Everyone turned around before Elder Dread finished her sentence. Twenty canes of hers would break any other elder’s spine; as for mere Blood Saturating disciples, a single strike would turn them into mush.
Eleanor nodded subconsciously when everyone moved to obey her order without a moment’s hesitation. Then she also turned around, giving Wolf as much privacy as one could expect in an open field, on the edge of a forest.
As she spun on her heel, Eleanor saw Elder Jonatan Tina staring at Wolf. She expected him to look at his Earth Pavilion’s newest purchase with evaluation, however, the old man’s brows were locked into a frown, his jaw clenched.
Eleanor did not know what passed through the Friend descendant’s mind, but his momentary scowl oozed clear negative emotions. The glower vanished a moment after it appeared, disappearing so quickly, Eleanor nearly thought she had imagined it, but she was not the only one who noticed Elder Jonatan Tina’s outburst.
Wolf turned, sensing hostile intent locked onto him. He glared at the unknown old man with fully awakened senses, his pupils narrowed until they became black pin points. Now that I have grown stronger, I can fight Elder Dreadingham, but that wrinkled old man is giving me the chills. Did someone send him here to kill me? He is wearing robes identical to Elder Dreadingham’s.
Wolf watched the unknown Earth Pavilion elder cup his mouth and obscure them from Elder Dreadingham in the most primitive way possible.
“Your instincts are sharp,” he moved his lips in an over-exaggerated manner, uttering voiceless words. “You can pinpoint murderous intent from three hundred meters away.”
Wolf held back a snort, but still grimaced, and Jonatan’s mouth stretched into a smile before he continued his silent speech. “And you can read lips from such a distance. Pavilion Master was right, you are a gem.”
“I have a feeling you just revealed something you shouldn’t have.”
Piss off. We don’t even know what we revealed, and reading lips at three hundred meters is far from the full extent of my perception.
Wolf donned a clean set of clothes, and Jonatan glanced at Eleanor, removing his hands from his face.
“He’s robed.”
Eleanor cleared her throat and nodded in thanks before turning to face Wolf.
“Disciple Hillman, congratulations on your success. Could you join us, please? Jakob Silentear, you should come here as well.”
The crowd parted before Wolf. Jakob, however, had to push and squeeze his way through the press of bodies, since everyone was busy, staring at his big brother.
The slim youth gave Wolf an awkward smile once he drew close enough for a greeting, “Um, Big Brother, did you run into the Brilliant Gate’s people?”
Wolf looked at that guilty grin and laughed despite himself. “I killed fifteen hundred of them, give or take a couple hundred. And you, you little rascal, you gave them my jade ID.”
The nearby disciples gasped, but Jakob did not blink at the outlandish claim.
“I reckoned my big brother could handle everyone they sent his way.” Wearing a wretched grin, Jakob fawned over Wolf.
Unfortunately, Elder Dread caught their conversation. Wolf’s claim did not shock her, but Jakob’s audacity was akin to treason, and it could have compromised their plan.
“You dared betray a core disciple?” Eleanor did not raise her voice, but the icy blade in her words stabbed at Jakob, sending shivers down his spine.
“It’s not like that,” Wolf brushed off her ice, his tone easygoing. “I believe Junior Apprentice Brother Silentear diverted our enemy’s attention to me, hoping they would attack me in vain, and that I would cull them. He played them into employing the strategy of throwing eggs to shatter a rock. In this manner, he relieved the pressure on others and inflicted grievous damage to Brilliant Gate. My only regret is that I didn’t get to fight Miss Daseldoff.”
“Right! That bitch still has my spear!”
She can keep it. Don’t do anything stupid, there are people around. In fact, don’t talk to me.
“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to myself.”
Eleanor glared at Jakob, her face remained a scowl, her eyes still scorching the boy’s flesh with frost-burns.
“If Disciple Hillman claims it was a strategy he had agreed to, and he vouches for you, I cannot punish you.” Eleanor paused for a moment to let the weight of Wolf’s favor press down on Jakob’s tender shoulders before she continued to drive the point home. “Otherwise, I would have dismembered you where you stand.”
Jakob gulped and shuddered, but his terrified face faded out of existence in Eleanor’s mind. The fierce elder turned her attention towards the important person.
“Disciple Hillman, how did you defeat the Gilded Apes?” She wished to address Wolf by first name to reinforce the sense of familiarity before he left, just in case he made something of himself one day. However, before so many disciples and more importantly before someone as illustrious as Jonatan Tina, such familiar address would mar her reputation.
Wolf was oblivious of which thoughts clashed behind Eleanor’s eyes. He had more than enough to deal with within his own temple. He kept his smile and answered the question.
“It’s a long story, but in short, I didn’t defeat them as such. I stood no chance when faced against such a large and organized tribe. It was by lucky coincidence that Brilliant Gate’s Miss Daseldoff acted as a decoy, drawing their attention. Her valiant effort allowed me sneak past the Gilded Apes’ defenses.”
Eleanor cocked an eyebrow, but Wolf kept a straight face and continued speaking.
“I have something important for you. I harvested these for the Pavilion Master.” Wolf presented a large handful of pale-pink petals, their fragrance brightening Eleanor’s and Jakob’s eyes.
Wolf noted that the unknown old man did not benefit from the whiff of soul-cleansing aroma. However, he continued like he had noticed nothing. “Given the state of Pavilion Master’s soul, pills made from Mind Clearing Lotus should help prolong her life by several years.”
Eleanor’s eyes went wide when Wolf identified the fistful of exotic ingredients. Meanwhile, Jonatan Tina’s lips quivered, wishing to stretch into an amused grin. The man suppressed his smile and kept his face impassive. His eyes were the only sign of his thoughts as he considered how the disciple tried to heal the master, who, in turn, shamelessly sold her student for minuscule benefits.
“Thank you.” Eleanor accepted Wolf’s offering with both hands and swiftly stored it into her holdingring.
“You should keep them in cool storage, or mixed with a large quantity of Qi crystals to preserve their medicinal properties.”
Eleanor nodded awkwardly, then cleared her throat. “Disciple Hillman, this is Jonatan Tina, an elder from the sixth Earth Pavilion. He came to escort you during your transfer.”
“Greetings, Wolf. Please, call me Jonatan, there’s no reason for awkwardness. I will mentor you until the ranking of eleven Earth Pavilions starts.”
Why would there be awkwardness? Is it the funny surname?
“It could be because of the flare of murderous intent? But that was obviously a test, and there’s no reason to hold a grudge.”
Maybe it’s because he addressed me by first name, and the environment here is formal?
“And what is the ranking of eleven Earth Pavilions? Aren’t there a hundred? When does it start?”
This guy sucks at delivering information, yet he’s acting like he’s doing me a great honor by mentoring me. Look, Elder Dreadingham’s lip twitched while he introduced himself. What should I say?
“You say what Mandy told you to say.”
“Thank you, Jonatan,” Wolf said without a moment’s delay.
“Good lad.” Elder Jonatan Tina smiled while Elder Dreadingham looked like she was about to suffer a stroke.
“Your other two retainers are waiting with Twostreak. Do you have anything else you need to do, or can we leave immediately?”
Wolf stopped himself from umm-ing and looked at Eleanor, who gave him a reassuring nod and a friendly smile, urging him to go.
“I guess we can leave right away. How far is the sixth Earth Pavilion?”
“About a month on Twostreak. Sadly, I’m not as rich as Pavilion Master, and I don’t own a Portable Mansion, so our journey will be slightly uncomfortable.”
“He confirmed it. They have portable mansions in these parts.” Wolf settled yet another of hundred tiny questions about the discrepancy between the two worlds.
“Follow me,” Jonatan motioned for the two youths to follow and led the way, leaving behind Eleanor Dreadingham and the surviving disciples.
In the corner of his eye, Wolf saw two women hesitantly raise their hands before lowering them again. He took a split moment to recognize Lydie. Did the other girl even introduce herself?
“Not that I recall?”
What do they want?
“Probably to become my retainers and to follow me wherever I’m going.”
Fat chance of that. They don’t even have the courage to step forth and speak with me. Who would want followers like that?
“Besides, their skills are lacking. They can’t sneak, and they survived the encounter with those Swordlegs by staying behind and covering instead of helping their so-called Boss.”
Everyone turned around before Elder Dread finished her sentence. Twenty canes of hers would break any other elder’s spine; as for mere Blood Saturating disciples, a single strike would turn them into mush.
Eleanor nodded subconsciously when everyone moved to obey her order without a moment’s hesitation. Then she also turned around, giving Wolf as much privacy as one could expect in an open field, on the edge of a forest.
As she spun on her heel, Eleanor saw Elder Jonatan Tina staring at Wolf. She expected him to look at his Earth Pavilion’s newest purchase with evaluation, however, the old man’s brows were locked into a frown, his jaw clenched.
Eleanor did not know what passed through the Friend descendant’s mind, but his momentary scowl oozed clear negative emotions. The glower vanished a moment after it appeared, disappearing so quickly, Eleanor nearly thought she had imagined it, but she was not the only one who noticed Elder Jonatan Tina’s outburst.
Wolf turned, sensing hostile intent locked onto him. He glared at the unknown old man with fully awakened senses, his pupils narrowed until they became black pin points. Now that I have grown stronger, I can fight Elder Dreadingham, but that wrinkled old man is giving me the chills. Did someone send him here to kill me? He is wearing robes identical to Elder Dreadingham’s.
Wolf watched the unknown Earth Pavilion elder cup his mouth and obscure them from Elder Dreadingham in the most primitive way possible.
“Your instincts are sharp,” he moved his lips in an over-exaggerated manner, uttering voiceless words. “You can pinpoint murderous intent from three hundred meters away.”
Wolf held back a snort, but still grimaced, and Jonatan’s mouth stretched into a smile before he continued his silent speech. “And you can read lips from such a distance. Pavilion Master was right, you are a gem.”
“I have a feeling you just revealed something you shouldn’t have.”
Piss off. We don’t even know what we revealed, and reading lips at three hundred meters is far from the full extent of my perception.
Wolf donned a clean set of clothes, and Jonatan glanced at Eleanor, removing his hands from his face.
“He’s robed.”
Eleanor cleared her throat and nodded in thanks before turning to face Wolf.
“Disciple Hillman, congratulations on your success. Could you join us, please? Jakob Silentear, you should come here as well.”
The crowd parted before Wolf. Jakob, however, had to push and squeeze his way through the press of bodies, since everyone was busy, staring at his big brother.
The slim youth gave Wolf an awkward smile once he drew close enough for a greeting, “Um, Big Brother, did you run into the Brilliant Gate’s people?”
Wolf looked at that guilty grin and laughed despite himself. “I killed fifteen hundred of them, give or take a couple hundred. And you, you little rascal, you gave them my jade ID.”
The nearby disciples gasped, but Jakob did not blink at the outlandish claim.
“I reckoned my big brother could handle everyone they sent his way.” Wearing a wretched grin, Jakob fawned over Wolf.
Unfortunately, Elder Dread caught their conversation. Wolf’s claim did not shock her, but Jakob’s audacity was akin to treason, and it could have compromised their plan.
“You dared betray a core disciple?” Eleanor did not raise her voice, but the icy blade in her words stabbed at Jakob, sending shivers down his spine.
“It’s not like that,” Wolf brushed off her ice, his tone easygoing. “I believe Junior Apprentice Brother Silentear diverted our enemy’s attention to me, hoping they would attack me in vain, and that I would cull them. He played them into employing the strategy of throwing eggs to shatter a rock. In this manner, he relieved the pressure on others and inflicted grievous damage to Brilliant Gate. My only regret is that I didn’t get to fight Miss Daseldoff.”
“Right! That bitch still has my spear!”
She can keep it. Don’t do anything stupid, there are people around. In fact, don’t talk to me.
“I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to myself.”
Eleanor glared at Jakob, her face remained a scowl, her eyes still scorching the boy’s flesh with frost-burns.
“If Disciple Hillman claims it was a strategy he had agreed to, and he vouches for you, I cannot punish you.” Eleanor paused for a moment to let the weight of Wolf’s favor press down on Jakob’s tender shoulders before she continued to drive the point home. “Otherwise, I would have dismembered you where you stand.”
Jakob gulped and shuddered, but his terrified face faded out of existence in Eleanor’s mind. The fierce elder turned her attention towards the important person.
“Disciple Hillman, how did you defeat the Gilded Apes?” She wished to address Wolf by first name to reinforce the sense of familiarity before he left, just in case he made something of himself one day. However, before so many disciples and more importantly before someone as illustrious as Jonatan Tina, such familiar address would mar her reputation.
Wolf was oblivious of which thoughts clashed behind Eleanor’s eyes. He had more than enough to deal with within his own temple. He kept his smile and answered the question.
“It’s a long story, but in short, I didn’t defeat them as such. I stood no chance when faced against such a large and organized tribe. It was by lucky coincidence that Brilliant Gate’s Miss Daseldoff acted as a decoy, drawing their attention. Her valiant effort allowed me sneak past the Gilded Apes’ defenses.”
Eleanor cocked an eyebrow, but Wolf kept a straight face and continued speaking.
“I have something important for you. I harvested these for the Pavilion Master.” Wolf presented a large handful of pale-pink petals, their fragrance brightening Eleanor’s and Jakob’s eyes.
Wolf noted that the unknown old man did not benefit from the whiff of soul-cleansing aroma. However, he continued like he had noticed nothing. “Given the state of Pavilion Master’s soul, pills made from Mind Clearing Lotus should help prolong her life by several years.”
Eleanor’s eyes went wide when Wolf identified the fistful of exotic ingredients. Meanwhile, Jonatan Tina’s lips quivered, wishing to stretch into an amused grin. The man suppressed his smile and kept his face impassive. His eyes were the only sign of his thoughts as he considered how the disciple tried to heal the master, who, in turn, shamelessly sold her student for minuscule benefits.
“Thank you.” Eleanor accepted Wolf’s offering with both hands and swiftly stored it into her holdingring.
“You should keep them in cool storage, or mixed with a large quantity of Qi crystals to preserve their medicinal properties.”
Eleanor nodded awkwardly, then cleared her throat. “Disciple Hillman, this is Jonatan Tina, an elder from the sixth Earth Pavilion. He came to escort you during your transfer.”
“Greetings, Wolf. Please, call me Jonatan, there’s no reason for awkwardness. I will mentor you until the ranking of eleven Earth Pavilions starts.”
Why would there be awkwardness? Is it the funny surname?
“It could be because of the flare of murderous intent? But that was obviously a test, and there’s no reason to hold a grudge.”
Maybe it’s because he addressed me by first name, and the environment here is formal?
“And what is the ranking of eleven Earth Pavilions? Aren’t there a hundred? When does it start?”
This guy sucks at delivering information, yet he’s acting like he’s doing me a great honor by mentoring me. Look, Elder Dreadingham’s lip twitched while he introduced himself. What should I say?
“You say what Mandy told you to say.”
“Thank you, Jonatan,” Wolf said without a moment’s delay.
“Good lad.” Elder Jonatan Tina smiled while Elder Dreadingham looked like she was about to suffer a stroke.
“Your other two retainers are waiting with Twostreak. Do you have anything else you need to do, or can we leave immediately?”
Wolf stopped himself from umm-ing and looked at Eleanor, who gave him a reassuring nod and a friendly smile, urging him to go.
“I guess we can leave right away. How far is the sixth Earth Pavilion?”
“About a month on Twostreak. Sadly, I’m not as rich as Pavilion Master, and I don’t own a Portable Mansion, so our journey will be slightly uncomfortable.”
“He confirmed it. They have portable mansions in these parts.” Wolf settled yet another of hundred tiny questions about the discrepancy between the two worlds.
“Follow me,” Jonatan motioned for the two youths to follow and led the way, leaving behind Eleanor Dreadingham and the surviving disciples.
In the corner of his eye, Wolf saw two women hesitantly raise their hands before lowering them again. He took a split moment to recognize Lydie. Did the other girl even introduce herself?
“Not that I recall?”
What do they want?
“Probably to become my retainers and to follow me wherever I’m going.”
Fat chance of that. They don’t even have the courage to step forth and speak with me. Who would want followers like that?
“Besides, their skills are lacking. They can’t sneak, and they survived the encounter with those Swordlegs by staying behind and covering instead of helping their so-called Boss.”
