Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Ten figures sits in their seats with visible frustration etched along their features, every single one of them looking at the sect leader's face with either strained politeness or outright frustration.

"Something needs to be done about Shen Qingqiu!"

Liu Qingge huffs out loud, noticing that everyone seemed to hesitate on what they all  have silently and indirectly agreed upon. The pointed words almost made Yue Qingyuan's superficial smile twitch, something that he was able to mask in time fortunately.

"Qingqui-shidi has been quite difficult as of late... But I do not believe-"

"With all due respect, Yue-Shixiong, but I sincerely believe that Shen-shixiong has truly overstepped this time."

Qi Qingqi cuts the overly indulgent man's words with a sharp smile, eyes glinting in annoyance. The other peak lords only kept their silence, but also having the same set of thoughts.

"He's been absent for not only one month- this time it's two and a half..."

Mu Qingfang only sits idly in the sides, not saying anything to condemn the man but not speaking a word of defense either. In a closer look, one could see that the healer is actually troubled even with the absence of the vicious Qing Jing peak lord.

Yue Qingyuan sighs before he speaks, trying to maintain that sense of tranquility for everyone in the room. 

"Most of you know that some missions can take a few months, even taking up to three or more-"

"From what I remember, you have approved of his request to leave the sect, and it was no official mission... Could it be that Shen-shixiong has started trouble somewhere we can't hear from him?"

Zui Xian Peak's Lord adds to the conversation. The faces of the surrounding peak lords scrunched in remembering the last time they've seen the man, he was strangely silent; as if he was mulling over some difficult excerpt by the way he forgot to even throw barbed words. 

Even Yue Qingyuan at that time was too confused to question the normally trigger-angry man's silence, Shen Qingqiu didn't even care to point out obvious mistakes in the plans (something some peak lords may have done on purpose to spite him). In the end, the sect leader just kept going, and the meeting ended without any conflict.

"We need to drag him back, before he disgraces the sect even more."

Liu Qingge scowled, jaw clenching just thinking about whatever earthly pleasures that man must be indulging right this moment. 'Ha. He must be lunging somewhere in a whorehouse, that scumbag.'

"Perhaps an emergency happened in his family? He seemed very preoccupied..."

"Pft, family? Since when did he ever mention his family? He's probably off, fooling around with prostitutes again."

Before someone can even reply an agreement or denial, they were interrupted with a hesitant knock. All the peak lords in the room turns their head to look at the intruder, it is the head disciple of sect leader. 

"Pardon me for the intrusion Shizun, but Shen-shishu has arrived... With Shang-shishu."

Everyone in the room perks up once they hear the young man's words. Yue Qingyuan's face instantly brightens, relieved that he no longer has to distract everyone, struggling to downplay the situation.

Some sound of confusion also darted across the room, they did not even notice the An Ding peak lord's absence. Well. Some did notice, it's just they just assumed the man to be too busy to attend the sudden meeting.

"And where is he right now?" 

Qi Qingqi questions with an arched eyebrow, lips pinched in a unamused manner. Someone huffs in the background but everyone was too distracted to pin-point just who did so, not that they could be blamed.

"In Qing Jing Peak as of the moment, but there is this one thing Shizun... Ah, it seems Shen-shishu and Shang-shishu are under the effect of an artifact, but they seem to be entirely clueless from what I've heard..."

Some peak lords scoffed under their breaths. The Qian Cao peak lord frowns, brows furrowed in concern. Shen Qingqiu is known for many things, but he definitely is not careless. Nor is he the type to be unaware of a potential effect of an artifact exposure.

Shang Qinghua on the other hand was quite a clutz which is why Mu Qingfang wasn't really surprised to hear about an artifact accident, especially since An Ding is the peak that artifacts can gets appraised for inspection, and perhaps because some artifacts just get dumped in the logistics peak for no actual reason.

"That doesn't sound like Shen-shixiong... And how is he as of the moment?"

The head disciple apparently struggles to form the proper words, unsure of how to put the confusing news into words. He sighs and bites the insides of his cheeks before speaking, a look of uncertainty and disbelief in his face.

"Some disciples have said to hear... Shen-shifu and Shang-shishu's inner voices..?"

Sounding just as lost as everyone else is, Yue Qingyuan openly showed his confusion, taken aback by the report. A 'ha?' was mumbled by a confused Liu Qingge, while the Xian Shu Peak Lord who was not far from him also adorned the same confused look.

Mu Qingfang was about to ask for a reconfirmation about what has been just said but before he could open his mouth to speak, he was again interrupted by hushed whispers and a seemingly anxious voices of other disciples muffled by the door.

Before everyone can register what is happening, the door clicked open. The familiar scent of green tea and bamboo wafted inside the room, bearing its silent greeting- the elusive man is finally here. 

The sound of Shen Qingqiu's voice is just as cold as it always is, though it lacked its sharp undertone and laced sarcasm which normally came paired with his presence.

'Forgive me for being late, fucking Shang Qinghua locked me in a portable realm for a whole fucking month.'

Yue Qingyuan would have gaped at the usage of crass and informal words by the Qing Jing Peak Lord but he pauses, seeing that Shen Qingqiu's mouth did not open in any way.

Right behind the said man, the An Ding peak lord closely trails right behind, a look of amusement in his face though it was quickly masked with a personified politeness.

'A-Jiu should be overjoyed I even let him out in the first place.'

That was... Shang Qinghua's voice no doubt. Yue Qingyuan studies Shang Qinghua's entire face, trying to find a trace of realization. There was none. 

'Overjoyed my ass, you crazy bastard! Who the fuck stalks and stares at people while they sleep? Which demonic cult had the misfortune of raising your crazy ass-'

He looks around and sees everyone stuck in the same stupor and concluded. They all can indeed hear Xiao Jiu and Shang Qinghua's mind.

Getting over his stupor, the sect leader collects himself to greet the man but Shen Qingqiu didn't even spare him a look and only gives them a distracted nod. He looks fine, perfect even. Nothing was out of place. His clothes, his hair, everything was tucked in perfection just like any other time.

The man did seem stressed though.

The Qing Jing peak lord was known to be intolerant of his other sect siblings, though he was not one to miss out on any meetings, nor was he ever tardy. If anything, it is vigilance he is known for. He is the Cang Qiong Mountain sect's stand-offish guy that doesn't trust anyone, even when he was still in his haughty junior disciple days.

'By this time, Xiao Jiu should already be glaring... Just what happened?' 

Yue Qingyuan murmurs his worries in the safety of his own mind. He scans the others face but finds no trace of the common hostility and distrust, the man didn't even seem to mind being ogled by others as he didn't even put out his trusted fan to hide any of his facial expressions.

"Forgive this one for being late, I lost... Track of time." 

The abnormally calm peak lord spoke within a pause, seeming awkward but is obviously less tense than normal. His words didn't even have its familiar bite or sarcasm, he just seemed tired. He steps towards a vacant chair and sits before anyone can even react.

'Tch, I didn't check myself properly in my haste... Did you do anything to me? You creep!'

Shen Jiu mumbles in his mind with a worried tone, visibly tense- the man hesitantly looks around, scanning each and every single one of their faces.

'Everyone has been staring at me wide-eyed... Did you curse me with something weird again?'

He stiffens, eyes dilating if someone were to look closely. He subtly looks down, experimentally scanning whether he's got a head full of pink hair again or if he was just overthinking yet again.

'I sure fucking hope you didn't cast an enchanted curse to only look visible to others but me... Last time my entire hair was bright pink, thank the heavens only Chen-jie and the other saw it-'

Wei Qingwei chokes in the background and Shen Jiu gives him a questioning look, confused as to why the man suddenly reacted. 

'Did he choke on his spit? What an idiot.'

'That's not a very nice thing to say, A-Jiu.'

Shang Qinghua mutters something about being busy in his peak though the peak lords didn't really listen to what he outright said, more interested in the two's internal argument. He also sits down on another vacant seat, which coincidentally is right beside Shen Qingqiu's.

'Piss off already from my head you annoying pest!'

'Trying to water down your vocabulary? Well, I can't blame you. Our sect siblings would die from fright if they ever found out about your origi-'

Shen Jiu's efforts to mellow and dull his insults is quickly being challenged by the other man's insistence to setting him off. He was never one to be patient once it comes to outright provocation.

'Try and say shit bastard. See if you'll still have eyes to open in the mornings.'

'You and I both know you're only all talk A-Jiu.'

'Stop calling me A-Jiu you asshole! Only my friends can call me that!!'

'Aw... Aren't I your friend?'

'I'd rather shit myself out in the open, lick that shit, and light the entire fucking sect on fire.'

Yue Qingyuan who was about to step closer to them to have a closer look stumbled in his way once the cursed sentence made its way to his ear. With wide eyes and a stiff smile, he laughs awkwardly which was ignored by the two.

Liu Qingge straight up gapes from the absolute filth that slipped from the man's normally refined mouth. He is knows to even insult 'elegantly', if that even makes sense. Whatever. Liu Qingge most of the times doesn't even know he's being insulted.

Shen Jiu is just that type of bastard to hide barbed words in mockery- the thing is that Liu Qingge was never good at reading between the lines in the first place which made it so much easier than it should've been.

Qi Qingqi just stares at the three. The two empaths who were either trying to insult the other to death or trying to embarrass the other to death. While Yue Qingyuan was just stuck awkwardly in front of the two, sweat pooling in his forehead.

'Oh please. As if you wouldn't do the last thing as a casual morning scroll.'

'-What?!'

'A-Jiu is the type to burn empires down just for ruining his day, isn't that rig-'

'I'm not a crazy psycho like you!'

'Well, delusion is indeed rooted deeply to some.'

Shen Jiu eerily remains quiet the entire duration of his mental battle with Shang Qinghua, his face remaining passive while spouting curses in his mind. Sitting there in pure silence as if he is not in the process of throwing thousands of insults (that were still coming) that would've sent his past Shizun into a qi deviation. 

Liu Qingge just sits there frozen, though the two didn't really pay him any attention to even notice. He's just sitting there with his eyes wide open, openly gawking at the two who were speaking to each other like they were each others worse and best friend.

If you could even call their conversation friendly, that is so..

'I remember the sweet time I had in turning you beautiful raven hair into cherry blossom pink, you looked so beautiful A-Jiu. It was such a shame that they did not see-'

'Shut your trap. Beautiful?! Beautiful my fucking foot! Everyone was literally gaping at me-'

'Which is natural because you looked stunning.'

'Fucking hell, Shang Qinghua! You're making being civil so hard- shut the fuck up before I make you-'

'What a mean thing to say A-Jiu. I should go tell Auntie Cheng that her beloved grandson is acting up...'

'Who's your auntie, you decrepit bastard?!'

'Well then... I'll just tell your jiejies from the Warm Red Pavilion instead, how bout' it?'

'They really wouldn't care.'

'Of course they would, they also love me after all!'

'You say the craziest bullshit sometimes... Which is insane considering you're batshit unhinged.'

'Thank you for the compliment A-Jiu.'

'That wasn't a compliment jackass.'

'The way you talk to me is truly one of a kind. You don't even speak to your most awful students this way- especially not to your beautiful sisters-'

'Don't go near them. This is not a warning Shang Qinghua, this is a threat.'

'Scary~~ I wonder just what you can do to me-'

'I can try and snap your neck if you want.'

Qi Qingqi tries not to look at the two but is absolutely absorbed in their conversation. Who knew Shang Qinghua had it in him to actually threaten Shen Qingqiu who is known for being as vicious as a calamity level resentful spirit.

Mu Qingfang himself could help but stare. Just stare. He doesn't even know if he's just hearing things because of the pure silence or if he truly is hearing his sect brothers internal argument.

'Does this mean they can hear and talk to each other in their minds?'

He asks himself in confusion. A huge part of the healer is shocked, surprisingly not of Shen Qingqiu's inner temperament but instead, of Shang Qinghua's. He did not expect the man to be like this at all. Not at all.

'Ofcourse, at that time, they all thought I was whoring away from the sect for so long.'

'What else do you think they'd think, A-Jiu.'

'You didn't clear up the misunderstanding to them~'

'Shut it. Even you shouldn't stoop so low as to use 'that' against me.'

'And why shouldn't-'

'Because you owe me.'

'...'

The two suddenly stopped speaking, internally quiet after some time of arguing with one another. The other peak lords sent wary glances to one another, unsure of how to handle the current scenario. 

Yue Qingyuan clears his throat and Shen Jiu fixes his eyes on him. Green eyes dilating and scanning the man up and down, the stressed creases in his forehead didn't dissapear but it did lessen.

'I can't believe A-Jiu still loves his Qi-ge more than this Qinghua-'

'Haoran.'

'...'

'...'

Yue Qingyuan blatantly stares at them both, eyes widened and limbs suddenly stiff. He did not expect the nickname at all. More so, his Xiao Jiu's reaction to the mention of it. He didn't seem to hate it, but he did seem uncomfortable. Pained even.

He pauses for some time but decides enough is enough and finally starts on the day's hastily crafted agenda. They might as well have a genuine meeting as every peak lord is present.

'Psst.'

'Psssst.'

'I'm sorry. Please talk to me?'

'A-Jiu.'

'A-Jiuuuuu...'

'Shen Jiu.'

After a literal minute of Shen Jiu just ignoring Shang Qinghua mosquito like whispers and mewls, much to everyone else annoyance and amusement, he finally relents and gives the man an unhappy glance.

'What?'

'Come with me to the demon realm later? I need help with the paperworks.'

Yue Qingyuan falls silent in the middle of his words as did everyone else did. Liu Qingge's eyebrows furrows while Qi Qingqi's eyes widens by a fraction, Wei Qingwei tenses in his seat, hand on the hilt of his sword in case anything were to happen.

As if absorbed in their own little world, the two did not even notice everyone's sudden vigilance and suspicion. Shen Jiu even sighs in his mind and looks the the patterns on the oak table with little interest.

'Is something happening in the north again? Make sure Cang Qiong won't be affected.'

'Yeah Yeah... You'll tag along right?'

Yue Qingyuan finally has an idea why his Xiao Jiu seemed to disappear a lot these days, along with the An Ding peak lords 'busy' absence. They must have been colliding with demons this whole time. 

He motions for others to remain in their position, silently telling them to listen more. Maybe they would hear of the two's plans for Cang Qiong. Apprehending them can be done later.

'I'll make sure Cang Qiong's safe like always...'

'As you should.'

'...'

'How demanding, A-Jiu.'

"..."

'Should I just tell them you became the demon lord of the northern part of demon realm?'

The peak lord of Zui Xian peak coughs out his drink, eyes darting around the two. They only gave him a raised eyebrow and went back to talking to each other in their minds.

'Should I also tell them you helped make it happen?'

'...'

'I did nothing.'

'Ah yes nothing... Except assassinate Mobei-jun and his lower demons for me, not to mention helping me get through a cursed transformation right after.'

'... I did what I had to do.'

'I was a traitor... Yet A-Jiu still saved me.'

'You have more use alive than dead.'

'Is that also why you stayed by my side for the whole time I recuperated? The reason why you helped me do my years-long unfinished paperworks-'

'I did it for the sect, not you.'

Mu Qingfang listens closely to the two's conversation, eyes wide and alert. With his guard up, he just looks at his other sect siblings who were also eavesdropping on their conversation.

Yue Qingyuan pauses, rethinking his previous conclusion. This didn't sound like betrayal or scheming, more like a secret they couldn't quite say. But the two didn't seem like they were trying to sabotage Cang Qiong.

'I'm still unsure of what you are, I can't find anything in the library- not even the restrictee sections...'

'Which makes us a perfect fit since A-Jiu himself also isn't quite sure about what he is!'

'Well, I am quite sure I am not a demon either.'

'Sure sure...'

'Well, I was still raised by humans and I didn't eat any of them-'

'By real shitty humans I might add. And not all demons eat humans.'

'I turned out just fine... And I'm definitely not a demon.'

'That's the biggest boldfaced lie you've ever claimed!'

'I'm not a demon! Cat demons don't exist!'

'Yes they do, they did exist before the celestial war-'

'That was millenniums ago!'

'Your dearest Yue Qingyuan found you near a bamboo forest right?'

Yue Qingyuan just stands there as stiff as a rock. A second mention, now his full name was actually pulled. He tries to ignore the poking stares of his sect siblings, just trying to make sense of what he's hearing.

'Is he trying to say that... Xiao Jiu isn't human?'

After a moment of pure silence in his end, he looks at Shen Jiu who also looked back at him, face scrunching in that familiar frown. He pulls his fan from his sleeves and starts to fan himself slowly, though it just looks like he's trying to hide rather than than fan.

'Careful A-Jiu, we don't want you to qi deviate and suddenly pop out your fluffy cat ears..!'

'Shut it! Why'd they suddenly shut themselves up? Shouldn't Liu Qingge be bitching at me by this point?'

Shen Jiu turns his attention to look at Liu Qingge, onyx eyes scrutinizing the man with a frown. The other who didn't expect the sudden turn almost flinched, though Liu Qingge managed to regain his composure in a second and threw back a glare to match Shen Jiu's.

'Oh? Do you miss his daily love battles perha-'

'Ugh. Don't call it that. And I don't miss shit- it's just weird to not have him up my fucking ass all the time.'

'Up your ass...'

Someone coughs suddenly, a choked up sound reverberating around the room.

'You know what I mean!' Shen Jiu glares at Shang Qinghua, brows furrowed and eyes openly glaring.

'Ofcourse I do. I was the first one up your a-' Returning the glare with a polite smile, Shang Qinghua replies with a sing-song voice.

'Don't spread fake rumors you asshat, you already did enough. It's bad enough to have your shrilly voice up my ears all the time.' Shen Jiu scoffs a reply inside his mind, looking away from Shang Qinghua's annoying face.

Shen Jiu vaguely heard someone snicker in the background, when he looks around, each of the peak lord's are doing their own thing. Odd own things. 

He sees Qi Qingqi check her nails, fixated on the bright colored things. On the other side, there's the alcoholic and the monk whispering to each other, a strange sight. Then there is Mu Qingfang giving him an awkward but genuine smile which Shen Jiu raises an eyebrow at.

There's also Liu Qingge who looks like he's constipated and in dire need to relieve himself, preferably away from Shen Jiu. And Yue Qingyuan who still looks like a kicked dog, as pathetic as ever.

'I may have not shove it up your ass, but I sure did up your throat-' His silent observation is interrupted by Shang Qinghua's shitty remarks.

'That. Did. Not. Happen. And shut the fuck up, would you? You're ringing up my ears.'

'I meant food A-Jiu. I feed you always, do I not? Just what were you thinking, your face is burning-'

Qi Qingqi accidentally drops her cup of tea (something she had just pulled out of nowhere) way louder than she intended, interrupting the two from their internal conversation.

Feeling the pointed stare from both men, she dragged back the cup to her lips gingerly, sipping awkwardly while avoiding eye contact with the two. Sure that if she did look at any of them, they might figure something is amiss.

'What was that just now?' Shen Jiu murmurs inside their connection, eyes still boring a hole in Qi Qingqi.

'She must have been scalded... Odd.' The An Ding Peak Lord mutters a reply. He breaks the stare and returns to reading the papers in front of him.

After a few minutes of just silence, Shen Jiu couldn't take it any more and closed his fan shut with a thwack, the sound making everyone (aside from the rat) flinch. He raises an eyebrow at that.

"Are we all just gonna started at each other? Yue-zhangmen?" He throws a pointed question at Yue Qingyuan, knowing that the man would have no choice but to answer if it's him— except if it's about that.

Yue Qingyuan's eyes lightens at the mention and Shen Jiu tries to not grimace, he heard Shang Qinghua snicker at the back of his mind. 

"Well... We all can consider new ways to strengthen our defences-" 

Shen Jiu looks at him with a pointed stare, with a flick of his wrist, his trusted fan returns to its open state— hiding his features aside from his squinting eyes.

"I suppose my advice was ignored then?" Shen Jiu states, tone ice cold. Yue Qingyuan tenses slightly in his seat, much to everyone's (-1) dismay, face withering.

'Careful A-Jiu, the fanatics might come for your throat again...' With a playful tone, Shang Qinghua draws out with a chuckle.

'They really can't listen, even if it's for their sake. These stubborn fools.' Shen Jiu curses in his mind, face darkening as time goes on. The other peak lords looks at one another again, unsure.

'Tch. You know how they are. I don't even know why you put up with them.' The other replies with a smirk gracing his lips, subtly. His words the only thing permeating through the silence.

'...' Shen Jiu stays silent, just glaring at Yue Qingyuan who looks at him with cornered guilty eyes. 

'If it was me A-Jiu... I long would've been through with them, I would've been gone way years ago.' 

"S-Shen! You-... Just what were you doing these past few months-" Liu Qingge sputters with a hard face out of nowhere, making the two stop from their cursefest. He wanted to break the awkward silence.

'Ah here he goes agai-' Shen Jiu sighs internally, nails digging in the sticks of his fan.

'Didn't you ask for it?' Shang Haoran unhelpfully supplies.

'...'

'I certainly didn't do that.' 

"I was on a personal business Liu-shidi, and no. I don't plan on elaborating." He explains himself, expression distant and apathetic.

'I was away because a certain someone locked me in a portable realm and kept me in his pocket for an entire month like a miniature pet, forcing me to do stacks of paperwork for the demon realm.'

Shen Jiu murmurs inside his head with a smooth tone, as if he was only talking about the weather. 'Why are they all staring at me?'

Shen Jiu raises his eyebrow at them, confusion written all over his face. He did expect a negative reaction but this... Could this be considered a negative one?

'They are just staring... Is this their new way to make me uncomfortable without actually arguing with me?'

"What are you all looking at for?" He huffs out, glaring at all of them.

'Is there something in my face, Qinghua?'

With an almost soft tone, Shen Jiu mulls over his concern, suddenly feeling self-conscious. Shen Jiu breaks eye contact with them and turns his head to look at Shang Qinghua, face devoid of any emotion though the tone of his inner voice expresses otherwise.

'You look just fine, A-Jiu. Nothing is out of place. Do not worry yourself.'

'...'

'... I mean it.'

'Why are they just staring-'

The two's train of thought was interrupted by the Zui Xian peak lords awkward cough. Everyone looks over to him and he almost grimaces, he tries to avoid eye contact but still ends up locking eyes with Shen Jiu.

"Oh. The hair crown Shen-shixiong's wearing really suits him, it accentuates his features very well." In his panic, he just rambles whatever first came to mind, and that was particularly Shen Qingqiu's hair crown.

Yue Qingyuan regains his composure and gives a hum of agreement, nodding in reply. He gives the Shen Jiu a doting smile, the corners quivering- he found himself lost, not knowing the best thing to say. But... Yue Qingyuan never knows the best thing to do or say when it comes to Shen Jiu.

"Shen-shidi looks just as handsome as always."

Shen Jiu just sits there with an even more confused face. Just when did he ask for their opinion for his appearance? 

"Is that... So?"

'Did you feed them anything weird? You better have not done anything to Yue Qi-'

He almost summons a cup of tea just to deal with the awkwardness. He didn't even have the time and the thought to act like a bitch which he normally would have, any other time. He also doesn't see Yue Qingyuan's pleased smile.

'I didn't do anything. I promise.'

'...'

'What?'

'...You really are a pain.'

He replies with indignation, still unsure of how to deal with the sudden barrage of compliments. Well. Two compliments.

'Such a thin face A-Jiu. Who would have known..'

Shen Jiu ignores Shang Qinghua, prompting to look at Yue Qingyuan instead. Not realizing just yet that he's openly staring, one can say he's kind of out of it. The only thing that was heard from him was a deep sigh.

"Are you alright Shen-shixiong?"

With concern laced all over his face, Mu Qingfang stands from his seat and slowly approaches the man with hesitance, not wanting to set him off or make the man even more uncomfortable than he already is. 

Shen Jiu was barely able to mask his surprise with cold indifference from the sudden civil question. Caught off guard, he only manages to nod his head up and down.

'Haoran. Are you sure?' 

He asks in his mind, starting to look somewhat troubled. Shen Jiu carefully looks at everyone in the eyes one by one and sees the ever present suspicion though now it's laced with something he can't quite pin point, but there is another emotion he can't also recognize.

'Hey... Did you do anything to them? Like a powder or pollen that stuns their mind or something- Perhaps it's those new flowers... We did stumble across the cursed lilies accidentally a few weeks ago... Perhaps there is still some residues?'

Shen Jiu questions with slight worry, not wanting to deal with the outcome of whatever this is.

'We don't know the effects of it just yet- but it could be. We're still in the process of deciphering it... But you did say something about reflecting the mind?'

'Yes but... I don't know the full excerpt. The scroll was incomplete, half burnt to be exact.'

'Perhaps they are saying what they truly feel?'

'I don't know about that... This... We visited the warm red pavilion a while ago- do you think they're fine?'

'Your sisters will be fine, Shen. There are literally hundreds of protective talismans and healing salves... not to mention you basically sealed the entire establishment. External factors won't be able to do anything inside, it can't reach them.'

Qi Qingqi look at Liu Qingge when they heard what they said. 'Sisters? Shen Qingqiu has sisters in the warm red pavilion?' She thinks to herself, feeling skeptical of what she's hearing. It was mentioned ever since earlier, but the concern in Shen Qingqiu's tone just speaks for itself.

'Perhaps he really has a sister there... But why? Isn't he a privileged young lord?' Confused, she side-eyes Liu Qingge to know what he may be thinking of the interaction.

Liu Qingge looks lost, as if he couldn't grasp on the barrage of information they have been spoonfed. 'Sisters? Those women... are his sisters?' He asks himself in his mind, sounding like he also can't quite believe the idea.

He looks over to Yue Qingyuan who was just staring at Shen Qingqiu, face slacked which showed his open expression of surprise. It seems he also didn't know. This makes him frown.

'... My talismans aren't perfect, you know that.'

'Except they are. And it doesn't need to be cleansed because it's not poison. Mu Qingfang would have noticed if it was.' Shang Qinghua responds full of certainty.

'It's a new variety. What if it actually is letha-'

'Then we'll have less problems to deal with.'

'...' The chilling silence returns, and this time it has returned twice the intensity. Shen Jiu's frowns deepens and he sighs in his mind.

'We already talked about this. We will not hurt any of them.'

'What for? We don't owe them anything! They do nothing but ruin everything good for us.' Shang Qinghua throws a biting remark, if one were to look closely— they would see a cold look in his eyes. Shen Jiu stays silent in their link.

'I already told you... We're not to kill anyone from the sect..!'

'I never agreed.'

'So you did poison them!'

'I didn't because if I wanted to, I would use Drought of Blood instead or perhaps I would just perform a cursed incantation and call an ancient entity to raze this stupid sect to the ground.'

'I'll kill you before you manage to get past the first syllable.' Shen Jiu bites back with a cold tone, palm curling into a fist, knuckles turning white.

'That's not so nice, A-Jiu. I thought we were partners in crime.'

'When targets are actually bastards who deserve to die!'

'They're awful, especially to you. They do deserve to die!'

Liu Qingge and Qi Qingqi looks at each other in their peripheral vision when scathing words were thrown in. Shen Qingqiu didn't want them dead? Well, that's a surprise. Though Shang Qinghua on the other hand seemed to be the one holding a grudge. 

For what? They do not know.

'They constantly misunderstand you, do everything to demean you, and accuse you of treason even in times you actually saved them-'

Shen Jiu glares at Shang Qinghua. Glare icy and scathing, he doesn't even try to hide it anymore, Shang Qinghua only gives him a small smile— though it didn't reach nor brighten his eyes.

'It's not like I want something in return- and I don't care what they say, they don't know anything!'

'Even Liu Qingge, the 'honorable' brute beats you for the sake of justice- not knowing you actually saved him!'

Liu Qingge freezes in his position, feeling as if a bucket of ice cold water had just been poured on top of his head. He looks at Shen Qingqiu, who wasn't look at him, who is looking aghast as if he has just been slapped.

'He saved me..?' Liu Qingge thinks back to that mission that changed everything between him and Shen Qingqiu, about the exchanges and interactions he's long buried beneath his memories.

He remembers the look of hurt that graced Shen Qingqiu's face momentarily, the look of anger that followed, and the array of curses the slipped past those lips. He also vividly recalls Shang Qinghua smirking in the sidelines while he was berating Shen Qingqiu.

Faced with those details, it's not that hard to piece together what might've actually happened. 'Was there actually a ghost behind me at that time? Is that why I felt cold-' He mutters to himself, thinking about the various scenarios that could've played through.

'Of all times to think about this, I really chose to do this now?' He found himself absurdly confused as to why he was even trying to dig back up old memories just for the sake of the other man.

'And? I don't care- I don't need his approval or his praise in my life! I never needed it!' Shen Jiu states strongly, making Liu Qingge turn his face like a whiplash. He does not notice.

'That's not the point and you know it Shen Jiu-' Shang Qinghua replies venomously, action contradictory to his chill demeanor. 

'Don't call me that! How many times should I-'

'The same number of times you've asked Yue Qingyuan to stop calling you by 'that' name.' This time, it is Yue Qingyuan's turn to shift. He doesn't turn their way, but he does tense up, hands trembling.

'Just how much does Shang-shidi know about me and Xiao Jiu?' He looks at the man who was preoccupied with pretending to read a stupid random manual. He doesn't even know where that came from.

'...'

'Dont bring that up! That is totally different!"

'How is it any different? Is it because you like Yue Qingyuan? No, you're madly in love with him-'

The other peak lords couldn't do anything but stay put in their seat, sat right in the middle of Shen Qingqiu and Shang Qinghua's argument. Even Yue Qingyuan is stunned into silence, the look of guilt turning into one of confusion.

'Just what is Shang-shidi talking about?' He finds himself lost, eyes locked into Shen Qingqiu's face. Shen Jiu. His Xiao Jiu.

'I'm not in love with him! Don't try to twist my words-' He bristles in his seat, form rigid and knuckles turning white. He tries to push the tinge of shame and hurt beneath his mind.

'Staying in a sect where everyone hates you- You truly are one of a kind Shen Jiu, no one is as martyr as you.'

'Why are you acting like you're innocent? If it comes down to hurting me- you're also art of the problem, you are no exception.'

Shen Jiu scoffs derisively in his mind and Shang Qinghua scowls.

"Shen-shidi. Are you alright?"

Pure silence descended upon everyone in the table, even the two empaths. Shen Jiu huffs and scoffs derisively, viridian eyes glaring at everyone behind long lashes. With a sigh, he reaches for something in his pocket and pulls out a fan, fanning himself with a scowl.

'I'm fine Yue Qi... Just tired from the utter shittery my life is.'

A whisper like murmur was the given reply by the Qing Jing peak lord, spoken from his very own mind. He seemed to pause, thinking of the proper words to say out loud. Everyone just looked at each other awkwardly, not knowing how to deal with the awkwardly polite Shen Qingqiu.

Yue Qingyuan froze in his tracks, eyes widened in a fraction. He did not expect a soft reply, not from his Xiao Jiu, definitely not from Shen Jiu. He stares. He couldn't help himself. Feeling shaken up, he gives Shen Qingqiu a shaky smile, then he remembers someone else was also mentioned.

He thinks to himself, a sudden from overtaking his features. The other peak lords glanced at one another, Liu Qingge's face is crumpled in a frown, a thought plastered in his mind because of the murmured nickname, he has been mulling over the Qing Jing and Qiong Ding Peak Lord's connection with one another.

'Yue Qi? Yue Qingyuan... Does this mean they truly knew one another years before becoming disciples?'

They probably should tell him his thoughts are being projected out loud without his knowledge, but this was too good of an opportunity to pass through. This might be the only time they could actually find out what the cold man is thinking.

"Did anything happen while we were away?"

He looked away again, just in time to not see the various looks of surprise in everyone's faces, changing the topic. Shen Jiu just sighs again for the hundredth time.

'Is it that upsetting to be seated in front of me? Ah, whatever.'

He just crosses his arms as he leans back on his seat, waiting for them to continue whatever discussion previously took place. Yue Qingyuan stands there for a solid minute, taken off guard by straight-out hearing Shen Jiu's inner voice.

"Well, uh... N-now that we are complete, let's talk about the allocation of funds. Shen-shidi, do you have any request as of the moment?"

Like all the other times, the sect leader asked Shen Jiu first before anyone else. Qi Qingqi pursed her lips, this would've ticked her off if it happened some other time, but she decides to stay quiet and observe before saying a word.

'Well there he goes again with the fake concern... I've been buying quality medicine and practice swords with my own pocket for atleast a decade now since every single thing that reaches my peak is somehow so low quality and barely lasts a month, and that's in the hands of the most careful and gentle disciples... But of course they'll rip my head off for suggesting such a thing.'

Yue Qingyuan stiffens once he heard Shen Jiu's words, eyes widening in a fraction. Pure silence descends on the entire room, a look of confusion on each and every single one of their faces.

"Qing Jing doesn't need anything as of the moment."

Shen Jiu answers with all the serenity he can muster, feigning indifference though he was boiling in the inside with red hot anger. His face doesn't show any hint of disappointment nor dissatisfaction, if they couldn't hear his thoughts, they would've never known about the supplies no doubt.

"An Ding peak will just send a supply package just in case."

Shang Qinghua states out loud, looking at Shen Jiu's way. Wei Qingwei bites the insides of his mouth with a pinched expression, guilty that his negligence has just been found, right in front of every nonetheless.

He was purposefully sending the faulty and low quality weapons on Shen Qingqiu's way out of spite, a retaliation for the man's unsavory behavior and perhaps because he thought he could get away unscathed with it. 

He avoids making eye contact with everyone in the room. Especially the man himself, Shen Qingqiu.

Mu Qingfang also looks ashen, though this is more so in the thought that his disciples could have tampered with the batches of medicine deliveries for Qing Jing out of the bad blood between peaks.

Everyone in the room feels shame creep up in their spines. Liu Qingge shuffles in his seat restlessly, feeling like running away out of nowhere. He feels guilty somehow, and finds himself wanting to get to know the man.

If he truly had been wrong about Shen Qingqiu's attempt to his life, then what else could have been a misunderstanding? What else could he have wronged the man about? Liu Qingge found himself spiraling, feeling strangely frustrated of himself.

"There's no need for that, Shang-shidi."

He speaks out loud with certainty. In a closer look, a corner of Shen Jiu's lips is obviously twitching in displeasure, he looks away after some time, stopping himself from rolling his eyes from the obvious attempt of Shang Qinghua to probably weasel his way out of the grave he dug himself into.

'Send a package my ass, what's next? Resources that will last two months for a change?' Shen Jiu remarks with such a brash tone, it caught everyone off guard.

Liu Qingge laughs out loud and realizes that Shen Qingqiu technically didn't say anything, and coughs, trying again to feign a mask of indifference. Qi Qingqi pinches him in the forearm while also trying to not crack a smile, she curiously scans the Qing Jing peak lord's face.

Shen Jiu just gives them a questioning look, confused as to why the other peak lords couldn't look at him in the eye. He scans every single of their faces to check any hint of whatever may be on their minds.

'Is something funny?'

After staring at each other for a straight two minutes of silence, the peak lord of Wan Jian peak spoke with a hurried tone, just trying to make the conversation continue without an awkward pause. His own very way to make up for his pettiness, a balm to his guilty conscience.

"If others need it, Wan Jian can refine and deliver new weapons-"

Wei Qingwei looks at Shen Qingqiu with hesitance, unsure if he really should reach out and offer services to his frosty shixiong. 'Well, the worse thing that could happen is rejection...'  

"Does Shen-shixiong's disciples need new weapons? Wan Jian can give some if Shen-shixiong needs them..."

He offers with a (strained) boxy smile which Shen Qingqiu returns with frosty glare, the swordsmith wilts. Shen Jiu ignores him, spitefully. Wei Qingwei just laughs awkwardly while scratching the back of his head, the strained smile turning into a frown. 'Well, fuck.'

'Yeah right. Are you going to give me burnt coal and call it a sword next? What a joke, keep your measly sticks to yourself, Qing Jing doesn't need them.' Shen Jiu scoffs derisively, feeling upset and glum. Wei Qingwei keeps his mouth shut wisely.

Right after Wei Qingwei's attempt to connect, others felt hesitant to reach out, but they felt like they had to. Like this was their only chance. Next in line is the peak lord of Zui Xian who wearily smiled at his distant sect brother, the truth is he felt amused by the man's unexpected string of thoughts.

"Shen-shixiong is also welcomed to visit Zui Xian Peak if he wants to do so."

He baits Shen Qingqiu with an offer he never once gave to him even when they were only head disciples. Feeling exhilarated of the possible reactions he might get, he took the chance to scoot closer, coincidentally they were seated side by side which made approaching Shen Qingqiu much easier.

Shen Jiu looks at him with open confusion, seemingly taken aback by the sudden offer. With a raised eyebrow and furrowed brows, Shen Jiu could only nod in reply, lips pinched in a thinking manner. 

'I'm getting offers left and right, do they need something from me?' Shen Jiu felt suspicion rise from his very being, he braces his guards up again. It won't do him no good to be found out now.

_

Even after the meeting has ended, hours passed by, Liu Qingge still found himself fixated by the memory of the Qing Jing Peak Lord's visage, his open mind.

Liu Qingge frowns, reminiscing on the other's black ones, distractedly noticing the light gradient of what seems to be a shade of green in his pupils. He never noticed it before, not that he really tried to look closer. He found himself checking out Shen Qingqiu, though that ever present shame is still there.

'He also says I have a pretty face but he's got one too...'

The Bai Zhan peak lord traces every single visible feature he can remember on the man. From the patters of the silver hair crown he wore, how he fixed and pulled up his hair, and the intricate details of his robes. From the amount of creases to the color scheme his robes has; light green and white.

Deciding that he can't possibly keep bottling his guilt, Liu Qingge strengthens his resolve. He will seek out Shen Qingqiu actively from now on, to confirm if the rumors surrounding the man some by him are true, and if they aren't - he's going to spend the rest of his immortal life repenting.

Though he really needs to know what that 'demon' talks were about, he needs to make sure first that Shen Qingqiu isn't a traitor. Even if he is, he will just drag him kicking and screaming back to the right track just like a righteous martial sibling would. 

He'll deal with Shang Qinghua in differently, the man seemed to be plotting something genuinely dangerous, not just for the sect but also for Shen Qingqiu. His shixiong.

He won't fail him this time.

_

Yue Qingyuan couldn't look away from Shen Qingqiu, his Xiao Jiu. Even with a scary expression on his face, he couldn't help but notice every little detail on his little face. The same features he used to be able to touch freely, the features of his precious person.

He felt nervous of the possibility that Shen Jiu might be a traitor though that dreading feeling quickly turned to elation once he found out that Shen Jiu still does care for him. He felt something wake, though he's quite unsure if what it is.

'Don't worry... Even if Xiao Jiu finds himself wanting to burn the entire realm to ashes, I'll always be by his side.'

With a frightening degree, that dark feeling of satisfaction and exhilaration came back a hundred fold to him. An emotion he had thought was deeply buried beneath the confines of his dark past, his ever present obsession and his consuming fixation.

With a dark smile gracing his face, a genuine one for the first time in years. He felt relief settle in his very being for the first time in what seemed to be decades, he felt content. He couldn't even muster concern for what Shen Jiu could be planning.

He just felt happy. He felt forgiven, an unspoken one that is still considerably a blessing to his aching soul. He felt like he could do everything, no matter what it was, as long as it's for Shen Jiu. His Xiao Jiu.

'This Qi-ge is also on your side, Xiao Jiu. I always have been and always will be.'

Even with scathing glares thrown his way, he found himself genuinely smiling, grinning even. He saw Shen Jiu pause, caught off-guard by his happiness and felt nothing but pure glee run its course through his very veins when Shen Jiu did nothing but look away. Looking flustered.

He still has him. He hasn't lost him. Yue Qingyuan smiles.

'It doesn't matter Xiao Jiu. They don't matter.'

He found himself chanting Shen Jiu's name all over his mind, almost like a mantra, a prayer to a future he wants to come. Knowing that he still has Shen Jiu's loyalty, Shen Jiu's favor, Yue Qingyuan felt truly powerful. Peerless in it's truest form.

The other peak lords would be easy to throw away, they don't matter, they never did. They pale in comparison to Shen Jiu's precious existence. If his Xiao Jiu wanted it, he would follow him to the very crevices of the demon realm if it was just to be by his side in every second of their expendable lives.

The sect doesn't even matter. It's just a bulk of resources to him now, resources he would not hesitate to use and give for Shen Jiu. Everything Yue Qingyuan has, he'll leave it to Shen Jiu's disposal, even his very being.

'I'll make sure nothing stands on your way.'

He thinks of everyone's reactions from earlier, taking note of every expression, already making a list of the possible pest he should eliminate should they pose as a threat to Shen Jiu's peace. 

'Shang Qinghua... Isn't he a little bit too close to Xiao Jiu..?' Yue Qingyuan thinks of Shang Qinghua blankly, face devoid of any visible expression.

He felt unsettled. Like their is something that needs to be done. And done it will be. 

He will make sure of it.

_

Qi Qingqi still finds herself disassociating from time to time, thinking back on the new possibilities that damned meeting had just opened in front of her. Especially the prospect of actually having been wronged an innocent man of all people, Qi Qingqi found herself rolling in the ground from just the thought of it.

'If he truly is not a young master, or a lecher preying the poorest prostitutes and his youngest most naive disciples... Then wouldn't that mean I had helped in ruining his already deadly reputation?'

She felt shame unbearable enough it made her feel like vomiting, as if the disgusting emotion has materialized into something she needs to choke out, like it was stuck in her throat. She sighs for the thousandth time this day.

"Shizun would whip my skin off... And I would deserve it, wouldn't I?" She whispers out loud to herself, feeling lost and helpless.

She needs to know the validity of every single rumor and accusation thrown on her martial brother's way, she needs to know how much she should clean out. How much damage control she can still mandate.

Sitting up with agitation, she dresses herself up in disguise, on her way down the mountain. She really needs to confirm something, not only for the peace of her mind but also to immediately lessen whatever damnation she has been setting off to her icy shixiong.

'Warm Red Pavilion... Here I come.'

In the middle of the night, the Xian Shu Peak Lord found herself descending down the mountain with common clothes, disguise kept and an accusation to investigate.

'This time... I will do you right, Shen Shixiong.'

_

An entire day Mu Qingfang spent punishing and scolding his disciples for their shameless actions. Another day spent teaching them a lesson about the importance of ethics and integrity of being a healer. Three whole days he spent making sure each and every disciple mind is set straight, with no flaw on their character in sight.

'Please forgive this one, shixiong. No wonder he had been so cold, he has been thinking that I was the one telling my foolish disciples to commit horrid actions...'

He's been spending these past few days trying to right his wrongs, decades worth of wrongdoing. Not exactly by his hand but he found himself just as guilty, his ignorance has proven to be just as lethal as any poison. 

It successfully severed whatever was left of his friendly relation with his distant shixiong, though he will not give up, not until he could redeem himself again.

'These should be right...' He thought to himself, rechecking the stacks of medicine deliveries, stacks because he is decades too late in delivering deserving quantities to Qing Jing.

'Shen-shixiong... I hope this can help even just a bit.'

After a strict direction and instructions which ran through literal hours, he made sure to repeat it as many times he could to his audacious disciples, as many times it will take them to understand that they should properly deliver these packages without any deplorable behavior.

'Decades worth of packages are on its way shixiong, I'm sorry if it's too late...'

_

Wei Qingwei found himself shamefaced in front of his disciples, having a hard time explaining that they should avoid purposefully tampering and fucking around him the batch of weapons that should be handed up to Qing Jing Peak.

...

Right after that meeting, he found himself cornered by all of his martial siblings, except the two who rushed out the second the meeting ended. 

"Just what in the hell did he mean by faulty swords?" Liu Qingge surprisingly is the first one to corner him, surprising because it's for Shen Qingqiu.

Wei Qingwei tries to not grimace and a half-baked excuse is already on the tip of his tongue but it quickly coiled down back into his throat once his other sect siblings also joined the little confrontation.

"I... I was just- hah..." Having a hard time explaining, as he truly did not have any justification or excuse. 

Shen Qingqiu did not do anything to him, now that he thought about it, his vitriol is aimed at everyone after all- it isn't something targeted. He is an asshole to everyone, there is no exception.

"I may or may have not tampered with the weapon allocation-"

"You did what!!" 

Voices of outrage from various peak lords filled the entire room, Wei Qingwei felt that this is somewhat unfair. After all, didn't they all hate Shen Qingqiu?

"What? It's not like none of you haven't tried to pick on him-"

"It's not the same." Qi Qingqi found herself speaking before she could think about it. 

"We can mess with him verbally or perhaps with petty pranks but we should've never dragged the entirety of Qing Jing alongside our petty squabbles. What are we, children?" She whispers the last part just enough it would be heard by him.

"It's not like you have any right to say that- You spread vicious rumors about the man and now you're acting as if you're his knight in shining armor?" 

He spat back with just as much indignation she had, making the Xian Shu Peak Lord glare at him.

"I had thought they were right! Since everyone was saying so- I admit, that was wrong. But I will do him right! In fact, I'll go investigate every single damn rumor-"

"About time you did. The only thing you knee how to do is to talk-"

"Atleast I can own up to my mistakes and not act like a pretentious fool!"

"You!!-"

The two is interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their through. Yue Qingyuan steps in front of the two, effectively towering all over them, a rigid look on his face. 

"We must... Check on those rumors. I've never thought about it, but they truly have been harmful as of these years. We must put a stop to them." 

He spoke formally and with a tone of finality for what feels like the first time, acting like an actual sect leader much to everyone's surprise.

"Let's all investigate the validity of those rumors, and decide whether or not to punish Shen-shidi."

His words surprised them more than anything, punish Shen Qingqiu? This is surreal, it doesn't even feel real. Qi Qingqi herself was stupefied, alongside Liu Qingge who would've been elated by the news in the past.

"What if... None of them are true?" Mu Qingfang found himself adding in the mix, a look of uncertainty etched in his features.

"Then we will be punishing those who have spread said rumors." Yue Qingyuan stares at every single one of them as if to make a point making them all sweat and look away, for the first- it actually feels like Yue Qingyuan's mad. An ice cold fury.

...

It didn't take long before the rumors were disproven one by one, the lechery rumor was the most spectacularly rebutted the loudest, in the form of berating from ladies from the Warm Red Pavilion. Something Qi Qingqi had to face herself alone, the poor lady.

They had come to know of it from her returning from her sudden visit down the mountain, apparent from her chastised face, she had faced a number of scoldings from the ladies of the establishment.

They all were very vocal in defending and supporting their 'A-Jiu', as expressed by Qi Qingqi traumatized face. It was the first time in her long life she had to face being reprimanded by women, worsened by the fact it truly was her fault.

The second each rumor was disputed, except from the young master assumption which wordlessly was thrown away too, each and every single one of them decided to stop assuming about their icy shixiong. It won't do them any good to do so.

This humiliation is enough, thank you very much...

Their sect leader too, has changed, slowly and dreadfully. Yue Qingyuan has been oddly cold to them too these recent days. Way more ruthless than he has been in years, and his patience towards them has diminished by a chilling degree and now they are all reduced to walking in eggshells when it comes to Shen Qingqiu.

Not to mention the mandatory order he issued about clearing Shen Qingqiu's reputation in each peak by every peak lord. Each of the peak lords had to face the embarrassment of having to explain themselves to their disciples, along with the mentions of strict warnings to no longer bother Qing Jing in that very moment (else the poor brats might find themselves facing the sect leader of all people).

Particularly, the peaks who were the loudest in their protest were Bai Zhan and Wan Jian as the disciples in both peaks have gotten used in toying around and bullying the scholarly peak, this was efficiently fixed by some beating (on the grace of Liu Qingge) and some threats of being sent to the ascetic peak for one whole month (Wei Qingwei couldn't think of anything more excruciating than that).

Xian Shu on the other hand handled the news much more gracefully than the others, though there is still some apprehension from some of the dames of the peak as in the past— their Shizun had been adamant and loud about her warnings about the Qing Jing Peak Lord. Still, in seeing their teachers' firmness, they all decided to follow along. 

Mu Qingfang's disciples who already got their batch of admonishment from their Shizun in the past week just wisely stayed silent and obedient to the further information and instructions. They honestly just decided to never ever again cross Qing Jing, their Shizun is very terrifying when angered...

The ascetic peak just maintained their neutrality, fortunately the Ku Xing peak was never vocal about their opinion and view about their shifu from Qing Jing. They had the blessing of just being able to stay silent without any guilt, conscience free from not never participating in the other peak's smearing campaigns against Qing Jing.

The rest of the peaks were also strictly instructed to inform their peak disciples of Qing Jing Peak being off limits from pranks and pettiness, along with the lesson of importance of integrity, respect, and all the other ethics (courtesy to Mu Qingfang's insistence) much to the disciples and the peak lords themselves embarrassment.

The peak lords couldn't believe that they're being scolded and taught about ethics in their grown immortal age, their disciples too were extremely ashamed (not of their past slight) of being reprimanded so suddenly when yesterday, the Qing Jing Peak was considered to be Cang Qiong Mountain sect's black sheep of the mountain.

'This felt like a punishment..!!'