He had thought they were under attack, jolted upright, and startled the servant that came to rouse him.

But there were no bells or shouts, no milling about nor chaos he had a.s.sociated with warfare. Noticing these details made him feel a little calmer when he asked, "What is it?"

He could not have begun to guess the words that would come out of the servant's mouth, "Your s.h.i.+zun, the Guanghai Elder has arrived."

Liu Sumeng believed himself to be dreaming. "What?"

Liu Langce was a character that brought both pride and shame to the Heavenly Sword Sect. He was a vagabond, a free spirit that could not be tied to proper responsibility. But if there was one thing that many praised him for, it was his martial prowess and the breadth of his skills. He did not have the most refined personality but most people would at least agree that he was honorable.

If there was one person in the entire world that knew how to consistently grate Liu Sumeng's nerves, it would definitely be this ancestor of his.

Though he had no time to allow his annoyance to simmer, not when he simply was too shocked at the developments.

The process of events had already long deviated from resembling anything like the past life he lived. Liu Langce had definitely not been part of Liu Sumeng's calculations, especially not when he disappeared so flawlessly from the continent's gossip after Yuan Xuelan's infamous rise to power, not even returning when his sect was destroyed and abolished.

Which really begged one to wonder, why did he come to Reling now? Liu Sumeng could only guess that it was to seek shelter.

Hiding any remnants of sleepiness and fatigue, Liu Sumeng strode into the main hall to join Chen Gaoyong, Chen Jiang and Yuan Xuelan.

Liu Langce was definitely there. Standing right in the middle of the hall with his unusual and colorful garbs, he appeared almost out of place in the midst of the other tall and dignified cultivators. He turned his head only a little to spot Liu Sumeng. There were deep circles under his eyes and his complexion was pale as well. Did the Guanghai Elder always look this sickly?

"Oh it's been long hasn't it Chao? Don't you have some kind words to say to me?" Liu Langce coughed lightly into his fist.

There was an instant urge to answer with a retort but he was in the presence of others so Liu Sumeng had no choice but to greet his s.h.i.+zun respectably, "I am happy to see you are well."

"Well? Do I look well to you?" Liu Langce groaned and waved his disciple off with rolling eyes. "How frustrating, you used to be so cute when you were young."

Liu Sumeng felt his eyebrow twitch but otherwise kept his expression still. Thankfully, there was Chen Gaoyong to come to his rescue, "I'm glad you were able to make it to the city unharmed."

It was then Liu Langce's face fell, turning uncharacteristically serious, "I hate to break it to you guys, but I'm pretty sure they're coming. Tonight."

The atmosphere in the main hall turned thick.

Yuan Xuelan carefully asked, "What makes you say that?"

"I couldn't exactly miss the way those monsters were rising out of the swamps on my way here now can I?" He snapped even at Yuan Xuelan who he was not so familiar with.

It was then that scouts burst into the hall, their hurried steps thundered and echoed with panic, "They're coming! The Fallen G.o.ds are marching upon us!"

…

They rose from the mud, their dark bodies melting away into the cover of night like lumbering shadows. Rows and rows of them stood like immovable siege towers, their faces tranquil like statues. As they marched the earth beneath their feet rumbled and turned gray. Moist earth crumbled like pieces of dry desert. Deep imprints were left in their wake, and this time, no one trailed after to hide the traces of destruction.

Behind Reling the mountain roared from power within. The guards stationed along the flimsy north side of the city quivered in fear, knowing well that their end was not nearly as well fortified.

They could only watch in horror as debris rained down the mountain. There was thudding and thumping until finally an explosive blast. A cloud of dust coated the mountain face. Alarms sounded. 

The Fallen G.o.ds were coming.

…

Liu Sumeng was striding down the halls of the Ascending Dawn Manor in a rush, going over the courtyard where the materials were gathered. People tasked in brisk tones, the courtyard taken over with weapons carved from sacred peach tree wood. Though there were those that remained behind to mount the north wall, many of the Ascending Dawn disciples were leaving to the southern city gate.

The manor itself was nestled in the back of the city and along the lines of the northern wall. 

Liu Sumeng was to go with Sect Leader Chen to guard against the advance in the South. With the vast marches and the wide-open route, it was safe to a.s.sume that the siege was going to focus heavily on that front rather than the north.

"Sumeng," Yuan Xuelan chased the Ivory Sword Saint down. 

Anxiety was rife within his heart. One was because his home was under attack from these terrible beings. Two, he was stationed by one of the choke-points along the northern wall and therefore on the opposite end of the city as his Sumeng. But his mind was currently occupied with something that wouldn't stop nagging him.

Yuan Xuelan chewed his lips, unsure how to bring it up.

He knew that Liu Langce was not only Liu Sumeng's great-great-something-uncle but he was also the Guanghai Elder, and Sumeng's s.h.i.+zun as well.

"What is it?" Liu Sumeng balanced one of the crudely carved spears from the pile. There were better ones made with a metal rod and a mounted wooden piece at the end. But Liu Sumeng didn't want to needlessly take what he could do without.

Yuan Xuelan looked at the Ivory Sword Saint's calm visage and wondered if he could borrow even a fraction of that courage. 

Sucking in a breath, he blurted about, "About that s.h.i.+zun of yours. I can't help but wonder what he's been doing the past few months."

It was difficult to hide the blatant accusation and Yuan Xuelan lowered his head in embarra.s.sment, not wis.h.i.+ng to upset Sumeng's mood.

"Hm," Liu Sumeng was not that alarmed, at least not at first, busy inspecting the carved spear tip. "It will be difficult to pry that out of his lips. s.h.i.+zun is a private person."

"I meant…" Yuan Xuelan nervously shuffled and looked at the rows of wooden spears lying in the courtyard for their use. "Isn't it weird that he showed up now, out of nowhere?"

"..." Liu Sumeng hadn't considered it too much, mainly because it was the Guanghai Elder. Though his personality was unsavory, he had lived long without the stain of betrayal or evil.

However…

It was certainly odd when Liu Sumeng considered the events of his previous life, where Liu Langce disappeared from all records or whispers. What was so different this time that made him appear? Why now? When they had experienced similar dire situations in the past the Guanghai Elder was nowhere to be found.

"We cannot watch over him while he is out of our sights. But have it known for servants to be alert."

A light flickered in Yuan Xuelan's eyes a smile threatening to break even in their dire situation, "Y-yeah! Exactly."

The Guanghai Elder would have been a great addition to their forces. No matter how terrible his reputation or lack of manners, his martial abilities were not something to easily scoff at. However, the man was too busy coughing up a storm to be of use and thus was confined to the inner walls of the manor until a sizeable amount of medicine was brewed and consumed by him.

"...Hm." The Ivory Sword Saint saw Yuan Xuelan's pleased expression and could easily imagine an eager wagging tail behind him. It was cute, and though he didn't understand where this mood came from, it inspired him to reach over and pat Yuan Xuelan's head.

Their eyes locked. And in the midst of chaos and promise of battle, everything drowned out as though it was only the two of them there. Liu Sumeng sighed, his chest constricted. A knot of feelings and thoughts tumbled around in his head but he didn't have the time to make sense of any of it.

And yet, he could understand that Yuan Xuelan was feeling the same.

"Stay safe."

"You too."

He didn't want to leave. Liu Sumeng forced out a smile before turning away, leaving Yuan Xuelan behind.

Yuan Xuelan watched the Ivory Sword Saint exit the courtyard, leaving with a group that set out for the south-side of the city. Caught in without words, he stood there stiffly with silent prayer.

He released the tension in his shoulders with one long breath. 

Xuelan closed his eyes. He needed to trust Liu Sumeng. Even the dumb bird in his head said so. The Ivory Sword Saint was more than capable without him and Yuan Xuelan was only a fool to fret.

The anxiety did not completely subside but Yuan Xuelan squared his shoulders and put on a brave face.

He picked up some tools and weapons from the pile before setting off to his own station.

Before worrying about Liu Sumeng, he needed to worry about himself first.

He still had many things he wished to say and to show to Liu Sumeng and couldn't wait till the chance finally came.

The chance would come but after this battle.

…

The south city wall was alight with shouting and spirit light-bearing disciples. 

Liu Sumeng climbed up cobble steps through one of the towers and found his place along the wall next to Chen Gaoyong. Sect Leader Chen's eyes trained on the dark field ahead of them.

Unlike the cultivators, the army of Fallen G.o.ds bore no light and was difficult to make out in the distance.

With a deep sigh, Chen Gaoyong mouthed a chant. A bright halo of light appeared above him and then dispersed into the field, lighting up the darkness that stretched in front of the city.

The sight revealed to them was a terrible one.

Hundreds of tall bodies swayed as they stepped forward, each wearing a statuesque expression with no life twinkling in their black eyes.

Chen Gaoyong shook in fear, but Liu Sumeng did not have time to waver nor tremble. He called out to the fools that stood around them, frozen in shock, "Load the ballistas. Do not slack, focus!"