That streak of green light was a tiny branch of the Rootless Wood.
It flew out of Yang Qing's sleeve, struck the man's forehead like lightning, then swiftly flew back and hid in his sleeve again.
The man, who had been busy talking to Yang Qing, felt only a sting on his forehead. The pain vanished a moment later, so he paid it no mind.
But Lin Zhong and Du Yongquan, who stood directly opposite him, saw with perfect clarity that a tiny hole had appeared in his forehead.
A trickle of fresh blood welled out of that little hole.
The startling change happened in an instant.
The man had thought he had merely been bitten by an insect or something, but now he caught the unmistakable smell of blood. Instinctively, he raised a hand and wiped his forehead.
His hand came away covered in blood.
At first, only a thin trickle had been running down, but that wipe smeared blood all over his face.
"Rootless Life? You actually had Rootless Life attack?"
The blood-covered man paid no attention to the wound on his forehead. Instead, he looked at Yang Qing with excitement and envy. "You really are using a mighty timber as a toothpick."
Yang Qing glanced at his cuff, then looked calmly at the man. "Since it has already acknowledged me as its master, I can use it however I please. Naturally, there is no need to make a point of informing any of you."
"But by doing this, you've already violated our master's taboos. If you still want to live, hand over Rootless Life obediently, and we'll put in a few good words for you before our master."
"Your master?" Yang Qing gave a cold laugh. "What does your master have to do with me?"
"Insolence! If