Death Flag Detected

Chapter 20: Death Flag Detected

"Hey, you! Stop!"

Aerich's steps halted abruptly. He turned around to see an outer sect disciple in motion, waving at him while sprinting in his direction.

"Me?" Aerich pointed to himself, his brow furrowed in confusion. His mind raced. Could this be someone sent by Mo Jian to eliminate him? The thought made his heart skip a beat, but he quickly dismissed it. They were still within the sect grounds, under the watchful eyes of numerous individuals. Even someone as hostile as Mo Jian wouldn't act so recklessly in such a public setting.

"Yes, you," the outer sect disciple confirmed as he came to a stop, slightly out of breath. "Follow me. Inner Sect Elder Cofia has instructed me to bring you to her."

Without waiting for a response, the disciple turned and began walking briskly back toward the inner sect.

"Senior, do you know why an Inner Sect Elder would summon me?" Aerich asked cautiously, ensuring he stayed a step behind to avoid appearing disrespectful.

"How would I know why someone like Elder Cofia wants to see you?" the disciple retorted curtly. "Don't waste my time with questions. My task is to bring you to her, nothing more."

Recognizing the futility of pressing further, Aerich remained silent and followed.

The journey led them deeper into the Azure Sky Sect's inner grounds, up a path that ascended one of the grand mountain peaks. At the base of the mountain, Aerich spotted two figures. His gaze quickly landed on a familiar face—Tasia. She was now garbed in the pristine robes of an inner sect disciple, standing deferentially behind another woman. The latter, veiled and radiating an aura of quiet authority, must be Elder Cofia.

Elder Cofia's visage was partially obscured by a thin veil, revealing only her striking purple eyes and the soft glow of her light-purple hair cascading over her shoulders. She wore flowing white robes, her posture exuding an elegance befitting her title.

"Elder, I have brought the person you requested," the outer sect disciple said, bowing deeply as he returned a token to her. Without it, his presence in the inner sect would have been flagged by the Azure Mandate Hall, the sect's enforcement division that ensured no rules were broken.

"You may leave now," Elder Cofia said with a graceful wave of her hand.

The disciple bowed once more and retreated, daring not to look directly at the Elder's face. As he descended, he glanced back at Aerich with a flicker of pity. That poor soul must have offended Tasia, the new genius of Celestial Jade Peak. Her unprecedented performance during the sect's entrance test was already the stuff of legend, and the fiercely protective Peak Master Cofia would never let an offense slide.

Rumors of Elder Cofia's fiery temperament abounded. Once, she had openly challenged the Sect Master himself when her sixth disciple was mistreated by the Sect Master's son. That incident had resulted in Mo Jian being punished to meditate before the ancestral tombs for an entire year.

Unaware of the outer disciple's conjectures, Aerich stepped forward and greeted Elder Cofia with a respectful bow. "I greet Elder Cofia. It is an honor to stand in your presence."

I don't remember offending you, Aerich thought to himself, keeping his expression calm and collected.

As he bowed, he could feel Elder Cofia's sharp gaze assessing him. It was as if she were looking through his very soul. She had little patience for untalented disciples, but she was curious about what her newest and most promising disciple, Tasia, saw in this ordinary boy.

"My new disciple, Tasia—you know her well, don't you?" Elder Cofia's voice was cool but tinged with curiosity. "She has requested that I grant you entry into the sect, an act that would require bending the rules. Tell me, do you believe you are worthy of such an exception?"

Aerich's eyes widened slightly. Tasia… why would she involve herself in my affairs? He felt a pang of unease. Her actions had put him in a difficult position. How was he supposed to resist her now, especially with an Inner Sect Elder backing her?

"I do know Tasia," Aerich replied carefully. "Our fathers are sworn brothers, and we spent part of our childhood under the same roof. But our connection is solely through our parents. Beyond that, there is no deeper bond."

Tasia's brows furrowed, her fists clenching tightly against the hem of her robe. Though Aerich's words were factual, they stung for reasons she couldn't fully articulate.

Elder Cofia noted her disciple's reaction with a sharp, knowing glint in her eyes. Then she turned her gaze back to Aerich, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh? So you'll be the only male servant of Celestial Jade Peak, hmm? Not a bad arrangement, is it? Some might even call it enviable."

Aerich blinked in surprise. "E-Elder…"

"What?" Elder Cofia cut him off, feigning annoyance. "Do you think a servant's status is beneath you? If so, you can leave now. And let me make this clear: my disciple Tasia will have no further ties with you."

Aerich hesitated, carefully considering his next words. "No, Elder. I did not mean to imply that. I merely wish to understand what you meant by 'only male servant.'"

Cofia raised an eyebrow, folding her arms. Her smirk grew slightly wider as she replied, "Celestial Jade Peak is home to seven disciples, all of whom are women. You would be the sole exception."

Aerich's heart sank. This arrangement sounded like a recipe for trouble. Why does this feel like a death flag waiting to be triggered?