He Went Mad After Faking His Death

[The blurb is in first person, the novel is in third person. Fatherly top Lan Heng x high-maintenance bottom Li Jinyi]

The day I died, the entire immortal sect was decked out in celebration. A Qingluan bird soared through the sky to announce the good news, while celebratory drums rang out across the heavens.

To the cheers of the crowd, Lan Heng ascended to the Immortal Venerable's throne, his triumph over me the crowning achievement.

They say I was a monster who committed every crime imaginable, the worst villain under heaven. I felt I was being wronged, but on second thought, I did imprison Lan Heng, separate him from Li Ting, and force him to sleep with me. That's not so different from kidnapping and rape.

So I suppose I wasn't exactly being wronged.

He hated me and wanted to kill me. He had every right.

I watched his moonlight, Li Ting, ascend the Immortal Venerable's throne by his side. I watched them exchange vows and announce their wedding. I watched them treat each other with respect and live in blissful harmony.

What a perfect immortal couple.

They must be happier without me.

My mother was right. The affection we feel when we're young is like flowers seen through a fog. All that talk of love is just child's play, nothing to be taken seriously.

I was the one who mistook a careless promise for the truth, ruining the peaceful lives we could have had.

When Lan Heng's sword pierced my heart, I threw away the ring from our wedding. I heard myself say, “I'm giving up, Lan Heng.”

I set you free.

I was a fool. I couldn't tell empty words from sincerity. If I could start over, I would never believe another word you said.

I wish you both a happy marriage, together from the highest heavens to the deepest underworld, for all eternity.

I will never love you again.

After faking my death, I took on a new identity and spent my days at leisure, drinking tea, wandering about, and listening to storytellers ramble on about the latest news.

They say that ever since I died, Immortal Venerable Lan Heng has gone mad from cultivation deviation. He's become a raving lunatic, killed Li Ting, and now asks everyone he meets, “Have you seen my baby?”

I wave my fan and join the storyteller in lamenting, “Oh, yes, yes. Immortal Venerable Lan Heng is so devoted.”

Good grief, the most devoted man in the world.

How stupid would I have to be to fall for your lies twice?

[Top's POV]

Lan Heng, senior disciple of the Xuantian Sect, returns from his tribulation and is about to marry his moonlight, Li Ting, when he is inexplicably pestered by someone claiming to be his Dao companion.

The man says his name is Li Jinyi, and that the two of them have been married for over six months.

Lan Heng has countless fans, and every so often an infatuated one imagines they are married. Lan Heng has never paid them any mind. The only unusual thing is that this man is the second young master of the Li family of Canglan City.

As the leading sect of the Demon Realm, Canglan City brings disaster upon the people. Lan Heng is forced to acknowledge the marriage and goes to Canglan City undercover, hoping to rid the immortal realm of this scourge.

Later, Canglan City falls, and Lan Heng's sword pierces Li Jinyi's chest.

He hears Li Jinyi say, “This is the end of us.”

Lan Heng coldly pulls out his sword: “Demons and heretics deserve to die.”

Until one day, he unseals the memories of his tribulation.

Theme: You need to speak up when you're in love