an open/shut case

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/35935690.

Rating: Mature
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: M/M
Fandom: 人渣反派自救系统 - 墨香铜臭 | The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System -
Mòxiāng Tóngxiù
Relationship: Liǔ Qīnggē/Original Shěn Qīngqiū
Character: Original Shěn Qīngqiū, Liǔ Qīnggē, Yuè Qīngyuán, Mù Qīngfāng, Qí
Qīngqī, Wèi Qīngwēi, Shàng Qīnghuá, Cāng Qióng Mountain Sect Peak
Lords
Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Proud Immortal Demon Way (Scum Villain),
Relationship Reveal, Established Relationship, Comedy of Errors, Case
Fic, Body Worship
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2021-12-25 Words: 5,848 Chapters: 2/2

an open/shut case
by Chesra

Summary

When a famous sect invites a delegation from Cang Qiong Mountain to an exclusive
gathering, well-known rivals - the Qing Jing Peak Lord and the Bai Zhan Peak Lord - are
forced to endure each other's company.

Or so their martial siblings assume.

Notes

hello to my santajiu giftee!

i really really hope you like this, ahaha initially it was just going to be this one lighthearted
chapter, but then i was like...what is this server for if not for pron! the prompt is 'liujiu,
accidental relationship reveal.' I tried to put as many of the preferred story elements, but I'm
truly not sure if this is what you had in mind...

for the SantaJiu Exchange 2021, aka my last event for the year hoho. thank you always to
the sj discord server for being my safe place in the fandom, and for imbuing the spirit of
giving! ♥

(title is from Taylor Swift's willow).

ETA: my santajiu giftee has been revealed and it's ao3 user backspacedintooblivion!
 Chapter 1
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

It is a truth universally acknowledged that the Bai Zhan War God and the Qing Jing Peak Lord are
the most cutthroat of rivals.

Fellow Peak Lords, when questioned, have differing accounts of how such rivalry began. Some
insist it was during the Annual Spars during their head disciple days. Others also mention the
incident below the mountain involving a brothel woman - and oh, how scandalous, to be martial
brothers fighting over a lady!

None have yet to fetter out the truth. Peak Lord Liu, when questioned, had unsheathed Cheng Luan
to beat the curious individual to pulp, while Peak Lord Shen had merely snapped open his fan and
sent them flying with one swing.

The fact remains however, that it was close to impossible to get them to go on a mission together.
Ever since they have ascended into their positions, the two have refused to work side by side.

Hence Cang Qiong Mountain Sect’s current dilemma.

“Maybe we could just bring one of them,” Qi Qingqi says, as she peers at the embossed letter, in
the seal of the Heavenly Dragon Sect.

“You know that Shen-shixiong will never stand for the offence,” Wei Qingwei points out.

It’s true. If Shen Qingqiu learns that the famous sect has sent a personal invite to Cang Qiong
Mountain composed of their most skilled cultivators, and they had purposely passed him over -

Yue Qingyuan clears his throat. “We must send a delegation to this meeting,” he says. “Qi-shimei,
Wei-shidi, you will both be joining me. Shang-shidi…” he pauses. “You may stay and guard the
Peaks,” he says magnanimously.

Shang Qinghua mutters something underneath his breath, but does not argue further.
“Mu-shidi will join as well,” Yue Qingyuan adds, “to ensure we have a healer at hand.” Such
gatherings occasionally included tournaments, and cultivators could be so suspicious of who
treated them.

The rest of their martial siblings are to remain at the mountain as well.

Yue Qingyuan looks at the letter again. The Heavenly Dragon Sect is a remote sect, tucked away
in a secret island. They have little influence in the cultivation world, but are much respected for
their knowledge. Their expansive library is a place that Shen Qingqiu will no doubt enjoy visiting.

Liu Qingge, as well, is their top fighter. If there would be a need to show off their martial prowess,
he would be the best example.

He sighs, weighing heavily the repercussions of bringing both of his shidis along to such a
meeting.

“What is this?” a voice says behind them icily, and the Peak Lords stiffen as one.

Shen Qingqiu marches into the hall, expression twisted in a frown. Behind him, Liu Qingge slinks
behind, some bruises visible on his neck.

“Ah,” Yue Qingyuan says, in his most soothing tone. “Qingqiu-shidi, Liu-shidi, so nice of you to
join us.”

You’re late, the other Peak Lords think. Both of you.

Clearly they have been fighting again.

“I was busy with stuff,” Shen Qingqiu says dismissively.

Again, Shang Qinghua mutters something underneath his breath, but Yue Qingyuan is too far to
catch it. Straining his teeth, he attempts a smile. “We were only discussing some sect matters -”
“An invite from the Heavenly Dragon Sect!” Shen Qingqiu snatches it up, reading it quickly. “How
timely. When do we leave?” he says imperiously.

“That is - tomorrow,” Yue Qingyuan says, faltering.

“Good,” Liu Qingge speaks up. “I can train my disciples before I go.” Having said his piece, the
man turns to leave again.

“Qingqiu-shidi,” Yue Qingyuan says, with some desperation. “That is - as the Sect Master, I will
be attending this gathering.” He clears his throat. “Perhaps Qingqiu-shidi would prefer to stay and
take charge of the mountain - ”

At this, Liu Qingge grinds to a halt. “Shen Qingqiu won’t be joining us?” he says.

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes narrow. “Who else is going, Zhangmen-shixiong?”

No one speaks, clearly waiting for Yue Qingyuan to break the news.

Eventually, Yue Qingyuan shares his list of those he wishes to join.

“Am I to understand, Zhangmen-shixiong, that you wish me not to accompany the Sect in such a
meeting?” Shen Qingqiu’s tone is so sharp that Yue Qingyuan would not be surprised if it were
accompanied by killing intent.

“Qingqiu-shidi can go, if he likes,” he says very rapidly. “I only supposed he would wish to stay
here.”

Shen Qingqiu sneers. “When Liu-shidi can go?” His glare intensifies.

On his end, Liu Qingges’ expression is just as sour. “If Zhangmen-shixiong says you should stay,
you should defer to his decisions.”
“How rich!” Shen Qingqiu hisses, turning on him. “And I suppose you would also have some
weight on such choices as well?”

“Shen Qingqiu! Watch your mouth!”

The other Peak Lords watch with a mix of fascination and amusement at seeing the same old
arguments pulled out. Indeed, Shang Qinghua seems to have pulled out a bag of melon seeds. Sure,
they have seen the two fight dozens of times, but they always make it so entertaining. Compared to
the Sect Master, whom Shen Qingqiu decidedly ignores, only sparing him five sentences at most,
Shen Qingqiu seems to have no qualms openly quarrelling with the Bai Zhan Peak Lord.

“You only think I am weaker than you,” Shen Qingqiu is saying, and his eyes are red with fury.

Liu Qingge scoffs. “Our many fights have proved who has superior strength.” At that, Shen
Qingqiu reaches for Xiu Ya’s hilt.

“There is no need for unnecessary arguments,” Yue Qingyuan says, intervening before the
situation can worsen. “Of course Qingqiu-shidi can join us.”

And so they go, all five of them. Shen Qingqiu refuses to be in a carriage with either Liu Qingge or
Yue Qingyuan, and Qi Qingqi does not want to sit with him, either, so Mu Qingfang has to
accompany him. Yue Qingyuan feels rather cramped with three people in their carriage, but the
ride is smooth until they arrive at the edge of the western seas.

The passageway to the Heavenly Dragon Sect is a highly kept secret. After they disembark, a ship
arrives from a portal, and several female disciples in grey come to assist them without a single
word.

The Heavenly Dragon Sect prefers solitude, only taking disciples once a decade, spiriting them
away to their island. Even Yue Qingyuan has only been there once, back when he was a head
disciple with his shizun.

Shen Qingqiu’s eyes are attentive as he surveys the whole place. The Heavenly Dragon Sect
Master comes to greet them as the ship docks by the port, bowing deep.

“Yue-zhangmen,” he greets. Yue Qingyuan also bows in turn. The man is far older than him,
almost two generations wiser, though he retains the body of a forty year old. “It is good to see the
Cang Qiong Mountain Sect in good health.”

“We are honored,” Yue Qingyuan responds, “to be invited to the Heavenly Dragon Sect.”

The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master smiles, and then beckons them all to enter. The island is a lush,
beautiful place, and his martial siblings, who have never been here before, all looked awed.

Yue Qingyuan inquires about his acquaintances from the same generation, whom he has met once
in the Immortal Alliance Conference. “My shidi is in seclusion,” the sect master replies. “But we
are joined by my shimei, and several of his disciples. I am sure you will find them of interest.”

There is a banquet for their arrival, with food and drink. Yue Qingyuan takes a seat at the head of
the room, beside the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master. It is a small group; all things considered.

“Will you be expecting more guests?” he asks politely.

The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master shakes his head. “This is a special invite for Cang Qiong
Mountain Sect.”

Yue Qingyuan smiles, and raises a toast. “How very kind of you.”

The evening is pleasant. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see his martial siblings mingling with
the guests - except for two. Liu Qingge is sitting resolutely at his seat, his food barely touched, and
just beside him is Shen Qingqiu, who seems disinclined to speak with anyone.

Later on, as the evening winds down, the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master gestures for the disciples
to prepare the guests’ quarters.

“We hope the accommodations will be to your liking,” the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master says,
smiling benevolently at the Cang Qiong Mountain delegation.

Yue Qingyuan turns to his martial siblings to break the troubling news, specifically to Shen
Qingqiu.
“Qingqiu-shidi,” Yue Qingyuan starts. “The sleeping arrangements are sparse, and they cannot
spare separate rooms for all the guests.” He pauses. “There will be two in a room.”

Shen Qingqiu’s frown deepens.

“I am staying with Mu-shidi,” Wei Qingwei says with alacrity.

“I have made an acquaintance with one of the female masters here tonight,” Qi Qingqi also says.

Yue Qingyuan swallows. “Then, perhaps Qingqiu-shidi and I - ”

“Oh,” the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master says. “Yue-zhangmen, of course we have made special
arrangements for your honorable self.”

Yue Qingyuan pales.

Surely they are not suggesting Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge share the same quarters!

“Zunzhu, this is much appreciated, however - ”

“Oh, don’t make a fuss, Zhangmen-shixiong,” Shen Qingqiu snaps. “A night with this brute won’t
kill me.”

Liu Qingge grunts, and only heads off to follow the disciples to their assigned area.

Yue Qingyuan can only watch with futile resignation. It’s one thing for the two of them to butt
heads at Cang Qiong Mountain, but an argument in front of another sect would imply worsening
internal relations. Oh, why does Liu Qingge have to be the one person Shen Qingqiu can’t keep his
calm demeanor around?

That night, Yue Qingyuan strains to hear any untoward noises. The guest villa he’s been put in is
separated from the rest, but if he focuses well, he will be able to at least make out if there’s a
commotion.

He can hear some muffled fighting, and even some cursing. He feels very concerned. He really
should have not agreed to such sleeping arrangements!

The next morning, Shen Qingqiu’s expression is dark, and he takes his seat gingerly beside Yue
Qingyuan. Oh dear. Had there been physical altercations last night?!

To Yue Qingyuan’s surprise, barely a minute later, Liu Qingge comes up and clatters a cup of tea
on Shen Qingqiu’s tray.

Is this an attempt at reconciliation?

But whatever bid of goodwill is ruined when Shen Qingqiu sneers and says, “I don’t want this.”

Liu Qingge frowns. “Then what do you want? I’ll get for you.”

“I don’t want any of it,” Shen Qingqiu says next, clearly decided on being difficult. “Just like when
I said I didn’t want to last night, but you were so insistent - ”

“Qingqiu-shidi,” Yue Qingyuan urges, “Perhaps it would be better if you acknowledge Liu-shidi’s
apology.”

Shen Qingqiu turns to him then, furious. “Zhangmen-shixiong, please refrain from meddling in our
affairs.”

Liu Qingge only says, “I’ll get you some healing ointment.”

So they had fought last night!

However, there is no time to take Liu Qingge aside and admonish him for his actions. True, Shen
Qingqiu’s words can be provocative, but Liu-shidi should have restrained himself from starting a
brawl.

Yue Qingyuan resolves to speak to him once they return to their own sect. In the meantime, the
delegation is invited to the battle square, where the Heavenly Dragon Sect’s masters have
assembled.

The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master bows. “Today, we are happy to enlighten each other’s sects
with a friendly exchange. May I ask Cang Qiong Mountain Sect to nominate their strongest
fighter?”

Yue Qingyuan names Liu Qingge immediately, though he glances to his right to watch Shen
Qingqiu’s reaction. His shidi has unfurled his fan, eyes unblinking as Liu Qingge strides to the
middle of the square.

His opponent is the Heavenly Dragon Sect’s Fourth Master, a woman with a beautiful figure. Her
face is covered with a veil, though Yue Qingyuan has no doubt her looks are as stunning. Liu
Qingge, however, does not spare her even a moment’s admiration. He only bows and unsheathes
his sword.

“Looking forward to your advice, Immortal Master Liu,” she says, bowing.

The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master raises his hand. “Begin!”

The battle is a sight to see. The two fighters’ movements are quick and smooth, exchanging attacks
in a split second. The Fourth Master is using a whip, but Liu Qingge remains unfazed by it;
meeting each strike with Cheng Luan.

Suddenly, the Fourth Master darts forward, whip wrapping around Liu Qingge’s body. An eerie
glow covers them. Liu Qingge shouts in outrage, and then the whip explodes, falling harmlessly to
the ground in pieces.

“You - ” she gasps, looking shocked. “You are already - !”

Before Yue Qingyuan can react, Shen Qingqiu stands up, hands moving quickly to activate an
array. He sends it towards the battle square, capturing the Fourth Master.
“Qingqiu-shidi!” Yue Qingyuan gasps. “What are you doing?”

Shen Qingqiu glares at him. “Fool!” he says. “She is a demon!”

Yue Qingyuan startles. The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master looks grave, but does not make a move.
Beside him, a dozen Heaven Dragon Sect disciples step forward, hands outstretched.

Demons, it seems, have infiltrated the Heavenly Dragon Sect.

“Release her,” the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master says, “and no one will get hurt.”

Liu Qingge, who has picked up the Fourth Master, does not comply. “Why do you allow demons in
your fold?”

The Fourth Master scoffs. “Allow demons? This is our territory to begin with!”

Her eyes seem to glow an eerie red. “We are only retaking what is ours.”

The disciples move their hands as one. Shen Qingqiu curses, and then shifts his array to something
defensive as the demonic energy envelops the whole area.

“Liu Qingge!” he shouts.

Yue Qingyuan hesitates. He does not want to unleash Xuan Su unnecessarily, given that they do
not fully understand the situation. He turns to the Heavenly Dragon Sect Master, only to find him
gone. “Zunzhu?”

When the smoke has cleared, only the Cang Qiong Mountain delegation remains. Strange hedges
have grown all over the island.

“What is this?” Qi Qingqi says, as they all scurry together.

“It’s a trap,” Shen Qingqiu snaps. “We need to escape and warn the other sects what has happened
here today.” He glances at Liu Qingge.

“Are you hurt?”

Liu Qingge shakes his head, though he still looks perplexed. “I had her in my grasp,” he mutters.
“How did she get away?”

“Never mind that,” Shen Qingqiu says. “Let’s focus on what’s more important.”

He glances around, reaching out to touch the hedge wall. “This must be some kind of maze.”

Liu Qingge frowns. “Why don’t we just destroy it?” Saying so, he makes a movement with Cheng
Luan, sword glare directed at the walls.

But instead of destroying it, the walls only begin to grow thorns, secreting a strange demonic
energy. Shen Qingqiu immediately raises his sleeves up to his nose, furious.

“You brute!” he shouts. “Why did you do such a thing!”

Liu Qingge folds his arms. “It was the easiest way!”

Shen Qingqiu grits his teeth. “You have only made this maze more difficult!”

Mu Qingfang has to admit he has a point. Liu Qingge’s solution has, in fact, become their new
problem. He coughs behind his hand to stop the bickering. “Shen-shixiong, Liu-shixiong,” he
entreats. “We must work together to properly escape this maze.”

Shen Qingqiu throws a disgusted look at Liu Qingge’s direction. “If he weren’t so impulsive, we’d
be less troubled!”
The scent has a minor poison. Fortunately, Mu Qingfang has come well-equipped, and distributes
antidotes to the rest.

“Do not make any hasty moves,” Shen Qingqiu says. “Now we stick together. All right?” The rest
of Peak Lords have no choice but to nod and obey the Qing Jing Peak Lord.

They walk into the maze carefully. Several traps and demonic beasts come attacking, but they are
able to fend off each one. Liu Qingge makes another unhelpful attempt of flying above the maze,
which has the unfortunate result of the hedge walls growing ten feet above their head. After that,
even Yue Qingyuan has no choice but to scold him as well.

They reach the end of the maze. There is a faintly glowing seal at the center of the wall.

“It’s a puzzle,” Shen Qingqiu murmurs. Carefully he inspects it, touching it with one hand. The
ground beneath them glows as well, before several parts of it shoots upward. All the Peak Lords
unsheathe their swords, wary, but Shen Qingqiu sweeps over it, muttering underneath his breath.

“Indulge me, Liu-shidi,” he says, turning to the Bai Zhan Peak Lord, “and put those all together.”

Liu Qingge frowns, but does what he’s told. There are nine pieces in total in a scrambled mess.
Shen Qingqiu looks over it again, before using his qi to slot them together. Qi Qingqi startles when
she recognizes it - it’s the same as the seal!

Shen Qingqiu makes a pleased sound. He picks up the newly formed puzzle and presses it into the
wall. The hedge walls split apart, revealing a new path.

“Amazing, Shen-shixiong,” Mu Qingfang says admiringly. Shen Qingqiu preens. Together, the
Peak Lords resume traversing the maze.

However, after several more minutes of walking, they come across their next conundrum - a split
road, with three options stretching before them.

Shen Qingqiu eyes it carefully. “We will need to separate into groups of two,” he announces. “I
will take the left path. If you hit a dead end, return here. Surely one of these paths will lead to the
exit.”
Yue Qingyuan pauses. “Then perhaps, this shixiong can join you - ” he starts hopefully.

But Liu Qingge is already walking down the path Shen Qingqiu has pointed out for himself.
“Hurry up, Shen Qingqiu,” he says. “The faster we get out of here, the better.”

Shen Qingqiu glares at his back, but is quick to catch up to him.

“You wouldn’t want to be with either of them, Zhangmen-shixiong,” Mu Qingfang mutters. Shang
Qinghua still has nightmares from the last time he had to accompany both of them. Of course, the
man is terrified of everything, but it’s in Mu Qingfang’s best interest that all of his martial siblings
are well physically and emotionally. He drags him away to the central path.

Meanwhile, Wei Qingwei and Qi Qingqi take the remaining path to them. So far the path is devoid
of any demonic beasts, however they find a blockage at the end of it.

It’s the same puzzle-like structure they encountered earlier. Qi Qingqi activates it the same way
Shen Qingqiu had, but when she finally has the pieces, she’s stuck putting it all together.

She lets out a sigh, frustrated.

How did Shen Qingqiu make it look so easy?!

“Still no good, Qi-shimei?” Wei Qingwei asks. The man had attempted to help as well, but very
nearly broken a piece. Qi Qingqi worries what will happen if that occurs.

“No,” she says in disgust. “Stupid useless puzzle! Let’s hurry back, maybe someone else has found
an exit.”

Yue Qingyuan and Mu Qingfang don’t fare any better. After several turns and a demonic beast
attack, they are faced with only a towering hedge wall. Sighing, they return to the fork in the road,
where Qi Qingqi and Wei Qingwei emerge from the rightmost path.
“Ah, Qi-shimei, Wei-shdi,” Yue Qingyuan says. “Unfortunately we hit a dead end in our path.
How was yours?”

“It was a dead end as well,” Qi Qingqi says flatly. Wei Qingwei coughs, but says nothing.

Yue Qingyuan only nods. “I see.” He glances at the path Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingqiu had taken.
“Perhaps Qingqiu-shidi and Liu-shidi fare better.”

Together, the four of them set off, still alert for any more surprise attacks.

They can hear some muffled shouting in the distance. Immediately Yue Qingyuan is alarmed.
Surely Shen Qingqiu is not in danger?

As they get closer, they can make out angry voices.

“Ah, Liu-shidi, you brute - ”

“They can’t be fighting now, of all times!” Mu Qingfang gasps, hurrying his steps.

They round the corner. There, pressed against the dead end of the wall, is -

Oh.

Yue Qingyuan’s ears grow hot.

They -

Qingqiu-shidi and Liu-shidi are -

“What are you two doing!?” Qi Qingqi squawks, voice pitched high.
 Shen Qingqiu’s face is flushed red, but he says nothing. Liu Qingge still hasn’t released Shen
Qingqiu from his grasp, and he’s now glaring at all of them.

“Are you done staring?” Shen Qingqiu snaps. “You can clearly see this road is blocked. Have you
found nothing useful on your end?”

The combined killing intent from both Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge is overwhelming.

Faced with no other choice, the other Peak Lords flee.

Chapter End Notes

SQQ: damn all my martial siblings are IQ 40

also SQH definitely knows what's up ;)

 Chapter 2
Chapter Notes

it's all SQQ pov from now on, baybie! hehe. The first chapter was just me going
hogwild, we now have more plot this time around lol. you can skip to the end for the
sexy times ;)

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Once they’re gone, Shen Qingqiu hits Liu Qingge with his fan.

“You brute!” Shen Qingqiu shrieks, looking positively furious. “This is all your fault, we said we
were going to wait for the right time!”

Liu Qingge doesn’t look much bothered. “You said we were going to tell them soon,” he points
out, and he almost sounds petulant. Shen Qingqiu doesn’t dislike it.

“I didn’t want them to find out like this!” Shen Qingqiu says. “And you’re always so reckless,
rushing into matters without thinking - ”

Liu Qingge rolls his hips, and Shen Qingqiu bites back a moan, complaints aborted. Liu Qingge
still has him pinned to the wall, and clearly he has no plans of letting him go.

“Liu-shidi,” he says, exasperated. “Are you really going to do this here?”

“Yes,” Liu Qingge says. “Because you’re being annoying again, and this is the easiest way to shut
you up.”

Shen Qingqiu swallows, trying not to let his body betray how much that affects him. Liu Qingge is
capturing his lips, again, making it very hard for him to concentrate on anything other than the
tingling warmth all over his senses.

“Weren’t you - ahh~! - satisfied with last night?” he manages, as Liu Qingge squeezes his ass.
They really are far too clothed for this.
“You made me stop last night,” Liu Qingge growls. “Haven’t I held back enough?”

Heavens, Liu Qingge is really such a degenerate! How their martial siblings haven’t discovered
their relationship a year in, they truly are the most undiscerning bunch of fools!

“So this is why my spell didn’t work,” a voice before them mutters.

The two of them stiffen and then raise their heads.

“You,” Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge say to the Fourth Master, annoyed.

She raises up her hand. “Sorry, was I interrupting something?”

Shen Qingqiu raises a hand. This time, the Fourth Master evades his array. “Immortal Master Shen,
you truly are a peerless talent,” she says. “I was interested in Immortal Master Liu before, but
you’re not bad at all!”

Liu Qingge snarls. “You dare?!”

“No no no, of course not,” the Fourth Master says quickly. “It would be very difficult to get
between a mated pair.”

Still, she winks at Shen Qingqiu. “Though if you change your mind…”

“Don’t hold your breath for it,” Shen Qingqiu says crisply, though he doesn’t dare glance in Liu
Qingge’s direction. Really, this whole travel trip has been one completely maddening disaster!
He’s still not quite secure in this relationship with the Bai Zhan Peak Lord, and now half of his
martial siblings and a conniving demoness have discovered it. “And you - give me one good reason
to spare your life, after what you have done today.”

At that the Fourth Master’s eyes harden. “We meant no harm,” she says.
“Then why invite us here?” Shen Qingqiu snaps.

“It was true what I said. This island is our home,” the Fourth Master says. Again her eyes glow red,
but this time a hazy imagery of horns curling from her head appear, as well as scales over her
visible skin. “It has been stolen from us by human cultivators.”

Shen Qingqiu stares at her with sudden recognition. “You are a dragon,” he says.

“Well. Descended from one,” the Fourth Master says, with some sheepishness. “Though our
bloodline has long diluted, we are still demonic in nature.”

“We taught cultivation to humans who ended up here, and who would have thought they would
imprison us and pillage our resources?” her tone is bitter as she shakes her head.

“This does not explain why you lured us here,” Liu Qingge points out. “Or why you tried to
capture me.”

“We need the blood of a powerful cultivator,” the Fourth Master admits. “Ideally, his seed as well,
but - ” she bats her eyelashes, “- I understand why both Immortal Master Liu and Immortal Master
Shen might be unwilling.”

Shen Qingqiu huffs and says nothing. He turns to Liu Qingge, who has a complicated expression.

“Are you a demon, or are you a cultivator?” Liu Qingge finally asks.

The Fourth Master only chuckles. “In my veins runs the blood of a heavenly dragon. But if you
will judge me by my righteousness, then you will find me honorable. We have only begun to
reclaim what is ours. The men who have pushed us out of our home, we have imprisoned them.
The disciples you’ve met today, they were raised by me and my cousins.”

“If we cooperate with you, then will you allow us to return to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect?” Shen
Qingqiu asks.

The Fourth Master nods. “It was Cang Qiong Mountain Sect we judged as most pure among the
Four Great Sects,” she said. “I admit, I had thought your Sect Master would be a good fit, however,
there is something strange in his life force…”

Shen Qingqiu frowns. That something should be wrong with Yue Qingyuan doesn’t sit well with
him.

“Can it be cured?” he asks.

“I can look into it,” the Fourth Master says, with a sly look, “if you will be willing to give more
than your blood.”

Shen Qingqiu scoffs. “Explain first.”

The Fourth Master waves her hand, the wall beneath them crumbles. Fortunately, Liu Qingge has a
tight grip on Shen Qingqiu and carries him past it.

“I can walk,” he says irritably.

Liu Qingge frowns, and only puts him down once they’ve arrived at the sect’s main hall. Shen
Qingqiu straightens his robes and looks around.

The Heavenly Dragon Sect Master is on raised seating by the dais. He raises his head as they step
inside, looking surprised.

“Peak Lord Shen, Peak Lord Liu,” he says. He sees the Fourth Master standing behind them.
“Have you come to a proper agreement with my shimei?”

The Fourth Master answers before Shen Qingqiu can. “You led me to believe other righteous sects
would not understand my cause. I should have known better than to trust you, again.”

Her eyes are blazing. “We are not beasts,” she hisses. “Unlike you.”

The man looks pained. “Shimei…”

“Do not call me familiarly,” she says. “I was never your martial sibling.”

Shen Qingqiu does not even give him a look of sympathy. Men taste one moment of power and
think they can take it as they please.

Liu Qingge, however, thinks differently. “What did you mean by that?” he asks the Fourth Master,
as several disciples swarm them in another hall.

“That man was one of those who knew what his previous generation has done to my mother,” the
Fourth Master says indignantly. Her lips tremble.

“And yet he had done nothing, and even partook in her flesh so his cultivation could grow.” She
closes her eyes. “He says he regrets it, but only after we have sealed his cultivation and imprisoned
the others that he suggested the blood of a powerful cultivator to allow our seal to be broken.”

“We don’t kill needlessly,” she adds. “Perhaps we should. It is the price of vengeance.” She lifts
her chin.

“Don’t,” Shen Qingqiu says, with a mild tone. “Revenge will only consume you.”

The Fourth Master pauses, and then says, “Immortal Master Shen is wise.”

“So the other cultivators of the Heavenly Dragon sect are imprisoned here?” Liu Qingge prods.

“Yes,” the Fourth Master says. “In the seclusion caves. We let that man stay free, since he was the
one who discovered our secret, though he did not divulge it. But that is already the price for his
guilt. He has not helped us either, since we have come here.”

“What do you intend to do?” Shen Qingqiu says.

“As I am now, my power is not enough,” the Fourth Master admits. “Dual cultivation would have
been ideal, with a willing partner, to finally release my seal.”
Shen Qingqiu pauses. “A spell would have made someone willing?” he inquires with a very
dangerous tone.

The Fourth Master pauses. “It will not work on anyone who is mated to someone else,” she says,
with some embarrassment. “But it will induce very strong feelings in others.”

“We would not have treated them callously,” she says. “They would have been allowed to stay on
the island, with the sect.”

Shen Qingqiu exhales, irritated. How very fortunate that it had been Liu Qingge they had sent out
to battle earlier and not any of his other martial siblings. Goodness knows what trouble it would
bring if Yue Qingyuan were bespelled.

“Then if not dual cultivation, what then?” he asks abruptly.

“A drink of your blood,” the Fourth Master says. She opens her mouth, and Shen Qingqiu finally
notices her fangs.

Shen Qingqiu shudders. Liu Qingge frowns and steps forward. “I’ll do it.”

“It will drain your cultivation temporarily,” the Fourth Master says. “But it will return in a day or
so.”

Shen Qingqiu pauses at that caveat. “No,” he says decisively. “It’s better if I do it.”

“Shen Qingqiu - ”

“Liu-shidi,” Shen Qingqiu snaps. “As your shixiong, should you not listen to me?”

Liu Qingge glowers. The Fourth Master chuckles.

“Immortal Master Shen and Immortal Master Liu are matched so well,” she says. “The heavens
must have blessed you.”

Shen Qingqiu doesn’t quite know how to tell this woman their relationship is hardly something
anyone will call a blessing. He pushes Liu Qingge gently away.

“How shall we do it?”

The Fourth Master motions to her neck. “Here is best.”

Sighing, Shen Qingqiu shrugs off his outer robe and loosens his upper one as well. He tosses the
fabric to Liu Qingge. “Don’t peek,” he says, with a smirk.

“Shen Qingqiu - !” Liu Qingge shouts, furious. Shen Qingqiu ignores him, and lets the Fourth
Master bite his neck. The sensation makes him startle; as if his very soul is being sucked away.
Dark spots grow in his vision, and he sways.

The last thing he remembers is strong arms catching him before he collapses.

When Shen Qingqiu wakes up, he’s on plush bedding, stripped to his pants. He blinks, glancing
around.

“Awake?”

Liu Qingge hurries over to him, expression grim as he sits on the bed.

Shen Qingqiu inspects his qi. It’s still there, just muted. He sighs in relief.

“I hope you didn’t start anything unreasonable,” he scolds.

Liu Qingge frowns. “You fainted,” he says. “I was worried.”

“She did say it was going to drain me,” Shen Qingqiu says. “Where is the Fourth Master?”

“Getting rid of her maze,” Liu Qingge says, in a grumpy tone. “And fetching our martial siblings.”

“Good.” Shen Qingqiu exhales. “We can go back home soon.”

Still, Liu Qingge fusses over him, gently touching his cheek. Shen Qingqiu glances up at him.

“I can make you feel better,” Liu Qingge says, with some awkwardness.

“Oh?” Shen Qingqiu asks, amused. He raises out his foot. “With a massage, I hope?”

To his surprise, Liu Qingge does take his ankle, and then seriously starts kneading his flesh all the
way down to his toes. His grip is too harsh, but Shen Qingqiu doesn’t correct him, enjoying the
feeling of his hands instead.

“I mean it,” Liu Qingge says. “The Fourth Master…she said…”

“She said what?” Shen Qingqiu says. “Spit it out, Liu Qingge.”

The Bai Zhan Peak Lord’s face is red. “Shesaiddualcultivationwouldreplenishyourstrength.”

Shen Qingqiu blinks. “Pardon?”

“She said,” Liu Qingge takes a deep breath. “Dual cultivation would replenish your strength,” he
repeats.

“You don’t have to do anything,” Liu Qingge says. “I’ll take care of it.”

“I’ll take care of you,” he adds, with determination.

Really, Liu Qingge can be quite a charmer like this.

Shen Qingqiu laughs, lying back on his pillow to a comfortable position. “Is that so,” he says,
teasing. “Well, I leave myself in Liu-shidi’s capable hands.”

Liu Qingge carefully strips him of his remaining clothing, but unlike how he normally dives
straight into things whenever they indulge in such activities, he goes slow instead, kissing Shen
Qingqiu’s body starting from his feet. Shen Qingqiu can’t resist his shiver as Liu Qingge’s mouth
travels upwards, ghosting against his thighs and then his chest.

“Get - oh! - on with it,” he pants, flushed. His cock is hard from Liu Qingge’s ministrations, and
already he can feel the maddening desire coiling inside of him.

But Liu Qingge, predictably, doesn’t listen, lavishing more attention all over his body instead.
When he finally reaches his mouth, their lips mingle into a mind-numbing kiss. Shen Qingqiu
luxuriates in it, enjoying his shidi’s warmth. Like this, Liu Qingge isn’t so bad. Had the Fourth
Master given him some pointers? He will have to thank her after this.

He watches Liu Qingge pour oil in his fingers and gasps when a finger breaches his entrance
carefully. This, too, is different; usually Liu Qingge is so impatient, hardly waiting for Shen
Qingqiu to adjust. Not that he doesn’t enjoy it rough; he doesn’t have to be treated like a fragile
thing, after all. But Liu Qingge opens him up slowly this time, pressing kisses to his neck, and it
makes Shen Qingqiu’s whole body tingle. Such a difference from last night!

When Liu Qingge finally enters him, it feels like bliss. Shen Qingqiu wraps his arms around his
neck, his legs braced over Liu Qingge’s shoulders. “Ah - shidi…” he moans, feeling each thrust.

Shen Qingqiu is far too lost in the pleasure that he doesn’t hear the sound of thundering footsteps
right outside their room until it’s too late.

“Qingqiu-shidi, are you all right - ” The door bursts open, and in comes Yue Qingyuan and the rest
of their martial siblings.

The room becomes very quiet.

 Shen Qingqiu nearly groans. How many times are they going to interrupt them like this!? There’s
no way to hide, now; they’re both naked and Liu Qingge is already inside of him!

“Get out,” Shen Qingqiu yells furiously. Open-mouthed, their martial siblings stare, unmoving,
before Liu Qingge sends a furious gale of his qi to force them all outside of the room.

Shen Qingqiu glances up at Liu Qingge, his face red. “You didn’t think to seal the entrance with a
warning talisman?!”

Liu Qingge’s face is apologetic. Shen Qingqiu sighs, almost tempted to pull his hair out.

He supposes he’ll just teach his brute a lesson once they’re safely back at the Peak.

And more importantly -

“Is this turning you on?!”

Chapter End Notes

and that's the end! the plot got away with me a bit after the first part ahaha, but I hope i
made it up with the porn!

This kind of plot, I imagine would be perfect for PIDW. Possibly in the original
version, LBH falls into the remote island somehow, and helps free the demons through
papapa. hehe!

I actually had a more serious ending for this in mind, and then i was like. NO MORE
PLOT!! PORN ONLY!! I am giving porn for christmas!! hehe. to my giftee, I hope
you like this very much! Merry Christmas!

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