"Sect Master, he's coming! He's coming!"
"Less than ten li away, heading straight for our sect!"
"He's almost at the mountain gate!"
"..."
In the council hall, reports arrived one after another. Wu Jiamin, seated at the head, drew a deep breath and looked at the several fourth-rank elders beside him. "He'll be here any moment. Let's go outside and welcome him."
One elder seemed reluctant to go. "What if—what if he's come to wipe out the sect? If we all go out to welcome him, he could take us down in one sweep. Shouldn't one or two of us stay behind?"
Wu Jiamin shot him a glance. "If anyone dies, I, the sect master, will die first! What are you panicking for?!"
The man lowered his head in shame. The other elders fell silent too, admiring Wu Jiamin in their hearts. Their new sect master truly had the courage to shoulder responsibility!
In truth, Wu Jiamin was panicking himself and cursing inwardly. Granduncle put me in the sect master's seat and told me to apologize to Huang Tian, then ran off himself! Shameless old bastard! Pah!
Cursing was one thing. The task still had to be done.
He rose from his chair. "Enough. All elders and stewards, come with me to welcome him! Show proper respect. If anyone speaks out of turn and ruins this apology, don't blame me for what happens!"
"Yes!"
In truth, he needn't have said it. Which elder or steward would dare? The sect's honor belonged to everyone, but each person's life was his own...
Led by Wu Jiamin, the group left the hall and soon reached the entrance to the sect grounds.
Dozens of people stood together, their expressions uneasy. No one spoke. All held their breath.
Clop, clop~
Hooves struck the road before