Su Mu looked satisfied at the crowd's reaction, letting out a light snort from his nostrils to show disdain.
Although the challenge against Yang Kai had already been set by Su Mu today, the people gathered here did not leave; they didn't know exactly how Yang Kai had offended Su Mu, so naturally they stayed to watch the show.
After waiting a while longer, Yang Kai still hadn't appeared, and Su Mu grew impatient: "Where is he?"
"I don't know; usually he comes out early to sweep, but today for some reason he hasn't shown up yet. Young Master Su, should we go check where he lives?"
Su Mu thought for a moment, then nodded: "Fine, a mere sweeping servant dares to make me wait; later I'll make him regret it!"
Where Yang Kai lives is no secret; the few people with Su Mu immediately led the way.
The crowd of onlookers also followed in droves.
After a moment, a group arrived at Yang Kai's hut, looking at the shabby, wind-leaking wooden shack, Su Mu felt a sudden burst of satisfaction, pointing at the hut: "Does that brat live here?"
"Reporting to Young Master Su, Yang Kai is a Trial Disciple; his food, clothing, lodging, and travel are all his own responsibility; the sect won't look after him. This hut is probably something he built himself."
"Good, good, good." Su Mu felt great; thinking of how Yang Kai would get drenched like a drowned rat on a rainy day made him feel delighted.
He cleared his throat, wiped the smile from his face, and with a tiger's stride stepped forward, shouting loudly: "Hey, Yang Kai, get out here and face death, Young Master!"
That shout, like a great bell yet filled with hatred, carried a lament of blood and tears, making the onlookers' hearts tremble; they secretly thought the grudge between Yang Kai and Su Mu was no small matter.
Su Mu, imposing and unmoved by the eight winds, after shouting stared expectantly at the hut's door, imagining Yang Kai tumbling out in disgrace begging for mercy; the more he imagined it, the more pleased he felt.
But after waiting and waiting, there was not a stir from inside.
Su Mu's face flushed with embarrassment; he shouted again: "Yang Kai, if you're smart, come out quickly, otherwise we'll charge in."
Still no movement.
Su Mu also felt something was off; if Yang Kai were really inside, he'd at least be breathing—could he have not been there?
He turned his head and gave a signal to one of his subordinates; that person darted out, kicked the hut's door open, and rushed inside with agile steps.
Not long after, the same person came back and reported to Su Mu: "Young Master Su, there's no one inside, and there's some dust; it looks like that brat knew disaster was coming and fled a few days ago."
"He fled?" Su Mu almost spat blood; he had plotted for days, brought a crowd to make a scene, and yet Yang Kai had run away?
It was like throwing a mighty punch only to hit a cotton ball, leaving Su Mu with an indescribable feeling of helplessness and frustration.
"Come to think of it, we really haven't seen Yang Kai these past few days."
"He who knows the times is a true hero; Yang Kai offended Su Mu, probably realizing catastrophe was imminent, so he left the sect."
"No wonder he hasn't shown up even now."
"Ah, Yang Kai is gone; from now on there won't be any free Contribution Points to pick up."
The onlookers whispered among themselves, yet every word reached Su Mu's ears.
Although he felt pleased, having failed to take revenge left Su Mu still dissatisfied.