Chapter Text
Luo Binghe was filled with nervous, anticipative energy as he followed Shen Yuan back upstairs to his room. The moment he had been looking forward to was approaching: his shizun would finally tell him everything.
At least, Luo Binghe hoped he would. He had the right to know.
Shen Yuan settled into a cushion, gesturing for Luo Binghe to join him. Luo Binghe sat across from him, staring at him as he listened to his shizun’s anxious thoughts.
After a few moments of silence, Shen Yuan admitted, “I won’t lie to you, Binghe, I’m worried this will backfire on me, somehow.”
Luo Binghe gave him a strained smile. “Shizun will still answer this Binghe’s questions though, right?”
He sympathized with Shen Yuan…even if he didn’t entirely understand what the problem was. But, his shizun had expressed knowledge of Luo Binghe that he himself did not know—such as being a demon—and of Luo Binghe’s potential future. Or, at least, a future an alternate version of himself had experienced…he thought.
It was imperative for him to learn all he could from this stranger who had replaced his immortal master. A stranger who seemed to simultaneously hold an enormous amount of compassion for Luo Binghe and feared him. Feared what he could be, at least.
Shen Yuan had said he would have this conversation with him. He couldn’t back out now. The thought made Luo Binghe tense up.
“Of course. I…” Shen Yuan took a deep breath and laced his long, scholarly fingers together. His drawn look abruptly relaxed and he smiled at Luo Binghe. “Sorry, Binghe. I just…I don’t want anything to…you deserve to know. Ask me what you want to know.”
‘I really don’t want to die, again,’ Shen Yuan thought, despondent.
“Thank you, shizun,” Luo Binghe said, relieved. “This Binghe has a lot of questions we didn’t get into before…shizun said he knows about this world because of a ‘web novel’ that describes my life, right?”
Shen Yuan nodded. Luo Binghe continued, “What did you mean when you called me a ‘protagonist’?”
Shen Yuan opened his mouth then shut it quickly. ‘Right, can’t say it outloud…This is still so weird for me to wrap my head around. Um…a protagonist is the main character. The one the narrative follows. The web novel is—was—called ‘ Proud Immortal Demon Way’ . It followed your life. Or, um, a different Luo Binghe’s life, I suppose…I’m not sure how different things will be, since I’ve replaced Shen Qingqiu and will absolutely not be abusing you like he did…’
“Thanking shizun,” Luo Binghe said, a touch dryly.
Shen Yuan looked flustered. ‘Ah, no need to thank me! It’s basic human decency…’
“I’d agree, but shizun is the only one who has shown me such kindness.”
“What about Ning Yingying?” Shen Yuan protested out loud.
Luo Binghe nodded slowly but said, with a note of weary amusement, “Shijie is indeed kind to me, but she also tends to cause this Binghe problems…”
He knew he wasn’t being entirely fair to her, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care much right now. He’d make sure to make it up to her later. Plus, he felt a bit odd towards her at the moment…
Shen Yuan looked as if he reluctantly agreed, sighing as he tapped the end of his fan against the table. “Ah, Binghe is right. But still, she deserves due credit for being a good friend to you.”
“Speaking of Ning shijie…” Luo Binghe added, his eyebrows creasing. “This disciple has heard shizun refer to her as this one’s ‘wife’…”
“Ah!” Shen Yuan hunched over as he coughed, his face turning red. “B-Binghe heard that?”
Luo Binghe stood up from his cushion to make some tea for Shen Yuan. “This one didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
He was a filthy liar, of course. He absolutely meant to eavesdrop on Shen Yuan’s thoughts. He had eavesdropped on his thoughts many times since discovering he was no longer his previous scum master. He would continue to do so, not that Shen Yuan needed to know that. It was one of the correct viewpoints Shen Qingqiu had to consider Luo Binghe a beast. Previously considered, since the man was now dead.
Hearing that Shen Yuan had purposefully called Ning Yingying his wife was…well, once upon a time, that thought would have made him blush bright red and look forward to his future with shy anticipation. After all, Ning Yingying was very pretty and treated him sweetly, setting aside her misfires. And he knew she looked at him as more than a friend. He had, to a degree, once upon a time.
Now…he felt as if something had changed, somehow. Maybe it was because he didn’t feel so alone anymore, knowing that this man named Shen Yuan cared about him, too, and Ning Yingying wasn’t alone in her affection for him. But, now the thought of marrying Ning Yingying…it wasn’t as appealing to him, anymore. No, shijie was a martial sister to him and felt like one, too.
Shen Yuan hid his face behind his pale green fan, embroidered with dark bamboo leaves. It had been a gift from Yue Qingyuan, Luo Binghe thought, before Shen Yuan had replaced Shen Qingqiu. Shen Qingqiu, who had both despised and cared for the Sect Leader, would never have used it.
‘In the web novel, Ning Yingying becomes your first wife,’ Shen Yuan thought to him, the redness of his face fading behind his fan. ‘After the—no! I won’t think about that right now! Ah!’
Luo Binghe set a steaming teacup down in front of Shen Yuan, the aroma of mint and honey accompanying it. “Think about what? And what do you mean by first wife?”
‘I don’t want to talk about it! I refuse to do what he did, anyway, so it won’t even matter. The End—nope. Nope. Nope. I will be cutting myself off…um. In the web novel, Binghe…you have hundreds of wives.’
Luo Binghe was curious what Shen Yuan was trying so desperately to keep himself from thinking about, but he was distracted as he choked on his own cup of tea, gaping at his shizun. “Hundreds of wives?!”
Shen Yuan was blushing again. Hiding behind his fan once more, he sputtered, “That’s my exact thought! No offense, Binghe, but is it really necessary for you to end up having so many? I understand you didn’t—that is, it’s perfectly understandable to want to find—it just really is too many! In the—”
He cut himself off, taking a deep breath. ‘Sorry, I almost forgot…I didn’t mean to start ranting, anyway. You aren’t that Luo Binghe. In the web novel, you had over six hundred wives by the end, and barely visited them. I’m sure they felt neglected, so I really do have to tell you that I strongly disapprove of having so many, Binghe.’
Luo Binghe, still flushed, said, “Shizun, this Binghe…”
He hadn’t even had his first kiss yet! The thought of having over six hundred wives…It was an impossibly large number, and why would he need more than one, anyway? What had made his alternate self want so many?
He was only fourteen. Yes, he thought of…things…who didn’t at his age? It was normal! At least, he thought it was normal! He had often wondered how his first time would go, imagining a beautiful girl slowly pulling off her dress and revealing her luscious curves, a coy smile on her face as she reached for him…Except, as he thought about it, the beauty of the girl wasn’t as interesting as it had been previously. His face burned as he shoved his salacious thoughts down and returned his focus back to their conversation.
Shen Yuan held up a hand. “This master understands, Binghe. Don’t worry about it. What other questions do you have? Let’s just move on from this, hm?”
Grateful they were in agreement, Luo Binghe leaned forward to pour more tea into Shen Yuan’s cup before saying, “Then, this disciple is curious of the being that brought shizun to this world.”
“Ah….” ‘The System,’ Shen Yuan thought, his mood sombering. ‘I mentioned transmigration to you, before. The System is how I was planted in this role; when I died as Shen Yuan, the System came to life. It assigned me a mission: improve the story of Proud Immortal Demon Way into a ‘magnificent, high-quality, first-rate classic.’’
“‘Came to life’? It’s not a divine being, then?”
Shen Yuan made a face. ‘Hell no. Oops…sorry, didn’t mean to…Ahem. No, the System is definitely not a god. More like an unfeeling entity that delights in bringing about chaos. An annoying force of nature, perhaps. If I had a way to part from the damn thing—sorry, again, it’s hard for me to censor myself like this—if I had a way to part from it, I would. Forcing me to act like that scum bastard…I felt like a piece of shit, actually!’
He shot Luo Binghe another apologetic look for the slip of his tongue. Luo Binghe just smiled reassuringly at him, fascinated by Shen Yuan’s loose tongue; er , thoughts. He had already guessed previously, through shizun’s words and thoughts, that the System had dictated him to act as Shen Qingqiu. Was he now only able to ‘talk’ to Luo Binghe because he was able to be himself? He was no longer being forced to play Shen Qingqiu?
Even acting as Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan had been mostly aloof and neutral. He hadn’t expressed any outright disdain or negative behavior; in fact, he had allowed Luo Binghe to ride along in his carriage. Actually—he just remembered. Shen Yuan had been arguing with the System for his sake. Even when forced to act as Shen Qingqiu, Shen Yuan had been on his side and fought for him.
It made him feel very warm.
Anyway, Luo Binghe was curious. “Shizun is saying he had to act as Shen Qingqiu before, and now he does not? That’s what ‘out of character’ meant?”
Shen Yuan nodded. “En.” ‘OOC is also the abbreviation for out of character. Binghe has probably heard this one mention it a few times as well. Thankfully, I no longer have to worry about it, although if I act too far off from Shen Qingqiu, people could get suspicious. So, I still have to maintain a certain…persona. To an extent.’
“This Binghe understands. Although…Shizun is aware of the devices the Sect Leader used to test shizun for possession, right?”
Shen Yuan, who had been taking a sip of his tea with a contemplative expression, spat it on the table, sputtering. “I—he— what? I thought I was doing a good job! This whole time— how long? ”
Luo Binghe diligently wiped up the tea droplets with a handkerchief, his expression repentant. “This lowly disciple apologizes for upsetting shizun…”
“No, no,” Shen Yuan said instantly, reaching forward and patting the top of Luo Binghe’s head. He froze in the middle of the action even as Luo Binghe unconsciously leaned into the movement, finding it strangely pleasurable. “Um…moving on. Binghe said nothing wrong. This one is grateful he has made me aware of Zhangmen-shixiong’s actions. It was just upsetting to know…” ‘I hadn’t done as good of a job as I thought I had at pretending to be Shen Qingqiu…’
“It’s because shizun is too kind to act like such a miserable person,” Luo Binghe said.
He sincerely believed that now. The head patting had dissolved the rest of his doubts, quite frankly. He had been suspicious of the man at first. Better to be cautious than be bit by a venomous snake, after all. But, evidence couldn’t lie; Shen Yuan was simply too good of a person not to be trustworthy. He doubted he would let him down.
Yes, this was someone who was worthy of the position of Qing Jing Peak Lord. Someone Luo Binghe was happy to call ‘shizun’.
Shen Yuan flushed slightly, dropping his hand from Luo Binghe’s head. “Thank you, Binghe.” ‘Do you know exactly what the Sect Leader did to test this one for possession?’
Luo Binghe was a bit disappointed he had stopped gently patting his curls. He sighed before clutching his own tea cup and saying, “This Binghe unfortunately doesn’t know beyond the use of ‘possession talismans’. He also called shizun ‘Xiao Jiu’. This Binghe told you about the Sect Leader’s consideration of using Hong Jing.”
Shen Yuan hummed, looking troubled. ‘Possession talismans…gah! This one will strive to be careful around Hong Jing, although reasonably, I’m unsure it will have any effect on me…Xiao Jiu? Xiao Jiu…There was never any mention of that name in the web novel…’
“It’s not just that,” Luo Binghe added, “Zhangmen-shixiong longs for Shen Qingqiu.”
‘Well, of course. He was the scum villain’s good friend. In the original, he fell to many arrows after walking into an obvious trap. For Shen Qingqiu.’
Luo Binghe stared at Shen Yuan. Did…did he really think a friend would do that? It was also painfully obvious that the Sect Leader cared for Shen Qingqiu. Romantically. Even without hearing his thoughts, he figured it would be transparent to anyone that observed Yue Qingyuan’s face when looking at Shen Qingqiu for longer than a single shun.
“Shizun,” he said, completely, absolutely, utterly patient, “no. He longs for Shen Qingqiu. The two must have had some falling out; the Sect Leader refuses to think of it, this one has tried to figure it out. But, even with the ill feelings, the Sect Leader cares for Shen Qingqiu. As more than a friend.”
Shen Yuan stared back at him. “Surely, Binghe is wrong.”
“Shizun…this Binghe has the ability to read minds…”
With a nervous laugh, Shen Yuan flapped his fan open and hid his rapidly reddening features behind it. “Haha, okay! Great. Fantastic. This master is being tested for possession by a very powerful cultivation leader who is obsessed with—me. That won’t cause any complications!”
“What complications does shizun anticipate?”
‘Oh, you know, just my dea—except, wait. Maybe not? I…I’ll have to check…’
“Shizun?”
Luo Binghe was unsure, but it “sounded” as if Shen Yuan was about to think “my death.” Was…was Shen Qingqiu supposed to die in the original web novel? Luo Binghe, to be honest, could see why—the original was a horrible person. But, how was he meant to die? Would he be able to help Shen Yuan prevent it? He didn’t want to see this kind man die for another man’s faults.
Shen Yuan waved his hand in front of his face, which had paled slightly. “Nothing, Binghe. I…I don’t feel comfortable discussing it, as of yet. I need to figure some things out, first. I will try and talk to you about it when I can.”
His thoughts were frustratingly evading the topic, as he had earlier. Lots of repetitive, ‘I refuse to think about it. I refuse to think about it. Sorry, Binghe. I don’t want to bring up issues that might not need to be discussed yet…I refuse to think about it. I refuse—’
Frowning again, Luo Binghe said, “Shizun promises to talk about it with this Binghe at a later time? Before any ‘consequences’ come to fruit?”
‘Damn, this child is too smart…’ Shen Yuan’s thoughts sounded simultaneously impressed and mournful. ‘Yes, Binghe, this one promises. I just want to discuss things with my System before I…stir the pot, so to speak.’
Luo Binghe considered what he said for a moment.
Stirring the pot by bringing up “issues” that could cause complications, such as Shen Qingqu’s death—and therefore, Shen Yuan’s. Not feeling comfortable discussing it yet…with Luo Binghe. Because of Luo Binghe from the alternative timeline? Complications that could arise from Yue Qingyuan being obsessed with Shen Qingqiu. What exactly was he unable to talk about with Luo Binghe that he had to speak with his System about first?
Hoping he was wrong, and the matter had nothing to do with him specifically, Luo Binghe changed the subject, mentally going over his list of questions for shizun instead of focusing on what shizun wasn’t willing to discuss. Yet. “Shizun, there are words shizun has mentioned that this Binghe doesn’t understand, and was hoping to learn more about.”
Shen Yuan looked relieved to move on from the topic. “Of course, Binghe. This master is sure there is a lot of confusing lingo this one has mentioned.”
“This one first heard this…verbage the very first day he met shizun,” Luo Binghe said. “What is ‘cannon fodder’?”
Shen Yuan explained the terms “cannon fodder”, “NPC”, and “quest” to Luo Binghe, one by one getting ticked off Luo Binghe’s list of things to ask Shen Yuan about.
“Thank you for the explanations, shizun,” Luo Binghe said gratefully, happy Shen Yuan had been so willing to give him all that he asked for. Not understanding something inherently bothered Luo Binghe. He didn’t like feeling incompetent, or unknowledgeable. Even as a disciple under Shen Qingqiu, he sought to learn all he could, even though he knew his cultivation manual was a fake. What other texts he had access to he sought to digest, hoping to one day know enough that he might use that knowledge elsewhere than Cang Qiong Mountain.
Now that Shen Qingqiu was gone, and Shen Yuan was so caring and lenient with him, he didn’t find himself wanting to seek that option anymore. Although, he still had the hunger for knowledge, to become strong and well educated.
“It’s getting rather late,” Shen Yuan noted. “Are there any other questions Binghe has for this master before he goes to his bed for the night?”
Yes, and Luo Binghe didn’t know if they would have the time to go over everything, if Shen Yuan insisted Luo Binghe sleep soon.
Anxious, Luo Binghe said, “This one wouldn’t want to disturb shizun’s sleep, but this Binghe would rather learn about his heritage and background before sleeping for the night. Specifically…this Binghe recalls shizun labelling him as a…‘demon’. Is this true?”
Luo Binghe felt himself grow more nervous when Shen Yuan’s expression smoothed out carefully.
“I…” Shen Yuan started, then stopped, his brow furrowing. He sipped his tea, not meeting Binghe’s gaze.
‘Binghe,’ Shen Yuan began in his thoughts, turning to look at him with the unreadable look on his face, ‘I know you have been raised to believe that demons are evil. Cast down from the heavens, scorned, not good. I want to start by saying: that isn’t true . Just as humans have the capacity for evil, so do demons have the capacity for great good.’
‘Leading off of that…yes, Binghe, you are a demon.’
Luo Binghe felt numb. His face must have fallen, because Shen Yuan leaned forward to pat his head, smiling at him softly, ‘Binghe, just because you are a demon doesn’t mean you are evil! It is just as I said: demons have great capacity for good, and you are good! I’ve only known you for a few days and I can already tell that you have a good heart and great potential. Don’t let this get you down.’
Luo Binghe, with the comfort of the head pats distracting him, forced himself to relax. “Didn’t shizun know about this Binghe before, though? Wasn’t he bad?”
‘I did know of him, through the web novel, but that Binghe and you are different. The web novel Luo Binghe…he went through a lot, including many more years of Shen Qingqiu’s abuse. And the Endle—um, something he suffered through that I’m hoping we can avoid with you. Since I am obviously not Shen Qingqiu, and would rather see you happy and thriving than suffering…Binghe hopefully will not have to go through what the other Binghe did.’
‘Also, even with all the original Binghe’s darkness…I still sympathized with him. He wasn’t bad. He just had a lot of trauma and it affected him super negatively.’
Luo Binghe hesitantly nodded, and in his doubt, forgot his formalities, “Alright, shizun. What kind of demon am I? And why am I…not aware of my heritage? Shouldn’t I… feel something? Demonic power or something?”
Shen Yuan didn’t seem to mind Luo Binghe’s slip into informal language. Luo Binghe supposed he had been talking and thinking in casual language for a good portion of their conversation. “Binghe is…” ‘Binghe is a heavenly demon. Half heavenly demon, half human. You know about them, yes?’
Luo Binghe stared at him.
Shen Yuan set his teacup down and eyed him. “Binghe?”
Luo Binghe forced himself to breathe and blink. “A-apologies, shizun. This one was just…shocked. Shizun says that Binghe is a…heavenly demon?”
Shen Yuan patted the top of his head reassuringly. Luo Binghe was pleased that the man was doing it so often. ‘Binghe is a heavenly demon. There’s nothing wrong with that. Binghe’s powers are sealed right now, which is why Binghe can’t feel or access that part of him right now.’
‘Of course, that will change when Meng Mo visits.’
Luo Binghe frowned. “Meng Mo?”
Shen Yuan coughed lightly. “Oh…” ‘I didn’t really mean to think about that. You’ll meet him soon enough, I think. Meng Mo is a dream demon, he teaches the original Luo Binghe how to use demonic cultivation and dream powers.’
Luo Binghe tucked that information away even as his frown deepened. “Didn’t shizun say my powers are sealed? How would Meng Mo teach this one demonic cultivation?”
‘Your seal won’t last forever, it just requires a significant amount of demonic energy to release it. But, even before your seal is broken, you can learn to use demonic cultivation. I’m not entirely sure how it works, exactly; in the web novel it kind of skimmed over it, but I imagine you can use certain powers regardless of the seal, such as the dream powers. And once your seal is unlocked, you can use the knowledge Meng Mo teaches you to use your demonic powers. You’d learn about certain parts without being able to use it right then and there.’
Luo Binghe nodded again. Alright, so he’d learn demonic cultivation without necessarily being able to actively use it until his seal was released. Except for dream powers…
“When did the other Luo Binghe’s seal break?”
Shen Yuan hesitated. His thoughts stewed with uncertainty; unclear.
Something clicked for Luo Binghe, and he said, “Shizun can’t tell me for the same reasons as before, right?”
Shen Yuan sighed. ‘I wish I could talk about it right now, but the situation in the web novel was…bad. I don’t want a repeat of it. I really need to figure things out before I drag you into it. Or make it worse.’
“As shizun says,” Luo Binghe said politely, pushing down his frustration. “Shizun won’t reveal to others this Binghe is a demon, right?”
“Of course not!” Shen Yuan looked horrified at the suggestion. ‘Binghe’s heritage will have to be handled carefully in the future. This master wouldn’t want Binghe to be outcasted for something that isn’t his fault. We can figure something out at a later time.’
His demonic heritage…he would never be accepted as a righteous cultivator if others knew. The thought depressed him. Shen Yuan was right, it would need to be handled carefully in the future; Luo Binghe wondered if it would even be necessary for him to cultivate the demonic path. If Shen Yuan was right that the events of the web novel would potentially be changed simply because Shen Yuan had replaced Shen Qingqiu…could the events of the web novel be changed even more? He needed to find out all he could of the other Luo Binghe and what happened in the web novel.
Preferably, he would like to avoid the trauma Shen Yuan mentioned the other went through. He didn’t want to become the other him, even if Shen Yuan did seem to also like him. He had already gone through enough, hadn’t he? Why would he have to go through even more?
Whatever Shen Yuan was hiding from him was obviously related to the trauma the other him experienced. He hoped Shen Yuan would trust him enough to divulge the information sooner rather than later or, at least, slip up and think about it. The man had been unfairly good at stopping himself from thinking anything incriminating that he wanted to avoid discussing with Luo Binghe.
“That sounds agreeable to this Binghe, shizun,” Luo Binghe said.
Shen Yuan stood from the cushion, rotating his neck with a sigh. “Then, Binghe should take his leave and go to sleep. We can continue this conversation another time. It’s late, and we discussed a lot.”
“Yes, shizun.”
Try as he might, he didn’t hear anything more from his shizun’s thoughts as he made his way to his bed. He was unfortunately too far away to do so from his bed in the servant’s quarters.
He fell asleep thinking of everything they had discussed.
Shen Yuan invited Luo Binghe to join him in the carriage again on the journey back to Qing Jing Peak.
Luo Binghe felt smug that he was getting their shizun’s special attention once again in front of his shixiong, but unfortunately was unable to discuss his questions with his shizun at that moment, since it was too public and Luo Binghe could risk revealing sensitive information near his fellow disciples.
Luo Binghe spent the carriage ride shamelessly staring at Shen Yuan and listening to his shizun’s thoughts. He hoped he would slip up and think about what he was hiding from Luo Binghe, but he unfortunately didn’t.
As they were arriving at the base of Cang Qiong Mountain, Shen Yuan thought, ‘Binghe, I’m still new to this body. To being Shen Qingqiu. I’m going to be away for some time, in secluded meditation. I haven’t forgotten your questions or our unfinished conversation, I promise. But, I need to do this. In the meantime, I’m going to have you move out of the woodshed and study the cultivation manual I gave you.’
“Where is this disciple to move?”
“The dormitories?” Shen Yuan said aloud, sounding confused. “Where else? It’s unacceptable you’ve been unfairly separated from your fellow disciples.”
Luo Binghe was silent for a long moment.
The carriage wheels ground to a stop, and he blurted in a low voice, “Begging shizun’s pardon, but this Binghe’s shixiong—”
“This master knows, Binghe,” Shen Yuan said, his voice also lowered. “I’m going to have a hard conversation with your fellow disciples. The bullying stops now. Surely, Binghe doesn’t want to continue sleeping in the drafty little woodshed?”
“No, shizun,” Luo Binghe said.
“Good, then I’m going to have a rather long conversation with Ming Fan, and you’re going to go grab your belongings, okay?”
Luo Binghe stepped out of the carriage, holding the door open for his shizun to step out, and began unpacking shizun’s belongings. Shen Yuan snapped his fan open, his face impassive, as he called out, “Ming Fan.”
Qing Jing Peak’s head disciple had been barking orders at a few other disciples, anxious to unload shizun’s things and get back up to the Peak. He jumped at Shen Yuan’s sudden address, his thoughts racing. ‘Did I do something? Has the brat caused problems and he wants me to teach him a lesson? Am I in trouble? Does he suddenly like the brat and now I’m the one who will get beaten?’
His face pale, Ming Fan rushed over to Shen Yuan’s side. “Shizun?”
‘This…’ Shizun sighed mentally. “Come with me, this master has a few things he needs to discuss with his head disciple.”
Feeling pleased, Luo Binghe focused back on his task as Shen Yuan led Ming Fan away.
Luo Binghe sat studying his cultivation manual in the woodshed as his shizun had ordered him to do. He had been practicing his cultivation for multiple shichen, ever since he finished unloading Shen Yuan’s carriage and his shixiong hadn’t ordered him to do any other chores. That had been a first.
It was most likely due to the absence of Ming Fan. He had obediently followed Shen Yuan up to the Bamboo House to have a lengthy chat about the disciples’ behavior on Qing Jing Peak. Luo Binghe hoped this wouldn’t rebound onto him, but he trusted Shen Yuan. Surprisingly. It had been a long time since he had fully trusted someone; it was an unfamiliar, frightening feeling, to be honest. The last person he had wholly trusted had been his a-niang. Even Ning Yingying didn’t fall in that category.
He didn’t know when Shen Yuan would leave, or if he had left already. He felt it was presumptuous of him to think he would stop by and let him know. He would likely find out through his shixiong.
He heard Ming Fan’s thoughts before he knocked on the door. ‘Shizun really has changed,’ the head disciple was thinking miserably. ‘Telling us we have to be nice to this beast…his qi deviation really did change him. Why is Luo-shidi suddenly in his good graces? It really is so annoying…’
He didn’t burst in after knocking. What had Shen Yuan said to him?! “Come in?”
Ming Fan opened the woodshed door and paused in the doorframe, looking incredibly sullen. His eyes lingered on the cultivation manual. “Bea—Luo-shidi. Shizun says you’re to move into the dorms.”
Luo Binghe put up an act of looking surprised, closing his cultivation manual and peering at Ming Fan with cautious hope. “Shixiong?”
“Are you deaf?” Ming Fan snapped, before taking a deep breath and relaxing his expression. “I mean…hmph. Gather your belongings and make your way to the dorms. This shixiong will show you where you will be sleeping.”
Luo Binghe followed his directions, tucking the cultivation manual into his robes and grabbing the medicine bottle and his ragged blanket. Ming Fan scowled and said, “Forget the blanket. There…there’s supplies in the dorms.”
“Yes, shixiong.”
He followed Ming Fan down the stone path toward the dormitories, trying to hide his glee at the situation. He wasn’t exactly excited to be in the dormitories, right next to his shixiong, but he hoped Shen Yuan’s talk with Ming Fan would curb their bullying tendencies. He was excited to be out of the woodshed, though. The woodshed had been uncomfortable. Although, being away from his shixiong when he slept was a nice boon he would miss.
On the way, Ning Yingying saw them and bound up to them with an abundance of cheerfulness. “A-Luo! Ming-shixiong! Where are you going?” ‘Shixiong is finally warming up to A-Luo, how wonderful!’
Ming Fan’s sulky expression melted into a beaming smile at Ning Yingying’s voice. “Xiao-shimei. This shixiong is escorting Luo-shidi to the dormitories.” ‘As much as I hate this brat, maybe this will help me win over Xiao-shimei…’
“A-Luo!” She gave him a happy, dimpled grin as she fell into step beside him. “Yingying knew this day would come. Shizun was bound to notice you eventually! Thanking shixiong for taking A-Luo to his dormitory!”
Ming Fan’s smile fell slightly, but he nodded stiffly and said, “Of course, Xiao-shimei. This Ming Fan is happy to follow Shizun’s orders.”
Yeah, right—happy, Luo Binghe thought. He offered his own grin to Ning Yingying. “Shizun is benevolent to this lowly disciple.”
‘Too nice to someone like you,’ Ming Fan thought grumpily.
“Where will A-Luo’s dormitory be?” Ning Yingying asked. ‘Hopefully near my room!’
Luo Binghe’s face colored slightly as he fought a cough. Ah, shijie.
Ming Fan said, “The—Luo-shidi will be sharing a room with one of his shixiong.”
Ah, good. Now one of my shixiong will potentially be resentful to me for forcing them to share their previously one-person dormitory. An excellent way to start this chapter of living in the dormitories, Luo Binghe thought, slightly bitterly.
He shoved down his negative feelings. He knew Shen Yuan was trying to be kind to him; and it was a kind act, wanting to get him out of the rickety, drafty woodshed. He just couldn’t fight his worry over the situation.
“Oh, that’s good,” Ning Yingying said, although even she sounded ever so slightly uncertain. Not a great sign.
“This Binghe is grateful to his shizun and shixiong for the opportunity,” Luo Binghe said diligently. “This Binghe is eager to prove himself and is planning to use this opportunity to do so.”
“Is that right,” Ming Fan said, trying and failing to hide his sneer. Once again, he forced his expression to mellow out, even as he continued to hold Luo Binghe in contempt in his thoughts. “Did Luo-shidi receive a new cultivation manual? This Ming Fan couldn’t help but notice his manual seems…different to the one he had previously.”
Luo Binghe cautiously said, “Shizun gave this Binghe a different cultivation manual.”
“Hm.”
“Can this Yingying see?” Ning Yingying asked, intrigued.
He glanced at Ming Fan. Seeing his shixiong ignoring him, staring straight ahead as they approached the disciple dormitories, Luo Binghe pulled out the cultivation manual Shen Yuan had given him and offered it to Ning Yingying. She took it from him and opened it up, flipping through the pages. “It’s just like mine, A-Luo.”
“Yes, Ning-shijie,” he agreed without elaborating. He avoided looking at Ming Fan as she handed it back to him and he slipped it back into his robes. “Shixiong, where is shizun?”
He had already guessed, but wanted to hear it confirmed—
“Shizun left Qing Jing Peak to speak with Zhangmen-shixiong over a shichen ago,” Ming Fan said. “Shizun will be gone to practice secluded cultivation in the Ling Xi Caves.”
“Thanking shixiong.”
“Shizun’s gone?” Ning Yingying exclaimed, her eyes widening. “How long will he be gone?”
“This Ming Fan doesn’t know,” Ming Fan grumbled, before clearing his throat and saying, in a much brighter tone, “Xiao-shimei shouldn’t worry herself. Shizun is already leaps and bounds ahead in his cultivation, he shouldn’t be gone long. This shixiong will be here to help guide Xiao-shimei in anything she might need.”
“Thank you, shixiong!”
The disciple dormitories was a large, rectangular building that housed all of Qing Jing Peak’s disciples—now including Luo Binghe. Two disciples could fit into each room, although the head disciple usually had their own room, closest to the entryway. Ming Fan led the two of them down the long hallway and stopped in front of a door at the very end.
“This will be your shared room,” he said gruffly. “Luo-shidi will be sharing it with Shao Mingyun.”
“Yes, shixiong,” Luo Binghe said, and stepped into his new room.