Get Out

Ren Jun adjusted his robes with exaggerated care, his lips parting into a faint smirk. "My lord," he began, his voice high-pitched, "I hear you've been looking for a capable individual. Naturally, someone of my calibre would catch your attention."

Li Wei didn't respond, his sharp eyes watching the disciple with quiet calculation. Something about Ren Jun's tone prickled at him. The overconfidence, the air of smug entitlement—it was off. Too polished. Too rehearsed. He remained silent, letting the other man fill the space with his words.

Ren Jun crossed his arms, his movements exaggeratedly dainty. "Unlike the rabble you entertained earlier," he said, gesturing dismissively toward the cave's exit, "I have true value. My connection with Xu Ming, for instance, is worth far more than those fools combined."

"A rising star in the Internal Affairs Hall. Surely, you've heard of him? His name carries weight, even among the inner disciples." Ren Jun's voice dripped with pride, his fingers trailing along the edge of his robes in a deliberate motion that made Li Wei's stomach churn. The faint tilt of his head, the almost too-practiced smile—everything about him screamed pretense. "And, well… let's just say Xu Ming and I share a… unique understanding." 

Ren Jun leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if sharing a forbidden secret. His eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and malice, as though he were inviting Li Wei into some sordid conspiracy. "He listens to me, you know. Seeks my advice. Hangs on my every word. And he acts on it. Xu Ming may have his status, but I pull the strings."

Li Wei's gaze remained steady, unflinching, but his thoughts sharpened. "This effeminate worm truly thinks he's the master here."

Ren Jun straightened, smoothing his robes with a theatrical flourish, his expression one of exaggerated self-importance. "If not for me, Xu Ming would've been swallowed whole by the vipers that surround him. He's ambitious, always wanting more. But ambition without restraint?" He shook his head in mock disapproval. "That's a recipe for disaster. I keep him grounded. It's thanks to me he hasn't been dragged down by his own recklessness."

Ren Jun's tone shifted again, attempting to sound earnest. He clasped his hands together, as if presenting some grand opportunity. "My lord, I could do the same for you. Think about it. Imagine what we could achieve together." His eyes sparkled with calculation. "Xu Ming trusts me implicitly—I know his plans, his resources, everything."

He stepped closer, lowering his voice further, his words dripping with temptation. "Xu Ming is sitting on a stockpile of wealth—tons of grade-one pills, and I've even seen a grade-two pill once. If I tried to take them, he'd kill me. But with your strength?" Ren Jun's lips curled into a conspiratorial smile. "Even if he found out, what could he do? Nothing. You'd be untouchable, my lord."

Ren Jun's smile widened, his tone softening to something almost intimate, his posture leaning in as though he were sharing a secret between lovers. "You're a visionary, my lord. I can see it. With my knowledge and your… power, we'd be unstoppable. I could leave the items out for you, make it easy. No one would even know I was involved." His hand extended slightly, palm up, as though offering a pact sealed in deceit.

Li Wei's expression remained impassive, though inwardly, disgust curdled. "This worm is willing to sell out his backer for a quick gain. Fucking disgusting guy inside and out."

"You've spoken enough," Li Wei said finally, his voice sharp and cold. "Leave."

Ren Jun blinked, caught off guard by the abrupt dismissal. He stared at Li Wei as though he hadn't heard correctly. "Leave?" His voice wavered, a flush of indignation spreading across his pale cheeks. He hesitated, then stepped closer, his tone shifting to something oily and insincere. "My lord, surely we can come to… an arrangement? I can satisfy you, my lord," He smiled thinly, his hand brushing his shoulder.

For a moment, Li Wei considered killing him. It would be simple, clean, and deeply satisfying. But his thoughts shifted quickly. "Xu Ming. I don't know how strong he is or how far his influence stretches. Not worth the trouble."

Li Wei's revulsion flared, his patience snapping. "Get out," he interrupted, stepping forward. His gaze cut through Ren Jun's façade like a blade, his voice edged with contempt. "Before I kill you."

Ren Jun's face flushed with anger, but he clenched his fists and lowered his gaze. He bowed stiffly, though it was more out of wounded pride than genuine respect, then turned sharply and stormed out of the cave.

Li Wei watched him leave, his expression unreadable. Once Ren Jun's footsteps faded into the distance.

Li Wei's eyes darkened, his disgust curdling into something sharper as Ren Jun's insinuation hung in the air. "Sodomy in the sect. This place is truly rotten, filled with filth and degeneracy. The sheer audacity of this worm to think I'd entertain such filth."

His thoughts burned, a mix of revulsion and contempt. "No wonder this sect reeks of decay. Weaklings clawing for scraps and debasing themselves in the process. This entire place is a cesspit."

Li Wei's lip curled in contempt as his thoughts lingered on Xu Ming. "Inner disciple, my arse. More like a joke of a man"

Jiao Han stood awkwardly to the side, his posture stiff and his eyes darting around as if pretending to merge with the rough cave wall. His hands fidgeted at his sides, a thin sheen of sweat visible on his brow. He clearly hoped to avoid Li Wei's attention, though the effort was laughably transparent.

Li Wei's gaze snapped toward him, sharp and unyielding. His words came cold and deliberate, slicing through the stagnant air. "Is this what you bring me? A faggot?"

Jiao Han opened his mouth, but before a single excuse could escape, Li Wei's hand shot out, delivering a sharp slap to the back of Jiao Han's head. The force of the blow staggered him, sending him stumbling forward.

"You thought this was acceptable?" Li Wei hissed, stepping forward as his anger boiled over. "You bring filth into my presence?"

"I-I didn't know—" Jiao Han stammered, his voice breaking under the weight of his fear, but Li Wei's fist crashed into his ribs, silencing him.

Jiao Han doubled over in pain, gasping for breath, but Li Wei was relentless. His strikes rained down, each blow heavy with fury. Jiao Han collapsed to his knees, raising his arms in a feeble attempt to shield himself.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Jiao Han choked out between labored breaths.

Li Wei's foot connected with his side, sending him sprawling onto the cave floor. The thud echoed in the confined space, and for a moment, Li Wei considered finishing the job. But his rationality clawed its way back, reminding him of the disparity between their cultivation levels. "Foundational Establishment versus Qi Condensation. He'd die too quickly, and what use would that be?"

He eased his strikes, letting Jiao Han grovel on the ground, clutching his bruised body. "I don't want apologies," Li Wei spat, his voice dripping with disdain. "I want competence. If you ever bring this kind of trash into my presence again, you'll be begging for death."

"I'm sorry… I'll do better," Jiao Han whimpered, his forehead pressed to the cold stone floor.

Li Wei's patience snapped at the recent indignation. With a single, precise strike, he hit Jiao Han, rendering him unconscious almost effortlessly. The power disparity between them made the act trivial—Jiao Han crumpled to the ground like a ragdoll, his breathing shallow but steady.

Li Wei didn't spare him another glance. Instead, he retreated to the shadows of the cave, his expression calm but his mind churning. Li Wei sat in silence. 

Time passed slowly until Jiao Han stirred, a low groan escaping his lips as he regained consciousness. His eyes fluttered open, dazed and unfocused, but the confusion quickly shifted to fear as realization dawned. He scrambled to his knees, his head bowing repeatedly, the desperation evident in his voice.

"I'm sorry, Master Li! I didn't know! Please forgive me!"

Li Wei's gaze was unyielding, cold as stone. "You run a shop, don't you?" His tone was sharp, each word slicing through the air. "Instead of bringing me worthless trash, provide something of value. Whole skeletons, rare herbs, cultivation resources, talismans, weapons—things that are actually useful."

Jiao Han's head bobbed up and down as he trembled under the weight of Li Wei's words. "Yes, Master Li! I'll gather the best materials, I swear! I'll bring you everything you need!"

Li Wei's expression didn't soften. "See what you do. And remember," he leaned forward, his voice dropping an octave, "your usefulness is the only thing keeping you alive. Use the grade-one pill I gave you as punishment."

Jiao Han visibly paled but nodded fervently. "Yes, Master Li! Thank you, Master Li!"

Without another word, he stumbled to his feet, clutching his side as he hurried out of the cave, fear propelling his every step. Li Wei watched him go, his thoughts cool and calculated. Better to keep Jiao Han desperate and productive—for now.