Chapter 138: The Broken Jade Pendant

Upon these words, an uproar swept through the crowd!

The school staff members nearby also furrowed their brows.

After all, they were Huaxia citizens too, and listening to such remarks naturally made them feel quite uncomfortable.

However...

They were only in charge of arranging the venue; other matters were beyond their control.

Because...

Ling Qiu's previous actions had thoroughly infuriated the prominent figures of the Jiangnan Province Taekwondo community... This incident had now escalated to the level of a "martial arts exchange and competition," far beyond a minor matter that their school could casually interfere with.

As for the members of the Huaxia Kung Fu Club who had been called out by name, their brows were locked in deep frowns, and their expressions looked grim.

Among them, naturally, were that pair of lovable scoundrels, Luo Yifan and Luo Shunfeng.

"...Where is Ling Qiu? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

"Could it be... he's still resting in his dorm?"

Just then, a chubby figure pushed through the crowd and sat down beside Luo Yifan and Luo Shunfeng. Taking a closer look, it turned out to be Zhao Dezhu!

"Where's Ling Qiu? Has he arrived?"

Zhao Dezhu pulled two bags of potato chips from his backpack and began eating them.

"Ling Qiu?"

Luo Yifan and Luo Shunfeng were taken aback: "You're asking us?? Aren't you two roommates?"

Zhao Dezhu blinked: "We're roommates, that's true... but Ling Qiu left the dorm this morning, and we haven't been together!"

"We're finished!"

Luo Shunfeng's expression changed drastically!

Zhao Dezhu blinked in confusion: "What do you mean we're finished?"

Luo Yifan frowned deeply: "There's a rumor going around just now that... Ling Qiu didn't dare to accept the challenge, so he left the school early this morning... and ran away..."

"What?"

Zhao Dezhu's eyes widened: "Impossible! — Ling Qiu is not the kind of person to flee without a fight! Just wait, I'll give him a call!"

With that, he pulled out his phone and rapidly dialed Ling Qiu's number.

Once the call connected, Zhao Dezhu hastily asked, "Hello? Ling Qiu? Where are you?"

Ling Qiu's calm voice came from the other end: "Outside."

"Outside?"

Zhao Dezhu was stunned for a moment: "Damn it, brother, what time is it, hurry back! Have you forgotten, you still have a duel with Park Chang today!"

As a result, a curt reply came from the other side: "Not going. I'm busy right now, hanging up."

Beep, beep—

Listening to the busy tone on the phone, Zhao Dezhu was completely dumbfounded.

Putting down the phone, Fat Luo and Thin Luo pursued with questions: "What did he say??"

Zhao Dezhu looked utterly bewildered: "Ling Qiu said... he's outside... and he's not coming..."

"Ah???"

At this, the surrounding Huaxia Kung Fu Club members, who had been straining their ears to listen, were left completely dumbfounded!

"No way... Did Ling Qiu... really get scared and run away?"

"Impossible... Didn't Ling Qiu defeat Master Park in just one move previously? He's so strong, how could he flee without a fight!"

"B-but... this is Grandmaster Park Chang... Master Park's own teacher... Legend has it that he has pushed Taekwondo to the realm of ultimate perfection... And rumor has it that this Park Chang... has beaten people to death in a dozen or so duels!! Honestly... though I'd hate to admit it, I also feel that... if Ling Qiu fights Park Chang... he will either die or be crippled!!"

"So... could Ling Qiu... really have been scared off?"

All the members of the Huaxia Kung Fu Club panicked and began chattering anxiously.

Right at this moment...

Club President Chu Mo, who had been holding a book and remaining silent all along, slowly lowered the book, adjusted his glasses, and said in a calm tone, "The time hasn't arrived yet. Keep your composure and don't panic. — Huaxia Kung Fu requires not only the cultivation of the body, but also the nourishment of the mind."

"Yes..."

The crowd acknowledged in succession, but... everyone's heart was still beating wildly.

Almost everyone felt that...

Ling Qiu... might really have... been scared away...

At this very moment.

Ling Qiu and Qin Siyao finally arrived at the Qin family's grand estate in the provincial capital.

Ling Qiu hadn't taken that Park Chang to heart at all; in his eyes, the origin of that soul imprint was the matter most worthy of investigation right now.

The two walked straight to the study.

"Ling Qiu, wait a moment, let me announce our arrival to my grandfather..."

Before Qin Siyao could finish speaking, Ling Qiu pushed the door open and walked right in.

Coming into view was an elderly gentleman holding a book and reading it with great relish.

This person was none other than Qin Haishan, whom he had met once before!

"Grandfather..."

Qin Siyao was torn between laughter and tears; this Ling Qiu was truly too reckless!

Did he have no sense of etiquette at all?

Qin Haishan raised his head and saw Qin Siyao and Ling Qiu appearing together. He was startled for a moment, and then a pleasant smile of surprise blossomed on his face: "Ling Qiu? ... An honored guest, come, please sit!"

Qin Haishan hurriedly stood up, and his attitude toward Ling Qiu could only be described as extremely friendly.

Ling Qiu, however, wasted no words. Taking two or three steps forward, he directly rolled up the cuff of Qin Haishan's sleeve, and a wisp of soul energy instantly attached itself to his eyes.

Sure enough!

On Qin Haishan's arm, soul imprints resembling crawling spider shadows were densely packed!

"Young man... What are you..."

Qin Haishan looked perplexed, yet he did not dodge.

Seeing Qin Haishan's attitude, Qin Siyao shook her head repeatedly from the side.

The old man's temper had never been gentle, modest, or obliging!

If anyone else had so recklessly grabbed the old man's arm and rolled up his sleeve like this, the old man would probably have flown into a rage instantly!

Yet toward Ling Qiu alone, the old man showed not the slightest trace of anger!

Ling Qiu pondered for a moment, then slowly raised his head, gazing earnestly into Qin Haishan's eyes: "Tell me honestly, what kind of people have you Qin family offended?"

"???! "

Hearing this, Qin Haishan's heart skipped a beat. He initially wanted to steer the conversation elsewhere, but meeting Ling Qiu's piercing gaze and recalling the bizarre and miraculous display when Ling Qiu had saved him earlier...

His expression gradually turned serious: "Young man... Did you discover something?"

Ling Qiu said, "You had better tell me everything. Otherwise, the one you harm won't just be yourself, but your granddaughter as well!"

This attitude was simply too arrogant!

In the entire Jiangnan Province, there was not a single young person who would dare speak to Elder Qin in such a manner, using this kind of tone!

Qin Siyao, standing to the side, felt increasingly irritated no matter how she looked at it.

To be reasonable...

Ling Qiu had indeed saved her grandfather previously...

But there was no need for him to be so full of himself, was there??

Just as Qin Siyao wanted to step forward and say something, Qin Haishan said in a deep voice, "Yaoyao, go outside. I have something to discuss with Ling Qiu."

"Huh? Grandfather?"

Qin Siyao was stunned.

Qin Haishan looked at Qin Siyao earnestly and said sternly, "Get out. Without my command, no one is allowed to enter!"

Qin Siyao took a deep breath...

Her intuition told her that Ling Qiu might genuinely have discovered something...

She nodded obediently and quickly stepped outside.

Click.

The door closed.

Ling Qiu said, "Alright, speak."

Qin Haishan looked at Ling Qiu, remained silent for a moment, and then took a deep breath: "Please sit. This matter is a long story... Allow this old man... to tell it to you in detail."