Gong Hei dismissed his students—whom mentally celebrated for being freed—before going back to Lillie and her group to lead them towards the Ebony Vulture Courtyard.

"Wouldn't Grandmaster Yang mind us trespassing his residence?" Han Taiyi was genuinely concerned because there's a chance they might not be able to make it out alive. ​​

Then she remembered that they have his precious granddaughter with them. Sweet little Yang Nina will certainly not allow her grandfather to strap her benefactors on a cold table for dissection.

At least, that made Han Taiyi a little relief.

"Master's not around, so it'll be fine." Gong Hei waved his hand casually.

"So it's not fine if he's around? What will he do if he saw us?"

"Don't worry, Sister Taiyi, I'll talk to grandfather if it came to that situation." Yang Nina brightly smiled in assurance.

"Ahh, you're truly a sweet angel, Little Nina!" Han Taiyi attacked the younger girl in a bear hug and twirled her around.

The poor girl's world wobbled around her after she was released thanks to Chu Lizheng telling his partner to put her down.

Entering the courtyard, the guests immediately noticed the difference of the atmosphere compared to the Gentle Tempest Courtyard.

It was imposing, yet gloomy and eerily quiet. Even though there were a lot of people going around, they seem to be cautious of not making too much noise.

Heads turned to their direction and look at them in scrutiny.

Also, they were perplexed of why Grand Disciple Gong Hei and Grandmaster Yang's granddaughter were bringing outsiders in, particularly Grandmaster Wei's direct disciples.

But they kept their curiosity to themselves and didn't dare pry. Nothing seem to be of concern since the guests were personally invited by two of the people close to Grandmaster Yang.

Entering what seem to be the training hall, the group was greeted by pitch darkness when the doors behind them was closed.

Everyone had to squint and blink until their eyes gradually adapt to it and see a bit of the details inside the training hall.

"Uhm, where's the light switch?" Han Taiyi blurted.

"There are no lights. We will be having our match here, in complete darkness."

"You've got to be kidding." Chu Lizheng frowned, his usual reservedness breaking a little in disbelief. "How will we be able to see the match?"

"That's your problem."

"Why you little..." Han Taiyi scowled. She clenched her fists and was about to charge to where she determined Gong Hei's voice was coming from in this dark hall.

This arrogant punk had reached the limit of her patience. Grand Disciple or not, she'll kick his b*lls for being a jerk!

Sadly, Shengming held her down before she could take another step.

"Calm down, Taiyi," She softly chastised. "Senior Brother and I's eyes are adept in darkness, we'll be able to see the match."

Han Taiyi grumbled under her breath but eventually restricted herself from erupting.

"Spectators may proceed to the vantage floor. If you're worried I might cheat, fret not for I am a man with honor." Gong Hei declared earnestly. "Using something other than one's own skills is disgraceful. The Academy does not tolerate it, and so do I."

Ethan had his arm wrapped around Lillie's waist. His fingers tapped onto her waist in their code stating, [Believe him.]

"Then we'll take Grand Disciple Gong's word for it. I'm aware of my husband's skills, and I'm certain he'll be a match to you. But if I saw you doing something you shouldn't..."

Lillie didn't need to finish her sentence as the threat underlying her tone was enough for Gong Hei to nod immediately.

D*mn, that was sexy yet incredibly frightening. Best not to test it.

Jun Jihuo, was it? You lucky, lucky b*stard!

Also, was his eyes tricking him, or did he really saw Shengming's eyes glinting for a millisecond in this darkness?

The spectators climbed up the vantage floor stood by the edge of the railings. It was then those who didn't saw much of the place's details earlier due to the darkness finally noted the numerous, thick pillars surrounding the match's perimeter like a maze.

Although, the pillars weren't attached to the ceiling. Probably only around 15 feet tall so the spectators could see the match—mostly.

Ethan and Gong Hei stood in the middle where the pillars encircled them.

Dark room, pillars where you could hide yourself easily; the answer was obvious why his former comrade choose this place for their match.

Drunk Python is one sneaky little sh*t, and his fighting style is at its best when it's dark. But he didn't let anyone know of it.

In the Underworld, the Drunken Fist is what everyone assume his primary style was, just as his name suggested. Although they aren't wrong, they only failed to perceive the extremities of his prowess.

Drunk Python's victims realized this already too late, and they didn't get to tell the tale.

Ethan had seen him fighting in the dark before. He was like a slithering wraith suddenly grabbing his unsuspecting victim out of nowhere.

He will, without a doubt, mop the floor with his face. Because unfortunately for Gong Hei, Ethan's familiar of his secretive fighting style.

He should feel grateful that not everyone will witness his humiliation.

After a fist and palm salute, the two contender fell into their fighting stance.

The signal for the start of the fight hasn't been announced, yet their body was tense and cautious, as if ready to jump at any moment the opponent would move a single muscle.

Ethan closed his eyes and heightened the rest of his senses. Ears perked and pick up the shuffling noises and the soft conversation the group at the vantage area were making, until he marked the steady breathing of his opponent. His nose twitched when he caught the strong smell of cologne from him.

Lillie peered down at the two males to check if they're ready. She was assigned to give the signal again.

"Begin!"

Ethan and Gong Hei's figures suddenly disappeared after that.

"Eh?" Yang Nina rubbed her eyes. "Where did they go?"

"Hiding behind the pillars." Lillie answered. "Search for noises instead, and you'll locate them."

Grandmaster Yang's purpose of building this training hall is for his students to sharpen their senses. As a result, they would be able to discover the attacks they couldn't see.

"Over there, I hear something." Han Taiyi pointed. Her eyes had gotten used to the dark, but still, she couldn't see very much other than the flashes the color of their clothes make.