4. Wasn’t an illusion

The days passed.

Liu Sumeng's mind was in chaos.

Yet, the illusion of the past had yet to disperse. Everything continued in the exact same way as it had in Liu Sumeng's memories.

He searched desperately, trying to find proof that this death dream of his world ending, that he might finally find himself at the gates of the underworld but—

But he couldn't find anything. Time trickled on. A fearsome thought began to take root. Perhaps this dream was not a dream at all.

Liu Sumeng's head thundered at the thought, his mouth dry at its implications.

Lost within his tumultuous mind, he couldn't focus well on the steps he had meant to practice in the courtyard. Liu Sumeng often fancied practicing his martial arts to calm his mind and heart, but today it wasn't working as well as intended. Already past early hours, he was the sole figure left in the east training courtyard. The other disciples had already left to attend to other duties after performing their morning routines. Liu Sumeng, alone, stewing in his thoughts.

His uncle had come upon him during a stroll and frowned at the sight of his nephew practicing alone. "Liu Sumeng."

Liu Sumeng hid his surprise. He sheathed his sword and cupped his hands respectfully. "Uncle."

A decided frown settled on Liu Fumao's face and remained there. While the Ivory Sword Saint was nothing short of ethereal and majestic in the eyes of his peers, Old Liu could see through his nephew's uncertainty and clumsiness in his steps. A sigh escaped his lips while a wrinkled hand stroked at his long beard. "Your thoughts wander," he scolded bluntly.

There was a sharpness in his old eyes, one that pierced straight through the soul. It was easy to see the family resemblance between nephew and uncle from their frosty eyes alone. Liu Sumeng was used to his uncle's blunt way of speaking and his merciless words. The younger Liu lowered his gaze, a small frown settled on his lips.

Liu Fumao continued, "I understand that you are nervous about your impending marriage, but at this rate, you will approach a bottleneck soon."

Sect Leader Liu was right about this. Liu Sumeng recalled his life where he would soon reach a bottleneck after his trip to Zu Village. That had been a tumultuous time. But looking back he regarded it with much fondness, for the worst had yet to happen. In the end, his bottleneck was rather trivial, for he had broken through it on his wedding night when he and Chen Anyue—

Liu Sumeng's mood soured further. The color on his face drained, already pale skin turning as frosty as the first coming of winter. Liu Fumao saw this complicated expression on his nephew's face and felt pity in his heart.

Liu Fumao said, "As this Heavenly Sword Sect's Sect Master, I would urge you to go into seclusion. Cleanse your heart of worldly desires and improve your cultivation. But as your uncle, I would advise you to distance yourself a little from the cultivation world. Take care of that Chen Princess and learn what it takes to become a good husband."

Although Liu Fumao's tone was stern like his nature, Liu Sumeng understood the patience and compassion behind his uncle's words. Still, Baijiansheng paled, even more, his bottom lip trembling slightly as memories of a horrific past flashed through his mind.

During his life, Liu Sumeng had been so cold, so selfish. He didn't take care of the little Chen Princess at all before her untimely death. He couldn't be a good husband. She deserved someone better, someone who could have given her happiness.

Liu Sumeng was not that person. He had a terrible personality and was too cold. His Majesty used to remind him aplenty.

Liu Fumao observed his nephew with profound eyes, noting that Liu Sumeng wasn't responding. He sucked in a breath and huffed before reaching out to pat Liu Sumeng's shoulder. "Listen to your uncle and rest. There will be food in Baiyun Hall soon. Don't skip out." With that, the sect leader flipped his long sleeves and walked away, leaving Liu Sumeng to his lonesome once more.

Liu Sumeng hadn't realized that it was already noon. He wasn't that hungry and didn't feel like going to Baiyun Hall to get food.

He took a step toward his room, then stopped. A thought suddenly occurred.

Maybe he should get some food after all.

In his original life, he hadn't gone to Baiyun Hall. Instead, he returned to his room and drew a bath. Xu Hexian would come later, delivering lunch, for Liu Sumeng had completely forgotten to eat.

However, if he remembered correctly, today would be the day that Chen Anyue and Yuan Zhang would cause a commotion at Baiyun Hall. It was a matter that didn't concern Liu Sumeng at the time, but Chen Anyue had been extremely distraught, and Yuan Zhang's impression of the Heavenly Sword Sect went from bad to worse.

What if Liu Sumeng acted differently? What if he went to witness the event, or maybe even change the course of fate?

Would that break the illusion? Or perhaps this wasn't an illusion at all…

That couldn't be… Did His Majesty really…?

No, it couldn't be. Liu Sumeng didn't want to think too much about it.

He rushed back to his room to quickly clean himself and change into a new set of clothes. He forwent the bath and went straight to Baiyun Hall.

On his way to Baiyun Hall, he was stopped by a shouting voice. "Meng-xiong! Meng-xiong! Wait!" When Liu Sumeng turned, he saw Xu Hexian almost trip while he flailed and shouted. Compared to the other disciples that populated Wangyun Peak, Xu Hexian wasn't as refined or elegant in his way of conduct. Liu Sumeng used to find him to be rather embarrassing, but now he watched the younger man with fondness.

"Do not shout. Stop looking so ridiculous," Liu Sumeng scolded softly.

Xu Hexian reeled for a moment. Liu Sumeng didn't seem to notice his confusion and kept on walking. The younger boy shook his head and thought that he must have imagined the softness in his shige's voice.

"Are you going to Baiyun Hall?" Xu Hexian asked after recovering. "I'll come and sit with you so you won't be alone."

…" It was true that there were few people that could tolerate Liu Sumeng's bad personality. In the entirety of the Heavenly Sword Sect, there were only three people that would seek out Liu Sumeng's company. One was the Sect Leader and Liu Sumeng's uncle, who was often too busy to join them for a meal or drink. The other was Liu Sumeng's other brother who was… who even know where that guy went off to. The last person was, of course, Xu Hexian.

Liu Sumeng regretted not being more grateful to this person in his past life, so he gave a small nod and said, "Thank you."

Xu Hexian almost tripped over his own feet.

This time, Liu Sumeng stopped and frowned at Xu Hexian's apparent clumsiness. "What is wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me!?" Xu Hexian shrieked indignantly. "I should be asking you!"

Liu Sumeng frowned. What was this kid talking about? He watched as Xu Hexian caught up to him with wide strides. "Second Brother Liu is acting really weird—"

"Watch out," Liu Sumeng said plainly, cutting Xu Hexian off.

Xu Hexian didn't listen and thus walked straight into a pillar and fell right on his behind.

This time, Baijiansheng let out a small huff of air, something that was between a sigh and scoff. "Unsightly."

Xu Hexian blinked, his expression dazed. "H-huh? That's a bit more like the Liu er-ge I know…" Maybe he had imagined the strangeness after all.