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In all those twenty million words of that sad excuse of a stallion novel Proud Immortal Demon Way, there was not a single proper wedding scene to be found. Even with Luo Binghe's oversized harem, only Liu Mingyan got a veritable wedding ceremony. And even then only a succinct, throwaway mention was deemed enough in order to dedicate long, lyrical paragraphs to the wedding night. (Which was also kept quite PG-13 since the untouched beauty and virtue of Liu Mingyan was fortunately spared from Great Master Airplane's fan service tendencies.)

So Shen Qingqiu had no other option than to go knock on Great Master Airplane's door to get more insider info about the actual proceedings of weddings in this universe.

Which he immediately regretted. Because, as expected, Airplane-bro proved to be absolutely no help at all! He simply made a dismissive gesture and said "You know, Cucumber-bro."

On Shen Qingqiu's insistence that he really didn't know, Master Airplane shrugged. "Just the usual probably."

"What do you mean, probably?! It's your own fucking novel!"

"I never really bothered with the specifics."

Shen Qingqiu wanted to launch his fan into Airplane's stupid face, but since it was the fan depicting Qing Jing Peak that Liu Qingge had gifted to him, he refrained from doing so. He wasn't worthy. So without another word, Shen Qingqiu simply stormed out of Airplane's house with a dramatic swirl of his robes.

What kind of author gave the protagonist a harem so vast it nearly hit four billion digits but never bothered to think up the matrimonial rituals of his world?!

Dumbfuck author, dumbfuck novel!

The System didn't provide any assistance either, since it was still in hibernation mode until its power source returned.

Shen Qingqiu therefore had to resort to what he did best: pretending he knew exactly what had to be done and what was expected of him. Considering he had successfully posed as a refined peak lord for years now, it was no challenging task. He simply ordered his trusted disciples to make the necessary arrangements et voilà!

No, the difficult part was to keep a straight face when he finally heard what a wedding ceremony entailed exactly.

"Will Shizun be carried in the sedan for the bridal procession or Liu-shishu?" Ning Yingying asked one day.

Wait, wait, wait! Bridal procession?! Was one of them to be carried around the peaks, acting the part of the shy bride and veiled like a blushing maiden? What the hell, Airplane-bro?!

Though it really shouldn't surprise Shen Qingqiu: it was exactly in line with the rest of this male-fantasy powered world.

Obviously, it was self-evident Shen Qingqiu couldn't have the great Bai Zhan Peak Lord humiliated by such a pampering experience. (Though the prospect of the delightful, embarrassed flush on Liu Qingge's face as he descended the sedan and lifted his veil to reveal a flustered scowl was very tempting.) After a slight pause, and doing his utmost best to sound as aloof as always, Shen Qingqiu answered his disciple, "This Immortal Master will ride in the sedan."

So that was how he, the refined and illustrious Qing Jing Peak Lord of the famous Cang Qiong Mountain Sect, found himself in the Bamboo House, clad in beautiful red robes with golden embroidery, waiting for the sedan to arrive and whisk him away like a bashful bride.

Ning Yingying had insisted on doing his hair, and of course he'd indulged her, magnanimous as he was. With nothing better to do, he inspected her handiwork in the mirror. He had to admit she was quite talented. If there had been a Peak of Hairdressing she would no doubt be its head disciple. It was elegant, subtly intricate and entirely befitting of the occasion. It really did wonders for his complexion — so much so that it was quite hard to look away!

Another perk: it left his neck feeling cool and fresh. Because for some reason and despite the agreeable temperature outside, he was feeling hot and itchy all over.

Just over his shoulder in the mirror, he spied a figure entering the room.

"Ah, Ming Fan," he greeted him, turning around gracefully. "Has the sedan finally arrived?"

"Yes, Shifu!"

"Excellent. And how about your shishu's gift? Is everything ready?"

"It is, Shifu. I just double checked it and everything is in order!"

"Good work, Ming Fan. I will come in a moment."

"Actually… Shifu has a visitor."

A visitor? Why would anyone visit him now of all times? Wasn't it bad taste to disturb a bride right before her wedding by turning up unannounced? Or was it Liu Qingge? That man had always been bad at waiting and adhering to protocol. But Shen Qingqiu wouldn't be swayed this time! He wasn't risking bad luck for the rest of his immortal life just because Liu Qingge had the patience of a two-year-old with a tantrum!

Before he could tell Ming Fan to send the visitor away however, his disciple had already stepped aside and let the newcomer in with a deep bow. Then he left the room.

Shen Qingqiu's eyes widened. Instinctively, he reached for his fan to hide his surprise, but he didn't have one on him because it would ruin his attire. So he quickly settled for a serene smile instead.

"Zhangmen-shixiong."

Fortunately, it seemed Yue Qingyuan hadn't noticed Shen Qingqiu's bewilderment. He looked a bit bewildered himself, to be honest. His eyes widened and all colour drained from his face, as if he'd seen a ghost. Or perhaps it was nothing more than a figment of Shen Qingqiu's imagination, because not a second later Yue Qingyuan looked as tranquil and put together as ever.

"To what does this humble one owe the honour?" Shen Qingqiu said in order to fill the room with anything but that toe-curling silence. "You needn't have bothered to—"

"I wanted to come," Yue Qingyuan said in that gentle way of his, stepping closer. For a moment, Shen Qingqiu was convinced he would embrace him or grab him by the shoulders, but hesitation crept into his movements. In the end, he simply halted when he was still a couple of steps away from Shen Qingqiu. "It's an exciting day. How are you feeling?"

Yue Qingyuan was truly worth of the sect leader title. His brotherly kindness warmed Shen Qingqiu's heart.

"I am well," he said, conveniently forgetting he'd been awake for hours before dawn and how he'd been pacing the Bamboo House and fussing over even the smallest things ever since. "This one thanks Zhangmen-shixiong for his consideration."

"Good," Yue Qingyuan said, smiling reassuringly.

There was a pause, taut like a bowstring. The way Yue Qingyuan's smile fell revealed there was something else on his mind. It probably wasn't a demon attack — otherwise Yue Qingyuan would have opened with that, surely — but what else could have the sect leader of one of the four major sects looking so troubled?

Warily, Shen Qingqiu waited.

"Qingqiu-shidi…" Yue Qingyuan said, intently looking into Shen Qingqiu's eyes. "Are you happy?"

The question threw Shen Qingqiu completely off guard. And honestly, who could blame him?! Sure, Yue Qingyuan was a considerate fellow who had taken a special liking to the original flavour against all common sense, condoning far too much than was good for anyone. But that was just who he was: a kind and gentle soul. Still, wasn't this a bit too much? A little too familiar?!

You couldn't just drop this bomb of a question on someone without warning, okay?! Especially not with such intense and grave eyes which seemed to turn it into a life or death situation!

He was just about to diffuse the situation with some evading remark when Yue Qingyuan continued.

"Does he make you happy?"

Something about the urgency in Yue Qingyuan's voice and eyes made the offhanded answer die on Shen Qingqiu's lips. Though Yue Qingyuan hadn't lifted a finger and was still standing a respectable distance away, it felt as though the question had grabbed Shen Qingqiu by the front of his robes.

So Shen Qingqiu swallowed and couldn't do anything but quietly answer with the plain, heart-baring truth. "Yes. Yes, he really does."

A strange and almost contradictory transformation passed over Yue Qingyuan. He released a deep breath, and with it there seemed to be a weight lifting from his shoulders. A tension about his mouth and brow disappeared and a tranquil smile found itself a home on his face once more. Still, a sadness so deep and heartbreaking settled in his eyes that it was hard to look at.

"Good," Yue Qingyuan repeated. He looked Shen Qingqiu up and down for a moment. "You look beautiful." He turned and offered Shen Qingqiu his arm. "Come. Let's not keep him waiting."

Deciding silence the wisest course of action — even if he'd been able to make his mouth form any words — Shen Qingqiu draped his honggaitou over his face, took Yue Qingyuan's arm and let him lead him towards the sedan.

The sedan ride seemed to go on forever. It was pleasant enough in the beginning, with the jubilant cries and chatter of his disciples all around. But before long, the gentle swaying of the sedan grew rather tedious and he found himself fidgeting with the hem of his robes. He couldn't even look outside properly! The red haze of his honggaitou was giving him a headache.

Truly, Liu Qingge had the better bargain. He was also making his way towards Qiong Ding Peak where the ceremony would be held, but his road would be littered with challenges to prove his worthiness. Shen Qingqiu had no doubt Liu Qingge would crush any physical challenge thrown his way in record time. But he would give up his whole collection of fans to see him struggle with the riddles he had to solve on his way. Shen Qingqiu occasionally engaged Liu Qingge in a battle of wit, and while the Bai Zhan Peak Lord didn't do it half as bad as Shen Qingqiu might have expected, he was still so adorably quick to frustrate with a simple trick of words.

Shen Qingqiu barely noticed the small smile curling his lips at the thought. He couldn't wait to tease all the stories out of Liu Qingge later.

There was, of course, a large crowd waiting for him when they finally arrived at Qiong Ding Peak. Even the An Ding Peak disciples stopped running around for a while in order to stare. As he descended the sedan with the help of Yue Qingyuan, Shen Qingqiu was silently grateful for the honggaitou hiding his face. Had nobody taught these people it was rude to stare like that?!

He didn't let any of the unease show, of course. Graceful as ever, he walked between the walls of people into the hall.

And everything, the hundreds of eyes, Yue Qingyuan's unexpected questions, the fidgety tension that had grown and grown within him for the past few weeks until he'd hatched into a veritable bridezilla, it all melted away as soon as he saw him.

Liu Qingge.

His groom.

Dressed in traditional red robes, Liu Qingge debunked Shen Qingqiu's conviction that he was the cool-tones-only type. Having seen Liu Qingge in nothing but whites, blues, greys and blacks, the red had an immediate effect on Shen Qingqiu. He would never cease to lament the unfairness of Liu Qingge's innate and effortless beauty. Was there really not anything that would make this man even 0.001% less beautiful?! Even in the morning this man managed to wake up looking like a fairytale prince!

The way Liu Qingge stared at him, mouth slightly agape, didn't escape Shen Qingqiu's notice either, though. With a pleased smile, he finally reached Liu Qingge.

"Didn't think you'd be on time," he said softly as they sat down and the crowd settled in behind them. "With all those riddles blocking your way."

Liu Qingge huffed. "I've been training."

"Your teacher must be formidable indeed. With lots of patience to boot."

"He's very… diligent. Made me practice under duress. With all sorts of distractions."

Shen Qingqiu chuckled, remembering just how thorough those distractions had been.

The ceremony, which was led by Yue Qingyuan, went by in a haze. Shen Qingqiu was too distracted by Liu Qingge, stealing furtive glances his way every once in a while. His chest felt tight seeing him sitting there so handsome and solemn. How had he gotten here again? In this place, at this time, by Liu Qingge's side where everything felt so right?

As he was bowing to the Heavens and the Earth, and then to the Father and the Mother, Shen Qingqiu wished for what must have been the first time that his family was there with him. To share this moment with them. To tell them he was alright. That they could stop mourning him.

That he was happy.

A bit of dust must have gotten into his eyes, because when he performed the last bow to Liu Qingge, a silent tear slipped out and over his cheek. As he straightened and saw the smile on Liu Qingge's face, content and sincere and turning his gaze so soft it was truly unbefitting of the fearsome Bai Zhan Peak Lord, a couple more tears joined the first.

Liu Qingge's fingers brushed his skin as he tenderly lifted the honggaitou.

The crowd cheered, heralding the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the banquet.

As the guests filtered into the dining hall, Liu Qingge softly brushed the tear tracks from Shen Qingqiu's cheeks, the softness in his eyes deepening. Then, he held out his hand, which Shen Qingqiu gladly took, and helped him upright.

"Thank you, my husband," he said quietly so only they could hear. He was rewarded by a slight flush colouring Liu Qingge's cheeks.

He silently but ardently cursed Master Airplane for not thinking the wedding rituals through and making such an unorganized mess of them. Apparently, he'd even forgotten to modernize them enough so their union could be sealed with a kiss. As things were, Shen Qingqiu had no excuse whatsoever to embrace and kiss his husband senseless. The end of the banquet couldn't come soon enough.

He had to have known by now wishing for things to go his way was utter foolishness.

"There are nine courses?!" Shen Qingqiu asked the An Ding Peak disciple who presented the menu to him a short while later. "Whose idea was that?"

"Yours," Liu Qingge replied from his place beside him. The quivering disciple shot him a grateful look. "You said the symbolism was poetic."

Fuck, that did sound like something he would say… If he'd known he'd be cuckolding himself with his craving for the poetic, he would have invented some poetry in having only one course. Honestly, how was he going to survive sitting through nine whole courses with Liu Qingge right beside him yet completely out of his reach? Was it even possible for a human being to eat so much? Would they have to get everyone's stomachs pumped empty afterwards? Besides, weren't they all cultivators here? What had happened to the noble practice of inedia?!

The only ray of light shimmering in the darkness was the exchanging of the nuptial cups to start off the banquet. At least he could interlock his arms with Liu Qingge and move close enough that he could feel the warmth of his body. Liu Qingge's lips mesmerized him as they touched the rim of the cup. His Adam's apple bobbing up and down as he drank made Shen Qingqiu almost choke on his own wine. Liu Qingge's tongue darting out to lick the remnants of the dark red liquid from his lips almost had Shen Qingqiu fainting.

Would it be terribly rude to send everyone home?

After taking a deep breath, Shen Qingqiu accepted his fate and decided to just enjoy this feast in their honour. Time flew faster when you had fun, right? Well, there was no time like the present to put that saying to the test!

So he engaged the other peak lords, who were of course all sitting at the table of honour, in pleasant conversation and determined to relish the culinary masterpieces set before him. If his leg or foot brushed Liu Qingge's beneath the table every once in a while, then that was completely by accident.

The banquet progressed fairly swiftly like that. When the fifth course was finished, everyone was in dire need of a small break from stuffing themselves with delicacy after delicacy. Fortunately An Ding Peak, having foreseen this, had scheduled the exchanging of gifts at this auspicious moment so the rest of the banquet could effortlessly flow on from the sixth course onwards.

At a nod of Liu Qingge's head, several Bai Zhan Peak disciples went to retrieve a large, beautifully crafted chest made of red lacquered wood with scenes from the tranquil life on Qing Jing Peak carved into the wood. Shen Qingqiu thanked them with a small nod of his head — they had won a tournament to be granted this great and honourable task on their Peak Lord's wedding after all.

Once again, Shen Qingqiu's fingers itched for his fan to hide his glee. He turned to Liu Qingge, who had come to stand behind him. "Qingge, this is truly—"

He faltered as Liu Qingge gestured towards the chest. "Open it."

Shen Qingqiu hadn't wanted to assume but… okay, yes he had definitely hoped there was more to it than the chest alone.

Careful to keep his excitement in check, Shen Qingqiu took his time brushing his fingers over the beautiful carvings before opening the lid. He couldn't quite suppress the brilliant smile at the sight that greeted him though.

The chest was filled with layers and layers of all kinds of calligraphy and painting utensils, all laid out in neat rows. Brushes in all shapes and sizes; inks and paints in every colour imaginable; paper, scrolls and notebooks of such quality it would make any stationary enthusiast ascend on the spot. There was so much it was frankly impossible to use it all in one lifetime.

"I hope you realize you'll be modelling for me for eternity while I'm trying everything out," Shen Qingqiu remarked, happily inspecting and admiring a couple of ink bottles.

"That's the idea."

The undoubtedly priceless ink bottles almost crashed to the ground as one corner of Liu Qingge's mouth curled upwards. Fuck, Shen Qingqiu wanted to kiss him so badly. Clearing his throat, he hastily returned the bottles to safety.

"My turn," he said and was just about to walk past Liu Qingge to lead him outside when three An Ding Peak disciples stormed inside, faces drawn with terror.

"We're under attack!"

"The mountain has been breached!"

Gasps and cries of indignation filled the room, followed by the hurried footsteps of dozens upon dozens of cultivators seeking to vanquish the threat. Of course, Liu Qingge was the first to storm headfirst into the danger.

Shen Qingqiu followed close behind with a sinking feeling in his stomach.

Outside nothing was to be seen, halting everyone in their charge. Then on the horizon appeared a running Ming Fan, waving his arms. "Shifu!" he yelled. "Shifu, it escaped!"

Shen Qingqiu sighed inwardly. So it was as he'd expected.

"What escaped?" Liu Qingge asked beside him.

As if on cue, a gigantic, winged, serpent-like creature appeared right behind Ming Fan, its mouth open wide so its fangs glinted in the sun. If only Luo Binghe had still been around. He would have been perfectly capable of keeping the beast restrained until Liu Qingge decided to fight it.

Shen Qingqiu turned around to address the crowd. "Please excuse Great Master Liu and me while we deal with this small matter. And please continue to enjoy the feast!"

"Small matter?" Qi Qingqi repeated.

"Qingqiu-shidi, let us deal with it. It's your wedding day," Yue Qingyuan said.

"And that's exactly why I must insist," Shen Qingqiu said, hopping on behind Liu Qingge who'd already readied Cheng Luan for takeoff. "You see, this is my wedding gift for Liu-shidi."

And he'd eat his honggaitou and his whole wedding attire with it before he'd let anyone ruin his gift even further!

So without waiting for further comments, they flew off, right towards the beast.

Just as the demonic monster was about to close its mighty jaws on Ming Fan, Shen Qingqiu threw himself off the flying sword, tackling Ming Fan out of the way with not a second to spare. Liu Qingge, using the momentum, jumped high into the air, forming sword seals to send Cheng Luan charging before him, directed towards the beast's head. He dove after his sword to grab it by the hilt and used the extra force to drive the blade all the way in, right between the beast's eyes.

The monster let out a terrible shriek and shook its head left and right, trying to rid itself of its attacker.

In the meantime, Shen Qingqiu had sent Ming Fan away so he could enjoy the spectacle without annoying distractions. His fingers itched to commit the beautiful sight of Liu Qingge engaged in battle to paper. He should have grabbed some brushes and ink out of the chest before storming outside for some preliminary sketches! Seemed like he would just have to observe closely and commit everything to memory…

Yes, watching Liu Qingge fight so valiantly with the creature only confirmed Shen Qingqiu's conviction that he'd chosen the perfect wedding gift. Liu Qingge was clearly enjoying himself: postponing the death-blow even though he'd had ample opportunity already. His red robes made him strike an even better figure, granting him a heroic air.

Shen Qingqiu was utterly mesmerized by Liu Qingge's magnificent yet graceful force. The way he controlled the battlefield perfectly. His precision and flawless technique.

Shen Qingqiu was getting hot again for some reason.

Some time later, after having thoroughly tested and tired the creature, Liu Qingge formed a complicated sword seal with his fingers. Cheng Luan charged forward in a blinding light and sliced right through the monster's neck, severing its head which crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.

Of course, this particular wedding gift had the additional and completely unintentional perk that Shen Qingqiu could study this fine specimen to his heart's content.

But that would have to wait. There were more pressing matters to attend to right now.

Shen Qingqiu stalked over to Liu Qingge, and after making sure none of the blood on his clothes was his, he took Liu Qingge's face in his hands and kissed him hard and deep. After a dazed pause, Liu Qingge returned the kiss with equal ardour, winding his arms around Shen Qingqiu and pulling him closer.

"What kind of wedding is this?" Shen Qingqiu muttered against Liu Qingge's lips in between kisses. "Haven't even been able to kiss my husband properly."

A tiny, uncharacteristic sound escaped Liu Qingge, sending a jolt of heat through Shen Qingqiu's lower abdomen.

Could it be…?

"My husband."

Liu Qingge's hands gripped him tighter, his lips and tongue growing a tad more desperate, leaving Shen Qingqiu's mind reeling.

"Did my husband like my gift?" He didn't even give Liu Qingge the chance to respond, barely releasing his lips. Fortunately, Liu Qingge was a man of few words. A simple grunt sufficed as an answer.

The question was redundant, really. Liu Qingge's qi sizzled against Shen Qingqiu's lips: the fight had sent it coursing through his meridians as if it was a living, breathing thing. Shen Qingqiu found his own qi reaching for it. Hungering.

"There's a woodshed over there."

Shen Qingqiu was already pulling Liu Qingge along in the direction of the aforementioned woodshed by the time Liu Qingge recovered enough of his senses to realize what was happening.

"But our wedding night," he said between kisses.

"What's wrong with a little appetizer?" Shen Qingqiu asked. "Practice is key, isn't it? We're simply making certain we're thoroughly prepared, aren't we?"

Liu Qingge had to consider these questions for exactly one second before lifting Shen Qingqiu from the ground and capturing his lips once more. Shen Qingqiu wrapped his legs around Liu Qingge's hips and happily let himself be carried towards the shed.

It was a ramshackle thing in dire need of cleaning but not even Shen Qingqiu cared about any of that right now. The only thing that mattered was the privacy it granted them. If he had to suffer a couple of splinters and a spider or two hiding in his hair, then it was all worth it.

Liu Qingge pressed him against man-high stack of woodblocks, and closed the door behind him with his foot. There was only a very tight space between the stack and the door, but it didn't matter. They didn't need much space after all. Sunlight spilled inside in horizontal lines between the cracks in the wooden walls. They were just wide enough that any random passerby could follow the sun's example and casually cast a glance inside. Fortunately, everyone was still enjoying the wedding feast.

Liu Qingge planted kisses along Shen Qingqiu's neck and Shen Qingqiu pulled him closer and closer still, tightening his legs around him. Liu Qingge groaned into his neck as their hardening cocks rubbed against each other, not quite offering any satisfaction or relief through the layers of fabric. Quite the opposite, in fact. Shen Qingqiu rolled his hips again to extract another sound from him. It worked like a charm. Liu Qingge's hot breath sent goosebumps across Shen Qingqiu's skin.

Woodblocks clunked against each other behind Shen Qingqiu's back because of their frantic rubbing against each other. Shen Qingqiu barely registered the sound, too busy with untying Liu Qingge's wedding robes. If he didn't get his hands on his husband's bare skin right this instant, his qi would boil through his meridians. He had grown quite proficient in undressing Liu Qingge — he could even untie most of his robes using only one hand — but these intricate ceremonial robes were a different matter.

He growled in frustration as yet another knot would not come loose beneath his fingers. Liu Qingge, alerted by the sound, removed his attention from Shen Qingqiu's neck. He could not come to his aid, however, not when his hands were both occupied with keeping Shen Qingqiu lifted in the air.

Shen Qingqiu decided to just take the quickest path towards his goal, though he silently lamented that he would not be able to rub his hands over Liu Qingge's divine pecs quite yet. He silently promised himself to make up for that utter disgrace later tonight.

He captured Liu Qingge's lips again as he finally got his hand inside his pants. He wrapped his hand around Liu Qingge's cock and moaned along with his husband at the first glorious stroke over that silky skin. Heat curled in his gut when Liu Qingge hissed and groaned into his mouth.

It only took a couple of strokes for Liu Qingge to harden completely. Shen Qingqiu's mouth watered. It was not his fault his body had developed some Pavlovian reaction to Liu Qingge's hard cock, okay?! He could hardly be blamed for the fact that everything about his husband's body was so beautiful. So deliciously looking. Wasn't it his duty to satisfy him? Well, satisfy him he had! And if that resulted in nature instilling some new instinctive reactions within him, then it only bore witness to his hard and diligent work!

Liu Qingge panted into Shen Qingqiu's open mouth, his breaths coming faster and faster as Shen Qingqiu worked him. His cheeks scarlet from arousal.

"Fuck, you're beautiful," Shen Qingqiu cursed. "Does it feel good, my husband?"

Liu Qingge's eyes tried to focus on Shen Qingqiu through the fogs of pleasure. "Y-yes," he groaned.

It hadn't escaped Shen Qingqiu's notice how Liu Qingge's cock had twitched in his hand when he said a particular word. The same word that had gotten him all worked up earlier as well. With a small smile, he twisted his wrist around the tip, causing Liu Qingge's breath to hitch, and used the small amount of precum to ease his way.

"Tell me, what does my husband want?"

Again that twitch. Followed by a barely suppressed moan.

"Whatever you wa—"

"No, no," Shen Qingqiu interrupted, slowing down his movements to a torturously slow pace he knew drove Liu Qingge mad. "My husband must decide."

With a groan, Liu Qingge let his head fall in the crook of Shen Qingqiu's neck, setting his teeth against his clothed shoulder. Shen Qingqiu could feel Liu Qingge's arms tremble ever so slightly. He knew it was not because of the strain, though — Liu Qingge could hold Cang Qiong Mountain's entire sword collection above his head for hours without breaking a sweat. Years had passed, and still Shen Qingqiu could render Liu Qingge in such a delightfully desperate state with astonishing ease.

"Tell me," he coaxed.

Liu Qingge's hands tightened around Shen Qingqiu's buttocks. "I want to make you mine."

Now it was Shen Qingqiu's cock's turn to twitch. He shuddered. "I already am," he said, suddenly breathless.

Liu Qingge lifted his head once more, meeting Shen Qingqiu's eyes with a gaze of such want it sent all Shen Qingqiu's blood rushing downwards. He swallowed.

"You are," Liu Qingge said. "My husband."

Shen Qingqiu cursed quietly. "Then please fuck your husband already!"

For all his self-satisfied teasing only a moment before, he was not much better off than Liu Qingge, getting weak in the knees from the simplest of things. Not that Liu Qingge acting so possessive and voicing his desires was simple. In fact it was probably its rarity that caused Shen Qingqiu to almost burst out of his skin with arousal. Fuck, if he didn't have Liu Qingge's cock inside him within the next minute he might actually explode.

However, if Liu Qingge's robes had proven to be a challenge, then Shen Qingqiu's were the end boss in a game requiring hundreds of hours of tireless grinding and levelling in order to stand a chance. They struggled for a frustrating amount of time, but in the end succeeded in getting Shen Qingqiu's pants off. They still dangled from one ankle as Shen Qingqiu wrapped his legs around Liu Qingge once again, though. He couldn't be bothered to remove them further; enough time had been wasted on them already!

Shen Qingqiu clung to Liu Qingge, pulling him as close as possible, his own cock trapped between their bodies. His back was pressed firmly against the woodblocks so Liu Qingge could support him with only one arm, freeing the other hand for more important matters. But just as Liu Qingge's finger was about to enter him, it stopped.

Ready to shoot Liu Qingge down with his eyes, Shen Qingqiu broke their kiss.

Liu Qingge looked properly miserable. "I can't," he said. "The oil. I won't hurt you."

In all his impatience, Shen Qingqiu had completely forgotten about it. He retrieved a small bottle from his sleeve. It took a moment for Liu Qingge to realise what he was holding exactly.

When it hit him, he frowned in confusion.

"I always carry one with me," Shen Qingqiu answered his wordless question. "You never know what aphrodisiacs one might encounter on a mission. As we well know from experience. I just want to make certain we can deal with it more efficiently should we come across one again."

One corner of Liu Qingge's mouth slightly curved upwards. Undoubtedly, he was also remembering how this had all started.

Before Liu Qingge could question why Shen Qingqiu had thought to transfer the bottle from his everyday clothes to his wedding robes, though, Shen Qingqiu popped it open and poured some of the oil over Liu Qingge's fingers.

It did not take long for Shen Qingqiu to become a shivering mess beneath Liu Qingge's ministrations.

"More," he panted against Liu Qingge's shoulder. "Please, Qingge! More!" The last word came out as a shout because at that exact moment, Liu Qingge's fingers brushed against that delightful part of him. "Ah— Make me yours, Qingge, make me—"

It was absolute agony when Liu Qingge's fingers drew away, leaving him feeling hollow. It was downright torture to wait for Liu Qingge to coat his cock with oil. But then, finally, he felt the tip press against his entrance. The anticipation of the utter bliss he knew was about to come was almost enough to send him over the edge. He felt light-headed with desire, felt his entire being craving that feeling of fullness, felt his meridians yearn for Liu Qingge's qi.

But Liu Qingge didn't move. With a small, plaintive sound, Shen Qingqiu rolled his hips in a silent plea.

He let out a surprised yelp when Liu Qingge's hand grabbed a handful of hair at the back of his skull to pull his head backwards. It took him a moment to get his eyes to focus on Liu Qingge's face.

"What are you?" Liu Qingge asked, voice low.

Shen Qingqiu blinked a couple of times, trying to get hold of his mind enough to process the words. It was difficult with the promise of pleasure so close.

Liu Qingge tugged at his head when he didn't answer quick enough, making Shen Qingqiu gasp. "What are you?"

What was he? What could Liu Qingge possibly—

Oh.

Shen Qingqiu's cock throbbed.

"Your husband," he said.

Liu Qingge finally pushed inside him, bottoming out in one smooth stroke. The suddenness of it had Shen Qingqiu tightening his arms around Liu Qingge's shoulders, crying out.

Fuck, if he'd known marrying Liu Qingge would have him so possessive, he'd have insisted on marrying ages ago.

"What are you?" Liu Qingge repeated, breathing hard in Shen Qingqiu's ear.

"Your husband!" Shen Qingqiu said without hesitation and was rewarded by another powerful thrust of Liu Qingge's hips. His toes curled. "I'm yours, Qingge! Yours, yours, yours!"

Liu Qingge's hips rewarded every word. Then, he started fucking him in earnest, hitting Shen Qingqiu's sweet spot until his vision flashed white with pleasure. Shen Qingqiu couldn't do anything but hold on for dear life while roughly getting fucked into the woodblocks behind him, fingers digging into Liu Qingge's back. If he'd still had the presence of mind to think about such things, he would worry about the thudding sounds of woodblocks falling to the ground, fearing the entire stack might collapse on top of them. But as it was, he already had enough trouble trying not to cry from how good Liu Qingge was making him feel to pay any attention to his surroundings.

If he had paid attention, however, he might not have been so surprised when Liu Qingge suddenly stopped his movements and quickly closed his hand over Shen Qingqiu's mouth. Shen Qingqiu was about to protest when he heard it.

Voices.

Coming from outside.

Fortunately, their cultivator ears were very well-trained. They had picked up the voices from quite some distance away. Unfortunately, the voices were rapidly approaching.

Moving only his eyes, Shen Qingqiu tried to look through the cracks of the wall. But the sunlight outside shone too bright to discern anything.

"They're not here either," one of the voices said. It was unfamiliar.

"Maybe the monster attracted some demons or other beasts they had to chase away," another equally unknown voice mused.

Shen Qingqiu watched Liu Qingge. His flushed cheeks, the way he was trying force his heavy breathing into silence, the sweat gathering at his hairline, his still pleasure-misty eyes.

Shen Qingqiu rolled his hips, causing Liu Qingge's breath to hitch and his eyes to widen. His hand pressed harder against Shen Qingqiu's mouth in a silent warning. But when did Shen Qingqiu ever listen to warnings? Especially when Liu Qingge's cock filling him up had throbbed so delightfully within him at his movement.

So he moved his hips again. And again. This time, Liu Qingge bit his bottom lip and squeezed his eyes shut. He touched his forehead to Shen Qingqiu's, slightly shaking with the struggle to keep his own hips still.

Outside, the unknown cultivators were still discussing something — Shen Qingqiu had stopped listening to their exact words — completely oblivious to what was transpiring in the woodshed only a couple of metres away. Their voices rose as the argument escalated.

Shen Qingqiu didn't cease rolling his hips. Didn't stop fucking himself if Liu Qingge wouldn't, however difficult that was in this particular position.

While Liu Qingge's self-discipline was renowned far and wide, it wasn't faultless. Not when it concerned Shen Qingqiu, as that very Shen Qingqiu very well knew. Liu Qingge's brow creased more and more, his jaw clenching tighter and tighter until Shen Qingqiu was afraid he'd break his teeth. Despite the little gasps that escaped Shen Qingqiu, Liu Qingge's hand left his mouth to bury itself in his hair, grasping it tightly. All signs that Liu Qingge was having an increasingly hard time to stay in control.

Only a little bit more…

Before realising what he was doing, Shen Qingqiu took the honggaitou from his sleeve — he'd become very annoyed with it very soon so he had taken it off somewhere during the feast and stuffed it away — and put it around Liu Qingge's neck like a leash. Then he leaned in close and whispered so quietly in Liu Qingge's ear that it was more breath than words, "If I am yours, then you are mine."

Liu Qingge made a soft, strangled sound. Then something seemed to break inside him. He bared his teeth, tightened his hand in Shen Qingqiu's hair and fucked into him in small yet forceful thrusts.

Shen Qingqiu's mouth fell open in a soundless moan.

The wet noises of Liu Qingge's cock pushing into him sounded obscenely loud in the tiny shed. Surely, the cultivators outside would pick up on it any moment now. Liu Qingge was aware of it as well: Shen Qingqiu saw it in the vigilant edge to his eyes. Still, neither of them could bring themselves to stop again. If anything, the possibility only made Liu Qingge's thrusts sharper, quicker, deeper.

Shen Qingqiu pressed his lips tightly together to silence himself, heels digging in the small of Liu Qingge's back, when a flood of Liu Qingge's qi suddenly burst into him. So much for Liu Qingge's caution, it seemed. Though Shen Qingqiu didn't complain, even if he'd still had the ability to do so. He was in a land of pure bliss, nothing but pleasure swirling through his veins, his meridians, his entire being. They were the only people left in the world. This, the only thing that existed, that mattered. With Liu Qingge's qi coursing within him, merging with his own, the world felt right. Complete.

He would never tire of that feeling.

"Whatever. They've probably returned to their feast long ago. Let's just do what we were told to do and get that carcass to Qing Jing Peak."

As soon as their voices had faded into nothingness, Liu Qingge drew out almost completely to push inside again with a deep thrust. Finally relieved from their curse of silence, they both cried out from the pent up energy.

Liu Qingge continued to fuck Shen Qingqiu with deep, long thrusts, sending qi forth with each one. Shen Qingqiu felt it crest in a great wave within him.

"Yes," Shen Qingqiu panted. "Yes, like that, like that! Yes, my Qingge. My— husband!"

Liu Qingge's hips grew erratic. Frantic. His eyebrows furrowed as if he were in pain. "Can— Can I—?"

"Yes! Yes, Qingge! Make me yours. I'm yours. I'm all yours."

With a choked off noise, Liu Qingge pushed deep inside Shen Qingqiu. Warmth spilled into him as Liu Qingge rode out his orgasm, his face a portrait of utter bliss, so beautiful Shen Qingqiu would not be able to do it any justice even if he spent the rest of his eternity trying to capture it.

Then Liu Qingge's hand was on his cock, stroking him hard and messy and fast and not at all in rhythm with his faltering hips, but it was exactly what Shen Qingqiu needed. He came hard and shouting Liu Qingge's name, his back arching.

Eras could have passed in the time it took Shen Qingqiu to come down from that summit of bliss and return to reality. To the feeling of Liu Qingge's body against his own. Liu Qingge nuzzling his hair, pressing a tender kiss to the side of his head. Inside the shed, only the sound of their breathing could be heard. Outside, birds sang obliviously.

"Don't," Shen Qingqiu said when Liu Qingge made to pull out. "You'll ruin my clothes."

Liu Qingge stilled. He glanced between them however, where, by some miracle or divine provenance, none of Shen Qingqiu's climax had stained either of their robes.

"What do you propose, then?" Liu Qingge asked.

"Let me think." As if he was in any state to do so. Liu Qingge had made certain he wouldn't be able to think for another week or more! But then — another miracle! — an idea struck him despite his muddles brain. "The oil!"

Liu Qingge frowned. "I don't see how that would make less of a mess."

"No, not the oil. I meant the bottle!"

For a moment, Liu Qingge's frown deepened. Then he slowly raised his eyebrows. "You mean to—"

"Yes."

"So it won't—"

"Exactly."

"But then, tonight it will—"

"Inevitably."

"Will it not be uncomfortable?"

Shen Qingqiu considered this carefully. He had never tried it before, but back in his own world people did it all the time. Surely, there must be something to it.

"Only one way to find out. And," Shen Qingqiu continued, pulling Liu Qingge's face closer with his honggaitou and sliding his index finger along that sharp jaw, "it will make sure I'll still be prepared for you tonight. So all your hard work of our practice session here won't go to waste."

Liu Qingge swallowed, blinking a couple of times. Then he nodded to himself and looked about for the bottle, his ears turning pink again. Once he found it, he handed it to Shen Qingqiu, who spilled a small amount of its contents into his hand to coat the outside of the bottle with it. The strangest thing of all was that the bottle had the exact right shape for its new purpose. As though this had been its actual destiny all along.

Liu Qingge took the bottle again and put it in position. It had to be done quickly.

"Ready?" he asked Shen Qingqiu.

Shen Qingqiu nodded, linking his fingers behind Liu Qingge's neck.

In one swift motion, Liu Qingge pulled out and pushed the bottle inside.

Shen Qingqiu hissed, but shook his head to dismiss Liu Qingge's alarmed look. "It's cold," he explained, smiling reassuringly.

"How does it feel?" Liu Qingge asked after a minute, watching Shen Qingqiu's face closely for any sign of discomfort.

"It's a… peculiar sensation," Shen Qingqiu said, still adjusting to the feeling. "Not unpleasant." Though it didn't compare to Liu Qingge's cock in the slightest. Perhaps they could try it with something infused with Liu Qingge's qi next time. Maybe that would work better.

Carefully, Liu Qingge put Shen Qingqiu down again. When his feet touched the ground, his knees almost gave in, but luckily Liu Qingge's strong arms were still around him to steady him.

"Don't look so concerned," Shen Qingqiu chided playfully, "I'm in this state because of you."

At this, Liu Qingge's small smile appeared again, making Shen Qingqiu's heart swell.

"Well, it's working," Shen Qingqiu said after a moment. "Nothing spills out."

"That is good." Liu Qingge nodded with a serious expression on his face, as though they were discussing some important strategy for an assault on the demon realm.

His ever stern war lord. It was endearing, really.

Shen Qingqiu touched the underside of Liu Qingge's chin with his index finger. He let his voice drop to a lilting murmur. "It's perfect, isn't it? This way, it's clear that I'm yours for the rest of the day. And during all the remaining festivities, I'll be waiting like this for you to renew your claim on me tonight."

Liu Qingge's mouth tightened. Heat filled his eyes.

Excellent. Liu Qingge wouldn't be able to think of anything else for the rest of the day and evening — neither would Shen Qingqiu for that matter; not when he still felt so full. Their little secret and the long wait would only serve to make their night all the more unforgettable.

Their night. A proper wedding night where there would be room for tenderness and slow lovemaking. For worship and intimate reverence. But as far as wedding nights went, for Shen Qingqiu the one they'd just shared in the shed would always be more than perfect.

They made each other presentable again. Or at least as presentable as possible — it was impossible to restore Ning Yingying's handiwork with Shen Qingqiu's hair to its former glory. Fortunately, they had some leeway since they returned from a fight with a demonic beast.

After some last lingering and intense kisses, they made their way back to their wedding banquet and to the rest of their long immortal lives together afterwards. Forever by each other's sides, as husbands.