Lian's eyes lifted, and only then did he notice four more people standing behind the boy. All of them were dressed in similar robes, swords hanging at their waists.
"Mmm… so you're heading to Yùzhàn as well, huh?" Xiao Bao said as he stood up.
He gave the boy a martial salute.
"We would be honoured to have you travel with us. The more, the merrier—wouldn't you agree?"
Xiao Bao then turned to the other martial artists from the South Sword Sect and offered them a martial salute as well. They all returned it in kind.
"I know I decided to let them join us on my own," Xiao Bao continued, his voice shifting as he used the Frequency Whisper Technique, audible only to his companions.
"But I believe it's for the best. We can gather information more easily this way, and it will also deter anyone who might try something sneaky."
"Right."
"Okay."
The responses came one after another.
"Yeah, do whatever you want," Wang Gu added lazily.
"I don't really care either way."
Both groups exchanged pleasantries before settling in. The Heaven's Gate disciples sat on one side of the table, while the South Sword Sect took the opposite side.
Pshhhhhhht—
The ship jolted, then slowly began to rise. Within moments, it hovered in the air before ascending higher, pushing toward the sky. Its mechanical wings flapped at a steady, rhythmic pace as the journey began.
On the South Sword side sat three male disciples and two female ones.
The journey was smooth, and soon both sects were chatting freely, talking about life in Jiangsu—including the annual Dragon–Phoenix Competition held every year.
"I heard Bai Long is participating again this year," one of the South Sword disciples said.
"His Swift Sword was incredible last time. Watching him fight truly expanded my horizons."
"Yes," another chimed in.
"And there's also a dark horse—what was his name… mmm… ah, Song Tae. I heard he's mastered all sorts of auxiliary techniques. He even perfected the Donkey Roll."
Xiao Bao laughed softly as he poured drinks for everyone.
"Looks like you've been keeping up with the rumours," he said.
From the very start of the journey, Xiao Bao had already laid out a small spread of snacks and drinks for everyone to share.
The conversation flowed naturally from one topic to another—martial Dao, cultivation paths, sect gossip, and even everyday life.
After some time, Xiao Bao leaned back slightly, his eyes half-closed and cheeks faintly flushed.
"So, Brother Wei," he asked casually,
"What draws you to Yùzhàn? Do you all have business there?"
"Oh—about Yùzhàn," Wei Pung said, waving his hand lazily.
"We're heading there because some of our sect's disciples have been missing for a while now. We received a mission to investigate."
Wei Pung was a slight young man with long hair loosely tied behind his head. He wore round glasses that kept slipping down his nose.
When he had first met the Heaven's Gate disciples, he'd been cowering behind his companions—but after a few drinks, his courage had clearly grown. Now, he chatted loudly, drawing attention to himself more than once.
What the hell…? Lian thought.
"Is this Wei fellow stupid, or just drunk? How can someone casually expose their mission to a rival sect like this?"
Wei Pung continued blabbering, oblivious.
"…We've already sent more than twenty disciples," he said, his voice dropping slightly before rising again.
"But none of them came back…"
A brief silence settled over the table.
"The sect leaders suspect it might be one of the Eight Asuras (also known as the eight evils)," Wei added, lowering his voice conspiratorially.
"More specifically, the Blood Demon Sect—but we can't be sure yet."
Lian's eyes narrowed.
"No… It's neither," Lian thought, his eyes looking with Wang Gu.
"That Xiao Bao—he's a con artist."
He inhaled subtly.
"I can tell from the scent. All the liquor he poured—Wei smells slightly different now. You wouldn't notice unless you were a pill refiner."
Lian's gaze lifted toward Xiao Bao.
For a split second—just a split second—Xiao Bao's face twisted into a smug smile before smoothing out again.
"He's not even drunk," Wang Gu's voice sounded in Lian's mind through the frequency whisper.
"Always be careful of people from the Chamber of Commerce," Wang Gu continued.
"They have no morals when it comes to getting what they want."
Before Wei Pung could slump fully onto the table, Jiang moved.
In one fluid motion, he rose, caught Wei from behind, and supported his weight.
It was so fast—so natural—that to an untrained eye, it looked like nothing had happened at all.
"Please excuse my younger brother," Xia Han said calmly, lifting Wei onto his shoulder.
"He's had too much to drink."
"Heh… hehe," the remaining South Sword disciples laughed awkwardly, unsure how else to react as Jiang carried Wei toward the barracks.
The ship continued its journey.
They had been travelling for nearly an entire day now.
The sun dipped beyond the horizon, and a deep navy sky spread overhead. Stars shimmered unusually bright tonight, scattered like crushed crystals across the heavens.
"Even though everything's so messed up," Lian thought, gazing upward,
"The sky is strangely ser—"
BANG!
The thought shattered as an explosion rocked the ship.
Flames burst from the port side, wood splintering as heat washed across the deck.
"Damn it," Lian muttered, already rising from his seat, eyes snapping in every direction.
"I knew it was far too quiet."
His Qi surged as he prepared for an attack.