Asking Around

'Plum blossom symbols...So, it's the Mount Hua Sect.' Hanli saw the approaching group but decided not to speak up.

He continued to walk behind the two Namgung children with silent steps.

A few mins later, the group of taoists from Mount Hua Sect were walking side by side Hanli. 

The Namgung children had quickened their pace so that they could reach the Northern Edge Sect's gate.

The two playful children wanted to tour the Northern Edge Sect first before Hanli got there.

So, they raced ahead, leaving Hanli behind to mingle with the other martial groups. 

"So, what's your affiliation?" A taoist with red hair suddenly tilted his head and spoke up.

Hanli continued walking.

"You're going to keep quiet? Alright, pretend I didn't say anything." The red haired taoist tilted his head back and continued walking.

 A short while later, Hanli observed the red-haired Taoist nudging the person beside him, encouraging his sect mate to chat with Hanli. 

Hanli rolled his eyes. 

He couldn't believe the gall of the red haired taoist.

'No balls yet he still wants to strike up a conversation. Persistent bastard.' Hanli cursed inwardly. 

"My name is Hanli, representing the Heavenly Martial Alliance. Since you extended the invitation, I'll honor it. Well, that's all I have to say." Hanli sighed, then briskly increased his pace and walked away.

As for the taoists from Mount Hua Sect, they remained standing in place, their mouths agape.

Soon, a question echoed in their minds, "Who does this young man think he is?"

The group of Mount Hua Sect taoists gritted their teeth in annoyance as they chased after Hanli.

***

Hanli took no time to reach the entrance gate of the Southern Edge Sect. 

No Southern Edge Sect disciples could be seen guarding the gate, indicating to the arriving martial groups that the following banquet was going to be extravagant.

Hanli glanced around as he walked past the gate.

He was looking for Namgung Hua and Namgung Jian. 'Hmm, just where did they run off to?'

He wanted to release his divine sense to search for the two kids. 

But when the thought appeared, he shook his head and dismissed the idea.

'No, I will carry out Senior Thunderbolt's plan to the best of my abilities. For the sake of the surprise, I guess I'll ask around if anyone saw two purple robed children run past them.' 

Hanli proceeded to ask the nearby martial groups that had entered the sect before him.

"Hello friends, have you guys seen a pair of purple robed twins run by you just now? I'm their guardian but I lost sight of them when they ran away from me."

"A pair of purple robed twins? Ohhh, you must be talking about the Sword and Flower of the Namgung Noble Clan!"

"Yes, it's those two kids. Have you seen them?"

The red robed martial expert pondered for a moment before he nodded. He then pointed Hanli at a direction.

Hanli saw his gesture and cupped his fist, thanking the man before he left to find the Namgung twins.

When Hanli had left their sight, one of the red robed martial warriors leaned towards their sect's expert and whispered, "Hey, why did you lie to the young man? That isn't the way those Namgung twins went."

"What do you mean why? Were your eyes closed? That white robed young man didn't have the slightest ounce of qi within him yet claimed to be the Sword and Flower of the Namgung Noble Clan's guardian? Pft, what a joke!"

"But–"

"Haiz, I wonder how did the sect recruit a naive person like yourself? Only a fool would believe that white robed young man's lies. And since he dares to fool us, he shall the pay the price–"

Swish!

A flash of light appeared behind the red robed martial expert. 

Within the blink of an eye, the red robed martial expert's neck felt cold as his vision fell to the ground.

A clear 'thud' sound soon followed.

***

 Hanli sprinted across Southern Edge Sect's rooftops when he heard screams near the entrance. 

'Oh, I guess that man was a famous hero. Red robes and possesses a deceitful look...Ohhh, that martial expert was the Red Lotus Sword from the Red Lotus Sect. Oh well, serve them right for deceiving me.' Chortling inwardly, Hanli couldn't help but revel in silent amusement. 

He ignored the chaos he started as he continued to search for the Namgung twins.

A moment later, Hanli leaped from a pavilion rooftop, landing in a garden of snow-white plum blossom trees. 

He had spotted Namgung Hua so he came here to fetch her.

Just then, as the Heavenly Dragon was only a meter away from Namgung Hua, a group of yellow-robed warriors suddenly appeared and blocked his path. 

"What is the meaning of this?" Hanli looked at the group of martial warriors and asked warily. His right hand rested on his sword handle, ready to pull it out at any moment.

It was clear as day that the yellow robed martial warriors were disciples of the Southern Edge Sect.

 As the host of this year's banquet for the Nine Great Mountains and Five Great Clans, Hanli believed that all disciples had been called to assist in setting up the event.

Yet here there was a group of disciples blocking his way. How wonderful! 

Curious, Hanli put his hands behind his back as he looked at the group of Southern Edge Sect disciples.

As for Namgung Hua, she has yet to notice the arrival of Hanli. 

She was in the middle of picking snow white plum blossoms nearby.