The following day.
Morning sun rose slowly, casting its golden light across the Heavenly Tiger Sect. Disciples bustled along the paths, exchanging greetings as they headed toward the training grounds. The mission hall stood as it always did, its twin doors of scarlet copper yawning open like the jaws of a beast.
Inside, behind the polished counters, Wen Shan wore a smile as bright as lacquered jade. When Jiang Chen approached, Wen Shan leaned forward eagerly as if waiting for him.
"Brother Jiang," Wen Shan greeted warmly. "Good news. Your mission has already been accepted."
Jiang Chen paused mid-step. Suspicion brewing in his eyes, though his expression did not change much. "Already accepted?"
"Yes," Wen Shan said with satisfaction. "It was taken almost immediately after being posted. You are very fortunate. The Myriad Strength Tiger is not easy prey. It is difficult to kill and even harder to find. But it seems fate smiles on you brother."
Jiang Chen's gaze sharpened. 'So fast? Hard to believe. Who in their right mind would accept such a troublesome mission? I had chosen that beast specifically for its fearsome strength, compatibility with my technique, and extreme difficulty in finding it. Its not something just anyone one could stumble upon. Besides, the mission reward isn't worth the effort at all. This must be Wen Liang's doing… heh, good.'
On the surface, Jiang Chen allowed a trace of relief to pass over his face. He nodded lightly. "That is indeed fortunate. I was worried it would sit untouched for months. May I know who accepted it?"
Wen Shan's smile lingered, his lips parting as though he would answer. But before he could speak, a calm voice came from the side.
"That information cannot be disclosed."
Jiang Chen turned his head.
Wen Liang had appeared with hands folded behind his back. He approached with a step of authority. "The sect's rules are clear. The names of mission takers are confidential until the task is completed. Junior Jiang, I hope you will not make things difficult for us."
"Naturally," Jiang Chen said evenly, his suspicions confirmed even more. He lowered his shoulders slightly, as though he had relaxed. "I understand. In that case, I will return in a few days to inquire again."
Wen Shan hid the twitch of triumph in his eyes, while Wen Liang only gave a faint smile.
---
Days began to pass. Jiang Chen continued his routine of cultivation day and night. Yet every two or three days, he would descend to the mission hall. Each time, Wen Shan greeted him with that same bright smile.
"Not yet completed, Brother Jiang. Please be patient."
"Still no results, Brother Jiang. Some missions take time."
"Nothing to report, Brother Jiang. But rest assured, once the mission is done, you will be notified at once."
Each rejection chipped away at Jiang Chen's outward calm. His brows furrowed more often, his shoulders tightened, and his voice grew harsher.
"Has it really not been completed yet?"
"Can you at least tell me if they've made progress?"
"Is it really impossible to disclose who took it?"
Every time, Wen Shan wore the mask of helplessness. "Brother Jiang, I truly wish I could tell you, but rules are rules. You know I cannot betray them."
And each time Wen Liang stood silently nearby, his calm expression hiding the satisfaction within.
Jiang Chen did not stop there. One evening, he even invited Wen Shan to the Wind Flower pavilion, one of the few renowned places where outer sect disciples would spend spirit stones to enjoy stronger wine and richer dishes.
They sat by a window that framed a slice of distant waterfall silvering as the sun slid down. The table was set with steaming food and jugs of clear spirit wine. Wen Shan tasted the wine and praised it politely. Jiang Chen did not smile. He simply poured cup after cup for Wen Shan, his face weary and tired, like a man placing his hopes on someone else's mercy.
"Brother Wen," Jiang Chen said quietly, glancing around the room before leaning closer. "We are friends, are we not? Just this once… tell me who accepted my mission. You will have my gratitude."
Wen Shan placed his cup down with care and folded his hands. His face arranged itself into righteous regret. "Brother Jiang, you know I admire you, but I cannot break the sect's rules. Even if you offer me a feast every day, I cannot betray my duty."
Jiang Chen lowered his head, his voice strained. "Then what if I wish to cancel it? To take back the spirit stones I offered? Can I not do that?"
Wen Shan sighed heavily, as though the situation pained him deeply. "Once a mission has been accepted, it cannot be withdrawn. That is the sect's law. I am truly sorry, Brother Jiang. My hands are tied."
Jiang Chen's face twisted with frustration. His voice rose. "Then what am I supposed to do? Wait endlessly for some incompetent fool to complete it?!"
"Please calm yourself," Wen Shan urged, acting like a loyal friend caught between duty and pity. "I understand your anger, but rules are rules. If I bend them for you, what will others say? The rules protect us all. If I break them for you today, someone else will demand another tomorrow. Then what remains of order?"
Jiang Chen slammed his cup down, wine spilling across the table. He rose sharply, robes swaying, and stormed out of the restaurant.
Inside, Wen Shan sat back with a faint smirk, his eyes cold.
"Pathetic," he muttered.
Finishing his meal, Wen Shan rose to leave. But before he could take a step, the waiter abruptly blocked his path with a bow.
"Honored customer, the bill."
"The… bill?" Wen Shan's face stiffened.
This meal was supposed to be Jiang Chen's treat, but now that he had stormed off...
Wen Shan unwillingly glanced at the bill.
'Shit!'
---
Eight more days slipped by.
Jiang Chen's visits grew increasingly restless. His face showed weariness, his tone bristled with irritation, and his eyes often lingered on Wen Shan and Wen Liang with suppressed rage.
He even began asking around the outer sect, cornering other disciples.
"Have you seen anyone take up a mission for a Myriad Strength Tiger?"
"Do you know of someone seeking such a beast?"
But each one only shook their head in confusion. How could they know anything, when the mission had never been posted at all?
Wen Shan heard of these antics and chuckled to himself. "He is dancing like a fish on the hook. Uncle, your plan is working perfectly."
Wen Liang smiled lightly, stroking his beard. "It was inevitable, my dear nephew. To make someone kneel is easy, either make use of loyalty or simply cut off their legs. Heh, now that the boy has tasted despair, we offer him a way out. That is when he will submit… willingly."
"Then please allow me to put the final nail in, uncle," Wen Shan said with a cunning gleam in his eyes.
Wen Liang gave a single nod.
---
Night settled across the mountain like cooling ash. Lanterns bloomed along the walkways. From a building by the lower market came soft music and the clatter of porcelain, on its entrance hung a sign painted in clouds the color of old bronze. Jiang Chen sat at the counter with a half-empty jug before him. His hair was slightly disheveled, his face flushed, and his eyes hazy, as though the weeks of waiting had broken his patience.
Jiang Chen poured another cup, spilling half of it on the counter. Other drinkers gave him wary glances but said nothing. Few regulars had seen him here before on previous nights.
He would come late, drink too fast, mutter unkind verses at the walls, and laugh when no one else did. Twice he had tried to sing a poem and failed to find the rhythm. He slammed the counter now and finished a verse that insulted a man, a dog, and the heavens in a single breath. The bartender winced and wiped the counter again.
As Jiang Chen recited another bitter line, a shadow fell across the counter. Someone sat down beside him.
The man wore plain robes, his face unfamiliar. His eyes carried a hint of arrogance, his body radiating the steady flow of qi at the seventh layer of Qi Condensation.
"Brother," the man said casually, tapping the counter. "If you keep that jug to yourself you will drown. Why not treat me to a few drinks?"
Jiang Chen turned his head slowly, eyes hazy with drunkenness. He squinted at the man, then snorted. "Haa.. why should I treat you? Go beg the moon for wine and tell her I sent you."
The man only chuckled. "Treat me, because I know something you desperately want to know."
Jiang Chen seemingly annoyed, shouted. "What?"
The man leaned closer, lowering his voice just enough. "I know who accepted the mission you posted."
The jug slipped slightly in Jiang Chen's hand. His eyes widened, the drunken haze clearing for just a moment. He slammed his palm onto the counter.
"What did you say?"
The man smiled faintly. "Word travels strangely when wine is poured. Pour me a drink, and perhaps I will tell you something interesting."
Taking in thier conversation, the bartender slipped away with the seasoned instinct of a man who prefers to hear nothing that might get him asked questions later.
Jiang Chen's breathing quickened. His eyes blazed with sudden intensity. Without hesitation, he shouted. "More wine! Bring the best!"
He shoved a cup toward the stranger with trembling hands. "Drink. Drink as much as you want. But tell me everything!"
The stranger raised his cup with a smirk.
Outwardly, drunk and desperate, Jiang Chen's eyes latched onto the stranger like a moth to a flame.
But deep within, his mind was still as a pond untouched by ripples.
'So, they finally made their move. Hehe, all within expectation.'
A dark light flickered in Jiang Chen's eyes, gone before anyone could see.