Azure Heaven Sect's inner courtyard buzzed with chatter the morning after Jiang Hao's audience with Elder Yan. Disciples whispered about Demon Sect assassins, about Jiang Hao's casual dominance, about tea and flying assassins. Rumors spread faster than wildfire, but Jiang Hao himself was oblivious—or more accurately, he chose to be.At this very moment, he sat cross-legged on a wooden veranda, sipping from a flask. His expression was calm, his lips curling faintly as the liquid touched his tongue."…Too sour," he muttered, shaking his head. "This isn't real wine. It's like… grape juice that gave up halfway through life."Mei Ling, seated nearby with a scroll in hand, stifled a laugh. "Senior Brother Jiang, that's the most poetic insult to wine I've ever heard."Lin Xueyao stood with arms crossed, her glare sharp enough to cut through stone. "You're impossible. You nearly died yesterday, and now you're… reviewing alcohol?""I didn't nearly die," Jiang Hao corrected. "They nearly died. And they did. Subtle difference."Lin Xueyao's cheeks flushed in anger. "That's not the point!""Mm." He took another sip. "The point is, this wine is an insult to my throat.""Are you serious?!"Mei Ling's soft chuckle broke through again, like sunlight through clouds. "Senior Sister, you should accept that Senior Brother Jiang finds joy in simple things. Tea. Wine. Sleeping under trees. Aggravating you."Jiang Hao lifted his flask toward Mei Ling in a mock toast. "Well said. She understands me."Lin Xueyao sputtered. "You—both of you—!" She turned away with a huff, but the tips of her ears burned red.Later that day, the three of them were summoned before Elder Yan. The old man's cane tapped sharply against the stone floor as he regarded them."The Sect Master has accepted an alliance proposal with the Verdant Cloud Sect," Elder Yan announced. "You three will accompany an escort party to deliver tribute and strengthen relations. Do not disgrace Azure Heaven Sect."Lin Xueyao bowed deeply. "Yes, Elder Yan."Mei Ling inclined her head with grace.Jiang Hao lifted his flask in a half-hearted salute. "Can't promise anything, but I'll try."Elder Yan's eyes narrowed. "If you bring back nothing else, at least bring back some dignity.""I was hoping for wine," Jiang Hao said thoughtfully.The elder nearly struck him with his cane on the spot.The journey to Verdant Cloud Sect took them through rolling hills, rivers glistening under sunlight, and valleys where peach blossoms rained endlessly. Jiang Hao spent most of the trek sprawled across a carriage roof, flask in hand, humming tunelessly.At one point, Lin Xueyao barked, "Get down before you fall and break your neck!""If I fall, I'll roll," Jiang Hao replied lazily. "If I roll, I'll end up in a village. If I end up in a village, I'll find wine. Problem solved.""THAT'S NOT A SOLUTION!"The carriage jolted, and Jiang Hao deliberately rolled off the roof with theatrical grace, landing on the ground beside the horses. He dusted off his robes, utterly unruffled.The junior disciples gasped in horror—then burst into laughter when he stretched and yawned like a man waking from a nap."Senior Brother Jiang Hao is amazing!" "He makes falling look elegant…" "And handsome. Always handsome."Lin Xueyao ground her teeth so hard it sounded like grinding stone.That night, the escort party camped by a river. Firelight flickered across their faces as disciples ate and shared stories. Jiang Hao sat slightly apart, perched on a rock with his flask.Mei Ling approached, holding a small jug. "This is a local wine. The villagers offered it to us before we left. Would you like to try it?"Jiang Hao's eyes lit faintly. "Finally, a woman who speaks my language."Mei Ling blushed, pouring a cup and handing it to him. "Careful—it's strong."He sipped. His brows lifted in surprise. "Not bad. Sweet at first, then sharp. Like… someone smiling at you, then stabbing you in the ribs. Respectable."Mei Ling covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. "Your metaphors are strange, Senior Brother."Lin Xueyao stormed over, hands on her hips. "You're supposed to be protecting the disciples, not getting drunk with them!"Jiang Hao glanced at her, completely unfazed. "Relax. If anything happens, I'll be sober in three seconds. That's my secret technique.""Secret—what kind of nonsense—""Works every time," he said, taking another sip.Even the usually stoic Lin Xueyao cracked, her lips twitching as though she were holding back a laugh. She quickly turned away, muttering, "Hopeless…"Mei Ling's eyes softened as she watched Jiang Hao tilt the cup under the moonlight. She didn't say it aloud, but the way he savored the moment—calm, detached, yet present—made her chest feel warm.For the first time in many days, the tension of Demon Sect shadows lifted. For one night, they were simply travelers under the stars, laughing, drinking, and living.The journey ended at the towering gates of Verdant Cloud Sect three days later. The sect sprawled across emerald peaks, mist swirling like silk scarves draped over the mountains. Its disciples wore pale green robes and moved with a grace that suggested they thought themselves cultivators of elegance rather than martial ferocity.Lin Xueyao stood tall at the front of their escort party, voice formal. "Azure Heaven Sect, here to honor our alliance with the tribute agreed upon."The gatekeepers bowed and ushered them through.Jiang Hao, walking in the back with hands tucked behind his head, muttered, "Huh. Not bad. Smells like pine needles, old books, and—" He sniffed. "Wine. Definitely wine."Mei Ling covered her lips with a smile. "Senior Brother Jiang, you can smell wine even through mountain fog?""Of course," he replied solemnly. "Wine speaks to me. Like destiny. Or like a needy ex who won't stop writing letters."Lin Xueyao, marching ahead, nearly tripped over her own feet. "W-what kind of comparison is that?!"They were led into a grand reception hall, its pillars carved with vines and leaves. At the head sat Sect Leader Yun Feiyan, a dignified woman with long dark hair and eyes like still water. At her side stood her son, a young man in fine robes, clearly the type who had never known a day of hardship.Lin Xueyao bowed deeply. "Sect Leader Yun, Azure Heaven Sect greets you in peace."Mei Ling followed suit with perfect poise.Jiang Hao? He lowered himself into a chair before anyone invited him, stretching his legs comfortably. "Greetings. Nice hall. Smells faintly of roasted pork. Or maybe I'm just hungry."The young man beside Yun Feiyan bristled. "You dare sit before my mother speaks?"Jiang Hao took out his flask, shaking it lightly. "I would stand, but then the flask gets warm, and warm wine tastes like sadness. Can't allow that." He tipped it back for a sip.Mei Ling's shoulders shook, struggling to keep her composure.Lin Xueyao pinched the bridge of her nose.Sect Leader Yun raised one elegant brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. "And you are?""Jiang Hao. Professional sleeper, part-time wine critic, full-time Azure Heaven disciple." He leaned back. "People occasionally mistake me for someone who takes life seriously. Don't believe them."Several Verdant Cloud disciples whispered furiously, scandalized.Yun Feiyan let out the faintest laugh. "You're bolder than I expected from Elder Yan's disciples.""Elder Yan is my master," Jiang Hao replied casually. "He's serious enough for the both of us. Balance, you see."At that, Yun Feiyan actually smiled.Dinner was served that evening—long tables filled with roasted meats, vegetables, and, to Jiang Hao's delight, pitchers of local Verdant Cloud wine.The moment the first pitcher arrived, he seized it like a starving man spotting bread. He poured into a cup, swirling it like a connoisseur.Lin Xueyao hissed, "Don't embarrass us—"He cut her off by lifting the cup, sniffing deeply, then sipping with exaggerated flourish. "Hmm… fruity, but grounded. Like a maiden pretending to be shy while secretly plotting your downfall. Not bad."The hall fell silent.Then a Verdant Cloud elder slammed the table. "You dare mock our sacred wine with such insolence?!"Jiang Hao blinked innocently. "Mock? I praised it. Maiden plotting downfall—that's high praise. I wouldn't say that about swill."Laughter erupted down the table from some younger disciples who clearly weren't supposed to laugh but couldn't help themselves.Sect Leader Yun hid her mouth behind her sleeve, eyes glittering with mirth.Lin Xueyao buried her face in her hands.Mei Ling's eyes shone with quiet amusement as she whispered, "Senior Brother, you really do live dangerously.""Dangerous? No," Jiang Hao corrected. "I live tastefully."He poured another cup and downed it in one smooth motion.As the banquet went on, Jiang Hao somehow turned it into a wine-review event. Every new jug was sampled, every sip followed by his bizarrely accurate yet absurd descriptions."This one—light and fleeting. Like a woman who promises to write to you after you save her life, but then marries a rich merchant instead.""Sharp, aggressive. Tastes like Lin Xueyao scolding me for breathing too loudly.""Gentle, warm. Like Mei Ling's smile. Dangerous if you drink too much, because you'll get attached."Mei Ling's cheeks turned pink, and she lowered her gaze.Lin Xueyao slammed her cup down. "Stop putting me in your ridiculous comparisons!"The young heir of Verdant Cloud Sect finally snapped, standing up with fury. "You're mocking us! Sect Leader, I demand—"But before he could finish, Yun Feiyan raised her hand. "Sit down."Her son froze.She turned her calm gaze to Jiang Hao. "You speak boldly. Too boldly. Yet… I find it refreshing."Jiang Hao lifted his cup toward her. "That's because wine, like honesty, should never be watered down."The hall went utterly still again—then Sect Leader Yun actually laughed, a rich sound that echoed through the chamber.Lin Xueyao nearly fainted in mortification.Mei Ling pressed her hand to her chest, secretly thrilled at how Jiang Hao could charm even a Sect Leader without trying.But laughter and wine could only last so long. Late that night, as the guests were shown to their chambers, Jiang Hao lingered on a balcony overlooking the misty mountains. He sipped slowly, eyes narrowing as a faint thunder rolled in the distance.Storm clouds gathering in a clear night sky."Tribulation clouds…" he muttered, his tone shifting to rare seriousness.Behind the laughter and wine, danger was coming. And Jiang Hao knew it would find him, whether he wanted it to or not.
