1

It was something that Luo Binghe both adored and hated. Shen Yuan, his beloved, could never just let someone care for him. It was always a fight about who should take care of whom, and in the end, against every baser instinct Luo Binghe had, it was always Shen Yuan who won that fight and took charge to take care of him. But hardly ever letting him return the favor. It was something that both made Luo Binghe's heart swell and want nothing more than to hand itself over to him, just as it was something that also made his very bones ache from repression and his soul lurch and roar to take Shen Yuan from where he stood and keep him trapped in his arms, protected and safe.

He was used to fighting, and he was good at fighting, but this was a fight that he could never win. It was one that five parts made his heart shatter, and five parts made his teeth ache from emotions too complex to be just anger. He had tried, more than a few times, to sneak into Shen Yuan's dreams and settle whatever nightmares tormented him, but each time he tried—even as of late—he was always blocked out. Even with the help of Meng Mo, neither of them could break past whatever defensive barrier was set up in Shen Yuan's dream realm, and he was always left unsatisfied and anxious.

Even in his sleep, his beloved just couldn't let anyone take care of him.

Finally, Luo Binghe's thoughts grew too loud and too insistent, and he reached out to take Shen Yuan's hand. The Peak Lord jumped from the sudden contact, but otherwise let himself be pulled closer to the Demon Lord, only making a quiet sound of indignation when Luo Binghe practically pulled him to sit on his lap. "Your leg is injured, don't put any extra weight on it." Shen Yuan scolded; however, when he tried to pull himself up, Luo Binghe bared down and kept him in place as he pressed his face into Shen Yuan's shoulder.

"This disciple doesn't feel it, Shizun. Just stay here with me." Luo Binghe mumbled, looking up through long lashes as Shen Yuan pursed his lips but otherwise relented into the hold the Demon Lord had on him, still cautious of his own weight on Luo Binghe's lap.

Red eyes bore into the black cloth of the silk blindfold on his Shizun's eyes, and a sudden boiling feel pooled low in his abdomen. It was akin to rage, though not to anyone in particular, perhaps more so toward the situation. But Luo Binghe acted upon the feeling and gently began to pull off Shen Yuan's blindfold. "Keep your eyes closed, Yuan-ge."

Shen Yuan tried to reach out for his blindfold as Luo Binghe pulled it off, but the young man held it out too far, and he couldn't reach it. Instead, Luo Binghe used the Peak Lord's movement forward as an excuse to go ahead and press his lips to each of the man's eyes. Shen Yuan yelped at the sudden feeling that came with it; it wasn't particularly painful or uncomfortable, but it was rather annoying. Like when you get an eyelash stuck in your eyes and no matter how much you rub, it won't come out.

"Binghe…" Shen Yuan groaned, he couldn't tell if this was the heavenly demon's doing, or if his luck was just shitty enough that two eyelashes got stuck in both of his eyes even with his eyes closed.

"Yuan-ge, please open your eyes." Luo Binghe requested softly, and Shen Yuan hesitantly blinked open his eyes in an effort to dispel whatever had got caught in them. He had been prepared to be met with a dim forest, colors less vivid, and with shadows surrounding them as they usually did whenever he took the opportunity to take off his blindfold.

Instead, he was met with a bright and vivid scene. The light was sudden and a little startling, but there was no pain in it. No splitting headache that made his eyes tear up, no burn behind his irises that let him know that the darkness was welcoming him back, and no signs that this was his dream realm either. Once his eyes readjusted after years of lack of experience, Shen Yuan slowly looked around them until his gaze landed on Luo Binghe: whose chin rested on his shoulder and a grin that displayed the sharp fangs in his mouth spread his lips widely.

"...Binghe, what did you–..."

"This disciple wanted Yuan-ge to see again, he missed seeing his eyes." Luo Binghe stated softly, eyes full of adoration as his left hand lifted up to thumb the skin under Shen Yuan's eyes gently. The constant dilation of his pupils was gone, retreated back to their natural state after so many years, and finally…the shine, the life, the pure ethereal essence that was Shen Yuan had returned to those gemstone eyes, aglow with a new fire, a new power, a new life.

One that was theirs.

Theirs to know, theirs to share, theirs to grow, and theirs to love.

Shen Yuan followed his hand numbly, looking around at each color, each movement of the leaves in the wind, even the subtlest of twitches in the flora around them, he saw with clear vision and pristine accuracy. He hadn't even realized he started crying until he felt a wet streak against his cheek where Luo Binghe had wiped away the tears. Reaching up closer to the Peak Lord's face to pepper kisses on soft cheeks, mumbling soft appreciations and praises with each passing moment until Shen Yuan was unable to handle it any longer, and ducked under Luo Binghe's chin. Screwing his eyes shut and pressing his face into black robes to surround himself in a familiar darkness.

How strange…he used to be so terrified of the dark.

Luo Binghe's chest rumbled with a low hum, a large hand coming up to comb through Shen Yuan's hair lovingly as he said, "Yuan-ge, are you alright?" Shen Yuan didn't answer him, keeping his eyes shut tightly.

After a few long minutes, Luo Binghe spoke again. "Qingxin, what troubles you? This disciple will fix it, please tell me." His tone wasn't exactly desperate, but Shen Yuan could hear the urgency and the worry, so to avoid any unreasonable outcomes, he lifted himself to sit up properly and for the first time in years see Luo Binghe's eyes in the sunlight.

Rubies…not a pool of blood as he once thought. But rubies, roses freshly bloomed, the darkest of red skies over a vast ocean. Those were Luo Binghe's eyes, magnificence, and power radiating from the iris alone, and yet the softness in those eyes was spellbinding. Captivating and all-encompassing, Shen Yuan really couldn't help but think, Binghe really has lovely eyes.

"This one…This one is fine, Binghe. It was just overwhelming." Shen Yuan mumbled after a moment or two of staring. Having to look away with a flustered expression, that was only made worse when Luo Binghe's laugh literally reverberated against his side.

"Is Yuan-ge happy?" Luo Binghe asked firstly, nosing Shen Yuan's shoulder with a purposeful and cute expression, looking up at the Peak Lord through long lashes, and with a coy smile.

Did he like being able to see again? Of course, he had actually missed the sight of nature in the sunlight desperately. But it still felt so foreign. He had never expected to be able to see again, so all of this was rather overwhelming and sudden, not to mention Luo Binghe literally fixed his eyes with a single kiss! How cheesy and embarrassing!

But as he looked around, something familiar caught his eye, and he all but threw himself off of Luo Binghe's lap. Earning a startled and disgruntled sound from the Demon Lord: who followed him swiftly, his leg having fully healed itself while his energy reserves restored themselves, allowing him to match the lighting speed of the Peak Lord as he rushed through the thick brush of trees.

They didn't stop until finally, they came upon a still pond, the water had long since grown stagnant as green covered the top in a disgustingly slimy sheen. Luo Binghe was about to question his Shizun when Shen Yuan suddenly dropped to his knees in a heavy heap, and Luo Binghe practically dove to the ground to catch him in his descent to lessen the fall on his knees.

"Yuan-ge?" Luo Binghe called, peering over the man's shoulder to see his face, though he was only met with a bleak expression of shock and mild horror. When Shen Yuan did not answer him, Luo Binghe pursed his lips and held back the growl that built in his throat. That was no way to go about trying to get his Yuan-ge to open up to him, he just had to be patient. "Qingxin?"

Shen Yuan snapped back to reality at the name, looking over at Luo Binghe with a mournful expression. "It's gone…" He croaked, looking around once again to try and find the headstone, but he couldn't find it. Unable to bear it, he stood again and hurried in the opposite direction and Luo Binghe quickly grabbed his hand to stay him.

"Shizun, this disciple doesn't understand. Please, let me help." Luo Binghe urged, pulling Shen Yuan back into his chest. The Peak Lord went willingly, if not entirely lifelessly, and it only served to make the Demon Lord's anxiety worse.

Shen Yuan had long since gone quiet, but the slight tremble in his shoulders gave away the effect whatever was going through his mind had on him. He didn't speak as he took Luo Binghe's hand, leading him through the brush until they came upon an old and abandoned cottage. Modest in appearance but lavish in size and structure.

It clearly hadn't been taken care of in years. Foliage and vines growing up the sides unmanageably, the doors practically falling off and rotting away, and even if the cottage had been taken care of in years past, it was clear it had gone through some extreme abuse beforehand. Windows were broken, pots inside and out smashed into nothing but shards of clay, even though Shen Yuan didn't dare to step inside, he could already see and smell the mess inside.

"Binghe…" Shen Yuan murmured, taking hold of the man's attention immediately. "This…This is where we all lived, this place is where you were born." The statement caught Luo Binghe off guard, he looked around slowly, and only found overgrown foliage, a mess wherever you stepped, and an unsightly cottage that was mere moments away from being taken down without care.

"I know they searched for us…but this…this is too far." Shen Yuan murmured sadly, shaking his head, and forcing himself to look away as he once again retreated deeper into the foliage until he was at that same stagnant pond. Luo Binghe joined him not long after, taking a seat next to the Peak Lord at the edge of the water.

"This is the place, Yuan-ge told me about?" Luo Binghe questioned, sitting in the lotus position next to the kneeling Peak Lord: who could only nod slowly.

"You would've liked to live out here…" Shen Yuan murmured, a mournful smile pulling at his lips. "It was peaceful and quiet. I was able to hold a burial ceremony here for my aunts as well…Xizhi-gege even made a headstone for them. There was a town not too far from here, it's actually where Xiyan and I found those pendants we have." Shen Yuan said as he reached into the breast pocket of his robes and revealed the jade pendant, he always kept on himself, passing it over to Luo Binghe with an open palm.

Luo Binghe's eyes widened at the sight, gingerly taking the pendant before pressing it back into Shen Yuan's hand. "I prefer if Yuan-ge keeps it; since I still have his." Shen Yuan hesitated but regardless put the pedant back in his robes, tucked closely to his chest. "Is this the place Yuan-ge felt happiest?"

Shen Yuan mulled over his answer for a moment. He really couldn't remember where exactly he had felt happiest. There was always something going on that took his attention away from the places around him, but there had also always been places where he felt peaceful and happy. For some time, it was under the desk in Auntie Fang's office where he hid his books, then it was the cottage in the Borderlands, then finally Qing Jing.

Shen Yuan pressed his hand into the ground, mournfully feeling about for perhaps even a shard of what could remain of the headstone he and Zhuzhi-Lang had planted all those years ago, but he found nothing. "I was happy out here…though I've been happy in Qing Jing and with my aunts at the brothel too. I'd prefer if Binghe thinks of a place where he was happiest; if he is still trying to think of what to build for that clearing."

Luo Binghe hummed dully at that, reclining himself into Shen Yuan's lap so the man would look at him. It earned him a quizzical look from the Peak Lord, but he preferred that expression over the mournful and grieving look he had only moments ago. "This disciple is happy to go anywhere, there has never been a specific place. As long as Shizun is with me, I will be fine with whatever he decides."

Shen Yuan huffed at that, saying only this, "You can't just leave everything up to me, you have your own opinions…" Regardless, he looked back in the direction of the cottage, an ache forming in his chest before he looked back down at the overgrown lap dog who purposefully laid himself outstretched so Shen Yuan couldn't move his legs. "I suppose a combination of Qing Jing and the cottage would be nice…though I still want Binghe to make some decisions."

"Of course, Yuan-ge." Luo Binghe smiled coyly as he pressed his cheek into Shen Yuan's thigh, the grin on his face widening when he felt rather than heard the Peak Lord fluster from the action. Silence fell like a heavy blanket, comfortable and without hesitation. However, after a few minutes of comforting silence that allowed both of them to rest their eyes, Luo Binghe spoke up. "Qingxin."

The sudden change from "Shizun" or "Yuan-ge" made Shen Yuan's eyes open rather quickly, knowing the difference in tones and names that Luo Binghe had taken to calling him. Normally, "Qingxin" was only used in times of serious conversation where the topic wouldn't be entirely lighthearted.

"Hm?" Shen Yuan answered, sensitive eyes scanning over the Demon Lord's face with a new vigor. It felt like his eyesight had even somehow been improved by Luo Binghe's influence, he could see even the tiniest crevice of Luo Binghe's expression.

Luo Binghe sat up when he was answered, another thing that set off alarm bells in Shen Yuan's head, it was strange to see this disciple of his take on such a serious expression toward him. "Can I see what you see?" The sudden request made Shen Yuan's eyebrows raise quizzically, he didn't quite understand what it was that Luo Binghe was asking of him.

"What does Binghe mean?"

Luo Binghe mulled over his words, making sure his request was clear and without misconceptions. "Qingxin suffers from nightmares, does he not?" The question made Shen Yuan jerk slightly, it was true that more than a few of his dreams preferred to remind him of the dire and somewhat terrifying visions he saw, but he hadn't thought anyone would take notice. When Shen Yuan nodded softly, Luo Binghe continued. "This disciple has tried before to see into Qingxin's dreams, only to help him dispel whatever was attacking, but he was unable to break through to his dream realm. This Binghe asks that Qingxin allows him to help him, to see what he sees."

The request made something in Shen Yuan's chest lurch. Not particularly in a bad way, but in a way that was foreign. It was a warm feeling, like sitting next to a fire after trekking through a winter storm. It was oddly…endearing. Though he wasn't entirely surprised to hear that Luo Binghe was unable to break into his dream realm, it was likely due to the visions and whatever powers seers seemed to have to keep outsiders from using their own powers against them.

"I'm not sure how…" Shen Yuan answered honestly. He was used to relaying small tidbits of information to his brothers about his visions, small warnings of what could happen without revealing the entire picture, and enacting whatever curse followed seers like a plague following the dead. "If Binghe is unable to enter my dream realm, then I don't know how I could help him."

"Qingxin only has to let me in. It's almost like opening a door, giving consent to my powers to merge with yours, and let me see what you see." Luo Binghe explained, shuffling himself to sit closer to the Peak Lord.

"And how do I do that, Binghe?" Shen Yuan asked.

Luo Binghe reached out and pulled Shen Yuan to lean against him, his cheek nearly pressed onto a firm pec, though thankfully Shen Yuan had maneuvered himself to only rest near the juncture of Luo Binghe's collarbone. "This one will just have Qingxin fall asleep so he can enter the dream realm with him, as long as Qingxin is willing, I will be able to see what he sees." Shen Yuan nodded curtly, relaxing himself against the Demon Lord as the two of them kept heavy eye contact.

His stomach flipped a few times, and he knew good and well his face was likely at least a little red, but he was thankful that Luo Binghe didn't comment on it. Merely lowering his head when Shen Yuan started humming a soft tune to ease them both. He wasn't sure exactly what Luo Binghe would see. His nightmares were rather vague and sometimes scrambled versions of his visions, but if it made the young man feel better, Shen Yuan wouldn't mind sharing the visions his mind's eye supplied him with.

It had taken no time for the two of them to fall asleep under the influence of Luo Binghe's powers. However, when red eyes opened to reveal nothing but darkness and no one next to him. Luo Binghe looked around confusedly as he called out, "Shizun! Qingxin!" No matter how far he walked, or how loudly he yelled, he was given no response.

A sick feeling washed over him when he finally found a small source of light.

A torch illuminated a dark hallway made of stone. It was an eerily familiar hallway that Luo Binghe knew too well. With a heavy sigh, he followed down the path, keeping quiet as he went around familiar corners until he came upon the open cave entrance.

However, when he stepped inside, there were empty chains hanging from the wall. Chains he remembered vividly with caked blood still rusting the metal. There was quite a bit of blood, a scene rather familiar to him, though there was no one there but him.

He wanted to leave; he didn't want to be reminded of this. Especially if this was something that his Shizun had been exposed to so terribly; Luo Binghe's chest ached at the thought…he'd have to reassure his Shizun that this was not something he wanted anymore, that this was not him anymore. He could only pray that Qingxin really hadn't seen the past him in the eerie scene.

How his Shizun could look at him after everything he had seen still baffled him.

However, the second his feet moved to turn around, he heard singing coming from the endless chasm below. His Shizun's singing. It could only be his Shizun, only one person had such a voice, only one person could match the songs of the heavens without even trying. So, without any trepidation, he jumped over the edge and fell into the darkness.

He landed with a heavy thud, whatever ground that was beneath his feet cracking under the strength. He was shrouded in darkness again, unable to even see the hand in front of his face. But he could still hear the singing. So, he followed it.

He walked for what felt like hours, with nothing but the unfamiliar song his Shizun sang to lead him, Luo Binghe refused to open his mouth and utter a single word, in fear that the singing would stop, and he'd truly have no way left to find his Shizun.

Then suddenly, without reason or explanation, the singing stopped, and Luo Binghe was left alone in the dark chasm. "Shizun! Qingxin!" Luo Binghe shouted after what felt like hours of silence, voice hoarse and urgent. "Yuan-ge! Please keep singing! Shizun! Qingxin! Answer me!"

As his anxiety began to suffocate him, there was a sudden rush of wind from behind him. The rush made his eyes close instinctively, and when he opened them, he was in a meadow. Surrounded by lush forests and wildflowers of all kinds.

He looked around slowly, there was a strange hum of power in this place. As though the very heartbeat of the land thrummed with a power unfamiliar to him, yet at the same time all too comforting. "Where am I? Qingxin!" Luo Binghe called out again, spinning on his heels to look around, only to see a marvelous willow tree, the vines brushing against the lush grass and hiding its base from sight.

"You shouldn't be here." The sudden voice startled him, and he instinctively went to reach for Xin Mo, only to find that his blade had not followed him into his Shizun's dream realm.

When he spun around to face whoever had spoken, he was met with an empty field. He was alone. "Whose there!?" Luo Binghe growled, condensing his qi into his palm in preparation, only to feel that strong breeze again, and for the power in his hand to be snuffed out like a candle in the wind.

"Fate does not play favorites. You cannot change what is destined." That same voice spoke again, and Luo Binghe felt his ire growing as he spun around in a full circle to try and find whoever was speaking.

"Say that to me again! I will change anything I have to! Where is Qingxin!?" Luo Binghe roared, that same breeze coming at him again from all sides as if trying to push him out. But he held his ground and marched through the freezing winds.

"All things must remain balanced. Fate does not play favorites."

With a furious shout, Luo Binghe's power condensed into his palm again, and he thrust out furiously. But as his blast left his hand, the winds ceased, and he was left standing in front of the willow vines.

He was left panting and confused, that eerie voice echoing in his ear, but something inside him told him to push past the willow vines and ignore what that voice said. And so, he did. But when he made it past the thick vines, he found something he truly didn't understand.

It was Shen Qingxin.

He was sitting right before him.

But he wasn't moving, and vines were wrapped around him, blooming flowers covering the thorns he knew were surely there. And two white chrysanthemums covered his eyes. At first, Luo Binghe could only see the beauty in the image before him…he looked like a forest spirit. But as he took a step forward, and nothing changed, Shen Qingxin didn't move to look at him, and the vines didn't retreat…

He didn't even see the rise and fall of his chest.

Dread settled like a fog, and he bound forward, but before he could even reach out–a vine wrapped around his legs and yanked him back. No matter what he did, no matter the blast of demonic qi he sent at the vines, no matter how many he tore out of the ground until even the roots were visible, they kept coming, and he was unable to move forward.

"Qingxin!" Luo Binghe shouted, growling in his frustration as he turned back and tried to reach out for the man again, but he still didn't move. Why wasn't he moving? He had heard him singing, he was right there before him! Why wasn't he answering him!? "Yuan-ge! A-Yuan!"

Light flashed before his eyes, and Luo Binghe's neck jerked back violently, resulting in a harsh pop of his joints and the body in his arms jerking awake with him. His throat felt sore, and he was panting raggedly, hands smaller than his own reached out and pulled him down into a bamboo and vanilla-scented robe, against the covered shoulder of the Peak Lord. A hand was rubbing his back and Shen Yuan hummed softly until he heard Luo Binghe's breathing even out. "Is Binghe alright? What did he see?"

For a long moment, he was unable to say a word, only able to stare up at Shen Yuan with wide eyes and a baffled expression. "Sh…Shizun didn't see it too? He wasn't there with me?"

"No…" Shen Yuan answered. "That was actually the first time in years that I've fallen asleep without having some sort of dream…Binghe, what did you see?"

A lump clogged his throat, and a desperate sense of denial overcame him until he was unable to resist the urge to wrap his arms tightly around Shen Yuan and all but try to morph himself entwined with the Peak Lord. "It…It was only confusing, Shizun. This disciple understands…"

Shen Yuan hummed softly at this, combing his fingers through Luo Binghe's hair. "They normally are, the visions aren't always clear and concise. Binghe doesn't have to worry about it anymore, this Master knows how to handle it."

Luo Binghe hummed lowly at this, arms tightening as he inhaled deeply, only able to pray that his Shizun's scent could calm him enough before Shen Yuan noticed his own anxiety spike in his scent. They said nothing more, the sun was already beginning to lower to the west, and neither truly felt the need to move.

Until they heard the familiar voice of Xiyan shout out for them. "Yuan-er! Binghe! We found the flower!"

"Hauyue City?" Tianlang-Jun questioned as the three stealthily snuck their way through the crowds.

Zhuzhi-Lang took on his regular disguise of nothing but a cloak, while Su Xiyan had procured different clothes for both her and Tianlang-Jun, including face coverings, however, Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe only wore black cloaks to disguise themselves, seeing as even if they went to the extreme measures of Su Xiyan and Tianlang-Jun, they'd undoubtedly draw suspicious attention to themselves.

Not to mention there was truly little either of them could do to conceal their identities anyhow.

"This is where two of the three Sun-Moon-Dew Mushrooms are planted, we just may need two of them to create a viable body for you," said Shen Yuan. "Likewise, there is an incantation that must be said along with the flower being planted, it doesn't matter who says it, but I hadn't had the time to memorize it by heart."

"Does Yuan-er have the incantation written down?" Su Xiyan questioned, though Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan both groaned in unison at the question.

They both knew all too well where it was.

"It's written down," Luo Binghe huffed in annoyance. The Human Realm was the last place he wanted to be however, he had made a promise to his Shizun, and he planned to upkeep it. Besides, once they finished everything here, they could return to the palace and Luo Binghe would get to pester Shen Yuan more on how he wished their home to be built and all of the other little odds and ins he was rather looking forward to. "However, it is hidden within Huan Hua's Palaces hidden catacombs of treasury."

"Of course, those bastards would have such a thing," Tianlang-Jun grumbled, rolling his eyes exaggeratedly as he leaned against the wall of the alley they were hiding in. For once, Luo Binghe actually made a sound of agreement with the past Demon Lord's statement before he continued.

"Shizun will lead the three of you to the Sun-Moon-Dew Mushrooms while I retrieve it." Luo Binghe stated.

"That mousy little Peak Lord we spoke with before said something about you 'reaping just retribution on Huan Hua Palace and the rest of the great sects,' is it truly such a good idea for you to go to Huan Hua Palace yourself?" Tianlang-Jun questioned, not entirely accusatorily, but with enough attitude to give off the fact that he knew exactly what Luo Binghe had done.

Even though no one else around them seemed to know exactly what that was.

Luo Binghe scoffed at him, as though finding the statement humorous. Though when Shen Yuan looked up at him rather expectantly, he cleared his expression and merely shook his head. "What happened was nothing more than evening the odds, no hands were raised that were not already raised before." As he said this, he shot Shen Yuan a glance from the corner of his eye, earning an unimpressed and rather disbelieving look from the Peak Lord...his beloved truly knew him a little too well sometimes, he could hardly get away with a thing! Clearing his throat, Luo Binghe continued. "Regardless, Huan Hua Palace will be no problem for me. No one will stop me or stand in my way there. All that needs to be worried about is you four getting the Sun-Moon-Dew Mushrooms in time and this one will meet you there."

"...Binghe," Su Xiyan spoke up softly, earning the attention of her son. "Be careful. I'd like for all of this to end rather peacefully."

Luo Binghe hummed softly. "This one will do everything in his power, Xiyan." With nothing left to say, Su Xiyan nodded and walked further into the alley where Zhuzhi-Lang hid himself. Tianlang-Jun followed after her as the three began to discuss amongst themselves.

Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan both watched with careful expressions before turning to face the bustling street only a few feet in front of them. Luo Binghe sneaking into Huan Hua Palace shouldn't have caused any alarm, but Shen Yuan still found himself fidgeting worriedly as horrid thoughts of being caught muffled his rational thinking. "Yuan-ge..." Luo Binghe called out to him, taking his full attention without even having to try.

He had always had that capability, hadn't he? Even as a young child and Shen Yuan a teenager, the mere instance that lovely and sweet little boy called out to him—even when Shen Yuan had done everything in his power to keep his distance—every part of himself practically held itself out on display for him, giving his full attention without even meaning to.

Every time that spirited and bright-eyed young man came up to him during a lesson on Bai Zhan Peak or off the mountain, Shen Yuan always found himself smiling unconsciously and turning to meet that same smile. Even after things only changed in the eyes of Luo Binghe, and now that Shen Yuan thought back on it, things about that young man shifted in ways that should have caused him to take notice, every time he'd call out to him, he always had Shen Yuan's full attention.

It really wasn't something Shen Yuan could control in the slightest on whether to give or to take.

Truly, it just belonged to Luo Binghe, didn't it?

"Hm?" His answer only came in a curt hum, his healed eyes looking up at the Demon Lord who gazed at him while keeping his back to the street. The black cloak he wore practically created blind-out curtains to the alleyway.

"Is Yuan-ge nervous?" Luo Binghe asked, not in any teasing sort of way, but rather in the way of someone who wanted to find out the truth, wanted to know the reasoning, and wanted to be the reason that all of the bad went away.

"Yes," Shen Yuan answered honestly, never finding the reason or will to hide the truth from Luo Binghe anymore. What was the point? Luo Binghe was truly the strongest and, in some ways, the cleverest man alive, even if Shen Yuan dared to lie to him, he'd find out anyway! So what point was there? Causing both of them any grievance? Besides...Shen Yuan found that it was quite relieving to have someone he could be entirely honest with. "I worry for Binghe in this endeavor."

Luo Binghe hummed softly, and without hesitation or asking for permission as he had before for the past...almost two weeks, he outstretched his arms and lazily pulled Shen Yuan into a hug. It was a rather cute gesture if Shen Yuan was being honest, watching as the imposing Demon Lord lowered himself to rest his head on the Peak Lord's shoulder and sniffle as the complex scent of bamboo, vanilla, and aloeswood flooded his senses from the proximity.

Truly, this disciple of his was nothing more than an overgrown puppy! Clinging and sniffling at this old man like a pup! Grumbling and whining every time Shen Yuan tried to pull away, even if it were just to readjust himself, and always batting those sinfully long eyelashes at him while poking out his bottom lip like a baby!

What a crybaby he had! A spoiled and overgrown crybaby!

Nothing but crocodile tears in those eyes, no matter how terrifying they looked with that ominous red glow! Forget imposing and fear-striking Demon Lord! Luo Binghe was just a puppy with wolf skin! Sharp teeth were nothing but a facade to hide the sweet tongue that spoke nothing but soft and rather domestic things in Shen Yuan's ears, a large body to hide the maiden's heart within, and a piercing attitude to weed out those who would not cherish the true gentleness of his soul!

Shen Yuan, however, found that he didn't quite mind this.

He found that he quite enjoyed the scent of bitter almonds and smoky woods, spicy with a sweet undertone of jasmine and lotus that always left him feeling rather loose in his joints and muscles that were naturally pulled taught. Not to mention...Luo Binghe's chest...

Don't get him wrong! He wasn't a pervert or anything that had a thing for such...additions...but he was a man who could appreciate a well-disciplined body! It was nothing more than admiration, okay!? Who wouldn't take the time to appreciate the rather soft mounds of muscle on someone's chest!? Or the rock-hard firmness of the abdomen pressed against their own!?

He was literally squished into Luo Binghe! He had no choice but to feel them! Even if his head technically was up to the Demon Lord's chin and he had to lean down only slightly to actually press his cheek into those soft mounds of muscle, it was only because he admired Luo Binghe's dedication to training his physical body as well as his spiritual and demonic cultivation!

Besides, didn't he have some right to ogle anyway!? Luo Binghe had made it rather clear and transparent that he wanted no one but Shen Yuan as a partner, mate, and spouse, likewise he had taken no others to bed, and they were technically courting, right? Tianlang-Jun had made mention of some of the rather...unorthodox ways Luo Binghe had attempted to display his affections, so they were courting right? He had the right to admire! It was respectful after all! It wasn't like he was being inappropriate or lewd in any sense!

But...had he done anything to court Luo Binghe back? Did he have to? He had never heard of an Omega actually needing to do anything but accept the courtship, but perhaps he had heard wrong. Doing nothing back when someone was making efforts to win your affection sounded rather silly...and a little rude if he was being honest. Was he supposed to court Luo Binghe in the same way he was courting him? Were there certain things only Alphas should give to Omegas and vice versa? Or was it all to be personal to the person in question? Where was the book about this stuff when you needed it!?

Did demons have different customs to those sorts of things? Did domination matter at all in those endeavors? Did it even matter if they did because of Luo Binghe's half-and-half heritage? Should he appeal to both sides? If he was taking a note from Shang Qinghua's book, it seemed that a person's domination didn't truly matter to either party or maybe it was just how the two of them were in their preferences. Not to mention Mobei-Jun was king of the northern desert and Shang Qinghua was a Cang Qiong Peak Lord, who would ever dare insult them?

His brothers hadn't ever truly courted each other, their relationship honestly just fell into place like pieces of a puzzle once they found out they were a fated pair. They took their time to talk it out alone before going to Shen Yuan and explaining it all to him and how it would change nothing between the three of them, only giving the two of them the chance to be happy together without fear of the taboo of two Alphas being in such a relationship. Other than that, they gave him no other talks on such matters aside from how one figures out another person is bound to them by fate.

At such a moment as this, it was painfully clear just how little Shen Yuan understood of these matters. How had he lived two lives and never learned about this sort of thing!? Wasn't this important stuff to instruct people about!? Did everyone just assume he didn't need to know because he would just stay single for his entire life!?

The traitors! He wasn't that bad!

"Yuan-ge..." Luo Binghe called out to him, snapping Shen Yuan away from his thoughts as he looked up at the pouting Demon Lord.

"What are you pouting for?" Shen Yuan asked, unconsciously pressing himself closer to the young man who smiled triumphantly before taking on that same pout again.

What a little poser!

"Yuan-ge wasn't answering me, where had his thoughts taken him?" Luo Binghe questioned as he purposefully leaned down to nuzzle into the small, exposed portion of skin at Shen Yuan's neck, grinning when he felt rather than heard the Peak Lord's stifled reaction.

"I was thinking of courting." Shen Yuan answered truthfully, finding his inhibitions and his normal filter practically flying out the window. What use did he have for it anyway? "Binghe is courting me, yes? So, what should I do in return to accept it and reciprocate it? I...I'm not familiar with these matters, and I don't know what I should do."

Luo Binghe's back straightened in an instant once Shen Yuan spoke, looking down at the Peak Lord in his arms with wide eyes. However, when he looked down, he found that the Peak Lord was staring at him rather intently, his question a serious one and not one he planned to let Luo Binghe brush off even if he wanted to. "Yuan-ge...wants to reciprocate it?"

"I'm allowed to, aren't I?" Shen Yuan questioned. "Domination doesn't truly matter when it comes to this, does it? I just don't understand how I should do it, and if there are things that Binghe wants from it specifically."

Luo Binghe felt a foreign part of his heart melt all over again at Shen Yuan's words. In all of the marriages and courtships he had before in his past life, none of his wives reciprocated anything aside from sex in their relationship, the courting, and the marriage rites were all left up to him to settle and plan out, the most they would do is come to him for sex or offer themselves up like brothel women whenever he visited the harem palace.

Half the time he didn't even bother with proper courting or marital rites, just skipping to the inevitable end to make things simpler for him, since he knew that none of his wives planned to or even wanted to reciprocate any of his romantic gestures.

But his Yuan-ge...his fated one, he truly was just...different.

Luo Binghe found himself more surprised than not at the affection Shen Yuan still showed him, given so easily and without trepidation. The careful yet sweet gestures gave Luo Binghe the room to refuse or give his opinion without fear of being judged, even though Luo Binghe truly doubted there would ever be a thing that Shen Yuan could do that he would not love with all of his heart. He found that even the mere thought of treating Shen Yuan the same way he had treated his wives, and how they had treated him in the past life made his blood run cold and his stomach flip from nausea.

He didn't want to skip over a single thing in their relationship. The proper courtship, even if it took him a long while; gaining the approval—no matter how reluctant—of the Cang Qiong Sect Leader and the first Peak Lord of Qing Jing, and then after they had enough time, the proper martial rites and ceremony. He could already see it all planned out before him, no expense spared, and his Yuan-ge would look oh so lovely in red wedding silks and garments.

There had never truly been a time when he had wanted for such things in his past life. Every relationship, every wife, they all were nothing but inconsequential things to him. They meant hardly a thing to him just as he meant hardly a thing to them. He truly didn't care if they found love with each other—which happened quite a lot in the harem—or even if they brought another person to their bed. As long as they had served their purpose to him, then they had unlimited freedoms and luxuries at their disposal to do with whatever they pleased. A few of them had even tried to use such luxuries and freedoms to rise against him, prepared to stab him in the back and take what they believed was theirs.

In the end, just as their marriage to him didn't matter, neither did their deaths whenever their 'righteous' plans of retribution against the cruel Saintly Ruler undoubtedly failed.

But Shen Yuan...Luo Binghe truly couldn't see himself ever raising a hand to defend himself if the Peak Lord so chose to betray him. He truly couldn't see any possibility of even fighting back, dodging, or protecting himself, he'd let it happen. What kind of a world would it be to live in if his Yuan-ge didn't live in it as well? He could die, that was simply fine. But now that he had a taste for what he could have, he truly didn't believe he would be able to live with his Yuan-ge gone or hating him.

However, his Yuan-ge was not like that. Even when he had the chance before, or the reasoning to fight back or hate him, he never did. Perhaps a scolding or a cold shoulder, but he never treated him cruelly, he never raised a hand against him, and never truly left him alone to fester in the hatred in his heart.

The rain that put out the forest fire, the moon that blocked out the scorching sun in an eclipse, the oasis in the middle of a desert. His Yuan-ge truly was his second half, the better part of him, and the one person without whom he could not live.

Finally taking a breath to answer Shen Yuan's question, Luo Binghe did his best to school his expression and keep himself sane. They had to leave soon...they both had to take on separate things, but they would reunite soon...how he hated this plan of theirs! Why did he produce the idea of separating again!? Even his Yuan-ge had said that staying together would be safest!? Why didn't he listen!? "If that is what Yuan-ge wants, he can, but he does not have to."

"Don't have to; have to, what does it matter?" Shen Yuan waved it off. "I want to. I just...don't know how. I don't want to make any mistakes by doing the wrong thing, so what would Binghe like me to do? Should I reciprocate something that Binghe has done? What...ah, what exactly has he done that counts as courting?"

There was a slight furrow in his eyebrows, the smallest twitch of his nose as he thought, and Luo Binghe severely felt the urge to bite the bottom lip the Peak Lord had sucked into his mouth once he looked away in thought. His Yuan-ge...it didn't matter what they wanted or how he had to get it, he would absolutely get Shen Qingqiu's and Yue Qingyuan's blessing before long just so he could have his Shizun all to himself.

Making sure that there wasn't a twinge of the arousal he felt in his tone or expression, Luo Binghe smiled kindly as he unwrapped on arm from around Shen Yuan's waist and brought his hand up to cup the Peak Lord's cheek. "Shizun does not need to reciprocate the things I have done...this one can admit that they were rather, ah...extreme. This disciple fears that it would be too much for Shizun, he can do whatever he feels is right. There are no gestures that cannot have the intention of courtship behind them, and this humble Binghe would feel honored with whatever Yuan-ge chose to do."

Shen Yuan huffed at the answer. "That's rather vague, Binghe. Surely not every gesture in this world can have the intention of courtship behind it! There are limits aren't there?" Shaking his head, Shen Yuan otherwise pressed his cheek into the large hand that held his face. How the hell were Luo Binghe's hands both soft and rough all at the same time!? He could feel the callouses on his hands, but in the same motion, he could also feel just how smooth and soft his skin was! Where the hell was the logic in that!? "Besides, this Master is sure that there is nothing that Luo Binghe had done that can be that extreme. Name a few if Binghe is so worried about this Master overexerting himself."

Luo Binghe chuckled softly at the order, his Yuan-ge...so stubborn! "The garden this Binghe took Shizun to was not natural, this one planted and created the entire thing. It is upheld by my spiritual powers only. The house this humble disciple hopes to build with Yuan-ge, the clothes Yuan-ge wears, and the shows of strength and prowess since I first saw Shizun again after so long."

Shen Yuan was struck speechless! Luo Binghe had gone through so much trouble just for courting!? How the hell hadn't he noticed!? In other words, how the hell was he supposed to do anything that matched that!? Luo Binghe had gone through so much strife and effort, what could Shen Yuan even do that could even be subpar to all of that!?

Luo Binghe laughed sympathetically at the pale expression on his Shizun's face, leaning down to pepper soft kisses to the man's temple and cheek as he pulled him impossibly closer in the intimate embrace. "This humble disciple does not expect Shizun to do anything of the sort in return. As this one said, he would be honored and grateful for anything Yuan-ge chooses to do...besides, in some sense, Yuan-ge has already done more than a few courting displays."

"How!?" Shen Yuan screeched, before quickly covering his mouth and looking around them nervously. They were supposed to be inconspicuous here! His yelling like a banshee wouldn't help them! From behind them, the parents and Zhuzhi-Lang only sent over a questionable look that both Shen Yuan and Luo Binghe waved off, allowing the three to enrapture themselves in their own conversation before the two continued.

Luo Binghe leaned down once again to nuzzle at Shen Yuan's half-hidden neck, smiling coly even though the Peak Lord was unable to see. "Shizun has displayed his loyalty and affection for this humble disciple through his acts of protection and bravery, and in a few ways, his forgiveness and shows of benevolence towards this wayward disciple."

"I...I didn't know those counted." Shen Yuan mumbled rather embarrassedly, all the times he had protected Luo Binghe had been when he was a disciple! Did that make him some kind of a pervert!? And acts of benevolence!? How was the fact that he thought with his brain and understood that as life goes on accidents will occur, there will be terrible situations out of anyone's control, and that no one person alone should be blamed for it!?

"Binghe...I don't understand." Shen Yuan murmured. Earning a quizzical look from Luo Binghe as he straightened his back. "None of those things...I was just acting accordingly. How could me, treating you with the bare minimum of respect and compassion, be seen as such an influential and intimate display? Binghe deserves to be treated with love and respect, which shouldn't earn me any praise or reverence for just doing the bare minimum."

Luo Binghe truly couldn't help the pang in his heart. He could only stare at Shen Yuan rather awestruck, it just seemed that every day he was allowed to get to know his Shizun on an increasingly intimate level, he continued to surprise him. Shen Yuan shrieked when Luo Binghe dove down again, this time wrapping his arms so tightly around Shen Yuan's waist that he was nearly hoisting the Peak Lord off of his feet.

"This humble disciple is grateful for anything and everything Yuan-ge has done for him. He would be honored and grateful for anything Shizun chose to do from here on."

Shen Yuan huffed at the statement, patting Luo Binghe's softly. "Binghe's standards are rather low, this Master will make sure to do at least something that equates to all that Binghe has done for him..." Shen Yuan, blushing like a schoolgirl, quickly surged forward and kissed Luo Binghe's temple, looking away just as quickly as he did it when the Demon Lord looked back up at him again with an awestruck expression. "Don't look at me like that!" Shen Yuan humphed.

Luo Binghe could only smile a little wider and return the gesture with a kiss of his own to Shen Yuan's cheek. "This disciple is merely happy that Shizun is so kind to him."

Shen Yuan huffed at that, flicking Luo Binghe's forehead gently as he looked down at his feet. "Binghe...you don't have to refer to yourself as my disciple. You are a fully grown man now, and the Saintly Ruler of the Demon Realm, we're far more than equals now...if anything it is this Master who is beneath you."

Luo Binghe growled softly at that, tightening his hold as he glared softly, as though personally offended by Shen Yuan's statement. "This humble Binghe will always be beneath Yuan-ge, that is his role as Yuan-ge's disciple, and it is one that he treasures. Just because this Lord rules the Demon Realm, it does not mean that he does not hold Shizun in higher respect."

Shen Yuan huffed at this, flicking Luo Binghe on the forehead. "Just because Luo Binghe is my disciple, it does not mean he is beneath me. He is intelligent and has far greater martial prowess than myself. He is my equal not only in a sense of cultivation but also as my chosen, this Master wouldn't be with anyone he did not think was worthy."

Luo Binghe couldn't help but smile, hugging Shen Yuan tighter still as he hummed understandingly. Shen Yuan huffed at him again, otherwise relaxing into the embrace until one question practically burned his throat until he said it aloud. "Binghe...you said that my acts of protection towards you also counted as courtship displays...but I was only able to protect you when you were a disciple...doesn't that make me some kind of a pervert?"

Luo Binghe practically choked on the air he breathed to suppress his reaction. He...hadn't ever thought of it that way, but from the expression on his Shizun's face, it seemed to be a reoccurring worry of his. "No...No, Shizun. It is as this disciple said, it is the intentions behind it. If Yuan-ge wishes for this one to see it as such, then I will, and if not, then this humble Binghe will see it as nothing more than acts of Shizun's unconscious benevolence."

Shen Yuan sighed at this, shaking his head. "Binghe can see it however he pleases...this Master has always cared for his well-being, but he still plans to do something in return in terms of courting."

Luo Binghe nodded understandingly. "This disciple is excited to see what Yuan-ge plans then."

"Anything counts as a courting display? As long as it has the intention behind it?" Shen Yuan clarified for himself, earning a nod from the Demon Lord.

"Shows of affection and material gifts, displays of prowess and strength, and even acts of protection. As long as the action has the intent of either courting or guaranteeing the prosperity of your chosen it counts as long as you wish for it to." Luo Binghe simplified further.

Shen Yuan nodded before glancing behind them, the other three were still enraptured in their conversation, but the sun was already dwelling high in the sky, and they would want to do his before dark. So, he said, "We will leave for the Sun-Moon-Dew Mushroom now, Binghe will go to Huan Hua Palace and meet us there?"

Luo Binghe grumbled at this, tightening his arms around Shen Yuan's waist. "Why doesn't Yuan-ge just come with me? Xiyan, Zhuzhi-Lang, and that old man know where to go, Shizun explained it to them."

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes and took a step back, earning a pitiful and displeased whine from the Demon Lord. "Just because I told them doesn't mean that they will find it. Shang-shidi and I hid them expertly just in case, there is no point in taking that risk, we will meet with each other again."

Luo Binghe reluctantly obeyed his Shizun's command, releasing him to venture over to the other three as he unsheathed Xin Mo. "We will see you there," Su Xiyan nodded to her son, who only nodded back curtly as he watched Shen Yuan pull up the hood of his cloak and lead the other three out of the alleyway before a sharp whistle cut through the air, and Xin Mo cut open a portal to Huan Hua Palace.

Shen Yuan led the group through the streets of Huayue City, only occasionally stopping them so they could blend in with the crowd whenever they saw disciples of any of the four great sects roaming about. What were they doing here anyway? Shen Yuan wanted to do his best to ignore them, but when he turned around, Tianlang-Jun had already torn a poster from a wall off the street and held it out to him to see.

"Second Qing Jing Peak Lord: Shen Qingxin, Missing. Wanted: Luo Binghe."

"What...?" Shen Yuan breathed, flipping over the paper a few times to see that it had Cang Qiong's insignia on it. "Why are they blaming Binghe for this? He was there when Xizhi-gege took me, how could they blame him?"

Zhuzhi-Lang slithered to his side, looking over his shoulder with a tight expression. Su Xiyan on the other hand, reached out and took the paper from Shen Yuan, scanning it over with her husband before crumpling up the piece of paper and tossing it aside. "We will discuss this later, for now, as long as Yuan-er does not agree with that poster and does not fault Binghe for this, then that is all that matters. And if he does, then we will deal with it accordingly."

Shen Yuan nodded softly, but otherwise waved off what Su Xiyan said. "Of course, I don't blame Binghe, let's go before any of those disciples take notice of us." Shen Yuan led them the rest of the way out of the city until they reached the west outskirts, and he led them further into the brush. The four stayed quiet the entire time, listening out for any abnormal sounds around them.

For a while, all was silent and rather peaceful, and the group collectively felt relieved as they lowered their hoods and looked around at each other. "How far did Yuan-er plant the Sun-Moon-Dew Mushroom?" Zhuzhi-Lang questioned as he walked side by side with the Peak Lord.

"We planted it a few hundred meters west of the city, it's in a small clearing in between two large oak trees. Impossible to miss, but inconspicuous enough so outsiders wouldn't find it." Shen Yuan answered.

Silence.

For a long moment, no one spoke, and no one heard a thing. That is until a piercing shriek tore through the air, and suddenly, Tianlang-Jun surged forward and reached out to grab the arrow that had been fired at Shen Yuan.

The Peak Lord reeled back, barely even having the time to watch the heavenly demon throw the arrow away before a torrent of a hundred more were fired at them. "Run!" Su Xiyan shouted, the other three immediately following her orders as they sped through the forest.

Arrows continued to rain down on them, and Shen Yuan hissed as he drew Ming Quzi with a sharp whistle and halted in his tracks, humming lowly as the blade surged forward and cut down the current torrent. "Yuan-er!" Su Xiyan shouted, the other three sliding to a halt as they reached out for him.

"Go! Now!" Shen Yuan ordered, taking a single step forward as Ming Quzi shrieked with an ear-splitting tune and illuminated with a blinding light. "Make it to the clearing! Binghe will be there in only a moment! I will be there once no one is following us!"

"Absolutely not!" Tianlang-Jun shouted, he and Zhuzhi-Lang surged forward to help until a barrier of light quite literally hit the both of them in the chest and forced them back.

With his right hand, Shen Yuan had drawn up a barrier to push the other three deeper into the woods, and with his left, called Ming Quzi back into his hand. "I'm afraid this is not an option, Tianlang-Jun. So, please go!"

Su Xiyan pressed her hand to the barrier, though was unable to push past it or shatter it, and with a severe expression said, "Yuan-er, come back to us this time!" Shen Yuan faltered for a moment, but after a long bout of silence, he nodded and smiled sadly.

"We will not repeat history, Xiyan! But please go and meet Binghe!" With nothing left to say, Su Xiyan, Tianlang-Jun, and Zhuzhi-Lang—all with severe and sorrowful expressions—nodded and turned away to hurry to the clearing that Shen Yuan had instructed of them.

Shen Yuan sighed in relief once their silhouettes were far enough away, letting the barrier fall away as he drew up his hood and clutched Ming Quzi in hand. None of you are getting by. Shen Yuan thought resolutely as he heard the pounding of footsteps draw closer. He made sure that his face was hidden as well as it could be and charged forward in tandem.

The strike of blades against blades wrang out the cries of the damned. Shen Yuan crossed blades with three unidentifiable disciples and cultivators the second he charged forward. With ease, he was able to send them flying, and with a sharp whistle, Ming Quzi flew out of his hand and straight into the fray of clashing bodies and swords.

Without a weapon in hand, Shen Yuan practically danced around the attackers, dodging, and weaving through each person with Ming Quzi trailing right behind him to either throw them into the air, knock their weapons out of their hands, or immobilize them completely by knocking them unconscious.

The people that attacked didn't seem to belong to just one sect, when he looked closely enough, he saw robes from both Tian Yi Temple and Zhao Hua Monastery. Oddly enough, he saw none from Cang Qiong Mountain or from Huan Hua Palace. There were a few that belonged to no sect, however, and were likely just rouge cultivators who had joined in the fray at the chance to make a name for themselves.

Regardless, they would not make it past him.

Not a single one did, none was able to step past him to chase after the others who had been with him. All being thrown back or knocked unconscious if they tried. None of the disciples or the rouge cultivators could see Shen Yuan's face, but they cared little for who they were attacking, all they saw was the insignia of the Demon Realm on this cultivator's clothes, and immediately assumed he was either a traitor or a demon in disguise, not even taking a moment to notice the famous sword that was drawing them back and parrying their attacks.

Fruitlessly, they all tried to take him down, but each was met with a master's skill set and was either beaten back with the sword or by the spiritual blasts that literally sent men into the trees.

Shen Yuan, however, found all of this tedious and repetitive. None of these disciples or rouge cultivators were well trained and neither had the skill set to stand against a Peak Lord of Cang Qiong. Tian Yi Temple and Zhao Hua Monastery were not well known for their marital abilities, so the fact that these disciples attacked with brute strength and weapons let him know that they were likely new and did not possess the spiritual prowess to bind him down or hold him in a barrier to subdue him.

After an unknown amount of time, finally, the number of attackers began to dwindle, and Shen Yuan thought he was close to finding his opportunity to escape.

Only for a booming voice to freeze him in place and cause the rest of the disciples and rouge cultivators to drop their weapons and turn around in cold terror.

"Stay your weapons, immediately!"