Chapter Text
Luo Binghe couldn’t sleep. Of course, this wasn’t too surprising, since his entire body was throbbing in pain.
He grimaced up at the rickety wooden ceiling as he laid on his “bed.” He had been lying there for a few hours now after the beating he had taken from his Shixiong. His cold, aloof Shizun had watched them beat him with a severe, unfeeling expression on his immortal face, tapping his fan against his thigh as Luo Binghe had cried out.
He couldn’t forget the thoughts that had been going through his master’s head. ‘Horrible beast…I never should have brought him here…Not worthy…Hit him harder.’
Luo Binghe had known from the moment he was accepted into Qing Jing Peak that the Xiu Ya Sword of Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, Peak Lord Shen Qingqiu, had only accepted him to spite Bai Zhan Peak Lord Liu Qingge. He had been cruelly satisfied he had snatched Luo Binghe away from Liu Qingge, and dismissed any of Luo Binghe’s “potential” as worthless. There had been a lot of sneering thoughts of how Luo Binghe would never amount to anything and Shen Qingqiu didn’t find him worthy enough to be focused on.
Of course, with his Shizun already throwing him to the side, it didn’t take his other Shixiong long to follow. Henceforth, Luo Binghe found himself surrounded by disciples who would rather shove him off the mountain than help him improve his cultivation.
The only person he found to be different was Ning Yingying. His shimei had shown him kindness he hadn’t experienced since his mother had died. She always checked up on him, cared for his wounds, and tried to protect him from his Shixiong. Of course, sometimes Luo Binghe noticed that her attention only drew the jealousy and ire of his Shixiong—particularly that nasty Head Disciple Ming Fan—but he couldn’t help but appreciate her and everything she did for him. She truly was the only light in his glum life.
He winced as he was hit by a particularly harsh ache, exhaling through his nose and clutching his bruised right side. He wished he had something to take away his pain. He knew this punishment was just an excuse to hurt him. The thought had him narrowing his eyes at the ceiling, exhaling harshly as he considered his master and his Shixiong.
He really hated them.
He truly wished Liu Qingge had managed to take him on as a disciple instead of Shen Qingqiu. Sure, Bai Zhan could be an intense, warmongering Peak that only incensed violence—according to his fellow Qing Jing Peak disciples—but it honestly sounded infinitely warmer than his current home. As if to prove it, he felt a sharp piece of wood push into his back against his thin inner robe, causing him to wince and sit up.
Luo Binghe at this time was only fourteen. He knew he was still young, but he had barely improved his cultivation. His cultivation manual was hard to decipher and seemed impossible at times to understand. He knew this was most likely not a coincidence; he had suspected for a year or so now that it was a fake manual. But, stuck on Qing Jing Peak as he was, surrounded by Shixiong that would rather spit on him than give him the correct manual, he had resigned himself to slowly and carefully attempting to understand the bits and pieces in the manual. He hadn’t brought it up to Ning Yingying, either, as she was barely older than he was and he knew that she wouldn’t have any idea where to get a new cultivation manual.
After another shichen had passed, Luo Binghe gave up trying to fall asleep with his pain and aches. Instead, he decided to attempt meditation to pass the time and circulate his qi.
He was startled out of his agitated meditation with a banging knock on the woodshed door. It burst open a moment later. Luo Binghe blinked in surprise to see Ming Fan looming in the doorway, scowling at him.
“What are you doing?” the Head Disciple demanded. “Not even trying to sleep? We must have gone too easy on you!”
Luo Binghe involuntarily flinched before he righted his expression and looked at his Shixiong calmly. “This lowly Binghe couldn’t sleep, sorry Shixiong. This disciple will do better to get his rest in the future.”
Ming Fan’s scowl deepened, looking as if he wished he could drag Luo Binghe back to the Bamboo House and beat him again. “Whatever. Shizun has requested to see you.”
Luo Binghe blanched, immediately feeling dread. What had he done now? Nothing, of course, but he knew Shen Qingqiu wouldn’t care. Maybe he was feeling especially vindictive tonight.
“Yes, Shixiong,” he said, leaping to his feet and reaching for the rest of his robes.
Ming Fan waited restlessly for him to dress before leading him to the Bamboo House. Slowly, his face changed from an impatient glower to expectant cheerfulness. ‘I can’t wait for Shizun to beat the beast…Maybe he’ll let me do it again?…So late at night too! I wonder what the beast did?’
Luo Binghe didn’t react, fighting to keep his expression blank.
The last time he had been brought to the Bamboo House, Shen Qingqiu had been waiting for him, displeasure written across his face as he gazed down at his disciple. “You have disappointed this master greatly,” he had said. ‘As if I could feel anything but displeasure for this beast.’ “You have fallen severely behind your fellow classmates. This is inexcusable.”
Luo Binghe had kowtowed, apologizing, even as he knew…this really wasn’t his fault. He had a false cultivation manual. Could he even risk bringing it to his Shizun without getting severely beaten again, though? Probably not. Shen Qingqiu had most likely been the one who had given him the manual anyway. And as for showing anyone else…unlikely. He didn’t even leave the Peak!
Plus, on the very few times he had seen Yue Qingyuan, the Sect Leader, he had been clearly…pining for Shen Qingqiu. His Shizun had the Sect Leader wrapped around his little finger. He would be of no help. And as Qing Jing Peak was the second highest ranked Peak on Cang Qiong Mountain…he was on his own. Completely.
The thought made him clench his fists, keeping his gaze locked on Ming Fan’s straight back. Oh, how he wished he was stronger. He wanted to be. Strong enough to prove Shen Qingqiu wrong. Strong enough to show Ming Fan how pathetic and weak his bullying really was.
Ming Fan gave him a cruel smile as he opened the door to the Bamboo House. Luo Binghe didn’t look at him, keeping his gaze slightly lowered even as anger boiled underneath his skin.
“Go on,” Ming Fan hissed at him. Luo Binghe obeyed, limping forward, keeping his back straight and stiff.
“Shizun,” he said with a respectful tone, shoving down the urge to grit his teeth.
He couldn’t help snapping his head up though, his eyes widening slightly as they locked onto Shen Qingqiu’s beautiful face. The immortal cultivator looked frozen as he stared at Luo Binghe, the edges of his lips ever so slightly curled up. His thoughts, however? They were…the only word Luo Binghe could think to describe them was chaotic.
‘I’m definitely dead! Look at the abuse…even with all those injuries, though, he’s still the badass protagonist! Look at the way he’s standing there so straight-backed…And looking at me right in the eye!’
His mouth had unconsciously dropped open before he snapped it shut, shooting his eyes back to the floor. Remembering why he was here, even as his own thoughts raced with the implications of his master’s, he slowly sank to the wooden floorboards to kneel. Before he could, however, Shen Qingqiu stopped him.
“No need.” ‘I can’t afford your submission—if you pay respects to me today, you are definitely going to kneecap me in the future.’ Luo Binghe stood frozen as his Shizun procured a small bottle and tossed it over to him. His immortal master’s face was smooth, even as a very slight crease to his brows showed his inner…turmoil. “This is medicine—don’t let anyone see; they might think my Qing Jing Peak abuses its disciples.”
Luo Binghe grasped the small bottle in his hands, stupefied as he just stared and stared at Shen Qingqiu. “…Shizun?”
‘I hope that was backhanded enough to pass. Can’t afford to be OOC.'
Shen Qingqiu just regarded him. None of these thoughts even twitched his expressionless mask. OOC…? What was that supposed to mean?
“Th-thanking Shizun,” Luo Binghe said with a slight stammer, fighting to keep the frown off his face, his heart beating incredibly fast as he continued to study his master. He bowed politely, Shen Qingqiu continuing to regard him for another few shun before he turned his head away.
‘The abuse must already be too much…Shouldn’t he still be a cute little bun still? No innocence in that expression…Fuck. I’m too late already.’
Luo Binghe couldn’t keep his expression from going rigid, but thankfully he was still facing the ground. Cute little bun? Shen Qingqiu was trying to call him a “cute little bun?” And innocence? He had already beaten all the innocence out of him. All he felt now was a determination to get on top and prove he was worthy. Not worthless.
Cute little bun??
Shen Qingqiu turned his head to look at him again. “You may leave now, Binghe.”
Luo Binghe’s entire body went stiff this time, and he snapped his head up to look at his master. That was a first. Never had Shen Qingqiu dared to be so casual with him! He had always referred to him as “beast”, “waste of space”, “worthless disciple”, and maybe, if he was feeling nice that day: “Luo Binghe”. He had never called Luo Binghe simply “Binghe”!
His Shizun had seemed to realize that, too, as a tinge of pink colored the tops of his ears and he spread his fan in front of his face. “Apologies, this master is tired. I mean; ‘Luo Binghe’.”
‘Fuck! Referring to him so casually! My kneecaps are as good as goners! I’m sorry, Binghe! Don’t hurt me!’
… What?
“U-uh, this disciple is…that is, this disciple doesn’t mind if Shizun calls him ‘Binghe’,” Luo Binghe said, flabbergasted. How could he hurt Shen Qingqiu right now? What was going on?
This couldn’t be Shen Qingqiu.
“A-ah, alright, Binghe,” his Shizun said. Luo Binghe shuddered instinctively. “Binghe, how’s your cultivation progress?”
Definitely not Shen Qingqiu. “This disciple…is still behind, Shizun. He fails to understand.”
Because of you.
And yet, that thought didn’t hold the same bite to it as it had before, as he looked directly into Shen Qingqiu’s eyes, listening to that steady stream of confusing thoughts. ‘So weird, to be so casual with the protagonist…and he’s okay with it! I really hope I can fix everything before it’s too late for me. Binghe…it’s not your fault! It’s the scum villain and his shitty fake cultivation manual! I’m just glad you haven’t suffered a qi deviation yet, not that you would, as the great protagonist…Boy, come hang out with me! This master will deliver unto you the correct techniques!…I was only thinking about it. Of course I knew it would be a violation!’
His Shizun sounded carefully casual as he said, “Today, this master punished you out of his own impatience. After all, time waits for no one. Now that I think about it, you’ve been under me for a while—how old are you this year?”
Luo Binghe was also carefully casual as he obediently said, “This disciple is fourteen.” And he should know that. Shen Qingqiu has a nearly-perfect memory.
Again, he listened with increasing fascination and wariness as the stranger’s thoughts went wild. ‘Fourteen, eh? He’s already kneeled, been beaten by his fellow disciples, been strung up…been forced into hard labor. Goodbye, life. You hack System! I’m just going to die again! Ah, wait, actually, scratch that! I’m just going to be a human stick forever! Even better!’
The stranger Shen Qingqiu knew so much about Luo Binghe, and for a moment, he wondered if he was wrong and this was still Shen Qingqiu. How else would he know all of that so intimately? Yet, the way the immortal thought, it was like an outsider’s perspective. “He’s already kneeled, been beaten, been strung up.” It…didn’t seem right to Luo Binghe. Normal people didn’t think of their past like this. This was all too weird!
“I wish to be alone,” his Shizun said after another few shun, waving his hand elegantly to the door. Luo Binghe complied, closing the door behind him. Ming Fan had left, thankfully; it seemed as if he had given up waiting to see Luo Binghe get punished again.
He stared down at the medicine in his hands, aghast. Just who was impersonating his Shizun, and why did he know so much about Luo Binghe’s life?
Imposter Shen Qingqiu had left Luo Binghe’s thoughts stewing restlessly that night, once again unable to sleep. He would believe the medicine was a fake, another way to hurt this “wayward disciple”, except he had listened to all of those wild, baffling thoughts.
He seemed afraid of Luo Binghe. Luo Binghe! He knew he barely had any cultivation or skills to write home about. What did he have to be scared of right now? It made no sense. And he had mentioned something that Luo Binghe couldn’t shake out of his head. A…”human stick”? What was that supposed to be? Why did Imposter Shen Qingqiu seem to think Luo Binghe would turn him into such a thing?
He knew about the fake cultivation manual, as well. Luo Binghe pulled it out from his things, looking down at it with a frown, flipping it open. Having it confirmed as fake was no surprise to him, of course. But the imposter…he seemed relieved the fake hadn’t harmed Luo Binghe. So, maybe, he wasn’t wanting to hurt him? Hurt him as his previous Shen Qingqiu had?
So, both scared of him and wanting to keep him out of harm’s way. The latter seemed to be because of the former. His head began to hurt from his train of thoughts, as if he had listened to an entire crowd of people’s thoughts and spoken words at the same time, and he clutched his throbbing temple, his frown deepening.
The next day, Ming Fan shoved a half-rusted, blunt ax at him. “Chop a stack of wood. Then carry water.”
“Yes, Shixiong,” Luo Binghe said obediently. He ignored Ming Fan’s typical aggressive thoughts toward him as he walked toward the bamboo forest, keeping a curious eye out for his Shizun. He hadn’t seen him since the night before. He was really curious to hear more of the imposter’s thoughts.
“A-Luo!” came the cheery chirp of Ning Yingying, and he turned to see her bouncing toward him, beaming. “Where are you off to? Can this Yingying join you?”
“Ning-shijie,” he said with a warm smile, stopping. “Ming-shixiong asked me to chop wood. You’re welcome to join this one.”
“Good,” she said happily, inappropriately looping her arm in his to tug him along. He blushed, pulling his arm out of hers, but she didn’t seem offended as the two walked side-by-side deep into the bamboo forest.
After he lifted his ax, he snapped his head to the left, his mouth parting slightly.
‘I wish I had more time to practice…Typical that I would get interrupted. Ah, it’s—’
Before Luo Binghe could hear Imposter Shen Qingqiu’s next thoughts, Ning Yingying called out to him, distracting him, “A-Luo, A-Luo, look, there’s a huge ditch in the ground here!”
As Luo Binghe lowered the ax and studied the large tear in the ground, he thought, So, false Shizun was practicing his sword glares here.
He looked back up at Ning Yingying with a tight smile, focusing his attention back on Imposter Shen Qingqiu’s thoughts. ‘What use was that introduction? Everyone knows that only one person addresses Luo Binghe that way!’ Interesting. ‘ Ugh…to think he had been into her…that’s so gross…Binghe really should have just castrated the creep. Maybe not this time around, though!’
“Tell me, A-Luo, which Shixiong was practicing their sword glares out here?”
“Shizun.” He continued to stare into the distance where he heard Imposter Shen Qingqu’s thoughts coming from, his eyes narrowing.
‘Does he know I’m here? How OP is the protagonist…Airplane, curse you! I really hope he is just really interested in these bamboo trees. Can’t afford to have him know I’m watching.’
Luo Binghe went bright red at the last thought, snatching his gaze away. Imposter Shen Qingqiu was watching him. Of course, that didn’t necessarily surprise him, but hearing the thought “out loud” was a bit disorienting. Whatever the imposter’s reason for being here, clearly Luo Binghe had a part to play in it.
“A-Luo, I thought you came here to chop wood,” Ning Yingying said as she sat down on an old log, propping her face in her hands. “If you don’t have to, can we play? Please, A-Luo? Play with this Yingying!”
Luo Binghe shook out of his thoughts, gripping the ax and swinging hard at a tree close by. “I can’t. Our Shixiong told me to chop the wood then carry water.” He thought for a moment, trying to ignore his mind that kept drifting to his Shizun, curious. “If I do this quickly, I could make some time to meditate.”
“Our Shixiong are really awful! Always making you do this and that. It looks to me like they’re bullying you on purpose.” ‘How can I spend time with you if you’re always busy doing chores! I miss A-Luo! He’s so handsome and nice.’ “Hmph, I’ll go back and tell Shizun. Once I do, they won’t dare bully you anymore.”
In the past, Luo Binghe would have blushed at the compliments sprung in her mind. He had grown accustomed to Ning Yingying’s free thoughts about him at this point. Instead, his “mental ears” perked up when he once again heard his fake master’s thoughts rushing at them, slightly panicked. ‘No, no, no, you absolutely can’t come tell me! What am I supposed to do?! I can’t be OOC—who exactly should I punish?!’
There was that weird acronym again: “OOC”. It seemed to be important to this imposter. Luo Binghe kept chopping the tree, the progress slow and painful, even as he tilted his head and considered the immortal master hiding somewhere close by.
“A-Luo? You’re quieter than usual. This Yingying is worried about you; I’m going to go tell Shizun right now.”
“No, no,” Luo Binghe spoke hurriedly, dropping the ax and looking at his shijie nervously. “Don’t tell Shizun.” He’s not even at the Bamboo House right now!
Ning Yingying had started to get up from the log. She sank back down with a pout. “But, A-Luo…Shixiong shouldn’t be treating you this way!”
He just shook his head, hoisting the ax again as she changed subjects and began chatting to him comfortably. After half a shichen, he finished chopping, barely paying attention to Ning Yingying. Luo Binghe sat cross-legged on a mostly clean patch of grass near the tree and Ning Yingying now that he was done, planning on fetching the water shortly after this break. He struggled to focus on his tasks, though, as he listened to the fake Shizun’s thoughts. The imposter seemed to be thinking of Luo Binghe most of the time.
‘Binghe really is OP even now…even with a fake cultivation manual! The potential, I can’t believe the scum villain would let a diamond like this go. He’s so talented! And his half-demon blood will only increase his talent!’
The imposter’s words hit him like a bolt of lightning. Half-demon?! What?!
His face must have paled intensely, because Ning Yingying leaned forward, her pretty eyes lidded with concern. “A-Luo?”
He was a demon. A half-demon.
Was this why he could hear people’s thoughts? Was this why Shen Qingqiu had despised him?
But, then…even Luo Binghe himself hadn’t known about it. Yet, this Shizun-that-was-not-his-Shizun, he knew about it. Unless he was wrong? But it made so much sense…even if Luo Binghe now felt sick. And didn’t want it to be true.
“A-Luo?” She sounded more alarmed. “Should I go fetch Shizun? What’s wrong?”
Footsteps sounded nearby, and Luo Binghe lifted his head to see Ming Fan and other Shixiong walking toward them. He said hurriedly, “It’s fine, Ning-shijie.”
Ming Fan had beamed upon seeing Ning Yingying, but hearing Luo Binghe’s words, he frowned. “What’s fine?”
“A-Luo didn’t seem well,” Ning Yingying said. ‘I hope he’s okay…He’s so pale and now our Shixiong are here…Maybe they can get him help!’ Luo Binghe hid his exasperation at her heedless trust.
Before Luo Binghe could interject, Ming Fan sneered, “Just from chopping some wood? You really are useless, just like Shizun says.” His thoughts were much ruder.
“This Binghe is fine,” Luo Binghe objected, standing up. “This Binghe simply didn’t sleep well. Apologies to Ning-shijie for causing any concern.”
“Hmph. How could you be here, anyway? It’s dangerous on this side of the mountain. Any manner of beast could harm Xiao-shimei.” ‘I hope she notices my concern…she’s too attached to this stupid beast! She should pay attention to me, instead. Especially after I give her my gift!’
“I’m not afraid of poisonous snakes or dangerous beasts,” Ning Yingying giggled. “Besides, isn’t A-Luo with me?” ‘I need to go with A-Luo! It’s the only way I can spend time with him!’
Luo Binghe hid his grimace at the words. As expected, Ming Fan’s expression darkened. ‘Relying on this weak, useless whelp! Unacceptable!’ In the end, he completely ignored her words. “This one has something to show you, Xiao-shimei.”
“Oh, what fun thing does Shixiong have?” Ning Yingying said excitedly, tilting her head. “Hurry up and show me.”
Ming Fan procured a deep green jade ornament from his waist and held it in front of her, grinning smugly. ‘This should hold her attention from that weakling.’ “Shimei, my family just came to visit, and they brought me lots of high-quality and interesting little trinkets. I thought this one was particularly pretty; I’ll give it to you!”
Ning Yingying took it from him and examined it closely in the sunlight shining through the leaves. ‘Shixiong really wants me to have this? But A-Luo has one too, I’d rather see that one…’ Luo Binghe froze.
“Well? Do you like it?” Ming Fan asked eagerly.
A little further away from where Luo Binghe stood still as stone, his fake Shizun’s upset thoughts flooded toward him. He had been mostly mutely watching the scene, but now he seemed vexed—and nervous. ‘I shouldn’t have come! Danger! Another arc of pointless abuse by Ming Fan, who seems determined to become future cannon fodder to our brilliant, OP protagonist! This child has no idea what shit she is about to cause! Luo Binghe is going to lose his fake jade Guanyin because of her big mouth!’
Luo Binghe’s hand immediately rose to clutch his pendant beneath his robes, his face paling again. He…he would lose his goddess of mercy Guanyin pendant? The only gift his mother had ever left him before she died? He glanced toward the trees where he knew Imposter Shen Qingqiu was lurking, his eyebrows coming together as he considered; did this person know the future as well as his past?
Should he try to hide it?
Ning Yingying tossed the jade ornament back to Ming Fan, whose smile froze on his face. “What? This color is so ugly. The one A-Luo has is prettier,” Ning Yingying said carelessly as she wrinkled her nose.
As she spoke, Luo Binghe realized the false Shizun did seem to know what was going to happen. As she had done previously, Ning Yingying had accidentally sparked Shixiong's ire toward Luo Binghe. He hurriedly pulled the jade Guanyin discreetly as she spoke and tucked it deep into his robes, impassive.
Meanwhile, Ming Fan’s thoughts were a tempest storm. Much mental abuse was thrown toward Luo Binghe as he gritted his teeth and spat, “Does Shidi also wear this kind of thing?”
‘Did…did Binghe just tuck his jade Guanyin into his robes? That never happened in the web novel…’
Luo Binghe opened his mouth hesitantly, unsure what he would say but wanting to take the focus off himself. Ning Yingying spoke first. “Of course he does. Every day, he wears it close around his neck. It’s his treasure. He refuses to even let me look at it.” ‘A-Luo has never let me even look at it! I’ve only ever seen peeks of it, I don’t know why he is so unwilling to share! It’s so inconsiderate, doesn’t he know I like him? Maybe I can see it now!’
His fake Shizun was exasperated. ‘Your IQ and EQ, young lady! The male lead is taking all the collateral damage! You aren’t thinking clearly! You’re just acting like a pouty shunned girlfriend! Do you want Binghe to get beat up?!’
Luo Binghe listened to all of this with a twist in his gut, eying his Shixiong carefully. Ming Fan’s thoughts were still full of poison, but more so than ever before, practically a venomous snake ready to lash out at him. He couldn’t even think too properly on the bizarre words coming from Imposter Shen Qingqiu. He was starting to think he wasn’t from this area, with his vocabulary and strange acronyms. Definitely not the area surrounding Cang Qiong Mountain, anyway.
“Luo-shidi, you sure are stuck-up, refusing to show Ning-shimei your pendant,” Ming Fan snapped, angry and jealous. “If this keeps up, when we face strong enemies in the future, will you refuse to even lend a hand?!”
Ming-shixiong enjoyed spouting nonsense when he was angry, Luo Binghe knew first-hand. Especially hearing how depraved his thoughts were currently, he wasn’t shocked whatsoever at the lack of reason in his words.
‘Young man! There’s definitely a logical gap between your first and second lines!’ Imposter Shen Qingqiu seemed to completely agree with Luo Binghe, and he shot another glance toward the tree line. To his surprise, he saw his Shizun’s face barely peeking behind the tree, and their eyes met. ‘What the fuck?! Binghe knows I’m here?! Oh no…oh god, oh no…Do I show myself now??’
Luo Binghe held his gaze as Ning Yingying exclaimed, “It’s fine if he doesn’t want to. Shixiong, don’t bully him!”
Ming Fan ignored her as he and the other junior disciples crowded around Luo Binghe. They searched at his neck and the area around it but came up empty. One of them shoved their hand in his robes and Ning Yingying cried out, “Shixiong, stop! Leave A-Luo alone!”
Seeing the junior disciple digging inappropriately in his robes in front of Ning Yingying, Ming Fan yanked his wrist away and glared at Luo Binghe. “Xiao-shimei would never lie. Where’s the pendant?” ‘Unless he somehow fooled her? Either way, she clearly prefers this idiot! I can’t have him exceed me!’
“This Binghe doesn’t have it anymore,” he lied, fixing his robes and glaring at the ground. “It’s lost.”
“Oh, A-Luo,” Ning Yingying said, her voice breaking as tears pooled. “This Yingying is sorry!”
‘That’s a clear lie…it’s almost as if Binghe knew they would try and take his pendant? That’s so weird. And he tucked it away right before they would have taken it from him. WTF? And he had looked directly at me! That was creepy! This is weird! I don’t like it!’
Ming Fan looked infuriated. “Now look, you’ve caused Xiao-shimei to cry!”
“Ning-shijie has no need to apologize,” Luo Binghe said hastily. “Maybe Ning-shijie would like Ming-shixiong’s jade pendant after all? If that isn’t too impudent to say, Shixiong.” He really wanted to take attention away from his jade Guanyin.
Ming Fan brightened slightly at that, even as he didn’t acknowledge Luo Binghe. ‘Why is he helping me? Trying to curry favor with me? As if!’ “Yes, Xiao-shimei, you are welcome to keep my pendant if it would make Xiao-shimei feel better!”
Ning Yingying sniffled. “This Yingying would like that.” She took the offered jade pendant with glistening eyes but smiled, her lightheartedness returning. “Thank you, Ming Fan!”
Ming Fan gave Luo Binghe a cold look before turning away. “Of course, Xiao-shimei! Glad you like it after all! This Shixiong has to attend to some duties for Shizun.”
‘This is so weird…I can’t handle this. Now Luo Binghe encouraged Ming Fan to give his Ning Yingying a gift? Protagonist! That’s your future wife! Don’t let the cannon fodder woo her like that!’
Luo Binghe jerked at the thoughts, his eyes darting back to meet Imposter Shen Qingqiu’s eyes, who stumbled back behind the tree with multiple vulgar curses springing to his mind. He made a quick decision. “Ning-shijie, now that this one has finished chopping the wood required by Shixiong, this one is going to fetch water for Shizun. This Binghe will see Ning-shijie later.”
After Ning Yingying cheerfully said her goodbyes to him, skipping away, Luo Binghe headed for the woodshed to grab his fake cultivation manual before walking to the Bamboo House. He waited at the door, clasping his hands behind his back. After half a shichen or so, he saw his immortal master walking up the path toward Luo Binghe and the Bamboo House. His normally expressionless face was set in the faintest of frowns, clutching his fan in front of him. He would smooth his face into a small smile as he greeted his passing disciples, but it would ultimately fall back to that faint frown.
His eyes widened slightly when he saw Luo Binghe standing in front of the Bamboo House. ‘Luo Binghe? Has his revenge already started? What’s he doing here? I know he saw me out there, but Ning Yingying and him had already known I was practicing my sword glares, so surely it wasn’t too surprising? Maybe he feels resentful that I wasn't interrupting Ming Fan and the other bullies?’
“This Binghe doesn’t resent you,” he said to his Shizun, smiling exuberantly. Imposter Shen Qingqiu’s eyes widened and he stumbled back a step, his thoughts racing. “Shizun, may we speak privately?”
He knew the false Shizun wouldn’t refuse. After being let inside, Imposter Shen Qingqiu’s composure seemed to be thinner than usual. He actually looked as if he would faint. “How come Binghe knew what this master was thinking?”
Luo Binghe didn’t feel like beating around the bush. He wanted answers. And, hopefully, a potential agreement? He wasn’t entirely sure yet. “This Binghe has been able to read minds since he was young.”
Imposter Shen Qingqiu choked. “Binghe can read minds?” ‘That HACK author! This was not in the web novel! I’ve never even heard of this!’
“Mm,” Luo Binghe said. Still looking faint, his fake Shizun gestured for him to take a seat at the table. “What author?”
“Oh.” Imposter Shen Qingqiu swallowed. ‘I can’t tell him! The System still wants me to be in character! I can barely—wait. You can hear me like this, right?’
Interesting. Luo Binghe nodded, meeting his gaze.
‘The System doesn’t seem to care I’m thinking this stuff…even though you’re technically ‘hearing’ things you shouldn’t. Alright. Well. How much do you know already, then?’
It was perhaps the weirdest conversation Luo Binghe had ever had. Even when he was a child, he hadn’t conversed with his mother in such a way, even though she had known he had the ability to read minds. She had never treated him differently for it, which he had been grateful for. Upon discovering it, she had a few disconcerting thoughts, clearly unsure how this would affect their future. But once it was clear Luo Binghe could keep the mind-reading to himself and didn’t act differently for it, she had forgotten about it and treated him just as a regular son.
Now, Imposter Shen Qingqiu was thinking to him and he was responding outloud. It was weird but worked; whatever entity the “System” was seemed to not want Shen Qingqiu—who he learned was actually a man named Shen Yuan—to talk about anything that would reveal it or his status as a “transmigrator” which Luo Binghe understood, more or less. Weird concept though it was, it made perfect sense on why his previous cold, aloof Shizun was now this nervous, all-knowing man.
‘I shouldn’t be surprised Binghe found all of this out,’ Shen Yuan thought to him. ‘I forget how intelligent—erm. Well. Anyway.’
Luo Binghe’s lips curved into a smile. “This Binghe wasn’t sure he could trust you. This one is used to being disappointed by others. But, Shen Yuan is already a major improvement to Shen Qingqiu, so this Binghe won’t complain.”
‘A major improvement because I’m scared of you?’ Shen Yuan thought wryly.
“No. There isn’t a need to be scared of me, anyway.” He pulled out his fake cultivation manual, his mouth twisting. “Shen Qingqiu has taken care of that.”
‘Ah.’ Shen Yuan looked uncomfortable. ‘I’m sorry, Shen Qingqiu really is the worst. Here…’
His new Shizun stood up and browsed a bookshelf before pulling out a book that looked much like the fake cultivation manual in Luo Binghe’s hand. He offered it to him. ‘This is an actual cultivation manual. I also would like to offer to personally teach you. It’s rather unacceptable the original goods had let you get so far beh—ahem. Not that it will hinder Binghe, of course.’
Luo Binghe felt color rise to his cheeks. “Shizun only thinks that because of the ‘web novel’ he mentioned.”
Shen Yuan sat down again and glanced to the side, his face tightening. ‘Hm. The System may not care I’m telepathically talking to you, but it doesn’t like that I gave you that manual. It just took away some of my B-Points for being OOC…that is, out of character. I’ll be glad when I can unlock OOC… Ahem. Binghe shouldn’t worry, he managed to get all OP and powerful even with stunted cultivation thanks to that original goods scum villain. If we get to properly train you now, I wouldn’t be surprised if you outshine your original goods.’
The blush in his cheeks deepened. “Shizun flatters this lowly disciple.”
Still, he felt pleased. And annoyed at the mysterious System docking Shen Yuan’s points for giving him a proper cultivation manual. Shen Yuan nodded at him slightly, tilting his head. ‘Binghe should leave before my System causes more issues. We can talk again once I’m able to escape my restrictions.’
“Alright, Shizun,” Luo Binghe agreed, standing up. He already felt much better after this conversation. “Will Shizun let me know?”
Shen Yuan also stood up, his beautiful immortal face impassive. He had to be careful not to set off the entity. ‘This master will let you know. Once OOC is unlocked, we can push things along more. For now…I beg Binghe to be patient.’