The wind picked up, sending dust flying into their faces. Shi Qingjue hurried after the pilgrims into a nearby shop..
Four Truths Blue Lotus was bustling with worshippers, drawing plenty of merchants looking to do business. Outside the monastery gates, they had formed a settlement that was neither quite a village nor quite a town. Strictly speaking, the land belonged to the temple, and all shopkeepers had to submit to the monks' authority.
The last pilgrim in hurriedly shut the door and grumbled, "Good grief, this is worse than winter, when a layer of snow covers everything. All this dust and dirt... Pah, pah."
The sand still blew in through the cracks in the door. The speaker got a mouthful, provoking a burst of laughter.
"So it really is about to come to blows. The first match is between one of the Dragon King's men and a killer from the Unrivaled King's side. Who do you think will win?"
Neither Chu Nanping nor Fang Shuyi was particularly famous. A few people had heard of the former, though they were more likely to discuss his appearance.
Shi Qingjue only listened. He had never seen Chu Nanping in action, but Fang Shuyi had left a deep impression on him. Whether fighting Gao Yang or hunting down two spies, the killer had seemed utterly composed, treating his enemies like stationary targets. Every move was simple and direct.
Shi Qingjue practically regarded him as a role model.
When more than a dozen customers suddenly crowded into the shop, the proprietor greeted them all warmly, whether he knew them or not. But when his gaze fell on Shi Qingjue, his expression changed.
The proprietor pushed through the crowd and walked up to Shi Qingjue, pointing at the door. "Please leave."
Shi Qingjue didn't even realize