The private room was large.

A round table of rosewood. A carved screen. A landscape painting on the wall—the ink washed in varying shades, a small seal stamped on the signature.

Su Cheng arrived before the food.

But everyone was already there.

Big Senior Sister Shen Hanyan sat at the head of the table. A cup of tea sat in front of her, already cold—meaning she had been there a while. She wasn't wearing a suit today. Instead, a dark gray cashmere coat. Her hair loosely pinned at the back. Less sharp than usual. A little softer.

But between her brows, she was still unreadable.

Third Senior Sister Tang Tang sat beside her, texting on her phone without looking up. She had just come off a flight—still in her uniform. Dark blue flight attendant suit, a gold thread embroidered on the cuff. Su Cheng knew that mark. It meant captain.

Seventh Senior Sister Lin Zhi stood by the window, looking out at the street. She heard the door, turned—and smiled.

"You're here."

Ninth Senior Sister Bai Lu sat in the far corner. A glass of water in front of her. No phone. No window. Just the door.

When Su Cheng walked in, she lifted the glass, took a sip, and said nothing.

Su Cheng's gaze passed over each of their faces.

It struck him suddenly—this might be the last time they all sat together. Around him.

"Sit." Big Senior Sister tilted her chin.

Su Cheng sat down.

One seat remained empty—Fourth Senior Brother Ling Yun had said he would come, but hadn't arrived yet.

"Where's Fourth Senior Brother?"

"Traffic," Big Senior Sister said flatly. "Don't wait for him. Let's eat."

Before the words settled, the door pushed open again.

Ling Yun walked in wearing a crisp suit, briefcase in hand, hair slightly messy—like he'd rushed from somewhere.

"Everyone's here." He sat down and nodded at Su Cheng. "Little Junior Brother."

"Fourth Senior Brother."

The dishes came out one by one.

The mood wasn't as heavy as Su Cheng had imagined.

Third Senior Sister talked the whole time—about the routes she flew, about which airport lounge had the best coffee, about the time a billionaire in first class insisted on switching seats with her.

"What did you say?" Seventh Senior Sister asked.

"I said—sir, I'm the one flying this plane."

The whole table laughed.

Su Cheng laughed too.

He noticed something in everyone's smile. Something they were holding back. Hidden in the lines at the corners of their eyes and mouths.

Halfway through the meal.

Big Senior Sister set down her chopsticks.

She pulled a card from her bag. Black. No markings. She slid it across to Su Cheng.

"When you're out there, don't skimp."

Su Cheng looked at the card.

"Big Senior Sister, I have money..."

"I know you do." Shen Hanyan's tone left no room for argument. "But yours is yours. What I'm giving is mine. Take it."

"Take it," Ling Yun said, picking up some food. "Big Senior Sister's card has no limit."

Su Cheng was silent for two seconds. Then he put the card in his pocket.

"Thank you, Big Senior Sister."

Shen Hanyan didn't answer. She lifted her teacup and took a sip.

A moment later, Third Senior Sister stood up and walked over to Su Cheng.

She reached out to adjust his collar—her fingers light, as if afraid to wrinkle the fabric.

"Don't let any other flight attendant upgrade you."

Su Cheng looked up at her.

Tang Tang smiled faintly. "I already made the arrangements. When you fly my routes, first class is yours. But I can't cover other airlines."

"Understood, Third Senior Sister."

"Good."

She patted his shoulder and returned to her seat.

Seventh Senior Sister sat nearby. She had barely touched her food.

Su Cheng glanced at her bowl. Two bites of rice, nothing more.

"Seventh Senior Sister, you should eat."

Lin Zhi shook her head. "Not hungry."

A moment later, she suddenly stood up and walked over to him.

Then she hugged him.

The room went quiet for a moment.

She was half a head shorter than him. When she hugged him, her face pressed against the hollow of his shoulder.

"You have to come back often."

Her voice was muffled.

Su Cheng gently patted her back.

"I will."

Lin Zhi held on for a long while before letting go.

When she sat back down, she quickly wiped the corner of her eye—fast, but Su Cheng saw it.

He pretended he didn't.

Ninth Senior Sister still hadn't said a word.

She sat across from him, watching it all.

The food on the table was still steaming. But no one was eating much anymore.

Su Cheng picked up his glass and stood.

The amber liquid swayed gently inside.

"Sisters, I'd like to toast you."

Everyone raised their glasses.

"Thank you for this past month."

He tipped his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

The liquor burned—a line of fire from his throat to his stomach.

He set the glass down and took a deep breath.

"I'll come back to the mountain in three months. When that happens—"

"We'll cross that bridge then."

Big Senior Sister cut him off.

Her tone was light. Like she was talking about something that didn't concern her.

But Su Cheng noticed—her hand on the teacup gripped it tighter than usual.

"Focus on your path first."

Su Cheng looked at her. Then he smiled.

He understood.

Big Senior Sister meant the mortal trial wasn't a matter of three months. It was a matter of a lifetime.

That barrier—he hadn't crossed it yet.

He had to cross it himself.

"I understand," he said.

"Good." Shen Hanyan set down her teacup. "Eat."

They ate for another ten minutes or so.

But the flavor was no longer in the food.

Ling Yun stood first. "I've got a meeting. I'll head out. Little Junior Brother—message me when you arrive."

"Will do."

He patted Su Cheng's shoulder and left.

Then Seventh Senior Sister.

"I should go too." She stood and looked at Su Cheng. "You promised me. Come back often."

"I won't forget."

Lin Zhi looked at him one more time, then walked quickly out of the room.

Before the door closed, Su Cheng heard her sniffle.

Third Senior Sister lingered at the doorway. She turned back and smiled at him. "Don't see me out. I'll go on my own."

"Take care, Third Senior Sister."

Tang Tang waved her hand without turning around.

The room went quiet.

Only Big Senior Sister and Ninth Senior Sister remained.

"I'm leaving too." Big Senior Sister stood up and picked up her bag. "Bai Lu, are you coming?"

Ninth Senior Sister didn't move.

"I'll sit a little longer."

Shen Hanyan looked at her, said nothing more. Before stepping out, she glanced back at Su Cheng.

The look was complicated.

Some things, once spoken, lose their weight.

"Take care," she said.

"Take care, Big Senior Sister."

Shen Hanyan closed the door behind her.

Only Su Cheng and Bai Lu were left in the room.

A silence passed.

"Little Junior Brother."

"Yeah?"

Bai Lu looked at him. The warm light in the room caught her eyes—a faint brightness. He couldn't tell if it was from the lamp, or something else.

"Let me know when you arrive safely."

"Okay."

She stood up. Walked to the door. Then stopped.

"And—" she didn't turn around, "don't go around adopting sisters out there."

Then she opened the door and left.

Su Cheng sat alone in the empty room.

Most of the food still sat untouched. The tea had gone completely cold.

He sat there for a long time.

Then he stood, put on his coat, and picked up his bag.

Stepping out of the restaurant, early winter wind hit his face.

A little cold. But clear.

He zipped his coat all the way up and walked toward the road.

His phone buzzed.

He looked down.

A message from Ninth Senior Sister:

"Little Junior Brother, let me know when you arrive safely. And—don't go around adopting sisters out there."

Su Cheng smiled.

He replied with two words:

"Got it."

A taxi pulled up at the curb. He opened the door and got in.

"Driver, to the airport."

The taxi rolled forward slowly.

In the rearview mirror, the lights at the restaurant entrance were still on.

Warm yellow. Quiet in the night wind.

Su Cheng watched the mirror.

The light grew smaller and smaller.

He didn't turn back.

"Out for business, young man?" the taxi driver asked.

He was in his forties or fifties. His voice carried that particular blend of weariness and warmth that belongs to people who drive through the night.

"Yeah."

"Where to?"

Su Cheng looked out the window.

The city's night flowed past the glass. Street lamps fell away one by one behind them, like a golden river.

He remembered what his Master had said the day he left the mountain—"When you're out there, remember who you are."

Now he knew.

He was a disciple of the Qingyun Sect.

Little Junior Brother to nine senior sisters.

The one who had drunk well water, chopped firewood, and practiced sword forms on the mountain for eighteen years.

And the one who still owed himself an answer.

"Young man?" the driver asked again.

Su Cheng pulled his gaze back.

"The airport."

The taxi accelerated onto the main road.

A new city lay ahead.

Streetlights stretched into a bright line, reaching deep into the night.

Three months.

And then?

He didn't know.

But some things he did know—

That barrier, he would cross it himself.

That road, he would walk it himself.

New city. New road.

End of Chapter 8: The Next City