Tian Hao, his spatial ring surprisingly light despite the impending journey, sauntered through the sect grounds. He'd been banished, 'exiled' to the desolate Jade Serpent Outpost, a punishment that felt more like a cruel joke than a chance for redemption. Still, he wasn't about to let a little exile dampen his spirits. After all, even the most arduous journeys could be enhanced… with the right company!
He spotted Lin Mei walking back from the direction of their hidden garden, her brow furrowed in thought, her gaze distant, as if she were wrestling with some internal conflict. Perfect. He quickened his pace, calling out to her.
"Mei Mei!" he called out, his voice carrying a playful lilt that belied the nervous flutter in his stomach.
For a split second, he wondered if she would brush him off, if she had heard the rumors. The thought twisted his gut, but he forced his grin to stay in place. He hoped she hadn't heard about his… indiscretion with Zhao Fei.
Lin Mei's focus shifted, her head turning towards him as he approached, her expression softening slightly as she recognized him. The worry lines etched on her forehead, however, remained, a subtle sign of the inner turmoil she was clearly grappling with. He gave her his most charming smile, hoping it would distract her from whatever troubled her.
"Tian Hao," she greeted, her voice polite but lacking its usual teasing warmth. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Well, Mei Mei," he began, his grin widening, "it seems I've been… volunteered for a little pilgrimage. A journey to the Jade Serpent Outpost. And," he added, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "I was hoping you might join me. It'll be an adventure! Think of it as a training expedition. With less supervision and more opportunities for alternative cultivation." He winked, hoping to lighten the mood, but Lin Mei's expression remained guarded.
Lin Mei raised an eyebrow. "A training expedition? To the Jade Serpent Outpost? That sounds less like an adventure and more like a punishment. Why would I want to go there?" She gave him a pointed look, her lips curving into a wry smile. "Unless," she added, her voice laced with a playful sarcasm, "you need someone to keep you out of trouble? After your performance at the feast, I'm sure the elders wouldn't want you causing any more inter-sect incidents."
Tian Hao chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. He couldn't deny her assessment. The scandal and the resulting public humiliation felt like an unwelcome guest refusing to leave. He knew she was referring to the incident with Zhao Fei, and he cringed inwardly. He considered trying to explain, but the mere memory of Elder Yun's fury and Zhao Fei's clear humiliation made him reconsider. Better to just move on, hope she didn't press him about it.
"Well," he began, trying to regain his composure, "it's not exactly a pleasure cruise, but it's also not complete isolation. I thought it would be more fun with some company. Besides," he added, his voice softening slightly, "I could certainly use someone with your practical skills to keep me from getting lost or eaten by a rogue spirit beast," a smug smile returning to his face.
Lin Mei hesitated for a moment, studying his expression as if weighing the potential benefits against the almost certain hardships. The worry in her eyes remained, but a flicker of something else – a hint of determination, perhaps even a touch of resignation – flickered beneath the surface. She sighed, then gave him a small, almost reluctant smile. "Alright, Tian Hao," she conceded. "I'll join you, but don't expect me to clean up any more of your messes."
Tian Hao grinned, relief washing over him. "No messes, I promise. Just good company and maybe a few surprises along the way."
As they walked towards his chambers to gather his belongings, Lin Mei's earlier hesitation returned, her gaze distant, her thoughts clearly elsewhere.
"There's something I need to do on this trip," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, her words deliberately vague.
Tian Hao caught the shift in her tone, the subtle undercurrent of something he couldn't quite decipher. He stopped, his hand gently grasping her arm, his gaze searching hers. "What is it, Mei Mei?" he asked, his voice soft, filled with concern. "Is something wrong?"
Lin Mei shrugged, her smile strained. "It's nothing, Tian Hao. Just… something I need to prove to myself."
Tian Hao pressed her gently, his hand tightening slightly on her arm. "Prove to yourself? What do you mean?"
Lin Mei's smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her face before she quickly regained her composure, her expression shifting back to her usual playful confidence.
She shrugged, waving a hand dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing important. Just personal matters. Perhaps I can get my hands on something for my cultivation. If nothing else, someone needs to make sure you don't get lost or whine too much without your comfortable bed."
Tian Hao chuckled, though the unease lingered. He decided not to pry further, trusting that she would tell him when she was ready. For now, he was just grateful to have her company on this less-than-desirable journey.
"As long as you don't plan on leaving me alone with those two pillars of virtue," he said, his tone light but with an underlying seriousness, referring to Yu Xian and Wei Lo, "I'm happy to have your company."
With Lin Mei's agreement secured, Tian Hao turned his attention to the crucial task of packing. He returned to his chambers, his steps lighter now, his mood bolstered by the prospect of not facing the journey alone.
He had a servant summon Fatty Wu, who arrived with a knowing grin and a mountain of delicacies packed in a spatial basket far more spacious than Tian Hao's simple ring—roasted duck, glazed ribs, steamed buns, fragrant rice cakes, cured meats, exotic fruits, and enough wine to keep a small army of cultivators comfortably numb.
"Don't worry, Young Master," Fatty Wu said, winking as he transferred the contents of his basket into Tian Hao's ring, "I've included some special ingredients. For medicinal purposes, of course."
Tian Hao grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You're the best, Fatty Wu."
With his ring overflowing with culinary delights, Tian Hao felt a sense of satisfaction settle over him. He was ready for anything—or at least, he was ready for anything as long as it didn't involve going hungry or sober.
He grinned, surveying his collection of gourmet meals, cured meats, fragrant buns, roasted fowl, and wines of various sorts. The thought of enduring the wilderness without his favorite treats seemed unbearable.
"Didn't Confucius say something about the joys of a simple meal?" he muttered to himself, "Well, I think he'd approve of my version—with a little more roasted duck and a lot more wine."
Lin Mei arrived at the appointed time, her backpack stuffed with carefully considered supplies, more practical than Tian Hao's. Among her items was a talisman for warding off evil spirits, camping gear, healing salves, extra clothes, and other essential supplies.
Lin Mei eyed Tian Hao's spatial ring, curiosity sparking in her gaze. She hesitated for a moment, then reached out her hand slightly, her voice calm but inquisitive. "Tian Hao, mind if I take a look inside your ring? I need to make sure we're actually prepared for this journey."
Tian Hao nodded, a playful glint in his eyes. "Go ahead, Mei Mei. Feast your eyes on the essentials of a true cultivator." Lin Mei placed a single delicate finger upon the ring, her eyes widening as she took in the sight of food and bottles of wine.
She blinked, her lips parting slightly in disbelief, before shaking her head with an exasperated sigh.
"Really, Tian Hao?" she muttered, a mix of amusement and incredulity evident in her expression. "You do realize we're traveling into the wilderness, not to a banquet, right?" she said, shaking her head. "You've got enough food in there to feed a small army, but I don't see any practical supplies."
Tian Hao shrugged. "Details, details. A cultivator's gotta eat, Mei Mei. Besides," he added, patting his ring, "good food is key to a good mood, and a good mood is key to good cultivation."
Lin Mei rolled her eyes, but there was a fondness in her expression, a hint of affection that warmed Tian Hao's heart. "Just try not to eat all your supplies before we even reach the outpost," she said, her voice laced with a playful warning. "Or I might have to start rationing your wine."
Tian Hao feigned a look of mock horror. "Ration my wine? That's inhumane!" His eyes twinkled mischievously. "Don't worry, Mei Mei. I'll save some for you. After all," he added, his voice dropping to a near whisper, "sharing is caring."
Lin Mei's lips curved into a soft smile, her earlier apprehension fading slightly as she watched him. Despite his carefree attitude, she knew there was a deeper strength within him, a resilience that she admired. He might not be the most conventional cultivator, but he had a way of finding joy in the most unexpected places, a quality that she found both endearing and strangely inspiring. She had grown to know that there was no arguing with his logic, however absurd it might seem.
"Alright, Tian Hao," she said. "I'll keep an eye on you. Just try not to get us both killed with your unique approach to survival."
Tian Hao's smile widened, his heart filled with gratitude and anticipation. Despite her teasing tone, he knew that Lin Mei, much like Fatty Wu, had his back. Even if they both thought his ideas were utterly ridiculous, both were now firmly enmeshed with the most reckless cultivator within the Skyward Lotus Sect. He didn't know what dangers awaited them, nor why she seemed so determined and anxious about this mission but with Lin Mei by his side, he felt he could face anything this task threw at them.