Su Mu looked at the crowd's reaction with satisfaction, snorting disdainfully.
Although today's challenge with Yang Kai had been claimed by Su Mu, the onlookers didn't leave. They wanted to stay and see what trouble had befallen Yang Kai.
After waiting a bit longer with no sign of Yang Kai, Su Mu grew impatient. "Where is he?"
"We don't know. He's usually out sweeping by now, but he hasn't shown up today. Should we check his place?"
Su Mu thought for a moment and nodded. "Fine. A mere sweeper dares to keep me waiting? He'll pay for this!"
Knowing where Yang Kai lived was no secret, so Su Mu's followers led the way.
The crowd followed, eager for the spectacle.
Soon, they arrived at Yang Kai's shabby hut. Looking at the dilapidated, drafty wooden structure, Su Mu felt a surge of pleasure. He pointed at the hut. "Does that wretch live here?"
"Yes, Young Master Su. Yang Kai is a trial disciple and must take care of himself. This hut is likely something he built."
"Good, good," Su Mu said, feeling even better at the thought of Yang Kai getting drenched in the rain.
Suppressing his glee, Su Mu walked up to the hut and shouted, "Yang Kai, get out here and face your death!"
His shout, full of anger and grievance, sent a shiver through the crowd. Clearly, the grudge between Su Mu and Yang Kai was significant.
Su Mu, looking majestic, waited expectantly for Yang Kai to scramble out begging for mercy. But no sound came from the hut.
Su Mu's face darkened. He shouted again, "Yang Kai, get out here now, or we're coming in!"
Still no response.
Su Mu began to suspect something was amiss. If Yang Kai were inside, he should have made some noise. Was he not there?
He signaled to one of his men, who promptly kicked the door open and dashed inside.
A moment later, the man returned. "Young Master Su, no one's inside. There's some dust, too. It seems the boy knew trouble was coming and ran days ago."
"Ran away?" Su Mu nearly choked on his anger. He had meticulously prepared for this day, only to find that Yang Kai had fled?
It was like delivering a mighty punch only to hit thin air, leaving Su Mu feeling frustrated and powerless.
"Indeed, I haven't seen Yang Kai for a few days."
"Knowing when to retreat is wise. Yang Kai probably realized trouble was coming and left the sect."
"No wonder he hasn't shown up."
"Ah, with Yang Kai gone, no more easy contribution points."
The murmurs of the crowd, though quiet, reached Su Mu's ears.
Even though he was pleased, the lack of revenge left him unsatisfied.
After pondering for a moment, Su Mu had to accept the reality. "That brat got away, but I won't rest until I've avenged this. Burn this hut!"
The crowd gasped, and even Su Mu's men hesitated. One spoke up, "Young Master Su, setting fire in the sect isn't a good idea."
"What's there to fear?" Su Mu glared. "I'll take responsibility. Besides, this isn't sect property. It's nothing important. This wretched hut offends my eyes."
Hearing this, the crowd's hesitation eased. After all, with Su Mu's backing, burning a hut seemed trivial.
Someone fetched firewood and kindling.
Moments later, Su Mu, his face twisted with malice, held a makeshift torch, the flames illuminating his features.
"Yang Kai, may you never cross my path again, or you'll wish you were dead!" Su Mu cursed, ready to toss the torch into the hut, when he smelled blood and felt a hand on his shoulder.
"What are you doing?" someone asked.
"Burning a house," Su Mu replied instinctively.
"Why burn my house?" the voice asked angrily.
"Your house?" Su Mu turned, seeing a disheveled figure. He jumped back, startled. The person was filthy, with tattered clothes, bloodstained and covered in scars. He carried a bulging bundle over his shoulder.
The breeze stirred his ragged pants, revealing hairy legs.
What repelled Su Mu most was the stench of blood and sweat from this person, making him almost gag.
This figure looked like a beggar, but... familiar?
Su Mu scrutinized the person, suddenly realizing. "Yang Kai!"
It was indeed Yang Kai, despite his altered appearance. His enemy would recognize him anywhere.
Yang Kai grinned, revealing white teeth. "Isn't this Su Mu, the righteous hero from Wumei Town?"
Su Mu's face flushed with anger and embarrassment. "Yang Kai, you've sealed your fate by coming here! You're dead!"
"Are you here to trouble me?" Yang Kai frowned.
"Obviously!" Su Mu sneered. "Did you think I was here to visit?"
"Then why burn my house?" Yang Kai asked.
Su Mu hastily dropped the torch and stomped on it, imagining it was Yang Kai beneath his feet. Only after extinguishing it did he feel somewhat appeased.
The onlookers, finally understanding that Yang Kai hadn't fled but had been on some mysterious errand, watched in shock.
What had Yang Kai been doing to end up in such a sorry state? And who had he fought so fiercely with?