There’s a Faint Incense Scent in the Warm and Cozy Quilt...
Three days later, Su Yang, accompanied by Mei Shisan, returned to the Evil Sect’s Sanctuary at the desert wasteland.
Although he started his transmigrated journey inside of the Evil Sect, he was depressed and muddleheaded, observing and remembering what the place looked like was the last thing on his mind. Now he underwent training in the House of Jade, his attitude had changed. Now he had the carefree state of mind to sightsee and explore the original’s Sect.
That was right, sightsee and explore. Doing those shouldn’t be too outrageous.
In the rift valley sinkhole in the desert wasteland, stood the Evil Sect’s magnificent and beautiful Sanctuary, not inferior to the radiant and mighty House of Jade. The sinkhole was serene, hidden within its depths, it was surrounded by wind-eroded landforms. The wasteland was called the ‘Phantom City’. Without recognising the special landmarks, it was very difficult for outsiders to find the specific location of the area containing the Phantom City. Once trapped in the desert wasteland, travellers could only die of hunger and thirst.
There was a deep blue lake in the sinkhole. Two mountain-height islands peeked out in the middle of the lake. The Evil Sect built their structures on the cliff, surrounded by stoney canyon walls, connected by walking platforms, that formed layer upon layer of cliffside buildings. This view would make anyone dazzled by the complexity of the structures.
Maybe because all the previous leaders loved flowers very much. In this deep valley, countless unusual and rare flowers and plants scattered around the area. Being surrounded by all of nature's beauty, none of the sizzling heat or the unbearable drought from the wasteland could be felt. Instead, one would feel like they were in a sea of flowers from the south.
One could imagine that if they view the islands from the top, the Evil Sect’s Sanctuary could probably be compared to the most lovely pearl sitting in the crevice of the most ordinary and ill-favoured oyster.
The smaller island in the lake, Iris Island was where Su Yang lived.
Half of the houses here were built by carving into the cliff wall, while the other half were suspended in the air. Connected by various kinds of suspension bridges and iron chains, winding back and forth, it created an irregular arrangement with charming effect. Su Yang walked along while being astonished, but he could not show his amazement, sadly. He kept a tight look on his face, making it like this was just a common occurrence. He did not glance around as he returned to his room.
After freshening up, Mei Shisan came to report that the elders had been waiting in the main hall. Su Yang hurried to go greet the elders.
In the main hall, the anxiously waiting elders were the four who went bananas when Su Yang tried to kill himself. Seeing that their Young Master came home safe and sound from the House of Jade, each one felt relieved one by one, and most of the wrinkles on their face smoothed out a lot.
These were four elders of the Evil Sect that oversaw the four halls of Plum Blossom, Orchid, Lotus, and Chrysanthemum.
The Plum Blossom Hall’s primary responsibility was the internal and the external affairs related to the Wulin, and they took charge of the Sanctuary’s defence or worked in a hired-guard type capacity. Only a few of them were quick-witted. Those few were commonly stationed close to the Sect Leader or the Young Master as their personal bodyguard—such as Mei Shisan.
The Orchid Hall’s primary responsibility was business management. Like Lan Wu from before, who was positioned in Mount Mei Zhu’s village to run the inn. Now he would continue to operate the inn until further notice. Of course, the Orchid Hall also relied on the convenience of their line of business to do intelligence gathering.
The Lotus Hall managed more miscellaneous tasks. Their responsibilities were around internal logistics and services, such as meals, clothing, repair, inventory, cleaning, washing, and so on.
The Chrysanthemum Hall’s primary responsibility was entertainment within the sect, such as singing or dancing. In addition, it was said that they managed dozens of the Sect Leader’s beautiful ‘pets’.
Su Yang: “…”
Indeed, this Sect was like the one in the rumours. Pleasure seeking, drowning in alcohol, and even a hall was created specifically to manage their nightlife.
Su Yang became even more disgusted with the Sect Leader, who he had not met yet.
Of course, besides the main four halls, there were also other halls like ‘Chilling Spring Hall’ which handled training juniors, and ‘Suffering Summer Hall’ which handled regulation and punishment. These two halls were also under the four elders’ jurisdiction.
It had been decades since the establishment of the Yantan Divine Sect, which could be considered a big sect now, with lots of businesses. Finally, the four elders reported everything to the Leader. But as the Leader was in seclusion, many important reports would have to be handled by the Young Master.
Su Yang looked at the pile of documents the size of a small hill piled before him, and it felt as if he was in some indescribable and mysterious illusion.
He raised his head with an ashen look and asked the four elders in a very dry voice, “...Do all of these…require my review?”
The Elder of Plum Blossom Hall nodded. “In these two years, we have dealt with the tasks that we could handle by ourselves. If you want to review them, you are free to do so. Now, you need to decide how to deal with current problems and give instructions.”
Su Yang: “...”
Where was the ‘horse riding to escape to faraway places or the roaming far and wide for romance without the care of complicated affairs’ that were described in all the martial heroes stories?
Where was the memo that said there would be an enormous pile of official documents on his desk?!
“Can I not handle these?” Su Yang asked hopefully.
The elders looked at each other.
A moment later, the Plum Blossom Hall’s Elder, the oldest of the four, came forward and urged, “Young Master, it is still uncertain how long our Leader will stay in seclusion. There are many affairs in the Sect that require your attention. If you do not manage them, I am afraid it will hinder the Sect’s development.”
Su Yang’s eyes were unfocused, his expression devastated. “What if I enter seclusion as well?”
The Plum Blossom Elder responded, “It is reasonable to say that you can’t stay in seclusion for a long period when our Leader is also in seclusion. The period when you were in seclusion for two years in preparation to break through the Six Night Flower Burial… Our Leader was running the Sect. But who would have thought that you would be selected to train in the House of Jade as soon as you came out of seclusion, which created a huge backlog of documents that needed to be reviewed. Young Master…these affairs are your responsibility, please stop avoiding them…”
After listening to this long dialogue, Su Yang couldn’t hold back the slight twitch on his lip.
—Wuxia novels lied to me! Every single sect in the novel doesn’t have to worry about or put huge effort in the management! Those heroes only need to care about getting things done, fighting for justice, and finding true love!
But…once I think more carefully about it…In a high-class sect, even the sect leaders would of course be the final decision maker for their sect. I guess it is reasonable for them to deal with clerical affairs for their sects.
Coming to this conclusion, Su Yang picked up one record at random and flipped it open with a stiff arm.
Fortunately, people in the Jianghu had no literary talent. Everything was written in colloquial speech, an everyday casual communication style that was easy to understand: Today, the Scarlet Rose Cliff‘s bridge snapped apart. Five casualties, two dead and three injured…
...It was reported that the bridge had been repaired. The wife of the deceased Lotus Hall’s Head demanded the cost of rehousing and threatened to leave the Sect. Please advise.
After finishing this record, he started going through two more. They were all insignificant and trivial matters, or involved personnel change within the Sect or special cases. The elders dared not to make these decisions without proper authorisation, so they all delayed the matter until now. They all waited for Su Yang to return to submit these reports for approval or instructions.
Su Yang pressed the centre of his brow to calm his throbbing headache.
The things that the elders have no confidence to finalise, were also types of affairs that he didn’t have the confidence to decide as well!
He was not the Evil Sect’s Young Master; he was only an actor…worse! He was only an internet celebrity! He had no management experience at all. Now, he had to manage a sect of this size so suddenly. He...he doesn't know how or where to start!
Fortunately, it wouldn’t be long until Gu Feidi wiped out the Sect. He could afford to act more wilful. This Sect’s future would end in a shambles anyway, plus his misfortune during the chaos wouldn’t last for too long.
As for those who wanted to cut clean ties with the Evil Sect, it would be better to let them go, so that they wouldn’t be implicated in the future entanglement and massacre. The innocent wouldn’t die as a casualty.
So Su Yang replied, “The ones that want to leave are free to go and…”
“That is impossible, Young Master!” The Lotus Hall’s Elder suddenly interrupted. “Although these family members of our underlings did not have the status to access our Sect’s classified information, it is difficult to ensure that they do not have things in their possession that would harm the safety of our Sect. If we were to dismiss people this carelessly, I fear this would cause traitors to conceal themselves in the crowd and cause damage from within!”
This argument sounded very valid...
But Su Yang already felt irritable. He wanted to quit his responsibilities even more now after being contradicted by the Elder like this.
Face turned sour, he spat, “Since the elders have a final judgement in mind, why didn’t anyone take the initiative? You asked me to decide, but no one wants to carry out the decision that I made. It’s better to leave these things to the elders in the future.”
The outburst startled the Lotus Hall’s Elder. He immediately knelt and pleaded, “This subordinate dared not overstep your authority, I will proceed with your order immediately…”
“Wait.” dumbfounded, Su Yang supported his forehead with his hand. “I didn’t mean it like that. What I am trying to say is…why don’t we do this. In the future, the four of you will discuss these matters and write the best possible solutions, then bring the document to me. If I think it’s feasible, I will give my approval. If it is not feasible, I will send the document back. And the elders could work out a new solution. Understand?”
—If he could only turn himself into a stamp machine, dealing with these things would be much easier.
Su Yang felt he was really quick-witted!
The Plum Blossom’s Elder countered, “This is against the rules.”
Su Yang asked in a deadpan, “Rules? Under whose authority?”
The Plum Blossom’s Elder answered, “Naturally, it was set by our founding leader in the early days of the establishment of the Sect.”
Su Yang was unimpressed. “...The people created the rules. Since our Sect has been established for so many years, we should look at things from a new perspective, to keep up with the times, and open up to innovation. How many people were in the Sect in the past? How many things needed to be done back then? Concrete matters require careful analysis. Now that there are more members and tasks, we shouldn’t handle our Sect according to the previous rules, or else I will die of overwork.”
After his long rant, he waved his hand to show that he had made his final decision. “Now that I am in charge, I will do things my way. You take these back and submit it again with a solution as I have explained prior.”
As soon as he finished, he suddenly stood up and departed the large hall without looking back.
Fleeing in defeat.
On the first day of returning to the Evil Sect, Su Yang first taught the four elders a lesson, and then went back to the training room to practice martial art for the morning. Next, he criticised the chef’s skills and provided four new recipes. Afterward, he practiced his sword technique all afternoon. In the evening, he approved several emergency requests submitted by the elders, before he was finally able to rest.
Although the wasteland was hot and dry in the daytime, the temperature at night completely contrasted with that during the day. The chilliness gradually entered late at night, totally different from their current summer season.
Su Yang summoned a servant from the Lotus Hall to prepare hot water for a bath. After he took a long and comfortable bath, he returned to his bedroom with the hot steam still lingering on him.
Someone even readied his bed for him, complete with clean, fresh bedding. As soon as he entered, a young boy came forward and helped him undress. Su Yang naturally did not put on his outer robe after his shower. He took off his inner clothes, stuffed them in the young man’s arm carelessly, and told him to hang it up properly. Only then, did he burrow into his quilt and wrap around his body in only his undergarments.
—Being at home was still the best!
Su Yang released a comfortable sigh.
He was used to sleeping naked, but after his time in the House of Jade, having to live in the same courtyard with Di Ling Shijie… Even though he knew she was blind and couldn’t see him, he didn’t dare to sleep naked. He felt very wronged!
Now being back in the Evil Sect, all the servants around his residence were all males, so there was nothing for him to avoid. Plus the bedding was made of pure silk, which felt very soft and smooth on his skin. So he decided to set himself free and sleep naked starting tomorrow!
He burrowed into the warm and cozy quilt and took a deep breath. Smelling a faint scent of incense.
…Wait a minute?
Warm and cozy quilt?
The wasteland’s temperature dropped to freezing at night, how could there be such a thing as a properly heated quilt at this time?
He had no clue. The young boy who he ordered to hang up his inner robe returned quietly and put out the two candles lit by his bedside, leaving only a dim candle in the room outside.
Then the boy, whose face was still young and tender, looked to be at an age where his gender was indistinguishable. He sat down beside the bed, lowered his gaze, and started to undress. After that…he climbed into Su Yang’s blanket nest!
Su Yang: “!!!”
He did a quick barrel roll and got out from the bed, looking like a silkworm escaping from a predator as he fled to the foot of a wall. This frightened him so much that he wanted to curl up into himself.
Whe-where did this child come from?
So he wasn’t a servant from the Lotus Hall?!
On the bed, the young boy was caught off guard as he was lifted from the quilt. After his stunned confusion, he immediately got out of the bed and knelt on the ground, saying in a shaken tone, “This servant is from the Chrysanthemum Hall, number twenty, Ju Nian. Please punish this one!”
I hope when they say bedwarmers I hope they mean bedWARMERS not for…. the other thing…