Left Lengchan and Linghu Chong (1)
At the Songshan Sect, Ding Mian, the Pagoda-Hand, hurried toward the main hall and soon arrived at its doors.
Knock! Knock!
"..."
He knocked, paused, then reached out and pushed open the heavy, cold bronze doors of the Songshan main hall.
Creak—!
As the heavy doors scraped open with a low, rumbling roar, a fierce chill rushed out from within, striking his skin like a physical force. The hairs on his body stood on end, and goose bumps instantly covered him. It was as if he had stepped into an ice cellar.
"!!"
After a moment's thought, he understood. There was no doubt that his senior brother, Sect Leader Zuo Lengchan, had made astonishing progress in his Ice-True Qi. Otherwise, the cold wouldn't have been this overwhelming.
And yet, within that chill, he sensed a faintly sinister, uncanny quality, unlike anything he'd felt before. Had it grown even colder?
Whether this change came from Zuo Lengchan's cultivation advancing, or from the shameful act of castrating himself, Ding Mian had his suspicions. But he would never dare ask, much less dwell on it.
After all, the Sect Leader's temperament had grown increasingly strange and brutal of late. Two innocent maids had already been killed with a single palm strike for minor lapses in etiquette or mistakes. Ding Mian wouldn't risk provoking the "fierce tiger" teetering on the brink of madness.
"..."
Still, he had to report what had happened today, no matter what. There was no point being afraid!
Ding Mian steadied himself, forcing down the unease in his heart. Then, with a firm yet respectful stride, he entered and bowed formally to Sect Leader Zuo Lengchan, who was seated cross-legged on a cushion at the head of the hall, meditating and cultivating his energy.