Under the moonlight everything seem to lay still. The heat of the day had been replaced by a cool breeze a person sauntered under the trees leading to the entrance, his green robes that was fluttering along with his stride. He moved between the pools of lanterns, feet almost silent of the sidewalk still wet from the light rain.

It was only by chance that Yue QingYuan saw that person leaving the sect premises. He was checking on the disciples that was patrolling area when he noticed a familiar green on the periphery of his vision. Yue QingYuan would recognize that familiar figure anywhere. Frowning to himself. Surely he was mistaken, Shen Qingqiu would never leave Shen Yuan at a time like this.

Excusing himself, he followed after the man to get a better look. He wasn't wrong, it was really Shen Qingqiu.

But why is he leaving?

He followed after Shen Qingqiu who was heading outside the gates. He had a lot of questions, especially at how they parted earlier, but he didn't know how to approach him and missed his chance to call out to the younger male. Yue QingYuan could only follow in silence until they reach the town.

He Ping city is one largest town in the area. Because of its proximity to Tian Gong Mountains, they frequently have dealings with the disciples from Cang Qiong Peaks. They also do business with other smaller sects. Over time, He Ping town slowly becomes more developed, bringing along the surrounding smaller villages.

Even though it was already late at night, the city was still bustling with people. The street was lit up with candles and lanterns strung on lines between poles that run as far as the eyes can see. The place was crowded with people, stalls of merchants from different places, boisterous laughter without a care in the world resounds on the streets, the scent of food – meat, spices, bread and sweets.

Yue QingYan had long lost sight of Shen Qingqiu in the crowd the moment he entered. He had been wandering the streets for about half an hour, if not for asking people around he'd never find him.

The male in black robes grimaced as he stood in front of a tall, brightly lit building with a big sign "Flowers of Paradise".

Mustering his courage, Yue QingYuan entered the shady establishment and was greeted by a woman that made him want to cover his eyes for from all the skin that she was showing, her clothes barely covering most of her body. Why the hell did Shen Qingqiu go to a brothel?

He wasn't so thick faced that he wouldn't be flustered but he had somehow manage to say that a friend was waiting for him. He briefly described Shen Qingqiu and then he was led by a courtesan towards a private room and found the person that he was looking for.

Shen Qingqiu was sitting on a sipping in his wine as he listen to the sound of pipa and quin played by the courtesans on the side. He slightly lifted his head to see who entered, squinting his eyes in annoyance but did not speak any words. Not acknowledging his presence by ignoring him.

"What are you doing here?" Yue QingYuan finally spoke.

"Drinking." Shen Qingqiu stated the obvious, his voice was cold and short.

Anyone would be discouraged to continue the conversation being given the cold shoulder, but Yue QingYuan had been long used to it. "Can't you do that without leaving?"

"I was banned by my master and can only return in the first light of dawn." he shrugged, taking another cup of wine and emptying it in one go.

"Then stay at an inn." Yue QingYuan can't help the throbbing of headache. He really want to scold him but he couldn't because he was afraid of being shunned and hated, more than he already is. He was always treading in thin ice with this person. "Why do you need to come here of all places?"

"To spend the night with a good company. Why else should I be here Yue-Shixiong?" he smirked at him, mockery laced in his words. Hoping that he older male would be flustered enough to leave him alone.

There was a long silence, and "... Then I'll accompany you."

Shen Qingqiu was left gaping when Yue QingYuan sat across him and ordered for someone to give him a cup. He wanted to retort 'you're not a good company' but for some reason the words are stuck in his throat and could only click his tongue in annoyance.

None of them uttered a single word as they drink cups after cups. The room was completely silent except for the sound of instruments playing.

Yue QingYuan knew enough that Shen Qingqiu was mad but still staying discreet as much as possible to not give away that they were from Cang Qiong Sect. He knew what he was doing despite him being not in an ideal place for their status. Still, he can't leave him even if his presence was obviously not welcomed.

Shen Qingqiu and Shen Yuan will always be attached in the hip, it was obvious that they were afraid of being separated. Their master should know that well. With what happened earlier, Shen Qingqiu wouldn't be calm unless he was constantly hovering over his younger brother, yet she force them to be separated for the night. Something was certainly going on but they both had no way of knowing. Shen Yuan would be alright with their master. He was more worried with the man across him.

For every one cup of wine that Yue QingYuan had, Shen Qingqui would drink four to six cups. Isn't he drinking too much?

"Shidi..." Yue QingYuan finally broke the silence. He'd want to call him by his name but he knew he would be ignored if he did. Shen Qingqiu would only answer him if he addressed him formally. "I want to apologize for what happened earlier. I should have handled the situation calmly."

"There's nothing to apologize. It's Shen Yuan's fault for not taking his suppressants consistently." Shen Qingqui answered, willing to go along with this conversation in a civil manner.

"How is Shen Yuan now?"

"He's fine."

"What happened to him to go into sudden heat? Even if he forgot to take his suppressants he shouldn't have gone into sudden heat."

"Ask Mu QingFang."

"...." The conversation was just turning more and more awkward but Yue QingYuan was not a least bit deterred. "Aren't you drinking too much?"

"None of your business."

"What you said earlier..." he hesitated "About Xiao Yu-"

*BANG!*

Shen Qingqiu slammed his fist on the table making everyone in the room jerk in surprise. The girls playing the instrument on the side stopped. Yue QingYuan gave them a look of apology and gestured for them to leave. Which they did hurriedly, closing the door behind them, both males left in the room with heavy atmosphere.

"Yue QingYuan. You might be our elder disciple brother and you are very close with A-Yuan but you have no business digging around our past." Shen Qingqiu said with cool indifference.

There was a prick in Yue QingYuan's chest when he spoke like that. He knew that Shen Qingqiu treats him nothing but a stranger now. An outsider who had nothing to do with them and who just someone who happen to be in the same sect, nothing more nothing less. He would take his indifference if it meant that Shen Qingqiu would still interact with him but that didn't mean it didn't hurt when he treat him this way.

He put down his cup with a resigned sigh "I think you've had enough drink for the night."

Yue QingYuan had grabbed him by the arm. Shen Qingqiu's hands automatically let go of the cup, the porcelain shattering as it landed on the floor, while the younger male tries to pry his hands away from him, but his reaction time was slow due to the inhibition of the wine. Yue QingYuan had already released him, and cleverly used the momentum of his fall to catch him in a bridal carry.

Shen Qingqiu let out a yelp as strong arms supported his body with ease. He inhaled sharply as thick digits dug into his back and below the knee of his right leg. He looked up, only to see a familiar yet unfamiliar face.

"Unhand me!" Shen Qingqiu demanded whilst pounding a closed fist against the other's chest, face searing in anger. He can't stand this familiar warmth that he longed for, it just felt wrong.

Yue QingYuan did as he was told and dropped him. By no means did he do it on purpose, it was because Shen Qingqiu was struggling too much and he never had that strong tolerance with alcohol. With three cups he was actually a little bit light headed.

Shen Qingqiu gasped at the sudden falling sensation and instinctively locked his arms around the other's neck. Both went tumbling to the floor after that; mainly because Shen Qingqiu made sure to take Yue QingYuan down with him.

Both landed on the floor with a heavy thud. Shen Qingqiu grunted in pain. Luckily, Yue QingYuan shifted and took most of the pain in the landing but half of Shen Qungqiu's body had come crashing down on top of him, knocking the air out of his lungs.

"Xiao —nrgh," Yue QingYuan grunted while re-positioning himself. "Are you alright, Xiao Jiu?"

"Don't call me that!" Shen Qingqiu immediately scrambled away from him.

"Xiao Jiu... I" Yue QingYuan sat up rubbing the shoulder that he landed on earlier. He froze when he looked at Shen QingQiu who was sitting in the floor just across him. His disheveled jet black hair flows down in torrents over his shoulders, instantly adding to his inherent depraved aura. He looked like a cornered animal.

"Don't call me that ever again! The only person who's allowed to call me that is already dead!" he screamed hysterically.

Was it because of having too much drink that the walls upon walls that Shen Qingqiu put up to protect himself had broken down. Revealing that weak and vulnerable person that only he knew. The one he hid behind his aloof and cold demeanor.

"Always..." Shen Qingqiu's voice trembled as he fought to hold back the tears and undignified sob "...have you been relieved when you were free of us, your burden."

When the first tear finally fell down from his eyes. Yue QingYuan finally snapped and grab him close to his chest. Caging him in his arms, not letting go no matter how much he struggled to break free.

"Don't touch me!" Shen Qingqiu pushed him away but his limbs felt weak.

"I've never wanted to leave you Xioa Jiu." he whispered in his ears almost pleading.

"Liar!" Shen Qingqiu punched at his stomach. Yue QingYuan coughed a bit of blood from the blow of the younger male's fist that was infused with his qi. Still, he did not let go.

"Are you still not satisfied from making a fool out of me all those time!?" Shen Qingqiu sobbed. There was a lot he wanted to say but even in his drunk state he remained stubborn, not spilling all the pain he felt in his hear.

'Why did you abandon me?'

'If not for A-Yuan I would have stayed in that god forsaken place waiting for even if it takes forever!'

'I've looked for you for so long?'

'Why did you betray me!?'

'Was everything you said a lie?'

He held back all this words from escaping from his lips. Instead, Shen Qingqiu conveyed them with his fist. What annoys him the most is the more he hit him, the more Yue QingYuan tightened his embrace. He had let go of him once, he had no right to hold on to him like this anymore.

"I'm sorry, forgive me Xiao Jiu" he repeated over and over like a prayer.

He sobbed into his chest unceasingly, hands clutching at his robes. Yue QingYuan held him in silence, rocking him slowly as his tears soaked his chest. A tiny lapse let him pull away, blinking lashes heavy with tears.

It broke Yue QingYuan's heart when Shen Qingqiu looked up at him. "Can't you say something else other than sorry, Qi-ge?" he said desperate weakly, desperation clearly shown in his tear stained eyes.

Yue QingYuan choked. He couldn't stand to see him like this. "Xiao Jiu! I-" but before he could say what Shen Qingqiu hear what he always wanted to hear, the younger male lost consciousness and fell limply in his arms.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Seeing her student frozen in fear from where he stood, An YueXi changed her approach. "No need to fear my dear disciple." she assured him in a soft tone "This master is only worried for you. This would greatly affect your future not solely in the matters of your body but your ascension to immortality as well."

That made Shen Yuan finally snap from his thoughts and finally look up at his master "What do you mean, master?"

"Do you know why there are only so few omega that had ascend to immortality?"

"Because most of us do not have enough spiritual energy that could be suitable as a cultivation base"

"You are correct." An YueXi nodded, gesturing for Shen Yuan to sit beside her.

"In the first place, our very nature as omegas goes against the concept of immortality. The purpose of our secondary gender is to ensure that we humans, who normally only have few decades of lifespan, would not be extinct. We are meant procreate to ensure the continuity of out race. Once you become an immortal, the concept of limited life span would disappear, the ability to make a child does not seem necessary any longer. Once we are in the cusp of immortality, our cultivation would stagnate and suffer through a bottleneck. Almost all omega cultivators had died trying to past that bottleneck."

Shen Yuan stared at her like what she said didn't make sense. After all, his Shizun had long achieved immortality, contrary to what she just said, the only reason why she'd yet to ascent to the heavens is because of the Sect's tradition that all Peak Lords must leave together.

"... A secret method in order to go past that bottleneck?"

"Correct." She answered, pleased that her student was quick witted and does not have to ask. "Once you come in that certain stage, unless you wish to destroy your cultivation or simply stay as you are, you would have no choice but to take a cultivation partner in the future."

Shen Yuan look at her with doubt clear in his eyes, he wasn't clueless about dual cultivation, but even any gender can do that. Why was it important? Also, this conversation is very awkward.

She snickered at Shen Yuan who had a stupefied look on his face "No, it's not your everyday dual cultivation method. You should knew better as well that a breakthrough is never that simple. There are a lot of criteria's and requirements that needed to be met for it to work. Which is why this is very important."

Shen Yuan didn't say anything but nodded in understanding for her to continue her explanation.

"For one, you needed an alpha with outstanding cultivation base. Except from your brother, the only one are qualified in your generation to help you through your breakthrough would be the alpha candidates for future Peak Lords. I've already discussed this to the other Peak Lords, since we had originally thought that your muted scent was due to a biological dysfunction that wouldn't have any effect in the process, our best candidate to help you would be Yue QingYuan."

The younger omega is a little bit shock that their master had already planned that far. It's a little depressing that his future was casually decided like that.

"But Shizun... I can't be with Yue-shixiong, he and my brother are..."

An YueXi raised an eyebrow "I'm not saying you had to bond with him. You just have to spend one night in his bed." she stated in a matter of fact tone. "Besides, other than him I doubt Shen Jiu would allow anyone to touch a hair on you."

"Sh-shizun that's-" Shen Yuan's stuttered in shock. How could his master say that so casually!?

She grinned mischievously, she couldn't help but tease her favorite pupil "I know that you worry for your brother's relationship with Yue QingYuan and what people would think. That is why I've arranged for you both to be married to him. The sect leader already agreed! Now we're just waiting for that brat to propose to either of you."

Shen Yuan sputtered, his face was tinted crimson in shame. He knew that their master could be tactless but this was just too much. Social norms and morality be damned? She was clearly aware that Yue QingYuan only had eyes for his brother and Shen Yuan never see him as a partner! Just the thought of being married to his Qi-ge somehow give him shudders but the force marriage between his brother and Yue QingYuan seemed like a good idea!

"Shizun, please stop teasing this disciple." Shen Yuan pouted when he saw her shoulder shaking from stopping herself in laughing out loud. Good thing he knew his master so well. He would probably voice a lot of objection despite knowing that she did it for them. Thankfully the situation have change!

"Alright, alright. Though I'm really serious about you and Yue QingYuan." She chuckled "Unfortunately this master's plans and dreams for you both is already ruined now that I know you are already pre-bonded with someone." An YueXi shook her head with a sigh like she just lost a big bet. "As your Shizun, there's no way I would allow you to waste your hard work and talent simply because your pair is incapable. I hope that this master had made it clear how important this is and won't withhold the information from me any further."

"Shizun's can be at ease. The alpha that this disciple had unknowing formed a bond with in the past is..." Shen Yuan trailed as he took deep breaths to calm himself. He still couldn't believe it but it was as if saying this out loud would solidify the truth but this was better than force marriage.

"...It's Liu Ying... No," Shen Yuan stopped and corrected himself "It's Liu QingGe of Bai Zan Peak." Shen Yuan stared at her. He could see the different changes on her expression. From surprise to delight and then she seemed more depressed. Shen Yuan already knew why she made that forlorn face in the end.

"That certainly puts this Master at ease." She said distantly, her mind was thinking the same thing as Shen Yuan "We can discuss this with your brother and your Yang-shishu about your bond with Liu QingGe tomorrow."

"Master, This disciple begs that you won't disclose this information to anyone."

"Why?"

"This disciple fully understood Shizun's worries and the importance of establishing our bond. But I agree with my brother's view that my life should never be dictated by my secondary gender. Liu-shidi and I are without a doubt fated mates. Still, I do not wish to be bonded to him for life just simply because our bodies tells us that we are compatible and because of necessity."

"This master won't ask what happened between you two but you know that he's going to be the only one for you, right?"

"It's true that we shared some history when we were both young and clueless, established pre-bond without our knowledge during that chance encounter, but I highly doubt that Liu-shidi even remembers meeting me. As it is now, Shen Yuan and Liu QingGe are nothing but strangers."

An YueXi didn't speak and took a few moments to observe her student. "Stubborn child." She muttered and shook her head as she look at that faint smile on Shen Yuan's lips "Even if you say that, you know yourself that you have already decided on him, even before you two reunited. Your body tells that much. You are just doing this for your brother."

Shen Yuan simply smiled sheepishly at her "It's not a laughing matter if my brother constantly wants to murder my mate."

She can't help but let out a laugh thinking how disastrous that would be. "Though this Master share the same concern. But my dear child, you should understand, even if I do not say anything we cannot be sure that Liu QingGe still doesn't realize that you are his fated mate."

"If he's interested, he would court this disciple properly and gain the approval of Shizun and my brother that he is a suitable mate not because he is my fated one."

"You greedy child." She huffed in amusement. "Fine, this master will support you. However, I have my conditions."

"This disciple is willing to listen to Shizun's conditions." Shen Yuan smiled.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

Shen Qingqiu woke up alone in their room. He was lying on his back, heavy lidded eyes doing their best to focus on the ceiling above. He couldn't hear his younger brother's soft breathing. He couldn't hear much of anything, really, besides the running water surrounding the bamboo forest and the gentle creaks of aged wood caused by the moving wind and the occasional individual passing by.

He remembered his brother going to heat last night, their Shizun ordering him not to return until dawn and then him going to the city down the mountain for a drink.... and the he drank more than he could handle. He could not remember how he managed to get back, Shen Yuan probably came to pick him up again.

Shen Qingqiu sighed heavily, his head hurts and his dream just made it even more unbearable. He lifted an arm in the air and inspected the back of his hand. His nails were well kempt and clean. The pale skin was smooth and unblemished. Despite being incredibly strong and dependable with a sword. Shen Qingqiu no longer harbor any scars he had when they were still slaves.

"A-Jiu, good morning."

Shen Qingqiu jolted at the sound of his name. He hadn't expected anyone to approach him so early in the morning. Quite frankly, he hadn't expected anyone to approach him at all, Shen Yuan should have been already out attending to the junior disciples and their Shizun is already at the monthly meeting with other peak lords.

"How are you feeling?" Shen Yuan who was supposed to be out already, asked.

"Terrible." he muttered grumpily, placing a hand in his temple to massage his headache. He looked up and saw his brother smiling at him, a tray of warm congee in hand.

"You drank too much last night." Shen Yuan huffed. "I already ask for QingFang to send some medicine over. Eat your breakfast first." he placed the tray on the table and sat on one chair while Shen Qingqiu took the one next to him.

He nodded and began eating. "Why are you still here?"

"We'll talk after you finish eating." Shen Yuan said closing the subject.

He took spoonful of the congee, feeling a pleasant heat bubbling in his stomach. While he enjoyed his breakfast, slowly, the events from yesterday are becoming clearer to him. The reason why he was hysterical to the point that their master had kicked him out of the peak yesterday was because his greatest fear was confirmed!

"No. We'll talk now!" Shen Qingqiu placed the spoon down and glared at his brother.

Shen Yuan could only sigh in defeat with his brother's stubbornness. "I will be going into secluded cultivation on LingXi Cave for an unknown amount of time, which may take years."

"What!?" Shen Qingqiu sputtered. This was not the answer that he wanted but his brother certainly dropped the bomb. "Then we should immediately prepare if we're to cultivate there."

Shen Yuan shook his head. "Shizun said that I would be cultivating alone and you would stay here in Qing Jing to learn more as a future peak lord."

Away for years!? Shen Qingqiu couldn't even think what he would do. They were never inseparable and never even been away from each other for more than twelve hours and now his brother was telling him out of nowhere that he would be away from him for years!

"Why?" Shen QingQiu felt as if he was losing his strength. "Was it because of that person!?"

Shen Yuan resolve had immediately faltered looking at the undisguised fear in his brother's eyes. He could only nod in guilt.

"Who is it!?" he hissed. "If we get rid of that person then you don't have to leave!"

"No!" Shen Yuan was quick to put down his brother's stupid idea of killing a person. He doesn't even dare to even entertain it because he knew that Shen Qingqiu would seriously do it for him. "This is not simply because of the appearance of my fated mate!"

Shen Yuan didn't wait for Shen Qingqiu to retort back at him and told him everything that he and their master had talked about and her conditions making sure that his brother understand how important it is, he made extra sure to leave out the identity of his fated mate for safety measures.

"I'll agree with the one night with Yue QingYuan." his brother said flatly, but Shen Qingqiu truly wanted to vomit blood when he said it.

Shen Yuan was flabbergasted, his jaw had long dropped to the ground upon hearing that absurd statement coming from his brother of all people. "Do you hear what you're saying!?" he screeched in frustration.

"At least I can threaten Yue QingYuan to be gentle with you and it's just one time!" he hissed "It's better than you being bonded with a random alpha for the rest of your life!"

"It's my fated mate!" he huffed indignantly.

"And so? He's still a random stranger!" his brother frowned with his arms crossed against his chest. His mind is made up and no persuasion could change it. "No matter what he does, I will never accept that person!"

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes "You don't even know who it is yet."

"That's why tell me now so I can murder whoever that is!"

"No!"

"Why are you so dead set in protecting a stranger!?"

"He is not a stranger to me!"

"SHEN YUAN!" Shen Qingqiu said in a warning tone that had always been effective in cowing his brother to submission.

"NO!" Shen Yuan resisted. It shocked Shen Qingqiu because this was the first time that his brother was being rebellious against him.

"We are not going to have this argument before I leave for who knows how long!"

Those words made Shen Qingqiu as if someone dumped a bucket of cold water at him, immediately making him sobered up. His brother was right, they shouldn't be arguing now. And now that he had calmed down, his brother being in seclusion was better than him being out in the open with that bastard who wants to take his A-Yuan around.

"Okay." Shen Qingqiu breathed out. "Let's not talk about this anymore."

Shen Yuan was taken aback. This was the first time his brother stopped being stubborn and actually step down from arguing without Shen Yuan having to placate him. He couldn't help but smile at how Shen Jiu was finally acting more mature.

"Okay." Shen Yuan nodded, also calming down.

"Let's finish our breakfast and then we'll prepare everything that you'll need." Shen Qingqiu said as they both sat down next to the table once more.

They spent the rest of their remaining time more peacefully making Shen Yuan be at ease as he leave with their master. His brother would be fine without him and he'd grow more independent. This distance would be good for both of them to cure their attachment issue.

What Shen Yuan didn't know was that Shen Qingqiu was thinking of how he'd find that person and kill him while he's still in seclusion.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

The sound of swords clashing against each other resounded in Bai Zan Peak training field since morning. With just a single decisive swing of his sword, Liu Qingge was disarmed once more, the sword flying into the air for a few seconds before it clattered into the ground.

"What's wrong with you?" the Bai Zan Peak Lord, Yang YueLiang frowned at his student. "You normally do better than that."

Liu Qingge didn't answer and simply pick up his blade, still panting heavily from over exertion, and took his stance. It's as if he's trying to suppress something by the thrill of battle and exhaust himself yet he can't help but be distracted.

He really made a blunder yesterday, mistaking the younger Shen twin with the older one, and since then he couldn't calm down.

Liu QingGe could only grimace when he remembered that he didn't even apologize that he grabbed him so roughly. His mother might as well discipline him from the start about treating an omega properly, even if Shen Qingqiu (the younger twin) was also a cultivator it did not excuse his actions.

Still, can't help but be flustered. It was the first time that he was attracted to an omega's scent. It was the same scent that clung onto Yue QingYuan back then and even more so with Shen Qingqiu (the older twin) whenever they saw each other, but it was much more pleasing with that person without another's scent.

He came to a realization. Was that the reason why he kept bothering Shen Qingqiu? Because he was chasing after it?

That warm sweet sugary scent with a tinge of fresh bamboos, just a quick whiff was not enough, it made him intoxicated that he wanted to press his nose against that creamy neck and inhale that comforting scent.

Liu QingGe's entire body turned red, both from his realization and in embarrassment of the things he wanted to do. He tried to shake it off. He tightened his grip on the hilt of his blade and lunge towards his opponent.

Seeing that Yang YueLiang won't be getting any answer from his student that had been acting strange since earlier, he parried Liu Qingge's first strike with ease. They exchanged hundred moves but in the end he sent Liu QingGe's sword flying once more.

"Enough!" he said when he saw Liu QingGe trying to pick up his sword once more. "I look like I'm bullying you when you're not even focusing in the fight."

"But-"

"No but's. You're too distracted right now, why don't we just call it a day."

Liu Qingge could only nod his head knowing he couldn't argue with him.

"Oh, that reminds me. I heard your An-shishu sent Shen Qingqiu to the deepest part of LingXi cave for secluded cultivation for five years."

"Both of them!?" Liu Qingge snapped. He planned to go apologize and confirm something with Shen Qingqiu when he was calm enough but if they're going in seclusion he'd lose his chance. Only the peak lords can enter the deepest part of that caves unless given special permission.

His master shook his head in amusement "Don't worry, I heard it's only the younger brother. Aren't you glad, you can still pester Shen Qingqiu for a fight?"

No one answered him. Liu QingGe had long ran towards Qing Jing Peak hoping that he wouldn't miss him, he really shouldn't have ran away yesterday. Five years is such a long time and Liu Qingge is anxious about not seeing him again.

Unfortunately he was too late. When he reach Qing Jing Peak, Shen Qingqiu had already left with their master just ten minutes before he arrived. Even if he rushed to Qiong Ding now, Shen Qingqiu would have already entered the caves.

Liu QingGe could only return to Bai Zan Peak in disappointment.

/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/*/

The years that followed since Shen Yuan entered seclusion seemed dull. Liu QingGe had stopped hounding Shen Qingqiu for a match but for some reason Shen Qingqiu's disdain towards Liu QingGe only grew into overwhelming hatred without his brother in his side to constantly placate him. Yue Qingyuan had long given up on talking them into a truce, and so long as Shen Qingqiu did not cross the tentative line of their aversion and their duty to their sect, Liu Qingge would be well keeping his distance and pretending the man did not exist.

Liu QingGe trudge up the mountain, following the path of the stairs leading up to the caves.

He stopped and squinted at the sun, it was a hot summer day but it did not stop him from going. With a sigh, he continued along the row of trees, each of which stood in a pool of uncut grass that grew taller than him from the years of being left untamed.

It was finally time. Five years was both too long and too short of a time for all of them.

Since they reach the mark of five years, every day for a whole month Liu QingGe kept sneaking to the entrance of the caves hoping that he's catch Shen Qingqiu when he leave the cave. Even he himself no longer understand why he was so fixated about seeing him.

It was just a regret of not being able to apologize and he had been assured that he was just surprise that he found someone attractive for the first time. Just a passing first crush, they say. But he want to be sure if it's simply just that.

When he reach the top, the scene before him made him stop on his tracks and felt as if he was splashed by an ice cold water.

He had just arrive at a perfect time when Shen Yuan let go of Shen Qingqiu and jumped in Yue QingYuan's embrace. He couldn't hear what they were talking about but Shen Qingqiu looked like he was ready to kill something.

He gritted his teeth in anger and jealousy, he turned his back and left, not wanting to watch anymore. How could he have forgotten about Shen Yuan's relationship with Yue QingYuan. It's known throughout the sect.