Today’s Second Update

  Zhang Hu stumbled toward the table in a daze, grabbed the kettle, and tilted it straight into his mouth.

  Nothing came out.

  He froze, then rubbed his bleary eyes hard and looked around. Only then did he realize—not only was the kettle completely empty, but also the bedding lay dry and crumpled, showing no trace of having been soaked by rain.

  “Yun Che?” Zhang Hu stared at him blankly. “When did you get back? What happened to our room? Don’t tell me we ran into some kind of drought curse.”

  Yun Che let out a helpless chuckle. He pushed open the creaking door and glanced at the fine drizzle outside, speaking without turning back.

  “I have no idea. It was already like this when I returned. You could ask the others, but if this reaches a steward or an elder, we’ll be questioned endlessly. Too much trouble.”

  Zhang Hu shook his still-heavy head and waved his hand decisively.

  “Forget it. I’m not asking for trouble. One wrong word and I’ll get chewed out. Not worth it.”

  Yun Che said nothing more and stepped outside.

  The rain fell lightly, threading through the gloomy sky. After a brief pause, his thoughts returned to the troublesome stone bead. He dared neither leave it in the room nor carry it openly within the sect.

  In the end, he chose a rarely used side path, winding his way out through the eastern gate of the disciple quarters.

  Along the way, raindrops landed on his shoulders and collar—only to vanish before they could dampen the cloth, as if drawn away by an unseen force.

  The stone bead was hidden in his sleeve.

  Yun Che’s heartbeat quickened. He scanned his surroundings carefully, afraid even this subtle anomaly might be noticed. He had considered hiding the bead in the room but quickly abandoned the idea. The space was too small, and though Zhang Hu was careless, discovery would be disastrous.

  Only a place no one knew of could be truly safe.

  Soon, he reached the secluded spot in the back mountain where he had buried the dew gourds. The sky was still dim, and the rain had kept most disciples indoors.

  After confirming no one was nearby, he swiftly dug into the soft soil, placed the gray-white stone bead into one of the empty gourds, buried it again, and carefully erased all traces.

  Only then did he let out a long breath, as if a heavy weight had finally been lifted from his chest. He decided to retrieve it once the rain stopped.

  After one last cautious glance around, Yun Che turned and headed toward the chores hall.

  At the dull gray building of the chores office, he instinctively walked toward the corner where the water buckets were kept.

  Just then—

  Creak.

  A wooden door behind him swung open.

  The sharp, monkey-like face of the Liu-surnamed disciple peeked out. Upon spotting Yun Che by the water vat, the man froze briefly—then immediately broke into an overly enthusiastic, almost fawning smile.

  Stolen story; please report.

  “Junior Brother Yun Che! You’re finally back!”

  He rushed over, snatching the bucket handle from Yun Che’s hand.

  “How are your parents? Still in good health? These past few days, I’ve been thinking about you nonstop!”

  Yun Che was momentarily caught off guard. That lightning-fast change of attitude reminded him uncomfortably of certain relatives back home.

  But inwardly, his guard rose.

  “Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Liu,” he replied cautiously, stepping back slightly. “My parents are well.”

  “Ah, Junior Brother, you’re far too honest!” Liu laughed, patting his chest.

  “Everything before was just a joke—temperament training! How could I really make you haul ten vats a day? From now on, one vat is enough, just for formality. When it’s time to eat, go eat. If anyone gives you trouble, just say my name—Liu San. It carries weight here!”

  A flicker of amusement passed through Yun Che’s eyes. After a brief hesitation, he asked calmly,

  “Senior Brother Liu… Is there something you need from me?”

  Liu San immediately put on a wounded expression.

  “Junior Brother! That’s too distant. Do I look like that kind of person? You’re my junior—I take care of you because it’s only right. Your daily duties? One word from me decides them. And today it’s raining—no work. Oh, right…”

  He lowered his voice and leaned closer.

  “A few days ago, Elder Sun personally came looking for you. Since you’re back, you should report to him soon. Elders don’t like to be kept waiting.”

  As he spoke, his eyes flicked toward Yun Che’s face, carefully gauging every reaction.

  Yun Che’s thoughts turned rapidly, though his expression remained unreadable. He had already guessed most of it.

  So Elder Sun had indeed come looking for him.

  Liu San must have assumed he had some special connection to the elder—and fearing future retaliation, had rushed to curry favor.

  Yun Che chose not to expose him. Instead, he mimicked Liu San’s former aloof manner, letting out a soft, indifferent “Hm.”

  That single sound sealed Liu San’s fears.

  His heart lurched.

  So the kid really climbed a high branch. Otherwise, where would that confidence come from? And judging by his attitude, he's definitely the vengeful type.

  In all his thirteen years as a registered disciple, six of them spent in the chores hall, Liu San had never seen an elder personally seek out a gray-robed nobody.

  Usually, a message delivered by a white-robed disciple was already exceptional.

  He briefly considered another possibility—that Yun Che had offended Elder Sun and was being summoned for punishment.

  But he didn’t dare gamble.

  In a sect like this, it's better to flatter the wrong person than suppress the right one.

  Clenching his teeth, Liu San forced an even brighter smile. With visible reluctance, he pulled out a folded yellow talisman and stuffed it into Yun Che’s hand.

  “Junior Brother! From the moment I saw you last month, I felt we were kindred spirits! This is just a small gift—please accept it. If you refuse, you’ll wound my feelings.”

  Yun Che glanced at it and immediately recognized it—a Swift Movement Talisman, something only issued to registered disciples during home leave.

  For someone like Liu San, this was no small sacrifice.

  “Since Senior Brother insists, I’ll accept it,” Yun Che said calmly, pocketing it.

  “But Elder Sun is waiting. I shouldn’t delay. If there’s time tomorrow, we can talk again.”

  “Of course, of course!” Liu San bowed repeatedly. “Elder matters come first—please hurry!”

  Yun Che walked away, his expression calm, though his unease only deepened.

  Why would Elder Sun personally summon him?

  As he headed toward the steward hall, possibilities raced through his mind.

  The aftermath of the cliff incident?

  A petition from his clan?

  Or—

  His thoughts stalled.

  —the herb garden.

  He had been the last visitor there.

  The timing was too precise to ignore.

  Could he have noticed the stone bead?

  Yun Che’s steps slowed almost imperceptibly.

  But the bead was now hidden safely away. He carried nothing suspicious. Avoiding the summons would only arouse more suspicion.

  “If it’s fortune, it can’t be dodged. If it’s a disaster, hiding is useless.”

  With resolve firmed, he strode forward.

  Soon, he arrived at the quiet courtyard beside the steward hall. After reporting his name, the same aloof, white-robed youth appeared.

  “You again?” The youth raised an eyebrow mockingly. “Back home for only three days, and already missing it?”

  Yun Che frowned slightly—

  Before a calm yet commanding voice echoed from within the courtyard:

  “Bring him in. At once.”

  The youth stiffened, casting Yun Che a probing glance before turning away.

  Yun Che followed in silence, tension coiling in his chest.

  Once again, he stood outside the fragrant herb garden.

  Aside from faint signs of disturbed soil near the replanted Blue Star Grass, everything looked unchanged.

  Creak.

  The stone hut’s wooden door opened.

  Elder Sun stepped out slowly.

  His face was thin, lined deeply with age, yet his eyes were sharp and penetrating, devoid of any haze. His gaze swept over Yun Che from head to toe, as if stripping away flesh and bone alike.

  An invisible pressure spread through the garden.

  It is being watched—before the cards are laid on the table.

  Liu San’s flattery is born of fear.

  Elder Sun’s gaze was one of suspicion.

  Remain steady.

  is this merely a routine inquiry?

  Or has Elder Sun already sensed something that should not exist?