Three months passed in the blink of an eye. Jun Peak remained as lively as ever. Da Shixiong taught martial arts, Second Shixiong gave Guqin lessons, and their beloved Yu Shixiong instructed them in talisman crafting.
It wasn't so bad, being chosen for Jun Peak. They were a small group, just ninety-seven, but there was no animosity between them. Even Second Shixiong, who didn't particularly favor Yu Lingyu, never showed any ill will or hostility.
Jun Peak might've been even more peaceful if not for the occasional shouting matches caused by the weasel, and, more often, the daily clashes between San Jie and Shen Ming.
"If I catch you, I'll rip your hair out one by one and feed it to the crocodiles!" Shen Ming yelled, flipping his wavy hair back with dramatic flair.
"Bah. Like I'm scared of you," San Jie scoffed as the two of them spun around in the mud, absolutely unbothered by the growing crowd of onlookers.
As usual, no one interfered. They all just stood nearby, waiting for the storm to pass.
"Stop that, will you? If Da Shixiong shows up, both of you are going to get beaten," Luo Cheng called out, always the one trying to keep the peace.
Seeing his words fail, Luo Cheng gave up and stomped over to a nearby tree, where Yu Lingyu sat half-asleep, a weasel curled comfortably in his lap.
"Yu Shixiong, look at them," he pleaded, voice full of desperation.
"Let them fight. They'll stop when they're tired," Yu Lingyu mumbled drowsily, patting the dozing weasel's head without opening his eyes.
"Don't say that, Yu Shixiong!" Xu Jin added firmly. She was one of the few girls in their group, gentle in demeanor but always fair. "If Da Shixiong or Meng Shixiong sees them, they'll punish all of us again. It's not fair that eleven of us have to suffer because of two."
Standing next to her, Duan Xia gave a small sigh and placed a hand on Xu Jin's shoulder to steady her.
"Last time, we all had to weed the entire courtyard," she reminded softly. "Please, Yu Shixiong..."
Yu Lingyu opened his eyes. With his hands tucked behind his head, he sat lazily with one leg crossed over the other.
"Hu Mao," he called.
Like a flash of lightning, the weasel leapt from his lap and scrambled up San Jie's shoulder.
"GET RID OF THIS MONSTER!" San Jie yelped, flailing wildly. "Yu Shixiong, get this brat off me!"
"San Shidi, oh San Shidi," Yu Lingyu said without even glancing his way. "Only if you promise not to fight again."
"Dude! I didn't even start it, okay, okay! I won't fight again, just get it off my face!"
Suppressing a grin, Yu Lingyu gave a low whistle, and Hu Mao obediently returned to his side. Lingyu patted the creature's head affectionately.
San Jie huffed and brushed off his cloak, storming toward Yu Lingyu, but stopped a few steps short, clearly not daring to get too close.
"Yu Shixiong, this is so unfair. He always starts it, not me," San Jie grumbled, face darkening with frustration.
"Well," Yu Lingyu said lazily, "he's not afraid of a weasel, San Shidi."
"You and your damn bastard pet can both go to hell!"
San Jie spun on his heel and marched off as laughter erupted among the others.
"Alright, back to your tasks," Yu Lingyu said, clapping his hands. The laughter died down as the twelve remaining apprentices sighed. The group had been entrusted to Yu Lingyu because the second, third, and fourth inner disciples already had their own students. Being the fifth and final inner disciple, the responsibility had naturally fallen to him.
Still, all five taught equally, sharing their knowledge without greed or resentment. At the center of it all was Da Shixiong, their guide, mentor, and substitute Shizun. Friendly and patient, Da Shixiong was the heart of Jun Peak.
"Oh, Yu Shixiong, can we stop for today? The Moonlit Sword Festival is coming up," someone begged hopefully, clearly trying to escape herb gathering duty.
"That's right!" another chimed in. "My friend at Juyao Peak said they're already preparing. Please, Yu Shixiong!"
Yu Lingyu sighed, his drowsiness long forgotten. Standing up, he dusted his robes and looked at the group with mock sternness, hands on his hips.
The Moonlit Sword Festival, an annual celebration of the Wen Sect, was less of a festival and more of a rivalry between the peaks. It featured three core competitions: boating, mountain climbing, and the most anticipated event, the Sword Clash. Only the main disciples were forbidden from participating. The rest battled with skill and pride for their peaks. The grand finale took place under the full moon in an open-air arena, culminating in a grand Moon Banquet with elemental displays from each peak.
It was, understandably, the highlight of the year for young disciples.
"So," Yu Lingyu said, "how do you all plan to prepare?"
"You'll help us, won't you? Jun Peak has never won before. Let's change that this time, Yu Shixiong," Xu Jin said with shining eyes.
Yu Lingyu tilted his head with a smile. "Our numbers are small. So, Xu Jin Shimei, how exactly are we supposed to win?"
"Numbers aren't everything," Luo Cheng said confidently. "If Yu Shixiong trains us, we'll give it our all."
"Good, good." Yu Lingyu nodded, but then added, "However, by the time of the Moonlit Sword Festival, I'll be the only one left on the peak. Da Shixiong and the other three will be away in Luoyang City on an assignment."
The apprentices glanced at each other in concern.
"It's fine, you're not going, right?" another student said hopefully. "Help us, Yu Shixiong!"
Yu Lingyu smiled again as a dried leaf fluttered down onto his head in the wind. He plucked it off and tossed it aside.
"Alright, alright. Now go rest," he said at last.
He watched as the disciples scattered with bright smiles and laughter echoing around the courtyard. Hu Mao nuzzled against his cheek, and Yu Lingyu glanced fondly at the lively scene before him.
He could've forced them to gather herbs. But... Wei Yunhe had never done that to him. So, naturally, he wouldn't do it to them either.
"Hu Mao, do you think we can win?" Yu Lingyu asked quietly, standing alone in the medicinal garden. The sun was starting to set, casting soft shadows through the leaves. On one side of the garden was a small open-air pavilion, shaded and peaceful, hidden behind tall plants.
With no one else around, Hu Mao jumped off Lingyu's shoulder and returned to his true form. He stretched out on the cold wooden floor of the pavilion.
"Why not?" he replied with a sly grin. "I'm here."
Yu Lingyu frowned. "Do not interfere in any way. Understood?" His tone was sharp.
"Okay, okay," Hu Mao said quickly, raising both hands in mock surrender. A few dried leaves clung to his black robes as he sat up on the floor. "Your Luo Shidi will be able to try this time."
"Also, Duan Shimei is great with water. Her soul form is a fish, after all."
"There are many fish soul forms in the Wen Sect, Hu Mao. Do you really know anything at all?" Yu Lingyu replied in a flat tone.
Hu Mao narrowed his eyes and glared. "I know enough. Why don't you ask your Xuan for advice?"
"My Xuan? Hu Mao, you-" Before Lingyu could finish, Hu Mao quickly turned back into a weasel and ran off into a bush, escaping his scolding.
It had already been over a month since Yu Lingyu last saw Wu Xuan. They hadn't talked much even then. After meeting with Wei Yunhe, Wu Xuan had only given Lingyu a small smile before quietly leaving.
…Well, it's not like they're connected.
"Yu Shixiong!" a voice suddenly called. Yu Lingyu turned around. At the entrance of the garden stood one of the disciples from Jun Peak.
"Oh, speak," Lingyu said softly.
"Shizun wants you to attend the conference. Da Shixiong and the other shixiongs are not at the peak."
Yu Lingyu bit his lip. He didn't like those kinds of gatherings—too loud, too many people. But he gave a forced smile and nodded. "No problem. I'll go."
He touched the edge of his mask, making sure it was steady. Though he didn't need it when Hu Mao was nearby, wearing it made him feel more at ease in front of others. Before leaving, he looked around for Luo Cheng or someone to pass on the message, but no one was nearby. So, he quietly left the garden and headed to the hall of Juyao Peak.
By the time he arrived, the hall was already full. Voices echoed everywhere, creating a chaotic buzz. At the front, Yu Lingyu noticed a group of students in blue robes, ones he didn't recognize. Calmly, he walked to the row reserved for the main disciples and sat in Wei Yunhe's empty seat.
Yi Qiu from Chuangzhou was seated next to him. The moment he saw Lingyu, his expression darkened.
"What's a coward doing in a warrior's seat?"
Yu Lingyu only gave a small smile. He was used to insults like that by now. He glanced around the hall. Only Wu Xuan's seat was still empty.
"Looking for someone?"
Yu Lingyu jumped slightly, startled by the voice so close. He turned quickly.
"Wu Shixiong!" he said.
Wu Xuan stood beside him, dressed in his usual dark clothes and carrying his usual calm smile.
Without saying more, he motioned for Yi Qiu to move. Then he sat beside Yu Lingyu, ignoring the hateful glare Yi Qiu shot at him. Yi Qiu didn't dare say a word in front of Wu Xuan and silently moved to the other seat.
Yu Lingyu looked down, letting out a quiet breath. His heart, hidden behind the mask, was beating a little too fast.
"So, how have things been lately?" Wu Xuan asked, leaning forward with his elbows on his thighs. He rested his face on one hand, and in that relaxed pose, he looked like a sleepy child waiting for his mother to cuddle him.
"Nothing wrong," Yu Lingyu replied briefly. Still, his mood had clearly lifted. After all, he was happy to see Wu Xuan again.
"Yu Shidi, do you see those people in blue robes?" Wu Xuan turned his head slightly, nodding toward the group of disciples behind them who were chatting quietly.
"They're from the Lingxiao Sect."
Yu Lingyu looked at them for a moment. The Lingxiao Sect was a northern cultivation sect, as powerful and wide-reaching as the Wen Sect. Their disciples wore cloud-blue robes and were known as followers of Fengshen, the God of Wind. People from the Lingxiao Sect were generally kind and easy to talk to.
In the past, the Wen Sect had followed the War God, though nowadays, not many cared much about divine beliefs anymore.
"Wu Shixiong, what are the Lingxiao Sect disciples doing here?"
"They're participating in the Moonlit Sword Festival this year. Quite the surprise," Wu Xuan said, turning back to Lingyu.
"So, how are things going with preparations at Jun Peak?"
"Not yet started. Da Shixiong is really busy these days, so-"
"If you need help, just ask," Wu Xuan said without hesitation. "We're sect brothers, after all."
Hearing that, Yi Qiu, who was seated not far away, let out a sudden coughing fit, almost choking. He looked at Wu Xuan like he'd just heard him pledge loyalty to a demon.
"Thank you, Wu Shixiong," Yu Lingyu said, silently grateful for the mask that was hiding his red face.
Come on, Lingyu… what's wrong with you???
A few more minutes passed. Then all the noise in the hall suddenly faded as Shi Xieren entered. He stood at the front and welcomed the disciples of the Lingxiao Sect with polite words. Without wasting much time, he quickly moved on to the important topic: the Lingxiao Sect would be participating in this year's Moonlit Sword Festival.
Even more shocking, Jun Peak had been assigned as their host.
Yu Lingyu almost choked and had to cough to cover his reaction. Truly, when trouble comes, it never comes alone. With Da Shixiong and the other seniors absent, how was he supposed to handle hosting the entire Lingxiao group alone?
"Accept it," Wu Xuan leaned in and whispered gently in his ear.
Yu Lingyu quickly stood up, legs stiff and voice tight. "Ah, yes. It is a privilege to host the Lingxiao Sect." He forced a polite smile toward the visiting disciples before sitting back down silently.
Shi Xieren continued explaining a few final details about the festival, then began to close the meeting.
But Wu Xuan suddenly stood up.
"Shizun, this disciple has something important to say."