Though Su Chan was new to the world and possessed little experience, merely hearing the title of the opera, Wang Erjie Longs for Her Husband, told her exactly what it was about. Her eyes immediately went wide as she exclaimed, "Our Patriarch just died, and they’re putting on a play like this? This... isn't this too inappropriate?"

Li Yundong drew a deep breath. A faint displeasure was already brewing in his heart. No matter what, the Fox Zen Sect had just suffered a massive shock; it was one thing for them not to observe mourning rites, but to actually perform such a lowbrow piece was truly detestable!

Li Yundong’s face darkened. He coughed once; the sound wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly to every disciple of the Fox Zen Sect.

Cao Yi, having the deepest cultivation among them, immediately let out a sharp cry, "Who!" Throwing aside whatever she held, she sprang toward the direction the sound had come from.

Just as she was about to strike, she abruptly saw Li Yundong standing in the gloom, his gaze sharp and fixed upon her.

Cao Yi started in shock, halting her movement instantly. She quickly bowed respectfully, "Sect Master!" Then, she offered a slight, pleasant nod to Su Chan standing beside Li Yundong.

Li Yundong gave her a curt nod with his grave expression, and Su Chan respectfully performed the salutation toward Cao Yi.

After returning the greeting, Cao Yi turned to address the other fellow disciples who were rushing over. "No need to worry, it’s the Sect Master who has returned."

Upon hearing that their newly appointed Sect Master was back, the disciples of the Fox Zen Sect all let out a sigh of relief and came forward to pay their respects to Li Yundong.

After returning the greetings one by one, Li Yundong waved his hand at them. "You all go about your business. Cao Yi, stay behind for a moment; I have a few things I need to ask."

Cao Yi nodded, instructing the other disciples to leave before turning back to Li Yundong with deference. "What are the Sect Master's orders?"

Li Yundong asked in a deep voice, "I honestly did not wish to interfere. Moreover, having just taken charge of the Fox Zen Sect, I am essentially walking in the dark. If you hadn't insisted repeatedly, I would never have become your Sect Master. But since I am the Sect Master now, I must ask: why, after the great upheaval the Fox Zen Sect has experienced and the recent passing of the former Sect Master, are you openly staging this kind of opera? Don't you think it's entirely ill-timed?"

Seeing Li Yundong's consistently grim expression and unfriendly gaze, Cao Yi felt a knot of anxiety tighten in her stomach.

Although Li Yundong was young, the Fox Zen disciples had all witnessed him single-handedly holding off powerful enemies from major sects. Therefore, whenever Li Yundong put on a serious face, Cao Yi, despite her age, felt that this young Sect Master exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without needing anger—an aura that was deeply unsettling and fearful.

Hearing Li Yundong’s words, she immediately relaxed and chuckled. "Sect Master, you are unaware of the circumstances. For us cultivators, death is like a lamp being extinguished; once the physical body is ruined, we can simply find a place to bury it anywhere. In truth, we don't place much importance on these funeral rites. It was merely the former Sect Master’s specific instruction that if he passed away, we were to follow local custom and observe his vigil for one night, accompanied by one night of opera."

Li Yundong frowned. "Even if you must sing opera, must it be The Little Widow Visits the Grave and Wang Erjie Longs for Her Husband!"

Cao Yi gave a dry laugh. "But those were the former Sect Master’s absolute favorites to listen to!"

Li Yundong sucked in a sharp breath, thinking to himself: So, the rot starts from the top!

Li Yundong managed a wry smile. "So that is how it is. I misjudged you all. However, you’ve just come through a fierce battle; everyone should rest now."

Cao Yi smiled sweetly. "The Sect Master shows consideration for us, and we disciples naturally honor that. But the former Sect Master’s command was given first; I beg your forgiveness, but disciples cannot disrespect it. After all, a master’s order is as weighty as a mountain. We hope the Sect Master can understand!"

Li Yundong sighed. "Very well then, but please, choose something else to sing. Don't keep performing these pieces; the reputation of the sect will suffer if this gets out."

Cao Yi offered a strained smile. "Our Fox Zen Sect is a hidden lineage. Except for Sister Wushuang, no one else has ever descended the mountain or passed the sect gate. Everyone else has grown up here since childhood. Everything we know, including these few operas, was taught to us by the Sect Master, our former Martial Uncle. He taught us a few, and that’s all we know..."

Li Yundong couldn't help but interrupt her. "Are you saying that besides these handful of plays, you know nothing else?"

Cao Yi nodded emphatically.

Li Yundong couldn't help but press his throbbing temples with his hand. With an expression of utter defeat, he said with a bitter smile, "Forget it, then. Don't sing the operas. You’ve already performed them, after all. Just keep the vigil and do something else to substitute. What did the former Sect Master enjoy doing in his life? You can do that for him instead."

Cao Yi considered this and replied, "That works too!" With that, she turned and called out loudly, "Everyone, pay attention! The Sect Master says we don't need to sing anymore. We will do some of the things the former Sect Master loved most while he was alive to serve as his vigil."

The disciples of the Fox Zen Sect roared their agreement. They scrambled to dismantle the opera stage, then, in a flurry of activity, they hauled many tables and chairs from the Daoist temple and set them up before the spirit platform.

Li Yundong watched, dumbfounded, as they assembled the tables and chairs, draped wide tablecloths over the surfaces, and two disciples slammed four leather suitcases onto the tops. Then, the group happily began setting up the Great Wall.

Li Yundong stammered, "What are they doing?"

Cao Yi blinked her eyes and said, "Playing Mahjong! The former Sect Master loved playing Mahjong the most!"

Li Yundong nearly fainted. He groaned, shielding his eyes with his hand, and waved dismissively. "Forget it, forget it, I can't manage you people! Do as you wish."

Cao Yi said, "Oh," and was about to turn away when Li Yundong remembered the trouble he had stirred up at Xiyuan Temple. He said, "By the way, does the Fox Zen Sect have any readily available liquid funds right now?"

Who knew that the moment Li Yundong mentioned money, Cao Yi immediately began a litany of woes. "Ah, Sect Master, you’ve touched on our sore spot! The sect's finances were always managed by the Sect Master. The former Sect Master, Liu Ye, held all the money; we don't have a single cent on us! Never mind anything else, look out here—besides our own sect members, there are some temporary performers hired from outside, and this stage and spirit platform were all rented on credit. We haven't paid for any of it yet!"

Li Yundong was stunned. "What? There are singing performers on this mountain who can be hired as guest artists? And things like stages and spirit platforms can be rented?"

Cao Yi looked at Li Yundong with complete bewilderment. "Tianlong Mountain is a tourist spot. There are many shops nearby, many of which specialize in conducting rituals and ceremonies. These people moonlight as monks or Daoists when they have nothing else to do, and occasionally they even moonlight as opera performers..."

As Cao Yi spoke, she launched back into her complaints. "Oh, Sect Master, you have no idea how unscrupulous these people are! They charge five hundred for a spirit platform and stage for just one night! This—isn't this robbery? These are people we see every day, and they charge so much! How can we possibly afford that?"

Li Yundong was stunned silent when he heard this: What kind of situation is this? I came here thinking I could get a little something from them, and instead, they’re shaking me down? This is too much!

As if not noticing Li Yundong’s expression, Cao Yi sighed. "Everyone in the Fox Zen Sect, from top to bottom, is counting on you now. I won't say anything more, but please, at least cover the costs for the stage and the spirit platform!"

Li Yundong instinctively patted his pocket and pulled out a small stack of red banknotes. He always carried these for self-defense, having grown accustomed to poverty. He thought: I am their Sect Master, after all. I can't appear too stingy. It's not much money anyway; I’ll just cover it for now and retrieve it later.

Cao Yi was overjoyed and took the money, about to turn away when she suddenly remembered something. She turned back and said, "By the way, Sect Master, you might want to check the former Sect Master Liu Ye's room. He managed all the Fox Zen Sect’s finances, and he usually keeps an inventory list stored in his bookshelf. You'll know everything once you see it."

Li Yundong finally felt some reassurance, thinking: Thank goodness there are assets left behind. If I had to account for a massive deficit on my very first day as this strange Sect Master, I’d be miserable! Never mind the rest, just supporting more than a dozen people on my own would bankrupt me quickly!

Li Yundong waved his hand at Cao Yi. "I understand. You go ahead with what you're doing. I’ll go take a look at the former Sect Master's study myself."

Cao Yi smiled and turned to leave. Just as she reached the center of the practice area, the other disciples shouted to her from the side, "Martial Aunt Cao Yi, hurry up! We’re one short here!"

Cao Yi immediately ran over full of excitement, plopped down, and began setting up the tiles with practiced ease. After drawing just a few cards, she burst out laughing, slapped down her tiles, and shouted, "**, Big Three Dragons, one suit! Pay up, pay up!"

Li Yundong stared, his eyes fixed. Could she be using the money I gave her to gamble? Didn't she say they had no money?

As he was thinking this, he indeed heard the other disciples crying out in misery. "Sixth Martial Aunt, your hand is too ruthless! How are we supposed to give you money?"

Cao Yi stood up, waving the money in her hand. "Here, the Sect Master is benevolent and specially gave us this money. Everyone, take some to use first!"

The female disciples were overjoyed, swarming forward to divide the money completely, then cupped their hands toward Li Yundong from a distance in thanks, showering him with praise.

Li Yundong was utterly dumbfounded. Seeing them salute him in gratitude, he could only force out a smile, returning the salute dryly.

Su Chan, watching his expression, wanted to laugh but dared not. She kept her head lowered, her shoulders simply shaking uncontrollably.

Li Yundong felt completely defeated by this group from the Fox Zen Sect. He glared at Su Chan with mock anger. "Laugh! Laugh your head off! Is this your Fox Zen Sect? What kind of people are these! Each one is more unreliable than the last!"

Su Chan giggled softly. "It’s no use telling me. I left the sect when I was very young, and after returning, I never stepped outside. How would I know what my martial aunts and martial siblings are like?"

Li Yundong rubbed his temples and turned toward the back courtyard of the Daoist temple. But after walking a short distance, he heard Cao Yi laugh out loud again: "Hu La! All in the Same Suit, Concealed Hand! Pay up, pay up!"

The disciples on the other three sides wailed together. "Sixth Martial Aunt, you must be cheating! How can you get both Big Three Dragons and All in the Same Suit again?"

"Exactly! Besides, this is a whole bill—how are we supposed to give you money?"

"Are you an idiot? Can't you use scissors to cut it into pieces and give it bit by bit?"

"Hey, Third Martial Sister is indeed clever and quick-witted! Great idea!"

Li Yundong almost stumbled. He spun around abruptly, his face a mask of frustration, wanting desperately to shout, Clever and quick-witted my foot! That’s money! Do you think those are white paper chips?

Just as the words reached his throat, he heard Cao Yi shout: "Are you all idiots? Can you cut money? Can you use it after cutting it? Can't you use tree twigs as chips? We can settle the tally after the game!"

The other disciples immediately laughed and praised in unison, "Sixth Martial Aunt is indeed clever and quick-witted! What a brilliant idea, brilliant idea!"

Li Yundong swallowed the words that were on his tongue, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and looked at this group of quick-witted Fox Zen disciples with resignation, shaking his head before continuing on his way.

But after taking a few steps, he heard the female disciple who had suggested cutting the money shout loudly: "Hahahaha, Heaven’s Hand! Sixth Martial Aunt, no matter how great your Big Three Dragons or All in the Same Suit, it can’t compare to my round of Heaven's Hand! Pay up, pay up!"

The other three cursed in unison. "Heaven’s Hand? I'm the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, for all you know! Do you think you’re the Celestial Mystery Black Fox?"

"You scoundrel! Losing everything in one hand!"

"No money left, what do we do?"

"Hey, right! The Sect Master has money! Let’s go borrow from him!"

"Right, right! Where is the Sect Master? Where is the Sect Master?"

"Hey, Sect Master, where are you? Hey, Sect Master, please wait! We have something to discuss with you!"

Hearing these words, Li Yundong dared not linger. His steps became swift, moving faster and faster, fleeing like someone escaping vengeful spirits until he was gone.

He took several turns and shook off the pursuing crowd. Only then did he clasp his hands over his head and let out a cry of agony: "Heavens, are you kidding me? Is there no limit to this absurdity? These people are completely undisciplined!"

Su Chan could hold it in no longer at this point and burst into loud laughter.