What's fun about your sect

Near Chizhou.

The rebellion of the Xuanwu Sect had been completely suppressed.

Though quelled, the already crumbling Chizhou and the neighboring cities responsible for disaster relief could hardly bear the aftermath of this turmoil.

The Demon Suppression Bureau and the local government had begun full-scale patrols.

For anyone daring to cause trouble now, the policy was swift, severe, and uncompromising.

Yet, the ones suffering the most were still the displaced refugees.

Recently, the government offices handling relief efforts reported a significant reduction in grain consumption.

Li Zhong, ever the loyal subordinate, delegated the Xuanwu Sect’s tasks to his so-called "reliable" underlings—those who never left a scrap of food uneaten—before promptly slipping away with Old Fox in tow.

He didn’t wander far, though.

Instead, he chose to lay low in the most familiar place—a small town he had once been tasked with inciting.

With the situation outside unclear, it was wiser to stay put and observe rather than recklessly flee.

If the Xuanwu Sect succeeded, he could still return to claim his share of the spoils.

After all, as a mere squad leader, he wasn’t a core member—no one would scrutinize his actions during the chaos.

But if the sect failed… Li Zhong planned to bide his time and escape to another region when the moment was right.

Roaming aimlessly outside was far too risky, especially now that the dust had settled and the cultivators of Xuanwu Kingdom’s sects had begun their sweeping purge.

Li Zhong doubted his dim-witted subordinates would evade capture.

And if they were caught and pointed fingers at him… well, he’d be meeting his ancestors sooner than expected.

As for why he brought Old Fox along? Simple—the creature was clever.

Though Old Fox feigned indifference, Li Zhong knew better—no one, human or demon, truly welcomed death.

At least Old Fox hadn’t resisted coming with him.

For those with brains—even if they were demons—Li Zhong held respect.

After all, intelligence could save your life, a lesson he’d learned the hard way through years of scrambling and clinging to powerful patrons.

Inside a city inn, Old Fox, draped in a heavy black cloak, silently sipped the murky liquor before him.

That he could even drink now was thanks to Li Zhong’s desperate efforts.

Though he had a plan, the tense situation outside still left Li Zhong on edge.

"Heh… still treating me with such courtesy," Old Fox mused, narrowing his eyes at Li Zhong. "The Xuanwu Sect lost utterly, didn’t they? Nothing left?"

Li Zhong didn’t bother lying to a demon this sharp.

"Crushed beyond recovery. Chizhou’s uprising lasted barely three days before collapsing. Heard Cangzhou fared even worse—the Xuanwu Sect was routed. Now that the sects of Xuanwu Kingdom see demons involved, they’ve stepped in fully."

Old Fox took another sip of the coarse liquor. "Humans and demons have always been sworn enemies. It’s the natural order. You gain nothing by dragging me along."

"I took a liking to you the moment we met. Forget about gains—I don’t care for that talk."

"Tch…" Old Fox smirked, eyeing Li Zhong’s earnest expression.

Lately, Li Zhong’s attempts to curry favor had grown more frequent. His actions alone betrayed the worsening situation outside.

Had he barged in with a blade, ready to kill Old Fox, it would’ve meant the Xuanwu Sect had triumphed.

The more he fawned, the direr the circumstances.

Li Zhong chuckled awkwardly, only to freeze when he noticed Old Fox’s knowing gaze. He dropped the act.

"There’s… some bad news."

Old Fox cut him off with a dry laugh.

"Surviving is simple enough—just decide whether to be greedy or not."

Li Zhong stared intently before whispering, "And if I choose greed?"

Old Fox grinned, reminded of Hu Qi. "Then greed until death. Want it all? Then forget living."

Li Zhong’s face twitched. "And if not?"

Old Fox turned serious. "Run. Now. Head to Bingzhou."

Li Zhong frowned. That was obvious—but how? And what then?

Old Fox didn’t toy with him.

"Bingzhou’s in chaos, flooded with refugees. They can’t check every face. I worked under Yu Zhu there once—still owe me favors. Tell him Old Fox sent you, and he’ll arrange passage to the neighboring kingdom. Start anew there."

Li Zhong brightened. "Then let’s pack and go together!"

Old Fox shook his head. "I won’t make it. Too many checkpoints—a human with a demon? Impossible. I’ve lived long enough."

Before Li Zhong could protest, Old Fox waved him off. "I’ve given you the way out. Now fetch more wine."

Without hesitation, Li Zhong rushed downstairs and returned with two fresh jars.

Old Fox nodded approvingly and tossed him a wooden token.

"At least you’ve got some decency, not bolting outright. Here—proof. Consider it a reward."

Li Zhong scooped it up, clasped his hands in thanks, and turned to leave without another word.

Alone, Old Fox poured himself another drink, rapped the table, and sneered.

Now Li Zhong would believe every word.

After all, he’d "earned" this token through his "sincerity."

Only when you pay a price do you trust the reward.

How amusing it’d be if he proudly presented that token—just a scrap of wood Old Fox had carved on a whim—to some stranger, grinning like he’d made it.

And if he never reached Bingzhou? Well, Old Fox’s words would vanish with him.

If he wasn’t planning to live, why offer anyone else a way out?

With a shrug, Old Fox tipped the jar back and drank deeply.

——

"Ughhh!"

Qinghe stretched dramatically before flopping onto the table, utterly drained.

Li Yingling side-eyed the dragon.

Every legend spoke of majestic, fearsome, storm-wielding dragons—lofty and awe-inspiring.

Yet the first real dragon she’d met was… gluttonous, playful, lazy, and nosy.

Nothing like the tales.

Especially now, whining about how exhausting life was…

Her dragon fantasies had been thoroughly shattered.

Xie Lingyu sighed. "Qinghe, we’re all here. Can’t you sit properly?"

Qinghe pouted. "What’s the big deal? You and Chu Xingchen got to play in the capital for days! Me? Just work, work, work. So tired!"

Li Xingtian, seated by the window, had been quietly observing the scenery. But even he couldn’t help glancing over at that.

Since returning from the capital, Xie Lingyu had joined the demolition efforts.

Qinghe’s contribution? Maybe half of what Xie Lingyu had cleared.

Chu Xingchen was personally brewing tea at the moment, paying little mind to Qinghe’s remarks. After all, this flood dragon had indeed stepped up when it mattered most. Otherwise, who knew what unforeseen complications might have arisen?

As he carefully prepared the tea, Chu Xingchen spoke up, "The work is finally done. I’m planning to return to the sect. Li Yingling, Qinghe, care to come along for a few days?"

"Come along?" Qinghe lifted his head to look at Chu Xingchen. "What’s so fun about your sect?"

"Hmph, I’m just afraid you’ll be so enamored you won’t want to leave—end up insisting on guarding the place like a watchdog."

"Hah! Such big talk! This is just reverse psychology, isn’t it? Fine, Qinghe accepts the challenge! If it’s not fun, don’t blame me for mocking you mercilessly!"

Chu Xingchen used his spiritual energy to pass cups of freshly brewed tea to everyone in the room, lifting one for himself as well.

"I’m more worried you’ll be too ashamed to admit it’s boring even if it is."

Raising his cup, he added, "Here, try your master’s handiwork."

Everyone took a sip.

The flood dragon downed his in one gulp.

Chu Xingchen took a small sip and then admitted honestly, "Still far worse than Bai Qing’s brewing..."

Even his two doting disciples, Li Yingling and Li Xingtian, couldn’t bring themselves to lie and contradict their master. They could only nod faintly in agreement.

Xie Lingyu, who had never tasted Chen Baiqing’s tea before, was slightly puzzled...

There was nothing wrong with this tea. It tasted perfectly fine.