"Sorry, I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you. I do indeed know that masked woman you mentioned, but before she left, she specifically instructed me not to reveal a single word if you came asking about her whereabouts. That was her request, and I must keep my promise."
Ling Chen touched his nose and said helplessly, "Can you at least give me a hint?"
Tea Girl replied indifferently, "That’s not possible either. Apart from this question, I can consider other inquiries, so don’t bother wasting your effort."
Seeing that she refused to talk more about the porridge girl, Ling Chen had no choice but to change the topic: "Then tell me, what’s her relationship with your Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?"
"There’s not much of a relationship, just that her master has some connections with our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."
"Her master?" Ling Chen’s interest was piqued. In all the time he had known porridge girl, she had never mentioned her master. Considering how capable she was, her master must be a remarkable person.
"Do you know who her master is?"
"I do, but I won’t tell you. It’s better for her to tell you herself."
Ling Chen was speechless, always so secretive about crucial matters as if it were some big secret.
Seeing that Ling Chen remained silent, Tea Girl seemed to read his mind and said, "Some things are destined; you can’t force them. I’m not telling you because it’s not yet time for you to know."
After a pause, Tea Girl continued, "I have two things here for you, consider them a reward for helping the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion through its crisis." As she spoke, a file bag slid out from under the curtain and landed on the coffee table.
Ling Chen picked up the file bag, about to open it, but heard Tea Girl say, "Look at it after you go back."
"Then I won’t be polite, bye! Hope to see you again." After speaking, Ling Chen got up and left the room.
Stepping out of the cabin, Ling Chen stood on the deck, gazing at the approaching port, a faint smile playing on his lips. After so many days out, he could finally return.
In contemplation, several middle-aged men walked over side by side, smiling amicably and greeting Ling Chen, who politely responded.
"Mr. Ling, this is my business card, please visit me if you get the chance, don’t forget to call me so I can show you hospitality."
"Mr. Ling, this is my business card, please keep it."
With such enthusiasm, Ling Chen couldn’t refuse and accepted all the business cards offered to him. While receiving the cards, he glanced at them casually and was surprised.
These attendees of the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony looked unremarkable, quite ordinary, but besides being skilled masters hiding their prowess, they all run their own businesses across the country, each one bearing the title of chairman.
These days, even martial artists are turning into entrepreneurs.
Perhaps because it was almost time to leave, many people specifically came over to thank Ling Chen. In less than half an hour, his pockets were stuffed with hundreds of business cards, his smile almost stiffening.
It wasn’t until the luxury cruise ship reached the port that Ling Chen was finally relieved.
At this moment, Zhou Qi and Zhou Jun appeared on the deck with Mr. Yun.
"Elder Zhou." Ling Chen greeted.
"I’ll leave him in your care, remember to be extra careful after getting off the ship, don’t let anything happen."
Yuan Yun smiled and said, "Just rest assured, Zhou Qi, with us eight eccentrics here, anyone who comes looking for trouble is asking for it."
Zhou Qi bowed with clasped hands, "Gentlemen, then I won’t see you off any further, have a safe journey, take care!"
Just when Ling Chen was about to disembark, he suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Zhou Qi, "Elder Zhou, I almost forgot, wasn’t there a prize for the first place? I should be able to get something."
Before Zhou Qi could reply, Zhou Jun couldn’t help but laugh, "Don’t worry, you won’t miss out on your prize. Because this ended quite abruptly, we didn’t have time to prepare it; we will notify you later and take you to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to receive your prize."
"Really?" Ling Chen grinned and nodded, "Alright, then I’ll wait for your news."
Although he couldn’t join the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, visiting it would still be an interesting experience.
"Hey! Elder Zhou, does that mean I’ll meet the Pavilion Master there?"
"The Pavilion Master? Haven’t you already met her?" After saying that, Zhou Qi laughed loudly, and together with Zhou Jun, left the deck.
I’ve met the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master?
Ling Chen was a bit confused.
When did this happen, and how did I not know?
Could it be... Suddenly, a thought struck Ling Chen, and his mouth gaped open in surprise.
No way, she is the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.
Damn! No wonder everything was so secretive, not willing to reveal her true identity; so that’s why.
Ling Chen sighed regretfully, realizing he should have interacted more with her had he known earlier. Ah! Such a good opportunity wasted.
After disembarking, Ling Chen followed the footsteps of Qiu Yong and others, accompanying Mr. Yun and Hu Fei to the port exit.
At the gate, five black Chevrolet SUVs drove up one by one and parked along the roadside. The leading Chevrolet’s door opened, and a young man in a suit and sunglasses jumped out.
Seeing Ling Chen waiting at the exit, the young man’s handsome face immediately brightened with a happy smile, and he shouted, "Tang Yuan."
"Old Tang, you sure are punctual," Ling Chen greeted with a smile.
"Got your call last night, the General immediately sent me with people to come here overnight, prepared to assist you," Tang Yuan said, then glanced at Hu Fei beside him and joked with a laugh, "Fatty, long time no see, you’ve gained more weight; be careful or no woman will fancy you."
"Get lost, I don’t care about women, as long as I have money," Hu Fei remained true to his nature.
"Old Tang, is everything arranged on your end?"
Speaking of business, Tang Yuan immediately stopped joking, his expression serious, "This time, I specifically transferred a squad of special forces from the military, over thirty people, all fully equipped. Additionally, I contacted the local police, and they will assist us all the way to ensure we reach the airport safely." Pointing to the five Chevrolets, Tang Yuan added, "All equipped with bulletproof glass, even rocket launchers can’t penetrate."
Ling Chen nodded. The more thorough the security preparations, the more reassured he felt, but still, he cautioned, "Just be careful, the people from the God Organization are not to be underestimated; they will also be fully prepared."
"Don’t worry, I know, let’s get everyone on board."
Mr. Yun was the key protection target this mission, for his safety, Ling Chen and Tang Yuan flanked him on either side, riding in the same vehicle, while Qiu Yong and others took other vehicles.