#Binghe is not here specifically because SQQ got word that the OPM will be there yes they talk about it

[chaoticgoodlawyerwrites]

Rough sneak peak for chapter 13!

Context: reception for SQQ's coronation as Sect Leader. He's just learned something disturbing about the rumors about him and is a bit intoxicated from drinking during the many toasts to him at dinner. Binghe is not in attendance at this event.

Well, stick a fork in him, because Shen Qingqiu was done for the night.

Of course, this was the moment that the Huan Hua Palace Master found him.

Oh, geez.

“Sect Leader Shen,” he said, both his daughter and his head disciple, Gongyi Xiao, at his side. The Palace Master bent his neck while the others bowed in greeting.

Shen Qingqiu bowed his neck in return, praying this man would be brief. He did not have the patience for dealing with him. “Palace Master. I hope you and your companions are enjoying the evening. I was just about to retire, but I wish you and yours a restful night.”

“Ah, so soon? I was hoping to have a moment to speak with you further. With the beginning of a new era, it is important to maintain or even strengthen the ties between cultivation Sects. We can never be sure what the demonic hordes are planning. And you have yet to speak to my head disciple as you have so many this evening.”

Oh. Oh, I need to leave right now, or I will cause an intersect incident.

Shen Qingqiu’s polite, slight smile felt strained. He looked at Gongyi Xiao, vaguely remembering him from both PIDW and the tales from the other timeline, and nodded slightly to him. “I am sure that the young master is quite accomplished for his age. Huan Hua’s curriculum is quite renowned, and I would expect nothing less than excellence from its head disciple. Yet, I’m sure the well-informed Palace Master has heard of my recent health problems. While I must leave to tend to my condition, I am sure my fellow Peak Lords, particularly Peak Lord Yue, are more than capable to ensuring Cang Qiong’s guests are tended to.”

“I’m sorry to hear your health issues are still ongoing,” the Palace Master said, full of sweet faux sincerity. “I would have thought that with such a well-revered doctor in residence as Master Mu, you would have been able to recover by now. Though, you are quite brave to admit such a weakness and I cannot help but respect it.”

SQQ: get me out of this or send me help

SQQ: otherwise I will kill this man

Shen Qingqiu took a deep breath and the smile from his face dropped completely. “How informative, to learn that the Palace Master considers being ill a weakness. Or perhaps it is admitting to being ill and knowing one’s limits? I am human, Palace Master. I have no qualms being true to that.”

SQH: oh fuck

“Human indeed,” the Palace Master said deliberately, a kindly, venomous smile on his face. “Speaking of which, I have heard a great deal about a certain disciple of yours and your very human attachment to him. Disciple Luo, was it? Is he not in attendance? I’m sure my daughter and disciple would be interested in meeting him, if he was so great as to catch your eye.”

Oh.

Oh, so they were doing this then.

Okay.

Shen Qingqiu felt something switch in his brain and he felt on edge. It was a familiar feeling from that pivotal Peak Lord meeting. He felt predatory. He felt dangerous. And he was going to tear this man apart for daring bringing up Binghe’s name.

He smiled slightly and felt his eyes become heavily lidded as he looked down at the other man. Both the Little Palace Mistress and Gongyi Xiao shivered, probably meaning he had lost control of his qi and dropped the temperature a bit immediately around him.

“Have you? Well, my top ranked disciples are here to represent my Peak, with my other disciples tending to their studies and any duties they have. Although, if we want to speak of disciples that are not here, perhaps we should speak to your own. While I have only just been able to re-learn about the Sects since my qi deviation, I did hear talk of a very accomplished disciple from Huan Hua Palace with the family name of Su? Su Xiyan, I believe. Whatever happened to her?”

Try me, bitch.

The Palace Master’s face went through a series of colors and his daughter snapped, “Honored Disciple Su was fatally injured while battling a heavenly demon. She died heroically many years ago.”

“Ah, is that so? My condolences. Perhaps it is best we keep the names of those absent out of our conversations about the future,” he said smoothly, with his steady gaze never leaving the Palace Master. “I often find that words spoken behind others’ backs are poi–“

“Sect Leader Shen!” Shang Qinghua said, coming to a sudden stop at his side, putting on a show of being out of breath.

“You interrupted my conversation with the honorable Palace Master, Shang-shidi,” he said, but it was in the harsh yet teasing tone he often ended up taking with his fellow transmigrator.

He bowed low to him, then more shallowly to the outsider. “This shidi apologizes, Sect Leader Shen, Palace Master, but there is an issue that requires the Sect Leader’s immediate attention.”

“Does Sect Leader Shen not have others who could handle a problem in his stead?” The Palace Master asked, obviously livid at being caught off guard in the conversation and taking an easy jab at him.

“I’m not certain how Huan Hua is run, but so early in my tenure I prefer to learn from experience and look at any major problem personally. I again wish you and yours a pleasant night, Palace Master. Shang-shidi.”

Shang Qinghua bowed again, but Shen Qingqiu did not. He strode away, following Shang Qinghua’s lead with his head held high until he was out of the room.

[+30 B-Points.]