Chapter 67

Raising a wayward child was no easy task. After offering his placating smile, Shen Qingqiu tried a different approach. "It's been a while. Your cultivation has grown even more profound, Junior Brother."

Liu Qingge tilted his chin up. "Just emerged from seclusion."

Back when Luo Binghe had laid siege to Cang Qiong Mountain, Liu Qingge had snarled 'Just you wait!' He'd meant it—he'd gone straight into closed-door cultivation. And the moment he emerged, he'd come to the rescue. Shen Qingqiu rubbed his nose, feeling a simple 'thank you' was woefully inadequate.

Luo Binghe's eyes darted between the two men before he chimed in. "Still not as strong as me."

Shen Qingqiu shot him a look. Yes, yes, you're the strongest. The protagonist with all the cheat codes, of course you are. I get it!

He turned back to Liu Qingge, shifting the subject. "How did you know to find me here in the Southern Border?"

As it turned out, upon leaving seclusion, Liu Qingge had sped straight to Luo Binghe's northern territory in the demon realm. He'd carved a path of carnage through it, nearly turning the place upside down, only to find neither Shen Qingqiu nor Luo Binghe there. They'd apparently rushed back, given some orders, and left immediately. He'd first captured that demon woman—Sha-something-or-other—for interrogation. The Hundred Battles Peak's method of questioning was beating, with the only variable being the degree of force. Naturally disinclined to strike a woman, he'd gotten nothing from her. Fortunately, he'd then run into Shang Qinghua, who was just wandering around with nothing better to do.

Liu Qingge showed no mercy to that guy. The moment his fist rose, Shang Qingha started babbling everything: the quality of Shen Qingqiu's meals during his stay in the demon realm, his daily leisure activities, and the crucial information about being taken to the Southern Border.

Once he had the information, Liu Qingge had intended to execute the traitor on the spot. Who knew that Mo Beijun would suddenly appear? The two fought, collapsing a good portion of Luo Binghe's underground palace in the process, which caused the delay.

This tumultuous, violence-filled saga was the recent itinerary of the great Liu Qingge.

To go through so much trouble… Liu Qingge was truly a man more reliable than a blood brother!

Shen Qingqiu suddenly remembered the urgent matter he needed to convey. His expression turned serious. "Alright, let's stop there. Junior Brother, there's something critical I must tell you."

"Speak."

"Do you know of Tianlang-Jun?"

To anyone in the cultivation world, that name was legendary.

Years ago, during the battle that saw Tianlang-Jun sealed beneath White Dew Mountain, the four great sects had mobilized in full force. While Cang Qiong Mountain Sect was a major participant, the fighters then were the peak lords of the previous generation. Among the current peak lords, only Yue Qingyuan, then the head disciple of Qiong Ding Peak, had participated. It was there he made his name with Xuan Su, playing a pivotal role.

Naturally, Liu Qingge knew this. "The previous Demon Saint? His physical body was destroyed seven or eight years ago."

"Destroyed doesn't mean dead," Shen Qingqiu said. "It could also mean he shed his shell."

Liu Qingge raised an eyebrow. "Like you did?"

A pang of guilt shot through Shen Qingqiu. He coughed. "Precisely."

Liu Qingge didn't press further. "He's free. And then?"

"Tianlang-Jun intends to merge the demon and human realms."

"You mean he plans to invade the human realm?"

Shen Qingqiu had expected this confusion. When people heard 'merge,' most assumed it meant 'conquer.' But that wasn't it. What Tianlang-Jun planned to do with the Xin Mo Sword was a literal, physical merging.

The demon and human realms were like two sides of a single sheet of paper, existing in different spatial layers. A stroke drawn on the front, no matter how long, could never reach the back.

The Xin Mo Sword had the power to fold those two sides onto the same plane.

Take Luo River in the human realm and the Bone Burial Ridge in the demon realm—two locations in separate spatial layers. In the original work, after Luo Binghe used Xin Mo as a key to merge the realms, the Bone Burial Ridge was 'stitched' right into the middle of Luo River, becoming a solitary island.

After this simple explanation, Liu Qingge frowned. "Is such a thing even possible?"

Of course it was. The original Luo Binghe had succeeded!

Shen Qingqiu gave a heavy, solemn nod. Liu Qingge thought for a moment. "This is a grave matter. We'll need proof to convince the various Sect Leaders."

Proof was precisely what they lacked. Shen Qingqiu was beginning to feel a headache coming on when Luo Binghe, who had been quiet for a while, suddenly spoke. "Master, why not ask me?"

Before Shen Qingqiu could answer, Liu Qingge beat him to it with a derisive snort.

The reason for the snort was ample. Luo Binghe had demon blood. He'd long since turned against the orthodox sects, his infamy widespread. He'd twisted Illusion Flower Palace into a veritable cult. Though its power hadn't waned under his control, the four great sects had long since ostracized it. As a major cultivation sect, it existed in name only and was of no help.

So, asking him was probably pointless…

Shen Qingqiu understood this perfectly but couldn't say it aloud. Who knew how that fragile glass heart of Luo Binghe's would shatter otherwise?

He managed a few dry chuckles. Before he finished, a slight weight settled on his shoulder.

Luo Binghe's head rested gently against his left shoulder.

Thinking he was being clingy again, Shen Qingqiu stiffened. But a closer look showed Luo Binghe's eyes were closed, his expression one of peaceful slumber.

Falling asleep standing up? Weren't we just talking?

Shen Qingqiu gripped his arm to keep him from tumbling off the sword. "Luo Binghe?" he called softly.

No response. After a pause, Shen Qingqiu tried again, his voice even lower and softer. "...Binghe?"

He called twice before those eyes slowly opened. Seeing his gaze unfocused, Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but ask, "Are you truly that tired?"

It hadn't been long since they left the Holy Mausoleum. Even if Luo Binghe's numerous injuries had healed quickly, there were likely lingering effects. Feeling faint was possible.

Luo Binghe shook his head. "No."

Shen Qingqiu considered this, then turned to Liu Qingge, who stood with arms crossed, watching them coldly. "Junior Brother, once we cross the borderlands, perhaps you should go ahead. Return to Cang Qiong Mountain and inform Senior Brother, the Sect Leader. Gather the sects for discussion."

Liu Qingge's eyes widened slightly. "And you?"

"I may return later. Luo… Binghe is in this state. I think it's safer to let him rest before we travel further."

Liu Qingge's voice took on an edge. "I came to bring you back."

Shen Qingqiu hesitated. Luo Binghe remained silent, head bowed, the picture of docility. "Just one night," Shen Qingqiu pleaded.

Liu Qingge's stern gaze fixed on Luo Binghe nestled behind Shen Qingqiu. "Not even one night."

So what now?

One hour later, the three of them passed through the borderlands and stopped before the largest inn in the city.

This city was far from the Central Plains, home to numerous minor sects but rarely visited by figures of such extraordinary grace and immortal bearing. And here were three at once, each more striking than the last. A small crowd gathered to stare. Liu Qingge strode forward, head high, Cheng Luan in hand, and stepped across the threshold first.

The main hall was opulent, spacious, and bright. A waiter immediately came to greet them. "Junior Brother," Shen Qingqiu said, "you're really staying with us?"

He'd always pegged Liu Qingge as the type who transcended mortal needs—someone who didn't require sleep, or if he did, it would be on a spirit platform wreathed in clouds.

Liu Qingge stood with his sword, arms folded, his voice icy. "I don't trust him."

He lifted his gaze just in time to see Luo Binghe, behind Shen Qingqiu, give two silent, mocking snorts. His eyes held a wicked glint, his lips curled in a faint, contemptuous smile, malice practically dripping from his gaze. Instantly enraged, the veins on Liu Qingge's hand gripping Cheng Luan bulged. Seeing this, Shen Qingqiu hurriedly interjected, "Let's talk this out calmly, no need for anger." He glanced back. Luo Binghe blinked with an air of pure innocence, his lips still slightly pale.

The waiter smiled. "Will our honored guests be staying the night?"

Liu Qingge ignored him. Luo Binghe looked ready to collapse at any moment. Shen Qingqiu had to take charge. "Yes."

"How many rooms?"

"Thr—"

"Two," Luo Binghe said.

Liu Qingge's face might as well have been carved with the words 'Wicked Ambitions, Deserving of Death.'

Luo Binghe said amiably, "Two rooms, please. Thank you."

"Three," Liu Qingge stated.

Luo Binghe smiled. "May I ask who's paying?"

Shen Qingqiu and Liu Qingge froze.

Shen Qingqiu, needless to say, had just escaped a demon's lair. He carried no such things. Liu Qingge was even less likely—having slaughtered his way here, why would he remember to bring money?

Luo Binghe said leisurely, "I am. I didn't bring enough. Therefore, two rooms."

"...Junior Brother, don't argue with him about this," Shen Qingqiu sighed.

There was genuinely no solution to this problem. Without money, they couldn't very well pawn Xiu Ya or Cheng Luan…

Was Luo Binghe doing this on purpose? Shen Qingqiu truly didn't dare assume anything anymore. He collected the room tokens. As they ascended the stairs, Liu Qingge in the lead, Shen Qingqiu in the middle, he glanced back helplessly. "If you provoke your martial uncle like this again, I'll sell you to cover the costs."

Luo Binghe looked up, his face a picture of wounded betrayal. "Master, you're always so cruel."

Ahead, Liu Qingge glanced back, wrinkled his nose in profound disgust.

To elicit such an expression from him, Luo Binghe was truly formidable.

The two rooms were adjacent.

Room assignment was a serious matter.

Liu Qingge had his own calculations. This Luo Binghe was unfathomable in action and character, steeped in wickedness—the man had clung to a corpse for five years. And now, the living version was right before his eyes.

Could he be allowed to have his way?

Sparks seemed to crackle in the air between them. Shen Qingqiu remained perfectly calm. He opened his door, stepped inside, and closed it.

Then, abruptly, he pulled it open a crack. "Well then, you two get some good rest."

The sparks instantly froze over.

"...Hey!" Liu Qingge barked.

Was he joking?!

A thunderous scowl truly darkened Luo Binghe's brow. "Shizun," he accused, his voice thick with wounded betrayal. "He'll kill me."

Shen Qingqiu merely held up a single finger toward Liu Qingge. "You may hit him. Just don't hit him to death."

Joking, of course. Sharing a room with Luo Binghe? A straight man and a… whatever Binghe was, locked together after dark? That was just asking for a swift and dramatic demise!

Yes, Shen Qingqiu insisted he was still straight! His lifelong appreciation for trashy harem novels like The Arrogant Devil and the Heavenly Immortal was ironclad proof!

He didn't dare share with Liu Qingge either. While Liu-shidi was the number one straight arrow of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, a paragon of masculinity so pure heaven and earth could bear witness, provoking the jealousy of the Demon Realm's little vinegar jar would be an even more troublesome affair.

Having reached this flawless conclusion, Shen Qingqiu declared with cheerful finality, "It's decided, then."

Luo Binghe's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "...Shizun, how can you be so heartless?"

Shen Qingqiu offered a dry heh and shut the door with decisive finality. He left the two men petrified in the corridor, thoroughly roasted by the winds of his indifference.

Originally, I agreed to stop because he looked so pale and weak… but judging by that performance, his complexion seems just fine.

All that worry for nothing!

After a refreshing bath, Shen Qingqiu changed into clean inner robes. With time to kill, his gaze fell on a stack of thin booklets on the small table by the window. Their covers were a riot of garish colors, the bold titles obscured, each marked with a number: 'One', 'Two', 'Three'. He plucked one from the pile and settled back against the headboard to read.

A quick skim revealed prose dripping with ornate, flowery language, narrating tales of tender passion, and accompanied by rather… exquisite illustrations. Just as Shen Qingqiu leaned in for a closer look, the long-absent system chimed with a delicate ding.

System: [Greetings. Notification One: 'Pleasure Points' have exceeded a designated threshold. Conditions for the drop of a key item have been met. Please prepare to receive it. If the item is not caught upon drop, it will be voided.]

A key item. That fake jade Guanyin statue that could erase 5000 points of Fury?

Shen Qingqiu tossed the booklet aside. "Hold on. 'Pleasure Points have exceeded a threshold, conditions met'… Are you saying that before reaching a certain level of Pleasure, the key item couldn't be activated at all?"

System: [Correct understanding.]

Then what was the point of asking me earlier if I wanted to enable the key item?!

If I enabled it but the conditions weren't met, I'd still have had to use that little 'Scenario Pusher'!

Besides, this item was practically useless now. Shen Qingqiu sincerely believed that as long as he didn't get involved with anyone else, the protagonist's Fury wouldn't rise, even if he never got involved with Luo Binghe.

Even if he pinned Luo Binghe to the ground and beat him half to death, all that would increase would be the Pleasure…

System: [Notification Two: High Energy Ahead. A key mission at Zhaohua Temple is imminent. Please prepare to accept the mission. We wish you a pleasant experience.]

Version 2.0 even comes with 'High Energy' warnings!

Speaking of which, Luo Binghe's recent actions had grown excessively familiar, yet the Pleasure Points hadn't budged. This had puzzled Shen Qingqiu for a while.

It wasn't vanity. Given Luo Binghe's established track record—where a single glare, a harsh word, or a strike could send those points skyrocketing—the lack of a multiplier was frankly unscientific.

Had he missed the notifications?

He poked open the database. The Pleasure Points truly hadn't increased much.

He voiced his question aloud. The system replied: [Due to the excessive frequency of 'Pleasure Points' accumulation in the recent period, and to conserve system resources, Pleasure Points will now be calculated and issued on a monthly basis. We wish you a pleasant experience.]

Monthly settlement?

Shen Qingqiu had a premonition. That was going to be a terrifying number…

He was just trying to recall what important plot points Zhaohua Temple held in the original novel when a soft, distinct knock sounded against his wooden door.