The Serpent and the Lotus Blooms

Take Pride in All You Do

(TW: Bullying, NSFW sex)

(We've made it, friendos. We've made it to the first sexy time. Please be warned that the next few chapters will deal with some triggering scenes. Watch for warnings.)

(Bai Yusheng's Past)

"Shixiong! Zhao Shixiong! Are you feeling ill today? If you don't hurry and catch up, I'm going to win again," a bright voice broke through the misty darkness of the forest, sounding out of place in the eerie darkness. The sound of swords slicing and the tinkle of a small bell could be heard cutting through the nighttime air as two cultivators fought together in a ring of corpses, both working in tandem and with an ease of long time partnership. 

"Bai Shidi," the man let out a long suffering sigh that was followed by a chuckle, "You always kill more than me. I have never once won this competition in the 100 odd years we have done this. Why must you keep count?" The man leapt back, slicing an arc through the air that sent a dazzling light to cut back a row of staggering corpses that had appeared from behind the trees. 

"That's not true, Shixiong!" Bai Yusheng exclaimed, leaping back to join him. They pressed back to back, watching the ring close in around them slowly. "Don't you remember? You have beat me once before! You were so brave. How can I not hold the memory near and dear?" They leaned back a bit, taking in his warmth, his firm presence, before they both jumped away, leaping back into the fray with ease. 

"I only won by a handful, and it was because Shidi was careless and didn't take the time to dry after a bath. You had a cold. That hardly counts." The man, Zhou Qiqiang, pressed his hands together in a quick spell before sending out talismans. They stuck to their targets, setting the circle ablaze, and yet still more persisted. 

"Claim your victory, Zhou Shixiong!" Bai Yusheng was laughing, their voice breaking through even the gurgling groans of the corpses as if they hadn't a care in the world. The two continued their fight, moving as fluidly as dancers. Movement caught their eyes, and they both moved back together, pressing close. "Zhou Shixiong, that's not corpses moving over there. Their steps are too fluid. Did you get a good look? Is it civilians?" They brought a hand up and swiped it in front of them with a wide arc, sending the corpses back enough to give them a chance to speak.

"No, I recognized their uniforms. They are from the local sect here. They must have been sent to help clear out the area with us," He looked towards the movement and soon the sound of swords clashing could be heard a short distance away. 

"Huh, the Yangseong sect? I didn't expect them to be here. I thought they asked us to come because they were busy? Nevermind it. I'll go greet them. You stay here, Zhou Shixiong. Don't miss me too much," they leaned in and pecked a kiss to his cheek before they leapt to the trees, making their way to the 5 men who had joined the battle. Bai Yusheng observed for a moment before picking out the one who seemed to be in charge. "Hello! I am coming down!" They called before leaping into their circle. They immediately pressed their back to the man they had pinpointed as the leader, slicing the approaching corpses away so they could speak. 

"Get lost," he hissed, his eyes twitching but not even glancing back at the one behind him. He sliced an arc with a flourish. "We don't need you here."

"Get lost? But we've only just arrived. You are from the Yangseong sect right? We didn't expect anyone to be joining us for the night hunt. We were told your sect had pressing matters and was very busy." Bai Yusheng let loose a string of talismans, setting flame to the corpses that had approached the man's blind side. In response, he grit his teeth and glared back at Bai Yusheng whose eyes had turned back to their front.

"Yeah, does it look like we're busy? Scram, we can handle it from here," he hissed out, side stepping just as a particularly fast corpse staggered its way towards him.