Chapter Text
Back when Shen Yuan and his brother had just begun cultivating, spirit creatures of the forest weren’t something to be feared and hunted.
In fact, it was the complete opposite—instead, they were openly worshipped as protectors, guides, even gods. Back then, Shen Yuan and his brother didn’t even have to hunt—people brought them offerings, both dead and alive. Truly, it was a luxurious existence.
Unfortunately, with the change in dynasties came a change in attitudes. Although shrines weren’t destroyed, they were abandoned, once loyal devotees no longer wanting to be associated with the newly labeled cults. Shen Jiu, his opinion of humans already so low, came to despise them, and Shen Yuan, although saddened, isolated himself from humans with his brothers urging.
It…didn’t last long. The comforts of a human life were too enticing. Yes, he was a fox but he liked living under a roof! Although he couldn’t really get sick and was mostly immune to the elements, being cold and wet wasn’t fun!
And so began his life as masquerading as a human. But unfortunately, along with a human life came...
Well.
Humans.
The fact that human immortals existed made Shen Yuan’s life easier, but still, they weren’t exactly the most common and usually lived in established sects. So, inevitably, Shen Yuan had come in contact with a few cultivations sects who approached to investigate this strange immortal living in a house by the spirit infested forest. Since it was pretty close to the mountains of the Cang Qiong Sect, they were the ones Shen Yuan dealt with the most.
It was a little awkward, since he had met some of them before in his fox form. It would be a lot easier if they all knew that he wasn’t actually human but… Shen Yuan was a little hesitant to reveal it. Those he met as a fox were usually scared of him, or treated him as a common animal. He was a lot larger and more powerful then most of them so…it was only natural.
As a result, only two people in the sect knew of his true identity.
One was Yue Qingyuan, the sect leader. Both Shen Yuan and his brother knew the man far before he became sect leader, even before he began cultivating. He was reliable and much too kind-hearted—the amount of things he turned a blind eye to when it came to Shen Jiu was ridiculous. Shen Yuan still didn’t understand their relationship… maybe it was Shen Jiu taking his favored role as the seducer of men too seriously…
Anyways, it was also partially thanks to Yue Qingyuan Shen Yuan was able to live so peacefully among humans.
The other who knew his secret was on the completely opposite side of the spectrum…personality wise. Liu Qingge had found out only a few years ago, when Shen Yuan had inadvertently stumbled upon him in the middle of a violent qi deviation. He’d thought that in the man’s frenzied state, Liu Qingge wouldn’t recognize his shift into fox form as he saved the cultivators life, but well—Shen Yuan’s luck had never been that good.
Ever since then, Liu Qingge begun showing up at Shen Yuan’s house at random.
Shen Yuan had been a little intimidated at first—completely understandable, since all Liu Qingge would do was stand outside his house, waiting for Shen Yuan to invite him inside! He used to even think the man was challenging him to a fight! He knew Liu Qingge was powerful, even compared to a full blown nine-tailed fox like Shen Jiu. In fact, Shen Yuan wasn’t even sure who would win in a fight, but by the way they seemed to absolutely loathe each other with the non-stop snipping and thinly veiled insults… the answer to the question might actually come to light one day.
Despite his brother’s insistence that Liu Qingge was little more then a simple minded brute, the human was actually pretty good company. Even though he was probably only visiting Shen Yuan to keep an eye on him as a volatile spiritual being, he was very attentive listener. He was a great sparring partner, when Shen Yuan felt the urge to practice his coordination a little. Also, he treated Shen Yuan the exact same no matter which form he took, which was definitely appreciated.
But one of the great things about having Liu Qingge as a friend was definitely… the food. Really, along with flying swords, human cuisine was up there as one of the best human inventions!
When Shen Yuan had told Liu Qingge this a couple years back, the cultivator had just looked at him, brows furrowed.
“But… spirit animals don’t need to eat.”
Shen Yuan rolled his eyes, snapping his fan open. How narrow minded!
“Most spirit animals don’t live as humans, and yet here I am,” he said, fanning himself lazily a couple times. “Since I’m a fox that managed to reach this point in cultivation, I do enjoy eating. I used to eat once, so it’s similar to you human cultivators.”
“But human food?” Liu Qingge still seemed a little skeptical. “Foxes eat raw meat.”
Shen Yuan clicked his tongue. “Well, I can hardly eat that in this form,” he said as he picked up his tea cup. “Although Jiu-ge does enjoy a fresh kill or two.”
Shen Yuan’s vision was obscured by his tea, so he missed Liu Qingge’s expression going dark at the mention of the other fox.
“Does he eat… humans?”
Shen Yuan nearly spat out his tea. He hurriedly covered his face with his fan.
“Liu Daozhang!” he said, a little mournfully. “We’re not savages.” He didn’t mention the fact that Shen Jiu maybe probably did hunt humans. In the past.
It wasn’t like he ate them or anything…
Liu Qingge arched a delicate eyebrow. “Your brother eats raw meat.”
“Completely different,” he said firmly. “Personally, I’m more inclined towards roasted or braised.”
They sat there in silence for a long moment, Shen Yuan desperately trying to sip his tea gracefully as possible while Liu Qingge scrutinized him. Wasn’t it rude to stare by human etiquette?
“I see,” the human said, and that was the end of that conversation. Liu Qingge left soon after, and as Shen Yuan bid him goodbye, he really thought that would be all from that subject.
Except the next time Liu Qingge visited, he shoved a lumpy burlap sack into Shen Yuan’s arms.
“…Liu Daozhang.” Shen Yuan said. Whatever inside the bag was still moving. “What is this?...”
“Meat,” Liu Qingge said curtly, pushing his way into the house. “I heard it’s good roasted or braised.”
Flabbergasted, Shen Yuan peered into the bag. Whatever it was, it was…furry.
Hm.
“Liu Daozhang, much as I appreciate this…gift, I can’t possibly accept this.”
Liu Qingge, sitting at his usual spot at Shen Yuan’s table, raised an eyebrow.
“Why not?”
Why not? Because this fox couldn’t even cook rice, let alone skin and butcher a live animal!
…Not that he could say that out loud, after how long he raved about human food during Liu Qingge’s last visit!
“I’m not a fan of this sort of meat,” Shen Yuan said, eying the furry thing. Liu Qingge looked puzzled.
“What kind of food do you like?” he asked.
“I…particularly enjoy sweets,” Shen Yuan said, shoving the bag and creature into a cabinet to deal with later. “I prefer, er… premade food. Cooking is too much fuss. I’m not too picky though, good food is good food.”
…Although to be completely honest, Shen Yuan had trouble finding food he enjoyed, even though the nearby town did quite a few eating establishments. Compared to the things he used to be offered, it was….just okay. Not that that was being picky or anything. Really.
Perhaps he had gotten a little spoiled.
As if sensing these thoughts, Liu Qingge eyed him skeptically.
“Right,” he said, sounding less then convinced, but he let the subject go. Shen Yuan internally breathed a sigh of relief.
After Liu Qingge left, Shen Yuan shifted into fox form and brought the small creature several Li away from the sect to set it free in a forest his brother and Liu Qingge didn’t frequent.
Thankfully, from then on, the human delicacies he brought Shen Yuan were significantly improved. Shen Yuan had no idea where he was getting it, but it came to the point he was looking forward to Liu Qingge’s visits.
During the past few months, Liu Qingge had been away on an extended mission at the Imperial City. Apparently, Yue Qingyuan was leading some diplomatic meetings with the emperor, which of course meant it would be laden with all manner of potential dangers at the smallest slip of the tongue. Yue Qingyuan’s absence was probably why Shen Jiu was bored enough to pick on something as tiny as Binghe for entertainment.
His brother has been conspicuously absent for awhile now. Shen Yuan would be able to sense if he was truly in danger, but he highly suspected that Shen Jiu had gone to follow the sect leader. Whether out of boredom or some protective instinct… who knows.
Anyways, Shen Yuan had been so distracted with getting Binghe settled (and dealing with the wolf’s unrelenting stickiness) that he’d forgotten all about Liu Qingge’s return.
While Shen Yuan had taken Binghe under his wing when spring was just arriving ,and by now it was far into the summer. On hotter days, Shen Yuan brought Binghe to the nearby lake just to cool off.
Shen Yuan enjoyed soaking in water in his human form, but it rare that he was able to relax in his fox form without the fear of humans nearby. The lake was far enough into the forest so that it probably wouldn’t be an issue, but just in case, Shen Yuan usually put up a ward that would alert him if any humans entered their general vicinity.
It was another sweltering day, so Binghe was splashing around in the water while Shen Yuan lay by the shore in his fox form, half dozing in the shade. The first few times he’d brought Binghe here Binghe would refuse to leave his side, only entering and exited the water when Shen Yuan did. Before this particular excursion he lectured the wolf the importance of hygiene so that he could have some measure of freedom.
“I understand!” Binghe had chirped in response. “Shizun likes clean disciples!! I’ll make sure to clean myself as much possible for Shizun!!”
…Somehow, it seemed as if Binghe had missed the entire point, but. Means to the end!
Binghe seemed completely enraptured by the water, swimming around, ducking his head underwater and then emerging from the lake at random intervals. Every time he emerged he’d shake his head violently, and completely soaking wet, look at Shen Yuan's direction with perked ears and tongue lolling out. It was rather cute. Shen Yuan wasn’t sure what Binghe was looking for but he flicked a tail lazily in acknowledgement.
Binghe seemed delighted, giving one happy bark before diving back in. Shen Yuan was still a little puzzled at the wolf’s overwhelming enthusiasm, which was definitely showing a lot more then during the last few visits…maybe he was having more fun without Shen Yuan in the water with him?...
As he was puzzling over this he felt something in the air snap. He stiffened in alarm—it was the ward. A human was approaching! He quickly transformed back into human form, looking towards Binghe nervously.
Binghe popped his head out of the water again, and seeing Shen Yuan back in his human form, tilted his head in confusion. Shen Yuan opened his mouth to explain when he saw a flash of something in the air above him.
It was the silver glint of a sword, a familiar figure in blue cultivators’ robes balanced. Shen Yuan relaxed, all the tension leaving his body as he recognized the man.
Liu Qingge looked faintly irritated as he dipped towards the ground—nothing to take offense of, since it really was the man’s default expression honestly. He seemed healthy and well, which was a relief. He knew Liu Qingge was a more then capable cultivator, but it had been several months. Any reasonable person would worry about their friend!
Shen Yuan lifted a hand and waved, smiling.
“Hey—”
A blur of black slammed Liu Qingge straight off his sword. Shen Yuan watched in shock as Liu Qingge went flying, the black blur hitting him at such a force he went flying several meters and straight into a tree. The black blur—which, to Shen Yuan's horror, turned out to be Binghe—landed on the ground in front of Shen Yuan, growling and snarling at the fallen figure.
Liu Qingge recovered quickly. Cheng Luan, which had fallen along with its master, went flying to Liu Qingge’s hand as the human pushed himself off the ground, thankfully unhurt but also looking absolutely murderous.
Oh no. “Stop!” Shen Yuan yelled, grabbing onto Binghe as he prepared to launch himself at Liu Qingge again. “Binghe, stop! He’s a friend!” Not to mention he was a cultivator that could absolutely destroy Binghe in an instant!
Binghe blinked at Shen Yuan, then relaxed minutely. He whined, looking at Shen Yuan pitiful eyes. Shen Yuan sighed, patting the wolf on the head a couple times before helping Liu Qingge to his feet.
“What is that,” Liu Qingge demanded, his sword still unsheathed. Shen Yuan patted him on the shoulder, gesturing for him to put it away.
“Binghe is my student,” he said. “I apologize for my disciple’s actions, he’s never seen an armed cultivator before.”
Liu Qingge eyed Binghe suspiciously, but after a moment he did sheath his sword.
“If I were anyone else, he’d be dead,” Liu Qingge said curtly. “Control your disciple.”
A little hypocritical, wasn’t it?... It wasn’t like Liu Qingge was the most attentive teacher, from Ning Yingying's accounts!
Binghe snarled at Liu Qingge’s words, only stopping when Shen Yuan shot him a stern look.
“Binghe’s still learning,” Shen Yuan said, patting his waist for his fan, remembering too late that he’d left it by the rocks to keep it dry. Binghe nudged his hand, whining, and Shen Yuan gratefully took his fan from Binghe’s careful hold. “Thank you, Binghe.”
Shen Yuan snapped the fan open, turning back to Liu Qingge. “Shall we head back to the house?”
For some reason the man’s expression was stiffer than usual, eyes flickering to and away from Shen Yuan as he slowly seemed to turn red.
“Clothes,” Liu Qingge grunted, eyes darting to Shen Yuan’s chest before hurriedly looking away. Shen Yuan glanced down at himself, frowning when he saw nothing wrong. The way Liu Qingge was acting…it was like he was naked! All he did was loosen the top of his robes to stave off the heat?...
Humans are weird Shen Yuan decided, tightening his clothes to cover his chest more thoroughly as they began to walk back to the cottage. Even though he’s lived among them for so long, they really got embarrassed at the strangest things.
The entire way back Binghe walked close enough to Shen Yuan he was brushing against him with every step. He seemed a little subdued for some reason, the spring in his step Shen Yuan was used to conspicuously absent—perhaps he was embarrassed about mistaking Liu Qingge for an enemy? Shen Yuan reached down, quickly ruffle the wolf's head, smiling as Binghe looked up inquiringly.
“Even though Liu Daozhang isn’t an enemy, you performed admirably today,” he said. “Thank you for protecting this master.”
Binghe eyes widened into saucers into word, freezing mid-step. For a moment, he looked so shocked that Shen Yuan had to mentally backtrack to figure out if he’d said something strange—it was just the usual compliments, right?? It wasn’t any different from usual?!
Then, Binghe’s tail unfroze, wagging tentatively. And then it wagged faster, and faster, and soon his whole body was moving with the tail and really, it was getting to the point where Shen Yuan was afraid he’d sprain it?? Binghe yipped happily, claws digging into the forest floor and front legs winded up like he was seconds away from tackling Shen Yuan out of sheer excitement.
What was with that reaction??
“Okay, okay,” Shen Yuan hurriedly kneeled down before Binghe could knock him over, rubbing Binghe’s face between his palms. Binghe whined, wriggling in an attempt to escape so he could lick Shen Yuan's face. “So sticky so sticky, calm down a little, Liu Qingge is here so behave today alright?”
“Hey,” the man in question had stopped too, standing a little ahead of them with a scowl on his face. “What’s the hold up?”
“Sorry, sorry.” Shen Yuan gave Binghe’s cheek one last pat before continuing on.
Once they got back to the house, Shen Yuan busied himself with brewing himself tea. When he turned around two the two others in the room, he just caught them eying each other with open disdain.
He cleared his throat. Liu Qingge looked away, glaring at the fan Shen Yuan had left on the table while Binghe looked at Shen Yuan, tongue lolling adorably.
Why did this feel…somewhat familiar?...
He sighed, moving to sit at the table across from Liu Qingge. The cultivator gave Binghe one more brief glance.
“A wolf?” He said. “Or a dog?”
“Wolf,” Shen Yuan said. “Binghe is still growing. How was the Imperial City?”
Liu Qingge shrugged. “Boring. The people there only fight with words.”
Shen Yuan tried and failed to stifle a smile. “And of course, Liu Daozhang, the type to fight with a sword, didn’t enjoy it very much.”
Liu Qingge scrutinized Shen Yuan for a moment, as if trying to figure out if Shen Yuan was making fun of him or not, but after a moment he just shrugged, reaching for his waist.
“Here.” Opening his Qiankun bag, Liu Qingge pulled out two wooden boxes, one large one and one smaller rectangular one. They both looked very fancy. Liu Qingge opened the larger box, Shen Yuan could feel himself salivating almost instantly—cakes! Jellies! Dragon beard candy and peanut filled mochi! Each dessert stood in its own compartment of the box, and they all looked carefully crafted and painstakingly shaped. None of the candies in the box lasted very long, and they all looked fresh—Liu Qingge must have flew straight to Shen Yuan’s house after buying it! Shen Yuan almost cried right there.
Liu Qingge was still watching in that intense way of his, so Shen Yuan carefully collected himself, clearing his throat.
“It looks delicious,” he said. “But you shouldn’t have, this looks… It must have been very expensive.”
Liu Qingge’s brows furrowed. “I’m a Peak Lord,” he said simply, as if that explained everything he had to say about that subject. And, well, it probably did since Cang Qiong Peak was probably stinking rich…
Cultivators.
“Alright,” Shen Yuan sighed. “I will be troubling you then.” He reached for a dragon beard candy, taking a careful bite.
…
Could foxes ascend and go to Heaven?
Shen Yuan barely stopped himself from scarfing down the whole thing. The sugary outside was soft and pillowy, not stiff at all, and the peanuts inside were perfectly toasted, sweet and crunchy. He swallowed the piece in his mouth, unable to stop the smile from spreading on his face.
“It’s delicious,” he told the other man. Liu Qingge stared at him for a long moment, then hurriedly looked away.
“Good,” he said gruffly, crossing his arms. “I bought it for you after all.”
There was a little whimper. Next to him, Binghe stared up at Shen Yuan pitifully, nosing his muzzle onto Shen Yuan’s lap as he whined. Shen Yuan huffed, patting the wolf on the head. How thoughtless of him!
“I’m sorry Binghe, do you want one? I don’t think it would taste very good for you though.” Binghe shook his head, still resting his head on Shen Yuan’s lap as he made those sad eyes at him. Shen Yuan sighed, continuing to stroke his head. This master apologizes, Binghe!
“There’s also this,” Liu Qingge suddenly said, pushing the second box across the table. Shen Yuan stopped petting Binghe for a moment to pick it up. It was a long and thin box, no longer then his forearm. He carefully slid the wooden lid off, and nearly gasped when he saw the contents.
It was a fan. It was made out of smooth dark brown wood, clearly good quality. Carefully, he lifted it—it had a pale green tassel hanging from the end, a small jade sphere strung onto it.
Unfurling it, Shen Yuan had to suppress another gasp. The paper was a pale yellow, and drawn on was a beautiful green mountainside scenery, speckled with gold. Shen Yuan was no stranger to human art having owned several fans, but the artistry of this one…was truly something else!
“This is…” Shen Yuan folded the fan back up, carefully. “Liu Daozhang, I can’t possibly accept this!”
Liu Qingge seemed pleased with himself for some reason.
“You can,” he said. “If you don’t take it, I’m throwing it away.”
Shen Yuan couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head. “Liu Daozhang is really too generous. When you put it that way, how could I not accept?...”
The conversation moved on to broader topics. The two of them were so engaged with the conversation that neither of them noticed Binghe trudging to his designated cushion on the floor, tail drooping. He lay down with his head on his paws, sharp ears still perked and alert as his eyes bore into Liu Qingge like blades.
And barely visible in the daylight, his eyes glowed faintly red.