Chapter Text
It wasn't so much that Shang Qinghua felt Mobei-jun needed to be an emperor. The succession battles in the Northern Territories were bloody enough as it was without lobbing more reasons for his king, currently a prince, to be sought out and assassinated. Lord knows he had his hands full, trying to keep that trouble-prone demon alive.
Mobei-jun would and could survive the attempts on his life. He had written it so. Didn't mean Shang Qinghua wanted to witness his king suffering unnecessarily, okay? If he's able to change anything, let it be his favorite character's comfort level.
His king doesn't trust him wholeheartedly yet, and that's disheartening after all these years, a real stab to the gut. But Shang Qinghua can work with it! One of these days, for sure. His loyalty was no fickle mistress. This was a lifelong devotion. I've got your back, my king.
One of these days, Mobei-jun was going to look at his servant and think to himself, I should not kill this one. He's a good friend.
Maybe not the last bit but a guy can dream.
In the spirit of having his back, Shang Qinghua went ahead and executed his three hundred seventy nine step plan to prevent the inconvenience that would be a drawn out and bloodied territorial war. A bit of warmongering can be enriching for your demon princes, but there was an arc in this backstory grey area where his king got captured and tortured, again! Twice!
The second time for over a month before he made his escape!
Yeah, not fucking happening on his watch.
Shang Qinghua refused to allow any torturing, imprisoning, poisoning, or kidnapping of his unbearable spoiled brat prince, thank you very much.
It had not begun as subduing each major territory head and taking control of their lands in the name of his king. It was smaller, beginning with the perpetrators of the potential kidnappings, the Ninao Clan and the Heifeng Clan, to the southeast and southwest of the Northern Wastelands respectively.
But as it would turn out, taking control of their trading routes and soon their territories drew the interest of other battle-hungry clans.
Never fear. Shang Qinghua had planned for this outcome. He had spent much of his second youth plotting backup plans for his backup plans. No turn in this realm-wide war was going to catch him off guard.
When consulted, Mobei-jun said, "Mn" to confirm he was alright with gaining more of an upper hand over these contenders for the imperial throne.
Shang Qinghua got to work.
Where the Protagonist was more or less able to brute force his way through conquering the Demon Realm, OP cheat weapon in one hand and a peerless bloodline running through his veins, Shang Qinghua had to rely upon his authorial knowledge of their weaknesses and a heck of a lot of elbow grease and man hours to turn the battles into feasible wins.
Peanut allergies? Exploited.
Psychological torture? You got it.
Dirty tricks? Plenty of that.
Shang Qinghua didn't track down and collect these artifacts just to let them sit in his room and collect dust.
One by one, the clan heads fell to their knees with their necks exposed and swore fealty among the corpses of their allies. It took several years to see his efforts bear fruits, but the results were most satisfying. It was a temporary measure, one that would fall apart like grains of sand the moment Luo Binghe arrived on the scene. It would do for now.
All of this was for his king, for his comfort, his convenience.
Even his career.
A few years as emperor would benefit Mobei-jun. Handling all those courtiers and petitioners, the juggling of law-making and resource managing, the paperwork, when it came time for him to take over for his father, who could say he was not qualified? Look at that resume of his. Being a king would be a breeze in comparison. Less territory, less people to govern, it was practically a vacation.
This was all for his king.
So why is it that Shang Qinghua is the one with his butt in the emperor's throne?
Where has he gone wrong here?
What's this "Junshang" nonsense? Dawang, clear this up!
The feast thrown for the new emperor was a riotous affair and lasted four days and four nights, celebrated in every corner and cranny of the realm.
Ordinarily the elders of the assembled clans would have kicked up more of a fuss over a human taking the office.
However, it was less that humans could not participate and contend for the position and more that no human had ever had the gall to make the attempt. If a person is capable of subjugating each clan under his heel, it matters precious little what slop flows through his veins.
Their emperor had to battle his or her way into the position, or they would not be recognized as the true emperor. It was not determined by one's bloodline. A pedigree as esteemed as the Heavenly Demon clan's was certain to guarantee a smooth transition into office, but it was not a requirement by far.
Shang Qinghua, lord of An Ding, was ruthless, taking torture to fascinating new heights and utilizing never before seen methods that titillated the senses and left one inspired. The Mobei prince's obsession with his human servant made perfect sense now.
Many who had heard tell of the man's courtship nodded in approval and sent silent thoughts of support. With a human that vicious, Mobei-jun must be fulfilled and bullied to discomfort often. How passionate.
The citizens of the realm were quite satisfied with the display of prowess and wit that their emperor put on.
Battles that determined one's fealty and shifted power to a new sovereign were not uncommon, so they didn't see the point in holding a grudge. Shang Qinghua would no doubt be heavily challenged by headstrong upstarts in the future, but it came with the office. It would be entertaining either way.
Much feasting and merriment were had during those four days.
Unbeknownst to them, their new emperor was not reveling in the festivities. When he signaled that he was departing with his suitor, Shang Qinghua did not go to bed him or coyly stab him with a poisoned blade.
"Dawang," he was saying, at his wit's end, utterly horrified, "why are those people addressing this humble servant with respect he is not owed? This was all done with his king in mind."
Mobei-jun understood his intentions.
He had feared his courtship was going ignored from the way his human would merely mewl pathetically and whine whenever he displayed interest. It was reciprocated. It had taken some time to recognize the gesture for what it was, but he saw it now.
How many demons can boast that their suitor subjugated the realm to inspire tender feelings and approval? Precious few.
"I understand."
"Then why-?! My king, please clear the air. Your servant is no emperor."
"Qinghua is the emperor." None could deny it now, not when the human had been so thorough with his actions.
"My king... no."
"Your position was justly earned and yours by bloodshed. Is Junshang displeased?"
Shang Qinghua shivered. "Dawang, how can this one be 'Junshang' when he is in service to his king? He is the vassal, not the lord. He lives to serve. He does not rule."
Mobei-jun did not see the issue. Qinghua was Qinghua regardless. He was a servant, then a suitor, then a lord emperor. "Junshang is Junshang."
Shang Qinghua slapped a hand over his face and groaned. "Dawang. Do you understand the implications of that? If your emperor ordered you to bow, you would bend at the waist. As your superior, I could request anything of you. I could tell you to make me a bowl of noodles, and you would have to hop to it! I could order you to make me noodles every single day!"
Mobei-jun's brows lowered in a mild frown. "Noodles."
Shang Qinghua repeated, "Noodles. The dough to be pulled and kneaded by your fingers personally. The finished product to be topped with two eggs."
Mobei-jun said nothing.
He was annoyed that the human continued to doubt his own position despite claiming it with his own abilities, but the request... he supposed it was tolerable. He hadn't the faintest idea how to cook noodles. That was more annoying than the request itself.
Misinterpreting his annoyance, Shang Qinghua let loose a strained hah and shook his head.
"See? You couldn't bear it, this being ordered about by someone beneath you. Dawang, let's settle t-"
"Fine."
"Hmmmm? Fine?"
"Junshang will have his noodles."
"Dawang, what."
"Do you not wish for noodles."
"...I do."
That settled it then. Mobei-jun would make noodles.