“The Zhu Clan?”

“Yes, Ma’am. They’re a local power known for their expertise in dealing with demonic cultivators. They claim their most recent excursion resulted in the extermination of the Crimson Moon Sect.”

She sat at her desk, analysing the information that had been provided to her.

“If this is true, no, regardless of whether it’s true or not, we need to send someone to speak to them immediately. Where are they?”

“They aren’t far from here, Ma’am. A day on foot or a few hours flying.”

A map was unfurled onto the desk and a flag placed on the location of the Zhu Clan’s base of operations.

“We’ve already sent a party of scouts to scope out the situation. They should be able to report back within the hour.”

“Good.”

She slid her chair back and stood up before placing her hand on the map.

“Prepare a carriage for me immediately. We’re heading out.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

“Hold on,” said Jihan. “You’re going in person?”

“Of course I am.”

He shook his head.

“I don’t think that would be a good idea. What if this is a trap?”

“A trap? What makes you think that?”

“From the information I gathered, the Crimson Moon Sect should have had several cultivators in the minute realm, some of them reaching the intermediate levels. I find it hard to believe that a small local clan would be able to rout the entire sect.”

“Hm… You have a point.”

She had to admit that.

She also found it strange that a relatively small clan, with only one minute realm cultivator, two or three at the most, would be able to exterminate what was essentially a second-grade sect.

But her desire to find her sister overpowered her sense of caution.

“Then what should we do?” she asked.

“If it weren’t for this mark, I would go myself. But with things being as they are, I think we should send an envoy. Someone we can trust who is also unaffiliated with us. Someone like that disciple of yours.”

“My disciple?”

“The one with the blue eyes.”

“Oh. You mean Shao Tianlan.”

“Mm. We already know he’s of good character. And his strength isn’t bad either. Do you think he would be willing to go on our behalf?”

“Shao Tianlan…”

She thought back on all the things she knew about him.

He was good to those around him, sharing his accomplishments with them.

He had an honest and forthright personality, which he showcased when he faced off against the sect leader and again when he confronted the disciplinary committee.

He had a strong sense of righteousness, as evidenced by his pivotal role in preventing the kidnapping of a young girl by a pair of demonic cultivators.

And he gave her the same sort of feeling that Jihan did.

“I think we can trust him with this,” she said. “He’s a good person.”

“Then we don’t need to deliberate any further.”

“Right.”

With their target set, the two of them left for Tianlan’s abode.

***

“Oh. Don’t mind me,” grumbled Hei. “It’s not like I’m the one who set this up or anything.”

He glanced over at Feifei who was still enamoured with Tianlan.

“Tianlan this, Tianlan that. Is that all you people can talk about?”

Meilin was also there, enjoying the lively discussion about swordsmanship as well as Tianlan’s taste in women.

“Et tu, Partner? Et tu?”

A jade was also floating among them, projecting the image of another young lady who also seemed to be quite interested in what Tianlan was saying.

“Boy, this word sure does hate me, doesn’t it?”

“Hehehe. Jealous, are we?”

“!”

Hei immediately jolted.

“What was that?! Who’s there?!”

“Hehehehehe. Down here, Hei.”

“?”

Hei looked down at the source of the sound.

It was coming from a tiny person, seemingly made out of chains who was standing on his right shoulder.

He had tiny little horns protruding from his forehead and bat-like wings sprouting from his back.

“What in the… Who are you?”

“Who am I? Why, I’m you, of course. I’m the truth hidden deep within your heart.”

“… Okay…”

“Right now, you’re seething with jealousy, are you not?”

“Jealousy? I’m not jealous at all.”

“Really? Then why don’t you look again.”

Hei returned his sights to the group of four.

“Notice the one you’ve gotten to know over the weeks. Your business partner, wasn’t she? Didn’t she feel like a close friend? And maybe even more?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“She even invited you to meet her father. We all know what that means.”

“…”

“But look at her now. One glimpse of Tianlan’s face and she’s gone. Just like that. That can’t feel good, can it?”

“I… don’t care about that… She’s just someone I met.”

“Really? Then what about the damsel in distress who you went out of your way to rescue? Wasn’t she fawning over your heroism only a few hours ago?”

“I mean…”

“With the effects of Hero Syndrome, she should be yours for the taking, shouldn’t she?”

“That’s how it typically works, yes. But this is-”

“This is a complete overturning of the natural order, is what it is!”

“Why are you-”

“And lastly, we have Big Sis Xu Fei. Didn’t you have a pleasant conversation with her yesterday? You developed fond feelings for her, didn’t you? And they were further cemented by her words today, weren’t they? You were even thinking of taking her to this world’s peak, were you not?”

“I just thought the idea of turning a pure-hearted girl whose only power was to write letters of complaint into a powerhouse whose writing was like a decree from the Heavens themselves would be pretty amusing. Plus, she really is a nice girl.”

“And yet, she also falls before Tianlan’s feet. How does that make you feel?”

“Why are you asking me this? And… where’s the other guy?”

“The other guy?”

“You’re the evil one, right? Isn’t there supposed to be a good one on my other shoulder?”

“He’s… on holiday…”

“Should we stop this now? People are staring at us.”

The tiny figure held his mouth open for a while, then closed it again, nodding his head repeatedly as he disappeared into Hei’s shoulder.

Hei clapped his hands, drawing attention to himself.

“Okay. This was a pleasant chat, but we have things we need to do, don’t we guys?”

“Hm? Like what?” asked Meilin.

“Like reuniting you with your sister!”

Realising he had lost his cool for a moment, Hei coughed to clear his throat.

“Excuse me. I just meant to say it’s best not to keep your sister waiting.”

“R-right…”

“Sorry to keep you,” said Feifei as she bowed. “I never imagined your brother would be the sword child himself.”

“Yeah. Neither did I.”

“If you had let me finish my sto-”

“Okay, Tianlan. We get it. You can tell me all about it some other time.”

Hei turned back to Feifei and placed his hand on his chin.

“Feifei.”

“Yes?”

“How about you become Tianlan’s personal assistant?”

“W-What?!”

“Would you like that?”

“Of course I would!”

She caught herself and turned to Tianlan.

“If… If that would be alright with you.”

Tianlan shrugged his shoulders.

“Sure.”

Hei clapped once more.

“Then it’s settled. Take good care of her, Tianlan.”

“Um,” sounded the voice on the other side of the jade. “Are there any more availabilities?”

Hei let out an exasperated sigh.

“Don’t you have to go home soon?”

“Oh… Right… Then, call me when you come up to the middle continent.”

“Goodbye, Partner.”

“No, wait! Don’t hang up yet! I just-”

“K, bye.”

Hei took the jade back into his storage space and waited for Tianlan to make the arrangements for Feifei to become his personal assistant.

“Now that that’s settled, why don’t we get this little family reunion underway?”

“Wait,” said Tianlan. “There’s trouble.”

“Oh?”

“Is something wrong with Big Sis?”

“There are two people flying above her abode. They seem to be having an altercation with her and your cousin.”

“Hm…”

Hei carefully spread his spiritual perception out, reaching into the depths of the sect until he was able to observe the scene in question.

After listening for a while, his expression dimmed.

“What’s wrong?” asked Meilin, clearly worried.

“It’s nothing. Your sister will be fine.”

“Oh… Okay.”

“Tianlan.”

“Yeah?”

“How strong are you now?”

“Stronger than you.”

“Oh? Those are some big words.”

Tianlan shrugged his shoulders, causing Hei to narrow his eyes.

“We’ll set that aside for now. I’m moving us to phase two a little early.”

“You mean…”

“Mm. It’s time for the rise of the Shao Clan.”