The Fine Figure She Cut, the Small Comfort of a Bath

At the Huang Family Martial Hall, Master Huang lay in a rocking chair inside a small wooden hut in the inner courtyard, rocking gently, utterly at ease.

Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. He sprang up, his figure streaked away like a shadow, and he vanished in an instant.

When he reappeared, he was in the front courtyard, at the martial hall's main building.

Senior Brother Tao, who had been about to turn and announce the visitor, froze and bowed.

"Master, you're here. This gentleman was just about to ask to see you."

Master Huang waved him away, indicating that he would receive the visitor himself.

Senior Brother Tao left the hall and closed the door behind him.

Only a man of distinguished bearing remained inside.

Master Huang looked at the visitor and smiled, though his voice carried an authority that needed no anger.

"The Xiao Household stole my disciple, yet you've got the nerve to come here alone. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?"

"Your household head, Xiao Changsheng, is in seclusion healing his wounds. None of the other lineages or martial halls would wade into these muddy waters for you. You've got guts."

The aura of an Internal Force master bore down like a pressure cooker on the boil. Anyone who lingered beneath it might fear for their life.

Yet the visitor remained standing, a faint smile on his lips.

"Master Huang, please don't take offense. The Xiao Household came in good faith. Your disciple is quite a young man... one of our young ladies has taken a liking to him, and there's a good chance our two families will be joined by marriage."

Master Huang said nothing. After staring at him for a long while, he spoke slowly.

"Uncle Ming, get to the point. Don't try