Path of the Sect Leader

Chapter 137: Post-War Reckoning

The funerals for Ming Jiu and Pan Rong had barely ended when Old Man Ming himself drew his last breath. Months of back-and-forth mourning, tears, and paperwork finally dulled the raw edges left by the Battle of Mount Tianyin. Life limped forward.

The new year brought the once-every-seven-years harvest of Ice Chalice Flowers. Each bloom lasted only a single night, delicate as frost on a spiderweb. Someone had to watch them constantly; even the act of picking required a careful cocoon of Spiritual Qi—ordinary mortals were useless here.

The entire population of Immortal Forest Hollow took turns keeping vigil under the stars. In the end they gathered seventy-eight perfect blossoms. At market price, that came to seventy-eight third-tier Spirit Stones—a windfall, the largest single income Chu Qin Sect had produced from its own soil since migrating south.

With money finally breathing easier in their coffers, Qi Xiu called the survivors of Mount Tianyin together to assess contributions.

“Between the Ice Chalice harvest, the other miscellaneous herbs, and the spoils from Tianyin, we’re in a much better position,” he said, seated at the head of the hall. “Let’s go over what everyone did. I’ll distribute the rewards accordingly.”

Eight people sat in the inner circle—the ones who had actually fought. Yu Deno and the others who stayed behind formed a quiet outer ring.

Bai Muhan cradled little Zhan Chou and gave a small laugh. “I slept through the whole thing. I won’t take any share.”

Yu Jing raised a hand. “Same here. I got knocked out before I even swung my sword. Count me out.”

Qi Xiu nodded. No favoritism, no soft feelings—merit was merit. They went around the circle, recounting actions, wounds taken, enemies stalled. In the end the tally was straightforward:

Qi Xiu took first place.

Mo Jianxin second.

Zhang Shishi third.

Then Mo Guinong, Qin Weiyu, Wei Minniang—fourth, fifth, sixth.

Shen Chang came last.

Qi Xiu had prepared the prizes in advance. He claimed a simple formation array similar to the Pseudo Four Symbols Illusion Array, plus a handful of Spirit Pills and talismans—all items Qin Weiyu had scavenged from the battlefield.

Mo Jianxin and Mo Guinong focused on ores and Spirit Stones. Their priority was clear: get the boy’s sword-forging skills up to standard. Ever since Bai Xiaosheng restructured the sect’s resource allocation, Mo Jianxin no longer received unlimited materials. Supplies had been tight. With this haul, they could finally start forging the second Moonshadow Profound Ice Sword.

Zhang Shishi picked out a fifth shield-type Spiritual Tool and grinned. “Looks like I’m married to shields for life. Every battle breaks one. Sect Leader Senior Brother, you’d better start stockpiling, or I’ll run you out of inventory.”

Qi Xiu snorted. “I’d rather we never fight again. Shut your jinx mouth.”

Laughter rippled through the room—tired, but genuine.

Qin Weiyu stood there scratching his head, clueless about what to choose. Qi Xiu picked for him: a decent second-tier defensive Spiritual Tool. Wei Minniang selected a piece of jewelry—also second-tier. Shen Chang quietly took an assortment of sundries plus mundane gold and silver—clearly meant for his mortal family.

Qi Xiu also allocated a small compensation of Spirit Stones to Bai Muhan and Yu Jing for their non-combat contributions. That wrapped up the assessment.

Bai Muhan seized the opening to raise a practical worry. “Now that the Artifact & Talisman Alliance and the Wei family are on the outs, they won’t buy any of our herbs or flowers. What do we do? The beast-ship route between Immortal Forest Hollow and Black River Peak is already cut off. Traveling overland takes forever.”

The schism was real. The Alliance hadn’t dared retaliate against the Wei Clan directly, but they severed all trade. Chu Qin Sect, caught in the middle, lost its biggest customer overnight. Piles of Yang Talisman Grass were already stacking up in storage. The Ice Chalice Flowers were valuable—on paper—but only if someone bought them.

Qi Xiu lowered his gaze and stayed silent. There was no easy fix. Not yet.

Mo Guinong cleared his throat. “Here’s what I suggest. Herbs always sell eventually. We send everything to Muhan’s shop at Black River Market and let her move it slowly. We’re not desperate for cash right now; we can wait. As for transport… our two territories are too far apart. I say we buy a decent beast ship from the Wei family. Yes, feeding and maintaining one is expensive, but it’s become a necessity. We can’t keep doing this forever. Wei Tong spent years in the Beast Taming Sect; I’m sure they have spares. We can’t afford second-tier, but a good first-tier ship should manage a one-way trip between Immortal Forest Hollow and Black River without much trouble.”

Qi Xiu considered it, then nodded. “That’s the only realistic path. Deno, Muhan, Guinong—the three of you figure out the details. When the ship arrives, we’ll also need someone who can handle beasts. Look among the younger disciples. Whoever shows aptitude, send them to the Wei family for training.”

He handed over the necessary Spirit Stones for the purchase and herb storage to Bai Muhan.

Later they invited Bai Xiaosheng to lead a Dao discussion that stretched deep into the night. For once, the hall rang with earnest questions and quiet answers. When it finally ended, everyone left quietly satisfied.

…

Afterward, in the lamplit quiet of their private chamber, Qi Xiu held Wei Minniang close. The sheets were still warm.

“Why’d you pick that flashy piece of jewelry?” he murmured against her hair. “I’m broke right now. There are good things in the sect vault, but I can’t just hand them over to you. Your Smoky Gauze Veil is ruined; you don’t even have a proper weapon at hand.”

Wei Minniang traced lazy circles on his chest with her fingertip, body pressed soft and languid against his. “It’s for Yue’er’s dowry. She’ll be twelve soon. Mortal girls usually marry at sixteen. We don’t have many years left. I want her to marry a cultivator—give her a more comfortable life.”

Qi Xiu blinked. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

He mentally counted the ages of the young men in the sect. Only Qin Weiyu was nearing thirty—maybe two or three years until marriageable. He chuckled. “Don’t tell me you’re eyeing Weiyu for her? He’s honest, steady… would treat her well. Remember how Yue’er loved those roasted pig-fish skewers he made when she was little? There’s fate there.”

“Pah, pah!” Wei Minniang swatted his chest. “What nonsense. Just because she ate his food doesn’t mean she has to marry the man. I wouldn’t let my daughter marry someone so dense he wouldn’t know romance if it bit him.”

“Oh?” Qi Xiu gave her hip a light smack. “So my wife has standards. Who, then? Yu Shang? Qin Siguo? Li Tan? They’re about Yue’er’s age, but they’re years away from being ready to marry. Yue’er’s mortal; she can’t wait that long. And I’m not about to break precedent just to suit us.”

Wei Minniang laughed softly. “None of them. Those boys are destined to end up like Shen Chang—small-minded, hoarding gold and trinkets. Did you see what Shen Chang picked today? Pathetic.”

“Then who?” Qi Xiu frowned, running through names. “Wu Ying and Si Zhao are too young. Someone from the Wei family? But she’d still carry the Wei surname… Wait. Mo Jianxin? He—”

Wei Minniang buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, voice dropping to a whisper. “None of them. I’ve got my eye on you.”

“Me?”

The word slipped out before he could stop it. An image flashed—Wei Yue’er’s small, delicate features, so much like her mother’s. Then two faces side by side…

“Ridiculous. Don’t joke about that.”

He tensed, half-laughing, half-scolding. But his body betrayed him. Wei Minniang felt it immediately—the subtle hardening against her thigh. She turned her face away, eyes shimmering with something complicated, something unreadable.

“Actually… if Yue’er could stay by my side forever, I’d be content.”

Her voice was barely audible.

Qi Xiu pretended not to hear.