The sect was buzzing again. Not with fear this time, but with rebuilding, with energy, with the stubborn determination that life must go on even after the storm.
But Jiang Hao had noticed something troubling.
The notice board outside the inner courtyard had a new sheet of parchment pinned to it. Elegant calligraphy scrawled across it, signed by none other than the Sect Master himself.
"Outer Sect Mission: Escort delegation to the Crimson Flame Sect for peace talks. Volunteers required. Rewards generous."
Jiang Hao narrowed his eyes at the words. Peace talks. Delegations. Rewards.
All of that sounds like overtime.
He sipped his tea, leaning against the plum tree, hoping no one would notice him. Unfortunately, fate—or perhaps the sect's bureaucracy—had other plans.
Lin Xueyao spotted him instantly. She marched toward him with her usual crisp authority, arms folded across her chest, her long hair tied neatly behind her.
"You. You're coming with us."
Jiang Hao froze with his flask halfway to his lips. "…Us?"
"Me, Mei Ling, and a few others. We need to travel to Crimson Flame Sect as part of the escort team."
Jiang Hao sighed. "That sounds like… a lot of walking. And talking. And people."
Lin Xueyao's eyes narrowed. "It also sounds like responsibility. Do you intend to shirk that as well?"
Jiang Hao set down his flask, thinking carefully. "Does it begin and end within working hours?"
Her brow furrowed. "Working… hours?"
"Nine to five," he said solemnly. "After that, it's unreasonable labor."
Lin Xueyao stared at him for a long moment, then pressed a hand to her temple. "You're impossible."
From the side, a soft laugh broke the tension. Mei Ling stood with a tray of herbs, her gentle smile lighting her face. "Senior Sister, if you insist too harshly, he'll only run. Let him think it's easy. Then he'll come along without complaint."
Jiang Hao gave her an approving nod. "Wise words. Mei Ling understands efficiency."
Lin Xueyao muttered something under her breath that sounded very much like a curse.
Word spread quickly. By midday, disciples were whispering in corners:"The Sect Master himself requested this mission.""They say the Crimson Flame Sect has been restless—maybe even considering alliance with the Demon Sect.""And Elder Tian's disciple is joining the team…"
That last part drew the most attention. Everywhere Jiang Hao went, eyes followed him, measuring, guessing, whispering. Some with admiration. Some with jealousy. Some with disbelief.
Jiang Hao ignored them all, already thinking about how much tea he could pack for the journey without looking suspicious.
If this turns into a late-night errand, I'll quit halfway.
Elder Tian found him in the courtyard that evening, gruff as ever. "So. They've roped you into this farce of diplomacy."
"Not by choice," Jiang Hao muttered.
Elder Tian gave him a sharp look, then softened. "Remember, boy. Outside the sect, you must be careful. Not just of enemies—but of allies who pry too deeply."
Jiang Hao inclined his head. "I'll keep the mask on."
Elder Tian's hand tightened briefly on his shoulder. "Good. And… don't forget. Lin Xueyao and Mei Ling will be with you. Don't let your indifference wound them more than the enemy could."
Jiang Hao blinked. "…Master, that sounded suspiciously like relationship advice."
Elder Tian scowled. "Nonsense. I'm far too old for that."
But as he walked away, Jiang Hao could have sworn he heard the old man mutter, "Still… perhaps the boy should not grow old alone."
By dawn, the delegation stood at the sect gates: a dozen disciples, two elders, Lin Xueyao gleaming in her silver robes, Mei Ling in her soft greens, and Jiang Hao at the back, yawning into his sleeve.
The gates creaked open.
The path to the Crimson Flame Sect stretched ahead—mountains sharp against the horizon, forests thick with hidden eyes.
The mission had begun.
And for Jiang Hao, so too had a new kind of overtime
The road twisted down the mountain like a coiled dragon, stones slick with morning dew. Azure Heaven Sect's delegation moved in a neat column, formation tight, swords gleaming at their hips.
Everyone except Jiang Hao.
He trailed at the back, hands folded behind his head, walking at a pace that suggested he was strolling through a garden rather than escorting a mission that might decide the balance of power in the region.
Lin Xueyao glanced back, her jaw tightening. "Discipline, Jiang Hao. This isn't a pleasure walk."
"Isn't it?" Jiang Hao asked lazily, tilting his head toward the rising sun. "The weather's good. The breeze is soft. Birds are chirping. Feels like a morning stroll to me."
Her fingers twitched on her sword hilt. "You—!"
"Senior Sister," Mei Ling interrupted gently, stepping between them with a smile. "He's not hurting anyone. Let him walk as he likes. Besides…" Her eyes sparkled with quiet amusement. "He doesn't tire as quickly as the rest of us."
Lin Xueyao bit back her retort, cheeks coloring faintly. She hated how right Mei Ling was. Still, she snapped, "Fine. But if we're ambushed, don't expect me to wait for you."
"Of course," Jiang Hao said, sipping from his flask. "If we're ambushed after working hours, I'll leave it to you entirely."
The disciples ahead exchanged baffled looks. "Working… hours?" one whispered.
Another muttered, "He really is strange."
By midday, the sun bore down hot on their backs. Sweat dampened robes, and the younger disciples began to falter.
"Break," one elder commanded, raising a hand. They stopped in a clearing beside a stream, weapons within reach, eyes sharp even as they unrolled their rations.
Jiang Hao found a flat rock, sat down, and immediately stretched out as if he were at home in his courtyard. He poured fresh tea into a cup, savoring the steam rising.
The others gnawed on dried meat and hard bread, casting glances his way.
"Is he… really drinking tea right now?""Where did he even find hot water?""Did he pack a teapot for a mission?"
Lin Xueyao couldn't help herself. She marched over, planting her hands on her hips. "What are you doing?"
Jiang Hao blinked up at her. "Lunch break."
"This isn't a marketplace, it's a mission!"
"Exactly. And according to labor guidelines, a midday break is essential for efficiency." He sipped his tea. "Would you like some? Jasmine."
Her mouth opened, then closed again. She turned on her heel, muttering something very unbefitting of a sect prodigy.
Mei Ling lingered after her, giggling softly. She crouched near Jiang Hao. "I'll take some."
He poured her a cup without hesitation. Mei Ling cupped it in both hands, blowing gently on the steam. "Mmm… fragrant."
Her smile was warm, her eyes soft as she glanced at him. "You always surprise me, Senior Brother Jiang. Everyone else worries about politics and battles, but you… you just sit here like none of it touches you."
Jiang Hao shrugged, watching the sunlight dance on the water. "That's because none of it should. People make things heavier than they need to be. But at the end of the day…" He lifted his cup. "…we all just want peace, don't we?"
Mei Ling lowered her gaze, hiding a faint blush. "Peace," she echoed.
Lin Xueyao, overhearing, clenched her fists tighter.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully—almost.
As twilight fell, the forest grew quiet. Too quiet.
The lead elder raised his hand sharply. "Form up."
Disciples scrambled into formation, blades drawn. The trees rustled, shadows shifting unnaturally.
Bandits? No. Too organized.
From the undergrowth, figures emerged—rogues clad in black, their insignia unfamiliar. Mercenaries, perhaps hired blades sent by factions who didn't wish the peace talks to succeed.
Their leader sneered. "Azure Heaven Sect. Hand over your supplies and your documents. Do so, and we'll let you keep your lives."
The disciples bristled. Lin Xueyao drew her sword, her aura flaring. "You'll find Azure Heaven bows to no mercenaries."
The clash was inevitable.
Swords met with a crash of steel and qi, disciples struggling to hold the line. The mercenaries were strong, far more skilled than ordinary thugs.
Lin Xueyao cut down two swiftly, but their leader pressed her hard. Mei Ling darted among the disciples, throwing talismans that lit the field with protective wards.
And Jiang Hao?
He remained sitting on his rock, sipping tea, watching the fight unfold with a faintly troubled expression.
"This is… ten minutes past my working hours," he murmured.
A mercenary broke through the line, charging directly at him with a blade dripping dark qi.
Jiang Hao sighed, set down his cup, and lifted one finger.
The mercenary froze mid-strike, body rigid. Then, with a sound like glass shattering, his sword broke into fragments. He crumpled to the ground unconscious.
Jiang Hao picked up his cup again. "Overtime pay. Remember that."
The disciples stared in disbelief. Lin Xueyao, catching her breath, caught sight of him at the edge of the battlefield. Her chest ached with conflicting emotions: irritation, relief, fascination.
"Unbelievable," she muttered.
But Mei Ling, eyes shining, whispered under her breath, "Incredible."