Infinite_Peace

Cheng Ming and Liu Wei are known to be rivals. Cheng Ming is known to be rude and abuses his disciples often, while Liu Wei is known to be cold, indifferent, and talented. As the world knows Cheng Ming as a merciless person, he secretly adores his younger brother, Cheng Ming. One day, Cheng Ning's condition worsened and began to deteriorate. Cheng Ming began to worry and made a deal with the Demon Lord. Give up his soul for the cure. Cheng Ning begged his brother to not make the deal when he found out but it was too late, his brother was gone. With the world thinking that Cheng Ning is his brother, he will need to act like his cold brother and not get caught.

Substitute Rival

The midday sun cast long shadows over the hills surrounding a small village, a stark contrast to the looming cloud of uncertainty that hung over Crown Prince Cheng. Dressed in regal yet inconspicuous robes, Cheng stood outside the entrance of a modest sect compound, observing the simple lifestyle of its disciples. This sect, a small offshoot that had remained loyal to the royal family for generations, was now on the verge of collapse. But Cheng, ever the strategist, had decided to support them—quietly, from the shadows.

He leaned against a pillar, his eyes scanning the courtyard where young disciples practiced their sword techniques. Their movements were far from perfect, a mere echo of the disciplined formations of the palace guards, but they were eager—and, most importantly, they were loyal. Cheng tapped his fan thoughtfully against his palm.

"Chen Ming... gone," he whispered under his breath, the words tasting bitter. He could hardly believe it. The news of Chen Ming's death had hit him harder than he had expected. The thought of Chen Ming no longer being there stirred something deep inside Cheng. 

The sect leader approached, bowing deeply. "Your Highness, we are honored by your presence," he said humbly. His voice wavered slightly, either from excitement or fear—it was hard to tell.

Cheng straightened and waved his fan dismissively, showing just enough indifference to assert his position. "I trust you know why I'm here," he said, his voice smooth but cold.

The sect leader swallowed nervously. "We are prepared to do whatever you ask of us, Your Highness. Our sect may be small, but our loyalty remains steadfast."

"Loyalty," Cheng echoed, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "That's what I'm counting on." He paused, surveying the disciples once more. "You've heard the rumors about Chen Ming, haven't you? How the once-great hope of the Wutai Sect has fallen?"

The sect leader nodded slowly, choosing his words carefully. "Yes, Your Highness. It's said that he... perished. A great loss for the Wutai Sect."

"A great loss indeed," Cheng said, though his tone was cold. He hadn't allowed himself to mourn properly. To him, Chen Ming had always been there for him. He wasn't sure of what to do. He couldn't be sad about Chen Ming's death if enemies took notice and used it as his weakness. 

With that, Cheng vanished into the distance.

Hidden Alliances