"Argh!!"
Xuè Wúshēng jolted awake, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His eyes widened as his heart pounded violently. He immediately raised both hands, repeatedly feeling his own body.
"Wasn't my body… burned just now?" he whispered, his face filled with confusion.
He sat up on the bed and surveyed his surroundings.
A vast and luxurious room stretched out before him. Elegant decorations, expensive furnishings, and an atmosphere that felt completely unfamiliar.
"Where am I now?" he murmured. "Could this be the realm of death…? Why does it look so luxurious?"
"Young master…"
A soft voice sounded.
Xuè Wúshēng turned sharply, searching for the source of the voice. His gaze stopped at the side of the bed. A young girl was kneeling on the floor, her body bent low in a deep bow.
"What are you doing?" he asked, his tone firm.
"This servant begs forgiveness for startling the young master," the girl replied, her voice trembling. "The young master has been unconscious for five days."
"Young master?"
Xuè Wúshēng frowned.
"Who is your young master?"
The girl slowly raised her head, looking at him with a face full of confusion.
"You are… my young master."
"Me?"
Xuè Wúshēng's confusion deepened. He stepped down from the bed, but his body swayed violently, nearly collapsing as his legs weakened, as though all strength had drained from them.
"Stand up," he ordered curtly.
The girl immediately rose and followed behind as Xuè Wúshēng walked forward unsteadily—heading toward a large mirror standing not far away.
"Damn it! Who is this?!"
Xuè Wúshēng's shout echoed as his eyes met the face reflected in the mirror. Shock overwhelmed him; his legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the floor.
"Young master!"
The girl rushed forward to help him.
"Don't touch me."
Xuè Wúshēng's command was cold and sharp. The girl stopped at once, standing back with a worried expression.
Slowly, Xuè Wúshēng pushed himself up. He stood upright, his eyes narrowing as he examined the unfamiliar face reflected before him.
This is not my face…
Why do I have a face like this?
Is this a curse… or a punishment?
"Young master… are you all right?" the girl asked, her voice heavy with concern.
"What is my name?"
Xuè Wúshēng's tone was firm, leaving no room for excuses.
"The young master's name?"
"Yes. My name. Speak quickly."
"Xuè Wúshēng."
"What?!"
His heart slammed violently against his chest.
"That is indeed my name… but this face and this body are not mine."
What exactly is happening…?
He turned and fixed the girl with a sharp gaze.
"Who owns this residence? And why do you call me young master? Answer me."
"This residence belongs to the Xuè family," the girl replied quickly. "The Xuè Clan is one of the strongest clans in the Dominic Alliance."
"Dominic?"
Xuè Wúshēng's eyes narrowed, his tone filled with suspicion.
"That sounds like the name of an evil clan."
The girl immediately shook her head.
"No. This clan is not an evil clan."
"Then why was I unconscious for five days?"
"Because the young master forced himself to cultivate the family's technique."
"Forced myself?"
The girl nodded slowly.
"Since childhood, the young master's body has been extremely weak. He was forbidden from learning martial techniques because it would destroy his own body."
"However… the young master still insisted on learning it."
Xuè Wúshēng closed his eyes.
He guided his qi through his body, examining every meridian and energy channel. His expression darkened, his jaw tightening.
"Damn it…"
He opened his eyes, fury clearly visible.
"What kind of body is this? Too many qi channels are blocked."
"What is your name?"
His voice was cold, devoid of emotion.
The girl was momentarily startled. She quickly lowered her head, her fingers gripping the edge of her sleeve.
"Did the young master… forget this servant's name?"
"Just answer," Xuè Wúshēng said sharply, his dark eyes locking onto her.
"Yun Rou."
"Leave now. Do not allow anyone to disturb me."
Yun Rou lifted her head, hesitating.
"In this residence… there are only the two of us, young master."
Xuè Wúshēng frowned.
"Where is the rest of the family?"
"At the main estate."
"Then why am I here?"
"That was the young master's own decision," Yun Rou replied softly. "The young master wished to live in seclusion."
Xuè Wúshēng let out a soft snort.
"Hah. Enough. Leave now. Do not come back unless I allow it."
"Yes, young master."
Yun Rou walked toward the door with a heavy heart. She glanced back several times, her face clearly filled with worry for her young master's condition. But there was nothing she could do. She was merely a servant. An order was an order.
The door closed quietly.
Silence enveloped the room.
Xuè Wúshēng took a few steps forward before sitting cross-legged in the center of the floor. His breathing was slightly labored. This body felt unfamiliar… far too unfamiliar.
"Damn it…"
He clenched his fists.
"How could this brat possess such a weak body?" he muttered with undisguised disdain. "Even when I was once called trash, at least my body was strong… not like this."
He opened his eyes and stared at his hands, as though he no longer recognized himself.
"This is truly… garbage."
Xuè Wúshēng drew a long breath and closed his eyes once more.
"Fortunately… I still remember the Clear Jade Body Restoration Technique."
Qi slowly began to circulate within his dantian.
The qi inside his body moved sluggishly, as if resisting his control. It was cold, heavy, and unstable. Xuè Wúshēng frowned, enduring the discomfort that spread from his dantian to every part of his body.
This body… is truly ruined.
He regulated his breathing—one long exhale, one deep inhale. The qi was forced to follow the old pathways he still remembered, yet each time it brushed against a meridian, a dull pain flared instantly, like countless fine needles piercing from within.
His bones throbbed faintly. His muscles felt loose, as though they had once been torn apart and crudely stitched back together.
Xuè Wúshēng did not halt the flow.
Instead, he slowed it down.
Clear jade qi trickled through his body drop by drop, gently washing over the cracked meridians. There was no explosive surge of energy, no instant miracle. Only a faint warmth—barely perceptible—yet just enough to awaken something long dormant.
Within his body, lifeless meridians began to tremble.
The pain transformed into an agonizing itch. Cold sweat formed on his forehead, yet Xuè Wúshēng's expression remained calm. He was accustomed to suffering. Pain like this was merely a small price to pay for survival.
The qi continued to flow, tracing every injury, filling the empty spaces left by weakened flesh and brittle bones. Slowly, his heartbeat grew steadier. His breathing lengthened, becoming deeper and more controlled.
Fine cracks along his meridians began to close—not through force, but through patience.
Time passed unnoticed.
When Xuè Wúshēng finally opened his eyes, the world around him felt subtly different. His body was still weak, yet the sense of fragility had diminished. Something firm was forming beneath the surface, like young roots gripping the soil after the first rain.
He lowered his gaze to his palms.
Not enough.
But at the very least, this body… was no longer on the verge of collapse.
Xuè Wúshēng curved his lips into a thin smile—cold and dangerous.
"Slowly," he whispered. "I will rebuild everything."
He rose from his seated position and walked toward the open window. The evening breeze brushed against his face, carrying with it the scent of a world that felt… unfamiliar.
His eyes swept across the scenery outside—unknown mountains, a sky that appeared far too tranquil. Yet beneath that calm, his chest trembled faintly.
"Why can I still sense my former qi within this brat's body…" he murmured softly. "That should be impossible."
His fingers tightened around the window frame.
"And I still remember clearly the twelve merciless killing techniques," his voice dropped lower, steeped in dark intent. "Techniques that once elevated me to the throne."
His lips curled into a thin, chilling smile.
"I will destroy this world," he said without hesitation. "And I will challenge Tiān Jūn… once again."
A low laugh rumbled from his throat.
"Hahaha…"
Knock. Knock. Knock.
"Young master…"
Yun Rou's gentle voice sounded from behind the closed door.
Xuè Wúshēng shot a displeased glance toward it.
"Tch… how annoying," he muttered under his breath.
"Come in."
The door opened slowly. Yun Rou stepped inside, carrying a large tray laden with various dishes. Her hands were steady, her movements calm and composed.
Xuè Wúshēng, still standing by the window, glanced in her direction. His gaze lingered for a moment, settling on the tray in her hands.
She's stronger than she looks, he thought. Yet I can't sense any qi within her body at all…
Natural strength?
He turned and walked toward the table. By then, Yun Rou had already begun arranging the dishes neatly, her movements efficient and unburdened.
"Young master must be hungry," Yun Rou said with a small smile.
She pulled out a chair and slid it back, preparing for Xuè Wúshēng to sit.
Xuè Wúshēng paused briefly, studying the girl with a look that was difficult to read.
He lowered himself into the chair. The wood creaked softly beneath his weight. Yet Yun Rou remained standing, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes occasionally darting toward him.
"Why are you still standing?" Xuè Wúshēng asked.
Yun Rou jolted slightly, as if only just realizing it.
"I will take my leave now, young master," she said quickly, turning away.
"Hey." Xuè Wúshēng's voice stopped her. "I didn't tell you to leave."
He glanced at the dishes on the table. "Sit down. Eat with me. Do you think I can finish all this myself?"
Yun Rou halted, her expression clearly conflicted.
"This servant… dares not, young master."
"I told you to sit," Xuè Wúshēng said firmly. "Just sit."
"Yes, young master."
Yun Rou promptly pulled out a chair and sat down carefully, her posture still stiff, as though afraid of making a mistake.
Xuè Wúshēng let out a quiet breath and examined the dishes laid out before him. They were neatly arranged, their aroma inviting.
"Who cooked all of this?"
"I did," Yun Rou replied softly.
"You cook like this every day?"
Yun Rou shook her head, a faint smile appearing alongside a hint of guilt.
"Not really, young master. It's just… I was so happy that you finally woke up. Normally, young master refuses to eat."
She lowered her head slightly. "Young master is always busy studying martial techniques."
Xuè Wúshēng fell silent for a moment.
"I honestly don't remember who I am now," he said quietly. "Not even a single thing."
Yun Rou looked at him with deep concern.
"Perhaps it is because young master pushed himself too hard. Those may be side effects you are experiencing."
Xuè Wúshēng leaned back slightly.
"Have you ever studied martial arts?"
Yun Rou shook her head.
"No. This servant's body has simply been strong since childhood."
The corner of Xuè Wúshēng's lips lifted slightly, forming a thin smile that was hard to interpret.
"This body is fated to be unable to cultivate," he said softly, as if speaking to himself. "Yet it still dreamed of learning martial arts…"
Yun Rou raised her head.
"Because young master felt ashamed," she said honestly. "Every member of young master's family is a respected warrior."
Her words fell gently, yet they were enough to plunge the space between them into silence.
Xuè Wúshēng looked at the dishes before him once more.
For some reason, for the first time since he awoke… his stomach truly felt hungry.