Chapter 98 - Extra: Return to Childhood
When he woke up, Shen Qingqiu slowly flipped himself over but didn’t feel the arm that was previously wrapped around his waist there anymore.
The morning light leaked in from the window, and he used the sleeves of his inner robes to block the sunlight. With this single action, his back and waist felt sore, and his arms had no strength to them. He perceived a slight tearing sensation somewhere on his lower body, as well as the peculiar feeling of something sticky that had dried up.
Last night, he was toyed with all night, so he felt a little unwell this morning. Shen Qingqiu found it strange that Luo Binghe wasn’t up early to help him clean and make breakfast. He hoarsely said, “…Binghe?”
Nobody responded. Shen Qingqiu felt even more confused, so he forced himself to open his eyes and look down. He saw a small head with soft, silky black hair.
“…”
This little head looked delicate and cute. A natural blush spread across his white, tender cheeks and his eyelashes were dark, glossy, long, and slender. His eyes were shut tight, and his lips were a light pink color. He was curled up into a ball, snuggled into his side like a kitty while resting his head on the back of his hand.
Even though they are different sizes, even though he looked to be only 5 or 6 years old, even though…
There’s nothing “even though” about it. Even if he shrank, Shen Qingqiu could definitely recognize him at a glance–this is the male protagonist’s face!
He was so shocked that his voice changed. “Luo Binghe!”
Originally, he wanted to pinch his arm to see if he could hurt himself awake, but when he got up, his bottom half throbbed from being sore and swollen. Shen Qingqiu stiffly lay back down again. The curled up Luo Binghe slowly woke up, his eyelashes trembling.
Half of his face was red from lying on his hand. Squinting, he saw Shen Qingqiu lying down in his messy clothes, and reached out his arms towards him in a “want a hug” position, saying, “Shizun…”
This sound was soft and sticky, seemingly tender enough that water would drip down any moment, so when he opened his mouth, he stiffened.
The large eyes stared at the small eyes.
They stared at each other, confused and with their minds in a mess, for a while, before the two of them figured out what the situation was.
In the first place, Luo Binghe was at a critical moment in his cultivation, so, logically speaking, he should have kept a clear mind, lessened his desires, and kept his purity to not have any mishaps. But it just so happened that last night, he wasn’t able to hold back and messed around all night, until finally his demonic cultivation went haywire1!
Shen Qingqiu didn’t find it hard to accept at all, because in the original <Proud Immortal’s Demon Way>, this plot had happened as well. Of course, Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky’s purpose of writing this scene wasn’t to sell his cuteness or anything, but because the Luo Binghe that turned into a child could freely enter and exit into places that adult men could not. As to which places, you should know. Plus, it was easier for a small child to lower a girl’s guard, make close contact with her, and then catch their heart in one move by surprise!
Since this plot point had never arrived, Shen Qingqiu thought that it was over with and wouldn’t happen; who knew that it was just delayed!
Shen Qingqiu helplessly asked, “…How much core strength do you have left?”
Luo Binghe replied, “Less than one-tenth.”
His young, immature face looked solemn. Looking at it, it was as if he didn’t want others to take it seriously and instead made them feel like the situation was…very funny.
So, Shen Qingqiu ungraciously…laughed.
After laughing, he put on a serious face again and said, “Ah, you only have a tenth left? That’s fine. We can’t stay in the demon world anymore.”
Luo Binghe had offended a good number of humans and demons alike. At a time like this, it was obviously better to run as far away and hide as deep as possible. Shen Qingqiu’s first thought was to grab Luo Bing-tuan2 and run.
After making up his mind, he was going to get dressed and get off the bed. Who knew that, as soon as he straightened his back, the muscles on his cheeks would twitch?
In the past, when they were done, Luo Binghe would carry him to the hot springs while he was sleeping and clean him up, but right now, Luo Binghe could at most only hug his leg, unable to even budge him. He was squatting anxiously to the side, looking as if he wanted to cry.
“…” Shen Qingqiu comforted him and said, “Forget it, it’s fine. I’ll do it myself.”
The deepest part of the natural geothermal spring that Luo Binghe dug out in the underground palace could reach up to, and past, Shen Qingqiu’s chest. If he threw Luo Binghe in, he would instantly be completely submerged. Shen Qingqiu could only carry him carefully to sit on a boulder nearby and had to keep an eye on him to make sure he was sitting stably and wouldn’t slip off.
He’d just planned to quickly clean himself up when he suddenly saw Luo Binghe trying his hardest to reach his hand out to the bluestone near him, attempting to help him grab a honey locust box, but not being able to reach it no matter what.
This appearance reminded him of the Luo Binghe that had kecheng kecheng dug a hole in the valley, carrying a patched cloth bag when he went up Cang Qiong Mountain to ask them to take him in as a disciple. Shen Qingqiu stared at him for a while, and couldn’t help but pull him down, drag him into an embrace, and start to knead his head.
Under his havoc-creating hands, Luo Binghe choked slightly on a few mouthfuls of water. Originally, his skin was already a bit red from the surrounding steam, but with this motion that shook him, he puteng and directly rolled into a ball.
Although Shen Qingqiu was being sweetly cooperative and let him “press” down on him while lying down, Luo Binghe’s white little face turned dark instantly.
This kind of body…was useless no matter how many thousands of times you pressed it down!
Can’t do anything with it!
Seeing Luo Bing-tuan’s face turn from red to white, and then turn dark, She Qingqiu held his laugh back so hard that he thought he was going to suffer internal injuries. “This is the retribution for impetuously messing around with your master last night, isn’t it?”
Luo Binghe said, heart-breakingly, “If it wasn’t for Shizun seducing me first!”
After hearing these words, Shen Qingqiu’s face blushed and he was secretly ashamed. He corrected his complexion, and suddenly let go. Luo Binghe was caught off guard, slid into the water, and a line of bubbles gudong gudong floated to the surface.
Going by what Shen Qingqiu wished for, the first hideout he thought of was Cang Qiong Mountain. But Luo Binghe wasn’t willing to go back even if he was beaten to death.
Thinking about it, it made sense. He was injured, and if he went back, there would be spectators. And among the spectators, Liu Qingge would definitely be present.
So Shen Qingqiu compromised and took him to the human world.
To hide in plain sight, they chose to go to a flourishing town. While waiting for Luo Binghe’s body to recover, he was to stay here and rest, passing the time. Shen Qingqiu, so bored that he was itching to do something, easily found a position at the largest academy in the town.
Luo Binghe, naturally, was not happy with this. First, he didn’t like that Shen Qingqiu was accepting other disciples. Were there not enough disciples at Qing Jing Peak? He’s going to accept more?!
Secondly, he disliked it even more when he was treated like Shen Qingqiu’s son. Especially when they went to bed at night, he had to let him kiss and hug him, yet wasn’t able to do anything and had to listen to Shen Qingqiu jokingly call him “good boy”, “baby”, making him hate his current form more…he felt resentful and impatient that he wasn’t seeing improvement!
Today, when Shen Qingqiu returned from the academy, he saw that Luo Binghe had moved a bench to sit coldly in front of the door, waiting for him.
If he was in his adult form, he would have made others shrink back and tremble. But right now, his size was wrong, and others couldn’t help but reach their hands out towards his face and squeeze it. No matter how many thousands of miles he tried to keep others away, the incessantly chirping little sparrows that surrounded him wouldn’t stop. They were piled up next to his bench, one after another, and Shen Qingqiu was egged on to join.
These were all children of nearby families. From the first day, Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe moved in, they all fell for the male protagonist’s charm, and clung to him desperately, unable to be shooed away. Fortunately, they were all afraid of Shen Qingqiu, since children are afraid of teachers, and would flee in panic when they saw him return.
Shen Qingqiu elegantly reached out his hands (claws), preparing to squeeze Luo Binghe’s cheeks, as he did daily. Just then, several voices chiming “Mister Shen!” rang out from behind him. A couple of slender figures, wearing silver and gold, walked into the yard.
Shen Qingqiu turned around, saw that it was a couple of energetic wives from the town, and nodded his head to greet them. The head of the group took two steps forward, grabbed his arm, and dragged him towards the outside, saying, “Mister Shen, I’ve been looking for you for so long! Let’s go, come with me, the girls have been waiting for so long that they’re getting anxious!”
Luo Binghe yelled, “Go where? What girls?!”
Shen Qingqiu was also confused.
Madam A was surprised at Luo Binghe’s expression, and shook her head, saying, “Aiyoyo, how can such a small person have such a scary voice? Why is the young master angry? Mister Shen, is he sulking at you?”
Madam B came over immediately. “Come, young master. Older sister will give you some candy to eat. Don’t get in your father’s way.”
Luo Binghe ignored them and, with a cold expression, said, “Shi…Did you plan to do something today?”
Shen Qingqiu replied, “Master…I don’t remember?”
Madam A rebuked, “Mister Shen, you’re asking me even though you already know? Do I have to spell it out for you? Oh, well. There’s a niece in my family that’s a respectable, dignified girl. Seeing how you two seem to be a good match, we set up a banquet in the tower in the west so you can see her.”
“And the girl from my family.”
“My younger cousin. There’s also my younger cousin!”
Turns out, word spreads quickly in lively places. Shen Qingqiu hadn’t been here for long before the residents spread the news: A new gentleman had arrived. He was not only knowledgeable and talented but also well-mannered and gentle. His looks were even more gentle and elegant; very refreshing.
Of course, these were all empty platitudes! The most important point is that he is definitely rich, super rich! He bought a stylish residence right off the bat; how could he do that if he wasn’t rich? He also brought a 4-5-year-old son, a pale cutie, who was already so handsome at such a young age and would definitely be talented and have an impressive appearance in the future. My god! Any family who had a daughter who was of marriageable age, or just gave birth to a daughter that was not yet betrothed, were trying to grab him first and arrange things later. They wouldn’t be missing out on anything if they grabbed the older one or the younger one!
Luo Binghe’s face turned green, and he said angrily, “He doesn’t need a blind date!”
I’m not dead yet!
Madam C swayed her hips and walked up to him. “Young Master Shen, would you not be happy if your father remarried? Is it bad to get a gentle and pretty new mother that takes care of you?”
Madam B agreed, saying, “Right, right. Mister Shen, you can’t spoil him like this. I heard that you take him to the academy with you, and he even sits on your lap? I’m not trying to nag, but this sort of upbringing won’t produce a good man. My son…”
Shen Qingqiu, seeing how Luo Binghe was about to wave his hand and blow up the whole yard, quickly hugged him and backed up hurriedly. “I’ve received the madams’ well wishes. I don’t plan to, uh, remarry. There is no one else in the house, and I still have to take care of my child, so I cannot accept your invitation.”
Madam A, with a big red peony in her hair next to her face, righteously said, “Mister Shen, what are you talking about! It’s time for you, as an adult man, to get married. How can your large residence exist without a hostess? It’s unheard of for a person with such a graceful demeanor as yourself raising a child on your own! Not only is it uncomfortable for you, it looks strange from the outside, and sounds bad when others say it!”
She waved her fan and said, in a tone that no one was able to argue with, “Then it’s settled! Mister Shen, come with us now, and the young master can stay at home. Someone will stay with him.”
Luo Binghe sneered. “I want to see who’s able to leave!”
His evilly cold energy didn’t last long. Shen Qingqiu, for the sake of this town and the three madams that enthusiastically tried to set him up on blind dates, whisked out a few spells that made them faint and fled, abandoning the residence that he’d just bought for not even a month.
Naturally, he could only escape back to Cang Qiong Mountain.
At the bottom of the steps to the mountain, Shen Qingqiu held Luo Binghe’s hand as they walked up.
The elder brother who’d been sweeping the stairs for over ten years was as diligent as he was on the first day. Shen Qingqiu ascended the stairs and met his eyes, giving a slight smile. He was about to greet him when the elder brother looked at him, then looked at Luo Binghe holding his hand. His face twitched.
Suddenly, he threw the broomstick down and ran up the mountain stairs as if his ass was on fire. He jumped hundreds of steps in one leap, leaving Shen Qingqiu shocked but proud.
As expected of Cang Qiong Mountain, where even a stair sweeper hid his real talents!
There were many stairs, and before they’d even gotten halfway, Luo Binghe started to yawn. He didn’t have enough stamina presently, so he was inevitably fatigued. Shen Qingqiu picked him up and said, “Sleep.”
A disciple’s thoughts are impossible to grasp. Sometimes Luo Binghe would enthusiastically let him hug him, and other times, he would struggle, his face red, and want to walk on his own. Right now, he was probably very tired, since he fell asleep after closing his eyes, nestled in Shen Qingqiu’s arms.
After they walked up the stairs and stepped into the square, Shen Qingqiu felt as if the stares on them were not quite right and heard pieces of conversation. The stair sweeper’s stare was especially strange.
He walked up to Qing Jing Peak and reached the entrance of the bamboo house as disciples rushed over excitedly.
As soon as Ming Fan saw Luo Binghe in Shen Qingqiu’s arms, he retreated a couple of steps, as if the sky had thundered, while others scrambled to the front. Ning YingYing pushed away the people in her way and stared at the sleeping Luo Binghe in Shen Qingqiu’s arms, saying, “…Looks like A Luo, looks like A Luo!”
Duh. If he didn’t look like Luo Binghe, then who?
Ning YingYing grabbed Shen Qingqiu’s sleeves excitedly and eagerly asked, “Shizun, does he have a name? Have you given him a name yet?!”
Shen Qingqiu: “…”
Ning YingYing said, “If he doesn’t have a name, can I…can I give him one?”
What the hell–
Luo Binghe moved around in his arms and muttered, “…Noisy.”
Shen Qingqiu’s folding fan was halfway in the air; he held it threateningly for a little before pulling it back rather forcefully and making a shushing gesture. Unexpectedly, the entrance of the bamboo house collapsed all of a sudden and Luo Binghe started, opening his eyes and waking up.
Liu Qingge strode over. Shen Qingqiu stared at the sneaky Ming Fan with daggers in his eyes and suddenly tried to hide Luo Binghe behind him. He faked a smile and said, “Liu Shidi, I trust you’ve been well since the last time we saw each other.”
Liu Qingge said sharply, “Hiding.”
Shen Qingqiu said, “Hiding what? I’m not hiding anything?”
Luo Binghe put a hand on Shen Qingqiu’s chest, and said, “I don’t need to hide! I’m not afraid of him!”
Liu Qingge walked in and looked down to stare at Luo Binghe’s dark little face, full of provocation. After a long while, as if he was resisting something very hard, stammered and said to Shen Qingqiu, “Y-You…when did you a-and Luo Binghe…with him…”
“With him?”
With him? Do what with him?
Liu Qingge seemed to find it hard to speak, and Ming Fan wailed in his place, “Give birth to such a large son!”
…Liu Juju!
Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky didn’t write a novel for jjwxc!
Shen Qingqiu very rudely shooed Liu Juju off of Qing Jing Peak, and thunderously roared, “How can a man give birth?”
Ning YingYing, who understood everything now, was greatly disappointed after finding out the boy Shen Qingqiu carried back wasn’t their son. She felt like her enthusiasm and the fifty names she thought of were useless, and pouted, saying, “If it wasn’t for the stair sweeper older brother spreading nonsense everywhere, people wouldn’t have taken it seriously. Who knew that A Luo would also have a day where he’d run wild too?”
Stair sweeper, you’re very good. You’re very fast and have a wonderful and strange mind! Shen Qingqiu remembered it from now on.
Min Fan, embarrassed, said, “This disciple thought that if it was a demon, it wouldn’t be impossible for a man to give birth.”
The people behind him nodded furiously. Shen Qingqiu felt like he was at his breaking point, and tried to reason, “Even if a man could give birth, it’s impossible for a child to grow this big in just a few months!”
Ming Fan replied again, “Who knows? The disciples thought that it wouldn’t be impossible if that demon Luo Binghe’s son was this large right when he was born.”
“……”
Qing Jing Peak’s long-lost punishment of copying scriptures will return to the human world tonight.
With great difficulty, Shen Qingqiu found the opportunity to return to Cang Qiong Mountain, and it was a rare moment for the Twelve Peaks to all be present, so they naturally had to gather for a dinner or something.
Shen Qingqiu hadn’t been able to act like a pretentious prick while seated on the second seat at Qiong Ding Peak hall for a long time, and he missed it a lot.
He greeted each of the Peak Lords with, “Long time no see, long time no see”, “I trust you’ve been well since the last time we saw each other”, or, “You’re being polite, you’re being polite”. His fan unfolded, and he was beaming with happiness.
When Yue Qingyuan saw Shen Qingqiu, his expression was a little strange, but he didn’t say much and sat in the first seat, smiling at him. He put the stack of files in his hand on the eucalyptus table and Shang Qinghua hurriedly took them to pass them down the table.
Shen Qingqiu took the file that Shang Qinghua gave him and glanced over it casually. Shang Qinghua probably did something again to annoy MoBei-Jun, because the corners of his mouth were swollen, and he gave him a pitiful smile. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bear to look at him anymore so he turned his gaze to the file, where the focus of the discussion was outlined in cinnabar.
He took one glance, and with a puh, spewed out the sip of tea he’d just drunk.
First, strongly crack down on <Regret of Chunshan> and <Bingqiu Song> manuscripts, and prohibit any copy to circulate anywhere, in public or in private. Within one month, personal copies should be turned in, and if someone is found secretly hiding or circulating any copies, they will be severely punished. Turning in the illustration as well is a plus.
Second, due to several complaints, Bai Zhan Peak’s relevant people in charge are to strengthen management, and it is forbidden to fight with other peak’s members.
Third, due to a small number of complaints, Qing Jing Peak members should keep in mind what time it is, and avoid practicing during lunch and at night.
Fourth, Xian Shu Peak requested the fence to be raised higher and applied for lightning running through the fence.
Fifth, Ku Xing Peak has had fewer and fewer disciples over the years, and requested for expansion of enrollment, as well as choosing priority when the mountain gates were opened next time.
Sixth, peak owners are to pay attention to disciples’ education. Disciples are not to fight with Huan Hua Palace members using their Cang Qiong Mountain disciple status.
Seventh, when carrying out tasks, if demons are encountered, do not rush to attack. First, find out their purpose and which faction they belong to before determining whether or not they are an enemy.
……
Spraying tea in public is a very inappropriate action, but he didn’t need to worry about his reputation because eight or nine of the twelve peak masters also sprayed their tea out at the same time after reading the first line. In such an environment, his action didn’t seem so abrupt anymore.
A blanket of awkwardness set into the chamber, and even though Shen Qingqiu waved his fan so hard that it would have created waves in water, he was unable to dissipate the feeling.
<Regret of Chunshan>, with no virtue or skill, was somehow first in importance. And there’s an extra thing; what the hell is <BingQiu Song>?!
When the meeting ended, Shen Qingqiu, feeling vexed, walked towards Qing Jing Peak. He hadn’t gotten far when he found a good amount of peak owners had also come along with him.
Shen Qingqiu kindly said, “Fellow shidi and shimei, this doesn’t seem to be the direction to return to your peaks?”
Qi Qingqi replied, “That’s because we weren’t going to return to our peaks in the first place.”
Shen Qingqiu already knew that this was the case, and tried to struggle. “Why do you suddenly want to come to Qing Jing Peak to visit? The bamboo house is simple and crude, improper for receiving guests.”
“Don’t pretend to be stupid. We know your bamboo house is simple and crude. Who’s going to see you? Of course, we’re going to see the treasured disciple that you hid.”
These people were enthusiastically treating Luo Binghe as a strange thing to be put on display. Shen Qingqiu helplessly said, “He’s going to be upset.”
“I don’t mean to scold you, Shen shixiong, but how can he, a disciple, be angry at you, his shizun? Did you not discipline or educate him well enough?”
“Things shouldn’t be like this. No matter what relationship you two have right now, he should be disciplined as usual.”
“If he’s angry, then so be it. I’m not afraid. Anyways, the amount of core strength Luo Binghe has right now isn’t even one-tenth of what he had before, so it’s more appropriate for him to not be angry.”
Because the peak master of Ku Xing Feng normally practices asceticism every day, he was quite angry right now because he didn’t acquire enough first priority spots for admission. He became more impatient, and said, “So much nonsense being said. Are you afraid we’ll eat up the little bit of tea leaves you have left? Let’s go, let’s go!”
Shen Qingqiu knew that he wasn’t able to escape this obstacle, and was dragged towards Qing Jing Peak with his face full of black lines.
How come they knew everything so clearly, even clearer than I do!
He could stop one or two of them, but a swarm of peak masters surged into the bamboo house, and he wasn’t able to slow them down. His efforts were rendered useless as soon as Qi Qingqi entered the house.
Luo Binghe was fast asleep on the bed, tucked in snugly, and was exactly how Shen Qingqiu left him. Shen Qingqiu gestured: He’s asleep, don’t bother him.
Liu Qingge glanced inside and couldn’t help but say, “How come he looks different than he did yesterday?”
Different? Shen Qingqiu turned his head and did feel as if he was a little different. Luo Binghe seemed to have grown up by a couple years, and he looked like he was seven or eight now. Wei Qingwei softly said, “He’s growing well, he’s growing well!”
Qi Qingqi carefully examined him for a while and said, “At the rate he’s growing at, he probably can’t wear these clothes anymore, right?”
Shen Qingqiu hadn’t thought of this problem before. He carefully gave it some thought and remembered that this morning, Luo Binghe’s clothes actually didn’t fit well. The sleeves seemed to be short, and he hurriedly replied, “It’s true, I wasn’t careful enough. Tomorrow I’ll take him down the mountain and buy a couple of outfits.”
Qi Qingqi replied, “Buy them? Don’t you know you can use ready-made ones? Just go to Xian Shu Peak and ask a couple of older sisters and younger sisters to make him some new clothes.”
Several peak masters laughed unkindly after she said this. Just the thought of fragrant fairies surrounding a resentful, short-sleeved demon, talking and laughing, was enough to entertain and delight the idle peak masters that have nothing to do all day long. Seeing them throw stones at someone who’d already fallen down a well and taking joy in someone else’s disaster, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bear it in his heart for the Luo Binghe whose dignity had fallen to the floor. He hurriedly said, “Enough is enough, enough is enough. Come, let’s take a seat in the living room and not surround him. Stop laughing, be careful to not wake him up.”
“You didn’t let us see him before, and you won’t let us even now? Shen shixiong is so boring.”
Shen Qingqiu replied, “Give me some face.”
With great difficulty, he managed to rapidly disperse his comrades. When he returned to the bamboo house, his head was spinning.
Luo Binghe had already woken up and was sitting at his original eucalyptus study table. His legs couldn’t reach the ground, so they were suspended in midair, and to the side sat a pile of files that was taller than he was. He held a red-inked writing brush in his hand, concentrated while he made notes on the files.
Shen Qingqiu looked at him for a while, and at the door, he asked, “What are you doing?”
Luo Binghe raised his head and replied, “Shizun hasn’t returned for a long time, and nobody took care of the records, so this disciple wanted to revise the catalog and put it in storage.”
Shen Qingqiu replied, “You should cultivate well right now; there’s no need for you to take care of these matters.”
Luo Binghe responded, “But when Shizun isn’t here, I have nothing else to do, so I might as well do this.”
Shen Qingqiu sat down beside him, thought for a while, and asked, “Are you unhappy that we returned to Qing Jing Peak?”
Luo Binghe smiled and replied, “What are you talking about, Shizun? How could this disciple be unhappy?”
Shen Qingqiu got up slowly and walked towards the exit. Suddenly, he couldn’t take another step.
Luo Binghe had jumped down from the table, hugged his leg, and gritted his teeth, saying, “…Yes, this disciple…is not happy!”
Shen Qingqiu said, “That’s right, you should say it when you’re unhappy. From now on, if there’s anything you want to say, don’t keep it bottled up (in your heart). If you really don’t like Qing Jing Peak, then when you’ve recovered your original body, we can just leave. Your current situation is too inconvenient for moving about. If your body suddenly changes, Cang Qiong Mountain can at least protect you.”
Luo Binghe responded, “I do like it! But I like Qing Jing Peak, only Qing Jing Peak, not Cang Qiong Mountain. Apart from you and I, there’s nobody else.”
No, Shen Qingqiu thought, The Qing Jing Peak you like didn’t exist in reality at all, did it?
Luo Binghe said, depressed, “Shizun, when you’re with me, do you lose a lot of opportunities to do your own things?”
Shen Qingqiu smiled in spite of himself. “Just now, you were pretty good at pretending to be asleep. Your ears are sharp too. How much of your core strength have you recovered?”
Luo Binghe replied, “Shizun…I didn’t want to come back not because I don’t like it here, but because it’s too easy for you to be taken away here.”
He said, faintly, “If it was the me from before, I would still be confident that I can snatch you back no matter what. But the me right now…I really think…I can’t compete with others.”
Shen Qingqiu knocked the top of his head a couple of times and said, “What are you competing for? You don’t need to snatch me, Shizun will follow you naturally.”
Communicating with your partner is really vital. Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t have said something so corny to the adult Luo Binghe even if you put a knife to his neck, but since it’s the mini version he can carry in his arms and act cute while begging for comfort, he didn’t feel any sort of pressure in his heart.
Luo Binghe raised his face towards him and stared at him affectionately.
The flowers were lovely, the moon was round, there was beautiful scenery all around, the dark fragrance permeated the air, and the atmosphere was very good. One couldn’t help but feel enchanted by it.
Luo Binghe’s watery eyes burned more and more, until he couldn’t bear it anymore and pushed Shen Qingqiu onto the bamboo couch, throwing himself over him as well.
He was lying on Shen Qingqiu’s chest, and the pair of large eyes stared at the pair of small eyes.
Shen Qingqiu: “Uh…you can…continue.”
Even if he were to continue, they can’t do what Luo Binghe wanted to do.
He couldn’t hide the sympathy in his expression.
For a while, Luo Binghe roared with his still-immature voice, fed up and loathing the world.
1.Literally 走火入魔 meaning “possessed by the devil.”
2.Tuan meaning “bun” like a Chinese roll/bun. Thanks to Anon for correction.
Chapter 98 - Extra: Return to Childhood
When he woke up, Shen Qingqiu slowly flipped himself over but didn’t feel the arm that was previously wrapped around his waist there anymore.
The morning light leaked in from the window, and he used the sleeves of his inner robes to block the sunlight. With this single action, his back and waist felt sore, and his arms had no strength to them. He perceived a slight tearing sensation somewhere on his lower body, as well as the peculiar feeling of something sticky that had dried up.
Last night, he was toyed with all night, so he felt a little unwell this morning. Shen Qingqiu found it strange that Luo Binghe wasn’t up early to help him clean and make breakfast. He hoarsely said, “…Binghe?”
Nobody responded. Shen Qingqiu felt even more confused, so he forced himself to open his eyes and look down. He saw a small head with soft, silky black hair.
“…”
This little head looked delicate and cute. A natural blush spread across his white, tender cheeks and his eyelashes were dark, glossy, long, and slender. His eyes were shut tight, and his lips were a light pink color. He was curled up into a ball, snuggled into his side like a kitty while resting his head on the back of his hand.
Even though they are different sizes, even though he looked to be only 5 or 6 years old, even though…
There’s nothing “even though” about it. Even if he shrank, Shen Qingqiu could definitely recognize him at a glance–this is the male protagonist’s face!
He was so shocked that his voice changed. “Luo Binghe!”
Originally, he wanted to pinch his arm to see if he could hurt himself awake, but when he got up, his bottom half throbbed from being sore and swollen. Shen Qingqiu stiffly lay back down again. The curled up Luo Binghe slowly woke up, his eyelashes trembling.
Half of his face was red from lying on his hand. Squinting, he saw Shen Qingqiu lying down in his messy clothes, and reached out his arms towards him in a “want a hug” position, saying, “Shizun…”
This sound was soft and sticky, seemingly tender enough that water would drip down any moment, so when he opened his mouth, he stiffened.
The large eyes stared at the small eyes.
They stared at each other, confused and with their minds in a mess, for a while, before the two of them figured out what the situation was.
In the first place, Luo Binghe was at a critical moment in his cultivation, so, logically speaking, he should have kept a clear mind, lessened his desires, and kept his purity to not have any mishaps. But it just so happened that last night, he wasn’t able to hold back and messed around all night, until finally his demonic cultivation went haywire1!
Shen Qingqiu didn’t find it hard to accept at all, because in the original <Proud Immortal’s Demon Way>, this plot had happened as well. Of course, Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky’s purpose of writing this scene wasn’t to sell his cuteness or anything, but because the Luo Binghe that turned into a child could freely enter and exit into places that adult men could not. As to which places, you should know. Plus, it was easier for a small child to lower a girl’s guard, make close contact with her, and then catch their heart in one move by surprise!
Since this plot point had never arrived, Shen Qingqiu thought that it was over with and wouldn’t happen; who knew that it was just delayed!
Shen Qingqiu helplessly asked, “…How much core strength do you have left?”
Luo Binghe replied, “Less than one-tenth.”
His young, immature face looked solemn. Looking at it, it was as if he didn’t want others to take it seriously and instead made them feel like the situation was…very funny.
So, Shen Qingqiu ungraciously…laughed.
After laughing, he put on a serious face again and said, “Ah, you only have a tenth left? That’s fine. We can’t stay in the demon world anymore.”
Luo Binghe had offended a good number of humans and demons alike. At a time like this, it was obviously better to run as far away and hide as deep as possible. Shen Qingqiu’s first thought was to grab Luo Bing-tuan2 and run.
After making up his mind, he was going to get dressed and get off the bed. Who knew that, as soon as he straightened his back, the muscles on his cheeks would twitch?
In the past, when they were done, Luo Binghe would carry him to the hot springs while he was sleeping and clean him up, but right now, Luo Binghe could at most only hug his leg, unable to even budge him. He was squatting anxiously to the side, looking as if he wanted to cry.
“…” Shen Qingqiu comforted him and said, “Forget it, it’s fine. I’ll do it myself.”
The deepest part of the natural geothermal spring that Luo Binghe dug out in the underground palace could reach up to, and past, Shen Qingqiu’s chest. If he threw Luo Binghe in, he would instantly be completely submerged. Shen Qingqiu could only carry him carefully to sit on a boulder nearby and had to keep an eye on him to make sure he was sitting stably and wouldn’t slip off.
He’d just planned to quickly clean himself up when he suddenly saw Luo Binghe trying his hardest to reach his hand out to the bluestone near him, attempting to help him grab a honey locust box, but not being able to reach it no matter what.
This appearance reminded him of the Luo Binghe that had kecheng kecheng dug a hole in the valley, carrying a patched cloth bag when he went up Cang Qiong Mountain to ask them to take him in as a disciple. Shen Qingqiu stared at him for a while, and couldn’t help but pull him down, drag him into an embrace, and start to knead his head.
Under his havoc-creating hands, Luo Binghe choked slightly on a few mouthfuls of water. Originally, his skin was already a bit red from the surrounding steam, but with this motion that shook him, he puteng and directly rolled into a ball.
Although Shen Qingqiu was being sweetly cooperative and let him “press” down on him while lying down, Luo Binghe’s white little face turned dark instantly.
This kind of body…was useless no matter how many thousands of times you pressed it down!
Can’t do anything with it!
Seeing Luo Bing-tuan’s face turn from red to white, and then turn dark, She Qingqiu held his laugh back so hard that he thought he was going to suffer internal injuries. “This is the retribution for impetuously messing around with your master last night, isn’t it?”
Luo Binghe said, heart-breakingly, “If it wasn’t for Shizun seducing me first!”
After hearing these words, Shen Qingqiu’s face blushed and he was secretly ashamed. He corrected his complexion, and suddenly let go. Luo Binghe was caught off guard, slid into the water, and a line of bubbles gudong gudong floated to the surface.
Going by what Shen Qingqiu wished for, the first hideout he thought of was Cang Qiong Mountain. But Luo Binghe wasn’t willing to go back even if he was beaten to death.
Thinking about it, it made sense. He was injured, and if he went back, there would be spectators. And among the spectators, Liu Qingge would definitely be present.
So Shen Qingqiu compromised and took him to the human world.
To hide in plain sight, they chose to go to a flourishing town. While waiting for Luo Binghe’s body to recover, he was to stay here and rest, passing the time. Shen Qingqiu, so bored that he was itching to do something, easily found a position at the largest academy in the town.
Luo Binghe, naturally, was not happy with this. First, he didn’t like that Shen Qingqiu was accepting other disciples. Were there not enough disciples at Qing Jing Peak? He’s going to accept more?!
Secondly, he disliked it even more when he was treated like Shen Qingqiu’s son. Especially when they went to bed at night, he had to let him kiss and hug him, yet wasn’t able to do anything and had to listen to Shen Qingqiu jokingly call him “good boy”, “baby”, making him hate his current form more…he felt resentful and impatient that he wasn’t seeing improvement!
Today, when Shen Qingqiu returned from the academy, he saw that Luo Binghe had moved a bench to sit coldly in front of the door, waiting for him.
If he was in his adult form, he would have made others shrink back and tremble. But right now, his size was wrong, and others couldn’t help but reach their hands out towards his face and squeeze it. No matter how many thousands of miles he tried to keep others away, the incessantly chirping little sparrows that surrounded him wouldn’t stop. They were piled up next to his bench, one after another, and Shen Qingqiu was egged on to join.
These were all children of nearby families. From the first day, Shen Qingqiu and Luo Binghe moved in, they all fell for the male protagonist’s charm, and clung to him desperately, unable to be shooed away. Fortunately, they were all afraid of Shen Qingqiu, since children are afraid of teachers, and would flee in panic when they saw him return.
Shen Qingqiu elegantly reached out his hands (claws), preparing to squeeze Luo Binghe’s cheeks, as he did daily. Just then, several voices chiming “Mister Shen!” rang out from behind him. A couple of slender figures, wearing silver and gold, walked into the yard.
Shen Qingqiu turned around, saw that it was a couple of energetic wives from the town, and nodded his head to greet them. The head of the group took two steps forward, grabbed his arm, and dragged him towards the outside, saying, “Mister Shen, I’ve been looking for you for so long! Let’s go, come with me, the girls have been waiting for so long that they’re getting anxious!”
Luo Binghe yelled, “Go where? What girls?!”
Shen Qingqiu was also confused.
Madam A was surprised at Luo Binghe’s expression, and shook her head, saying, “Aiyoyo, how can such a small person have such a scary voice? Why is the young master angry? Mister Shen, is he sulking at you?”
Madam B came over immediately. “Come, young master. Older sister will give you some candy to eat. Don’t get in your father’s way.”
Luo Binghe ignored them and, with a cold expression, said, “Shi…Did you plan to do something today?”
Shen Qingqiu replied, “Master…I don’t remember?”
Madam A rebuked, “Mister Shen, you’re asking me even though you already know? Do I have to spell it out for you? Oh, well. There’s a niece in my family that’s a respectable, dignified girl. Seeing how you two seem to be a good match, we set up a banquet in the tower in the west so you can see her.”
“And the girl from my family.”
“My younger cousin. There’s also my younger cousin!”
Turns out, word spreads quickly in lively places. Shen Qingqiu hadn’t been here for long before the residents spread the news: A new gentleman had arrived. He was not only knowledgeable and talented but also well-mannered and gentle. His looks were even more gentle and elegant; very refreshing.
Of course, these were all empty platitudes! The most important point is that he is definitely rich, super rich! He bought a stylish residence right off the bat; how could he do that if he wasn’t rich? He also brought a 4-5-year-old son, a pale cutie, who was already so handsome at such a young age and would definitely be talented and have an impressive appearance in the future. My god! Any family who had a daughter who was of marriageable age, or just gave birth to a daughter that was not yet betrothed, were trying to grab him first and arrange things later. They wouldn’t be missing out on anything if they grabbed the older one or the younger one!
Luo Binghe’s face turned green, and he said angrily, “He doesn’t need a blind date!”
I’m not dead yet!
Madam C swayed her hips and walked up to him. “Young Master Shen, would you not be happy if your father remarried? Is it bad to get a gentle and pretty new mother that takes care of you?”
Madam B agreed, saying, “Right, right. Mister Shen, you can’t spoil him like this. I heard that you take him to the academy with you, and he even sits on your lap? I’m not trying to nag, but this sort of upbringing won’t produce a good man. My son…”
Shen Qingqiu, seeing how Luo Binghe was about to wave his hand and blow up the whole yard, quickly hugged him and backed up hurriedly. “I’ve received the madams’ well wishes. I don’t plan to, uh, remarry. There is no one else in the house, and I still have to take care of my child, so I cannot accept your invitation.”
Madam A, with a big red peony in her hair next to her face, righteously said, “Mister Shen, what are you talking about! It’s time for you, as an adult man, to get married. How can your large residence exist without a hostess? It’s unheard of for a person with such a graceful demeanor as yourself raising a child on your own! Not only is it uncomfortable for you, it looks strange from the outside, and sounds bad when others say it!”
She waved her fan and said, in a tone that no one was able to argue with, “Then it’s settled! Mister Shen, come with us now, and the young master can stay at home. Someone will stay with him.”
Luo Binghe sneered. “I want to see who’s able to leave!”
His evilly cold energy didn’t last long. Shen Qingqiu, for the sake of this town and the three madams that enthusiastically tried to set him up on blind dates, whisked out a few spells that made them faint and fled, abandoning the residence that he’d just bought for not even a month.
Naturally, he could only escape back to Cang Qiong Mountain.
At the bottom of the steps to the mountain, Shen Qingqiu held Luo Binghe’s hand as they walked up.
The elder brother who’d been sweeping the stairs for over ten years was as diligent as he was on the first day. Shen Qingqiu ascended the stairs and met his eyes, giving a slight smile. He was about to greet him when the elder brother looked at him, then looked at Luo Binghe holding his hand. His face twitched.
Suddenly, he threw the broomstick down and ran up the mountain stairs as if his ass was on fire. He jumped hundreds of steps in one leap, leaving Shen Qingqiu shocked but proud.
As expected of Cang Qiong Mountain, where even a stair sweeper hid his real talents!
There were many stairs, and before they’d even gotten halfway, Luo Binghe started to yawn. He didn’t have enough stamina presently, so he was inevitably fatigued. Shen Qingqiu picked him up and said, “Sleep.”
A disciple’s thoughts are impossible to grasp. Sometimes Luo Binghe would enthusiastically let him hug him, and other times, he would struggle, his face red, and want to walk on his own. Right now, he was probably very tired, since he fell asleep after closing his eyes, nestled in Shen Qingqiu’s arms.
After they walked up the stairs and stepped into the square, Shen Qingqiu felt as if the stares on them were not quite right and heard pieces of conversation. The stair sweeper’s stare was especially strange.
He walked up to Qing Jing Peak and reached the entrance of the bamboo house as disciples rushed over excitedly.
As soon as Ming Fan saw Luo Binghe in Shen Qingqiu’s arms, he retreated a couple of steps, as if the sky had thundered, while others scrambled to the front. Ning YingYing pushed away the people in her way and stared at the sleeping Luo Binghe in Shen Qingqiu’s arms, saying, “…Looks like A Luo, looks like A Luo!”
Duh. If he didn’t look like Luo Binghe, then who?
Ning YingYing grabbed Shen Qingqiu’s sleeves excitedly and eagerly asked, “Shizun, does he have a name? Have you given him a name yet?!”
Shen Qingqiu: “…”
Ning YingYing said, “If he doesn’t have a name, can I…can I give him one?”
What the hell–
Luo Binghe moved around in his arms and muttered, “…Noisy.”
Shen Qingqiu’s folding fan was halfway in the air; he held it threateningly for a little before pulling it back rather forcefully and making a shushing gesture. Unexpectedly, the entrance of the bamboo house collapsed all of a sudden and Luo Binghe started, opening his eyes and waking up.
Liu Qingge strode over. Shen Qingqiu stared at the sneaky Ming Fan with daggers in his eyes and suddenly tried to hide Luo Binghe behind him. He faked a smile and said, “Liu Shidi, I trust you’ve been well since the last time we saw each other.”
Liu Qingge said sharply, “Hiding.”
Shen Qingqiu said, “Hiding what? I’m not hiding anything?”
Luo Binghe put a hand on Shen Qingqiu’s chest, and said, “I don’t need to hide! I’m not afraid of him!”
Liu Qingge walked in and looked down to stare at Luo Binghe’s dark little face, full of provocation. After a long while, as if he was resisting something very hard, stammered and said to Shen Qingqiu, “Y-You…when did you a-and Luo Binghe…with him…”
“With him?”
With him? Do what with him?
Liu Qingge seemed to find it hard to speak, and Ming Fan wailed in his place, “Give birth to such a large son!”
…Liu Juju!
Airplane Shooting Towards The Sky didn’t write a novel for jjwxc!
Shen Qingqiu very rudely shooed Liu Juju off of Qing Jing Peak, and thunderously roared, “How can a man give birth?”
Ning YingYing, who understood everything now, was greatly disappointed after finding out the boy Shen Qingqiu carried back wasn’t their son. She felt like her enthusiasm and the fifty names she thought of were useless, and pouted, saying, “If it wasn’t for the stair sweeper older brother spreading nonsense everywhere, people wouldn’t have taken it seriously. Who knew that A Luo would also have a day where he’d run wild too?”
Stair sweeper, you’re very good. You’re very fast and have a wonderful and strange mind! Shen Qingqiu remembered it from now on.
Min Fan, embarrassed, said, “This disciple thought that if it was a demon, it wouldn’t be impossible for a man to give birth.”
The people behind him nodded furiously. Shen Qingqiu felt like he was at his breaking point, and tried to reason, “Even if a man could give birth, it’s impossible for a child to grow this big in just a few months!”
Ming Fan replied again, “Who knows? The disciples thought that it wouldn’t be impossible if that demon Luo Binghe’s son was this large right when he was born.”
“……”
Qing Jing Peak’s long-lost punishment of copying scriptures will return to the human world tonight.
With great difficulty, Shen Qingqiu found the opportunity to return to Cang Qiong Mountain, and it was a rare moment for the Twelve Peaks to all be present, so they naturally had to gather for a dinner or something.
Shen Qingqiu hadn’t been able to act like a pretentious prick while seated on the second seat at Qiong Ding Peak hall for a long time, and he missed it a lot.
He greeted each of the Peak Lords with, “Long time no see, long time no see”, “I trust you’ve been well since the last time we saw each other”, or, “You’re being polite, you’re being polite”. His fan unfolded, and he was beaming with happiness.
When Yue Qingyuan saw Shen Qingqiu, his expression was a little strange, but he didn’t say much and sat in the first seat, smiling at him. He put the stack of files in his hand on the eucalyptus table and Shang Qinghua hurriedly took them to pass them down the table.
Shen Qingqiu took the file that Shang Qinghua gave him and glanced over it casually. Shang Qinghua probably did something again to annoy MoBei-Jun, because the corners of his mouth were swollen, and he gave him a pitiful smile. Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bear to look at him anymore so he turned his gaze to the file, where the focus of the discussion was outlined in cinnabar.
He took one glance, and with a puh, spewed out the sip of tea he’d just drunk.
First, strongly crack down on <Regret of Chunshan> and <Bingqiu Song> manuscripts, and prohibit any copy to circulate anywhere, in public or in private. Within one month, personal copies should be turned in, and if someone is found secretly hiding or circulating any copies, they will be severely punished. Turning in the illustration as well is a plus.
Second, due to several complaints, Bai Zhan Peak’s relevant people in charge are to strengthen management, and it is forbidden to fight with other peak’s members.
Third, due to a small number of complaints, Qing Jing Peak members should keep in mind what time it is, and avoid practicing during lunch and at night.
Fourth, Xian Shu Peak requested the fence to be raised higher and applied for lightning running through the fence.
Fifth, Ku Xing Peak has had fewer and fewer disciples over the years, and requested for expansion of enrollment, as well as choosing priority when the mountain gates were opened next time.
Sixth, peak owners are to pay attention to disciples’ education. Disciples are not to fight with Huan Hua Palace members using their Cang Qiong Mountain disciple status.
Seventh, when carrying out tasks, if demons are encountered, do not rush to attack. First, find out their purpose and which faction they belong to before determining whether or not they are an enemy.
……
Spraying tea in public is a very inappropriate action, but he didn’t need to worry about his reputation because eight or nine of the twelve peak masters also sprayed their tea out at the same time after reading the first line. In such an environment, his action didn’t seem so abrupt anymore.
A blanket of awkwardness set into the chamber, and even though Shen Qingqiu waved his fan so hard that it would have created waves in water, he was unable to dissipate the feeling.
<Regret of Chunshan>, with no virtue or skill, was somehow first in importance. And there’s an extra thing; what the hell is <BingQiu Song>?!
When the meeting ended, Shen Qingqiu, feeling vexed, walked towards Qing Jing Peak. He hadn’t gotten far when he found a good amount of peak owners had also come along with him.
Shen Qingqiu kindly said, “Fellow shidi and shimei, this doesn’t seem to be the direction to return to your peaks?”
Qi Qingqi replied, “That’s because we weren’t going to return to our peaks in the first place.”
Shen Qingqiu already knew that this was the case, and tried to struggle. “Why do you suddenly want to come to Qing Jing Peak to visit? The bamboo house is simple and crude, improper for receiving guests.”
“Don’t pretend to be stupid. We know your bamboo house is simple and crude. Who’s going to see you? Of course, we’re going to see the treasured disciple that you hid.”
These people were enthusiastically treating Luo Binghe as a strange thing to be put on display. Shen Qingqiu helplessly said, “He’s going to be upset.”
“I don’t mean to scold you, Shen shixiong, but how can he, a disciple, be angry at you, his shizun? Did you not discipline or educate him well enough?”
“Things shouldn’t be like this. No matter what relationship you two have right now, he should be disciplined as usual.”
“If he’s angry, then so be it. I’m not afraid. Anyways, the amount of core strength Luo Binghe has right now isn’t even one-tenth of what he had before, so it’s more appropriate for him to not be angry.”
Because the peak master of Ku Xing Feng normally practices asceticism every day, he was quite angry right now because he didn’t acquire enough first priority spots for admission. He became more impatient, and said, “So much nonsense being said. Are you afraid we’ll eat up the little bit of tea leaves you have left? Let’s go, let’s go!”
Shen Qingqiu knew that he wasn’t able to escape this obstacle, and was dragged towards Qing Jing Peak with his face full of black lines.
How come they knew everything so clearly, even clearer than I do!
He could stop one or two of them, but a swarm of peak masters surged into the bamboo house, and he wasn’t able to slow them down. His efforts were rendered useless as soon as Qi Qingqi entered the house.
Luo Binghe was fast asleep on the bed, tucked in snugly, and was exactly how Shen Qingqiu left him. Shen Qingqiu gestured: He’s asleep, don’t bother him.
Liu Qingge glanced inside and couldn’t help but say, “How come he looks different than he did yesterday?”
Different? Shen Qingqiu turned his head and did feel as if he was a little different. Luo Binghe seemed to have grown up by a couple years, and he looked like he was seven or eight now. Wei Qingwei softly said, “He’s growing well, he’s growing well!”
Qi Qingqi carefully examined him for a while and said, “At the rate he’s growing at, he probably can’t wear these clothes anymore, right?”
Shen Qingqiu hadn’t thought of this problem before. He carefully gave it some thought and remembered that this morning, Luo Binghe’s clothes actually didn’t fit well. The sleeves seemed to be short, and he hurriedly replied, “It’s true, I wasn’t careful enough. Tomorrow I’ll take him down the mountain and buy a couple of outfits.”
Qi Qingqi replied, “Buy them? Don’t you know you can use ready-made ones? Just go to Xian Shu Peak and ask a couple of older sisters and younger sisters to make him some new clothes.”
Several peak masters laughed unkindly after she said this. Just the thought of fragrant fairies surrounding a resentful, short-sleeved demon, talking and laughing, was enough to entertain and delight the idle peak masters that have nothing to do all day long. Seeing them throw stones at someone who’d already fallen down a well and taking joy in someone else’s disaster, Shen Qingqiu couldn’t bear it in his heart for the Luo Binghe whose dignity had fallen to the floor. He hurriedly said, “Enough is enough, enough is enough. Come, let’s take a seat in the living room and not surround him. Stop laughing, be careful to not wake him up.”
“You didn’t let us see him before, and you won’t let us even now? Shen shixiong is so boring.”
Shen Qingqiu replied, “Give me some face.”
With great difficulty, he managed to rapidly disperse his comrades. When he returned to the bamboo house, his head was spinning.
Luo Binghe had already woken up and was sitting at his original eucalyptus study table. His legs couldn’t reach the ground, so they were suspended in midair, and to the side sat a pile of files that was taller than he was. He held a red-inked writing brush in his hand, concentrated while he made notes on the files.
Shen Qingqiu looked at him for a while, and at the door, he asked, “What are you doing?”
Luo Binghe raised his head and replied, “Shizun hasn’t returned for a long time, and nobody took care of the records, so this disciple wanted to revise the catalog and put it in storage.”
Shen Qingqiu replied, “You should cultivate well right now; there’s no need for you to take care of these matters.”
Luo Binghe responded, “But when Shizun isn’t here, I have nothing else to do, so I might as well do this.”
Shen Qingqiu sat down beside him, thought for a while, and asked, “Are you unhappy that we returned to Qing Jing Peak?”
Luo Binghe smiled and replied, “What are you talking about, Shizun? How could this disciple be unhappy?”
Shen Qingqiu got up slowly and walked towards the exit. Suddenly, he couldn’t take another step.
Luo Binghe had jumped down from the table, hugged his leg, and gritted his teeth, saying, “…Yes, this disciple…is not happy!”
Shen Qingqiu said, “That’s right, you should say it when you’re unhappy. From now on, if there’s anything you want to say, don’t keep it bottled up (in your heart). If you really don’t like Qing Jing Peak, then when you’ve recovered your original body, we can just leave. Your current situation is too inconvenient for moving about. If your body suddenly changes, Cang Qiong Mountain can at least protect you.”
Luo Binghe responded, “I do like it! But I like Qing Jing Peak, only Qing Jing Peak, not Cang Qiong Mountain. Apart from you and I, there’s nobody else.”
No, Shen Qingqiu thought, The Qing Jing Peak you like didn’t exist in reality at all, did it?
Luo Binghe said, depressed, “Shizun, when you’re with me, do you lose a lot of opportunities to do your own things?”
Shen Qingqiu smiled in spite of himself. “Just now, you were pretty good at pretending to be asleep. Your ears are sharp too. How much of your core strength have you recovered?”
Luo Binghe replied, “Shizun…I didn’t want to come back not because I don’t like it here, but because it’s too easy for you to be taken away here.”
He said, faintly, “If it was the me from before, I would still be confident that I can snatch you back no matter what. But the me right now…I really think…I can’t compete with others.”
Shen Qingqiu knocked the top of his head a couple of times and said, “What are you competing for? You don’t need to snatch me, Shizun will follow you naturally.”
Communicating with your partner is really vital. Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t have said something so corny to the adult Luo Binghe even if you put a knife to his neck, but since it’s the mini version he can carry in his arms and act cute while begging for comfort, he didn’t feel any sort of pressure in his heart.
Luo Binghe raised his face towards him and stared at him affectionately.
The flowers were lovely, the moon was round, there was beautiful scenery all around, the dark fragrance permeated the air, and the atmosphere was very good. One couldn’t help but feel enchanted by it.
Luo Binghe’s watery eyes burned more and more, until he couldn’t bear it anymore and pushed Shen Qingqiu onto the bamboo couch, throwing himself over him as well.
He was lying on Shen Qingqiu’s chest, and the pair of large eyes stared at the pair of small eyes.
Shen Qingqiu: “Uh…you can…continue.”
Even if he were to continue, they can’t do what Luo Binghe wanted to do.
He couldn’t hide the sympathy in his expression.
For a while, Luo Binghe roared with his still-immature voice, fed up and loathing the world.
1.Literally 走火入魔 meaning “possessed by the devil.”
2.Tuan meaning “bun” like a Chinese roll/bun. Thanks to Anon for correction.