Chapter Text
Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.
The round white stones that formed the cloud-like ceiling of the Ling Xi caves appeared as if they were truly raining. Puddles formed underfoot and the crystalline surfaces rippled with each drop of water that plummeted downwards. Shen Yuan made sure to avoid those as he hugged the walls, occasionally scraping them with a scrap of green rock he had found at its mouth.
In truth, he wished he could take a minute to enjoy this place. Maybe meditate a while to see if a spark of cultivation was anywhere within him now that he was in this new world. But he was too focused on his current mission, which was gracefully handed to him by some irritating blue hologram.
It was a classic transmigration scenario: Shen Yuan had died unexpectedly and, instead of getting graced with the mysterious and tantalizing afterlife he expected, the bold letters in his face were clear as day.
[OBJECTIVE: Save the protagonist and change the story of Proud Immortal Demon Way!]
Most would just interpret changing the story as helping Luo Binghe: the star of the show and the only character who was allowed to have plot most chapters. But there were many victims in the biblical disaster that was Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky’s grand web novel.
Tripping over a crack in the stone beneath his feet, Shen Yuan took a breath, feeling as if he had already been walking for an hour or so. But it would all be worth it once he reached the end of the tunnel. He was about to kill two birds with one stone. He would save Luo Binghe and fix things in one fell swoop.
Liu Qingge, the Bai Zhan peak lord, should have been recovering from some sort of spiritual issue this early on in the story. Qi deviation, healing his core, dual cultivation gone wrong. (The author wasn't really the best at his descriptions in the first set of chapters.) Whatever the case was, he was weak and unable to get out of this place. If left to his own devices, he would be found and slain by the wicked peak lord of Qing Jing peak: Shen Qingqiu.
So Shen Yuan, ever gracious and magnanimous, would simply extend a helping hand. Easy!
The challenge was arriving before Shen Qingqiu, who no doubt would be on the path to Ling Xi any day now. Perhaps any minute, if he was unlucky enough. Not only that, but a spiritual cultivator was quite skilled at traversing passageways like these. There would only be so much time before–
[ERROR: Player is off course. Please see directions again.]
[OBJECTIVE: Save the protagonist and change the story of Proud Immortal Demon Way!]
He jumped at the sudden blue light filling his eyes, nearly slipping on the soaked stone floor.
"I'm not off course," his voice cracked a bit, so he coughed and stood straight. "I am exactly where I need to be to do both of those things."
[Liu Qingge has no important bearing on the story, and has zero connection to the protagonist at all.]
"Ah, for now." Shen Yuan crossed his arms, grinning with pride. "The whole reason Luo Binghe became black hearted was because Shen Qingqiu was his shizun. So, the best way to keep the plot going while keeping Binghe safe would be to get him a different one!"
He waited at least a minute before realizing that the system saw his logic and wouldn’t stop him anymore. But not even dishing him out a ‘oh my bad’ or ‘proceed’? Why was this thing so damn stubborn?!
"...you're making it difficult to become friends." Shen Yuan mumbled, feeling deflated as turned a corner, scraping another green X on the wall.
His feet were starting to burn. Apparently this body wasn’t athletic either. While he felt that was fair, considering he still looked relatively the same when he caught his occasional reflection, disappointment still lingered in his chest at the thought.
Even in a xianxia world, where every character had some martial ability in order to survive, he was still the same Shen Yuan. Was he going to have to start exercising now? Was he going to have to pick up a martial arts manual?? So unfair! If he was in charge of this plot now, at least give him a little uncanny strength!
Shen Yuan suddenly stopped his internal complaining that this world was so cruel as he suddenly heard groaning ahead. Success!
He felt instant relief and petrifying nerves all at once. This would be the first person he'd be speaking to in this world– well, first adult person. He had to act confident, and like he totally belonged here.
Taking a breath, he turned his last corner. He barely got his 'hello?' past his lips, since his eyes caught the state of the opening in the cave: practically demolished, with rubble powdering the floor!
"Yeesh," was accidentally his first word.
[OOC!]
Shen Yuan gave an apologetic head nod, having to remember to keep up this old-timey speak even when he was all by himself. He'd pretend like the walls had ears. (And sometimes they actually did.)
"Hello?" He spoke up, taking a few steps into the rubble cave, looking around in the dim lighting. He heard nothing but the heavy breathing and a soft crackle, leading deep within the cave. Even beneath his simple robes, he could feel the hair on his arms stand up with the ones on his neck, the energy overwhelming.
He continued forward, running a hand over his arm. It was hitting him that this was also his first encounter with real cultivation. The fact he could feel it even this far away...well, they weren't called immortal peak lords for nothing, he supposed.
As he got closer, he could see the scene much better. The righteous sword of the Bai Zhan peak lord was stabbed into a large rock, and the main source of the pulsating energy. In front of it knelt a man in blood soaked white, leaning against the rock weakly for support.
…should he say something? He sort of felt words die on his tongue, this was a lot scarier than illustrative words on a page! No wonder Shen Qingqiu was so paranoid.
The amount of blood was concerning, however. Shen Yuan quickly pulled his bag from his shoulder, taking out the roll of bandages he had before starting a slow approach. Maybe he could simply catch his attention and show that he was only here to help.
There was a sudden burst of energy from the sword, turning the cave from dim to bright white. When his eyes managed to adjust, he saw the figure standing ahead of him, long hair flowing as he pulled the sword from the wall. The air swished as he spun it around him, looking up at Shen Yuan anddohhh wow he’s attractive.
Aside from the general epic-ness of it all, Liu Qingge was stunning! He reminded Shen Yuan of the male models he’d see on big banners at the mall. Maybe a perfume ad that guaranteed women would fall in love with you on a beach somewhere.
Since he died so early in the plot, there wasn’t even much fanart of him out there. But it was clear he was related to the breathtaking Liu Mingyan! It was nearly enough to distract how he was running at full speed towards him.
It was important to note that Shen Yuan was absolutely a loser. He spent much of his time indoors, reading the days away, taking short walks to maximize his vitamin D intake and minimum exercise at the same time. But his time indoors included playing video games, and he knew a quick time event when he saw one.
It was almost kind of pitiful, watching this bloodied, handsome warrior move to strike, only to get a hard ball of bandages smack directly into his nose with pinpoint accuracy. Shen Yuan wasn't even aware he had hit him until he noticed his hand was empty.
There was the most agonizing half second of silence to follow. He expected for the man to up the ammo, giving a battle cry and turning Shen Yuan into fish balls. Instead he fell to his knees again, slumped against the floor in pain.
Shen Yuan blinked, realizing his lungs still had air in them and his heart was still pumping blood.
Then, he panicked.
"I am so sorry!" He rushed over, helping him sit upright, "That is not how this one meant to use those bandages, truly. Are you alright, um, Gongzi?"
He coughed blood in response, eyes looking both unfocused and focused on everything.
Shen Yuan looked around, catching a glance at the rock that his sword had been stabbed in previously. He then moved to Liu Qingge's side, putting his arm over his shoulders and helping him up.
"Come on. It will be much easier if you let me help you." And you'll be a lot less dead.
He led the man easily over to the resting spot, but he swore he actually felt him weakly resisting! The nerve!
"I'm sorry, does Gongzi want to cough up more blood? Do you want to stay in these ragged clothes? You can't speak right now, but this one is going to assume the answer is no," he kneeled, placing Liu Qingge's back against the rock. "So stay still."
He could see the annoyance in the cultivator’s face, but he let himself be manhandled, moaning softly and shutting his eyes.
Shen Yuan pretended that the Bai Zhan peak lord's stubbornness didn't exist as he started to clean wounds and wrap bandages. It didn't aggravate him, of course the man who could lift the entire mountain with his pinky finger would be upset with getting helped out by Shen Yuan of all people! He felt terrible for emasculating him, but this was for the greater good of the plot! He promised!
"Drink this." He lifted up the rest of the water skin to Liu Qingge's lips.
He actually complied, and must have been thirsty from the way he scarfed it down. Shen Yuan let him drink until there wasn't a drop left, discarding the empty water skin back into his mismatched bag of supplies. He didn't have much, the System being stingy with his starting loot, but it was enough to get Liu Qingge looking halfway decent once more.
Well. He looked rather decent even on the brink of death, Shen Yuan thought. Unable to keep himself from staring. He really couldn't believe it. His favorite Proud Immortal Demon Way character, right in front of his eyes...
Liu Qingge panted some more, eventually opening his eyes with more focus. They traced over the face of his savior, slightly widening before he spoke.
“…Shen Qingqiu…?”
Shen Yuan jumped, immediately looking back towards the cave entrance in fear that the treacherous villain was here as well!
"Where? I don't see anyone." He whispered, keeping his voice low.
The man beneath him just looked puzzled, but seemed to make up his mind about something, slowly pulling himself into more of a normal sitting position.
“If not, then…you are…?”
"Just a humble stranger." He answered, shifting to clean his hands. "I was looking for spiritual stones in these caves, something to help with demonic energy, when I heard you were in distress."
“…” Liu Qingge was about to say more, but his skepticism was cut off by another jolt of pain that had him hold his side. He would need spiritual energy. Shen Yuan glanced down at his hands, seeing if he could manage to create even the tiniest amount. Maybe if he really, really focused...
Unfortunately it yielded no results, and Liu Qingge could only be like this for so long. They needed to go.
Oh well. Worth a shot.
"Come on. I have someone waiting outside for me, and I'm sure you have someone waiting for you, Gongzi."
Shen Yuan put his arm over his shoulders again, helping him up once more to walk out of here. The two of them only paused so Shen Yuan could pick up the sword discarded on the- WOW this was heavier than it looked, what was it made of, tungsten?!
Another hand grabbed the sword, Liu Qingge tucking it under his free arm quietly. Shen Yuan tried not to show off his jealousy that he could pick that up even at his most weakened state, following the trail he left out of the caves and into the open air.
The Bai Zhan peak lord exhaled sharply, taking in as much fresh air as possible. He did feel like absolute shit still, but if he was feeling that meant he was alive. The stranger by his side walked him through the large rocks and boulders that jutted out from the mountainous ground, allegedly towards a campsite he had set up.
Maybe Liu Qingge's mind was playing tricks on him, but he really did look like Shen Qingqiu. Ink black hair, pale yet smooth complexion, delicate hands from lack of hard work; although he never imagined those hands touching him. So it couldn't be him.
“What is your name?” He eventually managed to ask, displeased with the weakness of his voice.
He hesitated, only because he seriously thought now would be the time to change his name to something more interesting if he so desired. Sure, Luo Binghe had been with him for a while now and already knew his name, but that wasn't too big of a deal to fix. Ultimately, however, he decided he'd rather not draw too much attention to himself.
"...Shen Yuan."
Liu Qingge looked irritated, “do you think this is a game?”
"Introducing myself? No. It's not really what I would call entertaining-"
Did this guy take him a fool? He knew Shen Qingqiu had no relatives, yet he dared to steal his face and his name. He was lucky Liu Qingge didn’t like the man, otherwise he’d truly be offended.
He sucked air through his teeth with a small ‘whatever,’ looking away into the woods.
Shen Yuan honestly wanted to ask what he had done wrong, but the two of them came upon the campsite faster than he realized. Liu Qingge immediately noticed there were two bed rolls, which could only mean-
"Luo Binghe-?" Shen Yuan called out, looking around for the kid. He had told him to stay right here!
He was nowhere to be seen. See, the System gave him Luo Binghe’s already impressive stats, and assured him Luo Binghe could not die. Yet at every moment the man was worried he’d be in danger. He couldn't help it. Whenever he looked at the protagonist, all he could see was a child in need of his help.
Shen Yuan set Liu Qingge down on his own bed roll, looking for any sign of where he had went, but keeping the peak lord within eyesight. He was rather quiet, staring into space, but that was preferred to the other option of him throwing a fit or verbally accosting him.
He was rather pleased that he wasn't trying to stab him again, really.
"How long were you in the Ling Xi caves?"
“What day is it?”
Shen Yuan thought, tapping his fingers together.
"Thursday?"
“…and month.”
"Oh." He went a little red in the face, lifting his hand to cover himself. "It's the end of January."
“Fifty eight days…fifty nine including tonight.”
His seclusion had been going just fine. It was around the end where he had decided to cut corners to finish up and ended up in that situation. He didn’t know if it was more humiliating that he needed the help of some common stranger, or if he could have avoided this all if he had rounded up his very little patience.
"Your wounds were fresher than that... You probably should eat something to regain the blood you lost. And then we can get you back to Cang Qiong. For proper healing."
“You know I’m from Cang Qiong?”
Shen Yuan gave him a deadpan look, turning to face him and gesturing to his clothes.
"You're covered in embroidery, your sword is filled with spiritual inscriptions, and you were in those caves for months with no food supply that I could see. You sort of stand out in a crowd of normalcy, Gongzi."
He swore he saw color return to his face, which was a good sign.
“…then I assume you already know my name. No need for introductions.”
[Character Unlocked!]
[LIU QINGGE: Lord of Bai Zhan Peak!]
Shen Yuan couldn't help but grin, watching all of this man's stats appear in front of him. Most importantly, his status remaining: alive. He sincerely hoped fixing the rest of the plot would be this easy.
“You were my aid back there. If it weren’t for you…I am unsure of what my current status would be.” Liu Qingge planted his sword in the ground, using it as an anchor to stand.
"You were in trouble, it was only natural to help." Even if it was just to gain a means to an end, Shen Yuan truly thought Liu Qingge didn't deserve the fate of a forgotten character from the first arc. He truly had the greatest potential, discarded for seemingly no reason.
Suddenly Liu Qingge was out of his sight. He looked down only to be shocked to find the man drop to one knee in front of him, head bowed.
“Regardless, I am in service of you. When you find yourself in trouble, I am the one to call.”
“Shizun?”
Shen Yuan whipped his head towards the sound of his name being called, feeling as if he was caught red handed and unsure how to explain himself. He didn't know why he felt this way, he wasn't doing anything wrong, but his face was certainly flushed.
The protagonist was standing amongst the treeline, holding a large pot of what he assumed to be ingredients for dinner. His youthful face was equally as shocked, eyes dancing between Shen Yuan and the man knelt before him.
Before he could even attempt to ask, Shen Yuan pointed to the pot in his hand. "Did this one not tell you to wait until I came back? These mountains are dangerous, anyone could be in them."
“It was getting late, without sunlight I would be unable to wash the vegetables.” He focused back on Shen Yuan, electing to ignore Liu Qingge
The older man sighed, rubbing his face. "If only we could turn your spiritual abilities into some kind of lantern. It would save us half of our troubles..."
“Are palm torches not suitable?” Liu Qingge moved back onto the bed. Luo Binghe’s shizun’s bed, which seemed to make the young boy clench his fists.
Shen Yuan looked back at him, "they might be, if we had any sort of cultivation manual. But I can't teach him what I can't do myself."
He held his hand out towards Liu Qingge, letting him discover that there wasn't a drop of spiritual essence to be found. Everyone had a small amount, even the tiniest drop at the bottom of their cores. Shen Yuan had nothing.
“Then what makes you his shizun?” He meant this question honestly, wondering what kind of technique he could teach Luo Binghe when he couldn’t demonstrate.
“He’s a perfect shizun.” Luo Binghe bit back, walking to Shen Yuan’s side, “he’s taught me many things. Much more than any fancy cultivator could.”
Said shizun blinked, not expecting so much hostility towards a stranger? The original Luo Binghe was definitely hostile, but he at least pretended to be nice to people at first-!
Then again, he had never met Liu Qingge before...
He patted the kid's shoulder, "not true. I'm sure Liu Qingge here has many things he teaches his disciples." He looked back at him, "I've just been helping Luo Binghe catch up with his peers. Reading, math, calligraphy, proverbs- he learns so quickly it honestly shocks me at times."
Luo Binghe felt a little embarrassed that Shen Yuan revealed he was behind on his studies, but stood ten tones down, “you’ve taught me cultivation too.” He reminded him softly, tone caring once more.
Shen Yuan had to take a breath not to audibly call Luo Binghe adorable, reaching upwards to pat his head instead.
"I've done my best. But I'm afraid I'll somehow have to find you a real cultivation teacher..." He sighed for extra dramatic points.
The boy pouted, “there’s still much to learn from Shizun. We can discuss it over dinner.”
Luo Binghe began to set up cooking, arranging the pot amongst a blazing fire. As Shen Yuan turned his attention away, he noticed a conflicting look on Liu Qingge’s face. He decided to walk over and sit beside him.
"Are you still in pain? I have some medicine, but it's rather weak-"
“I’m fine.” He told him. He did feel…sticky, however. Caked blood didn’t make for the best sensory experience.
"...no you're not."
“What?” Liu Qingge looked up in mild surprise, not expecting such a blunt answer.
"No one ever says ‘I'm fine' and genuinely means it." Shen Yuan knew these tropes better than anyone here!
He grimaced, “my spiritual energy will replenish in due time. Nothing you can assist with.”
Shen Yuan had a small lightbulb go off in his head, glancing over to where Luo Binghe was placing a lid on their pot to simmer. "Luo Binghe, could you come here for a moment?"
The boy nearly teleported by his side. He was pretty sure he couldn’t actually teleport without the help of Mobei-Jun, but who knows with this fuck ass book!
“Shizun?”
He lifted his hand, showing some minor scrapes from the cave walls. "I was wondering if you could hea-"
His disciple was working instantly, focusing on the wounds and healing it with ease. He could have even gone faster, but wanted to make sure not a single blemish remained.
When he finished, he caught his shizun smiling at him with pride and awe. It was a look Luo Binghe was familiar with by now, after knowing the man for a while. He really thought his disciple was quite cool-
"That was quicker than the last time." He complimented, looking at his pristine hands and nodding. "But did that tire you out too much? This one shouldn't have asked you for such minor scrapes."
“Of course not.” He insisted, “if Shizun has any other injuries, this Binghe is able and willing to help.”
Shen Yuan reached forward, patting his round little cheek gently and affectionately.
"Then surely you can offer our guest a small amount of energy so he can sleep comfortably."
“...”
Luo Binghe nodded his head slowly, trying to figure out a way to get out of this. He did not trust this stranger. Especially with him being so conveniently in the cave Shen Yuan decided to peruse.
Still, if the man slept, that meant that there would be more dinner for his shizun and he would no longer be bothering their time together. And he could show his shizun that he was capable
…so be it.
Dragging his feet, Luo Binghe knelt by the peak lord, masking his animosity over him dirtying Shen Yuan’s sheets. Typical aristocrats.
“This one is still a beginner, but will tend to you.” That was all he managed to kindly get out before working.
"Binghe is far too humble. One day, he'll be the most skilled cultivator in all three realms." Shen Yuan predicted. He did get a warning message from the system, chastising him for potentially revealing the plot to Luo Binghe. But it was worth it to see the hopeful, beaming grin on his face.
"Ah, I'm sure you say that about the disciples on Cang Qiong, don't you?" Shen Yuan glanced at Liu Qingge, who at least looked less pale than before.
He watched Luo Binghe work, not trusting him, but responded, “I rarely see them.”
Shen Yuan blinked curiously, "you don't see them?"
“Not on any sort of personal level.” He shrugged, closing his eyes in pain, “…I do not take on head disciples. They would have to be those destined for greatness.”
"Does Liu-Gongzi not like kids, or-"
“What’s the point of taking a head disciple if they’re not impressive?”
"Well..." Shen Yuan thought for a moment, glancing up at the darkening sky. "I'm just a humble scholar, but I think that the point is that you're the one that makes them impressive."
Liu Qingge looked up at him quizzically, letting him go on before challenging him.
"Children can only be so spectacular. When one finds a diamond in the earth, it isn't already cut into facets. It's just a clear rock. But, if you take the time to clean it and refine it yourself, then it becomes that impressive stone you've been searching for."
He watched as the Bai Zhan peak lord grappled with this idea, letting it linger in the air. After a moment, he scrunched his nose, commenting, “you sound like a poet.”
"Listen, I am trying my best to sound fancy in front of someone so prestigious." He gestured to Liu Qingge, pretending that he didn't just always talk like that.
Liu Qingge just looked away, not gracing him with an answer as Luo Binghe was done mending him up.
“Finished.” He reluctantly bowed in respect, going back to attend to the food.
Shen Yuan made sure to thank Luo Binghe as he passed, deciding to quiet down and let everything marinate.
Liu Qingge said he owed him his service, to call him when he was in need. Now, he had seen Luo Binghe's spiritual capabilities to the fullest extent. This would have to guarantee the protagonist to become a disciple of Bai Zhan!
Shen Yuan was trying to imagine the young man the new robe colors, wishing he had access to fanart on Twitter right about now. He nearly missed the man walking away towards the water wordlessly.
He practically stumbled over himself to stand up, calling out to him. "Where are you going?"
He raised his hands, showing the dried blood, “it’s ineffective to meditate this way.” And if he was to fly back home, he’d need energy.
"True, but putting human blood in the water is going to attract dangers that will interrupt your meditation far more. This area is known for banded-tusk sea snakes."
Shen Yuan remembered, mostly because he had been watching for them while he traveled through Ling Xi caves. The babies were born in the puddles, and then slid down the mountain into the streams. There was one chapter where Luo Binghe scooped some up in a bottle and brought them back home as pets for his moat-
“Then I’ll have to endure the journey.” He walked back to pick up his sword, just planning to do a pit stop or two on the way home.
“Ah, if that’s what you have to do.” Luo Binghe pouted, “bye.”
He bounced over to his Shizun, ready to continue their romantic evening. But said shizun did not look happy about that. In fact, Luo Binghe noticed his eye twitching, the round cheek under it bouncing upwards without rhythm.
"So after saving your life, you're just going to fall to your death off of your sword?"
“I’ve been in worse conditions.”
"Only because my disciple took the painstaking time to heal you." He crossed his arms.
“What do you suppose I do instead?” He turned back, annoyed.
Luo Binghe grabbed Shen Yuan’s arm, “Shizun, he’s right. This one wouldn’t want to keep someone so important…”
Oh now he's so important? Shen Yuan had to hold back rolling his eyes.
"This one just wasn't aware resting for one singular night with some strangers was so averse to you. If you promised I could call you for help, why are you running away from help yourself?"
“I don’t need help.”
"Fine. Just admit your stubborn and you can go."
Liu Qingge looked at Shen Yuan like he was insane. What is he, his mother?!
He seemed quite upset. Who wouldn't be? He spent all of his resources trying to make sure Liu Qingge was alright, almost died saving him, and now he was watching it all be wasted. He honestly felt disrespected, putting in so much work only for the righteous man he read about to just up and leave.
Liu Qingge had no idea how or why he stumbled upon him, but it set in while looking at Shen Yuan that this really meant a lot to him. Putting his sword down, he sat again next to his bed, looking to the fire, “…I’ll conserve energy first.”
Shen Yuan stared down at him for a moment or two, face still drawn in annoyance. He then moved, grabbing the bag that was sitting on his bed and pulling out a small journal.
Binghe had seen this before. Whenever his shizun was overwhelmed with planning something, he scribbled and wrote for what felt like hours. But what could he possibly be planning with some rich stranger? It wasn't like he could read the notes. They were in a language he had never seen before. There was no use dwelling on it, so he decided to finish the food for three.
A meal always seemed to smooth things over! By the time he had poured a bowl for his shizun, the tense creases of his face had smoothed out back to calmness. Especially when he was able to sip from the flavorful soup Binghe had made. The food he crafted was honestly more magical than any cultivation he had seen.
Liu Qingge held the bowl gingerly, looking down at the food he was presented with. Luo Binghe could only do so much with a single pot out in the woods. However, this looked better than some of the things he had seen served in the dining hall.
He mumbled a thanks, bringing the bowl to his mouth. It wasn’t the most proper way, but to hell with that. He hadn’t eaten in months and was bloody in the woods with some man and his oddly talented child.
At least the food was good. Perhaps not to Liu Qingge's tastes, but not unbearably so. He must have been hungry, since he was shocked to discover no more broth in his mouth as he further tilted the bowl.
He heard soft laughter from his left once he finished scarfing down the rest. He didn’t dare look, thinking maybe the man would forget what he saw if he was nonchalant.
“…its filling.”
"Liu-Gongzi is a man of few words." Shen Yuan observed. No wonder he scrunched his nose to his poetic ramblings.
“Why babble on and on when you can get the point across quickly?” He leaned back, avoiding Shen Yuan’s bed to not add dirt. Although Shen Yuan could see it was a lost cause.
"There are some things that simple words can't get across." He countered.
“Like?”
"Mn..." He thought for a while, glancing down at the journal in his lap. "...relationships with people are very complicated. You can't just like someone or not like someone. It goes a lot deeper. You need more words to explain that you don't hate a person yet you wouldn't invite them to your house-"
“Acquaintance.” He summarized
Shen Yuan looked extremely unamused. Liu Qingge almost cracked a smile at the man. Almost.
"No fun," Shen Yuan mumbled, trying not to admit he found his bluntness kind of funny.
“That was two words, you’re learning.” Liu Qingge nodded in approval, laying in the dirt.
"I'm far too old to be learning things from you, Gongzi"
“You’re never too old to learn.” He closed his eyes, still aware of his surroundings but finding himself exhausted.
Luo Binghe took the opportunity to grab Shen Yuan, pouting, “your bed is too dirty. You may sleep with me tonight, if it pleases you.”
Shen Yuan glanced down at him with concern, "are you sure? There won't be a lot of room, you might feel squished-"
“I’m used to it.” He insisted. It was how life was with his mother, after all. Two people tucked away on a small cot.
Shen Yuan felt his heart twist. Luo Binghe's backstory was nothing more than a few paragraphs, the story really starting on Cang Qiong. He forgot for a moment that it still affected him greatly. Especially at this age.
"Alright. But if you're uncomfortable, you will let this one know."
Luo Binghe made the bed with haste, giving Shen Yuan the fluffiest side as he laid back to back with him. The warmth comforted him and reminded him of memories long past. He thought Shen Yuan to be his miracle.
Luo Binghe had left his previous employers after having to dig a grave with his hands, refusing to let them haphazardly throw her in some unknown grave. It felt as if the world was fading, losing all of its saturation as the deep winter set in. No flowers for her grave. The earth as ice cold as her hands. An endless horizon but nowhere to go.
Shen Yuan finding him, offering him a warm bun filled with marinated pork to fill his starving stomach, was the first time he felt a spark of good in his otherwise empty chest. Even though he had the thoughts to be careful, to not to trust this man, he threw himself at him and cried into his sleeves. Looking back, it was pretty embarrassing and quite disrespectful to his shizun. But ever so graceful, he rubbed his hair and insisted he was safe now.
Even now, as he was drifting off in the heart of the woods and far from the safety of town, he felt Shen Yuan brush the hair from his forehead. And he felt completely safe here.
Naturally, Liu Qingge woke first the next morning. He felt much better than yesterday, only sore with minor need for medical attention. That little boy really did know a thing or two. It was odd, however. The person who had taught him to heal so well couldn't even perform that spell himself. So how did he know so much to be able to teach it?
It could have been natural ability, or the man was well read. It was difficult, but Liu Qingge wouldn’t say impossible.
He looked like the type to read. Even now, no monsters or demonic beasts had attacked them as they slept through the night. Looking around in the dawn sunlight, Liu Qingge could see four small posts tucked into the ground. Most likely some sort of barrier to keep whatever kind of snakes Shen Yuan had mentioned away from them.
Liu Qingge knew of monsters. He was often sent to go deal with the big ones that bothered people. But he certainly couldn't name one. Even the name of the one Shen Yuan mentioned last night alluded him. The twin tusk polka dot reptilian…or something.
Maybe he could memorize it if Shen Yuan mentioned it again. It might bring a surprised look to some of his coworkers' faces. Especially that Shen Qingqiu, who called him every word in the dictionary for unintelligent.
That thought filled him with a new type of determination, Shen Yuan waking up to find the cultivator already ready for the day.
"Liu-Gongzi looks much better today." He spoke softly, having covered Luo Binghe up so he could sleep in.
“The rest helped.” He agreed, looking down at Luo Binghe, “…and that disciple of yours.”
Shen Yuan also looked down, contemplating something for a while before stiffening up a bit.
"This one...apologizes for yesterday. With how I acted" he began. "I don't have to tell you how dangerous this world is. Especially for someone such as myself. As much as Luo Binghe is talented, I'm overprotective of him. And I suppose that rubbed off onto you, seeing you in pain."
Those words took him by surprise. Aside from his immediate family, no one had ever cared to protect him. Not that he ever thought he needed it; both he and others knew he was strong enough to handle himself. But still, the gesture left him surprisingly touched.
“I hold no grievances.” He stated, not wanting to leave Shen Yuan on a bad note.
The other man nodded, hesitating. "Do you think that..." He trailed off, biting into his cheek, causing it to dimple.
Liu Qingge raised an eyebrow, waiting. Shen Yuan turned his head, eyes meeting his.
"Do you think he'd be safer in a place like Cang Qiong? So I wouldn't have to worry so much..."
“Yes and no.” He put bluntly, “Cang Qiong is devoid of demons, but any mission he goes on could be lethal. It’s not a place to go to hide.”
"...would it be strange to say I like that answer better?" He smiled at him.
“…Extremely.” Liu Qingge replied in a more curious tone.
"Ah, but I thought Liu-Gongzi said to simplify my words. Now you want me to explain?" He teased, getting revenge points from yesterday's little battle.
Feeling caught, he turned away. A lot more flustered than Shen Yuan would’ve thought. It genuinely surprised him, but it was sort of endearing. Liu Qingge had always been so stoic and unshakeable in the novel. This got to him? Perhaps he found some kind of soft spot.
"Well," he continued, to spare the man's dignity. "I can be protective all I like, but I can't fight to save my life. Let alone Binghe's. I'd want him to go out in the world and be prepared for the worst and the best."
“…if you want me to get him onto the peak, that’s not happening. You have to earn it.”
"What? Get him on the peak?? I never said you had to do that. Never mentioned it. You said it. But now that you've said it, I am listening, how does he earn that?" He inched closer to Liu Qingge, innocently blinking.
It was his turn to look utterly unamused. Pushing his hair back with one hand, he decided to continue, “there is an entrance exam next week. He can try there.”
That had to be the same entrance exam from the beginning of the webnovel, where he caught the scornful eye of Shen Qingqiu all those years ago.
"...and you'll be there?" Shen Yuan hoped. Liu Qingge hadn't been at the entrance exam originally since he rarely cared for disciples in general. But perhaps if he was there this time around...
“I may stop by.”
"Ah, that's too many words Gongzi. You will or you won't." Shen Yuan crossed his arms, waiting.
He gave that look right back, “if I did, it would cost a favor.”
Shen Yuan held a hand over his heart, "you drive such a steep price on a poor man, Gongzi." Yet, he found he was smiling again. "Very well. If you'd like your debt to be repaid, then I think that's fair."
Just by showing up? Liu Qingge couldn’t help but smirk at that thought, now confident.
[Achievement Unlocked: Tame the Bai Zhan Beast!]
[New Objective: Gain Protagonist Access to Cang Qiong!]
Shen Yuan blinked, nose scrunching reading that first achievement. He had honestly thought he was struggling to even get on Liu Qingge's good side. Taming wasn't a word he thought he had earned at all!
Nonetheless, he would take it humbly. He had an opening to get Binghe in, and perhaps a chance that he wouldn't end up on Qing Jing. Success!
But what was his plan past that?
...great question.
Shen Yuan obviously had to stay close to Luo Binghe. He wouldn't abandon him, and he certainly wouldn't let anything bad happen to him that would lead him down a path of evil and murderous revenge. He had already resigned himself to being his kind mentor in this cruel, twisted world.
After all, if anyone here knew how to navigate PIDW the best, it would be Shen Yuan.
As the transmigrator looked up once more, Liu Qingge was once again getting ready to make his exit. He was sure he had enough energy at this point to make the trip back home, feeling ten times better than the night before.
As Liu Qingge was stretching to begin his flight back home, Shen Yuan handed him something round wrapped in a black handkerchief.
"Here."
Liu Qingge nodded in thanks, pocketing the item to check later, “you do not need assistance getting home?”
Shen Yuan looked around, glancing at the pitiful looking campsite that he called his own. His backpack, his bedroll, and Binghe. "...you've helped me plenty." He looked back at the cultivator, offering a little nod.
It occurred to Liu Qingge that this man may think he’d be getting into a deal, so he added, “you wouldn’t owe this one anything.”
"It isn't that." Shen Yuan waved his hands.
“Oh?”
He waited for him to go on, loose hair blowing with the breeze. Shen Yuan tried not to get distracted by it, thinking the long hair suited the man in front of him so well. He still wasn't used to how heavy his own head felt, brushing his hair over his shoulder as he turned, gesturing to the campsite.
"This is home. There isn't anywhere else for you to take me, Liu-gongzi..."
Though he remained with his signature poker face, Shen Yuan could see the slight movement of Liu Qingge's brow, no doubt in disapproval and disgust.
Shit! He had considered lying to the man, but he would've been able to call Shen Yuan's bluff from miles away. He prepared himself for another system notification telling him that relationship with the peak lord was severed then and there. The only thing he could think to do was distract him from the truth of his current homelessness-
"The, uhm, the handkerchief." He gestured to what he had given Liu Qingge, "it's breakfast. For you."
Even if the currently didn't have the means to be giving away their resources, and certainly no where to store anything, he wanted to make sure the peak lord wasn't starving on his flight back.
Liu Qingge looked down at the package, expression unreadable. Just when Shen Yuan was beginning to get nervous, he turned, pocketing the food.
“Auditions start in two days.” With that, he was off into the sky.
He stayed completely still, nervous that the system would be announcing his point losses or his immediate expulsion from this world. As soon as he realized nothing terrible happened, he collapsed back on the bed next to Luo Binghe, taking a breath of relief.