The morning sun bathed Tianfu Sword Palace in a warm, golden light, casting long shadows across the sprawling grounds. The air was crisp and filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the earthy aroma of the dew-kissed grass. Birds chirped melodiously from the treetops, their songs weaving a cheerful symphony that echoed through the ancient stone corridors.
Disciples, clad in their distinctive purple Daoist robes, bustled about, their voices a harmonious blend of chatter and laughter. Some discussed their recent training, while others shared tales of their latest adventures in the Willow Tree Forest. The camaraderie among them was palpable, each interaction underscored by a shared sense of purpose and ambition.
Amidst this lively scene, the Bounty Collection Hall stood as a beacon of activity. Its imposing structure loomed over the courtyard, a testament to the palace's grandeur and the formidable challenges that awaited within. The hall's dark, polished stone glistened under the sunlight, and the intricate carvings of mythical beasts and ancient warriors seemed to come alive, their stories whispered through the ages.
Han Xiao and Song Ke approached the grand entrance, their footsteps blending with the rhythmic hum of the bustling morning. The hall's doors were open wide, inviting disciples to step in and take on the tasks that would shape their destinies. Inside, the air buzzed with anticipation, and the walls were lined with wooden bulletin boards covered in scrolls detailing various bounties and missions.
As they entered, the vibrant energy of the hall washed over them. Disciples of all levels haggled over rewards, strategized their next quests, and shared snippets of wisdom and advice. At the center of the room, a massive circular desk was manned by senior disciples and elders, who efficiently managed the flow of tasks and rewards.
Two lines of disciples, one for the ladies and one for the men extended toward the center of the room. As Han Xiao was about to join the queue, Song Ke burst into hearty laughter, “Brother Han, talking with you always brightens my day. Today, I'll deal with those old fogies for you. Just nod your head, alright?”
After conversing with Song Ke for a while, Han Xiao had come to appreciate the man's forthright nature. ‘He’s someone I can truly call a friend,’ he thought, nodding in agreement.
Song Ke’s laughter resonated through the hall, drawing the attention of everyone present.
“Song Ke, if you have missions to submit, do so now. Let’s not make things more difficult for the rest of us,” an elder with a goatee beard called out. The desk was manned by a senior brother from the Inner Court and three elders from the Outer Court.
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Hearing this familiar name, the crowd buzzed with murmurs about his notorious reputation. Song Ke, the great troublemaker, the line cutter, and the Third Tiger of the Outer Court.
“Eh, Elder Gao, don't be so grumpy. You know I always have the best interests of the Outer Court at heart,” Song Ke said, cupping his palm respectfully. “Anyway, this is my brother Han Xiao. He's here to submit his bounty. Can you take care of this first?”
The Senior Brother at the desk, often idle and engrossed in a book, shirked his duties while the three elders handled everything. He wore a pair of cool-looking sunglasses that made Han Xiao think, "How on earth did he get sunglasses in this era? Maybe the Tang Clan is behind it."
"Yo, Elder Brother Tang Chen, you still haven't finished that book yet? At this rate, your hair will turn gray before you hit the last page," Song Ke remarked casually, grinning.
"Song brat, stop bothering me unless you have some cool storybooks," Tang Chen retorted, completely ignoring him as he continued reading.
When Song Ke introduced Han Xiao, the name attracted the attention of every disciple in the hall. They all knew him as the cripple prince of the Han Nation, the useless one, and they turned to look at him. Their first reaction was to move back, holding their noses. In contrast, almost all the girls' eyes twinkled upon seeing him.
Song Ke, indifferent to the reactions around him, nudged Han Xiao forward and pushed through the line, standing before Elder Gao.
“What’s wrong with this Song Ke? He's the Third Tiger, yet he lowers himself to associate with that good-for-nothing. Maybe, as someone from the weak Song Nation, he’s trying to curry favor with Han,” someone muttered.
“Lower your voice, idiot! Or stop talking to me. Are you trying to get us both beaten up?” the youth beside him whispered urgently.
“What if he is the Third Tiger of the Outer Court? Our status is still higher than his. And that smelly brat, I heard he was abandoned by his father here. So don’t worry; nothing will happen to us,” the first youth replied even louder.
Song Ke turned toward them, smiling. Just as he was about to approach, Han Xiao interjected, “Ignore them. They’re just brats who’ll meet their end sooner or later, even if we don’t lift a finger.”
“Are you threatening us?” the youth shouted in anger. He dashed toward them, aiming a punch at Han Xiao, clearly targeting who he perceived to be the weaker one.
Song Ke stood nonchalantly, a sneer spreading across his face. His thoughts were perfectly mirrored as Han Xiao swiftly extended his right arm, delivering a lightning-fast slap across the youth’s face.
Before everyone's eyes, the arrogant youth was flipped upside down thrice by the force of Han Xiao’s slap, tumbling across the crowded hall. Everyone quickly moved aside, uninterested in getting involved. Besides, they were stunned to see the so-called cripple slap the arrogant youth silly.
This time, Han Xiao didn't hold back. He had little interest in fighting here, but the arrogant youth was asking for it. After tumbling across the floor, the youth spat out a mouthful of blood along with some broken teeth. “Y-y-you? How dare you slap me? My Wey Nation will take revenge for this.”
“Hey, you're lucky. You should have seen the other brat he slapped left and right nonstop until he lost consciousness... Alright, go ahead and try calling your father, brat.” Song Ke, appearing like a phantom, kicked the youth out of the hall. The sound of crashing and cursing echoed from outside.