Yao Ling'er's expression changed drastically, and she hurriedly stopped Ning XuanWu.
"Why are you stopping me? This person is too arrogant, he simply does not take my XuanWu Sect seriously. Let me go. I want to rush in there and raze that martial arts school to the ground," Ning XuanWu angrily shouted, wishing he could immediately charge in and flatten the martial arts school.
"Master, you must remain calm, beware of tricks!" Yao Ling'er said gravely, "He likely hung the Swift Cloak there deliberately to provoke a reaction from us, then set traps. If Master falls for it..."
Ning XuanWu looked at her.
"If Master falls for it, you would be falling into the villain's trap. It's likely that's how the two Senior Brothers died that day." Seeing Ning XuanWu hesitate, Yao Ling'er continued earnestly, "You must be cautious."
Hearing this, Ning XuanWu also reacted.
He couldn't help but feel a touch of fear in retrospect.
He sighed, restraining his anger and looking at the dead soldier.
"Rest assured, I keep my word. Go ahead without worry," Ning XuanWu said, "I'll leave the important and difficult task of scouting the martial arts school to you."
The young dead soldier gritted his teeth, "Please be assured, Sect Leader. I will complete the mission."
"Remember, do not attract his attention whatsoever, and don't reveal any hostility. Focus on gathering information. Be extremely careful," Yao Ling'er earnestly reminded again.
The dead soldier nodded, then walked cautiously towards the martial arts school under Ning XuanWu and the others' gaze.
Nearing the entrance, he paused for a moment.
The Swift Cloak was hanging like a rag next to him.
The Ground-Shaking Stone was right beneath his feet.
Suppressing his nervousness, he took a deep breath and stepped over the Ground-Shaking Stone.
Suddenly, he somewhat understood why the person had used the Ground-Shaking Stone to pave the steps here.
He entered the front hall.
Inside was ordinary, nothing special, no different from a regular martial arts school, in fact, it was inferior to others.
It seemed there was no danger either.
"Disciple, why did you take down the plaque too?" In the yard, Yi Feng stroked his dog while asking Zhong Qing.
"Master, I saw a lot of dust on it, so I took it down to wipe it clean. But there are still some water stains, so I'm letting it dry here temporarily. I'll put it back up once it's dry," Zhong Qing softly replied.
"Mm, well done," Yi Feng nodded in approval. Zhong Qing was much more meticulous than him, handling everything well.
Just then, a voice sounded from the front hall.
The unfamiliar voice surprised Yi Feng.
It had been a long time since anyone came here. He got up and went out, finding a youth about his age. "Hello, how may I help you?" he asked.
The dead soldier also shuddered when he saw Yi Feng. The senior sister Yao Ling'er probably meant this man!
Sweat dampened his back.
But he remained calm on the surface and asked, "Hello, which way to the XuanWu Sect?"
However careful he was, he still made mistakes. The XuanWu Sect had slipped from his mouth.
He thought to himself, turning pale. This exposed his identity!
For a moment, he watched Yi Feng nervously, eyes shrinking to pinholes, even envisioning Yi Feng slapping him dead.
Yet Yi Feng did nothing, even feeling somewhat disappointed.
So he was just asking for directions. I thought he was here to buy something or ask to become my disciple. My martial arts school is such a failure. But the helpful Yi Feng didn't show anything on his face. He politely gave the approximate directions.
Yi Feng's composure exceeded the dead soldier's expectations.
He exposed such a huge flaw yet there was no reaction?
Examining Yi Feng, ordinary and unremarkable, just like a common person. Could this really be a master?
It seemed the Sect Leader and the others had guessed wrong. This wasn't some master, but an ordinary, unremarkable commoner!
Thinking this, he became bolder and said, "Business doesn't seem too good here. I bet you don't have many disciples, right?"
After speaking, he watched Yi Feng with narrowed eyes.
Admittedly, being chosen to scout this place showed he had ample courage and cunning. Though he had revealed a flaw earlier, that didn't affect his scheming.
His question was perfectly aimed.
On the surface, it contained mockery. If he had misjudged and this man really was a master, there would surely be a reaction, like anger, emitting a domineering aura, etc...
Likewise, he had left himself an out. Because this question wasn't severe enough to provoke killing intent.
Hearing this, Yi Feng's expression was a bit awkward.
But this guy was right, business was bleak here and he had no rebuttal.
"As expected," the dead soldier sneered inwardly seeing Yi Feng's reaction. This man had no reaction whatsoever, none of a master's bearings. His assessment was set.
Yao Ling'er and Ning XuanWu had judged incorrectly. This was just an ordinary person with no skills.
And the deaths of Senior Brothers Wu Feng and Wu Xiang likely also contained some misunderstanding.
He chatted casually for a few more sentences, then swaggered out unobstructed. He encountered no danger, which further confirmed his thoughts.
He was quite proud of this handling.