3 Doubts (1/2)

A few days passed.

Liu Sumeng was starting to have doubts.

Each day he lived was like a carbon copy of his memories, aside from when he did things that were different. So far, he hadn't varied much from the course of what he knew to be history. But it was slowly becoming obvious to him that he could.

Not to mention, there were no signs of this dream ending.

In fact, there were many signs that this dream, wasn't a dream at all.

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

Lost in his mind he couldn't focus well on the steps he was practicing in the courtyard. It was already past the hour for early morning routines, where all the disciples of the sect would practice their skills together. Liu Sumeng, however, stayed even after everyone else had left, his sword dancing, white and silver robes fluttering in the misty morning mist. His uncle frowned as he walked by and called, ”Sumeng.”

Liu Sumeng halted his swordplay and bowed to his uncle respectfully, ”Uncle.”

”You seem rather distracted, is something on your mind?”

”...” Of course there was. But Liu Sumeng didn't exactly know how to voice his concerns, especially not to his uncle of all people.

His uncle only sighed, stroking his chin he looked down from the wooden steps at his nephew and disciple, ”I understand you have many feelings about your fiance being here and your impending marriage but don't let your thoughts wander too much. I fear you're approaching a bottleneck soon.”

”...” Liu Sumeng lowered his eyes. Actually, that was partially true, because if things were to unravel as they did in his memories, he was approaching a bottleneck fast. He could even recall being really angry at his own lack of progress when the Supreme Hunting Tournament came about. But all those things felt so distant. He remembered…how he broke through that bottleneck, on his wedding night when he and Chen Anyue-

Suddenly he felt a little ill, the color on his face not looking all that well. Liu Fumao saw this complicated expression on his nephew's face and sighed, ”As your teacher, I would advise you to go into seclusion, cleanse your thoughts and improve your cultivation. But as your uncle, I need you to take a little break and don't think about the cultivation world for a bit. Take care of that Chen princess and make sure you understand what it is to be a good husband.”

With those words, his face became even paler, but the reason was different from what Liu Fumao thought.

Before Chen Anyue died, Liu Sumeng never had the time to become a good husband. He was even forced to marry a second time. Neither of those ended happily, and yet he regretted his joining with Chen Anyue the most. The thought made Liu Sumeng feel sick.

Ah, he didn't want to think about those things, fearful that this dream of his existed only for him to relive those regrets that haunted him to the grave.

”Just listen to your uncle and go take a rest. There will be food in the Baiyun Hall soon, so don't skip out.” With that, Liu Fumao took his leave and Liu Sumeng was again in the courtyard by himself.

”...” Actually, he thought, maybe he should. He remembered that originally, after Liu Fumao left, he had gone back to his room and drew a bath, ignoring his uncle's words. He only got to eat because Xu Hexian knew him well enough to bring him some leftovers afterward.

But what if he did something different? Would the illusion break and shatter? Or perhaps…

This wasn't an illusion at all, and Liu Sumeng had in fact…

He was still too afraid to entertain the idea.

He rushed back to his room and quickly cleaned the sweat off his brows and changed into a fresh set of clothes. Instead of drawing a bath, he decided to go to the Baiyun Hall. If his memory wasn't faulty he remembered Xu Hexian mentioning that Chen Anyue and Yuan Xuelan were there, and even caused quite a commotion. He hadn't been interested originally but now he wanted to know and see more of this younger, purer Yuan Xuelan, so he couldn't help but go take a look.

On his way to the Baiyun Hall, someone called after him, ”Meng-xiong! Hey, Meng-xiong!” When he turned around he saw Xu Hexian's flailing form running after him. Liu Sumeng couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed on the other's behalf.

”Stop looking so ridiculous,” he scolded.

Xu Hexian only smiled, ”Are you going to Baiyun Hall to get some food? I'll come with you so you don't have to sit alone!”

”...” Well this was true. Aside from Xu Hexian most people were too afraid to sit with him. Inwardly he was grateful towards his friend's company but he felt too ashamed to admit it out loud so he only continued to look at his Shidi with an unchanging expression.

It was lunch hour, so it wasn't unusual that there was a long line in Baiyun Hall, disciples and elders alike all shuffling about to get their share. Although the Heavenly Sword Sect was known to be a calm and orderly sect compared to the other big five sects, Liu Sumeng always thought of this place as rather lively.

However, after a few moments, he couldn't help but notice that the line hadn't moved at all. There seemed to be a commotion at the front.