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Chapter Text

Yue Qingyuan had always been weak when it comes to the enigmatic Omega who changed his life more than a hundred years ago.

He remembered perfectly the day they met: the small, furious boy who had managed to slip into the beautiful, crystal-clear river that ran through his estate. That quiet river, which Yue Qi had nicknamed “Piripi” because of the bright, tinkling sound of rain as it fell—or the murky water that the servants dumped into it each afternoon after finishing their chores at the manor.

The sky that sheltered them that slow morning had been cold and gray, heavy with the promise of an imminent thunderstorm. The gloom was so thick it blurred the hours, and for that reason, the kitchen servants were cruelly flogged for serving breakfast an hour late. Even the Lords of the Qiu Mansion later admitted, after sipping their tea, that they too had mistaken the time. Without the sun casting its guiding shadows behind the elegant black curtains.

Of course, Yue Qi had not taken part in that unjust punishment.

And yet the shame of his own weakness had driven him to flee that luxurious prison of gold and velvet. He had gone in search of air—a moment’s reprieve to clear his mind, to escape, even briefly, from the heartrending screams that seemed to follow him relentlessly, stretching even into his most terrible nightmares.

With gloved hands and his fine riding boots stained by thick, crimson mud, Yue Qi finally halted his long walk—stunned and disbelieving—when he discovered the small figure of a strange boy bathing silently in the crystal waters of his private river.

The sight was as absurd as it was haunting: beneath the brutal darkness of the storm-rent sky, the future Omega appeared like a specter torn from another world, a ghost made of mist and yearning, a cold fae with skin of ice and hair of black ink.

It was then that Yue Qi first encountered his destiny.

In the end, after so many years of living as brothers, Yue Qi had long since grown accustomed to the Omega’s peculiar habits—his obsession with bathing even in the harshest weather, and his old pastime of sneaking onto the manors to carry out his strange pursuits.

In the past, the Omega always found ways to steal water from the reserve barrels in the stables of powerful families—even in the dead of winter, when rivers and ponds froze solid and the wide prairies were buried beneath white snow. Of course, more than once he was caught and whipped like a vile rat before being handed over to the authorities. At other times, when the mountains were impossible to climb or there wasn’t a single drop of water left to steal, he settled for damp rags at the orphanage. He even went so far as to organize fights and illegal bets just to obtain what he desired most in those miserable days: a bar of soap.

The older children sometimes called him a “damned rabid dog” behind his back. Yue Qi, however, always thought he resembled the pampered little kitten of the Young Mistress far more: forever growling, spitting, scratching, and causing trouble—mischief that Haitang would applaud with her childish laughter.

With time, Yue Qi would also come to understand why, despite everything, in that old and forsaken orphanage everyone respected him.

Returning to that distant morning: frost had withered the grass, and a nine-year-old Shen Jiu was washing his enchanting black hair with small hands purpled from cold—and punishment.

Yue Qi, a young master who devoted his free time to acts of charity, had already seen bodies of all ages suffer the merciless weight of winter and poverty.

So he did not even blink at the innocent nakedness of the future Omega. In truth, he was far more captivated by his face and those fierce green eyes than by his frail, childish body. There was something in Shen Jiu’s gaze—so heavy, so grave, so magnetic—that the Beta remained frozen in place for several minutes, mouth hanging foolishly open, fearing that this proud apparition might dissolve into mist and vanish with the river’s cold current.

That same green gaze would one day cause even the Honorable Master Lan Xukun—a scholar-strategist of his era and a Beta famous for resisting even the sweetest pheromones—to stumble the first time he laid eyes on Shen Jiu behind the simple concealment of his white fan. Not only was it a scandal when he nearly fell and spilled red wine over his immaculate white robes; the true delight of the tea party was the heated debate that erupted between the Scholar and the Omega over the burdens of immortality on the fragile human mind.

The debate ended with the Noble Lan Xukun challenging the Omega to a sword duel. A month later, the Beta made his intentions clear by sending two thick ivory tablets to the Qing Manor. Upon them was engraved a poem—one that Shen Jiu immediately dismissed as “rough and lacking musicality”—about the true immortal beauty of the Omega.

Back in the past; that same Omega growled and grumbled with genuine irritation as his thin fingers, numbed by the cold, struggled to untangle the impossible knots in his ink-black hair. Finally, filled with rage, he struck the water with his small hands, sending droplets flying in every direction and making the river echo its “Piripi” in anger.

Shen Jiu bit his lip before pointing at Yue Qi with the second finger of his right hand, as though he were the very origin of all the world’s misfortunes.

The young Beta gasped, taking a clumsy, embarrassed step backward—nearly toppling over when his boots caught beneath him.

“YOU!”

Yue Qi wavered between pointing at himself or fleeing for his audacity, though in truth, he wasn’t doing anything wrong. In reality, Shen Jiu was the one trespassing on his property and—what? Stealing? Dirtying?—the waters of his river.

“Are you deaf, or do you have shit in your ears?”

Shen Jiu growled, his thin, childlike voice sounding far too large and commanding for a mere nine-year-old boy. Yue Qi shook his head immediately, still unable to speak.

“Shit” was not an unfamiliar word; it was the crude insult all children shouted whenever accidents happened and no master was near to punish them for such vulgar language. And yet, on this boy’s lips, it sounded almost… amusing and overwhelmingly terrifying at the same time. Like a threat brimming with power but devoid of true weight.

Shen Jiu sighed and rubbed at his temples, as though this sort of interaction happened constantly and he was already tired of having to explain himself.

"All men are like this! Useless and stupid!"

"I'm a Beta."

Shen Jiu stared at him for three full seconds with his mouth slightly open before closing his eyes, as if his headache grew worse with every minute Yue Qi stood there like an immovable, useless rock.

"Then do something useful and brush my hair."

"Alright."

After that day, Yue Qi fought a severe cold.

All because he thought it was a good idea to also remove his pants, boots, and pristine white gloves so he could sit at the riverbank and run his fingers through the soft silk-like hair of the Omega. Certainly, there was nothing better he could have done at that time, and now, he wanted nothing else but to use all his resources freely to pamper the spoiled Omega.

They sat in the icy water for at least an hour, with Shen Jiu gazing through his beautiful, half-lidded nymph eyes at the tall trees, murmuring that he preferred houses surrounded by flexible bamboo rather than luxurious foreign extravagances… They disturb the Jing and upset the energy of the springs…

The thud of a stone hitting Yue Qi's right arm broke the strange moment. A second stone landed on his now-ruined white gloves, and when a third rock splashed into the river, he met the second “twin.”

The rest is history.

In the present, Yue Qingyuan accepted Shen Jiu’s blows with genuine grace, smiling amiably as the Immortal Omega finished venting on his left arm and finally strode in a straight line before the rows upon rows of young Alphas ready to be sold.

The silent General remained motionless in his place, fully aware that this inhuman task was unbearably stressful for his beloved brother.

Today was a special day.

Today was the day Shen Jiu would choose his future heat partner.

Of course, Yue Qi understood perfectly why Shen Jiu had always been so reluctant to bring an Alpha into his chambers. Yet Omegas have needs that only an Alpha can satisfy.

Yue Qingyuan would easily give up his entire fortune, his status, even his life, just to spare Shen Jiu the humiliation of touching a being so repulsive and uncontrollable as an Alpha—a poor animal dominated by its basest instincts. But his brother’s heats had become increasingly violent, unbearable, and agonizing; and his cultivation had begun to suffer from the absence of the essential yang energy needed to nourish his core.

That is the Omega’s only curse.

While nature created them as celestial beings, capable of maintaining pure and true contact with the gods, it also cruelly punished them by subjecting them to their most human, earthly, and vulnerable side. Forcing them to share their heat with those beasts classified as Alphas. A cruel reminder that even the purest divinity must bow before the lowest and most grotesque aspects of the human condition, in order to become complete by uniting their bodies every three months.

At least society is civilized enough that forming a bond with those tiny-brained, inferior-thinking creatures is no longer necessary. Now Omegas can rent Alphas just to endure their heat in brothels and fulfill their blessed duty of giving life whenever they desire.

And yet, despite all the conveniences that wealth and status could buy, Shen Jiu, the strange and singular Omega he was, chose to purchase an Alpha.

Most of the time, Yue Qingyuan didn’t understand his brother’s decisions, and yet, he had never dared to question any of his calculated steps. Not even the most dangerous ones, for he would always remain faithful to the oath sealed that burning night, when they all unearthed their future from the ashes of the Qiu Mansion.

If Shen Jiu wanted to acquire a dangerous beast as a pet, Yue Qingyuan could do nothing but smile and nod.

And so, for the first time in their lives, the two of them attended the annual slave auction to acquire an Alpha.

As every year, the true star of the dehumanizing spectacle was none other than Alpha Liu himself: the same one who had debuted in the army ranks as a mere soldier and eventually became the first Alpha General in history.

The Young God of War was a distinguished, silent Alpha, wearing a beautiful military muzzle coated in solid gold, perfectly concealing his massive canines capable of tearing an enemy’s jugular with a single bite. He walked with an unusual uprightness for someone born to submission, always displaying, as if it were another medal, the heavy red iron collar acquired from the lawless dunes—marking him as the property of the ancient Liu family.

In fact, Shen Jiu had personally designed that collar; calibrated precisely to contain the Alpha’s explosive violence without rendering him completely submissive or depriving him of his value on the battlefield. A prototype based on the standard chains for any Alpha born and who survives long enough to reach puberty.

If asked, the Omega would proudly show the plans of his complete mechanical masterpiece, designed with tiny pins that press against the Alpha’s fully developed neck glands, combining the biological need to be marked with the intricate beauty of the Liu family seals. Shen Jiu still remembered the glorious image of victory: the imposing Alpha, covered in blood and mud, returning from death with the honor of being the first General to train a battalion of non-suicidal military Alphas.

That same night, the Lius finally adorned him with the single character of their surname engraved in the center of the collar—a symbol of lineage and power, but above all, of pride and honor.

Because, as a noble house of ancient blood, they could never allow themselves the dishonor of giving a human name to a beast considered less than subhuman.

The Alpha of the Liu family is just that.

Liu, the General. Liu the triumphant.

Liu, the beast.

And yet, that doesn’t stop crowds of Omegas and Betas from vast cities and picturesque towns from flocking every year to throw their fortunes at the feet of the young Omega Liu Mingyan. All in exchange for the favor of her brother. For if General Liu is the caged monster, she is the golden key that opens the cage—a fairy who has proven year after year to be impossible to sway.

Shen Jiu, who has had “the pleasure” of knowing Alpha Liu ever since Yue Qingyuan joined the militia, could only roll his eyes behind his simple white fan before striding swiftly in the opposite direction. Away from the tumult of pheromones and the scents of desperate Omegas, who, with money and false promises, attempt to capture the Alpha who promises plump and beautiful pups.

The contests are always varied.

There are tests of strength and endurance, designed for Betas seeking cheap labor in the fields and construction sites. Speed trials for Alphas destined to serve as messengers. Knot inspections that evaluate weight, durability, shape, and size for the brothels…

Just as the lines are divided between Alphas born into slavery and those poor Alphas born into wealthy families.
The rich Alphas, who are neither abandoned nor killed at birth, are brought to the auctions under the leashes of their Beta or Omega siblings. Of course, these are the only ones “raised” as humans, and their noble families pay a hefty dowry to the Omega or Beta who purchases the Alpha—both as a sign of gratitude and perhaps as the last support they can offer their family’s “pet.”

Shen Jiu, who prefers the silence and comfort of his mountain cabin, cannot comprehend the appeal of these men and women, who, with wide smiles and perfect fangs, try to catch his attention like true beasts. Strange smells, naked bodies slick with sweat, and… so much noise.

His pace quickened more and more until he was stopped by a swift, almost imperceptible touch on his right shoulder.

This, too, is one of the great differences between Alpha Liu and the other noble-born sons.

Alphas are not only purchased to defile Omega virtue. Those who develop even a modicum of intelligence dedicate themselves to the art of the sword for military purposes.

Unfortunately, Apha Liu is one of those half-brained Alphas (Shen Jiu would rather die than even think it aloud), and he doesn’t merely attend the annual auction to be bought. Accompanied always by Yue Qingyuan, he also purchases on behalf of the Empire promising young Alphas who will serve the nation if they complete their training at the peculiar Bai Zhan fortress—a barracks specialized in producing terrifying military Alphas.

Shen Qingqiu has never visited that stronghold, yet he has clashed fiercely with that boastful master and his rabid disciples.

All foolish beasts ruled by instinct.

In fact, from the little Yue Qingyuan has told him, it is rumored that Alphas don’t really receive any true training.
What that bunch of brutes do from before sunrise until they collapse is fight each other in an endless, senseless battle to prove who is strongest. That is why Shen Qingqiu could never recognize or praise Alpha Liu’s military technique. Honestly, it can hardly be called military training to attack like a trapped animal and hope for the best.

Fighting General Liu or his disciples is like fighting a demon—or a bear.

Pure brute force, without the slightest trace of strategy or human intelligence.

The Omega gently fanned himself before greeting the most foolish of them all.

"Another year without being bought?", Shen Qingqiu smiled, brimming with wickedness. His beautiful emerald eyes narrowed until his thick lashes rested for a moment on his high, pale cheeks. "I suppose all Omegas can truly see the dangerous beast you are behind that façade of Important General, can’t they? Everyone only wants Alpha Liu for the puppies, never to care for him. Of course, I understand..."

Shen Jiu let out a theatrical sigh. His spicy, seductive scent, like black cherries covered in the fresh morning dew, exploded as pleasure laced his cutting words.

"How dangerous it would be to have a beast like you at home. I can’t imagine waking up to see your face covered in blood in the morning… oh, but Liu-shidi, don’t worry, I don’t think it’s entirely your fault to be at the mercy of your cursed biology. No, no, no, I rather think it’s all your sister’s fault. She’s been far too permissive since you joined as a soldier. Always walking as if you were one of us, as if you were truly human. If only you had a real Omega to educate you…"

"Educate me yourself."

Alpha Liu’s tone was abrupt. His fangs clenched, cheeks burning; yet he quickly lowered his gaze, shrinking in front of the Omega, even if he had at least twelve extra centimeters of height.

Shen Jiu noticed the man clenching his fists tightly, beginning to bite his lip to stifle a growl—a sight incredibly amusing, as in the comfort of the Qiu Mansion, the General is always the first to draw his sword in anger.

But not here.

Not when surrounded by so many Omegas and Betas who could easily mistake his fury for madness and demand his death in the name of comfort.

In a world as perfect and civilized as this, coarse, dangerous Alphas…

Savages…

cannot be tolerated.

Shen Jiu’s shoulders shook immediately with laughter.

"I’m sorry, Liu-Shidi, I’d rather slit my own throat than spend more time than necessary with you. Now, if you’ll excuse me…"

Shen Qingqiu resumed his leisurely stroll, covering his nose every time the Alpha came too close. Yet, true to his word, he ignored him as if he were nothing more than a mere fly buzzing around the trash.

Finally, he arrived at the area where the most unfortunate slaves were kept: young Alphas being sold before they could truly become troublesome. Most of them would end up in construction work or cheap brothels. Shen Jiu observed them from behind his white fan.

They were all children—stupid, whiny, and graceless.

Until his eyes fell upon…

A peculiar future Alpha.

No, not peculiar. Terrifying in every sense of the word.

The malnourished, filthy, and noisy boy was digging a hole in the hard black earth with his hands. But it wasn’t a mere display of strength or physical skill. It was more like the actions of a predator burrowing underground in search of prey. A grotesque spectacle. Shen Jiu couldn’t even make out the child’s face clearly. The boy panted heavily, elbows buried deep, his horrible curly hair bouncing with a life of its own. Shen Jiu held his breath behind his fan.

That child.

He was a complete beast.

An animal.

He was like the nine-year-old Shen Jiu, growling and kicking. Like the Shen Jiu who had reveled in setting fire to a noble house.

He was not human.

The child who had coldly killed his former masters reflected in that little thing with black curls and filthy skin.

"He’s going to be a great warrior."

If the Omega hadn’t been an immortal being brimming with pride, he surely would have jumped at the silent Alpha’s voice.

Hadn’t he already gone? What an annoying creature…

Shen Qingqiu took another breath and, ignoring all the alarms ringing in his mind, pointed the tip of his fan at the boy, who kept digging as if his life depended on it.

"I’ll take this one."

The world seemed to pause for a moment.

All this time, Shen Jiu had ignored his own heart, the one fluttering in his throat and deafening his ears.

The way his hand trembled as he finished signing the papers.

He didn’t look at the boy even a second time.

Like a toy, Shen Jiu only thought that if the boy didn’t meet his expectations, he would discard him and find something else more suitable for his plans.

Chapter Text

“I am looking for friends. What does that mean– tame?"

"It is an act too often neglected," said the fox. "It means to establish ties."

"To establish ties?"

"Just that," said the fox. "To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part, have no need of me. To you I am nothing more than a fox like a hundred thousand other foxes. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world....”

―Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

๑۞๑,¸¸,ø¤🍃º°`°๑۩๑ ,¸¸,🍃ø¤º°`°๑۞๑

Shen Jiu looked with disdain at the black water that quickly seeped like repulsive sludge across the frozen floor of the pavilion, the very one he had ordered built of beautiful red wood from the first day he acquired the Honorable title of Omega, “Shen Qingqiu.”

The stench of the boy was so overwhelming it even eclipsed the green fragrance of the flowers surrounding them and the sweet medicinal tea leaves resting in the great buckets of icy water.

The immaculate Omega resisted the urge to cover his mouth and nose with one of his long, elegant sleeves embroidered with sequins of radiant gold. Instead, he allowed his pale lips to tighten ever so slightly, an old habit—because to cover himself would be discourteous, and he would never permit himself to act in any manner other than dignified and graceful, even before a mere animal such as this Alpha pup.

Unfortunately, Doctor Mu Qingfang had to attend to Alpha Liu, who always appeared nervous and a little strange after the annual slave auction. So in his place, he sent two young Betas from the Royal Academy of Medicine, tasked with treating and inspecting his new acquisition.

Yue Qingyuan never commented on the strange outbursts, yet he suspected that the Alpha’s unstable qi was due more to the prolonged encounters with an Omega of his brother’s stature and less to the frustration of not having been purchased. The Alpha was young, wealthy, and strong; but with each passing year, the malicious rumors grew more strident as he failed to become the property of a respectable Omega. And that violence which had once been praised as the sword protecting this side of China was slowly ceasing to be a source of admiration, turning instead into a true threat.

No one wishes to see an Alpha without a leash.

Least of all one so powerful.

Shen Jiu nodded faintly, almost imperceptibly, before the scentless young disciples began a long cleansing ritual that easily stretched on for hours.

First, they trimmed the black curls—not entirely, for the pup belonged to an Omega of Great Status and was therefore permitted to keep his hair long and well-kept.

He had been explicit in this order, for his pup was not a slave destined for manual or brute labor, and if Shen Jiu was to keep him by his side, he must remain as clean and healthy as possible so that his presence would not offend his nose or his eyes.

Once that unruly mane was subdued, they removed the muzzle to examine his teeth.

The shaggy Alpha pup whimpered like a caged beast, eyes wet, tongue hanging, glancing everywhere like a startled deer under the arrow’s edge.

Yue Qingyuan smiled at him with a touch of sympathy.

He still remembered what it was to be assessed by Shen Jiu as though he were no more than one of the fine horses of his Noble House.

In fact, even after so many years, the meticulous Omega still carried out those rough and graceless tasks in secret.

Sometimes, while everyone gathered to drink tea, he would be the first to lean toward Shen Yuan, gripping his jaw firmly and growling as a signal to open his mouth for inspection. He would examine the molars with a sharp eye before muttering something like, “You are no longer a slave, you are a Master, behave as such,” only to finally toss him bitter roots that kept his gums strong and healthy.

The gentler of the silent students slid his educated fingers into the pup’s mouth, frowning and nodding quietly throughout the evaluation. Once finished, he washed his hands meticulously with heavy black-herb soap, dried them with a new white handkerchief, and with ritual precision activated a talisman to watch it consume itself in flames.

At the same time, the second student forced the pup to swallow a dreadful, black, lumpy liquid that both Masters knew as the medicine that clung painfully to palate and tongue, thick as crude oil. It was so revolting that no one could blame the boy for panting like a sick dog struggling to resist the gag reflex.

The first Beta proceeded with a summary of the evaluation.

“The specimen has completed the full replacement of the deciduous dentition. The canines show adequate morphology: large, firm, and resistant… we will simply provide a little more medicinal paste to preserve the integrity of the lower molars, as those on the right already show several fissures that could later cause problems if left untreated. But do not worry Master, such deterioration is common in the species. Therefore, we recommend that the Honorable Master Shen properly instruct his slave in what he may or may not consume. They are such primitive beings that they might even attempt to bite a rock or the thick branches of bamboo as an instinctive mechanism of territorial marking or to satiate their hunger.”

Shen Jiu grimaced in disgust.

Marking territory was such a primitive act… that even as a Scholar he had found it terribly difficult to locate ancient scrolls that spoke of Omegas with their necks brutally mutilated by their Alpha counterparts.

Perhaps that was the way of ancient times, when strength reigned over reason and Alphas were as abundant as Omegas. Now, however, both Omegas and Alphas were scarce. Omegas were born in small numbers, usually within noble families, and their arrival into the world was celebrated as a true blessing from the gods. Alphas, by contrast, were born of slaves; not as rare as Omegas, yet still a minority in a world ruled to perfection by the balanced Betas.

“If the Honorable Master authorizes it, and with the due backing of your authority before the Minister, we can submit an extraordinary request to the An Ding Center for the preparation of a specialized muzzle for your Alpha pup. We recommend it be the same model used in the Bai Zhan military units.” The young Beta raised his delicate, skillful hands in the air and illustrated with gestures the shape of the muzzle.

“It is a metal device that completely covers the oral cavity, with a chin bar bit of iron to provide firm grip upon tongue and nape; or a port bit that acts upon the palate and is particularly useful during physical punishment. All of it designed to prevent the ingestion of unauthorized materials or uncontrolled violence.”

The young Beta continued with a kind smile, though his serene amber eyes retained the gravity of an excellent physician.

“Likewise, we will instruct you in the techniques necessary for retrieving objects ingested accidentally; it is recorded that these specimens show a high incidence of choking during feeding.”

The second student drew several scrolls from his qiankun pouch.

“Alphas require the same supervision as a wolf cub or a newborn feline. The recurring error among masters lies in assuming that, due to their morphological resemblance and capacity for speech, they possess an innate mastery of human mechanics. The clinical reality is entirely different: they do not substantially differ from a stray dog and, if one intends to preserve their long-term integrity, strict control measures must be maintained.”

“How interesting…”

Yue Qingyuan murmured, a hand resting on his chin.

Shen Jiu inclined his head slightly, fixing his gaze on the fluffy pup.

“Do the disciples of Bai Zhan Peak suffer from the same problem? What about their Master?”

The other cheerful Beta clasped his hands together and answered with a knowing smile.

“The Alpha of the Liu family is an exceptional case and has even become a case study for our academy ever since his immortality was confirmed! Our theory is that, having been born into a Noble family, he was instilled with the principles of a cultivated society from the very moment of birth,” the Beta concluded, his voice trembling with true excitement for knowledge. “Unlike other specimens, we have never had to rescue him from his own food! Granted, we often try to avoid that fortress in Mu-Shizun’s absence, as the idea of being surrounded by multiple Alphas trained in the sword is truly unsettling, but we cannot deny that Alpha Liu represents an encouraging example of what early upbringing and discipline can achieve in their species.”

“We have no doubt that the Scholarly Omega will be capable of obtaining even greater results, and these ones are eager for the opportunity to document the entire process. Still, it is fortunate that Alpha Liu does not require resuscitation maneuvers—my graduation is near, but the thought of attending to an Alpha like him still sends shivers down my spine.”

“Yes, it is seriously terrifying!"

“What a pity he is the exception… I truly wanted to see Liu-shidi choking on his food.”

Yue Qingyuan coughed to conceal his laughter, and the disciples smiled along with the Omega, all thoroughly entertained by the thought of a creature long regarded as practically indestructible being defeated by nothing more than a bad mouthful of soup.

“That reminds me, Honored Omega Shen, would you like us to perform a filing of your Alpha’s canines? It is a truly routine and practically painless procedure. However, the literature notes that in some cases it can cause dental sensitivity or even premature loss of the teeth. Of course, their functional use is minimal, if not altogether nonexistent; canines are rarely necessary for them, unless the Honored Omega wishes to preserve the pup’s natural aesthetics.”

It was only then that Shen Jiu allowed himself to draw closer.

Advancing on his knees, with the splendor of his green robes billowing about him like the majestic prairies of the West, Shen Jiu presented himself before the pup with all the radiance of a fairy, a celestial being, even a true god of fertility. A god both gentle and merciful, capable of laying his clean, elegant hands upon the vilest of creatures without the slightest flicker of disgust disturbing his expression.

The filth of the water seeped into the fibers of the scholar’s heavy green robe. For a moment, it seemed as though all that could be reflected in the Alpha’s dark pupils was the majestic figure of the Omega examining him in silence, one firm hand pressed against his narrow jaw.

Shen Jiu had scarcely taken the time to properly contemplate the pup he had acquired almost on impulse at the grand annual auction. And yet now, with all his nakedness, fragility, and rawness exposed beneath the scholar’s steady gaze, what was revealed was a thin boy, possessed of a wild and frantic beauty.

His arms, his neck, and his face, weathered by the sun, betrayed a life surrendered to the labors of the field; and once his hair had finally been cut, he no longer resembled a dying beast seeking refuge in some burrow of solid earth, but far more an innocent lamb ready to be sacrificed.

Yet Shen Jiu could not allow himself to be deceived. Behind all that false submission and needless, docile silence, the Omega could recognize in the Alpha’s blown black pupils something far more dangerous— a contained rage studying him with the same intensity with which he himself dissected every minute feature of the pup.

The Omega tightened his grip on the Alpha’s jaw, just as he had done a million times with his own twin, urging him to open his mouth. With the precision of a physician and the coldness of a judge, he examined every notch, every edge of those robust teeth, pausing finally upon the white, dangerous canines that gleamed like weapons capable of tearing through flesh with ease.

Though the young Betas were physicians—or soon would be—Shen Jiu could understand beasts better than anyone in this world.

Deep down, he was one of them as well: dressed in the finest silks, perfumed with the costliest pomegranate powder, and yet, beneath all the luxury and the carefully practiced poise, there still persisted the boy who had survived his childhood on hard bread and the searing sting of the whip.

His own words, once curled, elegant, and musical, had themselves once been nothing more than primitive growls.

Of course, the thought secretly amused him—that his pup might truly be as stupid as they painted him, or as those creatures so often depicted as having died “choked” on their food. And yet, Shen Jiu himself knew too well what it meant to contemplate biting off one’s own tongue, choking to death simply to escape relentless torture and humiliation.

Shen Jiu shook his head before stepping back once more to the side of his adoptive brother.

“No. Leave them unfiled. Neither he nor I would like that.”

The disciples laughed like young children, whispering among themselves about how endearing it was that the Honored Omega referred to the pup as a “he” rather than as a mere thing.

As though that little animal truly possessed rights, or voice, or even the capacity to make the right decisions for his own care.

“Well, it is a simple procedure. If the Honored Omega reconsiders in time, it would suffice to inform these ones.”

“And regarding the muzzle…”

“The one he has is sufficient. There is no need to trouble Shang-shidi over something so trivial.”

Once again, the youths cooed over the exquisite manners of Omega Shen, showing consideration even for such a clumsy, graceless Omega as Shang-shishu. That diminutive Master, so strange and insipid, was usually ignored in matters of state unless it involved auditing tax revenues or supplying cheap labor for the government: tasks that could only ever be assigned to beasts, despite the fact that the An Ding Center was filled with unfortunate Betas who failed to distinguish themselves in the official examinations, yet still needed the money—or had the connections—to cling to some pitiful post within the bureaucracy.

The disciples then resumed their work of cleansing.

They placed the tight metal muzzle over the pup’s face and bathed him once again in icy water, laden with rare and precious medicinal herbs that Shen Jiu had paid for out of his own salary, ensuring that the Alpha received impeccable medical attention—and that he himself would not contract some strange illness from having to spend so much time together.

Afterward, they removed the heavy, worn slave collar. The sharp edges pricked the tender, pale skin of his neck beside the swollen gland, faintly oiled, still primitive yet already sensitive beneath the harsh instruments.

The young disciples explained the symptoms of a premature presentation, though they reassured the Masters, noting that the pup was so malnourished his body would hardly have the strength to attempt something that demanded such immense physical as well as spiritual energy.

Shen Jiu inquired whether a special submission collar should be used. The disciples shook their heads gently, but spoke clearly in recommending that during the first months the pup be kept firmly bound, to prevent aggression, violence, or attempts at escape. He should be given small games of submission to show him who his Master was; so that his young, malleable mind might quickly adapt to Shen Jiu’s tastes and preferences.

A soft blush spread over Shen Jiu’s cheeks, and he quickly raised his fan to hide his embarrassment once he realized the kind of “games” the young Betas were referring to.

Yue Qingyuan and the young disciples admired him in silence; the beauty of the Immortal Omega was no joke. The highly decorated general was the first to break free of the spell, shifting in his seat and asking some senseless question in order to redirect the course of the conversation and the medical evaluation.

Shen Jiu continued to hide his embarrassment, having no real desire to clarify that, in truth, he had purchased an Alpha as a personal project, and not for… well, far less pure motives.

He always found teaching to his liking, not out of fondness for the cubs, but because he was fascinated by how malleable the human being could be. He had always longed to mold a life according to his own tastes and preferences, and often wondered if it would be possible to raise something—or someone—by his standards and make it serve his benefit.

Shen Qingqiu ignored the rest of the evaluation and remained utterly detached from the reckless remarks. 

He was an Omega, an Immortal Master, Scholar of the Four Arts and Strategist to the Minister; he would never lower himself to initiate sexual contact, least of all with a boy who could still be considered a young cub. Yet even with that conviction, nausea rose within him, the bitter taste of being reduced to the very carrion he despised. The young Betas’ hands manipulated and weighed the Alpha’s genitals as if appraising butchered flesh, as though that body were nothing more than an instrument of pleasure annotated in ledgers.

Cold water ran down the cub’s skin, and the professional detachment of the students made humiliation resemble a ritual of dissection, stripping him of even the illusion of dignity. 

Inwardly, Shen Jiu clung to the precepts of Confucius, but what echoed in his mind were lashes leaving raw welts: “larger than the average recorded in the books”; “as healthy as the disciples of Bai Zhan Peak”; “with a knot that promises to rival Alpha Liu’s, perhaps even surpass it.”

Each phrase became a verdict, a reminder that the cub was not seen as human, but as resource—an object measured in the language of livestock, a stallion for the market. And as Shen Jiu pressed his fan to his lips to smother the flush and the fury, Yue Qi was the only one to speak, without the slightest reserve, his voice careless, as though he were praising a beast of breeding: “It is good to know A-Jiu will be well cared for.”

The words struck him like an insult. 

Why must they speak of his sexuality before his brother? Why did Yue Qi not find it abhorrent? To reduce the Alpha to a mere instrument of pleasure was, in truth, to reduce the Omegas as well, chaining their instincts and their heats beneath the mockery of Betas who, with practiced hypocrisy, claimed to guard the very beings they pretended to revere.

At last, they trimmed and filed the Alpha´s nails, caked with mud. They tended to the bruises and small cuts; and Shen Jiu, already wearied by their presence, promised to answer any further questions by letter before dismissing the disciples and nearly kicking Yue Qi down from his mountain. Human contact exhausted him, and within a few hours he would have to face the swarm of students, likely brimming with curiosity about the Alpha.

He needed to recover his strength.

Shen Jiu exhaled and cast his gaze upon the naked cub, offering him no shelter. 

He simply folded his fan and asked aloud, “How old are you, little beast?”

The young cub startled, his bare body trembling like that of a drenched dog. Within that pavilion, one could say with relative certainty that no one else would see or hear them; yet the boy remained silent for far too long. 

Far too long for a man accustomed to swiftness and precision.

So, lifting a vessel of water, Shen Jiu flung the icy liquid against his face, frowning with sharp impatience.

“When this Honored one addresses you, your duty is to answer at once.”

The Alpha’s pale lips quivered again, and from his tangled curls dripped green medicinal drops like the ancient tears of a willow. His voice—still childlike, yet roughened by disuse—rose with the awkwardness of one unaccustomed to speech:

“This one… this one does not know with certainty, young master… this slave believes he has lived more than ten years, but cannot give a number… because it would be a lie.”

Young master.

Shen Jiu tapped his chin with the blunt edge of his white fan, his gaze drifting toward the dark ceiling of cool wood painted in red. He had never truly reflected on how he wished to be addressed outside the ornaments and titles that braced his neck like the blade of a straight sword.

All his disciples called him Shizun, even those who now governed as magistrates or shone as illustrious scholars, when they sought his counsel through long letters or greeted him at the graceful tea ceremonies he sometimes attended for a change of scene, or at the weighty political gatherings. His former students would still look at him with starry eyes, smiling and bowing as they said: “Shizun remains the perfect embodiment of heaven’s promised beauty.” Or, “Shizun, it would be an honor if you bestowed your blessing upon us.” They would say this as they introduced the Beta or Omega with whom they would bind their lives. “Shizun, like the mountain’s bamboo, graceful and unyielding”, some bold Betas would flirt, smiling behind their small cups of wine, only to laugh a moment later after being struck by his fan.

“Shizun”, murmured the mountain children, trailing after him like a flock of eager yellow ducklings.

Shizun was nearly his name, his title—the mask he put on each morning along with his green robes embroidered with gold and precious stones. And it was the mask he removed only in the solitude of his chamber, stripping down or remaining in undergarments as he studied the heavens or drew sweet music from his fingers.

Some also called him A-Jiu, or Jiu-er. It was not only his foolish brother who pestered him with such pet names; the courtesans of the Red Warm Pavilion did the same. Yet those women… well, they were gentle ladies who had cared for him and indulged him for centuries. Still, he was not truly anyone’s son, anyone’s brother, anyone’s “dear.” He had no family and required none. So it made little sense to dwell on such trifles as honorifics, which belonged to the irredeemably sentimental and pathetic.

At times he was Honored Omega Shen. Yet adding “honored” before his name did not make him respectable, and calling him “Omega” merely stated the obvious.

He tasted the words at the tip of his tongue.

Young Master.

He was not sure he liked how it sounded.

Because words carried weight. They came with chains—and if Shizun bound him to his convictions, if A-Jiu tied him to Shen Yuan, if the title of “Honored Omega” turned him into a prize to be won… then what chains would bind him as the Master of this Alpha pup? What did he stand to lose if this Alpha became completely and irrevocably his?

He would have to find the right term to describe what this pup was to him, and what he himself was to this yet-unshaped Alpha.

For now, he simply nodded and continued the questioning.

“Do you have a name?”

This time, the boy answered almost at once, proving he might, in fact, be easy to train.

“This slave—”

“Stop.”

The Omega rose with natural grace, his still-soaked green robes trailing behind him like a serene river flowing in the wake of the divinity that summoned it.

“Never leave my side. Do you understand? Unless I give you the explicit order to go.”

He turned on his heel and descended the pavilion steps, moving toward the small cabin that stood beneath the shadow of the bamboo grove.

“Come.”

He walked on without waiting for an answer, yet halfway down the path he finally turned toward the green thicket surrounding the property. The vivid, beautiful bamboo forest seemed to promise far more than freedom.

He did not need to look at the pup to know what he was thinking.

“Easy things always end up carrying a high price in the end.”

He lifted his robes and climbed the first step. Surprisingly, the crunch of damp grass and the clumsy patter of bare feet against stone followed immediately, without a second’s hesitation.

Shen Jiu removed his boots upon entering the cabin. Though he could almost sense the tremor of doubt still ruling the pup, the Alpha tiptoed after him into the first room, where Shen Jiu made him kneel and handed him all the robes prepared for his arrival.

“First: you will never again refer to yourself as a slave.”

He explained this while laying out the first layer of clothing: the undergarment.

It was a thin white fabric of cool linen, its long sleeves embroidered with green and gold vines that allowed the cloth to adapt to the temperature outside. Shen Jiu slowly tied the two knots at chest and narrow waist, making certain the pup paid close attention so that he could do them himself from now on.

“You are my Alpha. You are neither slave nor servant. And your submission does not belong to the world—it belongs only to me. Remember this: if you allow others to humiliate you, to belittle you, or to treat you like an animal, it will not be only your dignity they drag through the mud; it will be mine as well.”

Shen Jiu tied the trousers with a beautiful bow and nodded, satisfied with his own work.

“You are an Alpha. And you will always answer as such.”

He fixed his gaze on the pup’s wide dark eyes, where the small flames of the lamps trembled in reflection.

“Now, answer the question—does this pup have a name?”

The boy’s voice was damp, like the sprout of a river.

“This Alpha pup… bears the name L-Luo Binghe, my Lord.”

The Omega took up the second layer, a pale green cloth almost translucent, and reflected.

It was a fine fabric, practically transparent, sown with expensive talismans fit only for the firstborn of a noble house: one for cold, one for heat, one for cleansing, and one for protection. It would not stop a sword from piercing him, but it would keep him from bleeding out too quickly. Beautiful, laborious work.

Shen Jiu showed him how it must be worn properly; wrapping the wide cloth around bony elbows, narrow torso, and thin thighs, like a flexible armor.

“Luo Binghe… was this the name your former Master gave you?”

After all, Shen Jiu knew all too well what it meant to be a slave, and Alphas were not even granted a number, much less a name that could be considered beautiful.

“This…”

Shen Jiu raised his eyes from the cloth in his hands and waited.

“This Alpha pup was named by his Alpha mother.”

Shen Jiu’s eyes widened ever so slightly, an unexpected light flickering across his expression.

“I was found when the snow covered the fields… my mother walked every day to fetch water from the river. Caught between grass and ice, she found a basket. She picked me up from there and begged for my life before the lords of the house. In secret, I was named after the river.”

“Is she… alive?”

“No.”

“Did she have a name?”

“Mama Luo.”

Shen Jiu took the pup’s palm and spread it open. The differences between them at this moment could not have been more vast.

“Do you know the art of writing?”

“This Alpha only learned to read the signs for food… but was never taught to write.”

“Very well, pay attention. 洛.”

The scholar’s white fingers traced the complicated character into the hardened, rough skin of the Alpha’s palm. His voice, neutral yet firm, filled the room.

“It is the initial of the river where you were found, but phonetically it may also mean ‘brought by’ or ‘descended from.’ 冰河 together form the word glacier. Separately, each character means ice and river. You are the Alpha who ‘descended from a frozen river.’ Your mother was a wise and courageous woman. You must guard this name, Luo Binghe… and always honor the memory of the woman who gave it to you.”

He took up the third white layer, stiffer, simpler— the one meant to cover the sensitive, underdeveloped glands at wrists, thighs, and neck.

He ignored the silent tears that rolled down flushed cheeks and disappeared into the leather of the muzzle, for such sentimentality had always made him uncomfortable.

“What were your duties in that house?”

“This Binghe…” he answered cautiously, gaining a bit more confidence as the Omega unfolded another layer of cloth.

“This Binghe only did physical labor: chopping firewood, repairing roofs, building walls, harvesting rice, carrying water, plowing the fields, bathing horses, raising carp, chickens, and ducks, and… also cooking.”

Shen Jiu nearly arched his brows in surprise. He had forgotten that Luo Binghe needed to eat. Or rather, that any human required food in order to live.

“Very well, Luo Binghe. Listen carefully to what I say: I never repeat myself.”

Both remained kneeling, the pup watching him intently. Shen Jiu seized the muzzle and, with fierce resolve, declared:

“I will teach you what is necessary to survive. Make no mistake, the path will not be easy. If you behave like a slave, I will treat you as a slave. If you behave like a fool, you will be punished with the cruelty that ignorance deserves. If you behave like a human, then I will treat you as one. But remember, Binghe: I am not a patient man. If, in keeping you near me, I decide you fall short of my expectations, I will return you to the slave market—so think carefully about your future.”

At last, he dressed him in the final white robe, fastened with a wide black belt: ideal for the sword, though for now the Alpha would carry nothing more than sticks.

“Today you have learned how to dress, how to address yourself, the basic rules of hygiene, and the manner in which you will be treated. Until you prove your worth, you will be punished like any Alpha: for each mistake, you will be flogged until I tire of you… or until you learn to behave like a true human—whichever comes first. Now sit here.”

He placed Binghe between his legs and began to comb through the unruly hair with his fingers, weaving two braids along the sides before gathering them into a neat, high knot.

“In public, you may call me Master. When we are alone, I am Omega Shen.”

Simple and direct, without chains, without sentiment, without embellishment.

“Now begins your first lesson. You will undress and dress yourself again properly. If you cannot complete so simple a task, you will sleep in the woodshed like any dog.”

He shoved him toward the mirror, brows furrowed, gaze severe.

“Well? What are you waiting for? This is your chance to prove you’re not as much of an idiot as everyone assumes.”