Chapter Text
Really it was only a matter of time before Shen Yuan became one of Luo Binghe’s conquests.
Since his time in Proud Immortal Demon Way began Shen Yuan had taken great pains to steer the plot in a less bloody direction. He had joined Qing Jing Peak as a disciple, at first attempting to cling to the protagonist's thighs in hopes he'd be spared. Then feeling more ambitious he used underhanded tactics and manipulation to get Luo Binghe transferred over to Qian Cao Peak. He had hoped that under the tutelage of a new Shizun Luo Binghe would flourish, thus reducing his desire for revenge.
Though…..As he watched Luo Binghe unload box after box of medical supplies in front of the Bamboo House he reflected that his plans had been only…..somewhat successful. The transfer had gone through, and he had successfully warded off Luo Binghe's blackening for a time however…..
Feeling someone watching him Luo Binghe glanced back, catching Shen Yuan staring. With a flirtatious gleam in his eyes he asked, "Does Shixiong like what he sees? It's been too long since we've seen each other. I've missed gege dearly."
….however, exactly how did transferring to Qian Cao Peak make Luo Binghe interested in both men and women, huh?! Shen Yuan began lamenting in his head. Is this what they call "out of the frying pan into the oven"? Have I dodged my death only to end up on my back?!
"I've missed Shidi as well…. But if you're done delivering the supplies I should get back to my duties," Shen Yuan tried, the excuse feeling half-assed at best.
Putting down the last box Luo Binghe sidled up close to his Shixiong. "Shen-shibo is away so surely you have time to humor me.”
"I….Suppose…." Shen Yuan mumbled but inside his head he thought: How exactly did you know that? Are you keeping track of his movements or what? In the end you didn’t get pushed into the abyss, so why are you saying his name like you still want to pull all his limbs off?
Ignorant of his inner monologue Luo Binghe reached out and stroked the man's long hair. "I'm glad. This Shidi has been wanting to see you. I must confess I'm stunned at how gege has developed these last few years. Your hair is almost as long as Shen Qing…. Shen-shibo's. Though if I may say…. It's much more beautiful."
Shen Yuan didn’t think his hair could at all compare to the beauty of Shen Qingqiu's but nevertheless gave Luo Binghe a polite smile. "I've been growing it out at Shizun's insistence…..I appreciate the compliment," He said calmly while internally yelling, Binghe truly….. Did all your familial affection disappear once you crossed that rainbow bridge? Why are you looking at me like a freshly picked fruit you want to sink your teeth into? Also don't you already have at least four dozen lovers between each of the peaks already?! Exactly why do you want to throw your old Shixiong into the mix, huh? Surely you have better options! Is your lust truly that insatiable?!
It wasn’t that Shen Yuan was opposed necessarily. He knew he should put up more resistance both as the Qing Jing Peak head disciple and as a man but come on, it was Luo Binghe. No one could truly resist him. He had filled out nicely over the years too. They had grown up together training on Cang Qiong Mountain and Shen Yuan had a front row seat when Luo Binghe reached adulthood and his ability grew with the size of his harem. To watch this firsthand was truly a superfan's dream come true.
Luo Binghe tsked his tongue irritably, "Shen-shibo really should give you some space. It's not normal for one's master to be so……involved… with their disciples." His tone was joking and light, but Shen Yuan could tell there was a secret animosity behind it. Though he hadn't remained Shen Qingqiu's disciple for long Luo Binghe's distaste for the man hadn't wavered. Privately Shen Yuan worried for his Shizun's safety.
A memory of Shen Qingqiu's steady hand on his shoulder sprang to mind. "He's not so bad…."
Shen Qingqiu had always been his least favorite character. The man was a complete scumbag- at least that’s how Shen Yuan used to see him. Now however, after training under him, learning about his moods and fancies, and unlocking his tragic backstory with leftover B-Points, Shen Yuan had slowly gained a respect for the man..... even if he was still an asshole.
He understood Shen Qingqiu's moods enough now to know what set him off and what didn’t. Shen Yuan was careful not to fall into any traps that would make his Shizun angry and slowly, but surely he began gaining the man's trust. Then, eventually, he had been made head disciple. It was an honor he was quite proud of but what he was prouder of still was being in Shen Qingqiu's confidence.
"Shixiong can't be serious…. He hardly lets you leave the peak. If this one hadn't been so lucky and been assigned delivery duty I'd hardly ever see you….." Luo Binghe slid a hand along Shen Yuan's hip, pouting as he leaned in closer to whisper. "Really this one has missed gege so much…."
Despite the warm hand on his hip and the hot breath against his ear Shen Yuan's mind was still stuck on his Shizun. True Shen Qingqiu was a poser who never let even a sliver of his real self show in public. But in the Bamboo House with Shen Yuan he often made little slips. Showing little beams of genuineness that made Shen Yuan hungry for more.
Even though he had to tread carefully when speaking about the man himself when it came to bitching and moaning about others the two of them found easy common ground. He could fall into conversation with Shen Qingqiu for hours about nothing but petty grievances towards his fellow disciples and peak lords. They'd talk well into the evening until the candles were dim. He relished every time one of his insults brought a smile to his Shizun's lips, and he obsessed over the times, an amount he could count on his hand, when Shen Qingqiu would let out a genuine laugh. His face brightening up and making him look ten years younger. In those moments Shen Yuan longed to kiss him.
He coughed embarrassed at his own thoughts. "S-shizun is just protective that’s all." Shen Yuan insisted feeling defensive of the man. Far more concerned with Luo Binghe's opinion of his Shizun than the hand beginning to grope his waist.
"He always takes care of my wellbeing," he tried. Though Luo Binghe didn’t look at all convinced.
He couldn’t blame the protagonist really the two of them simply saw different sides of Shen Qingqiu. While Shen Yuan's presence had calmed him down a bit it still hadn't completely saved Luo Binghe from receiving continuous punishments until he left the peak entirely.
"Enough about Shen Qingqiu…." Luo Binghe said dropping the veneer of respect. "I want to focus on Shixiong. I know my own cultivation stagnated horribly under Shen Qingqiu's teachings, I'm sure gege feels the same… I hear dual cultivation helps elevate such blockage. Why don’t we help each other out and train our bodies together hm?"
What a total load of bullshit. Weren't you just here to deliver supplies? I bet you just magically sensed how repressed I've been feeling lately, and your Harem Protagonist instincts took over, He thought snidely but made no move to push the protagonist's wandering hand away.
Before he knew it Luo Binghe had a warm palm in his robes, salaciously groping his skin. Having gotten no response he pouted demurely, "I hope I haven't troubled Shixiong with such a request…I know how innocent gege is about such things."
Shen Yuan flushed, not from the groping but the words. If this had been a few months ago he would have agreed. He had been naïve to such things at least in practice. Now however…..
As one of Luo Binghe's hands parted his robes slightly, his other stroked down Shen Yuan's chest and waist. And Shen Yuan couldn’t help but recall when a slender elegant hand had done the same. He shivered. Only deep into the night overcome with lust, a single wall away from Shen Qingqiu, did he allow himself to recall such things.
"I-I'm not as innocent as you think…."
Only two months ago he had been exploring the woods, not too far off from Qing Jing Peak. He had heard a flock of rare Paleo-Ravens had been spotted nearby and he was excited to see them. That excitement made him grow careless and instead of watching where he was going he had foolishly fallen face-first into a strange yellow plant.
As ninety-nine percent of the plants in PIDW were related to wife plots, it had immediately doused him in sex pollen. He had hobbled back miserably to the Bamboo House, horny and regretting every life choice he had ever made. When he at last reached the dwelling Shen Qingqiu was waiting there for him. His Shizun had taken care of him then. Thoroughly taken care of him.
Shen Yuan could still remember with startling clarity how Shen Qingqiu’s chest felt against his back. How those slim hands rocked his hips back and forth. Grip tight. His legs giving out under the onslaught. The feel of Shen Qingqiu's silky black hair drooping onto Shen Yuan's shoulders and neck. And how his Shizun had groaned low in his ear as if being inside of him was the single greatest pleasure he had ever experienced.
When he couldn’t take the memory any more he would press his face into the sheets and stroke himself off. Trying desperately to remember every second of the encounter. Feeling so unbearably guilty.
His Shizun had only been helping him. Had selflessly aided Shen Yuan despite the only antidote being dual cultivation. Shen Qingqiu's internal energy had been used up to the point of exhaustion, pouring every ounce into his disciple to cure him. Shen Yuan wasn’t a fool, he was acutely aware of how others saw Shen Qingqiu (the same way he used to see him in fact). If anyone were to find out what had transpired between master and disciple his Shizun's reputation would be tarnished. No one would give him the benefit of the doubt, they would only assume the worst and wouldn’t believe for a second his Shizun had held any good will. And there Shen Yuan was using the memory like some wanton pervert, pleasuring himself night after night.
Yet despite the guilt he still couldn’t help but remember the feeling of being pinned under Shen Qingqiu, of how his Shizun had felt inside of him. Every time he touched himself then after he would press into the bruises his master left on his hips. Keeping them fresh long after they should have faded.
They were gone now. No trace of what they had done left. Neither he nor Shen Qingqiu brought it up after, each falling wordlessly back into their routine as if the whole thing had simply been Shen Yuan's wet dream.
"Oh?" Luo Binghe smiled playfully. His hand traveled low to rub just above Shen Yuan's trousers. "I see. Then can I assume Shixiong wants this just as much as I do?"
Shen Yuan was about to deny him, but he faltered. Maybe…. if he actually felt someone else's hands on him, he could rid himself of these growing desires. Perhaps then he could finally look Shen Qingqiu in the eyes without such deep longing etched into his gaze.
Lately he'd become so pent-up it was becoming difficult even doing the most basic of his duties. Even serving his Shizun breakfast had become a minefield of pent-up emotions. That very morning he had brought Shen Qingqiu his breakfast only to catch a glimpse of his Shizun applying cream to his body. His delicate hands glided smoothly over pale collarbones. Seeing his Shizun like that this morning, bared and open. The hands that had pressed bruises into his skin rubbing cream onto bare shoulders. The site was so erotic the tray of food had naturally slipped from Shen Yuan's hands straight onto the floor.
Safe to say, he was already feeling revved up. When Luo Binghe arms came around his waist pulling him suggestively close, allowing his Shixiong to feel his interest, Shen Yuan was beyond ripe for the eating.
Luo Binghe is infamously incredible in bed…. Maybe this is exactly what I need to take the edge off…. he reasoned.
Feeling Shen Yuan press back into him Luo Binghe smiled in triumph. He responded by shoving Shen Yuan against a thick stalk of bamboo taller than both of them combined. It swayed at the top and Shen Yuan was glad his fellow disciples had all been sent away for the day. After being caught with some little yellow books that Shen Yuan may or may not have had a hand distributing, Shen Qingqiu had punished the whole peak, sans his head disciple who had somehow come out looking like a clueless little lamb. His Shizun too would be away at a Peak Lord meeting all day. So…Shen Yuan had time to indulge in this.
His sash was quickly undone, and his robes fell open under Luo Binghe's hands. His trousers were pushed to the floor and Shen Yuan felt embarrassed of his nakedness in the open air, his cock erect between his legs. He tried to convince himself that his excitement was due to the harem protagonist's touch and not simply from thinking about his Shizun.
Despite his body's response he still wouldn’t classify himself as gay. Binghe was the protagonist. His position in the narrative made it impossible for anyone to NOT be attracted to him. As for his Shizun the man was so lithe and beautiful that it must be his femininity that Shen Yuan was attracted to. Not to mention his Shizun had been the one he shared his first time with. The only one Shen Yuan had any experience with, so it was natural that he'd be the one Shen Yuan's body desired in the heat of the moment. It was only the lingering psychological effects of that pollen….At least that’s what he assured himself at night, when he pumped his own cock moaning “Shizun… Shizun…” endlessly in the dark.
Luo Binghe kissed his neck soothingly and Shen Yuan couldn’t help but think about those delicate hands again, rubbing lotion into that same spot. He moaned wantonly trying to cast his thoughts away.
Smiling in his neck, Luo Binghe took the sound as permission to start moving his hands lower. He palmed his slowly rising cock softly, before moving his hand to cup Shen Yuan's ass.
"Shixiong is so pert back here. Perhaps you were a prized concubine in another life," Luo Binghe mused.
More like a prized lay about, Shen Yuan thought shaking his head bashfully.
Luo Binghe licked at the shell of Shen Yuan's ear until it reddened. "You could always be one again."
A harem protagonist really had a boundless appetite. He had wasted no time in trying to convince Shen Yuan to join his retinue of lovers. Though, despite the allowances he was granting to his Shidi, Shen Yuan couldn’t imagine himself as a member of Luo Binghe's harem.
When he closed his eyes and thought of the future the only thing he could see was warm summer nights, his knees inches from Shen Qingqiu's and the man's laugh in his ears.
"Just- just touch me," he commanded his face had gone red and not just from the mouth that was lavishing his ear.
I can't take it anymore. I need to release these feelings. The thoughts of his Shizun were overtaking his mind once again and all he wanted was to be free of them even if only for a moment. Despite the way his master had helped him through the pollen's affects Shen Yuan knew there was nothing between them but the filial responsibility of master and student and that understanding made his heart ache.
I-its not that I have feelings for him. It's merely because I want to remain by his side…. That’s all… He lied to himself.
At his back his Shidi was swift in his efforts. Shoving Shen Yuan firmer against the bamboo he quickly shoved his own trousers down, pumping himself in hand he keeled behind Shen Yuan on the ground.
"Haa-aah!" Shen Yuan moaned when he felt Luo Binghe's tongue lick at his rim. As Luo Binghe prepared him with his mouth Shen Yuan's back arched in pleasure. He tried to lose himself in the sensations. Tried to do anything but imagine it was his Shizun's tongue inside of him instead.
Shen Qingqiu always felt ethereal, the picture of an immortal cultivator. Completely untouchable and immune to human desires. At least that was always how Shen Yuan had thought about him before. Now though after learning what it felt like to have him spread his legs, the feeling of Shen Qingqiu's fingers pumping in and out, and how achingly hard his Shizun felt when he pressed in-
"Aaaah!" Shen Yuan moaned as Luo Binghe's tongue pushed impossibly deep. No wonder all those women jumped at the chance to join his harem, Shen Yuan thought, at last pulled out of his yearning.
He could feel Luo Binghe's cocky smile against him as he was pillaged. Low rumbles of vibrations coming from his mouth as he savored his Shixiong's taste. Shen Yuan pressed himself back as best as he could clinging desperately to the bamboo as sensation assaulted him.
"Has Disciple Shen ever done this with another man?"
"N-no Shizun."
"Then allow this master to teach you."
Both Shen Yuan's heart and body were fighting pathetically against him. Even as his Shidi's tongue opened him up, it was thoughts of his Shizun that were invading his mind. He couldn’t help but imagine the hands holding his hips in place were sleek and slender instead. Couldn’t help but recount the way his Shizun had talked him through every touch and movement that night.
Shen Yuan was so achingly hard now.
"Shiz-" he started and caught himself, muffling his voice against his forearm.
Behind him Luo Binghe at last pulled out of him and chuckled. "Call out whoever's name you want to Shixiong." His hands rubbed up Shen Yuan's clothed sides, his robes falling back over his exposed behind as Luo Binghe rose and pressed his front into Shen Yuan's back. "You'll find their touch won't compare to mine," he whispered into Shen Yuan's ear.
The protagonist was unmatched in the bedroom. His exploits sung about far and wide. His abilities said to rival even the most experienced lover's. And yet even so Shen Yuan was ashamedly sure that no matter how good Luo Binghe would be, it would not wipe away the memory of his strict Shizun panting against his neck, the harsh bruising touch of his slender hands as he guided Shen Yuan where he wanted, of the praise he so rarely gave out given nonstop as he took.
When Luo Binghe pulled up the bottom of his robes exposing his rear to the open air again, Shen Yuan was close to begging. He felt the cock he had read thousands upon thousands of words about rub itself between his cheeks and he began mentally preparing himself for when that monster was inside of him.
"This humble Shidi can't wait to feel his Shixiong come around his coc-" Before Luo Binghe could finish his sentence a woosh sounded through the air and the protagonist sprung back several feet leaving Shen Yuan exposed and cold against the open air.
Several clusters of bamboo fell as they were sliced through by the blade Luo Binghe narrowly dodged. Shen Yuan twisted around catching sight of the blades white flash as it whizzed past. The blood drained from his face, recognizing the weapon immediately.
"What the hell do you think you're doing!?"
Shen Yuan didn’t know whether to fling himself into the bushes or self-detonate on the spot. He could only stand like a petrified piece of wood as Shen Qingqiu strode towards them, face mired in rage. Shen Yuan rushed to cover himself though his trousers had been kicked somewhere he couldn’t see, leaving his legs exposed.
Shen Qingqiu's words however weren't aimed at his half naked disciple but at Luo Binghe. His Shidi had smartly tucked himself back into his trousers and despite having had his tongue inside Shen Yuan's ass for the past several minutes he didn’t look a hair out of place. Shen Yuan noted that even his knees didn’t appear dusty or dirty as if the ground itself dared not touch him without permission.
Luo Binghe only smiled at the question. "What does it look like we were doing? Shen -shixiong and I were only having a bit of fun. This disciple had thought all the peak lords were away in a meeting today." He said amiably as if he wasn’t standing directly in the line of fire.
"It ended early," Shen Qingqiu responded curtly. As he spoke he had covered the distance between him and Luo Binghe. Xiu Ya whizzed through the air as it was returned to its owners hand where it veered up to point at Luo Binghe's chest.
"I should have known you'd be sniffing around here you beast. You think I'd allow you to stay alive after forcing yourself on my disciple!?"
Luo Binghe hadn't flinched away from the weapon. His eyes shined with a trace of red as demonic energy was channeled into his palms.
Due to Shen Yuan's careful intervention he had avoided Shen Qingqiu throwing the protagonist in the abyss, even managed to get Luo Binghe transferred to Qian Cao Peak and (mostly) contained there. But who knew if that had saved Shen Qingqiu from meeting his limbless fate. Despite their rocky relationship Luo Binghe didn’t seem to be planning on executing his ex-Shizun anytime soon and Shen Yuan had to keep it that way.
Without thinking, he acted, throwing himself between his Shidi and Shizun, pressing Luo Binghe behind him.
"This- this one begged his Shidi to do it! He didn’t force me into anything! So-so please don't punish him!"
He found he was begging more for Shen Qingqiu's sake than Luo Binghe's. Despite what his Shidi had claimed Shen Yuan was fairly certain the man's own cultivation had far surpassed Shen Qingqiu's at this point. Even if Luo Binghe did get punished it wasn’t as if he were a child anymore, he would be able to handle it, but could Shen Qingqiu survive Luo Binghe? If they traded blows there was no way Luo Binghe's protagonist halo would leave Shen Qingqiu unscathed.
At his words a darkness passed over Shen Qingqiu's expression. Shen Yuan, who was able to read his Shizun's moods as easily as a book, instantly knew he had messed up.
Why? Why had that made him angrier!? Shouldn’t his rage just have shifted to me? Shizun why do you look like you want to kill Luo Binghe even more than before!?
"Don’t blame him? You expect me to believe this wasn’t all that beast's idea?" Shen Qingqiu glared daggers at Luo Binghe's smug face as he hid behind his junior. "He'll be lucky he gets off with less than a thousand lashes!"
Shen Qingqiu had lowered Xiu Ya when Shen Yuan had stepped in front, but quickly rose it again as if, instead of stabbing Luo Binghe, he was going to beat him with the blunt side. Shen Yuan quickly stepped in grasping his Shizun's wrists, Xiu Ya waving in the air between them as if to join the surrounding bamboo.
A thousand- just for some hanky-panky outside!? Shen Qingqiu please lighten the punishment a little! I really don't want to see you get turned into a pickle!!
"S-Shizun! Think about what you're saying!" Shen Yuan tried to reason still acting as a buffer between the two men. "A-Luo isn't your disciple anymore. If Mu-shishu finds out you're punishing his disciples it will only damage your reputation."
Shen Yuan had a deep understanding of how Shen Qingqiu's mind worked. He cared deeply about what others thought of him so, Shen Yuan reasoned, by bringing his fellow peak lords into play that would surely make him see reason and get Luo Binghe off the hook. Mu Qingfang "stealing" Shen Qingqiu's disciple had been the talk of the mountain for months after it had occurred, and Shen Yuan was sure that by bringing it up Shen Qingqiu would back down. It would only make him look bitter if he punished Luo Binghe given their history.
Still the logic didn’t seem to have any effect on Shen Qingqiu who only looked as if he was becoming more irate by the second.
He pushed at Shen Yuan's hold on his wrists, putting his face dangerously close to Shen Yuan's own, making him blush. "If Mu Qingfang disagrees with this teacher's punishment he can join his disciple in getting lashed!" He tugged himself out of Shen Yuan's grasp to point the sword at Luo Binghe like an arrow, "You're lucky I'm not having you castrated! Such would be befitting of a dog like yourself!"
Shizun is really set on getting himself killed, isn't he? Shen Yuan thought but swiftly came back to himself. He needed to rectify the situation. If Shen Qingqiu was really so angry that even Shen Yuan couldn’t calm him down he had to pull as much blame away from Luo Binghe as he could.
It had cost him a large amount of B-Points but he had unlocked enough of Shen Qingqiu's backstory to get the gist, enough at least that his disposition had softened considerably from the days he had once celebrated his death. From what he'd gleamed from the system Shen Qingqiu's own cultivation had faced hardships time and time again. And knowing that backstory if Shen Yuan could play into it maybe he could turn that rage into sympathy instead.
"A thousand apologizes Shizun. It really was all this one's idea. My-my cultivation has stagnated, and I was trying to find an easy method of enhancing it." He lied finding Binghe's excuse a good enough one as any, "I learned I could use dual cultivation and conscripted A-Luo to aid me. So please don't punish him!"
Shen Yuan had become increasingly more "tactically-minded" since coming under Shen Qingqiu's tutelage. He was fairly certain that if he had a stats menu his "scheming" level would have grown by leaps and bounds at this point. All thanks to his perpetually two-faced Shizun.
Shen Yuan continued, "I-I felt like I was falling behind, and I didn’t want to disappoint Shizun so-"
Shen Qingqiu's gaze softened, and Shen Yuan thought for a moment he had hit the mark. At least until the next words came out of his Shizun's mouth.
"Enough. Get off my peak."
Shen Yuan's whole body felt like it was going to deflate at those words.
He had accomplished so much during his time on Qing Jing Peak. He had stopped the protagonist from blackening, earned his cold-hearted Shizun's respect, and even became head disciple. And now all of those efforts were being flushed down the toilet never to be seen again.
What was even more devastating was that once he was cast out he'd likely never see Shen Qingqiu again. Even if their paths did happen to cross the man would never have the same geniality in his eyes as he once did. That look was reserved only for his head disciple after all. It was a look that Shen Yuan coveted selfishly and the thought that he'd never see it again was unbearable.
Not being able to stand it he opened his mouth to plead with Shen Qingqiu to let him stay, but his Shizun wasn’t done speaking.
"If I see you on this peak again you wretch I won't be so kind."
Behind Shen Yuan, Luo Binghe only cupped his hands politely. The picture of amiability. "This disciple will be sure to inform his Shizun extensively of your generous forgiveness."
"You-!" Shen Qingqiu started but Luo Binghe had already turned his back to the peak lord.
“I’ll see you later Shixiong,” he purred voice dripping with promise as he scampered away, quick to run off before Shen Qingqiu changed his mind.
Shen Yuan couldn’t respond. He felt such an immense release of emotions he almost fell to the floor. So he had been speaking to Luo Binghe and not me…
Despite the relief his heart still pounded hard from fear. He wasn’t out of the woods yet. Nothing was stopping Shen Qingqiu from throwing him out next.
Shen Yuan had enough sense to look embarrassed, he was lucky that his robes covered him, but still standing around outside without pants wasn’t something he could easily acclimate to. He knew he painted a shameful visage, shaking slightly and half nude. Certainty not the picture of a noble head disciple. He readied himself to receive the full brunt of whatever Shen Qingqiu's punishment would be and prayed he would at least be allowed to stay on Qing Jing Peak.
His Shizun seemed to notice his distress. "Get inside! Why are you still standing around? Or do you intend to shame me further if anyone catches you like this?"
Shen Yuan flushed red under Shen Qingqiu's harsh gaze and quickly scrambled towards the Bamboo House. His fear at last settled in his gut when he reached the door. He stole a glance back at his Shizun trying to discern his mood but could gleam nothing.
He had grown used to seeing Shen Qingqiu in a subdued state and found his current enraged expression unreadable. Shen Yuan had gotten too good at predicting his moods and thus rarely if ever was the man's ire directed at him. He couldn’t connect the man that joked viciously with him well into the evening to the one walking up the path with such detached loathing in his eyes.
“Dual cultivation… what the hell is Mu-shidi teaching him…?” Shen Qingqiu mumbled to himself as he pulled Shen Yuan into their shared home.
Shen Yuan didn’t think it was the time to remind his Shizun that he too had utilized dual cultivation a few months ago in order to purge his student of the aphrodisiac-laced pollen. In fact, it wasn’t as if dual cultivation was all that outlandish in this world to begin with. On Qian Cao Peak Luo Binghe often assisted ailing disciples who had come across similar plants. That role was how his current harem had grown so quickly, already matching the size of what it had been mid-way through the original PIDW.
Thinking back on the original plot Shen Yuan once again grew fearful Shen Qingqiu would later try and reprimand Luo Binghe again. Once they were safely inside away from prying eyes he quickly threw himself to the floor to prostrate before his master.
"This one begs forgiveness and wants to ensure that Shizun won't be punishing Shidi-"
“Disciple Shen should be less concerned with that beast and more concerned about his own punishment! Or does he think that just because he's my favorite he won't receive one behind closed doors?” Shen Qingqiu asked raising his voice. "Truly- dual cultivating in broad daylight! What were you thinking!?"
In the past his Shizun had in fact sometimes spared punishing him when they were alone. When Shen Yuan's sharp tongue would get him in trouble with the other peak lords Shen Qingqiu would assure them he would dole out proper discipline. Then, when they returned home, he would turn around and instruct his disciple to forget about it. He'd even jest rather proudly that Shen Yuan's curt words had been rather apt. In fact in Shen Yuan's many years as a Qing Jing disciple he had never once been punished despite the numerous times he really ought to have been.
Still the looming threat of punishment wasn’t what Shen Yuan's mind became stuck on. "…my favorite..…my favorite.." The words echoed in his head leaving him unable to speak. He felt his heart hammer pathetically in his chest. I’m…. His favorite?
Not hearing a prompt answer Shen Qingqiu angrily grabbed his chin, pulling him up to his knees. He forced Shen Yuan's eyes to meet his instead of looking wonder-struck at the ground.
"You will answer your master when he asks you a question Disciple Shen."
"I wasn't- I wasn’t thinking clearly Shizun. Please- this one will accept his punishment just- please don't punish Binghe…." Or else you'll be the one punished in the end…..
The grip on Shen Yuan's chin tightened to an uncomfortable degree. With a voice like ice Shen Qingqiu asked, "has your heart been so enraptured by him that you'd even take his portion of the blame?"
Huh? Heart……enraptured? “What do you me-“
“Listen to me and listen closely," Shen Qingqiu instructed. "Regardless of what that thing told you he has nothing but lustful desires in his heart. You are nothing but another notch on his bedpost. That beast is incapable of real love. He only sees you as an object to fulfill his debased desires. Is my head disciple truly so foolish that he'd spread his legs for such a man?! Or is he simply going around and dual cultivating with all of his fellow disciples?!”
His voice was so authoritative that Shen Yuan's body instinctively heated up, even as Shen Qingqiu's words dressed him down. His face went hot at the insult. Or maybe from the way his Shizun's hand still held firmly at his chin refusing to let him go.
Due to Shen Yuan's days as a renowned online hater, when he was backed into a corner his first instinct was to lash out. Though it would only leave him in a worse situation he couldn’t help but fire back.
“Is Shizun so foolish he thinks it's his business who this disciple gets into bed with!?”
A queer look warped Shen Qingqiu's face for a moment before his expression went back to one of disgust. He cast off Shen Yuan's chin like a useless piece of trash in his hand. He rose up to his full height leaving Shen Yuan on his knees.
Shen Qingqiu's mouth pulled upwards in a smile. It wasn’t the usual smile he gave Shen Yuan in those quiet nights when they were alone together. It was the smile he gave to others who had wronged him and who would be receiving the full brunt of his ire. Shen Yuan suddenly felt his eyes unexpectedly redden, and he tried to convince himself it was because he feared punishment and not because seeing that smile stung his heart.
Good job. He despises you now. He reprimanded himself, You may have been special to him before, but now you’ve become nothing but an embarrassment. You'll be lucky if he really doesn’t kick you off the peak at this rate.
"If Head Disciple Shen likes to have his pants down so much then he can do so while he accepts his punishment. Get up.”
Shen Yuan didn’t move as he processed the words. "What do you-"
"You insist on acting like a child, so I'll have you over my knee like one! Get! Up!"
Shen Yuan did as he was told scrambling to stand but still felt incredibly hesitant. "D-do I really have to be-" he couldn’t even get the words "spanked" out of his mouth. That’s what his Shizun was saying wasn’t it? That he was going to get…. spanked as a punishment? As the understanding dawned on him his face went as red as a tomato.
“Wasn’t it disciple Shen who pleaded with me that he wanted to accept all punishments? Or would he prefer I leave and whip that ungrateful wretch instead?”
There's a pretty big difference between getting spanked and getting whipped Shizun!
Though Shen Yuan highly suspected his own embarrassing punishment had more to do with him talking back then anything else. Still if he just allowed Shen Qingqiu to…. spank him…. there was no way his body wouldn’t end up having an embarrassing reaction and that would make the whole situation even worse!
“But-“
“Would Disciple Shen prefer to be whipped instead? Or made to kneel in the woodshed for a week!?”
Yes… anything was preferable to this. Or more accurately anything was preferable to making Shen Qingqiu hate him even more. His body was simmering with desire, both from Luo Binghe opening him up and from two long months of yearning desperately for his Shizun's touch. And if he were to receive that touch now, even painfully, his body would surely react.
But Shen Yuan simply couldn’t voice this. There was no rational reason for him to insist on getting whipped over a theoretically lesser punishment. If anything it was obvious, to Shen Yuan at least, that his Shizun was letting him off easy in that respect.
"….my favorite….my favorite…" the words wouldn’t stop bouncing around Shen Yuan's head. Desperate for any scrap of affection from the man, his subconscious was milking those words for all they were worth. Replaying them over and over again. Was that why his Shizun was opting for a lesser punishment? Was he actually showing favor to Shen Yuan in his own way?
Seeing his disciple argue no further Shen Qingqiu moved to sit on a bamboo chair and waved him over.
Right there?! He's seriously going to spank me in the main room?!
This was the room they took their tea in. The room where Shen Yuan would study under his master's eye. Where he would accept in guests and present his master's dinner. If tomorrow Yue Qingyuan came down for tea and Shen Qingqiu instructed Shen Yuan to serve them, exactly how could he explain away the erection he would get just from seeing Shen Qingqiu sitting in that same bamboo chair?!
Tainting the main room with memories of Shen Qingqiu spanking him was something he absolutely had to avoid! Shen Yuan simply could not function if every time he brought his Shizun tea he remembered getting spanked.
"T-think about it Shizun; If someone were to come in they'd misunderstand its- its better if I receive my punishment somewhere more private!" He urged.
Shen Qingqiu looked stupefied at the intense reaction, but after a moment of contemplation seemed to agree. "Fine, come," he said curtly.
Instead of the main room Shen Yuan found himself being guided to his Shizun's bedroom. The room which, he was acutely aware of, he had been stripped and fucked in only a few months prior. He felt his cock jump with interest under his robes. He had the sudden urge to run, but thought better of it. This was good. This room had already been the subject of his every fantasy and wet dream. If it was tainted further then so what? Hadn't it been so from the moment he pulled his Shizun in, begging for his cock?
Are we going to do this on the bed? Like last time? Shen Yuan wondered his cheeks aflame. But instead of the bed Shen Qingqiu brought Shen Yuan in front of his vanity.
"Is this suitable for you?" He asked testily.
Shen Yuan only nodded his head sheepishly realizing this really was about to happen. His master lowered himself into the chair with a swish of his robes, looking far too regal for someone about to take their adult disciple over their knee. He drummed his fingers impatiently on the wood.
"Well? What are you waiting for? Do you require instructions for even this?"
"N-no Shizun."
His hesitancy was only because he was trying to triangulate the exact way he could lay over his master's legs without stabbing him with his fully formed erection. He had already been aroused from Luo Binghe's handling of him, but now he felt as if he had stiffened up even more. He was only lucky his robes still obscured it.
What the hell is wrong with my brain that even his reprimands are turning me on? Even now Shen Yuan's mind was still fighting halfheartedly against his heart. He tried convincing himself that this was only a physical response and staunchly ignored how even the man's cold expression made his heart pound.
A needling voice in the back of his head sprang up uninvited, are you sure its only physical? If Shizun pushed you down and kissed you would you really resist? If he tied you to his bed and used you only for his pleasure would you really hate it? In the end he couldn’t give himself an honest answer even in his own head.
Regardless it wasn’t as if he could voice his reasons for hesitating to his Shizun, he had just needed an extra few seconds to figure out how to do this without humiliating himself. Shen Yuan, having done all the equations in his head (raised hips + leaning forward = no grinding his erection into Shizun's legs), gave a polite nod of his head towards his master. Then said an internal prayer to both the heavens and the system that this exchange would not result in his death, or worse, getting kicked out of Qing Jing Peak.
As he laid his body down over Shen Qingqiu's prostrated legs, he tucked his robes around his groin the best he could, hoping at least if his Shizun felt anything he'd assume it to be the bunched up fabric. The movement made his clothes scrunch up at the back and his face went hot from shame as he remembered he wasn’t wearing anything underneath.
Though his face went even redder when Shen Qingqiu pushed up the bottom of his robes further, exposing his rear as his feet struggled to touch the floor. He had leaned forward more to better obscure his erection, but that had left his feet dangling as if he was an unruly child about to be spanked. Which he supposed he was, at least in his Shizun's eyes.
Shen Qingqiu's legs felt slender and willowy under his body, Shen Yuan almost felt bad about putting his weight on them. Who would have thought such a delicate looking man could be so ruthless in bed- no! No! Don't think about that right now-
His mind elsewhere Shen Yuan was wholly unprepared when Shen Qingqiu brought out his fan.
Smack
"Ah!" He gasped.
The blow had stung, leaving Shen Yuan thankful that Shen Qingqiu's fan was made of bamboo instead of tin. However, the suddenness of the blow caused Shen Yuan to instinctively try to move away.
His master's hand came down on top of his shoulder blades pinning him in place. A sudden memory assaulted Shen Yuan of being pinned to the bed with that exact same maneuver, as Shen Qingqiu carefully removed his soiled trousers, already soaked in semen from merely rutting against his Shizun's thigh as he was dragged inside the Bamboo House.
He shivered at both the memory and the warm palm eliciting it. When the next blow came he couldn’t help but shake, body thrumming with want.
A WHAP sound came from his backside, as the bamboo made contact with his skin. It stung, but Shen Yuan was ready for it this time and didn’t shy away from the impact. Even so the pressure between his shoulder blades didn’t loosen up. If anything it increased slightly, Shen Yuan could even feel those carefully manicured nails digging in through the fabric of his robes.
He flushed and wanted to tip his head to the side and see his Shizun's expression. When others weren't looking his Shizun's true feelings would often come through on his face. Sometimes after speaking to one of the other peak lords Shen Yuan would catch these expressions, betraying his master's true feelings. A conflicted betrayed expression after speaking with Yue Qingyuan, a hateful rage after speaking with Liu Qingge, and a disgusted jealousy after speaking with Luo Binghe.
Shen Yuan would often try to interpret these expressions privately. The latter for example: Was that jealous disgust aimed at Luo Binghe? Or Himself? Was he disgusted that "such a whelp's" abilities matched his own? Or was he disgusted at himself for being jealous at all?
Exactly what face would he be making now when disciplining a disciple in such a way? Would he look embarrassed? Or would his brow be scrunched in concentration wanting to make this as efficient as possible? Or was he a practiced hand at this, secretly punishing other disciples in this manner without Shen Yuan's knowledge?
The thought made a stray arrow of jealousy run through him. His fellow disciples were often punished for their transgressions but was it ever like this? Shen Yuan longed to ask despite how ashamed he was at the compulsion. He wanted the answer to be no. He wanted to be special to Shen Qingqiu. To mean something more than just another disciple. Even if this was a punishment if Shen Qingqiu simply did this with every one then….. As the spanking continued Shen Yuan felt lucky the pain swiftly became too much for him to continue this train of thought.
Shen Qingqiu had delivered five more reprimands to him, all equally harsh and painful. He could feel heat blooming from the impact as his rear began to sting, carrying over the pain from the previous smack into the next.
He squirmed, not pulling away but just at the uncomfortable feeling. His body wanted to contort in a way to lessen the pain. But despite the blistering feeling, his lower half couldn't help but have a different reaction.
The pain had made his erection flag slightly but just as quickly it was beginning to firm up again. Just the knowledge that it was his Shizun's lap he was laid over, his Shizun's fan beating him, his Shizun's eyes looking at his exposed rear- it was far too much for his poor body to handle.
Shen Yuan prayed that the next lash would be particularly painful. That Shen Qingqiu would put some real oomf into it, just so that maybe his erection could take the hint and start going down.
But, much to his dismay, the next hit didn’t come from that bamboo fan but from Shen Qingqiu's bare hand.
“Ah! S-shizun!” Shen Yuan cried out feeling their flesh connect.
No no no no no! This is bad!
The fan hurt, but the pain had allowed that small pleasure to remain simmering just below the surface. But feeling Shen Qingqiu's hand instead, the heat of the pale jade skin smacking against him, that pleasure quickly rose.
It- it doesn’t even hurt like this… Shen Qingqiu what the hell kind of punishment is this exactly?!
The words “my favorite” bubbled back up in Shen Yuan's mind.
Even if I'm really your favorite disciple should you really be going this easy on me?! At least make it hurt a little! This is a punishment after all! If you keep going like this there's no way I won't end up coming in your lap….
Though despite much internal protest the thought that Shen Qingqiu couldn’t even bear to harm him made a sickly sweet joy bubble up in his gut. And when Shen Qingqiu's hand came down again Shen Yuan couldn’t stop a moan from coming out.
"Mmmn…..Aaah!"
Shen Qingqiu's hand stilled after the impact, just above his rear. Perhaps confused at his disciples extreme reaction, after, what Shen Yuan assumed he'd thought to be, a less painful method of punishment. Shen Yuan was only thankful that his cry had sounded more like one of anguish than of pleasure and readied himself for the next blow.
Only the next blow didn’t come. Shen Yuan was momentarily thankful up until the hand that should have been smacking down instead rubbed at his rear soothingly.
"Only a few more. Then I'll let A-Yuan off." Shen Qingqiu's voice sounded hoarse and tired as if it really did pain him to do this.
Pleasure shot through him at the light touch as Shen Qingqiu consoled him. His cock became painfully hard, and he wanted desperately to thrust down into his Shizun's slim thighs.
He felt shame wrack him. His Shizun was likely only doing what he must to keep his disciple in line and not show favoritism and even then it was paining the man to hurt him like this. All the while his un-filial disciple was getting off on his lap, his body eager for any touch no matter how harsh. He was disgusting…. A complete failure of a disciple.
Shen Yuan felt the corner of his eyes heat up as his mind became clouded with a combination of lust and self-hatred. The hand came down again and again and Shen Yuan swiftly lost count, panting as the smacking of flesh filled the air.
Though he tried to hold onto it, his memory from his first time had grown hazy, and he couldn’t help but wonder if this is what it had sounded like as Shen Qingqiu took him. Was this the same sound that resulted from Shen Qingqiu's hips colliding with his? With his body aroused such thoughts were now coming unbridled.
"Sh-shizun! Mm-!" Shen Yuan bit his lip hard, preventing the moan from slipping out when the next slap came down. The hand harsh in its delivery, only to still and rub soothingly the moment after. Both sensations made Shen Yuan's gut twist in want.
His erection was so achingly hard now, still obscured by his bundled up robes. And despite the way it was hidden Shen Yuan couldn’t stop his hips from humping down at the next slap, desperate for any friction. Hoping that, to Shen Qingqiu, it only looked as if he was struggling away from the blow.
His eyes continued to swell with shameful heat as tears threatened to pour out. If they kept going like this he was sure something shameful would occur. There was no way the man would have any respect for him after this. Not when he found out his disciple was getting off to being spanked over his knee.
He craned his neck around to peer up at him. “Please- please Shizun can't this be enough? Please go easy on this disciple.”
If you keep going… there's no way I can stop myself from coming …and I would truly prefer Shizun not think of me as some shameless pervert… if he doesn’t already….….
Shen Qingqiu didn’t answer. Shen Yuan's pleading only resulted in another harsh smack. After the delivery he patted him soothingly again and his disciple almost sobbed.
The hand was so gentle. The caress almost loving. It made his heart throb and his guilt deepen.
I'm sorry Shizun…. I….I love this…..I don’t want you to do this with anyone but me…..I want you….. I want-
"S-shizun-" He started, whimpering, but his voice caught in his throat in shock when he felt two fingers sink inside of him.