9. Let's Speed Run Two Dozen Chapters, Shall We?
Of course, Shen Qingqiu couldn't keep that promise for long. In his defence, it wasn't his fault that he was somehow kidnapped when he was taking a stroll outside to see how the planting of bamboo was doing. It had happened days after one night where he had felt like his head and body was being split in two.
And this had only been the start of what would be a couple of weeks filled with more event than what had happened in a couple of months he was at Huan Hua Palace.
He had woken up in the Demons' Holy Mausoleum, only to meet some long-lost family of Luo Binghe, if he could say it like this. It had truly been troublesome, dealing with Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang had been a real pain in the ass, not understanding what they wanted to do with him. Well, he did understand that for some reason they wanted to bring his soul back into his original body, but it had somehow failed to work. Zhuzhi-lang was especially hard to deal with since he had both devotion for Tianlang-jun and some life repayment towards him, flicking between helping him and following his king orders.
Truly annoying.
Of course, he was forced to save Luo Binghe since he had overworked himself in trying to get there and by trying to use his heavenly demon blood. He even found the old Huan Hua Palace master, which the sigh of what Luo Binghe had done to him sent a shiver down his back, rather happy that this was not what was supposed to happen to him anymore. Of course, he managed to get himself heavily injured, just to add to the bad thing happening that day, close under having to drink Zhuzhi-lang blood.
At least at some point, Luo Binghe did manage to get back to himself, although he nearly had a crisis over Shen Qingqiu leaving him again. It was clearly not the time and place to argue about that, and the omega did manage to convince him he didn't and was forced here and "Why would I have dragged Binghe all the way here if it wasn't to stay with him?". It had truly hurt to see him refuse to accept he was ready to stay by his side. He could see where the distrust was coming from, but it still hurt that he wouldn't believe him.
Yet their time arguing made it so the two other demons caught up with them and of course he had to ends up drinking some more heavenly demon blood, why wouldn't he? At this point, he would believe that this was just his fate to drink so much of it. Even more, he could hardly believe how easily Luo Binghe was tricked into giving him Xin Mo against him, ending up with nothing.
He supposed that the only positive of being capture by them was that Zhuzhi-lang was taking care of the left-over sprout rather well. He was sure Luo Binghe would have found a way, but not without crying about it before. He couldn't complain about being treated badly per se, but he sure had truly forgotten how badly some alpha could be sometimes, Luo Binghe was truly an angel and had kept the one at Huan Hua Palace in check very well.
He supposed that having both Tianlang-jun and Zhuzhi-lang not interested in him being a good thing because he wasn't sure if he would have actually been able to resist against both of them which was a horrifying thought to have.
He learns of the demon plan to merge the two realms together, which sound like a rather bad idea in Shang Qingqiu mind, but of course, he wouldn't be able to stop him. He was probably as stubborn as his son.
He wouldn't lie though that seeing Luo Binghe sneak in to save him was indeed a really good sight that made him feel much more relaxed. But the tranquillity of the moment couldn't stay for long, as having Zhuzhi-lang nearly strip him to keep taking care of his infected sprout was enough to drive Luo Binghe mad again.
When Tianlang-jun comes in he is nearly mortified at the idea that he believes that he and Zhuzhi-lang had decided to fool around, even the demon looks to not believe that idea to be able to ever come true. He is rather happy when someone else decided to barge into the demon camp, though he does wonder who the idiot is to just attack head-on like this, Tianlang-jun wasn't a demon to take lightly either.
He is somewhat not too surprised to learn it was, in fact, Liu Qingge. Sounded like a very Qingge thing to do, that to rush headfirst, which Luo Binghe quickly decided to join in, because why wouldn't he?
He somehow managed to convince Zhuzhi-lang to let him go, mostly because none of what he had done until now had actually been helpful, which was apparently what he had tried to do? At least this time he was helpful and helped him escape with Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge.
It had been a bit hard to calm the Peak Lord down, telling him what he had learned from Tianlang-jun plan, which was a much more pressing matter than hating on Luo Binghe right now. At least the two of them were not trying to kill each other when they settled into an inn, which left him to have some peacefulness in what seemed forever despite all of this probably happening in a couple of days.
But of course, peacefulness couldn't stay for too long and the very next day both Luo Binghe and Liu Qingge told him there would be an assembly at the Zhao Hua Temple and they needed to go. His wondering of how Luo Binghe knew was answered quickly when he realised he simply made everyone dream about what had been said by Tianlang-jun and showing them that he was back.
They tried hiding in the crowd, listening to some backstory about Luo Binghe, which didn't seem to please the Demon Lord much. Of course, they couldn't stay hidden, why would one of his plan go as he wanted it to go? Which also got worst when it was shown that some demon had decided to infiltrate the temple.
Not a very good sigh when he was with Luo Binghe.
He was irritated that people believed he couldn't be by his disciple side without having been lured in. He even wanted to punch someone who had insinuated that it had something to do with him being an omega now, how much he would love to know who made that comment.
He would probably need to thank Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan for stopping the fight, also giving chance for Luo Binghe to run away. He didn't go against Yue Qingyuan words of taking care of his punishment once they would be at Cang Qing Mountain, figuring he could do something about it later on.
And of course, the System had to make everything harder because he failed a little bit to make Luo Binghe reputation better, which how was he realistically supposed to do that when no one was ready to give a chance to his poor disciple? He didn't have much choice but to do it, hoping for it not to be painful.
And oh boy was he wrong, regretting not having been able to do anything, absolutely terrified by this original Luo Binghe who was ready to turn him into a human stick. He had nothing of the alpha who was probably ready to die for him, run after him while calling "Shizun" all the time.
He couldn't be more thankful for the Dream Demon to save him like this, he really didn't want to know where all of this would have gone otherwise. Clearly not something good. He supposed that saving the demon by accident while saving the alpha had something rather good.
Their conversation led him to ask if he could go into Shen Jiu memories, which he was granted. This did help learn more about the original scum villain, now seeing why he might have been the way he was. It wouldn't really excuse how he had treated Luo Binghe in the original novel, but he could see a bit more why his character had become like this.
Airplane bro should really have had worked all these plotlines instead of playing around with the harem only.
He wakes up in the familiar sight of his Qing Jing Peak bamboo house, which is a nice view to have in his waking time. He is a bit embarrassed to learn he had been calling out to Luo Binghe into his sleep, unsure whether it was only when the punishment had started or if it had been like this throughout his whole time into Shen Jiu memories.
He managed to push his embarrassment to the side, instead warning him of what he believed Tianlang-jun plan might be to start the merging of both realms. It's pretty nice to see that the man trusts him easily in what he says, letting him alone to reset.
Which resting isn't exactly what he can do when Luo Binghe decided to join him, which he would lie if he said wasn't happy to see him, rather reassured the Demon Lord had been alright after the incident at the Zhao Hua Temple.
Of course, he agrees to the help offered by his disciple, warning him about what he had just told Yue Qingyuan. Their little meeting cannot be held for too long, despite the omega wishing it could have been before he hears other people coming to him. He as to gently hush Luo Binghe away, hesitating when he asks if he will run away with him once everything is settled down.
He had truly fallen for Luo Binghe, but he wasn't sure if he could fully give up his Qing Jing Peak forever. He had missed it and wished he could come back to guide some more disciple to become strong cultivators. He only manages to give him a shaky promise that he would need to think about it a bit more before accepting. He wanted to be with him, but he felt like his Peak was also important, it wasn't something he could give up so easily, was it?.
He managed to look as if nothing had happened just before Liu Qingge enters the room, yet the alpha looked immediately suspicious of something. Why wouldn't he when they were in a world where pretty much half the population would leave behind a scent that could easily be picked on? He simply tried to argue it was probably some leftover scent from Luo Binghe, as he had probably tried to scent him on their way to the temple. Which was a very plausible possibility.
He's then asked by the three of them if he could stay here when everything was done, stating that they needed him as the Peak Lord of Qing Jing Peak. He ends up accepting so they wouldn't worry and also stop asking, only to regret it immediately when he feels the familiar scent of an angered alpha. He immediately knows that Luo Binghe was still there and will believe he was planning to leave him behind when he was still truly unsure what to do. He wanted to stay at his peak, but he also wished he could be by the Demon Lord side, why couldn't he have both?
Another thing he would need to talk about with Luo Binghe to reassure him...
The next day more than the merging caused problems, but it was rather good to hear the Huan Hua Palace disciple had help in the troubles caused by the endless abyss. This also showed him Luo Binghe wasn't going to give up on his word to help because of what he had said the day before. It was also a good surprise to hear that even Mobei-jun was coming to give them a hand too.
As they leave Sha Hualing and Mobei-jun to battle, he asks Shang Qinghua just how exactly they could beat the "final boss", but of course nothing really comes from this interrogation. He wasn't sure what he was expecting when this had been a forgotten draft.
They manage to successfully get to the Maigu Ridge, where Luo Binghe and Mobei-jun fight against the two other demons. He tries to stop Shang Qinghua from jumping down when Mobei-jun falls, yet the look in his eyes tells him there nothing he could do to stop him from saving his king, something running deeper than the idea of seeing him as just his king. He was pretty sure he would have the same look in his eyes if it was Luo Binghe.
He nearly feels relieved when they managed to defeat Tianlang-jun, yet upon seeing how Xin Mo wasn't stopped by this he started worrying. It's only until he was told that the sword was feed by obsession and he quickly realise who's obsession is feeding it, quickly turning to Luo Binghe.
He had not been ready to have a conversation about how he had apparently refused to follow him, only ending in him trying to explain. Yet it was to no avail, Luo Binghe was far too gone in his refusal to believe Shen Qingqiu could ever choose him, making the omega heart clench at the thought that he couldn't be trusted by the alpha anymore. Maybe it was the effect of Xin Mo on his mind, but it still hurt to have arrived to a point where he couldn't be trusted by the alpha.
He was panicked when the cave suddenly fell on them upon Yue Qingyuan using his sword against Luo Binghe. He is left to try and find back the alpha, realising that all Luo Binghe had needed all this time to not get to this point was really just for him to show more love and just be by his side without worrying. He should just have accepted fully his love for him earlier, accepted that Luo Binghe love for him wasn't just admiration and just told him about it, rather than run around without knowing what to do.
No, he should just have found a better way all along upon knowing what awaited them when he first entered Proud Immortal Demon Way, but he did not. It was his fault if everything had gone to this point, there were probably many things he could have done better. Now he was stuck with finding the better solution in the worst situation.
And honestly, what better way for the new story path of a novel than to have the trope "Let's fuck to save the world"? He tried to tell himself it was only for making the exchange of spiritual energy for demonic one easier, but really his body was a bit too eager to have it happen. Still didn't stop it from hurting with how ruthless Luo Binghe was with him, but he supposed they could make a better start next time. The only time he was a bit scared was when he thought he would bite down on his neck, only to see him bite on his own arm, as if unconsciously still refusing to do such a thing as forcing a bond on him.
It only has Luo Binghe was locked deep inside him that he slowly seemed to be coming back to himself and he clearly felt panicked and overwhelmed by the sight of a wrecked Shen Qingqiu. "Shizun... I-I" he said, voice wavering, "What have I done?" he asked, trying to pull away only to freeze when he heard the pained whine the omega didn't manage to keep in, clearly not enjoying the feeling of a knot trying to be pulled out of him forcefully.
"Shizun, don't hate me… I didn't mean to... I never meant to force Shizun, why didn't you stop me?" He heard as his disciple started to cry, making Shen Qingqiu smile softly despite the pain he was feeling. He gently reached out for the alpha, pulling him closer in an attempt to wrap him in his scent, trying to calm him down a bit. "Binghe calm down... this Shizun was willing to do it, you didn't force yourself on me" he gently said. Sure, it could have been way better than this, but it wasn't like Luo Binghe had actually forced himself on him.
He was gently kissing his jaw, trying to slowly calm him down until he remembered the System had given him the option to use a special item. He picked it up, only to realised it was the lost jade pendant from long ago. This did seem to calm him down a bit more, which helped him continue in his cleansing of Xin Mo influence on the alpha.
It did make the alpha feel worried and panicked again, scared that his Shizun would self-destruct again, that he would be left alone. It probably took everything left in Shen Qingqiu to tell that no, he was not going to leave him, no he was not hated by everyone, yes he would be missed if he ever disappeared.
"I want Binghe by my side forever," he said with a gentle smile, finally being honest about how he felt, gently cupping the crying face of Luo Binghe as he started to feel a bit more tired from all this, wondering if this was really how he would die, from doing dual cultivation with the alpha to save him from the damages Xin Mo was doing.
Yet, the annoying voice coming from the System came to him as everything was slowly fading to black.