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Liu Qingge has made it his task to find a cure for Shen Qingqiu. He’s reminded of the time the demon announced the poison’s name, ‘Without-a-cure’.
Mu Qingfang had stated that there was indeed no records of rehabilitation for this cure; and yet Liu Qingge remains determined to find one. After all, It would do no good for him to be in debt to Shen Qingqiu of all people.
Surely Liu Qingge can find the cure in no time.
—
Liu Qingge still hasn’t found a cure even after three months. He was growing frustrated.
Can this poison truly not be cured..?
Liu Qingge shakes his head at the thought. He should be close to finding it, he just needs to continue his search.
Across him, Shen Qingqiu clears his throat, interrupting his thoughts; “Liu-shidi.”
Liu Qingge focuses his attention to Shen Qingqiu, waiting for him to continue. “Ahem. Liu-shidi, It has come to my attention that the beasts you leave outside my home are supposed to.. help with my ailment..?”
Liu Qingge must be imagining the confused tone in Shen Qingqiu’s voice. Why else would he leave beasts on his doorsteps? Liu Qingge responds with a simple; “Mn.”
“Is that all Shidi has to say?.. I thought..“ I thought all of those beasts were supposed to be threats. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t voice, interrupting himself, “Ah, nevermind. Liu-shidi, there is no need for you to hunt beasts for this old man, really..”
Shen Qingqiu hides himself behind his fan, almost looking sheepish. Liu Qingge decides his mind is playing tricks on him because when has Shen Qingqiu ever been sheepish?
“You saved me. I will to do the same to you.” Liu Qingge then sips on the tea Shen Qingqiu had prepared.
“Aiya, Shidi has already done enough for this Shixiong by coming every month to clear his meridians.” Shen Qingqiu nods along to his words. And as fascinating as the beasts were, the blood from it did serve a bothersome cleaning for Luo Binghe.
Liu Qingge shot him a look of disbelief.
“Liu-shidi, really!..”
“It is not enough.” Shen Qingqiu had saved him from death. Liu Qingge had for sure not ‘done enough’ if Shen Qingqiu still remains poisoned.
“Liu-shidi, if this is about what happened to Lingxi Caves, there’s no need to repay this Shixiong.” These words astounded Liu Qingge. For the past few months, Liu Qingge has not believed that Shen Qingqiu has changed just like that.
Though right now, as he blankly stares at the other man calmly drinking his tea, Liu Qingge thinks he might have had errors in his judgement. Has Shen Qingqiu truly changed?
Finalizing his resolve, Liu Qingge has made it so that finding a cure is his utmost priority, despite what the other man said.
—
After that day, Liu Qingge had stopped leaving the beasts outside Shen Qingqiu’s abode. Rather, he would place it in Qian Cao Peak, for Mu Qingfang to study. And hopefully, to find a cure.
Mu Qingfang didn’t seem to mind, as the beasts Liu Qingge brought did have medical properties, though it only applies to some of what he brings.
While these rare beasts Liu Qingge brought back did find to be useful to the medical peak, Mu Qingfang has yet to find a cure to Without-a-cure.
There was barely any texts about the poison, and there were no records of any patient being healed. Mu Qingfang thinks that Liu Qingge’s optimism is rather unfound, seeing as this poison might actually not have a cure. Not in this time, perhaps.
Still, Mu Qingfang makes it his duty to find a cure for his fellow Peak Lord. But before then, the only thing to fight this poison is through remedy.
Mu Qingfang glances at the new beast at his study, and couldn’t help but wonder what happened between Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu.
Why does Liu-shixiong bother finding a cure? Mu Qingfang thinks as he watches Liu Qingge about to turn his heels and leave.
“Liu-shixiong.” He calls out instead, capturing the about-to retreat Peak Lord’s attention. “This Shidi already examined all the beasts Shixiong has brought to the medical ward. This Shidi thinks we should not limit our search to only spiritual beasts.” – “Flora is also a vast source of cure to poisons.”
“Though, some flora are dangerous, Liu-shixiong might encounter those that have aphrodisiac qualities…” Mu Qingfang heads to grab a book from a shelf, and even with his back turned, Mu Qingfang could already see the determined look on his face.
“Liu-shixiong should read this book first before finding any flora, to be safe.” Mu Qingfang sends Liu Qingge a knowing look. Hopefully his Shixiong would read the book before he gets himself into a stupid situation.
Liu Qingge was staring at the book in his hands, and surprisingly responded with; “..Mn. I will read it.” before leaving.
Mu Qingfang couldn’t believe his ears.
—
Liu Qingge does not share Shen Qingqiu’s admiration for arts and poetry.
He does not have fondness for reading, and yet here he is, surrounded by books upon books. Liu Mingyan had been the provider for most of these books, as Liu Qingge didn’t particularly know where to look for it.
It’s been over a year since the start of his search for a cure, yet to no avail. Even Shen Qingqiu himself had advised Liu Qingge to stop in his search, stating he will never be able to find a cure. Stating that he was already accustomed living with the poison.
— ”After all, this Shixiong gets to be blessed by Shidi’s visits every month.”
The brush Liu Qingge was holding cracks in half.
With flushed ears, he grabs another brush; dipping it in ink to continue enlisting the fauna/flora he deems useful.
Shen Qingqiu might have given up, but Liu Qingge sure as hell has not. He will find a cure. For Shen Qingqiu… because he saved his life.
Liu Qingge hears a knock from his door, immediately knowing who it is. Heading towards the door and opening it, he is greeted by his sister, Liu Mingyan.
“Mingyan.”
Liu Mingyan’s hands were occupied by a stack of books reaching up to her chin, “Ge, I have the books you need.” Liu Qingge steps aside to let her in.
Liu Mingyan sets the books aside, casting a weird look to Liu Qingge. “All these books, just to find a cure for Shen Qingqiu?”
“Yes, I am indebted to him.” Liu Mingyan, having removed her veil, gives Liu Qingge a skeptical look. “..Indebted. Yet you have never clarified why you are indebted to him.”
Liu Mingyan kept looking at him with a strange look whenever Shen Qingqiu was the topic, though Liu Qingge can never identify what it meant. Anyway, Liu Mingyan can never know the reason why Liu Qingge is so obsessed in looking for the cure. She doesn’t need to know what could’ve happened in Ling Xi Caves. She needn’t to worry.
So Liu Qingge settles for a more vague answer, “He has helped me in the past. It’s my duty as his martial brother to find a cure.”
Liu Mingyan was still looking at him strangely, but doesn’t pry. “..Hm. Alright, Brother.” Liu Qingge thought she would leave after that, but she then takes a book from the pile she delivered and handed it to Liu Qingge.
“This book contains another method for curing poisons. Maybe this will help. Brother should read it.”
Liu Qingge takes the book in his hand, and notes the yellow cover. “What is it?”
“…Just read it, Ge. There have been multiple reports that the strongest of poisons are cured this way.” Liu Mingyan kept eyeing him oddly, but Liu Qingge has learned to not question it.
“Thank you, Mingyan.” In which Liu Mingyan only nodded and left saying nothing more but “Enjoy.”
—
Reading into the book, It provided insight that this method not only helps cure poison, but also provides a boost in both parties’ cultivation.
Liu Qingge was immediately drawn in. He read the first few pages, and soon enough noticed it provided illustrations. The positions seemed very… questionable.
It depicted a man on top of another, the man on the bottom having his legs spread apart, placed to the side of the man on top. The man on top was the one transferring his Qi, hands on the other man’s waist. The description states that it’s because that’s one of the sensitive areas and the best area to place the hands.
Liu Qingge noted it down. Even though this position might be a bit odd, the previous descriptions have said for this to be most efficient to cure poisons. It doesn’t hurt to try this method.
Liu Qingge closes the book shut, marking the page he had just read. He’ll just start off with that position, and if it deemed another useless option, then Liu Qingge will have to find yet another method.
—
When the time for Shen Qingqiu’s meridian cleansing comes along, Liu Qingge descends from his sword, landing on Qing Jing Peak.
He’s greeted by Shen Qingqiu, telling him to enter and sit. When Shen Qingqiu sits down across him, Liu Qingge immediately mentions the new method.
“Proving a boost in both our cultivation?” Inwardly, Shen Qingqiu thought; doesn’t this sound a bit like dual-cultivation? but erases that thought completely. Liu Qingge would never propose such a thing. “I suppose we could try it.”
“The position is a bit uncomfortable. But we should try it nonetheless.” Liu Qingge was really determined to cure him, huh? “We need a soft surface for you to lay on.”
“..Perhaps we can do it on this Shixiong’s bed.” Liu Qingge only nods.
It was awkward lying down while Liu Qingge remained standing, and Shen Qingqiu really doesn’t know where this was going. “The text said the one underneath should be shirtless..”
It’s not entirely different from their usual routine, seeing as Shen Qingqiu is already in his inner robes, he removes the final line of his clothing, leaving his chest bare.
“…U-um shidi, what next?” Liu Qingge was staring at his chest intensely before meeting Shen Qingqiu’s eyes. Liu Qingge swallows.
Liu Qingge spares no words, only putting his hands on Shen Qingqiu’s legs and putting it to both his sides. Shen Qingqiu was really embarrassed. What was this position? Liu Qingge seemed unaffected, so Shen Qingqiu should probably not be this affected too. After all, It’s just a Qi cleansing.
Liu Qingge then sets his hands on Shen Qingqiu’s waist, earning a small sound out of Shen Qingqiu. Liu Qingge was flustered beyond belief but continued as the text has said.
Beginning the Qi transfer, his thumbs to form circles on Shen Qingqiu’s stomach, and Shen Qingqiu lets out sounds that almost sounded like.. pleasure.
Liu Qingge didn’t realize his gaze was fixed on Shen Qingqiu’s stomach, and adjusts his gaze to face Shen Qingqiu.
“L-Liu-shidi..”
The mans voice was weak, and Liu Qingge found himself breathless looking at Shen Qingqiu’s form underneath him. His gazes moves to Shen Qingqiu’s pink nipples, having the urge to take it in his mouth.
Shen Qingqiu gasps at the sudden pulse in the Qi transfer. Liu Qingge felt hotter than when they first started.
Shen Qingqiu like this looked beautiful.
..
Once the Qi cleasing was finished and Shen Qingqiu was once again decently dressed, Liu Qingge asked Shen Qingqiu what he felt about the method.
“This Shixiong.. feels his Qi clearer than ever.” Liu Qingge nodded his head. This was good. “Then should we do this technique the next meeting?”
“..This Shixiong.. isn’t opposed.” With that, Liu Qingge leaves. Liu Qingge thinks he might have finally found out the cure for the poison.