Chapter 2
The demon king would not yield. It was either Shen Qingqiu be handed over or he would proceed with the subjugation of the entire mortal and immortal realm. And the cultivators knew that he could do it too. They couldn’t stop the demons before and they can’t stop them now. Now that the entire demon realm has come under one united ruling.
It was an unanimous agreement to hand over Shen Qingqiu. It didn’t matter that Yue Qingyuan and even Liu Qingge(that one was a surprise) argued against it, Shen Qingqiu was to be handed over to the demons within a week properly dolled up in wedding robs for the demon emperors wedding ceremony.
Currently Shen Qingqiu sat in his cottage meditating. Try as he might he couldn’t calm down. He'd been forbidden form going to the brothel, in case his ‘promiscuity’ offended the demons, and thus had been unable to really relax for the last three days. He’s been more strung up then usual as a result. Harsher to critique them, more strict then usual, and more have handed with his punishments. It did nothing in the long run but make his reputation worse. If only the immortal masters were happy to hand him over to the demons before, Shen Qingqiu has no doubt that now even the students would be glad to finally be rid of him.
It’s not like he expected them to really stand up for him. He's used to protecting himself. No one ever came for him, he is to jaded to even entertain the notion that anyone might. But he’d at least hoped that Yue Qingyuan, for all their history together, would have at least tried to retaliate. Tried to defend him, if only to be shot down by everyone. He could have at least tried. But no. Instead it was Liu Qingge of all people that rebuked that demon emperor. Angrily refusing to hand over Shen Qingqiu to the demons.
And isn’t that ironic? The man that hated him since the very begging is the only one that stood up for him as he was being, for all instance and purpose, being sold off again. It’s strange really how Liu Qingge had been acting ever since the incident at the spirit caves. Liu Qingge has been more co-operative with Shen Qingqiu. More patient and willing to listen before jumping to the worst conclusions about him. Even during the war, Liu Qingge is the one that really heeded his warnings and suggestions. It was rather nice to have someone truly listen to him finally. Shen Qingqiu thinks, rather idealistically, that if not for Shen Qingqiu’s current predicament, they might have even become actual friends at some point.
But that is wishful thinking, something that Shen Qingqiu learned to abandon a long time ago. Now that Shen Qingqiu is being handed to a demon, he knows it’d be best to avoid Liu Qingge. For the brute own safety if not for his. Demons are well known for the possessiveness after all.
His wedding hanfu has already been sent. Red robes with gold embroidery and peacock feather like designs at the edge. Something about a different tradition for the marriage between cultivators and high ranking demons. Sheer white veil that covered his face enough to barely pass as a vail at all. A beautiful ensemble, if only the occasion wasn’t so grim.
(Imagin this but red)
Shen Qingqiu is to be sent to the edge of the demon realm in three days time from now. From there he will be picked up by the bridal palanquin that will take him to the demon palace where the demons will see to his hair and makeup as well.
Shen Qingqiu hadn’t ever hoped to get married, but it’d only make sense that this is what his hand would be worth of. A mere bribe to placate the demon sovereign.
Shen Qingqiu wonders though why did the demon ask for him specifically? He hadn't even been to the war. What was it that the demon lord wanted from him? He could have had any dame he so desired, so why ask for Shen Qingqiu? Did he not know of Shen Qingqiu’s jaded personality? Or is it because of that personality that the demon emperor singled him out? Whatever it is Shen Qingqiu hopes the demon lord will get board of him soon. Heavenly demons may be known for their loyalty to their significant partners, the current emperor is rumoured to be half human so it is only a mater of time before Shen Qingqiu is discarded for someone better.