It was nearly noon.
Xu Baishi said softly, "Senior Brother Lian, let me trim your hair and nails."
Lian Youming waved a hand and smiled. "Wait until I get back from Mount Emei. Otherwise, I'll just end up covered in blood again. It won't stay clean."
His laugh was hearty and light, and all the more unrestrained.
A martial artist who had yet to connect his Three Energies now seemed to have victory firmly in hand. He had plainly said nothing, yet seemed to be voicing some grand declaration. At that moment, an indescribable courage and resolve seemed to well up within his tall, imposing frame.
Xu Tian marveled too. A man like this, with such indomitable momentum and a gaze that looked down upon the world, was practically the younger self every martial artist imagined himself to have been.
Fearless, looking down on everything.
This was how a martial artist should be.
The boy of those days had now grown to such heights. It was truly astonishing.
Lian Youming likewise looked at Xu Tian, filled with gratitude.
The old man had traveled a thousand miles, certainly not just to exchange a few words and see him this once. Though he had said he was here to collect those sets of broken bones, most of the reason ought to have been Lian Youming himself.
Only, it was not for the battle ahead, but for the arranged fights with Gu Chan and Xue Hen.
As for Xu Tian's intentions, he would probably have to win this battle before he could learn them.
Otherwise, everything was empty talk.
This battle would be Lian Youming's test of himself, and a battle to declare to Xue Hen and Gu Chan that he was qualified to contend with them. The two were waiting here because