It seemed as if it were but a dream, yet all was real.

At dinner, Xu Lin did not see Chu Fengyi. Chu Qingchan mentioned that she had returned to the hotel, eaten a little pastry, and planned to sleep again. When asked if she felt unwell, she refused to say, which worried Chu Qingchan. She considered calling a doctor, but Chu Fengyi forbade her from making the call.

"Tonight, just stay with her at the hotel. We won't go out. I'll practice my lines a bit more so I don't embarrass myself tomorrow."

"Go to bed early. Tomorrow at eight, they'll send a car to pick us up."

"Alright, you get some rest too. If Chu Fengyi really feels ill, remember to call me."

"Mm. She hits you every day, yet you still worry about her?"

"Because she's my master—and your sister."

Xu Lin patted her shoulder and turned toward the elevator. Chu Qingchan stood dazed for a couple of seconds.

He said she's my sister too—what does that mean? We’re not even together yet, always trying to take advantage of me~

Xu Lin hadn’t meant anything by it; he'd just said it casually.

Back in his room, he reviewed his lines and blocking, then felt increasingly sleepy. He collapsed onto the bed, enjoying the softness—though there was no girl beside him to cuddle.

He had no idea how many seconds passed before sleep overtook him completely. Somehow, a strange scene appeared before his eyes.

"Xu Lin, I want you to go to Jinling to compete in the martial arts tournament for a marriage alliance. Once you become the son-in-law of the Wei family, we can proceed with our plan."

"Yes, Master! I will do my utmost."

"But remember, you may marry, but must not let that girl steal your heart. If you become attached, your sword and your blood will lose their sharp edge!"

Xu Lin stood atop water, watching in the pavilion two men dressed in ancient garb. One bore his own name and resembled him eight or nine tenths—a young man with long hair. The other looked like a sage, immortal in bearing. Their conversation revealed their relationship.

Xu Lin tried to move closer, but the water beneath his feet turned murky, as if ink had spilled into clear water. The scene before him was swallowed, dissolving into darkness.

After a few seconds, a dazzling light flashed. He squinted as the brightness faded, and his eyes adjusted to a new scene.

The young man who looked almost exactly like him was seated in a tavern, drinking. The place was bustling, packed with people. Xu Lin glanced around—was he dreaming? But it felt far too real.

He reached out to touch a pillar, and his hand passed through it. Was he in a soul state?

He pinched himself, feeling a sharp pain, so real it startled him. What was happening? Was this the system’s doing? The system had malfunctioned earlier, and then he’d suddenly become a sharpshooter...

He dared not move, simply stood and watched the other 'Xu Lin.'

Just then, as in many martial arts films, a crowd burst into the tavern, chasing a ragged boy. Xu Lin felt the boy looked familiar. As the boy was about to be caught, 'Xu Lin' slammed the table, and a silver sword flew out.

He rose and strode into the fray. There were no flashy moves, just simple slaughter. Block, slash, stab—a few actions and several men lay bleeding on the floor. The icy-faced 'Xu Lin' grabbed the boy.

Amid screams and chaos, they left the tavern and melted into the crowd. Xu Lin’s perspective rose, becoming bird’s-eye, then faded once more.

Seconds later, as if switching screens, he found himself on a street. The boy clung to 'Xu Lin,' who remained cold, but the boy was delighted.

Suddenly, everything accelerated. The boy and 'Xu Lin' spent long days together, from dawn to dusk, from green hills to snowy mountains, from city to countryside.

By chance, the boy and 'Xu Lin' bonded after a rescue and began adventuring and living together. The boy cooked, washed clothes, cared for him, and 'Xu Lin' taught him martial arts.

Gradually, 'Xu Lin' softened, his coldness melting into gentleness.

But during an incident, 'Xu Lin' discovered the boy was actually a girl. He insisted she leave. When she refused, he knocked her out, left her in the care of a trusted friend, and continued south alone. He had but one mission:

To reach Jinling, enter the city lord Wei Chang’s tournament for a marriage alliance, and become the Wei family's son-in-law to further his master’s grand plan.

The scene shifted again, arriving in Jinling. 'Xu Lin,' playing the fool, quickly earned the title “White Sword Xu Lin” in the area.

As he waited for the tournament, a familiar figure appeared—not the ragged boy anymore, but a graceful, beautiful young woman.

Xu Lin’s breath quickened; the girl looked so much like Chu Fengyi’s Chinese counterpart.

He began to realize these scenes weren’t dreams or fantasies, but—

He hadn’t finished thinking when the girl and 'Xu Lin' quarreled. She confessed her feelings, explaining why she had been hunted. She described how she’d come to love him, yet he stood silent and cold.

Before leaving, she placed a hairpin in his palm. Tearful, she spoke firmly:

"If you don't want me... then at least don’t shame me at the tournament! Don’t lose, Xu Lin!"

She left the room. 'Xu Lin' watched her go, staring until she vanished around the corner, still watching, his hand clenched tight.

The scenery shifted again, speeding up. 'Xu Lin' passed each round, eventually reaching the final. But the contest, once one-on-one, suddenly changed to archery.

This threw the ten remaining young men into disarray, but with the city lord’s decree, they had no choice.

'Xu Lin' was last to compete. The others did well, but he had suffered an eye injury as a child, making it difficult.

Amidst the commotion, a girl in festive red robes appeared, sitting beside the city lord. The crowd instantly realized she was the true bride-to-be.

All admired her beauty, but only 'Xu Lin' wore a face of pain and sorrow. Why was it her, why her!?

Xu Lin, watching from the side, felt as if he heard her thoughts, sharing her sadness.

He could not betray his master, so he had to go on. But by continuing, he would destroy the pure emotions between them, and face even harsher choices ahead.

Yet as the girl called out from the high platform—“Don’t lose!”—his arrows grew sharper, not duller.

With taut bowstring, he shot, striking dead center. Then came a dazzling display: ten perfect shots in a row!

The scene shifted again. He wore a red groom’s robe, gazing at the veiled figure before him, nervous and happy.

"First bow to heaven and earth!"

He heard the call, and together they bowed.

"Second bow to the parents!"

He turned with her, saluting the father and mother.

"Third bow to each other!"

He turned again, took a deep breath, and seemed to glimpse her smile beneath the veil.

"Into the bridal chamber!"

But as the words rang out, Xu Lin was jolted awake. Somehow he’d merged with 'Xu Lin,' and he quickly raised his head.

All around was endless white, and a deep frustration welled up inside. "Damn it, can’t I at least finish the wedding night? The play ought to be complete!"

But no sooner had he shouted than his chest and nose tightened. Suddenly, he woke with a start!

The blanket had been kicked onto the floor. Staring at the beautiful ceiling, he breathed deeply, glanced at the clock—it was already past five in the morning.

"What on earth is happening? System, this must be your doing, right? Come out! Say something!"