His eyelids slowly began to part, as though resisting an invisible weight, until a thin strand of light slipped into his eyes. He shut them again, then reopened them hesitantly, trying to adjust to that unfamiliar glow.
A few moments passed… until he was finally able to keep them open.
His gaze fell upon the ceiling above him—intricate geometric patterns, woven with strange lines he had never seen before, as though they carried a hidden meaning he could not grasp. On either side, sheer silk curtains swayed gently with a faint breeze, casting soft, shifting shadows along the walls.
Everything… was strange. And yet, disturbingly familiar.
Qing Han slowly pushed himself up, bracing on his hands, as though every movement required full awareness. At last, he sat upright, his eyes roaming the room, examining every detail in cautious silence.
He lifted his hand… feeling his limbs. His skin. His breath. His pulse. Everything was as it should be… and yet, it wasn't. He frowned slightly as awareness began to settle into his mind.
"Where… am I?"
His voice came out faint, as though still caught between dream and reality. And in that moment—he felt… that this place, no matter how strange it seemed, was not unfamiliar to him alone.
"Welcome… to the Upper World."
The feminine voice came calmly from behind the doorway curtain, soft as a passing breeze, yet clear beyond doubt. It was Lianshu. She gently moved the curtain aside and stepped in with slow strides, a warm, gentle smile resting on her face, as though trying to soothe an unseen unease.
She approached him slightly, then stopped at a comfortable distance and spoke in a welcoming tone:
"Welcome to the Upper World… you are now in a place that everyone—whether from the higher realms or the lower ones—dreams of reaching."
She paused for a moment, her gaze settling on him.
"You are in the Gu family's palace… the family before which all others, across every realm, bow."
The name echoed in Qing Han's mind. The Gu family…
Like the distant tolling of bells, it reverberated through his consciousness without end. He knew that name… it was not unfamiliar. He had read about it—countless times.
It was… the greatest manhua he had ever read.
His eyes widened slightly, his breathing rising without him noticing. He raised a hand to the back of his head, rubbing it with visible tension, as though his mind was struggling to piece everything together.
"How… the hell did I end up here?"
He muttered, his voice still carrying the weight of shock. Then he suddenly lifted his head and looked at Lianshu, as if a thought had just struck him.
"When you said the Gu family… do you mean the one led by the young master… Gu Changge?"
Lianshu smiled. A light, brief laugh escaped her, stirred by his confusion.
"Ah… yes, that very one."
She tilted her head slightly, interest glinting in her eyes.
"I'm surprised you know of my young master… I didn't think his name had reached even the lowest realms."
"Heh…"
A dry, uneven chuckle slipped from Qing Han, devoid of any real amusement, like a desperate attempt to steady himself.
"It's not strange that I know him…"
He lifted his gaze slightly, a faint trace of irony in his eyes.
"There are things far stranger than that."
He tilted his head, his tone growing more indifferent, as if too many shocks had dulled his sense of wonder:
"So what? Does that make you a member of the Gu family? Am I about to be executed for not bowing and kissing the ground before you?"
Lianshu laughed softly, a clear, gentle sound, raising her sleeve slightly to cover her mouth in a quiet, feminine gesture.
"Haha… no, no."
She shook her head lightly.
"I'm not a member of the Gu family. Just a subordinate of the young master."
She paused briefly, then added in a lighter tone:
"Ah… and my name is Lianshu. You can simply call me that."
She looked at him with clear interest, as though trying to read beyond his words, then leaned forward slightly and asked:
"By the way… I don't know your name yet."
"Me?… Ah, it's Qing Han."
The words came simply, but the trace of humor quickly faded from his face, replaced by a more serious expression.
"May I ask… how did I end up here?"
Lianshu did not answer immediately. She pulled a nearby chair and sat beside him calmly, then began recounting what had happened—how she found him unconscious, how she carried him herself, and how he ended up in this place.
"…and that's how you came to be here, in the Upper World."
She paused, then looked at him with steady eyes.
"Tell me, Qing Han… would you have preferred to stay there?"
Silence fell. Qing Han lowered his gaze, staring at his lap, lost in thought. A few moments passed before he exhaled slowly and replied:
"No… I wouldn't say I wanted to stay there."
He paused slightly, letting out a quiet breath.
"And I wouldn't say I'm happy to be here either."
He raised his gaze a little, his voice now calm, devoid of emotion:
"I just… don't care anymore. About anything. No matter what happens."
Lianshu looked at him with genuine sympathy. She knew—or at least felt—the weight of what he had been through. She smiled at him warmly, with a touch of gentleness:
"It seems you've adapted rather impressively… your disposition is truly rare."
She fell silent for a moment, as though something had just occurred to her, then added:
"Ah… the young master requested to see you as soon as you woke up. I know you're still tired, but he was merciful enough to let you wake naturally."
Qing Han raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Gu Changge… wants to see me?"
He said it while adjusting his posture and clothes slowly, as though preparing for something inevitable.
"I would've gone to him myself even if he hadn't called for me. Being in his palace means… it's either death, or death. There's no third option."
Lianshu's eyes widened slightly as she stared at him in surprise.
"My… I'm not sure whether this boldness comes from your ignorance of my young master… or from knowing him."
She shook her head lightly, then leaned closer and lowered her voice:
"Because those who know him… wouldn't dare speak his name like that."
She let out a soft laugh, then added:
"So… for the sake of your life—and mine as well—try not to make mistakes when you stand before him. Agreed?"
Qing Han exhaled lightly, then nodded, as though he disliked it but understood the necessity:
"Alright… alright. I'll remember that."
They left the room together, walking through the vast corridors, their footsteps echoing softly across the polished floor. They did not speak, as though silence itself was part of the place's grandeur. Until they reached… the young master's wing.
Lianshu stopped before the door for a moment. This time, Old Ming was not there. She raised her hand to knock—but before her fingers could touch the wood—
"Come in, Lianshu."
The voice came from within. Calm… smooth… carrying that authority which needed no elevation to be imposed.
Her hand froze midair for a brief second, then she lowered it quietly and pushed the door open. They entered.
Lianshu first, Qing Han following with measured steps. The moment the scene settled before him, Lianshu bowed slightly, placing her hands before her in a formal greeting. Qing Han needed no prompting—he understood. He bowed as well, lowering his head, his voice steady, carrying a blend of respect… and deliberate exaggeration:
"Qing Han greets the young master Gu Changge, the greatest among the younger generation. I feel that my mere presence here tarnishes the dignity and sanctity of your esteemed self… so forgive this lowly one for daring to enter the palace of your exalted family."
A brief silence followed. Then—Gu Changge's familiar smile appeared. A smile that revealed nothing… yet carried absolute authority, as though it alone could determine the fate of whoever stood before him.
"Hoh…"
The sound left him lightly, almost amused.
"It seems this young man… is quite skilled with words and flattery, Lianshu."
His words were neither pure praise… nor outright mockery.
Lianshu spoke quickly:
"Ah, my lord… he understands the differences better than he appears. He knows his place… and knows who commands and who submits."
Gu Changge shifted his gaze toward Qing Han, a deep, scrutinizing look, as though it pierced beyond appearances.
"Very well… younger brother Qing."
Inside, Qing Han couldn't help but scoff: younger brother? Is this bastard trying to look good in front of his subordinate?
Gu Changge continued in a calm tone:
"I've heard you're from the lower realms. Frankly… I still don't understand why Lianshu brought you here. I assume she intended to make use of you in her cultivation."
He paused briefly, then added with a faint smile:
"What do you think? Does she still seem like your savior?"
Qing Han slowly raised his head, his gaze steady. His methods… haven't changed. Fine… I'll play along.
"A savior? I never saw her that way to begin with."
He paused, then continued just as calmly:
"On the contrary… I consider what happened a kidnapping without my consent. But… I don't mind."
A faint smile appeared on his lips, devoid of emotion:
"Using me for cultivation? Who cares. Even if she intended to turn my blood into ink… I wouldn't object."
Silence fell. A heavy silence, as though the entire room had stopped breathing.
Lianshu, standing at the side, unconsciously clenched her fist slightly. Qing Han's words were not ordinary… nor was the way he spoke them.