The room had grown heavy with the sect master's words, but leave it to Mei Ling to shatter the solemn air.She snatched a small gourd from her sash, popped it open, and shoved it toward Jiang Hao. "Here. Medicine tastes like dirt, and you need something stronger than soup."Yunxi blinked. "That's not medicine. That's wine.""Exactly." Mei Ling thrust it closer until it brushed his lips. "Drink. If you can survive a crucible of fire, you can survive a sip of plum wine."Jiang Hao arched an eyebrow, amusement tugging faintly at his mouth. "You're trying to heal me by getting me drunk?""I'm trying to keep you from brooding yourself into an early grave." She tipped the gourd just enough that a drop touched his lip. "One sip. Or I'll pour the whole thing in your porridge tomorrow."Yunxi flustered, trying to snatch the gourd back. "He's recovering! Alcohol will worsen his injuries—"But Jiang Hao leaned forward, his throat working as he took a slow sip. Warmth bloomed down his chest, faint but comforting.He coughed softly, smirking at Yunxi's horrified expression. "I've tasted worse medicines."Mei Ling lit up in triumph. "Ha! See? He likes it.""Likes it?" Yunxi huffed, cheeks flushing. "He's delirious from fever!"Lin Xueyao, who had been silent in the corner, finally spoke with a cool edge. "If you two bicker any louder, the sect master will come back and silence you both."The threat worked for all of five seconds before Mei Ling whispered, "Then we'll make him drink too."That broke Jiang Hao's composure. A rough laugh escaped his throat, making his ribs ache but lifting a weight from his heart. He leaned back, eyes half-lidded but sparkling faintly with mischief."You know," he rasped, "I always imagined sect life would be endless meditation, solemn vows, and quiet study. Instead, I've got wine shoved at me, healers threatening to tie me down, and ice queens plotting in the corner.""Who's an ice queen?" Lin Xueyao shot back immediately, eyes narrowing.He met her glare with a grin that was entirely too boyish for a man who had just survived a deadly trial. "Whoever it was, she looks a little prettier when she's angry."For the first time, Xueyao faltered. Her ears tinged pink before she snapped her gaze away. "Hmph. Fool."Yunxi pressed a hand to her forehead, murmuring, "He's impossible when injured.""Impossible is better than silent," Mei Ling said, softer now, almost fond.The three women bickered, teased, and argued around his bedside. Jiang Hao let the voices wash over him. For all the danger still looming, for all the seals burning deep inside his veins, this moment felt alive — fragile, fleeting, but real.He closed his eyes briefly, savoring it. Then, when he opened them again, he found all three women staring at him, suspicious."…What?" he asked."You were smiling," Mei Ling said."Too peacefully," Yunxi added."Like someone plotting trouble," Lin Xueyao finished, still refusing to look him directly in the eye.Jiang Hao chuckled low, shifting against the pillows despite the pain. "Maybe I was just thinking how lucky I am."That stunned them into silence. Yunxi's cheeks warmed. Mei Ling fumbled with the gourd. Even Lin Xueyao's glare softened into something complicated.And for one rare instant, the room held no fear of trials, no weight of seals, no shadow of tribulation. Only the quiet chaos of hearts unspoken.Morning light slipped through the bamboo shutters, softening the room. Jiang Hao pushed himself upright, every muscle stiff, every bone humming faintly with the memory of the flames. His robes clung with sweat.Despite Yunxi's orders, he had been awake since dawn, staring at the faint ripples of golden light that lingered across his skin — echoes of the seal's release. They hadn't faded."You're not supposed to be moving," Yunxi's voice cut like a whip as she stepped in, tray in hand.Jiang Hao offered her a sheepish half-smile. "Stretching. If I stay in bed too long, my bones will rust.""You nearly shattered them yesterday," she retorted, setting the tray down with more force than necessary.Before Jiang Hao could answer, Mei Ling burst in, yawning dramatically. "Morning, old man. Wait—" she stopped, eyes narrowing at him. "You're up already? You're supposed to be bedridden! Did you crawl out just to look handsome in the morning sun?""I didn't know I looked handsome," Jiang Hao said mildly, tilting his head in mock thought. "But since you mentioned it—"Mei Ling groaned, grabbing the pillow from his bed and hurling it at him. He caught it easily, smirking."See?" he said. "If I can catch a pillow, I'm fine.""Pillows don't stab you back," Yunxi snapped, exasperated.Before their argument could escalate, the faint toll of the sect's Shadow Bell echoed through the valley — deep, resonant, and chilling. All three froze.Lin Xueyao entered quietly behind them, her eyes sharper than the bell's ring. "The Trial of Shadows has been announced."The room shifted in an instant. Mei Ling's joking grin faded. Yunxi straightened, shoulders tense. Even Jiang Hao's easy smile faltered."The trial…" he murmured. He'd heard whispers. A labyrinth beneath the sect, carved in ancient times, a test said to strip a cultivator bare — revealing strength, weakness, heart, and secrets alike.Xueyao's gaze landed on him. "Candidates from the inner court are required to attend. Injured or not.""That's reckless," Yunxi hissed. "He's not ready."Jiang Hao exhaled slowly, a faint smirk tugging back to his lips. "When has readiness ever been part of sect life?"Mei Ling leaned against the wall, arms crossed, a spark of mischief returning to her eyes. "Guess you'll have to face shadows now, handsome. Just don't let them eat your face — it's the only thing you've got going for you.""Only thing?" Jiang Hao chuckled, rising to his feet despite Yunxi's glare. Pain lanced his body, sharp and bitter, but he forced his steps steady. "I'll have you know, I have an incredible work ethic too."Xueyao's lips twitched, just barely, before she masked it again.The Shadow Bell tolled once more, summoning them to the sect's central square. The time for wine and teasing had passed. Ahead lay a trial that would strip away their masks — and Jiang Hao knew that if his seal faltered again, he might not be able to hide the truth.Yet as he walked forward, three pairs of footsteps fell in behind him. Not disciples, not rivals — but companions. And that, for the first time in a long while, made the weight feel just a little lighter.
