Chapter 445: Appreciation Banquet

Returning to his room to rest, Ling Chen received notice that the newcomer competition would continue in two days. Despite the recent crisis, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had no intention of canceling the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony.

Furthermore, Ling Chen received an unexpected piece of news: he had been directly promoted, bypassing the match with Lin Dong.

Upon inquiry, he learned that Lin Dong had developed complications from an infectious disease, leading to health issues. Although the virus had been cleared, his body had not yet recovered and required a period of rest. Therefore, Lin Dong had unilaterally forfeited his qualification.

Regardless, this was an unexpected joy for Ling Chen. Not only was he spared a fight, but he also smoothly advanced and gained the opportunity to compete with the top five newcomers.

Upon hearing this news, Qiu Yong and the others were very happy.

"Ling Chen, with two days left, you should take good care of your body. The top five on the Newcomer List are nothing like your previous opponents; they are all true masters, so you must be cautious," Zhang Zhongfeng advised.

"I know, Zhang Zhongfeng."

...

In the blink of an eye, a day passed.

The next afternoon, Ling Chen sat on the couch in his room, legs crossed, casually chatting with Hu Fei.

After Zhou Jun’s earnest pleading, and considering Hu Fei had once saved his grandson’s life, Zhou Qi reluctantly agreed to let him remain on the ship.

"Fatty, fatty!"

Ling Chen called out several times before Hu Fei, engrossed in his laptop, looked up and asked, "What’s up?"

"What are you up to? You didn't hear me calling you," Ling Chen said, approaching Hu Fei’s computer, curious about the content on the screen. However, the vigilant Hu Fei quickly closed the laptop and clutched it to his chest as if he was afraid Ling Chen would snatch it away.

"You, this guy..." Ling Chen shook his head helplessly and grumbled discontentedly, "Fine, I won't look. Do you think I'm dying to?"

Hu Fei let out a sly laugh and said mysteriously, "Don’t be angry, I’ll let you know once I’m done."

"Hey! You can connect to the internet?" Ling Chen remembered that signals were blocked on the ship.

Hu Fei scoffed and said, "With my skills, their firewall is no obstacle to me. I hacked into their server as soon as I boarded the ship."

"Okay, you’re amazing."

"I'll stop yapping now. Zhou Jun invited me to the entertainment room to relax this afternoon, gotta go!" Hu Fei said, then stood up holding his laptop and walked out.

Opening the room door and just about to leave, Hu Fei saw a young man in a suit approaching politely, handing over an invitation with a smile. "Please hand this to Mr. Ling. Tonight, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion will host a banquet in the banquet hall on the fifth floor. We would be honored if Mr. Ling would grace us with his presence."

Holding the invitation, Ling Chen couldn’t help but laugh. The people from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion sure had a generous tolerance, still thinking of organizing a banquet at a time like this.

Night fell.

Darkness enveloped the sea, which became tranquil, and it seemed like the sound of the rolling waves was the only thing left in the world.

In the banquet hall located on the fifth floor of the luxury cruise ship, accompanied by elegant light music, Ling Chen, Qiu Yong, and the others arrived at the dinner event. In contrast to the grand attire of everyone present, the "Eight Eccentrics" appeared quite casual and were particularly noticeable among the crowd dressed in suits and leather shoes.

Ling Chen wasn’t interested in the banquet, but considering the invitation from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, he couldn’t just skip it; that would be disrespectful. Therefore, he decided to make an appearance and planned to slip away quietly as soon as the banquet officially started.

The banquet hosted by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion wasn’t much different from the ones Ling Chen had attended before: an elegant and luxurious setting with fine wines and dishes, where every gentleman was dressed to the nines, sauntering among the crowd with a glass in hand.

Ling Chen truly felt that such banquets were a waste of life.

Just then, a wave of gasps sounded at the entrance of the banquet hall. Subsequently, everyone’s gaze converged on two individuals:

Han Yu and Zhu Xiaozhu.

Han Yu, dressed in a tailcoat, wore shoes that reflected the feigned smiles of people. However, it had to be admitted that this attire, paired with Han Yu’s handsome appearance, did indeed possess a certain charm.

Yet, because of Zhu Xiaozhu’s presence, Han Yu was naturally overlooked. The woman who instantly became the focus of the event was like a delicate and vibrant flower, with every gesture and smile radiating her stunning beauty, captivating and enthralling onlookers.

Whether they were in their twenties or in their thirties and forties, almost everyone’s gaze was drawn to Zhu Xiaozhu.

Ling Chen stood amid the crowd, gazing infatuatedly at Zhu Xiaozhu, who was wearing an elegant evening gown with a hint of her shoulders exposed, white and smooth. The hem of her skirt flared out slightly, like a blooming peony, refined and noble. Aside from appreciation, no impure thoughts arose in his mind.

Especially her eyes, tender like water, seemingly like a babbling brook, clear and flawless.

However, seeing Zhu Xiaozhu gently leaning on Han Yu’s arm, a surge of sourness welled up in Ling Chen’s heart, as if a bottle of mixed emotions had been overturned, indescribably uncomfortable.

Sighing, he withdrew his gaze, turned, and found an unnoticed corner to sit down.

Some things are better left unseen.

7:30 in the evening.

The three hundred-plus guests were now all gathered in the banquet hall. It was at this time that Zhou Qi, dressed in traditional attire, took the stage accompanied by several disciples of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

"Ladies and gentlemen..." As Zhou Qi’s voice rang out, everyone immediately quieted down and listened attentively to his opening remarks.

"Due to the unexpected incident two days ago, which caused great inconvenience to everyone and even endangered your lives, I, on behalf of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, would like to extend our apologies. The incident was entirely due to the Pavilion’s negligence. As a gesture of our apology, the Pavilion has prepared a small gift for everyone. Furthermore, please be assured that the Pavilion guarantees that such incidents will not occur again."

At this point, Zhou Qi paused and looked at the audience with a smile, saying, "This time we were able to safely get through the crisis, all thanks to the selfless assistance of a single individual. Even if I don’t mention it, I believe everyone knows who that person is. Tonight, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion is holding this banquet not only to celebrate our collective survival but also to express our gratitude to Ms. Shi Su. Now, please welcome Ms. Shi Su to the stage."

As Zhou Qi finished speaking, Shi Su, wearing a black evening gown, looking noble and graceful, with a delicate smile on the corner of her mouth, gracefully stepped onto the stage.

"The Shi Family is blessed indeed."

Qiu Yong glanced at Shi Su on the stage, commenting lightly.

Yuan Yun joined the conversation, saying, "Not just blessed, but after saving so many people on the ship, that act of grace is laid out there. Who would dare to oppose the Shi Family now? With this foundation, the Shi Family can rise anytime within the Martial Arts world."

"Regardless of anything else, we owe her our lives. Gratitude is gratitude and grievances are grievances. We, the ’Eight Eccentrics,’ have always been clear about debts of gratitude and revenge. Ling Chen, do you understand what I mean?"

Ling Chen nodded and said, "Elder Brother, don’t worry, I’m not someone who forgets favors and violates righteousness."