3. First Meeting

[ Elsewhere on Wangyun Peak. ]

"I can break the barrier."

"A-Zhang, please don't. Sect Leader Liu informed us that he will send us suitable escorts." Chen Anyue smiled sweetly and made no show of fatigue despite the long journey.

Beneath the steep cliffs and the dense shrubs, Chen Anyue and her entourage found a small clearing to rest beneath the billowing willow branches. The afternoon sun was warm, piercing through the forest canopy. Winter's chill was still far away but compared to their warmer southern home, it felt rather cold. Chen Anyue didn't mind too much, but Yuan Zhang would fret about her health, especially after she had developed a small cough. But they weren't able to reach their destination, despite getting so close. The path that led up the mountain was protected by a powerful barrier.

While Yuan Zhang spat curses at the delay, Chen Anyue was not so worried. She had even taken a seat on the forest ground and offered her handmaids some tea.

Yuan Zhang scrunched his nose in displeasure. "They're late!" he couldn't help but complain. Being a teenager with too much yang energy, Yuan Zhang's blood ran hot, and his patience thin. "These bastards knew that we were coming. Yet dare to make us wait in the cold. The least they could have done was remove this stupid barrier and we would have climbed the mountain ourselves! Shijie, are you sure you want to marry into the Heavenly Sword Sect? They might be one of the Divine Three but still…"

Chen Anyue chuckled at her cute shidi. She understood that his impatience and anger were born out of compassion. "Don't worry so much over things that have yet to happen, A-Zhang. After all, isn't that the entire point of this trip? To become more familiar with the Heavenly Sword Sect for the sake of my comfort. Father cares a lot about me and did his utmost to arrange this trip. I am endlessly thankful for this opportunity."

"But—" Yuan Zhang wasn't entirely convinced. Whatever it was he wished to say didn't have the chance to leave his tongue, because the barrier that blocked their path suddenly dissipated.

Chen Anyue and her handmaids stood from their spot beneath the willow tree. Two figures descended from the path.

Both were dressed in the Heavenly Sword Sect's white and silver. The one in the front was a teenager, appearing no older than Yuan Zhang, and beamed at them with a welcoming smile. But it was hard to pay any attention to him when the person in the rear commanded a such presence.

There was no mistaking Baijiansheng. The air around him was like frost, a single glance would freeze a lesser man. Yet, how could anyone resist looking? Baijiansheng was as captivating as he was terrifying. From his angular brows to the long sweeping lashes that drew long shadows on his porcelain skin. Those fierce phoenix eyes would ensnare and enchant anyone daring to peek. And dare they did. Chen Anyue's handmaids were flustered and energetic, peering at their mistress's fiancé with unvoiced giddiness. Though it was improper to speak of such things, they would undoubtedly unleash their gossip as soon as they were in private.

Yuan Zhang gasped, momentarily breathless. Not even he was immune to Liu Sumeng's charms.

A strange emotion overwhelmed his heart. Hatred, nostalgia, and desire—

Mortified, he shook himself out of his stupor and schooled his expression back into a scowl. 'Yuan Zhang you idiot!' he scolded himself. They were both men! What was the point of being charmed by appearances!? And this person was his shijie's fiancé on top of that! Surely, there was a fox that hid behind those heavenly looks. Yuan Zhang refused to be swayed! Stomping forward with fists clenched, he spat out in anger, "We waited here for ages! Why did it take so long?"

"…"

An awkward silence fell upon the group.

Liu Sumeng's glare was sharp. One might imagine simmering rage beneath that cold countenance, but in reality, he was moved beyond words.

'Ah, truly, the heavens have been merciful!' Liu Sumeng thought privately.

In the original timeline, he had replied coldly, telling Yuan Zhang with a blunt nonchalance that they were not late. This time, he was too busy taking in Yuan Xuelan's appearance to say anything. The Ascending Dawn sect clothed their disciples in deep blues and gold. Yuan Xuelan had his hands on his hips, his expression sour and angry. His hair was done up in a simple ponytail, the strands loose and wild, not so different from his final day as the mad emperor—

But compared to the depraved emperor, Yuan Xuelan at sixteen years of age was very adorable. He was still shorter than Liu Sumeng, his features delicate. Liu Sumeng had to suppress the urge to reach out and pat the boy on the head. He almost did. There wouldn't have any other opportunity once the illusion dissipated.

Before Liu Sumeng could stupidly walk forth and pat Yuan Zhang on the head, Xu Hexian bravely cut into the awkward atmosphere by politely clasping his hands. "Forgive us, Young Master Yuan, Lady Chen," he flashed his signature smile, both charming and humble. "We hadn't expected you to arrive at such an early hour! But all the better welcome you to our Heavenly Sword Sect sooner. Please allow us to escort you back to the manor where we can offer you tea and refreshments as an apology." He made sure to bow low to show plenty of respect.

The dissatisfaction in Yuan Zhang wasn't appeased. The youth continued to glare at Baijiansheng.

Liu Sumeng recalled standing there wordlessly in the past. He must have come off as cold and arrogant.

Perhaps those things were true about his younger self. But after living a lifetime at Yuan Xuelan's side, he automatically bowed his head and said, "Apologies."

It wasn't much, but still a great improvement from their first meeting.

But not good enough. Yuan Zhang still clicked his tongue in annoyance. That was when Chen Anyue stepped forward and held her shidi back.

Accompanying her delicate appearance was a voice that was just as gentle and sweet. "No need, we didn't wait here for too long. Thank you for coming to get us. I am Chen Anyue from the Ascending Dawn Sect. This is my shidi, Yuan Zhang. These girls behind us are my personal assistants."

Oh, that was right, Liu Sumeng recalled dully. His Imperial Majesty at sixteen years of age was hiding his royal bloodline and held no titles. He had yet to be bestowed the courtesy name that Liu Sumeng had grown most comfortable with. At this time, he was only called Yuan Zhang.

Liu Sumeng's felt his heart flutter for a moment before squeezing with grief. He felt lightheaded while Chen Anyue gracefully introduced all her maids. It took some time, giving Liu Sumeng a moment to catch his breath. Although she was the young miss of one of the Divine Three Clans, having almost a dozen personal servants was a little excessive. She wasn't called the princess of the Chen family for nothing.

Yuan Zhang puffed out his chest, not different from how a cat would fluff its fur to appear bigger in the face of adversary.

Cute!

Liu Sumeng had forgotten how adorable this person used to be! Secretly, Baijiansheng thanked the king of the underworld for letting him see this cute version of Yuan Xuelan one last time.

Despite his inner happiness, the expression that Liu Sumeng wore was ever blank.

Xu Hexian hid his exasperation behind his smile. This Baijiansheng didn't even say a word to acknowledge his fiancée's greeting! Then again, Xu Hexian was long used to Liu Sumeng's demeanor. So he swiftly bowed once more, trying to look as modest as possible. "Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Xu Hexian of the Heavenly Sword Sect and this our Second Young Master Liu, Baijiansheng."

Liu Sumeng was not too fond of his art name. His younger self might glare indignantly for being introduced as such, but the older Liu Sumeng was already used to being called Baijiansheng. Eventually, Liu Sumeng clasped his hands and bowed slightly. "Greetings."

Yuan Zhang continued to scowl while Chen Anyue beamed. The group was led up Wangyun Peak. Xu Hexian skillfully filled the awkward silence with random chitter chatter. "How was your trip?" Xu Hexian would say.

Chen Anyue mirrored his cheerful demeanor, "There were no complications. It was a pleasant trip, I don't often get a chance to leave Reling."

In contrast, Yuan Zhang was antagonistic, "It was awful, there are so much yao around your Wangyun Peak! Can't you do something about it?"

Xu Hexian smiled, unperturbed by criticism. "Wangyun Peak is very close to yao territory. While our barriers are strong, there aren't that many cultivators in our sect. Cracks don't happen often but when they do, there's rarely enough manpower to go fix things right away. Apologies to Young Master Yuan and Lady Chen who had to deal with Heavenly Sword Sect's problems."

Yuan Zhang sneered, more than eager to hurl more insults, but his complaints were silenced by his shijie. Chen Anyue smiled kindly and said, "Actually there wasn't much problem at all. It was my first time seeing a yao up close and I think it was a very valuable learning experience for me."

"It was dangerous!" Yuan Zhang protested.

Although Chen Anyue was known in the cultivator world as the princess of the Chen family, to be a cultivator and never have seen a yao till adulthood was unheard of. Despite his confusion, Xu Hexian didn't allow his smile to falter. "I'm sure our Baijiansheng would love to take you out on hunts. He will be sure to keep you safe so Young Master Yuan doesn't have to worry too much."

Yuan Zhang scrunched up his nose in distaste. "As if I'd trust him to keep my shijie safe!"

Liu Sumeng kept quiet. Even after a lifetime, he was still terrible at being a part of conversations. There was a time he would feel flustered and embarrassed at his inadequacies but now, he only basked in the chirping of their voices.

These three people had all met such horrible ends. How could he have forgotten that they have once been able to speak in such a carefree manner?

Liu Sumeng wanted to cherish this moment as much as he could before his soul reincarnated. Selfishly, he didn't want this dream to end.