A Broken Heart Still Beats.

Chapter XXVI

"There are too many people," Liu Qingge scoffed. Rolling his eyes at the sight of An Ding, Ku Xing, Bai Zhan, Ling Shou, and even Xian Shu disciples loading carts and carriages while others prepared the horses. "Nothing will get done like this."

"The mission called for expertise, hence the head disciples," Shen Yuan murmured, leaning forward on Xiao Yingzi as he listened to the flittering disciples. It was mostly the core or inner disciples of the other peaks, and only a few of Ling Shou's disciples, seeing as each autumn Ling Shou could be run rather thin with these sorts of missions with how many monsters and beasts went on their final rampages before the beginning of winter. "An Ding is here to help with the supply problem the city has been having. Ku Xing was called to help restore some of the destroyed temples and bless them. Xian Shu was also called because this city has more than a few matchmaker's houses that were attacked and destroyed, who likewise only welcome women, so their expertise is necessary."

Of course, Ling Shou's and Bai Zhan's presence was without saying. If there were monsters, call Bai Zhan to kill them in a second! If there was a beast or a mischievous flora of some kind, then call Ling Shou to tame it down!

He'd read over the reports with Shang Qinghua earlier. Apparently, this city was actually in the territory of Hua Huan Palace, but the prestigious sect had refused to send any more help, since it had lost some of its disciples in the attacks lately, and the city had been unable to compensate them fully for each loss.

How ridiculous. The richest sect in the entire Jianghu couldn't spare some gold for the greater good? Rich assholes.

It had left a sour taste in his mouth, and Shen Yuan was hopeful to not have to run into anyone from Hua Huan Palace while they were there. He couldn't be blamed for what he would do if he did run into the Old Palace Master, however, even Shang Qinghua knew their needed cover story for the possibility.

"I don't see how Xian Shu is needed over some matchmakers getting their teapots knocked over." Luo Binghe rolled his eyes at the sight of such a lavish group. Bai Zhan wasn't normally one for reading much into the reports aside from possibly hostels. Still, he had been around—snuck into—Ling Shou when Shen Yuan had been reviewing them with Shang Qinghua before making himself more than comfortable and purposefully distracting the two of them until Shen Yuan was only able to relent and come with him for early archery practice.

"They do much more than just serve tea and find you a husband, Binghe-shixiong." Not partial to such a big group, Shen Yuan scoffed, but he could admit where everyone would play their parts. Not to mention he could appreciate that this time there were very few liberties taking on means of group size. Protection in number after all. "They hold records for almost everyone in that city, family trees, housing locations, birthing records. They store a great deal of information that could be potentially dangerous if the wrong people got their hands on it."

"But Xian Shu?" Liu Qingge huffed. While he agreed, he didn't feel entirely inclined to have so many people in one group. The report said that they suspected it was beasts! Not even demons this time! Just beasts! Why bring Xian Shu along? Or even Ku Xing? Why not call upon them at a later date when they had everything handled? "They're only going to get in the way."

"Give them some credit, Qingge-shixiong." Shen Yuan chided, smiling reassuringly. "They're of Cang Qiong as well, they know what they're doing. Also, Qi-shijie might hear you, so lower your voice."

"Let them hear," Luo Binghe shrugged, chuckling at the thought of that prideful Shijie of his. She was clearly a haughty Alpha, one not to take disrespect of any kind lightly. He hadn't known much of her in his past life, aside from the fact she used to always nag at Shen Qingqiu over those baseless rumors. Only once had he seen her near his Shifu back then, but she had paid him very little mind, more curious of the sight of the recluse rather than annoyed by him. He still didn't know exactly where he stood on his opinions of her. "Doesn't Yuan-shidi believe it's best to always remain truthful?"