"Everyone, except Shu Xian and Xiao Ming."
As soon as Yuan Shuchun said those words, everyone in the hall couldn't help but be confused.
Even Xiao Ming was confused about this.
Telling Shu Xian to remain behind was understandable - after all, Yuan Shuchun had just selected him to join her on the trip outside the sect.
But Xiao Ming? Yuan Shuchun didn't even look at him in the whole meeting. So why was she telling him to stay behind?
Even though everyone was curious, no one had the guts to ask. In the end, they just stood up and left the hall.
Yuan Shuchun nodded her head at their obedience and watched them as they left the room one by one, not forgetting to cup their fists at her first.
After everyone had left, only three people remained in the hall - Yuan Shuchun. Shu Xian and Xiao Ming.
"Both of you, get yourself ready. We will be heading out of the sect." Yuan Shuchun said.
"Both?" Shu Xian and Xiao Ming looked at each other in confusion.
"Senior Sister… didn't you say only one disciple needed to come with you?" Shu Xian asked. His expression was still laced with confusion.
Yuan Shuchun just waved her hand, "Leave that. You both were already chosen before I decided to have the meeting."
This confused both of them even more.
"Then...why would you have the meeting?"
Yuan Shuchun replied, "It was just to see everyone's progress. And see if they could persist on their own."
Looking at the frowns on the faces of the two disciples in front of her, she added, "I am not sure if we would be able to return in time for the upcoming Grand Spirit Hunt."
"What!?" Both of them were quite shocked by this.
Yuan Shuchun nodded, "And we have no choice in this - because this is not a trip, but actually a secret mission assigned by the Sect Leader."
"It's a secret mission? And the three of us are chosen for this?" Xiao Ming asked, just to verify what he had just heard.
Yuan Shuchun nodded her head, "We're not the only ones. There will be a few other disciples."
"Who?" Shu Xian asked.
"I can't disclose this yet." Yuan Shuchun shook her head.
"But what I can say is that Sect Leader Su played a very cheap trick here."
"Oh? And what's that?" Xiao Ming asked.
Yuan Shuchun pursed her lips and said, "All the disciples going on the trip are the most problematic ones for the World League. And there is no one from that League going out on the mission."
Both Shu Xian and Xiao Ming couldn't help being surprised at this.
"Is that even fair? I mean, what did the other elders say?" Xiao Ming asked.
"I am sure not many elders know about it, but even then, can they do anything? I don't think so." Yuan Shuchun shook her head as she finished her words.
Xiao Ming nodded his head slightly and then asked, "So.. what's the mission about? Or is it that you can't disclose it?"
Yuan Shuchun shrugged, "I only know the gist of it. I did get a few papers about it, but it only mentioned the members in the mission, not the content of the mission. We will have to be on the Second Floor of the Resource Hall tomorrow at sunrise."
"Why there?" Xiao Ming frowned.
"Because that's the way to get to the Grand Meeting Hall, where we will meet the Sect Leader." It was Shu Xian who answered this.
Yuan Shuchun nodded her head and added, "Alright, now you guys can head back to your cultivation abodes. Just remember not to talk about the mission to anyone else, or you might get into big trouble."
Both of them nodded and cupped their fists.
"I will take my leave then, Senior Sister." Shu Xian said as he got up from his seat.
Look at the hurrying Shu Xian from behind; Yuan Shuchun frowned a bit.
After Shu Xian had left, Xiao Ming said, "How long are you planning to stay still? This mission is a good chance for you."
Yuan Shuchun frowned, "What do you mean?"
Xiao Ming shrugged, "Well, we both know what that guy is talking about. Shu Xian tried to assassinate you at the Heaven's Grace banquet last month."
Yuan Shuchun narrowed her eyes at him, "Do you know that I could have you crippled for such an accusation?"
Xiao Ming rolled his eyes, "Stop acting ignorantly. Everyone knows there were two assassination attempts that day. The only difference was, while everyone thought they were the same, in truth, two different parties orchestrated them."
"The sleeper cells were by an unknown enemy, the Devil sect, and the assassin who attacked you in the banquet hall was sent at you by Shu Xian."
Yuan Shuchun frowned.
"How do you know all this?"
Xiao Ming shrugged but didn't say anything.
Yuan Shuchun didn't press the topic, "If you don't want to tell, then just leave."
Xiao Ming smiled and came close to her face, "Dear, just like how you have your secrets, I have my own cards."
Yuan Shuchun was unaffected by his approach and said, "Xiao Ming, leave."
Xiao Ming just shrugged, "If that's what you want."
And with that said, he stood up and left without saying anything else.
Yuan Shuchun pursed her lips at him but didn't say anything.
As he left, she closed her eyes, "This guy is so annoying."
…
In a random restaurant at the base of the First Peak.
Two disciples were standing side by side; in front of them were some drinks.
"Are you sure about this?" One of the disciples said. He had a rough voice.
"Yes. The sect is organizing a Secret Mission, and this is the best chance for us to eliminate the remaining top disciples of the Gracious Sword Sect." The other replied.
...
A/n: If you find any typos or errors, please leave a comment.