"Ling Chen, thanks to your help this time, we from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion have resolved a looming crisis. On behalf of everyone here, I thank you," Su Mei sincerely expressed her gratitude.
"Don’t mention it; helping you means helping myself. Since we are friends, we should indeed help each other." As he said this, Ling Chen raised his head and looked at Zhou Qi next to him, asking, "Elder Zhou, have those people confessed yet? Besides them, are there any other spies?"
"I interrogated them all night using various methods and finally forced them to reveal the identities of all the spies and their contact codes with the outsiders."
"That’s good." Ling Chen smiled and nodded, then asked, "By the way, Miss Su, last time I told you that outside the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, there is a contact person from the God Organization assigned to connect with me. Have you found them?"
"I found them a long time ago. However, following your advice, I’ve had someone secretly monitor them without making a move."
"Good, once we’ve handled everything, it will be their turn."
"Pavilion Master," Zhou Qi began, "there’s one more thing. Last night during the chaos, Zhu Hong managed to escape, and so far, we haven’t located him. Mr. Ling suggested we should check the Yangxin Pavilion, what do you think?"
"Yangxin Pavilion? Zhu Hong is just an ordinary person; he shouldn’t have the capability to enter Yangxin Pavilion. Ling Chen, aren’t you overestimating him?"
"Better safe than sorry. Since Zhu Hong hasn’t left the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, he must still be here. Besides, Yangxin Pavilion isn’t very big; it won’t take much time."
After pondering for a moment, Su Mei agreed, "Alright then. Zhou Qi, take a few men and check Yangxin Pavilion."
"Miss Su, if it’s convenient, how about I go instead? Elder Zhou was busy all night and hasn’t rested yet; I’m worried about him. How about letting Zhou Jun and Song go with me?"
"Alright, try not to cause any trouble."
Ling Chen grinned, "Don’t worry, a straight shooter like me would never stir up trouble."
"I’m not worried about you, but the people at Yangxin Pavilion. You saw last time, Huang Zheng was very hostile towards you."
"No worries, he’s not the one in charge here, he can’t possibly kill me." After saying that, Ling Chen stood up and said, "Miss Su, if there’s nothing else, I’ll get going."
Leaving the room, Ling Chen met up with Zhou Jun and Song Ge, and Zhou Qi assigned ten more people to their group. They immediately headed towards Yangxin Pavilion.
With Su Mei’s clearance pass, Ling Chen and his companions faced no obstacles and entered Yangxin Pavilion with ease.
At that moment, in the spacious courtyard of Yangxin Pavilion, Song Yi and Liang Zheng were practicing martial arts routines to loosen up their bodies. Seeing Ling Chen appear at the entrance of the courtyard, Song Yi’s expression darkened immediately and he stepped forward, saying, "Ling Chen, this is Yangxin Pavilion; you can’t just come and go as you please, get out now."
Song Ge furrowed his brows and spoke in a low voice, "Song Yi, watch your language."
"What does my language have to do with you? What right do you have to lecture me?" Song Yi snorted lightly, "If you consider Ling Chen a friend but not us, why should I give you face? Get lost, I get annoyed just by seeing you."
Song Ge’s face turned angry, and just as he was about to retort, Ling Chen put a hand on his shoulder and shook his head at him, signaling him not to be impulsive.
"Song, let’s go back."
"Go back?" Song Ge and Zhou Jun were puzzled and asked, "Ling Chen, aren’t we supposed to..."
Ling Chen spread his hands, a look of helplessness on his face, "What other choice do we have? If the Pavilion Master asks later, we’ll say that Song Yi blocked us and even told us to get out. Alright, let’s move quickly and not linger here to annoy anyone."
After saying that, Ling Chen turned to leave.
Song Ge and Zhou Jun exchanged a glance, clearly understanding Ling Chen’s intention. The two smiled secretly and quickly followed Ling Chen’s steps.
Seeing Ling Chen and the others about to leave, Song Yi’s expression changed and he hurriedly called out, "Wait... wait a minute!"
Ling Chen turned back, looking at Song Yi, "What is it now?"
Song Yi awkwardly asked, "You just said that you were here on the Pavilion Master’s orders?"
"Yes, any problem with that? You know the rules of Yangxin Pavilion better than anyone. Without the Pavilion Master’s orders, do you think we could just waltz in here?" As he finished speaking, Ling Chen took his gaze off Song Yi and continued to walk away.
Ling Chen stopped in his tracks, impatiently saying, "Look, what do you want? You just told us to get out, and now you’re not letting us leave. What are you thinking? Do you think we’re easy to bully? Damn it, get a grip."
Faced with Ling Chen’s scolding, Song Yi immediately felt uncomfortable and his expression turned very sour. If it were any other time, he would have already started a fight. But remembering that Ling Chen carried a command from Su Mei, he had to suppress his anger and said coldly, "Since it’s the Pavilion Master’s command, then you may enter."
"Heh!" Ling Chen sneered, "Song Yi, you just told us to get out, and now you’re telling us to stay. Do you really think we’re that easily bullied, at your beck and call? Do you think I, Ling Chen, am that kind of person?"
Song Yi held back his anger, each word punctuated with effort: "Then what do you want?"
Ling Chen looked up at the sky, talking to himself, "I wonder who it was that just told us to get out, and now won’t even apologize. Sigh! These days, there are too many proud people, always thinking they’re above everyone else."
"Alright, everyone, let’s say less."
At that moment, Liang Zheng came over to mediate.
"Ling Chen, Song Yi didn’t mean to trouble you; he was just joking. Don’t take it to heart. If it really won’t do, I’ll apologize on his behalf."
Ling Chen glanced at Song Yi, who was barely concealing his anger, and shrugged, "Fine, since Liang has spoken, I must give this face."
Liang Zheng gave a slight smile, "Thank you! The Pavilion Master’s business is urgent, gentlemen, don’t delay any longer, please come in."
Walking into the spacious courtyard, Ling Chen looked around and instructed, "Search every room. Remember, keep your eyes wide open."
Hearing this, Liang Zheng’s expression changed and he quickly said, "Ling Chen, what are you doing? Elder Huang and Elder Liang live here. You dare to search their rooms?"
Ling Chen slapped his forehead and apologized with an embarrassed smile, "Sorry, thanks for reminding me. Don’t worry, I won’t disturb the two elders, at most we’ll check the other rooms. Liang, would you please inform the two elders, so there won’t be any unnecessary misunderstandings later."
"Wait! You can search if you want, I won’t stop you, but you should at least tell me the reason. How am I supposed to explain to Elder Huang and the others?"