The branch headquarters was not far away, yet when the Earthly Sha Sect's Tiger Lord hurried over, a sheen of hot sweat had formed on his forehead.
Without even stopping to catch his breath, he jumped down from his mount and hurried into the inn beside the street.
In the main hall, the young man who had caused the trouble sat composedly in the seat of honor, seemingly waiting expressly for him. The onlookers had retreated far away, but curiosity still drove them to peer through cracks in the doors or hover beside the windows.
"This humble one is Yang Hu. I pay my respects to you, esteemed senior. Whatever use you may have for me here in the Long Capital, I will bend my back to the task until my strength is spent, bear every hardship without complaint, and never dare disobey."
After just one look, the Tiger Lord dropped to his knees like a golden mountain toppling and a jade pillar falling. Not only did he startle the attendants who had followed him, but he even stirred a measure of surprise in Li Chen.
The men behind him hesitated for a moment, then dropped to their knees in a flurry as well.
Now intrigued, Li Chen asked, "How did you know I was an accomplished senior?"
The Tiger Lord raised his head and replied deferentially, "You jest, senior. Your wisdom is heaven-bestowed, your martial prowess innate... er... I judged it from the Puppet Master skills you displayed."
Under the puppet wooden soldier's icy gaze, he decided it would be better to dispense with empty flattery and answer only what he was asked.
Li Chen controlled the puppet and asked, "Oh? Let's hear it."
The Tiger Lord said, "If I'm not mistaken, your true body is not here. Instead,