Chapter Text
Past
To say Shen Yuan trusted Shen Jiu would be an understatement. Shen Yuan probably trusted his new-found twin in PIDW even more than he ever trusted his Da-ge in his previous life. Which isn’t to say he didn’t trust his family in his original life, but it was only natural he would come to trust his Jiu-ge so much, seeing as the two quite literally relied on each other for support and survival. And Shen Jiu had demonstrated his wit and care for Shen Yuan very clearly in the few months since he had first woken in this body, somehow managing to acquire simple cloth bags for the two of them, as well as a blanket they shared, just to name a few of the endless things Shen Jiu had given him.
And so of course, Shen Yuan trusted Shen Jiu. But that didn’t stop his nerves from going haywire when Shen Jiu first introduced him to Wu Yanzi, saying he could teach them cultivation, so they would be able to protect themselves.
Upon meeting Wu Yanzi, or ‘Shizun’ as Shen Jiu now insisted on calling him, Shen Yuan desperately wanted to drag Jiu-ge away from that man and start running as far away as possible, before he had the chance to find them. There were a few problems with that, though. Firstly, Shen Yuan had no idea why he felt that way. For as much as he could remember from the novel, he didn’t seem to recognise the name Wu Yanzi. That being said, Shen Yuan was starting to see he wouldn’t be able to rely on his knowledge of the novel as much as he would’ve liked, seeing as the world of Proud Immortal Demon Way was bigger than anything seen in the trashy stallion novel. He was in this world now, and seeing as the hack author had basically only focused on papapa, Shen Yuan’s understanding of the world was limited, and he desperately needed to expand it.
Another problem was, they had been moving for months. While the brothers doubted anyone from the Qiu household would really pursue them this far for this long, they still needed to make a living, and being small children, they needed protection. Things a sect could provide, but even knowing the names of the small towns they passed through, Shen Yuan was still clueless about where in the timeline they were and where Cang Qiong mountain was. He needed to change the plot, but seeing as his current main objective was literally ‘survive to adulthood,’ he felt safe enough assuming he would have time before any events from the novel even began.
For now, he had to focus on keeping safe with his brother, and Wu Yanzi did not feel safe. But he was all the two had for now.
And so, the Shen brothers had followed Wu Yanzi and were now living with him at his small manor on the outskirts of the village, if it could even be called that.
The wooden ‘manor’ was incredibly small compared to the manor of the Qiu household. The creaking, wooden building only consisted of 3 rooms – the kitchen, Wu Yanzi’s room and the front room, as well as a storage room that had been converted into a makeshift room for Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu to share. Their room was small, but big enough for each of them to have a cot, and it wasn’t as though the young brothers needed much room anyways. It was clean, and (relatively) safe, and they were together. That was all that mattered. The front entrance led to a fairly opened spaced room Wu Yanzi used for their training, which so far had mainly consisted of sword lessons with weighted wooden swords, strength training and understanding cultivation.
The latter lessons were…different, to what Shen Yuan would have expected cultivation to be like. Wu Yanzi would often tell them to be ‘ruthless, relentless and quick,’ that to give your opponent a chance to get back up would mean your death, and so the goal was to eliminate them the first chance you got, even if it meant using underhanded trickery or deception. Shen Yuan was…uneasy, to say the least with these lessons, but Shen Jiu was eager to learn how to fight, and explained to Shen Yuan that their ‘Shizun’ was likely teaching them such things due to their time living on the streets.
Despite Shen Yuan’s hesitation, he still followed the training, wanting to become stronger alongside his brother (especially if the two ever had to escape). Shen Yuan would keep his guard up, and protect his Jiu-ge. No matter what.
Present
‘Luo Binghe, Ning Yingying, Ming fan, thank you for coming so quickly on short notice. This Shizun has something important to discuss with the three of you.’
The three young disciples shared glances, before Binghe responded, ‘Of course Shizun! These disciples would be happy to help our Shizun any way we can!’
Both Ning Yingying and Ming fan nodded earnestly at this, though the latter seemed a little disgruntled Luo Binghe had been the one to address their master, not himself.
‘Is it to do with the attack Shizun? Are you not feeling well?’ Binghe asked, his eyes beginning to tear up, while the other disciples’ faces became etched in concern.
‘Yes Shizun! No one’s mentioned it since the attack, but after your palm strike with the demon, you collapsed! Have you truly healed then? You seemed well when addressing all of the disciples and fellow teachers.’ Ming fan spoke faster with each word.
‘Ah, well about that. This Master has felt that you three have demonstrated your loyalty and dedication, not just to myself but to our peak as well, and therefore this master has decided to trust in you. Can you swear to guard your Shizun’s secret?’ Shen Yuan’s voice took on a hint of uncertainty, twiddling his thumbs behind his back. This was it.
Each disciples nodded their head feverishly, exclaiming, ‘Yes Shizun!’
‘The truth is, this Master is sick. As you may have heard from the Saintess demon, I have been hit with Without a Cure. As the name aptly suggests, there is no cure. It is due to my cultivation and the aid of those around me that I will survive this and can continue living a relatively normal life, though my cultivation has been weakened. Because of my now more vulnerable state, myself and another who has been caring for my well-being, have decided to entrust you with some of our secrets so you can help the both of us in my recovery. This master apologises for having to burden you.’ Shen yuan’s brow furrowed, his smile becoming apologetic.
His smile became a frown as his face shifted to alarm as Luo Binghe burst out into tears, Ning Yingying seemingly not far behind. Even Ming fan’s lip had started to wobble slightly, but he scrunched his face up, determined not to let complete go of his emotions.
‘Ah, don’t cry! I’m okay, really! It could’ve been much much worse!’ Shen Yuan attempted to soothe them.
Evidently, this was the worst thing he could have said as both Binghe and Yingying began to bawl louder. Ming fan crossed his arms, trying to hide his sniffs.
Everything was made a lot better when Shen Jiu burst into the room, annoyance plastered clearly on his face.
‘Really, one would think you’re that hack, Shang Qinghua’s disciples with the way you’re crying like children. Yes, Shen Yuan is sick, which is why you three need to step up to help look after your Shizun. Now stop your incessant wailing! You’ll give A-yuan a headache and he’ll collapse again.’
That shut Luo Binghe and Ning Yingying up. Ming fan also shut up, because he had passed out.
Shen Yuan pressed his fingers to his temple, a headache newly forming, but not from any of the crying. This was already going so well…
//
It took both Shen Yuan and Shen Jiu half an incense time just to calm and placate their sticky disciples (as well as waking Ming Fan up, and then keeping him awake). In the end, a good two hours were spent explaining the Shen brothers’ situation, from Shen Yuan’s illness when he was younger to the agreement for the two to act as peak lords, all to protect each other. Though they did not mention it to the young pupils, their secrecy also protected the reputation of the sect, the pair not wanting to give their past the chance to catch up to them, hiding behind false identities.
The three disciples all listened with rapt attention throughout, though Luo Binghe had been surprisingly quiet since the revelation, with the majority of questions coming from Ming Fan or Ning Yingying.
By the time they were finished, their students had readily agreed to do what they could for their Shizun (Shen Jiu, as per his brothers insistence) and their newly-discovered yet already-known Shifu.
As Shen Jiu saw the three to the door, Shen Yuan slumped down in his seat, his serious, wise master act crumbling the moment he was left alone with his brother, running his hand through his long locks with a sigh.
‘There, that wasn't so bad now was it?’ Shen Yuan looked up to his brother with an amused huff.
‘Well...it’s done now. There's no going back. I....,’ Shen Jiu sighed anxiously as he sat down.
‘Let's just hope I did not make one of the biggest possible mistakes.’
Shen Yuan turned to face his brother properly, mischievous fondness written clearly on his face.
‘I? Jiu-ge, just because you were born like 3 seconds before me-‘
‘I'm quite sure it was far more than 3 seconds-‘
‘It doesn't mean you have to bear the burden of everything alone. We are twins, jiu-ge, brothers, family. Whatever burden you have to carry, I'm right here to carry it with you. I hold just as much responsibility as you do, so if things do go wrong, that's on both of us, and we'll figure it out, like we always do.'
And now with the demon invasion completed, the plot seemed to be moving forward at a faster pace, and yet the 'system' or whatever it was still hadn't made its appearance yet. Just another thing for Shen yuan to figure out. Maybe at least with Luo Binghe, whatever he was going through, he could figure it out with his brother.
'Jiu-ge-'
It was at this moment that a digital screen appeared right in Shen yuan vision without warning.
[Welcome back User!]
Falling out of his seat onto his back in absolute shock, Shen yuan proceeded to let out the filthiest, vilest and most impressive string of curse words that would make even a demon blanch. As he cursed the moon and sun out excessively for what seemed like an entire shichen, Shen Jiu could only stare, mouth open at his twin, his already white jade complexion paling whiter than a ghost at the seemingly endless string of curses unleashed from his brother’s tongue.
It was only once Shen Yuan had figured how to close the screen down that he stopped his foul language to take breath and sit up.
His brother having finally shut up, Shen Jiu’s face quickly coloured an enraged red, as he proceeded to start beating the everloving shit out of Shen Yuan with his fan.
'WHAT ARE YOU SAYING? WHO TAUGHT YOU SUCH DISGUSTING, UNCOUTH LANGUAGE? WAS IT THAT LIU QINGGE? I SWEAR I’LL SKEWER HIM WITH A BAMBOO POLE AND ROAST HIM OVER THE FIERY PITS OF THE ABYSS IF THIS IS HOW YOU SPEAK FROM BEING IN HIS PRESENCE JUST ONCE...!'
'Oww, ouch! Jiu-ge I'm sorry I'm sorry! Liu Qingge taught me nothing he's not even spoke to me! (Lies) I was...ugh...possessed!'
Shen jiu paused a moment, sniffing his upturned nose in suspicion.
‘Oh? And if I started to beat you with the possession checking Sword, would it also tell me that you are swearing worse than a drunk gambler because you are 'possessed?'
‘Ah...not quite Jiu-ge, you see...’
[Warning! User is not permitted to reveal Quest or true identity to any characters. Doing so will result in -5000 B points]
Shen yuan didn't even know what that fuckin meant!! Of all times for the system to make its entrance!
He angrily swiped the stupid floating message board away before turning back to his brother.
‘Ge, I have...goals I need to attain. For the both of us. I can't tell you anything right now...but I will one day. I promise.’
As Shen Yuan had carried on, Shen Jiu only looked more perplexed. But he saw how quickly Shen yuan had turned serious. So the Xiu Ya sword simply sighed, tucked his fan away before patting his little brother on the head, in both fondness and exasperation.
‘Alright, your Jiu-ge will trust you for now. Whatever...goals, you wish to attain, you know I will support you so long as you are safe. But anymore filth from your mouth and I will wash it out with soap!’
Shen yuan winced at that. In his past life, his mother had also believed in 'cleaning’ his mouth of bad habits as she called it.
The threat reminded him of his long-faded trauma of soap bars...but also had Shen Yuan see some of his mother’s traits in Shen Jiu.
His protectiveness, how he cared for Shen yuan when he was sick, always nagging to wear proper clothes for outside. Even his punishments were so similar. And yet there were so many parts of Shen Jiu that were his own, they Shen Yuan loved about his brother. How prickly he got whenever Qi-ge was brought up, his relentlessness when they trained, his snarky and sarcastic comments whenever he gossiped with Shen Yuan about the other peak lords and their own dramas. That was all Shen Jiu. And Shen Yuan loved him for it.
Feeling wistful for the reminder of his mother, Shen Yuan only nodded his head before tackling Shen Jiu into a bear hug, or at least as best he could from his seated position. Shen Jiu had his arms frozen mid-air for a moment, startled, before gently wrapping his arms around Shen Yuan in return.
‘A-yuan, you are always so strange. I worry who will look after you if not me.’
‘We will be here for each other, but at least now we have the disciples too.’ Shen Yuan was half-tempted to mention Qi-ge, Liu-shidi and Mu-shidi, but thought against it. Mentioning Liu-shidi would probably make his brother pass out in rage, and Jiu-ge was acting weird whenever Yue Qingyuan was brought up.
‘Mn. Speaking of, I have lessons to teach as someone should still be resting, hmm? I'll be off, try and tidy up around here but above all, lay down and sleep. I will be back before sunset.’
//
Liu Qingge had no idea what he was doing. Logically, he knew he could just send a disciple to bring Shen Yuan his fan. If he did, he wouldn’t be avoiding Shen Jiu right now, attempting to reach his bamboo hut, with Shen Yuan inside, without getting caught.
If anyone saw the great Bai Zhan War God sneaking around a forest and mountain to deliver a fan via said fan-owner’s window…well, they wouldn’t believe it could possibly be the Peak Lord of Bai Zhan. Everyone would think they had lost it.
…Liu Qingge felt as if he were losing it. Why was he sneaking up to the window? He wasn’t even doing anything wrong! Not to mention, he could take Shen Jiu on any day.
And yet he still knocked.
And Shen Yuan opened the window.
And slammed it shut in his face.
This is already going so well. Liu Qingge thought to himself.
Before he could start running back down the mountain, he heard the faintest whisper of ‘Liu-shidi…?’
Shen Yuan had spoken so softly, gently, that if not for his cultivation, Liu Qingge wouldn’t have been able to hear it at all. But he did.
‘Mn. You left your fan behind.’
‘Ah,’ Shen Yuan tentatively opened the window, fully facing Liu Qingge, ‘Many thanks, Liu-shidi. Though grateful, this master does wonder, why did Liu-shidi need to deliver my fan through the window?’
Shen Yuan gracefully accepted the fan from Liu Qingge’s grasp, fingers brushing ever so slightly as the exchange was made. The tips of Shen Yuan’s fingers felt surprisingly cold, so much so that before they could pull away, Liu Qingge gently grasped Shen Yuan’s hand in his own. Hand now in Liu Qingge’s, the closed fan still held between them, Shen Yuan felt shy all of a sudden, and – much to his embarrassment – could feel his cheeks growing warm.
This only seemed to worsen things as, upon seeing Shen Yuan flush, Liu Qingge reached out with his other hand to press the back of two fingers to Shen Yuan’s forehead.
One half of the immovable Peak Lords of Qing Jing could only stand frozen, eyes widened as Liu Qingge stood incredibly close, too close despite there being a window between them.
Time seemed to stand still, before Liu Qingge pulled his hand away from Shen Yuan’s forehead, and turned over the hand still held in his own, before checking Shen Yuan’s meridians through his wrist. Shen Yuan could only stare at his incredibly pretty shidi as he quietly checked Shen Yuan’s health.
Finishing his assessment, Liu Qingge kept hold of Shen Yuan’s wrist before asking, ‘You seem to be doing much better. How do you feel?’
Faint! Liu-shidi, having you this close is going to make me faint! Your pretty face isn’t good for my heart!
‘…fine. Many thanks again, Liu-shidi.’ Shen Yuan looked around the room behind him.
‘Ah, if you were trying to avoid my brother, he left a while ago, so it’s safe to use the door if you wish, Liu-shidi. Or would you rather climb through my window? How scandalous of you, sneaking in while my brother is away.’ Shen Yuan teased, willing his cheeks to return to normal as he attempted to crack jokes.
‘If your brother is not here, should I whisk you away?’
…Shen_Yuan.exe has stopped working.