Xiaoyao Peak, Xiaoyao Hall. The morning meeting in mid-January.
At the beginning of every month, the various peak masters would gather here to discuss the internal and external affairs of the Xiaoyao Sword Sect.
Although it was called a meeting to discuss business, the peak masters’ personalities were far too “unrestrained,” causing the topics to often gallop away like wild horses without any boundaries—
From major events like the Righteous-Demonic Conflict and the appearance of Secret Realms to minor things like the romantic gossip between disciples, almost nothing was off-limits.
This was the second time Yun Xuechang had participated in a morning meeting.
The last time, she had been surrounded and teased by the various peak masters and elders, each of them badgering her about her Dao Companion and daughter—except for Ji Ling, who had watched coldly from the side with a grim expression.
Back then, Yun Xuechang had been at a total loss, and it was only Sect Master Ye Qingyuan who had stepped in to help her out.
But this time…
Yun Xuechang arrived early and sat bolt upright in the seat belonging to the Mianyun Peak Master.
Her expression was solemn and composed, as if she were facing a great enemy.
‘I cannot let the various peak masters and elders tease me again. I am prepared.’
Last month, Peak Master Yue of Wanjian Peak had been the first and most relentless person to tease her.
This time, she would definitely have a clear word with her.
“Morning, Senior Sister Yun.”
Lin Qianqian, whose green hair was tied in a side braid, sat directly in the seat of the Wanjian Peak Master beside her. She greeted Yun Xuechang while yawning.
“Junior Sister Lin, why are you the one here? Where is Elder Yue?”
Yun Xuechang turned her head to look at her, confusion surfacing on her cold, elegant face.
“Master said she wanted to go to the Dining Hall this morning to snatch some plum blossom cakes. She was afraid they would be gone if she went too late, so she told me to take her place.”
Lin Qianqian familiarly poured herself a cup of hot tea and then filled a cup for Yun Xuechang as well.
“Sigh, Senior Sister, you’re here really early today. It’s so cold; hurry up and drink some hot tea to warm up.”
Yun Xuechang thanked her and took the cup, taking a small sip. Immediately after, she composed herself and sat upright again, not daring to relax in the slightest.
‘I must not be careless. There is also Elder Zhou of Jukuo Peak. Last time, he also…’
Before long, a short-haired male disciple sat in the seat for Jukuo Peak. He rubbed his head and laughed heartily.
“Hahaha! Junior Sister Yun, Junior Sister Lin, good morning!”
“Good morning, Senior Brother Wang. Is Elder Zhou teasing his spirit pet again today?”
Lin Qianqian handed over a cup of tea, seemingly accustomed to this.
“Hmph, you bet he is!”
“Morning.” Yun Xuechang also nodded slightly, still sitting upright and waiting.
‘I cannot let my guard down. The peak masters of Bixian Peak and Wendao Peak have not yet…’
Soon, another female disciple and a male disciple entered the hall, speaking with smiles:
“Good morning, fellow senior and junior brothers and sisters.”
Yun Xuechang returned the greetings one by one, her eyes blinking in confusion.
Why did it seem that, besides herself, every peak master had only sent their disciples?
Oh, that was not entirely correct — there was still Ji Ling. The woman, dressed in black robes, was sitting opposite Yun Xuechang. Seeing Yun Xuechang look over, she huffed and rolled her eyes.
“Junior Sister Lin, what is going on?”
Yun Xuechang turned her head and asked Lin Qianqian in a low voice. The latter was cradling her hot tea, slightly hunched in her seat.
“Huh? Are you asking why no peak masters came to the meeting in person, Senior Sister?”
Lin Qianqian was startled for a moment before realizing.
“Ah… Senior Sister Yun, your Mianyun Peak didn’t have a peak master before, so it’s no wonder you didn’t know.”
She explained, “Actually, for morning meetings like this, there usually aren’t any urgent matters. Most of it is just trivial chores. So, the elders of each peak come if they want to, and if they don’t, they let their disciples handle it.”
“After all, once a month is a bit too frequent for us cultivators. If there’s really an urgent matter, the Sect Master usually sends a message in advance or uses Telepathy to inform us.”
“But when I came last month, why were all the elders present?” Yun Xuechang was still puzzled.
“That’s because it was your first time attending the meeting as a peak master, Senior Sister. Plus, you brought such a huge piece of gossip with you. Naturally, the elders all wanted to come and join the fun!”
The female disciple from Wendao Peak, sitting on the other side, overheard the conversation and leaned over to interject.
“Last month, I heard Master and the others were going to chat about Senior Sister’s Dao Companion and daughter. I originally wanted to come in Master’s place, but he refused no matter what. He insisted on coming himself to see the excitement. Honestly…”
Yun Xuechang fell silent.
So, the elders not coming was the normal state? Their collective presence last month was solely to tease her?
Then all the preparations she had made yesterday…
“But when my Master was alive, why did she never let a disciple attend in her place?” She remembered something else.
“Hmph, that lazy woman Jiang Changge?” Ji Ling, sitting opposite them, let out a cold snort. “Others come occasionally, but she never attended a single morning meeting from the moment she became peak master.”
At that moment, Ye Qingyuan arrived late and took his seat behind the main desk. Seeing the hall mostly filled with disciples, his expression remained normal, as if he were used to the sight.
However, to everyone’s surprise, the moment Ye Qingyuan spoke today, he announced a major matter:
“Ahem. Everyone. This morning, news came from Tinghai Pavilion in the South Sea. It is said that a new Secret Realm is faintly appearing on a small island there. They have invited the various orthodox sects to go and discuss matters related to the exploration of the Secret Realm.”
He cleared his throat and said slowly, “Our Xiaoyao Sword Sect is also among those invited. Therefore, I will be leaving the sect for a period of time, about one month, to personally go to the South Sea and investigate.”
“During my absence, someone must be chosen to temporarily act as the Sect Master, to guard the sect and handle its affairs.”
As he spoke, his gaze slowly swept across the hall — or more accurately, across the only two peak masters present today.
He first looked at the experienced Ji Ling. She immediately snorted and flatly refused.
“The Disciplinary Elder’s affairs are enough to keep me busy, and I still have to refine pills. Don’t come looking for me for a troublesome task like Acting Sect Master!”
Thus, his gaze fell upon the only white-haired fairy who was sitting upright and listening intently.
“Then Xuechang shall temporarily take over the role of Acting Sect Master and preside over the sect’s affairs.”
The old Sect Master stroked his beard and smiled at this new peak master, who had been a model disciple since childhood and was practically the sect’s moral compass.
“Xuechang, I will have to trouble you during this time.”
“Yes, Sect Master. I will certainly do my utmost to manage the Xiaoyao Sword Sect well and wait for your return,” Yun Xuechang nodded seriously and solemnly accepted the task.
……
“So… you didn’t even know what an Acting Sect Master is supposed to do, and yet you just agreed to your Sect Master like that?”
At noon, in the small courtyard of Zhenyun Peak, Hua Yan was biting into a piece of roasted lamb belly. After listening to Yun Xuechang’s narrative, her lips couldn’t help but twitch.
“Yes.” Yun Xuechang nodded while reaching out with a silk handkerchief to gently wipe the greasy little face of Hua Xiangrong beside her. “That is why I am very distressed. I do not know how to proceed next.”
“Then why didn’t you ask clearly before your Sect Master left!” Hua Yan couldn’t help but ask.
“I forgot,” Yun Xuechang answered honestly.
Looking at Yun Xuechang’s cold and ethereal appearance, as if she were a celestial being untouched by the world, Hua Yan really wanted to knock on that shiny head of hers to see if it was actually stuffed with wood.
“Fine, I’ll help you this once!” she said crossly. “Fortunately, I am the successor of a demonic sect after all. When I was in the Hundred Flowers Valley, my grandmother forced me to learn some ways of managing affairs. I know a bit here and there.”
“Tomorrow, I will go with you to the Xiaoyao Hall to stand duty.”
“Thank you, Yan’er.” The white-haired fairy in front of her curved her brows slightly, a shallow smile rippling out. “It is good to have you.”
‘If you really want to thank me, you might as well hurry up and fall in love with me. It would save me a lot of trouble…’
Staring at her smiling face, Hua Yan’s cheeks turned an uncharacteristic red, and she turned her head away.
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