Liu Xuefeng sighed deeply as he sank into the bed, his body heavy with exhaustion. The day had been long, every interaction like treading thin ice. The relief of knowing his dantian was repaired was tempered by the weight of his new reality. Without that miracle, life in this world would have been unbearable—a prison without bars. Now, at least, he had a chance to survive, maybe even thrive.
For now, though, his mind was a storm. He had two tasks ahead: familiarize himself with this strange world and overcome the lingering feelings for Wuying that clung to him like a shadow. Every interaction with her left him on edge, and he couldn't afford the distraction.
"Young Master, you didn't tell me anything about this pill," Wuying said, her voice breaking the silence like a stone dropped into still water. She stood in front of him, her brown eyes steady, searching his face for answers. "I was with you in the city a week ago, and I don't remember you feeding any beggars."
Xuefeng scratched the back of his head, forcing an awkward laugh. She had him cornered, and the story that worked on his parents wouldn't fool her. But she hadn't exposed him—yet. That meant he could trust her, at least with part of the truth.
"You're right. There was no pill," he admitted, meeting her gaze. "I have… a secret. Something that helped me recover. But I haven't figured out how it works yet. When I do, you'll be the first to know."
The sincerity in his voice seemed to ease her, and she let out a soft sigh as she sat beside him on the bed. "I'm glad it was just a lie," she murmured, a faint tremor in her voice. "If it had been some unknown pill, I would have blamed myself for not protecting you properly. Young Master, you must promise me—never take any medicine unless you know its source. You never know who might be trying to harm you."
"I promise," Xuefeng said, his tone solemn, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "And now that I can finally cultivate, I'll work to protect myself. I won't need to rely on others so much anymore."
He leaned back against the headboard, closing his eyes as flashes of memory filled his mind—the clash, the blood, the betrayal. His predecessor's tragedy played like a broken film reel, and he clenched his fists. Revenge felt distant, like a mountain on the horizon, but the path was clear.
"I'll show you," he thought, directing his silent promise to the boy whose body he now inhabited. "I'll prove that Wuying is in good hands. You can rest now."
"Young Master…" Wuying's soft voice pulled him from his thoughts. Her hand was on his, trembling slightly. "I wanted to apologize… for not being there yesterday. If only I had been by your side, none of this would have happened. You wouldn't have had to suffer."
Her voice broke, tears threatening to spill as guilt twisted her expression. Xuefeng sat up, taking her hand in his.
"It's not your fault," he said firmly, though the words tasted strange in his mouth. "I was hurt because I wasn't strong enough to protect you. But I promise—I won't let it happen again."
The earnestness in his voice surprised even him, but Wuying seemed comforted. She held his hand against her cheek, her warmth radiating through his palm.
"I can't wait to see you grow stronger," she whispered, her eyes shining with quiet determination. "I know you'll become a powerful cultivator."
Xuefeng felt the weight of her words settle in his chest, tightening around his heart like a vice. He endured the moment until she pulled away, her usual cheerful demeanor returning.
"You've been in bed too long," she said, standing and smoothing her dress. "A walk will do you good. How about visiting the city? We still have time before sunset."
It was a practical suggestion—exploring the city was already on his list. He nodded. "Alright. Just let me freshen up and change first."
"Do you want me to help scrub your back?" she offered sincerely, her tone innocent, though her words sent his mind spiraling.
"There's no need," he replied quickly, rising from the bed and making his way to the bathroom. "I can manage on my own."
The privacy of the bathroom was a welcome relief. As he scrubbed away the grime of the day, his thoughts churned.
I have to be careful. If I keep rejecting her, she might start suspecting something's off. I need to play along, at least until I figure out what to do.
But thoughts of Tianshi crept in, her face vivid in his memory. He clenched his jaw. Falling for someone else felt like betrayal, even if the feelings weren't truly his.
***
Xuefeng tried to calm the frantic beat of his heart before stepping out of the courtyard. He had almost succeeded when Wuying's hand slipped into his, her thumb brushing softly against his skin. At first, he let it pass, focusing instead on the path ahead, but soon the warmth of her touch seeped into his thoughts, dragging his mind into dangerous territory he desperately wanted to avoid.
"Ehem." He cleared his throat loudly and came to an abrupt stop. Her wide eyes met his, and for a moment, he wavered. But he knew this couldn't continue. "Wuying, I know we're… comfortable with each other, but we shouldn't hold hands in public. People might talk behind your back."
Wuying blinked, her expression clouding briefly before a shy smile tugged at her lips. She released his hand reluctantly. "I just wanted to thank you for defending me yesterday," she said softly. "I know how much you like it when I touch you, so I thought it would cheer you up."
Xuefeng's breath caught in his throat. "W-well, that's fine," he stammered, glancing away. "But… not in places where everyone can see us."
He hoped his fumbling response would end the conversation, but Wuying tilted her head, her eyes brightening with sudden inspiration. "Mmhmm, I understand," she said with a mischievous grin. "I'll just touch you more when no one is looking to make up for it."
"What?"
Before he could protest, she leaned in and planted a quick kiss on his cheek, the warmth of her lips igniting a fire in his chest. "Since we can't hold hands, you can take this as your reward," she said with an innocent smile. "I know it's your favorite."
Xuefeng stood frozen, words stuck in his throat as she turned and sauntered ahead, her laughter trailing behind her like a melody. He watched her graceful figure disappear past the courtyard gate and groaned softly, running a hand down his face.
Calm down. Calm down…
It was just a kiss, he told himself. A simple kiss on the cheek. But the pounding of his heart betrayed him, and he cursed under his breath. If this kept up, he wouldn't be able to distinguish his predecessor's feelings from his own.
"Are you coming?" Wuying called back, her teasing tone cutting through his thoughts. "Or do you want another reward?"
Xuefeng clenched his fists and forced a smile. "I'm coming," he said, his voice cracking slightly.
They walked side by side, and Xuefeng made an effort to focus, scanning the clan's grounds with a critical eye. The main road was flanked by smaller courtyards, modest in size compared to his own. Even as a cripple, he had lived in one of the largest homes in the clan—an advantage that had fueled jealousy and ridicule for years.
Strength is everything here. Without cultivation, he had been considered a waste of resources, a stain on the Liu family name. But now that he could cultivate, that narrative would change. He'd make sure of it.
"How about we visit the training grounds?" Xuefeng suggested, stopping briefly to gauge her reaction. "Now that I can cultivate, it'd be good to watch and learn."
Wuying nodded, leading the way. They stopped at the entrance, observing the scene from a distance. Youngsters were scattered across the grounds, their movements precise as they practiced their skills.
Xuefeng's breath caught as he watched a boy swing his sword in a fluid arc, releasing a crescent-shaped wave of energy. The blade of light sliced clean through a wooden puppet, leaving a deep gash in its chest.
"Amazing…" Xuefeng whispered, his eyes wide with wonder.
Wuying smiled at his reaction. "That's Liu Yong," she said, nodding toward the boy. "He's a Peak Spirit Master and wields two spirit artifacts—one weapon, one armor. The sword you see is a rank two Spirit Sword called Air Cutter. There aren't many like it in the clan."
Xuefeng frowned slightly, digging through his predecessor's fragmented memories. "You need to kill a beast to get a spirit artifact, right?"
"Exactly," Wuying confirmed. "Spirit artifacts are formed from the remains of a beast's spirit. For example, if you kill a rank two White Sparrow, there's a chance you could obtain an Air Cutter. But it's rare—only about one in ten White Sparrows yield an artifact."
"I see…" Xuefeng nodded, but he couldn't help scolding his predecessor. How do you know less about cultivation than your maid? Even if the old Xuefeng couldn't cultivate, there was no excuse for his ignorance.
"When we reach the city, we can visit the Spirit Artifacts House," Wuying suggested, her voice bright with enthusiasm. "You might find something interesting."
Xuefeng smiled. "I'd like that. I need to learn as much as I can before hunting beasts myself."
The Liu clan's territory was centrally located, with shops and restaurants clustered nearby. As they approached the main gate, the guards snapped to attention, bowing deeply.
"Miss Wuying. Young Master," they said in unison, stepping aside to let them pass.
Xuefeng nodded absently, attributing their deference to his status as the Clan Leader's son. But as he glanced at Wuying, he realized the truth. Their reverence wasn't for him—it was for her.
Who is she, really?
Few knew the truth about Wuying, but the guards had no illusions. She was the one who trained them, their leader in everything but name.
The Liu Clan's Shadow Guards were an elite force, authorized to eliminate threats with ruthless efficiency. Their presence alone kept crime in Phoenix City at bay. Years ago, rival clans had vied for dominance, but Liu Xiaobei's creation of the Shadow Guards had crushed them, forcing them to flee or disband. Now, the Liu Clan reigned supreme.
Once Xuefeng and Wuying were out of sight, the two guards exchanged a nervous glance.
"If I didn't know any better," the shorter guard muttered, "I'd think she was just a cheerful maid. But the way she acts around the Young Master…"
"Shut up," his partner hissed, scanning the area anxiously. "Do you want to die? What if she hears you?"
The shorter guard shrugged, shifting uncomfortably. "By the way, how long did you last in this month's Shadow Guard test? I thought I had a chance, but I was done by the second day."
The taller guard sighed. "Three days. Better than before, but I pushed myself too hard. Had to rest for a whole day after."
They fell silent, both pondering their odds of ever making it into the Shadow Guards. For now, it was a distant dream.
"Maybe next time," the shorter guard said finally.
"Maybe," his partner replied, though neither sounded convinced.