4. How To Trick An Alpha Into Making Things Less Painful? Be Shizun
The second time Shen Qingqiu woke up in his bamboo house he wasn't as lost and surprised as the first time. It was only a day after Shang Qinghua visit, where he had seemingly troubled the man with his lies. Would he get dragged in here every time the Demon Lord got more troubled by something? Not that he really minded, he did enjoy being in the dreamscape, in a way, despite its meaning he had to be careful about what he was doing or saying.
This time again he was met with a familiar scene, a younger and more innocent Luo Binghe running up to him to ask if they could train together again. He obliged, feeling rather nostalgic at the idea of helping his disciples training their swords technique or guide them in their cultivation. Maybe he could offer some of the omegas at Huan Hua Palace to help train them? They often seem left out of the training ground by the alphas and betas.
A true shame, he was sure some of them could become strong, at least only if they are being pushed a little bit.
After his training, he gently sent the boy away to wash and rest, telling him to take a break before doing anything else. He watched him disappear inside the bamboo house, leaving him outside to fan himself. He then slowly looked around, trying to hide the fact that he was looking for Luo Binghe, suspecting he had probably watched him do all this. Was it fun watching memories like this one?
His gaze soon found a dark figure leaning against the bamboo house, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes accidentally locked with his, something he had tried avoiding since he had gotten to Huan Hua Palace. He kept himself from avoiding them, remembering that he wasn't "Huang Hua" here, but Shen Qingqiu. He nodded with a smile, waving him to follow him, guiding him back inside the bamboo house so they could go and sit down to talk.
He wasn't really surprised to see some tea already ready, allowing a little chuckle to escape his lips as he poured them some tea. "How have things been since last time? Has your situation bettered?" he asked, turning only to catch a weird expression on Luo Binghe's face. Only briefly. Had he said something wrong? He couldn't really say, but the man not saying anything and instead just sitting down to take a sip of his tea was enough to keep him reassured for now. Maybe it had been his imagination.
"Things have been doing... better" he did receive, Luo Binghe seemingly thinking back to how the last two weeks and a half had been. At least he knew he wasn't lying about this, as it was true Luo Binghe had bettered his attitude towards him. It was really a nice thing to see, especially for himself. "This Shizun is happy to hear about it then" he smiled, taking a sip from his tea, "How did you improve things?" he asked curiously, wondering what the Demon Lord thought he had done.
"I took away his veil so he doesn't need to hide his face anymore, I also started greeting him back when we meet... we are even able to talk". Well talking was generous, as they were never big discussions, but he supposed it was pretty good for a start. Especially compared to how everything started. He noticed how the man was looking at him, expectantly. It made him laugh a bit, reaching to pat his head. "This is a good start, this Shizun is proud of Binghe for the effort he puts into it".
He felt Luo Binghe lean into his touch, making his heart ache. He really wishes he could do this more often, the alpha looked touch starved, at least from his Shizun. He went back to his tea, drinking some again. "Is there any new trouble that came up with him recently?" he asked, wondering if he would talk about what happened two days ago. Hopefully, he would be told the Demon Lord wasn't suspecting any lies.
The man then hesitated a bit, "he did mention... that it hurt when I take his spiritual energy" he admitted as if scared he would be scolded for hurting an omega. He even looked nearly ready to beg for his Shizun forgiveness, or punishment, for not following his teaching of being a bit more gentle towards this new omega. "Maybe Shizun could help me understand what I do incorrectly".
Shen Qingqiu felt a bit cornered at the question because he too had no clue why it was hurting so much. He had simply guessed his body wasn't meant to take this much demonic energy in one go. "How are you doing it?" he simply asked to get more time, supposing it could help a little to have him spell it out.
Then Luo Binghe told how he only touches him a little bit, pushing demonic energy in as he would take spiritual energy out. "I usually do it quickly so it can finish quicker" be finished, making Shen Qingqiu nod a bit pensive. These were all thing he already knew; he couldn't see what was wrong.
"Maybe Binghe should try and do it more slowly?" he ended up suggesting after some time. "Maybe you are simply trying to go too fast and the suddenly amount of energy in him is too much". Yeah, this sounded logical, it was one of the options he could manage to pull. What could be the problem otherwise? Not enough contact? He doubted so.
The idea didn't seem to be to Luo Binghe liking, apparently still not into the idea of being around him for such a long period of time. Still, he clearly gave it some thinking before nodding in agreement. "Shizun must be right". He wanted to chuckle a bit at how easy it was for him to accept his words, he could have said the craziest suggestion and he would probably have accepted too.
Afterwards, they spoke more, although Huang Hua had left the discussion, only talking about old memories and how Luo Binghe was doing in general. There was so much he had missed and so much he was still missing from not being with him all the time. He really wished the alpha would accept to let his present self get closer to him so he could also help out.
The dream ended less abruptly than last time, the Demon Lord probably waking up a bit more naturally. He didn't quite get what he was told before he woke up too, a short stretch of darkness before emerging from his sleep, staying in bed a bit longer to adjust to the switch in decor. He sat up, thinking back to what he had told Luo Binghe.
Would he really accept to do the process more slowly? Would he be irritated while doing so? Well, he supposed it was easier to deal with a cranky Demon Lord than with pain he couldn't ease.
But now he was a bit nervous to see it happen. But he shouldn't be looking to do it for now right? It had only been three weeks at best, he should be alright?
He was very wrong, as the very next day he was nearly dragged back to his room after lunch. Luo Binghe took his seat again on the side of his bed, waiting as Shen Qingqiu just stood there in front of the closed door. He ended up getting closer again, stopping to stand right in front of him like the last time they did it.
This was apparently not close enough because he was suddenly pulled forward, half-falling in Luo Binghe's laps, a knee on the bed to support him while his other foot stayed on the floor. He then felt hands placing themselves on his hips, trying to twist him around. He then grabbed his upper arms, trying not to be turned around like this, something in him sending an alarm to not let an alpha so easily close to the back his neck. He doubted Luo Binghe would do anything, be he was not taking the chance.
The Demon Lord did look slightly irritated by his lack of cooperation but ended up simply giving up, as it was probably easier to not force him around. He was instead lifted up a bit, terrifyingly easily, before being settle in his laps, knees on each side of Luo Binghe thighs. "Don't complain if this position gets tiring" he simply warned him. He quickly nodded, promising not to complain. This was already better than needing to stand up.
It wasn't really long before hands were back on him, apparently ready to start already, making him tense unconsciously, bracing himself for the pain. Yet this time it never came, only a slight discomfort running through him. After his initial surprise, he looked up to the Demon Lord, only to see that he was focusing on what he was doing, seemingly to make sure the flow stayed steady and slower.
They were going to be there for quite some time then.
He settles his hand on his own laps, sitting a bit more comfortably, testing to see if he was bothered by him fully sitting in his laps. Apparently not, or at least not enough to have him being warned of not doing it. His poor legs would probably not have enjoyed elevating him only slightly above him for so long.
After observing Luo Binghe unmoving expression, he ended up closing his eyes, a bit bored since he couldn't do much and the man didn't seem ready to speak any time soon.
He could nearly feel how hard the alpha was working, making him smile slightly without knowing. He really wanted to soothe away his frown by patting his head and tell him how great he was doing. But of course, he couldn't do that, it was probably not a good idea.
Then the flow suddenly hitched, a spark of pain going through him making him open his eyes to an annoyed Luo Binghe. "Are you trying to soothe me with your scent?" he asked a bit harshly, making him suddenly confused. What was he talking about?! He wasn't doing anything, was he? Thinking about it couldn't have made him do something akin to what he wanted to do? Right!?
He wanted to be impressed at how steady and slow the flow had gotten back to despite how the alpha seemed to be right now, thankful he wasn't using this as a punishment. "I-I am not doing that! At least I didn't mean to, this servant will try and find how to stop it" he quickly replied, trying to find how the fuck did this body works. How was he supposed to know how to do that? Was it the same as when he was trying to soothe an agitated omega in the past?
Luo Binghe gave him a weird look again as if not expecting such a reaction or such a weird statement. He could probably guess his thought "What omega don't know how to control themselves?". Well, he was ready to bet many didn't, or at least younger ones. How was he supposed to know when it hadn't even been a year that he was like this?
"It's... okay" he ended being told, as it was probably better than him suddenly panicking like this. "Don't get suddenly agitated" he simply asked with a little something soothing in his voice, continuing his task.
After some silence, it was the alpha who spoke again, "is it better like this?" he asked as he looked down had where his hands were connecting with him. "The pain?" he asked first, trying to play it as if he didn't know what this was supposed to be about, smiling a bit at the fact he decided to check on him. "much better than the two last times, I have to thank Lord Luo for being this mindful" he replied. He received a simple 'mh' at that, going back into a semi-comfortable silence.
"Was it bothersome for Lord Luo?" he asked, only to get a questioning look, "That I was hurting?" he clarified. He wouldn't exactly believe he did it fully for him, probably more to please his "dream" Shizun, yet he still wanted to believe it a little bit, it would be nice that he wanted to do it for him.
"I wanted to follow the teaching of my Shizun" finally replied the Demon Lord after a pause. "... But I also simply hadn't meant for it to hurt you" he added, sounding more sincere than he would have expected.
Ah well, he supposed it was enough for him. He was enough to know he didn't mean it, and even if Luo Binghe were to tell him just to be happy, it still made him a bit happy about it. He still hardly believed he hadn't noticed the two first times, but he would take what he can.
"Is this Shizun the one who helped you figure out you needed to go slower?" he asked to keep the conversation going, taking advantage of that little moment. It was probably the first time since he came here that he had such a long discussion with the Demon Lord.
He noticed a little smile on Luo Binghe's lips as if thinking back to when they had been talking in his dream, at least this is what he assumed. "Yes, I went to him for advice" he replied, "He was the one to suggest taking it a bit slower since so much demonic energy is probably not meant to enter the body at once, I thought doing it as quick as possible would make it painful for less time".
Shen Qingqiu suspected he might not have really thought that deeply. Maybe he did but also preferred not having these made into really long sessions. He wanted to wonder what happened to the previous ones, before quickly pushing the thought away. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to imagine this while Luo Binghe was in the process of taking his spiritual energy. But it was probably a logical thought. What if the pain is inevitable? Then doing it for a long time was more akin to torture than anything. So finishing as quickly as possible was the best option.
He mentally patted himself on the back, happy that he had managed to think about it and that he was such a good Shizun that Luo Binghe decided to follow what he said. Sure, there was still discomfort, but this was a light pinch compared to how it felt before. And even if the Demon Lord wasn't saying it, he was sure it was also better like this for him. Who would want to feel someone hurting like this? At least he hoped Luo Binghe wasn't enjoying it, he seemed more on the opposite side of that spectrum.
Then he started feeling the flow diminishing, leading to the discomfort to also go away. He then noticed that doing it like this would also be less demanding on his body, large amounts of spiritual energy not rushing in at once. There was a refreshing feeling when it did just that, but not straining his systems was probably also better.
With this he quickly scrambled off of the Demon Lord's laps, only to nearly fall backwards, his legs wobbly and still stiff from the way he has been sitting for so long. A hand had suddenly grabbed him to keep him upright, before retracting once he was alright. "Thank you," he said with a small smile, unconsciously trying to be his fan to his face so he could hide his embarrassment. Oh, but he didn't have that anymore, quickly and as smoothly as possible trying to act as if he was replacing a non-existent strand of hair from his face.
He then moved to the side when he was sure enough his legs wouldn't betray him, leaving way for Luo Binghe to get out and continue his day. And he did just that, before stopping at the door, "take the rest of the day to rest" he simply said before getting out.
He was a bit surprised by the instruction given to him, as he had been ready to just go back to work. He supposed he wouldn't do so, not wanting for Luo Binghe's somewhat good mood to go away because of him. But there was still a long time to go before the day was over, what was he supposed to do?
He decided to sneak to the library, guessing he wasn't forbidden from going out of his small room with nothing to do. He joined some disciples studying there, all making sure he was alright, the news of Luo Binghe nearly dragging him to his room and staying there for a long time had probably spread stupidly quickly. He told them he was alright, just coming to get something to read.
At some point, he did smell the alpha's scent, but his occupied mind assumed he was just passing by, catching his scent stupidly easily again. Yet he nearly jumped when he saw the dark form of Luo Binghe at the door very much staring at him with an expression clearly saying "what did I say?".
He grabbed the two novels he had picked up earlier, waving them a bit to show he wasn't working, but picking up something. He still decided not to push it, taking just these two, assuming they would be entertaining enough for the rest of the day. He could always sneak back in later. "I hope Lord Luo doesn't mind this servant taking books back to his room" he simply commented, receiving a 'mh'.
He then felt like the Demon Lord was escorting him back to his room as if to make sure he wouldn't wander around too much instead of resting. It gave him the nice impression that he was genuinely looking after him, worried he wouldn't settle down if he wasn't being told. It was probably fair, as he did work a lot since he got here, mainly to fight boredom and help around to not be useless, other than be a spiritual energy bank.
He didn't want to get his own hopes too high, as he doubted it was fully because he was worried. It was probably just an inconvenience if he were to collapse because he didn't rest properly. Still, he took a little bit of happiness in that.
Maybe he could hope Luo Binghe would warm up to Huang Hua?