123 The chance would come (2/2)

”What is it?” Liu Sumeng balanced one of the crudely carved spears from the pile. There were better ones made with a metal rod and a mounted wooden piece at the end. But Liu Sumeng didn't want to needlessly take what he could do without.

Yuan Xuelan looked at the Ivory Sword Saint's calm visage and wondered if he could borrow even a fraction of that courage.

Sucking in a breath, he blurted about, ”About that Shizun of yours. I can't help but wonder what he's been doing the past few months.”

It was difficult to hide the blatant accusation and Yuan Xuelan lowered his head in embarrassment, not wishing to upset Sumeng's mood.

”Hm,” Liu Sumeng was not that alarmed, at least not at first, busy inspecting the carved spear tip. ”It will be difficult to pry that out of his lips. Shizun is a private person.”

”I meant…” Yuan Xuelan nervously shuffled and looked at the rows of wooden spears lying in the courtyard for their use. ”Isn't it weird that he showed up now, out of nowhere?”

”...” Liu Sumeng hadn't considered it too much, mainly because it was the Guanghai Elder. Though his personality was unsavory, he had lived long without the stain of betrayal or evil.

However…

It was certainly odd when Liu Sumeng considered the events of his previous life, where Liu Langce disappeared from all records or whispers. What was so different this time that made him appear? Why now? When they had experienced similar dire situations in the past the Guanghai Elder was nowhere to be found.

”We cannot watch over him while he is out of our sights. But have it known for servants to be alert.”

A light flickered in Yuan Xuelan's eyes a smile threatening to break even in their dire situation, ”Y-yeah! Exactly.”

The Guanghai Elder would have been a great addition to their forces. No matter how terrible his reputation or lack of manners, his martial abilities were not something to easily scoff at. However, the man was too busy coughing up a storm to be of use and thus was confined to the inner walls of the manor until a sizeable amount of medicine was brewed and consumed by him.

”...Hm.” The Ivory Sword Saint saw Yuan Xuelan's pleased expression and could easily imagine an eager wagging tail behind him. It was cute, and though he didn't understand where this mood came from, it inspired him to reach over and pat Yuan Xuelan's head.

Their eyes locked. And in the midst of chaos and promise of battle, everything drowned out as though it was only the two of them there. Liu Sumeng sighed, his chest constricted. A knot of feelings and thoughts tumbled around in his head but he didn't have the time to make sense of any of it.

And yet, he could understand that Yuan Xuelan was feeling the same.

”Stay safe.”

”You too.”

He didn't want to leave. Liu Sumeng forced out a smile before turning away, leaving Yuan Xuelan behind.

Yuan Xuelan watched the Ivory Sword Saint exit the courtyard, leaving with a group that set out for the south-side of the city. Caught in without words, he stood there stiffly with silent prayer.

He released the tension in his shoulders with one long breath.

Xuelan closed his eyes. He needed to trust Liu Sumeng. Even the dumb bird in his head said so. The Ivory Sword Saint was more than capable without him and Yuan Xuelan was only a fool to fret.

The anxiety did not completely subside but Yuan Xuelan squared his shoulders and put on a brave face.

He picked up some tools and weapons from the pile before setting off to his own station.

Before worrying about Liu Sumeng, he needed to worry about himself first.

He still had many things he wished to say and to show to Liu Sumeng and couldn't wait till the chance finally came.

The chance would come but after this battle.

…

The south city wall was alight with shouting and spirit light-bearing disciples.

Liu Sumeng climbed up cobble steps through one of the towers and found his place along the wall next to Chen Gaoyong. Sect Leader Chen's eyes trained on the dark field ahead of them.

Unlike the cultivators, the army of Fallen Gods bore no light and was difficult to make out in the distance.

With a deep sigh, Chen Gaoyong mouthed a chant. A bright halo of light appeared above him and then dispersed into the field, lighting up the darkness that stretched in front of the city.

The sight revealed to them was a terrible one.

Hundreds of tall bodies swayed as they stepped forward, each wearing a statuesque expression with no life twinkling in their black eyes.

Chen Gaoyong shook in fear, but Liu Sumeng did not have time to waver nor tremble. He called out to the fools that stood around them, frozen in shock, ”Load the ballistas. Do not slack, focus!”