Tuoba Jiao was clad in a red dress, her black hair reaching her waist. A Green Sheath Longsword hung at her side as she stared at Long Chen with icy eyes.
"I pay my respects to Second Senior Sister!" Qiu Ming said, bowing respectfully.
Tuoba Jiao was, in fact, the second-strongest disciple of the Human Institute, surpassed only by the most powerful disciple, Tuoba Beast.
Could Long Chen’s enemy be Tuoba Jiao? No, that can’t be right... Tang Le glanced at Tuoba Jiao, then turned back to look at Long Chen.
Judging by the look on her face and the light in her eyes, it was clear she harbored immense hostility toward Long Chen.
Long Chen, however, seemed perfectly calm, not at all like someone facing an enemy.
"No need for formalities!" Tuoba Jiao declared. With a single, fluid leap, she landed on the boat. A crushing pressure instantly swept out from her.
The force of her aura sent Qiu Ming flying, along with Long Chen and Tang Le.
"Jiao Jiao, what are you doing?!" Chen Yao cried out, grabbing Long Chen’s arm to steady him.
Qiu Ming managed to tap his feet on the water’s surface. Though his shoes were soaked, he landed back on the boat, steadying himself after a few wobbles.
Tang Le, however, was not so lucky. With a loud PLOP, he was knocked straight into the water.
"Hey, Senior Sister Tuoba, we have no quarrel! What was that for?" Tang Le shouted indignantly as he surfaced.
Tuoba Jiao shot him a disdainful look, her gaze immediately fixing on Chen Yao’s delicate hand, which was still clutching Long Chen’s arm.
How could Tuoba Jiao, who was only interested in women and utterly infatuated with Chen Yao, tolerate seeing her so close to a man?
But Chen Yao was clearly angry now, so despite her own rage, Tuoba Jiao could only bite her lip and endure it.
"It’s nothing, Steward Chen. Please don’t worry," Long Chen said with a small smile, hoping this incident might persuade Tuoba Jiao to drop her grudge.
Even though last night was a complete misunderstanding, I did see her naked... and touched things I shouldn’t have.
"Don’t you ever act like that again!" Chen Yao scolded, furrowing her brows. She knew perfectly well that Tuoba Jiao’s preferences were unconventional, so she didn’t suspect her of actually holding a grudge against Long Chen.
"Damn you, Fatty Tang! Why don’t you try resisting me with that Poison Physique of yours!" Enraged, Tuoba Jiao turned her frustration on Tang Le.
The words had barely left her mouth when she swung her palm, launching a blast of battle qi at Tang Le in the river.
"Don’t... AHH!" Powerless to resist, Tang Le was sent flying by the battle qi, crashing hard onto the riverbank.
"Brother Long, I guess this is where we part ways! See you at the Second House in a few days!" Tang Le yelled, then hissed in pain.
Long Chen had to suppress a smile. Fatty Tang really knows how to take a hit. I wonder what he’s really doing, hiding his strength here in the Martial Ancestor.
Meet at the Second House? So Fatty Tang finally has the guts to seek promotion? Chen Yao’s eyes narrowed in surprise.
Tuoba Jiao pouted and said, "Sister Yao, my father wants to see you at the King’s Institute right away. It seems to be something urgent."
"A summons from the Human King?" Chen Yao’s breath caught in her throat, her expression filled with hesitation.
She couldn’t just leave Long Chen; he was the key to the Human Institute’s upcoming promotions.
"Steward Chen, please go. I’ll be fine on my own," Long Chen said.
Chen Yao’s brow tightened, and she shook her head. "I can’t. You..."
"I’ll take him to the Martial Institute, Sister Yao," Tuoba Jiao suddenly offered. "Don’t worry, I won’t let him die."
After a moment’s thought, Chen Yao could only nod. "Remember," she warned, "don’t cause any more trouble. He’s very important!"
"Don’t you trust me, Sister Yao?" Tuoba Jiao said, patting her chest in assurance. "Among all the disciples in the Human Institute, the only one I can’t beat is my brother."
"Alright, I’m leaving him in your hands," Chen Yao said. With a light tap of her feet, she leaped to the shore.
Long Chen frowned. Traveling with Tuoba Jiao might not be such a good thing. But given the circumstances, he had no other choice.
"Junior Brother Qiu, I need you to do something for me. Are you going to be obedient?" Tuoba Jiao asked, her tone heavy with implication.
Although Qiu Ming didn’t understand, he still bowed respectfully. "Second Senior Sister, just give the order. I will spare no effort!"
"Good!" Tuoba Jiao raised a delicate hand and pointed at Long Chen. "Beat him up for me! Just make sure he’s still breathing when you’re done."