Chapter 280: They Must Be Up to Something
3:00 PM.
Airport.
Xu Lingjun had come to pick up the flight early.
On the plane were the Pavilion Masters of the Four Great Martial Mansions, along with the top-performing students from each mansion.
A total of nineteen students.
A team of over twenty people had just disembarked from the plane.
Liu Zhiyuan couldn't help but run to the trash can and hug it as he vomited violently.
Despite being a Grandmaster, capable of traversing the skies and earth, no one knew... Pavilion Master Liu Zhiyuan suffered from airplane sickness.
Everyone watched their powerful Pavilion Master vomiting for a long time with strange expressions on their faces.
Li Jingjun kindly handed him a tissue.
"Thank you, Jingjun little girl."
Liu Zhiyuan looked at Li Jingjun gratefully.
He tidied up for a bit before regaining his dignified presence as a Pavilion Master.
He said: "For now, we need to get Xu Lingjun to return to the group... He came to the Imperial Capital in advance and still doesn't know where he's staying."
After saying this.
He couldn't help but brighten up as he saw Xu Lingjun, who had been waiting for the plane for a long time, walking toward them.
He laughed: "This kid still has a conscience, knowing to return to the group on his own."
Xu Lingjun approached, bowing respectfully to the four of them, and said: "Greetings, Pavilion Masters."
Upon seeing Xu Lingjun,
everyone's faces relaxed significantly, even Zhou Qianmo, whose eyes were usually hostile, softened his grim expression slightly and nodded at him.
However, Sun Lingli, who was standing behind Zhou Qingwan, couldn't help but frown adorably, feeling that Xu Tongxue seemed a bit different.
He appeared exactly the same as last time they met, but it felt like he had lost something.
Liu Zhiyuan looked at Xu Lingjun with eyes full of gratification and satisfaction, laughing: "Kid, how have you been during this time?"
Xu Lingjun smiled: "Not bad."
Liu Zhiyuan nodded, with a slight shadow over his eyes, and asked: "I heard you were attacked?"
Xu Lingjun wasn't particularly surprised upon hearing this.
As the source of the attack, especially in a place like the Imperial Capital full of surveillance, it was naturally impossible to hide from those with intentions.
What really worried him, instead, was...
He was with Han Yun City when attacked, which wasn't a good thing at all.
Xu Lingjun replied with the line he had already rehearsed with Han Yun City: "Yes, while I was wandering around the Imperial Capital, I encountered Han Yun City... He insisted on having a battle with me, so I had no choice but to go to the Dragon Fist Martial Arts Hall with him. We fought for more than two hours, and let's say it was a draw."
Zhou Qianmo pursued further: "And then you went to eat together?"
Xu Lingjun sighed: "Since there was no decisive winner, neither of us was willing to give up. But we were too hungry to continue fighting, so we decided to eat something and go back to fight again... but who knew, we ended up being attacked immediately."
"Ah... so that's what happened."
Liu Zhiyuan glanced at Zhou Qianmo.
Zhou Qianmo looked away and said: "The attackers were probably targeting Han Yun City. Luckily, you weren't mistakenly injured."
He gave Xu Lingjun a meaningful look and reminded: "Xu Tongxue, you must be aware by now that Han Yun City's identity is different from common folks, right? It's best if you don't stay too close to him in the future; otherwise, you may suffer as collateral damage."
"Yes, I understand."
Xu Lingjun thought inwardly, putting aside those from the Cuowu Sect, even the one wanting to kill Han Yun City clearly enveloped me in their attack at the time. Obviously, they intended to take my life... it's not as simple as being accidentally injured.
"Let's go, come with me to the Imperial Capital Education Bureau."
Liu Zhiyuan gestured for Xu Lingjun to follow him as he turned to leave.
Along the way...
He carefully inquired where Xu Lingjun had been staying during this time.
Upon learning that Xu Lingjun had been staying at the Zhanzheng Academy, his brow furrowed high.
Xu Lingjun helplessly explained: "I had no choice. I was attacked, the attacker's strength was far above mine, so for my own safety, I've been hiding at the Zhanzheng Academy, not going out, or I might not have lived to see you come back, Pavilion Master."
"I see, that's a very reasonable explanation."
Liu Zhiyuan patted Xu Lingjun's shoulder and said: "You've been through a lot during this time, but you don't have to stay there anymore. Come with me; with me here, no one can harm you."
"I understand, I'll go back to pack in a bit."
"I'll accompany you."
Li Jingjun volunteered: "If I join forces with you, even if there's an attack, we can hold on until reinforcements arrive."
Liu Zhiyuan nodded approvingly, looking at the pair in front of him and said with satisfaction: "Alright, go ahead."
He gave Xu Lingjun another meaningful look.
Xu Lingjun instantly understood his meaning... Kid, aren't you worried about encountering a strong enemy? Chase her, go for it; once you've mastered the Wind Seeking and Snow Returning Technique, with your defense plus the Returning Qi and Releasing Force Technique, enemies won't be able to lay a hand on you.
Xu Lingjun ignored this old rogue.
Others might not know, but how could Xu Lingjun not know what Li Jingjun was really after?
She just wanted to see Daxiong, since I didn't bring him along.
And looking at her bag...
It turns out she also brought Pang Hu.
Xu Lingjun nodded.
Sun Lingli hesitated for a moment as if she wanted to say she wanted to go too, but was directly held back by Zhou Qingwan.
Zhou Qingwan gave Zhou Qianmo a thoughtful glance and said: "Xu Lingjun is still in danger at the moment, and Li Tongxue can protect him all-around when going. Why do you want to go? To give the enemy a hostage to threaten Xu Tongxue?"
Sun Lingli could only reluctantly acknowledge.
Returning to the residence arranged by the Education Bureau.
Having settled all twenty excellent students properly... Zhou Qianmo found an excuse, saying he wanted to go out for a walk.
Then he left alone.
Along the way, he looked at the scenery of the Imperial Capital like an ordinary lonely old man.
Only no one noticed his steps gradually veering off.
Until he reached a deserted alleyway.
"Seems you're not senile yet; you're still able to spot the mark I left for you."
A sinister voice came from the dark end of the alley and said.
Zhou Qianmo sighed: "You hid well; I almost couldn't find the sign you left."
In the dark corner,
Roger slowly appeared and said: "I had no choice. Right now, the entire Divine Soldier Guard is searching for my whereabouts. I have to be cautious since Xiaomu's revenge hasn't been taken yet; I can't die."
Zhou Qianmo said angrily: "You've gone too far! I asked you to kill Han Yun City to avenge Xiaomu, so why did you attack Xu Lingjun? Do you realize that he is the one we've chosen to stand against Han Yun City after Xiaomu, and he's already suppressed Han Yun City multiple times... He's not our enemy."
"Hahaha, old man, are you senile?"
Roger sneered: "Do you know why I attacked Xu Lingjun? Because when I tried to kill Han Yun City, the two of them were together."
"That's because they had just fought each other; Xu Lingjun has already explained this. They have no reason to know each other; they're mortal enemies."
"But compared to your words, I trust what my eyes saw more!"
Roger said: "These days, I've recalled numerous times and essentially concluded that I was framed by those two brats... Their teamwork was perfect, setting a trap for me and another Cuowu Sect expert. This kind of tacit understanding—is it something mortal enemies share?"
He said: "I'm sure these two aren't mere adversaries; there's undoubtedly something fishy between them... You said you weren't sure if Han Yun City is the true culprit for killing Xiaomu because he doesn't have that capability. True, Han Yun City indeed lacks that capability, but what if you add Xu Lingjun?"
"He has no reason."
Zhou Qianmo said: "Xiaomu was supposed to team up with Xu Lingjun to fight against Han Yun City. Xu Lingjun and Han Yun City have fought bitterly; there's no way they would collude to frame Xiaomu."
"Do you remember Zhou Tong?"
Roger asked.
"Zhou Tong?"
Zhou Qianmo was stunned, hearing Roger's name, an unexpectedly desolate look appeared on his face.
Zhou Tong, a child he once picked up from a pile of garbage and took as a disciple, even giving him his surname. To him, Zhou Tong was like half a son.
He indeed lived up to the expectations placed upon him, with talent that was extraordinary. Unfortunately, he died in an accident many years ago.
Roger said seriously, pronouncing each word clearly: "Now I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, I killed him."