2. How To Make The Protagonist Treats You Better?
Getting used to living at Huan Hua Palace had been easier than Shen Qingqiu had first thought it would be. He would wander around, some times helping around when other disciples needed it. Since he wasn't needed by Luo Binghe, at least for now, he would find something to do. Helping around was better than being locked in his room to do nothing else.
He had learned about Liu Qingge battles with the Demon Lord, even witnessing one of them. He had been surprised, not expecting for the Peak Lord to come and battle Luo Binghe over... him? He was still unsure about what exactly they were fighting, but it had been an interesting fight. Although he did had to hide his face just as more, not needing for Liu Qingge to be confused.
He had gotten used to hiding his face, walking around the palace with a veil ready to hide the bottom half of his face when he was around Luo Binghe. Some were even impressed by how quickly he would catch on the man's scent when he was coming in their direction from another hallway. This comment had been a bit confusing, after all, wasn't Luo Binghe scent really strong compared to everyone else? He didn't ask anyone else, not wanting for it to come across too badly.
He even managed to be on good terms with other disciples, mostly omegas and betas, making his days a bit less lonely. On the other hand, his relationship with the handful of other alphas in the Palace could be improved. As he had thought, he wasn't submissive enough for them, even standing up for others when they were going overboard. This is probably how he ended up with a little pack of weaker omega following him and befriending him. He was starting to be known as the omega who acted like an alpha.
The first time he decided to bark back when someone decided to fuck with him they had threatened to talk about it to Luo Binghe. How could the man accept such a wild omega in his palace? And it did worry him a bit, yet he never saw anything coming from it and the alpha even left him alone for some time. So he assumed that as long as he wasn't acting like this towards Luo Binghe himself, he was free to act the way he wanted to.
He was even able to talk with Sha Hualing from time to time, but it was always filled with sarcasm and jab at each other. It was far from being friendly, but it was already better than her wanting to murder him on sight.
The little palace mistress didn't care about him, which was good, he would rather not be included in whatever mess was going on over there. He had no clue what had happened to the old Palace Master, as it was not in the original novel, and he didn't felt like he wanted to know. Something was telling him Luo Binghe had probably done something.
Only his relationship with the Demon Lord stayed the exact same. As little contact with him as possible. Always hiding his face so he doesn't accidentally decide to kill him because he looks like Shen Qingqiu. Potentially staying as far away as possible so people didn't believe he was somehow trying to seduce him or something.
So, if he was putting aside that he was basically being held here by force so Luo Binghe could suck on his spiritual energy, everything was somewhat doing alright.
At least, if he had not started noticing just how calming and relaxing Luo Binghe's presence was. He felt like maybe he should have been like others, a bit tense by the oppressive aura around him and the cold expression on his face. Yet there was something about him that was soothing. Even his scent was pleasant, warm and a bit spicy as if he had just finished preparing food, only reminding him of how much he missed his disciple cooking.
He had picked up rather quickly that no one else could smell him from that far away or even only picking up his scent even when there were many alphas around. He had been worried about what all this meant, but he was scared to ask and discover what was the meaning behind all of this. It was not the time to realised he was somehow attracted to Luo Binghe, or at least his body was when the man was seemingly still obsessed with his previous him.
Then came the first time the Demon Lord needed his help, entering his room all of a sudden when Shen Qingqiu was done changing. It had made him jump, not expecting anyone, even less Luo Binghe, to suddenly burst into his room. He had quickly reached for his veil, not wanting to keep his back to the man.
"How can I help Lord Luo?" he asked a bit awkwardly, reaching for an outer robe he could put over the other. He watched the man walking to his bed, sitting on the side of it, his usual cold expression still on his face. "Have you already forgotten why you are here and alive?".
Oh. So it was time for that already? He had nearly forgotten about it. Nearly.
He watched the sitting man, before he was given a questioning glare, clearly asking 'what are you waiting for'. He quickly made his way to stand in front of him, not daring to sit down if he wasn't asked for. The man didn't look to be in such a great mood, he wouldn't risk making it worst.
Without a word, a hand was back on his chest and it was yet again as if he had been punched, the cold and painful feeling of his energy seeping out of him, only to be replaced with demonic one spreading through his body and just hurting. Really, wasn't there a less painful way to do it? He would be less reluctant to do it if it didn't felt like he was dying every time.
He was soon helping himself standing up by grabbing the man's shoulder, not letting go even when he tried shrugging him off. Despite that, the Demon Lord didn't try again to shrug him off. Maybe he thought it was better to have him grab his shoulder rather than fall on him? Less physical contact that way.
They were soon done, Luo Binghe letting go of him and standing up, nearly making him lose balance since the shoulders were now suddenly higher. The man didn't check on him, leaving as suddenly as he had come in, leaving behind a panting Shen Qingqiu, waiting for his spiritual energy to come back in him. No, this was very much not pleasant.
Despite his spiritual energy back, he felt drained by this exchange, sighing at what seemed to be his new reality. He supposed he would get used to it at some point, but it didn't mean it was making him happier. He started to miss the good old days on Qing Jing Peak, where he would teach Luo Binghe how to fight, or eat his food, or anything other than this cold behaviour.
That night, when he went to sleep in the hope that he could catch some good rest, all he did was waking up in a place o too familiar, but where he hadn't set foot in so long. It wasn't really long before the System decided to be useful, telling him he was inside of Luo Binghe dreamscape.
This made him wonder why was he here? Had the Demon Lord figured it out? Had he been brought into this dreamscape by accident?
After some thinking, he remembered something he had read about it, realising that he had been brought here most likely by accident since he had already been there once with the master of the place. He sighed a bit, throwing away the thought of having a good night of sleep.
He stood up inside of the room, looking around a bit with a fond smile, some memories coming back to his mind. A quick look into a bronze mirror and he was able to confirm this was the original Shen Qingqiu body. It was weird to be back into an alpha body after so long, even in a dream it felt different.
He decided to go out, wondering where exactly would be Luo Binghe in this world. His wonders were cut short when he was joined by a younger version of the man, making his expression turn softer at his sight. How refreshing was it to see such a lively, innocent and happy Luo Binghe. He decided that it wouldn't be so bad playing back into the memory, not sensing the master of the place anywhere anyway.
He did so until he gently dismissed the young man to go and regain some energy, although he was pretty sure Luo Binghe had probably gone back to the kitchen to make some food.
This is when he noticed the real Luo Binghe standing to the side, nearly making him startle, before he regained his composure quickly, keeping the facade he always had kept with Shen Qingqiu. With some luck, he wasn't too rusty in playing the Qing Jing Peak Lord.
He wasn't sure what to do now that he had noticed him and more, that Luo Binghe knew this "dream Shizun" had also noticed him. It was a strange feeling, that to go from the young and innocent Luo Binghe to the present one. The only difference was that this time he couldn't smell his scent too much.
What a shame.
He quickly shoved this thought away, instead offering a small smile to the Demon Lord when he called out to him with a gentle "Shizun", nodding his head in a greeting. He had not expected the Demon Lord to look shocked as if something unexpected had happened. Yet it shouldn't be, he had always replied when his disciple had called out to him in the past.
He then saw him quickly walk to him, reaching to grab his sleeve, only to stop in his movement, looking a bit worried. Was he scared he would vanish if he did? Now that he was thinking about it, he felt like it had very likely happened in the past.
He then heard the mechanical voice of the System ring in his ears again, seemingly ready to be as annoying as it was in the past.
[Would you accept the mission "Reassuring and Helping the Protagonist Clear His Mind" for extra B points?]
So Luo Binghe was troubled by something? It was hard to think otherwise, but it was good to have it confirmed. He assumed it shouldn't be too hard, so he quickly accepted it.
[You have successfully accepted the task! Failure in the task will lead to B points taken away, do your best!]
What! Wasn't it supposed to be bonus points!? Didn't it mean he shouldn't lose anything? He quickly asked the System if he could refuse, only to freeze when he heard it would only take away more B points to cancel it.
He kept in a groan, taking a deep breath.
Okay, it shouldn't be too hard, he could most likely deal with whatever was troubling Luo Binghe. It shouldn't be too hard to do for once.
He smiled at the man, reaching to pat his head, he had been wanting to do it for some time now, showing him he wouldn't suddenly disappear. He did well, as the man visibly relaxed a bit more, leaning up into the touch before Shen Qingqiu took his hand back.
"Is something wrong? Binghe seems troubled by something" he pointed out, not needing to act his concern. He was worried about his disciple being this trouble by things. Sometimes he just wanted to cut away from the role he had in the Huan Hua Palace and just go up to the Demon Lord, patting his head and show him everything would be alright, Shizun is here.
But he couldn't. So he would do it here.
He was a bit surprised when he gripped his wrists, feeling himself being gently pulled back to the bamboo house. He silently followed, sitting down when he saw Luo Binghe going to make some tea. Maybe he was trying to think about what was troubling him? He simply waited, taking the tea that was given to him before seeing the man sitting with him.
"I was surprised when Shizun answered me, it has never happened before" he finally admitted to him, making something in Shen Qingqiu twist. Him? Not answering? When?
Maybe when he was sure Luo Binghe was tried to get revenge? Or maybe it was what Luo Binghe was thinking he would do? Where did he mess up for him to think so? "Shizun won't suddenly disappear now, so you do not need to worry about it" he tried to reassure softly, although he wasn't sure if he would be pulled here every time Luo Binghe was in a dream with a dream version of him. "Do you want to talk about what is troubling you? This Shizun would like to know, maybe he can help".
The Demon Lord then seemed to hesitate a bit, before starting "There's this new vessel Sha Hualing found" he started to explain, Shen Qingqiu simply nodding to show he was listening. Now he would see what the man was thinking about him, he tried hiding his little smile behind his fan. "Is there a problem with this new vessel?" he simply asked, trying to nudge Luo Binghe to tell him more.
"He bears a lot of resemblance with Shizun, but..." he started before hesitating, Shen Qingqiu slightly raising a brow at his pause, "But he's an omega".
Shen Qingqiu had somewhat expected it, but he was still a bit disappointed that it was really how he thought about it. He kept himself from clicking his tongue, instead suddenly snapping his fan close to gently hit him on the head. Luo Binghe then looked confused and wronged, not understanding why he had just been hit by his dear Shizun. For a short moment, this reminded him of his younger self, the Peak lord unable to keep in the soft smile that came to his lips, before quickly regaining himself.
"Have I not taught you better than this? I thought I had made it clear that omegas are our equal, I am saddened to see my disciple decided not to follow my teaching". With this, Luo Binghe looked a bit panicked, suddenly grabbing his free hand, "No! I didn't mean it like that! It's just... a bit hard to get used to when he looks so much like you".
"Would Binghe see me as less if I wasn't an alpha?" he asked, quickly seeing him shake his head and nearly yell out a "No!". "Then there's no reason to treat this omega differently simply because he resembles me" He offered, this time allowing the soft smile on his lips, "Why don't you leave him a chance to show what he can do instead?" he suggested.
Luo Binghe nodded, looking a bit unsure at his suggestion, but clearly ready to accept it if it was coming from his Shizun. "I am proud to see my disciple choosing a better option like this" he commented, some more lights coming to the Demon Lord eyes, looking really happy to be praised like this. "Would you tell me how this omega is? This Shizun is curious to know how he acts".
The Demon Lord finally let go of his hand, at first a bit thoughtful. "He is... different from other omegas" he started, which was something Shen Qingqiu already knew about, people were not always discreet when talking about what they thought of him, especially the alphas. "It as if he has never been raised like one, filled with fight and pride, not ready to bow down to anyone because of who he is" he continued, "But he's also... really good with others, at least anyone other than the alphas, you would probably like him Shizun, as he's ready to stand up for the other omegas.
"Even if I only took him in for his spiritual energy, he started working around the Palace helping other omega and beta in their tasks, without anyone asking him to do it."
Shen Qingqiu was a bit surprised; he had not expected the man to notice this much about him. For all he knew Luo Binghe had ignored him up until he needed his spiritual energy, barely acknowledging his presence when he was there. But he supposes he was also the new Palace master, so it would have been surprising if he hadn't heard any of what he had done.
Yet he had not expected for him to find this to be a good thing, many would see this as bad and looking for a fight. Well, he supposed it was rather nice to know it was the contrary of what he had assumed. Always better than more bad point given in his direction.
Luo Binghe seemed like he was going to add something else but stop before doing so. Shen Qingqiu wanted to know but ended up not doing so, not wanting to go too deep and but suspicion on himself.
"I see, what a hardworking and useful person you found here" he commented, feeling a bit weird to compliment himself like this. He was simply doing it because otherwise he would be bored and feel guilty about not doing anything. Same for standing up for other omegas, what was he supposed to do? Stand to the side and watch?
Then everything around them seems to shake a bit, Shen Qingqiu trying not to react to it, looking at Luo Binghe frowning a bit instead. Was he emerging from his sleep? Had someone decided to come and wake him up?
"I suppose I will have to keep Shizun updated in my next dream" he simply commented, clearly not knowing this "dream" Shen Qingqiu wasn't really part of the dream. He simply smiled at him, before everything back to absolute darkness.
[Congratulation, °˖✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧˖°! You have successfully helped the protagonist clear his mind and reassure him! 50 B point have been added to the count.]
What a cheap bonus, but it was better than nothing he supposed. Plus, if everything was going well, Luo Binghe would probably be a little less hostile towards him.
This message was soon followed by him waking up, laying down a bit longer on his bed as he looked at the wall.
This had been... an interesting talk. He had not expected to learn that Luo Binghe opinions of his current self weren't as bad as he first thought they were. He imagined this was a win for now, maybe his Shizun wise words would even make him a bit lost hostile and cold towards him, that could be nice too.
He soon rose from his bed, getting ready for the day. After all, he couldn't just lazy around in bed when many things were to be done. Not after the Demon Lord acknowledged how he had been working since he got there.
He does not meet Luo Binghe for nearly the whole day, unsure what to do if he did. It would not be a problem per se, he was just wondering what would happen after their little talk. Just as he was thinking about it again, he caught onto the alpha's scent, quickly putting his veil back up.
He and the other omegas following him to go put some documents in the library stopped to politely greeted Luo Binghe and Sha Hualing. This is when the Demon Lord decide to stray from his usual habit of just nodding back or ignore them, stopping too instead. This made the two other omegas freeze, wondering if they did something bad.
Yet Shen Qingqiu should probably have been the most worried one, as he soon saw a hand reach for him. Two instincts then wanted to kick in at the same time: the omega one wanted to let him do whatever he wanted even if it was bad, while his survival one thought it was it, Luo Binghe had changed his mind and didn't want him around anymore.
Yet, before he could really do anything, the hand grabbed his veil, taking it off. This made him tense, looking up at Luo Binghe a bit confused. The man only looked at him for a while, studying his face with a slight frown.
He then simply hummed, seemingly ready to get back on whatever he was doing before. "Lord Luo?" he called out, unsure how he should ask for his veil back.
"You won't need it anymore, I'll just throw it away" he received as the Demon Lord didn't even turn towards him, leaving the little group behind. Shen Qingqiu sure didn't know what to do about this. Did it mean he wouldn't need to wear it anymore? Was it how Luo Binghe had decided to start treating him better? By allowing him to look like Shen Qingqiu with no problem or treats of having his face ripped off?
Well... he supposed it was a start. A bizarre one, but still one. He left a small smile slip on his lips, before turning when he heard a slightly confused disciple ask what had just happened. He then put back a look of being confused too, shrugging at them "Maybe Lord Luo is in a good mood" he simply said.
How could he explain Luo Binghe was trying to treat him better without it sounding weird?