This Hedonistic Young Master

Chapter 16: Scrolls, Spills, and Minor Thrills

The next morning, Tian Hao found himself wandering the sect grounds, the early sunlight casting long shadows across the neatly paved pathways. The air was crisp, and the distant chatter of disciples echoed softly, punctuated by the occasional clang of training weapons. He walked aimlessly, his hands tucked casually into his robes, as if he were just another disciple with nothing pressing on his mind.

He meandered down paths he had yet to explore, his curiosity guiding his steps as he traced the unfamiliar corners of the sect grounds. The Skyward Lotus Sect was vast, its grounds sprawling with ornate pavilions, meditation gardens, and training halls. Tian Hao knew he had barely scratched the surface of what it had to offer, his usual inclination being to avoid the more serious aspects of sect life. Today, though, he felt different—driven, perhaps, by a desire to understand the place that he had been taking for granted.

As he approached a shaded pavilion nestled amidst a grove of cherry blossoms, he slowed his steps, his attention caught by a group of core disciples gathered nearby. Their robes stood out, the embroidery of the sect's symbol—elegant petals of a lotus in bloom—glinting in the sunlight, while the fabric rippled like water with each movement, marking them as among the best Skyward Lotus had to offer. The disciples were huddled together, their voices low but filled with tension, their expressions grim as they spoke in hushed tones.

Tian Hao leaned casually against one of the pavilion's wooden pillars, crossing one ankle over the other while lazily tracing a finger along the carved wood as he listened in on the conversation. He feigned disinterest, his gaze drifting lazily across the blooming flowers while his ears honed in on every word.

"The feast is just a few days away," one of the disciples muttered, his voice edged with concern. "How are we supposed to entertain those visiting sects? We don't have the resources like the bigger sects do. If things go poorly, our reputation could be in jeopardy."

Another disciple, a young woman with a tight braid of dark hair, nodded, her brows knitted together in anxiety. "Exactly. It all falls on people like Liang Chen and Elder Han to keep up appearances. They're the ones carrying our sect's reputation right now. The rest of us... we're just trying not to make things worse."

Tian Hao frowned, his brow furrowing slightly. He continued to listen, his casual demeanor belied by the intensity of his focus. He heard more mentions of Liang Chen—the "shining star" of the Skyward Lotus Sect, a name spoken with admiration but also a hint of desperation. It seemed that Liang Chen was expected to impress the visiting sects, to be a beacon of their strength in these uncertain times.

One of the disciples standing at the edge of the group sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "If this goes poorly, it could set us back years. The Sect Leader is doing his best, but our standing is more precarious than most realize. The visiting sects are expecting something impressive, and if we disappoint them, it could mean fewer alliances, fewer resources... we can't afford that."

Tian Hao's eyes widened slightly at that. He hadn't realized just how fragile their sect's position was. The carefree life he had taken for granted, the comfortable status that came with being the Sect Leader's son—it was all a façade. The reality was that his father's position wasn't as secure as it seemed. Even if Tian Shou had said as much to Tian Hao previously, it hadn't really sunk in before now.

Tian Hao moved away from the pavilion, his footsteps slower now, his thoughts churning. He walked aimlessly, his gaze distant, the disciples' words replaying in his mind. His status as the Sect Leader's son wasn't something earned through respect or his abilities—it was a shield, a way to protect the sect's reputation from further damage. He had been oblivious, treating his position like a privilege, but now he saw the weight it carried. His father, Tian Shou, wasn't just indulging him out of love; he was shielding Tian Hao to keep up appearances, to protect the sect's fragile stability.