"Don't worry, he won't make a move on the little girl. Besides, with her current strength, not many below the Black List could harm her," Yu Daohen said with a smile.
The reason he dared to let the little girl attend the wedding with peace of mind was twofold: he knew Zhang Xiaoqiang wouldn't attack her, and he was confident in her strength.
Hearing Yu Daohen's words, Su Lai and the other didn't say anything further.
While they couldn't guarantee the little girl's absolute safety, as long as there was a breath left in them, they would never allow anyone to harm a single hair on her head.
The three of them had initially planned a small gathering for drinks, but Da Hu's sect suddenly had an urgent matter, so he left first.
Seeing Da Hu depart, Yu Daohen and Su Lai lost their appetite for drinking.
They arrived at the entrance of the building, and Su Lai suddenly thought of something and asked, "Master Yu, the sect's protective formation is complete. Are you...?"
Before Su Lai could finish, Yu Daohen nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "Almost. After Zhang Xiaoqiang's wedding, it will be time for me to set off."
Su Lai lowered his head and remained silent. After a long while, he slowly spoke, "Master Yu, if..."
Yu Daohen knew what he wanted to say and shook his head, chuckling. "Old Su, I don't have many brothers, and the only ones I truly trust are you and Da Hu. You two have already helped me more than enough. For the road ahead, I hope to walk it alone."
Su Lai had anticipated Yu Daohen's response and could only sigh helplessly, forcing a strained smile. "We can accept you not taking us along, but you must at least inform us the day you leave. We should at least see you off."
Yu Daohen nodded and smiled. "Alright, I'll definitely tell you then."
They chatted for a while longer before bidding farewell and leaving.
Yu Daohen didn't return to the shop but went directly back to the Yan Huo Sect.
Before leaving, he had to sort out all the sect's affairs.
After several hours on the subway, Yu Daohen arrived at the foot of the Yan Huo Sect's mountain.
He saw pilgrims coming and going, either returning from or heading to offer incense.
Yu Daohen looked up at the Yan Huo Sect on the mountain, where wisps of white smoke drifted, indicating the large number of pilgrims.
Yu Daohen nodded in satisfaction and walked towards the Yan Huo Sect.
This was the demeanor a great sect should possess.
A thriving populace, with a continuous stream of pilgrims.
Upon reaching the sect's entrance, he saw four disciples observing each pilgrim entering.
The four disciples were astonished to see Yu Daohen and were about to address him respectfully when he raised his hand to stop them.
Seeing this, the four disciples could only remain silent, but their faces were filled with admiration and surprise.
They had heard the news.
The Sect Master had killed the Black List expert Hei Yong and had himself ascended to the ranks of Black List experts.
What did this mean? It meant that the Yan Huo Sect now had a Black List expert guarding it.
No, even the Sect Master's grandfather, Old Master Yu.
There should be two Black List experts.
Two Black List experts – what sect could boast such strength?
Yu Daohen entered the sect and saw a disheveled man sitting in an inconspicuous corner in the incense offering area, his eyes constantly scanning the pilgrims.
Yu Daohen approached the man with a smile and addressed him, "Elder Xu, why are you here?"
Xu Gensheng also looked at Yu Daohen, a hint of surprise on his face. He teased, "Sect Master, what brings you back to the sect today?"
Yu Daohen felt a slight awkwardness, rubbing the back of his head. He said sheepishly, "Things have been busy, and if this hands-off manager doesn't return, it'll be truly inexcusable."
Xu Gensheng waved his hand and chuckled, "It's nothing. At your age, it's the time to venture into the martial world. Being cooped up in the sect all the time when you're full of spirit is rather pointless."
Yu Daohen smiled, a hint of confusion in his voice. "Elder Xu, why are you here in the main hall where people offer incense?"
Xu Gensheng glanced at the surrounding pilgrims and said, "The Yan Huo Sect receives a continuous stream of pilgrims daily. I'm here in the main hall to keep watch and prevent anyone from the Shen Ming Cult from infiltrating."
Upon hearing this, Yu Daohen nodded. "That's good, but it must be tiring for you, Elder Xu."
Xu Gensheng waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, why are we two talking about this?"
After greeting Xu Gensheng, Yu Daohen proceeded towards the back of the main hall.
The main hall at the front of the Yan Huo Sect was specifically for pilgrims to pray and offer incense.
Pilgrims were only allowed to be in front of the hall and were not permitted to go to the back.
When some disciples saw Yu Daohen, they all clasped their hands in greeting and respectfully addressed him.
"Sect Master."
"Sect Master."
Yu Daohen nodded with satisfaction and walked directly into the main hall.
Upon hearing that Yu Daohen had returned to the sect, the Grand Elder Hu Ting and the others also came to the hall.
In a short while, all the high-ranking officials of the Yan Huo Sect had gathered in the hall and taken their seats.
Yu Daohen sat in the foremost position and looked at Hu Ting and the others, saying with a hint of embarrassment, "I've been a rather irresponsible Sect Master. It's been so long since I last returned to the sect."
The three elders all shook their heads.
They knew in their hearts that the Yan Huo Sect's return to its peak was not due to them, but to the Sect Master.
Yu Daohen looked at Hu Ting and inquired, "Old Hu, has anything significant happened in the sect recently?"
Hu Ting shook his head. "Nothing major. The sect has been developing rapidly. However, we're running short on rooms, but it's not a big problem. Construction is already underway."
In its past glory, the Yan Huo Sect even made the three major sects tread carefully. Although it had declined, the sect's original scale was immense.
However, due to years of disrepair, some rooms were so dilapidated that they were uninhabitable. Fortunately, the grounds were spacious, so there was no shortage of space.
Yu Daohen nodded and explained his collaboration with Hu Ting to the elders.
The three sect leaders also expressed their agreement.
Hu Ting strongly concurred, "The Sect Master's proposal is excellent. Allowing disciples who haven't experienced trials to descend the mountain for training is crucial. Simply staying in the sect to practice all day will not make them opponents of the Shen Ming Cult."
The Second Elder, Wu Shanping, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, a swordsman who has never seen blood is not a good swordsman."
The Third Elder, Zhou Jingmin, mused, "This proposal is good, but who should lead these disciples down the mountain for training?"
These disciples were stepping into the martial world for the first time. Without an experienced person to guide them, they could easily suffer losses.
Although it wasn't impossible to send an elder to lead them, the current martial world was in turmoil, and the Shen Ming Cult might attack at any moment.
Key combat forces should remain in the sect to maintain order.
"I do have a suitable candidate."
Yu Daohen finished speaking and looked at Zhou Fu, who had remained silent until now.
The three elders also turned their gazes towards him.
Zhou Fu became somewhat nervous as his master and the three elders all looked at him.
After attending the funeral of Hao Tian Quan, Zhou Fu had returned to the sect and had not ventured out.