A cold sneer rang out, and a murderous chill swept over Short Street.
The youth walked through the snow, his shirt sleeves rolled up. Though thinly dressed, his powerful, muscular frame seemed all the more sharply defined, brimming with explosive strength. Murder filled his eyes, his ferocity oppressive.
"Tsk, tsk. Someone raised out in the wild really is different from those of us properly trained, huh? All that viciousness..."
Among the spectators at the entrance to Short Street, the farmer-like uncle clicked his tongue at Lian Youming's retreating back. But when he caught his master's sidelong glance, he quickly ducked his head, hunched his shoulders, and gave an awkward smile.
The old man said mildly, "With certain people, you ought to be that vicious... The rest of you youngsters should watch, too. Following the rules is one thing, but that doesn't mean becoming spineless cowards, afraid of everything when you fight. The world may have changed, but you mustn't lose that spirit."
The Baji Sect disciples behind the old man all nodded hastily.
The farmer-like uncle smiled wryly. "You can't really blame them for that."
If anyone was to blame, it was Li Da.
Of course, he did not have the nerve to say that.
Li Da was not merely highly skilled; his status was extraordinary, too. The disciples naturally both respected and feared him. After joining, what they heard most often was that they must not cause trouble for the sect or tarnish Li Da's name. Hearing it over and over, they naturally restrained themselves in everything, until they had almost restrained all the spirit out of themselves.
For once, the old man did not argue.
Someone formidable might inspire envy and admiration, but someone too formidable, formidable beyond all bounds, brought only pressure.
That was also part of