"Stop wasting time!"
"Do your daily tasks!"
WOAH!
A young man jolted awake on a soft bed, wrapped in silk blankets that felt smooth against his skin. The mattress cushioning was warm and comfortable, while the scent of a classic room fragrance filled the air.
He turned his head and saw the source of the aroma—incense burning quietly on a wooden bedside table. Sitting up, he leaned his back against the headboard made of teak wood.
What… just happened?
His hand lifted, brushing against soft strands on his head. When he felt more carefully, shock ran through him.
What he was touching wasn't strange or dangerous.
It was hair.
Huh? After going through chemotherapy… my hair should've fallen out.
What is actually going on?
He slowly scanned his surroundings. The shock grew stronger until he reflexively jumped off the bed, stepping back.
"Where am I?!"
With his face still frozen in disbelief, he touched his body and realized something was terribly wrong. His skin, his face, his hair, his muscles— even his build—none of it belonged to him.
Was I ever this athletic before?
Pulling his attention away from his body, he looked around and saw that he was inside an ancient, Eastern-style room. The ornaments and furniture all carried a traditional aesthetic.
It looks like the xianxia worlds from the novels I always read.
Sunlight pierced through the window gaps. The young man rushed over and pushed the wooden window open.
The shock deepened.
It wasn't just his bedroom that looked like something out of xianxia—everything did. The buildings, the temples, the streets, the clothes people wore, even the way they interacted.
This world felt far too real.
"Am I dead? I thought heaven would be beautiful gardens and rivers of milk. Why is it xianxia instead?"
He still retained memories of his past life.
Liam Ashford, thirty years old, diagnosed with lung cancer. He had always ignored the warnings about smoking. In the end, he reaped what he had sown.
He went through countless treatments—medication, intensive care, chemotherapy.
But cancer won that fight.
Liam died when his body could no longer hold on.
Death wasn't a dark abyss or a realm of judgment.
Liam opened his eyes and realized he was now living in someone else's body, in a xianxia world.
Could this… be a second chance for me?
KNOCK!
A sharp knock echoed. Liam turned toward the door, which soon opened.
A young woman wearing a simple hanfu stepped inside and bowed her head. Her long black hair flowed down past her shoulders.
"Young Master Ma, breakfast is ready," she said.
"Young Master Ma?"
The woman lifted her head, tilting it in confusion. "Is something wrong, Young Master Ma?"
Liam stiffened, then forced a smile and let out an awkward laugh. "Ah, no, nothing. I… am indeed the Young Master of the Ma Clan."
"I'll go change first."
He opened the wardrobe and picked out some clothes. But just as he decided what to wear, the maid suddenly stepped forward and reached for him, as if to undress him.
He jumped back in shock. "What… are you doing?"
"Why? I was assigned to assist you, Young Master Ma."
"You wanted to change, so I'll help you."
"No… I can do it myself," he said quickly.
The maid narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing something strange about her master's behavior. Still, since Young Master Ma had decided, all she could do was obey.
"Very well. I'll wait outside, Young Master Ma."
She left the room.
Liam stood there, still stunned. He had almost no information about the Young Master of the Ma Clan—the owner of this body.
Nothing at all. I need to find out more.
He got dressed and stepped outside. The maid was still waiting.
When she saw him, she smiled and reached out to tidy his slightly messy clothes.
"Fine clothes are nice, but neatness matters most."
"Do you understand, Young Master Ma?" she asked.
Damn it. Just how spoiled was this Young Master that she watched him this closely?
"Come on. The other clan members are already waiting."
They walked in silence to the family dining hall. A long table stood inside, with eight people already seated. Two seats were still empty.
"Ma Liang! Get over here, you lazy brat!" an old man barked.
Ma Liang? That's my name?
Ma Liang sat down. The maid did the same. Ten people sat around the table, each with an empty wooden bowl.
The food was simple—tofu soup, grilled fish, stir-fried vegetables, and some raw greens eaten as they were.
"Since everyone's here, let's divide the rice portions."
A woman nodded and began scooping rice from a basket into each bowl.
"What?!" the old man complained loudly. "You gave me so little rice! Is this how you treat an ancestor?!"
Ancestor?
The man sitting in the middle tried to calm him. "Rice is scarce right now. We have to be frugal. If you want, I can give you mine."
Without hesitation, the old man snatched the bowl, doubling his portion.
"You eat a lot but don't earn much! At least go teach cultivation and charge people training fees," a middle-aged woman snapped, her mouth running nonstop.
The man beside her tried to calm her down. She was clearly his wife—and clearly more dominant.
Surprisingly, when he finally spoke, she fell completely silent.
Wow. He shut her up instantly.
"Ma Liang, hurry and eat," said the woman who had carried the rice basket.
Ma Liang froze.
The basket was empty. Everyone had rice—except the man sitting in the middle.
Ma Liang stood up and walked over, drawing the attention of all nine others. He placed his bowl in front of the man.
"Eat. I'm not hungry."
"Woah. You could give that to—"
Ma Liang quickly pulled the bowl back before the old man could grab it.
"Did I say I was giving it to you?"
"I'm the clan ancestor! I deserve respect!" the old man snapped.
"Oh? Then why did an ancestor like you let the clan fall into poverty?" Ma Liang shot back.
The old man slammed his hand on the table, pointing angrily at Ma Liang.
"Insolent brat! How dare you talk back to me!"
"Dare? What cultivation level are you even at?" Ma Liang replied coldly.
"Perfect Foundation Establishment!"
Ma Liang stiffened, shocked. Seeing his expression, the old man grew even more smug.
"Well? Hand over the rice, and I'll forgive your rudeness."
A Foundation Establishment ancestor? What kind of clan is this? Are they insane?
"Hahahahaha!"
"What?" the old man barked.
"Nothing."
Ma Liang placed the bowl back in front of the man in the middle and blocked the old man from taking it.
"You won't give it to me?"
"Reach Nascent Soul first. Then I'll hand it over myself."
Not long after, Ma Liang turned and left the room. The maid quickly followed him.
Back in his room, Ma Liang threw himself onto the bed.
So I really am in a xianxia world. But I landed in a stupid, crazy family clan.
"Young Master Ma?" the maid called.
"Come in."
She entered, still wearing the same simple hanfu. Ma Liang sighed and lay flat on the bed.
"What do you need?" he asked.
"I… just want to make sure of something."
"Make sure of what?"
The maid took a deep breath and untied the sash of her hanfu. The clothes slipped down and pooled on the floor.
Her bare skin was exposed, warm morning air brushing against it.
Ma Liang lay still on the bed, eyes closed.
With graceful steps, the woman approached and straddled him, completely naked.
What the…
"I need to… confirm something," she said, seeing Ma Liang's face redden as the area between his thighs began to stiffen.
She took his hand and placed it on her soft breast
"Do you want to do it, Young Master Ma Liang?"