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At first Yue Qi was grateful for being picked up as house servant by Qiu Jianluo, even though the young man has already shown that he didn’t care much for other human beings. Unless they were his beloved and spoiled sister Qiu Haitang. In fact, being taken in as a servant gave Yue Qi another way of providing for his friend who was still begging on the streets to fill his hungry stomach. Yue Qi could hide and give food to the scrawny child.
However Yue Qi’s initial happiness and gratefulness quickly changed when Qiu Jianluo caught him one time sneaking out with the food. He called him a little ungrateful thief but Yue Qi only wanted to help his little friend outside of the estate. As a result Yue Qi got beaten up so badly and with that he finally got to see the true nature of his new young master.
The cruel monster which was hiding in the human skin.
That Qiu Jianluo’s pleased expression as he relished in Yue Qi’s pain when he repeatedly kicked him into the stomach until the boy couldn’t breathe feeling without a sharp pain, his ribs were definitely broken.
“How dare you steal and give our hard earned food to the rats outside?” Qiu Jianluo spat out with yet another kick which landed again on Yue Qi’s already hurting side.
Yue Qi would remember that sinister expression probably forever. The way Qiu Jianluo looked at him, basked in the scared yet somehow stubborn expression of the younger boy, adding more hits and kicks. Qiu Jianluo knew that he was untouchable for Yue Qi, he could do anything .
If he wanted.
It was too tempting to do so…
Maybe even too easy.
Of course this would not stop Yue Qi trying to sneak out of the estate. He wanted to help Shen Jiu out whenever he could. Even though he knew that Shen Jiu was capable of taking care of himselfm he still felt the duty to protect him, remembering the first day when Shen Jiu arrived with slave traders. He was just a little scrawny boy, so scared in need of protection.
I am perfectly fine by myself, it’s you who needs me, you idiot!
Afterall his friend would teach Yue Qi how to properly beg, so he could actually fulfill the quotas given to them by the traders and also get something into his stomach. In fact Shen Jiu was the one who got almost picked by Qiu Jianluo and now, knowing the man’s true nature, Yue Qi would never forgive himself if the one being beaten to the pulp was Shen Jiu and not himself.
It was better out there than in there.
Shen Jiu was just way too important to him, he needed to be safe. If Yue Qi could just help to make one day easier for him on the street by sneaking out some old blankets or his own food... Then Yue Qi could go to sleep knowing that he did as much as he could for now. Though Shen Jiu also was the one who constantly tried to tell Yue Qi that they should just run away.
That it was better when they are not tied up to any adult.
They should go and follow their dream to become great cultivators… They had the power in them!
Their dream was never meant to be, at least that’s what Yue Qi thought when he got caught once again by his cruel master Qiu Jianluo and this time he was put into his place. Left in the cold woodshed beaten up to unconsciousness, Yue Qi woke up to the quiet and worried voice calling out his name.
“Qi-ge… Qi-ge…” the boy outside repeated, almost crying. “Are you there?” His voice was shaky it made Yue Qi’s heart ache. A few quiet knocks on the wood of the locked door. For a few short moments Yue Qi just stared into the dark without movement nor answering his eyes, adjusting to the complete dark around him.
“Y-” His voice was hoarse, even though he didn’t yell much, there was an instance of Qiu Jianluo who thought it would be so funny to choke him under the heavy sole of his shoe. Yue Qi had to clear his throat to be able to speak at least properly. “I am alright,” he then finally said, his voice still rough and he could hear the relieved sigh of the boy from outside.
“They didn’t…” The younger boy’s voice was etched with worry. “They didn’t hurt you much this time, right?” He finally managed to say out loud, probably trying hard not to sob but a little sniffle still escaped his throat. It has already been a dangerous situation because Yue Qi was caught trying to run away from this damned place.
“En…” Yue Qi softly whined when he finally moved his body, so he could feel the pain blooming in any possible part of his body. It hurt so much but his legs felt the worst out of it, he could barely move with them. “No, they just beat me up a little.” An awkward smile which the other could not see but definitely it could have been heard . Yue Qi would probably be told that it made him look like an idiot anyway.
“Then that means that you can still move, right?” The boy outside was quite hopeful now, he pressed his hands against the wooden door and an ear too.
Yue Qi’s breath caught in his throat when he tried to carefully move with his legs. They felt strangely weak and so he tried to quickly think of something. “Xiao Jiu…” He then finally said. “You want us to try to escape, again?” Oh, how would he love to do that. Yue Qi felt tears burning in his eyes and it wasn’t because of the horrible pain.
I am just a burden.
“Yes. Yes. I want to leave with you, let’s make the escape and find the people in the Mountains. We can’t stay here anymore, Qiu family has a lot of influence over this city.” The person called Xiao Jiu shakily inhaled, it was already a dangerous situation with him sneaking around the estate like this. “We have to… leave.” The boy said with an urgency in his voice.
“I… I can’t.” Yue Qi said softly, almost sobbing. “I can’t, Xiao Jiu.” He whispered, looking at the door which was locked with at least four locks. Both outside and inside. Staring a hole into them. Hoping for them magically open.
“What’s wrong, Qi-ge? We have always talked about this-”
“You have to go!” Usually Yue Qi would get lectured by Shen Jiu that cutting someone off mid sentence was a bad thing but this time Shen Jiu fell silent.
“They hurt you real bad this time.”
“No. It’s just…” Yue Qi carefully wiped off his tears from the swollen face. “I can’t possibly get out of here.”
“Then… Then I will go and enter one of the Sects and, and come back for you!” Shen Jiu quickly blurted out, nervously looking around. “I will learn how to cultivate, so I can come back for you and help you.”
Yue Qi was silent, he wasn’t sure how to respond to his friend. Was there a way for him to truly escape from this place? With great restraint he tried to move a little bit. His face painfully scrunched, soft whimpers escaping his sealed lips.
“Qi-ge…” Shen Jiu called out for him for the last time. “Qi-ge, let me see your face. Through the crack in the door.”
Yue Qi hesitated but then placed his hands on the wooden door too. Shen Jiu shifted closer and put his eye as close as he could, seeing the bruises all over Yue Qi's usually happy face made his heart drop. It was so swollen it was visible in the complete darkness. “Qi-ge…” he said softly, wishing that he could just caress all the ugliness out of his friend’s face. “I will come back as soon as I can, alright.”
Yue Qi smiled with that and lifted his dark eyes to the small crack. “Of course. I believe in you, Xiao Jiu.”
But Xiao Jiu never came.
******
Shen Jiu was seen as a prodigy the moment he picked up the cultivation manual for the first time. Everything came to him as second nature, mastering easily things which took months to his other peers, advancing in his cultivation in miles. It earned him looks of jealousy, rumours behind his back but Shen Jiu paid those no mind. He was set on his goal to master things as soon as possible, so he could come for Qi-ge. Sometimes his own Shizun joked that Shen Jiu had a whole eternity to master his own cultivation and that there was no need for him to hurry.
Too much haste is too little speed, the man liked to school Shen Jiu when his best disciple would show signs of frustration whenever he couldn’t pick something immediately. He was very pleased with the quick improvements of the child but knew that his foundation was still fragile. It could break at any moment.
Even though Shen Jiu was rough around the edges with a prickly personality, he still managed to make some friends among his martial siblings. Shen Jiu was admitted into Qiong Ding peak where the current immortal master had to yet assign someone the role of the Head disciple. After that his goal was pretty much set and he did everything to earn that title. To stand at the top of everybody, so he could do anything he wanted.
Magically all the rumours disappeared when Shen Jiu was given the role he wanted so badly - Qiong Ding peak’s head disciple. Suddenly more and more people wanted to get on Shen Jiu’s good side but he knew how to recognise those disingenuine vipers. Those who called him a peasant when he first turned up to the Mountain in such shabby clothes packed off without a long line of servants.
Shen Jiu had only one thing on his mind. He had to hurry up so he could quickly go and save his gege as he promised to him that night when their ways separated. Qi-ge was the main fuel behind all his improvements, successees. Qi-ge was there for him before when he first arrived with the slave traders scared and lost. The days when Shen Jiu was freezing laying on the floor, they would snuggle with each other, just to feel a little bit of warmth.
Shen Jiu stopped his walk in the middle of the cold room, trying to calm himself down as he was trespassing the sacred grounds of the Wan Jian peak. The room was full of swords, their auras curiously vibrating and touching the person which entered their resting place. Shen Jiu was told so many times that he wasn’t yet ready for his own spiritual weapon that even though his cultivation level was already much more advanced, his own body constitution didn’t allow him to pick up the spiritual weapon which would answer only to him.
You are too young.
Shen Jiu didn’t agree with this. He didn’t have time, his Qi-ge was still in that hellhole! They were probably hurting him and Shen Jiu promised to come back for him. There was no time to slack, he had to get his sword now.
Yet none of the present weapons responded to his desperate calls. They were curious at first, it felt like so many warm hands just subtly touched his shoulders or arms but they quickly retreated.
Shen Jiu was devastated but still continued walking through the room, calling out for anything.
They all refused him, they all deemed him not worthy, not ready yet. Just like his Shizun kept telling him and Shen Jiu couldn’t take on the fact that he would fail this time.
“Please,” he whispered, looking around the room full of spiritual swords. Then he felt it as if someone took his hand and pulled it. Shen Jiu quickly turned his head to the side where a sword laid on a dusty display, covered with webs. It eluded a clear sound as if it was trying to communicate with Shen Jiu but he was too stunned to listen to it at first.
This must have been some ancient artefact, there was no way this was supposed to be a spiritual weapon for an ordinary person right? Yet the warmth on his hand grew the closer he was to it, welcoming him. Shen Jiu felt as if he saw a person standing next to the sword, warmly smiling at him.
It also glowed with a gentle pale blue aura and the blade softly reflected the flickering light of the lamps when Shen Jiu carefully cleared the sword’s scabbard of the webs. It almost felt as if the weapon smiled itself at him as if it was reaching towards him. When he looked up, the person was in front of him, reaching out to him with hands.
Unite with me and I can help you.
It’s all Shen Jiu could hear and for the first time in his life, he overestimated his own abilities. He was way too blind to the power which tentatively touched his meridians, it was overwhelming but glorious. Shen Jiu never felt so powerful in his life but the delight was quickly replaced with fear when the power started scorching his meridians, burning itself into his body.
Relax.
The sword sang to him in a calming voice but Shen Jiu threw it on the ground, holding his right wrist where the burning pain was the strongest. “Shit!” He stumbled a few steps and without thinking set out a trap which was supposed to catch possible intruders. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as he stared at the sword’s materialised spirit next to the discarded weapon. It was viciously smiling at him, eyes empty.
Who would have been so stupid to walk into the heavily fortified sword peak anyway, right?
Shen Jiu has never seen his own Shizun so furious with him. The man yelled at him, saying that this was exactly what he didn’t want to happen! That Shen Jiu wasn’t ready for his spiritual weapon yet.
Idiot!
“Shizun…” Shen Jiu whispered, holding his hand out to the man. It still painfully burned as if someone tooked scorching hot iron and shoved it into his skin. Shen Jiu could swear that he saw his own veins bulging at that moment. “Shizun please,” Shen Jiu felt something wet on his face, he just didn’t know it was blood dripping out of his eyes, not tears. “This disciple doesn’t want to die…”
The next thing he knew was that he was thrown into a cold place. Alone and so scared with fire eating him from inside. Shen Jiu didn’t recognise it there at first, he also didn’t know how he got there. There was just familiar pain in his body, breathing was hard. No, simply living was hard.
Xiao Jiu! Gentle voice rang through his ears and the boy frantically turned his head to the side. Who said that? Xiao Jiu look! I bought you a tangulu!
Next to the voice there was something else trying to talk to him, something… eerie, trying to take control of his own body. Shen Jiu gasped when a scary face, missing half of the meat on it grinned at him. So weak, yet still resists.
You tricked me! Shen Jiu's breathing quickened and he cried out loud. No, Shen Jiu screamed in agony. His nails scraped over the cold stone, they split so easily and suddenly he was painting the walls with his own blood and there was still that face. Levitating next to him, randomly appearing, laughing, talking, trying to make him slip.
The moment Shen Jiu will put his guard down, it will catch him and never let go.
Why was the sword spirit so twisted? Who hurt it? Shen Jiu grabbed his own robes, ripping them in the process as he fell to his knees, coughing blood.
I just want to save him.
******
Shen Jiu stood in front of the Qiu estate, so many emotions whirling in him as memories flooded his thoughts. Big part of his life was tied up to this wretched place. Him and Yue Qi running around while trying not to get caught sneaking away when they took Yue Qi in as a servant.
When they…
Forcefully separated them.
Shen Jiu gritted his teeth and tightened grip on a common sword he used for transportation while Xuan Su rested on his back, quietly humming to itself. His body was still recovering from the violent qi deviation which almost forced him to take his own life during that one year in the caves.
During that time Shen Jiu screamed, threatened, begged anybody who was willing to listen. He just wanted someone to go and help Yue Qi when he couldn’t fulfill the promise.
Nobody ever listened to him and when he was finally free to leave…
It was not that easy.
However, finally, finally, he was there. He was coming for his Qi-ge. Even if it was way too late for the older boy to start with the cultivation, Shen Jiu would find a way to make him a part of their Sect.
That’s the least I can do for him after not being able to fulfill our promise. He thought to himself and finally knocked on the door.
Shen Jiu was not scared of nobles anymore, none of these people had power over him anymore. Now Shen Jiu was the one who was mostly in control of the situation. People upon seeing his expensive and good quality clothes always assumed that he was a wealthy man. After spotting the swords, they knew that he was not just an ordinary person. Sometimes Xuan Su eluded menacing aura around him when it was in a bad mood, which was not very often after they came to mutual agreement during the one year in caves.
Shen Jiu was often called daozhang or immortal master by others. Nobody would suspect from where he came from, what his roots were, everything perfectly hidden behind the learned manners in the strict Sect’s environment. They also didn’t know that he was yet far away from being a real master but ordinary people couldn’t understand the hierarchy in their Sect.
Some poor servant opened the door and Shen Jiu scowled at him. “Bring me to your master, now.” He hissed, trying to keep his composure but the blood was boiling in his veins. He was not far away from razing this place and dragging Yue Qi away from there.
“Who is looking for him if I may ask?” The servant seemed fearful but still did what was expected from him.
“Do you really have to ask?” Shen Jiu shot back with an annoyed click of his tongue. The servant quickly inspected Shen Jiu’s clothes. “I have business with your master, how long do you want me to keep outside like this?” Shen Jiu was losing his patience, not that he ever had much of it in the first place. The servant moved hastily out of his way, so Shen Jiu would not slam into him.
“P-please follow me…?”
The young male begrudgingly did, looking around the lavishly decorated halls, he could tell that Qius have probably never experienced anything bad in their life. Why always the people who did not deserve it got the best out of life. Where were the Gods? Maybe minus that one time when they killed Qiu Jianluo’s horse but that was probably more misfortune for Yue Qi and Shen Jiu than for a wealthy, noble family with influence over this whole city.
Shen Jiu was seated in one of the many rooms, by the look of it it seemed that it was one for their visitors. Designated to flash their expensive lifestyle and astonish the newcomer with their riches.
Shen Jiu would call it simply - tacky.
There was soon a steaming tea placed in front of him and with that surprised Qiu Jianluo appeared. He slightly nervously smiled at him as he did not recognise the man but could tell by the look of his clothes that he was important.
“What brings you here, immortal master?” Qiu Jianluo finally asked after a quite long while of silence between them. There were two swords but by Shen Jiu’s side which piqued Qiu Jianluo’s interest.
Shen Jiu put the porcelain cup down and stared Qiu Jianluo dead in the eyes. “Several years ago, you bought a slave boy.” Shen Jiu could see Qiu Jianluo’s eyebrow rising in a silent question. “His name was Yue Qi.” Shen Jiu’s fingers now stroked the glossy surface of the table. “Do you still own him?”
Disgusting word - own. You cannot own a human being, despicable.
“Slaves come and go, young master. You can’t possibly think I keep track of each and everyone my father decides to buy.” Qiu Jianluo laughed over the absurdity of the situation. Why would this man care for a slave child anyway.
Shen Jiu was not happy with this answer and he let it reflect on his scowling expression. “I asked you where Yue Qi is now, young master Qiu? This one was specifically picked by you. Are you trying to imply that you have been neglectful in your duties as the master?” Shen Jiu picked the cup with hot tea to bring it to his lips once again.
Qiu Jianluo stopped smiling, the conversation was weird to say the least. Weirdly specific. He never saw the man, yet the man seemed to know a lot about him.
“Who are you?”
“I am going to ask you nicely for the last time, young master Qiu. Where is the boy you bought? Where is Yue Qi?” The cup in his hand broke, a few shards piercing Shen Jiu’s skin as hot liquid poured on his skin and expensive robes but he put it no mind now. Yet he seemed unfazed.
“Where is he?!” Shen Jiu still seemed to be very calm, though his voice was indicating a completely different emotion which almost overtook over his own body but he just couldn’t be swept away by such primal feeling. Though he could hear Xuan Su excitedly croon in its scabbard. Shen Jiu wasn’t just a human anymore nor only a nobleman as they liked to single themselves out and pretend that they were something more than regular commoners. Shen Jiu pawed his way through the Sect, so he could be here today, yet the man dared to spew such nonsense into his face.
Qiu Jianluo was slightly startled with the murder glare, he just scratched his head and once again shook his head. “As much as I would like to be of help, there are so many slaves who just simply die-”
Suddenly Shen Jiu was not on his seat anymore and Qiu Jianluo squirmed under him as the younger male held his neck in tight grip. “You don’t go around saying shit like this.” All manners were out of the window. Shen Jiu hissed, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t even try to tell me that he is dead, young master Qiu or you die too.” Shen Jiu strengthened his grip around his neck, pushing down on Adam's apple, choking him. “Did you have fun?”
Qiu Jianluo weakly tried to push Shen Jiu’s hand away from his neck. How did this thin looking man have so much strength? “Why…” He managed to wheeze out, his eyes tearing and slowly rolling upwards as he couldn’t get any oxygen anymore.
“Tell me young master Qiu, tell me, did you have fun when you broke his legs?” Shen Jiu’s expression turned into something scary and ugly and when he finally released Qiu Jianluo’s neck, he quickly grabbed his hand. “Do you know how many bones a regular human has in their body?” He wanted to break each and every one of them so badly.
“What do you care for a dumb slave.” Qiu Jianluo coughed out, touching his all bruised up throat before he fearfully looked over to Shen Jiu who inspected his hand. This person never worked ever in his life, no calluses on his hands from it. So soft and warm, yet these hands had brought so much pain to Qi-ge.
Shen Jiu finally lifted his gaze and smiled eerily. “A dumb slave?” He let go of Qiu Jianluo’s hand only to get up and take his two swords. Without a word he left the room, closing the door behind himself, he placed two talismans on them.
You should have broken his fingers. Shen Jiu inhaled through his nose, closing his eyes. Yes, he should have done that.
Yue Qi wasn’t here, this much he deducted based on the conversation with Qiu Jianluo. Shen Jiu wasn’t stupid but he refused to accept that Yue Qi might have actually died here. In this wretched place. Gently Shen Jiu caressed the characters on one of the talismans, triggering it. It ignited immediately with blue fire which quickly changed into regular orange.
With a sinister smile on his face, Shen Jiu left the Qiu’s manor, never looking back at what was soon to be ruins. With Qiu Jianluo trapped in that room, dying.
Would he get burnt quickly alive or will he suffocate because of the smoke?
This was a necessary evil and he had to exorcise it. If not others would be trampled under the brutal hooves of that creature.
Shen Jiu would never forgive his own teacher for keeping him away from roaming the world for far too long. Locked away as an animal. Calling him a disgrace .
Xuan Su just giggled delightedly on his back.
******
Yue Qi has always been grateful for anything. When he left the Qiu mansion behind, more likely escaped out of that horrible place, he was found by Su Xiyan. A gentle young female who saved him from dying at the claws of wild evil creatures. Even if he wasn’t taken to one of the Sects the way he wanted, he could still make the best out of the current situation.
She provided him with shelter at Huan Huan palace at first, only until Yue Qi’s wounds would heal but later changed her mind and took him in as her own personal servant for the first year of his stay there. Yue Qi had some foundation and seemed genuinely interested in the cultivation even though he was way far over the threshold to even start with it. Being Su Xiyan’s servant allowed Yue Qi to enter the Huan Hua palace, not as an outer disciple but he was still able to walk the grounds of the place. He was extremely thankful even for that, knowing himself that he probably wouldn’t be accepted anyway because of his lack of funds.
The results of Qiu Jianluo’s kind treatment were yet to show up properly as he was still recovering from the vicious attack of evil spirits. They probably thought that he was an easy target with some tasty qi inside as a bonus.
In a way Yue Qi should count himself lucky for how life has been treating him, he didn’t really take the time at Qiu manor as something bad. It was a learning experience for him. He took it as a way of gods giving him challenges to overcome, just like when he has been sold as slave or when he took care of the other kids in their group.
Yue Qi looked at the door which opened and in them was his saviour - a beautiful female, maybe a few years older than him. Dressed in extremely complicated yellow robes with golden accents which seemed to be more of nuisance than robes befitting a fighter. Her long black hair was pulled in a high ponytail and there was a thin leather band with braided thin golden strings into it decorating her forehead. Jaded skin without blemishes and gentle dark eyes, there was nothing out of place on her. Everything was perfectly put together.
“Yue Qi,” she greeted him with a warm smile and closed the door. “Are you feeling better? Some of my martial siblings have been talking about you exploring the grounds of Huan Hua palace? I am glad to hear that.”
“Mn,” Yue Qi looked at her, still inspecting her expensive robes. “Aren’t these hard to walk in?” He then asked absentmindedly as Su Xiyan sat down next to him and started examining his healed arm. She just laughed with the remark and shook her head.
“You get used to it.” Su Xiyan then murmured, still focused on the freshly scarred skin of Yue Qi’s dominant hand. “Lao Gongzhi likes to see me in them.”
There was a short silence between them, maybe even a little awkward because sometimes the old palace master seemed to like his head disciple way too much. Even after the short time Yue Qi was there, he still noticed that much.
“I brought up your request when I was preparing things for the upcoming Immortal Alliance conference.”
Yue Qi’s shoulders slightly tensed, taking in a deep breath, he closed his eyes. He knew very well that being seventeen was really late to start cultivating but Su Xiyan saw something in him and promised to plead with her master once Yue Qi would prove himself to her. “A-and?” His eyes were still closed and he was way too anxious to actually truly want to hear the truth, yet he didn’t stop Su Xiyan.
“Lao Gongzhu said that he might take you in if you perform well in a task he has prepared for you. However he didn’t elaborate much more, so I can’t really help you with that.” She sighed and gently brushed invisible dirt out of Yue Qi’s shoulders. “But it still means that you might get a chance, you can cultivate and I believe that you will be able to catch up with us quickly.” She smiled at him in encouragement when Yue Qi finally looked at her, very unsure.
This was something he couldn’t pass on. He will learn cultivation and then one day travel the country to be reunited with Xiao Jiu. For a short while Yue Qi allowed himself to be hopeful that his life would finally turn to the better.
Though Yue Qi wasn’t in any way ready for the special exam.
******
“I said no. I am sorry, Yue-shidi,” Su Xiyan said in her calm tone, her eyes checking the list of candidates for the Immortal Alliance conference. “You started merely a year ago, you can’t rush cultivation even though we all see that you are making huge improvements in such a short time frame.”
“Shijie, please. This shidi needs to be there. I beg you.” Yue Qi pleaded with her, rather desperate because this event could have been one of the options for him to maybe get reunited with Xiao Jiu. If Xiao Jiu ever made it to one of the big Sects.
Yue Qi wasn’t losing hopes, his dear friend was always determined.
“Are you still looking for that didi of yours?” Su Xiyan sighed, putting down the brush and looking at him. Sympathy appeared in her usually strict face, warming up her dark eyes. “How about you come with me as my personal servant. Just like before you have been admitted to the Sect.” She then offered the only reasonable option she could think of and Yue Qi’s face lit up with excitement.
“Shijie!” Yue Qi wanted to hug her but she kept him away and just laughed.
“As a servant, alright? You won’t be joining other cultivators, you will help with our luggage and then stay behind together with Lao Gongzhu.
There was a slight hesitation when she mentioned that Yue Qi would be left alone with the grandmaster. Quickly he glanced to the side weighing the option. “Mn, shijie is very nice to her shidi and I accept your conditions.”
Su Xiyan saw that slight hesitance, she had been suspecting that maybe her Shizun was way too hard on Yue Qi but whenever she asked about his shidi, Lao Gongzhu would give her only positive feedback.
The boy is very skillful.
He can use that body of his even though his legs are not working the best.
One day he might achieve something.
For the smallest chance to be reunited with his friend, Yue Qi would withstand anything. Even if it meant being alone with Lao Gongzhu.
“I’ll talk to Shizun then, hm?” Su Xiyan reached out to ruffle Yue Qi’s hair. The youngster was working very hard, not accepting any shortcuts when it came to training. He was determined, sometimes way too tough on himself. There were things Yue Qi would probably never really be able to do properly because of his poorly healed legs.
The day they gathered in front of Huan Hua palace grounds, other disciples were giving Yue Qi a stink eye.
Why was the cripple here?
It's favouritism again.
How much did his family pay to Lao Gongzhu.
Disgrace of Huan Hua palace.
Su Xiyan handed him reins to a horse as Yue Qi wasn’t familiar with sword flight technique yet. More like he could never properly learn how to do it and kept failing at that technique. The moment she handed him the horse, Lao Gongzhu made his way through the ground, appearing behind Yue Qi and putting a hand down on his shoulder.
“You can ride with this Master,” the master said, pressing Yue Qi’s shoulder which made the boy shudder. “It’s a long way and riding on horse might be…” Lao Gongzhu cleared his throat. “Might become uncomfortable because of your legs.”
Oh, how nice of him right? Su Xiyan was excited and quickly ushered her shidi into the lavishly decorated chariot but Yue Qi was not that happy.
Yes, his feet would hurt after a while of riding a horse but he could never predict when the pain in his legs would appear. He was prone to chronic pains which would by words of the palace physician - never go away even if we would break his legs and let them reheal correctly.
“Shizun is so kind,” Su Xiyan said to Yue Qi when she helped him into the carrier. She didn’t see his concerned, fearful expression but there was nothing he could do if he was directly asked by the master himself.
“Let this master help.” Lao Gongzhu put his hand on Yue Qi’s lower waist, gently pressing on it and guiding the boy away from Su Xiyan. “There is a long ride in front of us.” The head disciple could hear before the door of the chariot closed and together with it also the curtain. She couldn’t see the fearful expression in Yue Qi’s dark eyes or Lao Gongzhu’s evil smirk.
******
Shen Jiu looked around the place where he was gathered together with so many other disciples from not only different peaks but also different Sects. The Immortal Alliance conference was a huge event. One could call it that it was a way of the four big Sects to demonstrate their power and assert dominance over one and another in a less violent way.
Shen Jiu looked up to the podium, his eyes met with his Shizun’s, the current leader of the Cang Qiong mountain. His master just acknowledged him with a nod before a man in expensive bright yellow robes appeared next to him. They seemed to exchange courteous greetings yet Shen Jiu stopped paying attention to them when he noticed another person standing right next to Lao Gongzhu.
Shen Jiu couldn’t really decode who that person was because his face was always hidden away by Lao Gongzhi’s own shoulders or turned away from the talking Sect leaders. It was highly unusual for masters to bring someone who was not one of them on the podium.
After a while of trying to think of possible scenarios who the person could be, Shen Jiu got bored and turned around to his peers. Some seemed to be anxious, some were excited. Shen Jiu didn’t really feel any of that.
He has been empty for years now.
This was just a mere exercise for him after he was present and fought against the most powerful demon which walked the human realm. Just a formality for him to represent the Sect as future successor of Qiong Ding peak lord. Shen Jiu heard a few of the disciples outside of his Sect murmuring something about the Xuan Su sword and forced himself not to roll his eyes.
These people were way too annoying.
Not even properly seventeen years old and the whole cultivation world already knew about him. Especially that he was the wielder of the legendary Xuan Su, an ancient sword which didn’t choose a new owner for decades if not hundreds of years and suddenly it chose of all possible people a no name cultivator?
Well, Shen Jiu was no longer a no name, right? He was not the Xuan Su sword.
Yue Qi didn’t really listen to his own Shizun having a conversation out of courtesy with the other man. His mind was wandering places, desperately trying not to hang on what happened in the carriage when he rode with his master. Curiously the boy looked around the place, watched each and every immortal master talking to one and another. The way they were all dressed, boasting about their disciples but more or less he was trying to find a way to sneak away.
Yue Qi promised to his shijie that he won’t do anything dumb. Yet here he was, his heart racing as he eyes the closest possible exit.
“Is your star pupil today here too?” That caught Yue Qi’s interest and he quickly turned back to his teacher and the other man.
“Do you mean Shen Qingqiu?” The other Sect leader tilted his head to the side, still smiling. “I have high hopes for him.”
Lao Gongzhu raised an eyebrow. “Oh? You graced him with the generational name already? What was his name again? Shen Jiu?” Lightly tapping the fingers over his bottom lip Lao Gongzhu let out another of his thoughts “Is it even a challenge for him after what we saw during the Imprisonment?” They both laughed but Yue Qi already ignored them.
Shen Jiu?
Shen Jiu where?
Yue Qi moved to the railing of the podium and frantically looked over the hundreds of faces. Trying to see if he could find Shen Jiu but he just couldn’t see him in the mass of people…
He needed to get to that barrier before it would all begin.
******
It has been years since Shen Jiu and Yue Qi reunited at the Immortal Alliance conference and a lot has happened during that time. However the most important thing was that Yue Qi has voluntarily left the Huan Huan palace to be with Xiao Jiu. All of Yue Qi’s life circled around being reunited with his friend and spending the rest of it with him. Either platonically or romantically involved, it didn’t matter if Xiao Jiu was in his life.
Well it was not Xiao Jiu anymore but Shen Qingqiu, master of the Qiong Ding peak and Sect leader who ascended shortly after the Immortal Alliance conference where his Shizun tragically died in the claws of demonic beast which was not supposed to be there.
What a horrible accident.
“Xiao Jiu,” Yue Qi smiled at him, trying to hide his own pain. “Please let me enter the Beast peak, Qi-ge thinks it’s the best place for him.”
Of course he thought that. Maybe some time ago he still had a sense of his own humanity but that was systematically destroyed by Qiu Jianluo. Yue Qi was forced to view himself as a creature not a human being, called filthy beast everyday. The fact that he was graced with a name even as a small dirty thing meant that humans had to take a little bit of liking into him but where else would Yue Qi fit better than on the Beast peak. After all, a creature should stay around its own.
There was no place for him between the real humans.
Shen Jiu gave him a long stare before he just sighed and gently pressed on Yue Qi’s shoulder. “Stubborn as always.” The younger boy murmured under his breath while Yue Qi still smiled, sad as ever.
“Xiao Jiu has done enough for this…” thing. It was left unsaid.
“You can’t call me Xiao Jiu anymore when we are around others.” Shen Jiu started schooling him instead, trying to ignore the ominous feeling Yue Qi awoke in him. The way his older friend behaved, talked, his manners. Qiu Jianluo had done horrible things to Yue Qi but Shen Jiu always believed the older boy’s will was unbreakable.
Now he wasn’t that sure anymore.
Yue Qi then later on ascended together with his other martial siblings with a new generational name - Qingyuan. The new master of the beast peak who proved himself even through so many hardships. Mostly the chronical pains which were getting worse as he aged. The cultivation wasn’t very helpful in this matter because it wasn’t practised correctly at the time when Yue Qi received the most critical injuries.
Of course in Cang Qiong Sect Yue Qi was not spared of nasty rumours going around him. It all boiled down to that somehow he was able to secure his place on Beast peak as its lord only through his friendship with Shen Qingqiu. Nobody cared for the fact that Yue Qingyuan had a very unique approach towards the beast. Took special care of them and went to such lengths that he even slept with some of them in the stables when they were ill or hurt on mission.
Shen Jiu would take upon himself the role of Yue Qingyuan’s caretaker. During their disciple years, he would often visit the older boy and make sure that he was doing alright.
Yue Qingyuan’s Shizun saw in the boy how much he cared for the animals, his genuine love and the way the creatures opened to him. How they gave back all the care and affection ten fold with bonds which would surpass hundreds of years.
Yet everybody would just trash talk him because he was one of the first Peak lords who would ascend while being not physically fit. He was also one of the late bloomers when it came to formating the golden core out of the whole new generation of peak lords.
“Zhangmen-shixiong.” Yue Qingyuan sighed quietly and slightly lifted his head, so he could look at the newcomer. “What brings you here?” Asking was useless, they were in the stables with Yue Qingyuan sitting in the hay by the big dark blue tiger which was curled next to him. Barely breathing but still alive.
“I heard the news about your companion and thought you might need someone with you.”
Yue Qingyuan painfully smiled and turned his head back to the dying animal. “You didn’t have to bother with this shidi. My peak is far away from Qiong Ding.” His big hand gently patted the tiger’s giant neck. The animal huffed and opened one of its big cold blue eyes, looking directly at Yue Qingyuan.
Shen Qingqiu just stood there, watching them communicating without a need for common language between them. “It’s alright, you might cross.” Yue Qingyuan whispered, hiding the pain in his own voice and trying to sound more on the calm side. With these words this big, savage beast breathed for the last time, leaving Yue Qingyuan stroking the fur on his back absentmindedly.
“Qi-ge…” Yue Qingyuan tensed with the childhood nickname and looked up to the Sect leader. “I am here.” Shen Qingqiu rushed to kneel next to him. He could feel the sadness which Yue Qingyuan tried to keep locked deep down in his heart. “He couldn’t have asked for a better owner.”
“Partner.” Yue Qingyuan quickly corrected him. “We were equals.” If only Shen Qingqiu knew what meaning the other sentence truly had. Yue Qingyuan rescued the tiger from being greatly abused for cruel entertainment. The animal was not really special, not a companion which cultivators would usually choose because it was just too ordinary. Yet Yue Qingyuan chose it because in a way he felt that he was looking into the mirror but knew that he can give a better future to it.
“Of course a partner.” Shen Qingqiu murmured, bringing Yue Qingyuan closer to his embrace. For a short while the older male was tense in the hug until he finally relaxed a little bit and leaned into Shen Qingqiu’s shoulder with his face.
None of them talked for some time, Shen Qingqiu let Yue Qingyuan silently process that one of his companions died. Normal person would probably tell him that animals come and go and that he should get over it but Yue Qingyuan had a deeper connection with all of his chosen animals.
A soft sob was followed by Yue Qingyuan’s strong grip on Shen Qingqiu’s long sleeves. “I lost such an important friend today.” Yue Qingyuan whispered in a broken voice, his body slightly shaking as Shen Qingqiu gently patted his back. After a while Shen Qingqiu carefully pushed Yue Qingyuan away from his body, only to catch his face in his hands.
“I am here, okay? Xiao Jiu is here for his Qi-ge.” Shen Qingqiu dried off Yue Qingyuan’s cheeks with fingers and then slowly kissed his forehead. “Xiao Jiu will always be there for Qi-ge when others can no longer be.” He whispered after the kiss and sucked in a deep breath. Then gave another kiss on Yue Qingyuan’s tip of his nose. There was a reaction - tensed up shoulders and confused sound but Shen Qingqiu didn’t give Yue Qingyuan any chance. He kissed his lips very gently. Only brushing over them with his own. “Let your shixiong take care of you.”
Yue Qingyuan was stunned, watching Shen Qingqiu pull away from him. “I…”
“I said let this shixiong take care of you. From now on and for the rest of eternity.”
“Zhangmen-shixiong has been taking care of me already for years. I can’t possibly impose on his kindness even more.” Yue Qingyuan smiled at him awkwardly. “Now if Shen Qingqiu would excuse me, there is a ceremony I have to prepare for my grieving family.”
Was Shen Qingqiu just refused? He looked at Yue Qingyuan’s slightly limping form and then quickly shortened distance between them. Enough for him to grab Yue Qingyuan’s hand and leave the man flustered and stunned. “I am your family too.” Shen Qingqiu said with a serious face. “Let me help you, Qi-ge. It’s not good to be alone after losing one of your friends.”
“Zhangmen-shixiong is already busy at all times. Why would he want to waste his time to be with this shidi.” Yue Qingyuan quickly replied, gently trying to wriggle his hand out of Shen Qingqiu’s strong grip.
“This shixiong would still come back later in the evening to tend to your wounds, it doesn’t change anything if I go with you now.” Over the years Shen Qingqiu learned from Mu Qingfang, a Sect healer, that massages could temporarily relieve what pain was Yue Qingyuan currently feeling. So he took it upon himself that he would tend to his Qi-ge like that, together with rubbing balms into his scars, hoping they would fade away.
While Shen Qingqiu’s own scars disappear thanks to his cultivation after he won the battle against Xuan Su, it was hopeless for Yue Qingyuan. Still that didn’t stop his shixiong from coming to his peak every evening and rubbing the soothing creams into his skin.
“You don’t have to bother today.” Yue Qingyuan said and carefully pulled his hand away from the Sect leader. “This shidi wishes to be alone tonight.”
******
“Hot springs?” Yue Qingyuan asked, raising a left eyebrow. “Zhangmen-shixiong, that is a territory of Xian Shu peak, they do not allow male intruders.”
Shen Qingqiu just smiled, expecting such a reaction. “I explained to them the situation. I heard the water has healing properties and might help you with your condition too…” He didn’t elaborate more on how insufferable the woman Qi Qingqi was and tried to turn him right away when they sensed him at the borders of the all female peak.
Yue Qingyuan sighed, putting away one of the finished documents. Going all beyond for this shidi even though I have not asked for any of the special treatment. Yue Qingyuan wanted to say it but his lips were sealed shut. Instead he put the brush down after thoroughly washing it in the water and looked up to Shen Qingqiu. “Zhangmen-shixiong is very kind to me and I thank him for that.”
Some time had passed from Shen Qingqiu’s wordless confession and Yue Qingyuan simply accepted any advances the younger male made. He cared very much for Shen Qingqiu, though his actions at times could have been read as ungrateful.
Yue Qingyuan wasn’t just sure if he deserved to call himself Shen Qingqiu’s partner. If the creature called Yue Qi really was worthy of a human mate. It was rather complicated and thoughts he wouldn’t really share it with Shen Qingqiu anyway.
It would make him a burden once again if he did.
You are still a burden.
Filthy.
Inhuman.
Yue Qingyuan flinched with the tentative touch on his motionless hand. “Are you alright? I won’t force you if the thought of going to hot springs with me makes you uncomfortable.” Shen Qingqiu stroked Yue Qingyuan’s cheek, his hand slowly sliding down under Yue Qingyuan’s chin. He gently pulled his head all the way back, so he could reach the older male’s lips. “We can stay here and I can just massage your legs, it’s your call.”
Yue Qingyuan closed his eyes, in his mind was a forming image of Shen Qingwiu kneeling in front of him. Talking about something and gently rubbing scented balm into Yue Qingyuan’s feet and shin, working his way all the way up to the knee and then stopping. Lifting his head to smile at Yue Qingyuan, asking him if everything is alright.
And Yue Qingyuan would always lie that it is while thinking of how he was not worthy of this royal treatment.
I should be the one kneeling in front of you. The one curled all up by your feet.
“Shen-shixiong has gone through so much trouble for me. I have to accept the invitation.” Yue Qingyuan said with a dazed expression but Shen Qingqiu frowned.
“You don’t have to accept anything.”
I want to please you. I don’t want to upset you. Yue Qingyuan’s breath caught up in his throat, not allowing him to voice these thoughts. “I want to visit the hot springs with shixiong.” He then finally replied after staring into Shen Qingqiu’s cold eyes which always seemed to warm up around Yue Qingyuan.
“Alright.” Caressing his cheek once again, Shen Qingqiu pulled away from Yue Qingyuan and walked to the door. “Then if shidi would follow me,” He stopped between the door frame and just turned to Yue Qingyuan who was still sitting in his chair.
Together they slowly walked away from the peak where Yue Qingyuan resided. It was much more different from Shen Qingqiu’s Qiong Ding peak, more lively and green. With all the animal companions around the disciples. “Why didn’t you take your cane?” Shen Qingqiu slowed his tempo, wanting to walk side by side with Yue Qingyuan.
“It’s fine, shixiong.” Yue Qingyuan murmured, staring mostly at his own legs, keeping an eye on them in case he would stumble.
“Do you think you embarrass me if you walk around with a supporting tool?”
Silence.
Yue Qingyuan tried very hard not to even limp when they finally left his own peak and slowly crossed the bridge. His breath was controlled, slow and steady. Just like his steps. The man would always walk a little bit behind Shen Qingqiu but he always put it to the enormous effort of him refusing to use the cane when he was supposed to be around Shen Qingqiu. It made the Sect leader feel more guilty when he saw the sweat breaking on the man’s forehead because of the effort he put into walking.
Trying to appear normal.
Shen Qingqiu would never think that Yue Qingyuan didn’t deem himself worthy of equally walking by his side. Just like so many other little things. The thoughts he had whenever Shen Qingqiu seemed displeased with him.
The fear.
The constant fear of being punished.
Casted away.
Not useful anymore.
“We’re almost there,” Shen Qingqiu’s voice cut into Yue Qingyuan’s thoughts and the beast peak lord lifted his head. They already crossed the border of Xian Shu peak without him noticing.
“I am so sorry shixiong,” Yue Qingyuan gave him his usual apologetic smile but Shen Qingqiu would always want to wipe that out of his face.
You have nothing to be sorry for. It’s all my fault. “On our way back we are flying on my spare sword.” Shen Qingqiu said in a tone which didn’t allow compromises. “This trip is for your own good not mine.” He furrowed his thin eyebrows together. Shen Qingqiu could see that every step now was a very painful ordeal for Yue Qingyuan, especially since the man slowed his steps even more, now that they were walking up the hill. “Let me…” He whispered and grabbed him by the elbow.
Yue Qingyuan gave him a panicked look and tried to quickly pull his hand away but Shen Qingqiu didn’t let go and was now supporting him. “Nobody is around, nobody will see that.” Shen Qingqiu whispered reassuringly but could feel how tense his partner was.
He just didn’t understand why. Maybe he will never be able to understand. “Qi-ge…” Shen Qingqiu softly said. “It’s alright to be vulnerable in front of me. I won’t mock you for that, so won’t you accept a little bit of help from me?” But the mere assistance of walking up to the hill changed into Shen Qingqiu kneeling soon in front of Yue Qingyuan once they entered the private grounds of hidden hot springs.
Men weren’t usually allowed here as this was still a part of Xian Shu peak but Shen Qingqiu as the Sect leader could get it with special permission. Once he mentioned that it wouldn’t be for his own enjoyment but that he wanted to bring relief to Yue Qingyuan’s legs, it was quickly accepted by the other party.
Yue Qingyuan was horrified and conflicted at the same time. “Zhangmen-shixiong,” he choked out, quickly looking around. “This… this is not a good place and you…” You can’t kneel in front of Yue Qingyuan like this. He is not worthy.
Shen Qingqiu didn’t listen to him, opening his robes, he quickly pulled Yue Qingyuan’s pants down only to start sucking on his halfway hard impressive length. “Zhangmen-shixiong,” Yue Qingyuan whined with urgency in tone, feeling his dick hardening in Shen Qingqiu’s hot and wet mouth. He wanted to remove Shen Qingqiu away from his dick but was so scared to even touch his silky long hair but with a shaking hand he placed it on top of Shen Qingqiu’s head.
“Zhangmen-shixiong…” Yue Qingyuan moaned his title once again, carefully curling his fingers into a fist, digging deep into Shen Qingqiu’s soft, black hair.
Hollowing his cheeks Shen Qingqiu sucked as hard as he could, giving Yue Qingyuan a longing look through his long eyelashes. He grabbed Yue Qingyuan’s thighs so the man could not try to run away from him anymore. Carefully Shen Qingqiu bobbed his head over the thick cock testing his own limits. He could feel himself aching in his pants with desire and need. This was something he wanted to do with Yue Qingyuan for such a long time and today he finally mustered up enough courage.
Today they would do things that partners do.
With a lewd pop he released that fat cock out of his mouth, watching Yue Qingyuan through the fan of his long lashes once again, blinking at him innocently, his mouth still open, precum dripping on it. Shen Qingqiu wrapped his fingers around the base of Yue Qingyuan’s cock and pumped a few times with his hand while slowly standing up.
“I want to make love with you today,” Shen Qingqiu whispered, still palming Yue Qingyuan’s cock, placing a chaste kiss on his shidi’s lips. “I want you to hold me,”
Yue Qingyuan was stunned, still unsure if he even deserved such an honor. “I…” He started saying, while moaning softly because Shen Qingqiu was still stimulating the most intimate part of his body. That one place which desired Shen Qingqiu so much that Yue Qingyuan was embarrassed at times how easily it was for him to get excited. Yue Qingyuan’s face was flushed red. “I couldn’t wish for anything else.” He finally managed to whisper, his hands now tentatively touching Shen Qingqiu’s waist belt, removing it.
The thought of seeing Shen Qingqiu naked was always forbidden to Yue Qingyuan by Yue Qingyuan. He would punish himself for thinking about his human like this. When all Yue Qingyuan was just a creature, unworthy of all the affections Shen Qingqiu showed towards him and the special care.
Yue Qingyuan still felt like he did not deserve Shen Qingqiu as a mate even after the man sat at the edge of the pool, his beautiful neverending legs spread widely that Yue Qingyuan could see the place he was supposed connect their bodies together and claim him as his . Yet his attention seemed to be more hung on these legs. How many times did Yue Qingyuan dream of being curled up next to them? He grabbed one of the toes into his hands, caressing it with fingers. With a worshipful look Yue Qingyuan kissed the instep, dragging his tongue over the soft skin, his dick twitched between his legs. That’s where he belonged, sucking and kissing Shen Qingqiu’s toes.
Worshipping him.
This felt right.
Shen Qingqiu’s face flushed when he watched Yue Qingyuan having too much fun with his toes and legs. He didn’t expect that but in a weird way it was turning him on too. Maybe it was the way Yue Qingyuan looked when he kissed and licked the skin of his instep, so determined. Shen Qingqiu lashed forward with his hand towards Yue Qingyuan, grabbing his chin and inviting him closer. With hesitancy Yue Qingyuan accepted the request.
“Zhangmen-”
“No,” Shen Qingqiu muttered, wrapping his arms around Yue Qingyuan’s neck. “Xiao Jiu, call me Xiao Jiu,” he murmured, his face beet red but Yue Qingyuan couldn’t see that because the next thing he knew were lips pressed against his.
They kissed at first very gently, exploring each other but soon Shen Qingqiu became hungry. He wanted more, he wanted everything Yue Qingyuan could give him and he slipped with his own body into the water, turning his back to him.
“Qi-ge…” Shen Qingqiu exhaled nervously, carefully bending himself over the edge, lifting his body up on the tiptoes of his feet, so his ass could be on display for the other man.
Yue Qingyuan gulped but took the cue and gently stroked the mounds of flesh which were presented to him, kneading it between fingers before one of them brushed over Shen Jiu’s fluttering hole. It made him whine in surprise and he bucked his hips a little in an attempt to make the finger thrust into him finally.
Yue Qingyuan’s heart was racing when he finally lined his oil coated cock against Shen Jiu’s soft and pliable hole. Carefully he pressed it against the entrance until it finally gave in and he popped the thick head inside of Shen Qingqiu. The groan which followed next burned into Yue Qingyuan’s memory.
Shen Qingqiu arched his back and sucked in breath through his teeth, fingers curling into the fists when he was spreaded more and more by Yue Qingyuan’s hot member. It was such a foreign feeling there was a slight painful burn to it but that wasn’t something Shen Qingqiu couldn’t withstand. Some of the injuries he received during the battles with monsters were far worse. The injuries caused by Xuan Su burned hundred times more than Yue Qingyuan’s member pushing into his ass until the man was all the way in.
Finally Shen Qingqiu felt complete and the intrusive thoughts in his head for the first time stopped.
They were supposed to be like this long ago…
“Qi-ge…” Shen Qingqiu sighed, leaning against his big chest, tired and very thoroughly fucked. With a finger he caressed the other part of it, gently tracing his finger around one particular spot before he bent down and softly kissed it. There was disfigured skin under his lips but it wasn’t just a random scar from beatings Yue Qingyuan received in the early age. It was a slave brand which Yue Qingyuan refused to let Shen Qingqiu heal.
“You don’t want to get rid of this…” Shen Qingqiu whispered, bringing himself closer to relaxing Yue Qingyuan who still seemed to be floating on the cloud of delight. “Then how about this shixiong replace it.” His thumb rubbed over the ugly sigil with characters Qiu. He felt the big body tensing up, possibly Yue Qingyuan’s pulse quickening.
“Does… Does Shen Qingqiu want to own me?” Once again the beast peak lord was flustered, unable to look into Shen Qingqiu’s eyes.
“Yes,” Shen Qingqiu watched how Yue Qingyuan covered his hand with his own, in circular motions rubbing his thumb against Shen Qingqiu’s wrist. There was a weirdly fond expression in his dark eyes.
Being owned by Shen Qingqiu sounded about right.
