Silent Dao Sovereign

Chapter 11: Lost, Bullied, and Directionally Challenged

"What is he doing here?"

Long Chen and the soul in the ring said at the same time.

The distance between Xu Mo and Long Chen was far enough that they could only see each other's mouths moving but could not hear one another. The gap between them was filled with other disciples walking and talking.

Xu Mo expected Long Chen to ignore him and walk away, but what happened next surprised him.

"Xu Mo, how was your meeting with the sect master? I thought I wouldn't see you in the outer sect anymore," Long Chen asked with a stiff smile.

"Oh! About that, it turned out to be a false alarm. The sect master re-evaluated me and found that I was just average talent. Man, I really thought I could finally say goodbye to a life of frugality and welcome the life of a noble."

"Well, don't worry. At least you have the chance to cultivate, unlike the other aspirants we had to say goodbye to yesterday."

Long Chen tried to hide his true emotions but failed miserably as a smile almost reached his ears.

"Thanks. But next time you try to console someone, remember to hide your smile." Xu Mo was straightforward, unaccustomed to the intrigues of the world. He said whatever was on his mind, never harboring second thoughts about anyone.

Long Chen paused in shock. Even the soul inside the ring was surprised by Xu Mo's bluntness.

Xu Mo walked away, and after five minutes, he stopped and looked back—Long Chen was nowhere to be seen.

"Agh~ I forgot to ask for directions."

I don't think he would've told me after telling him to control his smile.

Xu Mo decided to ask the sect master to install some sort of directional guide.

"Well, let's just ask someone." Xu Mo turned in a full circle and finally spotted a group of female outer disciples, though they were obscured by shadows.

"You disgusting, wretched woman!"

Xu Mo approached and overheard the harsh words. The speaker was the ugliest woman he had ever seen—even the women in his village were more beautiful than her. And her mouth was as ugly as her appearance, spewing such venom at another girl.

"Excuse me," Xu Mo respectfully said, keeping a distance of three feet from the group.

The female disciples, who had been harassing another girl, stiffened. They thought they had been caught in the act.

When they realized he was just another outer sect disciple like them, they heaved a sigh of relief.

"Mind your business."

"Tch, what an eyesore. Get lost," one of them snapped in an annoyed and disrespectful tone.

"I was just asking for directions. I'm new here." Xu Mo felt slightly intimidated, being stared at by so many females at once.

Thank God they're not beauties.

He tried to see who they were ganging up on, but before he could get a clear look, the group shifted, blocking his view.

"So, go ask somewhere else. Can't you see we're busy?"

"Busy?" Xu Mo's voice trailed off sarcastically.

"Even if I'm new here, I still know the way back to the elder in charge." He deliberately mentioned the elder's authority, knowing it would rattle them.

And he was right. The group flinched. Many started fidgeting. They had been disciples of the sect for a year now, and their victim had been their plaything since day one. The elder had already warned them multiple times. If they were reported again, they would surely be expelled.

"Hah! Know your place and crawl away! Who would even believe you?" The leader of the group scoffed, though fear flickered in her eyes, and her heart raced.

"Looking at how unperturbed you are, it's clear this isn't your first time. And look behind you—many of your group members have terrified expressions."

She turned and saw that Xu Mo was right. Many of the girls behind her looked guilty and nervous.

Sigh~

"Stay, and I'll make sure you regret it." Xu Mo threw one last threat to scare them off. He pulled up his sleeves, taking a stance as if ready to fight.

The leader hesitated, then gestured for the group to follow her.

"How long can you keep her hidden behind you?" she taunted before walking out of the alley.

Xu Mo watched as the group disappeared and bent down, resting his hands on his knees. He had been on edge the whole time. It was a gamble—if those girls had been cultivators, things could have ended disastrously.

"Are you okay?" he asked, glancing at the frail-looking girl.

Her outer sect robes were torn and covered in dust. She had clearly taken a beating.

"T-Thanks…" A soft voice came from beneath her pitch-black hair, which completely hid her face. The alley's shadows made it difficult for Xu Mo to make out her features.

She stood up weakly, using the alley walls for support as she walked away with staggering steps, her body swaying like a flickering candle in the wind.

Xu Mo did not offer help. If he had the strength to back up his words, he would have executed justice properly and not let the girl suffer at all.

But his mother had always warned him against jumping to conclusions too quickly. Every story had two sides. Who knew what had really happened between this girl and that group? Perhaps the leader of those female disciples simply enjoyed bullying the weak.

"Not again!!" Xu Mo shouted into the night, his voice echoing through the quiet sect.

A flock of crows, perched on a pile of discarded robes and broken swords, flapped their wings in panic, squawking as if mocking his misfortune.

Xu Mo clenched his fists. How do I keep forgetting to ask for directions?!

Just then, a passing outer disciple glanced at him, hesitated for a moment… and then quickly walked the other way, pretending not to see him.

Xu Mo sighed. "Maybe I should just follow the crows. At least they seem to know where they're going…"