Chapter Text
Shen Qingqiu knew as soon as the diadem was placed on his head that it was not, in fact, the Diadem of Unsavory Truths. In Proud Immortal Demon Way, the Diadem of Unsavory Truths was used during the takedown of some minor villain, one so bland and generic that Shen Qingqiu couldn't remember their name. The Diadem, however, he remembered.
The enchanted object forced the wearer to spill all of their dark secrets. Like most truth-compelling artifacts, its effects started by making the wearer's throat itch until they said whatever scandalous speech they had to say. If one resisted, their throat would start hurting, then constricting, then the wearer would cough until they passed out or died. There was a lot of 'he spit up another mouthful of blood' in that particular arc.
Luckily, Shen Qingqiu did not have any unsavory truths to share! The Old Palace Master had asked to use it during his trial and Shen Qingqiu had agreed, much to the Cang Qiong delegation's chagrin. He figured it couldn't hurt; it would only work to clear his name! Even the System had assured him that he was safe from the Diadem of Unsavory Truths' effects.
The diadem that the Huan Hua disciple placed on his head looked like the Diadem of Unsavory Truths. It was large and gold with delicate gold chains falling just above his brows. A large red stone was inlaid on the center of the forehead. Shen Qingqiu had admired it greatly before the thing was placed on his head.
He braced himself for the itchy throat. It never came.
Instead, he felt a cold wash of qi course through his body. It settled into his spiritual veins, wrapped around his meridians. Shen Qingqiu waited for a moment, glancing around the hall at the crowd of gathered cultivators. All of them, friends and strangers, looked at him expectantly.
Shen Qingqiu blinked.
"Isn't he supposed to be talking now?" The Little Palace Mistress demanded, breaking the silence.
"Yes, yes, how odd." The Old Palace Master said. He rose from his gaudy golden chair, more of the throne, at the head of the hall and approached.
System, what the fuck is going on? Did you make me immune to the diadem?! That looks hella suspicious!!! Shen Qingqiu thought.
[Answering User, User is not immune to the Diadem of Unsavory Truths. User is currently safe from the Diadem of Unsavory Truths.]
Shen Qingqiu was about to start arguing with the System when the Old Palace Master spoke. "Ah, I see. How terrible! It seems that my foolish disciple didn't grab the right diadem at all! The circlet on Peak Lord Shen's head isn't the Diadem of Unsavory Truths. How embarrassing. Peak Lord Shen, this master apologizes profusely!"
What kind of plot device did I get stuck in now? His eyes darted around the room again. Most of the crowd still looked morbidly curious but a few were starting to look worried. He glanced to the front of the hall. Behind the Old Palace Master's seat, Luo Binghe stood watching. Where his face had been smooth and neutral before, even the protagonist had a deep crease in his brow. Shen Qingqiu wanted nothing more than to go to his white lotus, or grey lotus now, and smooth those wrinkles away with a soft hand and softer words.
Instead, he was tied up, sat on a chair in the middle of this large room with something worrying on his head, apparently.
What the fuck is this thing? System?! System, hello?!!? Don't ignore me!!!
Yue Qingyuan stepped forward from the Cang Qiong delegation. "Old Palace Master, if this lord may ask, what artifact is currently on my shidi's head?"
The Old Palace Master tapped a wrinkled finger against his chin, really, could you look any less honest, and hummed. "It appears that this circlet is the Diadem of Life's Purpose!"
It only took a moment for Shen Qingqiu to remember what it was and, at Yue Qingyuan's confused look, he said, "The Diadem of Life's Purpose is an ancient artifact that compels a person to fulfill their perceived 'life's purpose'. Subtly, at first, with compulsions intensifying over time. It was thought to be stolen by one of the Western demon tribes decades ago and destroyed by a group of their elders. This lord wonders how the Old Palace Master came to possess such an artifact?"
The Old Palace Master waved the question away. "Huan Hua sect receives plenty of enchanted finery as tribute from smaller sects and mortal towns in return for our protection. Who is to say what may or may not be in our vast collection?"
Shen Qingqiu resisted rolling his eyes. The Huan Hua sect leader truly was a second-rate villain! How transparent! Try harder, old man!
"In that case, would the Old Palace Master like to remove the artifact from Peak Lord Shen's being?" Yue Qingyuan gave an empty smile.
Again, Shen Qingqiu responded, ignoring the resulting glare from the Old Palace Master, "The Diadem of Life's Purpose can only be removed by either the fulfillment of the wearer's perceived purpose or by their death." Which meant that Shen Qingqiu was stuck wearing the damn thing until the end of Luo Binghe's story arc! At least his compulsions wouldn't be too bad. There was only so much one could do to rush the completion of a multi-year long arc.
Another person stepped forward from the crowd. A woman, maybe in her thirties or forties, dressed in pinks and yellows. "In that case, Peak Lord Shen should hurry to fulfill his purpose!"
This time, Shen Qingqiu couldn't hold back his irritated response. "That would be the only logical option, yes."
There was a pause. Then, the woman said, "Does Peak Lord Shen not recognize me?"
"Should I?" He said and the woman flinched, gritting her teeth.
"You don't recognize your own fiance?"
A theatrical gasp echoed through the hall.
Shen Qingqiu frowned as he observed the woman. From that statement alone, he knew that this was Qiu Haitang. Similarly, he knew exactly how to deal with her! Very early after the Immortal Alliance Conference, he had held Shang Qinghua hostage and made him dump any and all unused plot points from the original Proud Immortal Demon Way. So, with all the calm and confidence of a Peak Lord, he responded, "You must be Lady Qiu, then."
"Yes, and-"
"Lady Qiu is not and never was my fiance."
She gaped. "You- you! Liar! You lie!"
"I do not. While the Diadem of Life's Purpose may not compel its wearer to tell the truth, it does prevent them from lying. Lying is usually counterproductive when trying to fulfill one's life purpose." He said. Technically, Qiu Haitang was never his fiance, only the original goods'!
"We were engaged, A-Jiu-" She insisted.
Shen Qingqiu made a quick mental calculation. He cut her off, "Lady Qiu, we were never betrothed. At least in any meaningful way. After all," he paused, letting the tension build in a way he knew the crowd would love, "how could a noble family like the Qiu's ever let their daughter marry one of their slaves?"
On cue, the crowd collectively gasped. A few people broke into whispers. Shen Qingqiu took in the carnage, noting distantly that both Yue Qingyuan and Luo Binghe looked suddenly pale. Ah, well. Yue Qingyuan, your past as a slave is still a secret! And sorry, Luo Binghe, this master is afraid that your dastardly plans will need to increase in cruelty! He couldn't care less about anyone else's opinions. After all, he had more than proved himself as a competent and accomplished Peak Lord. He was sure that the original goods would not agree. The scum villain was probably rolling in his grave right now!
The Old Palace Master frowned. He glanced between the peak lord and the woman before turning to Qiu Haitang, ready to dismiss her.
"So you admit, we were engaged? You are lying!"
Shen Qingqiu sighed. "No, Lady Qiu. Our 'engagement' was a little girl's childish dream that your parents allowed you to believe in. Surely, they would have found you an appropriate match when we were older. They probably would have either sold me off or killed me, too, just to make sure that this Shen would never be a threat to Lady Qiu's legitimate marriage."
More gasps and whispers.
The Old Palace Master stepped between them. "It sounds like Peak Lord Shen would hold a lot of resentment towards the Qiu family."
"I resent any and all people who perpetuate slavery."
Qiu Haitang leaned around the old man. Her face was bright red now, eyes swollen and wet. "So what? Was it your life's purpose to destroy anyone with slaves? Is that why you burnt down my childhood home, slaughtered every last man on the estate? Is that why you did it?!"
"I did no such thing and destruction is not my purpose." Shen Qingqiu's lips curled. "Lady Qiu is looking quite upset. Perhaps it would be best for her to leave the hall, as to not further disrupt this lord's trial with more outbursts."
Qiu Haitang sputtered and Shen Qingqiu heard the distinct laugh of Qi Qingqi off to the side. His lips twitched. At least someone found this entertaining!
"This master does think Peak Lord Shen makes a point, Lady Qiu." The Old Palace Master said, holding out his arm and trying to corral the increasingly despondant woman back. "Please allow Disciple Tian to escort you to one of our gardens to calm down."
Villain translation: shut the fuck up before Shen Qingqiu further proves his innocence!
After Qiu Haitang was gone, the Old Palace Master took his seat. Behind him, Luo Binghe's intense gaze was fixed on Shen Qingqiu.
"Let the trial continue. Lady Qiu's accusations were going to be discussed, but in light of Peak Lord Shen's, ahem, other confessions, Huan Hua will dismiss those charges." The old man said. Shen Qingqiu sighed. He was sure that everyone present would be discussing his background in depth for months to come and he was sure that Huan Hua would be pulling the strings to ensure it stayed on everyone's minds.
"The next charge is colluding with demons, releasing sowers into Jin Lan City to spread fear, disease, and death."
"Easy," Shen Qingqiu said, "This one has never colluded with demons and was uninvolved with the sowers released in Jin Lan."
"The sowers themselves named Peak Lord Shen as the perpetrator." The Old Palace Master pointed out.
"Even though this is the wrong diadem, it still prevents lies. Shen-shidi said he didn't do it, therefore he didn't do it. This Yue has already dispatched a team of Cang Qiong's finest to investigate the true source of the plague." Yue Qingyuan said.
The Old Palace Master tapped his fingers against the armrest of his chair. He gave a tense smile. "You are right, of course, Sect Leader Yue. We shall continue."
Shen Qingqiu frowned. How anticlimactic... was that not the main reason he had been imprisoned? And the Old Palace Master was dropping the charges just like that? If the old man had wanted to imprison Shen Qingqiu, he shouldn't have used magical artifacts during the trial!!!
"The third charge: lechery and debauchery. Huan Hua has many credible witnesses that claim Peak Lord Shen is a frequent patron of the Warm Red Pavilion. For those cultivators who are unfamiliar, this establishment is a brothel."
Shen Qingqiu could feel his eye twitch. Lechery and debauchery?! "Palace Master, those are not crimes."
"This master begs to differ! Any self-respecting cultivator knows not to commit crimes against decency and morality. Taking into consideration Peak Lord Shen's whereabouts, as well as his persuasive nature..."
Anger flared in his chest. "Use your words plainly, Old Palace Master. Are you accusing me of rape?"
More gasps and chittering from the crowd. The Old Palace Master touched a hand to his chest. "Heavens, no. A man cannot rape a prostitute, Peak Lord Shen. However-"
Shen Qingqiu could not hide his look of angered disgust, nor speak calmly. He could hear how bitchy his words sounded. "This lord begs the Old Palace Master to forgive him for the repeated interruptions today, but I must correct your previous statement. Of course a prostitute can be raped, anyone can be raped. To act like certain groups cannot is to excuse your own shitty behavior." More gasps. "Furthermore, I am not a rapist. Yes, this master has frequented the Warm Red Pavilion in the past, but I have never committed such a despicable act. In fact, this one has never laid with any of the prostitutes at the pavilion!"
Off too the side, Liu Qingge turned very red and swayed slightly. Qi Qingqi held him up with a roll of her eyes.
He and the Old Palace Master glared at each other. "Outsourcing, then."
Shen Qingqiu's fingers clenched. Before he could speak, Luo Binghe stepped forward. "Old Palace Master, as Peak Lord Shen's former disciple, I can confirm that he has never shown an inkling of... carnal desire."
"Bing'er. Are you sure?"
Bing'er?! Who are you calling Bing'er, you shriveled old creep!!!
"This one is absolutely sure." Luo Binghe said.
The Old Palace Master hummed. He leaned back. "And his reported behavior with Ning Yingying?"
Luo Binghe's face twisted, looking outraged, and Shen Qingqiu braced himself. Here was where the protagonist accused him of grooming and pedophilia against his future wife. Here was where Shen Qingqiu would lose his freedom forever. Here, he began his journey as a human stick.
"Shizun would never-!" Luo Binghe snarled.
What?
Shen Qingqiu blinked
Instead of backing down, the Old Palace Master looked pissed. He looked downright betrayed! "As Bing'er says," he forced. "But since Bing'er is speaking, why doesn't he tell the audience the tale he told me, when Huan Hua found him on death's door out in the wilderness and took him in as one of our own."
Luo Binghe's eyes darted to Shen Qingqiu. Again, Shen Qingqiu wanted to comfort him. To encourage him. Do what you need to, dear protagonist! I know this will hurt, but I will endure it, if only for you to grow stronger and take your rightful place in the world!
"Yes, let us move on to the last charge placed upon Peak Lord Shen. The abuse of his disciples."
Luo Binghe swallowed. "Old Palace Master, that is not- that is, this Luo-"
"Ah, poor Bing'er is still so affected by it. Not to worry, this master will handle it." The old man took Luo Binghe's hand and patted it. "Firstly, there are reports that Shen Qingqiu both whips and canes his disciples."
"Old Palace Master, all instructors have the authority to whip and cane disciples as punishment. As everyone in this room knows, it is a common disiplinary action in any sect." Yue Qingyuan chimed in.
"Witnesses say that Peak Lord Shen's 'discipline' goes beyond that which is appropriate." The Old Palace Master insisted.
"This Peak Lord has banned physical punishment on his peak years ago." Shen Qingqiu said.
"And before that?" The old man asked. Shen Qingqiu's lips thinned. The old man hummed, "Yes, of course. There are a handful of Qing Jing disciples in the Cang Qiong delegation. Would any of you like to speak? This master promises that you will be safe to speak your mind without repercussions. This master will even offer a safe haven in Huan Hua for any disciple that speaks up."
From somewhere in the crowd, Ming Fan pushed his way forward. "Shizun is a kind and fair teacher! Even when he used physical punishment, it was always done with purpose!"
Shen Qingqiu should probably have a long talk with his head disciple about that in the future, but for now, he was just grateful that his words might help Shen Qingqiu get out of this.
The Old Palace Master stayed quiet for a moment, waiting for another disciple to come forward, before he grit his teeth and moved on. "Very well. And what of Bing'er's treatment? Was that done with purpose?"
"Luo Binghe was Shizun's most favored disciple!" Ming Fan shouted. "He probably still would be, if Luo Binghe hadn't defected from Qing Jing and joined the likes of Huan Hua!"
"This master wonders, then, what Peak Lord Shen's justification is for throwing his most favored disciple into the Endless Abyss during the Immortal Alliance Conference?"
Gasps. Whispers. Shouts. It was all getting old and Shen Qingqiu couldn't really focus with how his stomach was on the floor and his heart was in his throat. Luo Binghe didn't so much as twitch as the Old Palace Master dropped that particular bomb, but Shen Qingqiu wanted to go to him nonetheless. He must be so angry with me, he thought.
"Shizun would never!" Ming Fan said.
"Does Peak Lord Shen deny it?"
"I do not." He said. A ripple of noise.
"Shidi." Yue Qingyuan warned quietly.
He couldn't deny it, even if he wanted to. But he wouldn't. He had pushed Binghe into the Abyss. He had damned the poor boy. This was his one true crime. Luo Binghe looked gutted. Shen Qingqiu itched to go to him.
"And was that punishment just? Was that done with purpose?" The Old Palace Master sneered but Shen Qingqiu's gaze was focused on his Binghe.
Well, if this was his last hurrah before being tortured for all eternity, he would make it count. "It was not a punishment. This lord had no choice."
The System beeped. [Warning: User is not allowed to expose the System or his role as a transmigrator! Revealing this information will result in a punishment protocol!]
"No choice?" The Old Palace Master pushed, leaning forward. "Peak Lord Shen had no choice but to attempt to murder his disciple? Why is that?"
Shen Qingqiu frowned. "It wasn't attempted murder. I knew Binghe would survive and be stronger for it." He said. It was his biggest crime, his worst mistake. It was necessary and unavoidable. He knew that for Luo Binghe to reach full strength, to take the world as he was meant to, the boy had to go through the Abyss. He had to learn about his demonic traits somewhere, gain Xin Mo somehow. In a way... "I did it to keep him safe."
"Safe?" The Old Palace Master said incredulously. "This master does not understand."
Shen Qingqiu watched Binghe. His grey lotus was flushed, eyes swollen and red, a single tear dripping down his face. His hands clenched and unclenched at his sides. Truly, he looked like a heartbroken protagonist! He was stunning! Shen Qingqiu wanted to go to him. He needed to. Soon. "Old Palace Master does not need to. As long as Binghe understands, that is enough."
"Shizun..." Binghe breathed.
The Old Palace Master spoke over the whispering crowd, "Be that as it may, abuse is still abuse no matter the reason. To push one's own disciple into hell-"
Luo Binghe turned to the old man. "This Binghe does not wish to pursue charges against Shizun."
The old man's face twitched. "Bing'er, be reasonable."
"If Shizun says it was for me to be safe and get strong, that is all this lowly disciple needs to hear. Shizun has never abused this disciple, nor any other. He was not responsible for the sowers or for the Qiu estate fire. He did not commit any crimes against decency or morality. Unless there are any more charges, this disciple thinks that this trial is over. It is over!" Luo Binghe commanded before rushing away from the Old Palace Master and to Shen Qingqiu's side. There was more commotion, but Shen Qingqiu couldn't focus on any of it. Finally, Binghe was at his side, untying the immortal binding cables around his wrists and rubbing at the skin, encouraging circulation.
The touch was nice but something about it itched at Shen Qingqiu. It wasn't quite right.
"Shizun, this lowly disciple apologizes for all of this. This one's behavior in the city, in the prison, not speaking up sooner during the trial. Shizun has always favored this one and this Binghe should have never questioned his motives. This humble one is thankful for Shizun's care and-"
"Binghe."
"And this disciple will do everything in his power to make it up to his Shizun. Anything Shizun commands will be done. Any wishes or desires he has, this disciple will fulfill. This disciple only asks that Shizun please consider taking me back to Qing Jing. I will earn it, I swear-"
"Binghe!"
The boy's jaw snapped shut. "Yes, Shizun?"
Shen Qingqiu gave a small smile. "You're babbling."
"Apologies, Shizun."
"Of course, Binghe will be welcomed back on Qing Jing peak." He said. Some of the disciples would probably be mad, feeling betrayed about Luo Binghe briefly joining Huan Hua and being involved in Shen Qingqiu's trial, but most would be happy. He thought. He hoped.
He wasn't sure exactly how to move forward. Luo Binghe... he clearly didn't want Shen Qingqiu tortured or dead. If he did, this trial would have gone a lot differently!
Around them, the crowd was beginning to clear. The Cang Qiong delegation approached. Once within reaching distance, Yue Qingyuan made to clasp Shen Qingqiu's shoulder before faltering and letting his hand drop to the side. "Shidi. This shixiong thinks that we should leave Huan Hua soon, to avoid any more trouble. I have already talked to Head Disciple Gongyi. We shall work to find a way to remove the diadem and return it to Huan Hua, but they are allowing us to leave with the artifact."
"I should hope so." Shen Qingqiu bit. It was their fault for 'mistakenly' mixing up the diadems and giving him the one that was stuck on for the foreseeable future! "But this shidi does agree. I am sure everyone is tired and would like to go home." Liu Qingge held out a fan and Shen Qingqiu gladly took it, flicking it open and raising it to his face.
He had to make for a weird image. The chains of the diadem covering everything above his eyebrows and the fan covering everything below his cheekbones. Certainly, Liu Qingge thought he looked embarrassing, with the way the man was blushing!
Qi Qingqi rolled her eyes. "Getting the diadem off shouldn't be too hard. We just have to help Shen-shixiong fulfill his life's purpose. What is it, Shen-shixiong? Money, fame, murder? A wife and children? Tell us your life's purpose."
"Publishing a book, perhaps? One of your bestiaries or botanical guides." Mu Qingfang said.
Shen Qingqiu smiled. He opened his mouth. This one's purpose is to make sure Luo Binghe grows up well, he went to say.
That was not what he said.
He watched as the words left his mouth, as his sect's faces dropped. Yue Qingyuan and Luo Binghe turned pale. Qi Qingqi, confused. Mu Qingfang, upset but not surprised. Liu Qingge and the various disciples, angry.
"This one's purpose in life is to die."
"What do you mean by that, shixiong?" Mu Qingfang asked softly.
Shen Qingqiu quickly thought of a way to mitigate. Well, isn't everyone's purpose in life to die? Is that not the circle of life? He meant to say.
Instead, what came out of his mouth is, "My sole purpose in life is to be murdered and allow those I have wronged to enact their revenge."
Was it becoming oddly quiet in Huan Hua's main hall or was it just his sect siblings' silence that felt stifling?
"And who do you think would want to kill you for revenge, Shen-shidi?" Yue Qingyuan said stiffly.
Shen Qingqiu shrugged. "Luo Binghe, of course."