The first day at the Archer Sect was supposed to be an important occasion—a day of introductions, guidance, and training. It was the moment when new disciples met their elders, learned about their sect’s history, and were introduced to the path they would follow for the rest of their lives.

  Han Ye had imagined it would be a grand affair, filled with wisdom and discipline.

  But instead…

  He stood with the other new disciples in the main training ground, watching in disbelief as the so-called ‘elders’ of the Archer Sect made absolute fools of themselves.

  Elder Meng, the same elder who had broken down crying the day before, was already wiping tears from his eyes before he even spoke. “W-welcome to the Archer Sect, my dear disciples! I am Elder Meng, responsible for discipline and guidance… but don’t be scared of me! I only cry because I care!” He sniffled loudly, blowing his nose into his sleeve.

  Han Ye and Lan Ji exchanged gnces.

  “Elder Meng, I have a serious question,” Lan Ji said, raising his hand.

  “Yes, young disciple?”

  “Are you ever not crying?”

  Elder Meng let out a strangled sob. “O-of course I can be serious! I just… I just get emotional, okay?” He wiped his eyes furiously and turned to the next elder. “Ahem! Elder Xian, your turn.”

  Elder Xian stumbled forward, swaying slightly. He took a deep swig from the rge gourd of alcohol in his hand before belching loudly. “Hah! Welcome, little brats! Name’s Elder Xian! I’m in charge of stamina training and endurance! If you can’t handle a little pain, then you don’t belong here!”

  Han Ye wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or horrified. The man reeked of alcohol, and judging by the way he slurred his words, it was clear he had started drinking early in the morning.

  One of the other disciples hesitantly raised a hand. “Elder Xian… shouldn’t you be sober for this?”

  Elder Xian scoffed. “Bah! You think a little drink affects my skills? Listen here, kid! A true warrior must be able to fight under any condition! Drunk, poisoned, cursed—it doesn’t matter! You fight no matter what! That’s real endurance training!” He took another long gulp from his gourd, nearly tipping over in the process.

  Lan Ji whistled. “Huh. Respect.”

  Elder Meng sighed and gestured for the next elder to step forward. “Elder Jian… please introduce yourself.”

  At first, there was no response.

  Then, from the side, they heard a loud, frustrated groan.

  “Damn it! Lost again?! How is this possible?!”

  Elder Jian was sitting cross-legged on the ground, surrounded by small wooden tiles and several betting slips. His face was twisted in frustration as he smmed his fist on the ground.

  Elder Meng coughed loudly. “Elder Jian, your turn.”

  Elder Jian sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. “Fine, fine.” He stood up and dusted himself off, looking at the new disciples with tired eyes. “I’m Elder Jian. I teach battle tactics and archery precision… but more importantly, let me teach you a valuable lesson.” He held up one finger dramatically. “Never bet more than you can afford to lose!”

  The disciples were speechless.

  Elder Jian’s eye twitched as he mumbled under his breath. “Damn rigged dice… cheating bastards…”

  Lan Ji leaned toward Han Ye. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a man so dedicated to losing money.”

  Han Ye just sighed.

  Elder Meng, looking utterly defeated, motioned for the next elder. “Elder Ji, please introduce yourself.”

  There was silence.

  Everyone turned to look around, searching for Elder Ji.

  Finally, they spotted him lying under a tree, completely sprawled out on the grass, staring at the sky.

  “…Elder Ji?” Elder Meng called out again.

  Elder Ji waved a zy hand in the air. “Yeah, yeah, I hear you. I’m Elder Ji. I’m in charge of meditation and spiritual cultivation… but really, I just believe in the importance of rexation.”

  Han Ye frowned. “Rexation?”

  Elder Ji nodded sagely. “That’s right. Life is stressful. Cultivation is stressful. Why rush? Why fight? Just lie down and let the world move around you.”

  Lan Ji nodded in approval. “Now this is a philosophy I can respect.”

  Han Ye groaned. “Of course you would.”

  Finally, after what felt like an eternity of absurdity, the st person stepped forward. Unlike the others, this man radiated a heavy presence—one of absolute exhaustion. His expression was that of a man who had long since given up hope, and his dark circles suggested that he hadn’t slept in years.

  “This is our Vice Sect Master, Xi,” Elder Meng introduced.

  Vice Sect Master Xi pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed deeply. “I’m too tired for this.”

  That was all he said.

  Silence hung in the air.

  Elder Meng smiled nervously. “Ah… he has a very difficult job, you see. Managing the sect is not easy, especially with the… unique individuals we have as elders.”

  Han Ye nodded. “Yeah. I can see that.”

  Xi rubbed his temples. “Let me be blunt. This sect is a mess. Our Sect Master is gone. Our funds are gone. The world mocks us. And now, I’m stuck managing a bunch of drunk, zy, gambling-addicted, crying old men.”

  The elders all avoided eye contact.

  “I should have left years ago,” Xi muttered under his breath. “I could have joined another sect. I could have lived a peaceful life. But noooo, I had to be loyal to this disaster.”

  Han Ye raised an eyebrow. “So… if the Sect Master is gone, does that mean you’re in charge now?”

  Xi let out a hollow ugh. “Hah! Me? In charge? No, no, no. That would make sense! And nothing about this sect ever makes sense!” He sighed heavily. “For now, we’ll just do our best to survive. And that means training you new disciples properly.”

  Han Ye crossed his arms. “Well, at least you’re competent.”

  Xi let out a bitter chuckle. “You say that now, but give it time.”

  With that, the introductions were finally over.

  The disciples were left standing there, trying to process the sheer ridiculousness of their new home.

  Lan Ji stretched. “Well, this should be fun.”

  Han Ye groaned. “You have a weird definition of fun.”

  But deep down, despite all the chaos, he had to admit…

  This was going to be one interesting journey.