Lingxiao Giant City, Tiger Hall, Shen Qinghong's residence.
The lattice window stood half-open, afternoon sunlight spilling inside.
The furnishings were simple yet grand. Archives and letters were piled like mountains across the bookshelves and desk.
Shen Qinghong sat behind a broad rosewood desk, her silver hair still pinned up with nothing more than a wooden hairpin. In her hands was a document concerning a dispute over the transfer of a certain Dragon Hall property.
Ever since the dust had settled on the Dragon Tiger Tournament and the Sect Leader had explicitly ordered the two halls to begin integrating, the work on her desk had not diminished. Instead, it had only grown more complicated and thorny.
How could centuries of grudges be easily erased by a single written order?
The division of interests, personnel reassignment, settling old grievances, establishing new rules... every single matter tugged at the nerves of countless people.
The merger of the Dragon and Tiger Halls was far more than a change of name. The waters involved ran deep indeed.
Just then, brisk footsteps sounded outside, followed by Mei Yingxue's voice. "Master! Your disciple has returned."
Shen Qinghong raised her eyes and said calmly, "Come in."
The door was pushed open. Mei Yingxue wore a goose-yellow tight-fitting outfit, dusty from travel but brimming with energy.
She first gave Shen Qinghong a proper bow. When she raised her head, a smile had already crept onto her lips.
"Master, this disciple has not failed your mission!" Her voice was light, carrying a trace of modest pride.
Shen Qinghong set down the document in her hand, her gaze falling upon her disciple's face. "Oh?"
She seemed to have guessed something from Mei Yingxue's expression. "...That old fellow agreed to come?"
As she asked, a flicker of surprise passed through Shen Qinghong's