Shu Mingye's lips curved slightly. In the next moment, his sword came down harder and faster. The air cracked as flames clashed against flames. Each blow sent heat rolling across the courtyard. Small stones split under the pressure. The ground trembled with each step they took. Then Master Tian Mo did something that made Song Meiyu gasp. He stepped onto thin air like it was solid, pushing off as if climbing invisible stairs. Flames coiled around him as he launched forward, his blade spinning a fiery arc that lit the whole courtyard in gold.
Shu Mingye didn't move back. He lifted his free hand and summoned a shield of fire. The fiery arc slammed into it with a roar, sending sparks flying high into the sky.
He Yuying clapped once, completely entertained. "Now that's what I call destruction."
"They'll destroy the training ground," Linyue said casually.
"Again," Song Meiyu added.
The battle didn't slow. Master Tian Mo landed smoothly, his grin sharp. He spun his blade, gathering energy until the flames burst outward. With a flick of his wrist, a phoenix of pure fire exploded from his palm. It screeched as it flew, its wings leaving trails of light across the training ground.
Shu Mingye's eyes narrowed. His sword pulsed with deep red flame as he raised it above his head. The heat warped the air around him. He slashed downward just as the phoenix reached him, his flames tearing through its body. The fiery bird split apart in a flash of light and scattered into glowing embers that rained gently over the courtyard like falling stars.
The courtyard was a mess. Stones cracked. Burn marks streaked across the ground like wild brush strokes. A few unlucky trees at the edge smoldered faintly. Smoke curled lazily into the air as the two men stood facing each other in the settling heat.
Master Tian Mo let out a breathless laugh, his eyes glinting with energy. "Hmph. Not bad," he said, rolling his shoulder like he was just warming up for a second round.
Shu Mingye, hair slightly messier but still smug, bowed politely. "Master's guidance is invaluable."
Chaos Family: watching like it was theatre.
Shu Mingye: dignity recovered. Still slightly singed.
The spar didn't end there. Swords clashed again and again, sparks flying as fire tore across the training ground. At one point, Master Tian Mo stomped the ground and sent up a wall of flame in the shape of roaring tiger. Shu Mingye countered by spinning his blade in a wide arc, his own fire bursting outward like a crimson tide that swallowed the tiger whole.
The battle stretched on until the sun slid behind the hills and the sky turned dark. The air smelled of ash, dust, and faintly of someone's crushed pride drifting quietly with the breeze.
Finally, Master Tian Mo lowered his sword and shook out his sleeves, his grin proud and sharp. "Good," he said. "You exceeded my expectations."
Shu Mingye straightened, somehow still looking effortlessly composed despite the tear on his sleeve and one rebellious strand of hair sticking straight up. He bowed slightly. "Master praises me too much. You were going easy on me."
Master Tian Mo raised an eyebrow. "You trying to sweet talk me now?"
Shu Mingye's smile didn't falter. "Does it work?"
Master Tian Mo laughed so loud, the sound startled a few birds out of a nearby tree. "We'll see."
Thankfully, the training ground had survived. Only a few scorch marks stained the stone tiles and one unlucky slab was cracked down in the middle. It was nothing compared to the disasters this training ground had seen before.
On the way back to the residence, Master Tian Mo slung an arm around Shu Mingye's shoulders like they were old drinking buddies. "Come. Drink with me."
Before Shu Mingye could even think of an excuse, he was already being hauled off toward the infamous tea-wine corner of doom. Escape was no longer an option.
The others—Linyue, Song Meiyu, He Yuying, and Shen Zhenyu—found themselves left behind. Casually. Quietly. And quite literally kicked out. Now they stood in the hallway like orphans abandoned outside a warm teahouse.
Song Meiyu blinked. "Will he be okay?"
He Yuying, still snacking on a rice cracker, answered, "Define okay. Emotionally? Spiritually? Physically? Because he's about to lose at least one."
Shen Zhenyu gave a small nod. "Right. Leave him be."
Linyue smiled faintly, her arms crossed. "Let the shameless people bond."
Shen Zhenyu's lips curved, a soft chuckle escaping him. It was rare, warm, and made Song Meiyu spin on him in shock.
"Wait. Did you just laugh?" she demanded.
He Yuying muttered without emotion, "Call the physician. Brother Zhenyu might be sick."
Song Meiyu gasped. "Then, should we find Master Yin Xue?"
Before anyone could respond, light footsteps approached from behind. Graceful and unhurried.
"Welcome back, dears," said a warm, slightly amused voice.
They turned and there stood Master Yin Xue, elegant as ever. She wore her usual flowing white robe embroidered with soft violet threads that caught the evening light. It gave her the look of someone who floated rather than walked.
The moment her eyes landed on Linyue, they sparkled. "And here's my favorite beauty."
Linyue smiled faintly, polite as always.
"Oh look at that," Master Yin Xue said, placing a hand dramatically over her heart. "That smile is completely weaponized. I'm being attacked."
Song Meiyu leaned closer to He Yuying and whispered loudly, "We should start selling tickets."
He Yuying nodded without changing expression. "Front-row seats for Shu Mingye's reaction. Premium price."
Shen Zhenyu ignored them both. He turned to Master Yin Xue with his usual calm. "Master, is everything fine?"
Master Yin Xue's gentle smile deepened. "Always the serious one. Let's go inside first. We can talk more comfortably there."
They followed Master Yin Xue like obedient little ducklings trailing their elegant leader. Master Yin Xue glided ahead with perfect grace while they shuffled behind her, suspiciously quiet. The path led straight to her residence which like every other important building in Xuanyi Pavilion, was exactly ten steps away. Maybe it was some sort of fengshui rule. Or Master Tian Mo's laziness. No one cared to ask.
They entered what was officially the reception hall but had long since been claimed as the group's gossip headquarters. It had everything a proper chaos family needed: soft cushion chairs, a big table, mysterious jars of snacks that never seemed to run out, and a teapot that was always warm.
Everyone took their usual spots without a word. Song Meiyu made a dramatic dive for the teapot. He Yuying leaned so far back in his chair it creaked in protest, already snacking on dried plums. Linyue sat down gracefully, hands folded, the picture of calm. Shen Zhenyu adjusted his sleeves like he was preparing for a council meeting. Typical.
Master Yin Xue sipped her tea. Then she spoke in her soft but clear voice, "The case of angry cabbages has grown again. Same strange pattern. Last night, two traveling performers suddenly went wild during their act. Attacked the audience mid-performance. Chaos. Screaming. Poking. You know. The usual."
Shen Zhenyu nodded like he had been expecting this. "I'll speak to the Soup Man later. He should have reached Luyan by now. He might have more information about the situation in the north."
Song Meiyu leaned forward, eyes wide. "But what about the angry cabbages themselves? I mean—patients. What's their condition?"
Master Yin Xue sighed and set her teacup down. "Some are still being watched by their families at home. But it's getting worse. They had to be tied to chairs or beds. The ones sent here are kept underground. We can't let them out. They get violent."
Song Meiyu winced. "And… you can't cure them?"
Master Yin Xue turned her gaze on her. "How can I cure them if I don't even know what's wrong with them?"
The room fell quiet except for the soft clink of porcelain as everyone sipped their tea. Warm light filled the space. Peaceful. A little too peaceful for how grim the topic was.
Then, as if he had been waiting for the perfect moment, He Yuying said flatly, "Maybe you should try asking the cabbages nicely."
Song Meiyu nearly choked on her tea. Linyue giggled behind her hand. Even Shen Zhenyu's lips twitched like he was holding back a laugh.
Master Yin Xue gave He Yuying a look and replied with a dry smile. "That's a good one. Maybe I'll offer them a cookie too. See if they calm down."
Shen Zhenyu, back to his usual calm self, said, "What about using spiritual sense to check their condition?"