As they rode, the atmosphere grew more relaxed. Finally feeling the relief of actual progress, the disciples began to chat among themselves. One of them, a short girl with bright eyes named Lu Mei, rode beside Ye Cheng and occasionally glanced at his face before asking shyly:
"You're not really a rogue cultivator, are you?"
Ye Cheng blinked: "Why did you say that?"
"You carry yourself like someone from a big clan. And you look nothing like a rogue cultivator."
Ye Cheng smirked: "Maybe I'm just naturally graceful."
Lu Mei shook her head: "You're also a narcissistic."
Behind him, Lu Wen snorted: "Naturally annoying, more like."
🪷🪷🪷
By sunset, they were getting closer to their destination.
"Before nightfall, we'll arrive at Gujin Town if nothing goes wrong." Ye Cheng said, pausing beside a moss-covered rock.
Mo Yifan stepped beside him: "You sense it too?"
Ye Cheng's gaze narrowed: "Yes. Something is rotting in the earth. I'm not sure what's going on around here but I've got a very bad feeling about this."
An hour later;
As the group finally arrived at the town, from afar, it looked lively with people filling the streets, merchants hawking wares, and carriages rattled past.
But up close, something was off.
The townspeople walked with their shoulders hunched and heads lowered. Children clung to their parents, and guards patrolled in groups of four, armed with real blades.
A man in steel-washed leather robes, spotted the Silver Flame disciples immediately. He turned and sprinted back toward a large residence up the hill.
"We're expected," said Mo Yifan calmly.
Ye Cheng glanced at a nearby vendor selling candied hawthorn. His stomach growled. He looked away awkwardly, pride suppressing his hunger.
The guards returned minutes later: "Please follow us, honorable guests."
They led them up the stone path to a walled manor shaded by tall poplars. A group of robed officials stood around a map-strewn table inside, murmuring in low tones.
At the center sat a heavyset man with silver-streaked hair and a sun-darkened face.
His eyes lit up when he saw them: "You've come," he said: "At last."
🪷🪷🪷
The mayor wasted no time on introduction and went straight to the point after the food was served.
"The hole was small at first," he began, gesturing at the map with a trembling hand. "It appeared three months ago in the northeast forest, near the abandoned mines. We thought it was a sinkhole or a remnant of old digs."
"But soon, people began going missing, adults at first, then children." Another official added
The mayor continued: "Those who wander near claim to hear whispers… or feel a pull. As if something beneath was calling to them."
Ye Cheng tilted his head slightly. He could sense faint Yin energy from the map itself. But how could that be?
"We sent messages to nearby sects. Some responded. Most didn't." One thin man with a curled mustache sighed: "Five disciples from the Nine Pill sect entered the devouring pit, but only one came out. Even that disciple was delirious, muttering about roots and eyes in the earth before he died."
Another official stepped forward, carrying a rolled scroll: "This is the blueprint of their progress. Formations used, barrier attempts, and survey notes."
The scroll was handed toward Mo Yifan.
Mo Yifan raised his hand without taking it: "We don't need this."
There was a brief silence.
The official's face tightened: "Excuse me?"
"I have my own methods. Your blueprint was left by people who didn't survive. It would only compromise our approach." Mo Yifan stated the obvious.
Another official snorted: "Arrogant. You're barely older than my son, yet you dare to talk to your elder like that? Are all Silver Flame disciples so blind to experience?"
"Or perhaps," said the curled-moustache man: "They just send children to die now?"
The tension in the room tightened.The officials didn't think much of those children Silver Flame Sect sent, as far as they were concerned, it was just another food for the pit.
Mo Yifan's jaw flexed. Lu Mei and the other disciples stepped forward in defense.
Before anyone could speak further, a loud crack split the air.
At the end of the table, Ye Cheng sat casually with a chicken bone in his hand, the marrow cracked open with a pop. He slurped out the contents with a look of blissful satisfaction.
"What?" he asked, licking his fingers when he saw everyone looking at him: "It's been days since I had a proper meal."
He ignored the others' speechless expressions, and reached for another piece of meat.
The mayor coughed awkwardly: "Ah… you must be the external companion?"
Ye Cheng glanced up lazily: "Something like that."
The mustached man scoffed: "Is he also one of the brats SilverFlame sent?"
"No," Ye Cheng said with a smile: "I'm only here to watch the fun."
Lu Mei covered a laugh that was threatening to burst out with her sleeve, while the elder was furious.
Mo Yifan finally broke the silence: "We will investigate the pit tomorrow at dawn. We'll assess the situation ourselves."
The mayor nodded, waving off the fuming officials: "Thanks for coming all this way. We have reserved a courtyard for you. If you need anything, feel free to reach out."
...
As they were escorted to their guest quarters within the estate, Ye Cheng remained quiet, chewing on a fruit he bought from the black market.
Lan Huo's voice came through the sound transmission.
"Why did you behave like that? Such a disgrace to a prince's dignity."
"I was hungry," Ye Cheng replied inwardly: "Besides, watching prideful men get ruffled is good for digestion."
"You sensed it too, didn't you?"
Ye Cheng's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared off into the distance: "Yes, this is gonna be very troublesome."
🪷🪷🪷
The moon had long since passed its peak, and the sun was coming up. Within the guest courtyard of the mayor's estate, birds chirped softly as warm light filtered through bamboo shutters.
Ye Cheng lay sprawled across the silk-sheeted bed, one leg tangled in his blanket and the other dangling over the edge. A soft snore escaped his lips, followed by a satisfied humming as he rolled onto his side and buried his face into the pillow.
The scent of fried scallion cakes and steamed meat buns floated in from the courtyard.
Only then did Ye Cheng open his eyes. He blinks repeatedly to make his eyes get used to the light, before sitting up with a yawn. His hair was a black mess across his face, sticking up in odd angles.
Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he looked around the room and frowned slightly: "Lan Huo," he called out: "What time is it?"
"Well past the morning hour," the bird replied lazily. "The sun's halfway across the sky, and your esteemed teammates left at dawn."
Ye Cheng stretched, bones popping as he stood: "They didn't even wake me?"
He opened the door, and startled a young maid who was standing nearby. She recovered and bowed quickly
"Esteemed guest, y-you're awake. The other cultivators left earlier this morning to patrol the outskirts with the mayor's guard."
Ye Cheng rubbed his temple: "Did no one think to knock?"
The maid hesitated: "W-we tried, but… there were strange sounds. We thought you were in meditation."
"Mn," Ye Cheng replied casually: "You're right."
He couldn't say he was snoring, it's already embarrassing enough.
The maid's expression twitched.
This esteemed guess is too shameless
🪷🪷🪷
Ye Cheng made his way lazily to the main kitchen hall where breakfast was being served. The cooks and attendants were surprised when they saw him, but quickly served him a full meal upon recognizing his identity.
A spread of hot buns, red bean porridge, pickled vegetables, and crispy egg rolls brighten his day.
Ye Cheng sat down and began eating at his own leisurely pace, completely undisturbed by the servants whispering behind walls.
One old cook peeked around the screen: "That young master… he slept all the way through the patrol call?"
Another maid muttered: "He's handsome, but useless. What's the use of him being here?"
"I bet he's just tagging along for the free food."
Yet as Ye Cheng bit into a hot bun, his brows lifted in delight: "Whoever made this food, your hands are blessed by the heavens." He called out
There was a pause in the kitchen and the old cook flushed: "Ah… It was me."
Ye Cheng raised his tea cup in salute: "I'd marry you if you were a hundred years younger."
The staff broke into laughter, though some couldn't decide whether they were flattered or offended.
After finishing his meal, he stood, stretched again, and yawned as if the weight of the world lay only on the others.
"I'm going back to sleep. Tell the patrol to wake me only if they find they need my help."
The servants watched in disbelief as he padded barefoot across the polished floor, disappearing back into his room.
"He's so shameless." Someone whispered.
"Utterly lazy!"
"Still… he's beautiful."
"Maybe he is a genius pretending to be useless?" Another said doubtfully.
But the others shook their heads; It's hard to believe.
Ye Cheng, lying back in bed with arms behind his head, smirked faintly.
He had heard every word, but he didn't care. No one would ruin his vacation.
He adjusted the pillow to a more comfortable position and slept.