The Impostor

General Liu paced back and forth in front of the main hall of the Wutai Sect, his mind troubled and his heart heavy. It had been several days since Chen Ming had disappeared, and the news of Jiayi's betrayal had sent shockwaves through the sect. No one had seen this coming, least of all Liu, who had trusted Jiayi implicitly.To make matters worse, the sect had decided to bring in a replacement for Chen Ming until he could be found. Not just a replacement, but a double—someone who would assume Chen Ming's identity to maintain appearances and not raise suspicions among the sect's enemies. Liu understood the reasoning; their mission was too critical to leave a gap or expose their vulnerabilities. But that didn't mean he had to like it.The new recruit, now going by the name Chen Ming, was already in the hall, speaking with the elders. His real name was Wan Yunru, a young cultivator from one of the smaller branches of the Wutai Sect. Liu had heard that he was skilled and obedient, but there was something about the man that rubbed him the wrong way. Maybe it was the way he seemed so eager to please or the self-assured way he carried himself, almost as if he thought he could easily step into Chen Ming's shoes.Liu sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He needed to calm down. This wasn't about his personal feelings. They had a job to do. Yet, every time he thought of the real Chen Ming out there, possibly in danger, his chest tightened. He had to find him.As if summoned by his thoughts, the doors to the hall creaked open, and Wan Yunru stepped out, now dressed in the familiar robes of a Wutai Sect guard. His hair was styled similarly to Chen Ming's, and he had even taken to mimicking some of Chen Ming's mannerisms. He wore a confident smile, his eyes immediately finding Liu's as he walked over, extending a hand."General Liu," Wan Yunru greeted warmly, adopting Chen Ming's voice and demeanor as best he could. "It's an honor to be working with you. I hope to learn much under your guidance."Liu took his hand out of obligation more than anything else, giving it a firm shake. "Chen Ming," he said, forcing himself to use the name. It felt wrong, like a lie, but he had no choice. "I've heard good things about your skills."Wan Yunru's smile widened, as if pleased with Liu's acceptance of his new role. "Thank you, General. I promise I won't let you or the sect down. I know replacing someone as respected as Chen Ming is a tall order, but I'm ready to prove myself."Liu nodded curtly, pulling his hand back. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that. We're still searching for him, and until then, you're just here to assist."Wan Yunru's smile faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered, nodding eagerly. "Of course, General. I understand completely."Liu studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Good. We'll start with some basic drills. I need to see where you're at."Wan Yunru's enthusiasm didn't waver. "Lead the way, sir."As they moved to the training grounds, Liu couldn't help but feel a pang of irritation. Wan Yunru was competent, no doubt, but there was an arrogance there that bothered him. It was as if he thought he could step into Chen Ming's role without missing a beat. But Chen Ming wasn't just any guard; he was more than that. He was skilled, loyal, and someone Liu had come to rely on.They reached the training grounds, and Liu wasted no time. "Let's see what you've got, Chen Ming. Show me your swordsmanship."Wan Yunru drew his sword with a flourish, moving into a ready stance. His form was textbook perfect, his movements precise. As he went through the drills, Liu had to admit he was good—technically, at least. But there was something missing, something that couldn't be taught.When Wan Yunru finished, he looked to Liu for approval, sweat beading on his forehead but his expression was still confident."Well?" he asked, a hint of eagerness in his voice.Liu gave a slow nod. "Not bad. Your technique is solid."Wan Yunru grinned. "Thank you, General. I've trained hard."Liu crossed his arms over his chest. "But technique isn't everything. There's more to being a good guard than just knowing how to fight."Wan Yunru's brow furrowed slightly. "I understand, sir. I'm here to learn, after all."Liu's expression didn't soften. "Good. Because you have a lot to learn. For now, go spar with some of the others. I need to see how you handle yourself in a real fight."Wan Yunru nodded and moved off, heading toward a group of disciples who were sparring nearby. Liu watched him go, a frown etched on his face. He didn't like this, not one bit. Wan Yunru was competent, but he wasn't Chen Ming. He didn't have the same instincts, the same dedication. And something about the way he carried himself set Liu on edge.As Wan Yunru joined the sparring session, Liu's thoughts drifted back to the real Chen Ming. Where was he now? Was he safe? Had he managed to escape, or was he still trapped wherever Jiayi had taken him? Liu clenched his fists at his sides, frustration bubbling up inside him.He couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. The real Chen Ming was out there, somewhere, and Liu was stuck here with this impostor. He needed to find Chen Ming, and soon. Because no matter how skilled Wan Yunru might be, he could never replace the real thing.