The murmuring in the hall gradually swelled, like water boiling in a kettle. Some had already recovered from their shock and begun weighing the news with furrowed brows-was this a crisis, or an opportunity?
"Now that we know where the Demon Venerable is staying," a somewhat youthful voice ventured, tinged with eagerness, "what do you all intend to do?"
Someone immediately answered, his tone brimming with righteous fervor. "What else? Capture the leader first! While he appears to have little support, we should gather our forces and strike first. Take him down in one blow and end the threat for good!"
"Fight him with what?" another, elderly voice interrupted coldly, making no effort to hide his scorn.
"Are you sure you can win? Young people... arrogant, and forgetful to boot! Have you forgotten just how formidable Si Beixing was?"
"So we should tuck our tails between our legs and cower while the remnants of the Demonic Path do whatever they please on our territory?" The first speaker refused to back down, his voice abruptly rising.
"Who do you think Si Beixing is? The iron-fisted master of Nether Swan Hall!" Anger crept into the elderly voice as well.
"At the height of the fighting between the righteous and demonic factions, he could walk through armies as though strolling across level ground. Since taking power, he has never lost a battle! What will you fight him with? The lives of your disciples?"
"Then what do you suggest? We finally have news of him. Are we supposed to just sit here and watch?"
"I said we should take the long view and investigate his intentions before acting, not that we shouldn't fight!"
"Enough."
A steady voice cut in, carrying a trace of weariness and an authority that brooked no argument. "What are you