A moment of disheartenment washed over Alex as he recalled the memories.
Yet, this did not linger. His spirit, like hardened steel, refused to be stifled by mere hearsay.
He was not a coward who would retreat from a crucial task due to idle chatter.
Furthermore, his current predicament left him in dire need of a formidable dagger. Without it, his fate would be sealed. So, what was there left to fear?
Turning his gaze to the guard, he inquired, "Where might I find Elder Liang?"
Upon hearing the question, the guard's countenance shifted to one of disbelief and shock. He turned to Alex, stuttering, "Pardon, I... could you repeat that?"
Alex, certain that the guard had heard his initial inquiry, saw no harm in repeating his query. "I asked, where can I find Elder Liang," he restated, his voice more pronounced this time.
His voice resonated within the armory, drawing the attention of the three other individuals present.
The two outer disciples, in particular, were now fixated on him.
The guard, still processing Alex's question, struggled to regain his composure. "Are you sure..."
His words trailed off as Alex interjected, "Yes, I am sure."
The guard scanned Alex for a moment before finally replying, "Take those stairs upwards, and you shall find him." He gestured towards a staircase leading up.
Alex nodded in acknowledgment, "Thank you."
The guard scrutinized him for a moment longer before warning, "If I may suggest, you should avoid going up there." But before he could finish, Alex had already begun his ascent, not sparing a glance back.
The guard sighed in despair, shaking his head. "Such a pity. His cultivation level is so low, I fear he may not withstand Elder Liang's eccentricities. Was I wrong to guide him? I never imagined he would dare to seek Elder Liang upon hearing his name. What have I done?" He questioned himself.
It wasn't just the guard who was startled by Alex's actions.
The two outer sect disciples were equally taken aback.
They exchanged glances of surprise before one finally uttered, "He's lost his mind."
The other, still in a state of shock, could only nod in agreement.
"What could he possibly be hoping to achieve up there? Is he courting death?" One of them questioned.
"I am unsure. Perhaps he is seeking death," the other responded.
"Or perhaps, he is seeking an excuse to evade a confrontation with Zhong Jie," the first one suggested.
Unbeknownst to Alex, the impact of his words and actions had caused a ripple of reactions.
Nevertheless, he continued his ascent up the stairs, oblivious to the consequences that awaited him.
After climbing for some time, he finally reached a room.
However, what he found inside was far from what he had expected.
The room appeared dilapidated, with various items strewn haphazardly across the floor.
Alex couldn't help but feel perplexed. How could an esteemed elder of the Cloud Moon Sect reside in such a place?
Lost in his thoughts, a loud and furious voice suddenly erupted from a corner of the room, demanding, "Who goes there?"
Startled by the unexpected outburst, Alex quickly composed himself and respectfully replied, "Greetings, Elder Liang," bowing slightly in deference.
However, instead of a cordial response, another enraged voice boomed, "Leave immediately!" The scream reverberated through the room.
Though taken aback once again, Alex stood his ground.
A mere shout from Elder Liang was not enough to make him retreat. He remained steadfast, waiting.
And then, from the corner where the voice had originated, an old man emerged.
Alex was taken aback by the sight before him.
The old man was clad in dirty, tattered garments, his once-white hair now discolored by dirt.
His eyes reflected pain, and the scent of alcohol lingered in the air.
Despite his disheveled appearance, Alex could sense that Elder Liang possessed immense power, perhaps even surpassing that of Elder Zhen.
The old man approached Alex and demanded, "Didn't I tell you to leave? What are you still doing here?" His voice dripped with anger as he added, "Are you defying the orders of a sect elder?"
Hearing this, Alex couldn't help but muse, "Sir, have you truly looked at yourself? At this moment, you resemble a beggar or a drunkard more than a sect elder." Frustration welled up within him, but he maintained a respectful demeanor as he replied, "I wouldn't dare."
"Why, then, do you persist in remaining here?" Elder Liang asked, his voice still filled with anger.
"I apologize for the disturbance, but I am in desperate need of your assistance," Alex pleaded.
Impatiently waving his hand as if swatting away a bothersome insect, Elder Liang dismissed him, saying, "Go away. There is nothing I can do to help you." With that, he turned and began to retreat to the corner from whence he came.
Alex was shocked, unsure of how to change Elder Liang's mind. However, he mustered his courage and spoke in a pitiful voice, "Please, I truly need your help." Desperation tinged his words, but deep down, Alex knew he wouldn't resort to begging if his life weren't hanging in the balance, with the mission deadline rapidly approaching.
Elder Liang halted in his tracks upon hearing this plea. He turned back to face Alex and inquired, "And why should I care about helping you?"
Surprised by the sudden shift in Elder Liang's demeanor, Alex couldn't deny the truth in his words.
Why would the elder assist him? They had no prior connection or favor owed between them.
The impending deadline of the mission had made this realization all the more apparent to Alex.
With this understanding, he knew he had to play his cards right. Thus, he contorted his face into an expression of dejection.
Observing Alex's expression and silence, Elder Liang pondered for a moment before finally asking, "What is it that you seek?"
Alex felt a surge of relief. His intuition had proven correct; Elder Liang would indeed lend his aid after witnessing such a display of vulnerability.
Taking a deep breath, Alex began, "I am in search of a high-quality dagger..."
Before he could finish his sentence, however, Elder Liang abruptly snapped, his anger resurfacing. "Leave at once!" he bellowed furiously.
Caught off guard by the sudden change in Elder Liang's demeanor, Alex couldn't help but wonder, "What did I do wrong?" He decided to voice his thoughts, asking, "Is there something amiss?"
Once again, Elder Liang snapped, his anger palpable. "I said, get out immediately!" he screamed, his fist hurtling toward Alex.