For about five seconds, I only stared and gaped at the Inner Court Disciple, right outside the outer gates of the palace, who had made the outburst. Then I finally remembered who he was.
"Kept YOU waiting? Inner Disciple Goh Tonghai, I couldn't find a trace of you when I exited my closed cultivation. I couldn't exactly ask others of your whereabouts before I won through the Dragon Cup, and after, there were only prevailing rumors that you were on a long term mission.
Frankly, I thought you might have developed some common sense and finally admitted to yourself that I won the apprenticeship with Dragon Elder Lijing instead of you fair and square. Apparently I've developed an optimistic streak that I ought to be suppressing better.
Anyway, I wasn't hiding from you. I have partial access to the palace to use a certain one of its services. And if you don't know what I'm referring to, then you should probably be more worried about your chances against me than you are."
