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Chapter Text

Shen Qingqiu had an ear-splitting headache as he sat up. The last thing he remembered was having a qi deviation, and then…nothing. Looking around, he saw a room filled with white. White walls, white objects. And in the center of all that white was an unfamiliar young lady sitting at his bedside in odd clothes.

“Gege! You’re awake!” The young woman squealed in excitement, basically lunging at him and doing the best imitation of a python possible.

Shen Qingqiu was so caught off guard by this action he remained stiff as a board. Right then, a floating object appeared next to him. It was a glowing…glass? Whatever it was, it was something he had never encountered before. 

[ System activation successful! Binding your role: The Shen family’s youngest son, Shen Yuan. Starting B Points: 100 ]

Shen Qingqiu stared in confusion at the screen. He wasn’t allowed much time to focus on it before the strange girl pulled away and began to blabber about various unfamiliar things. Fortunately, Shen Qingqiu noticed that she had a floating…something next to her that specified the strange girl’s name as “Shen Yang.”

“Gege! If you ever eat expired yogurt again, I will kill you myself! Mom, Dad, Er-ge and Da-ge have been worried sick. They are going to be so happy to hear you are awake, but they might just kill you out of spite.”

Shen Qingqiu moved backwards on the bed. Whoever this person thought he was, he wasn't. This woman must be confusing him with someone else!

[ No Host, character Shen Yang has the correct person. Host has transmigrated into character Shen Yuan, the older brother of character Shen Yang. All the characters she mentioned are part of character Shen Yuan’s family. ]

Shen Qingqiu ignored the System’s words and continued to try to back away, only for the System to scream. [ Warning: OOC parameters are currently on; if you back away any further, you will lose B-points. ]

“What are you talking about? B-point?” Shen Qingqiu sputtered out loud. Shen Yang heard this and went to call the medical staff. 

“Gege? Maybe the dosage of the medicine is wrong. I will just—”

[ -10 B-points! Protocol 827 activated. ]

Shen Qingqiu blacked out after that.

–

While "unconscious,” the System explained the world to Shen Qingqiu in detail. About B-points, about him taking the place of a “rich lazy kid”, and that he would be tasked with helping the “Shen empire” become the most powerful company in the world. It was a lot to process, and Shen Qingqiu felt dizzy from all the information, but when the System asked, [ Does Host wish for me to repeat any of this information? ] Shen Qingqiu started to prickle.

‘I am a scholar. Of course, I understand the situation.’

[ Host has been thrown into a very different world and has not read anything about a place that is at all sim— ]

‘If I have read about something similar or not, it doesn’t matter. The essence of what you said is that I need to find a way to do what you ask, correct? That is simple.’ Shen Qingqiu snapped. ‘I just need to act like this Shen Yuan person and help his family without making them aware that the real Shen Yuan has been replaced? And if I don’t comply, then you will kill me.’

[ Your account will be terminated. ]

'Which, from what you described, is the same as death, as my original body had a fatal qi deviation.’

[ Correct, Host. ]

‘Then I know enough; now let me back into the waking world so I can do something useful with my new body.’

[ Understood Host, but— ]

‘Just spit it out?’ Shen Qingqiu had apparently died, been reborn, and now had to do a set of ridiculous tasks. What else could this stupid thing want?

[ Would it be helpful for the host to watch some recordings of character Shen Yuan to get an understanding of his personality and mindset? ]

‘...’ As much as he hated to admit it, that would actually be helpful. ‘Fine, just hurry up.’ 

–

The next time Shen Qingqiu awoke, there were even more people around him. However, using a mixture of the memories the System showed and the labels that were floating next to the people, Shen Qingqiu was able to quickly piece together who these newcomers were. “A-Yang, mom, dad.” Shen Qingqiu said, trying to sound excited but clearly failing as the System began to flash a warning next to him. Shen Qingqiu wanted to swat at the stupid thing; however, he couldn't do it with an audience. Instead, he waited for the response of his "relatives”.

“We are so happy you were awake again last time you woke up…” Shen Yang started to say but trailed off.

“I am fine,” Shen Qingqiu lied. Her brother was dead, and yet he had to act like that was all normal. Disgusting. As he thought this, Shen Qingqiu kept one eye on the System screen. He didn’t appear to have much space to “mess up” if the amount of points he had already lost was an indicator. “I'm just still recovering. Don’t worry about it.”

Shen Qingqiu internally winced at his own words, but fortunately, he apparently sounded enough like Shen Yuan that his “relatives” didn’t feel the need to call a medic. “How long will I be here for?” Shen Qingqiu asked curiously.

“The doctor said that as long as you remain stable, you will be out tomorrow,” Shen Yuan’s dad responded. He also glanced at a device that Shen Qingqiu’s arm was attached to. The System had explained it as something similar to how cultivators would check qi to determine health but intended for non-cultivators. Sure enough, the numbers on the screen the tube was attached to appeared to mean something to his "father,” as he said with a sigh, “You really had us worried, but you do seem better now.”

Shen Qingqiu internally laughed. Better? His son died, and now another man is wearing his face. If this was what “fine” was in his “dad’s” mind, then he was a useless man.

[ The Host must understand that possession is not something people in this world think about frequently.  Host is acting differently, but illness is the more common reason for such things. ]

Right… This place didn’t even have sex plants, from what the System said. This world was odd. But it mattered little; he had a mission to complete, apparently.

"Dad, I would like to see...”

[ OOC warning! Character Shen Yuan wouldn’t ask about his father’s business directly. He was a lazy third son. ]

Shen Qingqiu internally cursed while Shen Yuan’s dad continued to look confused. Finally, Shen Qingqiu managed to get out. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just bored and would like some entertainment.”

The man’s face lit up. “Well, after what happened, there is no way I am letting you near a computer, but I can bring over a video game console.”

“Just for the night?” Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but think. This man was too doting! But the two ladies were no better as well. “Yes! We will get the console! In the meantime, get some rest, and we will be back soon.” His mother came forward and gave Shen Qingqiu a hug a moment later. Shen Yang went and ruffled his hair.

“Ack!” Shen Qingqiu had only been treated this way by his Jiejies in the Warm Red Pavilion, and for this stranger to do that—

“We will be back soon. Gege, no yogurt while we are gone, alright?” Shen Qingqiu paused as he looked at Shen Yang’s face. Though she was making a goofy expression, there was something else in her eyes.

Concern.

“Sure, whatever.” Shen Qingqiu waved Shen Yang off. Shen Qingqiu paused a moment later and looked at the System screen. Fortunately, it hadn’t gone off with an OOC message. Internally feeling relieved, Shen Qingqiu turned back to Shen Yang and his "parents,” who were heading to the door. “See you soon!” They called back.

Shen Qingqiu said farewell to the retreating figures and then laid back down. The System screen was still floating in front of him, pulsating slightly. [ Can this System help Host with something? ] The screen asked. 

Shen Qingqiu glanced around. ‘If I am going to be here, I need to familiarize myself not only with the people but with all these foreign objects. Is there a guide that I can access?’

[ For 10-B points, a guide to the world can be provided. ]

Shen Qingqiu looked at his points. He had lost 30 that day and was now at only 70. Still, he was a tactician, and to turn away this needed knowledge was something that he knew could mean courting death. But just in case, he asked, ‘Will there be an opportunity to earn points in the future?’

[ Yes, opportunities will come. ]

Shen Qingqiu nodded and pressed the floating purchase button. With that, there were now info icons appearing around the various items in the room. Shen Qingqiu stretched his hand to the one that connected to the thing in his arm. When pressed, a screen popped up, which explained the item. An “IV”, apparently. Shen Qingqiu hummed. Interesting. The contraptions in this world were very different from those he was familiar with back home. Shen Qingqiu closed the screen and laid back, taking a brief glance out the window. It was now the first night of his new life, and yet it felt like he had already been there for years. He couldn’t help but wonder what would be next for him. With that thought in his mind, Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes, letting sleep take him.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

Shen Qingqiu opened his eyes and found himself sitting in a forest he had been to many times before. He jumped to his feet, which made a loud noise.

“What was that?” a familiar voice asked, but not one from the new world. No, this voice was far more familiar.  Was that the voice of Luo Binghe?

"I’m scared. Ah, A-Luo. If we can’t find it, then it can’t be found. I’m sorry. I’ll pay you back later, okay?” another familiar voice said.

Shen Qingqiu heard footsteps approaching. He didn’t care how confused he was at the moment. He was not going to hide himself. Though as the footsteps approached, he glanced around, looking for the System screen, only to be met with it having a series of dots going back and forth and the text reading “Loading” appearing on it. ‘...You're not going to explain anything that is going on, are you?’

The entity didn’t respond.

Shen Qingqiu let out a sigh. He decided to wait where he was, and soon, Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying headed in his direction. When they noticed their shizun, the two froze. “S-shizun,” Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying said in unison.

“What are you two doing walking around so late at night?” Shen Qingqiu snapped without missing a beat.

Luo Binghe took a step backward. Ah, so the boy gets what this looks like. It was dark out, and the two teens were walking around alone at night. How indecent.

Ning Yingying stepped in front of Luo Binghe. “Shizun! A-Luo and I were looking for his pendant that Ming-shixiong lost. Don’t blame A-Luo for us being out; it’s not his fault. It’s all Ming-shixiong’s fault.”

Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes, but Ning Yingying, the shameless girl, kept pleading, which only soured his mood more. Still, it was Ning Yingying. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but think of that foolish girl who had been by her bedside not long before.

“...” Shen Qingqiu bit the inside of his lip but made a decision. “If what you both are saying is true, prove it by finding the pendant.”

“But…Shizun…” Ning Yingying’s eyes filled with tears. “We have looked for so long already.”

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes and walked over to Luo Binghe. “This pendant—I assume you were wearing it earlier, correct?”

Luo Binghe nodded anxiously. “Yes, Shizun.”

“This is a rather simple matter then. Boy, hand me your wrist.”

Luo Binghe put out his hand so slowly that Shen Qingqiu clucked his tongue and grabbed the wrist. How could the boy be so frustrating even when completing a simple task such as putting out his arm?

He focused on Luo Binghe’s qi. As always, it was frustratingly obvious how skilled the boy was. Still, he got what he needed and then released a series of leaves into the air which had been made to search out for Luo Binghe’s qi signature. Immediately, the majority of the leaves attached themselves to Luo Binghe, but several went and attached themselves to something in the trees. Shen Qingqiu jumped into the air and looked around until he found where the leaves had gone. He couldn’t see what they were covering, but as soon as he wrapped his hands around it, he knew what it was.

[ Congratulations! You have received a key prop: Fake Jade Guanyin x 1. For changing the scene, ‘Shen Qingqiu’ will receive +100 Points for Intelligence. Current points: 130 Points. Please continue your efforts! ] The System rang out. The voice startled Shen Qingqiu. However, he managed to keep his face neutral as he landed.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, his two disciples came up to him and looked in awe as their shizun opened his hand, revealing a fake guanyan pendant.

However, Shen Qingqiu closed his hand around the guanyan, and said, “This master will keep this pendant until the investigation of what exactly happened is completed.”

“But Shizun! It’s A-Luo’s!” Ning Yingying cried.

“It is his, but it is also evidence. It will be safe in my care.”

Luo Binghe didn’t appear happy, but he didn’t say anything either. Shen Qingqiu wanted to lash out at the fact that the boy continued to be such a doormat, not standing up for himself but held his tongue. He noticed that the boy was holding a blood-covered leaf in his hand. “What is that?”

Luo Binghe’s eyes went wide. “What?”

Shen Qingqiu put out his hand. “Hand it over.”

Luo Binghe did just that. Shen Qingqiu pursed his lips as he began to examine the leaf. Did the boy use the Qing Jing leaf technique? He had not taught it to the beast. Or, for that matter, any of his other disciples.

When he felt the qi running through the leaf, it was his own qi, not that of the little beast. Shen Qingqiu frowned, looking at the boy. Based on the qi signature, it appeared that Shen Qingqiu was the one who used the leaf, but the blood was dry. How did the leaf get infused with his qi? Then, a thought hit him.

Shen Qingqiu went to Ning Yingying and motioned for him to follow. You two must get back to your dorms immediately.

–

After making sure that Ning Yingying was safely in her bed, Shen Qingqiu went back to his bamboo house and sat with the leaf, examining it. Once more, he looked at the System, which still showed the loading message. The only indicator that he hadn’t hallucinated this time in the other world. But what did this all mean? Shen Qingqiu looked around his room. The last time he had been there, he had developed a splitting headache. A qi deviation, apparently, though he couldn’t remember the trigger. He had been working on things related to the Immortal Alliance Conference at the time, but he doubted that was the cause. He felt uncomfortable as he looked around. Everything was just a bit off. Since it was nighttime, however, it would be frustrating to collect information on what was happening. He could go and ask Yue Qingyuan about details (who he suspected had followed him around while he was “sick” like a lost dog) or confront Ming Fan (who at least would have information on the little beast), but right now, he felt oddly exhausted, and not yet in a way that lent itself to sleep. Or at least not for Shen Qingqiu.

After some time, he headed outside and jumped onto his sword, heading to the nearby town where the Warm Red Pavilion was located. There, he hopped off Xiu Ya, headed inside, and was greeted by one of his Jiejies. "A-Jiu, you're here! It’s been a while.” 

“Preparations for the Immortal Alliance Conference have been taking up a lot of time.” Not an outright lie but also not the full truth.

Qi Juan, one of the workers at the Warm Red Pavillion, put a hand in Shen Qingqiu’s mouth. “I know, I know; you do not need to explain. You're here to relax, aren't you?” Shen Qingqiu nodded. He let himself be led upstairs, letting the familiar scents that filled the halls relax his muscles. He might not understand what was going on, but hopefully, with good sleep, he could better grasp the situation. 

Shen Qingqiu made himself comfortable in his usual room for the night. Qi Juan waited until Shen Qingqiu was sitting and then joined him on the bed, wrapped her arms around him. She made her breathing intentionally loud to help him to calm his own breaths. Until sleep took him.

Chapter Text

Shen Yuan opened his eyes slightly. He felt groggy, but at least wherever he was, he felt warm and cozy. He nuzzled into the warm pillow, which was positioned oddly? But it was comfy so it was fine. 

The past few days have been so strange. He thought he died at the hands of the deadliest of foods: yogurt, and then woke up in PIDW only to later find himself in a hospital room with his family poking a bunch of presents in his face. Apparently, he had survived the food poisoning. Maybe? But the System was just chilling with a loading screen explaining literally nothing. Stupid System. Whatever, at least he was back home and not at risk of becoming a human stick, and hey! He got to try out some qi stuff. That’s pretty cool. Overall, even if he was fearing for his life, it wasn’t that bad of an experience. 7/10. Now he was getting to enjoy the comfort of being in a strangely comfortable hospital bed. There was even something brushing through his hair and—wait.

Shen Yuan looked up and was met with the sight of a woman he had never seen before. And. She. Was. Snuggling. Him. Shen Yuan scrambled out of bed in such a hurry that the woman made a sound of surprise while the System screeched out, [ OOC! -10 B-points ].

NOW the System decided to talk? Couldn’t it have at least given him a warning? For the love of—

“A-Jiu is being silly this morning.” The woman said with a smile as she got off the bed. The good news: She wasn’t naked. The bad news? She was definitely not wearing the appropriate number of layers for a woman in ancient China. And for sure, this was “ancient China” because staring back at him in a bronze mirror on the other side of the room was Shen f*cking Qingqiu.

Apparently, Shen Qingqiu had gone on one of his trips to the brothel. Fuuuuuu.

“A-Jiu? Are you alright?” The strange woman who apparently was called Qi Juan if the System name tag next to her face was an indicator.

Shen Yuan gathered himself and managed to say, “Apologies. This master had lost himself in the moment.”

Qi Juan blinked a few times before letting out a chuckle. “A-Jiu being so lively this early in the morning is cute.”

Cute. CUTE?? Shen Yuan was being called CUTE when he was apparently sleeping with this lady? F–

“A-Jiu, you must have been exhausted since you slept in so late.” Qi Juan frowned. “Please don’t keep things bottled up. You always have a place here.”

“Right.” A place in a brothel. No, thank you! “This one will take my leave; I need to take care of peak duties.”

Qi Juan nodded but also frowned. “Just please take care of yourself.”

Shen Yuan hurried out of the building as fast as he could without setting off another OOC warning. When he got to the streets, he let out a sigh. What was going on here that was so—

[ Host needs to head back to Qing Jing immediately, or points will be deducted for being OOC. ]

‘NO, NO, SLOW DOWN. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?’ Shen Yuan internally screamed at the System.

[ Host will lose 5 B-points for each hour he is not in his classes at Qing Jing Peak. ]

‘I don’t even know how to fly! Or what direction the peak is. Or what is even going on!’

[ Host is able to see, correct? ]

‘You—’ But the System did have a point. There were several mountains viewable from where he stood. But which one was he supposed to head to? They all looked the same! 

[ Host should hurry up. ]

‘HAVE I unlocked the ability to fly yet?’

[ No, Host. Host needs to go up several more levels for that skill. ]

‘...’ Is this life now? What is this “part two” of his transmigration? Shen Yuan cursed and began to run, trying to look as much like he had a stick up his butt as the original goods would.

–

After some time, Shen Yuan managed to get instructions on how to get to the sect. He began to head in the direction by foot. Walking to the sect should be fine, right? His stamina was amazing in this body. Way better than his real body from eating potato chips! So he could do it. ‘System, can you tell me at least how long it will take to get to the mountain at this rate?’

[ Answering Host: At Host’s current pace, it will take two days. ]

TWO DAYS???

‘If it takes me two days to get there, I will use all my B-points before getting to the sect.’

[ … ]

‘Unless you expect that I will switch with Shen Qingqiu again before then, and he will bring this body the rest of the way?’

Shen Yuan saw a loading screen appear as he said this. The sight made his lips quirk. So this System could be negotiated with. Or at least to some extent.

[ After calculating the chance of story completion, It has been determined that Host can spend B-points to unlock the ability to fly early. ]

The screen popped up and stated, “Cost: 10 B-points." Shen Yuan didn’t even hesitate and pressed the button, and a moment later, he felt an increase in qi that connected him to his sword.

It took a few tries, but Shen Yuan figured out how to mount the sword, but... yeah, going meters in the air when you barely know how to throw around a few leaves was a bit intimidating. A bit, but still awesome.

Landing later on in Qing Jing, Shen Yuan felt like collapsing. It took him two hours to get to the peak, even with the sword, so he lost ten B-points on top of the 10 that he used to buy the skills. Looking at his remaining B-points, he was surprised to see that they were...

‘System? Do you have a log or something of my points?’

The System flickered for a moment, and then a list came up, and sure enough, it had details on adding and removing points. Shen Yuan furrowed his brows. He recognized the first few point losses, but then...

‘What is this?” Shen Yuan pointed to the only plus on the sheet.

[ Points awarded for plot changes when obtaining an item. ]

‘Where is that item?’

The System screen shifted, and now he was looking at an inventory list, and sure enough, there was a guanyin pendant inside. Shen Yuan selected the item and watched as it appeared in his hand. Though it was something he had only seen the other day in the distance, he was certain it was Luo Binghe’s.

Shen Yuan held the pendent consideringly. Were his points all his own? That didn’t seem to be the case. But until more came up, he would leave the matter be for the moment and focus on the day’s lectures (even though he had zero clue about the topics). Fortunately, the System took pity on him this time, and the screen filled with information.

[ Host will have access to knowledge in the four arts so as to prevent OOC behavior. ]

Shen Yuan wanted to argue about how stupid that was. Why could he have access to the four arts and not the ability to fly by default? One was far more likely to be useful if Luo Binghe decided to chop off his limbs, which was a very valid complaint, thank you very much. But knowing this System, instead of listening to his concerns and actually giving him martial skills, it would just take away something that would put him at an even higher risk of being on the chopping block. Ah, stupid System. If he could, he would strangle the thing.

Still, he went about his lessons without saying anything directly to the System. He almost got his points deducted several times, but he got through the classes without a single loss and without seeming to have angered Luo Binghe. Wins all around.

Still, even though he was an immortal in this body, he felt exhausted after finishing the lessons. Before he could do anything, he saw a familiar man standing outside the bamboo hut with a warm expression. “Shidi. It is good to see you.”

Shen Yuan bowed. “Sect leader, to what do I owe the honor?”

“It was reported that you missed the first classes of the day.” Yue Qingyuan’s voice might have still been big brotherly like it was the previous day when Shen Yuan awoke for the first time in this world, but still seeing the sect leader made Shen Yuan feel like sweating. Fuuu, what does he want? Hasn’t he had to deal with enough today?

“There were some errands to take care of.” Shen Yuan decided to start waving his fan, trying to hide the redness of his face. However, Yue Qingyuan didn't press further, thankfully.

“As long as Shidi is alright…” Yue Qingyuan ended up responding.

“This one is. Now, how can I help Zhangmen-shixiong?”

Yue Qingyuan smiled. “Is shidi ready to go down the mountain? To deal with the problem at Shuang Hu City. You had said you wanted to use it as an opportunity for your disciples to gain experience?”

A mission? Well, this would either go really great or be another thing to the list of why this transmigration experience was becoming worse and worse.

–

Sometime later, Shen Yuan found himself alone in Shen Qingqiu’s house. He would have his first mission tomorrow, and with Ming Fan taking care of the preparations, he could relax a bit. Well, maybe not that much, considering there was still a lot he didn’t understand about the current situation. Did he really transmigrate into PIDW, or was something else going on? He couldn’t think of many isekais where the character would switch back and forth between worlds, and the only one he could think of like this was Thermae Romae¹, and in that one, the character’s whole body moved between the two “worlds”. Wait, Thermae Romae wouldn’t even count as an isekai since it was more like time travel. In any case, eventually, Shen Yuan closed his eyes. His mind was still full of thoughts about what might happen next. But for now, he just wanted to get some sleep so he could clear his mind.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

Shen Qingqiu opened his eyes and looked around. He was back in his bed. In his body. After once again being tossed into that strange world with that strange family. Shen Qingqiu looked at the floating screen next to him and snarled. ‘You said you would explain yourself when I was in Shen Yuan’s body. You just had to wait until after “the higher-ups investigated.” the other day when I was in that weird world. Are you done yet?’ How many times was he expected to be thrown between bodies before he got an explanation of what was going on?

[ …Yes, Host. ] The System hurriedly let out.

‘Then stop procrastinating.’

[ Yes, Host. ] The System repeated. Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms and waited as System pulled up the files. [ An error occurred while relocating your soul, and it remained tied to this body. It is not perceivable to the host, but the System must do a reboot to maintain optimal functionality. During this time, it appears that your soul is pulled back to your old body until the next reboot occurs. ]

‘That sounds like a load of nonsense.’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

[ This System assures Host that this is the truth. ]

‘During that "reboot,” however, you are still with me in the other world. But things change.’

[ This System is unable to follow the host to that other body. [ What the host is seeing is another System. ]

Another?

[ Both character Shen Qingqiu and character Shen Yuan have their own Systems tied to them. ]

‘There are two of you revolting things?’ Shen Qingqiu snarled.

[ … ]

The System went quiet after that, but Shen Qingqiu had heard enough for now. Whoever this Shen Yuan person was must have been in Shen Qingqiu’s body until not long before and was now back in his own body. If he were to guess from what he had learned so far while in that other body, the man was a useless, spoiled kid who didn’t lift a finger unless it was for a video game. He pitied his family for having to put up with the man, but he was harmless. At least in that world where he had no responsibilities. But here in Shen Qingqiu’s world, such behavior could be destructive to the entire sect. And his reputation!

[ Just as in character Shen Yuan’s body, the host is limited by OOC functions; the same goes for the other host when they are in this body. ]

Shen Qingqiu let out a sigh of relief. Hopefully, that meant that boy couldn’t have made that big of a mess. The peak lord went outside and looked around. It was dusk, and the man dared to go and sleep! Ridiculous! Shen Qingqiu went to check all of the buildings to see if anything was amiss. The library looked fine, as did the kitchens. It was only after exiting from the latter that he ran into someone. “Hallmaster Pan,” Shen Qingqiu greeted.

Hallmaster Pan frowned at the address for a moment but then bowed. "Peak Lord Shen, how may I help you?”

“I would like to hear your thoughts on how lessons went today. All of them.”

Pan Yongnian stood straight and bowed. “Yes, well, Hallmaster Wen was teaching the students painting today.”

Pan Yongnian continued speaking for some time. The man was good at ratting out everyone’s performance, well, except his own, so eventually, Shen Qingqiu cut in. “You have mentioned everyone except myself. How were my lessons today?”

The man went speechless, which only made Shen Qingqiu more irritated. “Well, speak up.”

“For the lessons that Master Shen attended, class went well.”

“What is with the phrasing?” Shen Qingqiu snapped.

“Well, Master Shen. The first few classes needed to be covered for and—”

Shen Qingqiu listened to the incompetence that Shen Yuan showed. Not showing up for class and how frazzled he was for the first few lessons (even if he did manage to perform his duties). Clearly, the System could feel the rising anger as they commented. [ System wishes to remind the host that the other host was in the Warm Red Pavilion upon waking. ]

‘What does that matter? If he was late coming back, that meant that he slept in. Weakling.’

Shen Jiu didn’t even bother to hear anything else the System had to say and instead finished his conversation with Pan Yongnian and headed back to the library.

[ Host? What are you doing? ]

‘It is unacceptable to have someone so foolish running around in my body. I am a peak lord! The sect strategist. I will not have some irresponsible brat ruin everything that I have built up.’

[ Host is not very self-aware. ]

Shen Qingqiu hissed at the screen. ‘If I find a way to kill you during my research, that will be an additional benefit.’

Chapter Text

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

Shen Yuan awoke alone (thankfully) in his bed. It took a few moments for him to orient himself.

[ Host is in his room. ] His System offered as Shen Yuan rubbed at his eyes. 

‘That isn’t the issue. Well, not the core of it. The last time I woke up, I was in a brothel. The time before that, I was in a hospital room. And in both cases, I had no recollection of getting to either place. And looking around, this is, again, not where I went to sleep last time I was here.’

[ Character Shen Yuan was released from the hospital today. ] System offered.

‘I figured as much. It still doesn’t change that I was not the one that brought my own body back to the house.’

The host will need to get used to this arrangement. [ Higher-ups are struggling to fix the interconnectivity of characters Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu. ]

Shen Yuan furrowed his brows. ‘What do you mean?’

The explanation that System went into was similar to the information that Shen Qingqiu received in the other world.

Shen Yuan kicked the wall. ‘Shen Qingqiu coming in and out of my body? No. Just no! What if he does something to my sister?’

[ Host does not have the ability to— Host, what are you doing? ]

‘Going to check on A-Yang.’ Around this time, she would almost definitely be in the living room with their brothers and—

[ Host, your sister is fine. No need to— ]

“A-Yang. How are you?” Sure enough, Shen Yang was sitting in the living room with their two other brothers.

“Gege? I’m alright. Why are you making that expression? I thought you were going to take a nap because you were tired.” Shen Yang met Shen Yuan’s gaze with concern in her eyes.

“I just wanted to...” Shen Yuan had been so concerned about checking on his sister that he hadn’t even thought about how to ask whether Shen Qingqiu—his own body—had done something to his sister. The idea alone was enough to make him want to hurl.

“A-Yuan, did you have a nightmare?” Shen Fa stepped forward and put a hand on Shen Yuan’s head with a frown. “No temperature, but you did have a near-death experience only a few days ago.”

“I’m feeling fine.” Shen Yuan pouted the way he only did with his siblings, which earned him a ruffle of his hair.

"Sure, but we are your family; of course, we are going to worry.”

Shen Yuan glanced over at Shen Yang, but she seemed fine. Just as concerned as their brothers about him.

[ Character Shen Yang has just had a normal day. Nothing worth reporting. ]

Shen Yuan calmed down enough to be ushered to the couch by his siblings. "Well, if you’re not going to sleep, you should watch something with us. How about we watch some One Piece?” Shen Yuan took a deep breath. In the past few days, Shen Yuan had to face the possibility of never seeing his family again and the chance that someone had done something terrible to them with his own hands. At that moment, the idea of spending time with them...

“Actually, how about we watch one of those trash romance films A-Yang loves.”

“Hey!” Shen Yang lightly pushed her brother in retaliation.

…was something that he couldn’t refuse.

—

‘It isn’t fair that I am so tired.’ Shen Yuan was back in his room some hours later.

[ The other Host was using character Shen Yuan’s body while you resided in character Shen Qingqiu’s body. ]

‘That was a word vomit if I ever heard one.’ Shen Yuan stretched out as he continued to think. ‘But if this is really what things are going to be like for, really, ANY length of time, I am not going to have as much time awake as Shen Qingqiu will have. This body needs a huge amount of sleep, and I am in it at night. Shen Qingqiu is a cultivator and so doesn’t need to sleep much. That’s unfair.’

[ This was not a situation that this System had prepared for. It is not intended to be a “fair” setup. As this is not the way the setup was made to be. ]

'Still, can’t I just have my body, and Shen Qingqiu can keep his own and deal with becoming a human stick? Heck, even if I don’t want to be in Shen Qingqiu’s body 24/7, at least if I was, I could better control my own fate.’

[ The higher-ups are looking into the bug. Please be patient. Both hosts’ decisions will decide what will happen to characters. Key plot points and character moments are intended, however, to stay intact. ]

‘He is going to undo all my efforts to hug the protag’s thighs, though, and then both of us will have to deal with being in a pickle pot!’

[ … ]

System remained silent, which made Shen Yuan suspicious. ‘Well?’

[ For 5 B-points, this System will elaborate. ]

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes and opened up the screen that displayed the number of points he had. Five points? He could afford that. And so he paid.

[ The other host was given the mission to help your family’s company, so he feels the same way about you. That Host will only get in the way of his mission. ]

Shen Yuan closed the mission screen and put a pillow on his head. Him? Get in the way of a mission that would help his family. As if. The thought bugged Shen Yuan so much that he eventually pulled the pillow off his head and grabbed a pen and paper. ‘I will show you who the problem is.’ He thought as he got to work.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

Shen Qingqiu rubbed his eyes. It had been a fruitless night in the other body. He had spent the entire night in the library, and though he read about many beasts and artifacts during his search, none aligned with the System. The System did have characteristics similar to some creatures written in the books, such as dream demons; however, there was not enough overlap for Shen Qingqiu to think them to be descriptions of the same entity.

Shen Qingqiu had woken up in this other body, in a chair. So apparently this time, Shen Yuan had decided to play games and read stupid-looking stories right before the switch. He looked at the silly font that said “Proud Immortal Demon Way” and wanted to find the person who made the cover just to make them feel ashamed for putting such pitiful work out into the world. Even so, it figures Shen Yuan would be into something like that. The man was useless. Shen Qingqiu closed the tabs on the computer and then paused. How did he know how to do all that? Being able to navigate something like a computer with no experience should not have been so easy.

[ Host has automatically acquired knowledge on how to use a computer. ]

Shen Qingqiu pursed his lips. That did make sense, he supposed. The worlds were too different for someone just to be able to land there and figure things out. A similar setup for Shen Yuan must have been how the boy had managed to teach at Qing Jing without falling on his face. That thought made Shen Qingqiu’s eyebrows twitch. He labored for so long to become a master in the arts, and the System was able to just grant the brat the same knowledge without even a word. The insult! Still, before he let his temper go out of control, he refocused on the computer.

[ What is the host doing? ] System asked.

‘If the books in my world don’t have answers to what you are, then this world must have the answer.’

And… Shen Qingqiu wasn't exactly wrong. Systems. There was a whole “wiki” on them.

“Systems are a common isekai trope to help characters navigate the world.” There was a bit more description and examples of various series that had “Systems.” Shen Qingqiu started to watch clips from some such series as well as excerpts from various novels.

Overall, yes, it seemed that Systems were similar across media in that they were creatures with inventories and also gave quests. However, he could not find a case with a system where people would switch back and forth between bodies like what Shen Qingqiu was experiencing and...

‘Is the only way to get rid of you to finish your assignment?’ Shen Qingqiu asked the System.

[ If you clear the missions, there will be little need for me. ]

‘Would you let me stay in my proper world?’

[ That is not for this System to decide. ]

Before Shen Qingqiu could retort, there was a light knock on the door. Shen Qingqiu closed the laptop and headed for the entryway, where he was immediately hugged by Shen Yang.

"Gege, hurry up. Da-ge is making breakfast; you must stage an intervention before he kills us all.”

What the—

[ Quest: Help with breakfast. ]

Shen Qingqiu looked at his screen with a look of pure exasperation. ‘What kind of quest is that?’

[ Intro quest, Host. Good luck! ]

As he approached the kitchens, he realized that System was not exaggerating when he said good luck. The kitchen looked like it was just moments away from catching fire. “What in the—” Shen Qingqiu was baffled. Was the whole family useless?

“Oh! A-Yuan! I was just preparing breakfast. It might take some time before it’s done, though, since I overcooked the food a little.”

Shen Qingqiu’s eyebrows were twitching.

[ Host, remember that the OOC functionality is still on. ]

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. But he tried to frame his face into less of a scowl as he said, “Da-ge, seriously, you don’t have to make us food.”

"Ah, but A-Yuan, this is your first morning home. I wanted to do something special.”

Shen Qingqiu internally cursed. Turning to the other two Shens, he couldn’t help but give them a judgmental look.

[ Host! Watch yourself. ]

‘They are as much a cause of this problem as the man behind the stove!’ Shen Qingqiu snapped. ‘They haven’t told the man that his food is trash, so he keeps making trash.’

[ Host! Do not say that out loud, or I will deduct 10 B-points. ]

‘And how about his parents? Why haven’t they taught him to cook properly, and where are they?’

[ Character Shen Yuan’s parents are usually on business trips. Now please, Host, calm yourself; this is only an introductory mission. ]

That didn’t make Shen Qingqiu happier that he needed to pretend that this was somehow not an issue! If he couldn’t use the direct approach, he assumed that Shen Yuan was the type to ignore things like his kitchen about to go up in flames or skirt around the actual problems. Which meant that if he wasn’t going to lose points for being out of character he was going to have to handle this situation in the most inefficient way possible.

Shen Qingqiu stepped toward the stove and got a full nose full of what was burning. Was that rice? THIS MAN COULDN’T EVEN COOK RICE?

[ HOST! ]

Right… “It looks like you were making something really good, Da-ge. It’s a shame the stove was acting up.”

“Um…right.” Shen Fa nodded. At least the man appeared to be buying that Shen Qingqiu was not thinking of 10 ways to skin his “brother”. 

Shen Qingqiu internally let out a sigh. “Da-ge has already spent so much time cooking; how about we go and play some video games and order some takeout?”

Shen Fa stiffened. “But I can make this! I promise.”

“But right now, I want to spend time with you, and with how hard you have been working, I can’t imagine how much longer you would need to stay here before you're done.”

Shen Qingqiu knew he was belittling himself by speaking like this, but he still remembered the tricks from when he was a slave. How making his eyes wide would have a powerful effect on adults and his Qi-ge. Since Shen Fa was both an adult and a big brother, Shen Qingqiu’s eyes appeared to be extremely effective.

[ Host is going overboard. Te— ]

Before the System could deduct points, Shen Qingqiu turned away from Shen Fa. But a mortal wound had landed on the big brother. “If A-Yuan wants to play with me, who am I to refuse?” Shen Fa pulled out his phone. "Alright, what do you want me to order?”

Shen Qingqiu smirked internally; truly, his new “brother” was a sap.

–

The family ended up playing a game that the group had played back in the hospital. Unfortunately for Shen Qingqiu, like the computer, he was given basic video game knowledge to blend in. However, even with that, he was clearly the worst of his siblings at the game.

Shen Qingqiu got knocked off the platform for the umpteenth time, and Shen Song let out a snort. Seeing the glare that Shen Qingqiu threw his brother’s way, Shen Song had the sense not to make a joke about his little brother’s gaming skills and instead asked, “How are you doing now that you are well rested?” Shen Song asked.

Shen Qingqiu’s eyebrow twitched. He considered just heading to his room and ignoring these fools for a while when the doorbell rang, and the food arrived. All his annoyance, fortunately for all their sake, began to melt at the delicious flavors of the food. 

[ Salt, sugar and other items for spices are more accessible here. ] The System stated but Shen Qingqiu didn’t even bother to respond to the explanation. He must have been a sight to see as he ate, as when he looked up from one particularly large bite, he noticed that his siblings were staring at him. “Is something wrong?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“It’s just that your posture is…wow.” Shen Qingqiu blinked in surprise. He had noticed that his siblings had been slouching, but he had figured that was unusual behavior in this world. After all, how could it be acceptable in a family with so much money? But now he wasn’t sure. 

Glancing at the System screen, he was relieved to see that no points had been deducted yet—but Shen Qingqiu felt it was only a matter of time unless he said something. “I read a book and wanted to emulate the characters,” he lied.

The others’ faces turned dark. Shen Qingqiu once again checked the System, but there was no warning message.

What was it called? The book he had seen when he first turned on the computer. “Proud Demon Book?" Shen Fa suggested tentatively. 

Everyone else at the table looked extremely uncomfortable at the mention of that story, but Shen Qingqiu only felt confused. It must have been an important book, but the System had not given any information about it when he entered the world. And even now, the System remained silent.

"No, not that one,” Shen Qingqiu finally responded, which seemed to ease the tension in the room. 

“Likely still some sort of xianxian story, though,” Shen Fa puffed out.

Everyone else nodded along with that statement, but Shen Qingqiu could only hum in response.

–

Later on, Shen Qingqiu went online and searched for the book. Proud something? But he didn’t get anything that looked quite right, and apparently, even though he had seen the book on the computer before, the website hadn’t been saved to the browser history. He looked through his shelves, but they didn't provide any clues either. ‘System? What was that book that they were talking about?’

[ For 100 B-points, this System will answer that question. ]

Shen Qingqiu let out a snort. 'Clearly, it’s important if you're charging that much, but nonetheless, I can get the information without your help.’ Still, the topic wasn’t his highest priority, so he let the topic be for the moment, returned to his computer, and began to look up information about the “Shen family.”

Sure enough, a quick search was enough to get basic information about the company. Its specialties were odd to his ears and involved many terms that hadn’t existed in his time—but he was able to piece things together. At a glance, things seemed to be going well for the company, but it was clear that the System felt the company could go further. 

Shen Qingqiu suspected that there was a product not selling well or a competitor that was blocking growth. Those sorts of things were not new concerns in the world, and they were ones he had dealt with plenty while in the sect. He could still collect more information, but finding any areas where those weak spots might exist would also be of help.

Shen Qingqiu continued to work away for some time. To his annoyance, however, he kept getting interrupted. 

“Gege! Lunch is ready.”

“A-Yuan, wanna watch a movie?”

"A-Yuan, at what time do you want to play a game?”

It was so stupid. These siblings of his wanted to spend time with him constantly. Why bother? There were plenty of other things for them to do with their time besides spending it with a stranger in their brother’s skin. Maybe he should just tell them the truth and get them to be quiet.

[ Host, that wouldn’t go well. ]

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. Of course, he knew that. Still, it was a cruel joke to have Shen Yuan’s family act kind to him. It was all misplaced affection, and from what he could tell, the original Shen Yuan didn’t deserve such love either. Shen Qingqiu had a job to do so as not to die, and getting distracted by family was not going to help anyone.

As such, Shen Qingqiu mostly kept to his room, ignoring offers to come out. Despite his actions, however, he did not lose a single B-point, so he wasn’t acting OOC at all.

[ Host… ]

Shen Qingqiu stretched his arms after working away on the computer for hours. ‘What is it, System?’

[ Is this really how you plan to do your mission? ]

‘I am a strategist. Sure, this is a different world, but I have enough skills from the other world to do what is necessary. This should be simple enough. It just requires focus and research. All things made simple with the availability of a computer.’

[ … ]

Shen Qingqiu did leave Shen Yuan’s room sometime later to spend some time with the family for dinner, and they were all eager to spend time with him and such, but Shen Qingqiu kept his eyes on the clock. He still didn’t know exactly when the switchover would happen, but now he knew it would be soon, and it would be better if he were alone when it occurred, so eventually, he excused himself and went to his bed. For the first time since he woke up that morning, he sat on the overly-soft mattress. He had not lingered in the area, immediately trying to make the best of the day, but now he had noticed a slip of paper on the nightstand. Curious, Shen Qingqiu picked it up and read it. 

“If you touch my sister, I will kill you.”

Shen Qingqiu held back a laugh. What was Shen Yuan going to do if he did? Kill himself? That was so stupid. Still, he would give credit to the boy. Writing a letter to him was a good idea. After having worn this man’s skin for three days, it felt strange “hearing” from the body’s owner for the first ime. Even if it was just through a letter.

Shen Qingqiu took out a notebook, ripped out a page, and wrote, “Instead of worrying about your sister, how about you worry about how you have been enabling your brother to burn down the house with his cooking?” Shen Qingqiu had much more he wanted to say at that moment, but being in a mortal’s body was surprisingly tiring. He put down the paper and lay down, waiting for sleep to take him.

Chapter Text

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

The next time Shen Qingqiu woke up, it was in his own body. Not surprising. What he hadn’t expected, however, was to find himself tied up, half naked, with two of his disciples right in front of him in barely a better state. And one of them was Ning Yingying. Shen Qingqiu internally swore. What did Shen Yuan do while he was away?

"Oh, so you're awake?” A voice spoke from the shadows.

Shen Qingqiu turned to the source of the noise. In the darkness, he couldn’t properly make out the owner’s face, but whoever it was, it had the smell of death following them—a demon.

“And who are you?” Shen Qingqiu snarled.

"Ah, so you haven’t figured out who I am yet?” A moment later, the woman entered the light and removed the veil from her face as though it was a dramatic reveal.

“Am I supposed to recognize you?” Shen Qingqiu scoffed. The demon and his disciples all looked stunned. He knew immediately that he had messed up.

“Shizun? That’s Butterfly!” Luo Binghe called over, his voice full of confusion.

Butterfly? Is that name supposed to mean something to him? Still, Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to look like a fool, so he didn’t question the information. Butterfly walked closer and then dared to touch his face with their disgusting hands. "Oh, I've wanted skin this fine for so long. It doesn't matter if your brain's damaged—it won't be of any use soon anyways.” The demon spoke in a singsong voice that filled Shen Qingqiu with a burning desire to kill, even though the demon wore the face of a human woman.

Shen Qingqiu hadn’t expected that Shen Yuan would have managed to get him in such an awful situation while he was walking around in his body. He was going to make that fool regret this later, but first, he needed to get out of this situation with as much of his dignity intact as possible.

As the demon talked endlessly. As they did so, Shen Qingqiu squirmed in his bindings, trying to find the knife that he usually kept hidden on him just in case a need arose. Unfortunately, it looked like Shen Yuan had opted not to carry the knife he kept in his boot or had dropped it. From what he knew about the man, either was a possibility.

Shen Qingqiu let out a groan. Cursing at the creature would do little good, so he decided to focus on what the demon was saying. They wanted a body, right? Then, he will give her something to focus on to buy him some time. “I might be a cultivator, but I have reached my potential. Would you not prefer to have the body of someone that you can keep growing in or someone that will only go downhill?”

The demon turned to the two children, first landing their eyes on Ning Yingying. Shen Qingqiu immediately clicked his tongue. “Is that really the best choice? Is she really the one that would allow you to grow the most?”

Then, the demon’s eyes fell on Luo Binghe, and she began to walk towards him. Good. If the demon wished to take the boy’s body, it would take some time. Though he didn’t want Ning Yingying to see the brat die in front of her so he still had no time to waste. Shen Qingqiu began to twist his wrists. If he could dislocate—

Just then, a beam fell from the ceiling and slammed onto the demon. Shen Qingqiu sat there in stunned silence for a long moment. What… just happened? The demon tried to get out from under the beam, but before they could, Luo Binghe managed to escape his bonds and began to work to free Shen Qingqiu. Immediately, Shen Qingqiu flew at the demon and, with his bare hands, snapped her neck, all the time making sure that he positioned himself so that Ning Yingying could not see what he was doing. This wasn’t what Shen Qingqiu had planned, but at least he was able to dispatch the demon before they could traumatize Ning Yingying further.

–

Shen Qingqiu found his temper growing and growing as he found out more about the events that had led to him waking up nearly naked in front of his disciples. During the day, Shen Yuan had brought his disciples on a mission, and “Butterfly” had been the concubine of the one who gave the mission. The poor young woman deserved better than to be the victim of a demon. If the woman had been stuck with a disgusting old man like Master Chen, her life must have been miserable. 

After giving his report, Shen Qingqiu went back to the spot where the demon still lay. He considered the body for some time before taking it apart, removing the skin carefully until the skin was completely separated from the grotesque demon inside. Shen Qingqiu carried the skin and walked through the woods without a second thought, heading to where Ming Fan had reported the rest of the remains of the real Butterfly lay. Shen Qingqiu moved the freshly packed soil till he reached the remains and placed the skin next to the body. “It might be too late for you, but I brought this back. Better you have this than that…thing. Let your spirit find peace.”

Shen Qingqiu looked at the remains for a while and then, with a sigh, re-buried the body. When he was done, he pulled out a few incense sticks, stuck them in the ground, and murmured a quiet prayer. He remained there for some time, occasionally speaking in a calm, coaxing voice to the grave. “This world was cruel and unfair to you. The next may be just as bad. It may be better as well but at least you will have a new start in a place far away from here. I hope you make the best of it.” 

There was no response to his words beyond the sound of crickets and the rushing water of a nearby stream.

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Shen Yuan woke up in Shen Qingqiu’s body once more. He put his hand on his head and let out a sigh. He had spent the night in his world wondering what had happened since the demon knocked him out, but it looked like Shen Qingqiu had gotten them out of that situation. That’s a relief. Shen Yuan began to tap at the System screen as he stood up and…

Squish.

Shen Yuan looked down, and there was something gross on the ground. What was that? Shen Yuan jumped backwards, but his feet were already covered in the stuff. That was when he noticed that next to his pillow was a letter. Shen Yuan picked it up and read, “If you dare to put my body in danger like that again, you will regret it.”

Shen Yuan scoffed and ripped up the letter. Who was he to talk to him like that? Shen Qingqiu was the one who managed to get himself a human stick fate in the novel. Ugh. Shen Yuan tried to clean his feet with the blanket, but he only got the blanket stuck on his feet. Shen Qingqiu truly was a villain. He would regret this!

–

On the way back, Shen Yuan shared the carriage once again with Luo Binghe. The two sat in an awkward silence. Shen Yuan feared asking what had happened with the skinner demon after he had been knocked out. The answer would almost certainly put him closer to becoming a human stick. Still, he needed to know.

“Disciple Luo, do you have any lessons that you have taken away from last night’s events?”

The System screen blinked in warning, but his expression was harsh enough that no points were deducted. Luo Binghe looked as though he was about to be sent to the guillotine, which made Shen Yuan’s stomach queasy.

“Shizun…” Luo Binghe said hesitantly.

“Just answer the question.” Dang it! Shen Yuan couldn’t deal with those puppy eyes. Just please put this old man’s heart to rest. Kill him with the details of the scum villain’s awful deeds.

“Shizun was tied up.” Luo Binghe didn’t meet Shen Yuan’s eyes as he spoke, though he looked a bit... red?  “The demon was ready to harm you, but you redirected their attention to... well, Shizun, I am sure you remember.”

Fuuuuu. It didn’t take a genius to figure out exactly where Shen Qingqiu had redirected the demon’s attention.

“And when the demon headed for me, the wood fell on top of her, and that was it,” Luo Binghe continued.

“...” 

What kind of anticlimactic BS was this? At least the demon hadn't actually harmed Luo Binghe, but still—dang. Shen Qingqiu was stone cold, sending the skinner demon after Luo Binghe. But if the wood had fallen, did that mean he knew Luo Binghe would be safe?

All Shen Yuan managed to say was, "Well, you survived, so you passed.” 

Aka, he passed the BS, which was spending a night with the original goods.

–

Getting back to the bamboo house, Shen Yuan began to pace, thinking about what to do. If he continued just going on with the story, every step forward that he would take with Luo Binghe Shen Qingqiu would take five steps back. It’s hard to hug someone’s thighs if you're also scratching them half the time. He wasn’t going to give up on hugging the protagonist’s thighs yet, but there had to be something more immediate that he could do to help prevent him from becoming a human stick, and then it hit him.

Close-door cultivation! If he did that, he could gain some strength that would be useful if he were to face the blackened protagonist. Even a man like Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t be against something like that, right? Still, even as he put in the paperwork to go into closed-door cultivation that day, he decided to write a note again to Shen Qingqiu. “We will be going into close-door cultivation starting tomorrow. If you have an issue with that, speak now or forever hold your peace.” Shen Yuan looked at his note anxiously. Dang it! Not knowing what kind of situation he would wake up to every day because of the scum villain would give BOTH of his bodies white hair.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

Shen Qingqiu was stomping around Shen Yuan’s room, irritated still at how Shen Yuan had allowed himself to be in such an indecent state in front of his disciples. Especially Ning Yingying. Ugh, if Liu Qingge ever heard about this, he would throw around even more rumors about him. At least he hadn’t removed the stinkysti from his bag. He had saved that particular item for the next time he fought Liu Qingge, but using it on Shen Yuan? Worth it.

Shen Qingqiu needed to calm down, though. ‘System, how long do I have to make progress on that mission that you gave me?’

[ Does host mean helping the company? ]

‘That, yes.’

[ As of right now, there is not a specific time set; however, there are several failure scenarios. ]

‘Scenarios?’

Shen Qingqiu opened the list, looked over the scenarios, and couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Shen Yuan’s father losing the company. Selling the company. A family feud. Etc. 

As though that wouldn’t be reason enough for him to commit murder. Hmm, actually, he should do some research to see how he could commit murder here without being caught. It seems more complicated in this world.

[ HOST???? OCC! OOC! ]

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. Of course, Shen Yuan wouldn’t have the stomach to do what is necessary to remove any possibility of failure. Shen Qingqiu eventually calmed himself down to properly sit at his computer and do some research. 

[ Host really should do more than just research all day. ]

‘If there is more to find, I will find it. I am a tactician; if I leave stones unturned when given time, that is a failure on my part,’ Shen Qingqiu responded.

[ Host, if you wish to gather information, wouldn’t it be good to speak to the Shen family? ]

Shen Qingqiu snorted. ‘I’m sure I will end up doing that to some extent as well, but let's be honest, that is a great way for me to lose even more points.’

[ It is also a great way to gain points. ]

‘Whatever.’ Shen Qingqiu looked at his points from the corner of his eyes. They had remained largely unmoving since his arrival. At least his points in this world did. His original body seemed to be going up and down with points as though they were being used to gamble. Shen Qingqiu didn’t move from his spot for some time, but even if he had no intention of initiating time with the family, the family clearly had other plans. Once again, it was the Shen siblings. They basically dragged Shen Qingqiu out of his room midway through his research. 

“What do you think you’re doing?” Shen Qingqiu protested, glaring as they blocked the doorway, effectively trapping him outside.

“An intervention,” Shen Fa said, crossing his arms. "A-Yuan, we have been talking, and you spend too much time in your room.”

“What is wrong with that?” Shen Qingqiu asked, confused. He hadn’t lost a single point for keeping to himself, so why were they making such a fuss? Fortunately, the siblings seemed to understand enough of his confusion to elaborate.

"A-Yuan, you almost died in your room. You had always spent a lot of time there, which was fine, but because of that, we didn’t…” 

Shen Fa’s voice faded, so Shen Song took over. “We didn’t realize what had happened to you until it was too late.”

“That was an accident. It won’t happen again.” Shen Qingqiu tried to push past the wall of siblings but to no avail. Instead, Shen Yang said, “Dang it, Gege, stop being so selfish and spend some time with us.” 

Shen Yang stomped her foot on the ground. “We already almost lost you once. Don't you get that we want to spend time with you?”

No. No, he didn’t. Because the last time someone he cared about had thought of him in death, they had abandoned him with no explanation. No, because he was not Shen Yuan. No, because the man standing before them was someone they would hate if they knew his true identity.

Shen Qingqiu opened and closed his fist. His heart was racing hard as the three continued to stand in the way of the door. He could fight his way back to the room, but there was no point in that. None at all. 

“Fine.” Shen Qingqiu turned around and began to walk down the hallway.

“Brother? Where are you going?” Shen Song called from behind him. 

“Away from you three.” 

The siblings were so stunned that they didn’t move from their spot, as Shen Qingqiu reached the main door, the System said [ Minus 10 B-points for OOC. ]

Shen Qingqiu only rolled his eyes as he opened the door, even as his heart ached.

–

Shen Qingqiu hadn’t actually walked outside in this world except when he was discharged from the hospital. He had seen enough of the tall buildings that made up the city on his computer that the structure of the buildings did not surprise him, but the feeling of being so small did as he walked beneath them. What was preventing one of those buildings from collapsing on his head? Well, it was unlikely that would happen, but still, the sheer scale of it all was overwhelming.

Shen Qingqiu walked in a straight line for some time. It was one of the strangest walks he had ever taken—he had never seen so many people moving in such close proximity. It was suffocating. He suddenly ached for the condo of the stranger whose body he inhabited, but still, he continued to move forward. He should see this place, shouldn’t he? And even if he went back right now, nothing good would come from it. If he just kept on a straight path, he figured he could find his way back, at least. Eventually, Shen Qingqiu reached a green area full of trees and grass. Visually, the space was more familiar to him than anyplace else he had seen in this world thus far. There were still many people there, but it was less crowded than the streets around the tall buildings. The air was also far better compared to where he had come from. Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath and looked around. Couples, dogs, and kids were all present, doing everything from walking to playing games. It looked relaxing. 

Shen Qingqiu settled onto a bench and pulled out his phone. He hadn’t used the device much, but with it on hand, he could continue doing his research even without the computer.

[ Host, it’s okay to enjoy your surroundings and your family. ]

‘They aren’t mine, though,’ Shen Qingqiu countered. ‘And your insistence to act otherwise is idiotic.’

The two continued back and forth to Shen Qingqiu’s growing annoyance until, finally, someone took a seat next to him. Looking up, he was met with the sight of a chubby-cheeked man who grinned broadly at him and waved his hand happily. “Sup.”

“Hi,” Shen Qingqiu spoke slowly. Was this a friend of Shen Yuan’s?

“I’ve been hearing a lot about you. It’s pretty cool to finally connect here.”

Shen Qingqiu was even more confused. Why was he being so familiar with him? But then, a moment later, the stranger leaned over and said, “Airplane Shooting Toward the Sky”

… Which made Shen Qingqiu even more confused. What was this? Is that a phrase he was supposed to know?

The stranger frowned. “Huh, well, that didn’t go how I thought it would? Wow, this is awkward. Oh well.”

The stranger got up and waved. “Well, this was way weirder than I had expected, but eh, it is what it is.”

Shen Qingqiu jumped up before the man could leave and grabbed his wrist. “Explain yourself,” Shen Qingqiu snarled.

The stranger gave a lopsided grin. “Come on, man, that’s no fun. Figure out what the phrase means and then come back to me. Collect the items before talking to the boss or whatever.”

Shen Qingqiu half understood what the man was saying but really didn’t care about any of it.

“Ouch!” the man exclaimed as Shen Qingqiu pressed down on his wrist. He didn’t have nearly as much muscle as he did in his other body, but the man before him was equally weak when hitting the right pressure points…

“Alright, alright. Geez, you're no fun.” The stranger whined.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t move his hand, waiting for the stranger to explain himself. “Okay, so I am Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky. Kay, happy?”

“No,” Shen Qingqiu responded. “That name doesn’t mean anything to me, so why would it satisfy me?”

“Dang,” the stranger muttered. “This is so anticlimactic.”

Shen Qingqiu was about to argue more when someone began to walk towards them. “Hey, let go of that guy.” Shen Qingqiu was prepared not to let go, but at the sight of the OOC warning, he did, and Airplane Shooting Toward the Sky ran away.

Shen Qingqiu clicked his tongue in irritation but tried his best to act casual as the other stranger came and started to probe him like he was some sort of criminal. At least he was eventually able to get the second stranger to leave him alone, but by then Airplane was nowhere to be seen.

–

Returning to his room later, he was quickly confronted by his siblings, who all looked distraught. “We didn’t mean to hurt you. We just wanted to spend time with you.” The three were acting more like children than adults. How annoying. Still, their concern was so genuine that Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bring himself to refuse when they invited him to dinner.

[ Good job, host, on spending time with your new family. ] The System said when the meal ended.

‘Shouldn’t you be more focused on getting me to finish my mission than some simple dinner?’

[ This System can do both without issue. ] System said unapologetically. 

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes as he finally got to his quarters again. He settled in, prepared for a long search of what the phrase “Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky” meant. However, the answer to what the phrase was turned out to be far more simple than he had expected. In fact, the phrase turned out to be the name of the author of the novel, which he had been searching for “Proud Immortal Demon Way”. It might have not been the intention of the stranger, but he had given Shen Qingqiu the keys to finally find the elusive novel he had been searching for.

When he finally got to the site where the novel was hosted, Shen Qingqiu found himself staring at the cover curiously. He recalled thinking that the thing was ugly and his siblings had seemed to hate it. He couldn’t help but wonder what he was in for. He began to scroll through the novel, but before he could start properly reading, there was a knock on the door. “A-Yuan?”

Shen Qingqiu let out a sigh and headed for the entrance. When he opened it he was met with the sight of only Shen Fa. 

“Where are the others?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“We all thought you might prefer having only one person talk to you right now.” 

Shen Qingqiu shrugged. It didn’t really matter to him but whatever.

“...Can I come inside?” Shen Fa asked. 

Shen Qingqiu stepped aside silently, and Shen Fa entered, taking a seat on a sofa. Shen Qingqiu, in contrast, remained standing and looked down at the older man. 

“Well?” Shen Qingqiu asked into the silence.

“We didn’t mean to upset you earlier.” Shen Fa said, eyes downcast. “It’s just that we do want to spend time with you.”

Shen Qingqiu was tempted to say he didn’t feel the same, but that would have been a good way to lose B-points. So, instead, he responded, “I am just very busy these days.”

“But you're not even in school or have a job,” Shen Fa blurted out, only to have his face immediately turn red.

Shen Qingqiu’s mouth twitched. He had suspected as much. This body had no responsibilities. Fine, then he could give the useless owner of it at least one.

“I am busy during the day but free at night, so how about you come by when it gets dark?”

Shen Fa looked like a puppy that had just gotten its favorite toy. “Perfect, I will see you in the next hour then.”

“Hour? Shen Qingqiu responded in surprise.

Shen Fa pointed out the window “Well, it’s already sunset, so…” 

Ah, it was. “Let's say two, then.” Shen Qingqiu decided.

Fortunately, that delay didn’t appear to bother Shen Fa, and he eagerly nodded. After exchanging a few more words, Shen Fa left, and Shen Qingqiu began to scratch his head, thinking. By the time he was due to meet Shen Fa again, he would have already returned to the other world. Well, at the very least, another letter was in order—Shen Yuan needed to know what was happening so he wouldn’t end up standing up his own brother.

Shen Qingqiu got a pen and paper and began to write. As he did, he glanced at the computer. It was off at the moment, but as soon as he reopened it, he would be met with the novel. Still, he suspected that he would need more than just the short time before he had to return to the other world to process its contents, so he decided to let it be for the day. It would be something to look further into next time he was in this world.

Chapter Text

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

Shen Yuan figured out that Shen Qingqiu had betrayed him very quickly upon returning to his body. Barely had he seen Shen Qingqiu’s letter before he was being dragged out of his room by Shen Fa. 

“I haven’t even gotten to use my computer yet!” Shen Yuan groaned.

“You have been on it all day. What are you talking about? Well, besides, when you went outside—” Shen Fa paused mid-tug, turning to look at Shen Yuan, who blinked back in surprise. Wait, did his big bro just talk himself into a corner? And what was that about Shen Qingqiu going outside? Had he done something scum villain-like in public? 

“Look.” Shen Fa let go of Shen Yuan’s hand. “If you don’t feel like spending time with us we won’t force you.”

Says the person that was dragging him just a moment ago! Contradictions! Also, he has been spending time with his siblings every night. But as Shen Yuan reached the end of the hall and was met with the sight of Shen Song and Shen Yang, faces full of concern, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but let out an internal sigh. It must be hard for his family to have to put up with Shen Qingqiu on a daily basis. With that in mind, he decided computer time could wait.

–

When the group finally finished playing it was already more day than night. Shen Yuan went to his computer ready to do at least a little bit of gaming, until he fell asleep at the keyboard. He was going to make the most out of the time that he was a wake in this world, dang it. But geez, his body was not meant for being up more than sixteen hours a day. Ahhh, Shen Qingqiu could in theory play games from the time he got into the body until he left. So unfair. 

[ It’s not about fairness it’s— ]

‘Yes, yes, we already talked about it. Let a man complain in peace. Or at least until I get this body tired enough that Shen Qingqiu will have to take naps during the daytime.’

[ Is Host five? ]

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes. Leave it to a mechanical… whatever the System was to not understand. Without another word to the System, Shen Yuan turned on his computer and immediately froze.

Proud Immortal Demon Way.

Was Shen Qingqiu reading the book? That… It made sense that he would eventually, but ah, Shen Yuan hadn’t prepared himself for the possibility of him learning his canonical fate. He glanced over at his bed. He didn’t see a note when he got up. Did Shen Qingqiu really start reading this book without having a single question? Shouldn’t he at least have written a letter to him saying WTF?? But no, Shen Yuan turned his room over and found nothing. The only letter that Shen Qingqiu had left was the one about Shen Fa.

If Shen Qingqiu did read PIDW, what would happen with Luo Binghe? When Shen Yuan returned, he was planning to head into close-door cultivation (he assumed Shen Qingqiu would give the go-ahead for that), so hopefully, that would delay any direct confrontations with Luo Binghe. But if it didn’t…

‘System?’ Shen Yuan called out. ‘What is Shen Qingqiu doing right now.’

[ This System cannot answer that question. ]

Shen Yuan swore at the System screen but it didn’t do anything. The annoying thing just kept floating tantalizingly, just asking to be strangled with its non-existent neck.

Should he write another note to Shen Qingqiu about PIDW? A letter asking him not to harm Binghe, like he had about his sister? But based on Shen Qingqiu’s response, he had just brushed off his message as if it were nothing. But well, it wasn’t like he had a whole lot of options. Maybe he could give himself a black eye that Shen Qingqiu would have to then deal with, but that still meant hurting himself. Dang, body swaps were annoying. Freaky Friday¹ and Your Name² didn’t capture the pure frustration such an experience would cause. At. All.

Shen Yuan decided what to write, left the letter next to the bed, and then returned to the computer. In all this, Shen Yuan was developing a murder instinct to kill three individuals: his System (of course), Shen Qingqiu (was there ever a doubt?) and Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky (not necessarily in that order). However, even if he wanted to hurt all three, the System was incorporeal, Shen Qingqiu and him had a revolving door relationship but Airplane…

“You hack author, do you realize how much of a mess you made?” Shen Yuan typed in the comment section of Proud Immortal Demon Way. In addition, a lot of other words and profanity spewed into the comment that Shen Yuan was typing. All geared toward Airplane. Who was apparently the center of his life now. He had not logged into his Peerless Cucumber account since eating that expired yogurt, but the angry message he was sending to Airplane would for sure make up for his lack of comments since then.

Shen Yuan sat back after sending the message. Airplane apparently hadn’t been active on the forums as of late, so he didn’t really expect much of a response. Still, it was at least a bit therapeutic to write the comment. He would still have to track the guy down so he could—

Shen Yuan leaned forward in his seat. He just got a DM—he had never gotten a DM on the site before.

Opening up the notification, he saw it was a direct message from Airplane.

“Ohhh, so you did read the book! Cool cool. Sorry, I really thought you had read it when we met earlier, but I’m guessing you haven’t gotten through the whole thing yet…? Where are you in the story? I promise I won’t spoil anything if you tell me!”

Wait…Shen Qingqiu had met Airplane earlier? And he had talked to him about PIDW? That alone raised so many questions. This was still his Peerless Cucumber account—Shen Yuan had clearly read the whole book, so why would Airplane think he hadn’t? And how did he even recognize his face in public? What was even happening? Dang it! Why didn’t Shen Qingqiu write a useful letter to him! Clearly a lot happened while Shen Yuan was spending time with Luo Binghe.

Shen Yuan typed a new message. “Good talk earlier, can we meet up now?”

Moments later, he got a response: “Bro, heck no, that’s way too short notice? I am going to bed soon. Wanna meet up tomorrow?”

Shen Yuan gritted his teeth. Figures. Most people wouldn’t want to meet up with a stranger in the middle of the night out of nowhere. He decided on a different route. “Tomorrow, let's meet at the club next to the wharf.” He didn’t actually know if Airplane was in the same city. But if Airplane had met up with Shen Qingqiu it seemed likely.

A moment later, he got the message, “Ummm, not sure where you're talking exactly, but sure, send me the coordinates, and I can be there.” 

Shen Yuan’s smirked. He might not be able to hit the System or Shen Qingqiu, but very soon, he could at least let out his frustration on Airplane.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

Shen Qingqiu cursed when he woke up back in the “modern world”. He had overslept! Shen Yuan must have kept the body up late. And right now, the blankets were so warm and soft he was tempted to just roll over and go back to sleep, but he had work to do in this world and—

Shen Qingqiu looked at his bed stand and saw a letter. Picking it up, he was met with a note that…was very unexpected. “What you read doesn’t have to be you.”

The evening in the other world had been a lot of making sure that the peak was ready for his and Shen Yuan’s closed-door cultivation, so it took a long moment to figure out what the letter could be referring to.

Read?

Shen Qingqiu went back the the computer and opened Proud Immortal Demon Way again. This time, he started to read, and within the first pages, he recognized people’s names.

Luo Binghe

Ning Yingying

Shen Qingqiu

“What you read doesn’t have to be you.”

But it was. Sure, the words on the page were dripping with pity for Luo Binghe, but the events they described were still ones he remembered. How Luo Binghe came to the disciple selection and Ning Yingying chose him. How he later poured tea on the boy’s head, how—

Shen Qingqiu stood up and began to pace, trying to process what he had seen. This book described his life. How did someone have such knowledge? ‘System?’

[ Host? ]

‘What is Proud Immortal Demon Way?”

[ It is a story told by someone who was given a basic understanding of your world. ]

‘So the whole story is true?’ Shen Qingqiu scrolled through without actually reading, skimming past the text until he reached the last page.

[ There are endless worlds, so it is true in one of them. ]

‘A very nonanswer, I see.’ 

Still, Shen Qingqiu didn’t push the topic. He had calmed himself and took his seat. Even if the thing was written from such a ridiculous perspective, if the events that transpired in the story were truly going to happen, then it would be good to familiarize himself with them.

This was for research. And—even if that research was going to be infuriating—it was still necessary. 

Shen Qingqiu thought once more about Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky. He had a lot to ask that man when they eventually met again, but before that, he needed to know what the book actually was.

It was a rough day. He sat at the computer, reading infuriating word after infuriating word until he was about a year into Luo Binghe’s discipleship. By then, the sky had darkened, and he had to stop. He would have to continue this chore tomorrow.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

As both Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu had agreed, Shen Qingqiu found himself in the Lingxi Caves. He knew he was supposed to stay still for the next several months, but at least for this one evening, he wanted to explore the tunnels. As he started to get to his feet, Shen Qingqiu’s hand landed on a paper, which had been placed on the ground beside him. On it was a note. “Don’t hurt Liu-shidi.”

Liu-shidi? Did he mean Liu Qingge? Shen Qingqiu looked around, trying to figure out where Liu Qingge was, but he was nowhere nearby. He began to walk through the caves. It had been a long time since he had come to the Lingxi Caves, but the winding passageways still held the same ominous feeling he recalled, filling every corner of the place. 

Eventually, Shen Qingqiu reached an area where the air was filled with a mix of qi—some his own, some Liu Qingge’s. As he got to the center of the concentration of power, the damage on the walls caught his attention, along with the large amount of blood on the ground. Instinctively, Shen Qingqiu looked down at himself. He saw no signs of injuries, not even a tear on his robes, which must mean that Liu Qingge was the injured party.

Shen Qingqiu quickened his steps, heading in the direction of Liu Qingge’s bleeding qi until he reached a small chamber. Inside, Liu Qingge stood practicing sword stances. As soon as Shen Qingqiu entered, Liu Qingge halted mid-movement before he turned to face Shen Qingqiu face-on, his gaze sharp and challenging.

“What are you doing here?” Liu Qingge asked.

“What does it look like?” Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms and lifted his chin in challenge.

“If you're here for a thank you for earlier, you won’t get one.”

Shen Qingqiu began to pale, though he kept his defiant stance. “Which was what, exactly?”

“Now you're going to make me say it!” Liu Qingge shot back.

“Well, if you don’t, I will just assume that I saved you from your own stupidity,” Shen Qingqiu sneered.

Liu Qingge, for his part, went quiet, and averted his eyes slightly.

Oh.

Oh. Liu Qingge’s movement had been slow before and his clothes… Even if somehow Shen Yuan was better at using Shen Qingqiu’s body than he was himself, how would he have caused so much damage?

“Have you had Mu Qingfang look over your injuries?” Shen Qingqiu finally asked, voice slightly less bitter than earlier.

“No.” Liu Qingge held his head high and defiant as he said this. Fool.

“You should,” Shen Qngqiu responded.

“No.” Liu Qingge now also crossed his arms.

“I am not the one who is severely injured,” Shen Qingqiu snapped back, but he knew Liu Qingge wasn't going anywhere.

Don’t hurt Liu-shidi.

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath and left. 

“Hey!” Liu Qingge called from behind. “Where are you going?”

“Someplace where I don’t have to watch you kill yourself by not getting proper care,” Shen Qingqiu called back. And that much was true. Shen Qingqiu returned to his meditation spot, and entered the lotus position with a sigh. As annoying as it was to admit, this time, Shen Yuan had done a good job while in his body. But if he had a say in it, he would take that sentiment to his grave.

Chapter Text

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

As Shen Yuan walked to the meeting spot for his meeting with Airplane, he couldn’t help but feel pleased. He had saved the war god! Great plot divergence! 11/10. And through that, he had obtained his first ally—hopefully. Liu-shidi was a bit of a tsundere, but all in all, he seemed like the ride-or-die type. 

Shen Yuan thought about how the OG would have dealt with Liu Qingge and… well, was it a plot divergence that Liu Qingge had a qi deviation? But all Shen Yuan had done so far in the other world was go on a single mission. So how could he have been the cause of the qi deviation, or was there always—

As Shen Yuan was thinking, he caught sight of an anxious man tapping at his own arm and looking side to side as though looking for someone. He went up to the man whose eyes finally landed on Shen Yuan. “Ah, there you are!”

“Hello, sorry about before. I really thought you had read the book and stuff. How are you liking it here, by the way?”

Shen Yuan eyed Airplane up and down. The man didn’t give off any particularly suspicious vibes but—

“Ah, well, I guess I can answer my own question first. It’s not bad here, honestly. I kind of expected worse, but, dang, the trade with the Americas really introduced some amazing foods, didn’t they? I could eat tomatoes every day.”

Airplane kept talking, seemingly as though he didn’t need anyone there to be able to hold a conversation, but with each word he said, the situation only felt more and more…off.

"You said you’re Airplane Shooting Toward the Sky.” Shen Yuan finally cut in.

“Yep,” Airplane easily agreed.

“Then why are you talking like you just discovered this world?”

Airplane’s mouth dropped open, and his face paled. “Oh…wait… I would have thought—”

Shen Yuan backed Airplane into a wall as he said, “Who are you then if you’re not Airplane?”

Airplane gulped at the threat, though there was something dark and calculating in his eyes.

“So, okay, we are definitely not on the same page about... a lot.”

Shen Yuan didn’t even bother to roll his eyes at that statement. “Just answer.”

“Alright, alright. I am Airplane. As in, I am in his body. But I am also Shang Qinghua.”

Shen Yuan took a moment to process that. “ You are Shang Qinghua.”

“Yeah.”

“Like from the book?” 

“Not many Shang Qinghuas out there, I imagine.” Shang Qinghua let out a broken laugh. “I messed up, though. Or I guess maybe it wasn’t me that messed up? Well, whatever—or whoever—is at fault, I thought you were Shen Qingqiu, but it sounds like that isn’t the case?”

“Who I am is none of your business,” Shen Yuan said, though the words came out a bit rough.

"Okay, wow, I thought that giving my name would mean I earned a chance to hear yours at least, but alright, no equivalent exchange.”

Shen Yuan didn’t even bother to give a response. Instead, he asked, “So what? You lived in PIDW and then transmigrated into this world?” 

“Kind of? It seems like the systems for transferring people between worlds get a bit janky a lot of the time. I was trapped in ‘my’ own body for a while, then the System tried to fix the issue, and I just ended up constantly switching control of my body with Airplane, which was… interesting. I did learn a lot, though. 

“Anyways, that continued until the System was able to figure out the bug that was keeping me there and sent me to this body. Because of the issues with my transmigration, my System offered me some free info. They said that Shen Qingqiu was also here in this world. Specifically in the body of Peerless Cucumber. But it turns out my System lied, which is so rude, tbh.”

“Your speech pattern makes it sound like you are from here and not Xianxian China.” Shen Yuan raised a brow, which made Shang Qinghua laugh.

“Well, I learned from the original goods while we shared our body, but anyway, give me a sec. I am really curious…”

Shang Qinghua glanced to the side, and then Shen Yuan realized he was talking to his system. Before he could ask what he was saying, Shang Qinghua glanced back and hummed, “Oh, okay, so there was a mess up on your side, too? It sounds like maybe wires crossed with my transmigration, and that might have played a role in your funky situation. But oh well. That's pretty cool but also horrifying. That you can go back and forth between the other world and this one.”

‘Is that right? Shang Qinghua and Airplane’s botched transmigration caused MY transmigration to get botched?’

[ Possibly. The administrators are still working on a final report of the root cause of the latest bug. ]

Shen Yuan turned his attention back to Shang Qinghua and asked, “So what? How come are you here, in this world, then?”

“Ah well," Shang Qinghua scratched his head. “To write. There are still things to do with the novel version of PIDW in this world, so I am continuing Airplane’s work here.”

Shen Yuan tapped his arm, thinking. In a way, this man wasn’t the same Shang Qinghua who betrayed the sect. Though presumably, he would have if he had control over his body and had been given the time, so he wasn’t someone to be trusted in any sense of the word, but for now...

“Well, it sounds like there is a lot to talk about. Let's go get some drinks.”

… It would be good to actually have someone that he could talk openly with.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

Shen Qingqiu woke with a splitting headache and a breath that smelled of alcohol and vomit. He felt like gagging, but that would only make the smell worse. Fortunately, he was able to roll back into bed and try to let the hangover run its course. 

All the time Shen Qingqiu had been in this body, he had not seen a single indication that Shen Yuan had any responsibilities, not to his family, not as a student, and not with a job. It was something Shen Qingqiu was frustrated with more than anything, but on days like this he didn’t mind it in the sense that no one had to see him in this disgusting state. Still, this sort of behavior was unacceptable.

By the time he was able to get up properly, he had almost forgotten to check to see if Shen Yuan had left a message for him. There was nothing, however, so he crawled to his computer and got to work.

[ What is Host looking for this time? ] 

‘If this young master has enough time to get himself drunk, he has enough time to go to school or get a job, so I am trying to find out how I can get him one of those .’

[ System can explain for 5 B-points the process for both in this world. ]

Shen Qingqiu paused and considered the screen. He knew he was just being grumpy, as it was irritating to wake ​​up with a headache, but even if he would be doing most of the work, an education and real-world experience in this new place would be valuable, so he might as well look into what options were available. So, Shen Qingqiu pressed "yes.”

Seeing the process of applying for jobs and schools in his mind, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but smirk. It wasn’t that hard, actually. He could manage either of them. Even if Shen Yuan may not help in this process, it would just take some time to get the needed documents in, so for now, it was a question of getting the ball in motion, and by the time he was done, he would still have time to start preparing the profiles he wanted to make for the Shen company’s biggest competition.

Shen Qingqiu still felt like his head would split open, but he opened Proud Immortal Demon Way and continued reading. He grew increasingly irritated at how Luo Binghe was presented as an innocent lamb, and he knew that his irritation was not just because of the hangover he was experiencing.

It was as though the author had looked at his world only on the surface level. It only took a bit of experience in the darkness to know the danger such a boy posed. 

Shen Qingqiu’s internal tirade against Luo Binghe continued for some time until he reached the point where the book’s Shen Qingqiu had entered the Lingxi caves. Flipping back through the pages in the story, he tried to figure out the timing of all these events and sure enough, it aligned exactly with when he himself had entered the caves in his own world. 

Shen Qingqiu then continued to read, but not for long. The moment he reached the part about Liu Qingge’s death at his own hands, he couldn’t help but turn away from the screen. His stomach twisted and his heartbeat quickened. As much as Shen Qingqiu wished he could blame his reaction on the alcohol, he knew it was not the cause. Shen Qingqiu pushed his chair away from the computer and pressed a hand on his forehead.

[ Host? ]

“...” Shen Qingqiu didn’t say anything in response, too lost in his thoughts.

[ Host? Please talk. ] 

‘Will Liu Qingge die? Will I kill him?’ Shen Qingqiu did his best to keep his voice even as he said this. There was too much accuracy around other events in that book to be able to ignore the implication of its words. That Liu Qingge may be moments away from dying at Shen Qingqiu’s hands.

[ Character Liu Qingge’s death from the novel was already scheduled to happen but did not occur. ]

Shen Qingqiu stared at the words on the System screen, blinking rapidly until his thoughts finally settled on the blood on Liu Qingge, the last time he had seen him in his world. He had looked like he needed a trip to Qion Cao. But even though he was injured, he was alive.

‘...Shen Yuan saved him, then. And change the story as a result.’

The System remained silent.

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath and closed Proud Immortal Demon Way for the day and instead took a paper and drew a picture. No words accompanied it, but it was the most Shen Qingqiu could express at the moment.

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

Meditating was a very meh activity. Yeah, sure, it felt enlightening or whatever, but Shen Yuan would rather have a drink to get that sort of feeling. So even if he spent a lot of his time sleeping when he returned to his world at night, at least it was something different than sitting around in the lotus position like a statue. Dang, if Shen Qingqiu’s legs don’t fall asleep at least once while stuck in that cave, it will be a miracle. 

In any case, Shen Yuan was starting to get the hang of doing things while he was back in his actual body. Playing a few games, reading a few chapters of something, and writing pen pal letters to Shen Qingqiu had all become part of that routine. Oddly, Shen Qingqiu’s messages had gotten nicer too. Sometimes, they even included pretty pictures—ones that looked like they belonged in a museum more than on a random scrap of paper.

Shen Yuan was spending more and more time talking to Shang Qinghua as well. The man might have been in the passenger seat most of the time while he was in PIDW, but he had gathered a lot of information from Airplane, and as long as he had a beer or two, the man seemed content to spill his guts.

“So The Record of Words is able to hold about three convos at a time. It’s really easy to turn on and off and record because it looks, uhhh, a lot like an old-school recorder. Actually, Airplane and I went out of the way to get one several years ago to help with keeping track of the sect inventory. It should continue working for maybe a few more decades.” Shang Qinghua finished up his latest “fill in the blank” question from Shen Yuan with a large smile. “Good times; we wouldn’t have survived Liu Qingge’s wrath if we had forgotten that sword scabbard that one time.”

“You really know a lot,” Shen Yuan admitted begrudgingly, which made Shang Qinghua puff out his chest in pride. 

“Comes from years of dealing with An Ding nonsense and, of course, my brother in arms Airplane.”

Shen Yuan’s stomach flipped at that. How had Airplane and Shang Qinghua been so close without wanting to kill each other? But instead of asking that, Shen Yuan said, “My next question is, can you tell me any special ways to improve cultivation?”

Shang Qinghua paused at that, looking at Shen Yuan curiously. "Well, I suppose it depends on the condition of the body.”

“Condition?” Shen Yuan repeated.

“Yeah. See, the whole thing about cultivation is that you get yourself closer and closer to ascension by pushing yourself to new levels. This is a process that happens with both the body and mind. And depending on the cultivation route, the proper balance between those two things will be different.”

“How about if I was Shen Qingqiu?” Shen Yuan tried, figuring the direct question may work better. Shang Qinghua’s eyes darkened at that, however.

“Uhhh, Shen Qingqiu’s cultivation is quite damaged; it's not even fun to speculate on this kind of thing since no matter what progress he makes, he will never get to where he wants to be. He’s at like half? Maybe even less of what his potential was as a kid because of… well...”

“And what happened back then?” Shen Yuan couldn’t help but ask, which made Shang Qinghua make a face. 

“I don’t know; you try going through slavery, abuse, being forced to be an assassin, and then being surrounded by people that hate your guts and see how well you are able to cultivate.”

Shen Yuan froze and then said in a stiff voice. “Well, I am asking you to speculate on what it would be like for Shen Qingqiu to improve his cultivation.”

Shang Qinghua drummed his fingers on the table for a moment before saying, “Well, if that is what you are interested in, I can give you some details.”

–

Later that day, Shen Yuan went to write a note to Shen Qingqiu. Looking at how many were already strewn across the desk from their previous back-and-forths, he scratched his head and went to ask his sister if she had a spiral notebook. She did, so he took it with promises that he would get a replacement for it. The glitter on the cover was annoying as f*ck, but these were messages between two bros sharing two bodies so he would get over the blow to his manhood.

Shen Yuan wrote down the information that Shang Qinghua had given him before collapsing on the bed like a dead man. He had done enough work that day for the next week. Thank you very much.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

The following morning, Shen Qingqiu woke up in Shen Yuan’s body. As he had come to know what to do, he checked on the desk for a note and saw a spiral notebook open to a page that said, “Hey Shen Qingqiu, I got some details about how to help with the close door cultivating to make it more effective. I am going to highlight the details below.”

Shen Qingqiu snorted. This lazy, rich kid finding ways to improve cultivation? No way he would bother. And to do it from a world where cultivation didn’t exist? Ridiculous! But then Shen Qingqiu paused… Shen Yuan hadn’t actually done a bad job with Liu Qingge. Or, at the very least, he appeared to have handled things better than that book had expected Shen Qingqiu to. 

He had not been able to continue the book after reading about Liu Qingge’s death, so it was quite possible that it contained answers on how to cultivate beyond what information Shen Qingqiu had gathered from his shizun and the books in Qing Jing. In any case, there was enough evidence at this point that he could not completely dismiss the idea that Shen Yuan could have had a useful idea—even if every instinct in him wanted to reject anything from the rich spoiled brat. And sure enough, as he read through the suggestions he found himself intrigued.

Shen Qingqiu smirked. Maybe the boy wasn’t as useless as he seemed. He just needed a bit of motivation. But in any case, he couldn’t let Shen Yuan do better at coming up with things than him, so it was back to work.

[ What is Host doing exactly? ] System asked.

‘You haven’t figured it out?’ Shen Qingqiu pulled up the document where he had been compiling the profiles of the various companies that were in competition with the Shens. ‘Reputation is a fragile thing. A few bad words here, a little doubt there, and things start to crumble. You just need to find the weakest links. And in that process, see if that weak link can also be used to cast a better light on whomever you want to succeed.’

Shen Qingqiu scrolled through the list, examining it. The biggest issue now was figuring out social media and other material that could put this plan into motion. However, such skills did not come with his “starter” skills in this world, so he would need to learn them from scratch.

[ Does Host want a suggestion? ]

‘I am not interested in getting help from someone.’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

[ But Host— ]

‘I am not asking my siblings.’

[ But what about Shen Yuan? ]

Shen Qingqiu paused. 

[ If Host does not desire help from the Shen family, then Shen Yuan— ]

‘He is useless,’ Shen Qingqiu responded, but even as he said this, his eyes traveled to the notebook with the intriguing cultivation instructions. His thoughts also turned to how Liu Qingge was alive and well in the other world. Still, he said, ‘Isn’t this supposed to be my mission anyway? Why should I be getting help from someone who isn’t supposed to even be inhabiting this body anymore?’

[ If Host would rather speak to Shen Yang, that would also be highly encouraged. ]

Shen Qingqiu only grumbled and decided to return to work. Having people do the work would make things easier in theory, but...

Finally, Shen Qingqiu finished compiling his first “evidence” and looked it over. Although he had been working on this project for some time, he knew that research could not continue indefinitely. 

Plans for improving the inner workings of the company.

Strategies for making consumers grow mistrustful of the competition.

Tactics to get strong allies on the side of the Shen company.

He had researched it all now and was satisfied with his results, but the next part meant interacting with people. Even if it was going to be annoying, he could do it. He just needed to send a few emails here. Social posts there...

[ How will Host make those posts? ]

… And then make a few calls, and it will be fine.

[ … ]

Shen Qingqiu looked at his screen, which had lists of comments and other things that still felt so foreign, but he had learned to understand how to interpret their meanings. This world was a strange one, but still, people were people, and he would accomplish this mission.

‘After I assist the company, what comes after?’

[ There is no end to the main task in the foreseeable future. ]

Shen Qingqiu sighed. Well, at least that meant he was applying for the right degrees for school. Speaking of…

Shen Qingqiu changed tabs and opened a document that was full of notes about business dealings and school structures.

He had more work to do if he and Shen Yuan were going to get into university.

As he worked on this, Shen Qingqiu tried to push down thoughts of the novel that he had not yet finished. Or at least he did for some time. Without the book, Shen Qingqiu knew he was not playing with a full deck of cards.

Maybe the book spoke of the System. Of the coming trials that he would face.

Knowing the future was dangerous.

But to not pursue the knowledge was suicide. 

Shen Qingqiu eventually continued reading the novel. He read about the demon invasion and clicked his tongue at how someone had left the warriors so weak. And how Tian Chui had been such a weak opponent to lose to someone like Luo Binghe. But then he read of Luo Binghe's encounter with Meng Mo—and he understood. 

Luo Binghe was a demon.

Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth.

No wonder that child made his skin crawl. A demon had weaseled his way into the sect. And the weasel was the protagonist of this book. Doing a quick scroll to check how much of the novel was left, Shen Qingqiu saw that it would be a long time before he was finished. But if there was one thing he was, it was determined. Even if this was the worst thing he had ever read, he would make it through. He just needed time. And as he settled in for the night, he knew that whatever lay ahead in the later pages of the novel would be unpleasant.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW – 

Shen Qingqiu awoke in the Lingxi Caves and looked around from where he was seated in the lotus Position. As always, he had to break his meditation as his consciousness returned to the body. Ideally, meditation would be continuous, but the sudden sensation of a new soul being slammed into the body made that impossible.

He managed to mask his discomfort from the sensation. Finally catching his breath, he glanced around to see if Shen Yuan had left any notes for him, and sure enough, there was one. Shen Yuan had brought papers with him as well as ink so they could exchange notes. The man was a good communicator, all things considered, and today was no exception. 

Shen Yuan had written with his tolerable calligraphy: “I tried the method I wrote about for cultivation. I can feel it boosting the circulation of qi. You should try it.”

Shen Qingqiu didn’t need Shen Yuan to tell him to try. He had already seen the potential just from reading. Shen Yuan clearly had read too many xianxia(?) novels if he was able to come up with something like this when he wasn’t even from a xianxia world. Even with this technique, he would still want to spend months in the cave training. But, perhaps, with this he would be able to reach an even higher level of cultivation in that time than otherwise. 

But first, he needed to try it.

Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes, focused his qi into a ball, then pulsated it outward, and from there, continued the cultivation technique. He took several deep breaths, working to empty his mind of all thoughts. The fact that the boy had managed to find a way past some of his blockages—and had even saved Liu Qingge… 

In any case, it would be interesting to see the final result of all these efforts. And maybe, just maybe, he would find words to praise the boy instead of just making a painting. Though he had his doubts about that.

Chapter Text

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

To call reading Proud Immortal Demon Way unpleasant was an understatement. And the fact that the book only seemed to dip in quality as it went on was baffling. Shouldn’t a writer improve as they get more experience? If Shen Qingqiu had been this incompetent with his work, he would have hidden his face in shame. But still, he continued to plough through, reading at least a little of the novel every day.

Eventually, he reached the scene of Luo Binghe’s seal breaking. Reading about the “Shen Qingqiu” in the book pushing Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss made the real Shen Qingqiu pause in surprise. Within the context of a demon revealing himself after a demonic attack, pushing the boy into the Abyss was the only logical choice, aside from outright beheading his disciple. As such, his actions were not the reason for his surprise. No, what made the real Shen Qingqiu pause was the fact that there were so many pages left in the novel. With the heavy emphasis on Shen Qingqiu’s poor treatment of Luo Binghe in the earlier sections of the book, the outlook of his character did not look good. No matter if Luo Binghe was a demon and if he deserved treatment he received or not, Shen Qingqiu knew that the vengeance of a demon was to be feared.

And with the focus on the horrors of the Endless Abyss in the story, the feeling of foreboding only grew. Until, finally, Luo Binghe returned and, with a few words, had Shen Qingqiu put on trial. 

Reading about the proceedings, Shen Qingqiu was not surprised by the sorts of complaints leveraged against his counterpart or the inevitable guilty verdict. All predictable. The protagonist won.

But even with how far Luo Binghe had fallen, Shen Qingqiu was not prepared for what came next. Reading about his legs being torn off and then them being sent to Yue Qingyuan.

That… that was enough to make Shen Qingqiu’s stomach do somersaults in ways it hadn’t in years.

But then, when the shards of Xuan Su were tossed in front of him…

Shen Qingqiu was trembling. It was just a book. He tried to repeat that to himself. Just a book. These things didn’t happen.

[ Host? ]

Yue Qingyuan was alive. He had to be.

[ Host! ]

After everything, he couldn’t die—

[ Protocol 827 activated. ]

With that, Shen Qingqiu fell unconscious.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

When Shen Qingqiu awoke, he was in his body once more. He rose from his spot. And left the room he had been using for meditation.

[ Host? What are you doing? ]

‘Looking for Yue Qingyuan.’

[ If Host leaves the caves, the current mission will be canceled. Is that acceptable? ]

A floating screen that said [ Cancel mission Y/N ] appeared. Without a moment’s hesitation, Shen Qingqiu hit the yes. Even if the events with Luo Binghe hadn’t happened. He needed to go. He couldn’t wait for this mission to run its course.

He left the caves, and flew to Qiong Ding. He walked up to Yue Qingyuan’s residence, but when he was about to knock on the man’s door, he froze. It was silly. He had come this far to make sure Yue Qingyuan was alright, but—

“Shen-shidi, this is a surprise. I thought you were still in closed-door cultivation. How may I be of assistance?” 

Whirling around, Shen Qingqiu was met with the sight of Yue Qingyuan smiling at him. The expression looked as tense as always. 

Shen Qingqiu had lost all the words that he was about to say. And despite everything, all he managed was: “Nothing.”

Then he turned and walked away.

Yue Qingyuan was alive. He looked healthy. That was all he needed to know. And if confirming that cost him the rest of his time in the caves training, so be it.

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

For some time now, Shen Yuan had been waking up in his original body to find that Shen Qingqiu had left PIDW open on the computer. It was a bit surreal seeing the man go through the book. And honestly, Shen Yuan still hadn’t figured out a good way to…talk about the THING with Shen Qingqiu. Like, he did write that one letter, and he could repeat the whole “What you read doesn’t have to be you” sentiment, but he wasn’t some sort of motivational poster or cheerleader. Oh no. The best he was? A man who was deleting all his comments on the web novel in fear that the scum villain would find them and manage to make Shen Yuan regret existing.

Shen Qingqiu still hadn’t left any messages about the book, so Shen Yuan had no insight into what he was thinking. But dang, whatever it was, it was bound to be a mess he really didn’t want to deal with.

So maybe there was someone else who could deal with it instead? Well, if nothing else, causing a hard time for Shang Qinghua would be a bit of fun.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

“Hey, are you listening? I thought you said you wanted pizza, but if you don’t tell me what you want on it, I will make sure yours has pineapple.”

Shen Qingqiu blinked a few times against the light. He had woken up in Shen Yuan’s body in the past with the lights on, but the type of lighting felt different this time. Not only that but there was a man in front of him. Someone that he hadn’t seen for quite some time.

Shen Qingqiu hopped to his feet at the sight of “Airplane”, who was sitting next to him on a couch. Shen Qingqiu kept his mouth clamped shut, fighting the urge to do something OOC. 

“Ah, uh, did you change over?” “Airplane” asked. “Oh, yeah, you definitely switched over considering your expression. So, Shen Qingqiu, would you like some mushrooms or nay? Also, the beer is in the fridge if you want—”

“You!” Shen Qingqiu hissed.

“Okay, so, before you try to kill me, here is a note that your ‘co-worker’ left. Uhhh. I will order a margherita for you and a meat lover for myself while you read. Can't have you get hangry at me, right?” 

“You know about the body swaps,” Shen Qingqiu said in surprise, eyes flicking to the letter the stranger was waving in his face—sure enough, it was in Shen Yuan’s handwriting.

“Yeah. Well, the first time we met, I thought you were Shen-shixiong. But things got really confusing with how you reacted, and then the other guy was the one that contacted me and—ah, whatever. Point is, the other guy figured you could use someone to talk to that the System wouldn’t axe you for spilling your guts out to, and that is a pretty small group of people.” 

He shook the letter impatiently. “Now, can you take this so I can order that pizza, please?”

Shen Qingqiu had so many questions. As a starter, why did this man call him Shen-shixiong? But for now, he kept those questions to himself; instead, he took the offered letter and began to read. 

“Hey Shen Qingqiu, 

So, I noticed you have been reading Proud Immortal Demon Way and thought you might want to talk to someone about it. The person that you woke up with today shared bodies with the author of the book for a while. He was sometimes the Shang Qinghua of your world, too, but that gets complicated. Anyways, now he is the only resident of ‘Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky’s’ body. Sorry if that is confusing. The main takeaway is that he knows about both worlds, and you interacted with him to some extent in the other world as well. So he is someone you can talk to.”

Shen Qingqiu glanced up at the man, who seemed more interested in ordering pizza than speaking to him. Shang Qinghua? As in the man who seemed to always be ready to cry because of the paperwork he had to work on? He never interacted much with him in the other world, and he has little interest in bonding with him now.

All of this was stupid.

Shen Qingqiu got to his feet and headed to the door. “Hey, you're leaving?”

“Yes,” Shen Qingqiu responded.

“So… Huh, I mean fine. I kind of thought that you would have wanted someone to talk to.”

“Why should I?” Shen Qingqiu turned back. “We were never close.”

“True,” Shang Qinghua admitted. 

“And the book is that. Just a book.” Shen Qingqiu stated. But even to his ears, his words sounded off.

“Ah, well, it’s not that simple. I am sure you saw the parallels with our world and then the stuff later on in the book… I mean, what happens with our characters in the story isn’t great.”

Shen Qingqiu took a moment to consider before leaning against the door. “I left off in the book with my legs and right arm cut off while I was in the Water Prisons. Up until then, there was almost no mention of Shang Qinghua, so why is what happens to that ‘other you’ a concern?”

“Well, it happens later.” Shang Qinghua smiled sadly. “Actually, way after that part. A demon that I was working with killed me. Reading about my death…” Shang Qinghua let out a sigh. “Well, it makes me happy that I no longer have ties to that other world for my sake, but I also worry about Airplane since he is in that other world still.”

Shen Qingqiu thought for a moment and then took a seat across from Shang Qinghua. “You're the Shang Qinghua from my world, right? The person who was supposed to live out his life there before someone from the ‘modern world came in’. So then, why are you here?”

“Well, Airplane was put into the other world to improve the story and—”

“No.” Shen Qingqiu cut in. “Why are YOU here?”

Shang Qinghua closed his mouth and then let out a sigh. “I suppose, if I were the System, I would choose people that were on the periphery of the 'plot': —important enough to matter, but not central enough to be the main characters to replace. And, well, people that transmigrators would actually want to change the fate of. Which means… yeah, both of us were perfect candidates to swap out of the story, weren’t we?”

Shen Qingqiu wanted to argue, but… he read the book, he saw how he was seen in the eyes of a world where Luo Binghe was a protagonist. The silence dragged on until Shang Qinghua switched on the TV and said, “Listen, while we wait for the food, maybe we can watch Teen Wolf¹ or something? I’m realizing existential dread doesn’t really go well with any kind of pizza.”

Shen Qingqiu stared at the screen for a long moment. 

Shang Qinghua sighed and added, “We can talk more. I’m no therapist—actually, if you find a good one, let me know because I could really use their contact info, too—but anyways… What I’m trying to say is, we can talk about the other world, and since Shen Yuan wants to improve communication, we’re probably gonna be doing that, like, every day.

“But that doesn’t mean we can’t step away from it sometimes. Just… take a break and enjoy the fact that we live in a world where demons aren’t trying to kill us. So, what do you say? I can put on something else if Teen Wolf doesn’t sound interesting.”

Shen Qingqiu slowly nodded. “Alright.” 

Shang Qinghua brightened, and he went to put on the show. “You know, you are my scariest shixiong. But here, you feel just like anyone else, you know? Maybe we can become friends? Not immediately, but, you know.”

“...” Shen Qingqiu didn’t even know how to respond to that, so remained silent. As if he could ever be friends with anyone.

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Shen Yuan had not prepared for the possibility that he would wake up in the bamboo house. Clearly, something had gone wrong. ‘System? What happened to the closed-door cultivation mission?’

[ It has been canceled. Points were deducted accordingly. ]

Shen Yuan pulled up the full points breakdown and immediately paled. 30 B-Points. That was all that this body had left? Dang it, Shen Qingqiu.

At least it looked like some boosts had happened in his stats from the time in the caves, but seriously. F*CK YOU, SHEN QINGQIU.

There was no note from the scum villain for Shen Yuan, but he was almost certain the departure from the caves had to do with his PIDW read-through. ‘System, can I pick up the cultivation mission again?’

[ The System can provide an alternative training mission; however, the Lingxi Cave mission cannot be repeated. ]

Shen Yuan let out a curse. After everything, this had to happen. Well, at least now that he was out of the Lingxi caves, there was someone that he could have a conversation with.

–

Shen Yuan hid the lower half of his face with his fan as he knocked on a door. Soon, a little “mouse” opened the door wide. “Ah, Shen-shixiong!” Shang Qinghua—no, Airplane greeted. “This is a surprise. How can I help you today?”

“I just wanted to have a little discussion with a certain hack author.” Shen Yuan took a step forward.

“Haha, wait, what are you talking about?” Airplane took a step backwards. 

“Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky,” Shen Yuan hissed.

“Oh gods, are you a fan? If so, I—”

“Fan?” Shen Yuan had dropped down his paper fan so that Airplane could see full on his expression. “Who said anything about being a fan?”

“I—” Airplane squeaked. “I’m sorry.”

“Oh, you will be,” Shen Yuan hissed. “Because moving forward, you are going to be helping me out with keeping communication going with the real scum villain.”

“Eep!”

–

After some time threatening Airplane, Shen Yuan needed to stretch. It had already been quite a day, but he still needed to figure out the cultivation situation.

‘So, System, what was the alternative for having missed out on the close-door cultivation?’ He asked.

[ As the character Liu Qingge is still alive. Points and cultivation can be awarded if character Shen Qingqiu trains under him, though points will be less than if meditation had continued. ]

Oh.

Oh , this will be a fun one to get Shen Qingqiu on board for. But this was the man’s fault anyway, so he better be willing to deal with the consequences of his actions.

Shen Yuan needed to make sure this body got stronger, so he needed to make sure more training happened, and he did have a few hours before he switched with Shen Qingqiu, so…

–

“No.” Liu Qingge was sitting in the Lingxi Caves, arms crossed. “Why would I train you?”

“Because I saved your life, shidi ,” Shen Yuan said.

[ 5 B-points deducted. This is a reminder that Shen Qingqiu does not call Liu Qingge shidi. ]

Dang it, System. The OOC parameters would literally be the death of him.

“I came here to train alone,” Liu Qingge grunted. “Not with you.”

“Well, don't worry. Since I left closed-door cultivation already, I won’t be able to get permission to be away in the caves for long periods for some time. But I can come by and with my fav– with you. And some hourly training with me would be better than just swinging your sword around alone.”

Liu Qingge gave him a look that made it very clear that, yes, swinging the sword around alone would be preferable to being in Shen Qingqiu’s presence, which…ouch. Ouch, but also not surprising. 

“Fine. Only three hours a day, and I decide the schedule.”

“Sure, sure,” Shen Yuan quickly agreed.

“We start now.” Liu Qingge pointed his sword at Shen Yuan. “Ready.”

Heck no! With so little time left in this body, he would have to run out of there like Cinderella at midnight, but he would make it work. “Fine, then.” Shen Yuan took out Xiu Ya. “Let's start.”

Shen Yuan wasn’t wrong that Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t like these new “classes”.

But Shen Qingqiu also had his own classes he was setting up in the other world that Shen Yuan wouldn’t enjoy. Ones in a university. So when they began to argue in their letters and using their human walkie-talkies, Shang Qinghua and Airplane, neither found they had a leg to stand on.

So it looked like both of them had studying to do. And also plenty of cursing towards their other half as well.

Chapter Text

- Shen Yuan: PIDW -

Shang Qinghua was a rat but not as intolerable as Shen Qingqiu would have assumed from their previous interactions. And Airplane, when he finally met the man, was a mouse that seemed ready to run for his life rather than face an actual tough situation. It was strange to think that these two men were in fact both part of the person that he once thought of as “Shang Qinghua”, but now that he could see them in separate bodies, it was clear they were different people. People he could keep around without threatening with murder. Well, for the most part. As such, what soon became nearly daily visits with Airplane and frequent texts with Shang Qinghua, was not an annoyance. 

In contrast, Liu Qingge as a “teacher” was the exact kind of irritation Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to deal with. He might not want the War God dead, but that didn’t mean he wanted to deal with him more than necessary. Unfortunately, as of late, he was spending a lot of time with Liu Qingge, thanks to Shen Yuan.

“You need to open your stance more.” Liu Qingge swung his sword so close to Shen Qingqiu’s face he could feel the wind that was displaced from the movement.

“Don’t you think I know that?” Shen Qingqiu hissed back. In his irritation, he tried to sweep Liu Qingge off his feet out of spite. Liu Qingge, however, had been the “victim” of such attacks more than once now and easily dodged. 

“You had agreed to fight with no tricks,” Liu Qingge snarled from where he stood. 

“Oh, I suppose I forgot, Liu Qingge .” Shen Qingqiu wished the lesson would just end already.

Liu Qingge let out a growl and stabbed Cheng Luan into the ground. 

It had been a month now, and the times Liu Qingge called on one of the two Shens were unpredictable. Hour of the Dragon¹. Hour of the Rooster². There was no rhyme or reason, which made knowing who Liu Qingge would be training with impossible to predict. Not to mention the few times the man chose a time right when the two would switch over, and they had to make some sort of excuse to leave training early. 

Shen Qingqiu only agreed to meet with Liu Qingge because after seeing what happened to him in the book, he needed to get stronger. And the more he read that stupid thing, the more obvious it became, but still.

He hated Liu Qingge.

“We will finish up today, but from now on, come at the Hour of the Horse³.” Liu Qingge stretched his arms as he said this. “You are more intolerable at night.”

Shen Qingqiu snorted. “The war god speaks of me as though I am a werewolf.”

Liu Qingge looked confused. “What is a werewolf?”

[ As Host is the original owner of this body, this System will not deduct points for the comment. However, please be more mindful and refrain from referencing knowledge that would not have been available in China during this time period. ]

Ah, clearly, Shen Qingqiu had watched one too many werewolf series with Shang Qinghua. “What this shixiong is trying to say is that you make it sound as though I am a different person at night.”

“You are yourself at night.” Liu Qingge shrugged. “The other you is more tolerable.”

“There is only one of me, Liu Qingge,” Shen Qingqiu tried. 

Liu Qingge eyed Shen Qingqiu thoughtfully, however, and then sat down. “Hour of the Horse, or don’t bother to come moving forward.”

Shen Qingqiu bit his lip and weighed his options before finally saying, “Fine Liu- shidi . We will do it your way.”

Liu Qingge’s eyebrows twitched “Shidi?”

“Yes, well—” Shen Qingqiu was taken by surprise by his own choice of words. But he wasn’t going to back down either. “It’s not like I am going to call you Shifu after just a few mediocre lessons. You are my shidi. Whether you like it or not.”

Liu Qingge stared at Shen Qingqiu with his silvery grey eyes which only made heat rise into Shen Qingqiu’s face. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Liu Qingge said, “Mn.” And then returned to his feet and readied his sword, “One more bout and then we are done for the night.”

–

Sometime later, Shen Qingqiu headed back to his bamboo house, lost in his own thoughts. There were plenty of other things he could do with his time in the future. But the fact that Liu Qingge had picked up on at least some of what was happening before even Yue Qingyuan didn’t sit well with him. But in any case, he was only acting as himself. Any inconsistencies in behavior were Shen Yuan’s fault. 

Later, in his note to Shen Yuan for the night, Shen Qingqiu would make sure that his lazier half knew that now even more of his “precious time” would now consistently involve training with Liu Qingge, Shen Qingqiu made sure his stupider half knew exactly why. Shen Qingqiu might not trust Shen Yuan in most regards but it was obvious that Shen Yuan did actually train properly when he put his mind to it. And as long as Shen Yuan was improving “his” cultivation. Both of them would still benefit from the improvements. 

As Shen Qingqiu approached his house, he ran into Luo Binghe, who quickly clapped his hands together at his approaching shizun and said, “Welcome back, Shizun.”

“Hmm,” Shen Qingqiu said simply before walking past. He was aware that Shen Yuan had been working to, as he put it, “hug Luo Binghe’s thighs in the most Shen Qingqiu” way possible. Which just sounded like a way to say he was acting extremely OOC around the boy, putting their points at risk.

Shen Qingqiu knew it would be easier to change—to be nice to Luo Binghe. And that Shen Yuan was trying to keep them from becoming a “human stick”. But still. The boy was a demon. The boy was unpleasant. Yet, he also knew what could happen if he didn’t change how he acted around him. And now, he would be the one around Luo Binghe most of the time with Shen Yuan dealing with the brute. 

“Make sure you rest.” Shen Qingqiu called back to Luo Binghe as he opened the door to his house. 

He did not, however, wait for a response before closing his door.

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

Shen Yuan was living a busy life, trying to squeeze in as many hours as possible to enjoy the world he had called home for over two decades. However, Shen Qingqiu seemed to constantly be making that more complicated.

The documents and files on Shen Yuan’s computer were not supposed to be for him to take care of, but dang it, it was his body, so of course, they had an impact on him. And then, in the middle of all this, he saw the stupid class sign-up sheet. That alone was enough to make him break into a sweat. 

Shen Qingqiu wasn’t from the modern world, and sure, he was doing a great job at navigating systems and bureaucracy, but university was another game completely! Now, if Shen Yuan managed to get even three hours of gaming in before being dragged away by his family—or before falling into the endless rabbit hole of “What the f*ck is Shen Qingqiu even doing?”—he considered it a miracle.

And that was just for the world where Shen Yuan spent the most time asleep in. He had a whole other set of concerns from the world where he resided in the body of a literal death flag. Ever since Shen Qingqiu got involved in his life, he had so many more things to do. Ugh.

Shen Yuan dropped his head on top of his keyboard. ‘System? Why is it OOC for me to call Liu Qingge Liu-shidi but not for Shen Qingqiu to sign me up for classes?’

[ ( ・⌓・｀) This System knew Host was listless but didn’t realize that Host was so lazy it would be OOC to sign up for classes. ]

Shen Yuan pointed a middle finger at the floating screen. ‘How are you dumber than the other System?’

[ Host is rude. ]

‘Coming from you, that means nothing. But whatever, you Systems can’t even do a proper transmigration. Maybe it was too much to expect that you would be able to set up an OOC functionality correctly.’

[ Does Host wish for me to deduct points if the other host attends class? ]

Shen Yuan opened his mouth and then paused. Wait, if Shen Qingqiu lost points, Shen Yuan would lose points, too, in essence.

This was the worst. ‘Actually, forget what I said I turned over a new leaf. Through… character development. Classes are OC now. Sound good?’

[ That is good to hear Host! Please continue your hard work. ]

F*ck that. Shen Yuan wanted to relax with a game console and his music. Thank you very much! Instead, he was carrying way more weight on his shoulders than he had ever imagined. And he hated it. 

But it was still better than being killed by the stupid System.

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Shen Yuan was just explaining all his stupid classes Shen Qingqiu was planning to take to Airplane in their daily “What has Shen Qingqiu been up to?” sessions. The mousey man nodded along but paused near the end to rant.

“Is it really that bad? The classes haven’t started yet; maybe he will do all the work. Like he is the one looking over those other companies and taking care of most of the schoolwork already, so I kind of feel like he will be taking on the classes more than you will. And a degree without having to put in the work doesn’t sound like the worst thing ever.” 

“Even if he is doing more work, I didn’t ask for any of it,” Shen Yuan retorted. “And I’m so tired just watching everything the man is doing.”

“I mean, fair. Everyone should be able to vibe if they like. But still, maybe just give school a try since you’re already there? For a bit? You're lucky, honestly. University is something I always wanted to do, but it wasn’t really in the cards. Instead, I could barely afford a cup of ramen for dinner most days while I lived in our world.”

Shen Yuan was confused. “I’ve been to your flat in the other world. It doesn’t look that bad.”

“Ah, well, keep what you have in decent shape and all that.” Airplane smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes, “Look, I am not saying you need to like school, but I guess… be careful about dismissing it completely. At least for now.”

–

Shen Yuan went back to his bamboo house not long after. He was still thinking about Airplane’s words as he sat cradling a cup of tea. He knew he was fortunate to have the family he had, but it’s not like that meant that he NEEDED to take advantage of the “opportunities” he had. 

…Though it wouldn’t be the worst thing if people would call him something besides lazy.

As Shen Yuan was thinking this, there was a knock on the door. He straightened himself as he called, “Enter.”

A moment later, Luo Binghe came in and bowed. “Apologies for the intrusion.”

“It is fine. How—”

The System screen blinked in warning. Dang it. Well, even if he had to look like an idiot in front of Luo Binghe, at least from the lack of bruises and other markings, it was clear that Shen Qingqiu had stopped using corporal punishment on the boy. Which was… something.

Shen Yuan tried to make his face look as Shen Qingqiu-like as possible. “What is it that you want?”

“This disciple was wondering if there were any updates about the investigation of my fight with Ming-shixiong.”

What? Shen Qingqiu didn’t mention anything like this in his letters or to Airplane.

“At this time, no.” Shen Yuan pulled out his fan and began to wave it. Hoping that his panic wasn’t obvious. 

“It’s just that... the pendant was a present from my mother, and it would be nice to have it back.”

Oh. OH. That fight. It all clicked in Shen Yuan’s mind. Of course, he had seen the guanyin pendant in his inventory. Well, it should be simple enough to give it back to Luo Binghe…

Or at least, that was what he thought until the System said [ Would Host like to use the fake guanyin pendant to reduce character Luo Binghe’s anger points by 5000? Character Luo Binghe’s current anger points are five. ] Wait, the guanyin is worth 5000 anger points but Luo Binghe had five? That was like using a master ball⁴ on a caterpie⁵! Dang, as much as he would like to hug the protagonist's thighs at the moment, he couldn’t give up such a valuable item.

“This master will inform disciple Luo when the investigation is complete,” Shen Yuan landed on saying. And, oh boy, it was clear Luo Binghe was hurt. How dare he make a face that made Shen Yuan want to pat his head? Blame the System! Blame Shen Qingqiu! Just don’t blame the man who would dote on his bun if it wasn’t OOC.

[ Character Luo Binghe’s anger points are now at seven. ]

‘And who’s fault is that?’ Shen Yuan snapped at the System.

“Understood. Thank you, Shizun, for listening to this one’s request.” Luo Binghe bowed stiffly then left.

Only then was Shen Yuan able to let out a breath of relief.

–

In PIDW, Shen Yuan was teaching classes, trying to convince his disciple not to kill him, and now he was always the one in Liu Qingge’s classes and was bordering on calling the man shizun if it wasn’t for the OOC aspect.

“Liu-shidi—” Shen Yuan cut himself off, expecting a point deduction for his tongue slip, but the System remained silent, so he continued. “Do you feel I have been improving?”

Liu Qingge eyed Shen Yuan over. “Yes.”

Shen Yuan glanced at the system screen. “That is great. How much longer would you say that the training is needed for?”

Liu Qingge furrowed his brows. “This was your idea.”

“Ah, yes, but is there a point you think I am ready?”

Liu Qingge only looked angrier at the question. Ah! Liu-shidi, if you keep your perfect brows together like that, you will get wrinkles on your beautiful face.

But still, his answer was peak warrior. “Training always continues.”

Not helpful Liu-shidi! ‘System? When will you award points for this mission?’

[ Host can end this mission whenever they wish at this point. More B-points and cultivation skills can be obtained. However, character Shen Qingqiu’s ability to improve under the guidance of character Liu Qingge has plateaued. ]

‘Does that mean that there is some other way I should be training now?’

[ Host will be starting a new plot point today, so no. ]

Today? ‘Stupid System. Why didn’t you say anything earlier?’

[ Didn’t Host ask his question because he remembered the coming plot point? ] The System countered.

‘...’ Actually, Shen Yuan had been having a growing itch that something was about to happen…

“Ah, thank you, Liu-shidi, for all your instruction. This has been very informative. I will use what I have learned for the good of the sect. See you around.”

Liu Qingge only watched with a super serious expression as Shen Yuan walked away. Shen Yuan, for his part, continued to speak to the System, ‘When will the next plot point start?’

[ Host only needs to go outside, and he can start the main part of the mission. ]

At first. Shen Yuan was not sure what the System meant, but when he exited the caves, he understood.

The sect was under attack by demons. Dang. Between being a Peak Lord, a teacher, training, and everything else in the other world, he had messed up the timing of this event. He thought he still had a week before this plot point!

Shen Yuan was about to head back into the caves to get Liu Qingge, but out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying fighting a demon.

Swooping down, he cut down the demons with a quick series of strikes. Oh yeah, he definitely can tell his stats had improved.

“Shizun!” The two disciples said in unison. 

“Yes, yes.” Shen Yuan glanced back at the caves, but with so many other demons around, there was no easy way to go back. But he should still be fine even without Liu Qingge in this part of the story, as the winner of this event would be decided in the ring. Ah, that must have been what the System meant when it said that he would choose when the mission started. Shen Qingqiu was key to the start of the tournament.

Not long after began the “Proud Immortal Demon Way Tournament Arc”. Shen Yuan fought the first demon just like in the novel, and then Liu Mingyan had her fight, and so did Luo Binghe. Everything happened just like in the book.

Well…with the exception of when Shen Yuan got poisoned with Without a Cure. Aaaaaa.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

Shen Qingqiu awoke to find himself in a strangely hazy place. Looking around, there were no clues about what the place actually was. Wasn’t he supposed to be in his bed? Shen Yuan had been consistent for the past several months to make sure that was the place he would wake up. As such, he had thought he would have woken up in Qing Jing. But this place—

“Shizun!” Shen Qingqiu turned around to see Luo Binghe rushing towards him. His face was smiling, but his eyes were filled with concern. Having nowhere to run, he just stood by as Luo Binghe approached. He had his fan at least, so he raised it to cover the lower half of his face.

“Shizun, what is going on?” Luo Binghe whined as he approached Shen Qingqiu. 

The peak lord glanced around, wondering the same thing. But no matter how much he looked, the space refused to offer more answers—beyond the most obvious conclusion, one that even someone who read just a few books in the Qing Jing library could figure out. 

“Whatever this is, it is an illusion. Do not touch anything.”

Luo Binghe opened his mouth to respond, but a moment later, the area changed, and there was the sight of Luo Binghe being beaten up by a group of kids before them.

Shen Qingqiu watched the scene, not surprised. A boy like Luo Binghe was an easy target for bullies' anger. He was as well at that age. Well, that was until—

He stopped his thoughts before they could return to that time.

Shen Qingqiu glanced over to Luo Binghe, who looked pained by the sight before him. Shen Qingqiu, however, only said to the boy, “It is an illusion. It only has power over you if you let it.”

“Yes, Shizun.” Luo Binghe’s voice revealed his doubt, however, so Shen Qingqiu snapped his fan closed and glared down at Luo Binghe.

“This Master doubts that you do. Touch any illusion, and you will receive punishment.”

Luo Binghe winced but didn’t object.

Illusion after illusion appeared, and Shen Qingqiu noted how much of an impact these sights were having on the boy. However, when a tear looked like it would form in Luo Binghe’s eyes, he gave Luo Binghe a cold glare that put him back in his place.

However, even Shen Qingqiu was unable to avoid hesitating when he saw Luo Binghe’s mother's death. Instead of scolding the boy who had rushed over to his mother's side, Shen Qingqiu took Luo Binghe’s arms and pulled him away from the scene.

“But mom—”

“The dead are long gone,” Shen Qingqiu nearly yelled. This boy was a demon! How could he be acting like a helpless lamb? “And she would not appreciate her death being used to manipulate you. Now think of a talisman, Disciple Luo. One that can break this dream.”

“Shizun?” Luo Binghe barely managed to say. His voice full of sorrow and anger.

“This all must have been created by a dream demon, and right now, that demon is using your memories against you. However, as this is your dreamscape, that also means that you have the ability to fight. You can create whatever you wish as long as you concentrate, and you can bend this world to your liking. So focus. The talisman can be whatever you wish but you must be the one to create it.” Was this really the part in the novel where Luo Binghe meets Meng Mo? How annoying. At least he had been pulled into the dream instead of Ning Yingying.

Luo Binghe tried to create the talisman, but through his pain, he was not able to. But still, Shen Qingqiu continued to push him. “Paper, you just need to create a paper with the proper characters. You are not so weak that you can’t even do that.”

Finally, after many attempts, a piece of paper appeared, but just as it did, it was cut into pieces.

“Despite everything, you managed to create something here.” With that, the scenery changed.

A man with white hair and long, black robes appeared and immediately approached Luo Binghe. Shen Qingqiu watched the approaching figure like a hawk. But he knew that in the realm of dreams, this demon could pin him down easily.

“I had put a lot of work into making sure that you would not be able to even summon a hair. So for you to have managed a paper is impressive.” The demon, Meng Mo, said to Luo Binghe.

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. Figures his involvement would get no acknowledgement. But just as he thought that, Meng Mo turned his gaze on Shen Qingqiu. “I do not appreciate a human interfering with my affairs, however. Or listening to our conversation. If you think ignoring your fears is so easy, how about you face your own?”

Just then, a pair of small children appeared huddled together against a smokey wall, and they only gained more detail as the seconds passed. Shen Qingqiu turned back to where Luo Binghe was just a moment ago, but now he was gone. So was Meng Mo. 

On the snowy ground was a small girl, her eyes misty and her lips chapped. A thin blanket covered her body, but it was clear she was little more than skin and bones. Beside her, Shen Jiu sat, rubbing one of the girl’s hands between his own, trying to warm it. “Qi-ge will be back soon with more blankets. Just wait a little longer Si-jie.”

Si-jie shook her head weakly. “It’s too late. Take the blanket before you die as well.”

“I’ll take one of Qi-ge’s blankets. Worry about yourself right now.”

Si-jie shook her head again. “It’s too late. But surely the gods will give me a better life next time.”

Shen Jiu let out a small noise at that. In response, Si-jie’s hand twitched. 

“When I am gone, can you make sure that I get buried properly? I’ve seen enough bodies in the streets. I know I don’t want to be one of them. It doesn’t have to be anything—”

Shen Qingqiu hated himself for watching the scene before him for so long. He turned away and spat on the ground. 

Memories. These were just memories. He had just warned Luo Binghe about this very thing. 

But turning away only led him straight into another memory from long ago.

“Qi-ge.” 

A shiver ran down Shen Qingqiu’s spine at the address. His eyes were drawn to the two small figures before him. The smaller of the two gazed up at the other with so much trust in his eyes that it was sickening . “Ba-ge was sold, wasn’t he?”

“Xiao-Jiu doesn’t need to worry about that.” Yue Qi rubbed Shen Jiu’s back, and the younger boy instinctively snuggled closer.

“But all our big brothers and sisters are gone now. Won’t you be next?” Shen Jiu asked, his voice filled with such raw innocence that Shen Qingqiu could hardly believe it had once belonged to him.

Qi-ge smiled down at his brother with so much love in his eyes that for a moment, Shen Qingqiu forgot that the person before him was the future Yue Qingyuan. The man that left him to die. “I will always be with Xiao Jiu no matter what.” 

Lies! Shen Qingqiu clenched his hands into fists and began to walk away. He knew this was an illusion. He knew that the demon wanted his reaction, and yet—

The next scene slammed into him like a tidal wave. Shen Jiu, screaming. Qiu Jianluo’s whipping his back, the sound slicing through the air.

Shen Qingqiu covered his ears, but the wails vibrated through his skull.

“You can’t even do the laundry right? You are pathetic. Barely worth more than a demon.”

Shen Qingqiu yelled over the sound, “I am not going to give in. Do you think I am that weak?”

The scene shifted again. Shen Jiu stood in front of him, blank-faced, as he stabbed people. His expression made it clear that he didn’t understand what he was doing even as the fire began to lick at his heels. 

“I am not going to give in, demon.” Shen Qingqiu squeezed his eyes shut. But even then—he couldn’t escape. Not from this scene. Not from the next.

Or the next.

Or the next.

Shen Qingqiu tried to create a talisman to break up the illusions but he couldn’t no matter how hard he tried. He tried to reach out his mind, desperate to find anything he could grab onto besides the memories which Meng Mo had forced upon him. Trying not to let himself get lost in the past. 

[ System? ] Shen Qingqiu finally called. And when he did this, it was like he had found another place for his mind to hold onto. 

[ Host, how can I help? ] 

‘...’ 

Shen Qingqiu didn’t respond. Not yet. Because suddenly, he could feel it. The power to move through space. He held on, trying to remember every detail, even as Meng Mo continued his attack. Until his soul began to shift. Shen Qingqiu knew exactly where he was going. To Shen Yuan’s world.

Chapter Text

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Shen Yuan awoke to the sight of Mu Qingfang hovering over him. His brow was furrowed in concentration as he held Shen Yuan’s wrist. “What’s the matter?” Shen Yuan asked. Voice dry. “Is it Without a Cure?”

Mu Qingfang glanced at Shen Yuan. “This one was hoping Shixiong would tell me what happened.”

‘System? Help?’

But the System remained silent. Instead, Mu Qingfang continued. “I would have thought having Without a Cure would have decreased the chances of a qi deviation. Especially one so extreme.”

“What?” Shen Yuan sat up and tried to adjust himself in the bed, but Mu Qingfang put a hand on his chest and shook his head. “Your qi feels far calmer now. But I cannot ignore what I felt earlier, so please bear with me as I finish the examination.”

Shen Yuan tried to relax and let Mu Qingfang continue his work, but his mind was reeling. What could have happened that night? He wanted to check if Shen Qingqiu had left a note or something similar with details, but on the other hand, if he had just had a qi deviation, Shen Yuan doubted he had a chance to write down anything or, for that matter, speak to Airplane.

The examination was long, and at the end of it, Mu Qingfang looked more confused than anything. “The damage is clearly in your body, but it’s as though the qi deviation abruptly stopped.”

Shen Yuan waved at Mu Qingfang. “Well, if this shixiong is fine, I do not need any further assistance.”

Mu Qingfang shook his head. “Unfortunately, I cannot let this matter be. Your body went through a serious trauma, so I will need to keep an eye on you for the time being.”

Shen Yuan cursed internally. Mu Qingfang seemed cool and all with his moustache¹, but he really didn’t want a babysitter. Especially since the babysitter didn’t seem to have any useful information.

But he did have a System he could bug while the medic continued his poking and prodding. ‘So what exactly happened while I was gone?’

[ This System is not a diary. ]

‘Isn’t it a common decency to at least inform me why I am being treated like a dead man walking?’

[ … ] The System didn’t respond.

  – Shen Yuan: Modern World –

When Shen Yuan returned to the modern world that evening, there was still no indicator of what exactly had happened in PIDW the previous night. Shen Qingqiu hadn’t left a note. Instead, it appeared that he had just kept working. 

School had finally started, and based on the recent files open on the computer, Shen Qingqiu had been doing schoolwork—in addition to whatever he was doing for the company, and… dimension research? Huh.

But still, there wasn’t actually any note for Shen Yuan. And when he messaged Shang Qinghua to ask if he had any idea what was going on, all he got was a “ ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ” in response.  

All in all, Shen Yuan felt tired from having spent so much time trying to figure out what had happened with Shen Qingqiu. He had wanted to game! But nope. He’d spent way too much time on the mystery of Shen Qingqiu to do much more than watch one movie with his siblings and  write a small note saying, “Sorry about the whole Without a Cure thing.” before passing out. Heck, he didn’t even have the energy to process the fact that he was apologizing to the scum villain of all people.

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Instead of waking up to a nice letter from Shen Qingqiu, the next time he woke up in PIDW, he woke up in the worst possible place he could have imagined.

He was in bed. With. A. Woman!!

Again!!!

Shen Yuan scrambled out of bed, internally cursing. Why had he even been worried about the guy who’d been sleeping around?

The woman smiled at the antics. “A-Jiu is energetic this morning,” she teased. She stretched like a cat on the bed. “Thank you for the good night. I haven't slept that well in a while. I know you're the customer, but having the night essentially off is really nice.”

“What?” Shen Yuan had been ready to sprint out of the room, but hearing her talk, his attempts died.

“I missed you coming by recently, and so did the other ladies.” The woman paused. “I know you have been stressed, but know that I am here. All the other women here wish only the best for you. And the fact that you came to spend more time than you usually do with us last night made everyone else jealous that it wasn’t their turn with you.” The lady let out a giggle.

“That’s nice.” Shen Yuan waved off the kind words as his heart felt like pounding out of his chest. “I need to head out. Have a good day.”

“Yes, same for you.” The woman said with a giggle that sounded more like that of a little girl than a lady of the night.

Shen Yuan tried to leave the building with as much dignity as possible but still he felt as though he had knocked off ten years of his life because of this ordeal. On his way to the front door, he ran into a bunch of other women who looked at him with concern. “A-Jiu? Is everything alright?”

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yin Luli can be rude sometimes. Do you want me to beat her up for you?”

“No need to worry at all.” Dang it, just let him run away already. 

Eventually, he did manage to escape the Warm Red Pavillion— though Shen Yuan felt like somehow he had given up half a lifetime trying to do it. 

The women had been so…. motherly?  Or something else that he didn’t want to think about. Because who wants to think of a mother figure papaping every nigh–Nope!  

It was only when he got outside that he remembered he hadn't checked to see if there was a letter from Shen Qingqiu next to the bed when he woke up. Well, if there had been one, it was dead to him now. There was no way that he was going back in there.

Shen Yuan pulled out Xiu Ya and then paused. In theory, he should be able to fly to the sect. But if Without a Cure acted up while he was in the air, that would be dangerous. But wait—that would have been true for Shen Qingqiu as well. 

‘Did Shen Qingqiu fly here? But what about Without a Cure? He knows about the poison, right?’ Shen Yuan asked the System.

[ Host purchased pauses on Without a Cure’s effects from the System store. ]

Pauses?

Shen Yuan opened the System Shop. And sure enough, after endless scrolling (seriously, why is there not a search function on this thing?) He found the item “Pause Without a Cure for an hour. 5 B-points. ] 

Well, 5 B-points wasn’t exactly expensive, but it was an irresponsible use of ANY points to spend them just to have sex! And since Shen Yuan is now stuck with no easy way to get back to the sect besides flying, that would be even more points spent because of Shen Qingqiu’s sexual exploits. But at least there was a way for him to fly without worrying about crashing into the ground, thank you very much.

–

Shen Yuan barely made it to class on time and kept his head up through the lessons, purely through sheer determination. Fortunately, Mu Qingfang was nowhere to be seen, which helped, but still, Shen Yuan was jumpy, always turning his head at even the slightest of sounds, thinking he would see a moustache approach. Fortunately, his worries were unfounded for the time being, but when he retired to his quarters, it wasn’t long before he got another guest.

“Disciple Luo,” Shen Yuan greeted cheerfully. Cheerful because it was his bun at the door? For sure. Cheerful since he was carrying something that smelled delicious in his arms? Even more so. 

[ Host, don’t forget that OOC parameters are still in effect. ]

Shen Yuan had to actively swallow so that the drool wouldn’t go down his face at the smell.

“For Shizun.” Luo Binghe offered the plate to Shen Yuan, who quickly snatched it up and did his best to look calm and collected as he headed to a table to start eating. Luo Binghe didn’t seem perturbed by the behavior at least, though the boy looked happy as Shen Yuan ate. There was also something else in his eyes that went over Shen Yuan’s head. At least until the latter had finished his food when the boy finally said. “Shizun saved me. Twice in a short time, but I have been unable to save Shizun.”

Save? Twice?

Luo Binghe bent down and began to bang his head on the ground. “Without a Cure and the Dream Demon. It is all my fault.”

Dream demon? Meng Mo? The image of Shen Qingqiu playing the role of Ning Yingying in the “protagonist meets his demonic teacher” scene would be hilarious if it weren’t for the fact that Shen Qingqiu was no fair maiden. Fair, in the visual sense, sure. Maiden? Laughable.

“It was but a small matter,” Shen Yuan commented, looking away to hide his face.

“But…”

“This teacher doesn’t need your sympathy, but for you to work hard and become strong. All else can come later.”

Shen Yuan tried to say this as standoffish as possible and apparently succeeded, as the System didn’t deduct points.

Luo Binghe still looked distraught. “Shizun, this lowly one promises the Dream Demon will not harm you again.”

Ah, what was this nonsense? He was more concerned that Luo Binghe would be doing the harming. Not some side character that barely got any screen time. But still…

Shen Yuan put his hand on Luo Binghe’s hair. “Do not fret. I will be fine.”

[ 5 B-Points deducted for OOC ]

‘You useless junk, I was trying to have a moment here!’ Well, at least he had gotten a lot of points from the demon invasion.

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

When Shen Yuan returned to his world, there was still no letter from Shen Qingqiu. No explanation of what had happened, and no details from anyone in the house—aside from him acting more reclusive than usual, which… didn’t exactly surprise Shen Yuan. 

Like, if this was all because of a dream demon—well, it wasn’t like Shen Qingqiu had the most pleasant memories to have to relive. Also, the image of Shen Qingqiu being stuck with Luo Binghe in the dream realm was… something. At least it didn’t sound like Shen Qingqiu had chased his bun into hiding after what must have been a mess of an experience. 

Apparently, though, Shen Fa had entered his “I will pretend to be sick to spend more time with my little bro” mode because of Shen Qingqiu’s behavior. He’d announced that he was “sick” and would be staying home the following day. 

Well, that was Shen Qingqiu’s fault, so he deserved whatever monstrosity of food his brother offered the man tomorrow while he was “home sick”. In any case, there had to be someone he could talk to about the situation.

–

“I’m honored you decided to invite me out again.” Shang Qinghua smiled over his drink. “And just to clarify, you're paying, right?”

“Yes,” Shen Yuan said, arms crossed, already knowing he would regret that one word.

“Sweet. Then I am going to have the deluxe cocktail next.”

“...You mean the most expensive item on the menu?” Shen Yuan asked, eyebrows twitching.

“Exactly!”

Shen Yuan wanted to throw the drink in the rat man’s face, but he was there for a reason.

“I wanted to talk to you about Shen Qingqiu.”

“Uhhh, sure.” Shang Qinghua shrugged. “Whatever you like, if it means I get to drink what I want.”

“Have you heard from him or anything?”

Shang Qinghua paused. “...No, but he is the type of person who sometimes needs alone time.” Shang Qinghua shrugged again. “So I take no offense.”

“Well, I want to talk with him,” Shen Yuan pressed. “And since I am being ping-ponged between bodies at the moment, that isn’t possible. At least not in the traditional sense of the word. And he isn’t responding to my letters either, which means I need to find another way to talk to him.”

“So what, you want me to MAKE him talk to you? I can promise you, he would give me about a hundred death glares if I tried that.”

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry, I doubt he will cause you any actual harm. You're still in one piece after watching all that trash TV with him.”

“It’s not THAT much. But in any case, he knows I am around. He knows you are around. If he wants to talk, he knows how to do it. The man has been through enough. Like, I don’t know Shen Qingqiu as much as I should, sure. But he does have some coping mechanisms, even if he doesn’t reach out to me. Like his lady friends.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Yuan knew EXACTLY what lady friends Shang Qinghua must be referring to. So his question was one of horror more than anything else. However, Shang Qinghua didn’t catch on to that fact.

Shang Qinghua drummed his fingers as he thought and finally sat up straight. “Okay, well, look. While I was trapped with Airplane in the other world, he said some pretty interesting things about Shen Qingqiu. Stuff that if he hadn’t said it himself, I wouldn’t have known with my limited view of that world.”

”Such as?” Shen Yuan was now leaning forward in his seat, preparing for the ball to drop. 

“The closest thing that Shen Qingqiu has to friends are all women. In fact, Shen Qingqiu is a virgin. Which makes all the rumors of him being a playboy wild.”

Shen Yuan let out a laugh. To call it ear-splitting was an understatement. It echoed across the walls like a terrible symphony, but even so, Shan Qinghua’s face remained impassive before letting out a sigh and waving down the waiter for another drink. “Dang, this is going to be a long night.” Shang Qinghua muttered. 

Shen Yuan watched all this in disbelief. “You're not serious? Shen Qingqiu is a womanizer.”

“No, not really. At least not in the way that you're envisioning.” Shang Qinghua took a large gulp of his drink. Before saying. “Dang, have you seriously been sharing bodies with Shen Qingqiu this long and not realized?”

“I’ve woken up in a brothel. More than once.” Shen Yuan said defensively.

“Cool, and were you balls deep in one of the workers?” Shang Qinghua asked.

Shen Yuan blushed. “Of course not. I—”

“Was one of the ladies giving you a blow job?”

“No.”

Shang Qinghua looked unimpressed, so Shen Yuan said, “I was in the woman’s bed.”

“With clothes on?”

“Yes, bu—”

“Did you see any papa fluids?”

“No!”

“Did the place smell like relaxing perfumes?”

“Yes.”

“Ok, so you internally saw nothing. Felt nothing. Smelled nothing that indicated so.” 

“I repeat, I was in her bed.”

“Yeah, I got that. Did you consider that Shen Qingqiu may have been there to sleep?”

Shen Yuan looked at Shang Qinghua as if he were stupid. “Why would I think of something like that? That’s not what people go to brothels or and—”

“Okay, it sounds like you are a virgin too.” Shang Qinghua scratched his head. “Alright, alright, let me explain what brothels are like in the other world. Brothels aren’t just a sex thing. Now, where do we start…”

—

Everything that Shang Qinghua said that night sounded insane to Shen Yuan’s ears. From Shen Qingqiu saving Liu Qingge during the well mission to Shen Qingqiu only killing the Qius because of a qi deviation. After hearing how Shen Qingqiu had apparently only killed because Wu Yanzi insisted on it, Shen Yuan slammed his hand on the table. “Do you really think that I would believe that Shen Qingqiu, the scum villain himself went through all this BS? He sounded less like a villain and more like…”

Even saying the word felt disgusting…

”…a tragic hero?” Shang Qinghua paused. “Okay, not a hero. But a tragic… something.”

By the time Shen Yuan left that night, he felt oddly cold. Every instinct told him to shove everything Shang Qinghua had said into a dark corner of his brain and never look at it again. But that was easier said than done. 

Still, that wouldn’t stop him from trying. 

But when Shen Yuan got ready for bed and looked at the notebook he had been leaving messages in for Shen Qingqiu, he couldn't help but pick it up and flip through to the now sparse notes that Shen Qingqiu had left in it. He landed on the last note that Shen Qingqiu had written. It was in far better handwriting than Shen Yuan’s, even with the man’s unfamiliarity with a pen. Shen Yuan then glanced at the small painting Shen Qingqiu had made the day after Shen Yuan had saved Liu Qingge. 

It was strange. 

Shen Qingqiu had moments where he didn’t seem like he deserved the “scum villain” title. Though right now, he might as well earn it for being radio silent. So frustrating. 

Shen Yuan clicked his pen and began to write a new note on a fresh page in the journal. Then, just in case, he left another one somewhere else in the room.

After that, he sat down at the computer, wondering if there were any hints about what the other had been up to, and was immediately met with so many notes and plans for dealing with competing organizations that he felt like taking a nap due to all the information. And then there were the business class notes, which looked… intimidating to say the least. But what really caught his eye was that Shen Qingqiu was now doing research on dreams as well? For the love of—! How can this man do so much in a day and still say nothing?

This man has the energy to write this much to himself, but can’t even be bothered to say hello. Such BS. Shen Yuan opened one of the documents and wrote a pointed comment that Shen Qingqiu would not be able to miss. Just to make a statement. Cause f*ck Shen Qingqiu. And with his mission accomplished, he went to bed. But even as he drifted off, his stomach turned, maybe… There was something that he could have done differently here. But Shen Qingqiu didn’t sound as bad when Shang Qinghua described him. And he was good with his siblings and… sleep. It was better to sleep than to have an existential crisis right now. And so that is what Shen Yuan did. Or at least tried to.

Chapter Text

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

Shen Qingqiu silently went to the computer, ignoring anything else in the room. It was another day in Shen Yuan’s body. And for Shen Qingqiu, all he had planned for the day was work. He needed to work. Focusing on his tasks had always been the best way to deal with similar situations, like the situation with that dream—

Shen Qingqiu cut off that thought. Focus. He needed focus. No emotions. With that in mind, he pulled up a document that he had been working on for school and froze.

“Write to me, for gods sake! -Shen Yuan”

His document was gone, and all it said was those words on it. What was the big deal? It had only been a few days since he wrote a note! He had been busy. It had already been several days of research with little in terms of breaks, so even though he was able to restore the document from its version history, he was still infuriated.

‘How many B-points would it take to kill Shen Yuan?’ Shen Qingqiu clenched his fist.

[ Does Host mean the body or the soul? ]

Shen Qingqiu didn’t even bother to respond; his fury was far too great to keep to near murder plans at that moment. “Why can’t he just leave me be?” Shen Qingqiu muttered. “He can do whatever he is doing, and I take care of things in both worlds. Is that so hard?”

[ Host could at least try to explain what you have been up to, or better yet, why he has been ignoring— ]

‘I do not owe him explanations. It’s not like we are in the same body at the same time.’ Shen Qingqiu walked away from the floating screen and began to pace.

[ Host, this System can’t see the goings on in the other world, but it seems like something happened in the other world no— ]

Shen Qingqiu tensed. ‘What happened is not your business.’ He quickly said. But Shen Qingqiu took a seat on his bed. The System appeared next to him a moment later, and Shen Qingqiu swatted at the thing. Of course, it had no effect.

‘In the end, what is done is done. The past is the past.’ This was a phrase that he repeated to himself over and over,, and what he would use to drown out the noise when trying to work out his idea in his mind for his and Shen Yuan’s next course of action. 

[ This System thinks talking to Shen Yuan would be helpful and— ]

Shen Qingqiu picked up the notebook and waved it at the screen. ‘Talk? You mean with this thing? Or do you mean Shang Qinghua? How am I supposed to communicate anything meaningful when the conversation takes days to complete? Or require us to talk to someone who rambles most of the time?’

Shen Qingqiu opened the notebook to the page with the latest message and read, “Shen Qingqiu, Shang Qinghua told me that you were a virgin.”

“…” The amount of strength he was using to grip the notebook was dangerous, to put it lightly. The notebook was made of sturdy material, but the dents that his grip was leaving on the cover were going to be permanent. ‘Why was Shen Yuan talking about my sexual activity? Is he trying to determine if I can touch a unicorn without being stabbed?’

[ This System was under the impression that Host didn’t care about people knowing about their sexual exploits or lack thereof. ]

Shen Qingqiu shot the System a look. ‘I don’t care. And others shouldn’t either.’

Shen Qingqiu picked up the pen and wrote in the notebook. “Touch my things again and you will spend the next year in fear of what you will wake to in both worlds.”

Shen Qingqiu slammed the notebook down with more force than necessary. He looked at his words on the paper and let out a snort.

[ Host? ]

‘You Systems really chose the most irritating person possible to have me stuck with, didn’t you? Liu Qingge would have been easier to deal with. At least he doesn’t intentionally try to irritate me.’

[ Is Host saying that they would like to speak with Liu Qingge? ]

‘At least he is someone that I can let out my frustration on properly.’

Shen Qingqiu pulled out his phone and wrote to Shang Qinghua. “Meet me at the dock at three this afternoon, or I will come to your house.”

Mission accomplished, Shen Qingqiu leaned back and closed his eyes. He tried to clear his mind using the meditation techniques that he had studied for years at the sect. At first, it worked, but after some time, the thoughts that he was trying to avoid flooded in. Images flowed into his mind of Yue Qi huddling with him for warmth, the whip, the fire—Shen Qingqiu opened his eyes and let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. [ Is Host alright? ]

‘Yes, just sleeping.’ Shen Qingqiu stood up and headed for the door. At first, he thought he would be able to get to the exit without being caught. Looking at a clock on the wall, it was the middle of the day. Normal people would be out living their lives. Since classes were only a few times a week, Shen Qingqiu still had most days to roam around the house if he so chose. So––

“Ah, you weren’t supposed to come out.” Shen Fa was standing in the kitchen with a look like someone had caught him with his hand in a cookie jar.

“What are you doing here?” Shen Qingqiu said in confusion.

Shen Fa blinked in surprise. “Don’t you remember I said that I was not feeling well and was taking the day off today?”

“...” No, because apparently, instead of telling Shen Yuan an important fact such as this, the guy decided to try to get him riled up. Also, Shen Fa looked in perfect health. And even if he was unwell, why was he in the kitchen cooking when he could easily order out?

“It’s been a long night,” Shen Qingqiu muttered.

“Well, hopefully my food will cheer you right up.” Shen Qingqiu looked at the “food” that Shen Fa was talking about and…

“Are eggs supposed to turn that color?” Shen Qingqiu asked with a deadpan look.

“Ah, no…” Shen Fa looked at the pan where the eggs had somehow turned green. “I will try another batch.”

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. [ Minus 5 B-points for OOC. Host! Reminder that character Shen Yuan is very careful around his brother when he is cooking. ]

Shen Qingqiu looked at the System screen for a moment, then looked at his point total of 855 B-points and was tempted to roll his eyes again. He had plenty of points to spare.

Shen Qingqiu pushed his way into the kitchen. “Let me help.”

[ Minus 5 B-points! ]

Shen Fa blinked in surprise. “But you don’t cook.”

“I don’t,” Shen Qingqiu agreed as he pulled out a new pan. “But you don’t either.”

[ ͜ಥʖ̯ಥ Host, listen to me! Minus 10-B points. ]

Shen Fa looked confused. “But don’t you like my cooking?”

Shen Qingqiu looked at the System screen again. 840 B-points remaining. Instead of responding to Shen Fa’s question, Shen Qingqiu put the pan on the stove, removed the green eggs, and tossed them into the trash.

“Ah…” Shen Fa looked far too much like a Yue Qingyuan-shaped kicked puppy at the moment that Shen Qingqiu had to pause.

[ Minus 10-B points! Host, if you do something else OOC this System will take away 15! ]

“Improvement is possible. But not if people keep giving you false praise.”

“Oh…” Shen Fa watched as Shen Qingqiu worked. “I had wondered why we often ended up getting takeout when I was cooking, but…”

Shen Qingqiu was about to break the egg on the pan, but paused. ‘System? How much to unlock cooking skills?”

[ If Host would like to know how to cook a proper egg, that will be 10-B points, but considering the situation, if you use the skill in front of character Shen Fa, I will be forced to also take an additional 15 points for OOC. ]

Shen Qingqiu tapped the “Yes” button without hesitation, and immediately several egg recipes went through his head. “I will make one batch of eggs, and then you will make the next one.” Shen Qingqiu broke an egg on the plate as he said this. “Watch carefully.”

Shen Fa did just that. Watching, he was captivated as Shen Qingqiu worked on putting together an omelet, only to almost jump when he was handed the pan. “Your turn.”

“Right…” Shen Fa hesitated a moment before grabbing an egg and getting to work. Shen Fa’s omelet was not as good as Shen Qingqiu’s, but it didn’t come out green, at least.

The two sat down with their prizes and split them so that both could have half. Shen Fa took a bite of the omelet Shen Qingqiu made and let out a sound. “A-Yuan, these are amazing. How come you never mentioned you could cook like this?”

Shen Qingqiu shrugged. Fortunately, the action wasn’t deemed OOC, so no points were removed. “Something I picked up online,” Shen Qingqiu responded.

“Well, if you have some videos you could share that would be appreciated.” Shen Fa smiled.

Shen Qingqiu, however, remained quiet as he took a bite from Shen Fa’s omelet. As he chewed the small piece he had taken, Shen Fa stared at him as though he was about to hand down his fate. Finally, Shen Qingqiu said. “This tastes a lot better than any sort of omelet those green eggs would have made.”

Shen Fa’s mouth twitched, and he leaned over to try the omelet. Then he went quiet for a full ten seconds as he processed the flavor. “You're right.” He finally said. With that, the two began to dig into their food. But not far into the meal, Shen Fa said, “I can’t say I ever expected something like this from you A-Yuan.”

Shen Qingqiu glanced up from his food. “In what way?”

“You help out with the food. You told me that I had messed up. You're usually… Just doing your own thing and you know,”

Oh, Shen Qingqiu knew . And the System knew as well. This had been all OOC, and his points represented that. 

“I won’t overstep in the future,” Shen Qingqiu offered, but Shen Fa shook his head.

“No, I want to see this side of you more.” Shen Fa smiled. “You're great, you always have been, but what you did today is something different. You were helping me, and we worked together to make something nice. I would like to do that more.”

Shen Qingqiu looked blankly at Shen Fa. Everything he had done was OOC for Shen Yuan. It was his behavior alone. He had dragged Shen Fa’s pride in the ground, and yet he seemed happy?

“If I do something like this again, would you really be alright with it?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“Yes. I hope it will happen.” Shen Fa nodded. And that one gesture made Shen Qingqiu’s lips twitch slightly upwards.

—

“Ufff, what? You haven’t messaged in days, and the first thing you do is shove me? Not even a hello?” Shang Qinghua complained as an envelope was pushed into his chest as soon as the two former residents of PIDW met. 

“Hello. Now, for the matter at hand, I have written out instructions for you to follow.”

”Follow?” Shang Qinghua opened the folder and began to read through, becoming paler and paler as he did so. “Wait, you're putting me in charge of doing a social media take-down campaign?”

”It’s not like this kind of thing was in the other world…” Shen Qingqiu trailed off, not wanting to admit his own ineptitude with social media. Shang Qinghua got the hint, however, and waved off the question. “I get it. Fine. Well, I do think I could do some of it, but what do I get?”

Shen Qingqiu frowned. “Are you asking for a bribe?”

“The other you is quite willing to give those.” Shang Qinghua shrugged. “But, I am not sure if bribe is quite the term I want for this. Maybe more like assurances?”

Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms. “If you get caught with the information I just gave you, it will be your own fault.”

“So you will throw me to the wolves if something goes wrong with the mission your asking me to help with. That’s very reassuring.” Shang Qinghua snorted. “But also not what I was getting at.”

Shang Qinghua leaned forward and scratched his head. “Look, in spite of everything, I do care about Airplane, but from here I can’t do much. I don’t even switch back and forth with him like you and Shen Yuan do. But still, I have been thinking about what I can do for him, and I decided on something. And that’s to ask you if you can make sure that he doesn’t die like in the book.”

Shen Qingqiu raised a brow. “You're going to trust me with someone else’s life.”

Shang Qinghua let out a laugh. “I will ask ‘you’ the same question the next time I see Shen Yuan, but either way, if Airplane is going to stay safe, it can't just be one of you looking after him. So, please, can you help him?’

Shen Qingqiu lifted his fan and covered the lower half of his face as he pondered the request before saying, “I'll see what I can do.”

The two spent a lot of time discussing their plans until Shen Qingqiu’s eyes landed on the clock, and he got up. 

“Hey, what’s up?” Shang Qinghua said in surprise.

“I am going to head back,” Shen Qingqiu responded as he put on his coat. 

Shang Qinghua frowned. “It’s getting pretty late. Wouldn’t it be better for you to wait for the switchover here and then head back at this point?”

“No,” Shen Qingqiu responded quickly.

[ Host? Character Shen Yuan would stay. ]

Shen Qingqiu ignored the System and said. “‘Da-ge’ will be making dinner today. I need to make sure that he doesn’t make a mess.”

Hearing this, the System started to scream [ Host? You lost over a hundred B-points earlier today. Do you really wish to lose more? ] 

But as the System yelled, Shang Qinhua began to smile. “Good luck with your ‘Da-ge’ then.”

Shen Qingqiu threw a glare at Shang Qinghua, who only waved his hand goodbye in response. 

—

Shen Qingqiu got to bed that night and couldn't help but think of the determined look Shang Qinghua had given him when he asked for his help. It would have been funny if it hadn’t been so earnest.

And Shen Fa… And the others…

Shen Qingqiu could write a message to Shen Yuan. But once again, words failed him. So instead, he tore a piece of paper from of the notebook and began to draw—a tree with blossoming vines wrapped around it. 

Putting it to the side, Shen Qingqiu felt the tension ease from his shoulders. Sleep was difficult for him without his jiejies, but art did help a bit. Tonight, though, he felt comfortable enough that he knew he would be able to doze off quickly. And with the timing, it was the perfect opportunity to continue his experiment.

Shen Qingqiu opened up his mind, reaching outward towards the unknown, brushing against the edges of the dream realm. In that space, he felt both oddly more connected and more distant from the System than anywhere else. And when the System reboot began, he could feel the journey his soul was taking—the space it crossed. Soon, he would be able to bridge that knowledge into something he could use.

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

Waking to a new painting was… something . It wasn’t a proper note, but it did feel like some progress might have been made with Shen Qingqiu. That feeling was reinforced when Shen Yuan saw that Shang Qinghua and Shen Qingqiu had exchanged a text.

Shen Yuan let out a sigh. Dang, he had already lost track of how many drinks he had bought Shang Qinghua, and it looked like tonight would be another night out drinking with the man. Before he could head out, though, there was a knock on the door and a whine from the other side. “A-Yuan, how could you?”

Shen Yuan’s brother instinct took over as he headed to the door and opened it to see Shen Yang there. But his racing heartbeat immediately slowed when he realized that his little sister was wearing one of her fake pouts. “What did I do?” Shen Yuan asked, voice calm.

“You made an omelet for Da-ge. Aren’t I your favorite sister? Why haven’t you made me an omelet?”

An omelet? This was about an omelet? ‘System?’

[ The other Host purchased knowledge on making eggs. Since he did so from character Shen Yuan’s body, those skills are available to Host if you wish to make an omelette. ]

For the love of— Why did Shen Qingqiu purchase the ability to make eggs of all things? Shen Yuan didn’t want to make eggs. He would rather just be the one eating them. Oh, the idea of Luo Binghe making a nice omelet sounded particularly ni—

Focus! Shen Yuan had to focus on not drooling over Luo Binghe’s cooking.

Ugh, but he didn’t really want to cook (how did Shen Qingqiu cooking not set off OOC with this System?), but also… he also couldn’t let Shen Qingqiu be the better brother by making omelets for his family instead of him.

Shen Yuan let himself be led to the kitchen and got to work. 

Soon enough, all his siblings gathered in the dining area, waiting for their share. The whole scene felt so surreal. None of them were good cooks. Shen Fa tried sometimes, but he had no skill for it, and since they always had enough money for takeout, none of the others had ever felt the need to learn. 

Best takeout places in the city? Shen Yuan could name a hundred without even thinking.

Still, his siblings looked ecstatic when they got their portions of the omelet. Shen Yuan took a seat at the table and began to eat.

Well, it was definitely better than any of the omelets Shen Fa had made for him. And making the dish wasn’t that much effort, he supposed. Maybe it was worth doing again in the future, considering how happy his siblings looked.

–

Shen Yuan met up with Shang Qinghua at the same place where they had their first meeting. Shang Qinghua didn’t look surprised that he had been invited. He leaned on his hand and said, “So, I take it that your coworker still hasn’t sent you a message?”

“A painting,” Shen Yuan responded slightly defensively.

“Well, that is something,” Shang Qinghua agreed. “But I am guessing you want something to be explained with words.”

Shen Yuan pushed the drinks menus into Shang Qinghua’s face. “Just choose your drink and then tell me what you two talked about.”

“Fine. The orange rainbow sounds nice. Now, back to the topic.” Shang Qinghua drummed his fingers on the table. “Shen Qingqiu wanted me to help with social media stuff for the whole ‘make the Shen company powerful’ thing.”

Shen Yuan blinked in surprise. “You? Why did he go to you? You aren’t even from this world.”

“Well, I am definitely better at tech and stuff than him at least. I suppose he could have asked your family to, but I get the sense that he doesn’t want to bother them with that sort of thing.”

“And what about me?” Shen Yuan asked.

Shang Qinghua only looked confused. “What about you?”

“I mean, I am part of all this as well. I grew up in this world. If he wants to know about social media, couldn’t he just ask me?”

“You mean ask the person who deleted his document? I heard about that, by the way.”

“It only takes a few clicks to restore it.” Shen Yuan muttered, but heat rose in his face.

“Still, Shen Qingqiu was doing work, and you messed with it. Why should he trust you with work?”

“I helped with improving our cultivation while we were in the caves and trained with Liu Qingge.” Shen Yuan protested.

“That’s nice,” Shang Qinghua agreed. “But what about what you're doing in this world? Look, the stakes here are not the same, but you still have a life here. You can relax if you want, but Shen Qingqiu is trying to complete a mission. I don’t know exactly what is happening over there, but he probably doesn’t see you as needed for whatever is going on at the moment.”

Shang Qinghua waved down a waiter to order, giving Shen Yuan a moment to think.

Did that mean he’d have to actually do work if he wanted Shen Qingqiu to talk to him more?

That sounded annoying, but… it was worth a shot. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be that much worse than making an omelet.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

If Shen Qingqiu needed a motivator to become stronger, what he endured from the dream demon was more than enough. Shen Qingqiu wasn’t blind to the fact that Luo Binghe was currently learning from the dream demon. It was what happened in the novel after all, and even if the boy’s experience had been different, that didn’t change the fact that he was fundamentally the sort that would speak power. Page after page in the novel showed that to an impressive extent. 

Still, even if he detested having that demon around, it did present an opportunity to learn more about dreams. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t enter Luo Binghe’s dreams, but he was able to at least read more of the waves of energy coming off of the half demon. Shen Qingqiu carefully took notes as he read book after book about dream manipulation. Fortunately, there was far more information on that particular subject than from the System.

[ What is the point of looking over all this information about dreamscapes? ] The System asked. [ Dream manipulation is a demonic art. ]

’I am aware.’ Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes; ‘But something being forbidden does not change the fact that it is powerful and…’

Shen Qingqiu let his thoughts wander. He didn’t trust this System or the other one, for that matter. It might have already known the answer to its own questions. So why bother talking to it? 

It had been some time now since Shen Qingqiu’s encounter with Meng Mo, and in the few days since making the omelet for Shen Fa, he had started to see results from his recent efforts. Oddly enough, he had even found some useful notes about “dreams” and “dimensions” left behind by Shen Yuan. Not to mention a few notes related to his current schoolwork and other missions.

Shen Qingqiu glanced at the small notepad next to the scroll he was reviewing and flipped it open. He was met with Shen Yuan's handwriting.—random messages that were meant for him. Messages that often received a delayed response as of late, if any at all. 

Shen Yuan’s work was good. But it was not up to Shen Qingqiu’s standards. Maybe with a few suggestions, it would be. 

Shen Qingqiu tapped his finger against the table, thinking. He was still upset at Shen Yuan for what he had done to his document. And while Shen Yuan’s work had potential, Shen Qingqiu didn’t feel like being the one to improve it right now.

As such, Shen Qingqiu decided to write a letter. It was an extensive one about all the issues with Shen Yuan’s work. He pointed out every typo, every missing source. It resulted in a letter that was longer than all the previous messages the two had exchanged, combined. As Shen Qingqiu put aside the letter, he couldn’t help but wonder—how Shen Yuan would take it?

But before any of that, he needed to speak to a certain Airplane to understand the world-building of this place a bit better. 

Shen Qingqiu left his bamboo house, ignoring the many eyes that followed him as he did so. His hair was still in the less dignified style Shen Yuan had put it in. The boy was getting better at doing up his hair,, but he still had a ways to go, and it wasn’t worth his time at the moment to fix it.

‘System, I would like to pay for another Without a Cure disablement.’

[ Is Host sure? ]

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. He had done the purchase several times now, but the System seemed to always get anxious. But Shen Qingqiu wasn’t going to waste away in the bamboo house because Shen Yuan decided to get himself injured. ‘Just give me the selection menu already.’

The System complied, and Shen Qingqiu completed his purchase before heading to An Ding. 

At this point, it was not uncommon for Shen Qingqiu or Shen Yuan to go visit An Ding, so really, people should just get over it and mind their own business. Still, as  he approached, he could see mouths moving rapidly—disciples clearly gossiping about him. He knew that “getting along” with his martial siblings was a new phenomenon, but honestly, it should’ve been old news for the rumor mills.

What Shen Qingqiu didn’t notice, however, was how he tended to leave his hair looser around Airplane, and how he spoke more casually to him than he did to anyone else. Or how visiting each other twice a day was unusual, even among friends in the sect.

The rumors had already started to stir, and as Shen Qingqiu entered Airplane’s residence, several An Ding disciples began to whisper:

“Shen-shibo is here again.”

“What do you think they are doing this time?”

“With how rumpled their clothes were when they left the other day is there any doubt?”

The discussions continued. —unaware that a certain ice demon, who had just arrived to meet with Airplane, overheard every word.

The demon looked through the window of Airplane’s house and eyed Shen Qingqiu, memorizing his face before then disappearing.

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Seeing the letter Shen Qingqiu had left, sent Shen Yuan through basically every emotion under the sun. Yay! Shen Qingqiu was finally talking to him. But also—WTF was with this letter full of criticism? This is what he got for trying to help. Sure, Shen Qingqiu had some interesting points, but ugh . In any way this wasn’t going to stop him from pushing forward and proving he could actually do things. For example, Shen Yuan was planning to derail the plot completely—starting by never pushing Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss and—

[ To be clear, Host, if character Luo Binghe does not go into the Endless Abyss, that will cost 10000 B-points. ]

To put it simply, the world was against Shen Yuan. Specifically the PIDW world.

‘Seriously? Even after gathering all these points, the Abyss has to happen?’

[ No Host, if User 002 wishes to not send character Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss it will cost 10000 B-Points ]

‘Setting the bar that high is the equivalent of making it impossible.’ Shen Yuan rubbed his temples. Even after everything, he had only been able to coordinate with Shen Qingqiu minimally, even after sending letters like “Red alert! Endless Abyss is coming!” Like, didn’t this guy get it? If they pushed Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss, they’d both have to deal with being torn apart, and the novel wasn’t exactly explicit at what time of day Luo Binghe did his dismemberments.

In all this, apparently the only useful people were the two Shang Qinghuas. One of whom was sitting in front of him now, fiddling with his fingers, looking ready to bolt at any moment.

“Airplane, any suggestions about what I can do to limit the damage of the Endless Abyss?” 

Airplane began to fiddle with his hands even more. The man wasn't exactly good at hiding his thoughts. “Ahha! Have you considered one of those survival packs? Like, even if you push him in, people don’t usually give presents if they mean bad by it.”

Seeing Shen Yuan’s face, Airplane added, “But someone had already suggested that to you, huh?”

“Shang Qinghua, the OG,” Shen Yuan responded.

”Ah, yeah, him…” Airplane paused for a moment. “We do really think alike, huh?”

“Yeah, but you also shared the same body for decades.” This wasn’t the first time that Shen Yuan had this sort of conversation with Airplane. The man was best described as a more anxious version of Shang Qinghua from the other world. It was something strange and off-putting for Shen Yuan, and even led him to consider not approaching one of them for a while. But in the end, who he could talk with was so limited that he took the chance. And now he was having breakfast with Airplane every day.

Shen Yuan wished at that moment that Shen Qingqiu and him were more like those two because conversation tended to be overly complicated. “Shen Qingqiu isn’t the type to provide much help to disciples. But maybe he would be cool with giving a first aid kit to Luo Binghe?”

“Okay, fine. An aid pack, then. Can you convince Shen Qingqiu that one of those wouldn’t be OOC?”

“I take it you asked the other me to do the same thing as well?” Airplane asked.

“Yeah.”

“Cool.” Airplane chewed the side of his mouth. 

“What are you thinking about? Shouldn't you be happy that we are trying to stop Luo Binghe from destroying the sect?” Shen Yuan asked.

“I mean, I am. I suppose, but… This all feels convoluted, you know. How I talk to Shang Qinghua. How you talk to Shen Qingqiu. I really hope Shen Qingqiu figures out a way to talk to you soon. Maybe it can work for me and the other too and–”

“Wait…” Shen Yuan stood up. “You know what he has been up to.”

Shang Qinghua blinked in surprise and then waved his hand. “Not, uh, completely, but he asked some questions about dreams and I put it together.”

“What is he after then?” 

“A way to talk to you directly.” 

Shen Yuan took his seat again and began to drum his fingers against the table.

“Uhh, what are you thinking about?” Shang Qinghua said. 

“What he is suggesting doesn’t actually sound impossible. But why not tell me?”

“Well, hmm… I think he is kind of tired of using people in between to communicate, so he felt it wasn’t worth it among… other stuff.”

“So then I will get to talk to him properly soon, you think?” Shen Yuan didn’t expect there to be so much hope in his voice.

Airplane shrugged. “I really don’t know, honestly.”

But Shen Yuan had heard enough. Maybe Shen Qingqiu didn’t want his help. But now he was going to be stuck with him. If he could talk directly with Shen Qingqiu, they could plan properly. So, dang it, he would keep helping with that research. Even if the next letter he got from Shen Qingqiu were just another round of complaints about what needed improving, he’d take it, and he’d learn. He could at least do that much.

Chapter Text

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

Shen Yuan followed through and continued to send over research and other information to Shen Qingqiu. And in return, he got more feedback and insults from the scum villain. But the man stopped telling him not to help after a certain point, which was something. 

Gods, who would've thought that the scum villain would end up being Shen Yuan’s motivation to do actual homework? His parents would faint from shock if he saw how much work he was doing nowadays, so it might be best for their health that they weren’t around. It was hard for Shen Yuan to measure if the research was reaching its conclusion, as it seemed like there was something about the experience with Meng Mo that was pushing Shen Qingqiu forward past where most would have found roadblocks. Still, Shen Yuan didn’t have to wait much longer to find out what Shen Qingqiu had been working on. One day, he felt the usual tug as he was being moved to Shen Qingqiu’s body, when everything just stopped. And even before he opened his eyes, he could tell there was something off.

Blinking, Shen Yuan looked around. The space was… empty. Just white. Except for a man standing ten meters away. At first, he appeared to be nude, but soon he was wearing a set of robes, and the scenery changed to that of a bamboo house, similar to the one on Qing Jing Peak.

“We do not have much time before the Systems finish their reboot, and we will finish the body switch. From there, we will not be able to speak again until the next body swap starts.” Shen Qingqiu explained as he took a seat at a low table which he had conjured.

“So… It finally worked. Is that really you? Shen Qingqiu?” Shen Yuan was still trying to process the situation.

“It is.” Shen Qingqiu nodded. “We finally meet. Now we have a lot to—”

“How did you break through? I couldn’t understand from our notes.” Shen Yuan asked tentatively as he walked over to the table.

“Trial and error. Really, this is another bug in the System, in essence, but it is to our benefit, at least for now. The dream realm is used as the intermediary by the Systems to transport souls. However, it appears as though, in the process, our souls will remain in the dream realm temporarily before the transfer is complete. Since I was already in the dream realm when I met… That demon.” Shen Qingqiu made a disgusted face. “I was able to see the outline of the movement of the souls, but needed to understand more about dimensions and dreams to put together how I could use that information to my advantage.”

Shen Qingqiu eyed Shen Yuan. It was strange. That was Shen Yuan’s face. Or at least it had been half of the time as of late, and now it was staring at him not from a reflection but from this dream realm. 

“So, that means we can use this place to talk and plan how to deal with things in both worlds?” Shen Yuan asked excitedly.

“It is.” Shen Qingqiu rapped his fingers on the table. “However, not today, as our time is up. We will speak later, but for now. Make sure you tell nothing of this to the Systems.”

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Shen Yuan opened his mouth to respond, but felt his soul being lurched away, and moments later, he was in Shen Qingqiu’s body.

[ Host? ] The System, even with the mechanical nature of its voice, sounded surprised. [ Did Host just speak with the other Host? ]

‘There is no rule against that in your manual, I assume.’ Shen Yuan asked as he got up and prepared for another day of trying to hug the protag’s thighs.

[ No, but… this does pose some possibilities this System didn’t consider.  ] 

Shen Yuan remained silent. Shen Qingqiu was not wrong to be concerned about the System's intent with this kind of information.

At least they were on the same page on that.

And maybe they would be able to be on the same page in other matters soon.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

For Shen Qingqiu, waking up in the modern world was a triumph and a frustration. Shen Qingqiu had managed to find a way to speak with Shen Yuan. This would be helpful in their communications moving forward. Shen Qingqiu had now had time to see how Shen Yuan worked when motivated, and it all pointed to the potential of finding a way to survive the novel.

Shen Qingqiu sat up in his bed and looked at the computer consideringly. For all the research that he did, he did not physically turn to PIDW for answers. That novel…. He needed to return to reading it, but he kept pushing off the task. There were plenty of other useful resources he could check out in the meantime; he had quite a few people around him who could fill in any missing information.

“Gege! Hurry up. I want to eat eggs this morning.” Came a voice from the doorway.

Shen Qingqiu shook his head. Though he had to hold back a smirk at the same time. There was a lot to do. But spending some time with the Shen family wouldn’t hurt either.

– Dreamscape –

“So, your thought is an aid pack for Luo Binghe when he goes into the Abyss?” Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan were sitting in the Dreamscape in a recreation of the bamboo house on Qing Jing. The two had limited time, but since their first encounter in the dream realm, they had become more efficient at using the time they had together.

“Yes, I can agree that it's something you would do so that the System doesn’t take away all my B-points for giving him that. Talismans, herbs, and other things which we give to disciples when going on a solo mission are all reasonable.” Shen Qingqiu continued.

“Awesome.” Shen Yuan let out a sigh of relief. “Honestly, I thought you would give me a hard time about this.”

“Your intent is to survive. That is my intent as well.” Shen Qingqiu responded. “Not only that, but I wish to make sure that the sect survives as well. Unfortunately, there is a lot that will be impacted if we do not succeed in deterring Luo Binghe’s wrath.”

“Then maybe you can give some headpats to Luo Binghe?” Shen Yuan suggested. “I bet a few presents would—”

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes turned cold. “Did you read the same novel as me?”

Shen Yuan blinked in surprise. “What?”

“If you give headpats and gifts to Luo Binghe for no reason, he will interpret the actions incorrectly.”

“Why do you say that?”

Shen Qingqiu sighed. “Look, I do not give headpats to any of my disciples. I do not give things to my disciples outside of special cases either. If I show favoritism of that sort, Luo Binghe will believe we have an ulterior motive.”

“Then we can give gifts to everyone.”

“Luo Binghe will then get jealous. His demonic nature makes it so that he doesn’t see things the way that we do.”

Shen Yuan’s eyes narrowed. “Just because he is a half-demon doesn’t mean that he isn’t capable of understanding kind gestures correct—”

“No. He won’t understand.” Shen Qingqiu growled before taking a deep breath and letting it out. “Look, we need to keep Luo Binghe thinking we are fair. Not kind. Not cruel. We must be in the middle. We treat him equally. We treat him as a disciple. I will not beat him. I will not scold him more than others. And I will not treat him as a demon either. If this is to work, we must treat him like all other disciples. No more. No less.”

–  Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Conversations such as these continued between Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu until the Immortal Alliance Conference.

Shen Qingqiu kept treated the matter of Luo Binghe like he was a ticking time bomb, but he was just a bun that needed some love, and then he would treat his allies well. That was what happened with Ning Yingying. And look how she turned out in the novel? A lady who could always rely on Luo Binghe to save her from her own stupidity. Well, hmm, he wasn’t a lady, though, and he was definitely more aware of things than Ning Yingying, so maybe it wasn’t the same.

But dang it! Couldn’t he just not throw his bun into the Abyss? That would solve everything! It wasn’t fair! But there were too many points on the line to just… ignore everything. And even Airplane insisted he needed to follow the plot for this event and have a bunch of dangerous beasts in the conference. The best he got from Airplane in terms of changing the plot was. “I will lower the danger level of the demons some.” Which is great. Just great. It would be better if he didn’t have to run around the conference trying to save disciples at all. Thank you very much. 

And now that the attack was in full swing, Shen Yuan could see that the demons Airplane selected weren’t easy ones. They just ended up being ones that were very clearly from the northern demon realm. Which… was a choice but okay. Shen Yuan could deal with it.

Shen Yuan figured he had things covered for basically all possible scenarios that could happen during the event, at least. He thought this even as the Endless Abyss opened up next to Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan. Only for his stomach to sink. The problem was that Luo Binghe’s seal was still present, so there was no reason he could think of tossing Luo Binghe into the Abyss that wouldn’t look like murder. (It wouldn’t be murder… Right?)

[ The protagonist cannot die. ]

Well, that was something. But still, dang it. It had sounded good to not have the Black Moon Rhinoceros-Python on paper, but now there was no story catalyst, and with the way the System screen was blinking at him, he hadn't been excused from the story event just because Luo Binghe’s seal was still present.

Shen Yuan let out a small sigh of relief when he saw Airplane run out of the trees toward them. “Shen-shixiong, Disciple…Luo! It is good to see you are both alright.” 

Airplane closed the gap between them and then whispered to Shen Yuan. “Bro, why is Luo Binghe still here?”

“No broken seal.” Shen Yuan hissed.

“Ah.” Airplane took a step back, “Well, we have another issue as well, my kin—eep!”

At that moment, Mobiei-jun, Luo Binghe’s future right-hand man, appeared and lifted Airplane onto his shoulder, causing Airplane’s sword, Nuli Gongzuo, to clatter to the ground. But he wasn’t done; a moment later, an ice attack was thrown at Shen Yuan.

Dang it!

Mobei-jun apparently had it out for the Qing Jing Peak Lord. This could have been the catalyst that Luo Binghe needed to remove his seal, but oh no, the guy had barely even glanced at Luo Binghe. He was attacking Shen Yuan with Shang Qinghua just over his shoulder.

Shen Yuan was happy he had trained with Liu Qingge, as his footwork was quick enough to be able to dodge the worst of the attacks, but at such close quarters, even a dodge would leave the edges of his robes frozen. Until finally, he stumbled and Xiu Ya flew a distance away.

“Shizun!” Luo Binghe charged forward, but he was quickly swatted away by Mobei-jun, who continued his volley of attacks. Was the difference in power level between Luo Binghe and Mobei-jun really this great at this point in the novel? It was like the ice demon was swatting away a fly.

“...” What was this? Villains always concentrated on Luo Binghe since he was the protagonist. Ah, why did Mobei-jun have beef with Shen Qingqiu specifically? He would have to ask the original goods during their next meeting. Because this situation was DEFINITELY not his fault. Also, how was Luo Binghe’s seal going to break at this rate?

“Shizun!” Luo Binghe yelled once more, but still the words only seemed to irritate Mobei-jun as he gritted his teeth and brought down his hand hard and— 

Smack.

Mobei-jun hit Luo Binghe so hard on his head that his legs buckled and he fell backwards to the floor.

“...” Did…Did the protagonist just get knocked out?

“My King! Please put me down. It’s fine, this wasn’t part of the plan.” Airplane tried, but Mobei-jun just glared at Shen Yuan. “He knew.”

“Ahaha, that… He is an ally. He—”

Mobei-jun, however, clearly doubted that Shen Yuan was an ally with the next ice attack he threw. Shen Yuan scrambled to dodge the attack. With Xiu Ya so far away, his best hope was Airplane’s sword, so he hurriedly headed toward it.

“Ah, no, that’s...” Airplane tried to get out of Mobei-jun’s grip. “My King, please! This is not necessary. Shen Qingqiu won’t—”

“Mine!” Mobei-jun let out before throwing another attack at Shen Yuan.

Dang it! He needed to get out of here! But Luo Binghe was out cold, and if he wasn’t careful—

But just then, a countdown started.

[ Host has 60 seconds to throw character Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss. ]

No, no. How about all their planning? The speeches or the unsealing of the protagonist's powers. None of that was happening?? But if he threw Luo Binghe into the Endless Abyss at that moment, his bun wouldn’t have any idea what his intentions were.

He supposed Mobei-jun might be blamed for this. He is the one who is at fault for the plot going haywire right now afterall. So that only seemed fair.

[ Do not worry, Host; this System will take care of the situation ᕙ(  •̀ ᗜ •́  )ᕗ. ]

…

Shen Yuan didn’t trust the System. Definitely not with something like this, but what little choice did he have? Unfortunately, he had been so focused on the System alert that he didn’t properly put up his guard for Mobei-jun’s next attack. Mobei-jun grabbed the tip of Airplane’s sword and snapped it using his demonic energy.

“No! Nuli Gongzuo!” Airplane cried. The sound of Airplane’s dismay seemed to startle Mobei-jun as he took a step back from Shen Yuan. 

At that same moment, Shen Yuan’s ears started to pick up some people in the distance. If someone saw him throwing his own disciple into the Endless Abyss… Well, that was another awful can of worms.

Mobei-jun appeared to have also heard the noise as he retreated into a portal, still holding Airplane. Shen Yuan wanted to give chase, but it wasn’t like he had a way to go through a portal. Or to survive the point deduction if he failed to throw the protagonist into the Endless Abyss. Shen Yuan took a deep breath and tied the aid pack he had been planning to give to Luo Binghe around his waist and put Zhen Yang into its scabbard. Even if this was terrible, there really was only one choice on what to do next. Shen Yuan lifted  Luo Binghe into the air and brought him to the edge of the Abyss. He stood there, looking at the clock that the System was displaying, even as the sounds of voices in the distance became clearer. Dang it! Shen Yuan didn’t want to do this, but time was up. If he was to survive, there was no other choice. Gritting his teeth, Shen Yuan tossed Luo Binghe over the edge. And to his horror, right as he let go, Luo Binghe opened his eyes. There was enough time for him to process what happened and fuuuuu.

[ See Host? This System made sure the protagonist didn’t miss the key moment (＾＾)ｂ. ]

What kind of assistance was this? This was the worst kind of scenario! Luo Binghe saw him throw him into the abyss. There had been no time for explanations. He had a bag of supplies and Zhen Yang, so his bun had something, but along with those somethings, there was THE IMAGE OF HIM YEETING HIM OFF A CLIFF. Shen Yuan was feeling lightheaded. 

However, Shen Yuan couldn’t focus for long on the current situation as Liu Qingge, of all people, approached. He eyed Shen Yuan up and down and asked. “Did you get hurt?”

“Ah, Shidi, no, I am fine.” Shen Yuan stepped away, picked up the remains of Nuli Gongzuo, and let out a sigh.

…Well, maybe fine was an overstatement. Whatever came next, he was not looking forward to.

– Dreamscape –

“You picked up Luo Binghe and threw his unconscious body into the abyss?” Shen Qingqiu was someone who wore a cold expression most of the time, but right now he looked… There was no other way to describe it…stunned.

“Yeah…” Shen Yuan had no real defense he could think of.

“That…” Shen Qingqiu rubbed his temples. “Really wasn’t something we had prepared for.” Shen Qingqiu admitted.

“Yeah… Now Luo Binghe will be after our heads.”

“Reasonably so. And with his seal in place, we can’t exactly say it was because he was a demon, and my guess is we will not be able to retroactively state that we knew he was a demon either, as that relies on knowledge from the other world, so the System will block that. In other words, we are stuck.”

“Well…” Shen Yuan admitted. “I did have some backup plans that we could start on—”

– Shen Yuan: Modern World – 

Shen Qingqiu had taken things, all things considered, quite well.

Shen Yuan left the situation not feeling as bad as before, though still definitely scared and still definitely feeling bad for his bun. But not as bad? Because, as weird as it sounded, at least Shen Qingqiu had his back.

Well, that was what he thought until he awoke in his room and found a letter next to his bed that read. “Shen Yuan, if you did well with the Immortal Alliance Conference as planned, I will be taking care of our homework for the next week; if not, I will leave it to you. Good luck.”

“...” The situation wasn’t his fault, ok? But he had a feeling he knew exactly what Shen Qingqiu would think of that claim if he didn’t finish the work. With a sigh and a few swear words, Shen Yuan opened his textbook and got to work.

Shen Yuan did take a break from his work when his phone buzzed with a text.

“So, how did today go?” 

It was Shang Qinghua.

Shen Yuan thought for a moment and then said, “Awful. LBH went into the Abyss, and I didn’t get to say my whole spiel. He will for sure hate me.”

A moment later, Shang Qinghua wrote back. “Oh, that stinks. If you'd like, I can buy you a consolation drink tonight.

Shen Yuan was tempted to answer yes, but then thought about…

Mobei-jun…Airplane. F*ck. Shang Qinghua would have a fit if he found out.

“I will take a rain check on that.” Shen Yuan wrote back as his stomach twisted.

“Ah, okay. Not sure if this helps, but I did take care of those latest takedown campaigns for the Shen company rivals, and they are going pretty awesome, if I do say so myself, so just… focus on the other world, I guess. Like, don’t leave me alone with this. But I am pretty confident Shens will end up on top soon.”

Was that a relief? In the end, the modern world's concerns felt a lot smaller than the risk of being turned into a human stick, but that didn’t make this world somehow “fake” or anything like that. He might have taken a big L today, but maybe he could get a W in this world still. Shen Yuan texted back. “Just keep me updated, and I will do some more work on my end as well.”

Chapter Text

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

The delegation for Cang Qiong was in chaos. The wounded were being treated while people rushed around. None of the sects brought many healers with them. After all, there are not supposed to be major injuries during an Immortal Alliance Conference. The last time a disciple died, Shen Jiu was the one who killed them…

The memory made Shen Qingqiu’s eyes pause for a moment in their observation of the goings-on.

That memory felt like it was from a lifetime ago, and yet, it still felt so fresh. Maybe it was because that person was the last human Shen Qingqiu killed…

Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes for a moment and let out a breath. When he opened his eyes again he saw Yue Qingyuan, who was walking quickly to one of the tents. Likely to give some words of comfort to the people inside. Well, at least now Shen Qingqiu knew what direction not to go right now.

Shen Qingqiu was trying to hunt down Airplane. Surely the man could inform him of any important events that took place while he was away. However, after walking through the camp a couple of times, he found no sign of the mouse. It could be that the man went out to take care of an errand. Or maybe some final cleanup related to Mobei-jun’s attack. From the novel, it appeared that he would at least not leave the sect itself still for some time, so it was only a matter of time either at the camp or the sect that he would run into the author. Still, Shen Qingqiu felt a growing irritation that the mouse man was not around. He might have duties, but couldn’t he have at least guessed that when Shen Qingqiu arrived in his body, he would have questions?

Eventually, Shen Qingqiu had had enough and pulled aside a running An Ding disciple. “Where is your shizun?” He asked.

The disciple let out a small whimper as his eyes filled with tears. “Shen-shibo, we all miss him, but he is gone. We have to accept *hic* it.”

What?

“We all know he meant a lot to you, but please, you need to accept he is not coming back.”

“….”

DID AIRPLANE DIE? HOW COULD SHEN YUAN NOT HAVE TOLD HIM?

‘System? Explain what is going on.’

[ Host… That… Can’t… ] 

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t even get the stupid thing to formulate a full sentence let alone an explanation. This situation was only becoming worse.

“Thank you for your concern.” Shen Qingqiu took a step back, feeling grossed out at the snot that was starting to run down the disciple's face. “I will take my leave.” Shen Qingqiu swiftly walked away. However, his feet felt heavier than before.

Airplane was dead.

No wonder the conference had gotten so out of control; the person who had masterminded the thing was in a hole in the ground. Shen Qingqiu returned to his tent and pondered what he had learned for a moment. This… wasn’t something he had considered as a possibility. What happened while he was in the other world? Shen Qingqiu hadn’t taken a close look earlier at what was in the tent. Shen Qingqiu was one to keep his supplies when traveling in small qiankin bags as well as several hidden weapons on his body. As such, he would have expected the tent to be essentially empty. However, there was something in the corner; a piece of fabric appeared to be wrapped around… something. Shen Qingqiu went and started to move the fabric carefully until his eyes landed on a piece of shattered blade. Shen Qingqiu’s hand began to tremble. Xuan Su? But this was too early in the story. He was going to prevent th––

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath. No, this couldn’t be Xuan Su. He had just seen Yue Qingyuan earlier that evening. Not only that, but he was wearing Xuan Su on his waist at the time. So then…

Shen Qingqiu continued to unwrap the sword until he saw the hilt. Nuli Gongzuo. It was Nuli Gongzuo. Airplane… It wasn’t a mistake, then he—

“Am I interrupting?” Shen Qingqiu’s head swung around at those words. Mu Qingfang was in the doorway, eyeing Shen Qingqiu carefully. “If there is any way I can help, I—” 

“Don’t you have people to take care of?” Shen Qingqiu looked with disinterest at the medic. He didn’t have time for this.

“I do, but I wanted to let you know that you will be departing in the next hour. A group needs to return to the sect to inform those there of what happened at the conference.”

Shen Qingqiu stood up. “That is acceptable.”

“Of course.” Mu Qingfang said mildly, though Shen Qingqiu could see that keeping the expression was painful for his junior martial brother. Shen Qingqiu felt out of his element. He had gotten too used to being given the most pertinent information from a note, the shared dreamscape, or one of the Shang Qinghuas filling him in on important details. But right now he felt grossly underprepared for the current situation. The System might not deduct OOC points when he was in his own body, but that didn’t mean that he would willingly make himself look like a fool either by asking the questions which were burning in his mind. After all, no matter what happened, it was already too late. And so he let Mu Qingfang leave without further comment. 

–

Not long after, Shen Qingqiu was flying back to Qing Jing. As he did so, he tried to speak to his System. But it appeared that the System was going in and out as they flew. He was barely able to buy the “pause” to make sure that Without-a-Cure didn’t cause problems. As such, the most Shen Qingqiu could do was hold on tightly to the make-shift container which held the shards of Nuli Gongzuo as he flew to Qing Jing. 

As soon as he landed, it was clear that whispers that something had gone wrong at the Immortal Alliance Conference had made it to his peak as many disciples and hall masters were waiting for him with anxious expressions. It was obvious that, though it was late in the night, no one on the peak had gotten any sleep. Instead, they had been waiting for Shen Qingqiu to ask him a question that Shen Qingqiu still didn’t have a proper answer for, “What happened?”

For now, Shen Qingqiu did his best to respond with the little information he had but he vowed to find out more from Shen Yuan as soon as he got the chance. But first, he had a sword mound to make.

– Dreamscape –

In the dreamscape later, Shen Qingqiu didn’t wait even a moment to snap at Shen Yuan.

“Why was there no letter about what happened?”

Shen Yuan blinked in surprise. He figured Shen Qingqiu would be upset, but he didn’t expect him to be THIS upset. “Oh, well, a lot was happening, so—”

“And did you tell Shang Qinghua what happened to Airplane?”

Shen Yuan let out a small “eep.” When Shen Qingqiu wanted to be menacing, he could give a fully blackened Luo Binghe a run for his money. “I figured he wouldn’t take it well, so I skipped over that part…”

“Well, figure out how to tell him because I am not going to be the one to explain that.”

“Okay, I will. I will. Also, just to be clear—”

But then the dreamscape dissipated, and Shen Yuan found himself in PIDW. 

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Shen Yuan let out a curse. What happened? He usually had more time in the dream realm than that. He didn’t even get to finish explaining what was going on to Shen Qingqiu. Well, he supposed that meant he would have to make sure that he told Shen Qingqiu as soon as they switched again. Rubbing his eyes, Shen Yuan got up only to find his feet stuck in stinkysti. Again. “Come on!” Shen Yuan cried out, but of course, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t hear him. However, there was a letter nearby, so Shen Yuan picked it up. “Shen Yuan, write a letter next time. It is unacceptable that I find out my shidi is dead just by happenstance. –Shen Qingqiu”

“...” Okay, maybe Shen Yuan deserved this one, but Airplane wasn’t dead! Maybe! Uhhh! They should find that out. Possibly. Another thing for the to-do list. After getting out of this goop. 

Shen Yuan didn’t really prepare for a response like this from Shen Qingqiu. The man who didn’t write him letters for an extended period of time. Like, shouldn’t Shen Qingqiu of all people understand that sometimes things just don’t get said. And it was an accident on his part instead of the blatant ignoring the scum villain had been doing!

…And he also didn’t expect to find a burial mound for Shang Qinghua’s sword when he got out of the sticky trap. Shen Yuan wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry at the sight of it. Oh man. This was such a mess.

Shen Yuan took a seat in front of the mound and looked at it for a while. In a way, it could also be a mound for Luo Binghe, right? Both were missing with no “body.” ‘System?? How is Luo Binghe doing in the Abyss? Has his demon nature awoken?’

[ The System’s connection to the main energy source, ‘Luo Binghe’, has broken. It is undergoing maintenance and upgrades in the background. Once the connection is reestablished, the System will be activated. I hope you will find using the self-service a pleasant experience. Thank you ]

Well, okay, that was useless. The fact that the System had found a way to be even more useless was an impressive feat.

Shen Yuan heard a rustle and looked up. A disciple apparently had been watching him and scurried away when they made eye contact with him. Ah, maybe he was late for class. What time was it?

Shen Yuan looked up at the sky and let out a sigh. He still wasn’t nearly as good about reading the time without a digital clock as he liked; still, if classes hadn’t started yet, they would soon, so he better head over.

–

During class, all the students were very quiet as they received instruction. Shen Yuan had already mastered just how much of the class he could get away with pushing onto the hallmasters and how much he had to do in terms of actual teaching. Which was definitely to his benefit today because it was a bit hard to concentrate today. The students tended to be rather talkative during lessons, but even Ning Yingying was quiet today.

Ah, it must be the loss of their youngest martial brother. In particular, poor Ning Yingying must think her future husband is dead. Poor girl. If only he could tell them that Luo Binghe would be alright. Well…mostly. Definitely toasted black but alive and ready to make a harem at least.

What Shen Yuan didn’t realize was that the thought of what Luo Binghe was going through made the peak lord’s face look five times more grim, and all the disciples had to hold themselves back from patting him on the back and comforting him on his losses.

–

After class, several people came by the bamboo house asking silly questions like how he was; he was fine. Thank you very much! Well… at least for now. He wasn’t sure for the long term about the safety of his limbs though. 

Eventually the number of knocks on his door died down. And Shen Yuan finally felt he could relax on his bed. He felt oddly drained from the day, not even mustering the energy to write a proper note to his scummier half. But it was fine. He knew exactly what information he needed to tell Shen Qingqiu when they met up anyway. Namely, the big, Airplane-sized piece of information that he had left out last time they spoke. Even as he thought this, his mind went to how oddly short his meeting had been last time with Shen Qingqiu. Would he have enough time to tell Shen Qingqiu about everything else that had happened that day? Well, he should. At least, that was the thought. But it was a restless night. One where he got little real sleep.

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

The next thing Shen Yuan remembers is waking up, still in the body of Shen Qingqiu. The sun was peeking through the windows.

Wait, did he not go back to his world that night?

Shen Yuan racked his brain trying to remember anything from the evening, but the couldn’t recall anything.

What happened? Shen Yuan looked around the room, trying to find any evidence that things had been shuffled around, but there was nothing.

Shen Yuan left the room and went outside to the sword mound. He wasn’t sure why he felt like that place would help clear his mind, but it was his first instinct, and sitting there, Shen Yuan took in a few deep breaths. The other day, the System had mentioned that it was running on minimum power. Did that have an impact on the switching? If so, did that mean that the switching wouldn’t happen ever again? Or at least until the protagonist returned?

That was a strange thought. No notes from Shen Qingqiu for who knows how long? No meeting in the dream realm? Maybe there was another way to meet in the dreamscape, but with both Airplane gone and him unable to reach Shen Qingqiu, he didn’t know where to start to investigate.

Shen Yuan wondered if Shen Qingqiu was asking similar questions right now. Either to himself or the other System, since that one must still be active, right? Or was it also down?

The sun continued to go higher in the sky, and a larger and larger audience gathered, watching Shen Yuan just staring at the mound. Eventually, someone came and broke up the watching crowd and came over to the Qing Jing Peak Lord. Hearing a throat clearing, Shen Yuan turned to see Yue Qingyuan. He wore his usual small smile as he looked at his seated Shidi, but his eyes were also those of a puppy waiting for punishment.

“Shen-shidi, may I have a word?" Yue Qingyuan asked.

Caught off guard, Shen Yuan got up to his feet a bit too fast to be called “elegant.” Fortunately, Yue Qingyuan’s expression didn’t change, and even more fortunately, the System didn’t give any warnings about the OOC action. “This shidi will make some tea.”

Shen Yuan stated. Yue Qingyuan’s face filled with surprise for a moment before turning calm once again. In contrast, Shen Yuan was internally cursing. He should have just turned Yue Qingyuan away. If the System was working correctly, he might be dead at this point with this OOC behavior, but clearly Shen Yuan was having an off day, okay?

Well, at least with the built-in skills of Shen Qingqiu’s body, he could make good tea. Sure enough, when Yue Qingyuan received his cup, he let out a hum of satisfaction. “Qingqiu is the best when it comes to tea.”

“Just get to the reason why you're here.” Shen Yuan stated in his Shen Qingqiu voice, only to let out an internal curse, seeing how Yue Qingyuan’s face dropped. Hey! It’s not his fault that his alter ego is a jerk to his shixiong.

“This shixiong just wanted to check in with Shen-shidi after everything that happened.” Yue Qingyuan offered.

“This shidi is fine. Thank you, Zhanmen-shixiong, for your concern.” Shen Yuan pulled out his fan and began fanning himself. Hopefully, that will be enough to hide his stress.

Yue Qingyuan nodded understandingly. “This shixiong must admit concern as Shen-shidi lost…” Yue Qingyuan cut himself off. “In any case, this one wanted to let Shen-shidi know that if he wishes to spend time off the mountain, he has my full permission.” Then, after a pause, he added. “And if you wish for privacy while visiting town for nights, that will also be arranged.”

Oh wow, this would actually work out well. “This shidi would like to take some time away for a personal quest. Does this mean that I may go whenever I wish?

Yue Qingyuan smiled. “Yes, however, if you wish to leave immediately, let me make sure that your partner for the trip is also prepared to go.”

Shen Yuan blinked in surprise. “Partner?”

–

By “partner,” Yue Qingyuan apparently meant Liu Qingge, who arrived later that day on the mountain with a carriage in tow. “Ah, Liu-shidi?” Shen Yuan tried. “What is with the carriage?”

“Without a Cure.” He said simply.

Oh.

Right…

Shen Yuan couldn’t help but let out an internal sigh that that thing was still hanging over his head. Though honestly, it seemed like Shen Qingqiu’s workaround for Without a Cure had largely worked.

“Working around.” Meant spending their B-points constantly, it seemed, but whatever, this wasn’t the time to think about that, well… actually… The thought made him think of something sometime later.

–

‘System, can I make a purchase?’ Shen Yuan sat in the cart with Liu Qingge in the driver's seat. The two had largely not spoken, so his vacant expression when Shen Yuan started to address his System went unnoticed.

[ System has entered low power mode. Inquiries have been limited. ]

‘That means I can’t make any purchases?’

[ System has entered low power mode. Inquiries have been limited. ]

‘How about B-point reductions? Is that still a thing?’

[ System has entered low power mode. Inquiries have been limited. ]

Shen Yuan closed the screen and thought. For now, he needed to focus on surviving Luo Binghe. In the past, the System would often warn if he was nearing OOC behavior, but if the System was out of commission, how was he supposed to know if something was OOC?

“Liu-shidi?” Shen Yuan turned to face Liu Qingge. What do you think of me?”

Liu Qingge glanced back for a moment before turning back. “Stronger than before.”

Well… that was a compliment? “Even with Without-a-Cure?” Shen Yuan asked.

“That made you weaker. But still, you fight better. Your form has also improved.”

“But what do you think of me as a person?” Shen Yuan asked, noting how once more the System had remained silent. Was it really not going to do anything? This was very OOC! Interesting.

“A day person.” Liu Qingge snorted before returning his focus to the road.

Chapter Text

The pair eventually made it to Bailu after several days of journeying. Though Shen Yuan had never been here before, Shang Qinghua had described the place during one of their trips to a bar. The man might not have given much info on the Sun and Moon Dew mushrooms themselves beyond their location, but Shen Yuan was more than capable of filling in the blanks. That is, assuming he could get his hands on one of the mushrooms.

“Why are we here?” Liu Qingge looked around the cave that they were currently in.

“You are only asking that now?” Shen Yuan snorted. “There is a plant I want to study that can only be found here.” 

“Hmph.” Liu Qingge’s voice echoed off the walls of the cave.

Talking stopped after that. The sound of dripping water and pattering of feet filled the silence. However, it didn’t take long before Liu Qingge pulled out his sword and he began to look around as though having sensed an enemy.

Shen Yuan paused, opening up his senses. There was a demon close by. But it was a low-level one. One that Liu Qingge could easily kill in one strike if he so chose.

Shen Yuan couldn’t find it in himself to be concerned by such a small presence and continued ahead. Eventually, they reached a small lake, and on an outcropping in the middle of the lake, he could see a batch of Sun and Moon Dew mushrooms. Swiftly, he got into the air, took a few mushrooms, and headed back. The whole time Liu Qingge watched with his sword still out, but he made no move to attack the demon. In the shadows, Shen Yuan could sense the strange creature moving. Where it had been focused on both Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan before, it was clear that its attention was now only on Shen Yuan.

The creature didn’t give off any malicious intent; however, it would be too dangerous to willingly give any creature these mushrooms, assuming that was what it was after. Shen Yuan pushed his qi into one of the mushrooms, damaging it from the inside before dropping it to the ground seemingly by accident. As he suspected, the creature stopped following them. Instead, it lingered back with the mushroom. Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge had a clear path to the carriage from there, with no other demonic encounter to speak of. Shen Yuan teased his companion on their ride back. “Liu-shidi, were you disappointed that you didn’t get to fight anything?”

“Nothing was strong.” Liu Qingge grunted back.

“So you were disappointed.” Shen Yuan smiled. “Would Liu-shidi like to spar later to make up for that?”

Liu Qingge released a grunt, which Shen Yuan interpreted as a yes. 

–

By sword, getting to Bailu would take less than a day, but by carriage, it was a three-day journey. Shen Yuan would complain that the whole thing was an unnecessarily long waste of time, but it wasn’t exactly like much would happen with the plot for a while. Besides, even if the System had told Shen Yuana that the amount of improvement to his skills he could get at this point from training with Liu Qingge was minimal, it still didn’t mean that it was of no help. And, well, sparing really wasn’t that bad. At least it wasn’t with a teacher like Liu Qingge.

At the end of Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge sparred that night, Liu Qingge commented. “You changed again.”

“Did I?” Shen Yuan waved his fan in front of himself, trying to hide how winded he was.

“You are less irritating at night now.” 

Shen Yuan wanted to let out a laugh. Liu-shidi! Are you missing your scum villain? Not like he could relate! Most definitely not. “Shidi makes me sound like a werewolf.”

Liu Qingge’s brows laced together. “I still don’t know what that is.”

“Ah, well, maybe I can get you a book on them.” Dang it! Well, at least the System can’t deduct points right now for European monster references. Wait, when did he mention werewolves before?

Liu Qingge stared at Shen Yuan for a long time before saying, “You aren’t the same as before, but also not as different.”

With that, Liu Qingge left. Liu-shidi! What was with the anime one-liner exit? Explain yourself properly, ah.

But Shen Yuan didn’t really feel like bringing up the matter again, and the next day during their travels, it wasn’t brought up either. 

–

The next day, the two made it to a familiar town, but it was already dusk. Shen Yuan was cool with the idea of just continuing traveling, but Liu Qingge stated, “We will break here for the night.”

Shen Yuan didn’t complain. He felt stiff from being in the carriage so long, so Shen Yuan decided to do some OOC stretches before following Liu Qingge towards the inn. The two went to check in and found immediately a hatchet thrown into their plans. “There is only one bedroom available.”

“...” Shen Yuan’s eyebrow twitched. Seriously, he didn’t feel like dealing with an anime trope  right now. He wanted to just stretch out on a nice comfy bed. But then something that he hadn’t expected occurred. “That is in this building; however, I am sure that there will be space for Master Shen next—”

“We will share the room.” Liu Qingge grabbed Shen Yuan by the hand and began to stomp upstairs before the inn owner called up. “Wait, you still need to pay, and I haven’t said which room was available.”

Liu Qingge froze and just threw a bag at the inn owner. “Now, hurry up and show us the room.”

–

The innkeeper did show them the room. And it only had one bed. It. Was. The. Trope. THE. TROPE. And what made it even worse was that the bed was tiny. Like, even though the “papapa because there is one bed” thing won’t work with him and Liu Qingge since they were both straight men, it still made for a super uncomfortable situation considering the size of the bed. How were two people supposed to sleep on that thing? Liu Qingge, however, didn’t seem fazed. “You get the bed. I will meditate tonight.”

“Shouldn’t you rest? I can—”

“No.” Liu Qingge said flatly. The man was clearly in grouch mode. Maybe Liu-shidi was the one who needed to do stretches?. “Let's spar.” Liu Qingge grunted before leaving the room, presumably for Shen Yuan to follow, which he did. But only after putting down the bags in some form of intentional state.

–

Liu Qingge’s sword came down on Shen Yuan harder than usual. Shen Yuan was on the defense the whole spar. Liu-shidi! This isn’t a fight to the death, ah!

Liu Qingge kept pushing and pushing until Shen Yuan tripped and fell to the ground. The fall didn’t hurt, but honestly, Shen Qingqiu was so done with the day already. “Sorry, Liu-shidi, I think that is it for me today.”

Liu Qingge put out his hand, and though Shen Yuan accepted it, he didn’t linger close to Liu Qingge, taking a step back to brush off his clothes when he returned to his feet. “The inn will be serving dinner soon, so I am going to take my leave.”

“No.” Liu Qingge grunted. 

Shen Yuan turned in surprise. “No?”

Shen Yuan was tired. Shen Yuan had a long day and really wasn’t feeling all of…whatever this was. He should be with his family right now. He should have had like five chats with Shen Qingqiu by this point, and now Liu Qingge was acting like this. “I am a peak lord. This shixiong can do what he wishes. I will be back for dinner.”

With that, Shen Yuan turned and, trying to keep his posture as Shen Qingqiu as possible, walked off.

It was only then that Liu Qingge yelled out. “Don’t go to that place!”

Shen Yuan turned around and looked at Liu Qingge. “What place?”

“That one.” Liu Qingge’s face was turning red now. But Shen Yuan still couldn’t understand what the war god was talking about.

“I will go where I wish. I will be back soon, Liu-shidi.” Shen Yuan stated with a wave.

Though Shen Yuan knew that Liu Qingge’s concern was well-intentioned, there was little chance much would happen at this point in the plot. He might as well enjoy the little freedom he had before the protagonist returned.

Fortunately, Liu Qingge didn’t appear to follow him, leaving Shen Qingqiu to wander the streets alone. The town wasn’t large. And actually, it was one that Shen Yuan had been on several occasions, but it only clicked why Liu Qingge must have been so upset when he passed by one particular building. 

Shen Yuan was about to just walk past, not wanting to even be seen there, but then a woman burst out and said, “Come, come. A-Jiu, it’s been too long.”

Shen Yuan pulled back. “No, that isn’t necessary. I have things to take care of.”

“More than your old friends?” The woman batted her eyes at Shen Yuan, which… didn’t really do anything to him, but the push on his back by another woman who had popped out did, and soon Shen Yuan was inside the building.

There were several women in the lobby area, and they all hurried to see Shen Yuan. “A-Jiu, you came back!’

“What would you like to drink?”

“Have you been having good adventures?”

“I—” Shen Yuan started, but then cut himself off, remembering his conversation with Shang Qinghua. If there was a time to find out if Shang Qinghua had been trolling him with the whole “Shen Qingqiu is a virgin” thing, it was now. “I have been well. I will need to go soon, but I can stay for a drink.”

The woman giggled excitedly. “I will get the good plum juice.” Plum juice? Not even alcohol!

Shen Yuan took a seat at the table. And soon the ladies were all clamoring to sit with him.

“A-Jiu! Want to see how much I improved with the pippa?”

“Ah, sure!” Shen Yuan said, slightly dazed.

“How about my calligraphy?” Another woman asked.

“I would be honored.” What was he even agreeing to?

The requests kept coming, as did light refreshments. Ah, he said he was going to have dinner with Liu-shidi, but at this rate, when he gets to dinner, he won’t even be able to eat a grain of rice.

“What sort of mission were you on today?” One of the women, Qi Juan, asked (a woman that Shen Yuan, unfortunately, very much recognized).

“Ah, I went to look for a mushroom with Liu-shidi.”

“Oh, that man.” Wan Lanying huffed. “I still remember when he broke our door. The brute.”

Shen Yuan let out a snort. The girls, in response, all smiled. Shen Yuan, feeling weird about all the eyes, went into his bag and made up some BS. “I brought some new brushes and—” All his gifts were quickly gathered by the ladies, who eagerly went to work using them. The excitement of the presents made Shen Yuan think he had an opening to finally leave. And so he got up and began to head to the door. “Leaving so soon?” Wan Lanying asked.

“Yes, well, Liu-shidi…”

“Ah, you're calling him so intimately now. Did he finally confess?” Qi Juan asked while leaning her hand on her chin.

“What? No! He’s straight!” 

“Doubtful. What straight man cares what another man does in a brothel?" Qi Juan chuckled. “But it’s fine; he can stay in the closet. That just means we can keep A-Jiu to ourselves~.”

Wait, did that mean Shen Qingqiu slept with these women? Like the sex kind of way? So was Shang Qinghua wrong or–

“Don’t worry, A-Jiu, one day you will find a man that we will all approve of.”

Shen Yuan’s brain stopped. “What?”

The other woman nodded along. “You better introduce us or—”

Just then, the door was kicked down. “Shen Qingqiu! So you did come here, you—”

Just then, a net(?!) fell from the ceiling, and on top of Liu Qingge, the woman moved forward like a coordinated strike force. Seeing Liu Qingge struggle, Shen Yuan realized that the net must have been made out of immortal binding cables (how did these women even have access to all of those cables?). Liu Qingge kept trying to push the women away, but it was clear he was trying to hold back so as not to hurt the mortal woman either. Which was not exactly a great thing to be doing when the woman looked like they had been preparing for this day for a long time. 

Finally, one of the women approached the War God and blew some sort of powder into Liu Qingge’s face that immediately made him drop to the ground. He was still awake, but it seemed he was not able to move his extremities.

“Oh, that worked so well! Qingqiu is such a good planner!”

Liu Qingge threw a glare at Shen Yuan, who wanted to yell: Don’t look at him like that! It was the other Shen! Also, what was Shen Qingqiu doing giving these kind of things to these brothel women? Was he making his own military?

“Stop being so mean to A-Jiu!” One of the workers pulled at Liu Qingge’s cheek like he was five! “He is ours, and this little boy crush stalking isn’t cute.”

Liu Qingge continued to look murderous to Shen Yuan’s dismay. “Ladies, I think Liu-shidi just wanted to pick me up for dinner and—”

“And then keep you all to himself.” Qi Juan pouted. “No! We haven't seen you in so long; you got to stay with us. Not with this man who doesn’t appreciate you.”

“Let me bring my shidi back. I promise he won’t bother you after.” The girls looked surprised.

“Are you sure? Just like that? Will you be able to sleep alright? How about at least giving him a room here to sleep?”

Sleep. Shang Qinghua had mentioned that to…

“Fine,” Liu Qingge cut in. Everyone looked at the Bai Zhan Peak Lord, who kept his eyes on the ground.

“Well then, you heard my shidi. Just point me to the room and I will bring him up.” The girls stepped out of the way so that Liu Qingge could be released. The man tried to get to his feet but was unable to, so Shen Yuan lifted his arm over his shoulder and waved to the woman. 

On the way to the upstairs room, Liu Qingge grunted. “Zhangman-shixiong said if you wanted to stay here, you could.”

Shen Yuan looked over at Liu Qingge in surprise. “Is that so?”

Liu Qingge managed to nod. “He was the one that put this awful town on our itinerary. I don’t like it though.”

“Obviously.” Shen Yuan scoffed.

“What you do here is bad for your cultivation.” Shen Yuan glanced back. All the girls there were young. They must have been at most the age of his sister; it was wild to think they were all prostitutes. But they didn’t behave the way he expected from a prostitute. Not like the movies at least...

“Liu-shidi has been helping me with my cultivation, so I will be fine.” Shen Yuan smiled at Liu Qingge. “But I think with this poison, you will need to take a long nap.”

“That is not needed!” Liu Qingge cut in.

“I will believe it when you can actually walk.” And sure enough, when the two made it to their shared room, Liu Qingge still couldn’t even sit up. 

“Liu-shidi.” Shen Yuan said seriously from the side of the bed. “I will go back downstairs now. It is better for me to stay around in case you need something. Please take it easy.”

Shen Yuan put his wrist under Liu Qingge’s fingertips and then took a deep breath. “Feel my qi now, and when I come back, you can check it again. If it is any different, then we can discuss.”

Liu Qingge tried to sit up once more, but after having failed for another time, he relented and said, "Fine." And he took the pulse. Getting up, Shen Yuan headed out and went back to the women. “Does the offer for me to stay the night still stand also?” he asked.

The girls let out a giggle. “Of course.” Wan Lanying smiled. “But come now, customers will be arriving soon.”

Shen Yuan followed Wan Lanying to one of the rooms as the rest got to work. “It’s been so long, maybe you forgot it was my turn with you.”

“Of course not.” Well, it’s not like he could forget something that he never knew.

“Well, alright.” Soon, the two reached a room. The smell was relaxing, and Shen Yuan immediately felt like a weight was lifted from his body. Wan Lanying took a seat on the bed and then patted the spot next to her. “It’s getting late. Surely you will need to get up early tomorrow, so let's get to it.”

Stiffly, Shen Yuan took the offered seat. “Turn around,” Wan Lanying requested. Shen Yuan did just that, leaving himself uncomfortably vulnerable to the strange woman. He heard some rustling, and then a moment later, a shiver went down his spine as he felt a pair of gentle hands removing his hair crown. 

“What—” Shen Yuan started. 

Wan Lanying froze. “Apologies, did I hurt A-Jiu?” 

“No.” Shen Yuan said, but didn’t say anything else. With no more objections, Wan Lanying continued to remove the hair crown. Then came the brushing of his hair, which sent another tingling feeling down Shen Yuan’s spine.

“Ah, your hair is so smooth.” Wan Lanying chirped. “I wish my hair could be like this after a long day at work.”

“Mh…” was all Shen Yuan managed. Though he was calming a bit now with the lack of sexual things going on, he still hadn’t let down his guard completely, though with every brush through his hair, he felt closer to being able to do so.

Alright, all done.” Shen Yuan turned around at that and saw that Wan Lanying was now getting under the sheets. Taking that as his cue, Shen Yuan did the same.

His heart was pounding, but the next thing that happened was that the candle was blown out, and Wan Lanying wrapped her arms around him and gently maneuvered Shen Qingqiu into a “comfortable” position on the bed. “Just follow my breath, alright? In. Out.”

Easier said than done with boobs in his face! Boobs! But… was this really it? No papa? Nothing intimate besides breasts being in his face? It still was the closest thing to sexy time he had experienced in both worlds. But it definitely wasn’t traditional sexy time.

“In. Out.”

Shen Yuan tried to follow the instructions, but sleep wasn’t coming to him. Partially because of the boobs that were suffocating him but also because of the thought that was ringing through his ears so loud it hurt.

“Shang Qinghua was right.” A statement that made something fall deep in his stomach.

Chapter Text

– Dreamscape –

Shen Yuan felt a familiar tug. One that he hadn’t expected he would miss so much. And then a face he had expected to miss even less.

“Shen Yuan?” Shen Qingqiu looked just as surprised as Shen Yuan did. “This is unexpected.”

“Yeah.” Shen Yuan bit his lip thinking. “The System in PIDW is in limited power mode since Luo Binghe is in the Endless Abyss. Limited power must mean that the reboots are not happening as frequently in that world.”

“Hm. I thought the issue may have been something like that from the little information the other system was able to tell me.” Shen Qingqiu nodded. ‘There is a lot we don’t know still, but at least on the surface, I think I understand.” Shen Qingqiu took a seat as he thought. “It has been around a week since we last switched, but we don’t know if it will be another week before we switch again. Could be more. Could be less. But for now, I think we can guess that when Luo Binghe returns, that schedule will return to normal.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Shen Yuan agreed as he took a seat across from Shen Qingqiu. “Can’t be 100% certain on that, but if the reboots are still happening, it makes sense that it will go back to its old cadence when Binghe returns.”

“So, moving forward, plan to take notes each day so I can follow along with the changes.” Shen Qingqiu drummed his fingers. “I must admit I didn’t expect this switchover, so I didn’t leave a letter for you.”

“I didn’t either,” Shen Yuan admitted.

“Well, as much as I would like to do a proper I missed you or something similar, we need to inform each other what happened as of late. I will start. Your classes are going fine, but you have an exam in two days, so you'd better study. Two of your father’s competitors have folded, and the stock of the Shen estate has grown by 12%.” Shen Qingqiu continued speaking about the other world for some time. He talked so long, in fact, that Shen Yuan was surprised that the bodyswap hadn’t finished yet. Eventually, however, Shen Qingqiiu handed the floor to Shen Yuan to speak.

“Dang.” Shen Yuan said, impressed, and then gulped, thinking about the classwork he would have to take care of. School was pure evil. “Well, on my end, I got us some Sun and Moon Dew mushrooms to make a backup body with, since we don’t know what will happen with Luo Binghe. Also, about the brothels—”

“What about them?” Shen Qingqiu asked, confused.

“You really do just sleep in them, huh?”

Shen Qingqiu opened his mouth, but just then the tug started, and they were both pulled to their original worlds.

Shen Yuan found himself in his own bedroom and let out a sigh of relief. He was back! Finally! He could see his family again, and—just then, he realized he was surrounded by textbooks and papers. Oh no. Now that he was back in the modern world, that meant he had to take care of the schoolwork.  

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

Shen Qingqiu wasn’t sure what to expect waking up back in his world, but considering Shen Yuan had been piloting his body, he hadn’t expected to be in bed with Wan Lanying.

Even though usually being with Wan Lanying would help draw him to sleep, his surprise about the current situation was enough that he jumped up.

“A-Jiu? Did you have a nightmare?” Wan Lanying leaned over and put a hand on Shen Qingqiu’s head. He allowed the touch. It had felt like an eternity since seeing her.

“No.” Shen Qingqiu pursed his lips. “I apologize if I woke you.”

“It’s fine. In any case, I am sure you will need to head back to the sect soon, right? Let me make sure that there is some breakfast for you and your... friend.”

“Thank you.” Shen Qingqiu said while also wondering to himself who this friend she is talking about could possibly be. He should have given more time for Shen Yuan to explain what was going on in this world while they were in the dreamscape. But he was left alone with his thoughts for quite some time in the other world. And he didn’t even mention the biggest thing he had done while in the modern world.

–

In all the scenarios that he considered, he didn’t think that the “friend” Wan Lanying was referring to could be Liu Qingge.

The fact that he was now sitting across from Liu Qingge at a table as the ladies served them both food was something that even in his wildest dreams (and nightmares) he hadn’t considered, and yet that was the current situation he was in..

What was going on for the past week while he was gone?

He wasn’t ready for any question that Liu Qingge could possibly ask. Fortunately, instead of talking, Liu Qingge motioned for Shen Qingqiu’s arm. Understanding the gesture, Shen Qingqiu gave his arm to Liu Qingge, who then checked his qi. As he did so, he looked Shen Qingqiu in the eyes silently. After a little time, he let go, leaned back and returned to his food.

Shen Qingqiu could take a guess at why Liu Qingge wanted to check his qi. But he didn’t feel like confirming his theory. Instead, Shen Qingqiu decided silence was his best course of action for the time being. After the two went to check out from an inn (why were they in the Warm Red Pavilion if they had a room in an inn?) As well as to retrieve their things before starting their journey back to the sect.

The ride was a silent one, with basically the only comment being from Liu Qingge, which was, “You are quiet.”

“Maybe I am just tired from last night's activities , Liu-shidi.”

Liu Qingge didn’t turn around at this. Or say anything to acknowledge the statement beyond having his ears turn red.

Shen Qingqiu smirked internally but still left the matter be, not wanting to risk the possibility of giving away something unnecessarily.

Eventually, Shen Qingqiu’s mind wandered. What he was doing right now wouldn’t have been possible in that book. Liu Qingge would have been long dead, but here he was healthy. Unfortunately, even if Liu Qingge’s death had been averted, Shang Qinghua’s death had not been avoided. He didn’t get a chance to ask Shen Yuan about how Airplane had died. He could only hope his death was more pleasant than the fate of Shang Qinghua in the book.

The thought made Shen Qingqiu close his eyes. He had known he had to finish Proud Immortal Demon Way. However, he would take any distraction he could to avoid the task. But having been trapped in the modern world for the week, he ran out of excuses to avoid the novel and read. And read.

Of the burning of the sect.

His own death.

Shang Qinghua’s death.

It was…unpleasant. And seeing comments on the story cheering for the destruction of everything related to Cang Qiong was… more difficult than expected. 

For what it was worth, Shang Qinghua was more than willing to meet with him and talk about what he had read. “The story has changed, but who knows how much the future will still resemble that book.” Shang Qinghua stated. “Knowledge is power. Knowledge is pain.”

Of course, Shang Qinghua was right. And that was why he needed to take every step possible while here to change the direction of the story. He would not let the sect be destroyed. 

–

When the two got to the sect, Liu Qingge dropped Shen Qingqiu off in Qing Jing. “What will you do with that?” Liu Qingge motioned to a bag on the cart, which apparently was from Shen Yuan. 

“That is a peak secret.” Shen Qingqiu stated swiftly, though he didn’t even know what was in the bag.

Fortunately, Liu Qingge let the matter be and soon left.

When Shen Qingqiu opened the bag and found mushrooms, he connected the dots and smirked. It looked like Shen Yuan had really been busy during the past week. He recalled having read about this plant when he was trying to research what the System was. He pulled out one such book and began to scan the descriptions of the care of the plant. Luckily, the book was quite detailed. Talking about things such as what soil was best for the mushroom to how the bodies that were produced from the mushrooms were not compatible with demons unless a large amount of human qi filled the plant before being grown. The book still was not perfect; however, it would take quite some time to grow the plant even with the knowledge the book provided. But it would be years before Luo Binghe’s returned, so it should not be a concern.

Shen Qingqiu was wrapping up his research when Yue Qingyuan knocked on the door. 

Of course, Shen Qingqiu knew that it was Yue Qingyuan. Who else would it be?

“Enter.“ Shen Qingqiu stated as he straightened his back and schooled his face into an unreadable expression.

“Shen-shidi.” Yue Qingyuan started. “I—”

“Skip the pleasantries and state why you are here, Zhangman-shixiong.” Shen Qingqiu interrupted coolly. He had enough already to take care of. He didn’t need a conversation with Yue Qingyuan to add to his schedule.

Yue Qingyuan looked hurt, but that was not a surprise. “This shixiong just wanted to check in as Liu Qingge gave his report.”

“A first.” Shen Qingqiu tapped the table. “Continue.”

“And this shixiong apologizes for Liu-shidi’s behavior with the ladies. I have sent a request to An Ding for someone to go down to the building and document any damage Liu-shidi caused so that it can be repaired, and I will make sure to also give proper payment for the trouble he caused to the brothel as well.”

That was… a better offer than Shen Qingqiu had expected.

“Liu-shidi needs to understand that, no matter his intent, a brothel is a working establishment, and what happens behind the walls is not of his concern unless he plans to make it so using his money purse.” Shen Qingqiu stated. 

Yue Qingyuan bowed. “This shixiong understands and takes responsibility for what happened. If Shen-shidi needs to go again on such a mission, do you have a preferred partner to go with?”

“Myself. I do not need a babysitter, thank you, Shixiong. This has been as pleasant as always. I have work to catch up on from the mission, so please see yourself to the door.” Shen Qingqiu pointedly looked away from Yue Qingyuan, and began writing. Nothing that would make any sense if Yue Qingyuan actually came over and read the words, however, but of course, the man did not and instead departed quietly.

When Yue Qingyuan finally left, Shen Qingqiu let out a sigh and looked up at the ceiling. It had only been a week since he had been away from this bamboo house, but everything felt so strange. In total, Shen Qingqiu had known Shen Yuan’s family for far shorter time than he did his martial siblings, and yet, he was able to eat with the Shen family with far less tension in the air than with any member of his martial family.

But also, here he barely ate with anyone.

Shen Qingqiu prepared several pots and planted the mushrooms. They would need to be moved to a larger location later, but for now, this should be sufficient. With his task complete, Shen Qingqiu stood up and headed to the burial mound. Sitting in front of Airplane’s grave, Shen Qingqiu muttered so that no passersby could hear. 

“None of the peak lords were supposed to die this time around, fool, and yet you went and died on me. I will make sure that you regret having left before your time came.”

Shen Qingqiu stood after and immediately heard someone moving in the bushes. Shen Qingqiu swiftly went to the bushes and pulled the disciple out of their hiding spot. “Ming Fan.” Shen Qingqiu hissed.

“Yes, s-shizun. It doesn’t look like what you think.” Shen Qingqiu pressed his face close to Ming Fan's. “You mean how it looks like you were spying on me?”

“Ah-” 

Shen Qingqiu let go of Ming Fan. “You should know better, you are my eldest disciple. Speak of anything you saw here, and I will punish you.”

“Yes, Shizun.” Ming Fan promised.

Instead of following through, however, Ming Fan told his peers that Shen Qingqiu still appeared to be mourning Shang Qinghua. And not for the first time, the disciples of Qing Jing shed a tear for their mourning shizun.

–

Shen Qingqiu flipped through pages upon pages of books. If Luo Binghe was going to return and potentially harm the sect, he needed a plan to protect Cang Qiong. The sect already had many warriors and protections, but they were not enough to prevent Cang Qiong’s downfall in the book. In many ways, this might have been all the book Shang Qinghua’s doing; however, it was risky to leave this matter to chance. No, Shang Qinghua didn’t mean no danger, and he would make sure not to forget that fact. And it wasn’t like the books were unpleasant. They were a palate cleanser if anything after having been reading Proud Immortal Demon Way.

Shen Qingqiu jotted down all artifacts and improvements he found details about. It was long, grueling work and one that took days. The time didn’t go quickly; however, it took long enough that a week felt like little time for what he had done. Looking about, Shen Qingqiu hummed in thought as he made his last notes to Shen Yuan. He tried to summarize all his findings clearly. If they did a mission to the east, they could gather some herbs that caused confusion. How in the west, there were barrier bubble beasts that had pelts that could be added to the mountain’s protections. The east had artifacts like the Slicer Knife that could be used to cut through anything. And in the northern demon realm…

Shen Qingqiu looked at the list of artifacts in the northern demon realm. The list was just as long as the others. Ring of invisibility, flame fruit and more. The big difference between this list compared to all the others was that there was a small note at the end. “Destroy  Mobei-jun.”

Shen Qingqiu smirked. If they could get enough artifacts, that should not be much of an issue. He could avenge Airplane while also weakening Luo Binghe by getting rid of one of his strongest allies. In addition, any trip to the north would be a good opportunity to prepare for an attack from Luo Binghe’s future allies.

With that written, Shen Qingqiu prepared for the possibility that he would switch with Shen Yuan, but the night passed, and the next day came, and still nothing. He was still there. In his old world. Shen Qingqiu was a tactician. He understood how to be logical, but when it finally sank in that Shen Yuan wasn’t coming, the fan in his hand began to splinter under his grip. 

He was still here…

Shen Qingqiu took in a deep breath and then let it out. If he couldn’t predict how long until he would switch back, that meant that he would have to just keep working. And conveniently, at the moment, quite a few of his targets were located in one area.

–

Shen Qingqiu was about to get on his sword again when a familiar voice came from the sky. “Where are you going?”

Looking up, Shen Qingqiu saw Liu Qingge. 

“Why does it matter to you?”

“If you go and fall off your sword, it’s my problem.” Liu Qingge landed on the ground. “Without a Cure”

Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth. ‘System, I would like to purchase a Without a Cure delay.’

[ System has entered low power mode. Inquiries have been limited. ]

“...” So he really couldn't guarantee that he wouldn’t just fall off his sword?

“I will be back.” Shen Qingqiu was about to get on his sword, but Liu Qingge stopped him. 

“Where are you going? Just answer.”

“Northern Demon Realm.”

Liu Qingge paused. “Is this for another mushroom?”

“No.” Shen Qingqiu stepped away from Liu Qingge. “Other artifacts.”

Liu Qingge tapped his foot for some time before going back onto his sword. “Fine. This time we take the sword and not the carriage.”

“I can—”

“If you don’t come with me, I will pin you to the ground.” Liu Qingge promised, and Shen Qingqiu had little doubt that he was serious. He wished to say no to Liu Qingge; still, however, the brute had managed to be in the Warm Red Pavilion and be somewhat civil at the same time. Maybe this would not be as bad as he feared.

–

Flying to the northern demon realm took several days. Even without having a lot of supplies on hand, the journey was easy.

Yue Qingyuan apparently had done the planning for the previous “mission,” so he had insisted on a carriage and inns for the journey. Now that Shen Qingqiu was leaving, however, he would rather not bother going out of his way for a village. Shen Qingqiu was permitted to fly his own sword; however, he had to fly above Liu Qingge and close by in case he fell. The brute was surprisingly cautious and would insist on breaks frequently so that he could pass qi to Shen Qingqiu’s meridians.

The two stopped the second night in a cave. Shen Qingqiu, some time before, had seen a beast roaming below them and used his leaf technique to kill it before the two had even landed. Now the creature was being cooked over a fire. Liu Qingge was turning the meat so that it would be cooked evenly as Shen Qingqiu watched. “Have you eaten this sort of beast before?” Shen Qingqiu asked after some time.

“No.” Liu Qingge responded.

“Then why do you look so confident in how you are cooking it?”

Liu Qingge looked up from his work. His face was still stern, but it was clear that he had been more focused on a task rather than upset. “Cook enough and you see patterns.”

“Such as?” Shen Qingqiu raised a brow.

Liu Qingge pointed to one of the wounds Shen Qingqiu had inflicted. “This is red meat. I can tell from the muscle. The skin is firm but warm. From other beasts, I know that leaving it on helps cook the meat underneath, and once it’s been over the fire, it’ll be easier to remove.”

“Liu-shidi, that is the most I have ever heard you say at one time.” Shen Qingqiu smirked. “Shall I name you the Bai Zhan Cooking God?”

Liu Qingge raised a brow. “You're different again.”

Shen Qingqiu’s smile froze.

“You're the old one but less annoying.” Liu Qingge handed a piece of meat from the creature and handed it to Shen Qingqiu. “

Shen Qingqiu looked out the cave opening. “Tomorrow, we are going to cross from the human realm into the northern part of the demon realm. We should pack whatever remains of this beast in our bags, as hunting will be more difficult there.”

“How long will it take to get the artifacts?” Liu Qingge asked.

“For each, I would like to give a day.” Shen Qingqiu hummed. “If we can get more than that, fine, but we should plan to be here for some time unless. Or at least I will. If Liu-shidi wishes to back down… 

Liu Qingge crossed his arms. “Well, it is an option.”

“If I leave, you leave.” Liu Qingge stated.

Shen Qingqiu just fanned himself in response. In truth, he might switch over at any time with Shen Yuan. If that happened, it would be up to his other half to determine how he wished to proceed. As such, he would have to make sure he kept up with his notes as to make sure the man didn’t kill himself accidentally.

Liu Qingge and Shen Qingqiu arrived at the first location in the morning. The artifact was a ring of invisibility, and Shen Qingqiu did find that Liu Qingge was actually useful here. “Shen Qingqiu!” A dragon was being held off by Liu Qingge, who was flying around with his sword. “Hurry up.”

“I will.” Shen Qingqiu was trying to solve the puzzle protecting the artifact, a ring of invisibility, until finally.

Crack, the protection broke, and Shen Qingqiu grabbed the ring and flew off on his sword. Liu Qingge followed moments after.

“Were you just going to leave me?” Liu Qingge growled.

Shen Qingqiu only snorted. “If a dragon manages to bite through your tough hide, I would be shocked.”

Liu Qingge’s mouth twitched at that. Behind them, the dragon released a low, hissing sound, but the cave narrowed, making it more difficult for it to maneuver. Shen Qingqiu was about to say that they were in the clear when suddenly he felt his energy dissipate, and he began to fall.

Liu Qingge, who had been flying at full speed, was not able to stop. Leaving Shen Qingqiu on the ground as the dragon approached. Letting out a pleased noise.

“Of all times!” Shen Qingqiu began to run on the ground. Trying desperately to reach a point in the cave that was too narrow for the dragon to proceed further.

“The dragon opened its mouth wide, ready to bite down on Shen Qingqiu at any moment.

Shen Qingqiu continued running, looking for anything he could use until he saw what looked like a soft patch of snow on the roof of the cave.  It was made of a mix of snow and ice. Shen Qingqiu threw Xiu Ya high, and sure enough, it hit the spot. Shen Qingqiu stopped and let out a yell. The sound reverberated off the walls and was the last thing needed to loosen the ice and snow, and it began to fall. Shen Qingqiu ran hard, trying to get past the falling debris. The dragon was now unable to pursue him with all the debris in his path, but if he didn’t outrun the avalanche of snow—fortunately, Liu Qingge scooped him up and got him out of the cave. “That was reckless!” Liu Qingge yelled down at Shen Qingqiu, who was being held in his arms like a sack of rice.

“If I waited until you could turn around, I would have been eaten.” Shen Qingqiu hissed. “Now sit me up properly.”

Liu Qingge landed and let Shen Qingqiu down. The Qing Jing Peak Lord wiped off the snow from his clothes, only for more flakes to land on him from the sky. Shen Qingqiu tried to seem poised and elegant even then, but he knew his attempts were for nought. Liu Qingge threw a coat at him and then shoved both of his hands onto his back, forcing Shen Qingqiu to take an unsteady step forward as a result of the pressure of the movement. “If you have a complaint, be quiet.” Liu Qingge warned preemptively.

Shen Qingqiu bit his tongue. He knew Liu Qingge was right; he was a hindrance while Without a Cure was in effect, and as they were not familiar with the terrain, it would be difficult to get back here to retrieve Xiu Ya later.

When Shen Qingqiu finally felt he had enough qi, he tried to feel for Xiu Ya. The sword hummed back. But its ability to move from under the piled-up snow was minimal. Shen Qingqiu cursed. It would be time-consuming to get Xiu Ya out.

As he worked to slowly free the sword, occasionally Shen Qingqiu would catch sight of the northern demon palace through the snow. The sight would make him tug harder at his connection to Xiu Ya, but no matter how hard he tried, the progress to free his sword was slow. 

Shen Qingqiu could hear the sound of Liu Qingge moving at his side. Turning around, he saw that Liu Qingge was making what looked like bricks. “What are you doing?” 

“Igloo.” Liu Qingge responded. Which only made Shen Qingqiu frown. He had heard of igloos before but had never seen one in person. Liu Qingge, being the brute he was, didn’t provide any more explanation, and Shen Qingqiu, being the stubborn man he was, didn’t ask any more questions.

After some time of them both working on their project, Liu Qingge called over. “Continue from inside.” 

Opening his eyes, Shen Qingqiu saw that Liu Qingge had built some sort of building from the snow.

Hesitantly, Shen Qingqiu entered and was impressed by how much warmer it was inside.

“We are cultivators. We don’t get cold.” Shen Qingqiu said to Liu Qingge as he entered the igloo.

“If you lose your cultivation, you will.” Liu Qingge responded. Shen Qingqiu wanted to argue, but the war god had a point. Instead, he shimmied off Liu Qingge’s coat and handed it to the man. “Well, I am better now.” Liu Qingge nodded and took his coat. “How much longer?” Liu Qingge asked.

It took a moment for Shen Qingqiu to realize what he was referring to, but then he said, “I will need the night to get my sword out.”

Liu Qingge nodded. “We will need wards. We are near the northern palace.” Shen Qingqiu agreed. Sometimes Liu Qingge surprised Shen Qingqiu with how much brain he actually had. “I will take a break and set those up then.

Liu Qingge shrugged. And then pulled from his bag the remains of the monster that Shen Qingqiu had killed the previous night “Fine. I will cook.”

Taking that as the most agreement that he would receive, Shen Qingqiu went about his task. As he worked, the storm cleared up just long enough for him to make out the castle in the distance.

It was so close.

All he could do was just go there, even for a little bit, so he could gather useful information. Looking back at the igloo, Shen Qingqiu made a decision. It was time to pay Mobei-jun a visit.

Chapter Text

Before Liu Qingge went to bed, Shen Qingqiu asked for one more qi transfer. “Xiu Ya is almost out, and if I can increase my energy slightly, we can have my sword out before the sun rises and get an early start tomorrow.”

Liu Qingge, thankfully, only shrugged and didn’t ask any questions. The man was likely as eager as Shen Qingqiu was to see a color that wasn’t white again.

Liu Qingge eventually started to get ready for bed while Shen Qingqiu went outside and began his work. Shen Qingqiu pulled out several fire talismans and placed them on the tunnel entrance. Immediately, snow started to melt, but as the talismans cooled, the melting snow became ice. Shen Qingqiu quietly cursed. The Northern Demon Realm was even colder than he had expected. He knew that fire talismans would have limited effect in a place like the Northern Demon Realm, but if he wasn’t careful with all the ice when using them, it could make it even more difficult to get his sword out. Still, Shen Qingqiu continued to push ahead. Working through talisman after talisman, and whenever one set off, he would pull hard on his connection with Xiu Ya. This continued for several hours until the tip of the sword finally peeked out into the cultivator’s view. Letting out a sigh, Shen Qingqiu set off one more talisman and pulled with his mind, and with that final push, he was united with his trusted companion. The hilt was freezing to the touch, but beyond that, there was no obvious sign of what the sword had gone through.

Shen Qingqiu glanced back at the campsite. Going back to Liu Qingge would have been the safest option. But they were so close to the heart of the Northern Demon Realm. However, he doubted Liu Qingge would agree to do a proper reconnaissance mission, as he would want to pick a fight as soon as they entered the palace grounds which was too dangerous. Without a Cure, having just acted up, made it unlikely it would do so again. And even if it did, as long as he had put an excess amount of qi into the ring of invisibility, he would be able to remain invisible for a time. Time that he could use to escape the layer of the enemy. Still, risk was inevitable with such a plan, but he didn’t know much about the northern ice demons, and if he was going to take down Mobei-jun, he needed more information. So it was a measured risk. 

Shen Qingqiu pulled out the artifact that he had just gotten and tapped it twice. With that, he became invisible. Now, ready, Shen Qingqiu flew towards the palace.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to enter the building if at all possible. His ability to fly made it difficult for most demons to catch him. Of all the groups of demons, the north was known to have the fewest that could use flying abilities. From the air Shen Qingqiu could get a sense of the layout of the palace for the purpose of future attacks. Hanging around windows, he could also overhear various conversations and see the interior and more while remaining relatively safe. From one such window, Shen Qingqiu overheard a conversation. “The young master’s new pet is very fleshy.”

“Do you think he will share it when he is plump enough?”

“Who knows? But if we feed it well, maybe the young master will reward us!”

Disgusting. Demons really were atrocious. And yet he was expected to be nice to Luo Binghe.

…though leading up to the Immortal Alliance Conference, the boy had not been as bad as Shen Qingqiu had expected. Though who knew what Luo Binghe would be like when he returned? 

Shen Qingqiu let those thoughts stop and went to another room and then another until.

“My King.” Shen Qingqiu recognized the voice even before he saw the man’s face. “Is it, uh, really wise to keep me here? There is not much information I can gather about the human realm while, um, not in the human realm.”

Shen Qingqiu quickly headed to the window, which was the source of the voice, and saw him .

It was Airplane!

Airplane was sitting at a table laden with food. Across from him was Mobei-jun, who was looking at Airplane with an indifferent expression.

“No,” Mobei-jun responded to Airplane’s request.

“Ah…” Airplane seemed to melt into himself. “But I just gave all those reasons…”

Mobei-jun opened his mouth to respond, but a servant had come over and started to ask a series of questions.

Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth. Airplane had been alive this whole time? Was he safe? Did Mobei-jun hurt him? Shen Qingqiu put his hand to the window, and just then, Airplane looked in his direction. 

Mobei-jun, for the moment, was distracted by the servant. So Shen Qingqiu revealed himself. Airplane’s eyes went wide. Shen Qingqiu did his best to indicate his intention to open the window, but Airplane quickly shook his head. Shen Qingqiu wanted to ask why Airplane didn’t wish to be saved but the best he could do was mouth the word “why”? And, unfortunately, the series of motions that Airplane made in response did not provide a clear answer to that question. Picking up on Airplane’s movements, Mobei-jun looked up. Swiftly, Shen Qingqiu turned invisible again. He made it just in time before Mobei-jun looked out the window. Still, he doubted he was completely safe as Mobei-jun began to walk toward it, so he hurried away, heading back to the camp.

–

Returning to the igloo, Shen Qingqiu found Liu Qingge standing at the mouth of the cave Xiu Ya had been trapped in. Seeing Shen Qingqiu land, Liu Qingge stomped up to him. “You left. You—”

“I found Shang Qinghua.” Shen Qingqiu hissed. Liu Qingge froze. “Isn’t he dead?”

“No.” Shen Qingqiu shook his head and pointed to the castle. “He is being held there.” 

Liu Qingge’s brows furrowed, and he stepped forward. However, before he could take off into the air, Shen Qingqiu grabbed his arm. “We can’t go in.”

“You just did.” Liu Qingge retorted.

“To gather information. Attacking a palace in the demon realm alone would be suicidal, and only slightly less so if there are two of us.” Shen Qingqiu looked Liu Qingge up and down. “We need a proper plan. As well as backup.”

“How can you say that when you two—” Liu Qingge grumbled the last part, but honestly, Shen Qingqiu couldn't care less what the rest of it was. “We are going to go back to Cang Qiong immediately and speak to Yue Qingyuan. From there, we will come up with a proper plan.”

Liu Qingge eyed Shen Qingqiu carefully before giving a short nod. “Fine.”

–

Unfortunately, it would still take days for the two to make it back to Cang Qiong. As much as both Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge wished to just fly straight to the sect, it was not realistic. Not with Without-a-Cure possibly boiling up at an inopportune time. As such, the next evening, the two stopped. Shen Qingqiu, for his part, pulled out his notebook.

“You keep writing in that thing.” Liu Qingge commented from where he was preparing dinner. 

“I do.” Shen Qingqiu responded as he continued to write.

“And?” Liu Qingge pressed.

Shen Qingqiu looked up. “Notes. A tactician needs to properly plan, but memory is a faulty thing.”

“What happened is simple.” Liu Qingge grunted. “Demons have Shang Qinghua. We must save him.”

Simple for Liu Qingge, maybe, but now the question was what to do. A full-out war with the North? An undercover rescue operation? There were a lot of options, and whatever they would do, they should do it quickly after they return.

After writing various scenarios onto the paper, Shen Qingqiu felt he had landed on a plan, except there was one thing that bothered him. He didn’t know how Yue Qingyuan would take this plan. He was so difficult. A kicked puppy with the strongest bite in the cultivation world, and yet, what would he do with this information? Would he listen to Shen Qingqiu? Push it all aside? It was frustrating to be a tactician who couldn’t trust that his plans were being listened to. “Yue Qingyuan??” Shen Qingqiu wrote before his head unexpectedly hit the paper, going still.

– Dreamscape –

“So we are back here, huh?” Shen Yuan looked at his other half a bit dazed after the abrupt change of scenery.

“It appears so,” Shen Qingqiu said, landing an icy glare at Shen Yuan, who gulped audibly.

“As weird as it sounds with you staring daggers at me, I am happy to see you again.” Shen Yuan looked oddly concerned, but then Shen Qingqiu understood his next words. “I’ve been wanting to tell you but haven’t been able to. Airplane was kidnapped by Mobei-jun. I don’t know—”

“So you did know he was alive?” Shen Qingqiu hissed.

“No—not really. He might be de—”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?” Shen Qingqiu snapped, “I made a sword mound for the man, and you knew he was alive?”

“Well, I forgot to write it down the first time, and then the second time our meeting in the dreamscape got cut short before I could tell you. And the third time, I had planned to tell you, but the switch didn’t happen, and by the time it did, I was caught off guard and didn’t really plan our convo. Well, in any case, I did leave a note about it in my world this time, though you will see it, I am telling you about it first now instead of waiting for you to read the letter but also, I still wanted to actually tell you verbally so here we are, yappng while you look like your ready to uhhh actually I would rather not give you ideas.”

“You just left him then? For dead?” Shen Qingqiu was yelling now. “You know that his character is killed by Mobei-jun in the novel.”

“How could I consider saving him when going after him would immediately have shown that we knew about the demons, and without a backup body, what happens if we died?”

“So instead, you let Airplane sit there in the northern demon realm thinking that he was forgotten?”

Shen Yuan took a step back. Shen Qingqiu’s eyes were wild. “You have lived with a family that loves you. That is there for you. You have no idea what it means to feel forgotten. To think no one will come for you. To have to fight for your way out.”

“Hey, Shen Qingqiu, try to calm down…” Shen Yuan changed the scenery from their usual bamboo house setting to that of the ocean. The scenery was extremely detailed to the point that the sound of waves hitting the shore and the smell of seaweed filled both of their senses.

“What are you doing?” Shen Qingqiu snapped.

“The ocean is supposed to calm people.” Shen Yuan tried.

“Instead of trying to calm me, help Airplane when you get back.” Shen Qingqiu stamped on the ground, surprised to feel that the foot didn’t hit a firm surface and instead sank. “What… is this?”

“Sand… you haven’t been to a beach, have you?” Shen Yuan looked at how awkwardly Shen Qingqiu was trying to walk and how he was wincing at the feeling of sand getting in his shoes. 

“Of course not.”

“Well…Maybe you can go to one when you get back to my world? There are a lot of beautiful ones that are just a plane–”

“Stop trying to change the subject.” Shen Qingqiu growled even as he continued to move his feet back and forth in the sand.

“Right, uh, we are still limited in time here, right? And you haven’t given me a proper update, and I haven’t given you one either.”

Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes but then looked to the sky. “...by now, the dreamscape would usually have ended.”

Shen Yuan nodded along. “Yeah. I am guessing the reboot period is taking longer, just like the times in the other world are extending. Like this time, it was about two weeks. But still, we don’t have much time, I imagine.”

Shen Qingqiu let out a breath. “You're right. Which means I can properly strangle you next time when we have even more time here.”

“Ah ha… how about you don’t do that.” Shen Yuan put his arms in the air. “Come on, let me update you. Okay, it looks like the Shen Family will be doing a buyout of another organization, which will extend the market reach and—”

For some time, the two continued going back and forth. However, feeling the time coming to an end, Shen Qingqiu finally stated, “There will be far more details about what to do in the notes. Just make sure you review them. And if you don’t successfully save Airplane before the next bodyswap, you will regret it.”

“And I know that isn’t an empty threat.” Shen Yuan sighed. “I will take care of it. And you make sure that you also review my notes. Alright?”

“Hm,” was the only response Shen Qingqiu gave before silence filled the area. One that was soon filled with the sight of Shen Yuan making a face. 

“What are you thinking about?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

Shen Yuan hummed for a moment before saying. “How are you doing with the novel?”

Shen Qingqiu stiffened. “What?”

“You haven’t finished it yet, right?” Shen Yuan phrased his question carefully, knowing that he was walking on thin ice on such a topic on a good day. Even more so with a revelation like Airplane being alive being in the background today.

“It’s not like I could have finished it while in my world.” Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

“Yes… but—”

“Stop beating around the bush.” Shen Qingqiu snapped. “The dreamscape is lasting longer than usual, but that doesn’t mean it will last forever.”

“Right… Just don’t push yourself too much with that book. It is a lot. Talk to Shang Qinghua about it or whatever you need to do to process it.”

“I know how to cope.” Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes. “And it’s just a book.”

“Like how what Meng Mo showed you was just memories.” Shen Yuan retorted.

“I found a way to make this space.” Shen Qingqiu responded. “I think I found plenty of use from that experience, though speaking to you right now, I am starting to have some doubts about its usefulness.” Shen Qingqiu gave a pointed glare.

Shen Yuan shrugged. “If that is true, fine. But take care—”

“The memories are in the past. I already learned my lessons from them. So it just makes sense to move forward.

Shen Yuan sighed. “Well, like it or not, you are stuck with me in that journey of 'moving forward’.”

Shen Qingqiu looked at Shen Yuan with an unreadable expression. “I suppose we are.”

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

Shen Qingqiu picked up the notes at the bedside as soon as he got up. Sure enough, he saw that Shen Yuan had written. “Airplane was kidnapped. I don't know if he is dead or alive, but I will find out next time I am in the other world.” It was one of the first notes in the latest section of the notebook. After that, there were many other notes. Written like articles, comments about how the company's stocks had been doing. How the grades were in class, and also names of class note files on the computer.

“If you leave me with another exam for a class I didn’t register for, you will be the one to wake up with slime on your feet. –Shen Yuan” One entry ended by saying. Shen Qingqiu read through everything even as his mind wandered. He had managed not to think recently about Meng Mo. How dare Shen Yuan bring it up again? But still… It didn’t appear to come from a place of cruelty or misplaced curiosity, but concern? They were walking the same path together, but… they were very different. Their lives. Their worlds, everything and yet…. 

Well, something to think about after Shen Yuan saves Airplane. Assuming the man could follow instructions correctly this time.

Shen Qingqiu rubbed his temples. Angry was one way to describe how he felt, but… if Shen Yuan really was going to go to save Airplane, he was already doing better than Yue Qi did. He should do more than just leave extra homework or a sticky trap for Shen Yuan for this, but… now that his mind was clearer, he would wait to see what happened with Airplane before taking further action. With that thought, Shen Qingqiu got up. It had been a while since he had seen Shang Qinghua. It was time for another visit.

On his way to the main door, Shen Qingqiu ran into his siblings. “Hey, what’s with the face?” Shen Fa asked. “Is everything alright?”

“Everything is fine.” Shen Qingqiu responded. “Just going out.”

“Ah, well, before that, mom and dad wanted to do a family call.” Shen Qingqiu blinked. He intended to just leave, but now he couldn’t do that. Not when he had only come back that day. He followed his brother to the living room, where a monitor was set up. On it was Shen Yuan’s dad. “Hi everyone, sorry I have been away so much recently. How are you holding up?

“Fine!” Shen Song spoke for the group with a smile. “Though A-Yuan still spends too much time in his room.”

Shen Qingqiu wrinkled his nose. [ Host is being childish. ]

The sound of the System nearly made Shen Qingqiu jump out of his skin. It might have only been two weeks that he had been gone from this world, but the sound of the mechanical voice was so foreign it threw him out of the moment. Fortunately, his family didn’t appear to notice. Shen Yuan’s family was still talking.

“And since you have all been working so hard lately, I wanted to do a family trip. Where would you all like to go?” Shen Yuan’s father stated to the group.

“Trip?” Shen Yang smiled. “Really? It’s been so long since a family trip!”

“I know, but now that the company is doing so well, we should go someplace together, though we will have to wait a bit now that A-Yuan is back in school.”

Everyone turned to Shen Qingqiu, who froze. “That’s right! This is your first trip since…that. And you're now in school again, and so many other things.”

“Well, maybe you should choose where to go for the trip?” Shen Yuan’s mother suggested.

Shen Qingqiu sank into his seat. Everyone was looking at him. Ready to hold onto any word he would say. It was overwhelming.

It was…something that he had here and not back in his own world.

“Beach.” Shen Qingqiu stated.

“Beach?” The others in the room looked at Shen Qingqiu with confusion. Blood began to rush to Shen Qingqiu’s face. “It doesn’t matter which. Just a beach.’

“Well… that can be arranged,” Shen Yuan’s dad stated. “How about then, A-Yang, you choose the country and A-Fa can choose the hotel. And—”

The planning continued. Shen Qingqiu listened quietly for most of the time and only left when the discussion was over. And the group ate. And played a few rounds of video games.

Now free, Shen Qingqiu headed to Shang Qinghua’s. The man casually let Shen Qingqiu in and looked him over. “So uh, did you switch?”

Shen Qingqiu looked surprised. “How could you tell?”

“Ah, don’t worry, it isn’t super obvious, I just noticed that you had your eyebrows laced a bit, and Shen Yuan doesn’t do that.”

[ Minus 10 B-points for– ]

‘You didn’t even notice that inconsistency, do you think anyone else would unless they knew to look for it?’

[ … ]

Well, that put an end to that at least. Shang Qinghua, for his part, let out a snort. “System trying the whole OOC thing? Man, it should honestly default to off or something when we are chatting. So unnecessary. We are past identity reveals. Anyway, I still don’t know your favorite pizza. Let me know what you want, and I can order one.”

“What is with your obsession with pizza?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“Uh, it tastes amazing?” Shang Qinghua laughed. “Also, Shen Yuan always pays. So that helps.”

Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes but then paused, remembering why he had come all this way.

“Just order a normal one.”

“Sure thing. And you're paying on Shen Yuan’s behalf right?” Shang Qinghua fluttered his eyelashes like that would do anything. 

“Stop that nonsensical display and I will.” Shen Qingqiu snapped.

“Of course! Thank you for continuing the Shen Yuan sugar daddy tradition~” Shang Qinghua winked which made Shen QIngqiu’s eyebrow start to twitch.

Shang Qinghua was about to make the call when Shen Qingqiu said, “You owe me details on what has happened in the past few weeks.”

“That’s what I am here for!” Shang Qinghua gave a salute.

“And I also want to talk to you about Airplane.”

That made Shang Qingqhua pause and put down the phone. “Is he okay?”

“For now, he seems to be, but he has been imprisoned by Mobei-jun.”

“Dang it.” Shang Qinghua took a seat and ran his hands through his hair. “But he is alive?”

“He is, and Shen Yuan will be getting him.”

“Good.” Shang Qinghua muttered. “I could never tell with Mobei-jun what he was planning, but… at least he doesn’t seem like he has the urge to kill Airplane. Kidnapping isn’t great, mind you. But at least kidnapping isn’t death.” Shang Qinghua let out another, long breath. “Dang… But he will be okay. He has to be okay. If he wasn’t dead yet, why wouldn’t he be?”

Shen Qingqiu pursed his lips. That was strange, actually. Mobei-jun wasn’t letting Shang Qinghua leave. But he wasn’t killing him for being a traitor either. Did a plot divergence happen? On the other hand, there might be some hints on Mobei-jun’s behavior later in PIDW.

–

Shen Qingqiu’s life was simpler, with the switches with Shen Yuan being less frequent. But that only meant more time to think about what Shen Yuan might be up to. Danger loomed around the corner. And as much as he hated it, the best way for him to prepare was to finally finish Proud Immortal Demon Way. Even with Shen Qingqiu having read his own death, there was still quite a bit of story left to get through. 

Though Shang Qingqhua was working on “extras”, the main story had been completed, and every chapter only led to more and more frustration for Shen Qingqiu. It was a depressing story for all. For the women, they would become forgotten pieces in a harem. The human and demon realms were merged, causing famine for humans and displacement of homes for demons alike. Not even Luo Binghe appeared to be happy. He sat on a throne of riches, of women, of power, but he only ever looked for more. The only character development at this point in the story that Shen Qingqiu saw from Luo Binghe was his ability to manipulate others and bend his bedmates into positions that should leave broken bones.

After two weeks of reading, Shen Qingqiu finally reached the final pages of the main story. And yet, even after having spent so much time with the novel, Shen Qingqiu didn’t know what could possibly be the ending of the story.. There had been no main plot for so long that it felt pointless to even try to predict what Airplane had used as the final scene.

As such, the final scene came as a surprise. Luo Binghe and Mobei-jun sat across from each other. Their camaraderie is the closest thing to a meaningful relationship in both of their lives. The two spoke of potential conquests that could be done, only to conclude that there was nothing left to take over.

To celebrate, Luo Binghe dismissed Mobei-jun and called his entire harem to have an orgie to mark the occasion.

Shen Qingqiu looked for another chapter, but everything posted afterwards were side stories. And none of those extras were supposed to take place after the events of the chapter he had just read.

Shen Qingqiu hadn’t bothered to read the comments on the story since the burning of Cang Qiong, but once again, he felt the need to see what went through other people’s minds reading the closing pages of this novel. If people said that this was a good ending, any trust in humanity he had would be gone.

Unfortunately, there were some people who did praise the ending and said how sad they were that the main story was done. But there were others who were more sound of mind who criticized the ending, saying it was rushed. That it didn’t feel complete among so many other things. Shen Qingqiu scanned the comments for one by “Peerless Cucumber”, as Shen Yuan called himself, but didn’t find any. Still, he would judge that man harshly for having apparently read this whole novel. How could he have consumed all this garbage? He had no excuses. At least for Shen Qingqiu, this was a strategy to help him survive.

And more than that… If this was what Airplane and Shang Qinghua had seen, did they really see any value in any of what happened? Shen Qingqiu went to Shang Qinghua’s to ask him about this directly/ He was met with a shake of his head at the question.

“No… See, I wrote that part. Airplane had ‘died’ in this world before getting to that section.” Shang Qinghua stated. “But, also, I heard about that ending from Airplane before I came here. And… yeah. I can’t say that it made me feel great.”

“Why then did you write it?” Shen Qingqiu asked. “It is awful from a story perspective, and after everything, it resolves nothing.”

Shang Qinghua shrugged. “I never had much say in the story. I just wrote it. Trust me, if I had a say, I would have put a clown hat on Mobei-jun, but System said that wasn’t accurate to the original story.”

“If you can’t change the actual story. Why did the System bother to have you write it?”

Shang Qinghua hummed. “If I were to guess, it was to give the tools to others to make sure that another world doesn’t end up like that one. Maybe. Well, in any case, I am curious what PIDW will end up looking like with Airplane Shen Yuan and your knowledge of the book.”

“And why is that?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“Well, largely since I am rooting for you all to survive, but also, hearing about everything that is going on over there, that world has a far more interesting ‘plot’ now than Proud Immortal Demon Way ever did.”

Chapter Text

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

“Shen Qingqiu? Shen Qingqiu? Shixiong? Wake up!”

Shen Yuan jolted his head up so fast that he almost whacked his head against Liu Qingge. The war god, however, was able to dodge the headbutt.

Shen Yuan looked over at Liu Qingge in surprise. “Liu-shidi? What were you doing?”

“That was what I  should be asking you.” Liu Qingge’s voice was harsh, but his eyes were softer than Shen Yuan was used to from the pretty war god. Liu Qingge went behind Shen Yuan and put his hands on his back. “Be more careful, your qi is already a mess.”

Oh. The situation finally clicked in Shen Yuan’s head with those words.

Assuming that time passed in PIDW at the same rate as it does in the dreamscape, the increased time that Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu had together must have meant that Shen Qingqiu’s body had looked dead or, at least, entered some sort of comatose state. Oh, his poor shidi having to deal with a dead body!Shen Qingqiu doesn’t sound fun. Sorry Liu-shidi!  If he could control that behavior he wouldn’t have chosen to switch when–wait, what was Shen Qingqiu doing before he arrived? His other half didn’t really go into details on that.

Shen Yuan glanced at the notebook Shen Qingqiu had left and internally smirked. It was clear that Shen Qingqiu had been writing just before the switchover, so there were likely some helpful goodies inside there.

Liu Qingge was still eyeing Shen Yuan with suspicion, but he remained quiet as his shixiong began looking through his stuff, but the stare was just stressful. Like, beautiful men should be more careful where they put their eyes! It makes people self-conscious. “This one is fine, Liu-shidi. I appreciate the concern.” Still, Liu Qingge kept looking after Shen Yuan as if he were about to fall over dead at any moment. Passing qi and letting out noises. Only after what felt like hours did Liu Qingge go to the fire and prepare some food. “You should eat more.”

“Ah, Shidi is so kind.” Shen Yuan commented as the food was placed in front of him. He wasn’t very hungry, though, and wanted to read Shen Qingqiu’s notes. So far, all he had been able to read was the words “Yue Qingyuan?” On the bottom of the page that had been left open. But dang it, it seemed that Liu Qingge was determined to be his nurse for the night. It was only when Shen Yuan convinced the war god that he needed to get some sleep that Liu Qingge gave him some space. 

Shen Yuan tried to read as he lay, pretending to sleep, and dang Shen Qingqiu had been busy. Reading the plan he had come up with, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but be surprised. In the novel, there weren't any scenes where the scum villain showed anything but his ability to show disdain for others. If the man could make plans like this, why did the sect fall so easily? Why did the man ruin his chance at a happy life by picking on Luo Binghe? Truly, those who were traditionally smart were dumb in other areas. Still, even as he was lost in his thoughts, Shen Yuan’s eyes kept returning to the two words at the bottom of the page, “Yue Qingyuan??”

Shen Yuan was not clueless. He could read the doubt that seeped from various parts of the letter. The sense that this plan relied on Yue Qingyuan pulling through, but… even though Shen Qingqiu had read so much of PIDW, the man still doubted Yue Qingyuan’s commitment to him. It was strange, but his conversations with Shang Qinghua and Airplane had indicated that there was more to what was up between them than was written in the pages of PIDW. If he could, he would ask them, but first, he needed to get Airplane out of the northern palace.

In the end, the puck in the sect stops with the sect leader. It was strange… clearly Yue Qingyuan cared about Shen Qingqiu.. That was obvious from the novel AND his time from this world. The man cared for Shen Qingqiu to a fault. The man would willingly wear a collar and a fake tail to be called Shen Qingqiu’s dog. But the two still didn’t get along? Like WTF. 

–

So far, Shen Yuan hadn’t needed to make much in terms of tactical decisions in front of the other peak lords. Meetings had been boring slogs that focused more on giving Airplane more paperwork than on how to fight a demon invasion, for the most part. When there were actual talks about the demon invasion, Shen Yuan was benched because of the whole Without a Cure thing and was treated like he was halfway dead.

In any case, a boss and his second-and-command being in a cold war with each other was not conducive to success. Especially if they were looking at having a hot, cold war with the Northern Demons.

But the System was quiet, so he could act OOC with Yue Qingyuan. But really, that wouldn’t fly if Shen Qingqiu and him switched back, cause…yeah, that would be a mess.

So there was a lot he needed to unpack. Whether Shen Qingqiu liked it or not.

–

“So, Shang-shidi is being held in the northern palace?” Wei Qingwei repeated back after Shen Yuan had explained the situation to his fellow peak lords.

“Yes.” Shen Yuan agreed.

“How did you not know this till now?” Qi Qingqi was eyeing Shen Yuan warily. “Wasn’t he your–”

“Ice demons aren’t known for their mercy.” Mu Qingfang interjected.”If anything, it is strange that he hasn’t been killed. Not only that, but there hasn’t been a ransom or anything similar sent by the northern demons.”

“Whatever the reason for the current situation, Shang-shidi needs to be rescued.” Yue Qingyuan cut in. “We can ask him for details about what happened after the rescue.”

Shen Yuan opened his mouth to state Shen Qingqiu’s plan when Qi Qingqi cut in. “That should be simple enough. We can go in stealthily and take him.”

“If we fight ice demons in close quarters, that will be difficult.” Wei Qingqei commented. “We would want to lure them outside.”

From there, the room erupted in discussion. Everyone was ignoring Shen Yuan. He was the tactician. Shouldn’t they be turning to him for the plan? Or at least let him say a few words, so he didn’t feel like a side character in a meeting that he had instigated.

Shen Yuan turned to Yue Qingyuan, who was looking at him curiously. Not upset or silencing, just…curious.

That’s right. If Shen Qingqiu had something to say, he would just interject, right? Maybe. Ah, well, he had to try.

“Our best chance for success–” But his words were ignored as the other peak lords spoke over him. They wouldn’t calm down and seemed intent on ignoring his existence. Still, Yue Qingyuan remained quiet. 

Shen Yuan was about to try to get him to speak when Liu Qingge slammed his fist against the table and glared at everyone. “Listen to Shen-shixiong.”

The room broke into an uproar. 

“Liu-shidi? When have you called Shen-shixiong like that?” Wei Qingwei questioned, clearly stunned.

“This is an urgent situation, we do not have time to waste hearing a plan from Shen Qingqiu.” Qi Qingqi commented with an exacerbated expression.

Liu Qingge still remained silent, just looking angry, which really didn’t help things. Soon, voices rose again, but now Liu Qingge was grumpy and clearly couldn’t find the words to express himself either. Shen Yuan turned back to Yue Qingyuan, who was still. Just. sitting there.

“Well? Zhangman-shixiong, please step in.” Shen Yuan couldn’t hide his very OC exasperation from his voice.

“Of course you're turning to Zhangmen-shixiong as usual to get what you want!” Qi Qingqi scoffed. “Stop taking advantage of the fact that he likes you.

Wait what? “That’s not–”

“This conversation is not productive,” Mu Qingfang jumped in. “Let us take a step back and return to this when we have some time to cool off.”

Now, the room went into another uproar about the wait, but Yue Qingyuan stepped in. “If we can't be united in this, we won’t move forward productively. Fortunately, we won’t have to wait long. Let’s reconvene after a break and return to this topic then.””

There was some more muttering, but finally, people gave in and dispersed.

The hall emptied out soon after, with the exception of Liu Qingge (who sat with such an irritated expression it must have physically hurt him), Shen Yuan, and Yue Qingyuan (who looked like he was about to face the guillotine).

Shen Yuan once again tried to address Yue Qingyuan. “I am your sect strategist. Why don’t you have my back on this?”

“I do, but you have told me…” Yue Qingyuan’s voice petered out.

“Well, forget what I said. We have a rescue mission to do and h–my plan is the best.”

“Trust isn’t there.” Yue Qingyuan sighed. “People don’t…” Yue Qingyuan once again paused in his speech, but Shen Yuan got it.

But dang it, they needed to listen.

“Alright then.” Shen Yuan decided. “I will tell you all the details of the plan, and you will be the one to present it to the group. Without me.”

Yue Qingyuan’s eyes went wide. “Does Shen-shidi really trust me with such a task?”

“Only if you don’t let me down.” Shen Yuan countered. Ah, it was hard being a tough cookie to a sad dog, but it was clear Yue Qingyuan needed to be guided to the answers here.

“If Zhangmen-shixiong can’t convince the others, I will still join.”

Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu turned to Liu Qingge in surprise. The man was watching the whole conversation, clearly thinking in a way that hurt him. “We get back to Shang-shixiong. As soon as we can.”

Yue Qingyuan nodded. “Indeed.”

–

Shen Yuan left with Liu Qingge by his side after explaining all the details of the plan. There were some questions in Yue Qingyuan’s eyes, and several that Liu Qingge bluntly asked, but in the end, they were going to move forward with Shen Qingqiu’s idea.

Shen Yuan had plenty to do when not answering questions. Like taking care of the sun and moon dew seeds, and sparring with Liu Qingge. It was clear that Liu Qingge was also feeling some anxiety because he was sparring way more than usual with Shen Yuan. But though lying around was more what Shen Yuan vibed with usually, he was learning to not really mind the physical exertion. At least he moved around like a pretty, manly butterfly with all the training. The two were to act as though they weren’t aware of the plans that Yue Qingyuan was putting into motion.Even though they were just Shen Qingqiu’s plans. 

The night before the start of the mission, came for the first time since Shen Yuan started to switch bodies with Shen Qingqiu, Yue Qingyuan called on him to come to his abode.

Walking into Yue Qingyuan’s private quarters, Shen Yuan couldn’t help but note that the place had a strange vibe. It was best described as cold. A large contrast to the vibes that Yue Qingyuan himself always seemed to be giving off. But even Yue Qingyuan’s warmth wasn't enough to prevent Shen Yuan from feeling uncomfortable in this place. Ah! Maybe if the sect leader invested in a space heater, it would feel warmer? Maybe he could pitch an ancient China heater to Yue Qingyuan after rescuing Airplane.

“Apologies for calling Qingqiu here.” Shen Yuan snapped back to reality at those words. “It seemed prudent to do final verifications before we proceed for tomorrow.”

“That is fine.” Shen Yuan glanced around. “If we are here for a while, how about I make us some tea?”

It didn’t take Yue Qingyuan’s wide eyes for Shen Yuan to know his offer was OOC, but hey, Yue Qingyuan had been a boss helping out as of late, he deserved to be thrown a bone.

“If… if shidi really doesn’t mind how could I turn down such an offer?”

Shen Yuan went to sit at the low table and began to pull out a full tea set from his bag. Thank goodness Shen Qingqiu treated his bag like a supply closet for all the items in the universe.

Yue Qingyuan stood awkwardly as Shen Yuan began to prepare the tea until Shen Yuan motioned for the sect leader to sit down. “Come, you can start talking while I am preparing.”

Yue Qingyuan didn’t argue and took a seat. Sitting very stiffly as Shen Yuan worked until the younger man said. “I didn’t say you can’t speak.”

“Ah yes...”

“Then please talk.” Shen Yuan motioned with his hands encouragingly.

“My group will head out tomorrow with Huan Hua to meet with the forces that will join us in fighting Mobei-jun. The ploys have been sent out already, so we should expect to be able to ambush the northern demons within a few days. The day after our departure, both you and Liu-shidi will head for the northern demon stronghold with the list of supplies we previously discussed and—”

Yue Qingyuan continued to speak. Shen Yuan nodded and cut in on a few occasions to clarify a few matters, but overall, it did sound like everything was in order.

Shen Yuan pushed a cup of tea toward Yue Qingyuan. “Enjoy.”

“Thank you, Qingqiu.” The tension that had been in Yue Qingyuan’s shoulders since Shen Yuan’s arrival was dissipating, and the air felt like it was warming.

The silence that filled the air as Yue Qingyuan sipped his tea was soothing, but it was also long enough for Shen Yuan to start thinking about something else. It was nice for Yue Qingyuan to sit in his presence like this so comfortably.

“Shen-shidi.” Yue Qingyuan once more had tension in his shoulders.

“Hm?” Shen Yuan asked.

“I—” Yue Qingyuan was struggling again with his words. “From what you told me, Shang-shidi asked you to leave. You are returning for him, of course. But I felt we should discuss—” Wait…was he trying to have a big character moment right now? Nope! Nope! Absolutely not!

“Whatever it is, it can wait until after the mission.” Shen Yuan stated.

…Whatever this was supposed to be wasn’t for him, and no way was he going to explain some sort of heartfelt confession to Shen Qingqiu without being stuck in another stinkysti trap by that man.

Yue Qingyuan let out a breath. “...If that is what Qingqiu wishes.”

–

As the fight with Mobei-jun and his forces was intentionally set up to be a ways away from the Northern Palace, the only way that Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge were able to determine that things were going as planned was the lack of people within the Northern Palace’s walls. From the novel, it appeared that there was a mere quarter of the personnel usually in the palace. It was still too many people for Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge to think of taking over the place, but enough that they were too spread out to really be effective at guarding the place from people who wanted to be unseen. Liu Qingge and Shen Yuan slipped through the palace protections to get to Airplane.

“How are you doing this?” Airplane asked wide-eyed when Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge broke into his room.

“The main northern demon forces are either fighting with Mobei-jun or are heading to help.” 

Shen Yuan handed Airplane a practice sword. “Come on, let's hurry up.”

Airplane glanced over at Liu Qingge, who was watching the door. “What’s wrong?” Shen Yuan asked.

Shang Qinghua basically jumped at the address and then shook his head. “Nothing! Just what happens if M–Mobei-jun returns?”

“He won’t.” Liu Qingge said simply. 

Airplane started to pale at this, and Shen Yuan’s next words only made things worse. “Huan Hua improved their prison, so when Mobei-jun gets captured, he won’t be able to escape again.”

“I see. That’s… Good.” But Airplane’s face said otherwise.

Shen Yuan did the best he could to cover the expression from Liu Qingge’s view while also quietly promising the mouseman that they would talk later.

The group headed to the nearest window, got on their swords, and began their escape. There were some calls from the ground as they left, but none of the projectiles that were thrown were able to reach them.

Eventually, the group got to the borderlands. No one followed them, so they were able to let out a sigh of relief as they settled in and made camp.

“It will still take another two days to get back to the sect, but at least we are in the clear now.” Shen Yuan commented as he pulled out some supplies from his bag.

“Yeah…” Airplane responded.

“You were saved.” Shen Yuan looked up from where he was cleaning his sword in surprise. 

Liu Qingge was looking at Airplane with a large frown. “Why aren’t you happy?”

“No! I am. I am. I’m just overwhelmed.” Airplane waved his hands in front of him, clearly anxious at the attention that was on him from the war god.

“Liu-shidi, you're scaring your shixiong.” Shen Yuan went over and poked Liu Qingge with his fan. The War God let out a grunt and changed his gaze to Shen Yuan. “He went through a lot, so how about you catch us some fresh meat?”

Liu Qingge looked between Shen Yuan and Airplane and slowly nodded. “Don't let down your guard.” Liu Qingge warned Shen Yuan before he got on his sword. “Don’t worry. I won’t!” Shen Yuan promised. Liu Qingge grunted in acknowledgement and then prepared to leave.

Only when Liu Qingge was out of view did Shen Yuan turn on Airplane. “Okay, so what happened?”

“Where do I start?” Airplane scratched his head. “It’s been over a month since the Immortal Alliance conference, right? Didn’t exactly have a calendar to keep track of.”

“More, actually.” Shen Yuan admitted. Dang it, was Airplane going to get angry that it took so long to save him?

Fortunately, Airplane only nodded. “Ah, okay, that does sound right. But yeah, going back to the Immortal Alliance Conference. I did what we talked about and lowered the difficulty of the demons that were going, but he found out at the last minute, and that's why the demons were a lot more ‘from the north’ in vibes than in the book. Basically, he just grabbed the demons that were close to the palace, I think, and tossed them into the arena.”

“So when we met there did Mobei-jun focus on you because he figured out you betrayed him?”

Airplane winced at those words. “I never betrayed him.” Airplane looked surprisingly downcast. WTF was wrong with him? “My King still would get the desired effect at the conferences with the demons I se–ah, never mind. In any case, I think he thought I betrayed him, yeah or at least something similar. I got a lot of beatings when I got to the palace, and he said he seemed to really hate you, but I think I calmed him? Some, at least. Not completely, though. Well, eventually he gave me a lot of pelts and noodles and other foods. Basically, whatever I wanted as long as I didn’t go outside.”

“That is called imprisonment.” Shen Yuan said with a deadpan look.

“I suppose? It wasn’t terrible, though. I mean, I would have thought I was going to become a popsicle, but well…” 

“You are a cultivator, so the cold isn’t an issue.” Shen Yuan frowned.

“...I mean, to a point. Being frozen was what happened to Shang Qingqhua in the book. He was frozen. He couldn’t move and just had to watch the world pass by through his ice prison until finally his cultivation gave out and he died of a combination of cold, thirst, and hunger.” 

Shen Yuan paused and took a deep breath. He hadn’t actually thought about when Shang Qinghua was frozen in the novel; there was nothing in that action that should have inherently killed him. But… that was a death that could rival Shen Qingqiu’s in suffering. Jeez, Airplane! Couldn’t you have made the villains in your novel's punishment be stuck in a spa forever or something?

“I’m alive though, so all good!” Airplane waved his ad in front of himself like he wasn’t waving away his POTENTIAL DEATH. But then continued. “But will he be okay with Huan Hua. They weren’t… really nice to him last time.”

“Why does it matter to you?” Shen Yuan was confused. “Did you get Stockholm Syndrome while you were away?”

“No, no. Don’t worry. It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.” Airplane waved his hand dismissively and quickly changed the subject “Okay, so besides me hanging in the northern palace, what has been going on while I have been MIA?”

“Well…” Shen Yuan filled in Airplane about everything that had happened to that point. With several messages to pass on to Shen Qingqiu. “The time seems to be doubling, so we will switch back in a few days if that pattern holds up.

“Huh, that is honestly really interesting. It's kind of like how if your internet disconnects, your email will keep trying to get new messages and keep extending the time between waits. But in any case, how does it feel having those longer but less frequent conversations?”

“Weird.” Shen Yuan admitted. “It would be better if I could talk to him more.”

Airplane’s eyes lit up with interest. “Oh? Are you getting attached to my scum villain?”

“No.” Shen Yuan rolled his eyes. “Seriously, even without the novel, he is frustrating.”

“But when you pull that aside, there are few people smarter or more loyal than you could meet.” Airplane smirked.

Shen Yuan made a face. “Are you not confusing him with Luo Binghe?”

Airplane just laughed to Shen Yuan’s annoyance. “Well, since you're such a Shen Qingqiu fanboy, how about you do something about his weird dynamic with Yue Qingyuan?”

That made the laughter die immediately. “...Wait, are you serious?” Airplane’s mouth was hanging open.

Shen Yuan just opened his fan and began to wave it. “Just consider this your thank you for me saving you.”

Airplane looked like he would rather go back to the northern palace than to agree, but finally he let out a sigh and said, “Gods. No, this won’t make us even. In fact, you will owe me big time for this.” 

– Dreamscape–

A few weeks later, Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu found themselves once again in the dreamscape. “How did it go?” Shen Qingqiu asked as soon as Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu arrived in the dream realm. 

“I think I deserve at least a hello after my success?” Shen Yuan smirked as he made a comfy chair appear. “The mouse has been rescued from the refrigerator.”

Shen Yuan didn’t realize how much tension was in Shen Qingqiu’s shoulders until they sagged at Shen Yuan’s words. “Does he have any injuries?” Shen Qingqiu questions.

Shen Yuan was blinking, still trying to process that dang… Shen Qingqiu was stressed. Maybe even more than when Shen Yuan was handling the Immortal Alliance Conference, and he was waiting for his report. “Some bruises, but they are already gone.”

Shen Qingqiu nodded stiffly. “Good.”

“Yeah…” Shen Yuan agreed after a moment, he said, “Yue-shixiong and Liu-shidi were a big part of why they were successful.”

Shen Qingqiu didn’t react to that information, so Shen Yuan continued. “I did do a bit of prodding to get things to move forward, but your plans were solid. And I was thinking of something… what if we used that planning also more directly in my world as well?”

Shen Qingqiu looked confused. “What do you mean?”

Shen Yuan sat up straight in his comfy chair and pointed with far too much pride. “Well, remember, I have the potential to be a nepo baby over there. Which means I can get a job at the Shen company whenever I want. If we get a job there, it will be a lot easier to make plans to help the company as we will be able to see more of the inner workings of the place.”

Shen Qingqiu put his hand to his chin in thought. “It’s not a bad idea, but currently with classes and homework as well as research into the world of Proud Immortal Demon Way, and with the time between switches, you—”

“It can be part-time, and I am willing to take on thee workload,” Shen Yuan offered.

Shen Qingqiu paused. “You? You are willing to take on work?”

Shen Yuan shrugged. “Well, having seen a plan come to a nice end I wanted to see if we could accomplish anything similar in my world. Also, if it’s too tiring, I can quit, and my family will not be surprised, so no loss there.”

Shen Qingqiu looked baffled. “You're already planning for your failure. Well, likely the best choice but… If nothing else, I am curious to see how things go.”

 – Shen Yuan: Modern World –

The conversation continued for some time, and by the time Shen Yuan made it back to the modern world, he felt oddly energized. Maybe this would be his stupidest idea yet, but hey, at least failure didn’t mean dying at the hands of Luo Binghe. 

Shen Yuan went to hunt down Shen Song and found him chilling with a pair of headphones on. Seeing Shen Yuan, he raised an eyebrow and took off his headphones. “Hey, what’s up? You have an oddly determined look on your face.”

[ System agrees. Is Host alright? ]

Shen Yuan ignored the questions from both his brother and his System and stated, “Er-ge, I know your department always needs some more hands. Any chance I can help out a few hours a week?”

Shen Song paled, got to his feet, and put a hand on Shen Yuan’s forehead. “It doesn’t feel like you have a fever.” Shen Song commented, baffled.

“I don’t. I am serious, I—”

“Well, let's not risk it. I will call the hospital and—”

“I am being serious!” Shen Yuan nearly shouted in exasperation. 

“Have you been replaced then?” Shen Song said in a way too serious of a tone. “Who are you and what did you do with my brother?”

“...” HOW WAS THIS THE THING THAT MADE HIS FAMILY START TO THINK HE WAS POSSESSED?

[ This System is also wondering if Host might be Shen Qingqiu. ]

For the love of—

Ugh, he hadn’t even started the actual job yet and dealing with the System and his brother was already being a pain.

Chapter Text

– Shen Qingiqu: PIDW –

“Oh wow, that was a long time.”

Shen Qingqiu groggily looked up from where his head had been plastered on the table to see Airplane sitting across from him. The man was flicking a talisman in the air, which swiftly caught fire and vanished before Shen Qingqiu could see what was written on it. His face was nervous for a moment before becoming more unreadable.

“Shen Yuan didn’t mention that you would be here.” Shen Qingqiu commented as he sat up. “Or that he was in your house when he passed out.”

“Ah, I imagine that was a bit of payback for him having awoken in this world last time with Liu Qingge freaking out after your previous body swap. If it were anyone else, I bet they would have been blabbering to everyone about your temporary death state btw.” Airplane pushed a cup towards Shen Qingqiu. “The time of day of the switchover has been consistent the past few times, and Cucumber-bro figured that today was likely switch day, so he wanted me to monitor what happens when you are knocked out.”

“Fascinating.” Shen Qingqiu took the cup and took a swig. “So what did you learn?”

“It didn’t look at first as though anything happened to you. I only realized something was up after a few seconds, and when I poked you, you fell over like a dead man. Which, uh, sorry about that.” Shen Qingqiu rubbed his forehead which was still red from pressing into the table for who knows how long. “There are more important matters to discuss.” Shen Qingqiu scanned Airplane. “It does appear that Shen Yuan wasn’t lying that you're alright.”

“Yes.” Airplane lifted one arm and posed as if he were showing off his nonexistent muscles. “My King was rough, but I am tougher.”

Shen Qingqiu raised a brow. “Why are you trying to convince me that you're strong when clearly you are skin and bones?”

“Everyone in the palace kept calling me plump, actually…” Airplane muttered, which only made Shen Qingqiu’s brow go higher.

“Right… well… that is enough about me for now. About your sleep, you were out for about an hour.” Airplane scratched his head. “Honestly, if I didn’t know what was going on, I would be freaked out. Poor Liu Qingge man.”

“He had faced far worse beasts than a man who is unresponsive.” Shen Qingqiu retorted, though he also did make a mental note to send Liu Qingge some tea for not divulging any of this to Mu Qingfang, apparently. No other reason at all.

“Anyways, I figured Cucumber-bro filled you in on everything else going on around here.” Airplane motioned vaguely. 

“Roughly.” Shen Qingqiu admitted.

“Cool.” Airplane began to fiddle with his hands. “Well, there is something I didn’t tell Cucumber-bro that I wanted to talk to you about before anything else.’

“And what is that?”

Airplane looked like he was forcing the words out with every syllable that came out of his mouth. “Next week, you are on guard duty in Huan Hua, and I want you to help make it so I can go with you.”

Shen Qingqiu furrowed his brow in confusion. It was part of Shen Qingqiu’s plan that by the time he returned to his body, a cycle for looking after Mobei-jun would be established, and Shen Qingqiu would be part of one of the first rotations. Since his infection with Without a Cure was a secret in the sect, he knew that someone who knew about the poison would have to join him at Huan Hua with some sort of secondary excuse for their actions. Bringing packages and stuff from An Ding would be a good cover, but still… “Why do you wish to go?”

“That…” Airplane shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about it, but I do think I know why you asked for help from Huan Hua to capture Mobei-jun, and I can help you with your goal.”

“And what, pray tell, is my goal?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“To gather information about Hfuan Hua from the inside.”

The two looked at each other silently for a long moment. Airplane wasn’t wrong. Though the goal of bringing Huan Hua into the mission to save Airplane was primarily to guarantee the successful rescue and capture of Mobei-jun, Huan Hua, of all sects, being the one to help with the mission was both a logical one because of their history with Mobei-jun but also a tactical one to set up the seeds that could help Shen Qingqiu finally understand the sect that was Luo Binghe’s key ally during his rise to power.

Shen Qingqiu was no fool. Airplane wasn’t doing this just to help. But also… having someone at Huan Hua who was aware of the full situation with Mobei-jun could be advantageous. “Fine then.” Shen Qingqiu said. “But keep your distance from Mobei-jun.”

Airplane perked up. “Awesome! Thank you. But, uh, don’t hate me for what I am about to say next.”

Shen Qingqiu narrowed his eyes. “Which is?”

“Okay, we need to take a step back here and promise that we'll stay calm during this conversation.”

Shen Qingqiu’s eyebrows twitched. “No promises.”

“Ah… well, we are not off to a good start… Are you sure that you can’t come to a—”

“Just spit it out.” Shen Qingqiu was not interested in whatever game this was.

“Uh… Right. So, you know how I am the author of this world and stuff?” Airplane asked.

“Yes. And I read your porn filled novel, regrettably.” Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms, waiting for Airplane to continue.

“Uh-huh. So… There are things that I know that weren’t written in the book. About people’s backstories and motivations and so on.”

“And I would hope that you would never dare to use that perceived knowledge of my past against me.” Shen Qingqiu commented, venom hidden right below the surface of his words.

“No! Of course not!” Airplane shook his head like it was on fire. “What I have to say is not about you but Yue Qingyuan.”

Shen Qingqiu stiffened, and after a drawn-out moment, he turned his head. “What does it matter if you know something about Yue Qingyuan?”

Airplane let out a sigh. “We both know the answer to that one.” Airplane began to fiddle with his hands like they had the secrets of the universe. “Everyone knows that Sect Leader Yue cares about you, and you know that too.”

“...You said that you wouldn’t use your knowledge against me,” Shen Qingqiu managed to get out through gritted teeth.

“I won’t. I promise. This is about Yue Qingyuan first and foremost.”

Shen Qingqiu could have said that this being about Yue Qingyuan meant that it was inherently linked to him. However he couldn’t admit that out loud, even though Airplane already knew this fact

“Sect Leader Yue is very likeable and basically all the peak lords are protective of him, so when they see someone treating him harshly, they turn into moma bears.” 

“And I am the one that always hurts their ‘child’, is that what you are getting at?”

“Yes… no… I mean, you're not wrong; that is what they think, but they also don’t see the larger picture. And, please don’t kill me for saying it, but you’re also missing parts of the picture.”

Shen Qingqiu grabbed his fan. The action made Airplane scramble to his feet. He headed toward the wall. “Shen-shixiong, please!”

Shen Qingqiu was now on his feet as well. His hand was trembling on the fan. The man before him knew his past as Shen Jiu. How dare he act like this he—”

Just then, there was a knock on the door. “Shang-shidi, I received your message. You wanted to speak with me?”

Shen Qingqiu paled. But before he could stop him, Airplane said, “Yes! Come in!”

And with that, Yue Qingyuan opened the door and froze. In the corner of the room, Airplane was still cowering and in the middle of the room was Shen Qingqiu, who was holding his fan as though he was going to use it to bludgeon Airplane to death.

Yue Qingyuan, a man known for his negotiation skills and ability to calm almost any situation, was left speechless in the doorway.

The silence was deafening in the room. Eventually, it was broken by the creaking of a floorboard. Shen Qingqiu turned back to Airplane only to see that the man had been trying to edge toward the exit. Having been caught, Airplane apparently gave up all hopes of survival as he screeched. “Zhangmen-shixiong, Shen-shixiong told me that you agreed to have ‘the talk’ with him after rescuing me. Well, now is the time to have it! Tell him about your sword before he kills me.”

“I wasn’t going to–” Before Shen Qingqiu could finish, Airplane sprinted for the exit, pushed past Yue Qingyuan, and shut the door. 

There was a clicking sound on the other side. “You two talk, and I will come back and open the door after.” Airplane yelled from the other side of the door.

Shen Qingqiu cursed. Why did he bother to save this idiot if he was going to pull something like this? Shen Qingqiue went to the entrance and pulled, only to find that it was locked. “You realize we can just break the door and that you will be the one who will have to pay for the damage!” Shen Qingqiu called out, but there was no response from the other side.

Shen Qingqiu took a step back and rubbed his eyes. He had mentally not prepared for any of this when he switched bodies. 

“...Does Qingqiu wish for me to break down the door?” Yue Qingyuan asked.

Shen Qingqiu turned to face his childhood friend. The man who was once called Yue Qi had changed so much over the years, but the way he phrased his questions one would think that he was a boy of fourteen again. “No.” Shen Qingqiu tightened his grip on his fan. “I will deal with that mouse later. Tell me about your sword and anything else that you were supposed to tell me.” He hissed.

Yue Qingyuan closed his eyes for a moment and then looked at Airplane’s low table. “What I was going to say when we had tea last time was a result of a moment of weakness.”

Shen Qingqiu swiftly went to the table and began pulling out the tea supplies he always carried with him. “Then have that moment again and answer my questions.”

Yue Qingyuan just stood in his spot for some time before eventually heading to the table. Shen Qingqiu didn’t want to show how tense he was as he served the tea, but he could tell Yue Qingyuan could see the tension in his fingers. Still, he didn’t drop a single drop of tea as he prepared it. The process, however, was filled with a deafening silence. One that Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bring himself to break until the tea was served. “Will you answer now or not?”

Yue Qingyuan turned the cup in his hand thoughtfully. “This… I do not deserve any of it.”

“If you can’t even answer my questions, then you're right that you don’t deserve it.” Shen Qingqiu retorted. “But you will answer them, so the point is mute.” 

“...Yes, Shen-shidi is right as always.” Yue Qingyuan agreed, and with that, he took his first sip of tea. Yue Qingyuan looked surprised by something and then looked down at his cup. “Shidi’s tea is even more magnificent today than it was last time.”

“Of course it is.” Shen Qingqiu huffed even though he felt pleased at the acknowledgement of his skills. “Now answer.”

“Very well.” Yue Qingyuan took in one more breath before starting. “After I left you in the Qius, I headed to Cang Qiong. I wanted to return to you as soon as I could, so I tried to get a sword as soon as possible. But I wasn’t ready. I had a qi deviation and was confined to the Lingxi Caves until my cultivation had been stabilized. I couldn’t leave. No matter how many times I asked for someone to go and find you, no one did. And by the time I was finally able to get to the Qius, all I found was ashes and bones.” Yue Qingyuan removed Xuan Su from his waist and offered it to Shen Qingqiu. “I can never atone for having failed you. But I can offer you my life. If you wish, I will draw my sword and let my life energy seep away as penance. But even that isn’t enough to repay you for the harm that I caused. I wanted to make at least your life in the sect a happy one, but the first time I saw you happy the whole time in the sect was in the past few years when you were with Shang-shidi. And I failed to protect him as well. So please, do with my life as you wish.”

Shen Qingqiu was stunned by everything. This was the reason that Yue Qingyuan hadn’t returned to him? Also, why did Yue Qingyuan, of all people, feel guilty about Airplane? There was so much to process, but still…

Shen Qingqiu took Xuan Su from Yue Qingyuan’s hands and began to examine it. “You tied yourself to this sword for no reason. Why am I not surprised? You have always been too impatient. If you cannot keep yourself in good health, how can you expect to help others?”

Shen Qingqiu put down the sword next to Yue Qingyuan. “Now, finish your tea before it gets cold. We can continue to talk after.”

“Bu—”

Shen Qingqiu glared at Yue Qingyuan. “Tea now. This is not negotiable.”

Yue Qingyuan smiled tentatively. “As Qingqiu wishes.”

–

Some time later, Yue Qingyuan left Shang Qinghua’s house. Not long after Yue Qingyuan left, Airplane poked his head inside and saw the sight of Shen Qingqiu seated at his table, still nursing a cup of tea between his hands. “It looks like you had the sense to unlock the door at some point. Since Yue-shixiong was able to leave without destroying the door.” Shen Qingqiu commented dryly.

“Ah, yeah. But I promise I didn’t listen to the convo.” Shang Qinghua added in a rush. “It was just, it had been a long time since I left.”

“Your instincts were right then.”

Airplane took a few tentative steps forward. “Maybe this is presumptuous, but can I assume that you won’t kill me for what happened?”

“Everyone went through a lot of bother to save you, so no, I will not kill you. But I do regret making that sword mound for you.”

“Oh, wait, you were the one who made that for me?” Shen Qingqiu was about to glare at Airplane but was so surprised to see how sincerely happy Airplane looked that the words got stuck in his throat. 

Shen Qingqiu felt a blush rising in his ears, so he quickly poured a cup of tea for Airplane and then got up. “Drink as much as you want. I will see you for our trip to Huan Hua.”

Shen Qingqiu moved quickly yet gracefully toward the door, but before he could completely clear it, Airplane said. “I’m happy for you both.”

Shen Qingqiu turned around to see Airplane holding the cup of tea as though making a toast. “Here is to my friend and sect leader finally having the talk.”

Shen Qingqiu’s face turned red. Did… did he hear that right? No… He must have imagined it. “Don’t make me regret having the sect save you.” Shen Qingqiu huffed before finally leaving as though his robes were on fire.

–

After several days of preparation and getting several promises from Airplane that he would do nothing that would harm Cang Qiong or result in Mobei-jun’s release, the two headed to Huan Hua where they were immediately greeted by the Old Palace Master outside the main entrance.

“Thank you, Master Shen and Master Shang, for offering your services, though it is unnecessary to have this revolving door of cultivators from your sect assisting with watching after the demon.”

Shen Qingqiu bowed to the Old Palace Master, then opened his fan and stated with as little venom as he could muster, “If we could hold the demon ourselves, of course, we would after what he did to Shang-shidi, but since that is not possible, the least we can do is ease the burden on Huan Hua until a more permanent solution can be created for his imprisonment.”

Shen Qingqiu kept his fan high enough to hide even his eyes from the Old Palace Master. That was why he was able to see without being noticed by the old man how Airplane swallowed at the last words.

“We will make ourselves scarce, but with all of the equipment we are shipping my shidi may need to ask some questions as he unpacks the supplies over the next few days.”

The Old Palace Master’s lips twitched. “Very considerate. I suppose I will bring up this matter again later to your sect leader.”

“Do as you wish, for now we will start our work. I shall head to the prisons and relieve Wei-shidi from his duties.”

The old Palace Master didn’t stop Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua as they entered the building. It was a relief. Shen Qingqiu glanced around the building curiously. It had been years since he had last entered this building, and in that time, Huan Hua’s activities had only become more and more concerning. However, Huan Hua always kept a close eye on their guests and only welcomed them for a short period of time, usually, but as he would be helping as one of the guards of Mobei-jun, he would have more time in the palace. And as such, more time to potentially find out useful information.

Unsurprisingly, soon there was a disciple trailing Shen Qingqiu, but he acted as though he was not aware of their presence as he headed to the Water Prison. Shang Qinghua hurried away for the time being for his own tasks, but Shen Qingqiu knew they would meet later.

At the entrance of the Water Prison stood Wei Qingwei. Instead of greeting Shen Qingqiu, he gave him a look of contempt. 

“Do not look so happy to see me.” Shen Qingqiu drawled. However, with the disciple at his heels, he held back from any other comment, and so did Wei Qingwei, silently giving up his post to Shen Qingqiu.

Taking Wei Qingwei’s spot, Shen Qingqiu turned outwards and faced the disciple who had been following him. “Disciple, what is your name?”

The boy seemed surprised. “Does Master Shen not remember me?”

Shen Qingqiu racked his brain, but this must have been someone that Shen Yuan had met and not himself, so eventually he silently opened his fan once more and began to move it slowly, waiting for the boy to explain.

“Apologies, for a Master such as yourself, my presence must not hold meaning. This one is called Gongyi Xiao.”

Ah, so this was the head disciple of Huan Hua. He had heard good things about him in the past. “Disciple Gongyi, could you inform me about what has been happening here since the capture of the ice demon?”

Gongyi Xiao glanced back the way Wei Qingwei had gone. “Would it not be better to ask your sect sibling?” 

The words were said with no malice. Innocent in nature. Still, it made Shen Qingqiu’s eyebrow twitch. “As you can see, my sect brother wanted to keep our conversation short. He is likely tired, and it is better for me to be informed now rather than later.”

Gongyi Xiao bowed. “This disciple understands. Yes, the demon has remained tied in his cell. He does not speak besides occasional grunts. There have been movements that indicate attempts to escape; however, none have been close to successful.”

“Any methods that he has used that I should be aware of as I start my shift?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“None. All the attempts have been on his own. He does not appear to have an interest in using things which are brought in or manipulating guards; however, it has not been very long either.”

“Thank you for the details. I am going to go check on my charge then.” Shen Qingqiu was about to head in, but unsurprisingly, the shadow which was Gongyi Xiao followed.

Entering the prisons, it took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dim light.  This fact meant that the sound of something crashing against bars reached his ears before he could even see properly.

“You!” Even without being able to make out the details of the figure pushing against the bars, Shen Qingqiu knew it must be Mobei-jun. Shen Qingqiu spared a short glance at Gongi Xiao before striding toward the figure. “Is that really how you will address me?” Just as ‘you’? Demon,  I am the one who had you captured here. You will regret what you did.”

“He is mine,” Mobei-jun growled.

Seeing danger, Shen Qingqiu backed up and said, “No human should be a slave to a demon. Stay under our feet where you belong.”

Mobei-jun let out a howl. One that Shen Qingqiu didn’t even bother with a glance of acknowledgement, while the disciple who walked behind him couldn’t help but turn back several times at the demon.

“...He never said anything before that.” Gongyi Xiao said when they were outside. 

“Hatred is a reason to break silence.” Shen Qingqiu commented calmly as he took his position in front of the entrance.

Gongyi Xiao stood next to Shen Qingqiu for some time, face clearly in thought. “Ask your question.” Shen Qingqiu remarked.

“It’s just that, if I am to be honest, it seems that Master Shen is in the best position to gather information from the demon.

“With ease, I suspect.” Shen Qingqiu responded and then added as an afterthought. “That was something I figured that I would be doing while I was here after all, if we are able to remove a need for having such a prisoner than it will be easier to to either kill or move toward imprisoning him under a mountain without concern though it is hard to say how effective my  methods of gathering information will be with an audience as I am use to work alone.”

“Ah…” Gongyi Xiao took a moment to think and then nodded. “This one would like to learn from Master Shen his methods, but also if Master Shen ever needs space, it will be given.”

Shen Qingqiu looked at the boy curiously. He wasn’t like the usual types he had met in Huan Hua. He felt more like an earnest youngster than someone clouded by the poisons of wealth. After some consideration, Shen Qingqiu said. “That is fine.”

Chapter Text

Gongyi Xiao was not the only disciple in Huan Hua who was tasked to keep an eye on Shen Qingqiu, but the rest were far less pleasant individuals. There was one boy with a blotchy face who nearly tossed food into Shen Qingqiu’s face by “accident”. It was irritating, to be sure, but it was no more annoying than what Shen Qingqiu expected to have to deal with in Huan Hua. 

Eventually, Airplane figured out Gongyi Xiao’s schedule and would use those moments to come by to see Shen Qingqiu. Mostly only to bring food and light conversation, but little else. The two would also meet up during the half of the day Shen Qingqiu was not on shift, having switched with one of the Huan Hua hallmasters.

Shen Qingqiu used his time off duty to walk around the palace. Usually with a Huan Hua disciple tailing him so he could do little. After all, it would be easy for Huan Hua to frame any action of his as a sign of aggression toward the sect. The only times he took extra liberties were when the person following was Gongyi Xiao. Still, in spite of all of Huan Hua’s efforts to limit his snooping, even just having access for hours on end of the library was very telling about the internal workings of Huan Hua, With accounts that he had never encountered before of and others told in a different way than he had ever heard of hidden in the books that called the library their home. Reading things like the reports of the previous capture of Mobei-jun gave unexpected information. Information that Shen Qingqiu brought with him the next time he met with the ice demon alone.

As soon as Shen Qingqiu came into view, Mobei-jun stated, “He is mine!”

Shen Qingqiu looked coolly at Mobei-jun. “My shidi is not yours. Why would he be yours?”

“You stole him from me,” Mobei-jun countered.

“He is MY war prize if you want to be technical, but I don't want to be technical because that makes it sound like he belonged to you at some point.”

“Why would he choose you?” Mobei-jun sneered. “You don’t even beat him properly or—”

This was something that made Shen Qingqiu pause. Airplane? Choose him? No. Clearly, Mobei-jun didn’t understand the situation. Recovering, Shen Qingqiu stated, “No human wishes to be beaten.” Shen Qingqiu glared. “And for you to talk about beating Shang-shidi as though it was a good thing shows that you should be nowhere near him.”

Mobei-jun’s face looked truly confused at this statement. This made Shen Qingqiu pause for a moment before he continued his verbal onslaught.

“I was reading a book about your previous time here.” Shen Qingqiu sneered, noting that as he spoke, Mobei-jun’s expression appeared to become increasingly angry. “What caught my eye was that you were meant to be a pawn piece to get to your father and uncle. And yet neither came for you.”

Mobei-jun looked at Shen Qingqiu with pure hatred in his eyes, a hatred that Shen Qingqiu matched in return. “Waiting for someone to save you is foolish. You are the only one who can save yourself. Put value in others and you will only hurt yourself.”

For a moment, Mobei-jun’s eyes flickered. Good, the demon was starting to understand his place. “Truth be told, you are just a pawn here. You are a demon, less than a human, you are—”

“Stop.” Shen Qingqiu turned and saw Airplane standing in the doorway. “You don’t need to do this.”

These few words were enough to bring life back to Mobei-jun, who began to bang against the cell with all his strength.

“Why are you interfering? You—”

“Stop it.” Airplane’s face was full of an anger that Shen Qingqiu had never seen from the other. “You don’t need to step all over my King to feel like you're worth something.”

“Why are you standing up for him?” Shen Qingqiu blocked the ability of Airplane to see Mobei-jun. “He kidnapped you. He beat you. He is a demon—”

“I know all that.” Airplane came forward and took Shen Qingqiu’s arms. “And… yeah, kidnapping and beating me up is not okay… uh… to be honest.” Airplane turned abashedly at Mobei-jun, who looked more confused by the statement than anything.

“But I don’t know. It doesn’t feel like it came from a place of hatred when you did that?” Airplane was looking between Mobei-jun and Shen Qingqiu when he said this. The confused look on Mobei-jun's face served as his response. Though it only made the situation stranger.

“He hurt you, but you're just going to forgive him?” Shen Qingqiu asked in bafflement.

“You're not the only person loyal to a fault.” Airplane laughed anxiously. Shen Qingqiu didn’t even bat an eye, knowing immediately who Airplane was referring to. “That was different. He was a human and—”

“I know that. I know the differences and also the similarities between the two situations, and with that knowledge, I am making this decision.”

“As if you—” Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth and turned away and headed to the exit. “We will talk about this WITHOUT an audience. So hurry up.”

Shen Qingqiu’s ears picked up a few whispered words toward the ice demon before he heard a pair of steps rushing to catch up with him. Outside the entrance was Gongyi Xiao, whom Shen Qingqiu glared at. “Why did you let Shang Qinghua come in?”

“I—” Gongyi Xiao started, but Airplane tugged at Shen Qingqiu’s sleeve. 

“Don’t blame the kid.”

“Would you rather that I put my anger toward you?” Shen Qingqiu countered.

“Come on, man, I—”

“Disciple Gongyi,” Shen Qingqiu addressed the head disciple. “Could you give me a few minutes alone with my shidi?’

Gongyi Xiao quickly nodded and headed away. Swiftly, Shen Qingqiu put several talismans on the walls to make sure that anyone who might come by would not hear them. Area secure Shen Qingqiu turned back to Airplane. “You better explain yourself clearly.”

Airplane glanced once more in the direction Gongyi Xiao had headed before responding. “Look, I know things, and that means I also know why you hate demons. Even livestock has more value than a slave. The only ones lesser than a human slave are a—’”

“Shut it.” Shen Qingqiu’s hand started to move toward his sword. Airplane immediately backed up.

“Look, the only thing I will say is that slavery is wrong. Treatment of others as lesser is wrong. And that goes for everyone. Including demons. It might feel comforting to have someone below you, but that doesn’t make it right.”

Xiu Ya was now out of its scabbard, pointed at Airplane. “This conversation is done. Now leave.”

Airplane gave a sad look and then turned away and left.

It was only when Airplane was gone that Shen Qingqiu was able to let out the breath he was holding. Between this and what Airplane pulled with Yue Qingyuan and when he did that toast… Shen Qingqiu was not sure what to do with his shidi.

–

Shen Qingqiu didn’t see Airplane for the rest of the day. Not in the halls or during meals or anyplace else he had gotten used to seeing him. It wasn’t surprising that Airplane didn’t want to speak with him. And it wasn’t like Shen Qingqiu wanted to speak to them either. Definitely not. Who would want to speak to a man who would act like he was being bullied but also call him a frie—

In any case, Shen Qingqiu eventually went back to speak to Mobei-jun. The ice demon looked at him with cold eyes. This time, he did not attempt to speak. 

This did not perturb Shen Qingqiu and instead took a seat in front of the demon. He had spent enough time in the other world to see the parallels of a scene like this from many of the films there. Looking back at his conversation last time he came to see the demon made him cringe at just how much it sounded like one of the stupid movies Shen Yang would insist on putting on.

The thought of his life resembling anything from those pieces of trash made Shen Qingqiu cringe internally. He already had enough he was dealing with, but that didn’t mean he could ignore Mobei-jun forever. Not when Airplane was involved. “So you think yourself better than humans.” 

Mobei-jun was far less wild than usual today, so for a moment Shen Qingqiu thought his question would be ignored, but Mobei-jun let out an “Mn.” as he looked at Shen Qingqiu..

“Your understanding of hierarchy is different from what they tell humans.” Shen Qingqiu didn't look at Mobei-jun directly as he said this; instead, he eyed the cell. “The hierarchy that humans are taught from a young age is as follows: at the top are the gods. Next are humans of ‘great value’, such as lords and cultivators. Then it is the freemen, livestock and then human slaves.” Finally, Shen Qingqiu made eye contact with Mobei-jun. “Below all that are demons.”

Mobei-jun narrowed his eyes silently, but Shen Qingqiu made no sign of acknowledgement of the warning gesture. “If you are a rung below another in human society, you give little respect. Little power to speak of compared to the ones that sit above you. It does not matter how physically strong or smart you are; unless you break into those other rungs, you will always be treated as lesser. From what I understand, that is different from demon politics, correct?”

Mobei-jun seemed ready to remain silent, not answering the question, but as it became clear that Shen Qingqiu had no intention to speak until his question was answered, Mobei-jun stated. “You can always kill the one above.”

“With no consequences?”

Mobei-jun’s slight downturn of mouth gave an answer to that question.

“Of course,” Shen Qingqiu responded. ”So let me ask you this: with humans and demons understanding hierarchy so differently from one another, how are you supposed to work with a human like Shang Qinghua?”

“He is mine.” 

“And I have already explained that it doesn't fit with the human mindset. Try again.”

And despite everything, it looked like Mobei-jun was trying. “He is mine, so he is greater than all those below me, including all other humans.”

“That still doesn't address the fact that to humans, you are lesser,” Shen Qingqiu pressed.

“I will kill whoever treats him as lesser.”

Shen Qingqiu looked exasperated at Mobei-jun.. “You sound like a certain brute I know.”

“Is he a demon or a human?” Mobei-jun’s voice was not filled with coy or mockery, it was…curious.

“...Human.” 

Shen Qingqiu paused for a moment, but the silence didn’t last long. Soon, Mobei-jun asked. “Is the fact that you're human why he chose you?”

Shen Qingqiu looked at Mobei-jun with confusion, and then it hit him. All the circumstances Airplane and and Shen Yuan have been in. If someone looked at it the wrong way..

But could anyone be so stupid?

Airplane and I are… Friends. The words felt strange, but Airplane said them first… So…

“And I won’t have you take our friendship from us.”

Stepping forward, Shen Qingqiu took out his sword. Mobei-jun didn’t back away; instead he tried to look as dignified as he could. Shen Qingqiu was reminded of the description of himself in that very same cell, trying to hold a similar facade in front of Luo Binghe.

And how it eventually broke.

Shen Qingqiu closed the remaining gap and, with precision, he sliced through the bonds around Mobei-jun’s hands so that they started to fall away, but before Mobei-jun could pull his arms apart, Shen Qingqiu had begun to wrap a new set of ropes around the briefly freed hands. “Those were tied in a way that cut off circulation. That was unnecessary. These are the same kind of ropes, but you should have less bruising from them.”

Mobei-jun at first tried to pull away, but the ropes were repressing his power, and with every word Shen Qingqiu said, the demon seemed to settle.

As Shen Qingqiu finished, he stood straight and, without any visible expression on his face, he stated, “Betray Shang Qinghua and you will find that my bite is far worse than my bark. And if I ever see a single bruise on him caused by your hands I will make sure that those hands are separated from your body.”

With that, he headed to the exit.

–

It was clear that Airplane would not be the one to end the silent deadlock between the two, so Shen Qingqiu was the one who folded and eventually went to Airplane’s quarters during the night.

The man answered the door quickly enough, but his face made it clear that he was apprehensive about the meeting. “Is there something I can help with?” Airplane asked, sounding fakely chipper.

“I have a proposal.” Shen Qingqiu pushed his way through the room and quickly set up talismans to make sure no one would hear the conversation. When he was done, he turned back to Airplane. “You need to convince Mobei-jun to be on Cang Qiong’s side and have him willingly leave Huan Hua without attacking anyone here for the time being. Also, he must agree not to take you away.”

Airplane looked confused for a few moments, but when the words sunk in, he said, “Are you saying you're going to help get Mobei-jun out?”

“The plan would take some time to implement and by the time it finishes Shen Yuan would be in my body, so they will do a lot of the helping but yes, if the terms are met, this is something we can put into motion.”

Airplane’s eyes looked watery. “Bro, I… yes. We will get this to work. I know this is hard but—”

“Do not become a sobbing mess in front of me,” Shen Qingqiu warned.

“Yeah, don’t worry about that.” Shang Qinghua turned away for a second to gather himself. “But seriously, thank you.”

–

Some time later, with the seeds of Mobei-jun’s eventual escape planted, Airplane and Shen Qingqiu sat in the bamboo house.

“So your switch over with Shen Yuan should be pretty soon huh?”

“Yes.” Shen Qingqiu took a sip from his tea, then put it down. “This time I was in this body for about two months, which means you will be with Shen Yuan for about four.”

“That will be interesting.” Airplane let out a sigh before sitting up straight. “Ah, don’t take it the wrong way. I do like him. And I like you two. It’s just different strengths in different areas?”

Shen Qingqiu tapped his cup. “When you called me a friend, was that meant for me or for Shen Yuan?”

“I meant you. I mean, I know who is who in the body, but I would also consider Cucumber bro a friend as well. It's fine for me to like both of you, right?” 

“Yes…” Shen Qingqiu said slowly.

Airplane shook his head. “Seriously. You are my friend. Assuming you're ok with that term.”

“I will not complain about it,” Shen Qingqiu admitted. “But I can’t say I understand why you would call me that.”

“I like talking to you. It’s fun. I heard from Cucumber that you also thought I was dead and you wanted to avenge me and… well.” Airplane became a little flustered. “I guess that is all best friend behavior actually. You really have done a lot for me. And even though you don’t like Mobei-jun you’re helping him and—”

Shen Qingqiu turned away though Airplane didn’t miss how Shen Qingqiu’s ears had turned red. “Part of me wonders if you're just saying that to get what you want from me.”

Airplane’s face fell. “For better or worse, I know your backstory enough to get why you would think that, but no, I was scared of you at first because of that knowledge. More because you felt like a bad luck charm for those around you. That was why I kept a distance, but when Shen Yuan came, I could see that luck changing.” Airplane shook his head. “I am a coward, I know that. I should have still tried to come to you when you were alone, but even if the reasons why I allowed us to get close were selfish, I am happy we became friends.”

Shen Qingqiu’s lip quirked up against his will at that. 

“Ah!” Airplane pulled out a notebook and handed it to Shen Qingqiu. “I know you won’t have much time before the body switch, but I compiled what I found out about Huan Hua.”

“It’s fine, I suspect with Shen Yuan’s encyclopedic mind of this world, he will also be able to act on some of this information.”

“Right.” Airplane agreed.

“Though I must say that I find it confusing how much you have forgotten about the novel that you are literally living in.” Shen Qingqiu smirked.

“It's kind of hard when it's been literally decades, but still, I did remember enough to put some extra notes here and there.” Airplane turned the pages. “Honestly, going through all this, reminded me how Huan Hua taking Luo Binghe in during the novel is kind of funky.”

Shen Qingqiu frowned. “Like, of all the sects, they have the most history of causing issues for demons, even peaceful ones. Also, I never really could understand people who could pay enough attention to someone’s parentage to do stuff based on one side and not the other.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Qingqiu asked as he started to skim through the notes.

“Okay, so, I kind of wrote PIDW, but I often didn’t feel like I was in control of the events in the book. I have asked the System before if I created this world or if I just had visions, and well… it really never answered properly. Something-something about many dimensions that sounded like a physicist’s nightmare. 

In any case, writing that Luo Binghe would come to Huan Hua and be let in immediately always felt right. Like something that would happen naturally in the story because of the fact that Luo Binghe was the son of Su Xiyan, someone whom the Old Palace Master had trained. Obsessed over? Whatever. But that still doesn’t change that he is also half Tianlang-jun’s son and looking over everything from Huan Hua and what I know? Feel? The Old Palace Master was basically behind both parents getting a bad ending.”

“Whatever the reason for his actions in the book, it is best to just not have the two ever meet.” Shen Qingqiu shut the book and then handed a different book to Airplane. “Give this to Shen Yuan when he gets here. It has a summary of events till now and the steps to ensure that Mobei-jun can escape so that the blame will not fall onto Cang Qiong. It also has details on our little… game.” Shen Qingqiu opened up this fan and started to wave it.

“Wait…” Airplane’s eyes went wide. “Are you not planning to tell him?”

“I’m a bit tired after these past two months and would rather not have to deal with him freaking out. Besides, it's almost more amusing to imagine his reaction rather than actually seeing it.”

Airplane’s mouth twitched “Is that the reason, or is it because there is the fact that you know I have an artifact that could record his reaction?”

“What can I say?’ Shen Qingqiu smirked. “Watching the reaction once will be fun. Being able to watch it endlessly will be a nice break between peak duties.”

– Dreamscape –

When Shen Qingqiu entered the dream realm, he was immediately caught by surprise at how exhausted Shen Yuan looked.

“What happened to you?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

“Me?” Shen Yuan asked with a laugh. “Just the last exam at school. I swear, if I didn’t know that the System was the one that was the cause of the timing of the switches, I would think you were because we are switching literally right after the last exam.”

“How convenient.” Shen Qingqiu smiled. 

“Very.” Shen Yuan’s eyes twitched. “Which means that you will get to go on the trip to Queensland Australia, celebrating MY success in the exams.”

“Success?” Shen Qingqiu smirked. “Does that mean that you passed your exams?”

“Well…” Shen Yuan conjured a fan to hide his expression. “I don’t know know, but I did a lot of studying and I got a good feeling. Also, work has been interesting. Well, kind of. Different, at least. You will definitely have more tolerance for it than I do in any case.”

“The fact that you haven’t quit yet is an accomplishment in itself.” Shen Qingqiu took a seat.

“My brothers said the same thing.” Shen Yuan grumbled before taking a seat as well.

 “In any case, feel free to go into more details. Any new games you have been playing? Movies?”

“I mean, shouldn’t we talk about how things are going in the sect before that sort of stuff?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Airplane said that we were in here for about an hour last time. So we should have two hours to talk this time if the current pattern holds. As such, we have more than enough time.” Shen Qingqiu, at that moment, conjured a clock. It hung in the air, ticking away. “With this, we can roughly estimate how much time we have left, so let’s talk.”

And they did.

They spoke extensively until they were up-to-date about the going ons in both worlds, and in the end, they still had a lot of time left.

“So what now?” Shen Yuan had decided to stretch on the ground. “We still have time to spare. I suppose we could meditate.”

“Am I so boring to talk to that you would rather meditate than talk to me another hour?” Shen Qingqiu crossed his arms. “It will be another four months before we see each other again.”

“I didn’t mean it like that…” Shen Yuan thought for a moment before shooting up. “Wait! This is a dream realm, duh.”

The scenery began to change. The only things that appeared not to be affected were Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan and the clock as the new landscape took shape. Soon, the floor disappeared, and the place became a place that looked like it came out of a Western fairy tale.

“What is this?” Shen Qingqiu asked in surprise.

“Well, I figured it would be fun to live in an irl anime world. I just watched Dungeon Meshi, and it was pretty awesome, so here is my attempt at recreating one of the settings.”

Shen Qingqiu examined the buildings. “How detailed did you go with this? Can I enter?”

“I will create the insides as well. The series mostly takes place in the caves, though don’t spend too much time in the town.”

Shen Qingqiu, however, ignored Shen Yuan and entered the building. Soon, the inside filled with color and took the shape of the inside of a medieval tavern. Characters with blurry faces lined the tables, and drinks and food were being passed around.

“The medieval era is a popular setting for fantasy stories. Especially in the west.” Shen Yuan went to stand next to Shen Qingqiu. “There are a lot of tropes and stuff related to the genre. Similar to a stallion novel like PIDW.” 

“So lots of sex?” Shen Qingqiu muttered.

Shen Yuan, in response, looked horrified. “NO! Geez. For a virgin, your mind went straight to the gutter.”

Shen Qingqiu reached over and pinched Shen Yuan’s cheek. “At least I know how to sleep next to a woman without making a scene.”

“Sorry, that wasn’t a skill they taught in university.” Shen Yuan swatted the hand away. 

“Even if it was, it’s not like you went to university until I forced you to anyways.” Shen Qingqiu rolled his eyes before returning his attention to the space. “If I remember correctly, ‘Medieval’ refers to a specific time period in the West?”

“Well, generally when I say it, it would be used to refer to Europe. Actually, it would be roughly the time that PIDW would be happening if it were a rea—I mean, if the maps of Earth were uh… the same.”

Shen Qingqiu picked up one of the drinks. “So, if I were to go far enough west, I may see these things in my world?”

“Potentially? Airplane really didn’t go past China in his writing.”

“Does Australia have examples of this architecture?” Shen Qingqiu asked. 

“Ah, no, Australia was way different back then… but honestly, I don’t know a lot about what the architecture was at the time, to be honest.”

The two spent a lot of time just talking. They didn’t end up leaving the building the whole time, just discussing different aspects of the place.

“It looks like it's time to go.” Shen Qingqiu looked up at the clock he had created. “Or at least it will be soon.”

“Yeah.” Shen Yuan took a moment. To just stare at Shen Qingqiu. The other frowned in response. “What is the matter?”

“I would have never thought it would be so easy to just talk to you.”

Shen Qingqiu snorted. “That is such a nice sentiment, Shen Yuan. I must say I am surprised.”

Shen Yuan looked away for a second and scratched his head. “Look, we may not have had many chances to talk to each other directly, but it seems silly with how intertwined we are to be calling each other by our full names. So just call me A-Yuan moving forward, alright?” 

“A-Yuan?” Shen Qingqiu repeated.

“Yeah, don’t act like you haven’t heard others calling me that,” Shen Yuan joked.

“Of course I have.” Shen Qingqiu puffed out. 

“Yeah.” Shen Yuan paused. “So, uh, can I call you Qingqiu like Yue Qingyuan calls you? Or maybe A-Jiu, like the ladies refer to you.”

Shen Qingqiu thought for a moment. “I suppose, A-Jiu is fine.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “Sounds good, A-Jiu.”

“Mh.” Shen Qingqiu couldn’t help but smile a bit at the turn of events. Only for him to let out a laugh.

“What’s up?” Shen Yuan asked, surprised.

“It’s just after a conversation like this, it almost makes me feel bad that I didn't warn you about the news Airplane is about to tell you.”

“Wait, what news?”

But just then, the dreamscape dispersed.

Chapter Text

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Shen Yuan found himself sitting across from Airplane, who apparently had decided to bring over his An Ding paperwork while Shen Yuan was in the dream realm. As Shen Yuan rubbed away the “sleep” from his eyes, Airplane quickly put aside his work and asked, “So, how did things go with Shen-shixiong?”

“Well… it seemed like it was going okay. Like, I can take care of that stuff for Mobei-jun, no problem, but his last words were very ominous.”

“Uh-huh.” Airplane tapped a small device on the table and… wait.

“Is that the vision seal?” 

“Leave it to my biggest anti-fan to recognize it.”

“Of course he did! Luo Binghe had used it to make the equivalent of sex tapes of his nights with his wives in the novel. Shen Yuan paled, knowing something bad was coming if THAT had been pulled out.

“Sure, I will do that right now, Baobei¹ .”

Shen Yuan’s brain stopped. “What?”

Airplane had picked up the vision seal and was now holding it with a smile on his face. “To the cultivation world, we are now dating, or, I suppose it is more accurate to say courting, considering the setting isn’t–”

“I’m not gay!” Shen Yuan spluttered.

Airplane snorted, clearly trying to hold back his actual thoughts, but what he said out loud was, “This is a cover so that people don’t think that I have the hots or the colds for Mobei-jun. Also, people were thinking this anyways, so—”

“Who would think that we were dating??” This was madness! Was it something that Shen Qingqiu did? Wait, if Shen Qingqiu only platonically slept with women, could he have been gay? Gay for Airplane? 

The vision seal was now away, thank goodness, but the horror of the words Airplane was saying continued.

“Well, the thing is, all those nighttime and early morning visits we did to plan for the Immortal Alliance Conference so I could give you and Shen Qingqiu the dl of what had been going on got shippers talking. I didn’t know about this until, well, let's just say that Mobei-jun didn’t exactly like our ship. But now that things are cleared up with him, it’s better to lean into our ship status where it’s useful, y’know?”

“But I’m not gay. And even if Shen Qingqiu is—” Shen Yuan started.

“Oh, wow. I didn’t realize that you knew that Shen Qingqiu was gay.” 

Shen Yuan spluttered. “What?”

“Uh, oh, wait, you didn’t.” Airplane scratched his head. “Well, this is awkward. But yeah, he is. Not for me though, for what it’s worth. And like I said, it doesn’t matter; this is to help protect us from too many eyes. Besides, there’s no need to worry about Luo Binghe thinking you stole a girl if you are in a serious relationship with a dude.”

Shen Yuan gave Airplane a dirty look, but he just shrugged. “Anyways, ‘Baobei,’ let's get to the final touches of freeing Mobei-jun. He already has details about the exits that he can use to get out; I will just need your help jogging my memory on a few artifacts so that we can cover our butts for the breakout.”

Shen Yuan rubbed his forehead. “You can't seriously be expecting me to be able to focus on literally anything else besides the fact you're making me pretend to be gay. Also, the fact that Shen Qingqiu is gay???”

“Gay or not, Shen Qingqiu is still the same feral cat that we know and love. Platonically, of course.” Airplane gave Shen Yuan a look. “Well, I think so, at least. But in any case, what is a little pretend engagement between friends?” Airplane joked. “Besides, if people think we are doing papapa each time we meet, that means people are less likely to interrupt our meetings.” Shen Yuan was considering murder at that moment. Seeing this, Airplane said, “Come on, what can I do to make you less pouty?”

Instinctively, Shen Yuan wanted to say “Nothing” but instead he managed. “...In return for this… thing… you better make sure that those mushroom bodies grow properly.”

“Actually, Shen Qingqiu already asked me to do that, so you’re already covered on that front.” Airplane shrugged. “And they gave me some pretty awesome gardening books to help me. I may need to make a set of bodies for my King and me. If you want help with getting anything, I can help with that?”

Shen Yuan sighed. “Fine. But you better actually remember what artifacts YOU made in this world this time.”

“Haha, I will try. Now, can we talk about getting my actual-potential Baobei out of the water prison?”

Shen Yuan gave Airplane a look but then let out a sigh. “Alright, well, Shen Qingqiu, the plan will take some time still, but let's get started. We only have five years to get through what we need to before Luo Binghe arrives.”

“Got it, Captain.” Shang Qinghua said, saluting.

–

In spite of everything that could have gone wrong, things went smoothly. The artifacts were collected. Mobei-jun was freed, and he, Airplane, and Shen Qingqiu made themselves scarce so that no one would make the connection between the demon and Cang Qiong.

The agreement was that the two peak lords and Mobei-jun would meet again after some time. But with all the eyes on them at the moment, they would need to be very careful about what they did.

It would be hard, but they would make it work.

It wasn’t like they had another choice. Five years. That was all they had to work with.

– Shen Qingqiu: Modern World –

 Shen Qingqiu lay on the beach. The sun was beating down on his skin in a way that warned him just enough so that it wasn’t uncomfortable. He looked from the corner of his eye at his siblings playing in the clear waters. 

Whitehaven Beach was one of the most beautiful beaches in the world according to Shen Yang. When the place was suggested by Shen Song, Shen Qingqiu thought it would disappoint, but it didn’t, and soon the group would be heading further north to see the Great Barrier Reef, which everyone had been saying would be even more amazing. 

Shen Qingqiu had never thought much about what lies underneath the rivers or lakes he had seen in his world. He had focused on the ground when he trained and focused on the sky as he flew, but here Shen Qingqiu could feel a different wonder than one that he had experienced before. This world was impressive and made him wonder what else he could see. Even though next time he would be in his body, he would be there for around eight months; it was still likely too many eyes would be on him to even consider going very far from the sect. But…maybe next time he was in the body he could do a trip. But until then, he could explore this place.

As he thought this, his siblings started to call for him to enter the water. Shen Qingqiu raised his arm in acknowledgment and began to get ready. 

Shen Qingqiu hummed slightly as he walked. Even if the future of the other world was up in the air, he had secured his siblings here a good life. He would need to fight to keep the company on top, but with a university degree now, Shang Qinghua and his growing knowledge would mean no one would be able to get in his way.

Shen Qingqiu entered the water feeling strangely light. 

“A-Yuan, you need to make sure you put on more sunscreen, or you're going to burn.” Shen Qingqiu let out a small cough as Shen Fa hit him in the back. “We are going to be here for the rest of the summer. You can’t become a lobster this soon.”

“I will put some on if next trip we go to Europe.” Shen Qingqiu smirked.

Shen Fa looked surprised. “What? Bored of Australia already?”

“No.” Shen Qingqiu responded. “Just curious what the rest of the world will have to offer.”

“Well, it will be a pleasure to be your guide.” Shen Fa smiled.

“Sounds good. This time next year, then.”

“What? You can’t be planning a trip to Europe without me!” Shen Yang swam over. “I will have a heavy course load next year, so the trip has to be during a break!”

“Well, yeah, of course we will. It will be a family outing, right?” Shen Fa asked after pushing Shen Yang just enough deeper into the water that she started to whine.

“Family outing.” Shen Qingqiu agreed.

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

128 weeks.

The time between each reboot continued to steadily double. 16 weeks, 32, 64, and now they were in the 128-week cycle.

Shen Qingqiu was researching as much as he could about Luo Binghe in preparation for the demon’s return. He still had a year and a half in this world before he would switch back to Shen Yuan’s world, but when Shen Yuan would switch back into the body, by then it would only be a matter of a few months before Luo Binghe’s return.

Time was limited. And even if Shen Qingqiu felt that he and Shen Yuan were doing their best to protect the sect and themselves, at the end of the day, they were facing a demon that had the potential to conquer the three realms. It was not that Shen Qingqiu wanted to be there when Luo Binghe returned, but the idea that Shen Yuan would be facing Luo Binghe alone—

“Whoops!” There was a crashing sound from the spare bedroom.

Shen Qingqiu slammed the door of the room open. “If you two are going to be loud, at least make sure that you put the silencing talismans on correctly.”

Shen Qingqiu glared at Mobei-jun and Shang Qinghua, who had apparently been sitting on Mobei-jun’s lap reading a book out loud and had fallen over. Extremely. Loudly.

“Ahha… Sorry, we just were getting a bit excited. I didn't think the talismans—hey!”

“Shen Qingqiu had plucked the book out of Airplane’s hands and read the cover. “Cultural differences when expressing love?” Shen Qingqiu read out.

“Just, well…”

Shen Qingqiu sighed. He could figure out why Airplane was reading a book like this with Mobei-jun. Demons and humans were very different from each other both biologically and culturally, and ever since Shen Yuan had given the ice demon and the mouse the clear that they could meet up again, the two had been circling each other like they didn’t know the first thing about courtship. It would be amusing if it weren’t for the fact that with the need to keep Mobei-jun a secret, the usual place Airplane and Mobei-jun ended up meeting in was Shen Qingqiu’s house.

“I suppose I should just be happy that the place doesn’t smell like a certain kind of fluid .” Shen Qingqiu said while wrinkling his nose.

“What?” Airplane basically fell to the floor again at the insinuation. “No, man, uh…” Airplane turned to Mobei-jun, who seemed confused. “Yeah, just… my king, I know we discussed this, but sex in a friend’s house is considered very rude.”

“Humans are strange.” Mobei-jun motioned for Shen Qingqiu to hand the book to him, which he did. For a moment, Shen Qingqiu thought the demon would start flipping through the pages of it looking for the “Strange rule” they were discussing. But instead he just brushed off the cover.

“I will court…like the books say.” Airplane nodded, “Cool.”

“I will present you the northern demon realm as a courting present, and when we wed, I will take you in my bedchambers.”

“Great, great... wait? You're going to wait that long?” Airplane squeaked. 

“...” Shen Qingqiu had enough of this conversation and shut the door, putting the proper silencing talismans on this time.

Figures Airplane would be hornier than an actual demon, but from what he understood, the death of Mobei-jun’s father would happen within the next decade or so, so it wouldn’t be long before Airplane’s boyfriend took over the north. Is that really such a long wait for an immortal?

Shen Qingqiu let out a sigh. 

…He may also need to make sure later that Mobei-jun wasn’t planning an early invasion of the north. Both Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan had several conversations with Mobei-jun that the demon could not return to his palace because, with Mobei-jun having been captured for a second time, he had been essentially disowned by his family. The inheritance of his father’s power represented an opportunity for him to regain his standing, but that was a ways off. If Mobei-jun had become allies with Luo Binghe, that would have been another route to be able to return to the north, but according to Airplane, there had been no indication of Luo Binghe starting to build up allies as of yet.

But at least Mobei-jun hadn’t gone completely off his rocker. And, to Shen Qingqiu’s surprise, he had been a decent guest. At least better than Shang Qinghua.

Right then there was a knock at the door.

Swiftly, Shen Qingqiu went and answered it. “Qingqiu, how have you been?”

Shen Qingqiu let out an internal sigh. If the situation were different, he would offer Yue Qingyuan a cup of tea, but he was not mad enough to do that when there was a demon in the other room.

Shen Qingqiu stepped outside and shut the door and then pointedly gave Yue Qingyuan a bow. “How may I assist Qi-ge?”

Yue Qingyuan looked like an excited puppy at the address. “There is a mission that I wish for you, Mu Qingfang, and myself to go on.”

“Right now?” Shen Qingqiu asked, glancing back at his bamboo house.

“As soon as possible, that is, if you are free.”

“...That is fine then. Well, what is the mission?

“We will be investigating rotting bodies in Jinlan.”

–

Heading to Jinlang Shen Qingqiu, at first he flew on his own until his cultivation gave out and Yue Qingyuan caught him. “Is Qingqiu alright?” Yue Qingyuan asked.

“I’m fine.” Shen Qingqiu grumbled, but still he let himself be brought to the ground while being carried by Yue Qingyuan. After Mu Qingfang looked Shen Qingqiu over, the medic said, “I cannot recommend that Shen-shixiong ride alone for now. If he wishes, he can ride with me.”

Shen Qingqiu glanced at Yue Qingyuan, who looked like he had already accepted that he would not be chosen for such a task, only for Shen Qingqiu to say. “Zhangmen-shixiong’s cultivation is higher, so my presence on his sword would cause less strain on him.” Both Yue Qingyuan and Mu Qingfang seemed surprised at this, but neither argued; instead, they exchanged a look, and then Shen Qingqiu joined Yue Qingyuan on the back of his sword. Under his grasp, Yue Qingyuan was stiff.

The silence was awkward. An awkwardness that Shen Qingqiu had become familiar with after years of nonsensical feuding. “We haven’t done something like this since we were children.” Shen Qingqiu broke into the silence.

“I assume you don’t mean sword riding specifically?”

Shen Qingqiu glared at his idiot of an older brother, but Yue Qingyuan only smiled stupidly. “If we could have flown on a sword, we wouldn’t have stayed in that awful place.” Shen Qingqiu paused and then added, “You do understand if you had said something, explained why you had taken so long, things would have been easier between us, and neither of us would have had to be such a—” Shen Qingqiu cut himself off, but Yue Qingyuan knew where the words were going.

“I am sorry.” Yue Qingyuan said.

“Your tendency to say sorry without saying the reason why is far more of a problem than anything else.” Shen Qingqiu snapped.

“Shen-shidi is right.” Yue Qingyuan paused. “This Qi-ge is willing to correct that mistake as many times as necessary.”

“Just start by saying why today, and we go from there.”

“I am sorry because I should have come earlier. I am sorry because my silence caused you pain. I am sorry because you put your trust in me, and I failed you.”

“You came back. So that isn’t what ruined my trust.” Shen Qingqiu cut in. “What ruined my trust was that I was left to believe you didn’t return.”

Yue Qingyuan's head slumped forward. “I’m s—“

“You have said enough of that for now.” Shen Qingqiu interrupted. “Let's talk about something else.”

Shen Qingqiu thought back about the redirects Shen Yuan’s family would do. The small talk they would have. “Have you been anywhere interesting recently?”

Yue Qingyuan finally did a full head turn at this. Shen Qingqiu felt heat in his face. What a stupid question! Idiotic!

But Yue Qingyuan smiled warmly. More like the smiles that Qi-ge used to give Xiao-Jiu than anything Yue Qingyuan had given him. “I recently visited a mangrove. It was quite lovely; I saw—“

The two continued some small conversation for the rest of the ride over, with Mu Qingfang occasionally glancing back at the baffling situation he was witnessing.

…While Mu Qingfang also prayed that Yue Qingyuan and Shen Qingqiu would not end up having an affair, as the medic didn’t want to deal with a heartbroken Shang Qinghua!

Chapter Text

The trio eventually arrived in Jinlan, and with the assistance of a boy named Yang Yixuan, they were able to gain entrance to the outskirts of the town. After gathering basic details about the current situation, Shen Qingqiu headed into the city alone to begin his investigation.

The smell of death and decay permeated everywhere. Shen Qingqiu covered his nose to try to protect himself from the stench.

The roads were eerily quiet. That was until someone began to call out that there was food being served. Then people, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, began to push and shove to be first in line. Shen Qinqqiu stepped away from the bustle, managing to barely avoid an elderly woman that came far too close to him, but even as she hurried away, she didn’t even turn to look at the food. Where was she heading? She didn’t appear to be carrying anything or have any other indicator of what she could be up to. All of this made alarms go off in Shen Qingqiu’s head, so he followed the retreating figure. 

Shen Qingqiu’s steps only became faster as he saw the old woman enter a brothel. He silently followed her inside only to immediately freeze. On the floor there was a skeleton of a woman dressed in fine jewelry and laid across a table. Shen Qingqiu’s fists clench. This brothel was the home of only the dead now. He used his qi to make his steps silent. As he headed upstairs, he heard a commotion coming from the higher levels of the building, so he quickened his steps. Pulling out Xiu Ya as he climbed higher and higher. Until—

He saw a fluffy-haired young man. Dressed in black. At first the man looked below at the woman—the demon whom he just slayed—but soon his eyes climbed up until they met Shen Qingqiu’s. When their eyes finally met, Shen Qingqiu’s blood went cold.

In front of him was Luo Binghe.

Shen Qingqiu froze; he couldn’t move. Before him was no longer the child that ran around his peak with light in his eyes but one whose eyes had dimmed into endless darkness. The man whose path points to tearing him apart and destroying the sect in the novel.

[ Hello. System has successfully activated. ]

“It has been a long time, Shizun.”

Shen Qingqiu took a step back as his heart entered his throat. No! They had prepared for this. Shen Yuan was supposed to be the one that would meet Luo Binghe, not him. This was two years too early for Luo Binghe’s return.

“Ah! Peak Lord Shen, it has been some time.” The brave boy, Gongyi Xiao, stepped between Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe. “It looks like Cang Qiong was also called into help with this mission.”

“It appears so.” Shen Qingqiu tried to collect himself, making a point to not look Luo Binghe in the eyes.

If Yue Qingyuan was here. He could be shot with a thousand arrows. 

Shen Qingqiu couldn’t let Yue Qingyuan anywhere near Luo Binghe.

“This demon is a sower demon and appears to be the source of the decay.” Gongyi Xiao explained.

Shen Qingqiu nodded. “Then let me bring the body to my shidi, Mu Qingfang. If he examines the body, hopefully he can find a cure.”

“Ah, Mu-shishu is here?” Luo Binghe piped in, now wearing a smile, but his eyes were still cold.

If Mu Qingfang died, if Cang Qiong was attacked, they would already be down their best healer.

“Yes.” Shen Qingqiu said through the dryness in his mouth. He stepped into the room and began to examine the body of the sower. He tried to be cautious as he did his examination but the whole time he had a prickling feeling on the back of his neckd. But there was work to be done.

Even with Luo Binghe looking over his shoulder and even as he left the building the feeling of Luo Binghe’s eyes on his back didn’t leave him.

—

Mu Qingfang began his work examining the body and quickly determined that he would have a cure by the morning. With the demons finally identified, Yue Qingyuan, as well as Huan Hua, put out a call for backup to come and finish gathering the remaining demons.

Everything was going well from a mission perspective. But right now Shen Qingqiu was sitting in his room, and in front of him was a screen that was tossing message after message at him. [ System is back online. It appears that no major parameters have been violated. Thank you, host, for being a good user. ]

Shen Qingqiu ignored the words and instead was clicking through the many menus that had been inaccessible to him for some time. His items, missions, and so on. It didn’t help him focus in the slightest. Shen Qingqiu eventually buried his head in his hands, trying to settle his racing thoughts. There was so much to do right now but without knowing what Luo Binghe would do next or for certain when he would switch with Shen Yuan it was hard to know what was the most reasonable next step and unfortunately, nothing that his system could tell him answered any of his immediate questions. And then there was the body of that sower victim that was still in the brothel…

Shen Qingqiu took in a deep breath to gather himself. The ring. He had the ring of invisibility at least. He hadn’t packed with the idea he would run into Luo Binghe but he had at least brought some artifacts that he thought might be useful for a mission such as this one. He couldn’t let himself forget himself. No matter what. Not when there was so much at stake. Eventually, Shen Qingqiu jotted a few notes into a notebook to make sure that Shen Yuan had some understanding of the situation if a switch happened. However, what he was about to do next made him hope that he was right in believing that the time of day for the switch would be the same as when he had swapped during the past few years. He shouldn’t go outside. Not with Luo Binghe around. But… Leaving that woman’s body and potentially others in the building without a proper burial was not something he could do. If Qi Juan, Wan Lanyin or any of his other friends at the Warm Red Pavilion had died in such a way…

Shen Qingqiu didn’t let his mind wander further.  No one else would understand why he was so concerned about a sex worker’s body and though he was sure Yue Qingyuan would help if asked, he would not risk putting his older brother anywhere near Luo Binghe. Pulling a cloak from his bag, Shen Qingqiu went outside and activated the ring of invisibility. Though the cloak was not necessary it did make Shen Qingqiu feel a bit more secure. The sun was still visible in the sky but it was setting quickly. The impending darkness only made Shen Qingqiu’s feet move faster towards their destination.

Eventually, Shen Qingqiu arrived back at the brothel. He opened up his senses, trying to see if anyone was around but there was nothing. Letting out a sigh, Shen Qingqiu went to work, first checking all the rooms. The body on the ground floor was not the only one in the building. He counted five. All were only bones now. Each had been placed in positions that indicated that the woman knew that their time was coming but also expected that no one would give them a proper burial. 

Sowers harvest humans for food. So why did they leave all these women to die slow and painful deaths instead of eating them. It would not have been a better fate for these women but the pointless nature of their deaths only added to the peak lord's anger about the situation. Shen Qingqiu looked down at the last body he found. He had let down the protections of the ring of invisibility as a floating body moving around would cause more of a scene than a man in a cloak. Her position was not as perfect as the others which made Shen Qingqiu believe that this was the last of the woman to have died. After a moment of looking at the remains, Shen Qingqiu said, “The world is a cruel place. You all expected that you would be forgotten here for eternity, didn’t you? I cannot change what happened to you and your friends. However, I will do my best to give you and your companions the final rights that you deserve.”

Shen Qingqiu got to work. Moving one after another the bodies outside and preparing a proper burial for them. Clapping his hands together and giving each a few words in hopes that it may bring peace to their souls. The streets remained empty as he worked though he could sense eyes on him from the windows.

For each woman, as he worked he gave one item of his own to join them in the afterlife. A fan, a haircrown, and so on.

Shen Qingqiu left with heavy steps back to the inn where Yue Qingyuan, Mu Qingfang and him were staying. He was about to activate the ring of invisibility when he heard a voice in the darkness.

“Shizun comes to see the dead but not his own disciple?” Shen Qingqiu swung around at the voice. Eyes wide, heart pounding. Before him was Luo Binghe. 

“Why does Shizun look afraid?” Luo Binghe asked in a voice full of honeyed concern, but with his heart pounding in his ears, Shen Qingqiu could only take another step back. And another. Before Shen Qingqiu knew it, he had backed himself into a wall. 

Luo Binghe had matched everyone of Shen Qingqiu’s steps. He approached casually, almost as though he was approaching an injured animal but the action didn’t make Shen Qingqiu’s heart race slow at all. As Luo Binghe took one last step forward, he reached out and grabbed Shen Qingqiu’s chin gently. With  a small amount of pressure, the half demon forced Shen Qingqiu’s head upwards until he had no choice but to look into those eyes— the eyes of Luo Binghe. “This disciple has been wanting to speak to Shizun for a long time. Yet the first thing Shizun did was ignore this disciple.

Shen Qingqiu opened his mouth to respond but then he froze.

A scream burst from his lungs that could be heard streets away: “FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU.”

Luo Binghe let go of Shen Qingqiu in shock. Candles were lit in various buildings, and the noise of footsteps rushing toward the area filled the air.

Luo Binghe looked around and then threw a look at Shen Qingqiu before retreating into the darkness.

The first person to reach Shen Qingqiu was Yue Qingyuan. “Are you alright?”

Shen Qingqiu remained on his hands and knees, coughing. Yue Qingyuan turned to Mu Qingfang, who was also rushing over. “Look him over. I will—“

“Stay.” Was all that the Qing Jing Peak Lord was able to get out before he collapsed.

“What happened?” Mu Qingfang asked as he came over.

“I don’t know. It looks like he hit his head. Maybe a concussion?” As Yue Qingyuan and Mu Qingfang started to ask questions, the Qing Jing Peak Lord remained on the ground, eyes vacant. Those around him had no way of knowing that it wasn’t a concussion that was making the peak lord act so strangely, but the system messing up once again.

[ Error! Error! Error! Host transfer has failed! Host transfer has failed. Securing soul to current body until bug can be resolved. ]

These were the words on the floating screen in front of the Qing Jing Peak Lord. These words were also the first thing that greeted Shen Yuan when he was slammed into Shen Qingqiu’s body, as well as Luo Binghe. Holding him against a wall and staring at him like he was going to use laser vision to melt his brains.

Shen Yuan can stay cool in most situations. But it was a lot all at once, okay? Not enough time to go into his cold peak lord persona. Even he couldn’t act cool and collected in a moment that looked like he was one moment away from being put in a pickle jar. He had just been playing the latest Final Fantasy in peace, and now what was this? Not even time in the dream realm? Such BS!

‘A-Yuan? A-Yuan! You need to calm down.’

Oh great, now Shen Yuan was also hearing voices as well.

‘Dunderhead. The system already explained that the transmigration process failed. This is Shen Qingqiu speaking. Now listen.’

‘Shen… Qingqiu?’ Shen Yuan was still whirring, and with the grogginess of Shen Qingqiu’s voice, it was clear that whatever happened had impacted him as well, but he was more level headed about the whole thing at least.

‘I can’t move my muscles.’ Shen Qingqiu stated to Shen Yuan. ‘Mu Qingfang is asking if we can lift our arm. Can you try to do that?’

Shen Yuan nodded. in response to Shen Qingqiu, which, fortunately, lined up with the question that Mu Qingfang was currently asking him, so it didn’t look out of nowhere to the anxious medic. Shen Yuan lifted his arm, and as he did so, the throbbing in his head began to dissipate, and he started to understand what was happening better. What the message on the screen indicated and what Shen Qingqiu’s voice meant.

‘We are stuck in an arrangement like Airplane and Shang Qinghua had been in? Sharing a body at the same time?’

Shen Yuan asked Shen Qingqiu as Mu Qingfang gave him another task to complete.

‘It appears so. Hopefully we can talk to them about it soon and—

[ This System apologizes for all of the errors. We promise to work hard to improve the experience. ]

‘If by improvement you mean not putting us in dangerous situations, I am all in.’ Shen Yuan groaned.

Shen Qingqiu let out a snort at that.

Shen Yuan continued talking to the System and Shen Qingqiu while responding to Mu Qingfang’s questions. It was awkward. Like having a room full of people but literally three of the four people were in one head.. ‘Understanding the situation of Luo Binghe’s early return wasn’t exactly great, but at least I know it won’t be just one of us that will have to deal with the pain of being dismembered.’

‘Shut it!’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

Shen Yuan’s mouth quivered a bit, which Mu Qingfang responded to by saying,. “You seem to be doing a lot better now. I will prescribe something to help you sleep tonight, but that is all.”

’Thank you, Mu-shidi.” Shen Yuan responded. And quickly gathered the offered drugs before heading to his room.

‘We need to get back to the sect as soon as possible.’ Shen Qingqiu said.

‘If we are only here until tomorrow morning, it is best to wait.’ Shen Yuan responded. ‘If we travel alone at night, who knows what Luo Binghe will do?’

‘…’ Shen Qingqiu remained silent at that, but Shen Yuan could tell he was still there, which was…oddly comforting.

Shen Yuan’s heart was racing as he sat in his bed. He eyed the medicine that Mu Qingfang had given him but ended up putting it down. ‘If Luo Binghe returns, we want to be able to react quickly.’ Shen Yuan said to Shen Qingqiu.

‘Agreed.’ But that just meant now Shen Yuan was in bed. With his spiraling thoughts. Sure, he talked to Shen Qingqiu for a bit about what would come next, but there was a point where Shen Qingqiu finally said, ‘Even if you don’t take the medicine, we need to rest.’

‘I know.’ Shen Yuan responded.

Silence filled the space for a bit before Shen Qingqiu asked. ‘It’s been some time since I was home…In your body, I mean. How are things at your job?’

‘Good, I got a promotion, and I don’t think it was because I was a nepo baby, which is nice.’

‘And your siblings? Is A-Yang about to graduate?’

‘She is, and she did way better than she thought in the—’ Talking about the other world was calming. The problems are so much smaller. The smiles that people would give there were so much larger.

Under the surface, even as Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu drifted off, they couldn’t help but wonder if they would ever see anyone from that world again.

—

When the two woke up, Shen Qingqiu had control of the body. He flexed his muscles experimentally.

‘Dang, it stinks being in the passenger seat.’ Shen Yuan commented from inside their shared head.

‘I agree. But you will have the body again this evening if I were to guess. So be ready as Luo Binghe could show up at any moment.’

‘I know, I know. We talked about this yesterday.’ Shen Qingqiu nodded. Part of him had worried that the stress would have made Shen Yuan remembering their discussions from the day before difficult, but he seemed alright.

Shen Qingqiu didn’t have much to do in relation to the sower mission at that point; by the time he went outside to help with the sower demons, it appeared that they had all been gathered up. and were now in the square. Mu Qingfang was nowhere to be seen, likely still distributing the antidote. Backup had arrived from the major sects including Liu Qingge and the Old Palace Master. As such, the previously eerily quiet town from the previous day was now bustling with activity.

Shen Qingqiu looked up at the sky as he walked out. It was already rather late in the day. His body must have needed more rest than he expected. But with everything wrapping up—

“Shen Qingqiu! You promised we would be safe.” All the humans froze as their eyes landed on one of the sower demons that was reaching toward Shen Qingqiu. “Please help us.”

The area filled with commotion. “What is this?”

“Was Peak Lord Shen working with the sewer demons?”

And then to make things worse, out of the crowd came a face that Shen Qingqiu never expected to see again. “Xiao Jiu? Is that really you?”

Qiu Haitang.

Shen Qingqiu wanted to respond, to say something, but—

Just then, Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge appeared in front of him. Still, the woman pushed forward. “It is you! You murderer! You killed my family.”

The muttering increased, but Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan remained steadfast in front of Shen Qingqiu. They looked like noble guards, but what was happening in Shen Qingqiu’s head at the moment was far from noble sounding.

‘Fuuuuu! Qiu Haitang? She wasn’t supposed to appear until the trial!’ Shen Yuan cursed.

‘Yes.’ Shen Qingqiu agreed stiffly. It seemed like the timeline of the novel events had been moved up. Though… Shen Qingqiu glanced at the sower demons. ’Were those things part of my trial?’

‘No.’

‘I thought not. So something even bigger has changed.’ Shen Qingqiu pursed his lips. ‘A-Yuan, try to think about what is going on here. I will deal with the current situation in the meantime.’

‘Alright.’

Shen Qingqiu turned his attention back on his fellow peak lords just in time to see Yue Qingyuan place his hand on his sword. “There seems to be a misunderstanding.” Yue Qingyuan said. Though his voice was calm, the energy off of him was dangerous.

“This is not something that can be just pushed under the rug!” The old palace master also stepped forward. “Murder of a noble family, alliance with the sowers—it makes me wonder if Master Shen was related to the escape of Mobei-jun as well.” A new round of whispers filled the air, all the while Luo Binghe continued to stare at Shen Qingqiu with an unreadable expression.

Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth. He knew where this was heading. A battle would be dangerous for Cang Qiong, but if he gave himself up, he is in Luo Binghe’s hands, and Yue Qingyuan will try to save him and—

‘If we try to escape right now, we would just be assumed guilty. Plus with so many cultivators right now, plus Luo BInghe we will almost sure be captured and Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan could get caught in the cross fire.’ Shen Yuan stated.

‘Agreed.‘ Shen Qingqiu responded.

‘Our best bet then is to be captured for now.’ Shen Yuan groaned. ‘I know this isn’t ideal but we will figure things out from there alright.’

‘Are you sure?’ Shen Qingqiu asked, even as his heart beat picked up speed.

‘Yeah.’

Shen Qingqiu could fight Shen Yuan’s decision, but he and Shen Yuan are in this together. “I will come to the prisons and will willingly stand trial.”

“Are you saying that you're guilty?” The Old Palace Master asked with a mixture of surprise and glee.

“I said no such thing. But I know that nothing else I will say here today will be listened to, so let evidence be gathered about this matter, and then we will continue this matter with a full understanding of the situation.”

All the words felt bitter. Qiu Haitang was here. Everyone would know he was a slave. That he was a fake that—

“Slavery is stupid. That’s why it's illegal in my world. No one is lesser, so your slavery doesn’t make you lesser; it makes those that treated you as a slave stupid and cruel.’

‘A nice sentiment. But not one that will help us right now.’ Shen Qingqiu closed his eyes and put out his hands. “Let my martial siblings visit as they see fit; I request nothing else.”

Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan tried to convince Shen Qingqiu to back down, to fight. Even though Shen Qingqiu wanted to do so badly, the voice in his head continued to say, ‘You got this. I’m here.’

…And for all the hassle Shen Yuan had been over the years, Shen Qingqiu took at least some comfort that he wouldn’t be facing what came next alone.

Chapter Text

Night had already fallen by the time Shen Qingqiu made it to the Water Prison, and with that, Shen Yuan took back control of the body. “Control” was a loose term, however, as his hands were currently tied behind his back and his cultivation sealed.

‘I hope you know what you're doing.’ Shen Qingqiu said.

‘We got this.’ Shen Yuan responded. Though, now that he was in the water prison he could feel dread starting to set in.

‘Hm.’ Shen Qingqiu’s voice was filled with doubt.

Fortunately, it appeared that Gongyi Xiao was his warden and was willing to let through Cang Qiong delegates. Yue Qingyuan, Liu Qingge, and Mu Qingfang all came to speak to “Shen Qingqiu”, offering assistance at different points, but all Shen Yuan said to them was, “Qi-ge, make sure the sect is safe first and foremost, or I will never forgive you.”

“Liu-shidi, make sure that Zhangmen-shixiong doesn’t overwork himself.”

“Mu-shidi, make sure that Liu-shidi doesn’t kill himself doing something unnecessary.”

Though having the free as allies was good, right now they weren’t the ones that Shen Qingqiu needed. The one he needed was. “Baobei! How are you?”

The address made a shiver go up Shen Yuan’s spine. In walked Airplane with a concerned look with Gongyi Xiao in tow. 

“Baobei, you have made me worried sick!” Airplane was let into the stall and immediately went around him like Shen Yuan was some sort of injured puppy going for a veterinarian exam. “How am I supposed to give you a proper smooch when you're in such a condition?” This made Gongyi Xiao turn red, and he turned away. With a small wink, Airplane dropped something onto the floor that Shen Yuan immediately covered with his body.

“Do not worry, Baobei! Your loving fiancé will make sure everything is alright! I have called in a few favors with some friends and they will take care of your defence. Also, there are our sect siblings.” Airplane added as an afterthought. “Come to think of it, when we get married will that make them our siblings twice over?”

Shen Yuan wanted to DIE. And Shen Qingqiu was close to wanting the same as well.

How could Airplane say all this BS with a straight face?

“Also I—” But Airplane’s words were cut off when another person entered the prison.

It was Luo Binghe. The man eyed Airplane and Shen Yuan and how close they were to each other and narrowed his eyes. “Gongyi Xiao, is it really appropriate to let my Shizun near this man while he is imprisoned?”

“Ah—well, I thought it would be alright since they are engaged—”

Luo Binghe glared at Gongyi Xiao, but it seemed to spook Airplane more than the head disciple, as he was the one that pulled at Gongyi Xiao’s arm. “Ah, l will head out for now. I can always speak to Shen-shixiong later.” Airplane waved goodbye at Shen Yuan and hurried out. Gongyi Xiao looked between Luo Binghe and the retreating form of Airplane before hurrying after the An Ding Peak Lord.

Shen Yuan began to think of ways to murder the author when he got out.

 Now alone with Luo Binghe, Shen Yuan felt cold for the first time in the water prison.

“Shizun has not spoken to this disciple properly since our reunion. It has been three years. Is it so much to ask for an opportunity for a proper conversation?”

Shen Yuan shuffled his legs slightly to better hide what Airplane had brought. To hide the resulting sound, he said. “There has been a lot going on.”

“Well, now it is just us.” Luo Binghe motioned to the prison. “Will Shizun finally speak with this disciple properly?”

“Of course.” Shen Yuan stated while not really processing what he was agreeing to.

“This one is honored.” Luo Binghe smiled. A toothy thing. “Now, Shizun, why did you throw me into the Endless Abyss?”

“I—“ Shen Yuan started, but the system began to flash. It wasn’t even like he could come up with a good response even without that stupid thing distracting him. Dang it.

“This disciple is waiting for an answer.” Luo Binghe’s voice was like honey, but even so, the venom was clearly just below the surface.

“Change the subject!’ Shen Qingqiu screamed, which brought Shen Yuan back into the moment.

“This Shizun promises to do better in the future—“

“By what? What can you do better?” Luo Binghe leaned forward, his eyes were dark pools which Shen Yuan was being sucked into.

“You threw me into that pit to die. Why else would you throw a human into such a place?”

“...” Shen Yuan had no response. He really wasn’t ready for any of this.

“Do you have another reason?”

‘The stupid System was the reason!’ Shen Yuan screamed internally.

[ Host always blames this System for everything (˃̣̣̥⌓˂̣̣̥ ) ]

‘For good reason.’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

As all three argued in Shen Yuan’s head, Luo Binghe walked forward and pulled out a cup. “This disciple might not be happy with Shizun’s actions but that does not mean that he wishes harm on Shizun either.”

“...” both Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu had serious doubts about that. Even more so as Luo Binghe pulled out a container and a cup and began to prepare a drink. “Shizun enjoys alcohol, yes? Let this drink help bring us closer together.”

‘Shows what you know! I prefer plum juice over any alcohol.’ Shen Qingqiu sneered.

“I don’t like alcohol.” Seeing an opportunity. Shen Yuan tried to parrot a similar sentiment as Shen Qingqiu had just said in their head. However, Luo Binghe didn’t stop his advance.

“Shizun must be parched. The alcohol will also be able to take off some of the nerves.” Shen Yuan wanted to back away but where was he supposed to go? And even though he tried to keep his mouth shut it was soon forced open and the alcohol poured in his mouth. Shen Yuan wanted to spit it out but he couldn’t even do that! The rim of the cup and, eventually, the liquid made it down his throat. Luo Binghe held the cup firm against Shen Yuan’s lips until it was completely empty and Shen Yuan felt like hurling.

‘There were definitely blood parasites in that drink. Why didn’t you stop Luo Binghe from feeding it to you?’ Shen Qingqiu screamed.

‘YOU DON’T HAVE TO TELL ME THE OBVIOUS! But what was I supposed to do? Bite him to leave me alone? That would just be another way to get his blood into our body!’ This was a mess. In fact, calling it a mess was an understatement.

But before more could happen, Gongyi Xiao rushed in. “Luo Binghe, there is a ruckus at the main entrance. It appears that the palace is under attack.”

“Are you planning to leave my shizun with no guards?” Luo Binghe raised a brow.

“For now, yes.” Gongyi Xiao glanced at Shen Qingqiu. “The entrance will be barred so there will be no way for him to leave. I apologize for the inconvenience but for now the biggest concern is not letting unwanted people in. Not people leaving as Shizun put it. Now please hurry.” Gongyi Xiao rushed out. Leaving Luo Binghe there with Shen Yuan once more. “This has something to do with your fiancé, doesn’t it?”

“…” Shen Yuan didn’t respond, but internally Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu thought the same thing. ‘He isn’t our fiance but, yes.’

Still, Luo Binghe saw the writing on the walls and left but not before saying “I will be back soon, Shizun.”

Finally alone, Shen Yuan flipped over so that the item Airplane had left him was visible.

‘It’s just a knife!’ Shen Yuan groaned. ‘Couldn’t he have given us an artifact?’

‘Most artifacts require qi to activate so they would be useless while we are tied up. However, considering that Airplane knows I carry a knife it might be more of a signal to escape rather than the one he expects us to use. Still, this is only conjecture as we hadn’t been able to complete our planning with him in case we were capt—’ Shen Qingqiu paused. ‘Actually, can you get a closer look at the knife?’

Shen Yuan leaned forward toward the blade and both Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu realized what it was at the same time. ‘It’s the Slicer Knife.’

The slicer knife usually took the appearance of a far more impressive knife when qi was infused in it but at the moment without the qi it looked like a dull, ordinary knife. Shen Qingqiu had collected it from the east some time ago but since he was use to seeing it when it still had qi running through it he almost missed what it was. 

‘When we undue the bonds and get qi flowing into it, the knife can be used to cut through the bars.’ Shen Yuan stated in excitement. ‘Dang this actually was a good gift. Alright, time to work on the bonds then. Hopefully no one will come before then.’

‘For now, don’t worry about that. I doubt that whatever distraction Airplane is using will be easy to deal with. Just focus.’ Shen Qingqiu hummed. ‘I will show you how to position yourself and the knife to break the bonds. First, push the knife against the wall and—’

Shen Qingqiu continued his explanations for a bit longer, and by the time Shen Qingqiu regained control of his body, the first threads of rope were coming undone. ‘You did a great job.’

Shen Yuan snorted. ‘Teamwork makes the dream work.’

Shen Qingqiu smirked and got to breaking the final threads of their bondage. ‘You can still improve, though. Would you like me to explain the rest of the process while I am working? On this?’

‘Do I have a choice?’ Shen Yuan groaned, but it didn’t sound serious.

‘If you let me, I will let you tell me the summary of the latest anime you watched after.’

Shen Yuan let out a laugh. ‘Gods, this is ridiculous. Sure, whatever, go ahead and monologue.’

Shen Qingqiu was about to do just that when he heard a noise that made him stop.

It wasn’t the sound of footsteps, however. It was the sound of  something else.

Shen Qingqiu felt his bonds were loose now. He could finish breaking them, but a knife would not be necessary at this point, so he stopped and instead swiftly repositioned himself so that he could slip the knife into his robes. This meant he didn’t notice the moment when the strange sound turned into footsteps. From where he lay on the ground, he couldn’t see the path to the cell. Or see when the door was opened. He tried his best to elegantly sit himself up against the wall to see the newcomer as the door opened, hiding his torn bindings in the process.

In the entranceway there was a young man. His hair was in a loose braid. His eyes were golden, and his complexion slightly sickly.

‘Do you know this man?’ Shen Qingqiu asked Shen Yuan.

‘No…’

The robes were not of Huan Hua or any other sect either. So who was this person?

Fortunately, the young man appeared to pick up on Shen Qingqiu’s unspoken question. “Apologies for the intrusion. Seeing a strange face here must be off putting but know that I am here to return a favor.” The stranger went into a deep bow.

“Is that so?” Shen Qingqiu raised a brow.

‘Wait!’ Shen Yuan stated. ‘Didn’t Airplane say that he was going to talk to friends to get us some help? Maybe this was one of them.’

Shen Qingqiu looked the newcomer up and down again. Was this really someone that was an ally of Airplane? Or more likely, Mobei-jun? He didn’t look like anyone he could recall from the novel. But Shen Yuan was right. This man did match the words that Airplane had mentioned briefly. And if he was an enemy he would have no reason to be acting so courteous to them.

“This master appreciates your assistance.” Shen Qingqiu finally said.

The young man nodded. “Thank you for your understanding. Now, I apologize for any discomfort, but I will need to put you in my mouth for a little while.”

“You wha—“ Before Shen Qingqiu could finish, the young man had turned into a giant snake and scooped him into his mouth. The action was so fast that Shen Qingqiu didn’t even have time to break his bonds before the snake started to move to who knows where.

‘Well, it doesn’t look like we are being digested.’ Shen Yuan quipped. ‘But dang, this place reeks of dead rats. He should have taken some breathmints before going on a rescue mission using that mouth.’

Shen Qingqiu remained silent. He was trying his best to not get any of the snake’s fluids in his mouth but was failing. Eventually he was able to muster enough concentration to say, ‘I would have never expected to have been rescued by a demon.’

‘Well, I guess our friend group is growing.’

‘It is still strange that Airplane gave us the knife if this demon was coming to assist as well.’ Shen Qingqiu commented.

‘Well we will still need a weapon after we leave here.’ Shen Yuan stated. ‘I mean, there are a lot of ways this could have been easier. Like, if Mobei-jun’s teleportation powers worked in the prisons we wouldn’t have to worry about sneaking through the halls or whatever the snake is doing. Xiu Ya would be the best option for a weapon to protect us. And any of the other artifacts you were carrying when we were captured would have been useful here too. But Huan Hua likely has those under lock and key.’

‘True…’ But still something seemed… Odd. No matter what happened next, Shen Qingqiu knew he needed to make sure that they were ready.

—

When the snake's insides started to move, Shen Qingqiu immediately went to reach for his hidden knife, but the movements soon turned to ones that made it clear that he was being regurgitated, and he eased up his grip, letting himself be tossed in an undignified heap onto the ground.

Shen Qingqiu immediately tried to get to his feet but barely could see through the mess that was his hair in his face.

“Ah, that looks annoying. Here.” A cheerful voice said. Shen Qingqiu, desperate to be able to see properly, grabbed the offered item. The smell and strange texture made Shen Qingqiu realize it was a comb. He brushed back his hair, but even with the comb it was difficult to get his hair to cooperate.

“Hm, yes, snake saliva is quite a hassle. I will have Zhuzhi-lang prepare a bath for Master Shen.”

Shen Qingqiu froze.

Zhuzhi-lang?

‘Fuuuu. The southern demon general? That… doesn’t sound like an alley of Mobei-jun.’ Shen Yuan’s cursing rang loud in Shen Qingqiu’s ears.

Shen Qingqiu tried to stay calm. “If the one that… rescued me is Zhuzhi-lang, then who are you?”

Shen Qingqiu heard a chuckle. The voice was slightly above him, and a moment later there was a hand on his back. “Ah, well, no hard feelings that you don't know who I am. But we will be spending a lot of. time together moving forward, so I recommend getting used to my name. It’s Tianlang-jun.”

[ Congratulations! The hosts have unlocked two new characters. Plus 300 B-points. ]

‘NOW you talk. And thank you for the points. Now use them to get us out of Dodge.’ Shen Yuan snapped.

[ Apologies, this System doesn’t know what that means.( • ᴖ • ｡) ]

‘There is no time for this!’ Shen Qingqiu yelled at the other two in his head. ‘If you can’t help us then what good is the points?’

He already knew there was nothing in the store that could help him so that meant he had to just take things into his own hands. Shen Qingqiu pulled out the knife Airplane had given them. As he poured qi into it, the hilt began to look as though it was covered in gems. Shen Qingqiu swiped the Slicer Knife down on where the demon lord’s hand had been, and even without being able to see, he heard the satisfying thunk of the hand hitting the ground. Shen Qingqiu was internally satisfied. The Slicer Knife cut through bone like butter when infused with qi. But still, it wasn’t enough.

“Oh, that was a bit rude, wasn’t it?” Tianlang-jun didn’t even sound slightly annoyed.

Shen Qingqiu got ready to strike again, but Tianlang-jun pushed a hand against Shen Qingqiu’s chest, and he fell into a pool of water. “I was going to have Zhuzhi-lang warm up the water for you before you took a bath, but it’s quite rude to cut off the hand of your host.”

Now covered in water, the saliva began to come off, making it easier for Shen Qingqiu to take a proper look at the demons before him. 

“Junshang. My apologies; I should have been watching more carefully!” Zhuzhi-lang stated with a bow towards a demon who had his chest half out.

“It’s fine.” Tianlang-jun pressed the hand onto the stump of his arm, and moments later the skin healed around it. “Our friend here made sure that I had quite a well-equipped body for just such an occasion.”

“What are you talking about?” Shen Qingqiu snarled from where he was in the water.

“Ah, well, that mushroom that you left for my nephew. Which, by the way, thank you for doing that. It was infused with your qi which was quite useful! Neither I nor Zhuzhi-lang knew that sun and moon dew mushrooms did not do well with demonic natures unless human qi was infused into the plant.  We only found out after doing some research later about why this body came out even stronger than we had anticipated.”

‘Shen Yuan?” Shen Qingqiu screamed inwardly. ‘What is he talking about?’

‘Fuuuu.’ Shen Yuan would have banged his head against something if he had a body. ‘I saw a creature in the Bailu caves. I had thought I had destroyed the mushroom from the inside before throwing it on the ground. I wanted the creature to stop following Liu Qingge and I. But it sounds like what I threw was a stronger version of the mushroom instead.’

Shen Qingqiu turned his attention back to the two demons. “Am I to assume that you two have no connection with Mobei-jun?”

“Mobei-jun?” Tianlang-jun blinked in surprise. “Sorry, are you a fan of his? Maybe I can capture him so you have a playmate.”

Shen Qingqiu was baffled. This… this wasn’t a scenario that he had ever even considered planning for. This demon was nothing like any he had met before. In strength, most certainly. But even more so when it came to that… personality.

“Please do not worry, Master Shen; you will be safe here. I will look after you for the kindness that you showed me.” Zhuzhi-lang stated.

“You have helped enough already.” Shen Qingqiu waded to the edge of the pool. “I have been freed from the prisons, which is appreciated. Now I shall leave and—“

“Apologies, Master Shen, that will not be possible.” Zhuzhi-lang interrupted.

“And why is that?”

Tianlang-jun took a step forward, offering Shen Qingqiu a hand as he was about to get out of the water. “Because I will be destroying the great sects, so you might get hurt if you go back.”

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes narrowed, but he held himself back. He had already lost his temper once, and these two are an unknown. He couldn’t afford to do that again. “Do you think I will just allow you to do that?” Shen Qingqiu moved forward and took Tianlang-jun’s hand, which made the demon smile. “Who said you have a choice?”

Chapter Text

After being forced to drink Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang’s blood, Shen Qingqiu was brought to Tianlang-jun’s palace. The demon lord, upon their arrival, stated he would head to the kitchens while Zhuzhi-lang was left to take care of the demons’ unwilling guest. Shen Qingqiu was being led up a flight of stairs by Zhuzhi-lang, who said, “This one hopes that Master Shen will find his quarters satisfactory.”

Shen Qingqiu only glared at the demon. Who frowned deeply in response. “This one knows that the situation is far from ideal for Master Shen, but this servant promises that all your needs will be taken care of.”

“Doubtful.” Shen Qingqiu responded, which only made Zhuzhi-lang’s frown deepen.

“From my understanding, the basic needs of a human are the same as most demons, correct? Food, water, sleep, oxygen.”

“You make me sound like a pet.” Shen Qingqiu sneered.

Zhuzhi-lang sighed. “That is not my intention. Apologies, this one is not used to taking care of humans. When Su Xiyan and my lord were together, she would be the one to say what she needed. But it appears Master Shen is not as willing to divulge such information.”

“It’s a bold claim for you to say that Su Xiyan communicated her needs. Did she also communicate to you that she wanted to die?”

Zhuzhi-lang paused in the stairwell. Shen Qingqiu had not expected the demon to halt his steps, so it took him a few steps to stop. Looking at Zhuzhi-lang, Shen Qingqiu saw that the demon’s eyes had darkened. “Master Shen is a smart man. However, that does not mean that you know enough about Lady Su to speak of her.”

Shen Qingqiu bristled. “You think I know less than you?”

Zhuzhi-lang tilted his head to the side, curious. “Did Master Shen know Lady Su?”

“There are documents in Huan Hua about Su Xiyan as well as you and your lord.”

“Ah.” Zhuzhi-lang now looked even more curious. “Did those documents mention where Su Xiyan is?”

Shen Qingqiu was taken aback. “...No, they did not.”

Zhuzhi-lang looked disappointed. “A shame. My lord would like to find her.”

The words sounded almost romantic, but then Zhuzhi-lang added. “She broke Junshang’s heart, and she should pay for that.”

The words were cold and matter-of-fact, but Zhuzhi-lang didn’t seem at all fazed saying such things to his human guest. 

“What if the documents show that she didn’t betray Tianlang-jun?” Shen Qingqiu asked. 

Zhuzhi-lang gave the question some thought before saying,. “It is hard for me to imagine a scenario where a document would be able to change my lord’s mind. Though seeing such documents would be interesting.”

“I have some notes in Qing Jing if I could—”

“Notes? That is not the same as originals. Also, my lord has made it very clear that I am not permitted to retrieve any of your possessions. That includes documents.”

Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth. 

“What happened with Lady Su is unfortunate. Humans always intrigued my lord.” Zhuzhi-lang’s words rang through the empty halls as they continued to walk. “Art, literature, technology. Though humans are not physically strong, they have managed to use their minds to create in ways demons have not been able to.”

“There are many strong cultivators out there that are capable of defeating demons.” Shen Qingqiu countered.

‘Uh, maybe this isn’t the time to remind a demon that wants to destroy the cultivation world about that fact?’ Shen Yuan commented. 

But Zhuzhi-lang didn’t seem angered by the statement. Instead, he said with an even voice. “Master Shen is correct, of course. And similarly, demons can also learn the arts, architecture, and other such subjects. My lord always thought the lines between humans and demons were unnecessary, but when one side hates the other, it doesn’t really matter how much one tries to embrace their ways.”

Shen Qingqiu’s mind wandered to the novel. Though in PIDW the realms were merged, and that was supposed to mean the melding of demon and human cultures, it was messy. And most of Luo Binghe’s harem was divided by the demon and human sides, neither side being able to find a common footing even when united by someone who shared heritage with both races.

‘He did succeed, though.’ Shen Yuan protested. ‘When disputes would come to his courts, he would treat both sides with respect.’

Shen Qingqiu wanted to snap at Shen Yuan about how he was ignoring all the politics that weren’t directly in Luo Binghe’s view, but Shen Qingqiu’s eyes fell on the quarters he had just entered. He had assumed that where he was going to be put would be little better than a prison cell. And yet the room was full of luxurious materials. Although the fabrics did appear to be old, there was no denying the quality.

As Shen Qingqiu continued to examine his new space, Zhuzhi-lang explained. “This was Lady Su’s room when she stayed in the south. The room did not receive much use, however, as she chose to stay in Huan Hua when she could.”

“Did she decorate the place?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

Zhuzhi-lang hummed. “Lady Su was always someone that preferred to teach rather than do herself. She taught several demons how to make a human room. Unfortunately, those architects died during the siege when my lord was captured.”

“...” Shen Qingqiu had never thought much about the losses on the demon side during the sealing of Tianlang-jun. Even in Huan Hua’s documents, the only demons that were referred to by name were Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang. But he had known others had been there as well. 

For a moment, Shen Qingqiu’s mind wandered to Mobei-jun. How he and Shen Yuan had done a not-so-different ambush on the ice demon. How demons died as a result of their actions. But it shouldn’t matter, right?

“My lord had seen those demons as the ones that would shape the demon realm's future, but with all of them dead or unable to find momentum in their work, things were dire when we returned to the realm. As such, we turned to the sowers and—”

“Sowers.” Shen Qingqiu’s blood went cold. “That was you?”

Zhuzhi-lang nodded. “Yes, we were using them to gather food.”

“Why did you do it?” Shen Qingqiu’s eyes turned murderous.

‘Watch it! ‘You can’t win.’ Shen Yuan warned.

Shen Qingqiu knew that. And yet… “You say that you were gathering food. And yet I found bodies in the town.”

Zhuzhi-lang looked apologetic. “Ah, that was an error. Someone should have collected the humans when they were ready.”

“How could—” For the woman to not only die but to have been forgotten even by their killers. That—

But before Shen Qingqiu could do anything, his body became boneless, and he began to crumple to the ground. But before he reached it, Zhuzhi-lang managed to catch him and lifted him into a bridal carry. “Apologies, Master Shen’s body is still fragile after having been tied for so long in the immortal binding cables. You must relax to recover.”

Shen Qingqiu tried to move, but the blood parasites were keeping him in place. The best he could do was glare at the heavenly demon, who didn’t seem at all bothered and instead placed him on the bed as though he were a precious thing.

“Please take a nap. Dinner will be prepared for you later.” With that, Zhuzhi-lang left.

But even though Zhuzhi-lang was gone, the blood parasites still kept him pinned to his place. ‘Just calm down for now.’ Shen Yuan stated.

‘A demon kidnapped us. A demon is preventing us from being able to move. And that same demon is also the reason why half of Jinlan is in their graves.’

‘All true.’ Shen Yuan agreed. ‘But you're a strategist; does fighting the blood parasites right now really seem like the best idea? Come on! You had the sense to hold it together until you could make a plan to save Airplane. You should do the same thing here.’

That made Shen Qingqiu pause. Sure, the situation with Airplane was different, as Airplane himself had asked him to leave when he was found, but that didn’t change the fact that there was something to Shen Yuan’s words. ‘Think smarter. Don’t work harder.’ Shen Yuan added.

If he could, he would be glaring at Shen Yuan. ‘Don’t act as though you're a better strategist than me.’

‘Gods, stop being so petty!’ Shen Yuan snapped. ‘We both know that I usually don’t like doing extra work, but you have consistently made more work for me, so this time you are going to listen to what I have to say before you break your own body.’

‘You’re one to talk. You have so much potential with your position and skills, and yet you let all of that go to waste for years. You should have been putting in extra time. And this is still my body. What I do with it is none of your business.’

‘Just because I am in a position doesn’t mean I have to do anything, but dang it, I did find meaning in it because of my time stuck dealing with the problems you seem to always make. And wasn’t I the one that got a job in my world? If I had a separate body, I would kick you. Sometimes the answer is to just chill for a second.’

‘How am I supposed to “chill” considering the situation?’

‘DANG IT. Just let me help here, A-Jiu. I thought after everything you could lean on me at least a bit more than this.’

Shen Qingqiu finally stopped trying to work against the blood parasites. ‘Fine then, what is it that you have in mind?’

‘We can’t win against these two. Especially since we have their blood parasites in us. But if we can get them to trust us, they may let down their guard more and make an opening for an escape.’

Shen Qingqiu, in spite of the blood parasites, managed to frown. ‘Those two are already not taking us seriously. Did you see how Tianlang-jun wasn’t even fazed when I cut off his arm?’

‘Yes, but I also saw how Zhuzhi-lang immediately went to use the blood parasites on you when you showed your hostility. They know that they have the upper hand, so we need to make it so that even if we are doing something, they don’t use their advantage until it’s too late.’

‘You don’t trust Luo Binghe not to kill us, and yet you think you can convince these two demons that it’s just me?’ Shen Qingqiu countered.

‘They are keeping us here since they don’t want us to die. And so far it doesn’t seem like it’s because they want to cut off our limbs.’

‘But they are demons and—’

‘So is Mobei-jun, and you have gotten chummy with that ice cube.’ Shen Yuan snapped.

Shen Qingqiu wanted to argue. That wasn't true. But… if he didn’t see something in Mobei-jun, would he let him near his friend? Wouldn’t he have kicked him out of his house when he came by?

Of course, Shen Qingqiu couldn't say that to Shen Yuan, however, so all he said was. ‘Well, you will be taking control of the body soon, so do what you want, and if you get us killed, that will be on you.’

Shen Yuan snorted, ‘Let’s try to get the true ending instead of the bad ending, then.’

–

Some time later, Zhuzhi-lang came to collect “Shen Qingqiu” for dinner. However, by that time Shen Yuan had already taken control of the body, so the most Shen Qingqiu could do as Shen Yuan headed to the dining hall was say, ‘Do not mess up.’

Shen Yuan internally rolled his eyes and responded. ‘If I mess up, you will be the first to know.’

Shen Qingqiu let out an involuntary snort at that.

Entering the dining hall, Shen Yuan was met with the sight of a table full of food. All of which looked pretty normal by human standards. Almost completely hidden behind a pile of food was Tianlang-jun, who eyed Shen Yuan with a merry expression. “What do you think of the food?”

“It looks… good.” Shen Yuan responded stiffly. However, the awkward tone seemed to go over Tianlang-jun’s head as he stood up with a pleased expression. “This one hopes the food tastes as good as it looks. The cook, whom I borrowed, had a lovely-smelling kitchen, but since I was in a hurry, I didn’t actually get to try his food.”

Shen Yuan blinked in shock while Shen Qingqiu started to curse. “You… kidnapped him as well?” Shen Yuan asked.

Tianlang-jun hummed. “How could it be considered kidnapping when the man is clearly a grown human? Adultnapping? Maybe, but I plan to return him later, so adultnapping seems like an extreme term. Unfortunately, it has been a long time since anyone in my court has made human food. If I was to make you comfortable, I needed to get some outside help with the meals. Su Xiyan always used to complain about the food I served her until I borrowed someone to teach my court the basics of human meals.”

Tianlang-jun took a bowl of steaming rice and sniffed it. For a moment his gaze became distant. “Those times were long ago.” 

‘Are you sure you want to try to become “friends” with this demon?’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed, but Shen Yuan ignored him and went forward and took a seat. “You could have asked me how to cook instead of resorting to kidnapping.”

“Ah, but Master Shen is our guest. I couldn't do such a thing.”

‘And he thinks that a guest would appreciate kidnapping to feel more comfortable?’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

Shen Yuan ignored Shen Qingqiu’s comment, however, leaned forward and served himself some food. He could do this. He could eat it. And yet as he looked at his plate, bile began to rise in his throat.

“Is something the matter?” Tianlang-jun’s usual grin dropped a bit seeing his guest only staring at his food.

“How did you get all this food?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Hm, when I brought the chef, I also brought his ingredients so he could make what he likes.” 

Shen Yuan felt a bit of relief hearing that, but still, the topic was bothering him, and it wouldn’t be helped if he just ignored it. “Why use the sowers if you could get so much food?”

Tianlang-jun hummed again. “My nephew mentioned that you weren’t happy hearing about our exploits in that town.”

Shen Yuan tried to keep his face neutral, but in his head, Shen Qingqiu was cursing up a storm.

“He also said he didn’t explain everything, which was not a great call.” Tianlang-jun looked over at Zhuzhi-lang. “I really need to teach that boy how to tell a proper story.”

“What do you mean exactly?” Tianlang-jun picked up a plate of food and motioned to Shen Yuan to eat. “Nothing is made of human; I can promise you that. So dig in.”

Shen Yuan, seeing little choice, took a bite of the food in front of him.

… It wasn’t that bad. Better than the slop that they served at Qing Jing at least.

Tianlang-jun looked satisfied. “The southern demon realm has always struggled with food supplies. When I took over the realm, I figured I would take on solving that issue as a side project. As such, with the help of my generals, farms were made where cattle and plants were grown in my realm. It was not a perfect system, but it was enough to keep most demons satisfied. In fact, it also made passing laws about the consumption of human flesh a lot easier. But that was only when the systems were functioning. I didn’t consider how those systems would work if I were gone. I figured I had a good century left before that was a concern, but then I was imprisoned, and without a leader to see these projects continued success, the farms and other infrastructure began to fall apart. By the time I returned after my imprisonment, many demons had left to hunt in the human realm, and those that remained were hungry. If they were lucky, they had at least access to a farm or two, but there was not enough food to feed the entire population. I do plan to restore agriculture here. However, that will take years to reestablish, and the sowers represented a quick solution for the time being.”

“Then why leave bodies to just disintegrate in Jinlan?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Ah.” Tianlang-jun frowned. “The sowers who were still in the southern demon realm were all very young. They had not gone out and prepared humans before. As such, they were neither effective in their food creation process nor good at making sure that they picked up all the food.”

The account of how many humans had died compared to how much food had been delivered to the demon realm led Zhuzhi-lang to go to Jinlan, and that was when he saw you, Master Shen. And, well, it wasn’t safe for you to hang around those cultivators, so my nephew decided to step in.”

“Wasn’t safe?” Shen Yuan repeated. “It wasn’t safe because of you.”

Tianlang-jun let out a cold laugh. “That is true. But in any case, I do not have an interest in hurting normal humans or Master Shen, but at the moment how I can make both possible is very limited by my long absence from my palace. Things will improve over time, but you might have been dead by the time that happened.”

Shen Qingqiu was still cursing in the back of Shen Yuan’s mind. ‘Stop that.’ Shen Yuan finally said to the other,. ‘It is making it hard to concentrate.’

‘Doesn’t this situation bother you? I know that you weren’t there when I arrived in Jinlan, but doesn't it bother you at all how nonchalant this demon is about having killed those humans?’

‘It does, sure, but this demon seems more like a man-child than a demon that actually intends harm to humans. Which is a miracle considering how he is talking about killing cultivators.’

Shen Qingqiu paused for a moment. ‘Come to think of it, it's more like he is reading a script from a play.’ 

‘Or maybe a scholar on humans. That is looking at things from a technical rather than emotional standpoint.’ Shen Yuan reached over and filled his plate with more food. “As a strategist, part of what I do is make sure that things run smoothly. If you are willing, I can speed up the construction of those farms as well as their food production.”

“A-Yuan!” Shen Qingqiu scolded.

“Is that so?” Tianlang-jun asked, lips curling up. “But I assume that it will come at a price.”

Shen Yuan returned the gaze. Not letting his look falter. “You will not kill humans for food.”

“Depends on how fast you can work. Otherwise there will be people that will starve.”

Shen Yuan thought for a moment. “Give me a month, then. Don’t kill a human for a month, and by then you will have crops to feed your people.”

“That, I can agree to.” Tianlang-jun's smile grew. “I look forward to working with you, little cultivator.”

–

“These books are old, but most of the information here should still be relevant.” Tianlang-jun had brought Shen Yuan to his library after dinner. “Though, I must say, I do not see the point of going through all these books. Don’t you already know how to do agriculture?”

“No.” Shen Yuan flipped open the book and began to scan the pages. “And even if I did, right now we are looking for shortcuts.”

Tianlang-jun whistled, and he stretched his body; he was so ridiculously handsome. Shen Yuan couldn’t help but look away.

‘Stop crushing on the enemy!’

‘I am not crushing! I’m just admiring how well the mushroom body came out.’ Shen Yuan retorted back. Something must have shown in Shen Yuan’s face as Tianlang-jun hummed thoughtfully.

“Don’t tell me that you suggested the library just so you could have some alone time with me~”

Shen Yuan sputtered and grabbed the book from Tianlang-jun’s hands. “NO!”

Shen Yuan flipped until he found what he was looking for in the book. “Here!” Tianlang-jun leaned over the table and blinked. “What am I looking at, exactly?”

“It is an artifact that creates cow manure.”

Tianlang-jun cocked his head to the side. “You want an artifact that makes feces? That seems unnecessary considering—”

“We need ways to speed up farm production.” Shen Yuan cut in. “Most plants require vitamin-rich soil, sun, and water. In addition, if we can gather artifacts that can help in providing those things as well as other items that help to push the plants to grow faster, then we will be able to speed up the production at the farms. In addition, there are artifacts that can speed up aging in livestock. If we can gather these kinds of artifacts, you will have the most efficient farm imaginable.”

Shen Yuan handed Tianlang-jun the book. “So, do you think we can get these things?”

Tianlang-jun looked over the page and shrugged. “Simple enough. Though it doesn’t sound as fun as proper farming.”

Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu in unison rolled their eyes at that. “It is about efficiency, not about getting your hands dirty. Now how about you start making plans to collect that artifact while I get info on another one that is useful?”

Tianlang-jun grinned. “I like your enthusiasm. Very well, then.”

Shen Yuan spent most of the night in the library; half of the time was research. And the other half was dealing with the easily distracted demon that was his research partner. By the time it seemed like enough was in motion to keep an entire empire busy, Shen Yuan began to head to bed. In the room, finally, Shen Qingqiu asked. “Don’t you think you’re giving Tianlang-jun too much power here? He is still intending to destroy the cultivation world, and you are giving him the means to have a well-fed army.”

“Yes.” Shen Yuan agreed. ‘For now, though, he is focused on building up his manpower while not harming civilians. Making simple farms does not draw many eyes, but if Tianlang-jun is gathering so many artifacts, someone in the cultivation world is bound to catch on that something is going on with the demons before everything is ready. And, considering Airplane’s knowledge of the world. My money is on him putting it together before anyone else.’

‘That is a gamble.’ Shen Qingqiu warned. 

‘I guess this time I am the one doing the gambling then.’ Shen Yuan snorted. ‘But in any case, if we escape, then we can warn Cang Qiong about what is happening. And each time we go out for an artifact, we will have a better chance of being spotted ourselves.’

‘That includes by Luo Binghe.’ Shen Qingqiu warned.

Shen Yuan nodded at that. ‘Yeah, but it appears the heavenly demon blood of Zhuzhi-lang and Tianlang-jun has managed to make him unable to locate us for now. We can wear a disguise when we go out. Maybe a beard? But in any case, as long as we can’t be visually recognized, we should be fine.’

‘...’ Shen Qingqiu let out a sigh. ‘...You know, your plan makes more sense than I expected.’

‘I had to learn something from our six years of being stuck together.’

Shen Qingqiu went silent for a moment. Before saying, a smirk clear in his voice. ‘A-Yuan, does that mean that you have ACTUALLY been learning?’

Shen Yuan went up to a bronze mirror and poked the reflection and said out loud to the room, “If you’re fishing for a ‘we compliment each other’ comment, it isn’t happening.’

Shen Qingqiu let out a laugh. ‘I would not. Anyways, I will help you moving forward, alright?

‘Yeah.’

‘We can do this.’

–

In the following days, various groups were sent out to gather artifacts. Shen Yuan had convinced Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang to travel with him to find their own set of artifacts. Tianlang-jun, as an offering, let Shen Yuan choose the pens they would gather. In turn, Shen Yuan gave the final decision on where to go to Shen Qinqiu. 

Shen Qingqiu’s route included stops where the group was about to gather various artifacts. Ones that helped in water creation, bowel movements, and duplication of items. Their search brought the group further and further into the human realm. As they traveled, it became more and more clear that a disguise was needed. Especially as they started to run into more and more people who wore Huan Hua robes. Fortunately, one of the stops on the way had an artifact that took care of that. Or at least that was what Shen Qingqiu had thought.

“What is with that beard?” Tianlang-jun laughed in Shen Qingqiu’s face. Shen Qingqiu, for his part, frowned, but the expression was largely covered by the whiskers that covered the lower half of his face. “It is a disguise.”

“Sure, sure.” Tianlang-jun looked far too amused for Shen Qingqiu’s liking. In annoyance, Shen Qingqiu pointed the artifact at Tianlang-jun, and a moment later a beard appeared on his face. Zhuzhi-lang had stepped forward, clearly intending to protect his lord, but at the sight of the beard on Tianlang-jun’s face, the snake demon appeared to be at a loss. After a tense moment, Tianlang-jun broke into laughter. “Oh, I see now. This beard makes me feel so much wiser. Is that why my friend has chosen to wear a beard?”

Shen Qingqiu froze. “Friend?”

Tianlang-jun put an arm around Shen Qingqiu’s shoulder. “Well, if he ran his hand through his beard. “If you don’t like the title of friend, I will happily help you get the title of nephew-in-law.” With that, he gave a wink to Zhuzhi-lang, who looked ready to melt into the ground at his uncle's antics.

Shen Qingqiu, however, just pushed off the demon. His ears were red as he walked forward, trying to ignore the playful taunts Tianlang-jun was throwing behind him. 

‘Dang, Tianlang-jun is a shipper.’ Shen Yuan groaned. 

‘Why ship us with his nephew? He knows we are human.’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed.

‘That didn’t stop Tianlang-jun from getting with Luo Binghe’s mom. It doesn’t stop Mobei-jun and Airplane having their weird relationship. These aren’t demons that particularly care about the traditional divide between humans and demons. And as Luo Binghe builds his harem, that will become even less important.’

Luo Binghe had tried to make humans and demons live together in the novel, but forcing families, competition, and other things onto them meant that their relations were doomed from the start of his reign. 

‘Also, you're gay, right?’ Shen Yuan’s voice changed to one that spoke of danger. ‘And Zhuzhi-lang is half snake demon, so if you did get together with him, maybe you would get to experience what it's like having two—’

Thunk.

“Is Master Shen alright?” Zhuzhi-lang rushed forward to help Shen Qingqiu, who had just run into a tree.

“I am fine.” Shen Qingqiu said to Zhuzhi-lang while Shen Yuan began to laugh in their head.

‘Might I remind you that we are sharing this body?’ Shen Qingqiu hissed to Shen Yuan. ‘And if I had sex with Zhuzhi-lang, you would also have to deal with whatever is between the snake demon’s legs.’

That, finally, got Shen Yuan to stop laughing. Even as he did so, Zhuzhi-lang kept looking over Shen Qingqiu as though he were a mother hen. “I said I am fine.” Shen Qingqiu snapped. 

“Ah, apologies.” Zhuzhi-lang took a step back. And, with a huff, Shen Qingqiu started walking again. Even as his ears picked up Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang having a ridiculous conversation right behind him.

“Good job, Zhuzhi-lang! You got to touch your ice princess. During dinner maybe you can try to feed him by hand. If you're lucky, maybe he will hit you.”

“J-Junshang!’ Zhuzhi-lang’s voice sounded like an anime schoolgirl with how high it got at his uncle’s teasing.

“...” These two demons were going to kill Shen Qingqiu at this rate. 

Shen Yuan, who was the one who was going to have to deal with Zhuzhi-lang trying to hand-feed him, let out a groan. Trying to distract himself from the conversation, Shen Yuan asked. ‘So, what is your type exactly?’

Shen Qingqiu nearly tripped. ‘What?’

‘Airplane said that he isn’t your type. And I’m guessing Zhuzhi-lang isn’t your type either. So what is your type?’

‘Idiots.’ Shen Qingqiu scoffed. ‘But not the kind those two are.’

‘What?’ Shen Yuan was taken aback, but instead of responding, Shen Qingqiu changed topics.

‘Tianlang-jun called me their friend.’

‘Yeah.’ Shen Yuan agreed. 'He seems the sort to call anyone a friend, to be honest.’

Shen Qingqiu’s steps slowed. Even without words, Shen Yuan picked up on the change of atmosphere. ‘That doesn’t change that he is our friend if we let him be. Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang are weird, but they are not mustache-twirling villains that are calling us friends to stab us in the back. If they wanted us dead, they could have killed us long ago, and, apparently, they are also thinking of courtship with us, which is… a choice.’

‘Yeah…’

‘It was a dumb thing to say. The demon doesn’t even know us.’ Shen Qingqiu scratched the back of his head. ‘And yet there is no hint of deception.’

‘Are you able to continue with this plan?’ Shen Yuan asked.

‘Surprisingly, I think I can. But if anything goes wrong, I blame you.’

‘Figures.’

–

The trio had just gathered an artifact from inside a magic rock (it is a long story). Tianlang-jun scrubbed the beard that he still hadn't cut off thoughtfully. “Well, that was fun. Should we make camp? I also wouldn’t say no to stopping by a town with our brilliant disguises. Maybe we can get a nice book or a drink.”

It wasn’t the first time that the group had gone into a town during their journey, but Shen Qingqiu gave the demon a look that made Tianlang-jun pause his brushing of his beard. “Oh? Does my little friend have something in mind?”

Heat rose in Shen Qingqiu’s cheeks, but he said,. “We won’t be going into town for tea or books. But for something more important.”

Tianlang-jun looked confused. While Zhuzhi-lang looked curious. But then something clicked in Zhuzhi-lang’s eyes. “Ah…” 

Tianlang-jun, however, still looked confused as Shen Qingqiu prepared to push ahead following his map. “Where are we going, exactly?”

Tianlang-jun asked his nephew, who followed behind Shen Qingqiu, carefully matching each of the cultivator’s steps.

“Jinlan.” Shen Qingqiu stated.

–

Some time later. Shen Qingqiu stood in front of the makeshift graves he had made for the brothel women of Jinlan. To either side of him were Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang.

The group had spoken on their way there, so it only took a small nudge to get Zhuzhi-lang to start speaking at the graves. “This one is Zhuzhi-lang. It was not my intention to have made your deaths pointless—” Shen Qingqiu shot Zhuzhi-lang a look, and he went quiet.

“What my nephew meant was that we meant to feed you all to our subordinates so that they would be strong and—”

Shen Qingqiu threw another look at Tianlang-jun, who also went quiet. Even with time to practice, these two were hopeless. Ugh, was this why Yue Qingyuan didn’t explain himself? Some people are terrible with words.

Zhuzhi-lang, fortunately, collected his words and made an improved attempt. “This one apologizes for causing your deaths. It doesn’t change the fact that you’re dead, but know that Master Shen is helping develop ways so others don’t meet a similar end.’

Tianlang-jun, for his part, took out a few jars of alcohol and put it on each grave. “These are some of the best the human realm has to offer. I will come by with some more again in a few months. But until then, know that we will take care of your little human friend in your stead.”

Shen Qingqiu gave Tianlang-jun a look as he drank a cup of wine in honor at the grave. “Who said that he knew these women?”

‘Well, with the fuss that you’re making about people you don’t even know…’

Shen Qingqiu bit his lip. As he watched everyone act as though he was friends with the people in the graves. This was only made worse by Shen Yuan’s voice saying.

‘For a scum villain, you really do like making graves for people, don’t you? It’s kind of a nice guy thing, isn’t it?’

‘Don’t read so far into it.’ Shen Qingqiu snapped at Shen Yuan before returning his attention to the graves. “These fools deserve punishment for what they did; however, there is more that they can do with themselves to prevent future tragedies.”

Tianlang-jun put his hand to his heart as though Shen Qingqiu had said a revelation. Ignoring the fool, Shen Qingqiu continued. “We cannot bring you back from the dead; however, we can make sure that your deaths have meaning, and that is what we will strive to do.”

As the two demons and the humans looked over the graves, they didn’t notice the eyes that were watching them and how, after they left, someone left to collect an award for having spotted the missing cultivator.

Chapter Text

That evening, the group stayed in an inn in a neighboring town. The building was tall and had a tower that had a good view of the surrounding area. Shen Yuan stood at the top of the tower alone. With his demon companions presumably either on the lower floors or creating their usual ruckus in town. It was already dark but there was still the sight of lights moving below which drew Shen Yuan’s eyes like a moth to a flame.

‘God, those two are tiring. I feel like sleeping for a year from dealing with them’. Shen Yuan whined.

‘You and me both.’ Shen Qingqiu sighed. ‘Even if they haven’t harmed us physically, my eardrums might never recover from all the nonsense that Tianlang-jun sprouts out. It would have been easier for us if we were trapped in my world than here.’

‘But it would be worse to leave Cang Qiong unprotected from Tianlang-jun.’ Shen Qingqiu stated.

‘True.’ Shen Yuan agreed. ‘There is also the mushroom body here.’

‘Which isn’t ready yet.’ Shen Qingqiu sighed. ‘Which means if we utilize it, we wouldn’t be able to give the needed information to Cang Qiong.’

‘Yeah.’ Shen Yuan hummed. ‘And even if it was, the point of the body was to be able to stay away from Luo Binghe. That will be hard to do if we are trying to protect Cang Qiong from Tianlang-jun while in it.’

‘Indeed.’ Shen Qingqiu sighed. ‘Tianlang-jun has given us a month to set up the farms, but it's doubtful that we will meet that deadline. Even if we make it halfway, it might not be enough for the demon lord, and it doesn’t change his plans to destroy the cultivation world anyways.’

‘At least it has kept him too busy to make any more plans related to that horrifying idea.’ Shen Yuan rubbed his forehead. ‘But yeah, hopefully Airplane or someone else with a teleporting ice cube will come to get us.’

Just then, as though on cue, a portal opened, and out walked…

Luo Binghe.

“Found you, Shizun.” Luo Binghe walked towards Shen Yuan with a smile on his face. “It took a long time but that visit to the graves gave you away.” Luo Binghe’s eyes were almost completely hidden in the darkness of the night. Only adding to the half-demon’s intimidating aura.

“Does it look like I was trying to escape?” Shen Yuan’s words, however, were made less convincing with how he pressed himself against the wall.

Luo Binghe took a slow step forward. A predator eyeing his prey, he asked. “Shizun, you haven’t told me yet, why did you throw me into the Abyss?”

Shen Yuan didn’t have a good explanation, dang it. It’s not like he could say, “Whoops! My hand slipped, and I dropped my bundle of Binghe!”

“I’m sorry.” Shen Yuan finally managed to say. For a second, Luo Binghe’s eyes flickered.

“For what, Shizun?”

Shen Yuan was stumped. The words had slipped out, but what was the follow-up supposed to be? Dang it! He was supposed to have two more years to figure this out!

‘How are you making the same mistakes as Qi-ge at a time like this!’ Shen Qingqiu snapped. ‘You were better off just not saying anything.’

But… Luo Binghe deserved something. Anything.

Fortunately, at that moment, another portal appeared, and out walked Mobei-jun and Airplane. Mobei-jun took one look at Shen Yuan and how Luo Binghe was standing uncomfortably close to him and let out a growl and threw an ice blast at Luo Binghe. Who dodged the attack? Leaving a large dent in the wall.

“It’s been a while.” Luo Binghe snarled as he took out Xin Mo.

A strong aura was now coming off of Luo Binghe, but… it still wasn’t demonic. Wait, did Luo Binghe solo the Abyss without awakening his demon powers? That’s not possible, right? He couldn’t have such good use of Xin Mo if that was the case.

Shen Yuan’s thoughts were interrupted by the volley of attacks that were being thrown by Mobei-jun and Luo Binghe. The tower was so small it was like playing tag in a living room with how much space they had to maneuver. 

‘Binghe would KO Mobei-jun in one shot if he used his demon powers.’ Shen Yuan bemoaned to himself. Unfortunately, "bemoaning to yourself” is a lot harder when you have multiple entities sharing the same headspace as you.

‘That’s a good thing then. A reminder: even if Luo Binghe is your favorite “character,” we can’t have him winning for OUR survival’. 

‘Yes, well—’

“Baobei!” Shen Yuan jolted back to attention in time to see a fire attack was heading his way. Before he could move, he was knocked to the ground by Airplane. “Be careful. Don’t go and die after my king and I risked our lives trying to find you. Do you realize how close Luo Binghe came multiple times to finding out we were tracking him? Not only that, but you would be dead by now if I hadn’t managed to put a tracker on Luo Binghe to follow his movements.”

“‘You?’ More like Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu in the back seat.” Shen Yuan whispered in response. 

Airplane’s eyes went wide. “Wait, you’re stuck—”

“Stay away from my fiancé!” Looking up, the two humans saw that Mobei-jun had made the largest ice attack he had yet and tossed it toward Luo Binghe. It was so large that the best that Luo Binghe was able to do was create a shield with a talisman, and BOOM! The wall of the tower broke on impact, and soon both Luo Binghe and half the wall were tumbling towards the ground below.

Mobei-jun came forward, clearly waiting for instructions, and Shen Yuan quickly said, “My bamboo house. NOW.”

Mobei-jun nodded and opened a new portal. Airplane and Shen Yuan were about to step into the portal when a snake tied itself around Airplane’s feet, and he fell backwards to the ground. At the same moment, Shen Yuan’s body went stiff. Dang it! The blood parasites.

“Apologies for this.” The group turned to see that Zhuzhi-lang had arrived. “I cannot allow any of you to leave.”

However, Mobei-jun picked up Shen Yuan by the scruff and tossed him through the portal. As he did so, Airplane called. “We will be alright. Just—” The words, however, were cut off. It was only when the portal closed that the effect of Zhuzhi-lang’s blood parasites dispersed.

Shen Yuan didn’t have time to be stunned by what transpired and instead went and grabbed a qiankun bag and went to a shelf and began to fill it with documents as well as what Shen Yuan, Shen Qingqiu, and Shang Qinghua had managed to gather about Huan Hua. It was, however, only a matter of minutes until the door was banged open and a group of cultivators in Huan Hua robes burst in.

“Did you think this place hadn’t been alarmed?” A man with a blotchy face sneered. Shen Yuan just shrugged and tossed an item from his bag. It immediately expanded and turned into a puddle under the cultivators’ feet. They tried to walk toward Shen Yuan but instead their feet got stuck to the ground. “What is this?” One of the cultivators barked.

“Stinkysti.” Shen Yuan smirked. He was about to pull another item from his bag, but before he could, the cultivators were knocked out by a pair of newcomers.

“Qi-ge? Liu-shidi?” Indeed, the two peak lords had arrived. Both were wearing mirroring concerned expressions. “This is not a safe place to be.” Yue Qingyuan stated “Everyone suspected you would come here.”

“I needed these.” Shen Qingqiu showed the last documents he was putting into his bag. “I found out who sent the sower demons. They are also the ones that freed me from the Water Prison.”

Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge both looked confused by this. “Who—“

“It was Zhuzhi-lang.”

Yue Qingyuan’s face became dark. “That was not a name I expected to hear again.”

“And the next one I bet you didn’t expect either. Tianlang-jun. He and Zhuzhi-lang are back and on the move.”

Liu Qingge pulled out his sword as though to fight the demons then and there. “Where are they?”

“A town near Jinlan.” Shen Yuan went and pulled out another bag from his desk and tossed it to Liu Qingge. “Inside are artifacts that will make the protections around the sect impenetrable. In the An Ding warehouse there is a blue bag similar to this one with artifacts that will help keep us supplied if we end up in a siege.”

“A siege?” Yue Qingyuan looked flummoxed. “Why would—”

“We can talk more about this as we head to An Ding.” Shen Yuan motioned for the group to get going, with Shen Yuan only sparing the briefest of glances to the cultivators that were unconscious on the floor. Ah, they hadn't been able to gather any mind-wiping artifacts yet, but they would have to prioritize that when things settled down, wouldn't they? Well, in the meantime, they can just sleep while the world is in danger.

However, the group only took a few steps outside the bamboo house before Wei Qingwei and Qi Qingqi landed on the ground in front of them.

‘Just what we need.’ Shen Qingqiu grumbled. ‘We will have to force our way—’

However, both Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu noticed something interesting in the two peak lord’s expressions. Both of them looked between Shen Qingqiu and the two Huan Hua disciples that were unconscious until finally, Qi Qingqi said, “Do I even want to know what happened in there?”

“Look, I know that it doesn’t look great that I vanished from a prison only to then show up and then trapped people in stinkysti but right now there are far more pressing issues than whatever you two feel about me.”

Qi Qingqi and Wei Qingwei exchanged a look. “Even with the speech being mediocre at best we still intend to help out. Now, what do you want us to do with these Huan Hua defenders?”

Shen Yuan looked blankly at the two peak lords which had given Shen Qingqiu the hardest time. “You’re going to help?”

Qi Qingqi shrugged. “Well, it's not like Yue-shixiong or Liu-shixiong are going to let you be captured so the whole sect has skin in the game.” Turning around, Shen Yuan saw Liu Qingge nodding in agreement at the statement while Yue Qingyuan gave a smile that looked ready to be used for murder if “Qingqiu” was threatened in the slightest.

Well… yeah, no way these two could face off against these two.

“Also, you have been more tolerable as of late now that you're engaged.” Wei Qingwei stated.

Shen Yuan’s eyebrow twitched.

“And Shang-shixiong has been worried sick about you. So for his sake, we have to make sure that you are safe.”

‘How are we even supposed to respond to that?’ Shen Qingqiu asked in bafflement.

[ Do the Hosts want suggestions? ]

‘NO.’ Both Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu yelled at the same time internally.

What Shen Yuan managed to say outloud, however, was “Alright, how about you two hate taking care of those Huan Hua folks?”

–

“Tianlang-jun has other things on his mind besides laying siege to Cang Qiong.” Shen Qingqiu admitted when he, Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge got to Airplane’s house. It was dawn now and as such, Shen Qingqiu was back in control of the body. “But we can’t be guaranteed he won’t try to come here.” Plus there was the matter of Luo Binghe as well. But for now, the artifacts that would be used to protect the sect would be enough to keep Luo Binghe away. Though since teleportation would no longer work in Cang Qiong with the protections, it would be harder for Airplane and Mobei-jun to return…

‘As much as I don’t like leaving them where they are, Airplane had time to prepare for the escape and likely brought at least some artifacts to keep himself safe.’ Shen Qingqiu stated.

‘It also sounded like he wanted us to not go back for him.’ Shen Yuan sighed. ‘He better not be trying to do a superhero sacrifice. That kind of character doesn’t suit him.’ Tension was in the air because of a variety of factors. Airplane was in danger. But this time, traditional reinforcements were not what they needed.

Shen Qingqiu turned to Yue Qingyuan. “You were at the battle where Tianlang-jun was sealed.”

“Yes…” Yue Qingyuan nodded.

“Then I want to get your account of what happened before I leave.” With that, Shen Yuan grabbed the vision seal that was on Airplane’s desk. “Let's start from the beginning.”

—

To get everything all set with the interview recorded and the protections setup it took hours and it was once again becoming dark and so, Shen Yuan took over. He was currently holding onto Liu Qingge. Without Xiu Ya and Without a Cure in the background, it wouldn’t be smart to get a practice sword to fly.

The two flew in silence for some time. To both Shens' surprise, it was Liu Qingge who broke the silence. “What is your plan?”

“There are original documents that I want to get from Huan Hua related to Su Xiyan and Tianlang-jun. As much as I want to believe that the notes that I have from when I was on guard duty in Huan Hua will be enough to get him to leave us alone, I doubt it is enough in itself to convince the demon. But combining what Tianlang-jun said with what I saw in the reports, it is clear that Huan Hua betrayed everyone. Su Xiyan, the southern demons, and the cultivation world.”

“You knew all this, but you didn’t say anything earlier?” Liu Qingge snapped.

“It was a fact that I figured I would use later.” Shen Yuan stated. What he didn’t mention was that if Luo Binghe tied himself heavily to Huan Hua and then the whole place had their reputation pummeled to the ground, it would be difficult for Luo Binghe to come out unscathed. It was a card intended to be used later, but now—

“Things have changed, though, and we need the information now.”

Liu Qingge turned his head around and looked at Shen Yuan up and down. “Are you stable enough for this?”

Shen Yuan’s face went blank. “What do you mean?”

“You are changing more again.”

Shen Yuan took a moment to understand. But when he did, it clicked for both Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan at the same time.

“If you change and the time—”

“It will be fine.” Shen Yuan cut in. “I have it under control.”

Shen Qingqiu let out a swear. ‘Who would have thought that the brute of all people would put together what is happening?’

[ What are the hosts talking about? ]

Neither Shen Yuan nor Shen Qingqiu responded to the System. Though Shen Yuan tried to furrow his brow a bit just to look a bit more like Shen Qingqiu. Even if the cat was out of the bag with Liu Qingge, he couldn’t get rid of the instinct to hide the truth of the bodyswap from his favorite shidi. Fortunately, the now awkward silence between Shen Yuan and Liu Qingge was broken when Shen Yuan realized where they were.

“Left.” Shen Yuan told Liu Qingge, who in turn turned his head. “Huan Hua is straight ahead.”

“And if we go to their doorstep, we will be captured. So go left.”

Liu Qingge grunted and turned from above. Shen Yuan scanned the treetops until seeing an opening. “There.”

Liu Qingge obediently landed. Shen Yuan hopped off and began to scan the area. ‘Where is it?’ Shen Qingqiu asked Shen Yuan.

‘It should be next to the second rock.’

Shen Yuan saw the spot and began to walk over to it. ‘How do you remember this sort of thing?’ Shen Qingqiu asked.

‘It was important in Wife 82’s plot.’

‘Figures.’ Shen Yuan was about to touch the space between the rocks when, woom!

Shen Yuan jumped back. In front of both him and Liu Qingge was Luo Binghe. Liu Qingge immediately went to step in between Shen Yuan and the newcomer, but Luo Binghe, with a burst of speed, threw the first strike at Liu Qingge and began to exchange blows. But Shen Yuan stepped in. “Hold on, what is behind that rock is of interest to you as well, Disciple Luo.” 

Luo Binghe paused in his movements. “Shizun abandoned me. Shizun ran away from me. Why should “I—”

Liu Qingge threw another strike that Luo Binghe parried.

“I said stop. That includes you, shidi.” Liu Qingge threw a glare but paused.

“The person that kidnapped me from the water prison has connections to you.”

Shen Yuan noticed the confused face of Liu Qingge, but he really didn’t have a choice right now but to say his next words. “They are your blood, and Huan Hua has hid much from them as well as you.” Shen Qingqiu reached into his bag and pulled out a paper. “This document has details about your mother which I gathered from Huan Hua.”

Luo Binghe stepped forward and took the offered document but didn’t even glance at what it said. “My only mother was the old washerwoman.”

“The woman that birthed you, then. I promise you that she did not just abandon you. No matter what you think about your father.”

Luo Binghe’s eyes flickered for a second. “How am I supposed to believe you after everything?”

“You don’t need to.” Shen Yuan stood tall. “You just need to be curious enough to follow me.”

“Wait, Shizun, does that mean you already know—”

Shen Qingqiu took one step backwards, and with that, he disappeared. The next place he was in was dimly lit. There was enough light, however, that Shen Qingqiu was able to walk forwards with confidence to give space for the two people that he was certain would be following him in a few moments. Sure enough, Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge appeared almost immediately.

Shen Qingqiu waited for Luo Binghe to continue his question from a few moments before. However, instead he asked. “What is this?” 

“It’s a secret entrance for Huan Hua. Shen Yuan explained. “It has a series of distance-shortening arrays built in so that the distance is, well… shorten.”

“This is Zhao Hua Monastery's territory. How can this be here?” Liu Qingge asked, basically punching the wall experimentally, which Shen Yuan tutted.

“They don’t know. No one outside of Huan Hua is supposed to know, and that is why this is the perfect way to get in. No one will be watching this place.”

‘…Hm… Be careful how much more you say because—’

“So this is how Mobei-jun escaped? He used this tunnel. How convenient, then, that Shizun knew of this place.” Luo Binghe said slowly.

‘Too late.’

Shen Yuan just remained silent and prepared a night pearl. But now, Liu Qingge was making a ruckus.

“Shen-shixiong would never associate himself with a demon. He is the one that had Mobei-jun captured.”

Shen Yuan didn’t need to turn around to know that Luo Binghe was staring daggers at him. “And yet, I heard Mobei-jun call you their fiancé.” 

“No.” Liu Qingge snorted. “Shen-shixiong is engaged to Shang-shixiong.”

“...” Somehow, Ah, Shidi! Thank you for the save, but that is also wrong. But Shen Yuan couldn’t say that out loud.

“Mobei-jun clearly said fiancé, though.” Luo Binghe growled.

Nope! Shen Yuan was definitely not responding to that one.

“If you talked to Mobei-jun, you know where he is.” Liu Qingge snapped at Luo Binghe. “Go catch him.”

“Later.” Luo Binghe responded. But as he spoke, he didn’t even bother looking at Liu Qingge. Only looking at Shen Yuan. “After we finish here. And after I understand what Shizun actually hates. For example, what do you think about demons?”

‘We are walking through a dark tunnel. Is this really the right time for these kinds of questions?’

Liu Qingge seemed to think the same thing. “Less talking. More walking.”

But Liu Qingge was ignored. “But even if Shizun likes demons, maybe there are other type of people Shizun hates, and the question then becomes, why?”

“Stop asking questions.” Liu Qingge now looked like he was about to attack Luo Binghe.

[ The protagonist's anger points are now at 50. ]

“I don’t hate anyone.” Shen Yuan tried.

[ Anger points are now at 60. ]

‘Maybe just keep your mouth shut, A-Yuan.’ Shen Qingqiu sighed.

… Shen Yuan couldn’t help but agree on that.

“Let's be quiet so we can focus on the mission.” 

[ Anger points are now at 65. ]

For the love of Gods!

Fortunately, quiet did reign after that. The group headed deeper into the tunnels. Without another fight, though, Shen Yuan could feel Luo Binghe’s gaze on his back like a scolding iron the whole time.

Though the walk felt long, it was more out of impatience rather than actual distance. Just as the group was about to get through the exit…

“Look out.” Shen Yuan jumped backwards and pushed the other two to the ground. Above them there was the sound of something cracking and then a crash. Looking toward the way they had just come, the ceiling was now collapsed. Turning back once more, the group saw that the Old Palace Master and two hall masters were standing there.

In the darkness, the Old Palace Master’s eyes first fell on Shen Yuan, but then he looked at the people behind him. “Luo Binghe.” He said with surprise. “What are you doing here?”

Luo Binghe grabbed Shen Yuan’s wrists and held them tight. At the same moment, Shen Yuan felt his jaw lock shut. Ah, Luo Binghe was starting to show his hand with the blood parasites. But still, the action was subtle enough that if Shen Yuan didn’t know about Luo Binghe’s ability, he wouldn’t have known what was happening.

 Liu Qingge tried to approach, but Shen Yuan managed the smallest of headshakes, so he backed down. Though he was clearly ready to strike at any moment

Luo Binghe said into the silence. “My shizun told me that there was something he wished for me to see in Huan Hua, so I came.”

“Is that so?” The Old Palace Master nodded to the two hallmasters, who seemed to relax. Turning back to Luo Binghe, the Old Palace Master said.

“Whatever possible secrets that Master Shen has promised are behind the walls of Huan Hua, I can promise you that I would be a far better guide for you to see them than an outsider.”

The old palace master motioned to Shen Yuan. “I imagine that what he wishes to show you would be related to your mother. Is that right, Master Shen?

Luo Binghe relaxed the control of the blood parasites at that moment on his jaw. just enough for Shen Yuan to be able to respond with a yes.”

“Good, good. It would be nice for Disciple Luo to become familiar with his family. However…” The old palace master frowned. “Disciple Luo deserves someone far better than you, Master Shen, to provide guidance.”

Right then, Shen Qingqiu suggested something for Shen Yuan to say, so he repeated it. “If you're so certain about what you have to show, how about you prove it?”

The old palace master smiled. “Simple enough. Disciple Luo, come with—”

“Shizun will join as well.” Luo Binghe cut in as he tightened his grip on Shen Yuan’s wrists.

The old palace master smiled. “Very well then, but the War God must stay here.”

Liu Qingge now pulled out his sword, but Shen Yuan cut in. “Shidi, it is better for you to stay as a guest and play nice.”

Liu Qingge opened his mouth to argue, but seeing Shen Yuan’s expression, he relented.

The Old Palace Master motioned for Shen Yuan to follow, which he did. But mid-step, as the group headed deeper into Huan Hua Shen, Qingqiu regained control of the body.

‘Can you handle this?’ Shen Yuan asked from inside.

‘It’s not like I have a choice.

Shen Qingqiu responded. Even as he said that, Shen Qingqiu eyed the Old Palace Master warily. How was the man so confident that the truth wouldn’t result in Luo Binghe rejecting him?

But eventually it clicked.

The group was not heading to the library or any other part of Huan Hua that Shen Qingqiu had seen before.

“What is this place?” Shen Qingqiu asked as the group settled into the unfamiliar room. As soon as the words escaped his mouth, a cough also escaped his throat. This room was different from the others; the air was heavy. Suffocating in a way that made it so that Shen Qingqiu felt he needed to take deep breaths to keep his oxygen levels stable. And yet, it seemed like Luo Binghe and the Old Palace Master were alright? Something was wrong… very wrong. Had a trap been triggered in the room? Huan Hua was known for being full of such things.

‘True but this room. It wasn’t in the novel.’ Shen Yuan cut in. ‘So if it is booby trapped I don’t know with what.’

“My private library.” The Old Palace Master explained in response to Shen Qingqiu’s question. The man went to a shelf and pulled out a book. “Disciple Luo, you can let go of your shizun while you read this. I am more than capable of keeping an eye on him.”

The old palace master took Shen Qingqiu by the shoulder. It felt gross and invasive. Luo Binghe gave the Old Palace Master a look, and a moment later the man let go of Shen Qingqiu. But something was off. But… Shen Qingqiu couldn’t figure out what.

Luo Binghe flipped through the book, and his eyes became more and more surprised. “This is Su Xiyan’s journal from when she was in the sect?”

“The first of many.” The Old Palace Master motioned to the whole shelf. ‘After her death I compiled her journals as well as other material that she wrote. They are all yours if you wish. Through them you can learn about your mother and see the love that she had for Huan Hua.

“Do any of these books talk about Su Xian’s time with Tianlang-jun?” Shen Qingqiu asked.

Luo Binghe looked up in surprise. “Tianlang-jun? Why is Shizun bringing him up?”

“Why indeed.” The Old Palace Master held back a smile.

Shen Qingqiu felt a chill go down his spine. As Luo Binghe looked at him. “Shizun knows more than he is saying.”

[ The protagonist's anger points are now at 100. ]

Not good…

A deafening silence filled the area. The Old Palace Master went back to the shelf and pulled out several envelopes. These he also handed to Luo Binghe.

“If you are wondering, Disciple Luo, Tianlang-jun is your biological father.”

Luo Binghe took a long breath. “Your point?” Luo Binghe questioned.

“Dear boy, your mother loved this place. She loved the people. Everything. But her ability to love was too much for even her, and eventually she found herself in bed with the demon that would end up destroying her.”

“That’s not true.” Shen Qingqiu reached for his bag, but…

…It was gone.

Earlier, did the Old Palace Master take it? Shen Qingqiu looked at the old man, who looked at him curiously. “Do you have any evidence for his claim?”

… And even worse was the expression that Luo Binghe was making. “Is Shizun saying Tianlang-jun is not my biological father?”

“No.” Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth.

“No, he is not his father, or no, you're not denying the fact?” The Old Palace Master asked. He seemed almost bored as he asked the question. 

‘Poison! There is something in the air.’ Shen Yuan basically yelled.

Shen Qingqiu bit back a noise. Shen Yuan was right. This… this felt like a poison. The Old Palace Master must have something to keep himself unaffected. But why was Luo Binghe not acting off either?

‘His demon blood. Maybe it’s specific to humans.’ Shen Yuan offered.

That would explain it. But then what were they supposed to do? At this rate the poison would kill them. Or, at least, resuscitate them.

‘A-Yuan, focus on figuring out what the poison is. In the meantime I will deal with talking. Feel free to nag System for answers as well.’

‘Will you be okay?’

“Well, are you going to answer the question?” The Old Palace Master asked. It had only been a brief moment that Shen Qingqiu had been silent, but it was clear that both Luo Binghe and the Old Palace Master had lost all sense of patience to wait for Shen Qingqiu.

“No, I do not deny that Tianlang-jun is Luo Binghe’s father.” Shen Qingqiu’s voice rang throughout the room.

“If you believed that, then why didn’t you ever tell me?” Luo Binghe’s face looked hurt in a way Shen Qingqiu had never seen before.

“The demon admitted to being your father.” Shen Qingqiu gritted out. 

At those words, satisfyingly, the Old Palace Master became paler, but still he managed to say, “See, what I say is true.”

Shen Qingqiu gritted his teeth. “Old Palace Master, in your possession you have the evidence of your own words being faulty. Tianlang-jun is an annoying pest, but he deserves more than just being painted as the villain of his and Su Xiyan’s relationship. Show Luo Binghe a single one of the reports about the attack at Bailu and show how you talked about Su Xiyan and Tianlang-jun.”

“I do have some of those here, actually.”

The Old Palace Master picked them from the shelves and offered a stack to both Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe.

In the documents it was clear that there was a begrudging nature to attacking Tianlang-jun from Huan Hua.

Quite different from the documents Shen Qingqiu had gathered earlier from the palace. But then Shen Qingqiu realized these were the official correspondences sent outside of the sect. Even if they were real, they were meant to convince outsiders of Huan Hua’s cause. But without any documents to contrast these ones, Shen Qingqiu’s words would only sound like excuses.

“Understand, I myself have put out a welcoming hand toward demons, but I always have been harmed in my efforts.” The Old Palace Master was now looking at Luo Binghe. “My boy, do not think that applies to you, however. You are your mother’s son. You are well-behaved and gentle, just like she was.”

“That doesn’t change the fact that he is half demon!” Shen Qingqiu took a step forward, trying to hold himself straight even as the world seemed to start to tilt.

“Is that so? Are you judging your disciple then because he is half demon? Ah, of course you must have known if you were aware of Tianlang-jun being his biological father? Is that why you treated him so? While Disciple Luo stayed at Huan Hua do you know the kind of expressions he would make when talking about you? Though he never went into details it was clear that you made him suffer.” 

With those words, Luo Binghe’s eyes became darker and darker.

[ The protagonist's anger points are now at 150. ]

“Shizun was willing to treat full demons better than he treated me.” The words were cool and full of venom. “And—“

“Ah, this was a really annoying show to watch, I must say.”

Startled, the group looked toward one of the doorways where Tianlang-jun was leaning. “Hello, Luo Binghe.” Tianlang-jun waved his hand. “I’m your dad; that old man has been trash talking for the past few minutes.”

“You!” The Old Palace Master tried to enter a fighting stance but stumbled over a series of snakes that had appeared around his feet. Had they all just shown up? No, they had snuck up on Airplane as well in the town. They were quite skilled.

‘A-Jiu, I think I know what the poison is.’ Shen Yuan interrupted. ‘It’s Sleeping Beauty Draft; it will put us to sleep for a hundred years when it takes full effect.’

‘Is there a cure?’ Shen Qingqiu asked.

‘There is. In the Old Palace Master’s Office. But there is only a small amount and—’

Luo Binghe was about to pull out Xin Mo when Tianlang-jun tossed a familiar bag toward Luo Binghe. He reached out and grabbed it, face full of surprise. “Apologies. My nephew noticed that Master Shen was being rather protective about the bag, so he decided to let me take a look inside. It will show you a very different perspective on events. Also, that little interview? lovely stuff.”

Tianlang-jun stepped forward. As he did, Airplane and Mobei-jun came into view. ‘Wait, Airplane is working WITH Tianlang-jun now?’ Shen Yuan said in confusion. ‘That… well, if we get out of this I want to know how Mobei-jun survived Tianlang-jun’s constant yapping.’

‘Focus!’ Shen Qingqiu snapped. But Shen Qingqiu’s words were unnecessary as Tianlang-jun continued to speak.

“If you don’t find this to be sufficient to convince you, I get it. I was prepared to consider it not enough, but for all the effort that Qingqiu put into getting these documents It is hard to believe that there isn’t a good reason he is pointing fingers at Huan Hua. My friends over there…” Tianlang-jun pointed to Mobei-jun and Airplane “...had some interesting perspectives on Huan Hua as well as my sealing, so feel free to discuss the matter with them as well. But in any case, before anything else, I will offer you all some corrections.”

Tianlang-jun was now in front of the Old Palace Master, looking down at him, looking every bit the fearsome demon lord he once was. As he continued to speak, he grabbed the Old Palace Master by the neck. The cultivator let out a noise and flailed but Tianlang-jun’s grip remained firm. “Su Xiyan was kind but do not confuse her as a delicate flower. She was stronger than most humans. That was why she was your head disciple. That was why she was able to look me in the eye when we first met and set me on fire. She was beautiful because of her thorns just as much as because of her beauty, and to make her out to be someone who had no authority over her own life is either insultingly false or means you did something to her that took away her ability to choose.” Tianlang-jun pulled out the vision seal with Yue Qingyuan’s recording on it and then tossed it into the air, and from it a voice rang out in the room.

“I remember the Old Palace Master that day. He didn’t listen to anything any of the other masters would say. Quite a few were confused by the situation, as the southern demons had long been at peace with the humans; for it to be thought that would mean the end of that peace. But all that the Old Palace Master seemed interested in was what he had done to his head disciple, but when pressed, he never gave answers—“

The recording continued, but Tianlang-jun spoke over it. “Apparently what I had done was impregnate her. And yet, old man, you willingly stand here next to the child that was born of Su Xyan and my coupling and make it sound like you felt anything but disgust that he would be born into the world.”

The Old Palace Master tried to speak, but in Tianlang-jun’s ever-growing grip, it was impossible. Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan felt almost pity for the man. Almost. But right when it looked like the last of his life force would be pulled out of him, Tianlang-jun called to Mobei-jun, “Open the portal to my prisons. I will deal with him later.”

Mobei-jun stepped forward and did exactly that. As he did so, Tianlang-jun loosened his grip only to force his blood down the Old Palace Master’s throat. As he did this, Mobei-jun glared at the Old Palace Master from the portal, clearly tempted to strangle the man himself, but instead he just let Tianlang-jun push the Old Palace Master in before closing the portal.

“Well, now that’s done…” Tianlang-jun stretched. “I will take a nap and think on the whole ‘destroying the cultivation world thing’. Maybe I will just destroy Huan Hua. That would give me more time to catch up on my books.”

“Not all of Huan Hua is responsible for what happened either.” Shen Qingqiu said.

Tianlang-jun paused and looked over at Shen Qingqiu. “If you have a few humans you would like me to spare? I suppose since we are friends, I can allow that much. In any case, I am rather tired after all these big revelations. See you all later. With that, Tianlang-jun jumped into the portal Mobei-jun had created, with several of the demon snakes following suit.

As the portal closed, Shen Qingqiu was left with Luo Binghe, Mobei-jun, and Shang Qinghua.

“Sh—Baobei.” Shen Qingqiu winced at the address, but fortunately, Mobei-jun was aware enough of their actual relationship that it wasn’t completely awkward. Though, Luo Binghe was another story.

[ The protagonist's anger points are now at 250. ]

“Could you check on Liu Qingge?” Airplane asked.

“Yeah, of course. Uh, this way?” Airplane asked. Shen Qingqiu hobbled over, lessening the gap between them. As the last of the gap was closed, Shen Qingqiu saw Airplane sway slightly. Not good.

“Yes.” Shen Qingqiu nodded. “I will catch up.” But now that they were closer, he also whispered. “Sleeping Beauty Draft. I assume you already know the cure?” 

“Yes, but canonically there is only enough cure for one person around and the flower for making the cure won’t bud again for another 50 years.” Airplane stated. “Then take it yourself. I will deal with things here.”

“...I don’t believe you. Either of you.” Airplane stated. “But… I want to. So… Just make sure that this isn’t the last time I talk to you two, Alright?”

Shen Qingqiu gave a small nod.

Airplane looked at Luo Binghe for a moment before heading out. Mobei-jun didn’t follow, thankfully. For all the progress that Liu Qingge had made on accepting demons, accepting the demon that kidnapped Airplane might take some more time.

[ Anger points are at 300. ]

Luo Binghe was being looked at by Shen Qingqiu with a fiery gaze; his eyes were shaking as well as the rest of his body. “Shizun knew. That is why you threw me into the Endless Abyss.”

Luo Binghe turned on Mobei-jun, who raised a brow. “You did something, didn’t you? That made Shizun realize that I—I…”

“Mobei-jun isn’t the reason.” Shen Qingqiu interrupted.

“But you knew, and that is why you threw me away!” Luo Binghe was essentially screaming now. “When you threw me into the Abyss I was human. The seal hadn’t even broken yet. Even when my seal broke, I refused to ally myself with demons because I figured such an alliance would only make you hate me more. Even knowing now that you knew I was half demon, none of this makes sense! Tianlang-jun calls you a friend and your relationship with Mobei-jun—” 

 Mobei-jun moved as though to protect Shen Qingqiu, but the peak lord gently pushed the demon to the side. Still, Mobei-jun’s action didn’t get past Luo Binghe.

“Why? Why is he good enough for you but not me?” Tears now looked like they were going to fall from his eyes while Xin Mo released waves of dangerous energy.

Why? Shen Qingqiu had waited for the answer to that very same question for years from Yue Qingyuan. And yet he had made Luo Binghe wait to hear the answer to the very same question.

‘But we can’t answer him.’ Shen Yuan stated. ‘The System will prevent us!’

Of course that was true. But right now, in spite of the risk, Shen Qingqiu had to find a way to answer Luo Binghe’s question the best he could.

‘System, I would like to use the necklace now.’

[ Yes, Host. ]

A moment later, Shen Qingqiu was in front of Luo Binghe and put a necklace around the young man's neck. The guanine pendant. “I think if nothing else, today you should understand that things tend to be more complicated than they look.” Shen Qingqiu looked at Luo Binghe up and down even as his eyes became more and more heavy. “You were thrown into the Abyss because that was where you needed to be. It was not out of anger or hatred that I did that.” Shen Qingqiu paused before adding. “It would be false for me to say I have never felt those sort of emotions toward you but our relationship had long since changed by the time of the Immortal Alliance Conference."

Luo Binghe looked down at the necklace in surprise. “Shizun? You kept this?”

“I should have returned this sooner.” Shen Qingqiu stated. “I have kept a lot from you. And that wasn’t fair for you. The world is not a fair place but that doesn’t mean that I needed to add to the unfairness.”

Luo Binghe gripped the necklace in a white-knuckled grip. “I still don’t understand. Why would your thoughts have changed? Why should anyone think me worthy considering what I am. My mother…the old washerwoman… if she knew what I was, she would have never given this to me. She would have just let me die on the river.”

“No.” Shen Qingqiu snapped. Visions of Shen Yuan’s family. His family filled his mind. “Do not spoil the memory of the kindness that she showed you by thinking about what ifs. She loved you and no matter what could have happened that is still the case.”

“But how can I? I am a demon. You hated me. I killed my biological mother. I only brought pain…”

“The death of your mother was not on you. She loved your father. She loved a demon. Glancing at Mobei-jun, Shen Qingqiu added. “We humans are taught that demons are lesser than us. Demons are taught that humans are less than them. But at the end of the day, we are all capable of loving and caring. Of good and bad. We are no better than one another. And able to feel both positive and negative feelings towards each other. We just have different approaches, and through understanding, that can make a wall smaller. Your mother must have known that. Your father, for all his idiosyncrasies, clearly cared about understanding humans, but there are humans still out there that will hate because someone that they see that should be lesser than them rises to their level or above.”

“I still killed her.” Luo Binghe muttered.

“A cultivator like Su Xiyan could have terminated her own pregnancy at any time. The fact she carried you to term means she wanted you. Both for your human side and also your demon side.”

Luo Binghe had been calming down, but the whirls of qi were still coming off of him. Shen Qingqiu internally cursed and took Luo Binghe’s hand. “If you let your own hatred of others consume you, only pain will be at the end.”

“But what is left for someone like me?”

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath. He could feel what needed to be done. ‘Are you ready?’ Shen Qingqiu asked.

‘Yeah…’

“You will always have people you can turn to. Both from the human side and the demon side.” Shen Qingqiu turned to Mobei-jun and said, “You will help him, right?”

Mobei-jun took a moment and then nodded. 

With that, Shen Qingqiu turned back to Luo Binghe, “Mobei-jun will speak with Shang-shidi as we… I can’t speak to what will happen with your father or cousin, but that door may be open. same as Cang Qiong.”

“But Shizun, how about you?”

Shen Qingqiu had already turned quite pale from all the qi he was giving to Luo Binghe. “Even if I am far away, know that you have my blessing. But in the future, be more careful with a sword such as Xin Mo. Pain will always exist in this world. You do not want to have it amplified unnecessarily. But either way, I owe you for everything we put you through, so consider us even.”

And with one more burst of energy, Shen Qingqiu completely depleted his reserves and crashed to the ground.

Chapter Text

– Shen Yuan: PIDW –

Waking up, Shen Yuan heard a series of buzzing sounds. Looking around at the white walls, he quickly realized where he must have been. A hospital room. One in his world.

‘System? I’m back in my body.’

Yes, host. Welcome back!

Barely had System said this when a head poked into the room and called to someone else to come over.

“Shen Yuan?” A doctor walked over. “How are you feeling?”

Shen Yuan tested his arms. “Weak, I suppose.”

The doctor nodded. “That is not surprising. You have been out for some time.”

[ Without a soul in the body, character Shen Yuan was put into a coma. ] System explained.

Ah…

“Have you told my family that I am awake yet?” Shen Yuan asked.

“Yes, they are on their way.” Shen Yuan nodded. “Thanks for that.”

The doctor closed the distance and started to play with one of the monitors. “In the meantime I will run some tests to check your vitals. After that—“

The doctor continued to speak, but at the moment Shen Yuan couldn’t focus on his words. ‘Shen Qingqiu. Is he alright?’

[ This System is not aware of the current state of character Shen Qingqiu. ]

Shen Yuan’s stomach flipped. He and Shen Qingqiu had died, right? The plan was that their soul connection would be moved to the mushroom body that they had been growing. But what if that hadn’t happened?

‘Will I switch back with Shen Qingqiu tonight?’ Shen Yuan couldn’t help but ask.

Host need not worry! With the death of character Shen Qingqiu, the systems had time to correct the bug properly this time. No more body swapping will occur.

That can’t be right…

“Your heart rate just went up significantly.” The doctor commented, startled.

Was the connection really gone? ‘Doesn’t that mean that I won’t see Shen Qingqiu?’

“Please, try to calm yourself—”

[ What does it matter to Host? Didn’t you wish for a safe, relaxing life? ]

“Please, take deep breaths.”

[ Host will live out his life here. With his family and— ]

“NO!”

“Your getting to dangerous levels—“

[ Activating protocol 827 ]

A moment later, Shen Yuan collapsed onto the bed.

While he slept, the System, however, continued to speak to Shen Yuan. [ Host should be more careful. ]

Shen Yuan gritted his teeth in response. ‘Fine then. Let me say something that you WILL understand. What missions do I need to complete to be able to see Shen Qingqiu again?’

[ Host? ]

‘Just answer.’

[ Though there are always higher rungs that a company can climb, the mission that character Shen Yuan was given has essentially already been completed. Character Shen Yuan has helped lead Shen Yuan to the top in the past few years and the only missions left are sidequests with minimal points associated and are considered unnecessary in this story. ]

‘Then why are you still here? If I can’t do any meaningful missions, what is the point of having you?

[ … ]

[ Host has a good point. This system will discuss with the higher-ups if my continued presence is recommended. Thank you, valuable host, for the suggestion. ]

‘That wasn’t—’ but before he could finish, Shen Yuan could feel the presence that had been part of his life for years vanish.

—

When Shen Yuan woke up next, it was night. He was still in his hospital room, but now his father was sitting next to his bedside.

“How are you feeling?” His dad asked.

“I’m in a hospital. Is this a trick question?” Shen Yuan’s voice sounded off to his ears. He hadn’t noticed earlier, but it felt as though it had become a desert from lack of use.

“That is fair.” His father said. He then paused and added. “Everyone came by earlier, but since you were asleep again, we decided to take turns visiting. I will let them know that you're awake now.”

Shen Yuan nodded. “That works.”

His dad hummed, but he still seemed to be pondering something until he finally said,. “Has anyone told you how long you have been out?”

Shen Yuan shook his head.

“It’s been over a month. And the doctors couldn’t tell us if it would be longer or if…” Shen Yuan’s dad let out a sigh. “Look, the doctors have already talked extensively to us about the recovery and the chances... Because we didn’t know what would happen, we started to go through some of your things. We didn’t mean any harm, but we could tell that there were some people you hadn’t talked to us about. Do you want us to let them know what is going on? Maybe they would like to visit as well?”

Shen Yuan took some time to understand his father’s words. “Who are you talking about?”

His dad scratched his head. “Well, the first was someone named Shang Qinghua.”

Oh.

“Yes. Please tell him.” Shen Yuan nodded his head.

“Good.” His father gave Shen Yuan a small smile.

Shen Yuan waited for the next name, but his father seemed more uncomfortable when it came to saying it. “The messages with Shang Qinghua were ones that we found on your phone. The doctors said you might not be able to text yet, so if you are fine with it, we can send a message to them. You can try as well.”

Shen Yuan lifted his arms slightly but felt how weak it was. His father watched the process and said. “They didn’t find anything physically wrong with you when you came, but even just being in bed for so long impacts the muscles.”

Ugh, yeah. Recovery was going to be a pain, huh? 

“I will manage.” Shen Yuan said. And with that, his dad gave him such an awed look it was unnerving. “What?”

“It’s just that you have grown so much. Last time you were in a coma was when I couldn’t keep you away from those trashy novels and video games, but now you went to university on your own. Have been helping the company and facing a challenge…like this… without a fuss.”

“I mean, what choice do I have?” Shen Yuan muttered, but still his father looked at him with so much adoration. Adoration for characteristics he only developed because of—

“Shen Qingqiu was a major part of that change, right?” Shen Yuan froze. He had never thought his father would say that name.

His father watched Shen Yuan’s expression before explaining. “I saw some of the letters you wrote to that person. At first I thought he might be an imaginary friend or a persona, but the way that you both wrote to one another was too different.”

“How much did you read?” Shen Yuan asked in surprise. Why didn't the System say anything? Don’t those letters pose more of an issue than any single sentence he could say out loud?

“Not a whole lot. It felt intrusive… like the text. I guess I only looked enough to confirm this person was real.” His dad then took a breath. “I don’t think you are in a position to write notes at the moment, so if you want me to let Shen Qingqiu know—”

“You won’t be able to reach him.” Shen Yuan cut in.

“…Ah. Then he wasn’t real?” His dad tried.

“No, he is, but… he won’t respond.”

– Shen Qingqiu: PIDW –

Shen Qingqiu let out a curse. Above him was a pile of dirt. Fortunately, it was a rather thin layer that he was able to climb out of.

He had thought that when he lifted his head out of the ground, he would be alone. Instead, in front of him was Tianlang-jun. With several snakes around his feet where he sat. “Well, hello there! The others will be here soon. Zhuzhi-lang’s snakes are quite fast at delivering messages.”

Shen Qingqiu glared at Tianlang-jun. “What are you doing here?” 

“Ah well, I still owe you for this lovely body, and that information about Xiyan was quite informative. I was thinking of maybe giving you a palace or something after you finished helping us with the farming, but when I got back to Huan Hua, my son was crying over your dead body.” Tianlang-jun let out a sigh. “You know, you could have just told him that you had a spare body lying around. I figured you had one, of course because of your first run in with my nephew, but if it wasn’t for that fiancé of yours, I wouldn’t have found it.”

“What did you do to Shang Qinghua?” Shen Qingqiu tried to rush to his feet, but Tianlang-jun quickly got to his side and began to tut at him like he was a child. “Don’t force your body so fast. I got quite a severe case of vertigo after waking up in my mushroom body.”

“Part of the point of HAVING a separate body was so that I wouldn’t have to worry about anyone bothering me.” Shen Qingqiu gave Tianlang-jun a look. “Enthasis on anyone.”

“Ah, well, for now it is just the ice cube, your hubby, my nephew, and I that know.”

Shen Qingqiu blinked. “You haven’t told Luo Binghe?”

“Oh yes, him as well.” Tianlang-jun frowned. “That boy really knows how to sulk. I sent him off with Zhuzhi-lang to eat some tanghulu to feel better. Oh, the pretty boy knows too. I also made sure that Zhuzhi made sure he ate a lot of tanghulu. Though I fear that pretty boy and my son might be using the sticks to fight each other.”

Shen Qingqiu sighed. The point of the mushroom body was for him and Shen Yuan to survive. But if Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge knew that he was around that meant that it was only a matter of time till the whole cultivation world would know of their continued existence.

Tianlang-jun, for once, read the room and said helpfully. “Don’t worry about going back to your old life. I have talked to Shang Qinghua and, in return for me taking responsibility for your “crimes” he will help with the final steps to get those farms up and running. Though if you would like to help out that would be more than appreciated.  

The farms… that was Shen Yuan’s idea. It was then that it hit Shen Qingqiu how… quiet his head was. Tianlang-jun had been so loud that the missing voice in his head didn’t hit him until that moment.

Tianlang-jun’s jovial expression dropped. “Is something wrong?”

Shen Qingqiu ignored the irritating demon and spoke to the system, ‘Where is Shen Yuan?’

[ The bug has been addressed, and now he is in the other world. ]

‘Wait, shouldn’t I be the one in the other world? Wasn’t the point that Shen Yuan was coming here to change this world and vice versa?’

[ Since both characters, Shen Yuan and Shen Qingqiu, have reached close to their end goals and have little in terms of points left to earn, it was decided it mattered little which person ended up in what body, and since you were the last one in control of the body of character Shen Qingqiu, it was easiest to keep your soul tied to this realm. ]

‘So then—’

“Are you seriously just ignoring me?” Tianlang-jun pouted. “That is a first. Xiyan used to say that I am too loud to be ignored.”

Shen Qingqiu closed the System screen and let out a deep breath. If the bug was fixed, did that mean that he wouldn't see Shen Yuan again?

Tianlang-jun picked up one of the remaining snakes and said in its ear, “How about you pick up a tanghulu for Master Shen as well?” The snake nodded and hurried away. 

Shen Qingqiu ignored the antics of the demon and took in a breath. This was a world with artifacts for everything. Even if it takes time, he would find a way to see Shen Yuan again.

Turning to Tianlang-jun, Shen Qingqiu asked. “So you are going to not bother the humans anymore?”

Tianlang-jun hummed. “I brought this up before but I suppose you were under the effects of that poison and might have not really processed what I said. Huan Hua I will be bothered for sure, beyond that, I have heard of a lot of plays that came out while I was away, so I will think of it after I catch up. But you had some people you wanted me to not harm there in particular, correct?” Tianlang-jun asked.

“Yes, no hurting the disciples of Huan Hua.”

Tianlang-jun shrugged. “That’s fine. Zhuzhi-lang did have some nice chemistry with one of those anyway, so maybe I can make a little play with those two.”

Shen Qingqiu just internally rolled his eyes. “And how about your role as a father?”

Tianlang-jun looked at Shen Qingqiu blankly. “Do you mean Luo Binghe?”

“Do you have another son?”

“No.” Tianlang-jun scratched his head. “I have been giving him tanghulu. Would that be considered good parenting?”

“The bare minimum, but it's a start.” Shen Qingqiu sat on the log Tianlang-jun was currently on. “He needs guidance on his demonic side. And for better or for worse, a father would be a good source of that sort of information.”

Tianlang-jun frowned. “Demons don’t really raise children like humans.”

“Then do it in respect for the fact that Su Xiyan cannot fill her parental role.” Tianlang-jun remained quiet for a moment before letting out a chuckle.

“Your fiancée and his fiancé basically said the same thing to me. I suppose I can give it a try. Just also don’t go and kill yourself again. That was traumatizing no matter what. Well not for me, but for everyone else.”

“I won’t.” Shen Qingqiu promised. This time I will see things through here, but that doesn’t mean I won’t also do other things as well.”

“Ah, your peak duties?”

“Those.” Shen Qingqiu admitted. ”But I also need to find someone.”

“I was wondering, actually.” Tianlang-jun asked. “Is Master Shang, Mobei-jun, and you in a poly relationship?”

Shen Qingqiu let out a snort. “No, I suppose it doesn’t matter for you to know now, but Shang-shidi and I were pretending to be in a relationship.”

“That’s a shame. I was thinking that a threesome between you all would be fun, and maybe my son, nephew, and that little Huan Hua disciple could have joined.

“Do you want to have your hand cut off again?” Shen Qingqiu threatened.

Tianlang-jun waved his hand in front of Shen Qingqiu. “You know that physical harm is a way that demons court. I am not saying I would be opposed— 

Shen Qingqiu fortunately didn’t have to listen to the rest of whatever that was as a portal opened up and out walked Luo Binghe, Zhuzhi-lang, and Liu Qingge.

“Shizun!” Luo Binghe rushed forward and embraced Shen Qingqiu like he was a child.

At the same time, Liu Qingge just looked on while muttering something about shamelessness, while snakes gathered around Zhuzhi-lang like pigeons waiting for food.

“Shizun is alright?” Luo Binghe asked. 

Shen Qingqiu looked at the concern in Luo Binghe’s eyes. The concern slightly hidden under Liu Qingge’s harsh demeanor, and  everyone else and Shen Qingqiu finally said. “I will be.” 

Shen Qingqiu noted that Luo Binghe looked less pale than before Shen Qingqiu tentatively put a finger to Luo Binghe’s forehead. “What you have here. Have you accepted it as part of you?”

Luo Binghe took a moment before saying, “Yes.”

“Good.” Shen Qingqiu looked at the sword on Luo Binghe’s waist. It was calm now. He would need to keep an eye on it but… that task somehow didn’t feel as intimidating as it would have before.

– Shen Yuan: Modern World –

Learning how to walk again was awful. It hadn’t been that long that Shen Yuan had been out, ah? But no, it was enough that he had to go around in a wheelchair for literal months until he was completely able to switch over to using crutches.

Seriously, how did baby!Shen Yuan manage to learn all this stuff? Learning to walk stinks so bad. Well, in any case, he would push through it. 

Now the first time that Shang Qinghua came to the hospital, his mother was in the room, so Shang Qinghua waved awkwardly and looked ready to leave, but his mom quickly said, “You're Shang Qinghua, right? Please! Take a seat.”

Shang Qinghua did, but everything in his posture made it clear he wasn’t comfortable with the arrangement. But with time around his family, he was able to walk through his family better than anyone else that he had introduced to them.

“Your friend is quite fun.” Shen Song said once. “Very quick.”

“He is.” Shen Yuan nodded while Shang Qinghua waved his hand like it was nothing but Shen Fa then added. “No wonder he was the one that helped you out with surpassing those companies.”

And that was when it was like a bomb dropped. “Wait, what?” Shang Qinghua screeched.

“Since when have you known?” Shen Yuan asked.

“A while. We didn’t know who was helping you exactly, but when we saw the texts, it was pretty obvious that it was this guy and Shen Qingqiu.”

That name…

Shang Qinghua and Shen Yuan became more quiet after that, but the two older brothers continued. “Since you helped out so much, what do you say to a job in the company?”

Shang Qinghua pointed to himself after a moment of pure disbelief. “Seriously? Me? My resume basically only has writing on it.”

“Well, you have been able to write some pretty effective things now, haven’t you?” Shen Song smiled, and Shang Qinghua flushed well... Uh… I guess I can give it a shot?”

“Now you can be paid properly for helping our brother out.” Shen Fa continued. “He is amazing, but having someone to compliment you makes a big difference.”

“I mean... he was paying. I got a lot of pizza and drinks.”

That was when the brothers turned on Shen Yuan and started to pull on his cheeks like he was five. “Food is not payment, A-Yuan. And drinks? Do you mean alcohol? Are you serious?”

“Well, he seemed to be fine with it!” Shen Yuan said in his defense, even as he thought Shen Qingqiu would be scoffing at him if he could. Agreeing with his brothers that he was ridiculous.

That would have been strangely nice, actually.

–

Even if the start was rough, the Shen Yuan and Shang Qinghua did work well in the company. Shen Yuan might not be physically back to 100%, but he was improving slowly but steadily. Even if he had a long way to go before he recovered physically, he was mentally able to process the business dealings and able to vocalize his thoughts. And as well as every swear he wanted to say to some of the idiots that worked in the office.

The company continued its growth. Shen Yuan knew that Shen Qingqiu would be impressed and–

Shen Yuan shook his head. Shang Qinghua, who was walking alongside him as he walked slowly, asked. “Shen Qingqiu again, “Just thinking about everything we have tried to get back to the other world.”

“Yeah…” Shang Qinghua looked off into the distance. “I would love to see Airplane, but it's been years for me, and for you, you don’t even have a system anymore. I wonder if they feel the same on their side.”

Shen Yuan wanted to believe so, but there was always that question in his head.

“I find it rude that you would doubt me even for a moment, A-Yuan.”

Shang Qinghua and Airplane looked up to see a man in old-fashioned green robes with long hair. “Hello, it has been a while!”

Shen Yuan took a moment before he said. “Is it really you, A-Jiu?”

“It is.” Shen Qingqiu walked forward to Shang Qinghua and said, “Airplane is around the corner if you wish to speak to him.”

Shang Qinghua’s eyes became so bright they were blinding, and he rushed in that direction without any hesitation.

“Why are you dressed like that?” Shen Yuan muttered. “You know it would make a scene here.”

“I have been hopping from world to world trying to find you. I didn’t know when I would reach the right one. It wasn't exactly efficient to switch clothes for every world.”

Shen Qingqiu took some of Shen Yuan’s weight onto himself. Shen Yuan might not need a wheelchair now adays but walking still took a lot out of him. Fortunately, Shen Qingqiu picked up on that fact without Shen Yuan having to give a single word of explanation. “Let's take a seat, alright?”

Shen Yuan nodded. Shang Qinghua and Shen Yuan had almost made it to the park. They didn’t walk far into the park before Shen Qingqiu found a bench for both of them to relax on.

“Did you get hurt while I was away?” Shen Qingqiu asked. 

“No… The human body doesn’t really like being in a coma, though.” Shen Yuan joked.

“At least you got back.” Shen Qingqiu sighed. “Both for you and also the family. They must have been extremely worried.”

“Yeah…” Shen Yuan sighed. “The System owes my family therapy for that stunt.”

“After everything the Systems have put us through they owe us and everyone else for a lifetime.” Shen Qingqiu sighed.

“Couldn’t agree more.” Shen Yuan leaned back and closed his eyes. Basking in the feeling of the sun on his skin. “So, how is everyone? Binghe? Liu-shidi? Airplane?”

“Fine, I suppose. Luo Binghe is a pain but not of the sort that will tear my limbs off. More the type that wants me to eat his food constantly.”

“Feel honored. You get to eat the protagonist’s cooking.”

“I will when Liu Qingge stops barging in and complaining that Luo Binghe is shameless or when Tianlang-jun stops teaching Luo Binghe stupid things from his books. All of them are a pain and also insisted on tagging along as I traveled between the worlds. I snuck everyone besides Airplane into a movie theater here to keep them out of our hair for a bit though. Airplane will pick them up later and already has prepared some apologies if they break anything.”

Shen Yuan snorted. “World peace through movies. I hope you sent them to something that they would at least understand?”

“No clue.” Shen Qingqiu snorted. “The System gave a recommendation of a film with similar enough clothes to those from our world that people will just think they are cosplayers. I imagine it will be fine as the System wasn’t threatening to take points away if the group went to watch it, That’s good enough for me. That is, as long as no one realizes that they got into the theater without tickets.” Shen Qingqiu let out a snort and looked into the sky. “...Things always felt simpler here.”

“Yeah.” Shen Yuan agreed. 

“I love my world, but I learned to like the simplicity of this place as well.”

“I feel that.” Shen Yuan admitted. “I missed the other world. I missed you, but also I missed this world whenever I left.”

“...You know, A-Yuan, this is the bench where I met Shang Qinghua for the first time in this world. At the time I didn’t realize it, but he was someone that connected us and both dimensions. I am thankful for that.” Shen Qingqiu paused. “But don’t tell him.”

“Pfff, as if I would.” Shen Yuan laughed.

“Luo Binghe helped me find a way to this world, and moving between them will be easier now, so if you want, you can come back, and if you are alright, I can visit as well.” Shen Qingqiu offered but added quickly after. “And I can get you things like medicines and—”

“You came.” Shen Yuan interrupted. “Let's just focus on that for now, alright?”

Shen Qingqiu paused. “Sure…”

“It’s weird talking to you like this. Sure, we did talk with various parts of our body, but this is the real world. Or, I guess, a real world.”

“It is something I thought a lot about.” Shen Qingqiu admitted. “Sometimes the idea of being able to smack you over the head in real life was far too tempting.”

“Same.” Shen Yuan responded. “But hey, now I can take you to a beach and watch you sink in the sand properly.”

“I’ve already done that. Your family saw.” Shen Qingqiu smirked, which only made Shen Yuan pout.

“Well, it will be different this time since I will get to see it.”

“Fine.” Shen Qingqiu agreed.

“Speaking of.” Shen Yuan leaned forward and pulled at the robes Shen Qingqiu was wearing. “Let's get you some proper clothes, hm? That way I can introduce you to the family.”

Shen Qingqiu responded by pulling away. “...Are you sure? I am not in your body anymore and—”

“Your family saw some of our letters and were curious about the man that was helping the company, so they will want to meet you properly.” Shen Yuan smiled. “Besides, if you're going to be around more often, we better start working on getting you an honorary brother status in the family.”

“Honorary brother?” Shen Qingqiu asked, confused. 

“Yeah, or something like that.”

“Sounds like you might be suggesting we get married, A-Yuan. Or are you maybe suggesting another fake relationship like we did with Airplane?”

“Haha.” Shen Yuan laughed awkwardly. Marriage? Really, he had enough of being a fiance for a while but he supposed that being a fiance wasn’t all bad? And it was easier to imagine with Shen Qingqiu. After all, who else knew Shen Yuan like Shen Qingqiu did…

Shen Yuan shook his head. Seeing the motion, Shen Qingqiu asked. “What was that for?” Just… overthinking your joke.

Shen Qingqiu pinched Shen Yuan’s cheek and smiled. “Well, now that we can actually have a conversation, we can figure out what we want to do. We have all the time in the world.”

Shen Yuan pouted but he couldn’t get himself to actually slap away Shen Qingqiu’s hand. A hand that after all this time was finally able to touch him. Not with a dream body but with a real one. Shen Qingqiu soon let go but only to move his hand to Shen Yuan’s shoulder. “Well, whatever we do next we don’t have to worry about switches. No letters, no waiting for our messages to reach each other. It will be simpler now.”

“Yeah.” Shen Yuan took a moment before saying. “Does that mean you plan to stay? How about your life in Cang Qiong?”

“Well, I suppose we will do more switching moving forward.” Shen Qingqiu stated with a raise of a brow. “But we will just switch between worlds together. How does that sound?”

So, they would live in both worlds living their lives. That… “Sounds good.” Shen Yuan stated. “But I might still write a letter occasionally. For old times sake.”

Shen Qingqiu snorted “As long as we get to decide when to send letters on our own terms that is alright with me. But how about for now we talk like normal people.”

Shen Yuan smiled. “Alright, so, how about you tell me about what you saw in those other worlds you stopped by when trying to find me?”

Shen Qingqiu smirked. “Starting with a long question, I see. It will take hours for me to explain everything. Are you sure you want to deal with that?”

“We have the time.” Shen Yuan stated with a smile.