Sumu looked at the reactions of the crowd with satisfaction, snorting lightly through his nostrils to show disdain.
Although today's challenge to Yang Kai had already been set by Sumu, the people gathered there did not leave. They didn't know how Yang Kai had offended Sumu, so naturally, they stayed to watch the spectacle.
After waiting a while longer, Yang Kai still showed no sign of appearing. Sumu, growing impatient, asked, "Where is he?"
"I don't know. Usually, he would have come out to sweep the floor by now, but for some reason, he hasn't shown up today. Young Master Sumu, should we go to his place to check?"
Sumu thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "That's fine. A mere sweeper dares to make this young master wait. He'll get what he deserves later!"
Yang Kai's residence was no secret, and the few people around Sumu immediately led the way.
The crowd watching the spectacle also followed in a large group.
A short while later, the group arrived at Yang Kai's small house. Looking at the extremely shabby, drafty wooden house, Sumu felt a sudden sense of satisfaction. He pointed at the wooden house and said, "That kid lives here?"
"Replying to Young Master Sumu, Yang Kai is a probationary disciple and must take care of his own food, clothing, shelter, and travel. The sect does not manage him. This house is probably one he built himself."
"Good, good, good." Sumu felt extremely pleased. Just thinking about how Yang Kai would be drenched like a wet chicken in the rain made him feel even better.
He cleared his throat, reined in his smile, and strode forward with a tiger-like gait, shouting loudly, "Hey, Yang Kai, come out and face your doom!"
This shout, full of resentment and a sense of blood and tears, made the onlookers shudder. They thought that the grudge between Yang Kai and Sumu must be quite significant.
Sumu, looking majestic and unperturbed, stared at the door of the wooden house with great anticipation, imagining the scene of Yang Kai running out in a panic to beg for mercy. The more he thought about it, the more satisfied he felt.
But after waiting and waiting, there was no movement inside the house.
Sumu's face began to lose its composure, and he roared again, "Yang Kai, if you know what's good for you, come out now, or we'll break in!"
There was still no response.
Sumu began to feel something was wrong. If Yang Kai was really inside, he should at least be breathing. Could he not be there?
Turning his head, Sumu gave a nod to one of his subordinates, who quickly rushed forward and kicked open the door of the wooden house, dashing inside with agile movements.
A short while later, the man came out and said to Sumu, "Young Master Sumu, there's no one inside. There's also some dust, so it seems this kid knew a disaster was coming and fled a few days ago."
"Fled?" Sumu almost vomited. He had been plotting for several days and brought so many people to create a scene, but Yang Kai had fled?
It was like throwing a powerful punch only to hit a cotton ball, leaving Sumu feeling powerless and depressed.
"Speaking of which, I haven't seen Yang Kai these past few days."
"A wise man knows when to retreat. Yang Kai must have known a disaster was coming and left the sect."
"No wonder he hasn't shown up until now."
"Ah, with Yang Kai gone, there will be no more free contribution points."
The onlookers whispered among themselves, but every word reached Sumu's ears.
Although he felt satisfied, he was still unhappy that he couldn't take revenge. After a moment of dark contemplation, Sumu had to accept this reality and said angrily, "This kid got off easy, but if I don't avenge this, I'll be filled with hatred. Set fire to this破烂房子."
The crowd was shocked, even Sumu's own people hesitated. One of them said, "Young Master Sumu, setting fire inside the sect, isn't that a bit too much?"
"What are you afraid of?" Sumu glared, "If the sky falls, I'll hold it up. Besides, this isn't the sect's property. What's the big deal if it burns? This shabby house is an eyesore to this young master."
Hearing this, the crowd's concerns were dispelled. After all, Young Master Sumu had backing, and burning a shabby house was no big deal.
Someone immediately went to fetch fire and dry grass.
A short while later, everything was ready. Sumu, with a sinister look on his face, held a makeshift torch, the flames casting a distorted shadow on his face.
"Yang Kai, if I ever see you again, I'll make you wish you were dead!" Sumu gritted his teeth and was about to throw the torch into the wooden house when a whiff of blood and a hand on his shoulder stopped him. Someone asked, "What are you doing?"
Without thinking, Sumu replied, "Burning the house."
"Why are you burning my house?" The voice of the newcomer was tinged with annoyance.
"My house?" Sumu's mouth twisted, and he turned to look at the newcomer. At this sight, Sumu jumped to the side like a rabbit, his movements incredibly agile, adopting a defensive stance, his face filled with panic, and his body hair standing on end.
The newcomer's appearance was truly terrifying. His clothes were tattered, his hair was a mess like weeds, and he was extremely dirty. Not only that, but there were countless bloodstains on his body, and his clothes were covered in blood. He had a small, bulging bag on his shoulder, and it was unclear what was inside.
A gentle breeze blew, and the tattered pants flapped in the wind, revealing a leg covered in thick, growing hair.
What Sumu found most unbearable was the smell. A mix of blood and sweat, it was so strong that it made one want to vomit and lose their appetite for days.
This appearance, this demeanor, was truly bizarre.
If he had a broken bowl in his hand, he would look like a beggar living off the charity of others!
However... why did he seem familiar?
Sumu carefully examined the newcomer, growing more and more puzzled. After a moment, he suddenly slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Yang Kai!"
Who else could it be? Although his appearance had changed and his face was covered in dirt, how could Sumu, who had a grudge against Yang Kai, not recognize him?
Yang Kai also recognized Sumu and grinned, revealing his sharp, white teeth, "Isn't this the great Junior Brother Su who displayed his might and righteousness in Wu Mei Town?"
The mocking tone made Sumu's face turn red and then pale. He stomped his foot and said, "Yang Kai, you had a path to heaven but didn't take it, and now you've come to hell! You're dead today."
"You want to cause me trouble?" Yang Kai frowned.
"Of course!" Sumu said smugly, "Do you think I came to visit you?"
"If you want to cause me trouble, just come to me directly. Why burn my house?" Yang Kai questioned.
Sumu quickly threw the torch and stomped on it as if he were stomping on Yang Kai himself, feeling extremely relieved. It took a while to extinguish the torch.
This delay finally allowed the onlookers to regain their senses. Only then did they realize that Yang Kai had not left the Lingxiao Pavilion out of fear of Sumu but had gone out to do something.
But what could he have done to end up in such a pitiful state? There was so much blood, and the cuts on his clothes were clearly made by a sharp weapon. Had he been in a life-or-death battle?