Chapter Text
Yue Qingyuan is almost done with his morning exercises, circulating his Qi and mentally repeating the mantras Mu-shidi had selected for him for their effectiveness against the brand of Heart Demons he has... when Liu Qingge comes stomping into his meditation garden.
"Morning, Liu-shidi," Yue Qingyuan greets him, eyeing the open expanse of the mountain range before them and letting the Qi settle within him.
The morning cultivation settles him in a way it didn't use to. Part of it is that at Shen Qingqiu's advice - insistence - he'd moved his meditation from indoors to the outside, and part of it is undoubtedly an ingrained habit. The new cultivation method has become simply part of the routine, and not one he no longer finds shamefully awkward or embarrassing - it's merely part of his morning rituals now.
The sight of Qing Jing Peak below is soothing, too.
Behind him Liu Qingge waits until he finishes, until he stands up. Then he says, simply, "I want to go to Bai Lu mountain."
This, again.
"Liu-shidi…"
"There's been no Endless Abyss sightings, and trying to find a rift through the demon realm would take months, if not years," Liu Qingge says harshly. "Chances of us finding Luo Binghe go down every day. Maybe, if we had Heavenly Demon remains to work with, Ran Qingnan could create us a portal, or at least some assistance with a method of tracking - even knowing for sure whether Luo Binghe is dead or alive would go a long way. But we need Tianlang-jun's remains."
Yue Qingyuan releases a sigh. He'd been telling Liu Qingge no ever since the man found out about Tianlang-jun's existence. He's only grown more insistent ever since Luo Binghe was revealed to be a demon.
"As I have already told you, the ramifications of Cang Qiong -"
Liu Qingge releases a frustrated noise. "So change the ramifications! Paint it as us checking up on the seal, making sure nothing has happened - someone should check it, right? We're just making sure Tianlang-jun's dead, really. How's that suspicious?"
"Because we aren't the only ones who know the uses for a Heavenly Demon's remains," Yue Qingyuan says, uncomfortable, and turns to face him. "When Tianlang-jun was subjugated, the Old Palace Master wanted his arms and legs to be severed and then distributed among the Four Great Sects', so that we all would have a share - just because of the artefacts that cold be wrought from his blood, flesh and bones."
Liu Qingge arches a brow and folds his arms. "It wasn't done, was it?"
"Both I and The Abbot of Zhao Hua Temple disagreed, and the Head of Tian Yi Overlook was uncertain enough that there wasn't a vote," Yue Qingyuan admits. "In the end it was decided that it would be best that no one got Tianlang-jun's remains, or even a part of them - and so he was sealed in full. If now someone takes his remains out with the express desire to make use of them…?" He shakes his head.
Liu Qingge scoffs. "So because of sect politics you're going to let Shen Qingqiu die?" he demands
"No, I'm not," Yue Qingyuan sighs. "I'm only saying this isn't the way. There will be another. Ni Qinghe has scryed Luo Binghe's fate, and it's auspicious - so he must still be alive. We have to trust that."
Liu Qingge is clearly unhappy with that, gritting his teeth and looking away, towards Qing Jing Peak. It's a decent distance from Qiong Ding Peak, but they can see the newly cut clearing, the construction that's happening.
Shen Qingqiu is putting his winnings to use, expanding his peak with a brand new lecture hall that will fit all his disciples. He's also, allegedly, adding an artificial hot spring.
"Do you think he's acting weird these days?" Liu Qingge asks. "I don't mean his usual behaviour. Ever since the conference he's been…" he looks for a word, "distracted."
"Mn," Yue Qingyuan agrees. "The rumours must've come as a shock."
Which in and of itself is a little surprising, considering Shen Qingqiu's spy network. From what Yue Qingyuan has seen of it, it mostly deals in rumour and gossip, and so what people had been saying about Shen Qingqiu at the conference surely should've been known to him already. But it caught him by surprise - and it hit him unexpectedly hard.
"Do you think it's true?" Liu Qingge asks.
Yue Qingyuan casts him a look. "You're more familiar with Shen Qingqiu's Qi than I," he comments mildly.
"It's not the same thing," Liu Qingge says. "Some things aren't apparent in that way. And besides, Shen Qingqiu's Qi - it moves weirdly. I thought it was subconscious, something he did as a bad habit. Now I can't help but wonder if it's his nature. Or… training."
Yue Qingyuan swallows his envy. He'd only felt Shen Qingqiu's Qi briefly in their joint cleansing, and it wasn't enough to get a full sense of it - Liu Qingge's Qi had also confused the sensation. So he's forced to ask, "What do you mean?"
Liu Qingge hesitates and then says, quiet and a little uncomfortable, "His Qi gathers around his lower dantian. I think he might be forming a circle around it."
Yue Qingyuan turns to him sharply. "You're certain?"
"Not at all," Liu Qingge scoffs. "I thought it was just a habit, bad Qi circulation, something. Now…" he looks away. "I can't say I know much about Human Cauldrons, but if there was one who - who was good at being one, that's how their Qi would circulate, right? In their lower dantian."
He sounds angry about it, and Yue Qingyuan can't blame him, the very idea makes a cold shiver run up his spine. He thinks of the sheer level of comfort Shen Qingqiu showed in the brothel, how at ease he seemed to be - how different that world seemed - and can't help but wonder.
But why would Shen Qingqiu, a man fiercely protective of his own power, cultivate in a way that… naturally would diminish his power? That's what Dual Cultivation did, isn't it - it took power from the one acting as a cauldron and gave it to the one… blundering said cauldron. Why would Shen Qingqiu do that, when his cultivation was already so damaged in so many ways, first by his poor cultivation methods before joining Cang Qiong Mountain Sect and then by the poison of Without a Cure…?
Surely he wouldn't, not unless there was something to gain from it.
"There must be something we don't know," Yue Qingyuan says uncomfortably. "The obvious answer isn't always the right one."
Liu Qingge gives him a look. "I think the Sympathetic Healing he did was based on Dual Cultivation," he says flatly. "Think about it. The Without a Cure itself, and its actual cure. Why would he know it at all, unless he'd been researching it? And I don't mean the poison. I think he's been looking into Dual Cultivation for a long time."
Yue Qingyuan swallows again and looks away, feeling his ears growing a little red. Usually when people start looking into these things, it's for less than righteous reasons. Demonic cultivators, rogue cultivators, the worst kind of criminals and abusers. If he'd heard those words a few years back in reference to Shen Qingqiu, he would've thought the worst. Even now they make his blood run a little colder.
Shen Qingqiu isn't such an abuser though. The reaction of the girls in Red Lantern alone stood testimony to that. The way they welcomed him, not even as a valued customer and patron… but as one of them.
"I think he's developing a new branch of cultivation in secret," Liu Qingge comments with a scowl. "And now his secret's out. Before he's ready."
It sounds… rather likely, really. Shen Qingqiu's cultivation has always been… difficult. And if he took such an undertaking, he would never tell anyone, especially since the method was clearly unorthodox. Half-formed cultivation is vulnerable just by itself - half-formed cultivation method? Yue Qingyuan can only imagine how bad distractions at such a stage must be, how badly could it go wrong if Shen Qingqiu took a wrong step now…
Or if he was interrupted.
"My cultivation has stalled. I can't move forward currently," Shen Qingqiu said, and the words take on a whole new meaning now.
Liu Qingge looks at him levelly.
His point is made. Shen Qingqiu's poisoning must be addressed, and the sooner the better.
"... I can't give you official approval," Yue Qingyuan says slowly. "If anyone finds out, for the sake of the sect I must denounce your actions."
"Then I better make sure no one finds out," Liu Qingge says determinedly.
Qing Jing Peak is in a state of disarray with the construction. There's lumber everywhere, sections of the bamboo forest have been cleared out for new structures, and Shen Qingqiu is indeed adding artificial hot springs to his mountain.
"Why not, since I have the money?" Shen Qingqiu says with a shameless shrug while walking Yue Qingyuan through the construction site. "Ran Qingnan will be doing the seals for us, and the foundation will be laid by An Ding Peak - it will be done in the sections, one for men, one for women, and a private section."
It's unspoken but clear that the private section would be for him. Yue Qingyuan wonders if it's something to help him with his cultivation, certainly a relaxant like that might be useful for such activities - and then resolutely decides not to think about it.
"You're expanding the Bamboo House as well?" he asks, casting a look towards it.
"Mm," Shen Qingqiu agrees. "I give lessons in the house occasionally, so I'm making more space. Might as well add a few rooms while I am at it."
Yue Qingyuan gives him a curious glance. "Are you putting all your winnings into construction?" The renovations are even more extensive than he'd thought.
"What else? I'm also updating the library and stocking up on materials," Shen Qingqiu admits, looking around, satisfied expression on his face. "I might add a new dorm as well."
"You're thinking of taking on more disciples?"
"Most of my juniors are ready to advance - we need someone around here to do all the menial labour," Shen Qingqiu says with another shrug.
Yue Qingyuan thinks he's learning to hear the things Shen Qingqiu isn't saying now. Though it looks like Shen Qingqiu is flaunting his new fortune, he's putting it all into Qing Jing Peak, expanding and enhancing the place. These are upgrades that would be enjoyed by future generations. And taking on new disciples... Luo Binghe was the last disciple Shen Qingqiu took, and even that was begrudgingly. Was it because he didn't think he could afford it? Perhaps. Qing Jing Peak isn't exactly the best earning among the twelve - that's Bai Zhan, with their market of monster parts.
That the first thing Shen Qingqiu does with an enormous surplus of goods is to invest in a new lecture hall speaks volumes about his priorities.
"It looks very fine," Yue Qingyuan says smiling. "I look forward to seeing how Qing Jing Peak changes once the renovation is done."
"Mn," Shen Qingqiu agrees and leads him towards a pavilion where his Head Disciple has prepared tea for them. "How are things in Qiong Ding Peak? Do you think you will take on more disciples, next selection?"
"Perhaps," Yue Qingyuan muses. He hadn't since the invasion, but it's been three years - they've mostly recovered from the loss now. "If there are promising candidates."
They talk about the upcoming selection trials while Ming Fan serves them tea, until Shen Qingqiu dismisses the disciple back to the construction work.
"So, did you come here for a social visit or so you have something else on your mind?" Shen Qingqiu asks, examining the teacup. It's not part of the gold-laced set - it's from a light brown set with multi-colored trees painted on them, the autumn tea set.
Yue Qingyuan isn't sure how to broach the subject. He probably shouldn't at all, but these are things that now affect the whole sect, and... as the Sect Leader he should know. "I wished to talk about... cultivation."
Shen Qingqiu gives him a sideways look. "Mine, I assume."
Yue Qingyuan looks up. "How do you know?"
"You look like you're expecting me to kick you," Shen Qingqiu scoffs. "And when it's about yours, you squirm like you have a bellyache. You're embarrassingly easy to read, really."
Yue Qingyuan smiles at that and looks down at his cup - but the pleasure of a shared joke is short-lived, because he has to ask, "How is your cultivation going, Shen-shidi?"
"You know how it is going. It isn't," Shen Qingqiu says, rolling his eyes. "With the way you and Liu-shidi harass me about it, I would expect you to remember. As long as the Without a Cure holds me back, I can't advance."
Nodding, Yue Qingyuan takes a drink and then forces himself to ask, "And the… the physical aspect?"
Shen Qingqiu gives him a confused look.
"You haven't visited a brothel since the conference," Yue Qingyuan points out and with sheer willpower keeps himself from blushing.
Shen Qingqiu frowns. "Zhangmen-shixiong, are you keeping tabs on me?"
"After what we learned, what we heard - I thought it prudent to be more… cautious," Yue Qingyuan admits. With the number of appeals and offers for Shen Qingqiu's services he'd gotten since then… "It's been weeks."
"One would think the Sect Leader would be grateful for this Shidi's careful restraint," Shen Qingqiu says mildly, watching him with some fascination, as though he was a dog performing a new trick.
"While I am grateful Shen-shidi isn't endangering himself needlessly, he shouldn't have to - abstain," Yue Qingyuan says with some difficulty, "from his usual practices."
Shen Qingqiu tilts his head slightly and the sun hits his eyes just so that Yue Qingyuan can see the shadows cast on his irises by his white lashes. "Sect Leader, are you telling me to go to a brothel?" he then asks, sounding enormously amused. "Are you offering to come along again? I didn't realise you developed a taste for it."
Yue Qingyuan sighs. "Please don't make fun, this is difficult enough as it is."
"It's it?" Shen Qingqiu asks, actually smiling, and leans in. "What is so difficult about it, Sect Leader, hm?"
"Shen-shidi…"
"Why the concern, Sect Leader?" Shen Qingqiu asks. "Have there been any complaints about my conduct lately?"
"None whatsoever," Yue Qingyuan says honestly. "But I know, even with things being as they are… some things should be, ah… kept in practice."
Even if Shen Qingqiu can't cultivate safely, that's not all there is to such things. Even outside cultivation, physical practice should always be kept up, for all forms of cultivation can only benefit from a suitably trained and formed body. That's why even in Qing Jing Peak, where they cultivate spiritual techniques, they have their own sword forms. And Shen Qingqiu's new cultivation method undoubtedly requires its… own form of physical training.
Shen Qingqiu is staring at him like he'd grown another head, and with a smothered groan Yue Qingyuan elaborates. "It is our hope that one day your poisoning will no longer be an issue. When that day comes… surely it would be best for Shen-shidi to be in - in good form?"
Now Shen Qingqiu is really looking at him like he'd not only grown another head but a set of horns as well. "Sect Leader, what the fuck are you talking about?"
Yue Qingyuan somehow manages not to smother himself in his own hands. "Please don't make me say it," he says embarrassedly. "I just - I would not wish you to be out of practice. I know I am no expert in such things, but all cultivation takes training. Even - even Dual Cultivating."
Now Shen Qingqiu gets it. For a moment he just gapes at Yue Qingyuan, his face a little pale. Then, with a quiet, "Oh no," he covers his face with both hands. Then he laughs, feeble, a little hysterical. "You know ?"
Yue Qingyuan clears his throat and then says, "Yes," as non-judgmentally as he can.
Shen Qingqiu laughs again, miserable. "You know. You know. How the hell do you know?"
"I - understand I'm the last person you'd want to know, but - Liu-shidi brought it to my attention," Yue Qingyuan says apologetically. "And, with what you know about Heavenly Demons, the cure for your condition…"
"Ah," Shen Qingqiu says and lifts his head. His eyes are a little red and the smile on his face is beautiful and vicious. "So that's it."
Yue Qingyuan gives him a helpless look.
He knows Shen Qingqiu's practices, whatever they might be like in nature, have been going on for a long time. And he knows he doesn't have the right to be jealous, even though their relationship is much better now, it's still not intimate, he has no right to Shen Qingqiu. And still.
Some deranged part of him wants to offer Shen Qingqiu his services. It is a horrible idea in every way - if Shen Qingqiu hadn't glimpsed his own damaged cultivation when he'd helped Liu Qingge clear out his spiritual veins in the conference, then he'd certainly feel it during Dual Cultivation. The act would no doubt damage Yue Qingyuan's cultivation further, too - he doesn't have Shen Qingqiu's experience with such things, so he would undoubtedly leak spiritual essence like a sieve. With Shen Qingqiu unable to properly cultivate, Yue Qingyuan would drive them both into Qi-deviation. What little rapport they have regained would be ruined too.
Even knowing all that, the idea of being used by Shen Qingqiu in such a manner fills Yue Qingyuan with a fierce longing. He has to check his mental restraints, making sure he still has his urges suppressed - without them, he likely would've given into the desperation already.
Yue Qingyuan looks away and wishes, not for the first time, that emotions were as easy to control as physical reactions.
Shen Qingqiu gives him a sympathetic look, like he knows. "Right, well," he says and looks away. "I'm not sure how to manage a visit to a brothel right now. The moment I step down the mountain, someone will undoubtedly make a go at trying to capture me."
He's… not wrong about that.
"Perhaps someone suitable can be invited to visit instead?" Yue Qingyuan offers helplessly.
Shen Qingqiu barks out a laugh. "That'd go down well! Shen Qingqiu invites a prostitute to Qing Jing Peak! Qi Qingqi would never let me hear the end of it. No," he says. "There are other things I can... try while waiting for things to settle. I do need, hm, something."
"What is it?" Yue Qingyuan asks. "Whatever it is, I'll get it for you."
Shen Qingqiu snorts, looking a little scandalised. "Not this time," he says and looks away. "Though if you could deliver a message from me to Madam Jialan, I would appreciate it. I have an order to make."
"Of course, anything you need."
A little later, back in the Bamboo House, Shen Qingqiu writes a letter and seals it tightly before handing it to Yue Qingyuan - along with a small pouch of spirit stones. Clearing his throat, he says, "I don't know how expensive what I want will be, just tell her to get the best she can with this much."
Yue Qingyuan weighs the pouch. There must be over a fifty spirit stones there - barely a pittance compared to the 20000 Shen Qingqiu had won. For a mortal, it is a fortune. "Would you like me to exchange this for gold? It'll likely be easier for her to spend that way." And a little less likely to get her robbed by any passing cultivators.
"If you don't mind," Shen Qingqiu agrees and looks away, a fan coming up to shield his face. "Thank you, Sect Leader."
"It's no problem."
It's a slight problem. Visiting a brothel, even in disguise, doesn't come easily for Yue Qingyuan. Facing the cunning madam of Red Lantern and all her questions is even harder.
"And why didn't our mutual friend come himself?" she asks while taking the letter from his hand.
"There are some security concerns," Yue Qingyuan admits. "There's been some… unwanted interest aimed towards him. He decided it was best if he laid low for a while."
"Hmm," Madam Jialan hums, reading through the letter and then peering into the money pouch. "What does he want the things made out of - jade?"
"He said to get the best you could get," Yue Qingyuan says.
"Tch, I thought he had a better grasp of money than this. I could get ten sets with this," Madam Jialan scoffs.
"Ah, our mutual friend had something of a windfall lately," Yue Qingyuan explains. "So he has enough to spend."
"Cultivators, no sense whatsoever. Fine. I'll get him the best damned tools in the business then. Mutton fat jade should do, it'll go beautifully with his hair, that ridiculous brat," Madam Jialan harrumphs and takes the letter and the money. "Wait a moment, and I'll get you his letters and something to get started with."
What she gets she thankfully bundles up in a scarf, so Yue Qingyuan can't actually see what it is - not until he delivers it to Shen Qingqiu and he opens the bundle.
There's a ceramic pot, and three books with… rather telling yellow covers.
Shen Qingqiu quickly wraps the books up again, his beautiful face going distractingly flushed under his white hair. "Thank you, Sect Leader," he says. "Did she say when my order might be ready?"
"It'll be a week at the earliest, maybe longer," Yue Qingyuan says, trying not to stare at his ears, the way the bright red contrasts against the pale hair. He's wearing the jade hairpin too… "I can go get it for you when the time comes, of course. You needn't worry."
Shen Qingqiu clears his throat and nods. "I don't have to tell you to keep all of this to yourself," he then says, half a threat, casting a glance his way.
"Of course not," Yue Qingyuan says quickly. "I wouldn't reveal your secrets, especially not something like this."
Shen Qingqiu scoffs. "Well, you are the master of keeping secrets," he mutters and shakes his head. "Thank you, Sect Leader. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some absolutely horrible reading to do," he says and adds under his breath, "And a bucket to drown myself in."
Yue Qingyuan smothers a smile at that. Ah, he's embarrassed - for all his worldly experience and casual disdain about such things, Shen Qingqiu is embarrassed. "Yes, right… of course," Yue Qingyuan says fondly. "If there's nothing else you need…?"
Shen Qingqiu hesitates, clutching onto the bundle of papers and books, and sighs. "Thank you, Zhangmen-shixiong," he says. "Really, I - it means a great deal to me. To have someone I can - trust with this."
Yue Qingyuan's heart does a painful little somersault in his chest, and it's all he can do to keep himself from grinning like an idiot. Shen Qingqiu isn't looking at him, his eyes determinedly aimed away, look of embarrassment still on his face, but the sincerity of the words, as difficult as they clearly are for him to say, is real. "Anything, Shen-shidi," Yue Qingyuan says quietly. "You can trust me with anything."
Shen Qingqiu scoffs at that and glances at him, but there's a look in his eyes that isn't quite as aloof or cold as his expression lets on. "Not everything," he says. "But some things, and I suppose that's better than nothing."
Lowering his gaze, Yue Qingyuan takes the blow, gentle though it is. Not everything, no - but some things. "I - want to tell you," he murmurs, wincing. "Everything - I do - but -"
"There's time," Shen Qingqiu says dismissively and turns away. "Don't worry about it."
Yue Qingyuan gazes after him as he walks away, to do… whatever it is Shen Qingqiu must do for his cultivation. He tries not to imagine what it might be, he really tries.
Yue Qingyuan is a failure in many ways - but bit by bit, he's learning to accept that.
There's a report of an Endless Abyss rift sighting, but it's gone by the time it reaches Yue Qingyuan's desk. Just a brief event, only a few hours long - a Demon Octopus had come through and killed some cattle, leaving behind some carnage before the rift closed and the octopus died on the spot, cut off from whatever demonic power source that sustained it out of water. The Tian Yi Overlook would fetch a decent price selling the parts of the corpse.
All in all, there aren't that many Endless Abyss rift sightings in the Human Realm. One or two every month, perhaps - there might be more, but they're only really recorded when they're noticed. By old estimation, there might be as many as a dozen each month, but most of them appear in places with no people - up in the mountains, down under lakes, in deep ravines, thick forests. Human settlement overall covers very little of the Human Realm, and the Endless Abyss doesn't exactly pick and choose where to appear. It appears wherever. And very rarely it lasts longer than a few hours.
There are other Otherworldly rifts in the meanwhile - a notable one appears near Zhao Hua Temple's territory, a rift into the Heavenly Realm. It leaks purified Qi, but cannot be entered - neither does anything come through. Zhao Hua Temple uses it to purify some corrupted and demonic relics of theirs, and then bask in its presence for two days before it disappears, not lasting quite long enough for pilgrimages. The site would no doubt become holy, though - already, they're planning a shrine.
Yue Qingyuan learns more about Otherworldly rifts than he strictly speaking needs to know, researching Endless Abyss Rifts - he also learns about the few ventures that had ever been made into the Endless Abyss. Past Peak Lords - mostly Bai Zhan Peak Lords - had made some journeys there, and there had been attempts of purifying the place, mapping it out, taming it. None ever succeeded. It was eventually concluded that the Endless Abyss wasn't exactly a place - it was a transitional space, chaos given form. It couldn't be purified any more than the sky could be painted.
It was the result of the Splitting of Realms - when Heavenly Realm, Human Realm, and the Demon Realm were torn apart. As far as anyone can tell, the Endless Abyss exists in between the three, an unnatural consequence of the terrible event, its wound in existence. A border realm, so to speak, a barrier - a place where all three grind together.
Yue Qingyuan has to admit, he can't fully wrap his mind around it. The forces and realities in question are too great for his still very human mind. Perhaps at a higher level of cultivation it would make sense - perhaps for a person like Shen Qingqiu it does make sense. Yue Qingyuan is very much an earthly creature still, crude matter, incapable of thinking in divine terms.
So he gives up and simply tries to figure out a better way to track the rifts - as though thousands of cultivators before him hadn't tried and failed.
And in the meanwhile he burns appeal after appeal until the other sects decide that since sending letters isn't doing the trick, invitations and surprise visits will be it. The invitations Yue Qingyuan dithers on, knowing he can't easily turn them down - and the surprise visits, well…
"This junior was in the area - a night hunt of a Corrupted Air Spirit led me here," an accomplished and well respected young master of Huan Hua palace, Xue Sheng, explains with all apparent apology for showing up unannounced. "This junior thought it would be impolite to veer so close to Cang Qiong Mountain Sect's territory and not pay our respects. Here, for Immortal Master Yue, with our sect's compliments…"
The gift is a scroll, a musical score composed by one of Huan Hua Palace's masters, one of a kind - and very clearly intended for Qing Jing Peak.
"Young Master Sheng is kind," Yue Qingyuan says with a mild smile and accepts the score. "Was the hunt very difficult - it is quite a long way from Huan Hua Palace, after all…"
The young man's aim is clear - it doesn't take long at all before he mentions, off hand, that he would very much like to see the famous Qing Jing Peak, hallowed for its many masterworks of four arts. Thankfully, Shen Qingqiu has given Yue Qingyuan a perfect excuse to refuse. With the renovations still going on, the Peak isn't suited for viewing.
"The Peak is being renovated? Whatever for - did something happen?" Xue Sheng asks, amazed.
"The Peak Lord gained quite the windfall during the Immortal Alliance Conference. He is using it to expand his Peak," Yue Qingyuan says calmly. "They are adding a new lecture hall, among other things. It will be a great boon to these twelve peaks, and will be enjoyed by members of this sect for generations to come."
Xue Sheng is suitably impressed, hiding his dismay well - and in the end is forced to make his suggestion to Yue Qingyuan directly. It takes quite a bit of circling and beating around the bush before he comes to it, though, and by the time he does, Yue Qingyuan is starting to feel his Heart Demons grow more insistent, their grip around his heart tightening.
"… of course I wouldn't wish to imply anything untoward," Young Master Sheng says. "Only it can't be denied, immortal Master Shen is quite…" he makes a show of searching for the word and lands on, "special. I can't deny, he has caught my eye, as he has caught the eye of so many these last few years. His… abilities are known widely."
Yue Qingyuan sips his tea and says nothing, staring at the young man.
"This junior is sure there can be some kind of… arrangement…" Xue Shang says leadingly. "As you are undoubtedly aware, Huan Hua Palace is quite… generous when it comes to these things."
Oh yes. Huan Hua Palace is first in line to get the access to any new elixir or pill or manual or cultivation method, snatching up all rogue cultivators with potential. There isn't a single Peak Lord they haven't tried to poach from Cang Qiong Mountain - not a single technique they haven't tried to buy or steal. Just the other year, they bought the formula for a new mood-enhancing elixir from Tian Yi Overlook - they now sell the elixirs to other sects at high price, while keeping the formula tightly to themselves.
If they got access to Shen Qingqiu… Yue Qingyuan isn't sure what they'll do. Shen Qingqiu's technique isn't something you can bottle and sell, after all.
People are sellable, though. And that's what they want him to do - that's what everyone expects him to do.
"This senior is afraid such arrangements aren't his to make," Yue Qingyuan says with a smile fixed firm on his face.
"Are you not the Sect Leader of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect?" Xue Shang asks as though surprised. "Surely the disciples of your sect are yours to command."
"The Cang Qiong Mountain Sect Peak Lords are a council, in which this Sect Leader holds equal authority to everyone else," Yue Qingyuan says as warmly as he can - which isn't very. "I know, our ways are rather strange compared to more… traditionally arranged sect structures, but it has worked for us for a thousand years. You will have to ask Peak Lord Shen for his time."
Xue Shang's expression tightens. "He doesn't seem to be receiving our letters."
"Isn't he? How unfortunate. Perhaps an issue with the messengers," Yue Qingyuan muses and smiles and stands up. "Apologies, Young Master Shang - this senior has another appointment coming up, and it cannot wait. Niu Runan!" he calls for his new Head Disciple. "Please escort young Master Shang to the border of the barriers. He has a long way home ahead of him."
Xue Shang swallows his answer and bows. Yue Qingyuan watches him go with sharp eyes and lets him leave, despite the fact that more than anything he wants to strike the little upstart down and then go to the very Peak he'd wanted to enter, to check that Shen Qingqiu is there and quite alright. It's the Heart Demons speaking - he knows where Shen Qingqiu is, he knows he's fine, it hasn't been a day since he saw the man. He knows his Shidi is alright.
But his heart quivers with nervous fear of what if he isn't, regardless.
Yue Qingyuan dithers only for a short while before giving in. There's something he's learned about living with Heart Demons - sometimes it's easiest to just satisfy their illogical demands and check, rather than stew in the fear that would inevitably only grow and grow until it threatened to consume him.
So he flies to Qing Jing Peak and finds Shen Qingqiu. It's late in the evening, the construction has halted for the day and so have the lessons - the disciples are enjoying the autumn evening in whatever way they can. In Qing Jing Peak it usually means painting or playing music or playing Weiqi with a worthy opponent in the many excellent viewing spots around the peak.
Shen Qingqiu is doing the same, sitting alone in a pavilion overlooking the mountains. With wind tugging on his hair and clothes, he faces the heavens with a white xiao in hand, playing an obscure tune into the wind. Instantly aware of Yue Qingyuan's presence, he glances at him over his shoulder, but doesn't stop playing. His eyes are searching, suspicious - Yue Qingyuan doesn't usually visit him so late in the day.
After a moment of tension, Shen Qingqiu's eyes soften with understanding, and he nods at him to come forward before turning back to face the mountains, his melody continuing uninterrupted.
Yue Qingyuan's shoulders relax and his Heart Demons are quelled as he quietly takes a seat.