The sun dripped gold over the Verdant Cloud Sect, spring air alive with birdsong and the rush of distant waterfalls. Laughter echoed through training yards where disciples practiced forms – some earnest, others already eyeing the breakfast tables.
A typical day.
Inside the Healing Hall, A Fu stirred a steaming cauldron, instructing younger students. "The key," he said, his voice gentle but firm, "is balance. Too much fire, and you burn the herbs. Too little, and you extract nothing."
Yan Zheng, now a respected lecturer, held court in the Student Hall, his voice booming. "Cultivation is not merely about power, but about discipline! Control!"
Outside, Shen Yao reclined on his favorite couch, the sunlight warming his face as he plucked grapes from a bowl. He hummed a tuneless melody, fanning himself with a lazy flick of his wrist.
"Honestly," Lan Xueyao muttered, watching him from the training yard. Her sword flashed, a silver arc in the air. She corrected a student's stance, her expression focused. "Some things never change."
Far from the sect, in a bustling city, Lu Rourou surveyed her wares. Silks shimmered, spices perfumed the air, and gold glinted in her hands.
"Hey, Xiao Guniang," a merchant whined, his face etched with greed. "Why is it so expensive? Can you lower the price a little? At least."
Lu Rourou lifted her chin, her eyes sharp. "Mister, if you are not interested, get lost. This is the last price. I can't lower it less than that."
She tilted her head, feigning indifference, her gaze dropping to the man's downcast face. He hesitated.
"Okay," he mumbled. "I'll buy it."
Lu Rourou's face brightened. "Of course, sir! We offer only the best." She snatched the gold, her fingers tracing the coins. "Jin Bao!" she called. "Jin Baoooo!"
A young man hurried to her side. "Yes, Madam?"
"Move the carriage. We have more to sell." She settled beside him, stretching her arms to embrace the sunlight. Her eyes closed, and she sighed contentedly.
"Master seems happy today," Jin Bao said, guiding the horses forward.
"Bao Bao, I got gold today! Of course, I'm happy!" She nudged him playfully. "Plus, I'm going to see Jiejie and Shixiong. It's been too long."
The carriage lurched to a halt. Jin Bao cursed, pulling back on the reins just in time to avoid a collision.
A young gentleman stumbled back, his robes dusted with dirt. "Can't you look where you're going?" he snapped, his face flushed.
Jin Bao bowed, stammering apologies. Lu Rourou waved him silent.
"Hey!" she said, her hands on her hips. "It wasn't Bao Bao's fault. You were walking in the middle of the road!"
"You better repay me for my expensive robe," the gentleman retorted. "I'm the one who's wronged here."
"Repay you? We all know who was on the wrong side of the road! You should watch out for yourself! My Bao Bao did nothing wrong!"
A woman's voice cut through the rising anger. "Li Fei, that's enough. Get behind me."
A young man stepped forward, bowing his head. The woman who followed was beautiful. Her features were gentle, her smile soft.
"Xiao Guniang," she said, her voice like warm honey. "I apologize for my disciple's behavior."
Lu Rourou's expression softened instantly. She bowed politely. "No problem, Madam. I'll let him off this time, for your sake." She introduced herself. "I'm Lu Rourou. May I know your name?"
"Meng Xuan."
Lu Rourou beamed. "Madam Meng!" She offered them a ride. "We're heading to the Verdant Cloud Sect, if you're going that way."
Meng Xuan accepted. Li Fei, his face a mask of confusion, climbed into the front of the carriage with Jin Bao. Inside, Meng Xuan sipped tea, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"You seem like a merchant," she observed.
"You have sharp eyes, Madam. Yes, I travel here and there. Now I'm heading to the Verdant Cloud Sect."
"Have a good trip, my dear." She paused. "I was wondering, where can I find this shop?" She named a place notorious for gambling and vice.
Lu Rourou hesitated. "Madam, why do you want to go there? It's… well, it's not a good place."
Meng Xuan smiled. "Don't worry, my dear. I don't go there myself. But I need information, and they have it. If you help me, I'll pay well."
Lu Rourou did not hesitate. She directed the carriage to the gambling den, a sprawling, shadowed building teeming with unsavory characters.
"Look after the carriage," she told Jin Bao, her tone sharp. Then, with Meng Xuan and Li Fei, she stepped into the darkness.
The air inside reeked of smoke and desperation. Criminal eyes followed them, but Lu Rourou met their stares with a defiant glare. Li Fei shook his head. This woman was too much.
While Meng Xuan met with her contact, Li Fei and Lu Rourou waited outside. An awkward silence stretched between them.
"Is your master going to be alright in there?" Lu Rourou asked, gesturing toward the closed door.
"She's stronger than she looks," Li Fei said. "Don't worry about her."
Lu Rourou shrugged. "Where are you from, anyway? You don't look like you're from around here." She stepped closer.
Li Fei recoiled. "No, we're not. And I'm not obliged to tell you anything."
Lu Rourou squinted, then turned away, crossing her arms. "Whatever. It's not like I'm interested in you or something."
Li Fei rolled his eyes. *Me neither,* he thought.
Inside, Meng Xuan sat across from a burly man with a scarred face, his eyes narrowed.
"Name your business, Madam," he growled.
Meng Xuan placed a slip of paper on the table. "I need you to find this for me. As soon as possible."
The man's eyes flickered over the flower's name. "You know this flower grows only every five years, and it lies inside the demon realm. It's very dangerous to get to. You want me dead?"
"I can't come with you, but I can give you a map for it. But that costs money."
Meng Xuan smiled. "Whatever price, name it. I can pay."
The deal was struck. Outside, Li Fei and Lu Rourou waited. When Meng Xuan emerged, they followed her back to the carriage, their journey to the Verdant Cloud Sect resumed beneath the cloak of night.