Ming Qing led several disciples out of the tent and took a rough circuit along the terrain of Dragon Stream Valley, looking over all the Wuming Hall disciples' tents, campfires, and everything else. Only then did he come before a huge boulder, leap onto it, raise his head to gaze at the full moon overhead, and stand there quietly.
The disciples Ming Qing had brought watched him and did not dare say much. After quite a while, Ming Qing jumped down from the boulder and said, "Let's go."
The disciples exchanged glances. One of them asked with a flattering smile, "Martial Uncle Ming... do you have something on your mind?"
Ming Qing glanced back at that disciple and said softly, "No. What could I possibly have on my mind?"
"Hehe, Martial Uncle Ming, don't hide it from us. We disciples were scolded by Hall Master too because of that Lihuo Hall disciple who stormed the mountain last time. We were only scolded because our martial arts were simply no match for his. But you, sir... was it because you showed mercy under your hand..."
Ming Qing laughed. "You lot really know how to imagine things!"
Then he sighed again. "Where did I show mercy? That disciple's martial arts truly were formidable, and his strength was astonishing. I was no match for him to begin with. Didn't you see? Even Huben was no match for that disciple in a contest of strength."
"But Senior Brother Xi nearly took that disciple's life with just one sword strike!"
"That disciple had fought his way from the foot of the mountain all the way up, so he was already exhausted. Besides, his moves were lacking and his internal energy limited. Naturally, he was no match for Senior Brother Xi." Ming Qing was unconcerned.
"But