Chapter 1538 - 1433: Who Goes There?
The conical hat man took off his hat, revealing a handsome face, his eyebrows flying, his eyes shining—who else could it be but Qin Hao?
"Elder Yun Cai, your divine power is truly remarkable. I came in disguise, yet you still saw through me." Qin Hao had a hint of a smile on his lips, as if visiting an old friend.
"Haha, someone of your talent, able to stir up the inner sect like a storm, naturally carries an aura wherever they go. I think it would be hard not to notice you," Elder Yun Cai said playfully as always.
Qin Hao couldn’t help but look at her a few more times, thinking that if this girl pretended to be an innocent lady outside, no one would likely see through her.
"Ahem, Elder Yun Cai, I’m here today for an important matter..." Qin Hao appropriately changed the subject, thinking that if he continued bantering with this girl, his thoughts might stray.
"I know." Elder Yun Cai laughed softly: "You’re here for my apprentice Ni’Er, aren’t you?"
"That’s right." Qin Hao admitted frankly, asking, "Do you know where Ni’Er is now? Can I see her?"
Elder Yun Cai didn’t answer immediately but instead asked, "Did you notice the situation at the entrance just now?"
"I noticed." Qin Hao commented, "It’s packed with people."
"Then do you think our inner sect disciples can be idle?"
"Of course not."
Elder Yun Cai smiled, "So, you cannot see Ni’Er for now."
Seeing Qin Hao frown, Elder Yun Cai chuckled, "Ni’Er has just started on the path of alchemy and has much to learn and comprehend. She is deep in the Medicine Hall, practicing diligently."
"Doesn’t she need to complete her monthly task?" Qin Hao interjected.
"Don’t you know?" Elder Yun Cai seemed surprised: "True disciples also have monthly tasks, but they can be postponed. For instance, if you don’t want to complete it this month, you can defer it to the next month..."
Qin Hao really had no idea about this benefit for true disciples, thinking to himself, why didn’t Ji Xinhu tell me?
But he didn’t plan to retreat and asked, "So, do you intend to have Ni’Er complete the task next month?"
"No, six months later." Elder Yun Cai held up one finger with a smile.
"Alright then." Qin Hao inevitably felt a bit disappointed.
He had come with the intent to see Ni’Er, but was met with this kind of response.
Thinking about it, however, Ni’Er had just entered the sect, so it was normal to spend more time in secluded cultivation. Thus, he nodded and said, "Sorry to trouble you. If Ni’Er has free time, please notify me, Elder Yun Cai."
"That can be arranged." Elder Yun Cai smiled and agreed.
"Farewell!" Qin Hao cupped his fists, put the hat back on, and walked out the door.
...
Inside the room, the smile on Elder Yun Cai’s face faded, turning into worry: "Qin Hao, your talents and abilities are so outstanding. Having Ni’Er follow you would surely accelerate her path to fame. But the problem is, you cause such a stir! In such a short time since joining, you have become well-known, even making those rash younglings see you as an opponent."
"If Ni’Er follows you, she might get caught up in it. She’s still too weak now, best to avoid much contact!"
With these thoughts, the curtain in the hall lifted, and a pretty figure ran over, full of joy: "Master! I heard Brother Qin is here! Where is he?"
"He’s gone." Yun Cai left her seat, came to Jin Ni’Er, and gently caressed her head: "Your Brother Qin was just passing by and said he wanted to see you, but he left because of some unforeseen matters..."
"I see..." Jin Ni’Er’s face turned from joy to disappointment. As this was told by her master, she didn’t doubt it.
"Ni’Er, don’t be sad..."
Before Yun Cai could finish, Jin Ni’Er self-reproached: "If I had known, I wouldn’t have worked on this elixir. Alas, I wasted time."
"It’s okay." Yun Cai continued to comfort her.
"Alright, I’ll go see Brother Qin later! By then, I will surely be an Alchemy Master!" Jin Ni’Er encouraged herself.
...
...
As Qin Hao exited the Medicine Hall, he immediately attracted a barrage of stares.
"He’s out! The mysterious conical hat man is out!"
"So fast, gaining an audience with Elder Yun Cai in person! Truly enviable!"
"What did they talk about?"
Amidst a sea of questions, people noticed Xun Sheng standing at the entrance with a furious expression, and everyone’s heart skipped a beat.
"Is Xun Sheng angry? Is he going to cause trouble for this Conical Hat Disciple?"
"Definitely, oh no, he’s in trouble now!"
Among the chatter, Xun Sheng roared: "Scoundrel! How dare you come out!"
Facing the loud shout, Qin Hao only coldly snorted: "Shut up!"
Having not met Ni’Er, he was not in the best of moods.
"How dare you insult me?" Xun Sheng was instantly enraged, shouting to the people behind him: "Those who help me deal with this guy can enter to request medicine!"
Knowing he couldn’t win against Qin Hao, he began abusing his power, inviting others to gang up.
Hearing this, the disciples in line exchanged looks, clearly tempted.
If they continued to queue, who knew how long it would take to get in.
If there was a shortcut...
Yet, before the thought could even fully form, a scream of "Ah!" reached them.
When they looked, they saw Xun Sheng’s body soaring high into the air.
Bang!
He crashed onto the door beam and collapsed on the ground, eyes shut, completely unconscious!
"Hiss!"
The crowd gasped at the scene.
"That’s Xun Sheng? Taken out in a second?"
"He’s Elder Yun Cai’s disciple, right? How dare that conical hat man?"
"On Elder Yun Cai’s turf, attacking her disciple? Bold!"
Amid the discussions, the crowd suddenly realized that the conical hat man had already vanished!
"Bring Xun Sheng inside!"
At this moment, Elder Yun Cai’s voice came from inside, rendering everyone speechless.
"What? From Elder Yun Cai’s tone, she doesn’t seem to plan on going after that conical hat man?"
"Heavens! Who on earth is that guy?"
...
...
Though Qin Hao left, the legend of the "Conical Hat Man" had just begun.
He paid no mind to the various rumors.
Now, he stood atop Zhenyue Peak, facing a series of orderly grass huts.
As a crucial area within the Huashan Sect, the buildings here were astonishingly humble, resembling a poor and backward village of the mortal world.
Yet, just from afar, Qin Hao could feel the overwhelming aura of slaughter.
In his eyes, this patch of thatched huts appeared like a battlefield brimming with danger.
Calming his breath and emotions, Qin Hao held his head high and walked towards the thatched huts.
Soon, someone halted him. "Who goes there?"
Qin Hao casually glanced at the person.
The person had thick eyebrows, big eyes, wearing the attire of disciples detained at Zhenyue Peak, with extremely narrow eyes—a look that was clearly not to be messed with.