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It is not often that Luo Binghe fills his supposed senior disciple duties. He was no longer an official disciple of the peak and already had his own responsibilities in the demon realm but this doesn’t stop him from assisting his husband in his peak lord duties if he can help it. He rarely deals with more humans than necessary but during this particular visit, Shen Qingqiu, his shizun, was on his way to supervise new disciples in place of Ning Yingying.
“Ah, Binghe, you’re here. I’m sorry, could you wait a bit? I have to attend to some of the new disciples,” Shen Qingqiu said as he was leaving when Luo Binghe approached him.
Luo Binghe, frowned, decidedly followed Shen Qingqiu on his trek without another thought. “This disciple offers his assistance.” It was a lie to say he wasn’t curious to see the next generation cultivators.
Shen Qingqiu had his face pulled together as if contemplating before nodding, giving a small smile. “If Binghe wouldn’t mind, very well.”
Luo Binghe remained behind his husband even after being introduced to the new group of disciples. There were noticeably less than his generation but the faces all had the sparkle of admiration. His husband often radiated that kind of attention and it was only just that his shizun was acknowledged for it.
Maybe this generation had some hope.
Watching instead of being taught undoubtedly keeps things in more perspective. Still, there was the ever-flowing nostalgia from years ago, a boy once their age going through the same practices with his peers.
“Today, I will be observing your sword formations. Everyone spread out and practice on your own till it is your turn!” Shen Qingqiu announces as disciples took their own places in the area on the small clearing in the forest. Some choose to practice farther out. Others choose to stay near or with groups.
Luo Binghe was determined to help, but upon approaching a nearby group, he noticed their tense bodies at his advances and decidedly resumed observing from the side in the shade of a tree. He could only sigh to himself. It was expected. The weary glances so often directed at him had told him his presence was enough to keep them out of trouble. Even if he wanted to help, he was not accustomed to interacting with mere adolescents, only starting their training.
The bustling of the bushes followed by the echo of a thump and incoherent words tickled his ears. Perhaps it was his inherently heightened hearing that caught these sounds that he now finds himself walking towards the disturbance. There were two figures to the side of the bushes from him, opposite to where the majority were, far enough to not be noticed but close enough to be heard when called. One boy was seated on the ground, head down with hair covering half of his face and sandwiched between a tree and a wooden sword. The other boy with messy brown hair was hovering over him, a hand on his hips and chin prompted up.
“This is how you do it.” Every word was spat out, ”Not whatever you had been doing!” The boy on the ground scrambled back but went nowhere as another step was taken to him, eyes narrowing on his bullies’ faces. “Scum of your status doesn’t belong here, so why even-“
“What are you doing?” Luo Binghe decides to cut in, the words curt and short, standing tall.
The two boys jolt at the new voice, both their expressions different. The boy on the ground had sparkles in his eyes, face tight in desperation. In contrast, the one standing had his eyes slightly wide, quickly retracting his sword, greeting “Luo-shixiong.” bowing despite his surprise.
“Shizun’s instructions were only to practice form and movement. Who allowed sparring to take place?” Both boys brashly divert their eye contact. Luo Binghe sighs, turning back to the boys. “What are your names?”
“I- I am Feng Long” The one holding the sword says as he fidgets slightly. Luo Binghe burns holes at the disciple, making him crawl further into himself as he analyzes the boy and frowns. “I will inform Shizun of this matter, and he will be the one to deal with this. For now, carry on with your practice” At this, the boy immediately flees.
Luo Binghe takes another breath, shagging his shoulders down. Perhaps he had been too harsh. He notices the boy on the ground has not moved yet, deciding to approach the boy, crouching down to his level. The boy seemed startled but made no attempt to move.
“What’s your name?” He asks lightly as opposed to earlier. The boy only remained silent, fiddling with his clothes. Luo Binghe puts his mouth in a straight line, scrunching his face. “If you’re ever having trouble, you may go to shizun. He would always help.”
The boy looks at him again, brows bunched together. He’s unconvinced. Luo Binghe was just like that, too, but his shizun changed, changed for the better. The head pats, praises, and cares versus the beatings, laughing, and kicks.
Luo Binghe flashes one last smile and a nod before getting and turning to come back to the other students, leaving the boy to himself, if only for a while. The experience wasn’t one-sided. Somehow Luo Binghe felt lighter on his feet, as bouncy as his curly hair.
Later Shen Qingqiu had asked Luo Binghe, “What’s got you so excited?”raising a brow with a smile, remembering the image of his once timid disciple now guiding others. Luo Binghe replied, face bright and cheerful “Nothing, I’m just happy to spend time with shizun.”
"Everyone gather around! No more wandering! Anyone not here in one minute will run 20 laps!" Shen Qingqiu announces as startled young disciples from thirteen to fourteen, rush to form rows of 5 as fast as they can.
It takes sheer force for Luo Binghe not to wait in line like the rest of them. The tone of voice is an old but familiar memory. It's something he hears when he is scolded for getting more intimate with his husband in public but it was never quite the same as what he uses when he is teaching.
Luo Binghe watches from behind Shen Qingqiu as they scampered around until an eventual silence and an organized line. He watches his shizun observe them until he is satisfied with what he sees, giving an approving nod.
"Last week I had shown you the sword techniques commonly used in intermediate battle. Today, I will observe you and make corrections as this master sees fit. Feel free to use the space of the field as necessary. However..." Shen Qingqiu slowly comes to a pause.
"There will be no sparring, lest we have another injury. Proper punishment will be given when caught" Shen Qingqiu emphasized carefully studying the disciples. Some towards the back looked away nervously at the attention of their shizun as well as other wandering eyes.
Most gazes focused on a single boy with unequal bangs at the very back. This caught Luo Binghe's attention as the boy was unwavering with his stance, hands firmly on the side and body straight. Luo Binghe looked curiously at his shizun who made no sign of indifference despite the thought of the majority.
"Any questions?" Their shizun asks.
The area is quiet for a few moments until a disciple in the middle raises his hand. "Go on." Shen Qingqiu says.
"This disciple would like to ask shizun if we may approach shizun with questions relating to our exercise mid-lesson."
"Yes, you may approach this master and your Luo-shixiong for questions." At the name address, all attention was turned to him. A few eyes widen and some openly gaped at Luo Binghe.
He is used to this attention. Most only know of his presence on Qing jing Peak and not his appearance. Luo Binghe makes an effort to not startle new disciples, his background as the demon emperor puts more fear than security and he knows this.
It is not the first time he was stared at with fear or nervousness.
It is only when the area was silent did Luo Binghe notice his shizun was looking at him expectedly. He turns to his shizun questioning watching his gaze turn to the young humans staring at him, some with awe and others with weariness.
Ah- is this really necessary...
Shen Qingqiu patiently gazes at him, as he slowly fans himself with his fan.
Luo Binghe tries to smile which looks more like a grim as he steps forward and opens his mouth... clearing his throat.
"It...would be an honor to help out my shidi. This one will do his best in assisting you in place of Ning-shije and Shizun." Luo Binghe looks back to Shen Qingqiu who has a satisfied smile which soon disappears as he dismisses the disciples.
Luo Binghe watches the disciples spread out and settle in their place. When no one seemed to be watching them, he breathes out a long sigh.
"Binghe, why so nervous. You were also once so cute like them." Shizun made him want to give him a smile or to look away in question. Was he really like those young disciples? They all seemed so quiet or too proud. Even now some were happily flaunting their skills or singled out and alone. To him, there was no problem with either but they seemed more divided than disciples of the same sect.
It was not his right nor his place to judge their unity or skills but to someone like his Shizun he always strived for unity at the peak.