Chapter Text
"Shen Qingqiu, you lecher!" A shrill and scorn-filled voice breaks into the Red Warm Pavilion's incense-scented air. Shen Qingqiu's fingers twitch, and the guqin strings he's been holding lets out a sharp note that echoes into the room.
Shen Qingqiu's eyes shoot into a glare and his mouth turns to a sneer. The voice is enough to aggravate him for him to know who it was. After all, there wasn't anybody else who would angrily stomp down the Warm Red Pavilion's door like a brain-muddled brute, propriety be damned, to cause a scene, and slander Shen Qingqiu again while being under the guise of protecting the sect's honor.
"That idiotic brute." Shen Qingqiu hisses in disdain and controlled anger. His hands clenches into fists while they shake on his sides.
"A-Jiu," A placid voice breaks out and Shen Qingqiu feels soft skin graze his hand. "Go back. Li-jie understands." She says and starts to rub soothing circles in the back of Shen Qingqiu's skin.
It calms him down a little bit, his shoulders releasing in tension while his hands stopped shaking in anger. The sneer in his mouth disappears as well, but Shen Qingqiu's eyes remain hardened. "I apologize, Jie," He says softly. "I thought I was discreet tonight, I should've been more careful. This one apologizes for cutting our lessons short."
Lihua, his Li-jie, waves him off. "Aiyah, it's fine. I'm already grateful that you took the time to still come down here and see us. Don't worry, me and the others understand that being a peak lord requires getting used to and isn't easy," She sighs. "Especially if you have a stubborn brute who wants to whisk you away."
She Qingqiu's expression sours again. It seems that Liu Qingge has a talent for getting into his nerves because the simple mention of his presence is enough to tremble the calmed state he'd place upon himself.
"Shen Qingqiu!" A distant voice screams again, muffled by the walls of the Red Warm Pavilion that's separating them.
"Go, lest he starts to stomp the doors on each room down," Lihua encourages. "Madam Huang will not be pleased."
Shen Qingqiu stands up. "I'll take care of this, Jie. Tell Madam Huang my deep apologies for me, and I'll be back soon. You do not have to worry."
Li-Jie simply nods at him and Shen Qingqiu steps out of the room. A scowl immediately forms in his face.
He’s going to kill Liu Qingge.
Shen Qingqiu doesn't waste time, immediately striding down the stairs to meet that damned brute and take him out of the brothel for the mess he's creating. He could already imagine the scene that's been painted downstairs. How could he not, when Liu Qingge had been repeatedly doing this since their disciple days? So much so that it had already become a routined dance between the two. Shen Qingqiu would sneak out of the mountain and come to visit, wanting to spend a peaceful night of sleep and be with his jiejies. Then Liu Qingge, the dim-witted brute that he is, would come unannounced, break the door, and disturb his jiejies and the business. All for the name of the sect, because according to Liu Qingge, Shen Qingqiu was not only damaging his own cultivation but the sect's honor as well.
At that, Shen Qingqiu's irritation even doubled, and his scowl hardens further. As much as he wanted to think of Liu Qingge as a brainless brawn, Shen Qingqiu knows that the man isn’t completely stupid nor is he blind. It had always been an open secret across various peaks that male disciples would occasionally come down the mountain to indulge in human pleasures and relieve stress. In fact, it’s universally acknowledged that most of the male disciples who would come down often came from Bai Zhan. After all, their peak lord spends the least time in the mountain due to missions, leaving them unattended and with more leeway compared to disciples from other peaks. And in general, Bai Zhan’s modus operandi had always been hands-off.
And yet Shen Qingqiu was, and has always been, the only person Liu Qingge decided to bother and condemn for going into brothels. Liu Qingge himself would personally go down the mountain and come into a place he deemed so lowly and shameless to escort Shen Qingqiu out. All while those Bai Zhan brutes could live on without a care, not being condemned and aired out like Shen Qingqiu is.
And it’s precisely why Shen Qingqiu truly wants to strangle Liu Qingge every time they cross paths.
Just as he expected, the sight that greets him when he comes down is familiarly rehearsed. The door of the brothel is torn from its hinges and lays flat on the floor, multiple chairs are scattered, a few customers bear unpleasant expressions, and multiple courtesans headed by Madam Huang are surrounding a tall figure with a long pony-tail while they argue.
Shen Qingqiu really really wants to throttle Liu Qingge.
Liu Qingge is about to open his mouth to argue back, but his eyes fall on Shen Qingqiu's figure by the stairs. His eyes widen upon noticing, then his face immediately hardens. "Shen Qing—"
"We are leaving," Shen Qingqiu announces decisively and sends him a glare. He takes out his fan and flicks it to cover his face, walking towards the crowd in strong strides. He glares at Liu Qingge before facing Madam Huang and the girls. "This one apologizes for the inconvenience. I will pay for the damage that my martial brother has done due to his insolence."
He doesn't wait for their reply before harshly pulling Liu Qingge by his sleeves and drags him out of the door. "We are leaving, you insolent brute." Shen Qingqiu snaps before pulling out Xiu Ya and stepping on it, not waiting for Liu Qingge's response or to see if he had followed.
"Shen Qingqiu!" Liu Qingge exclaims angrily behind him as they fly up towards the mountain.
Shen Qingqiu, Shen Qingqiu, Shen Qingqiu. Is his name a mantra that Liu Qingge is using to pray? Or is Liu Qingge a stupid bird that only knows how to parrot his owner's name?
"What now?" Shen Qingqiu snaps.
"You said you'll pay for the door." Liu Qingge says.
"Someone has to, because you're a brainless barbarian who acts before he thinks." Shen Qingqiu replies sharply. He slows down his sword and steadily lands on the mountain's ground.
"So you plan on coming back, you scoundrel!?" Liu Qingge exclaims, coming off Cheng Luan and grabbing Shen Qingqiu by his wrists.
"Let go of me, you brute!"
"Not before you answer my question." Liu Qingge demands.
"You dare — you broke down the door! Is Liu-shidi not going to repay the common people for his transgressions?" Shen Qingqiu sneers. "In fact, Liu-shidi is not the one paying for damages and taking accountability. It is this immortal master who is doing it. Now, let go of me."
Shen Qingqiu yanks his arm away from him and starts to walk away. Not a second even passes, and he hears Liu Qingge's footsteps striding derisively behind him. "I'll pay for it. Don't concern yourself anymore."
"I do not trust Liu-shidi’s words."
Shen Qingqiu can't see his face but he could imagine the displeased frown in Liu Qingge's pretty face. "I swear on my honor that I will pay for the damage,” Liu Qinge says. “In fact, I will do it immediately in the hour of mao tomorrow. Don’t go back to the brothel again." Liu Qingge orders.
It’s as if the guqin strings he’d been holding earlier finally snaps, and the dam of Shen Qingqiu’s overflowing anger bursts out. He remembers his irritation back in the brothel and he halts his strides, snapping his body back to face him.
"What is it with you?" Shen Qingqiu questions.
Liu Qingge pauses in his tracks, face contorted in confusion. "What?"
"What is it with you?" Shen Qingqiu repeats more sharply. "Why do you care if I go down the mountain and spend my time in brothels!" He exclaims.
The confused expression in Liu Qingge's face disappears, forming into anger. To such an extent that his cheeks start to flush in a crimson shade and veins protrude in the temples of his forehead. "You are a righteous cultivator of Cang Qiong sect!" Liu Qingge exclaims. He looks as if Shen Qingqiu had just asked him if the sky was blue and took immense offense from it.
"And those Bai Zhan disciples who also go down the mountain aren't!?" Shen Qingqiu huffs angrily. "Don't act obtuse with me, Liu Qingge. As much as I see you as a dull-witted brute, you aren't stupid enough to not notice your fellow disciples who sneak at night and come down the mountain to spend time gambling and entering brothels!"
Liu Qingge pauses, caught off-guard as his chest heaves in anger. Shen Qingqiu allows him the chance to speak and waits for a few seconds, but Liu Qingge doesn't say anything.
Shen Qingqiu snorts and lets out a satisfied chuckle. It seems he hit a nerve. "Cat got your tongue, hm?" Shen Qingqiu glares. "Or is it only a problem when I do it."
"You are a peak lord now," Liu Qingge speaks slowly, gathering his words after a moment of silence . "Do you not understand the implications on our sect when word gets out that one of its peak lords— its strategist," Liu Qingge emphasizes. "Is busy indulging in brothels? And your cultivation is already faulty as it is. Indulging in shameless behavior in brothels would only worsen your condition if you won't put a stop to your indecency."
Shen Qingqiu's eyes twitch, and he's certain that he would have popped a vein already if Liu Qingge continued speaking. Anger burns deeper in his veins, and he swears that he would strangle Liu Qingge right then and there.
To think that Liu Qingge had the gall to bring up his cultivation — as if Shen Qingqiu already doesn't know. As if he doesn't already resent himself and the world for it. As if Shen Qingqiu never tried to preserve and protect it. As if he doesn't treat his cultivation as his last lifeline that anchors his place in the jianghu.
And what does Liu Qingge know? What did Liu Qingge know about what he went through? What did he know about what he actually does inside the brothel? About the women that Shen Jiu cares for and cared for him in return?
Shen Qingqiu lets out a bitter chuckle. "Again Liu-shidi, my question remains. Why do you care?" He spats. "You are not Mu Qingfang nor are you a disciple of Qian Cao peak. We are not family nor do we have any form of friendship connecting us. My health and the problem with my cultivation is not any of your concerns," Shen Qingqiu continues. "You claim to care about the sect's reputation and condemn those who disobey the rules and bring shame to the sect's name, but does that only extend to me?" Shen Qingqiu grills.
Liu Qingge freezes in place.
"I may be a peak lord now, but this behavior of yours — of coming after me in brothels and causing a scene has existed since our disciple days. And this immortal master is aware that you never applied the same for your fellow-brutish disciples who did the same thing," Shen Qingqiu hisses. "Do you resent me so much that the act of going down the mountain and spending the night in a brothel only fails to abide by your moral compass if I'm the transgressor?"
By the time Shen Qingqiu finishes speaking he realizes that he's completely heaving in anger. That and his head is hurting. He couldn’t see his reflection but he feels hot, and he could imagine the flush of his skin on his face.
He hadn’t planned on… letting out all of his grievances. He was used to controlling his temper and hiding his emotions behind a fan or an aloof countenance. But Liu Qingge just had the nerve to tug at the last strings of his patience.
He stares at Liu Qingge who froze in place in front of him. The idiot looks dumbstruck. He’s not saying anything and just looks at Shen Qingqiu with his chest heaving and an unreadable look in his eyes.
An uncomfortable blanket of silence envelopes them while the cicadas chirr in the night.
Serves him right. Shen Qingqiu curses him inside his head and sends the other man a glare.
"I'm sick of it," Shen Qingqiu suddenly says. Then he fixes his posture, smoothens his robe, and fixes the crown in his hair before flicking his fan. All the anger in his face disappears and gets replaced by an aloof expression. He sends Liu Qingge another glance before bringing the fan to his face. "I'm sure Liu shidi has better ways to spend his free time than following this one down the mountain." Shen Qingqiu says sourly.
Then he turns around and steps away.
Shen Qingqiu spent the night asleep. Since becoming a peak lord, he rarely spends the night in his house to sleep, often choosing to meditate instead. And when he does sleep, he prefers to do so in his usual room in theWarm Red Pavillion. He had been planning on staying there for the night after giving Lihua lessons to improve her guqin — but Liu Qingge had squandered it down and ruined everything.
But Shen Qingqiu supposes that he could give Liu Qingge credit where it's due. Besides catching up with his jiejies and giving Li-jie her guqin lessons, Shen Qingqiu also visited to have a sated night of sleep. Even though he had to leave out of his volition, he managed to fall in his bed and fell into slumber for hours when he came back to his bamboo house. He had been so angry last night, and it seemed that Liu Qingge's capacity to violate his temper was enough for his body to surrender to sleep.
When Shen Qingqiu woke up in the morning, he's greeted by two letters at his door. The first one had stocky and awkward handwriting and says something simple and straightforward: I've already paid for the damages.
It doesn't take two brains to understand from whom it came from. And as if Liu Qingge's word isn’t enough, the other letter that came with it also serves as a testament to it. Shen Qingqiu recognizes the handwriting. It isn't as elegant or seamless as the handwriting of the disciples in Qing Jing peak, but it flows better than Liu Qingge's and Shen Qingqiu could tell the traces of his calligraphy in the way it's written. It says: A-Jiu, immortal master Liu came back last night. We thought he came back to start a scene again but he paid for the damages and helped us fix the door himself. You don't have to worry about anything else, and you're always welcome to come back regardless of how many messes immortal master Liu makes.
Shen Qingqiu tucks the letters aside with a snort. A part of him is relieved that the Bai Zhan brute stayed true to his word and paid for the mess he caused. At least Madam Huang and his jiejies’ burdens would be lessened. But if Liu Qingge thought this would deter him from coming back to the brothel, then Shen Qingqiu would have to laugh at his face. If Liu Qingge wanted to stop him from seeing his jiejies, then he would have to rebuke heaven and earth.
The next time Shen Qingqiu comes down, he makes sure to be more discreet. He chooses an auspicious day: the day after Liu Qingge left the mountain to go on a mission for Mu Qingfang. He even takes another step of precaution by discarding his usual robes and crown, opting to use plain robes underneath the cloak he always uses whenever he comes to the brothel. The moment he knocks at the back door using the code that he always uses, he gets greeted by his Xing-jie with a surprised expression on her face.
"A-Jiu! Come in," Xingyue says. "We didn't expect you'd be coming."
Shen Qingqiu lets out a grimace as Xingyue lets him in. "My apologies for coming unannounced. I had to choose a time to leave the mountain for when that brute isn't here anymore."
Xingji chuckles as she leads him towards the kitchen they have. "Lihua would be delighted to know you're here. I'll come get her— she's practicing on her own in the room you always sleep in," She says and lets Shen Qingqiu have a seat then pours him tea. "Here, drink some tea first. I'll be back."
"Thank you, jie." Shen Qingqiu mutters and takes the tea she's poured him.
A moment later, he hears shuffling footsteps alongside excited squeals. Lihua enters the periphery alongside Xingyue, Ziwei, and Caicai — his other jiejies.
"A-Jiu! This is a surprise." Lihua says, guqin in hand and a bright smile on her face. She hurries over and takes a seat in the chair near him.
"A-Jiu! You never told us you'd come tonight." Caicai exclaims.
"Right, imagine our surprise that Xingyue told us you came." Ziwei says in return.
Shen Qingqiu's face warms, his shoulders releasing in tension. He takes another sip of his tea casually, discarding propriety of how a peak lord of Qing Jing Peak should normally drink it. "I tried coming back sooner, believe me. But I had to wait for an opportune moment and wait for Liu Qingge to leave the mountain to go on a mission."
"Immortal master Liu left?" Caicai asks in curiosity. She, alongside Shen Qingqiu's other jiejies, also took a seat. As such, the five of them are all huddled in the kitchen's little table.
Shen Qingqiu hums in reply. "Mu Qingfang ordered him to retrieve medicinal resources. I heard he won't be back until a few weeks from now," Shen Qingqiu explains. A smirk tugs at his lips. "Meaning, I'll come back to see you all every night for the next weeks or so."
His jiejies' eyes widen, and Shen Qingqiu could discern an unreadable expression in Lihua's face as the woman looks at him. But before he could discern what it could be, Caicai asks a question again. "Has immortal master Liu done anything to you?"
The smirk in Shen Qingqiu's face drops. "Nothing. Did something happen?" He asks. If they were worried about Liu Qingge doing something to him, then that would mean that something occurred in the brothel the night Liu Qingge came back to fix his mess. If not, why else would Caicai ask if Liu Qingge had done something in retaliation?
"Nothing!?" Caicai exclaims in exasperation.
"Caicai!" Xingyue admonishes.
"What? I was just asking," Caicai argues. "Because I thought something would happen." She sulks.
"Nothing happened. In fact, Liu Qingge has not bothered me since the night I last came here." Shen Qingqiu says. And it was true, much to his surprise. He had not bumped shoulders with Liu Qingge since his outburst nor has he heard anything about the man from his disciples. It was as if Liu Qingge disappeared from Shen Qingqiu's world entirely. "Did something happen to warrant Cai-jie’s concern for me?"
Caicai's face brightens. She leans in, about to open her mouth to speak, only for Ziwei to pull her back. Ziwei's eyes shoot her a look and Caicai pouts before settling down in her seat. Ziwei turns to look at him. "Of course something happened," She starts. "He came back after breaking down our door, do you think Madam Huang would let him go? Besides, it seems like Madam Huang has had enough of him because she finally lashed out at him when he came back that night."
Shen Qingqiu lets out an amused laugh, with the happiness in his laughter even reaching his eyes. If anyone from Cang Qiong were to see this sight, they would think that Shen Qingqiu's been possessed. "Tell me, jie. What did Madam Huang tell him?"
"Immortal master Liu has been a repeat intruder, Madam Huang let go of any propriety and screamed at him for bothering you and disturbing the people in the brothel. She said a lot of colorful words and ordered him to help repair the door himself for his past transgressions." Ziwei explains.
The image she painted registers in Shen Qingqiu's brain and he lets out another chuckle.
"It wasn't just her, you know. The rest of us have also had enough! So we let him have a piece of our mind." Xingyue cuts in and the delight in Shen Qingqiu's body brightens even higher. Because the image of Liu Qingge, Bai Zhan's War God, being ganged up on by a bunch of women is enough to brighten his day.
"That's true. But it didn't end there because immortal master Liu had the gall to say more things," Ziwei continues. "He apologized for the mess he's stirred up throughout the years but he told us that he would be back as long as you continue your promiscuity and indulgence in women. He even asked Madam Huang to not let you come back anymore and he would give whatever she asked in return! He was already hanging by a thin thread, but Madam Huang finally snapped and hit him with her fan and started beating him up."
“Me and the other girls who weren't attending clients also joined in to hit him," Caicai says. "To think that he would actually slander you!"
"It was a huge mess, to say the least." Xingyue sighs.
"It doesn’t end there. Madam Huang berated him, scolding that that you never slept with any of the women here and simply stayed to sleep and help us. We supported her claims by telling him all the things you've helped us with. From reading, calligraphy, and music — we had to set the record straight!” Ziwei continues. “And immortal master Liu looked like his entire world had been upended once everything died down."
Shen Qingqiu's head is whirring, trying to make sense of what they just told him.
He feels as if a large pail of cold water has been dumped in his head as he tries to catch up with what had happened. It explains Liu Qingge's behavior and how Shen Qingqiu has never been around or heard anything about him since that night.
Because Liu Qingge finally knew the truth.
"That's why I asked if he did anything to you when he came back," Caicai breaks his reverie. "Now that he knows the truth, did he truly not give you anything? An apology? Or gifts?"
Liu Qingge? Apologizing to him? And giving him gifts? Shen Qingqiu wants to laugh. The sun would have to rise from the west before Liu Qingge would ever treat him nicely.
"That arrogant brute would rather swallow his sword than give me gifts — let alone apologize to me. His indifference to me and the peace I've gained with it already suffices as reparation." He huffs.
At that, Caicai lets out a disappointed sigh and sneers. "That bastard. It's the least he could do."
"He should clear out your name too. He's the one who fed the rumors after all." Xingyue adds.
"Heaven and earth would have to be overturned before Liu Qingge treats me with something other than contempt and disdain. You don't have to worry, jiejies. I'm used to it."
Xingyue, Ziwei, and Caicai let out disappointed looks at that, looking at him with concerned eyes. Shen Qingqiu ignores it and takes another sip of his tea. He was used to not relying on anyone and being hated. Rumors and reputation was nothing, so long as he's competent and doesn't step out of line. He also couldn't care less if the others hated him and he knows how to overturn any obstacles that could get in his way— he's the sect's strategist after all. All of this is nothing compared to what he's gone through from before. He would survive.
"Don't you think immortal master Liu thinks differently of you?" Lihua suddenly says.
The rest of the heads in the table snap to her except Shen Qingqiu. He simply raises an eyebrow and places the cup of tea he's been sipping on down.
"What do you mean, Li-jie?" Xingyue asks for him.
"It's true that immortal master Liu has been coming after A-Jiu whenever he comes here since their disciple days. And as A-Jiu told us, other disciples also come down the mountain to indulge in earthly pleasures."
"To which his fellow Bai Zhan brutes do as well." He says calmly, but his blood nearly spikes because of the reminder of Liu Qingge's hypocrisy.
"Correct. But A-Jiu says that immortal master Liu turns a blind eye on them and only personally escorts him out of brothels."
"Hmph, what a hypocrite." Caicai comments to which Xingyue and Ziwei hum in agreement.
"My former shizun informed me that Liu Qingge ratted these disciples out whenever they did back then. And the brats never tried to do it anymore once he became head disciple. But what Li-jie said is still true,” Shen Qingqiu says. “That arrogant barbarian never came after them. It's only me he has his eyes set out to get."
"Precisely," Lihua giggles. "Don't you think he's obsessed with you, A-Jiu?"
What?
Shen Qingqiu must be displaying a clueless expression because Lihua giggles again. "Immortal master Liu only bothered to seek you out himself with the intention of personally escorting you to come back to the mountain. Moreover, his behavior has been like this since your younger days. He certainly is consistent to say the least," She chuckles again. "Can't you tell what this implies A-Jiu?"
"That Liu Qingge resents me so much that he's willing to turn a blind eye on others and exert his hypocritical righteousness on me." Shen Qingqiu says. What else could it mean?
"Aiyah, I think you're looking at this the wrong way. If immortal master Liu truly hated you, why would he repeatedly come to a place he hates just to escort you out personally? Why would he repeatedly mention your cultivation?" Lihua asks. "Tell me, why did immortal Master Liu come back here the night he escorted you out?"
Shen Qingqiu pauses."He... we had an argument because he kept pestering me on whether I'll go back to the brothel or not. And this one had an outburst—" He coughs. "I let out my grievances, to say the least. About his hypocrisy and how his behavior has inconvenienced you. He didn't want me to come back to deal with the mess, so he offered he'd come back and pay for the damages himself."
"If immortal master Liu truly hated you, do you think he would go out his way and offer to pay for the damages himself? Jiu-er, why would he spend all that time and energy seeking you out and doing more that's been asked of him?"
The room falls into silence.
Shen Qingqiu's forehead furrows in confusion, an expression that's unlikely to be seen in the Qing Jing Peak Lord's countenance.
Shen Qingqiu has known Liu Qingge for many years, and as time passed, he got better at reading the other man. He's aware that he knows a lot about Liu Qingge, he is one of the twelve peak lords, and it's Shen Qingqiu's prerogative to know a lot about them as the sect's strategist. He thought that he knew all of Liu Qingge's ends and beginnings like the back of his hand, but if his Li-jie puts it like this...
It seems that Liu Qingge's attitude towards him isn't as simple as he thought. He still thinks that Liu Qingge hates him. Only that, he didn't know that Liu Qingge's attitude towards him could have other shades than hate.
As to what it is, Shen Qingqiu doesn't know.
Noticing the silence, Lihua speaks again. "What I'm trying to say is that immortal master Liu's attitude towards you may not be as simple as we thought." She says before picking up her cup of tea and raising it to her lips.
"But if it isn't hate, then what is it?" Ziwei asks.
"I wish I'd know Zi-er." Lihua sighs and looks far distantly, but a small smile is pulled in her lips.
"Maybe our A-Jiu has done something to him, and it caused him to be fixated on our Jiu-er." Xingyue suggests.
"Well whatever it is, he's still an arrogant and prideful hypocrite who can't even offer A-Jiu an apology for his wrongdoings." Caicai complains. She mashes a piece of mantou as she speaks and Shen Qingqiu thinks his jiejie is imagining the food as Liu Qingge. "What an asshole."
Shen Qingqiu hums in agreement. Whatever newly discovered shade of Liu Qingge's feelings for him may be, Liu Qingge still hates him and would never change his ways of treating him. What else is there to think of?