<div> Chapter 25: The core disciples
 Ti Xhin rolled his eyes but led the way. "You don’t keep Elder Lin waiting unless you want a lesson in humility carved into your soul. Both of you, move it."
 Chu Ha hurried after him, while Lin Mao lagged just enough to steal a glance at her—her robe swaying with every move, her hair bouncing with every step.
 Core disciple, huh? he thought, smirking. Guess I’ve got a partner in crime now. He caught up, walking beside her as they trailed Ti Xhin.
 The trio hurried down the corridors of Sky Moon Pavilion and stopped in front of a wide, intricately carved door.
 "Here we are," Ti Xhin said, his voice dropping into that scholarly tone again. He slid the door open and turned to them with warm smile. "After you, Junior Brother, Junior Sister."
 Lin Mao stepped inside, and his eyes widened slightly as he took in the scene. The room was spacious, lit by soft lantern light that casted a warm glow over the low tables and cushions arranged in a circle.
 A faint scent of incense hung in the air—sandalwood, maybe?—giving it a vibe that was equal parts serene and intimidating. And there, scattered across the cushions, were the other core disciples, already waiting.
 Showtime, Lin Mao thought, sizing them up.
 First up was a guy lounging near the center. He wore black hanfu, his posture so relaxed that it bordered on arrogant. His dark eyes flicked to Lin Mao, sizing him up with a lazy smirk.
 "Well, well," he said, voice smooth as silk but edged with mockery. "The infamous Lin Mao finally graces us. Thought you’d sleep through this one too."
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 </div> Lin Mao grinned, unfazed. "Nah, just fashionably late. Who’re you, pretty boy?"
 Ti Xhin stepped in before the guy could snap back. "That’s Wei Shun, Junior Brother Wei. Master of poetry under Elder Feng Xixuan. You might’ve heard of his three-hour moon poem."
 Wei Shun’s smirk widened. "Heard of it? I’d wager he’s still crying over his own poetry flop."
 Lin Mao snorted, dropping onto a cushion with a casual flop. "Keep dreaming, Wei. I’ve got better things to cry over."
 Chu Ha giggled, settling beside Lin Mao with her usual grace.
 "Next," Ti xhin moved on, nodding toward a girl perched near the window, her nose buried in a scroll. She was striking—pale skin, sharp green eyes that peeked over the paper, and auburn hair pulled into a messy bun.
 Her hanfu was a deep blue, slightly wrinkled, like she’d been up all night studying. She glanced up, her gaze piercing and unimpressed.
 "This is Mei Lian, Junior Sister Mei," Ti Xhin said. "Also under Elder Feng Xixuan. She’s the one who challenged Wei Shun—and nearly won."
 Mei Lian rolled her eyes, lowering the scroll just enough to speak. "Nearly? I should’ve won if Wei didn’t bribe the judges with his charm." Her voice was dry, cutting, and Lin Mao instantly liked her.
 "Bribe?" Wei Shun shot back, leaning forward. "That’s rich coming from the girl who quoted the same stanza three times."
 Lin Mao laughed, loud and unfiltered. "Oh, I’m gonna like you two. Keep fighting—it’s free entertainment."
 Ti Xhin sighed, gesturing to a quieter figure in the corner. "Over there is Liang Bo, Junior Brother Liang. Under Elder Xin Juanghing, studying diplomacy and strategy."
 Liang Bo looked up, offering a small, polite nod. He was lean, almost nerdy, with soft brown eyes and curly hair that fell into his face
 "Greetings, Brother Lin, Sister Chu Ha," he said. Lin Mao’s mind flashed to Chu Ha’s gossip—this was the guy sneaking out for forbidden love? He didn’t look the type, but that just made it juicier.
 "Sup, Liang," Lin Mao said, grinning. "Got any tips for dodging elders?"
 Liang Bo smiled faintly. "Uh... keep your head down and your mouth shut?"
 "Too late for that," Lin Mao replied, earning a chuckle from Chu Ha.
 Ti Xhin pressed on, nodding toward a woman leaning against the far wall, her presence commanding attention without even trying. She was all curves and confidence, her crimson hanfu clinging to her tightly, the slit up the side revealing a glimpse of a toned thigh that made Lin Mao’s eyebrows shoot up.
 Her dark hair cascaded in loose waves, her juicy lips and smoky eyes screaming experience—definitely MILF territory, though she couldn’t be much older than her late 20s here.
 The woman caught his stare and smirked, a slow, sultry smile that promised trouble.
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 </div> "That’s Xiao Rui, Junior Sister Xiao," Ti Xhin said, his tone a little tighter, like he knew she was a wildcard. "Under Elder Yi Jin Ah, studying philosophy. Don’t let her looks fool you—she’s lethal with a blade."
 Lin Mao grinned wider, leaning forward. "Lethal, huh? I’m into it. Hey, Senior Sister Xiao Rui, you ever spar with words instead of swords? I’ve got some verses that’d make you blush."
 Xiao Rui’s smirk deepened, her voice a low, velvet purr. "Keep dreaming, Lin Mao. I’d cut your tongue out before it got that far."
 "Promises, promises," he shot back, unfazed, already imagining her in one of his scrolls—The Blade Mistress’s Secret Desires, maybe.
 Ti Xhin cleared his throat, moving on quickly. "And this is Qian Yu, Junior Sister Qian," he said, gesturing to a smaller figure hunched over a pile of books near the table.
𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦 She was the nerdy type—glasses perched on her nose, ink smudges on her fingers, and a plain brown hanfu that looked simple than fashionable. Her black hair was tied back in a tight braid, and her concentration was fully on her notes, oblivious to the room until Ti Xhin spoke.
 She looked up, blinking owlishly through her lenses, her hazel eyes sharp but shy.
 "Uh... hi," Qian Yu mumbled, adjusting her glasses. "I’m under Elder Lin FengXing, studying ancient texts and linguistics. I, um, don’t talk much." She ducked her head back toward her book, clearly hoping to vanish into it.
 Lin Mao chuckled. "No worries, Qian Yu. You’ve got that ’quiet genius’ vibe—I respect it. Lemme know if you ever wanna co-write something spicy with those old texts."
 Qian Yu’s face turned red, and she buried it deeper in her book, while Xiao Rui let out a laugh. "You’re bold, I’ll give you that," She said, crossing her arms under her chest—deliberately, Lin Mao was sure.</div>
 

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Chapter 25: The core disciples

Chapter 25: The core disciples Ti Xhin rolled his eyes but led the way. "You don’t keep Elder Lin waiting unless you want a lesson in humility carved into your soul. Both of you, move it." Chu Ha hurried after him, while Lin Mao lagged just enough to steal a glance at her—her robe swaying with every move, her hair bouncing with every step. Core disciple, huh? he thought, smirking. Guess I’ve got a partner in crime now. He caught up, walking beside her as they trailed Ti Xhin. The trio hurried...

Reincarnated as a Scholar: But I only write Erotica

Chapter 25: The core disciples

Reincarnated as a Scholar: But I only write Erotica - Chapter 25: The core disciples