"Ling Chen, long ti no see." Su i stood up, walked gracefully to stand in front of Ling Chen, and gave a faint smile, like a hundred flowers blooming all at once, incomparably gorgeous. That blend of innocence and sultriness made Ling Chen freeze on the spot.
Tsk tsk! This chick is really getting more and more outrageous. Innocence and sultriness are supposed to be two extres, yet both kinds of charm appeared on Su i at the sa ti, which was truly surprising. However, Ling Chen had to admit that this kind of charm was indeed hard to resist.
As the saying goes, "With one backward glance, a hundred charms are born, making all the powdered faces of the six palaces lose their color." This ancient line fit Su i quite well.
"Master Su, I’m very glad to see you." After speaking, Ling Chen glanced around the council hall and asked, "Why don’t I see Elder Du?"
"Elder Du has so matters to deal with and can’t spare the ti to co receive you for the mont. I’ll apologize on his behalf first."
"You’re too polite, Master Su. Elder Du is a senior, I should be the one visiting him. How could we trouble him to co receive us?"
"Thank you for your understanding." Su i smiled sweetly, then turned her gaze toward Ling Gengqiu beside him. After sizing him up twice, a barely noticeable gleam flashed across her eyes.
"Ling Chen, you still haven’t introduced ."
"This is my elder Ling. He insisted on tagging along to Heavenly chanism Pavilion to broaden his horizons, so let’s just ignore him." Ling Chen didn’t ntion Ling Gengqiu’s na. Co on, Su i knew who Ling Gengqiu was, and not only that, Heavenly chanism Pavilion had detailed files on Ling Gengqiu. Back then, it was Su i who gave him those files, which was why he understood Ling Gengqiu’s past so well.
"Song, could you trouble yourself to take my elder around for a stroll? I’ve got sothing to talk over with Master Su."
"Alright. Ling, this way, please!"
Watching Song Ge and Ling Gengqiu leave, Ling Chen and Su i both sat down. In the huge council hall, only the two of them remained.
"Ling Chen, you ca all the way from East Sea City to Heavenly chanism Pavilion. What’s the matter?"
Ling Chen opened his mouth and said, "Master Su..." Before he could continue, Su i suddenly raised her hand to stop him, and said with so dissatisfaction, "When did you beco so distant? Didn’t you used to just call by my na? How co now it’s ’Master’ this and ’Master’ that every ti you open your mouth? Do you not see as a friend anymore?"
"That’s not how it is. Private friendship is one thing, but right now we’re respectively representing Heavenly chanism Pavilion and Dragon Tiger Hall, so we can’t address each other as friends." Ling Chen smiled and said, "Of course, if you’re willing to give so preferential treatnt for the sake of our friendship, I’d be more than happy to talk to you as a friend."
"You’re right." Su i nodded slightly and said, "I was being a bit immature. So go ahead, what did you co to for?"
"Master Su, it was Heavenly chanism Pavilion that first proposed rectifying the Martial Arts Association. Now that the rectification is done, I wonder if you’re satisfied with the result?"
Hearing this, Su i gave Ling Chen a aningful look and said, "Nothing in this world is absolutely perfect. There are things to be satisfied with and things to be dissatisfied with. That’s inevitable."
As expected!
Ling Chen rubbed his nose. Su i had learned to talk like an official now. What she said sounded very reasonable, but in fact contained nothing.
"Then what do you think of Qi Yong as a person?" Ling Chen simply tore off the fig leaf and asked outright.
"He’s a man with ambition and scheming. Ling Chen, why did you suddenly bring him up? Don’t tell you’re very interested in him?"
"Don’t!" Ling Chen hurriedly waved his hand. "Watch your wording, please. What do you an I’m interested in him? I’m not gay. I’m a real man and only interested in beauties—for example, great beauties like Master Su." As he said this, Ling Chen deliberately let his gaze linger for a mont on Su i’s two full mounds.
Feeling where Ling Chen’s eyes had landed, Su i’s pretty face flushed red. She shifted a bit uneasily, turning her side toward Ling Chen.
"Haven’t seen you for a while, and you’ve really gotten better at talking." Su i rolled her eyes at Ling Chen, a hint of playful reproach in her tone.
"Can’t be helped. People always say my IQ is high but my EQ is low, so I’ve got to make up for my shortcomings." Pausing for a mont, Ling Chen shifted back to the main topic, his expression turning serious. "I heard Qi Yong ca looking for you."
"I also heard he went to see you."
"Since that’s the case, let’s not beat around the bush. We both know exactly what Qi Yong is after. To be blunt, whether it’s for Dragon Tiger Hall or Heavenly chanism Pavilion, Qi Yong is like a ticking ti bomb. He could explode at any ti and hurt both our forces. Before that happens, I hope we can take precautions early."
"You an... weed Qi Yong out? Didn’t you tell back then that only healthy competition between each other can allow the Martial Arts world to develop? Wouldn’t doing this go against your original intention?"
"There’s nothing wrong with healthy competition, but please listen carefully: I said healthy, not vicious. Qi Yong ca to us for cooperation purely to join one side and suppress the other, then reap enough benefits from that to strengthen himself and seize greater discourse power. Master Su, do you think that still counts as healthy competition?"
Su i lowered her head slightly, as if mulling sothing over, and didn’t respond imdiately.
Seeing this, Ling Chen went on, "Master Su, like I said just now, I only want to take preventive asures in advance, nothing more. I hope you understand."
"I understand. But I still need to think this over carefully. After all, every decision we make now could affect the future developnt of the Martial Arts world."
"Of course." Ling Chen nodded with a smile and said, "I’m not asking you to answer right away. Don’t worry, I’ll give you plenty of ti to consider it."
"Thank you! You’ve been rushing about all this way, you must be tired. I’ll arrange lodgings for you first so you can rest early. Once I’ve thought it through, I’ll co find you."
"Alright, then I won’t disturb you."
Leaving the council hall, Ling Chen waited outside the tall tower for a while. Soon, he saw Song Ge walking over with Ling Gengqiu.
"Ling, co on, I’ll take you to see your rooms."
Not long after, under Song Ge’s arrangents, Ling Chen and Ling Gengqiu were each settled into a room. On top of that, Su i also assigned four Heavenly chanism Pavilion Disciples to stand guard outside. Officially it was to serve them better, but Ling Chen knew very well this was open surveillance.
After a short rest, by dusk, Ling Gengqiu ca in from outside. Seeing Ling Chen, who had just finished dinner, he said, "You full? I’ll take you out for a walk."
Ling Chen picked up a napkin, wiped the oil from the corner of his mouth, and asked, "Elder, where do you want to take ? I’ve been to Heavenly chanism Pavilion a few tis already. There’s nothing much to see. I’d rather stay in the room and sleep if I’ve got the ti."
"Cut the crap." Ling Gengqiu kicked Ling Chen lightly. "Co with , I’ll take you sowhere."
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