123 The chance would come (1/2)

Liu Sumeng was woken up during his second hour of sleep.

He had thought they were under attack, jolted upright, and startled the servant that came to rouse him.

But there were no bells or shouts, no milling about nor chaos he had associated with warfare. Noticing these details made him feel a little calmer when he asked, ”What is it?”

He could not have begun to guess the words that would come out of the servant's mouth, ”Your Shizun, the Guanghai Elder has arrived.”

Liu Sumeng believed himself to be dreaming. ”What?”

Liu Langce was a character that brought both pride and shame to the Heavenly Sword Sect. He was a vagabond, a free spirit that could not be tied to proper responsibility. But if there was one thing that many praised him for, it was his martial prowess and the breadth of his skills. He did not have the most refined personality but most people would at least agree that he was honorable.

If there was one person in the entire world that knew how to consistently grate Liu Sumeng's nerves, it would definitely be this ancestor of his.

Though he had no time to allow his annoyance to simmer, not when he simply was too shocked at the developments.

The process of events had already long deviated from resembling anything like the past life he lived. Liu Langce had definitely not been part of Liu Sumeng's calculations, especially not when he disappeared so flawlessly from the continent's gossip after Yuan Xuelan's infamous rise to power, not even returning when his sect was destroyed and abolished.

Which really begged one to wonder, why did he come to Reling now? Liu Sumeng could only guess that it was to seek shelter.

Hiding any remnants of sleepiness and fatigue, Liu Sumeng strode into the main hall to join Chen Gaoyong, Chen Jiang and Yuan Xuelan.

Liu Langce was definitely there. Standing right in the middle of the hall with his unusual and colorful garbs, he appeared almost out of place in the midst of the other tall and dignified cultivators. He turned his head only a little to spot Liu Sumeng. There were deep circles under his eyes and his complexion was pale as well. Did the Guanghai Elder always look this sickly?

”Oh it's been long hasn't it A-Chao? Don't you have some kind words to say to me?” Liu Langce coughed lightly into his fist.

There was an instant urge to answer with a retort but he was in the presence of others so Liu Sumeng had no choice but to greet his Shizun respectably, ”I am happy to see you are well.”

”Well? Do I look well to you?” Liu Langce groaned and waved his disciple off with rolling eyes. ”How frustrating, you used to be so cute when you were young.”

Liu Sumeng felt his eyebrow twitch but otherwise kept his expression still. Thankfully, there was Chen Gaoyong to come to his rescue, ”I'm glad you were able to make it to the city unharmed.”

It was then Liu Langce's face fell, turning uncharacteristically serious, ”I hate to break it to you guys, but I'm pretty sure they're coming. Tonight.”

The atmosphere in the main hall turned thick.

Yuan Xuelan carefully asked, ”What makes you say that?”

”I couldn't exactly miss the way those monsters were rising out of the swamps on my way here now can I?” He snapped even at Yuan Xuelan who he was not so familiar with.

It was then that scouts burst into the hall, their hurried steps thundered and echoed with panic, ”They're coming! The Fallen Gods are marching upon us!”

…

They rose from the mud, their dark bodies melting away into the cover of night like lumbering shadows. Rows and rows of them stood like immovable siege towers, their faces tranquil like statues. As they marched the earth beneath their feet rumbled and turned gray. Moist earth crumbled like pieces of dry desert. Deep imprints were left in their wake, and this time, no one trailed after to hide the traces of destruction.

Behind Reling the mountain roared from power within. The guards stationed along the flimsy north side of the city quivered in fear, knowing well that their end was not nearly as well fortified.

They could only watch in horror as debris rained down the mountain. There was thudding and thumping until finally an explosive blast. A cloud of dust coated the mountain face. Alarms sounded.

The Fallen Gods were coming.

…

Liu Sumeng was striding down the halls of the Ascending Dawn Manor in a rush, going over the courtyard where the materials were gathered. People tasked in brisk tones, the courtyard taken over with weapons carved from sacred peach tree wood. Though there were those that remained behind to mount the north wall, many of the Ascending Dawn disciples were leaving to the southern city gate.

The manor itself was nestled in the back of the city and along the lines of the northern wall.

Liu Sumeng was to go with Sect Leader Chen to guard against the advance in the South. With the vast marches and the wide-open route, it was safe to assume that the siege was going to focus heavily on that front rather than the north.

”Sumeng,” Yuan Xuelan chased the Ivory Sword Saint down.

Anxiety was rife within his heart. One was because his home was under attack from these terrible beings. Two, he was stationed by one of the choke-points along the northern wall and therefore on the opposite end of the city as his Sumeng. But his mind was currently occupied with something that wouldn't stop nagging him.

Yuan Xuelan chewed his lips, unsure how to bring it up.

He knew that Liu Langce was not only Liu Sumeng's great-great-something-uncle but he was also the Guanghai Elder, and Sumeng's Shizun as well.