Once Shen Jiu

Ehehe, it's about your favorite shixiong...

And he's your favorite, isn't he? Hehehe!

Well, he hasn't done anything, really... it's what his disciples are noticing about him! Come on, aren't you curious?

What are they noticing?

Ehehe, since you're asking, I'll tell you... it seems he has been happier, and gaining some weight! Isn't that nice?

Ehehe, it's about your favorite shixiong...

And he's your favorite, isn't he? Hehehe!

Well, he hasn't done anything, really... it's what his disciples are noticing about him! Come on, aren't you curious?

What are they noticing?

Ehehe, it's about your favorite shixiong...

And he's your favorite, isn't he? Hehehe!

Ehehe, it's about your favorite shixiong...

Shen Qingqiu tsked softly. He bent down and picked the toddler up setting him back down on the ground. "Clumsy."

Yue Kai beams up at Shen Qingqiu, then holds out the flowers. "For gege!"

"Yes, thank you." Shen Qingqiu put Yue Kai down and accepted the flowers. He looked over to Yue Qingyuan. "Shixiong."

Yue Qingyuan smiles and nods. "Yes. Kaikai was very excited to come."

"I can see that." Shen Qingqiu turned to lead the way back towards his home.

Yue Qingyuan follows, and Yue Kai trots right beside Shen Qingqiu's elegant strides.

Shen Qingqiu had never expected to be this involved with the child he had seen Yue Qingyuan seize as his second chance. It still felt strange that Yue Qingyuan hadn't discarded him entirely. He calmly let Yue Qingyuan and the toddler in and went to prepare tea.

Yue Kai continues to follow Shen Qingqiu. "Can I help make tea?" he asks slowly with big eyes.

Shen Qingqiu glanced at Yue Qingyuan, unsure if Yue Kai was able to do such things yet.

Yue Qingyuan nods. "Listen to your gege," he tells Yue Kai simply.

Shen Qingqiu was strict in instructing Yue Kai. He was quick to step in and correct any flaws.

Yue Kai is rather nervous as he closely follows Shen Qingqiu's instructions.

"Good." Shen Qingqiu nodded at Yue Kai and sipped his tea.

Shen Qingqiu gave a fond huff. "You spoil him." He spoiled Shen Qingqiu too, but Shen Qingqiu would be furious if Yue Qingyuan changed that.

"He's young," Yue Qingyuan excuses.

"Mm. You're not going to stop, are you?" Shen Qingqiu eyed Yue Qingyuan expectantly.

Yue Qingyuan opens and closes his mouth, looking for the correct response. "When... he asks not to be...?"

"Oh? You think he is capable of that?"

Yue Kai's bottom lip wobbles. "I love Diedie..."

Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened as he realized he'd upset the child. "You do," he repeated awkwardly.

Yue Qingyuan quickly pulls the sniffling toddler onto his lap. "Your gege was teasing. Don’t be sad."

"You are good to Yue Shixiong," Shen Qingqiu agreed awkwardly.

Yue Qingyuan startles as well, immediately woken up by Shen Qingqiu's panic. "Are you alright—?"

"Qi-ge?" Shen Qingqiu twisted quickly escaping his hold and figuring out what had happened. Ah, he had fallen asleep while Yue Qingyuan was reading to him. Short shivers still ran through his body.

Yue Qingyuan raises his hands face-up reflexively, wanting to show that he's done nothing wrong. "Y-you fell asleep. I didn’t want to wake you up. Sorry."

"It's fine." Shen Qingqiu swiftly busied himself tidying up his appearance. He took his time combing his hair back into place. Had he really grown so comfortable here? He glanced at Yue Qingyuan.

Yue Qingyuan is awkwardly staring at his hands, not wanting to stress Shen Qingqiu further.

"Shixiong."

"Qi-ge should fear me," Shen Jiu said with a purr. He tilted happily to allow for better petting.

"Of course," Yue Qingyuan repeats, trying not to whimper.

The blissed out cat didn't notice, eyes closing as he kept up the purring. He didn't have to do anything. Yue Qingyuan was right here.

Yue Qingyuan feels like he's being put through nine heavenly tribulations at once as Xiao-Jiu sits nearly naked in his lap, purring at his hands.

Shen Jiu could feel something nudging him. He glanced down and back up at Yue Qingyuan, radiating smugness. "Qi-ge wants this one."

"Uh," Yue Qingyuan croaks.

His expression darkened and claws dug into Yue Qingyuan. "Is it for someone else?"

Shen Qingqiu tsked softly. He bent down and picked the toddler up setting him back down on the ground. "Clumsy."

Yue Kai beams up at Shen Qingqiu, then holds out the flowers. "For gege!"

"Yes, thank you." Shen Qingqiu put Yue Kai down and accepted the flowers. He looked over to Yue Qingyuan. "Shixiong."

Yue Qingyuan smiles and nods. "Yes. Kaikai was very excited to come."

"I can see that." Shen Qingqiu turned to lead the way back towards his home.

Yue Qingyuan follows, and Yue Kai trots right beside Shen Qingqiu's elegant strides.

Shen Qingqiu had never expected to be this involved with the child he had seen Yue Qingyuan seize as his second chance. It still felt strange that Yue Qingyuan hadn't discarded him entirely. He calmly let Yue Qingyuan and the toddler in and went to prepare tea.

Yue Kai continues to follow Shen Qingqiu. "Can I help make tea?" he asks slowly with big eyes.

Shen Qingqiu glanced at Yue Qingyuan, unsure if Yue Kai was able to do such things yet.

Yue Qingyuan nods. "Listen to your gege," he tells Yue Kai simply.

Shen Qingqiu was strict in instructing Yue Kai. He was quick to step in and correct any flaws.

Yue Kai is rather nervous as he closely follows Shen Qingqiu's instructions.

"Good." Shen Qingqiu nodded at Yue Kai and sipped his tea.

Shen Qingqiu gave a fond huff. "You spoil him." He spoiled Shen Qingqiu too, but Shen Qingqiu would be furious if Yue Qingyuan changed that.

"He's young," Yue Qingyuan excuses.

"Mm. You're not going to stop, are you?" Shen Qingqiu eyed Yue Qingyuan expectantly.

Yue Qingyuan opens and closes his mouth, looking for the correct response. "When... he asks not to be...?"

"Oh? You think he is capable of that?"

Yue Kai's bottom lip wobbles. "I love Diedie..."

Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened as he realized he'd upset the child. "You do," he repeated awkwardly.

Yue Qingyuan startles as well, immediately woken up by Shen Qingqiu's panic. "Are you alright—?"

"Qi-ge?" Shen Qingqiu twisted quickly escaping his hold and figuring out what had happened. Ah, he had fallen asleep while Yue Qingyuan was reading to him. Short shivers still ran through his body.

Yue Qingyuan raises his hands face-up reflexively, wanting to show that he's done nothing wrong. "Y-you fell asleep. I didn’t want to wake you up. Sorry."

"It's fine." Shen Qingqiu swiftly busied himself tidying up his appearance. He took his time combing his hair back into place. Had he really grown so comfortable here? He glanced at Yue Qingyuan.

"Oh, hello, Xiao-Jiu!" Yue Qingyuan gives Shen Qingqiu a friendly smile, not knowing that he's intoxicated and very much antagonized.

"Ah—" Yue Qingyuan awkwardly wraps his arms around Shen Qingqiu so that he doesn’t fall. "Y-you’re... Ah..."

Shen Qingqiu furiously smacked him again. "You're the worst!"

"Qi-ge should fear me," Shen Jiu said with a purr. He tilted happily to allow for better petting.

"Of course," Yue Qingyuan repeats, trying not to whimper.

The blissed out cat didn't notice, eyes closing as he kept up the purring. He didn't have to do anything. Yue Qingyuan was right here.

Yue Qingyuan feels like he's being put through nine heavenly tribulations at once as Xiao-Jiu sits nearly naked in his lap, purring at his hands.

Shen Jiu could feel something nudging him. He glanced down and back up at Yue Qingyuan, radiating smugness. "Qi-ge wants this one."

Shen Qingqiu tsked softly. He bent down and picked the toddler up setting him back down on the ground. "Clumsy."

Yue Kai beams up at Shen Qingqiu, then holds out the flowers. "For gege!"

"Yes, thank you." Shen Qingqiu put Yue Kai down and accepted the flowers. He looked over to Yue Qingyuan. "Shixiong."

Yue Qingyuan smiles and nods. "Yes. Kaikai was very excited to come."

"I can see that." Shen Qingqiu turned to lead the way back towards his home.

Yue Qingyuan follows, and Yue Kai trots right beside Shen Qingqiu's elegant strides.

Shen Qingqiu had never expected to be this involved with the child he had seen Yue Qingyuan seize as his second chance. It still felt strange that Yue Qingyuan hadn't discarded him entirely. He calmly let Yue Qingyuan and the toddler in and went to prepare tea.

Yue Kai continues to follow Shen Qingqiu. "Can I help make tea?" he asks slowly with big eyes.

Shen Qingqiu glanced at Yue Qingyuan, unsure if Yue Kai was able to do such things yet.

Yue Qingyuan nods. "Listen to your gege," he tells Yue Kai simply.

Shen Qingqiu was strict in instructing Yue Kai. He was quick to step in and correct any flaws.

Yue Kai is rather nervous as he closely follows Shen Qingqiu's instructions.

"Good." Shen Qingqiu nodded at Yue Kai and sipped his tea.

Shen Qingqiu gave a fond huff. "You spoil him." He spoiled Shen Qingqiu too, but Shen Qingqiu would be furious if Yue Qingyuan changed that.

"He's young," Yue Qingyuan excuses.

"Mm. You're not going to stop, are you?" Shen Qingqiu eyed Yue Qingyuan expectantly.

Yue Qingyuan opens and closes his mouth, looking for the correct response. "When... he asks not to be...?"

"Oh? You think he is capable of that?"

Yue Qingyuan startles as well, immediately woken up by Shen Qingqiu's panic. "Are you alright—?"

"Qi-ge?" Shen Qingqiu twisted quickly escaping his hold and figuring out what had happened. Ah, he had fallen asleep while Yue Qingyuan was reading to him. Short shivers still ran through his body.

"Oh, hello, Xiao-Jiu!" Yue Qingyuan gives Shen Qingqiu a friendly smile, not knowing that he's intoxicated and very much antagonized.

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."

The inn rooms this time were properly comfortable. Shen Qingqiu didn't take long settling into his room before going over to check what Shang Qinghua was doing with his own time.

Shen Qingqiu quickly flicked open his fan to cover his face. "What are you doing shidi?"

"Floor time." Shang Qinghua sighed and patted the floor next to him. "Good for back and brain." He hummed, eyes closed.

"Laying on the floor is not good for you," Shen Qingqiu argued back.

"Some of us embody the spirit of shrimp in our daily work. A nice, cool, flat, surface can do wonders for me." He sighed, feeling his vertebrae slowly ease back into place.

Shen Qingqiu snorted and sat down beside him. "You're an immortal, and you're still suffering from bad posture."

"Every day of my infinite life." He sighed, usually he would just get picked up by his king and it would snap him back into place. Couldn't do that now. "While I realign my chakras, what would you like to do first? The baths are supposed to be awesome here. Food is well rated too."

"There's a garden here," Shen Qingqiu said almost casually. "I should check if their landscaping is good enough."

"Alright, I'll put on clothes." With a stretch Shang Qinghua rolled to his feet and went to his tossed aside outer robes, digging through the ratty sleeves until his bright An Ding Yellow were pulled free.

Shen Qingqiu watched Shang Qinghua casually discard his own relaxation to join him and looked away. He didn't mind it. Shang Qinghua was not an irritating presence to be around. Shen Qingqiu found himself vaguely pleased that Shang Qinghua still wanted to spend time with him. "Done with your floor time?"

"For now. If I lay stil for to long I'll get all stiff." He was dressed quickly in the more familiar and vibrant robes he liked to wear. "If we swing by the restaurant maybe they'll set up dinner at one of the garden pavilions."

"If the garden is suitable," Shen Qingqiu repeated, firmly repeating his doubts. He expected it to be beautiful, but he couldn't let himself seem appeased too 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."

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

The inn rooms this time were properly comfortable. Shen Qingqiu didn't take long settling into his room before going over to check what Shang Qinghua was doing with his own time.

Shen Qingqiu quickly flicked open his fan to cover his face. "What are you doing shidi?"

"Floor time." Shang Qinghua sighed and patted the floor next to him. "Good for back and brain." He hummed, eyes closed.

"Laying on the floor is not good for you," Shen Qingqiu argued back.

"Some of us embody the spirit of shrimp in our daily work. A nice, cool, flat, surface can do wonders for me." He sighed, feeling his vertebrae slowly ease back into place.

Shen Qingqiu snorted and sat down beside him. "You're an immortal, and you're still suffering from bad posture."

"Every day of my infinite life." He sighed, usually he would just get picked up by his king and it would snap him back into place. Couldn't do that now. "While I realign my chakras, what would you like to do first? The baths are supposed to be awesome here. Food is well rated too."

"There's a garden here," Shen Qingqiu said almost casually. "I should check if their landscaping is good enough."

"Alright, I'll put on clothes." With a stretch Shang Qinghua rolled to his feet and went to his tossed aside outer robes, digging through the ratty sleeves until his bright An Ding Yellow were pulled free.

Shen Qingqiu watched Shang Qinghua casually discard his own relaxation to join him and looked away. He didn't mind it. Shang Qinghua was not an irritating presence to be around. Shen Qingqiu found himself vaguely pleased that Shang Qinghua still wanted to spend time with him. "Done with your floor time?"