Chapter Text
Shen Qingqiu's contempt for his sectmates is reciprocated. Despite the fact that they whisper behind his back how arrogant he is, dissecting his unfriendly and lonely personality, mocking any trifling mistake and reproaching him for responding to Yue Qingyuan's sympathy with cruel coldness. Certainly, there are very few positive qualities to describe him, but he at least is not a hypocrite. Shen Qingqiu has never hidden his disgust from others, while they smile at him and then stab him in the back with poisonous rumors.
Although 99% of his decisions are harshly criticized by his sectmates, even the logical ones and beneficial to Cang Qiong, there is only one that everyone appreciates: Shen Qingqiu's tendency to choose long missions away from the sect. Neither they want to be close to him nor does he want to be close to them, so over time they came to a silent agreement that these missions were for him.
For Shen Qingqiu, it’s a vacation where he can relax from the pressure of the sect and the punishment that is taking care of so many rude brats. Thanks to his efficiency, Shen Qingqiu finishes tasks in no time and then takes walks and searches for new cultivation manuals or investigates rumors that lead him to secret realms or the den of terrible monsters.
Sometimes he helps ordinary people who cannot afford to pay a large sect. Sometimes he goes after enslavers just for the price of murdering them. And other times, he enjoys a relaxing stay in a brothel listening to music and savoring sweets.
Those trips are so precious for the sake of his sanity that Shen Qingqiu's mood always turns sour when something unforeseen happens. And the Qing Jing Peak Lord's icy heart burns with rage and frustration, as his expression darkens further, and his voice sharpens like a dagger.
Everybody knew.
Everyone... except a demon.
The demon appears before he has reached his destination. Shen Qingqiu frowns since they are far from the Demon Realm. Those roads are safe and quiet, there are not even ferocious beasts in the nearby forests. However, the demon doesn't bother to hide his nature. A purple seal glows on his forehead and there is something feline in his manner, in the way he walks towards him. He is beautiful, more than any human, although his symmetrical features are ruined by a scowl.
He stops in front of Shen Qingqiu and greets him with an unexpectedly respectful bow.
"This one's name is Liu Qingge," he introduced himself. Despite the noble elegance of his gestures, Shen Qingqiu recognizes the tension of an animal that has been dressed in expensive clothes. "I hope I didn't scare you, cultivator. I'm looking for powerful opponents in the Human Realm."
Shen Qingqiu snorts as he waves his fan until he hides his expression.
"As if this master was so easy to scare," he replies dismissively. "Leave, demon. I'm busy and I don't want to waste my time with your nonsense." Xiu Ya appears in his hand after a flash. "But if you dare to disturb the humans, I will have no choice but to expel you."
Liu Qingge looks confused.
"Why would I bother humans? Mortals are pathetically weak. I'm only looking for powerful opponents." His gaze lingers on the sword and his brow softens. "You are Shen Qingqiu, right? From Cang Qiong Mountain Sect. The Qing Jing Peak Lord. The Xiu Ya sword."
"Indeed." Shen Qingqiu squints his eyes, watching each of the eccentric demon's gestures. "But I'm busy and, as I said, I hate wasting time. Leave, I'm not going to fight you."
"Fight with me?" Liu Qingge tilts his head. "What are you talking about? You are one of the twelve weakest Peak Lords. No, I am looking for Yue Qingyuan. You are close, right?" Shen Qingqiu tenses not from the insult he's used to, but from the hint of the demon. "Can you come with me, cultivator?"
"Obviously not." Shen Qingqiu hisses, drawing his sword. "I‘m not any kind of hostage."
The demon sighs before summoning a sword shrouded in dark qi.
"I hope you can entertain me, Master Shen. Although I would prefer you to join me for the good. It would be very dishonorable of me to injure the lure when my intentions are simply to measure my strength against the sect leader Yue."
Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, one of the country's great cultivation sects, is in chaos. The second Peak Lord, the infamous Shen Qingqiu, has been kidnapped by a Demon Lord named Liu Qingge! The message came to them in a letter challenging Yue Qingyuan to a duel in exchange for Shen Qingqiu's freedom.
Faced with such an urgent situation, the eleven Peak Lords have met Qiong Ding Peak to discuss what to do.
Ten think that the sect should not agree to blackmail and only the leader is in favor of facing his mysterious enemy. Although they defend their positions with solid arguments, they are all motivated by selfish desires. Yue Qingyuan would sacrifice anything to get his Xiao Jiu back, while the rest would sacrifice anything to get rid of Shen Qingqiu.
The debate is at a deadpoint when the door opens and Shen Qingqiu enters. The confusion is as reciprocal as their contempt. They look at him with wide eyes and unable to utter a word, while he meets their gaze with a frown.
"What's going on?" He hisses, furious. "I have just returned when I discover that a meeting is being arranged in my absence."
Although everyone has a lot of experience dealing with demons, Shen Qingqiu is the most terrifying of all living beings on the planet. His anger covers the entire room and makes them shiver. Shen Qingqiu has not yet entered: he has stood on the threshold with his arms crossed and his fingers caressing his fan as if it were a sword.
Yue Qingyuan is the only one who dares to clear his throat.
"I'm glad you're fine, shidi." He starts. Despite his sincere voice, his smile is weak and faltering. "We had received a threatening letter. Saying that shidi had been kidnapped."
Shen Qingqiu first frowns in confusion, then his eyes widen and he clicks his tongue in disdain.
"Stupid demon! Who would send the letter when you still have nothing?" He mutters to himself.
Those words don’t reassure anyone.
"Is shidi okay?" Yue Qingyuan asks tentatively. "What demon?"
"An annoying pest. I already got rid of him." He shakes his hand, dismissing the matter. "Stop meeting for nonsense. I’m Shen Qingqiu, no stupid demon will be able to take a Peak Lord. At least not this one." His gaze lingers on the others, silently hinting that they are weaker and more vulnerable than him. "Yue Qingyuan, I need another mission."
With Shen Qingqiu's return, they all finally reached a new agreement: his sectmate needs a new mission to relax or they would suffer his mood poisoned by rage.
Despite his royal lineage, Liu Qingge has never cared about political intrigues, servants, or demonic nobility. Since he was little, he has done what he wanted and no one has ever been able to stop him. Liu Qingge is that nightmare who doesn’t respect borders and hunts the most impressive monsters but also challenges powerful demons.
For those reasons, Mobei-Jun is his best and only friend: he also does what he wants, as well as being an interesting opponent.
His friend is sitting on the snow, reading some letters, when Liu Qingge arrives. While one is silent like a snowfall, the other is noisy like a collapsing mountain. Mobei-Jun lifts his head without interest, but he raises an eyebrow at the state of his friend.
"I see you have found a worthy rival," he comments with the same interest as if he was talking about the weather.
Liu Qingge stiffens hearing him.
"Worthy? WORTHY?" He hisses. "I haven't even been able to get close to the famous sect leader Yue Qingyuan!"
"So who has left you like this?" His usually dull gaze glows with curiosity as he makes out the scratches and wounds that cover the proud and elegant bearing of the noble demon.
Liu Qingge clenches his fists.
"Another cultivator. Shen Qingqiu." He spits his name out with contempt.
Shen Qingqiu is as beautiful as the rumors say. When Liu Qingge said that he didn’t want to hurt him, he lowered his sword and bowed his head. As Liu Qingge imagined, the scholar from Cang Qiong Sect wasn’t a warrior, but rather someone intelligent who knew how to recognize a superior opponent.
Or so he believed for an instant.
"He attacked me from behind! Can you believe it?" Liu Qingge moved hysterically around his friend. "He used a lot of dirty tricks!"
"But you're used to it, aren't you?"
"He has been worse than any savage demon! He hit me on the crotch!” Humiliation crackles in his words. “He is supposed to be a cultivator! And cultivators are virtuous and noble! I am the demon and I was more polite than him!" Rage burned on his cheeks, coloring them. "It wasn't fair."
That is the first time that Liu Qingge, a heavenly demon spoiled by his innate talent, has uttered those words. He takes a deep breath, trying to regain control.
"It's okay. Next time I will defeat him. We will fight with dignity and then I will be able to face the legendary sword Xuan Su."