Chapter 1643: Chapter 1945: Song Qingde
"Sect Leader Yu, speak your mind. It’s just the two of us here, so feel free to express yourself."
Yu Zhen nodded and said, "Alright, we were all involved in last night’s operation. In a sense, we’re in the same boat, so I won’t hide anything from you. You know, this operation was led by the Heavenly Dragon Sect, along with Jinyao Martial Arts Hall and the Lianhai Sect, for a total of nine factions. Our goal was the same, to carve up the benefits of the Dragon Tiger Hall. However, the mission is now complete, and the Heavenly Dragon Sect hasn’t made any gestures, so I’m a bit worried about this matter..."
Before he finished speaking, Song Qingde smiled and interjected, "Sect Leader Yu, I understand your concern, but there’s no need to worry. I’ve been in contact with Tan Gang, the Vice Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dragon Sect. The operation just ended, and there’s still a lot to handle. Once this busy period is over, you won’t be shortchanged on your benefits."
"Master Song, what about the Dragon Tiger Hall? If they find out we were behind it, they might come looking for trouble. The Heavenly Dragon Sect promised that if the Dragon Tiger Hall came knocking, they would handle it for us."
Song Qingde waved his hand and said, "Sect Leader Yu, just relax. Since the Heavenly Dragon Sect made a promise, they won’t go back on it. Besides, it’s just the Dragon Tiger Hall. What are you so afraid of? Remember at the Martial Arts Tournament, the Dragon Tiger Hall people lost to our Jinyao Martial Arts Hall, so there’s nothing to be afraid of. Other than having many people, the Dragon Tiger Hall isn’t much."
"Master Song is right, our Dragon Tiger Hall indeed doesn’t have other skills besides having many people." A voice came, and both Song Qingde and Yu Zhen turned their eyes to the entrance of the hall. When they saw the person leading, their expressions changed slightly.
Seeing their dazed expressions, Ling Chen smiled faintly and said, "Gentlemen, don’t you recognize me?"
As his words fell, Song Qingde was the first to react. He quickly got up from his seat with a smile, hurriedly approached Ling Chen, and greeted enthusiastically, "Isn’t this Mr. Ling? What brings you here? Please, everyone, have a seat."
Ling Chen nodded and found a seat for himself. As everyone sat down, Yu Zhen felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, his forehead already covered in sweat. "Well..." After hesitating, Yu Zhen slowly stood up and said, "Master Song, since you have guests, I won’t bother you. Let’s gather again when there’s time." With that, he turned to walk out.
Before he reached the door, Zhu Qing suddenly took a few steps forward, blocking Yu Zhen’s path. Seeing Zhu Qing’s cold expression, Yu Zhen forced a smile and said, "You... What are you doing?"
"Sect Leader Yu, since you’re here, why rush to leave? We’re all people of the martial arts world; why not sit and talk?"
Hearing Ling Chen’s voice behind him, Yu Zhen turned back and said, "Mr. Ling, I have urgent matters; maybe next time. I assure you of a visit."
"Sect Leader Yu, without meaning any offense, if we wait for your visit, who knows how long that will take? I’ve come to Yangcheng to see Master Song, and you must know why. Do you think you can avoid it?" Ling Chen spoke calmly.
Yu Zhen glanced at Song Qingde in the hall, noticing that he stayed silent, which made him uneasy.
"Mr. Ling, I don’t quite understand what you mean. I just came for a visit, and since you have business with Master Song, I shouldn’t stay and interfere."
"Sect Leader Yu, last night the Dragon Tiger Hall was attacked; I’ve heard you were involved. Now that we’re all here, why not give me an explanation?"
"Last night?" Yu Zhen’s expression changed, and he quickly said, "Mr. Ling, there must be a misunderstanding. I was at the sect all night and never left, so how could I be involved in the attack on the Dragon Tiger Hall? You must be mistaken."
"Seems like you’re determined not to admit it." Ling Chen said with a sarcastic smile. "The Dragon Tiger Hall never looks for trouble without reason, but anyone who thinks they can bully the Dragon Tiger Hall is sorely mistaken. Sect Leader Yu, will you keep denying, or admit it graciously?"
"I... I..." Yu Zhen opened his mouth, unsure how to respond. After hesitating briefly, he looked pleadingly at Song Qingde for help.
Feeling Yu Zhen’s gaze, Song Qingde’s mouth twitched slightly into a smile, "Sect Leader Yu, not to be blunt, but just tell Mr. Ling the truth. Why beat around the bush; do you think he’d eat you alive?" After a pause, he turned to Ling Chen and said, "Mr. Ling, let’s take our time talking. I’ll make some tea for our honorable guests first."
Saying this, Song Qingde walked to a corner of the hall and reached for a teacup on the table. However, instead of picking it up, he gently rotated it. Instantly, a trapdoor opened beneath his feet, and he fell through, vanishing.
This sudden turn of events startled everyone present, and Ling Chen’s group rushed over. However, it was too late; the trapdoor had already closed.
Teacup!
Ling Chen quickly realized and found the teacup Song Qingde had used, giving it a light spin. Yet, although the teacup moved, the floor remained unresponsive.
Zhu Qing frowned slightly and said, "He must have sealed the mechanism from below."
Hearing this, Ling Chen couldn’t help but snort coldly. Song Qingde was cunning indeed, knowing they were here for trouble, he used such a method to escape. Ling Chen also blamed himself for being too careless, thinking he had control of the entire hall, not realizing Song Qingde had already prepared, secretly installing a secret passage in the hall.
"Yu Zhen!" Ling Chen turned his gaze coldly to Yu Zhen, who stood there looking bewildered, seemingly not fully grasping the situation. Upon hearing Ling Chen’s cold call, Yu Zhen’s body trembled slightly, hastily saying, "This... this has nothing to do with me. I don’t know anything."
Seeing Ling Chen approach him step by step, Yu Zhen inwardly lamented. He hadn’t expected Song Qingde to utilize a secret passage for escape. Earlier, he had acted unbothered by the Dragon Tiger Hall, yet as soon as Ling Chen’s group arrived, he fled immediately.
By now, Zhu Qing had smashed through the floor and, along with the porridge girl, leaped into the secret passage. With the two of them together, even encountering danger would be manageable.
