"Xuelan," Liu Sumeng huffed, slightly out of breath. He chuckled a little when he put down some of the letters in his hand. "It's good to see you."

And when he was finally free of the hug and turned around, Yuan Xuelan pressed in for another hug. He drank in the Ivory Sword Saint's soft laughter and basked in heat he so desperately missed. He caressed the Ivory Sword Saint's waist, fingers splayed to feel the tantalizing outline of the body beneath his grasps.

He whined when the Ivory Sword Saint pulled away. 

"Not now," Sumeng hummed and gave his cute lover (was it proper to call Xuelan that!?) a pat on the shoulder, his hand lingering a little before pulling away. "Help me sort my things."

Yuan Xuelan pouted like a dejected puppy but pulled away, convincing himself that they will definitely have more chances to share intimacy…They could hold hands…hug…cuddle…kiss…and…

Red was crawling all the way up from his neck to his face. What was he even thinking about? Clearly it wasn't about what was going on in reality, because he was flailing when Liu Sumeng handed him a heavy lacquered box.

He almost dropped the thing.

"Careful with that."

Yuan Xuelan blinked, his attention finally focusing on Liu Sumeng and whatever it was that he was doing. It was only then that he noticed the office was in a messy state; items moved about and shelves exceptionally barren.

Liu Sumeng was frowning at the large stack of books and manuals, uncertain if they were going to all fit into his interspatial ring. Probably not.

"What is Sumeng doing?" Yuan Xuelan was a little stunned. Why did it seem like the Ivory Sword Saint was moving…? That couldn't be...right? An anxiety took hold of him.

"Packing up,��� Liu Sumeng answered tersely and with a sigh. "I want to leave immediately."

Yuan Xuelan was reeling, "What? Why is that?" He was so confused and couldn't understand such urgency. 

Sure Liu Sumeng wished to go to Mount Tianwen and retrieve the G.o.d Slaying Divine Weapon, but it'd already been a month, what was the problem with taking more time?

More time they could relax and be together. Those days were already so awfully scarce already. Just thinking about it made Yuan Xuelan dizzy. Since their mutual confessions they hadn't even shared a bed together!

Not that Yuan Xuelan was desperate or anything…

Okay maybe he was, but could one really fault him?

Liu Sumeng was still moving around the room, tearing it to pieces and organizing his belongings. He was beginning to contemplate taking a cart instead. But that would ma.s.sively increase his travel time.

He'd arrive at w.a.n.gyun Peak a lot closer to New Years than he wished. He sighed deeply at the thought, missing the way Yuan Xuelan was scurrying around him with the look of panic on his face.

"But Sumeng, why are you leaving now? Why don't you stay for a while? I don't understand."

"There's no reason for me to stay here longer," Liu Sumeng commented off-handedly and placed even more things on top of the lacquered box in Yuan Xuelan's hands. "I need to go back to talk to my family before everyone forces my hand in regards to the marriage. The south is stable now and I wish to see what Hui Siran is planning."

"B-But. Aren't you tired? Why don't you spend a few days here to rest? I'll make sure that no one else in the manor bothers you. You can leave that to me, Sumeng. Please just take a rest."

"I will rest when I reach w.a.n.gyun Peak," Liu Sumeng said resolutely. "It is closer to Mount Tianwen as well, which I will investigate whenever possible."

"What's the difference of resting here, in Reling? Are you uncomfortable?" Yuan Xuelan was starting to feel irate. His voice raised, words tumbled out faster and his fingers were digging into the wood of the box that he still couldn't understand why he was holding.

Finally, Liu Sumeng paused in his movements, looking up to see concern distorting Yuan Xuelan's expression. His brow furrowed, equally as confused. "I haven't seen my family in months. Of course it's imperative I see how they are doing. When was the last time you've seen your mother?"

Yuan Xuelan was stunned, his head tilted. "What? What about my mother?"

"You haven't seen her in years." Liu Sumeng's voice was pointed.

"Well, no I haven't, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"She's in Xinlie. Hurry up and get packing. I want to get out of Chen Leike's face as soon as possible."

Yuan Xuelan stood there like spooked fawn. It took him a moment before he finally perked up in realization, "O-Oh!"

Liu Sumeng was expecting him to come with him…!

But wait a moment, did that mean he was going to spend New Years with the Lius? His face heated at the thought. He really was like a newlywed wife being brought home to be shown to the family, wasn't he!?

Maybe Yuan Xuelan was a little delusional but he allowed himself to drown in his happy daydreams and thoughts. They quickly wrapped up with Liu Sumeng's affairs and then went to Yuan Xuelan's room to get the essentials he needed.

Then came the matter of bidding farewell to Chen Leike.

That did not go as smoothly, but it was to be expected.

Chen Leike was atop his lofty throne in the main hall. Since when did it become even higher, more gaudy with swirling decorations of gold? It was almost like the man was completely unaware of the war brewing right on his doorsteps, living his life w.i.l.l.y nilly without a single care.

He was smiling lazily, hand resting in a fist, his elbow on the jut of his decorative throne. Liu Sumeng and Yuan Xuelan were respectable in front of him but their patience was being tested with this absurd Immortal of Luck.

Chen Leike's eyes were without even a flicker of kindness. Yuan Xuelan decided with the fullness of his heart that he hated this guy. Especially after the words came out of his mouth.

"What are you saying? We're to hold the wedding soon and you wish to leave my poor little sister? Ivory Sword Saint, please reconsider your decision, lest you want to fan dissent."

"It is not my intention to cause trouble." Liu Sumeng's response was harsh. He had lost count of the number of times that he had the exact same conversation with this new Sect Leader Chen.

"Do you really think you can get away with this? My poor little sister cries day and night because of you."

Yuan Xuelan felt a sharp chill. He snarled, no longer able to hold himself back, "Shut up! What do you know about s.h.i.+jie and if she cries or not? You rarely even go to see her!"

"Zhang," Chen Leike's voice was lyrical, his smile never faltering even the slightest, "I know each and every day that you've gone to visit her, even the conversations you tried to have with her have failed. Did you know you tried to apologize at least twenty-two times? I knew all the books that she's read since she's woken and I know how she's spent her time while you were off somewhere, frolicking with Zhao Fanyu. I even know the ingredients of the medicine that Zhao Fanuy brewed for her.

"So tell me, Zhang," he tongued over the name, mocking with a sneer, "tell me that I don't know how much my poor meimei has cried because of this b.a.s.t.a.r.d."

Yuan Xuelan was truly taken aback, a visceral disgust unwound in his gut. 

"You're f.u.c.king disgusting," he spat.

"Xuelan!" It was Liu Sumeng who chided him sharply, but his brows were not knit in anger but worry.

"Yes, listen to your Ivory Sword Saint," Chen Leike hissed through his smile. "And remember who you're speaking to."

But Yuan Xuelan just had to get the final word, "Yeah, I'm talking to a disgusting, irresponsible snake."

Chen Leike did not respond right away, but a second later he threw his head back and laughed, "Young Master Yuan is already a young man and he still behaves like a child. I can't help but wonder why anyone would choose an overgrown child over my lovely little sister. It's honestly unfathomable!"

With just a flicker of his wrist. Ascending Dawn disciples jumped out from behind the pillars, sword tips circled at the Ivory Sword Saint and Yuan Xuelan. 

"What do you think you're doing!?" Yuan Xuelan shouted, "This is ridiculous. We're allies. There's no time for pointless stunts like this!"

"Allies?" Chen Leike c.o.c.ked his head, as he said his final warning, "And here I thought we were family. That doesn't mean you're above punishment. Don't worry though, I can reconsider my decision if you remain in place. Be good." 

The Ivory Sword Saint closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath. He looked over at Yuan Xuelan.

Badump. Yuan Xuelan's heart skipped a beat.

Xuelan's beloved looked so exhausted, but Sumeng was still giving him a small knowing smile.

They had not a single bit of hesitation or doubt, moving as one, Silei and Mingshui were drawn. 

Both bodies twirled, clas.h.i.+ng with the blades of unprepared disciples. They screeched in shock, knocked back easily by the Ivory Sword Saint and the Phoenix Craftsman. After all, how could they even hope to match these two heroes in might? The clas.h.i.+ng of steel echoed and someone was thrown into a pillar.