"Binghe," Shen Qingqiu sighed. He fanned his fan while hiding the bottom half of his face behind it. His other hand held his sword, Xiuya tightly, pointing it at the fierce corpse in front of him. "Make sure to stay behind. Shizun will protect you."

"Shizun," Luo Binghe had clung to Shen Qingqiu naughtily. "This disciple can take care of himself."

Shen Qingqiu's face turned dark. "Then what are you clinging onto me for?"

Luo Binghe giggled, "This disciple is also protecting Shizun."

Shen Qingqiu closed his fan, about to hit Luo Binghe gently on the head until he was interrupted by the fierce corpse in front of them. "Shizun!" Immediately, Luo Binghe released from Shen Qingqiu's side and slashed his sword, Zhengyang, at the fierce corpse. Surprisingly, it was slightly stuck within the flesh of the fierce corpse, but with a tiny bit more force, he easily cut it in half.

"Shizun, are you okay?" Luo Binghe turned around for praise, but realized that his 'Shizun' was still in battle against another fierce corpse. Feeling frustrated without his Shizun's praise, he gripped tighter on the Zhengyang sword before helping him out.

Unfortunately, before Luo Binghe could show off, someone else had already arrived to save the day.

The sound of a flute rang across the mountain. Within an instant, all the fierce corpses were rendered motionless, not a sound escaping from their throat. "What's happening...?" Shen Qingqiu gently poked the fierce corpse in front of him.

"Could it be..." Luo Binghe examined. Did that Yiling Patriarch actually tell the truth about controlling fierce corpses?

"Need some help?" Wei Wuxian jumped down to Luo Binghe's side, with Chengqing twirled around his finger.

"We need none." Luo Binghe scowled, but then Shen Qingqiu piped up, "Yes, please."

They stared at each other. "Yes," Luo Binghe added, but Shen Qingqiu said, "We need none."

The pair of Master and disciple, "..."

Wei Wuxian shrugged, "Oh well, it's not like you guys have a choice."

After his remark, Wei Wuxian brought Chengqing to his lips, then blew a steady but raspy breath into it. A melodious tune trailed out of it, penetrating into everyone's ears wildly like a suspenseful tiger. Finally, hearing that sound, the fierce corpses began moving once again. But this time, their attacks were directed at each other. Shen Qingqiu let out a breath of relief, so this is the power of the Yiling Patriarch!

By the time the tune stopped playing from the flute, all the fierce corpses on the front were completely demolished. Luo Binghe let out an unsatisfied whistle. "Wow... what great skills." He dully exclaimed, still upset over the fact how he couldn't show off to his Shizun.

"Yeah." Shen Qingqiu almost collapsed on the floor.

Hearing his Shizun's agreement, Luo Binghe was more angry. Shizun... you're not supposed to agree with me!

"It's not over yet." Wei Wuxian brought the two possessive couple back to the present, tucking Chengqing underneath his waist band. "There are... demons I suppose?" He squinted his eyes at the bloody mess in front.

Disciples/cultivators of Cang Qiong Mountain (Qing Jing Peak) would ruthlessly slash their swords at the demons, however, the demons struck faster and more agilely. The Qing Jing Peak disciples couldn't stand a chance! Eventually, they were all down on their last breaths, leaning against their swords for balance as they wobbled from the blood loss.

The despicable colour of blood had painted over the once-doting leaves.

The sight had sickened Shen Qingqiu to the core.

"Luo-xiong," Wei Wuxian chuckled. "Since you're the Demon Lord, aren't you supposed to be in control of the demons?"

"I could ask you the same thing but for fierce corpses." Luo Binghe muttered in disgust.

Shen Qingqiu frowned to disapprove. "Actually," he piped up. "Binghe's the Demon Lord, but that doesn't mean all the demons would support him. There are some wild ones loose."

Wei Wuxian nodded to show his understatement. "Ohh..." Reality seemed to hit him.

It was then, the demons began to charge at them. There were over ten demons, and they all encircled the three main characters, their mouths drooling with blood. Luo Binghe pitifully spat at their feet. "Disgusting."

Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes. Wasn't he a demon lord? And he's calling those demons 'disgusting'?

Out of nowhere, a demon had darted towards Wei Wuxian. Before he could react, a glimmer of frost had slashed down at the demon, cutting it apart relentlessly. "Lan Zhan!" Wei Wuxian called towards the young man who just dropped down within their surrounded circle and sheathed Bichen.

"Needs his hubby to help..." Luo Binghe mumbled underneath his breath.

Wei Wuxian pretended to not hear, only racing to Lan Zhan and wrapping his arms around the man's neck favourably. "Ohh... what could I have done without HanGuang-Jun?"

"Mn," Lan Zhan nodded in approval.

Shen Qingqiu hid his dumb grin behind his fan. For once, he was the person that was eating the dog food!

Within a few minutes, the group struggled to slash apart the demons hurled their way. Their energy seemed to dissipate into thin air, with fatigue clinging to their limbs. Wei Wuxian panted desperately as he knocked a demon out of his way with Chengqing, almost losing his footing. "Lan Zhan, how many more are left?" He asked.

"...more are coming." Even Lan Zhan was slow on the uptake as he decapitated a demon's head relentlessly.

Shen Qingqiu almost fell over from his weak knees, however, was supported with Luo Binghe at the side. Luo Binghe helplessly watched his Shizun rest in his arms. He was a Demon Lord, yet, the entire situation was sticky.

The demons just wouldn't stop coming. They kept adding fuel to the fire.

It was never-ending.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened as he noticed a demon about to slash its claws down at his face- however, that demon was intercepted by an outburst of blood. Wait, what?

Blood spilt all over the two possessive couple. Luo Binghe had mainly covered his Shizun's face, but the trace of the scarlet red colour still remained on their robes. "What...?" Shen Qingqiu groaned, picking himself up from Luo Binghe's arms, but the younger one had pulled him back down. "Shizun shouldn't move." He pressed.

The demon that tried to attack them was completely soaked in its own blood. Its neck was practically decapitated, loose to the extent of almost falling off on its own.

"Sorry, we're late." A small cheerful voice piped up.

"Xie-xiong," Wei Wuxian sighed in relief as he dodged another demon. "How are things going with the rear?"

Xie Lian's robes were completely clean and devoid of filthiness as he answered, "San Lang and I eliminated the enemies on the rear. Cang Qiong Mountain should be safe in the meantime." His small smile could cheer anyone's day up.

"What..?" Shen Qingqiu was surprised. "How could you have cleared the rear?"

"We just did." Hua Cheng came over to stand at Xie Lian's side, supporting him heavily.

Xie Lian's face was apologetic as he explained, "Ghosts can only be defeated when you collect its ashes. So we just... tried setting them all on fire. In the end, we managed to wipe all the enemies out, including the fierce corpses and demons. Oh, but don't worry, the mountain isn't on fire! If it was, the rear wouldn't have been safe."

Luo Binghe blankly blinked. "No... but where did you get the fire?"

Xie Lian shyly responded, "Spiritual powers?"

"But isn't this shixiong supposed to be a scrap picker?" Wei Wuxian tested the waters as he kicked a demon out of his way. "Yes, but..." Xie Lian's smile faded. "This scrap picker never said he didn't cultivate."

The others stared, dumbfounded. Well... we should've delved in deeper.

"San Lang," Xie Lian passed Hua Cheng a nod before the man began getting to work. Taking out his scimitar, with the eye on it rolling crazily, the Ghost King swung his blade. And then... blood had spilt everywhere on the grass, as the demons had fallen on the ground dead.

Silence shrouded the cultivators. That silence was then ended by Wei Wuxian, who clapped. "Bravo! Bravo!" He cheered.

A smug smile could be seen on Hua Cheng's face, but it was directed only to Xie Lian.

"Huh," Luo Binghe frowned. "I could've done better."

Shen Qingqiu lightly smacked his lover on the head with his fan, fatigue completely taking control of his actions. "Oh yeah? If you could've done better, you should've done it in the beginning."

"But Shizun knows I'm so much more better than that Hua Chengzhu." Luo Binghe sank in his Shizun's embrace.

Wei Wuxian blinked. Now, he was the one who was eating the dog food!

Pouting, he immediately clung to Lan Zhan's arm. "And Lan Zhan knows that I'm better than all of you!"

Xie Lian gave a confused smile. "Since when were we competing in strength...?"

All of a sudden, the scrap picker seemed to grow shorter. When the others examined him, they noticed that Xie Lian didn't grow shorter, rather, his foot was stuck in a ditch hole! Wei Wuxian immediately broke out into laughter. "How is this even possible?"

"I never knew that Cang Qiong Mountain's land would be so vulnerable." Shen Qingqiu muttered.

"Mn," Lan Zhan half-heartedly agreed.

"Wait for me, Gege," Hua Cheng worriedly called. "I'll get you out of there."

"Who in the world gets stuck in a ditch hole?" Luo Binghe asked.

"Someone who has very bad luck." Xie Lian politely smiled, as he was being gently yanked out of the ditch hole by Hua Cheng, who pulled him by the waist. Finally, his foot popped out of the hole, free at last. "That's better." Xie Lian stretched his poor ankle, but his white shoes were not dirty at all. Instead, they seemed to shine even brighter.

Silence then followed afterwards, accompanied by an awkward atmosphere.

Shen Qingqiu unconsciously shuffled closer to Luo Binghe, whispering a few thoughtful ideas into his ears. Luo Binghe frowned, but nodded afterwards. Paying attention to the possessive couple, Wei Wuxian sighed. "So... we all survived, huh."

Lan Zhan nodded.

Shen Qingqiu nodded too, "Since you guys helped Binghe and me to protect Cang Qiong Mountain, we'll need to repay you."

"Repay?" Wei Wuxian was interested. "How?"

"We're willing to compensate you a bag of gold ingots." Shen Qingqiu said.

Wei Wuxian frowned, "That's not enough."

"Besides," Hua Cheng said, "You two had tied us up at your place. Do you really believe we will trust you after all you've done?"

Luo Binghe's face was ugly. "Shizun is being so nice to give away his money, and yet you're disregarding it!"

"Well," Wei Wuxian shot back. "Your Shizun tied us up."

"So what?" Luo Binghe snapped. "You should be happy and glad that Shizun used his godly hands to tie you guys up. I'm so envious..."

Xie Lian laughed, "Then may I ask for something instead of gold?"

"Ask away." Shen Qingqiu said.

Xie Lian smiled, "Let's be friends."

Again, the cultivators were dumbfounded. "What...?" Luo Binghe gasped, "Why friends out of everything!?!"

"You'll understand sooner or later." Hua Cheng said.

Wei Wuxian frowned. "Who would want to be friends with Shen-xiong and Luo-xiong."

"Hey!" Luo Binghe scowled. "Don't talk about Shizun that way!"

Xie Lian hurriedly said, "Calm down, guys."

"But he..." Luo Binghe's voice trailed off when Shen Qingqiu directed him a glare and a shake of his head. Finally, the Demon Lord gave up. "Since we're all friends now," Shen Qingqiu snapped his fan shut and smiled, "Why don't I show you around where you'll be staying tonight?"

"Huh..." Wei Wuxian frowned. Then, it hit him. "Stay? We're staying here tonight!?!"

"Shizun..." Luo Binghe whined, tugging on his Shizun's sleeves.

"What must be done has to be done. We need to thank them for their help at prosecuting the enemies, and so, I am willing to let them stay and cultivate here for a night." Shen Qingqiu said. "They can learn along with the other junior disciples."

"Just send them far away to An Ding Peak." Luo Binghe pouted.

"No, Binghe," Shen Qingqiu lightly shook his head. "We need to allow them to pick."

All of a sudden, a great idea popped into Wei Wuxian's head. I think I might've found a greater toy to play with!

"I've heard that Shen-xiong here is a peak master. Just wondering, which peak are you the master of?" Wei Wuxian innocently asked. Shen Qingqiu coughed once, then twice before answering, "Qing Jing Peak, why, are you interested?"

"Yup." Wei Wuxian smiled. "That's it! I'm going to study at Qing Jing Peak!" He eyed Luo Binghe tauntingly.

"Really?" Xie Lian's eyes widened. "Then don't mind if this lowly one accompanies you, Wei-xiong."

Luo Binghe's eyes fumed red and puffy as he shouted, "Wait, don't yet! You should explore the entire peaks in Cang Qiong Mountain before deciding. You never know which peak you'd want to choose."

Wei Wuxian was about to counter back, until he noticed Shen Qingqiu's eyes brightened. "How considerate, Binghe."

"Of course." Luo Binghe proudly puffed his chest.

"Then," Xie Lian continued. "Shall we get along with the exploration?"

"This is Qing Jing Peak." Shen Qingqiu introduced them to the towering peak amidst in their line of sight.

"Woah..." Wei Wuxian hummed. "It's larger than Cloud Recesses."

"Of course," Shen Qingqiu fanned himself, "Whatever that is."

"Okay, that's all for the tour." Luo Binghe abruptly exclaimed. "Let's go to the next peak."

"Wait." Lan Zhan deadpanned. "The rainbow bridge is broken."

"Oh, yeah," Shen Qingqiu blinked. "Then that means we can only stay at Qing Jing Peak." Wei Wuxian smirked.

Luo Binghe fumed, "We can always fly over using swords."

"No," Shen Qingqiu frowned. "Sect Master Yue Qingyuan had set the barrier so flying swords would be inaccessible. We can only stay at Qing Jing Peak and wait for the rainbow bridge to repair."

"See?" Wei Wuxian teasingly poked at Luo Binghe. "Looks like we can only stay here."

Luo Binghe frowned and tugged at Shen Qingqiu's sleeves again, "Shizun... this disciple doesn't want them to stay over."

Shen Qingqiu sighed, "Binghe, I'm afraid that there will be times where you'll be unable to satisfy your own desires."

Luo Binghe could only hold down his impatience and pout.

"I'll make sure to get a room for you guys." Shen Qingqiu added to the two other couples. "So, that'd be four rooms in total-"

"Two." Wei Wuxian corrected.

Shen Qingqiu blinked. "No, that'd be four-"

"Two." Hua Cheng frowned.

Xie Lian hid behind Hua Cheng, blushing like crazy.

Shen Qingqiu blinked again. "No, I mean four in total-"

"And we mean two in total." Wei Wuxian snickered.

Finally, the reality had hit Shen Qingqiu. He snapped open his fan and hid the bottom half of his face behind it, hoping to hide his blush as well. "Oh."

"Mn." Lan Zhan nodded, a tint of red exposed on his earlobe.

Lan Zhan saves Wei Ying from the hoard of demons...

Luo Binghe: Needs his hubby to help...

Shen Qingqiu: Binghe, aren't you contradicting yourself? Shaking aggressively in the background...