"Steward Chen." The five Heads of the Court bowed.
The Disciples of the C Institute followed suit, bowing respectfully.
Chen Yao nodded and then asked, "Have the Human Martial Beads been distributed yet?"
"Reporting to Steward Chen, Steward Huang hasn’t arrived yet. We’re waiting for him," a Head of the Court responded.
"Steward Huang? Which Steward Huang?" Chen Yao was quite puzzled.
The Head of the Court hurriedly replied, "The son of the Second Elder, Huang Xu."
"Huang Xu? He actually came back?" Chen Yao frowned slightly, her face filled with annoyance.
"Heh, it seems Senior Sister Chen is as unwilling to see me as ever." A light laugh tinged with disappointment sounded as a young man in a purple robe walked into the Bing Institute.
The young man was in his early twenties, with ordinary features and gloomy eyes. He reeked of blood. Even from a distance, one could smell the nauseating stench that clung to him.
He was Huang Xu, son of the Human Institute’s Second Elder. He was also the former Second Brother of the Institute, ranked just below Chen Yao. Having passed the age of twenty, he was no longer a disciple. Instead, he served as a steward of the Human Institute alongside Chen Yao.
"Since you know, then hurry up and distribute the Human Martial Beads, and then get out of here!" Chen Yao said with undisguised disgust.
A cold glint flashed in Huang Xu’s eyes. As he took out his Storage Bag, his gaze landed on Long Chen, who was standing beside Chen Yao.
"And this young man beside Senior Sister Chen... he must be Long Chen, correct?" Huang Xu sized up Long Chen. "He’s certainly distinguished-looking. No wonder Senior Sister Chen let you live in her courtyard. I heard that she was frantic looking for you last night. She had all the elders and stewards scrambling to find you."
Long Chen frowned slightly. He was suddenly overcome with a very uncomfortable feeling, and it wasn’t just because of the stench of blood coming from Huang Xu. In short, a single glance was enough to tell him that Huang Xu was bad news—the kind of person who was repulsive, and perhaps even very dangerous.
"I hear you’ve cultivated your Constitution to the Earthly Body at such a young age. Among all the disciples in the Sect, you’re the fourth to do so." Huang Xu opened the Storage Bag and gestured. "Take out your Storage Bag. I’ll give you your Human Martial Beads first."
Forcing himself to endure the pungent stench of blood, Long Chen frowned and took out his Storage Bag. "My thanks, Steward Huang."
"According to the rules, a Third-class Disciple can receive 10,000 Human Martial Beads. However, you’re different. I’ll give you an additional 990,000." As his voice fell, Huang Xu manipulated his Storage Bag, causing streams of light to fly into Long Chen’s.
In an instant, the expressions of everyone present changed subtly, especially the Disciples of the C Institute.
Third-class Disciples could only receive 10,000 Human Martial Beads each month. This was a rule of both the Sect and the Institute. But Huang Xu had just given Long Chen 1,000,000 Human Martial Beads! One person had received a share meant for one hundred disciples!
Just as Long Chen was about to refuse, Huang Xu held up a hand to stop him. "This is the Second Elder’s decision. He oversees the distribution of all Human Martial Beads."
Hearing this, Long Chen couldn’t help but look at Chen Yao. Seeing her nod in silent agreement, he said no more.
"Come forward one by one to receive your Human Martial Beads," Huang Xu said, his eyes sweeping over the Disciples of the C Institute.
Chen Yao sent a mental message to Long Chen. "Huang Xu is extremely bloodthirsty. Many disciples in the Sect have died by his hand, but he’s always too careful to leave any evidence. Even though everyone knows he murders his fellow sect members, the Sect can’t convict him. He deliberately gave you an extra 990,000 Human Martial Beads today. It looks like a reward, but it’s really meant to incite the greed of the other disciples. You’re guaranteed to be attacked by them because of this."
Long Chen narrowed his eyes. He had already considered this point, but he was still more confused than anything.
"Why would he do that? We’ve only just met. There’s no enmity between us," Long Chen asked via mental message.
Chen Yao’s voice turned cold. "Most of the fellow sect members he’s murdered died under mysterious circumstances. Only he knows the real reasons. In any case, with your strength, you should be fine even if they attack you. You just need to be wary of Huang Xu. Don’t have any contact with him."
Once all the disciples had received their Human Martial Beads, Huang Xu commanded in a flat voice, "The five Heads of the Court may take them to the Brawl Forest now."
"Yes, Steward Huang!" The five Heads of the Court bowed, accepting the order.
Instantly, all the disciples turned as one to stare at Long Chen, their eyes filled with aggression.
The allure of one million Human Martial Beads was plain to see.
Just at that moment, the door of the first room suddenly opened.
Tang Le yawned and said, "Hold on, I haven’t gotten mine yet. I was planning on heading to the Brawl Forest to stretch my legs today."