Chapter Text
The lord of Qing Jing peak at Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, Shen Qingqiu, found himself falling into an abyss of nightmares. A cold sweat slipped down his neckline. The sensation was like a knife stabbing his kidney, or rather a sword, a sword that fell through his meat like butter, cutting each of his limbs to turn him into a human stick. Darkness surrounded him while many eyes stared at his pathetic state.
He longed to escape from such dreams and vicious apparitions, but they never ceased. He watched as all those he cared about perished under the hand of a demon lord. The Cang Qiong sect was ransacked. He never cared about his martial brothers, yet these images caused great regret and sorrow.
On a dark throne, a figure with a cocky smile surrounded by beautiful women was smiling. Luo Binghe had the triumphal grin of someone who defeated a long enemy. His vengeance was unquenchable; the dark eyes of the Saintly Demon Ruler wanted more.
Shen Jiu, the slave who had nothing, died with nothing. After years of suffering and torture, his body finally gave. He vanished; not a trace of a speck of dust left.
However, he didn't go to the afterlife. Something else happened.
The dream that is called this life never seemed to end. Instead, something crueler and more vicious than Luo Binghe's torture unraveled in front of his eyes. He thought he had seen enough of that little beast.
Usually, throwing a nuisance over a boiling hot abyss was enough to never see them again, but life insisted otherwise. He awoke one morning after a long night of fevers just to see everything start over again - The little beast was his disciple once more.
Time went back, except this time he couldn't speak nor move his body at his will. He was not himself anymore.
Someone else was impersonating him. This, someone, was utterly disgusting, to top it off; he dared to criticize every single one of his life decisions. What did he know of a difficult life? How could he understand his hatred? He seemed to be the type that never worked too hard for anything in his life. Otherwise, he would have recognized his pain.
Honestly, with that turn of events, Shen Jiu wished for his body to die as well. Especially after seeing how sheepish and weak this Shen Yuan was.
Shen Jiu thought of this, but he wasn't entirely sincere; he actually valued his life. It was all he had before. His beautiful demeanor and his position. He was glad to know this brat was not free to act as he pleased, for tiny blue screen threatened him every day.
There were some numbers involved. Points. He called them points. Shen Jiu was very fond of games, especially if they were twisted, and the gods seemed to be helping him by creating that game for that brat to respect.
Shen Qingqiu experienced his life through different eyes; through the actions of this Shen Yuan.
He had to admit he regretted Liu Qingge's death at that cave, so knowing he was safe was a bit of a relief. It was also lovely, although harrowing, to see Yue Qingyuan talking to him with ease - That only happened when they were kids.
Shen Jiu's heart took comfort in thinking that maybe that second time his sect would be safe from harm- Yue Qingyuan deserved a peaceful immortal life.
However, his compliance didn't last for long. Things quickly went off the rails; Shen Yuan was getting extremely cozy with his disciple. Luo Binghe was obsessed with Shen Qingqiu; likewise, Shen Qingqiu delegated everything to him while he sat lazily on Qing Jing Peak.
Why was Shen Yuan so fond of fooling around with Luo Binghe? The sole presence of that brat made him grit his teeth. What was with the carefree attitude of Shen Yuan towards his disciples? They were a sect of discipline and scholarly- why was he so lenient? Why would he give the students an easy life?!
Why Would anyone have an easy life if he didn't have it!
Especially towards Luo Binghe! He was the worst kind of person in this world, talented for no reason at all, and kind-hearted despite their harsh life. Well, that is until they snap. After all, he knew very well that little half-demon lord had a dark core just like him. He could respect that.
So he could, technically, hypothetically, understand the eagerness of this Shen Yuan to hug Luo's Binghe tights. Especially considering this useless man was aware of the tragic outcome that would befall him by Luo Binghe's hand.
Like sand falling in an hourglass, his patience was running out. Especially when he saw Binghe hugging his dead body for full five years as he cried every night. What's with this strange fetish?! He was dead! Move on! You ridiculous child!
Shen Jiu thought that was the end of that and couldn't get worse, but he was dead wrong.
Shen Yuan appeared again to make things worse. He ran and ran and refused to see his surroundings every time. He was a coward through and through.
A coward that was using Shen Jiu's body! And had to observe himself be a coward! Of all the distressing traits one could say about Shen Qingqiu, cowardice was not one!
Shen Jiu observed it all with gritted teeth. Until... he screamed out of pure desperation.
What was with that sickening development of dual cultivation to save the world?! He was raped all over again?!
Why did Shen Yuan have to marry Luo Binghe of all the people!
STOP THIS DREAM! Thought Shen Jiu.
He never wished for much in life; actually, scratch that, he wanted for everything in life but, he never wanted to live so badly. Before, he would complain, dread life, and be bitter about other people's happiness. Life was a meandering and painful road that one had to go because parents like to have fun nights. But, now he realized life was so much more; he realized life avoided disgusting little pricks to fondle your butt!
LUO BINGHE, STOP IT! He wanted to shout but only vomited blood.
He vowed vehemently and prayed to the Gods to allow him to live once more. He promised to make amends in his life, though not too many amends, or else he would end up with Luo Binghe ravaging him! Oh God, No! He meant enough amends to be liked by others. He can try! Just give them a chance! Anything but Luo Binghe!
Anything but Luo Binghe!
AWAKENING ACHIEVED
ALTERNATIVE LIFE UNLOCKED
ACCEPT? Y/N
Shen Jiu, the slave, smiled sincerely for the first time in many years and pressed the screen before him to say: Yes.