Chapter 19 - A Mission Beyond the Gates 2

The following morning, mist clung to the treetops, curling around the mountain path like pale smoke.The Azure Heaven delegation trudged onward, robes still faintly scorched from the previous night's ambush. Lin Xueyao walked at the front, posture ramrod straight despite her exhaustion, leading by sheer force of will. The disciples behind her whispered softly, nerves lingering.At the rear, Jiang Hao yawned, stretching as though he had just woken from a nap rather than marched half the night.Mei Ling fell into step beside him, her expression bright even through the fatigue. "You slept through the night on a rock while the rest of us stood guard. How do you do it?""Talent," Jiang Hao said solemnly. "Cultivators train for years to achieve enlightenment. I've mastered the Dao of Sleep."She giggled, covering her mouth. "You can't just make up Daos.""Of course you can. I've seen people proclaim the Dao of Fire, the Dao of Blades, the Dao of Heaven's Wrath. Why not the Dao of Sleeping Soundly?"Mei Ling laughed outright this time, the sound like a silver bell through the mist.Lin Xueyao glanced back sharply, eyes narrowing. "This is a mission, not a festival. Mei Ling, stay alert.""Yes, Senior Sister," Mei Ling said quickly, though her smile lingered.Jiang Hao raised his brows at Lin Xueyao. "Careful, Senior Sister. Too much scowling gives wrinkles."Her face went crimson. "Wr—!" She cut herself off with a sharp inhale, marching faster.By noon, the path opened into a broad valley. At its far end rose crimson spires of stone, carved into the shape of burning flames. Crimson Flame Sect.The sect lived up to its name—the outer walls glowed faintly with enchantments of fire qi, and the air itself carried a subtle heat. Disciples in scarlet robes patrolled the gates, spears gleaming like molten steel.As the Azure Heaven group approached, guards crossed their weapons."State your business."The elder at the front stepped forward, producing a sealed scroll. "We come by decree of the Sect Master of Azure Heaven, to assist Crimson Flame Sect in matters of security. The Demon Sect stirs, and—"The guard snorted, cutting him off. "We have no need of Azure Heaven's charity."Another sneered, "You come to spy, not to help. Crimson Flame Sect doesn't beg outsiders for protection."The atmosphere grew tense, disciples shifting uneasily. Lin Xueyao's hand tightened on her sword, and the elder's jaw set in anger.Before sharp words could fly, Jiang Hao ambled forward. He bowed slightly, voice smooth. "We're not here to spy. We're here to make your jobs easier."The guards frowned. "Our jobs?""Of course," Jiang Hao said earnestly, spreading his hands. "If the Demon Sect attacks, you'll have to fight, bleed, possibly die. That's messy. Unpleasant. We're volunteers. Think of us as… substitutes. We'll handle the overtime so you can clock out on time."The guards blinked, clearly thrown off. One muttered, "…Clock out?"Jiang Hao leaned closer conspiratorially. "Don't you hate double shifts? Long nights on guard duty? I bet your sect leaders don't pay you extra spirit stones for overtime."The guards exchanged looks, their expressions shifting from hostility to reluctant agreement."…That's true," one admitted."…Last week I stood watch three nights in a row," another grumbled.Lin Xueyao pressed her fingers to her forehead, mortified.Mei Ling, on the other hand, bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud.Jiang Hao clapped one guard on the shoulder. "So let us carry the burden. You relax, drink, spend time with your families. We'll deal with the troublemakers."The guard hesitated… then lowered his spear. "Fine. Enter. But don't cause trouble."Jiang Hao inclined his head gracefully. "Trouble? Never."The delegation moved past the gates, whispers breaking out among the disciples."Did he just… talk us in with nonsense?""They almost refused entry, but he—""…Overtime pay?"Lin Xueyao walked beside him, voice low and sharp. "You embarrassed us in front of another sect.""I prevented a diplomatic incident," Jiang Hao corrected calmly. "That's efficiency."She glared at him, but her words faltered. Efficiency. She couldn't quite argue with that.Mei Ling leaned toward him, whispering, "That was clever.""Not clever. Practical." Jiang Hao sipped from his flask as if nothing at all had happened.Inside the sect, the heat was stronger, suffusing the air with the smell of charred wood and burning incense. Crimson Flame Sect disciples eyed them with open suspicion as they passed, whispering behind hands.At the heart of the sect stood a vast hall of red stone, its gates wide and heavy, flames carved into the wood.Within sat the Crimson Flame Sect Leader, a tall, broad-shouldered man with a beard like black steel and eyes like molten fire. His presence pressed down on the room like a furnace.The Azure Heaven elder bowed deeply. "Sect Leader, we bring our greetings and aid."The man's gaze swept over the delegation, lingering on Lin Xueyao—recognizing her as Azure Heaven's shining genius—before landing on Jiang Hao.Jiang Hao, who was in the middle of pouring himself a cup of tea.The hall went silent.The Crimson Flame Sect Leader's brow twitched. "And… you are?"Jiang Hao looked up, blinking. "Hmm? Oh. Jiang Hao. Just here for the nine-to-five shift."The Sect Leader's expression darkened.Lin Xueyao wanted to vanish into the floor. Mei Ling's shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.But in that moment, though no one could say why, the tension in the hall eased just slightly.Jiang Hao had disarmed the atmosphere without lifting a sword.The council chamber smelled faintly of ash and incense. Crimson banners hung from the high ceiling, each embroidered with flames, their edges shimmering faintly with protective qi. Long tables stretched down the hall, where Azure Heaven's elders sat opposite their Crimson Flame counterparts.The atmosphere was stifling, hot with more than just fire qi—it was heavy with suspicion.The Crimson Flame Sect Leader, broad and imposing in his throne-like chair, leaned forward, voice booming. "So. Azure Heaven sends its disciples to 'assist.'" His gaze slid pointedly to Lin Xueyao, then to the elder who led them. "And what do you gain from this aid?"The Azure Heaven elder bowed. "We gain only stability. The Demon Sect grows bold. If they breach your defenses, they'll move next to ours. To defend you is to defend ourselves."Murmurs rippled through the Crimson Flame elders seated nearby."Defend ourselves, he says.""More like planting spies in our midst.""Azure Heaven always was too ambitious."The Sect Leader raised a hand, silencing them. His fiery gaze shifted back to the Azure Heaven group… and lingered once again on Jiang Hao.Who was currently… refilling his teacup.The sound of liquid pouring into porcelain echoed far too loudly in the tense chamber.Lin Xueyao wanted to bury her face in her hands.The Sect Leader's brow furrowed. "And you. Jiang Hao, was it?"Jiang Hao glanced up calmly. "Yes?""You sit in my hall, drinking tea as though this were your own courtyard."Jiang Hao considered this, then inclined his head slightly. "Apologies. But if I don't stay hydrated, I can't work efficiently. And since I'm here on business hours, efficiency is important."A stunned silence followed.One Crimson Flame elder barked a laugh before quickly disguising it as a cough. The Sect Leader's glare snapped toward him, silencing the hall again.Lin Xueyao's cheeks burned. "Forgive him, Sect Leader. He… speaks strangely at times.""Strangely, indeed," the man growled, though his fiery gaze never left Jiang Hao. "But strange men sometimes hide strange depths."Jiang Hao merely sipped his tea.The talks dragged on, words sharp as blades.Azure Heaven's elders pressed for cooperation—joint patrols, exchange of intelligence, unified formations against the Demon Sect. Crimson Flame's elders countered with suspicion, veiled insults, and outright refusals."The Flame burns alone," one declared. "We need no outsiders dimming its light.""Or extinguishing it," another added, eyes narrowed.The back-and-forth lasted over an hour. Tempers flared. Voices rose.Jiang Hao?He had fallen asleep sitting upright, cup still balanced in his hand.Mei Ling noticed first. Her lips parted, eyes widening in a mixture of shock and amusement. She nudged Lin Xueyao, whispering, "Look."Lin Xueyao followed her gaze. Her breath caught.The man was sleeping. Actually sleeping. In the middle of one of the tensest negotiations between two sects in years.She nearly shouted at him on the spot, but Mei Ling's hand on her arm stopped her. Mei Ling's shoulders shook with silent laughter."He's impossible," Lin Xueyao hissed under her breath."And yet," Mei Ling whispered back, "look how everyone else's anger shifted once they noticed him."Lin Xueyao blinked. She hadn't realized it, but Mei Ling was right. Several Crimson Flame elders had paused mid-argument, staring at Jiang Hao with expressions somewhere between disbelief and reluctant amusement. The Sect Leader himself had leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples.By doing nothing—literally nothing—Jiang Hao had diffused the boiling tension in the room.Finally, the Sect Leader slammed a hand on the table, flames crackling faintly around his palm. "Enough. Words alone won't prove intentions. If Azure Heaven wishes to 'assist,' then let them show strength. We will test their disciples. If they can hold against ours, we will accept their aid."The words fell like thunder.The Azure Heaven elder bowed deeply, though his face tightened. "Very well. A fair trial."Disciples shifted uneasily. The Crimson Flame Sect was famed for its ruthless martial fire qi—this was no simple spar.Lin Xueyao stepped forward immediately. "I accept." Her voice was sharp, confident, her aura flaring as though to dare any challenger.Mei Ling bit her lip, glancing at Jiang Hao, who was still dozing. She almost called him, but… no. He wouldn't want attention. And truthfully, she wanted to see Lin Xueyao shine.The Sect Leader gestured. "Tomorrow at dawn. Our disciples will face yours. If Azure Heaven proves worthy, we shall speak further."As the delegation was dismissed, disciples filed out into the evening air. The crimson glow of the setting sun painted the courtyard, fire qi shimmering in the sky.Jiang Hao finally stirred, blinking as though waking from a pleasant nap. "Hm? Meeting's over?"Lin Xueyao spun on him, fury in her eyes. "You—! You slept through everything!""Of course," Jiang Hao said calmly, stretching his arms. "It's outside working hours."Mei Ling burst out laughing. She clapped a hand over her mouth, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Senior Brother Jiang, you're… you're unbelievable."Jiang Hao glanced at her, one brow raised. "Believable or not, I'll still be here tomorrow. Unless," he added pointedly, "the sparring's scheduled before nine."Lin Xueyao groaned, marching off toward the guest quarters, muttering curses under her breath.Mei Ling lingered a moment longer, watching Jiang Hao. Her smile softened, her laughter fading into something warmer. "Still… I'm glad you're here," she whispered.Jiang Hao blinked at her, tilting his head. "Hm?""Nothing," she said quickly, darting after Lin Xueyao.Jiang Hao poured himself another cup of tea, gazing at the crimson-lit sky. "Overtime," he murmured. "I really should start charging."