Chapter 47. The Scholar's Gaze, That Chilling Presence

Everyone was puzzled.

He had barged in as if ready to fight, but no one could understand why he suddenly started talking about something else.

“I have no intention of letting them go. And I have no intention of yielding to anyone in the Skyward Sect.”

“……?”

“……?”

Then who is he going to fight?

As if answering their questions,

Jin Jie pointed at someone.

“The one to deal with them will be the Grand Disciple of the Heavenly Flower Academy! Hahaha!”

Jin Jie burst into loud laughter.

The Three Harmonious Heroes immediately applauded.

“Kya, truly remarkable. With our limited insight, we could never match Mr. Jin Jie.”

“Hahaha, this is a win-win situation.”

The Wu Shan Twin Heroes also nodded, finding it plausible. Not only would they have an opponent, but they could also gauge the Grand Disciple of the Heavenly Flower Academy's martial skills.

Others also responded with bright eyes, filled with anticipation.

There was no real worry.

If they were to be overwhelmed in the fight, they could always swarm in as a group.

“Those bastards!”

The first of the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain shouted in a fit of rage.

The faces of the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain were already contorted with anger.

The Skyward Sect showed no regard for them, which deeply wounded their pride. The lack of any tension was incomprehensible. If this was the case, why did they even bother to ask about their age?

Regardless, the Skyward Sect had no respect for them.

“Alright, let’s have Fan Gongzi step forward!”

Jin Jie announced,

“Let’s see how well he can handle the head of the Ximen family!”

“Your old sword seems just right for those old men!”

“Brother, do your best!”

The Skyward Sect members cheered in turn.

Hou Gong smirked.

How could such a group, lacking in seriousness, be assembled? He was once again bewildered.

“Alright, then.”

Thud.

Hou Gong picked up his sword and stood up.

He then cast his gaze towards the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain.

He scanned them, then focused on the shoulder and neck area of the first.

Then,

he took a step towards the stairs.

“Let’s go.”

Hou Gong had no intention of playing along with such a ridiculous act. It was their fight, and it was their problem if someone died.

Song Hua and Yang Xiao, who had been momentarily stunned, hurriedly followed their master.

The Skyward Sect members became restless.

“Where are you going!”

“Are you leaving just like that?”

“What’s this all about!”

“Tsk, they don’t want to fight, it seems.”

“Let’s go too.”

Led by Jin Jie, they rushed towards the stairs.

The pupils of the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain trembled.

‘Are they really leaving like this?’

‘This isn’t right…’

Still, not everyone left.

Two beggars remained.

It wasn’t a pleasant or hopeful sight.

Yin Ang Gai and Xiao Tian Gai were picking up and eating the food that had been spilled on the floor when the table was overturned.

The Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain watched, breaking into a sweat.

They were real beggars.

“Senior Brother, Grandfather Jin Dizi is really mean, isn’t he?”

“What can I say? They overturned the table.”

“But, Senior Brother, we should hurry. Should we ask for a fight?”

“It won’t be packed.”

“Is that so?”

Then, the two beggars picked up a few more pieces of food, glanced at the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain, and jumped out the window.

Finally, only the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain were left.

Whoosh…

Why was there a wind inside the inn?

They didn’t chase after them. Normally, they would have shouted and shown their cruel side, but the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain decided to hold back.

Firstly, the number of opponents was not small.

Jin Jie was there.

There was also a man with a fierce appearance.

But the decisive reason for not moving was due to one person.

The young scholar’s gaze.

When he thought it was just a casual glance, his nerves tingled, and his spine turned cold. If the young scholar had drawn his sword, he felt he wouldn’t be able to handle it. The first of the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain felt as if he would be sliced from shoulder to neck. He almost flinched and touched his neck. By the time he regained his composure, the young scholar was already walking towards the stairs.

That chilling presence.

But no one showed any outward reaction immediately.

The first of the Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain spoke in a sinister voice.

“Huh, those brats are lucky. But let’s see how long their luck will last.”

The Five Assassins of the Dark Mountain decided to wait and see.

***

On the roof.

Jin Jie played his flute.

Beside him, Yin Ang Gai and Xiao Tian Gai sat side by side, enjoying the night view.

After the tune ended, Xiao Tian Gai spoke as if he had been waiting.

“Yes, beggar.”

“But why didn’t those sinister people attack just now? They didn’t even chase after us. They lack spirit.”

Jin Jie shook his head.

“You’re right. Young people these days lack spirit.”

Jin Jie mimicked Xiao Tian Gai, making the two beggars chuckle.

“Just kidding, they seemed scared.”

“Of Grandfather Jin Dizi?”

“Hahaha, of course. I’m sixty-two!”

Xiao Tian Gai raised his thumb.

“Indeed, age is the boss. But those people’s aura was really scary. If a fight had broken out, it would have been awkward. They seem to have more patience than they appear.”

“Fear can create patience where there was none.”

“When did you scare them?”

“Me?”

Jin Jie smiled and continued.

“They seemed to be intimidated by the Grand Disciple of the Heavenly Flower Academy.”

“Huh? When?”

Yin Ang Gai, who had been sitting quietly, opened his eyes wide in surprise. Xiao Tian Gai also tilted his head.

“A lot can happen in a short moment, as you both know.”

“Still, that’s a bit much. They don’t seem like the type to be easily intimidated.”

“That’s what makes them great. That’s why I suggested Fan Gongzi fight. Hey, wasn’t that tune just now pretty good?”

“Kya, you’re a genius.”

Xiao Tian Gai yawned and sighed in admiration.

“But I have one question.”

“Two is also possible.”

“Is it certain that the Skyward Sect’s activities were accepted by your Senior Brother?”

“Of course.”

“Really? Hmm… It seems they value the Grand Disciple of the Heavenly Flower Academy quite a bit.”

“Why?”

“Why not? It’s not easy for two direct disciples of the Beggar Sect’s leader to follow around. They wouldn’t dare to touch the Grand Disciple because of you. Does the Beggar Sect owe the Heavenly Flower Academy something?”

“Yes.”

“Oh ho!”

That’s right. There must be a reason, Jin Jie thought, nodding.

“They ate a lot of meat.”

“Huh?”

“Up to here…”

As Xiao Tian Gai stretched his arms wide to draw a large circle, a figure leaped up onto the roof.

It was Song Hua.

“Heroes of the Beggar Sect, the young master wants to see you for a moment.”

“Why?”

Yin Ang Gai tilted his head.

“Up to there…”

As Yin Ang Gai and Xiao Tian Gai slowly stood up, Jin Jie glared fiercely at Song Hua.

“What about me?”

***

Yin Ang Gai grumbled.

“Arrogant brat. Why call people here and there? He has no legs or hands.”

“Still, if Senior Brother calls, we must go. He said to stick close to the Grand Senior Brother. I thought he was a chicken, but he’s a fish.”

“You’re crazy, Xiao Tian Gai.”

As they descended to the first floor and then climbed back up to the fourth floor where the guest rooms were located, Yin Ang Gai’s expression changed dramatically.

Xiao Tian Gai was the same.

“Wait a moment.”

“Huh! This can’t be!”

They rushed in, almost breaking the door to the Grand Disciple of the Heavenly Flower Academy’s room. The scene inside made their eyes widen.

“No way…”

Inside the room, well-fried shrimps were giving off a fragrant aroma. The smell was incredible, and the quantity was generous. A bottle of wine was also placed on the table. Yin Ang Gai immediately clasped his hands.

“Grand Hero! Did you call us?”

“Senior Brother, you called us.”

Hou Gong laughed heartily.

The jests of the Beggar Sect members. They reminded him of young grandchildren, making it hard to dislike them.

“Come and eat.”

While eating and crunching, Yin Ang Gai, who was frying shrimp, asked.

“Hey, you called us because you had something to say, right?”

“Senior Brother, why spit out the shrimp while talking? It’s a waste.”

“Ah, you’re being extravagant.”

Hou Gong remained seated, watching them. Yin Ang Gai, who was quick to notice, spoke first.

“Listen while you eat. Recently, the Wu Lin Alliance’s Anhui branch chief visited the Heavenly Flower Academy.”

“Ah, I know. He was sent away.”

“It was a bit strange. He used the excuse that the Thousand Silk Sect was causing trouble, as if something significant had happened. It was ridiculous.”

Hou Gong subtly probed about the Thousand Silk Sect.

Since the Beggar Sect was part of the Skyward Sect, it was a good opportunity.

The Beggar Sect