Chapter 14: A Demon’s Disguise

Ling Hao lingered at the Task Pavilion, scanning the mission board with a practiced eye. Each mission completed had honed his skills, but the challenges now demanded more—more precision, more patience, more of himself. A bold title caught his attention:

"Demon Subjugation: Investigate Disappearances at Wang Family Mansion."

Threat Level: Intermediate

Reward: 800 Contribution Points

"Another demon," Ling Hao muttered, the memory of his last encounter still fresh in his mind. He pressed a hand to the mission token, feeling a faint vibration as it marked his acceptance.

As he turned, a cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Hey! Guess we're partners for this one."

A lanky disciple in Azure Sky Sect robes jogged toward him. There was an easy confidence to the man, his casual stride a stark contrast to Ling Hao's quiet focus.

"I'm Ren Kai," the man said, offering a hand with a grin so wide it nearly seemed rehearsed. "Not exactly one of Thunder Peak's stars or anything, but I'm more useful than I look."

Ling Hao regarded him briefly before shaking his hand. "Ling Hao, Peach Blossom Peak."

"Peach Blossom?" Ren Kai blinked, his grin shifting to curiosity. "You're Yue Ling's disciple? Didn't think Peach Blossom Peak was still taking students."

Ling Hao's mouth tightened briefly. The name carried too many implications, none of which he enjoyed discussing.

"Well," Ren Kai said, patting Ling Hao on the shoulder as they started walking, "demons won't care where you're from. Let's see what a Peach Blossom disciple can do."

Ling Hao sighed to himself. This was going to be a long mission.

---

The Journey

The skies stretched wide and unbroken, painted in shades of blue and soft gold as morning settled over the land. Ling Hao rode his flying sword in steady silence, the wind brushing past as the mountains of the sect shrank behind them. Beside him, Ren Kai leaned back on his own blade, as though reclining on thin air, his posture careless.

"So, Ling Hao," Ren Kai began, his voice carrying over the hum of the swords. "Are the rumors true?"

Ling Hao glanced sideways. "What rumors?"

"Don't play coy," Ren Kai said, wagging a finger as though scolding him. "The whole sect's been buzzing about a lone Peach Blossom disciple who mastered sword flight right after breaking into Qi Gathering. Yue Ling took you in personally, right? People are calling you a prodigy."

Ling Hao frowned slightly. "I didn't realize I was under such scrutiny."

"Fame's funny like that," Ren Kai said with a shrug. "And then there's the bet Yue Ling made with Thunder Peak. What were her exact words again? That you'd wipe the floor with their head disciple?"

"Something like that," Ling Hao said, his voice low.

Ren Kai let out a low whistle. "Peak Core Formation against you? Bold move. People are already taking sides, you know. Half the sect thinks she's a genius. The other half thinks she's lost her mind."

Ling Hao didn't respond immediately. The expectations placed on him weren't something he could afford to dwell on. Finally, he said, "Hard work matters more than people think."

Ren Kai gave him an approving nod, though his grin didn't waver. "Well said, Peach Blossom. But remind me to place my bets before we get back."

---

The Talkative Companion

The scenery shifted as rolling hills and sprawling forests replaced the stark peaks. Ren Kai's chatter filled the space that would otherwise have been silence.

"Do you know why Yue Ling doesn't take disciples anymore?" he asked.

Ling Hao resisted the urge to sigh. "Why?"

"Because she's insane," Ren Kai said, throwing up his hands. "I mean, have you heard the stories? Destroying sparring grounds, fighting sect elders when drunk, even calling out the sect leader once!"

"She has her methods," Ling Hao said, his tone clipped.

"Of course, you'd say that." Ren Kai laughed. "Her training is famous for being brutal, but somehow you seem to be handling it. Bet she hasn't gone easy on you either."

Ling Hao ignored him, his mind elsewhere.

The hills gave way to an expanse of dense forest. Shadows danced between the trees as they neared their destination. Still, Ren Kai pressed on with his questions.

"How'd you land a demon-slaying mission anyway?" Ren Kai asked suddenly. "You're not Foundation Establishment yet, are you?"

"No," Ling Hao said simply, his expression unreadable.

"Then how? These missions are restricted, you know. What loophole did Yue Ling pull this time?"

Ling Hao hesitated, piecing together the answer in his mind. Zhao Wu, the Task Pavilion attendant, had likely been pressured—or charmed—into turning a blind eye to the rules.

"She has her ways," Ling Hao said at last.

Ren Kai barked a laugh. "You're really leaning into the 'mysterious disciple' thing, huh? Watch out—if people think Yue Ling's bending the rules for you, you'll get labeled a favorite."

Ling Hao's brows furrowed, but he didn't reply. The weight of Yue Ling's reputation already cast a long shadow. He didn't need the added burden of assumptions about his abilities being handed to him.

Ahead, the forest thickened, and the weight of the mission settled over him. Whatever awaited them at the Wang Family Mansion would demand far more than reputation.