The boy looked about fourteen or fifteen, roughly the same age Xu Yan had been two years earlier. He wore a tattered gray Daoist robe, and traces of weariness showed on his face. He had been resting cross-legged in a corner, but upon hearing the Inspired Rogue Person's words, a flicker of wariness appeared in his tightly closed eyes.
After shaking his head, the young cultivator immediately rose and hurried away.
Watching the boy leave in haste, Jin Xin shook his head and prepared to search the hall for his next target.
Jin Xin was completely unprepared. Just as he turned around, he discovered that a black-robed cultivator had appeared beside him without his noticing, giving him such a fright that he jolted.
"Hey! Why are you sneaking around like that? You scared this Daoist half to... huh? ...Master Lin!" Jin Xin had been about to curse, but when his gaze swept over the black-robed cultivator's stern face, he swallowed the insults before they could leave his mouth.
Jin Xin glanced around. Finding that he was the only person nearby, he pointed at himself and asked uncertainly, "Master Lin, did you come looking for me?"
Xu Yan vaguely remembered hearing other rogue cultivators mention that the Inspired Rogue Person's real name was Jin Xin. The man had a fairly good reputation within the Rogue Cultivator Alliance in Fufeng Commandery and was well informed. Rogue cultivators generally sought him out when they needed information.
"That's right. I came to ask you about something, fellow Daoist." Xu Yan nodded and spoke impassively.
At his words, a smile immediately spread across Jin Xin's face, and even the three wisps of beard on his chin visibly trembled. He glanced around and lowered his voice. "Please follow me, Master Lin."
With that, he threaded through