"Yes, young master!"
As the respectful reply rang out, the gong beaters up ahead swung their arms in full arcs and struck the bronze gongs hard.
Listening to the deafening clangs, the young man curled his lips into a smile, leaned back, and lay down on the timber.
But he had barely settled down when a man beside him suddenly gave a soft exclamation.
"Master, there's someone up ahead!"
"Oh?"
Fu Yuanzong turned his head and glanced ahead, looking mildly surprised.
A lone figure was walking along the mountain path before them.
He carried a long spear on his back, his bearing exceptionally straight and tall.
"Tsk, tsk. He's got quite a presence. He must be a skilled martial artist!"
Fu Yuanzong nodded slightly, then turned to the man who had spoken. "Yan Bei, how long has it been since you last stretched your muscles properly?"
"Young master!"
The man immediately smiled. "Nearly half a month!"
"Good. He's heading up the mountain alone, so there's a good chance he has a Hidden Edge Token!"
As he spoke, Fu Yuanzong looked at the figure ahead and said casually, "Go have some fun with him!"
"But remember, leave him alive!"
Fu Yuanzong paused, then added, "We're not afraid of our name stinking. We're afraid it won't spread!"
"Yes!"
The man's expression brightened with excitement. He mustered his internal energy and prepared to charge forward.
Just then, the old man from the Free-and-Easy Sword Sect, who carried a broad sword on his back, suddenly frowned. "Wait!"
The man stopped and looked at him, a trace of confusion crossing his face.
Fu Yuanzong also turned to the old man curiously. "Elder Cui, what do you mean?"
"I think he might be someone I know!"
As Cui Shengyou answered, he looked at the figure and