The next morning, the disciples of the Cang Lan Sect set out early. Mu Xuan left before dawn, carrying a small bundle, and by the time the first light broke, Mu Jue came knocking at my door. Grabbing my bag, I rushed out eagerly. “Uncle Master, I’ve been waiting for you forever!”
Mu Jue, looking guilty as a thief, glanced around nervously. “I had to wait for them to leave first before coming to get you.”
I paused, frowning. “They’ve already left? Then how are we supposed to catch up?”
Grinning mischievously, Mu Jue drew his sword and let it float in the air. “I’m always late; they won’t mind. They’re slow because of their numbers, but with my sword flight, we’ll catch up in no time. Your Uncle Master is the fastest in all of Cang Lan Sect—”
Before he could finish, I had already climbed onto the sword. “Uncle Master, hurry up!”
Mu Jue stared at me, startled, before hopping onto the sword as well. “You’ve got guts, climbing onto a flying sword without knowing how to use one.”
My expression stiffened briefly. “I just… trust in your exceptional abilities, Uncle Master.”
Flattery worked wonders on Mu Jue. Grinning proudly, he told me to hold on tight, and with a burst of energy, we shot into the sky.
Mu Jue wasn’t lying—his speed was impressive. It wasn’t long before we caught up with the main group.
He deliberately kept our position at the rear, avoiding Mu Xuan’s notice. While I knew it was only a matter of time before he found out, delaying that moment was better than being sent back right away. Once we were far enough along, no one would bother to escort me back.
The journey was uneventful, and the monotony made Mu Jue a target for occasional chatter. Some of the Cang Lan disciples would slow their pace to exchange words with him. When they learned I was Mu Xuan’s disciple, their expressions ranged from envy to something close to disdain.
Some didn’t bother to hide their opinions:
“The Masters haven’t even said we can take disciples yet, and Mu Xuan just goes ahead without asking…”
“You don’t understand. Senior Brother Mu Xuan is destined to inherit the position of Sect Leader. He’s not like the rest of us.”
“And he picked a girl, no less…”
Their words dripped with derision.
Mu Jue pretended not to hear, though his sword slowed slightly until we drifted further from them.
“Those disciples under Uncle Master Nan have a habit of talking like that. Don’t pay them any mind,” Mu Jue reassured me.
I hadn’t been paying attention anyway.
Still, witnessing this scene left me with some thoughts. Over the past month, I’d spent all my time on Mu Xuan’s mountain. The only person I’d seen with him was Mu Jue. It was clear now that Mu Xuan didn’t get along well with his fellow disciples.
It wasn’t surprising, really. Mu Xuan’s temperament alone was enough to alienate people, but his status made things worse. Despite being their equal in rank, he received special treatment—his own peak, like the Masters, and the confirmed title of Sect Leader heir. While he was envied openly, it was clear he faced countless jealous curses behind his back.
Now, their Master had tasked him with leading this large group to exterminate demons. Though no one would say it to his face, I was certain some disciples resented him even more.
For all his prestige, being the “glorious Senior Brother” clearly wasn’t easy.
But was that the reason he turned to darkness? I instinctively felt it wasn’t. Even after only a month with Mu Xuan, I could tell he wasn’t someone easily swayed by such matters.
Then what was it?
The group’s pace was slow despite flying swords. By nightfall, we hadn’t reached Jing Mountain. Mu Xuan called for the group to rest by a lakeside, planning to continue the journey the next day.
I tugged at Mu Jue’s robe, urging him to block me from Mu Xuan’s view. But before long, a figure approached on a sword and stopped directly in front of us.
“Senior Brother…” Mu Jue scratched his head, smiling sheepishly.
0 Comments