Work Text:
Out of all the Peak Lords of Cang Qiong Mountain, the younger brother of the most ill-tempered Peak Lord was, without question, the most beloved.
Shen Yuan was gentle where others were strict, patient where others were quick to anger. Despite leading the peak dedicated to the study of spiritual beasts, he never treated any creature—or any person—with cruelty.
His disciples adored him.
The disciples of other peaks admired him.
Even the Peak Lords found themselves unconsciously treating him with more care than anyone else.
Some admired him far beyond the ordinary respect between disciple and master.
After all...
Who wouldn't fall in love with someone as warm and ethereal as Shen Yuan?
~
On the outside, Shen Yuan looked as calm and graceful as an immortal.
On the inside...
'What the fuck is all of this?!'
He stared blankly at the mountain of gifts piled high enough to rival a small hill.
His own disciples had sent presents.
Disciples from the other peaks had sent presents.
Even the Peak Lords had contributed.
"...How much money did everyone spend...?"
His eyes landed on a crystal container filled with preserved hearts from a rare two-horned spirit lamb.
"...Isn't this worth a fortune?"
The medicinal liquid extracted from those hearts was incredibly valuable. Even one was difficult to obtain.
Someone had sent him an entire jar.
"I don't need all this..."
Muttering to himself, Shen Yuan carefully moved the gifts into a spare storage room. By the time he finished, every shelf was overflowing, and somehow the room had just barely managed to contain everything.
"...I should thank everyone later."
Just as he was about to leave, something caught his eye.
A familiar green ribbon.
"...Jiu-ge?"
Nestled between the extravagant gifts sat a small wooden box tied with that unmistakable ribbon.
Shen Yuan smiled unconsciously as he picked it up.
Inside lay an elegant jade-and-emerald hairpin.
A folded slip of paper rested beneath it.
> From: Jiu-ge
To: Shen Yuan
Bought this so you can finally do something about that bird's nest you call hair.
You'd better wear it.
"...Still threatening me while giving me a present."
His smile only widened.
Taking the hairpin, he stood before the bronze mirror.
After fumbling for only a few moments, he gathered part of his long hair into a neat bun and secured it with the pin.
"...Huh."
He tilted his head.
"I actually know how to do this."
The reflection staring back at him looked... surprisingly elegant.
"Not bad."
Satisfied, Shen Yuan gently adjusted the slightly crooked hairpin before giving himself one last nod.
Then he looked back at the room overflowing with gifts.
"...They can wait."
Closing the door softly behind him, he headed toward the kitchens.
There was no point admiring presents on an empty stomach.
~
The moment Shen Yuan stepped outside, several disciples walking past froze.
"..."
"..."
"...Peak Lord Shen changed his hair."
"...He... he looks even prettier."
"I think my heart stopped."
One disciple silently grabbed his friend's sleeve.
"Help. can't."
"I suddenly understand why liu-shibo keeps coming back here to give shizun's fans back."
"...Didn't he say it was because shizun had the best beasts?"
"He lied."
Several disciples immediately fled before they embarrassed themselves by staring any longer.
Shen Yuan watched them run away in confusion.
"...Why are they sprinting?"
He scratched his cheek.
"Did class start already?"
Completely oblivious, he continued towards the kitchen
Shen Yuan had only just stepped into the kitchens when every member of the kitchen staff turned toward him.
"...Peak Lord Shen!"
Before he could even open his mouth, one of the cooks hurried over.
"Please, please sit down. Just tell us what you'd like to eat—we'll prepare everything."
"...Eh?"
"I can get it myself."
The head cook immediately shook his head so hard it looked painful.
"Absolutely not!"
Another cook nodded vigorously.
"You've worked hard enough already, Peak Lord. Please leave it to us."
Several kitchen disciples behind them all chimed in at once.
"We'll bring it over!"
"You shouldn't have to do this yourself!"
"We insist!"
Shen Yuan blinked.
"...If you're sure..."
The entire kitchen lit up.
"We're sure!"
Unable to refuse such enthusiastic smiles, Shen Yuan gave in with a helpless laugh.
"...Then thank you."
The kitchen staff looked as though they had just received the greatest honor of their lives.
Since he had already inconvenienced them, Shen Yuan decided against returning to his bamboo house. Instead, he quietly found an empty table in the disciples' dining hall to wait.
The hall, bustling only moments before, gradually quieted.
Not because anyone had been told to be silent—but because Peak Lord Shen was sitting among them.
Shen Yuan paid none of it any mind.
He simply pulled a small notebook from his sleeve and flipped it open.
"Let's see..."
He scanned the neatly written list.
"Organize the gifts..."
"Feed Xiao Bai..."
"Check the injured snow fox..."
His finger stopped.
"...Peak Lord meeting."
"..."
"..."
"THERE'S A PEAK LORD MEETING TODAY?!"
The words escaped before he could stop them.
Silence crashed over the dining hall.
Shen Yuan froze.
"..."
Slowly...
Very, very slowly...
He lowered the notebook.
Then covered his face with both hands.
"..."
"...I definitely just shouted."
His ears burned bright red.
This is so embarrassing...
Several disciples quickly looked away, pretending they hadn't heard anything.
Others stared with wide eyes.
Shizun... shouted?
Our Peak Lord can make that kind of expression?
He's adorable...
Inside his head, however, Shen Yuan was having an entirely different crisis.
'Fuck, man... I don't want to see those guys...'
The System responded without sympathy.
[Host has to. Host is a Peak Lord.]
'I know! But every time I go they keep treating me like I'm made of paper!'
'"Shen Yuan, don't go hunting alone."'
'"Shen Yuan, let me carry that."'
'*Shen Yuan, don't fight dangerous beasts by yourself."'
'I'M A PEAK LORD!'
[Host is also the youngest Peak Lord.]
'That's not an excuse!'
His shoulders visibly slumped.
"..."
With a soft snap, he closed the notebook.
Then stood.
The chair scraped sharply against the floor.
Without another word, Shen Yuan walked out of the dining hall.
The atmosphere he left behind was eerily quiet.
"..."
"..."
"...Did..."
"...Did Shizun just get angry?" one disciple whispered.
"I don't think I've ever seen Peak Lord Shen in a bad mood..."
Another looked worried.
"Did someone offend him?"
"It couldn't have been us, right?"
"I don't think so..."
One of the older disciples frowned thoughtfully.
"...He only looked upset after reading 'Peak Lord meeting.'"
"..."
"..."
A younger disciple gasped.
"...The other Peak Lords bullied Shizun!"
"What?!"
"They must have!"
"Our Shizun is so kind! Who would make him upset?"
Several disciples immediately became indignant.
"Shixiong! Should we... tell shizun's brother?"
The older disciple's face went pale.
"...Absolutely not."
"Why?"
"...Do you want Peak Lord Shen to march into the meeting hall and start a war?"
"..."
"...Good point."
~
Shen Yuan sat ramrod straight in his seat beside Liu Qingge, hands folded neatly in his lap.
If he stayed perfectly still...
If he didn't speak...
If he didn't attract anyone's attention...
...maybe the meeting would begin before anyone noticed he was here.
'One wrong move and they'll start fussing over me again. I'm a Peak Lord, not a child.'
'Just because I'm the youngest doesn't mean—'
"Shen-shidi."
Shen Yuan's shoulders stiffened.
He slowly turned toward the familiar voice.
Yue Qingyuan smiled warmly from the head seat.
"Has Shen-shidi been well recently?"
Shen Yuan returned the smile with practiced grace.
"Yes. This one has been well."
'Please don't...'
'Don't say it...'
Before Yue Qingyuan could reply—
"Of course he has!"
Qi Qingqi clapped her hands together with a grin.
"That's our Shen-shidi after all!"
She beamed at him as though he were the pride of Cang Qiong.
"Our youngest Peak Lord."
"Our cutest Peak Lord."
"How could someone as adorable as Shen-shidi not be doing well?"
Shen Yuan visibly wilted.
'...There it is.'
Across the table, Shen Qingqiu hid the curl of his lips behind his folding fan.
"..."
His idiot little brother looked like a kicked puppy.
Liu Qingge frowned.
"...Cute?"
Qi Qingqi nodded matter-of-factly.
"Of course."
"He smiles at everyone."
"He thanks people for every little thing. He apologizes even when things aren't his fault. And have you seen him with spiritual beasts? He talks to them. As if they understand him."
Liu Qingge thought back to the countless times Shen Yuan had crouched beside injured beasts, softly praising them while feeding them medicine.
"...They do listen."
"See?"
Mu Qingfang chuckled.
"The disciples from my peak says shen-shidi once apologized to a rabbit after accidentally stepping on its paw."
Shen Yuan's face immediately turned bright red.
"I-I only did that because I felt bad!"
"Mm."
"That makes it even cuter."
"..."
'You've got to be fucking kidding me.'
Shang Qinghua enthusiastically joined in.
"Last month Shen-shidi thanked me five times for lending him a book."
"It was my book," Shen Yuan muttered weakly.
"So?"
"You returned it cleaner than when I gave it to you."
Qi Qingqi rested her chin on one hand.
"See? Adorable."
Shen Yuan slowly lowered his head onto the table.
"..."
"...Can the meeting start already..."
Shen Qingqiu's fan trembled.
He was laughing.
The sound never escaped, but his shoulders betrayed him.
Shen Yuan looked over in disbelief.
'Jiu-ge!'
'You're supposed to save me!'
Shen Qingqiu met his younger brother's pleading gaze...
...and deliberately looked away.
The corner of his lips lifted just a little higher.
~
The Peak Lord meeting was...
Dreadfully boring.
Shen Yuan had spent the entire meeting fighting against the overwhelming urge to fall asleep.
Every now and then his eyelids would droop—
Then he'd jolt awake the moment someone raised their voice.
'Stay awake...'
'Stay awake...'
'You're a Peak Lord...'
'Peak Lords don't fall asleep during meetings...'
By the time Yue Qingyuan finally declared the meeting adjourned, Shen Yuan had never moved so quickly in his life.
He politely excused himself—
Then practically fled.
"Shen—"
Liu Qingge had just opened his mouth.
But Shen Yuan was already halfway out the door, too exhausted to notice.
"..."
Liu Qingge watched his retreating figure for a long moment.
"...He looked tired."
Mu Qingfang nodded.
"He probably needs more rest."
Shen Qingqiu silently watched his younger brother disappear around the corner.
'...That fool.'
~
A few minutes later, Shen Yuan landed gracefully atop Ling You Peak.
The moment his feet touched the ground, he sheathed his sword and covered his mouth with a yawn.
"Haaah..."
His eyes watered slightly from how tired he was.
Boring-ass meeting...
He rubbed his face before pulling his familiar notebook from his sleeve.
Flipping through the pages, he quietly read today's schedule.
"...Peak Lord meeting..." He drew a neat checkmark beside it.
"...Teach disciples."
"...Finish paperwork."
"...Practice musical cultivation."
"..."
The more he read...
The sleepier he became.
His shoulders sagged.
"...Why is there so much..."
For one dangerous moment, Shen Yuan seriously considered crawling back into his house and pretending today didn't exist.
'...No.'
'Responsibilities first.'
He closed the notebook with a small sigh.
"I should teach my disciples before I accidentally fall asleep standing."
With that, he made his way toward the training grounds.
~
The disciples had already gathered by the time he arrived.
The moment they spotted him, they straightened.
"Greetings, Shizun!"
Shen Yuan smiled gently.
"Good morning."
"..."
The disciples exchanged subtle glances.
Shizun looks...
Sleepy.
His usually bright eyes were half-lidded, and despite maintaining perfect posture, there was a faint sluggishness to every movement.
One younger disciple whispered, "Did Shizun not sleep well?"
Another quietly shook his head.
"I don't know... but he looks exhausted."
Their eldest martial brother frowned with concern.
"...Let's not trouble Shizun today."
Everyone immediately nodded.
"We'll practice seriously."
"We won't make him repeat himself."
"We'll finish drills on the first try."
"Good."
Shen Yuan, completely oblivious to the silent agreement forming among his disciples, set down his guqin and smiled.
"Let's begin today's lesson."
The disciples answered in unison.
"Yes, Shizun!"
Not a single one of them noticed the tiny pause before Shen Yuan spoke again.
He had nearly yawned.
Again.
Shen Yuan cleared his throat softly, chasing away the last remnants of sleep.
He picked up a plain wooden practice sword from the weapon rack before turning to face his disciples.
Today's lesson wouldn't be about spiritual beasts.
They had already spent weeks learning how to identify dangerous species, treat injured beasts, and calm those that could still be reasoned with.
Knowledge alone wasn't enough.
If negotiations failed...
If a beast truly intended to kill...
...they needed the strength to protect themselves.
"Everyone," Shen Yuan called gently, "open your cultivation manuals to the Third Sword Foundation."
The disciples obeyed at once, the rustling of pages filling the training grounds.
Once everyone had found the correct section, Shen Yuan nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."
He rested the wooden sword against his shoulder.
"You all know Ling You Peak values understanding before violence."
His gaze swept over the rows of attentive disciples.
"We study spiritual beasts so we can coexist with them whenever possible."
He smiled faintly.
"But not every beast wishes to coexist."
His expression grew a little more serious.
"If one day you encounter a corrupted beast... or one driven mad beyond reason..."
"...I want every one of you to return home safely."
The disciples unconsciously straightened.
"So."
Shen Yuan raised the wooden sword.
"Today, we'll practice the Third Sword Foundation.This form prioritizes defense. A cultivator who survives can always protect others later."
He demonstrated the opening stance.
His movements were smooth and elegant, every motion flowing naturally into the next.
There wasn't an ounce of unnecessary force.
It looked less like swordsmanship...
...and more like a quiet dance.
Even the breeze seemed unwilling to disturb him.
Several disciples found themselves staring.
Shizun is amazing...
Even a wooden sword looks graceful in his hands.
Shen Yuan finished the sequence and looked back at them.
"Did everyone see it clearly?"
A chorus answered immediately.
"Yes, Shizun!"
"Good."
He smiled warmly.
"Then show me."
The training grounds soon filled with the sounds of wooden swords clacking together.
Shen Yuan walked between the rows, correcting stances one by one.
"A little lower."
"Good."
"Don't grip the hilt so tightly. Your wrists will tire too quickly."
He gently adjusted one disciple's elbow.
"Like this."
The disciple's face turned bright red.
"Y-Yes, Shizun!"
Another stumbled during a step.
Instead of scolding him, Shen Yuan patiently demonstrated it again.
"There's no need to rush. A stable foundation is more important than speed."
The disciple bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Shizun!"
After correcting the last disciple's stance, Shen Yuan let out a quiet breath.
"Continue practicing in pairs, Remember what I said—don't chase power. Focus on stability."
"Yes, Shizun!"
Satisfied that everyone was occupied, Shen Yuan walked to the shaded pavilion overlooking the training grounds and sat behind the low wooden table.
His eyes never left his disciples.
"Lin Xiu."
One of the senior disciples immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"Yes, Shizun?"
"Could you fetch the paperwork from my study?"
The disciple blinked.
"...Now?"
Shen Yuan nodded with a gentle smile.
"If I finish it while supervising all of you, I'll have less to do later."
"..."
"Then I can sleep properly tonight."
Lin Xiu's expression immediately softened.
"...This disciple understands."
"I'll return shortly."
With that, he hurried toward the bamboo house.
Meanwhile, Shen Yuan watched the disciples continue their drills.
"...Good."
At least no one was slacking off.
A few minutes later, Lin Xiu returned carrying a stack of neatly organized scrolls.
"...Shizun."
"So fast?" Shen Yuan accepted them with a grateful smile. "Thank you."
Lin Xiu scratched his cheek bashfully.
"It wasn't difficult."
Shen Yuan nodded before unrolling the first document.
"...Requests for medicinal herbs..."
He signed it.
"...Approved."
The second.
"...Repair budget for the eastern beast enclosure..."
"...Approved."
The third.
"...Request to adopt an abandoned spirit wolf cub..."
Shen Yuan paused.
His eyes lit up.
"...There's a spirit wolf cub?"
Lin Xiu coughed into his fist.
"...That's... not the important part, Shizun."
"...Right."
With obvious reluctance, Shen Yuan lowered his brush and continued reading the report before signing it.
As he worked, he occasionally looked up.
"Your footing is too wide."
"The left side."
"Good."
"Don't forget your breathing."
Every correction was calm and precise before his eyes returned to the paperwork.
The disciples stared.
"..."
"...Is Shizun... doing paperwork and supervising us at the same time?"
"I think he is."
"...How?"
"He didn't even look up that time!"
Another disciple whispered worriedly,
"...Shizun said he wanted to sleep properly tonight."
"...Doesn't that mean he hasn't been sleeping properly?"
The atmosphere grew noticeably quieter.
They all remembered how exhausted he had looked after the Peak Lord meeting.
One disciple tightened his grip on his wooden sword.
"...Let's finish practice without making mistakes."
"So Shizun can rest sooner."
The others nodded in agreement.
Not one of them complained when the drills became more difficult.
Watching them from the pavilion, Shen Yuan smiled faintly.
They're working really hard today.
'Maybe my teaching has finally started paying off.'
The System remained silent.
It decided not to tell its oblivious host that the disciples weren't training harder because of his teaching—
They simply wanted their overworked, soft-hearted Shizun to get some sleep.
By the time the sun began dipping toward the horizon, Shen Yuan finally set down his brush.
"...Done."
He stretched his arms above his head until his shoulders gave a satisfying pop.
"Haaah..."
The paperwork was finished.
The disciples had completed today's sword practice.
The spiritual beasts had been fed.
There was only musical cultivation left...
"...I'll practice after dinner."
Right now...
He wanted nothing more than to collapse onto his bed and sleep until tomorrow.
Shen Yuan stood, preparing to dismiss everyone.
"You've all worked hard today. Class is—"
Bang!
The doors to the training grounds slid open with enough force to rattle the wooden frame.
Every disciple instinctively straightened.
Standing in the doorway was Shen Qingqiu.
Still dressed in flowing green robes, fan tucked into his sleeve, his expression as cold and unimpressed as ever.
His sharp gaze landed directly on Shen Yuan.
"You're coming with me."
"...Eh?"
Before Shen Yuan could process those words, Shen Qingqiu strode over, grabbed his younger brother by the wrist, and began walking away.
Shen Yuan stumbled after him.
"J-Jiu-ge?"
His disciples watched in stunned silence as their usually graceful Shizun was effortlessly dragged across the training grounds.
"Wait—"
"I still have—"
"No."
"But—"
"No."
"Jiu-geee..."
His voice turned pitiful.
"I wanna rest..."
Shen Qingqiu didn't even spare him a glance.
"Rest later."
"..."
"...You're taking me somewhere..."
"The Warm Red Pavilion."
Shen Yuan immediately knew what he meant.
"...To visit the shijies?"
"Mn."
"..."
"...Can I visit them tomorrow?"
"No."
"...The day after tomorrow?"
"No."
"...Next week?"
Shen Qingqiu stopped walking.
He slowly turned his head.
"...Do you want me to carry you instead?"
Shen Yuan immediately straightened.
"...I'll walk."
"Good."
Without another word, Shen Qingqiu resumed dragging his younger brother away.
Behind them...
The disciples stared.
"..."
"..."
"...Peak Lord Shen just..."
"...Dragged Shizun away."
"...Shizun didn't even resist."
One younger disciple blinked.
"I've never seen anyone tell Shizun 'no' that many times."
The eldest disciple sighed.
"...Only Peak Lord Shen can."
Another quietly smiled.
"...It's nice."
"Hm?"
"Seeing Shizun act like a younger brother."
The others looked toward the retreating pair.
Their gentle, elegant Peak Lord had long since given up protesting.
He simply allowed himself to be pulled along, shoulders drooping dramatically with every step.
"...Jiu-ge..."
"No."
"...I didn't even say anything."
"I know what you were going to say."
"..."
"...That's unfair."
A few disciples couldn't help but laugh.
"...They really are brothers."
Far ahead, Shen Qingqiu's lips twitched almost imperceptibly.
He didn't let go of Shen Yuan's wrist.
If he did, his exhausted little brother would probably sneak back to Ling You Peak and bury himself under his blankets before anyone could stop him.
~
The moment Shen Qingqiu led Shen Yuan through the Doors of the Warm Red Pavilion, the atmosphere changed.
One of the sisters looked up.
"...A-jiu!"
In an instant, every disciple in the pavilion turned toward the entrance.
"A-jiu's little brother is here!"
"A-Yuan! !"
"Junior Peak Lord!"
Shen Yuan barely had time to smile.
"Shijies, good eveni—"
He was immediately surrounded.
"...Eh?"
"Look how tired he is."
"Our poor little a-Yuan has dark circles!"
"Come, come! Sit down."
Before Shen Yuan knew what was happening, he had been gently guided onto a cushioned seat.
"...W-Wait..."
Several shijies had already begun fussing over him.
One carefully combed his hair.
Another adjusted the jade hairpin Shen Qingqiu had given him.
"Aiya, this hairstyle suits you so well."
"So handsome..."
"No, beautiful."
Someone lightly pinched his cheek.
"Have you been eating enough?"
Another gently dusted a bit of powder across his face.
"Just a little to brighten your complexion."
"Maybe a touch of lip balm?"
"Oh! These jade earrings would match his robes!"
Shen Yuan's eyes widened.
"W-Wait!"
He instinctively tried to lean away.
"I don't need—"
A senior shijie smiled sweetly.
"Hold still."
"..."
Somehow...
That gentle smile was more intimidating than any spiritual beast he'd ever faced.
Shen Yuan froze.
"...Yes, Shijie."
Meanwhile, another disciple had already started threading a small silver ornament into his hair.
"This one is perfect."
"Oh! Add this tassel!"
"No, no, the white jade one."
"The green one matches his eyes."
"You're right!"
Shen Yuan looked helplessly toward his older brother.
"Jiu-ge..."
His voice was filled with pleading.
"...Help?"
Shen Qingqiu stood nearby with his fan in hand.
"..."
He calmly took a sip of tea.
"...No."
"..."
"...Traitor."
Shen Qingqiu ignored him.
Truthfully...
He thought Shen Yuan looked rather nice with his hair properly arranged.
The sisters of the Warm Red Pavilion continued cooing over him.
"Our Peak Lord is too cute."
"He's so obedient."
"He isn't even struggling anymore."
"He knows resistance is futile."
"I am struggling..." Shen Yuan muttered weakly as another bracelet was slipped onto his wrist.
"You are?"
"...Mentally."
That only earned a chorus of affectionate laughter.
"Aiya!"
"Even the way he complains is adorable."
Shen Yuan slowly lowered his head.
'..I've been defeated.'
Seeing his younger brother completely buried beneath a sea of brightly dressed women, Shen Qingqiu quietly hid the faint curl of his lips behind his fan.
For once...
His troublesome little brother wasn't worrying about paperwork, disciples, or spiritual beasts.
Even if he was being thoroughly pampered against his will.
At some point...
The lively chatter around Shen Yuan gradually faded.
One of the shijies paused while adjusting the jade ornament in his hair.
"...A-yuan?"
There was no response.
She blinked.
"...Shen-shidi?"
Shen Yuan remained perfectly still, his head drooping slightly forward.
A soft, steady breath escaped him.
"..."
"...He fell asleep."
The entire room quieted.
"...Aiya..."
"So exhausted..."
"He really has been overworking himself."
The shijies' smiles softened into concern.
One carefully removed the jewelry she had just put on him so it wouldn't be uncomfortable.
Another draped a light blanket over his shoulders.
"He must not have slept well."
"Poor thing..."
Shen Qingqiu silently watched his younger brother sleeping upright.
Even asleep, Shen Yuan looked peaceful.
The dark circles beneath his eyes, however, were impossible to ignore.
"..."
Without saying a word, Shen Qingqiu walked over.
He crouched in front of the chair.
"Move aside."
The shijies immediately made room.
With practiced ease, Shen Qingqiu lifted Shen Yuan onto his back.
Shen Yuan stirred slightly.
"...Mm..."
"...Jiu-ge..."
His arms instinctively wrapped around his brother's shoulders before he settled back into sleep.
"..."
Several disciples covered their mouths.
"...He recognized a-jiu even in his sleep."
"Of course he did."
"They're brothers."
Shen Qingqiu adjusted Shen Yuan's weight and stood.
"I'm taking him home."
She smiled.
"Please make sure he rests."
"...Mn."
Without another word, Shen Qingqiu stepped onto his sword.
~
The journey back to Cang Qiong Mountain was peaceful.
Shen Yuan slept through all of it.
Every now and then he mumbled something completely incoherent.
"...Paperwork..."
"...No more meetings..."
"...Five more minutes..."
Shen Qingqiu clicked his tongue.
"...Hopeless."
Even so...
He slowed his flight ever so slightly to keep the ride smooth.
The moment they landed at Cang Qiong Mountain, countless disciples happened to be passing through the central plaza.
"..."
"..."
"...Is that..."
"...Peak Lord Shen?"
Every head turned.
There stood Shen Qingqiu, carrying Shen Yuan on his back without the slightest concern for the dozens of eyes watching them.
Shen Yuan's head rested against his brother's shoulder, long hair spilling over Shen Qingqiu's robes.
He was completely asleep.
One hand still loosely clutched the back of Shen Qingqiu's collar.
"...He's actually asleep..."
"I've never seen shizun sleeping before..."
"Peak Lord Shen is carrying him himself..."
"Should we... pretend we didn't see this?"
"No."
"Why?"
"...Because if anyone laughs, Peak Lord Shen will probably kill them."
Everyone unanimously decided to lower their heads and quietly move out of the way.
As Shen Qingqiu passed, no one dared make a sound.
Halfway across the plaza, Shen Yuan shifted slightly.
"...Jiu-ge..."
His sleepy voice was barely audible.
"...Thank you..."
Shen Qingqiu didn't answer immediately.
After a long silence, he spoke just loudly enough for the sleeping man to hear.
"...Sleep."
Shen Yuan gave a tiny, content hum and relaxed completely against his brother.
The surrounding disciples stared in stunned silence.
"..."
"...Did..."
"...Did Peak Lord Shen just speak gently?"
"I value my life."
"So do I."
"Let's never mention this again."
From that day onward, a strange rumor spread through Cang Qiong Mountain.
The cold, sharp-tongued Peak Lord of Qing Jing Peak had only one weakness.
His little brother.
And he had never once tried to deny it.