Han Yu could not help but chuckle at the scene. "Come on, we should go eat now. If we wait any longer, Fatty Kui might actually try eating the tent."

At this, Fatty Kui sat up, his hair sticking up like a wild bush and his eyes bleary.

"Tent? If it were cooked right, I might consider it. But why settle for canvas when there is roast meat waiting?" He sprang to his feet with surprising energy, his hunger fueling him more than any pill.

Wu Shuan shook his head, but the tightness around his shoulders eased.

He gave a small nod. "Fine. Let us eat before he truly causes trouble."

Together, the three of them walked toward the nearest firepit.

The night was alive with chatter. Disciples from different peaks were gathered around large iron cauldrons and spits where meat sizzled over open flames. The smell of roasted beast meat mixed with steaming bowls of spirit rice and thick spirit vegetable/herb stews made Han Yu's mouth water.

They joined the line, Fatty Kui bouncing on his heels like a child impatient for sweets.

When the food was finally handed out, Fatty Kui did not hesitate to pile his plate higher than anyone else's. He carried a mountain of meat skewers, bowls of rice, and more than one jug of soup back to their seats. Wu Shuan ate at a steady pace, while Han Yu took more moderate portions, savoring the warmth of the food after so much exhaustion.

It was not long before curious faces began to gather around them. Other disciples leaned over from nearby firepits or approached directly, their eyes bright with curiosity. Word had spread quickly through the camp.

"You were the ones who found the repository, right?" one disciple asked.

"And fought the Mist Eye Sect disciples?" another added eagerly.

Han Yu and Wu Shuan exchanged glances.

The details of their expedition had been passed up to the elders, but naturally, not everything had been revealed to the general disciples. What they knew was fragmented at best. Rumors had flown faster than wildfire, and it was only natural that everyone wanted to hear the truth straight from those who had been there.

"They say you were outnumbered three to one," someone whispered. "How did you even survive, let alone win?"

Before Han Yu could think of a measured response, Fatty Kui slammed down a half-eaten skewer and puffed out his chest.

"Hah! You should have seen it! Han Yu was brilliant. He tricked those Mist Eye dogs with his poisons, had them coughing and stumbling before they even knew what hit them."

Han Yu stiffened slightly, a flush rising to his cheeks. "Fatty Kui…" he began, but the man was already in full flow, his eyes wide with excitement as he gestured animatedly.

"He made smoke so thick they could not see straight. They panicked, struck at shadows, and the next thing you know, they were collapsing left and right. Even when one of them got too close, Han Yu did not flinch. He even inhaled some of his own poison just to bait them into thinking he was weak. That is the kind of courage he has!"

A chorus of gasps and murmurs spread among the disciples.

Han Yu felt his ears burn. He could not very well tell them that the truth had been different. His victory had come from his soul cultivation, something he could never reveal. Yet technically, Fatty Kui's words were not entirely lies. For them, he had used smoke and poison and he had even inhaled a little himself.

So Han Yu simply smiled faintly, letting the misunderstanding grow.

The disciples leaned closer, eyes wide with admiration and a touch of unease. "To think Han Yu was this daring," one whispered.

Another shuddered lightly. "If he can poison people that easily, then no one would ever escape if he truly wanted someone dead."

Their awe was mingled with fear, and Han Yu could feel the energy stirring in the air around them. His unique sensitivity allowed him to sense the faint motes of Eight Emotions energy drifting toward him.

Several Violet Wisps of Fear floated near, joined by faint Grey wisps of Surprise and subtle green motes of Trust. The disciples respected his cleverness, feared his ruthlessness, and trusted his loyalty to the sect all at once.

Han Yu kept his expression calm as he absorbed the energies without showing it. Inside, however, he was slightly amused.

Who would have thought that Fatty Kui's bragging could actually fuel his cultivation in this indirect way?

Wu Shuan ate quietly through the exchange, though Han Yu noticed the faint quirk of his lips. The usually stoic man seemed slightly entertained at seeing Han Yu cornered by his own companion's exaggerations.

The conversation around the fire carried on, with disciples asking more about the repository, though Han Yu and Wu Shuan were careful with their answers. They spoke of traps and old cauldrons, of shelves filled with dusty books and the danger of ancient arrays, but left the most sensitive parts unspoken.

By the end of the meal, Fatty Kui had polished off nearly twice as much as anyone else, leaning back with a satisfied sigh. "Ah, this is the life. Fighting during the day, eating like a king at night."

Han Yu shook his head. "If you eat any more, you will be rolling back to the tent instead of walking."

Fatty Kui grinned, patting his belly proudly. "Rolling takes less effort. Maybe I will try it."

Laughter spread among the nearby disciples, easing the lingering tension of their questions. The campfire crackled, sending sparks into the dark sky. For the first time since entering the repository, Han Yu felt a sense of normalcy return.

Still, beneath that warmth, he could not ignore the lingering eyes of those who now looked at him differently. Admiration and fear mixed in their gazes, and though it made him uncomfortable, Han Yu knew it was inevitable.

Power always changed how people viewed you.

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