"Have you arrived?" Du Kang didn’t even glance at Ling Chen, slowly swaying his wine gourd, without turning his head.
Ling Chen stood behind the rattan chair and respectfully asked, "Elder Du, did Brother Yang say you wanted to see ?"
"Have you been to the mourning hall?"
"I have."
"I assu you’ve already guessed, the forr Pavilion Master and his wife did not die of natural causes; they were murdered."
Ling Chen asked, "Elder Du, who could have done this?"
"It’s not clear at the mont." Du Kang turned around, eting Ling Chen’s gaze, and said, "The only thing I’m sure of is that the Martial Arts world, calm for years, is likely to experience a bloodbath. The Heavenly chanism Pavilion has been peaceful for so long, and I don’t know if it can survive this safely."
After a pause, Du Kang continued, "Su Zhengyang and his wife’s bodies were discovered a few days ago, thrown at the entrance of the Heavenly chanism Pavilion after their deaths. As you know, there are nurous Dark Posts outside the Pavilion, yet no one noticed anything. More importantly, Su Zhengyang had crossed the threshold of a Heavenly List expert years ago. Not to ntion that Chen Sui’s skills were not weak—at least among the top three of the Earthly List. Yet they were killed, and with just one sword stroke. I examined the wounds on the bodies; it’s the work of one person. This ans the person who killed them is not only a Heavenly List expert but a very formidable one."
Ling Chen pondered and asked, "Elder Du, could it be an enemy of the Heavenly chanism Pavilion?"
"That possibility cannot be ruled out. The Pavilion has stood in the Martial Arts world for hundreds of years, accumulating so enemies. However, the Pavilion has always conducted itself prudently, having eliminated those guilty of heinous cris. Even those holding enmity towards the Pavilion are docunted, constantly monitored, and any suspicious activity would prompt instant strikes to nip threats in the bud. Yet, I’ve checked the records, and none of the Pavilion’s enemies is such a powerful expert."
At this point, Du Kang took a swig of his spirit, continuing, "It’s one thing to kill the Su Zhengyang couple, but to dump their bodies at the Pavilion’s doorstep? That’s not just a provocation; it’s a declaration of war against the Heavenly chanism Pavilion."
"What is the Pavilion Master planning in response?"
"You an that little girl, Su i?" Du Kang sighed helplessly and said, "She’s lost in the grief of losing both parents and can’t focus on much else. I’m handling the Pavilion’s affairs for now. Ling Chen, do you know why I called you?"
"Elder Du, please speak frankly."
"Alright, I won’t beat around the bush. Ling Chen, to be honest, Su Zhengyang and his wife’s incident has caused instability in the Pavilion, and everyone is deeply worried. In this situation, we need soone with a commanding presence to stabilize the Pavilion. Otherwise, if we face external threats, we might collapse without a battle."
Hearing this, Ling Chen imdiately grasped Du Kang’s implied aning.
"Elder Du, do you want Elder Su to co out of retirent?"
"Exactly!" Du Kang nodded and said, "He’s the most suitable candidate. No one else can help the Pavilion out of this crisis. Ling Chen, Su He is your Master, only you know his whereabouts. This matter requires your involvent."
"I... I can only pass on the ssage. As for whether Elder Su will return to the Pavilion, I can’t guarantee that."
"Just relay the ssage. The Pavilion is the Su Family’s legacy; he can’t ignore it. Even if not for the Pavilion, he has to consider his granddaughter."
"Elder Du," Ling Chen shifted the conversation, "you’re also a Heavenly List expert. Wouldn’t it be the sa with you overseeing the Pavilion?"
Du Kang chuckled, "How could it be the sa? Ling Chen, you’re oversimplifying things. As I said, the Pavilion is the Su Family’s legacy. If I take over, what do you think people will say? Besides, I’m used to a carefree life; being a guardian is fine, but I can’t manage the Pavilion."
Ling Chen nodded in agreent and promised, "Don’t worry, Elder Du, I’ll convey the ssage to Elder Su."
"By the way," Du Kang kindly reminded, "be careful recently. The deaths of Su Zhengyang and his wife have stirred much discussion within the Yangxin Pavilion. Those old folks have lived comfortably for too long, and when faced with a crisis, they think about self-preservation instead of supporting the Pavilion. Now that Su Zhengyang is gone, only Su i and Su He remain, and their strength is weak. So opportunists might erge. But you don’t need to worry too much; with overseeing, they’ll be cautious to so extent."
Hearing this, Ling Chen felt speechless. The fall of a great tree scatters the monkeys; just Su Zhengyang’s death has unsettled so many. If Su He were also to encounter misfortune, how could Su i alone maintain the Pavilion?
As he pondered, a series of ’knock-knock-knock’ sounds ca from outside the door. Yang Tao imdiately entered and said, "Master, Elder Tong is here to pay his respects."
"Tong Zhentian?" Du Kang nodded and stood up, saying, "Let’s go, let’s et our old friend together."
Back at the mourning hall, they saw that Tong Zhentian had finished offering incense, and Han Qi was accompanying him, speaking. Seeing Du Kang approach, a rare smile appeared on Tong Zhentian’s aged face.
"Mr. Du, long ti no see."
"It has been a long ti." Du Kang replied coolly, "With what happened to Zhengyang, I thought you’d visit the Pavilion."
ntioning Su Zhengyang, Tong Zhentian sighed, "I never imagined such a thing would happen; to bury one’s child is unimaginable. If Old Man Su He were here, imagine how heartbroken he’d be."
After speaking, Tong Zhentian glanced at Ling Chen beside Du Kang, smiling slightly, "Ling, it’s been a while."
"Elder Tong!" Ling Chen greeted politely.
"Old Man Tong, let’s move sowhere else to talk, so we don’t disturb others."
"Alright."
Shortly after, they arrived at the reception room on the second floor of a high tower. Once everyone was seated, Tong Zhentian’s deanor changed from amiable to serious as he asked, "Mr. Du, what on earth happened? Have you figured it out?"
"Not yet."
"A few years ago, Zhengyang visited , and we sparred. His strength wasn’t weak; even facing a stronger Heavenly List expert, he should have been able to retreat unhard. I’m thinking..." As he said this, Tong Zhentian seed to realize sothing and suddenly stopped speaking.
Seeing Tong Zhentian’s action, Du Kang fully understood his implication and turned, "Yang Tao, Ling Chen, you two go out for now; I need to speak privately with Elder Tong."
"Yes!"
After leaving the reception room, Ling Chen said to Yang Tao, "Brother Yang, I’m going to see the Pavilion Master."
"Go ahead, I’ll notify you if anything cos up."
User Comments
0 comments from readers