Just as the disciple had reported, Yuan Fang came in bowing and scraping.
Of course, given Gong Lince's status, countless people in the world bowed and scraped before him. Even the Emperor of Yan Kingdom had to be courteous upon seeing him, so he had long grown accustomed to it. But this Yuan Fang was somewhat different.
Gong Lince had a certain impression of Yuan Fang. From afar, he looked every bit the eminent monk who had attained the Way; up close, he immediately shrank into a cowardly bear, which was rather amusing.
"Enough with the formalities. Speak. Why have you come to see me?" Gong Lince asked calmly.
"Sect Master, it is like this. I heard that the people of Thatched Cottage Estate are leaving Purple Gold Cave. We of Nanshan Temple have other thoughts—we wish to remain in Purple Gold Cave and continue serving Purple Gold Cave." Yuan Fang bent at the waist, cautiously watching for the other man's reaction.
"Continue serving?" Gong Lince said coldly. "You make it sound as though you have served Purple Gold Cave before. Have you? Why do I have no impression of it?"
Thud! Yuan Fang suddenly dropped to his knees before Gong Lince.
It came without warning, nearly startling Gong Lince. After a moment of surprise, he asked, "Why are you paying such great respects?"
Yuan Fang's eyes reddened, and he looked aggrieved enough to cry. "Sect Master, this humble monk was ignorant and foolish in the past. We are but a group of men who have left the secular world, truly unversed in worldly affairs, and we were indeed deceived by those people from Thatched Cottage Estate. Now that Niu Youdao is dead, the tree has fallen and the monkeys have scattered. This humble monk has finally seen their ugly