Shang QInghua

Xiang Fei's feet twitched, ticklish even as he slept. Sorta slept. Really he was doing his best to meditate, using the bunny cultivation knowlege he gained from the shop. It was kinda difficult to focus with his king there, teasing him. Still he tried to lock in. He was making slow progress, but progress non the less.

Mobei Jun withdrew his hand. A moment later he reached over to very gently grasp one of those little twitching feet.

Xiang Fei huffed and opened one eye to look up at Mobei-Jun. He jerked his foot in an attempt to get free internally scolding his king for making this so hard.

Mobei Jun rumbled at Xiang Fei. "You are small."

Mobei Jun's lip twitched slightly. He stopped teasing the rabbit and switched back to gently petting him. "You will need to go to Shang Qinghua again."

"You cannot come to Junshang's court," Mobei Jun told the rabbit sternly. The place was a viper pit.

Mobei Jun watched the bunny tuck away. Adorable, and perfect for carrying him. But. "You will be found." The security was tight thanks to the harem. And innocents were not safe.

If Xiang Fei had been outside he would have seen the small twitch of Mobei Jun's lips that passed as a smile. If he wasn't determined to keep Xiang Fei forever he would have given in. He sat there in silence amd reached over a hand to gently place over the lump in his sleeve.

Xiang Fei paused in his ranging crawl. Mobei-Jun's hand was big and cool. He felt like he was tucked between two cold gel pads in summer. With a huff he deflated, still clinging to Mobei-jun's arm just still.

"I do not wish Junshang or his court to know of you. Not while Junshang is unstable." Mobei Jun was not as strong as the king should be. He feared for the rabbit. Especially with the plans being developed to destroy Xin Mo.

"You can use the time to cultivate," Mobei Jun suggested. "Grow stronger."

Mobei Jun watched. "The hatchling needs you."

"Shang Qinghua will protect you," Mobei Jun promised Xiang Fei. If the rabbit was harmed Shang Qinghua would die.

The hatchling hoped up and dragged itself up onto the bed. It was a bit bigger now, its fluff finally starting to come in. Now it looked more like a moldy fetus. It bumped and chirpped, rubbing against Xiang Fei while the rabbit huffed and puffed.

Mobei Jun reached over to patch both the ugly scruffy hatchling and his rabbit. "I will return as soon as I can." Xiang Fei had come specially for him. He would not let go of the rabbit easily.

Mobei Jun carefully cupped one hand around the hatchling as the other gently pressed down on Xiang Fei. He was silent, unable to think of what he could offer beyond the promise of his return. But he would return to his side again. They would turn aside the fate that threatened this world.

Shang Qinghua's decision to trap Mobei Wang with pups was working well. With the pups there the omega's focus was solely on them. He was not restless and seeking things out, just staying put right on his nest with intense focus on the pups. It was only after a week of caring for the pups that Mobei Wang finally acknowledged Shang Qinghua as a presence beyond a source for the food and baths that were needed. He purred at Shang Qinghua. "Qinghua, our pups." He held one out towards the alpha.

Mobei Wang purred approvingly at his alpha. So attentive. He waited a few minutes before accepting the child back. "They will grow," Mobei Wang said with confidence. "They will be strong."

"Of course they will," Shang Qinghua's head tilted to the side, a bit confused as to why Mobei-Wang was trying to convince him. "They are my king's offspring." There was no doubt that the little half demons would grow into powerful beings. The Mobei clan might not be heavenly, but they were a long line of rulers. The fact that the pups were born at all with no obvious malformations told of how powerful they would become.

Mobei Wang purred as if Shang Qinghua had spoken some grand statement instead of what was, to him, simple fact. He leaned over to press his forehead against Shang Qinghua's.

Shang Qinghua rumbled happily. He had missed Mobei-Wang, even if he had only been a breath away thos whole time, he hadn't been able to touch.

Mobei Wang turned to focus on settling the pups back in the nest. With a stretch he carefully got up. It felt good to move.

Mobei Wang nuzzled him back. Seeing Shang Qinghua playing with their pups reminded him why he had accepted all of this. Because having Shang Qinghua beside him was worth it all. "Good." He reached out and stroked one gently. "They're needy little things."

"But not loud," He noted, "They're lively but happy. Very good pups." He praised gently petting one of their smooth heads.

Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Perfect," he muttered. He drew out a few paralysis talismans and lead the way to prod the doors open and look inside.

It was certainly a scene. The child was bound on a table/temporary alter. There was blood still oozing from a gash on her head. On the floor a hunched elderly man was using a brush, carefully painting runes on the floor.

Good, the child was clear. That would make this fight much easier. Shen Qingqiu kept up the quick slashes of his sword, each strike aimed to maim or cripple his target.

The bastard was slippery, dodging and bouncing narrowly out of the way. It was like he had eyes on the back of his head. He threw furniture, objects, anything to try and slow Shen Qingqiu down. Finally he ran head first into a wall. Instead of stopping though, the stone seemed to shift and melt around him, sucking him through.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed sharply and he reached out his qi to sense what was going on, trying to grasp what was around him. How was this man doing that? Was he still human?

The wall was fake. Sand colored and held together with qi. The cultivator's hesitation was just enough for the old man to push through and take off running down the street.

Shen Qingqiu snarled and pushed through the false wall following the man's trail. He would not be so easily shaken. The man had made a mistake in letting Shen Qingqiu sense him. He was not a tracker, but he would not forget the qi signature, and he could follow something this fresh with ease. The little girl was left behind. Shang Qinghua was far better with children anyways. He would take this man's blood.

The man was a runner, a track star. He was dodging around carts, quick turning around corners, even jumping over fences. Even he couldn't scale the city wall through. He made a turn, running along it, panting like a dying donkey.

Shen Qingqiu quickly pulled out a talisman and sent it at the demonic cultivator to paralyze him.

The man stumbled and collapsed on the ground, crying for help to passerbys. Seeing Shen Qingqiu’s common appearance and the old man's tattered robes they assumed it was a fight between the homeless and kept moving. One woman even going as far as to lift her skirt so the old man's grasping hands couldn't touch the hems.

Disgust twisted inside Shen Qingqiu, as much for the civilians he was meant to help as the demonic cultivator he was hunting. Grabbing him Shen Qingqiu struck the man brutally. There was no need to hold back. No one would care what he did here.

The man's head snapped back painfully as he gasped and whimpered pathetically. "Im just an old man im just an old begger! Please I didn't know it was yours! Please have mercy young man!"

"It?" Part of Shen Qingqiu recognized this was an act to make it seem like he was punishing a poor beggar for accidentally stealing. The rest of him boiled over. "Do you normally call little girls it? Or is that for any of your victims?" Shen Qingqiu snapped an arm and started dragging him back.

Shen Qingqiu hit the man again, more than happy to vent his frustration on him as he returned back to where Shang Qinghua was waiting.

The old building was lit with candles, the crime scene documented with sketches in Shang Qinghua's notebook. He had gathered the scattered papers, broken the circle, and treated the child’s injuries. The little girl sat on a bench outside, trying to warm her cold limbs in the sun. Shang Qinghua had wrapped her in an An Ding yellow cloak and given her some snacks. She looked up, startled like a small animal when Shen Qingqiu dragged back the old man.

Shen Qingqiu carefully didn't look at the little girl. She was a witness, and Shang Qinghua would handle it better. He crouched down to look at his victim. "You're a terrible cultivator," he told the man casually. "Your array is so full of flaws it's impressive it did anything."

Shen Qingqiu snorted and kicked the man. "Even with a guide to follow you couldn't manage it," he sneered. The original creator was likely alive and well away from here. They would have to look for clues before a centuries old demonic cultivator came out to destroy things.

The old man had the wind knocked out of him. Shang Qinghua held the book in one hand glaring down. "The crime of kidnapping and murder is execution. You commited such an act on multiple children." He studied the cover of the journal. "The act of practicing demonic arts is something that must be investigated. So how about a deal?" He smiled gently, like a kind but overworked clerk. "You tell us the whereabouts of the real owner of this book and we'll lighten the sentence?"

"I assure you whoever it is they are more than happy to sacrifice you," Shen Qingqiu said calmly. "There are no rewards from this master for acts of loyalty."

"You should take the child out of here," Shen Jiu said staring at the demonic cultivator. She didn't need to see this.

From his sleeve Shang Qinghua set a box on the nearby table. "Don't worry about the mess. Just knock twice on the lid and it will take care of it all." At the doorway he paused once more. "Shixiong, the name signed in this book is Wu." Then he slipped out, scooping the little girl up and quickly leaving.

Shang Qinghua had put his An Ding skill set to good use, the wall of the inn had been repaired and reinforced so such a small blast shouldn't send it flying off again. The girl was cleaned up and dressed, her head bandaged. She was eating in the common area, swollowing bowl after bowl of stew. Shang Qinghua was going through the inn keeper's books, telling her ways she could be improving. He looked up when Shen Qingqiu came in and waved.

Shen Qingqiu nodded regally. He kept ignoring the girl as he headed up. He was an adult, and she was a child, and they didn't know each other. Any pretense of innocence was forgotten in the reminder of what he truly was. His head ached.

Shen Qingqiu turned and looked at Shang Qinghua his expression softening faintly. "Good. She will have a place."

"She will, they'll be here in the morning." He didn't want to push and left Shen Qingqiu to rest. On the table in the room was the goldfish charm, if Shen Qingqiu wanted it.

Shen Qingqiu washed up and sank into his bed. The charm was tempting. He remembered this was meant to be a break. He turned away. Shen Qingqiu wasn't a child.

"We had a week to get this done, it only took is two days." He shrugged, and with a snap their rooms were back to normal, all their things packed into a nice little bag. "Lets head to a better inn so we can take advantage of the baths."

Shen Qingqiu relaxed as Shang Qinghua organized moving on to a different place. "Good. A proper soak is needed."

Xiang Fei's feet twitched, ticklish even as he slept. Sorta slept. Really he was doing his best to meditate, using the bunny cultivation knowlege he gained from the shop. It was kinda difficult to focus with his king there, teasing him. Still he tried to lock in. He was making slow progress, but progress non the less.

Mobei Jun withdrew his hand. A moment later he reached over to very gently grasp one of those little twitching feet.

Xiang Fei huffed and opened one eye to look up at Mobei-Jun. He jerked his foot in an attempt to get free internally scolding his king for making this so hard.

Mobei Jun rumbled at Xiang Fei. "You are small."

Mobei Jun's lip twitched slightly. He stopped teasing the rabbit and switched back to gently petting him. "You will need to go to Shang Qinghua again."

"You cannot come to Junshang's court," Mobei Jun told the rabbit sternly. The place was a viper pit.

Mobei Jun watched the bunny tuck away. Adorable, and perfect for carrying him. But. "You will be found." The security was tight thanks to the harem. And innocents were not safe.

If Xiang Fei had been outside he would have seen the small twitch of Mobei Jun's lips that passed as a smile. If he wasn't determined to keep Xiang Fei forever he would have given in. He sat there in silence amd reached over a hand to gently place over the lump in his sleeve.

Xiang Fei paused in his ranging crawl. Mobei-Jun's hand was big and cool. He felt like he was tucked between two cold gel pads in summer. With a huff he deflated, still clinging to Mobei-jun's arm just still.

"I do not wish Junshang or his court to know of you. Not while Junshang is unstable." Mobei Jun was not as strong as the king should be. He feared for the rabbit. Especially with the plans being developed to destroy Xin Mo.

"You can use the time to cultivate," Mobei Jun suggested. "Grow stronger."

Mobei Jun watched. "The hatchling needs you."

"Shang Qinghua will protect you," Mobei Jun promised Xiang Fei. If the rabbit was harmed Shang Qinghua would die.

The hatchling hoped up and dragged itself up onto the bed. It was a bit bigger now, its fluff finally starting to come in. Now it looked more like a moldy fetus. It bumped and chirpped, rubbing against Xiang Fei while the rabbit huffed and puffed.

Mobei Jun reached over to patch both the ugly scruffy hatchling and his rabbit. "I will return as soon as I can." Xiang Fei had come specially for him. He would not let go of the rabbit easily.

Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Perfect," he muttered. He drew out a few paralysis talismans and lead the way to prod the doors open and look inside.

It was certainly a scene. The child was bound on a table/temporary alter. There was blood still oozing from a gash on her head. On the floor a hunched elderly man was using a brush, carefully painting runes on the floor.

Good, the child was clear. That would make this fight much easier. Shen Qingqiu kept up the quick slashes of his sword, each strike aimed to maim or cripple his target.

The bastard was slippery, dodging and bouncing narrowly out of the way. It was like he had eyes on the back of his head. He threw furniture, objects, anything to try and slow Shen Qingqiu down. Finally he ran head first into a wall. Instead of stopping though, the stone seemed to shift and melt around him, sucking him through.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed sharply and he reached out his qi to sense what was going on, trying to grasp what was around him. How was this man doing that? Was he still human?

The wall was fake. Sand colored and held together with qi. The cultivator's hesitation was just enough for the old man to push through and take off running down the street.

Shen Qingqiu snarled and pushed through the false wall following the man's trail. He would not be so easily shaken. The man had made a mistake in letting Shen Qingqiu sense him. He was not a tracker, but he would not forget the qi signature, and he could follow something this fresh with ease. The little girl was left behind. Shang Qinghua was far better with children anyways. He would take this man's blood.

The man was a runner, a track star. He was dodging around carts, quick turning around corners, even jumping over fences. Even he couldn't scale the city wall through. He made a turn, running along it, panting like a dying donkey.

Shen Qingqiu quickly pulled out a talisman and sent it at the demonic cultivator to paralyze him.

The man stumbled and collapsed on the ground, crying for help to passerbys. Seeing Shen Qingqiu’s common appearance and the old man's tattered robes they assumed it was a fight between the homeless and kept moving. One woman even going as far as to lift her skirt so the old man's grasping hands couldn't touch the hems.

Disgust twisted inside Shen Qingqiu, as much for the civilians he was meant to help as the demonic cultivator he was hunting. Grabbing him Shen Qingqiu struck the man brutally. There was no need to hold back. No one would care what he did here.

The man's head snapped back painfully as he gasped and whimpered pathetically. "Im just an old man im just an old begger! Please I didn't know it was yours! Please have mercy young man!"

"It?" Part of Shen Qingqiu recognized this was an act to make it seem like he was punishing a poor beggar for accidentally stealing. The rest of him boiled over. "Do you normally call little girls it? Or is that for any of your victims?" Shen Qingqiu snapped an arm and started dragging him back.

Shen Qingqiu hit the man again, more than happy to vent his frustration on him as he returned back to where Shang Qinghua was waiting.

The old building was lit with candles, the crime scene documented with sketches in Shang Qinghua's notebook. He had gathered the scattered papers, broken the circle, and treated the child’s injuries. The little girl sat on a bench outside, trying to warm her cold limbs in the sun. Shang Qinghua had wrapped her in an An Ding yellow cloak and given her some snacks. She looked up, startled like a small animal when Shen Qingqiu dragged back the old man.

Shen Qingqiu carefully didn't look at the little girl. She was a witness, and Shang Qinghua would handle it better. He crouched down to look at his victim. "You're a terrible cultivator," he told the man casually. "Your array is so full of flaws it's impressive it did anything."

Shen Qingqiu snorted and kicked the man. "Even with a guide to follow you couldn't manage it," he sneered. The original creator was likely alive and well away from here. They would have to look for clues before a centuries old demonic cultivator came out to destroy things.

The old man had the wind knocked out of him. Shang Qinghua held the book in one hand glaring down. "The crime of kidnapping and murder is execution. You commited such an act on multiple children." He studied the cover of the journal. "The act of practicing demonic arts is something that must be investigated. So how about a deal?" He smiled gently, like a kind but overworked clerk. "You tell us the whereabouts of the real owner of this book and we'll lighten the sentence?"

"I assure you whoever it is they are more than happy to sacrifice you," Shen Qingqiu said calmly. "There are no rewards from this master for acts of loyalty."

"You should take the child out of here," Shen Jiu said staring at the demonic cultivator. She didn't need to see this.

From his sleeve Shang Qinghua set a box on the nearby table. "Don't worry about the mess. Just knock twice on the lid and it will take care of it all." At the doorway he paused once more. "Shixiong, the name signed in this book is Wu." Then he slipped out, scooping the little girl up and quickly leaving.

Shang Qinghua had put his An Ding skill set to good use, the wall of the inn had been repaired and reinforced so such a small blast shouldn't send it flying off again. The girl was cleaned up and dressed, her head bandaged. She was eating in the common area, swollowing bowl after bowl of stew. Shang Qinghua was going through the inn keeper's books, telling her ways she could be improving. He looked up when Shen Qingqiu came in and waved.

Shen Qingqiu nodded regally. He kept ignoring the girl as he headed up. He was an adult, and she was a child, and they didn't know each other. Any pretense of innocence was forgotten in the reminder of what he truly was. His head ached.

Shen Qingqiu turned and looked at Shang Qinghua his expression softening faintly. "Good. She will have a place."

"She will, they'll be here in the morning." He didn't want to push and left Shen Qingqiu to rest. On the table in the room was the goldfish charm, if Shen Qingqiu wanted it.

Shen Qingqiu washed up and sank into his bed. The charm was tempting. He remembered this was meant to be a break. He turned away. Shen Qingqiu wasn't a child.

"We had a week to get this done, it only took is two days." He shrugged, and with a snap their rooms were back to normal, all their things packed into a nice little bag. "Lets head to a better inn so we can take advantage of the baths."

Shang Qinghua's decision to trap Mobei Wang with pups was working well. With the pups there the omega's focus was solely on them. He was not restless and seeking things out, just staying put right on his nest with intense focus on the pups. It was only after a week of caring for the pups that Mobei Wang finally acknowledged Shang Qinghua as a presence beyond a source for the food and baths that were needed. He purred at Shang Qinghua. "Qinghua, our pups." He held one out towards the alpha.

Mobei Wang purred approvingly at his alpha. So attentive. He waited a few minutes before accepting the child back. "They will grow," Mobei Wang said with confidence. "They will be strong."

"Of course they will," Shang Qinghua's head tilted to the side, a bit confused as to why Mobei-Wang was trying to convince him. "They are my king's offspring." There was no doubt that the little half demons would grow into powerful beings. The Mobei clan might not be heavenly, but they were a long line of rulers. The fact that the pups were born at all with no obvious malformations told of how powerful they would become.

Mobei Wang purred as if Shang Qinghua had spoken some grand statement instead of what was, to him, simple fact. He leaned over to press his forehead against Shang Qinghua's.

Shang Qinghua rumbled happily. He had missed Mobei-Wang, even if he had only been a breath away thos whole time, he hadn't been able to touch.

Mobei Wang turned to focus on settling the pups back in the nest. With a stretch he carefully got up. It felt good to move.

Xiang Fei's feet twitched, ticklish even as he slept. Sorta slept. Really he was doing his best to meditate, using the bunny cultivation knowlege he gained from the shop. It was kinda difficult to focus with his king there, teasing him. Still he tried to lock in. He was making slow progress, but progress non the less.

Mobei Jun withdrew his hand. A moment later he reached over to very gently grasp one of those little twitching feet.

Xiang Fei huffed and opened one eye to look up at Mobei-Jun. He jerked his foot in an attempt to get free internally scolding his king for making this so hard.

Mobei Jun rumbled at Xiang Fei. "You are small."

Mobei Jun's lip twitched slightly. He stopped teasing the rabbit and switched back to gently petting him. "You will need to go to Shang Qinghua again."

"You cannot come to Junshang's court," Mobei Jun told the rabbit sternly. The place was a viper pit.

Mobei Jun watched the bunny tuck away. Adorable, and perfect for carrying him. But. "You will be found." The security was tight thanks to the harem. And innocents were not safe.

If Xiang Fei had been outside he would have seen the small twitch of Mobei Jun's lips that passed as a smile. If he wasn't determined to keep Xiang Fei forever he would have given in. He sat there in silence amd reached over a hand to gently place over the lump in his sleeve.

Xiang Fei paused in his ranging crawl. Mobei-Jun's hand was big and cool. He felt like he was tucked between two cold gel pads in summer. With a huff he deflated, still clinging to Mobei-jun's arm just still.

"I do not wish Junshang or his court to know of you. Not while Junshang is unstable." Mobei Jun was not as strong as the king should be. He feared for the rabbit. Especially with the plans being developed to destroy Xin Mo.

"You can use the time to cultivate," Mobei Jun suggested. "Grow stronger."

Mobei Jun watched. "The hatchling needs you."

"Shang Qinghua will protect you," Mobei Jun promised Xiang Fei. If the rabbit was harmed Shang Qinghua would die.

The hatchling hoped up and dragged itself up onto the bed. It was a bit bigger now, its fluff finally starting to come in. Now it looked more like a moldy fetus. It bumped and chirpped, rubbing against Xiang Fei while the rabbit huffed and puffed.

Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Perfect," he muttered. He drew out a few paralysis talismans and lead the way to prod the doors open and look inside.

It was certainly a scene. The child was bound on a table/temporary alter. There was blood still oozing from a gash on her head. On the floor a hunched elderly man was using a brush, carefully painting runes on the floor.

Good, the child was clear. That would make this fight much easier. Shen Qingqiu kept up the quick slashes of his sword, each strike aimed to maim or cripple his target.

The bastard was slippery, dodging and bouncing narrowly out of the way. It was like he had eyes on the back of his head. He threw furniture, objects, anything to try and slow Shen Qingqiu down. Finally he ran head first into a wall. Instead of stopping though, the stone seemed to shift and melt around him, sucking him through.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed sharply and he reached out his qi to sense what was going on, trying to grasp what was around him. How was this man doing that? Was he still human?

The wall was fake. Sand colored and held together with qi. The cultivator's hesitation was just enough for the old man to push through and take off running down the street.

Shen Qingqiu snarled and pushed through the false wall following the man's trail. He would not be so easily shaken. The man had made a mistake in letting Shen Qingqiu sense him. He was not a tracker, but he would not forget the qi signature, and he could follow something this fresh with ease. The little girl was left behind. Shang Qinghua was far better with children anyways. He would take this man's blood.

The man was a runner, a track star. He was dodging around carts, quick turning around corners, even jumping over fences. Even he couldn't scale the city wall through. He made a turn, running along it, panting like a dying donkey.

Shen Qingqiu quickly pulled out a talisman and sent it at the demonic cultivator to paralyze him.

The man stumbled and collapsed on the ground, crying for help to passerbys. Seeing Shen Qingqiu’s common appearance and the old man's tattered robes they assumed it was a fight between the homeless and kept moving. One woman even going as far as to lift her skirt so the old man's grasping hands couldn't touch the hems.

Disgust twisted inside Shen Qingqiu, as much for the civilians he was meant to help as the demonic cultivator he was hunting. Grabbing him Shen Qingqiu struck the man brutally. There was no need to hold back. No one would care what he did here.

The man's head snapped back painfully as he gasped and whimpered pathetically. "Im just an old man im just an old begger! Please I didn't know it was yours! Please have mercy young man!"

"It?" Part of Shen Qingqiu recognized this was an act to make it seem like he was punishing a poor beggar for accidentally stealing. The rest of him boiled over. "Do you normally call little girls it? Or is that for any of your victims?" Shen Qingqiu snapped an arm and started dragging him back.

Shen Qingqiu hit the man again, more than happy to vent his frustration on him as he returned back to where Shang Qinghua was waiting.

The old building was lit with candles, the crime scene documented with sketches in Shang Qinghua's notebook. He had gathered the scattered papers, broken the circle, and treated the child’s injuries. The little girl sat on a bench outside, trying to warm her cold limbs in the sun. Shang Qinghua had wrapped her in an An Ding yellow cloak and given her some snacks. She looked up, startled like a small animal when Shen Qingqiu dragged back the old man.

Shen Qingqiu carefully didn't look at the little girl. She was a witness, and Shang Qinghua would handle it better. He crouched down to look at his victim. "You're a terrible cultivator," he told the man casually. "Your array is so full of flaws it's impressive it did anything."

Shen Qingqiu snorted and kicked the man. "Even with a guide to follow you couldn't manage it," he sneered. The original creator was likely alive and well away from here. They would have to look for clues before a centuries old demonic cultivator came out to destroy things.

The old man had the wind knocked out of him. Shang Qinghua held the book in one hand glaring down. "The crime of kidnapping and murder is execution. You commited such an act on multiple children." He studied the cover of the journal. "The act of practicing demonic arts is something that must be investigated. So how about a deal?" He smiled gently, like a kind but overworked clerk. "You tell us the whereabouts of the real owner of this book and we'll lighten the sentence?"

"I assure you whoever it is they are more than happy to sacrifice you," Shen Qingqiu said calmly. "There are no rewards from this master for acts of loyalty."

"You should take the child out of here," Shen Jiu said staring at the demonic cultivator. She didn't need to see this.

From his sleeve Shang Qinghua set a box on the nearby table. "Don't worry about the mess. Just knock twice on the lid and it will take care of it all." At the doorway he paused once more. "Shixiong, the name signed in this book is Wu." Then he slipped out, scooping the little girl up and quickly leaving.

Shang Qinghua had put his An Ding skill set to good use, the wall of the inn had been repaired and reinforced so such a small blast shouldn't send it flying off again. The girl was cleaned up and dressed, her head bandaged. She was eating in the common area, swollowing bowl after bowl of stew. Shang Qinghua was going through the inn keeper's books, telling her ways she could be improving. He looked up when Shen Qingqiu came in and waved.

Shen Qingqiu nodded regally. He kept ignoring the girl as he headed up. He was an adult, and she was a child, and they didn't know each other. Any pretense of innocence was forgotten in the reminder of what he truly was. His head ached.

Shen Qingqiu turned and looked at Shang Qinghua his expression softening faintly. "Good. She will have a place."

"She will, they'll be here in the morning." He didn't want to push and left Shen Qingqiu to rest. On the table in the room was the goldfish charm, if Shen Qingqiu wanted it.

Shen Qingqiu washed up and sank into his bed. The charm was tempting. He remembered this was meant to be a break. He turned away. Shen Qingqiu wasn't a child.

Shang Qinghua's decision to trap Mobei Wang with pups was working well. With the pups there the omega's focus was solely on them. He was not restless and seeking things out, just staying put right on his nest with intense focus on the pups. It was only after a week of caring for the pups that Mobei Wang finally acknowledged Shang Qinghua as a presence beyond a source for the food and baths that were needed. He purred at Shang Qinghua. "Qinghua, our pups." He held one out towards the alpha.

Mobei Wang purred approvingly at his alpha. So attentive. He waited a few minutes before accepting the child back. "They will grow," Mobei Wang said with confidence. "They will be strong."

"Of course they will," Shang Qinghua's head tilted to the side, a bit confused as to why Mobei-Wang was trying to convince him. "They are my king's offspring." There was no doubt that the little half demons would grow into powerful beings. The Mobei clan might not be heavenly, but they were a long line of rulers. The fact that the pups were born at all with no obvious malformations told of how powerful they would become.

Mobei Wang purred as if Shang Qinghua had spoken some grand statement instead of what was, to him, simple fact. He leaned over to press his forehead against Shang Qinghua's.

Shang Qinghua rumbled happily. He had missed Mobei-Wang, even if he had only been a breath away thos whole time, he hadn't been able to touch.

Mobei Wang turned to focus on settling the pups back in the nest. With a stretch he carefully got up. It felt good to move.

Xiang Fei's feet twitched, ticklish even as he slept. Sorta slept. Really he was doing his best to meditate, using the bunny cultivation knowlege he gained from the shop. It was kinda difficult to focus with his king there, teasing him. Still he tried to lock in. He was making slow progress, but progress non the less.

Mobei Jun withdrew his hand. A moment later he reached over to very gently grasp one of those little twitching feet.

Xiang Fei huffed and opened one eye to look up at Mobei-Jun. He jerked his foot in an attempt to get free internally scolding his king for making this so hard.

Mobei Jun rumbled at Xiang Fei. "You are small."

Mobei Jun's lip twitched slightly. He stopped teasing the rabbit and switched back to gently petting him. "You will need to go to Shang Qinghua again."

"You cannot come to Junshang's court," Mobei Jun told the rabbit sternly. The place was a viper pit.

Mobei Jun watched the bunny tuck away. Adorable, and perfect for carrying him. But. "You will be found." The security was tight thanks to the harem. And innocents were not safe.

If Xiang Fei had been outside he would have seen the small twitch of Mobei Jun's lips that passed as a smile. If he wasn't determined to keep Xiang Fei forever he would have given in. He sat there in silence amd reached over a hand to gently place over the lump in his sleeve.

Xiang Fei paused in his ranging crawl. Mobei-Jun's hand was big and cool. He felt like he was tucked between two cold gel pads in summer. With a huff he deflated, still clinging to Mobei-jun's arm just still.

"I do not wish Junshang or his court to know of you. Not while Junshang is unstable." Mobei Jun was not as strong as the king should be. He feared for the rabbit. Especially with the plans being developed to destroy Xin Mo.

"You can use the time to cultivate," Mobei Jun suggested. "Grow stronger."

Mobei Jun watched. "The hatchling needs you."

Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Perfect," he muttered. He drew out a few paralysis talismans and lead the way to prod the doors open and look inside.

It was certainly a scene. The child was bound on a table/temporary alter. There was blood still oozing from a gash on her head. On the floor a hunched elderly man was using a brush, carefully painting runes on the floor.

Good, the child was clear. That would make this fight much easier. Shen Qingqiu kept up the quick slashes of his sword, each strike aimed to maim or cripple his target.

The bastard was slippery, dodging and bouncing narrowly out of the way. It was like he had eyes on the back of his head. He threw furniture, objects, anything to try and slow Shen Qingqiu down. Finally he ran head first into a wall. Instead of stopping though, the stone seemed to shift and melt around him, sucking him through.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed sharply and he reached out his qi to sense what was going on, trying to grasp what was around him. How was this man doing that? Was he still human?

The wall was fake. Sand colored and held together with qi. The cultivator's hesitation was just enough for the old man to push through and take off running down the street.

Shen Qingqiu snarled and pushed through the false wall following the man's trail. He would not be so easily shaken. The man had made a mistake in letting Shen Qingqiu sense him. He was not a tracker, but he would not forget the qi signature, and he could follow something this fresh with ease. The little girl was left behind. Shang Qinghua was far better with children anyways. He would take this man's blood.

The man was a runner, a track star. He was dodging around carts, quick turning around corners, even jumping over fences. Even he couldn't scale the city wall through. He made a turn, running along it, panting like a dying donkey.

Shen Qingqiu quickly pulled out a talisman and sent it at the demonic cultivator to paralyze him.

The man stumbled and collapsed on the ground, crying for help to passerbys. Seeing Shen Qingqiu’s common appearance and the old man's tattered robes they assumed it was a fight between the homeless and kept moving. One woman even going as far as to lift her skirt so the old man's grasping hands couldn't touch the hems.

Disgust twisted inside Shen Qingqiu, as much for the civilians he was meant to help as the demonic cultivator he was hunting. Grabbing him Shen Qingqiu struck the man brutally. There was no need to hold back. No one would care what he did here.

The man's head snapped back painfully as he gasped and whimpered pathetically. "Im just an old man im just an old begger! Please I didn't know it was yours! Please have mercy young man!"

"It?" Part of Shen Qingqiu recognized this was an act to make it seem like he was punishing a poor beggar for accidentally stealing. The rest of him boiled over. "Do you normally call little girls it? Or is that for any of your victims?" Shen Qingqiu snapped an arm and started dragging him back.

Shen Qingqiu hit the man again, more than happy to vent his frustration on him as he returned back to where Shang Qinghua was waiting.

The old building was lit with candles, the crime scene documented with sketches in Shang Qinghua's notebook. He had gathered the scattered papers, broken the circle, and treated the child’s injuries. The little girl sat on a bench outside, trying to warm her cold limbs in the sun. Shang Qinghua had wrapped her in an An Ding yellow cloak and given her some snacks. She looked up, startled like a small animal when Shen Qingqiu dragged back the old man.

Shen Qingqiu carefully didn't look at the little girl. She was a witness, and Shang Qinghua would handle it better. He crouched down to look at his victim. "You're a terrible cultivator," he told the man casually. "Your array is so full of flaws it's impressive it did anything."

Shen Qingqiu snorted and kicked the man. "Even with a guide to follow you couldn't manage it," he sneered. The original creator was likely alive and well away from here. They would have to look for clues before a centuries old demonic cultivator came out to destroy things.

The old man had the wind knocked out of him. Shang Qinghua held the book in one hand glaring down. "The crime of kidnapping and murder is execution. You commited such an act on multiple children." He studied the cover of the journal. "The act of practicing demonic arts is something that must be investigated. So how about a deal?" He smiled gently, like a kind but overworked clerk. "You tell us the whereabouts of the real owner of this book and we'll lighten the sentence?"

"I assure you whoever it is they are more than happy to sacrifice you," Shen Qingqiu said calmly. "There are no rewards from this master for acts of loyalty."

"You should take the child out of here," Shen Jiu said staring at the demonic cultivator. She didn't need to see this.

From his sleeve Shang Qinghua set a box on the nearby table. "Don't worry about the mess. Just knock twice on the lid and it will take care of it all." At the doorway he paused once more. "Shixiong, the name signed in this book is Wu." Then he slipped out, scooping the little girl up and quickly leaving.

Shang Qinghua had put his An Ding skill set to good use, the wall of the inn had been repaired and reinforced so such a small blast shouldn't send it flying off again. The girl was cleaned up and dressed, her head bandaged. She was eating in the common area, swollowing bowl after bowl of stew. Shang Qinghua was going through the inn keeper's books, telling her ways she could be improving. He looked up when Shen Qingqiu came in and waved.

Shen Qingqiu nodded regally. He kept ignoring the girl as he headed up. He was an adult, and she was a child, and they didn't know each other. Any pretense of innocence was forgotten in the reminder of what he truly was. His head ached.

Shen Qingqiu turned and looked at Shang Qinghua his expression softening faintly. "Good. She will have a place."

"She will, they'll be here in the morning." He didn't want to push and left Shen Qingqiu to rest. On the table in the room was the goldfish charm, if Shen Qingqiu wanted it.

Xiang Fei's feet twitched, ticklish even as he slept. Sorta slept. Really he was doing his best to meditate, using the bunny cultivation knowlege he gained from the shop. It was kinda difficult to focus with his king there, teasing him. Still he tried to lock in. He was making slow progress, but progress non the less.

Mobei Jun withdrew his hand. A moment later he reached over to very gently grasp one of those little twitching feet.

Xiang Fei huffed and opened one eye to look up at Mobei-Jun. He jerked his foot in an attempt to get free internally scolding his king for making this so hard.

Mobei Jun rumbled at Xiang Fei. "You are small."

Mobei Jun's lip twitched slightly. He stopped teasing the rabbit and switched back to gently petting him. "You will need to go to Shang Qinghua again."

"You cannot come to Junshang's court," Mobei Jun told the rabbit sternly. The place was a viper pit.

Mobei Jun watched the bunny tuck away. Adorable, and perfect for carrying him. But. "You will be found." The security was tight thanks to the harem. And innocents were not safe.

If Xiang Fei had been outside he would have seen the small twitch of Mobei Jun's lips that passed as a smile. If he wasn't determined to keep Xiang Fei forever he would have given in. He sat there in silence amd reached over a hand to gently place over the lump in his sleeve.

Xiang Fei paused in his ranging crawl. Mobei-Jun's hand was big and cool. He felt like he was tucked between two cold gel pads in summer. With a huff he deflated, still clinging to Mobei-jun's arm just still.

"I do not wish Junshang or his court to know of you. Not while Junshang is unstable." Mobei Jun was not as strong as the king should be. He feared for the rabbit. Especially with the plans being developed to destroy Xin Mo.

"You can use the time to cultivate," Mobei Jun suggested. "Grow stronger."

Shang Qinghua's decision to trap Mobei Wang with pups was working well. With the pups there the omega's focus was solely on them. He was not restless and seeking things out, just staying put right on his nest with intense focus on the pups. It was only after a week of caring for the pups that Mobei Wang finally acknowledged Shang Qinghua as a presence beyond a source for the food and baths that were needed. He purred at Shang Qinghua. "Qinghua, our pups." He held one out towards the alpha.

Mobei Wang purred approvingly at his alpha. So attentive. He waited a few minutes before accepting the child back. "They will grow," Mobei Wang said with confidence. "They will be strong."

"Of course they will," Shang Qinghua's head tilted to the side, a bit confused as to why Mobei-Wang was trying to convince him. "They are my king's offspring." There was no doubt that the little half demons would grow into powerful beings. The Mobei clan might not be heavenly, but they were a long line of rulers. The fact that the pups were born at all with no obvious malformations told of how powerful they would become.

Mobei Wang purred as if Shang Qinghua had spoken some grand statement instead of what was, to him, simple fact. He leaned over to press his forehead against Shang Qinghua's.

Shang Qinghua rumbled happily. He had missed Mobei-Wang, even if he had only been a breath away thos whole time, he hadn't been able to touch.

Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Perfect," he muttered. He drew out a few paralysis talismans and lead the way to prod the doors open and look inside.

It was certainly a scene. The child was bound on a table/temporary alter. There was blood still oozing from a gash on her head. On the floor a hunched elderly man was using a brush, carefully painting runes on the floor.

Good, the child was clear. That would make this fight much easier. Shen Qingqiu kept up the quick slashes of his sword, each strike aimed to maim or cripple his target.

The bastard was slippery, dodging and bouncing narrowly out of the way. It was like he had eyes on the back of his head. He threw furniture, objects, anything to try and slow Shen Qingqiu down. Finally he ran head first into a wall. Instead of stopping though, the stone seemed to shift and melt around him, sucking him through.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed sharply and he reached out his qi to sense what was going on, trying to grasp what was around him. How was this man doing that? Was he still human?

The wall was fake. Sand colored and held together with qi. The cultivator's hesitation was just enough for the old man to push through and take off running down the street.

Shen Qingqiu snarled and pushed through the false wall following the man's trail. He would not be so easily shaken. The man had made a mistake in letting Shen Qingqiu sense him. He was not a tracker, but he would not forget the qi signature, and he could follow something this fresh with ease. The little girl was left behind. Shang Qinghua was far better with children anyways. He would take this man's blood.

The man was a runner, a track star. He was dodging around carts, quick turning around corners, even jumping over fences. Even he couldn't scale the city wall through. He made a turn, running along it, panting like a dying donkey.

Shen Qingqiu quickly pulled out a talisman and sent it at the demonic cultivator to paralyze him.

The man stumbled and collapsed on the ground, crying for help to passerbys. Seeing Shen Qingqiu’s common appearance and the old man's tattered robes they assumed it was a fight between the homeless and kept moving. One woman even going as far as to lift her skirt so the old man's grasping hands couldn't touch the hems.

Disgust twisted inside Shen Qingqiu, as much for the civilians he was meant to help as the demonic cultivator he was hunting. Grabbing him Shen Qingqiu struck the man brutally. There was no need to hold back. No one would care what he did here.

The man's head snapped back painfully as he gasped and whimpered pathetically. "Im just an old man im just an old begger! Please I didn't know it was yours! Please have mercy young man!"

"It?" Part of Shen Qingqiu recognized this was an act to make it seem like he was punishing a poor beggar for accidentally stealing. The rest of him boiled over. "Do you normally call little girls it? Or is that for any of your victims?" Shen Qingqiu snapped an arm and started dragging him back.

Shen Qingqiu hit the man again, more than happy to vent his frustration on him as he returned back to where Shang Qinghua was waiting.

The old building was lit with candles, the crime scene documented with sketches in Shang Qinghua's notebook. He had gathered the scattered papers, broken the circle, and treated the child’s injuries. The little girl sat on a bench outside, trying to warm her cold limbs in the sun. Shang Qinghua had wrapped her in an An Ding yellow cloak and given her some snacks. She looked up, startled like a small animal when Shen Qingqiu dragged back the old man.

Shen Qingqiu carefully didn't look at the little girl. She was a witness, and Shang Qinghua would handle it better. He crouched down to look at his victim. "You're a terrible cultivator," he told the man casually. "Your array is so full of flaws it's impressive it did anything."

Shen Qingqiu snorted and kicked the man. "Even with a guide to follow you couldn't manage it," he sneered. The original creator was likely alive and well away from here. They would have to look for clues before a centuries old demonic cultivator came out to destroy things.

The old man had the wind knocked out of him. Shang Qinghua held the book in one hand glaring down. "The crime of kidnapping and murder is execution. You commited such an act on multiple children." He studied the cover of the journal. "The act of practicing demonic arts is something that must be investigated. So how about a deal?" He smiled gently, like a kind but overworked clerk. "You tell us the whereabouts of the real owner of this book and we'll lighten the sentence?"

"I assure you whoever it is they are more than happy to sacrifice you," Shen Qingqiu said calmly. "There are no rewards from this master for acts of loyalty."

"You should take the child out of here," Shen Jiu said staring at the demonic cultivator. She didn't need to see this.

From his sleeve Shang Qinghua set a box on the nearby table. "Don't worry about the mess. Just knock twice on the lid and it will take care of it all." At the doorway he paused once more. "Shixiong, the name signed in this book is Wu." Then he slipped out, scooping the little girl up and quickly leaving.

Shang Qinghua had put his An Ding skill set to good use, the wall of the inn had been repaired and reinforced so such a small blast shouldn't send it flying off again. The girl was cleaned up and dressed, her head bandaged. She was eating in the common area, swollowing bowl after bowl of stew. Shang Qinghua was going through the inn keeper's books, telling her ways she could be improving. He looked up when Shen Qingqiu came in and waved.

Shen Qingqiu nodded regally. He kept ignoring the girl as he headed up. He was an adult, and she was a child, and they didn't know each other. Any pretense of innocence was forgotten in the reminder of what he truly was. His head ached.

Shang Qinghua's decision to trap Mobei Wang with pups was working well. With the pups there the omega's focus was solely on them. He was not restless and seeking things out, just staying put right on his nest with intense focus on the pups. It was only after a week of caring for the pups that Mobei Wang finally acknowledged Shang Qinghua as a presence beyond a source for the food and baths that were needed. He purred at Shang Qinghua. "Qinghua, our pups." He held one out towards the alpha.

Mobei Wang purred approvingly at his alpha. So attentive. He waited a few minutes before accepting the child back. "They will grow," Mobei Wang said with confidence. "They will be strong."

"Of course they will," Shang Qinghua's head tilted to the side, a bit confused as to why Mobei-Wang was trying to convince him. "They are my king's offspring." There was no doubt that the little half demons would grow into powerful beings. The Mobei clan might not be heavenly, but they were a long line of rulers. The fact that the pups were born at all with no obvious malformations told of how powerful they would become.

Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Perfect," he muttered. He drew out a few paralysis talismans and lead the way to prod the doors open and look inside.

It was certainly a scene. The child was bound on a table/temporary alter. There was blood still oozing from a gash on her head. On the floor a hunched elderly man was using a brush, carefully painting runes on the floor.

Good, the child was clear. That would make this fight much easier. Shen Qingqiu kept up the quick slashes of his sword, each strike aimed to maim or cripple his target.

The bastard was slippery, dodging and bouncing narrowly out of the way. It was like he had eyes on the back of his head. He threw furniture, objects, anything to try and slow Shen Qingqiu down. Finally he ran head first into a wall. Instead of stopping though, the stone seemed to shift and melt around him, sucking him through.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes narrowed sharply and he reached out his qi to sense what was going on, trying to grasp what was around him. How was this man doing that? Was he still human?

The wall was fake. Sand colored and held together with qi. The cultivator's hesitation was just enough for the old man to push through and take off running down the street.

Shen Qingqiu snarled and pushed through the false wall following the man's trail. He would not be so easily shaken. The man had made a mistake in letting Shen Qingqiu sense him. He was not a tracker, but he would not forget the qi signature, and he could follow something this fresh with ease. The little girl was left behind. Shang Qinghua was far better with children anyways. He would take this man's blood.

The man was a runner, a track star. He was dodging around carts, quick turning around corners, even jumping over fences. Even he couldn't scale the city wall through. He made a turn, running along it, panting like a dying donkey.

Shen Qingqiu quickly pulled out a talisman and sent it at the demonic cultivator to paralyze him.

The man stumbled and collapsed on the ground, crying for help to passerbys. Seeing Shen Qingqiu’s common appearance and the old man's tattered robes they assumed it was a fight between the homeless and kept moving. One woman even going as far as to lift her skirt so the old man's grasping hands couldn't touch the hems.

Disgust twisted inside Shen Qingqiu, as much for the civilians he was meant to help as the demonic cultivator he was hunting. Grabbing him Shen Qingqiu struck the man brutally. There was no need to hold back. No one would care what he did here.

The man's head snapped back painfully as he gasped and whimpered pathetically. "Im just an old man im just an old begger! Please I didn't know it was yours! Please have mercy young man!"

"It?" Part of Shen Qingqiu recognized this was an act to make it seem like he was punishing a poor beggar for accidentally stealing. The rest of him boiled over. "Do you normally call little girls it? Or is that for any of your victims?" Shen Qingqiu snapped an arm and started dragging him back.

Shen Qingqiu hit the man again, more than happy to vent his frustration on him as he returned back to where Shang Qinghua was waiting.

The old building was lit with candles, the crime scene documented with sketches in Shang Qinghua's notebook. He had gathered the scattered papers, broken the circle, and treated the child’s injuries. The little girl sat on a bench outside, trying to warm her cold limbs in the sun. Shang Qinghua had wrapped her in an An Ding yellow cloak and given her some snacks. She looked up, startled like a small animal when Shen Qingqiu dragged back the old man.

Shen Qingqiu carefully didn't look at the little girl. She was a witness, and Shang Qinghua would handle it better. He crouched down to look at his victim. "You're a terrible cultivator," he told the man casually. "Your array is so full of flaws it's impressive it did anything."

Shen Qingqiu snorted and kicked the man. "Even with a guide to follow you couldn't manage it," he sneered. The original creator was likely alive and well away from here. They would have to look for clues before a centuries old demonic cultivator came out to destroy things.

The old man had the wind knocked out of him. Shang Qinghua held the book in one hand glaring down. "The crime of kidnapping and murder is execution. You commited such an act on multiple children." He studied the cover of the journal. "The act of practicing demonic arts is something that must be investigated. So how about a deal?" He smiled gently, like a kind but overworked clerk. "You tell us the whereabouts of the real owner of this book and we'll lighten the sentence?"

"I assure you whoever it is they are more than happy to sacrifice you," Shen Qingqiu said calmly. "There are no rewards from this master for acts of loyalty."

"You should take the child out of here," Shen Jiu said staring at the demonic cultivator. She didn't need to see this.

From his sleeve Shang Qinghua set a box on the nearby table. "Don't worry about the mess. Just knock twice on the lid and it will take care of it all." At the doorway he paused once more. "Shixiong, the name signed in this book is Wu." Then he slipped out, scooping the little girl up and quickly leaving.

Shang Qinghua had put his An Ding skill set to good use, the wall of the inn had been repaired and reinforced so such a small blast shouldn't send it flying off again. The girl was cleaned up and dressed, her head bandaged. She was eating in the common area, swollowing bowl after bowl of stew. Shang Qinghua was going through the inn keeper's books, telling her ways she could be improving. He looked up when Shen Qingqiu came in and waved.