Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 122: Zhen Puyang · Rebirth

Chapter 122: Zhen Puyang · Rebirth

Zhen Puyang often dreamt.

In his dreams, there seemed to be a world that truly existed. Whenever he fell asleep, chaotic fragments would invade his dreamscape, leaving him unable to distinguish reality from illusion.

The storybooks said that these dreams were memories of past lives.

If that were true, then perhaps, as his mother claimed, he really had been a young emperor in his previous life. Otherwise, why would he be so arrogant and domineering?

In his dreams, his life was smooth sailing. In his youth, he was a favored prince, ascending the throne before coming of age. It seemed he could effortlessly achieve great feats and establish a prosperous reign. Yet his dreams always carried an oppressive gloom, making it impossible for him to feel joy.

One day, his dream shifted from the resplendent palace to a dim riverbank.

He stood at one end of the Wangchuan River, while on the opposite side, there was only a blurry figure gazing at him. The person could not cross the distance between them and could only murmur softly, “In our last life, I restricted him too much. In the next, I hope he is never born into an imperial family again.”

Despite the vast distance, the murmur amplified in his ears, reverberating repeatedly, each word striking his brain and shaking his heart.

Awaking with a start, Zhen Puyang was drenched in sweat. Wiping his face, he found it ice-cold.

His dreams were always absurd, yet he couldn’t help but believe them. The person in his dream spoke little but smiled often. With just a glance, Zhen Puyang’s heart would start pounding uncontrollably. He thought that person was a figment of his imagination, but their every expression and gesture carried an undeniable warmth.

The entire following day, Zhen Puyang was absent-minded, even ignoring his mother’s mention of arranging a marriage for him.

That night, he went to bed early, a mix of fear and anticipation filling his heart as he braced for the unknown dream awaiting him.

But this time was different. He found himself in his bedroom, lying next to someone who was pressed tightly against him. A faint fragrance lingered, leaving him disoriented.

The person’s face was somewhat visible, their smile like a hook ensnaring his heart. Feeling a sudden warmth, Zhen Puyang embraced them, losing himself in fervor. It wasn’t until later that he realized—this person, like himself, was a man?!

He woke up again, emotions in turmoil, only to find the bedding damp and heated beneath him.

Zhen Puyang had always immersed himself in martial arts, keeping his distance from women. Now, as a grown man, perhaps his normal desires had spurred such an outrageous dream.

His mother was right—he needed to marry a wife.

The next day, following his mother’s wishes, Zhen Puyang met with Miss Li for a walk around the town.

His father, a governor, had secured a match with an exceptional young lady. Yet despite her beauty and grace, Zhen Puyang couldn’t focus on her. Abruptly, he excused himself and left.

He’d heard of an elderly woodcarver nearby who often made small wooden dolls for passersby. For reasons he couldn’t explain, Zhen Puyang found himself drawn to the man’s stall.

Without looking up, the old man asked what kind of doll he wanted.

Zhen Puyang, his temples pounding, stared at the stall. It felt eerily familiar, though he couldn’t pinpoint why. Overwhelmed, he shook his head.

The old man glanced up at him. “Well, then I’ll carve one as I see fit. Just moments ago, I saw a striking young man—his face was like jade, truly handsome. I reckon you might like something similar.”

The old man worked quickly, wood shavings flying in the air. In no time, he handed over a freshly carved doll.

Taking one look, Zhen Puyang’s heart was struck. The doll’s features bore a resemblance to the person in his dreams. His eyes widened as he dropped the doll to the ground.

Staring at the fallen doll, he felt paralyzed, unable to move as his feet seemed weighted down. All he could do was keep his gaze fixed on it.

Then, a pair of pristine white boots appeared in his view, stopping in front of the doll. The figure crouched down, picked it up, and brushed the dust off it.

“Don’t like it? To think you’d just toss it away…”

The man standing before him, tall and elegant, held the doll with features resembling his own. He smiled faintly, and in that instant, the bustling streets seemed to dim, leaving only silence.

Zhen Puyang’s heart thundered in his chest. He was sure he’d never met this man before, yet he couldn’t look away. His head ached, and his mind churned, unable to comprehend why he was reacting so strongly to a stranger.

The two stood silently in the middle of the street, drawing attention from passersby.

Clearly embarrassed, the man spoke again. “If you don’t remember, I’ll leave.”

In that moment, long-buried memories of a past life surged to the surface, dusted off by the winds of time. Zhen Puyang watched the man’s departing figure, his face darkening. He strode forward, grabbed him, and pulled him into a secluded alley.

“You’re not allowed to leave! You hear me? I command it!”

Pressing the man against the wall, his voice was fierce, his eyes red and wild.

The man froze briefly before breaking into a smile despite the discomfort.

“You’ve remembered? Your Highness… or should I say, Your Majesty.”

The title hit Zhen Puyang like a jolt. His body trembled as his expression shifted. He murmured, “Grand Tutor.”

The man’s smile deepened, and being addressed as such again after transcending life and death moved him profoundly.

“A miracle, indeed, that you remember after another lifetime…”

Leaning against the man’s chest, Zhen Puyang listened to his heartbeat, trying to steady himself. “Not just the last life—I remember everything, even what happened in the Underworld.”

The man looked down at him, patting his back gently. “The Underworld?”

“I don’t want to talk about the past. You were awful,” Zhen Puyang muttered into his chest. Memories from their previous life flooded back, yet he decided to let bygones be bygones since this heartless man had returned to him.

The man chuckled softly. “If I was so awful, why did you throw the doll? You didn’t like it?”

Seeing the doll again stirred countless memories of their past. Zhen Puyang, flustered, responded, “No! I like it.”

The man lifted his chin teasingly. “Which do you like? The doll… or me?”

“Grand Tutor… you…” Zhen Puyang faltered, feeling both tickled and helpless against the man’s flirtation.

This time, Zhen Puyang was sure—he wouldn’t let him escape again.

—

Author’s Note: Just scribbling for now! Treat this as an extra. Everyone’s ending will be written eventually.