Night fell over Thousand Lotus Sect, blanketing the mountains in soft mist and starlight. Lanterns flickered along the courtyards, and most disciples retired to cultivation chambers or dreams of glory.
But Han Li swept.
He always swept at night.
His movements were slow, methodical, silent.
Yet every stroke of the broom formed a perfect arc — clearing not just dust, but spiritual residue left by careless techniques, unnoticed by all… except the Sect Master.
Hidden atop the mountain, an ancient elder watched through a crystal mirror.
"Still sweeping," he muttered. "Is he cleansing the ground… or suppressing something?"
---
Meanwhile, in the Inner Sect Courtyard…
Lu Yan knelt before his father, Elder Lu Qing, face still flushed from humiliation.
"That janitor shattered my spirit fan!" he raged. "He's dangerous!"
Elder Lu narrowed his eyes. "A janitor…?"
"He mocked me and crushed my artifact without lifting a finger!"
"Artifacts don't break on mockery," the elder replied coolly. "I'll look into it."
He stood, his robes billowing with power, and vanished.
---
Down in the garden corridor, Han Li paused.
He sensed the approaching pressure — dense, heavy, meant to suppress.
He quietly adjusted his grip on the broom.
Elder Lu Qing descended like thunderclouds. "Janitor!"
Han Li turned calmly. "Yes, Elder?"
"My son says you attacked him."
"I only swept."
Lu Qing's aura exploded. Trees bent. Tiles cracked.
"I'll test that broom of yours."
Han Li bowed. "Please… the ground was just cleaned."
But the elder drew his sword — a legendary spirit blade called Sky Sever.
In an instant, a brilliant slash tore through the air.
Han Li's eyes dimmed.
He raised the broom.
Not to block — but to clean the incoming sword aura.
Swish.
The sword qi… disappeared.
Gone. Dissolved. As if erased from existence.
Lu Qing froze.
His hand trembled.
"You… what technique was that?!"
Han Li replied, "Basic sweep. Left to right. Slow and steady."
Lu Qing's face went pale. His blade cracked down the middle.
Before he could react, a shadow fell across them — the Sect Master himself, descending from the sky.
"That's enough, Lu Qing," the Sect Master said. "You're not qualified to fight him."
"But—!"
The Sect Master's gaze hardened. "Leave."
Elder Lu vanished without another word.
Silence returned.
The Sect Master looked at Han Li.
"You didn't kill him. Why?"
"I've already cleaned too much blood in my life," Han Li replied softly.
The Sect Master nodded. "The heavens are watching, old friend. How long do you plan to hide?"
Han Li looked at the stars.
"Until they forget I'm here."
And then he swept again.