Upon hearing the disciple's report, Yan Li, who was seated in the pavilion drinking tea, nearly choked on himself. He forcefully swallowed the tea in his mouth, raised a hand to wipe the moisture from the corner of his lips, and stared wide-eyed. "What did you say?"
Guan Qingya, who had been discussing matters with his master Yan Li nearby, froze. Master and disciple had been talking about Yuan Gang being captured at Thatched Cottage Estate, when Niu Youdao suddenly turned up having returned. Such timing was too much of a joke.
The disciple blanked for a moment, then explained again, "Elder Niu Youdao has returned. He is waiting outside the Council Hall for the Sect Master."
Yan Li shot to his feet and roared, "Utter nonsense! Count it on your fingers yourself—how many days has Niu Youdao been gone from the sect? How could he possibly be back already? Does he think the Sacred Realm is some place he can come and go from for fun?"
The scolded disciple wore a miserable expression as he explained mournfully, "Master, there can be no mistake. Elder Niu really has returned. After I received word from the disciples standing guard outside the Council Hall, I did not believe it either, so I rushed over to take a look. There is no mistake—it truly is Elder Niu. Of course, the clothes he is wearing are rather strange, but his appearance, manner, and bearing are unquestionably Elder Niu himself!"
With the matter confirmed so clearly, Yan Li swallowed hard. His hairs stood on end, and even his breathing became slightly disordered. He muttered to himself, "How is that possible? Why would he come back at this time? Could he know something happened... No, that does not add up in terms of time."
Guan Qingya