Chapter 1894: Fragments (Part 2)

Just then, another dream fragment intruded upon his consciousness.

In the vision, he was also about ten years old, sitting on either side of Xiao Lie with Xiao Lingxi, listening to his gentle narration:

“Back then, not long after Che’er was born, City Lord Situ’s daughter was born. However, because the City Lord’s wife was unwell, the child was born barely breathing, on the verge of death.”

“To save her life, one needed at least a Spirit Profound Realm cultivation for even a slim chance. Those who had reached the Spirit Profound Realm in Floating Cloud City were few and far between, and all of them were of extraordinary status. To offer assistance would surely damage their own foundations, so even though the City Lord pleaded earnestly, they remained unmoved.”

“Only Ying’er, risking great self-harm and almost exhausting all his profound energy, managed to restore the vital energy of that poor child, and thus, she survived.”

“Che’er, your marriage fate with the City Lord’s daughter was sealed then. City Lord Situ, grateful for Ying’er’s act of saving his daughter, immediately swore brotherhood with Ying’er and, in front of everyone, declared that his daughter would only marry Xiao Ying’s son in the future, to repay this heavenly kindness in this lifetime.”

“Hmph.” Xiao Lingxi pursed her lips and softly hummed, “I don’t like Situ Xuan at all. She always ignores people… even when she sees little Che.”

This was also a dream he had experienced before, with an identical scene and the exact same words, but now it was incredibly clear.

In this dream, the person Xiao Ying saved at the cost of heavily damaging himself was not Xia Qingyue, but Situ Xuan.

Because of Xiao Ying’s great life-saving kindness, the one with whom he, as “Xiao Ying’s son,” formed a childhood engagement was not Xia Qingyue, but Situ Xuan.

Dream fragments interwove again. This time, directly entering his consciousness was the figure of a woman.

“Xiao Che, stop!”

She was tall and slender, dressed rather luxuriously, and likely only fifteen or sixteen years old. However, with heavy makeup, she exuded a glamour inappropriate for her age.

For the current Yun Che, such gaudy women were not worth even a momentary glance. But for a youth whose perspective had not yet broadened, they held an attraction that made his blood stir.

At least, the Yun Che (Xiao Che) in the vision, when facing her, showed ill-concealed tension and awkwardness on his face.

“Miss Situ.” Yun Che responded politely. This was the first time Situ Xuan had actively spoken to him, and he felt an uncontrollable excitement and secret joy within.

The name Situ Xuan had appeared repeatedly in his “dreams.”

In his memory, she was City Lord Situ’s daughter from Floating Cloud City, and being in the same city, he had naturally seen her, but for some reason, his impression of Situ Xuan in his memory was particularly vague; he couldn’t even recall her appearance.

However, he didn’t pay it any mind. After all, when these “dreams” appeared, he was already in the God Realm, so why would he care about the daughter of a city lord from his homeland with whom he had no dealings?

Besides, it was just a dream.

At this moment, in this even stranger “dream,” he clearly saw Situ Xuan’s full appearance.

In an instant, all his impressions of Situ Xuan were suddenly like dispersing clouds, becoming exceptionally clear and vivid.

This sudden clarity brought Yun Che another strange sensation, as if… he had actually never had a vague memory of her appearance.

Situ Xuan stared at Yun Che, her eyes filled with undisguised arrogance and disdain. “Do you know what a toad is?”

“…” Yun Che’s whole body tensed violently. A suffocating sensation lasted for several breaths before slowly dissipating. He struggled to remain calm and said in as flat a tone as possible, “Miss Situ, if you have something to say, please just say it directly.”

Although he was only fifteen years old, in recent years, he had heard too many rumors and gossips. Yet this one sentence, spoken by Situ Xuan herself, still wounded him so deeply that he almost lost his composure.

“Hmph!” Situ Xuan eyed him askance. “There are only five months left until our wedding. I, the dignified princess of the City Lord’s manor, am forced to marry you, a complete cripple. Do you know how much I’ve been ridiculed because of you these past few years?!”

His face began to pale. Yun Che bit his tongue hard, refusing to let his expression betray him. “I understand. If you’re unwilling, you can have your father speak to my grandfather… to break off the engagement. It’s still not too late.”

“Break it off? If it could be broken off, would I still be ridiculed to this day?!” Situ Xuan’s voice grew harsher. “Your dead father saved my life when I was born! Who in this whole city doesn’t know about that?!”

“My father, in a fit of emotion back then, when he swore to marry me to you to repay the kindness, did so in front of countless people!”

“If your father were still alive, it would be fine; there would be many ways to negotiate with him to break off the engagement. But he’s dead, and it’s rumored that more than half of the reason for his death was the severe vital energy depletion from saving me! If my father forcefully breaks off the engagement, he’ll be branded as ungrateful for the rest of his life!”

“How can the esteemed reputation of my Situ family be tarnished because of you?” Situ Xuan said unhurriedly, “So rest assured, my father will not break off the engagement, and neither will I.”

Her gaze suddenly turned flirtatious. “After all, though you’re a cripple, you’re not entirely useless. At least you have a rather good face. You’re quite qualified to be a male consort.”

“…” Yun Che’s tightly held emotional barrier finally crumbled, and his features twitched violently.

“Since we’ve met today, I’ll just inform you in advance.” Situ Xuan half-closed her eyes, with three parts disdain and seven parts amusement in her gaze. “For these last few months, you’d best learn how to be obedient. If you learn well, your life will be somewhat easier after we’re married. But if you don’t learn well… and I have to teach you personally, I’m afraid your crippled little body won’t be able to bear it.”

His teeth seemed to be grinding to dust, and a growing, thick scent of blood filled Yun Che’s mouth.

“Little Che!”

The most familiar call in his life rang out, like a gentle, warm spring flowing through his heart, washing away the crushing, soul-shattering negative emotions.

Seemingly satisfied with Yun Che’s pained, stifled, yet unwilling-to-erupt appearance, Situ Xuan smiled proudly and turned to leave.

Soon, the figure of a young girl arrived by Yun Che’s side like a dancing butterfly. She looked at Situ Xuan’s retreating back and said in surprise, “Situ Xuan? Were you just talking to her?”

Yun Che turned his gaze to the girl standing close to him. The anger and humiliation that had almost burst from his chest just moments before instantly dissipated by more than half upon seeing her beautiful face.

In Floating Cloud City, both within and outside the Xiao Sect, countless people slighted, scorned, and insulted him; he had long grown accustomed to it.

But he had a grandfather who never gave up on him and cared for him deeply; a good friend in Xia Yuanba who had protected him with all his might since childhood; and an aunt who was with him day and night, and would anxiously search for him if she didn’t see him for even half an hour.

Having them in his life was already a luxury and a great fortune. How others behaved… why should he care?

Yes, from childhood to adulthood, no matter what mockery or humiliation he endured, as long as he returned to Xiao Lingxi’s side, looked into her eyes, and listened to her voice, he would always feel such peace and contentment; everything else no longer mattered.

“Mm.” Yun Che nodded. “This seems to be the first time she’s actively spoken to me. I’ve seen her a few times before, but she never acknowledged anyone.”

“Oh? Actively?” Xiao Lingxi was even more surprised. “Then what did she say to you?”

“She just briefly mentioned the wedding in half a year,” Yun Che said very casually. He would never repeat Situ Xuan’s words to Xiao Lingxi. The last thing he wanted to see was Xiao Lingxi angry or sad.

It was even harder to imagine how his grandfather would react if he knew.

“I see.” Xiao Lingxi’s voice was slightly lower, and there was a subtle, unnoticeable strangeness in her watery eyes. “For the past two years, there have been many strange rumors in the city, all saying that Situ Xuan’s side would definitely try to break off the engagement. It turns out the rumors were false.”

“Rumors are just rumors, of course,” Yun Che said with a smile. “The City Lord’s family won’t break off the engagement… Situ Xuan said so herself.”

“Mm, that’s good. Father will surely be happy when he knows.”

Though she said this, Xiao Lingxi, who had always been indignant about the rumors, felt no joy at all upon hearing Yun Che’s words.

“Then… did you and Situ Xuan talk for a long time just now?” Xiao Lingxi asked. She didn’t know why she had asked such a strange question.

“Not long, just a short while,” Yun Che replied, then immediately added, “I don’t even like talking to her. If it weren’t for the engagement, I wouldn’t want to marry her at all. I’d rather stay with my aunt forever.”

“Hehe!” Xiao Lingxi giggled, then lowered her head slightly and said, “Actually, I don’t like Situ Xuan at all, and I don’t want you to and… But, this is Father’s wish. He’ll only truly feel at ease after you two are married.”

“Alright, let’s go back now.” The girl took Yun Che’s arm, with hopeful stars twinkling in her beautiful eyes. “Father has invited an incredibly skilled doctor this time. Many call him ‘Medical Immortal,’ it’s said. He definitely… definitely can cure little Che!”

The mists dispersed, and Situ Xuan, the daughter of the Floating Cloud City Lord from his memory, was exactly the same as what he saw in the dream.

Yet these scenes, clearly belonging to a dream and not to his own experiences, why were they… so vivid?

So vivid they felt like they had truly happened.

The scene that followed was filled with deep red: red tables, red candles, and red drapes.

“Little Che, today is your big wedding day with Miss Situ! The hour is almost here, hurry and get up!”

He was woken by Xiao Lingxi’s soft voice close to his ear, and she personally helped him put on his crimson wedding attire.

“Little Che, this is the porridge I just made. Your body is weak, and the morning will be long… You need to drink it all.” She brought a large bowl of fragrant porridge.

“Alright, alright.” He obediently picked up the bowl and, without using a spoon, gulped it down directly.

After finishing, he looked at Xiao Lingxi, his eyes clouded, and he said with some loss, “From now on, I wonder if I’ll still get to eat Aunt’s cooking often.”

“Hehe, you’re marrying the City Lord’s daughter into our home, it’s not like you’re marrying into theirs. As long as you wish, I’ll still cook for you every day, just like before.”

As she spoke, her smile slowly faded, and she said softly, “But little Che, after you start your own family, you’ll definitely spend less and less time with me.”

“How could that be!” He immediately raised a hand to swear, “I just promised Aunt yesterday: After marrying Situ Xuan, I won’t forget Aunt just because I have a wife, I won’t reduce the time I spend with Aunt, and I’ll be at Aunt’s beck and call just like before!”

He would never forget Situ Xuan’s demeanor and words when she faced him.

This marriage, he was doing it more to fulfill his grandfather’s wish and also for his deceased father’s reputation.

As for what would happen after the marriage and what kind of rumors would follow, he no longer feared. Because, as Xiao Lingxi said, he was still in the Xiao Sect, and Xiao Lingxi was still by his side.

“Big Brother! Big Brother!!”

This was Xia Yuanba’s voice, and he rushed in excitedly.

“Yuanba, you’re up so early?” Yun Che said with a smile.

“Hehe! Today’s your wedding day, of course I have to come help.” Xia Yuanba’s face was full of excitement.

In the vision, the fifteen-year-old Xia Yuanba was exceptionally handsome, his build still a little slender. His complexion was not dark, and an ordinary person would not notice anything unusual about his skin.

But with Yun Che’s current knowledge and eyesight, he could faintly see, beneath his pale outer skin, a strange, metallic glint.

The intimidating radiance deep within his eyes became more subdued as he aged, yet also more soul-piercing and startling.

“I don’t really feel anything, so I can’t say I’m excited.” Yun Che stared at Xia Yuanba very seriously for a moment, then suddenly said, “Being so excited first thing in the morning, it can’t just be about my wedding, can it?”

“Hehe,” Xia Yuanba’s eyes lit up. “Actually, there’s good news. My father invited a friend who is an instructor at New Moon Profound Palace the day before yesterday. He originally wanted to get me into New Moon Profound Palace through him, but unexpectedly, that senior instructor said that with my aptitude, I could directly enter Azure Cloud Profound Palace.”

“Oh! That’s wonderful! This is practically a great celebration for our entire Floating Cloud City!” Yun Che said sincerely. Even as he felt joy, a deep envy and sadness stirred within his heart.

For the current Yun Che, with Xia Yuanba’s extraordinary innate body in the dream, not to mention Azure Cloud Profound Palace… even if he went to the God Realm, even to the King Realm at the pinnacle of the God Realm, he would cause an immense stir.

But for the Yun Che in the dream, New Moon Profound Palace was an unattainable fantasy.

“Hehehe…” Xia Yuanba laughed, unable to hide his excitement. “I’ve been so excited I haven’t slept well for two days. Once I enter Azure Cloud Profound Palace and become stronger and stronger, I’d like to see who dares to bully you then!”

“This matter is still a secret for now. Father said to keep it quiet for a while, to avoid complications. Only you know about it now… Oh, by the way, speaking of that, for the past two years, I’ve heard many bad rumors. They all said that City Lord Situ would definitely cancel the engagement and instead marry Situ Xuan to Xiao Yulong, the son of your Xiao Sect Master.”

Yun Che: “…”

“When I heard those rumors, I was very angry, but I didn’t dare tell you. But now, these rumors have fallen apart on their own.” Xia Yuanba laughed boisterously. “Those who spread the rumors must have faces swollen several times over now.”

“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Yun Che smiled seemingly dismissively. “But it’s fine, I’m already used to it. For a cripple like me, to have a friend like you and to be able to marry the City Lord’s daughter is already a blessing from heaven.”

“Comparatively, your news is the real great news. When you officially enter Azure Cloud Profound Palace, I guess the whole city will… will… will…”

His voice suddenly became soft and distant, his face slowly contorted in pain, his pupils rapidly dimmed… and then dimmed further…

Then his entire body stiffly fell backward.

“Big Brother? Ah! Big Brother!” Xia Yuanba rushed forward, supporting his falling body. “Big Brother? What’s wrong with you… Big Brother!!”

His pupils slowly faded away, the world rapidly receded. He could hear Xia Yuanba’s voice, but couldn’t reply.

“Little Che? Little Che… wake up, don’t scare me… Little Che!!”

Before his consciousness completely dissipated, the last thing he heard was Xiao Lingxi’s cries.

Outside the vision, Yun Che watched Xiao Lingxi holding his own body, dressed in red, crying as if her heart and guts were torn apart.

Tears soaked the red attire, and pain overflowed with despair…

Then, the scene completely froze at this moment.

This was also a dream he had experienced before; the difference, again, was the blurriness versus clarity.

In his memory, he died on the day of his marriage to Xia Qingyue.

In the dream, he died on the day of his marriage to Situ Xuan.

Yun Che opened his eyes.

Light flooded his vision. Before his eyes was the familiar courtyard, and in his nostrils, the familiar scent.

He awoke from the dream, but this time, everything in the dream was no longer vague or hazy.

Every scene, every face, every wisp of sound—he remembered clearly.