Northern Shaolin.
Master Xinhu sat with his junior brothers, discussing ways to strengthen the defenses of the Sutra Depository to prevent any more scripture thefts.
A young monk hurried inside. "Senior Uncle, a martial artist has come. He says he wants to challenge someone to a sword duel."
Master Xinhu waved a hand. "Tell him Northern Shaolin does not specialize in swordsmanship. No one here will duel with him. Tell him to leave."
Before long, the young monk came running back. "Senior Uncle, he won't leave."
Master Xinmei flew into a rage. "Senior Brother, I'll go see who dares be so arrogant."
Bai Xiaosheng was dead, and those martial artists had all left. Who had this young man come to duel with? He clearly wanted to step on Northern Shaolin to climb higher.
Arriving at the entrance, he saw a young man standing there with a straw cord tied around his head, holding a strip of iron wrapped in tattered cloth.
"No one in Northern Shaolin will duel with you. The martial artists have all left. Starting today, we are temporarily Mountain-Sealing and receiving no visitors. Please leave."
A'Fei looked at Master Xinmei. "Why did they leave? Wasn't Bai Xiaosheng supposed to be here?"
Master Xinmei glared at him in irritation. "Bai Xiaosheng is dead!"
Who is this fellow? Does he have no friends? How could he not know about something this big?
A'Fei froze for a moment. "Dead? I wanted to see where my sword would rank."
Was I too late again?
No matter. There are still people here.
"You're an expert too, so I'll challenge you. Tell me roughly where I would place on the Weapons Ranking."
Master Xinmei had already been seething with anger. Seeing A'Fei provoke him like this, he could no longer contain himself. "Very