The Dramatic Entrance

"Before the battle of the fist comes the battle of the mind… hence, the dramatic entrance." – Kung Fu Panda 3

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Any minute now, Yang Qinghui thought from her perch in the trees, as she had been thinking for the past four hours. Any minute…

"Yang-shigu, if I may… why are we still on patrol?" Luo Binghe asked from beside her. He, too, was crouched on a branch of the tall fir tree at the edge of Qiong Ding Peak. Below them, a flight of stairs led up to the pavilion.

Not taking her eyes away from the rainbow road stretching into the distance, Yang Qinghui opened her mouth to explain.

"Yang-shigu is training us," Liu Mingyan said from Yang Qinghui's other side. "Patrolling is important, as barriers and sensors are not always completely reliable. By having us patrol intensively for hours, we'll be able to conduct shorter patrols with ease." She tilted her head, her face half-hidden by a pale purple veil. "Is that correct, Yang-shigu?"

"Very well-put, Mingyan," Yang Qinghui agreed.

Liu Qingge had been too busy to answer her summons, but had sent his young sister Liu Mingyan in his place. Yang Qinghui wasn't complaining – Liu Mingyan had always been one of her favourite characters in Proud Immortal Demon Way.

"I see," Luo Binghe murmured.

As for Luo Binghe, the young disciple had been sent on an errand to Qiong Ding Peak. Yang Qinghui had seized the opportunity to mentor him and hopefully increase his affection level.

Yang Qinghui looked between the two young disciples. In Proud Immortal Demon Way, Liu Mingyan had been a member of Luo Binghe's harem. As of right now, they were reasonably friendly, but Yang Qinghui couldn't sense anything else beginning to blossom. She wondered if things had changed enough for Luo Binghe to have interests elsewhere.

If everything went to plan, Yang Qinghui would try and make sure Luo Binghe didn't have to go through the Endless Abyss, and didn't become the Demon Emperor. He deserved a happier, more peaceful life.

Luo Binghe looked over his shoulder. "Oh, there's another patrol's signal!"

"All clear," Liu Mingyan reported, studying the green sparks briefly bursting into the air.

Yang Qinghui had all of Qiong Ding Peak on high alert, ostensibly as a training exercise. Wei Qingwei had been puzzled, but hadn't argued. It had been four hours, though, and Yang Qinghui wasn't sure how much longer she could keep this up.

With a sigh, she stood. "Alright, let's – "

An arrow whipped past her face, missing by mere centimetres. It plunged into the tree trunk beside Luo Binghe, whose eyes widened in shock.

Is it finally starting? Yang Qinghui snapped her head around. A blur approached along the rainbow bridge, too far to make out details.

"Yang-shigu!" Luo Binghe exclaimed, shooting to his feet in a near-panic. "Are you alright?"

"Stay on guard," she ordered, and leapt onto Sui Gu, hurtling through the air above the rainbow bridge.

As she got closer, her mouth went dry. Dozens of demons – as many as fifty – were running across the rainbow bridge, towards Qiong Ding pavilion. Those trailing behind were hefting boulder-hammers and bringing them crashing down onto the rainbow bridge. Splinters of the glass-like bridge flew into the air.

Another arrow hurtled past her face, and she spotted a few archers among the crowd, pulling back bowstrings and aiming at her.

"DEMON ATTACK!" Yang Qinghui yelled, reversing course. She paused at the tree where Liu Mingyan and Luo Binghe were waiting. "Everyone, prepare to fight!"

Luo Binghe stared open-mouthed at the approaching army. "What the – ?!"

"Binghe, with me," Yang Qinghui ordered. "Mingyan, join the others."

Jumping to action, Liu Mingyan leapt out of the tree. She landed on her feet on the edge of the pavilion, and sprinted to join with the Qiong Ding disciples.

The demons were close to the stairs now. Yang Qinghui spotted Wei Qingwei, sword drawn, striding through the crowd of disciples.

Yang Qinghui grabbed Luo Binghe's arm, swinging him onto Sui Gu. The wide-bladed sword easily held both of them, but she directed it down to the edge of the pavilion and stepped off. Holding Luo Binghe's shoulder, she looked him in the eye.

"Binghe, we have to hold them back. Can you help me?"

Behind them, Wei Qingwei yelled commands, marshalling the disciples into a defensive line.

Luo Binghe's shock evaporated. His sword already in hand, he nodded. "Yes, shigu."

Yang Qinghui gave a quick smile. "Good. I know you can handle this."

"Luo Binghe affection level increased! +4 points. Current affection level: 66 points."

The two of them took fighting stances as the first demon appeared at the stairs. The horned warrior had no time to even swing their axe before Sui Gu sliced cleanly through their neck.

A second demon leapt up towards Luo Binghe, and he struck out with his sword.

Yang Qinghui couldn't help: another demon charged towards her, and she skewered them on Sui Gu. Blood spattered across her face, as the blade dug into the demon's chest with a crunch of bone. The demon grabbed further up the blade, red eyes bulging and blood gurgling out of their mouth. Yang Qinghui watched in horror.

"Yang-shigu!"

She looked over, startled. Another demon had been about to stab her, but Luo Binghe had leapt in between them to slash at the demon's stomach. They crumpled to the ground, and Luo Binghe turned around to look at her in concern.

Yang Qinghui shook herself. These demons were attacking without reason, without provocation. They would kill all of Qiong Ding's disciples if she didn't stop them.

Steeling herself, she yanked her sword from the half-dead demon's chest and lopped their head off.

"Stay alert, Binghe!" she instructed, scaring off a smaller demon with a feint of Sui Gu. She looked back at Luo Binghe. "Duck!"

Luo Binghe dropped to the ground, and Yang Qinghui decapitated the demon running up behind him.

Demon corpses were beginning to litter the ground. Wei Qingwei yelled commands somewhere to her right, and she caught glimpses of the Qiong Ding disciples' uniforms in the chaos.

Yang Qinghui kept fighting, only keeping half an eye on Luo Binghe – he had plot armour, after all, he wouldn't die here.

With two Peak Lords, she thought, hamstringing a towering demon, we'll lose fewer disciples. She ducked the tall demon's club strike, a desperate attack as they fell. But if the individual battles are going to happen, we have to fall back.

She darted forward and sliced through the back of the demon's neck, then clambered onto their back for a better vantage point. She shoved back the demons beginning to surround her with a blast of qi.

Wei Qingwei's line was holding – for now. Luo Binghe still fought viciously, and Yang Qinghui was drawing much of the demons' attention. 

But they weren't enough: ten or more disciples lay unmoving or gasping in pain on the ground. Their friends fought nearby, most in tears as they desperately tried to hold back the demons.

Yang Qinghui already felt overheated, but seeing the young, bloodied faces, her blood began to boil. Leaping off the demon's back, she cut down another three with one vicious strike.

She'd kill every last demon here, for daring to attack her sect. She'd put all their heads on spikes as a warning. She'd make sure they all knew to never overstep again!

A blast of qi shook the entire pavilion, startling Yang Qinghui out of her rage.

She looked up, another eviscerated demon corpse tumbling to her feet.

Floating above the pavilion, green robes fluttering in the wind, a picture of serenity, was Shen Qingqiu. He surveyed the bloody pavilion below him, flicking his painted fan almost languidly. His other hand was held behind his back.

A moment passed, both groups shocked into silence. Everyone watched as Shen Qingqiu drifted to the ground, and stepped primly off Xiu Ya onto the bloodied ground beside Yang Qinghui.

"Banana-jie," he greeted her with a small smile, hidden behind his fan. "You look terrifying."

Relief coursed through Yang Qinghui. She relaxed her grip on her sword. "Cucumber-bro. Good timing."

Shen Qingqiu shook his head, casting a sad glance at the disciples' corpses. "I should've gotten here earlier."

"Still, better than never."

The demons were beginning to shift and murmur between themselves, recovering from their shock at the new Peak Lord's arrival.

"Shall we stick to the script?" Shen Qingqiu suggests. "Three one-on-one battles?"

"I'd rather kill them all," Yang Qinghui growled. "They don't deserve to leave in one piece."

Shen Qingqiu shot her a sympathetic glance. "We might lose more disciples if we choose to keep fighting."

Yang Qinghui hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. You do the talking."

Nodding, Shen Qingqiu stepped forward. "Which demon lord dares to attack Qiong Ding Peak?" he demanded in a cold, clear voice.

Luo Binghe popped up at Yang Qinghui's elbow, blood streaking his face.

"Oh, Binghe. Are you alright?" Yang Qinghui murmured.

"Yes, shigu." He shot a glance at Shen Qingqiu. He opened his mouth, then closed it.

 Behind him, Wei Qingwei kept the line unbroken, watching Shen Qingqiu closely.

"Help get the injured and the deceased behind the line," Yang Qinghui instructed quietly. "Leave the rest to me."

"Yes, shigu." Holding out his hand, Luo Binghe helped a Qiong Ding disciple limp to safety, to the steps of the main building where the injured writhed and groaned.

At the same moment, the demons parted to let a young, slim demon dressed in red veils through. Silver bells and jewellery around her pale ankles and wrists jingled with every languid, relaxed step she took.

Sha Hualing

Demon of the Southern Realm

Yang Qinghui crossed her arms, caught between anger and fangirl-ish joy. This was Sha Hualing, after all – a super cool character, even as a villain. And, of course, a member of Luo Binghe's future harem. Yang Qinghui winced. That didn't go too well.

"You must be the famous Peak Lord Shen Qingqiu," Sha Hualing said sweetly, with a friendly smile and a loose martial salute. "It's an honour to meet you."

"I'm afraid I must ask for your name," Shen Qingqiu said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "And what you think you're doing here."

"I am Sha Hualing," the demon introduced herself, unperturbed.

"Hm. If you recently came into power, as I assume you did, Qiong Ding Peak is a bold target for an attempt to gain fame." Shen Qingqiu tilted his head. "I almost respect you for daring to try it."

Still smiling, Sha Hualing watched him carefully. Flattery was her own weapon, which she wielded like a knife: she would not be drawn in by it.

"But you killed disciples of Cang Qiong Mountain," Shen Qingqiu continued coldly, "unprovoked and without mercy. You can't possibly hope to leave alive, never mind unscathed."

Sha Hualing's smile wavered ever so slightly, but her sharp eyes already flickered with schemes. "Peak Lord Shen – "

Yang Qinghui didn't give her a chance. "I will give both sides a chance to a peaceful resolution," she interrupted, stepping forward. "Three battles, one-on-one. If your group wins the majority, you get the Qiong Ding Peak sign, to hang in your hall and boast about."

The disciples behind her exclaimed in dismay and protest. Wei Qingwei hushed them. Behind Sha Hualing, the demons grinned viciously at the promise.

Even Sha Hualing seemed intrigued. "And if you win?"

"You and your group immediately leave Cang Qiong Mountain and never curse us with your presence again."

As they discussed, the bodies were quickly cleared to the side by the demons, and the few belonging to disciples quickly reclaimed.

Sha Hualing narrowed her eyes. "… Very well," she finally agreed. "Who will your contestant be?"

Yang Qinghui exchanged a glance with Shen Qingqiu. "You went first originally, right?" she whispered.

Shen Qingqiu nodded, a genuine smile beginning to creep over his face. "I'm all energized from the meditation – I'd love the chance to test out my new skills."

Yang Qinghui chuckled. "All yours."