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Now Shang Qinghua was not a fighter. In fact, he would rather hide behind the biggest, strongest, and the meanest thing he could find and that usually meant his king. Mobei-jun’s bulk hid him extremely well and he could cower contentedly behind him.
There was always someone who would ask, "Why would you do that? You have a sword and you are a peak lord from the strongest sect. Why not fight?"
"Or stop being a coward and use your sword!"
No thanks, cucumber bro!
His shizun had always said, “Qinghua, while we have muscles from all our heavy lifting, our disciples are pushovers and will flee from danger. Better to live like a coward than end up dead in the ground.” It was his shizun’s favorite saying. He 100% agreed!
Shang Qinghua was a man of logistics. Did you want forms filled out quickly and supplies for your peak? He was your man. You needed super hard to find relics or mysterious plants that had ahem dubious purposes? Call on him. You need back-breaking labor and endless paperwork from hell? An Ding Peak was it!
Although, there was one thing Shang Qinghua did specialize in besides logistics: knives and talismans. Now not to say Shang Qinghua didn’t know how to use a sword, he was just too damn lazy to pull it out. The only time he actually practiced his sword forms was when he was stressed and needed to relieve some steam. Flowing into each stance really helped him alleviate all his bottled-up stress.
But back to not using his sword. He would always forget to use it in dire situations, but the one thing he never forgot was his talismans and knives.
Now knives were so handy. You could use them to peel fruit and well, also stab someone right in the eye. Add some poison to it and that demon who was being a jerk to you last week could die under mysterious circumstances. Quick nick and poof your troubles were gone. Demons were known to randomly die without anyone caring so no need to worry about the authorities or vindictive relatives coming after you. Plus, he was technically a spy and well knives were sneaky.
No one ever thought of all the nifty places you could hide knives either versus a sword. You could hide it in the side of your boot, your boot heel, strapped to your thigh, strapped to your arm, or even in your hair accessory.
Talismans were a little harder to hide, but that is what billowing sleeves were for or your awesome qiankun bag. It was always a good idea to use special paper to make talismans or you could use any type of paper if needed. Just make sure it wasn't an important treaty or else you would have to rewrite it all over again
Which he was discovering bitterly at the moment. Shang Qinghua realized that the assassin he had set on fire was burning up alongside his completed treaty that took him days to complete.
"Son of a ….."
"Shang Qinghua?"
"My king?"
"Are you alright?" His king asked as he regally stepped through the shadows. The overbearing killing intent was a nice touch.
"Yes, I am fine, my king. Stupid assassins and stupid paperwork…” Shang Qinghua mumbled
“What was that?”
“Nothing, my king!”
Mobei-jun looked him over and gave him a gentle head pat. Shang Qinghua couldn’t help but blush furiously while looking at his smug king.
Shang Qinghua spun quickly around while willing his cheeks to stop showing off his embarrassment and let out a slight cough.
So yes always make sure to pick your paper carefully or you would be up all night rewriting a stupid treaty that was for a two-bit demon whose wife probably sent said crispy assassin to kill you. For what Shang Qinghua was not sure about, but that was life in the Northern Desert for you.