Snippets in past nightmares

The Mad Emperor did unspeakable things to Liu Sumeng.

This was a fact that was no secret to Yuan Xuelan. Whether in through the projections of an alternate reality that played out in front of Yuan Xuelan's eyes, or from snippets in past nightmares, he had long been aware.

That didn't make him anymore ready.

And perhaps that's why he felt even more dread, fear and disgust. Yuan Xuelan struggled, roaring in his alternate self's mind as he was forced to watch. Sumeng's robes ripped away by the hand's of a savage. His figure was a lot slighter than the Sumeng that Yuan Xuelan knew with ribs jutting out, exposed to touch. 

The Mad Emperor did just that, laughing evilly as he pressed down on Liu Sumeng's ribcage, fully aware of the damage done earlier.

A painful gasp. More tears tumbled out freely and Liu Sumeng hiccuped, shaking pathetically beneath the wide hand that spanned across his chest.