Heaven and earth churned, time flowed on.
I saw everything in the depths of my eyes.
Suddenly, a jolt—I woke.
The cosmos halted, all things returned to normal.
The parchment, ever by my side, glowed faintly, floating before me.
I grasped it.
Memories buried in my subconscious stirred.
I knew what this was.
Who I once was.
Who our enemies were.
And above all, what I could do now.Yet, with all that, I couldn't save her, nor the others.
I couldn't change the past I'd lived through.
…How tragic.
No.
There's hope now.
I'll use this power to forge my present self.
If I grow strong enough, I can save her soul.
From fragments of memory, I learned:
In my first life, I grasped the Law of Time, etched in my consciousness.
Those memories.
Now, I've absorbed four parts, enough for basic abilities.In my second life, I cultivated a power to bind all things, stored in this parchment.
I'm not yet worthy to unlock it.
But it lends me strength when I truly need it.In this life, I pursue truth and illusion, reality and fantasy.
I'll sense all things with my soul, not some bloodline.
As for the next life, I'll meet them in the future.
The sun climbed high.
Below, Lei City sparkled with red lanterns, scarlet ribbons.
People celebrated, firecrackers burst, horse-drawn carts lined the city gates.
A joyous, bustling air.
What occasion makes the city so lively?
A wedding.
Whose, I wonder—some lady or lord of the Lei Clan?
The queue was too long to join.
I used my new ability instead.
In a blink, I stood before the Lei Manor.
Crowds packed the entrance, the courtyard alive with chatter.
A passerby told me:
Today, Lady Luna weds.
I froze, my heart reeling.
How much time has passed…?
So, today is Luna's wedding day.
Good thing I stopped in time.
I must congratulate her, bring a gift.
But what to give?
Lost in thought, I heard trumpets and firecrackers behind me.
A procession in red robes rode slowly on horseback.
Leading them, a dashing man—Mok Nam-Kar.
Jade-like features, perfect poise.
He tossed coins wherever he went, flattery trailing his generosity.
So, this is Luna's taste… Really?
Beside me, a man scoffed.
"Hmph! This guy's just riding the Mok Clan's power, forcing the Lei Clan to marry off Lady Luna.
Without that, what's he got?"
Another chimed in.
"You're wrong!
The Mok and Lei Clans had a betrothal long ago.
But Luna vanished as a child, so the Mok Clan dropped it.
When she returned, awakening great talent and stunning beauty, Mok Nam-Kar fell hard.
This marriage makes sense, in reason and feeling."
"Pfft, you're from the Mok Clan, aren't you?
Everyone in this city knows Luna doesn't want to marry and leave Lei City!"
"Beat him!"
"Fellow, you misunderstand…"I stood, thinking.
Is Luna being forced into this?
No way!
She's talented, the Lei Clan's future pillar.
Marrying her off like this is like selling their greatest asset.
But…
No rash conclusions.
Still, I'll step in.
If she doesn't want this marriage, no one can force her.
My time manipulation—countless books, yet no record of it.
Flashing it before these fools should do the trick.
Mok Nam-Kar strutted into the manor.
I froze time, slipping in alongside him.
Choosing a good spot, I let time flow again, observing all.
When the auspicious hour arrived, Lei Tian-Shen, Luna's uncle and clan leader, beamed with joy.
He led a bride in ornate robes, veiled, stepping slowly forward.
No mistake—though veiled, I knew it was her.
This was a marriage for profit.
As everyone settled, a Mok Clan elder stepped forth.
"I am Mok Ven-Kor, head of the Mok Clan.
Today, I'll officiate this union."
Mok Nam-Kar, brimming with pride, clasped his hands to the crowd.
"I, Mok Nam-Kar, take Lady Luna as my companion today.
Anyone who objects or disapproves, step forward!"
From the corner, I checked the parchment—still here.
Raising my other hand, I said,
"I object."
The hall fell deathly silent.
Those in front of me parted.
I stepped forward, glaring at Mok Nam-Kar.
"You want to marry my little sister without passing my test?
Not a chance."
Turning to Luna, I smiled.
"As for you, today's your big day.
I came in a rush, no gift prepared.
But don't worry—a fine gift is coming, and it'll…"
Before I finished, Mok Nam-Kar lunged, cutting between us.
"Who the hell are you?
Guards!
Drag this fool out and feed him to the fish!"
Me…?
I pointed my finger, blew softly, and said,
"Freeze."
He stood motionless.
I stepped past, approaching Luna.
"Luna, looks like your groom's quite fond of you.
Jealous, is he?"
Whispering, I asked,
"Do you really want to marry this guy?"
She bit her lip, shaking her head fiercely.
Though I knew this was a clan-driven marriage, seeing her so pitiful, so distressed…
Rage surged within me.
Mok Ven-Kor, furious at my disregard, saw his son frozen by some dark art.
He shot a blaming glance at Lei Tian-Shen, urging action.
Lei Tian-Shen knew who I was.
Worse, I'd acted before him, and he hadn't even seen how.
Unease stirred in him.
He felt Mok Ven-Kor's disapproval.
Reluctantly, he spoke.
"Brother Mok, this is Young Master Noah.
Noah, your bond with Luna is well-known.
But you vanished for three years, leaving no trace.
We couldn't invite you.
Today's a joyous day—why not set your challenge?
I trust Mok Nam-Kar's talent will satisfy it.
First, please release Young Master Nam-Kar, lest we misunderstand each other."
Mok Ven-Kor…?
I cursed inwardly—sly fox—and ignored him.
"Luna, don't fear.
With me here, no one can force you."
Mok Ven-Kor, seeing Lei Tian-Shen's uselessness, knew he had to act.
This wedding would fall apart otherwise.
"I don't care who you are.
Undo your dark art on my son, or else…
This guy talks too much.
"Freeze," I said.
Quiet down.
The Mok Clan behind him erupted in anger.
"What did you do to the clan leader?"
"Call the ancestor!"
Suddenly, the entire Mok Clan froze mid-motion.
One, mid-spell to summon their ancestor, had spiritual energy locked on his hand.
My Law of Time is strong—or they're just weak.
I turned to the crowd.
"Everyone, the bride doesn't wish to marry.
The wedding's over.
You may leave."
Oddly, only a few slipped away.
The rest stood silent, heads bowed, as if fearing something.
Lei Tian-Shen, panicked, stammered,
"Young Master Noah, you've caused trouble…
Our Lei Clan…"
I cut him off.
"Right, the Mok Clan's ancestor returned after three hundred years, his power unmatched.
No one can touch him, yes?"
Pointing to the man mid-spell, I blew softly.
"Release."
Instantly, he resumed summoning, as if nothing happened.
The crowd gaped, stunned.
Silence deepened.
The man finished, eyes gleaming with triumph.
But seeing his frozen clansmen, the eerie quiet, he sensed something wrong.
He opened his mouth to shout—then froze again.
Moments later, clouds swirled.
A massive black cloud loomed overhead, the air heavy and stifling.
One glance at the newcomer, and I saw his past—and part of his future.
As he entered the hall, the air grew heavier.
No one dared make a sound.
The man, Mok Tarren, had gray hair, a robust frame, short but sturdy.
His sleeves bared strong arms, his presence rugged, commanding.
"Fellow daoist, let's talk calmly.
If these youngsters offended you, I'll ensure a proper response."
"Daoist?
Mistaken, aren't you?"
"Daoist, all matters can be settled over talk.
Your mastery of a time-related domain is rare.
Could you release it, so I may discipline these foolish heirs?"
I glanced at the frozen Mok Clan, then at him.
Domain?
Bloodline?
Cultivation?
"No blame on you," he continued.
"You've only just grasped this domain, touching the Realm of Intent.
It's normal not to see it."
He fell silent.
I pressed on.
"Five years ago, you were a wandering cultivator.
By chance, you saved someone from a clan with a coiled serpent emblem.
They gifted you a gray-white pill in thanks.
With it, you broke your shackles, stepping into the Realm of Intent.
Your intent—Unyielding Blade.
You grasped it two years, three months, and twenty-one days ago.
Am I right?"
Mok Tarren, the Mok Clan ancestor, felt a chill.
He dropped to his knees, head bowed.
"This junior was blind, failing to see senior's profound strength.
Please, forgive my offense."
His deference told me the matter was settled.
"You're not entirely unreasonable.
Go explain right and wrong to those fools."
I pointed, blew softly, and said,
"Release."
The Mok Clan resumed, oblivious, shouting and cursing.
Some prepared spells to strike back.
Mok Tarren didn't hesitate.
He slapped a Mok clansman, sending him flying.
"Insolent fools!
Kneel and apologize to the senior!"
In the grand hall, I sat.
Below, Mok Tarren stood, hands clasped, head bowed, awaiting orders.
When all seemed resolved, the Mok Clan guests knelt outside, heads down, not daring to rise.
The other guests had fled.
Luna, now in new robes, stood radiant.
Only now did I notice her poise—mature, strong, independent.
Her face, sharp and beautiful, like a goddess descended from the heavens.
Familiar, yet… hard to describe why.
But I had more pressing matters.
"I hear you returned from afar.
Do you know this symbol?"
I could peer into the past of the wooden plaque, with me since birth, to learn everything.
But that would hinder my growth—more harm than good.
Best to follow time's flow, cause and effect.
When Mok Tarren took the crystal-shaped plaque with my name, he froze.
Then, trembling, he knelt, head to the ground, hands shaking as he raised it high.
"This servant, blind to Mount Tai, failed to recognize Your Highness's presence.
Please, Your Highness, show mercy, grant this servant a chance to atone."
Seeing his fear, his knowledge, I grew cold.
"You know what it is.
Do you know what it can do?"
Mok Tarren's mind raced.
"Your Highness, this is an embryonic token of the imperial clan.
It marks the main line of the Celestial Dynasty's royalty.
Holding it grants absolute authority—execution, mobilization of forces.
Disobedience means exile from the imperial clan.
Please, Your Highness, reclaim the token.
This servant dares not hold it long."
As he recalled the Celestial Dynasty, I saw all its truths.
A vast, sacred force, far beyond the Acx Kingdom's ken.
No wonder my searches yielded nothing.
I retrieved the token.
Mok Tarren was dismissed.
"Luna, you've suffered much lately…"
Facing her, guilt made my words falter.
"Where have you been, brother?
I thought you'd abandoned me…"
Her reproach stung, but I deserved it.
"I'm sorry, Luna.
I was on that mountain peak outside the city.
It doesn't matter now—I'm back.
Tell me what's happened this past year."
I'd been gone nearly three years, leaving no word.
In that time, Luna searched everywhere for me.
If Master Fenric hadn't staked his life, she'd have torn the city apart.
After two years of my absence, the Mok Clan's ancestor returned, seizing the northern domain.
Mok Nam-Kar, smitten by Luna's beauty, used a spirit stone mine to pressure her.
She agreed to marry him to stabilize things.
Had I not returned in time, who knows what would've happened?
"What if you became the head of the Lei Clan?"
She looked startled, but mostly calm.
"Isn't Uncle still in charge?"
I shook my head.
"I've seen his intent to sell you off.
Time changes all…
You're my only true kin.
I urge you to be wary—of everyone, even me.
I don't know if one day I might harm you."
"If you wish to be clan leader, I'll help.
I'll stay here, at least a few years."
Her eyes grew pensive, lost in thought.
I didn't disturb her, returning to my old room.
It was still cleaned regularly, unchanged from three years ago.
She truly cares for me.
But I can't…
In our first life, we were fated.
In this one, my heart belongs only to Liora.
Perhaps, in her subconscious, Luna remembers and trusts me.
But a bond of sworn siblings suits us best.