Chen Shuo froze.
"Which Heaven-Piercing Sword?"
His subordinate lowered his head and replied.
"The one from... Five Aggregates Temple."
"...Didn't he disappear years ago? How did he end up here?"
"...We don't know. All we know is that he brought around a dozen people and has settled in the Honghe County area..."
Chen Shuo thought for a moment, then said,
"Could they be here for that thing too?"
His subordinate said,
"...Their movements don't suggest it, but just in case, shouldn't we strike first..."
Chen Shuo did not answer at once.
He sat back in his chair and lightly tapped the armrest. He looked perfectly casual, yet each touch of his fingers left another small dent. His subordinate watched in alarm. The armrest was made of Ironheart Wood, harder than an equal volume of steel.
At the very least, their sect master was nowhere near as calm as he appeared.
In the end, Chen Shuo shook his head.
"Forget it. Leave them alone. Send a few people to keep watch."
His subordinate still hesitated.
"But if we just leave them there, what if..."
"There is no 'what if.' I've never met the Heaven-Piercing Sword, but I fought Chen Luo, who lost to him. Chen Luo, like me, came within a hair of reaching the main tournament. At a time like this, we shouldn't invite trouble."
His subordinate said nothing more. He bowed his head and left to carry out the order.
But just as he was about to leave, Chen Shuo called him back.
"Wait."
The subordinate stood at attention. Observing proper etiquette, he pivoted on his feet and asked,
"Do you have any further instructions, Sect Master?" In the end, however, Chen Shuo shook his head.
"Forget it. Remember what I said. If anything changes, tell me at once.