Though Zhuo Pengju and the others were merely guests at the Xia Mansion, in the absence of the elder brother, they assumed the role of hosts.
An intruder at night, regardless of their intentions, was enough to incite anger among them.
Being Jianghu people, they had sharp senses. To only notice someone entering the mansion when they made a sound was, in itself, a provocation—a rude awakening.
All of them rushed outside, with Zhuo Pengju leading, shouting, "Who goes there?"
His hand was on the hilt of his sword, though he didn't draw it, because he heard the intruder mention Wenjin, suggesting they were an acquaintance.
Once Huangfu Jingchen spoke, he knew his presence could no longer be concealed, so he nonchalantly appeared from the rooftop, flipping down into the courtyard.
Clasping his hands, he said, "You must be the righteous members of Haotian Village. I am... a friend of Brother Sichen!" It wasn't exactly a lie, as he indeed had a good rapport with Xia Sichen.
