"Knock, knock, knock."
"Come in."
The graying old man gently pushed the door open and entered. Xiang Wudi, dressed in loose, ink-black training clothes, was kneeling in the center of the meditation room, quietly wiping down the Red-Tasseled Spear.
The room was spacious and bare. The glow of a few oil lamps barely illuminated its four walls, lending it a still, settled air...
"Young master."
The graying old man cupped his hands and said softly, "Yang Erlang has sent word, asking you to settle the time and place of the duel as soon as possible."
Xiang Wudi continued wiping the spearhead with steady hands. Only after a long silence did he say, "Let us make it three days from now. Sorry for the trouble, but please find a secluded spot outside the city."
The graying old man hesitantly sought confirmation. "Outside the city?"
Xiang Wudi nodded. "Outside the city."
After wavering for a few moments, the graying old man asked in a low, worried voice, "Young master, what are your chances of winning?"
Xiang Wudi looked up at him and replied slowly, "The only thing I can be certain of is... if I do not intend to kill him, he will not kill me."
The graying old man found himself at a loss for words.
He drew a deep breath and asked incredulously, "Is Yang Erlang truly that formidable?"
Xiang Wudi smiled. "Even Wang Lin of the White Lotus Cult has fallen to his saber. Why do you still think he is not strong enough?"
The graying old man sighed. "He is too young!"
Xiang Wudi said, "Does that not make him all the more frightening?"
The graying old man opened his mouth, only to close it again before saying anything.
Even though he had not spoken, Xiang Wudi knew