As Wu Guang expected, the two he met during the tournament were waiting for him near the residence. The fact that they were not inside meant that either they wanted to show respect, or what was more likely, were not allowed inside by Yuan Taotu.

Wu Guang decided to quickly confirm the fact of their team and mission to finish this troublesome issue. At least it was how it felt for him, so he took the initiative

"Hello there. Sorry for being late, if it's okay let's discuss it inside"

Without waiting for an answer, Wu Guang entered the residence while motioning for them to follow. And as he could not discuss the matter without Yuan Taotu present, Wu Guang excused himself for a bit. Leaving the pair in the hall room that doubled as their reception and meal room, he went towards the back of the residence. Towards the small room where the orb was placed now they used for cultivation.

Yuan Taotu was indeed in there and after mentioning the reason for Wu Guang to come, Yuan Taotu simply nodded and stood up. Seemingly he was indeed informed of the changes in their team, at least for the next three weeks or so.

The talk between the new team or basically between Wu Guang and Kuang Jing was a bit longer than expected. As for why between the two of them, it was because Yuan Taotu was silent as usual. And surprisingly the bandit who introduced himself as 'Ex-Bandit' Wei had a similar silent manner. So in the end, only two people talked during most of this time. Still, everything to be was indeed discussed. And the two silent members still interjected when needed, so it could be said that everyone participated.

Surprisingly, Wu Guang found that their talk was not so bad as he expected. Even more, Kuang Jing had an intellect on par with his looks and so there were none of the dumb questions, personal stories, anecdotes, and other things that could be expected from the meeting of four youths.

Except for the fact that both believed that Wu Guang was the one who recommended them for such a mission. Also that he went so far as to register them into his team. The latter as they surprisingly were not members of any established one. In any case, Wu Guang did not dispel this confusion of theirs, as that at least solved the issue of leadership and commands.

This discussion also touched on the details about the reward for the mission. And only then he understood the reason why both of them did have no issues with this sudden development. In truth, it could be also the reason for Yuan Taotu silent approval. The mission information that arrived alongside the invitation to his team promised the pair 500 points to each. Plus for the mission duration all of their expenses, including the stay in 'Coastal Hill City' would be fully covered. And as an added bonus, all of their supplies and expendables used during it would be reimbursed by the Sect as well.

By talking with them Wu Guang felt that these new members were pretty decent. So he dismissed his initial plan of showing them off right away. In place, he even discussed how they would fight if it was needed. After finding that all of them were close-quarters combatants, he concluded that he would need to mainly use the bow. As to somewhat complement the total lack of ranged techniques and weaponry.

In truth, this did not help resolve the issue of them being totally unfamiliar with each other. Something as such could not be resolved with a simple talk. So Wu Guang proposed that they should try and find either a group training or a short mission. In the case that neither was available in time, then they would plan a joint spar, albeit this would be not so effective.

After finishing discussing all this and confirming that there was nothing more to be discussed about the mission, Wu Guang intended to send them off. But his words were stopped by Kuang Jing's proposal of meeting for dinner each day during the preparation period. The proposal was sound and indeed they would need to meet to discuss how they would train together or if any other thing arose. Taking into account these reasons and the fact that the new additions were not so bad, Wu Guang accepted it fairly easier than he expected.

Wei and Kuang Jing lived in the dormitories of the Inner Circle so the only place they could meet was either one of the public ones or the residence. After considering the options Wu Guang had to accept that the residence was a far better option and in the end, it was decided that the pair would swing by around dinner every day starting from tomorrow. If they would dine or not was discussed but Wu Guang was not worried about the fact, after all, he intended to use the days for training and Yuan Taotu would probably do the same. So as they would not cook anyway, buying prepared meals for two more was not a problem.

Only after this sudden proposal did Wu Guang manage to send them off. And to make it palatable, he explained that he and Yuan Taotu had a planned visit to the Mission Hall. In truth, they had not planned anything, but Wu Guang came to the conclusion that they indeed should go visit it. After all, they should register for the mission right away, as well to check if they could exchange some of their resources. So after the pair left and as well explaining the reasons to Yuan Taotu, both of them agreed to go there right away as to don't lose any further time.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Previously he did not have the opportunity to ask about Yuan Taotu's thoughts on this situation and so Wu Guang decided to do so while they walked. The answer he received was mostly along the line of what he expected, for the benefits. Still, the benefits Yuan Taotu spoke about were totally different from the ones Wu Guang thought. They were not about points or days outside. Neither was it because of the opportunity to attend the 'Autumn Riches'. With the latter even being a reason for Wu Guang, after all, there would be a lot of different resources being traded.

"I came to the sect because of a reason. During the night I spent outside in training I was approached by an enforcer... or at least a black-clothed and iron-badged elder, who said that he can help me solve it. But his help would come at a cost. The cost of my full help until the 'Three Hills Tournament' starts" Yuan Taotu answer was still said in his usual half-whisper but the number of details and words would be normally surprising to hear from him. Although this went unnoticed by Wu Guang, as he was far more interested in Yuan Taotu's reason. Well, at least more than in wondering why the latter started speaking as a normal person.

Wu Guang knew that prying was not the right way and also that Yuan Taotu would have told him if he could and so in place of asking about the reason, he asked

"I see. I trust that you now know about the current investigation?"

"Yes"

"Were you asked to do anything except help keep an eye on me and the surroundings?"

"No, but if it's a danger... I can not run from it if I can really help you"

"Thank you. When I finish this and if I can, I will help you if you need it" Wu Guang was not an altruist and in truth, he did not want to become involved in anything except his own issues. But seeing that Yuan Taotu was throwing into such a dangerous matter. Even if taking into account that it was because of his own reasons, Wu Guang considered that he should repay the favor if he could.

"Thanks"

The conversation finished right on time as they had arrived at their destination, the Inner Circle Mission Hall.

Wu Guang had already laid out the reasons for their visit. So he separated from Yuan Taotu. With the latter tasked to search for any mission that could be completed by the team. As well for at least a mission or two for exchanging his own stash of the expedition loot.

As for Wu Guang, his objectives would be to first officially accept the escort mission and do the same. Although in his case, the resources missions should be far easier to find. After all, Elder Mo had them be prepared and assigned to him already.

Considering that missions assigned to a disciple or team would obviously not hang out in the open, Wu Guang asked the disciple who was tending the entrance about such procedure. Seemingly it was not such a rare case as the disciple explained it right away. And so Wu Guang was directed towards a small office nearby.

After knocking and receiving an answer from inside to enter, he did so and found himself in a small office that albeit full of scrolls was extremely neat and ordered. To the point of that, every scroll present was carefully laid on the shelves along the walls, with none placed without order as one could expect. The person in charge of the personal requests and missions similarly was as one could expect from such a workplace. It was an old outer elder dressed in the normal sect uniform. But so clean and tidy it seemed almost unnatural.

"Inner Disciple Wu Guang greets the Elder"

"Come in. How can this elder help you?"

"I have been assigned a pair of direct requests about herbs and beast materials. Seemingly they were short of them and I have some on my hands. To not buy them from me outside and break the rules, it was done via the Mission Hall" Wu Guang had decided to start with his personal matters first while his explanation came from Elder Mo.

"I see. Give me a moment" As the elder said this he slowly and carefully opened a ledger he took from the desk. And only after a few breaths, he seemingly located what he wanted. Then he returned the book to its place. And everything was done with extremely slow and careful movements. Then he rose up from the chair and walked towards one of the shelves located along the right side of the room and took three scrolls which were then placed on the desk.

"These are the requests in question. Please check the scrolls" The elder said this only after assuming his previous position sitted behind the desk.