
These words only made his lip curl back even further, and he turned to the tall, imposing demon standing by his throne. "Mobei-jun."
"Mn."
"Is this true?"
"Yes, Junshang."
So there really was someone out there, playing at cultivator again in the territory of a sect that should stay dead.
The very fact made Luo Binghe's blood boil. He stood up abruptly, causing the reporting demon to jump. "I'm going to investigate. Cancel all appointments for the rest of today."
The demon still kneeling at his feet suddenly looked stricken, the earlier startled panic evolving into an anxious one. "Wh-What? Junshang, there's no need for you to personally intervene, right? Sh-Shall we gather an army instea—?"
"I'll handle it myself."
"But Junshang, if you get hurt—!"
Luo Binghe ripped his long, black dao-like sword from its sheath, letting it slash downwards through the air close to the demon's head. The demon cowered once more at the sudden threat from the legendary sword Xin Mo, before staring up at Luo Binghe with absolute terror.
He returned the look with a glare, eyes flashing bright scarlet. "I said I will handle it myself," he snarled.
With that, he strode straight into the portal his blade had opened without a second glance back.
The scenery changed immediately, from the opulence of the Demon Lord's headquarters at Huan Hua Palace to verdant bamboo and lush emerald green grass, with a gentle spring breeze rustling his hair. But as tender as this scenery was, Luo Binghe felt no serenity.
Inside were turbulent waves and violent winds, with his hand gripping Xin Mo's hilt until his knuckles turned white.
Luo Binghe surveyed the area, listening. The report had been made right after the demons came back from their visit to Qing Jing Peak, which meant the cultivator would probably still be around. If he had also gone back to chasing little demons, it wouldn't likely be that difficult to track him down.
Things were unexpectedly quiet, however, with only the wind whistling softly past Luo Binghe's ears. The feeling was too familiar. It made him feel even more discomfited, which was perhaps why he suddenly threw on a glamour, concealing his demonic features and transforming them to appear younger. More human.
It wasn't a decision that made a lot of sense when taking into account the fact he planned to kill the cultivator. Approaching him as the Demon Lord would be far more effective for that, but Luo Binghe wanted to think that the glamour could also lower the cultivator's guard before he received the shock of a lifetime. It was far better than admitting the alternative: the idea that he'd let his fear of the past get the best of him, trying to run from those memories.
And yet images were already rising unbidden in his mind…
A child, chasing after a tall and elegant man who almost resembled an immortal, with a fan in hand. That same man, shifting to stare coldly down at the boy, who beamed brightly back at him…
Luo Binghe believed that if it had been anyone else, the boy's innocent, hopeful smile could perhaps win them over. Unfortunately, the man in his memories, taking shape like a ghost haunting him, was not just anyone.
He was Shen Qingqiu.
And Shen Qingqiu was a cold, cruel creature, whose heart of stone would never be moved—not even by the simple, unadulterated admiration of a child. Luo Binghe would know, of course, because he was that innocent boy who had once trailed after Shen Qingqiu, and all his efforts had gained him were the lashes of a whip and physical labour as punishment.
He could already see that icy glower again, barely concealed by the open fan, with hazel eyes sparking like green flames. And a tranquil yet terrifying voice snaking out to sneer, "Little beast."
The memory made Luo Binghe's eyes and chest burn. His fingers also instinctively clenched tighter around Xin Mo, with the sword vibrating in response—a reminder that he wasn't without power. Luo Binghe felt himself calm slightly at that.
He was the Demon Lord now. There was nothing left to fear. He had already dealt with Shen Qingqiu a long time ago, ripping that man's limbs from his body until he was no longer that condescending immortal, leaving him as close to the earth as possible, punishing him for his lack of soul. And he had ultimately killed him.
Luo Binghe let out a breath. There was one other image that was sending turbulence through his heart—it was similar, but it certainly wasn't the same. This one was of crescenting hazel eyes and a kind smile hidden behind a fan, with a slender hand that had actually been willing to reach out and touch him… But Luo Binghe refused to allow himself to dwell on that. If he did, he was afraid of how close he would come to snapping.
Because that man was also Shen Qingqiu. A kinder one from another world, who'd hugged him to sleep and passed him spiritual energy and brushed his hair and even braided it, who'd even reciprocated his kiss and reacted to his ministrations. A Shen Qingqiu who hadn't scorned him. Who'd loved him.
But it wasn't truly him he loved.
Luo Binghe's emotions threatened to overspill all over again, and he squeezed his eyes shut, refusing to think of that man—either forms of him—again. He wouldn't let himself recall even—
"It's wild that I can now also see rare demons, but even getting to see demons at all is amazing! Although, I guess the rarest of all would have to be Luo Binghe, right…?"
—His voice.
Luo Binghe's eyes snapped open. Had he imagined it? That had sounded like…
Not daring to finish the thought, he began racing toward the source of the sound. The bamboo around him zipped into a dark green blur, as difficult to distinguish as his feelings, and it was as if he was returning to his younger self. Just as small and vulnerable and helpless.
And foolish. Luo Binghe hated that he was giving in like this, but he could feel that desperation building within him until it was a cresting wave, threatening to drown him.
"Wow, it's so cute… What creature is it? Damn, this is like real life Pokémon—I kind of wish I could take it home with me."
He was still talking. That had to mean he was real… Luo Binghe skidded to a stop despite his brain going a mile a minute. He glanced around desperately, panting.
Is it really him? It can't be a hallucination, can it? He…
His eyes widened when it alighted on a figure in the centre of the clearing, small yet bright—like a tender flame.
He's really here.
That flame was a youth, obviously smaller in stature than him, with short, cropped brown-black hair that glowed chestnut under the sunlight. He was dressed in apple green robes lined with white blossoms, and his back was turned to Luo Binghe—it seemed as if he was writing something down, excitedly chattering to himself as he gestured at a low level yao before him.
Luo Binghe stayed there unmoving for some time, both to catch his breath and because he was suddenly afraid that if he were to take another step forward, this dream would come to shatter.
Unfortunately, he may have stayed there too long, because his dream must have sensed the gaze on him. He suddenly let out a noise of surprise before spinning around.
And so the two of them met eyes.
For the longest time, neither of them spoke or moved. Luo Binghe still felt like a caged predator that had charged outside for the first time, with his sight so accustomed to darkness that this new light hurt, yet he didn't want to look away. His companion, in comparison, appeared more like prey, with large, startled eyes and a tense frame that indicated he wanted to bolt.
Fearing that possibility, Luo Binghe straightened himself and took one last deep, strangled breath. "You… No, I mean…" He swallowed. And then he said the word he hadn't let himself speak for so, so long—a word he thought he would never say again: "Sh-Shizun?"
"Ah?" The youth blinked before chuckling, adjusting the glasses on his face. "Well, I'm not anyone's shizun exactly—although…wait, I guess I will be soon…" His voice dropped to a murmur as he mused quietly to himself, before he seemed to remember there was someone before him. He lifted his face again, this time smiling cheerfully. "Sorry, did you want to become my disciple?"
When Shen Yuan had abruptly transmigrated into the xianxia world of one of his least favourite favourite novels, he could never have imagined the task assigned to him.
Specifically, most people transmigrated into heroes or even villains, yet he'd transmigrated into the story of Proud Immortal Demon's Way as…himself? And when he'd demanded an explanation from the computer-like voice that had informed him it was his System, it had only said, 【You can you up, no can no BB.】
Needless to say, Shen Yuan found the System very frustrating.
Especially since he'd been informed that he had to revive the entire Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, which had long been razed to the ground by Luo Binghe. It honestly sounded like a ridiculous, impossible task, and it didn't help that Shen Yuan, as himself, was a random, no-name cultivator. He felt like it would have made far more sense for him to become Yue Qingyuan or Liu Qingge before their deaths—it would have been terrifying, yes, but if he could avoid the death flags and guarantee their survival, he could perhaps achieve the System's goal with their strength.
But now he was just himself again, except with some cultivation. Mediocre cultivation to be sure, but what else was new? Shen Yuan was already used to being mediocre.
The one bright side, then, had been getting to explore the crazy plants and animals that the shitty author of PIDW, Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky, had come up with yet barely explained. So far he'd met demons from a spiky little guy with no eyes and black lips and a large, flat, almost beaver-like tail to a giant beast with lots of limbs and a single eye.
He'd even met a kind-looking young cultivator, who was skilled at his craft despite appearing pretty disheveled. Shen Yuan recognized him as a specific canon fodder character who'd escaped death from Luo Binghe's brutal blade, but now there was evidently more to the story. He'd disappeared from the plot after his banishment, so Shen Yuan still wondered what had happened to him—his robes were obviously very expensive, with sparkling golden threads and rich, intricate embroidery, but they were also now very torn and muddied.
He was a good kid though, with a smart mind and gentle smile, so Shen Yuan didn't try to prod too hard about his past. What if he opened some old wounds or something? The kid had clearly gone through some stuff that was probably protagonist-worthy in terms of trauma or difficulty. It was to the point it was kind of pitiful seeing where he'd ended up. Plus, at the very least, he'd proven himself to be quite skilled with his blade, so Shen Yuan could also hug his thigh for now, which greatly increased his chances of surviving in this insane world.
Shen Yuan was actually currently waiting for his new friend to come back, as he'd gone to fetch them some food. He did feel a little bad leaving so much of the work to him, but he wasn't nearly as good with a sword, and he did need to classify demons anyway to fulfill the System's tasks, so he stayed behind to do exactly that.
Which meant it was also quite the surprise to just be minding his own business, only to be faced with yet another young cultivator. And that this young cultivator had randomly called him "Shizun."
Hey System?
【Yes?】
Are there a lot of cultivators around this area?
【No, most of them have been wiped out by Luo Binghe.】
He suppressed a shudder at that before refocusing on the young one standing before him. He hadn't responded to Shen Yuan's question about being his disciple, so he could only awkwardly adjust the glasses on his face and clear his throat. "Um, never mind," he said. His voice came out far more uncertain than intended. "Are you here to check the Peak out too?"
The boy paused, hesitating, before saying vaguely, "Yes."
Shen Yuan waited, but he didn't say anything more. It was evident he had a lot on his mind though, and he definitely came across as intense even in his silence, which greatly contrasted his honestly delicate, pretty features. He had large eyes the colour of midnight, with long lashes and a straight nose. Even his lips were gentle and pink, as if he was wearing lip gloss.
Is it weird to think of another guy's lips that way? Especially for a guy so young? Shen Yuan tried to brush his brain clean. "Then I guess we're in the same camp!" He grinned, doing his best to be friendly in spite of his awkwardness, and strode toward the youth with what he hoped was a friendly expression. Since he had to rebuild the sect, he didn't want to give off the vibes of being a creep to any potential cultivators, so he put down his defenses and stopped right before the boy, sticking his hand out without any reservations. "So…nice to meet you! I'm Shen Yuan."
His companion stared blankly at his fingers for quite a while. It was only when Shen Yuan frowned and began retracting his hand that he rushed to reach forward and grab it.
"I'm"—he stopped to cough awkwardly—"I don't have a proper name. But my friends call me A-He."
"You don't have a proper name?"
"Mn. With how strong and powerful the Demon Lord is, most cultivators have been wiped out around this area, and any remaining ones are struggling to keep fighting. I lost my parents as a baby while they were foolishly in battle against the Demon Lord's forces, hence me never receiving a full name."
Shen Yuan paused, blinking. He knew this was a story, and for the most part, the entire time he'd been stuck here, everything had still felt like a story to him, with all the people in this world being reminiscent of characters. Even his kind new friend was easily labelled with the trope of canon fodder, because that was what he was. And yet…for some reason, gazing at this child before him now, Shen Yuan was struck with an inexplicable sense of pure sympathy.
Was it because he could relate? After all, he himself had also now technically lost his family, having been whisked into this world after (embarrassingly enough) choking on some food. He didn't even know how his parents and siblings must have reacted once they—
Don't think about it, he commanded at once, putting an easy stop to thoughts that he had avoided for many days now. He refocused instead on the person before him.
"That's…terrible," he finally commented. And it was. Anyone who'd lost their parents in such a brutal fashion would be under who knows how much grief and hurt. He swallowed, a memory of his own family simmering under the surface as he added, "I'm so sorry for your loss. How could Airpl—I mean, this world…or rather, the Demon Lord—be so cruel?"
A-He blinked. "To be honest, it's their own fault for trying to go against someone so powerful—"
"Don't say that."
If A-He had appeared taken aback before, now he really appeared shaken. Shen Yuan's interruption even caused him to narrow his eyes. "What?"
"Sorry, I'm sure it's been really hard on you, and I can totally understand why you might resent your parents for leaving so early the way they did—even more so when, as you said, it could have been avoided.
"But I'm also sure your parents were only seeking to do good in this world. They wanted to stand up to the Demon Lord to create what they thought would be a better future for you." And sure, this may only be a fictional story, but… Shen Yuan couldn't help giving A-He a sympathetic glance, rubbing the boy's head. To you, it's very real. "They did what they thought was right. So even if it's been hard for you…
"Try not to hate them too much, okay?"
A-He stared back at him, long enough that Shen Yuan was worried he'd overstepped.
"Sorry," he began, "I shouldn't have—"
"It's fine."
The two of them descended again into awkward silence, and Shen Yuan very much so wanted to simply walk away back to his demons. At least they were easier to talk to.
He made to move away, lifting his finger to point in a general direction. "Well, good luck with whatever you were searching for, A-He! I'll be—"
"Don't go," the boy said, grabbing him. Shen Yuan jolted slightly at that, looking down at their interlocked hands with confusion. When he raised his head again, A-He's dark eyes were burning bright. "Shizun."
"Ah…?" I thought you didn't want to be my disciple?
"I found what I was looking for."
"Ah?" And then, realizing that was exactly the same as the last thing he'd uttered, he managed a "You did?"
"Mn. So if your offer still stands…"
"Xianjun, I'm back!"
"Oh, Gongyi Xiao!" Shen Yuan called, spinning around. He eagerly welcomed the distraction from the weird awkward tension, waving. "Welcome back!"
A-He let go of his wrist as he stood up straight again, following Shen Yuan's gaze.
Gongyi Xiao smiled, walking over with a basket slung over his shoulder. There was a streak of dirt on his cheek, but his appearance remained as elegant as ever, with his brown ponytail swinging behind him like a warm banner.
Once he'd stopped in front of them, he took the basket off his shoulder so that he could go through it. He explained, "I caught some grouper down by the river, and I managed to barter some radishes for us. We can try and make some soup today…" His voice trailed off as he raised his gaze again and finally spotted the newcomer hiding behind Shen Yuan, causing his expression to transform into one of surprise. "Oh, hello…!"
A-He shifted his face toward him, his brow furrowed, before turning back to Shen Yuan. "This is…?"
Shen Yuan snapped to attention, gesturing between the two of them. "Right, introductions are in order. Gongyi Xiao, this is A-He, and A-He, this is Gongyi Xiao."
"Oh."
"Nice to meet you, A-He," Gongyi Xiao said politely, smiling again. "Would you care to join us for a meal?"
"…Okay."
Shen Yuan glanced between the two of them. Their reactions were so different that it was almost comical. But I guess A-He's just shy, he told himself. With that settled, he offered, "Let me gather some firewood then, since you got all the food."
"Wait, Sh—Xianjun, about your offer from before…?" A-He suddenly said, taking a step forward.
"Hm?" Shen Yuan looked back at him, his eyebrows knitting together. "My offer…?"
"About—About being my shizun."
"Oh, right!" he exclaimed, thumping his fist into his palm. "Sure, I can do that, as long as you're willing." Because I really wouldn't know what the hell I'm doing, but I do have to fulfill the System's mission anyway, so… "In that case, I guess you're my second disciple!"
"Second?" A-He echoed, his eyebrows and nose scrunching up once more.
Shen Yuan smiled. "Mm-hmm. Since Gongyi Xiao was here first."
The young boy in gold looked up at that, eyes brightening. "You're…accepting disciples? So you're really going to revive Cang Qiong Mountain?"
"Yeah! You've been here the whole time, and you've done so much for me. We've already basically become like teammates anyway, so if you're also willing…"
"I'm willing, Xianjun—I mean, Shizun!"
"Alright, it's settled! From now on, we'll be a sect. Look after each other, okay?"
"Of course," Gongyi Xiao readily agreed with a bow.
Both he and Gongyi Xiao beamed, yet when Shen Yuan looked back at A-He, the boy's face appeared somewhat complicated. When he noticed Shen Yuan's gaze, however, he put on a small smile and nodded.
"Then…this disciple thanks Shizun," he said quietly.
It was late, yet Luo Binghe couldn't sleep. He was lying in bed and staring up at the ceiling, thinking back to all that had transpired today. As he recalled the feeling of that man's slender wrist in his, alongside the intertwining of their fingers as they shook hands…he couldn't prevent the almost giddy and very shocked feelings that flowed from his heart like a tender spring.
He'd thought he'd never be able to touch that man again.
Luo Binghe smiled slightly and he lifted his hand into the air. He could barely see it in the dark, but he could already imagine Shen Qingqiu's—no, Shen Yuan's—hand in his once more. And now he had so many more chances to get close to him, and he didn't have any idea he was the Demon Lord, meaning he couldn't scorn him. That wouldn't happen this time.
But even as a fervent excitement bubbled in his chest, he also suddenly remembered the friendly smile of Gongyi Xiao and found his own smirk faltering.
Gongyi Xiao didn't seem particularly malevolent. He'd never seemed so, even back when Luo Binghe first met him—and exiled him. Nonetheless, Luo Binghe found himself somewhat regretting that decision now. If he had simply killed him back then, he would have had no way of running into Shen Qingqiu—or rather, Shen Yuan—which would also mean…
Luo Binghe could've been his first disciple.
Of course, it was a gamble. Even the very idea of being Shen Qingqiu's disciple again—even if it was just a lookalike—was unsettling. It made Luo Binghe hesitate as age-old memories he'd always tried to outrun came flooding back, with his once hopeful smile always being doused by Shen Qingqiu's ice. Those lashes of the whip, that glacial glare, harsh words, and a hand that had pushed him straight into the Endless Abyss to leave him for dead…
Luo Binghe could feel his old hatred manifesting again, feeling like fire in his veins. He shut his eyes and breathed in, choosing to focus more on that other Shen Qingqiu, who had been so eager to reciprocate his affection and who had willingly taken care of his injuries. He'd been so gentle…
And this Shen Yuan did resemble him more than the first Shen Qingqiu he'd known. He'd at the very least shown that he didn't look down on demons—in fact, he sounded as if he was fascinated by them. He'd even called Luo Binghe the rarest of them all.
It made Luo Binghe wonder what he'd do if he knew he was actually that rarest demon. That he was Luo Binghe, the Demon Lord.
Would he be scared? Or would he be excited? If it was the latter, would it perhaps be easy to make him cherish him? And if that was true, could he…do whatever he wanted with him? Whether he wanted to destroy him or…love him…
The very idea made him feel as if there was a fire within him beginning to burn. It was probably why Luo Binghe wanted desperately to believe Shen Yuan could be the one—he could be the shizun that he'd always deserved—and it had made him act so impulsively during their first encounter.
When Shen Yuan had almost chosen to leave, he'd grabbed him without thinking, even having blurted out a random name and backstory just to get him to stay. He was afraid that if he didn't, this person—this flame, this dream—would once again disperse into smoke.
And even here, Shen Yuan had surprised him: he'd been so busy preening at the concern Shen Yuan had first shown that he hadn't been expecting his own subtle attempt at praising the Demon Lord while expressing a sad backstory to result in the man trying to comfort him. It was a little naïve of Shen Yuan, what with his claim that his "parents" were fighting for righteous ideals, but Luo Binghe didn't mind.
Now that he'd seen the kind of Shen Qingqiu he should have, he was determined to keep this new shizun of his. Whatever didn't meet his expectations could be fixed. As long as he had him, he could get back everything he'd evidently been denied in life.
After all, that foolish, pathetic "Luo Binghe" he'd met in the other world had had a warm, loving Shen Qingqiu…and so shouldn't he have the same? And if he couldn't have that Shen Qingqiu, then…
This one would have to do.
Luo Binghe's lips curled again, wider this time as he shifted that raised hand into a clenched fist. This time, you will be mine, Shizun. So you'd better be good to me, or else…
I may just have to break you in a second time.