Chapter 427: A Thank-You Gift from Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion
"Thank me?"
Ling Chen was slightly startled, not expecting Zhu Jin to mention him. That bastard probably hated him to death by now; how could he have the goodwill to thank him?
"Thanks to Mr. Ling, our Dangyang Sect did not wrong a good person, maintaining the reputation of our sect. Mr. Ling, as our token of gratitude, please let me know if you ever need help in the future. I will certainly assist with all my might."
Seeing Zhu Jin’s insincere smile, Ling Chen responded with feigned courtesy, "Certainly, certainly."
"Let’s go." Zhu Jin waved his hand, and his disciples immediately followed him, leaving the meeting place.
Upon exiting the venue, Zhu Jin’s expression immediately darkened, rage simmering in his eyes, hating Ling Chen so much that his teeth were gnashing.
"Shuiyan."
"Master, what are your orders?"
Zhu Jin’s face was ashen as he squeezed a few words through gritted teeth, "Don’t let Ling Chen leave this boat alive."
Yi Shuiyan replied promptly, "Master, rest assured. For the sake of Dangyang Sect and Uncle, I will make sure he pays the price."
After the people from Dangyang Sect left, the crowd at the event gradually dispersed. Considering this unforeseen incident, Zhou Qi decided to take a break for a moment and continue later.
"Mr. Ling, thank you for stepping in to help just now." Song Ge approached Ling Chen and gratefully said, "If not for you, I probably wouldn’t have been able to participate in this Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony."
"Don’t mention it." Ling Chen said with a smile, "Song, you are a few years older than me. If you don’t mind me being presumptuous, feel free to call me Ling. Please don’t use the formal 'Mr. Ling.'"
"That’s not the way to say it. The renown of the Eight Eccentrics is well-known; to be friends with Ling is truly my honor."
Song Ge appeared very humble, and his words won the favor of others, including Qiu Yong. After all, a person who could speak well was also liked.
"Mr. Ling, I really owe you one for this time. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have known what to do," Zhou Qi spoke up. Song Ge was someone the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had long set its sights on—a future key protégé. If Song Ge lost his eligibility to participate in the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony, then their plans for the competition amongst newcomers would be meaningless.
In the midst of speaking, Zhou Qi suddenly became curious and asked, "Mr. Ling, how did you know that Liu Yunsong used an ice needle?"
"It was actually thanks to your hint, Elder. You asked us to take a break for tea in the middle; once I thought about tea, I naturally associated it with water, hence the speculation. But that Liu Yunsong is tough, taking all the blame on himself." Ling Chen spoke with a hint of disappointment.
"There was no other way; he could only do that. By taking all the blame on himself, it is equivalent to Dangyang Sect owing him a huge favor. If he didn’t do that, with Zhu Jin’s character, he definitely wouldn’t let him off once they returned."
Ling Chen looked at Zhou Qi in surprise, not expecting the elder to see through things so clearly.
"Elder Zhou, so you knew all along."
"At my old age, if I couldn’t even see this, it would have been a life wasted. Some things, we all know well inside; no need to voice them. However, you've messed up Dangyang Sect’s plans. They probably won’t let you off easily. On this boat I can protect you, but once you disembark, you’re on your own."
"Dangyang Sect alone? I, one of the Eight Eccentrics, do not even consider them a threat," Qiu Yong spoke dismissively.
Zhou Qi slapped his forehead, laughing, "Look at my memory; I almost forgot Mr. Ling is one of the Eight Eccentrics. With Elder Qiu here, Dangyang Sect naturally can’t pose a threat. Well, I must report this incident to the Pavilion Master as soon as possible. I’ll excuse myself first; you guys chat."
After watching Zhou Qi leave, Song Ge shook his head and said, "I didn’t expect the people of Dangyang Sect to use such despicable tactics against me."
"It wasn’t a deliberate targeting; it just happened to be a coincidence. I guess even Liu Yunsong didn’t expect you to suddenly step up to the challenge. What Liu Yunsong and Zhu Jin did just now was simply grasping at an opportunity to either seriously injure you or to have the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion strip you of your eligibility to compete."
Hearing Ling Chen’s words, Song Ge asked in confusion, "Why would they do that?"
"It’s all for clearing the way for Yi Shuiyan. I’ve heard that among the top five people in the Newcomer List, besides you, the ones ranked second, third, and fourth have roughly equal strength. If you don’t participate, Yi Shuiyan’s chances of winning will greatly increase."
Song Ge sighed, "So that’s the case. Those from the Dangyang Sect really are quite scheming."
"It’s not that complicated; you’d realize it if you think about it. Big Brother Song, it seems you don’t have much exposure to these kinds of things."
"I usually focus on martial arts training and don’t spend much thought on other things."
"No wonder," Ling Chen smiled and said.
Who would have thought that the one ranked first on the Newcomer List is such a newbie, seriously lacking social experience. In the eyes of swindlers, this kind of person is like a delicious steamed bun.
After chatting for a while and considering that Song Ge was injured, Ling Chen didn’t keep him for too long and let him go back to his room to rest.
"Ling Chen, you did great today," Yuan Yun gave Ling Chen a thumbs up, generously praising him. "You’ve managed to make a fool out of Zhu Jin and his gang, and also started a connection with Song Ge."
Zhang Zhongfeng nodded and said, "That Song Ge is really not bad; so young, yet even Liu Yunsong is no match for him. Given time, that young man might even have a chance to challenge the Heavenly List."
The Heavenly List!
Ling Chen smacked his lips; that was something one could only aspire to reach. In his view, being able to get into the Earthly List within his lifetime would be quite an achievement.
At this moment, in the room Ling Chen had once visited, Zhou Qi was kneeling on the ground with a respectful demeanor, head bowed, reporting to the person behind the curtain about what had just happened at the event.
"Pavilion Master, should I give a warning to people from the Dangyang Sect?"
"No need; it’s normal for there to be cunning plots and fights in the Martial Arts world. It’s Ling Chen who did us a big favor, preventing Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion from making the wrong decision."
"Pavilion Master, the competition for the newcomers is about to begin. Should we provide some convenience for Ling Chen when the time comes?"
"That’s not necessary. Different matters should be dealt with accordingly, and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has always prioritized fairness. Zhou Qi, prepare a gift on my behalf, as a token of gratitude toward Ling Chen."
"Yes, Pavilion Master."
…
Thunk, thunk, thunk!
Hearing the knocking at the door, Ling Chen got up and opened it, seeing Zhou Qi at the doorstep. He quickly stepped aside with a grin, "Elder Zhou, what brings you here? Please come in."
"No need; I’ve come specifically to convey the Pavilion Master’s gratitude to you and to present you with a gift on behalf of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion." Saying this, Zhou Qi handed a delicate wooden box to Ling Chen.
"Elder Zhou, you’re being too polite." Though he said this, Ling Chen still honestly accepted the gift.
Joking, of course. Anything given by Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion—if it’s free, why not take it?
"It’s no trouble; you go on with what you were doing. I won’t disturb your rest."
After Zhou Qi left, Qiu Yong and others immediately crowded around, curiously asking, "Ling Chen, what’s the gift?"
Without a word, Ling Chen promptly opened the lid of the box.
Seeing the item placed inside the wooden box, everyone was suddenly startled, looking at each other in disbelief.