Chapter 95: 112. The Crew Cut of Nottingham City
Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect
Not long ago, the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect experienced a transfer of power.
The old sect master, Ning Daocheng, died of old age within the sect, and Ning Fengzhi took over as the new sect master.
At present, the sect still boasted the two elder protectors Man Niu and Kuang Xi, both disciples of previous sect masters, while Chen Xin and Gu Rong had broken through to the Titled Douluo level a few years ago.
This granted the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect a brief period of strength with four Titled Douluo.
But Ning Fengzhi knew this could not last long—both Man Niu and Kuang Xi were aging and nearing their end.
Ambitious upon taking office, Ning Fengzhi planned to convene the Three Great Sects meeting and work hard for a resurgence. However, he soon received news of the Sky Valley Ridge incident involving the Clear Sky Sect.
He immediately called a sect-wide assembly, gathering all the Protector Douluo to discuss the matter.
"I never expected the proud Clear Sky Sect to produce such a bloodthirsty scoundrel," Chen Xin spat in disdain.
"Sect Master, this incident severely depleted Clear Sky Sect's strength. It is their weakest moment. This is an opportunity for our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect. While Man Niu and I are still alive, why don't we replace Clear Sky as the top sect in the world?" proposed Kuang Xi Douluo.
Ning Fengzhi shook his head. "Grandfather Kuang Xi, the title of top sect is but an empty name. Behind any reputation must lie true strength. That title will bring no great benefits—only put a target on our backs."
"The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan covets this position. If we take it, Clear Sky Sect will resent us deeply. The unity of the Three Great Sects will fracture, and ultimately, Spirit Hall will stand to benefit."
Ning Fengzhi rose, worry etched on his face. "Though Spirit Hall lost two Protector Douluo, these losses do not wound them profoundly. Clear Sky Sect, however, was gravely weakened. The strength of the Three Great Sects has declined. Spirit Hall's ambitions will only swell. Our true threat is Spirit Hall, and the Three Great Sects must stand united."
"That's true," Chen Xin agreed. "But Tang Hao's strength and his atrocious actions are shocking. A Soul Douluo killing seven Titled Douluo and injuring two—wouldn't it be better to strike at Spirit Hall directly?" Man Niu said.
Ning Fengzhi nodded in agreement. "If Tang Hao has such skill, he should kill more Spirit Hall Titled Douluo and ease the pressure on the Three Great Sects. He slaughtered five Clear Sky Titled Douluo—including his own father—and crippled the sect. Thus, the ultimate beneficiary is Spirit Hall."
"So," Ning Fengzhi concluded, "after this battle, our Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect should not harm Clear Sky Sect further. Instead, we must lend aid in their hour of need, strengthen the alliance of the Three Great Sects. Only united can they stand against the ever-ambitious Spirit Hall and preserve the peace of the continent."
"An excellent vision, Sect Master," Gu Rong praised.
The layout of Nottingham City's taverns differed from elsewhere: a single L-shaped long counter faced the street, behind which warm water was always ready to warm wine. Soul hunters, sweaty after a day in the hunting forests, often dropped four copper soul coins on a bowl of cheap wine, standing outside the counter to drink and rest.
If they spent one more coin, they could get a plate of salted bamboo shoots or fennel beans as accompaniments. For ten or more coins, they could afford a meat dish—though such patrons were rare among the modest soul hunters. Only noblemen dressed in long robes entered the adjacent rooms, requesting food and drink, enjoying themselves with leisure.
A crew-cut man dressed in black scholar robes was a particular fixture in the tavern. He stood drinking by the counter, his skin darkened as if unwashed for days, deep dark circles shadowed his eyes, and he emitted a sour stench.
He approached the counter, laid nine copper soul coins on it, and spoke with a hint of despondence, "Two bowls of cheap wine, and a plate of fennel beans, please."
The barkeep pinched his nose, took the coins, and prepared the order.
When the drinks arrived, the crew-cut man carried two bowls down, passing by the rough-looking hunters, who wrinkled their noses at his stench.
One newcomer muttered, "Who's that? Looks like he hasn't bathed in ages. Smells awful."
"You don't know? He's Nottingham Academy's so-called 'Master,' famous and infamous alike," a hunter answered.
"Oh, the 'Master' with the farting soul skill!" the newcomer exclaimed in recognition.
"The academy's dean must've lost his mind hiring this guy—doesn't teach, doesn't work, just loafs about drinking and eating. He lives off Spirit Hall's stipend every month," another hunter sneered.
"The worst part? Despite that, he looks down on us!" a hunter fumed.
"You guys never hit him?" the newcomer asked.
"He's a toad who doesn't bite—mostly because hitting him would soil your hands, and his soul skill is literally just crap."
The newcomer was speechless.
Hearing the ridicule, the crew-cut man's fury burned hotter than fire: how dare these lowborn hunters talk about the son of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Sect leader? As the "Master" who oversaw Nottingham Soul Master Academy, it was his honor alone. His disciples were handpicked. Nottingham's common soul masters—mere dogs and cats—had no right to learn from him.
Though he wanted to confront the hunters, he held back, obeying his own restraint.
The hunters avoided fighting him because his soul skill was annoying, not because they lacked the strength.
Silent, he cursed and mocked every one of them in his mind, then sat alone in a corner, eating and drinking.
Thus, the tavern's atmosphere was unusual: a stinking crew-cut man, unwashed for weeks, sat alone in a corner, the foul odor pushing others away to form a vacuum zone around him. Other customers kept their distance while drinking and snacking.
Slowly, the hunters' conversation shifted from mocking the crew-cut man toward the continent's latest "legend."
"Hey, did you hear? There's been a top-tier birth in the soul master world recently," one hunter started the topic.
"Oh? How top-tier are we talking?" The others leaned in, drawn by the news.
(END CHAPTER)
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