There were two identical people with two identical faces in the bamboo dwelling.
There was no difference between them other than that one of them was clad in white and the other in black.
A sword was hanging at the waist of the Luo Binghe in black; it was enveloped in layers upon layers of talismans.
The intimidating Xin Mo of the past was now swaddled in such a crude, unsightly way; not even a wisp of demonic energy could seep through.
Luo Binghe bellowed in a hoarse voice. "Get off him!"
A critical strike followed right after this outburst of fury. The "Luo Binghe" in white who was wedged in between Shen Qingqiu's legs returned the blow without hesitation. The two blows neutralized each other and disintegrated in mid-air with a resounding noise.
Looking as if his enjoyment had been dampened, he scornfully said, "Instead of returning earlier or later, you just had to return at this time..."
Before he could finish his words, Shen Qingqiu hooked his index and middle finger, and Xiu Ya, which had been nailed into the wall after it had missed its target, gave a slight quiver and flew right into his hands. Shen Qingqiu grabbed hold of it and immediately swung his arm down in a slash!
Flanked on both sides, "Luo Binghe" finally could not maintain his provocative posture. He somersaulted off the bed, but before leaving, he did not forget to pinch Shen Qingqiu's waist for the last time. He deftly landed on the other end of the bamboo dwelling and put on a sorrowful act. "Shizun is so brutal. Doesn't your heart ache for your disciple? "
Screw you!
Who is your Shizun?!
This man was Zhongdian's ultimate stallion protagonist of the original <>! He was released into this world once when the system's punishment program went online—he was the man whom Zhongdian's readers worshipped like a God, and whom everyone referred to as Bing-ge!
Shen Qingqiu had never expected the man himself to appear in the punishment program, even more so in this world with a material body. From the looks of it, the so-called system's punishment did not release a simulated character; instead, it had directly dragged Bing-ge over from the original, parallel universe!
Although he had vaguely sensed something wrong since yesterday, he did not really give much thought to it because Young Maiden Luo had always been playing difficult and acting like a pampered child all along. Plus, Shen Qingqiu himself was only concerned about and focused on treating Luo Binghe's injuries then.
The real Luo Binghe had scars that Shen Qingqiu had left on his palm and chest. That child had treated these scars as treasures and retained them on his body as he had been unwilling to heal them, so how could Shen Qingqiu get to touch 'smooth, unblemished skin'?
At the end of the day, they were still unfamiliar with each other's bodies; that was why he took a while to realize it. Fortunately, the horses were reined in before they fell over the precipice of the cliff. What a close shave, he nearly could not preserve his chastity(...).
If that was the case, then the "go" Luo Binghe had said yesterday when they had met in the inner hall of the underground chamber could be easily explained. It did not mean "flee quickly, I don't want to implicate you," but "you d**ned scum, scram!"
The Luo Binghe in black with a sword hanging at his waist pounced on Shen Qingqiu and hastily asked, "Shizun, has this bastard done anything to you?"
Uh, aren't you scolding yourself by calling him a bastard...
Even though Shen Qingqiu was roasting him, Shen Qingqiu was still very comforted to see this Luo Binghe clinging on to him with a face full of anxiety. This was how it should be!
He cleared his throat and made sure that his attire was not in disarray, nor was his appearance disheveled before he spoke. "This master is fine." He suddenly recalled that "Luo Binghe" was covered all over in wounds yesterday, with his skin and flesh torn, and this one was not likely to emerge unscathed as well. Thus, he hurriedly asked, "How about you? Are you hurt?"
Luo Binghe nodded his head and said, "I'm alright now."
Shen Qingqiu grabbed his wrist and turned it over. There was a typical white scar on his palm of his hand. His heart stirred. "What is going on? Where have you been these two days? Why is he here?"
Luo Binghe shook his head and said, "This disciple does not know. The day before yesterday, when I went into seclusion in the inner hall of the underground palace, the remnants of Xin Mo suddenly surged with a purple light and this... person appeared with another Xin Mo in his hand. I exchanged blows with him but in a moment of carelessness, I fell through the rift that was slashed open by Xin Mo. I only managed to snatch the sword away before the rift closed up. I couldn't find Shizun when I returned, so I came all the way to Cang Qiong Mountain."
So, Luo Binghe was in the original <> for the past two days?
Xin Mo's space-slicing slash turned out to have already defied the laws of nature to this extent; it could even slash open the entrance to a parallel universe.
This was not something that could be merely explained off as a BUG!
As a true-blue homo who was suddenly thrown amidst a harem of three thousand beauties, this child must have really been shaken to the core. Shen Qingqiu's heart could not help but surge with tenderness(...) Suddenly, someone piped up coldly. "Excuse me, but I'm still here. Can you guys not hang me out here to dry?"
The original Luo Binghe was used to being the center of attention. He was inexplicably irritated when he saw these two men pouncing on each other the moment they met and totally disregarding his existence as they went on about being awfully annoying and sickening. He secretly exerted force on his foot and soundlessly crushed several bluestones into fine powder.
Luo Binghe shielded Shen Qingqiu and said in an imposing tone, "What were you doing just now?"
"Luo Binghe" replied flippantly, "Just screwing around."
Shen Qingqiu was stunned.
Screwing who?
...Me?
Bing-ge, you... open your arms to everyone?!
Regardless of man or woman, meat or fish, you'll eat them as long as they throw themselves at you?
Or was it because none of the women in your original harem had been won over here and you couldn't hold back your urges any more?
Bing-ge tsked and scorned, "Who asked you to be so useless that you don't even have a woman."
Shen Qingqiu was rendered speechless by Bing-ge's yardstick for being "useless." But Luo Binghe's attention was elsewhere. He was so furious that his pupils looked as if they would shed fresh blood. He said in a low voice, "How dare you humiliate Shizun this way..."
The eyes of the other "Luo Binghe" suddenly became red as well. He met his glare head-on and sneered. "It's not just him I'm going to humiliate. Look at how worthless you are! You are 'Luo Binghe,' but you are so embarrassing to be sticking around Shen Qingqiu, this kind of dishonorable and shameless scum, every day..."
He had yet to finish when Luo Binghe erupted with fury.
Black air permeated the bamboo house, making it so opaque they could barely see their hands in front of them, but none of them backed down. Suddenly, a white light penetrated the darkness from above them. It turned out that the wooden ceiling of the bamboo house had been innocently implicated; they had blasted a big hole through it while they were throwing blows at each other.
Luo Binghe looked up. All at once, his face became darker than the demonic energy he was flinging out.
Shen Qingqiu more or less had the same expression: wtf, what should he say when An Ding Peak came to repair it?
Luo Binghe was unwilling to destroy the bamboo dwelling, so he leaped out of the door and shouted, "Come out!"
The original one snorted. "Just what I wanted. This meager, run-down hut is too cramped and restrictive!"
Two figures in black and white vanished in a flash. Shen Qingqiu was considering calling over those from Bai Zhan Peak. But just as he was wondering if they would indiscriminately thrash both Luo Binghe to death, Ming Fan and Ning Yingying rushed over with a group of disciples. He reckoned that they were in the midst of their evening studies when they heard a weird noise and came running over, still carrying their guqins and books.
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Right at once, Shen Qingqiu said, "Halt!"
The crowd of disciples immediately stood still. Ming Fan asked, "Shizun, what's going on here..."
Shen Qingqiu cut him off. "Fall in!"
The disciples of Qing Jing Peak immediately and reflexively fell in. Shen Qingqiu added, "Go down and run around Qing Jing Peak. Do 30 laps!"
If he were to drive them away directly, this bunch of babies would definitely be unwilling and would even insist on staying to help out (add to the mess). He might as well send them away first. On receiving such a direct command, the disciples all looked at each other. Welp, since Shizun told us to run, then let's just run. A group of youths and young maidens in green then ran towards the bottom of Qing Jing Peak, following after one another in a row like a train.
Shen Qingqiu breathed a sigh of relief on seeing that they had been diverted, then turned back and quickly leaped into the bamboo woods at the back of the mountain.
The original man himself could completely control Xin Mo, but not the one he raised. This one was easily influenced and countered by Xin Mo, perhaps because his mind was unstable, or because he had too many distractions. Because of this, he had not dared to use Xin Mo rashly and had taken the initiative to seal Xin Mo with spells so as to exercise caution and restraint. It was like having a golden finger but not daring to use it, holding a golden rice bowl but unable to beg for food. Therefore, their swords were still sheathed, and it looked as if both of them were engaged in hand-to-hand combat instead.
But the destructive power of their melee combat was too high!
Dozens of deep pits had been gouged into the ground; bamboo groves had toppled over; fallen leaves were dancing in the wind; birds took to the sky with alarmed cries. At this rate, Qing Jing peak would be reduced to Tu Ding Peak1. Shen Qingqiu waited for an opening before he controlled Xiu Ya and sent it whizzing towards the original Luo Binghe.
Silver light streaked across long, narrow eyes. "Luo Binghe" tilted his head and flicked the blade away with a finger. Looking askew at Shen Qingqiu, he asked, "We are clearly the same person. Shizun, why are you helping him to hurt me?"
Who the hell is the same as you?!
The Luo Binghe he raised was the one whom the system had transferred to the BL Channel2 of Lü Ding Ding Literature City3 after Shen Qingqiu intervened in the plot—he was Maiden Luo gone bonkers, aka. Bing-mei. He's downright different from you—a domineering rascal whose entire brain is full of obscene thoughts, and Zhongdian's4 ultimate stallion male lead who leveled up by wiping out low IQ villains and supporting characters!
Shen Qingqiu kept his silence and looked at Luo Binghe in the eyes. Without further words, they attacked the original Luo Binghe together.
Originally, the two Luo Binghe were more or less evenly matched in power and strength. Most of the wounds on the original Luo Binghe's body were likely caused by Luo Binghe. Now that Shen Qingqiu had joined the fray, the scales began to tip in their favor.
Spiritual energy and dark aura surged and intertwined with each other amidst the smooth and swift snow-white flashes of their swords. Their cooperation was flawless. "Luo Binghe" narrowly dodged several waves of attacks. He squinted his eyes slightly as if his fury was ignited, but his face did not betray much of his rage except for the pursing of his lips.
He suddenly said, "His technique is so bad; what's so good about him?"
This line was thrown out so suddenly that Shen Qingqiu's hand shook.
Bear with it, continue to fight.
Who would know that Bing-ge would not hold back? "Shizun, you have first-hand experience of my prowess. We are both the same person in any case, why don't you come with me? I'll definitely make you happier than if you were to remain with him."
Shen Qingqiu retorted, "Shut up!"
Luo Binghe mumbled, ".....First-hand experience?"
Shen Qingqiu said, "Concentrate on the fight."
Luo Binghe asked, "What does he mean by 'first-hand experience'? What is the meaning of 'happier than if you were to remain with' me?"
"Luo Binghe" said ambiguously, "Or perhaps Shizun actually likes being hurt? If that's the case, this disciple can also guarantee your satisfaction."
Luo Binghe's face contorted in a flash. He unconsciously put his hand on Xin Mo.
Shen Qingqiu hurriedly shouted, "Don't pull it out!"
Luo Binghe regained his senses and immediately withdrew his hand, but the red in his pupils intensified, and his breathing grew urgent. Gnashing his teeth, he launched an assault and initiated close combat.
When force meets force, and both had equal strength and skills, the end result would be the same. Shen Qingqiu heard the sound of dull cracks.
The limbs of the two Luo Binghe, one with a broken left hand and one with a broken right arm, hung down limply. Even their reactions right after were the same: they used their legs once their arms broke. So, there were two more cracks—and this time, their legs were the ones broken.
Shen Qingqiu could bear it no longer. "That's enough!"
Trying to perish together with these kinds of moves?!
"Luo Binghe's" face suddenly softened as he gazed at Shen Qingqiu. "Shizun, do you blame me for hurting you the last time?"
The other widened his eyes and asked, "Shizun, have you met him before?"
If an encounter in the system counted as a meeting, then yes. Shen Qingqiu was unwilling to elaborate and simply said, "Just a chance encounter."
Bing-ge was really apt at seizing every opportunity available to him. He put on an aggrieved look and said, "It was my fault the last time. This disciple acknowledges his mistake. But wasn't Shizun getting a kick out of it just now? I'm also your disciple; how could you have the heart to treat me like this?"
What a performance. You're faking it. Continue to put on a show. You truly live up to the reputation of the double-faced and hypocritical Bing-ge who can smile in agreement while cussing a thousand times in his heart!
As expected, a blackened protagonist was crafty and treacherous. He was deliberately messing with Luo Binghe's mind. Naturally, Shen Qingqiu would not let him succeed. He rebuffed him with righteous indignation and without hesitation, "I didn't get the slightest kick out of it!"
As soon as he said that, he felt an intense and searing numbness springing up in his lower abdomen.
There was no way to ignore or suppress it. It was as if there were millions of ants stickily crawling inside his body.
The corners of the mouth of "Luo Binghe" curved up in a smile, and he asked with sinister delight, "Can you still say what you don't really mean now?"
The Demonic Blood.
How could he have forgotten? As long as he was Luo Binghe, he could manipulate the blood in Shen Qingqiu's body.
Out of the two Luo Binghe here, one was inciting the blood parasites, while the other was suppressing it. This was a battle of strength. The end result was the intermittent bursts of numbness and alternating spells of sweltering heat that rapidly spread from his abdomen throughout his entire body, even to his fingertips. Shen Qingqiu gasped for breath and his vision blurred as the hand that was grasping his sword started to waver.
The moment Luo Binghe faltered, the Xin Mo sword on his waist was wrested away from him.
There was a smug smile on the original Luo Binghe's face, with an excitement that bordered on bloodthirstiness. Just as he gripped the hilt of the sword and was about to draw it out of its sheath, Shen Qingqiu suddenly said coldly, "Don't rejoice yet. Look above you."
At the moment, there were only rustling bamboo branches and leaves swaying in the wind above the heads of the three men. "Luo Binghe" could sense that there was no threat above them even without looking up. He smiled lightly. "Aren't you looking down on me by using this kind of childish trick to try and hoodwink this disciple?"
Not looking?
Fine, you asked for it.
Shen Qingqiu formed a seal with his left hand. There was a definite snap of his fingers as his eyes narrowed in concentration.
"Luo Binghe" was about to speak when a piece of leaf swept right before his eyes.
His smile froze.
A streak of blood slowly rolled down his cheek.
More bamboo leaves started to fall in all directions. All of a sudden, the leaves which had been leisurely drifting downwards suddenly sped up and shot right at him; each was like a sharp blade in the Eastern Wind.
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"Luo Binghe" wielded a hand to destroy the clusters of leaf blades that were directed at him. The entire bamboo woods were full of airborne leaves like fairies scattering blossoms, and each of them was chasing after him like grim reapers hunting down souls. The leaves seemed gentle on the surface, but it could scrape through meat and bone upon contact. He might be able to evade a piece or two, but with hundreds and thousands of them all over the sky, it was hard for him not to get flustered. Furthermore, he had broken an arm and a leg earlier on during the scuffle, and his movements were thus limited. Shen Qingqiu was about to move in when he saw a black figure beating him to it and striking "Luo Binghe's" chest with his still intact palm.
Right at the moment, he saw a look of incredulity on that familiar face, Shen Qingqiu actually did not have the heart to bring himself to continue.
"Luo Binghe" took two steps back, and swallowed as if he was swallowing a mouthful of blood. He sneered and said, "That's quite some rapport. Not bad, I guess?"
Although he was mocking them, his uninjured hand was tightly clenched into a fist with the veins on the back of his hand appearing and disappearing intermittently.
Ever since he had become an adult, there had never been anyone who could push him into the corner like this.
Being on the losing end reminded him of the days when he had been humiliated and trampled all over.
The hot tea poured on his head; the firewood shed that could not keep out the wind; the never-ending physical and verbal abuses; the scorching afternoon kneeling that lasted late into the night, the lack of filling meals.
Those days were all inextricably connected to that face right in front of his very eyes now.
But now, the owner of this face was standing beside the person who looked exactly like him, holding that broken arm in his hands, not daring to touch it or let it go. As if he himself could intimately feel that pain, he frowned and asked, "Why do you have to attack him head-on? You kept fighting even though you knew it was broken. Don't act so rashly the next time."
Although it sounds like a rebuke, the voice was miffed, anxious, and concerned.
Even a fool could tell.
The cold wind cut through the woods as leaves rustled and drifted down.
He could not take it lying down.
This was unfair.
The image of those two men standing together was so dazzling that his eyes hurt and the rims of his eyes burned.
They were obviously both "Luo Binghe." On what grounds would the other one get to encounter this kind of Shen Qingqiu, and yet he himself had to encounter the narrow-minded, jealous, and shameless version?
On what grounds?!
The carefully preserved articles of clothing and objects; the refreshing and tidy side room; the tender, doting, and indulgent whispers.
He clearly only wanted to humiliate them. He clearly disdained the nauseating relationship between both of them.
And yet, he could not help but blurt out to Shen Qingqiu, "Come with me."
On hearing those three words, Luo Binghe laughed coldly and said, "What did you say? Hm?"
His knuckles cracked. He actually looked like he wanted to kill.
Although Shen Qingqiu approved of the act of dishing out the final blow to finish off an opponent—long live last hit5—but... what was up with making Luo Binghe kill Luo Binghe?
Let Shen Qingqiu kill him instead? That was even more impossible. Furthermore, he did not know if the protagonist's golden halo would also work on the original Luo Binghe.
Shen Qingqiu pressed two of his fingers on Luo Binghe's shoulder to stop him from being impulsive. While he was having a headache trying to figure out how to deal with it, "Luo Binghe" had already made his move.
He broke the seal of Xin Mo. Amidst the surge of black aura and purple light, and under the wary glances of the two men, he opened up a rift in the air in one slash and leaped in.
He bit down on his lip hard when he looked back.
He could not take this lying down.
The rift disappeared with his figure.
He... left just like that?
Bing-ge... was so easy to dismiss?!
Shen Qingqiu was momentarily stunned before he responded, "Destroy the remnants of Xin Mo once we get back. This thing cannot remain in this world."
This thing was simply too buggy. If they continued to keep it, who knew what kind of plot twist would unfold the next time?
Luo Binghe nodded his head in silence. Although Luo Binghe probably did not need his support, Shen Qingqiu continued to let him lean against him.
They had only taken a few steps when Luo Binghe asked despondently, "Shizun, my technique, is it really that bad?"
...
Honestly speaking, it was bad.
It was seriously bad. Whether it was kissing, touching, stripping, or rolling between the sheets, he was so bad that he was in a class of his own.
As for penetration, there was no basis for comparison, but from the looks of it, he should have also...receive a fail grade.
Of course, Shen Qingqiu could not voice it out. Thus he simply glossed it over, "Not really."
The dejection on Luo Binghe's face grew heavier.
Shen Qingqiu consoled him, "After all, you have little experience."
It was by emerging victorious in love and bedding hundreds of women that Bing-ge was such a seasoned veteran!
Luo Binghe lowered his head. From the looks of it, he was considering which corner to emo and grow mushrooms again. This was the look Shen Qingqiu could not bear seeing the most, so he coaxed him, "This master will treat your arms and legs first. Then, we can... research it together. How about it?"
Luo Binghe looked up suddenly. "Really?!"
Shen Qingqiu expected this reaction and patted him evenly on the head: "Treat your injuries first."
Luo Binghe nodded. With just two cracking sounds, Luo Binghe had re-affixed his arm and leg.
Standing up suddenly, he grasped both of Shen Qingqiu's arms with both of his now-intact hands. His cheeks were flushed red, and his eyes were twinkling when he said, "They are okay now. Shizun, so let's... research it together?"