Chapter 844: Martial Arts Symposium (1)
After making a decision, Ling Chen immediately followed behind the group and headed towards the nearby villa cluster.
This villa cluster is considered a high-end residential area, surrounded by three-meter-high walls. To enter the villa area, you must pass through an iron gate. However, there's a guard outside the gate. Moreover, everyone entering the villa area must present an invitation letter.
Only those whose identities have been verified can enter smoothly. Ling Chen saw this from a distance and immediately stopped.
He didn't have an invitation letter, and if he went in rashly, he would definitely be escorted out by the guards at the door. After thinking it over, Ling Chen decided to give up entering through the main entrance and instead came to the outer wall several tens of meters away from the main gate.
After checking left and right to confirm no one else was present, Ling Chen lightly tapped with his toes, his legs suddenly exerted force, and soared high from the ground. When he reached a height of two meters and his momentum waned, Ling Chen's toes lightly stepped on the wall repeatedly, leveraging the wall's elasticity to rise further.
Next, he grabbed the top of the wall with both hands, lightly exerted his arms, and deftly flipped over the wall.
Once inside the villa cluster, Ling Chen dusted off the dirt on his body, pretending as if nothing had happened, and walked along the main path.
At this moment, twenty to thirty guests were walking along the tree-lined road. Seizing his chance, Ling Chen flashed smoothly from the surrounding greenery to the middle of the road, blending naturally into the crowd.
No one noticed this outsider who joined halfway.
In the villa cluster, Ling Chen saw many men and women in suits with smiling faces. They were enthusiastically serving tea and fruit to passing distinguished guests. Ling Chen, unreserved, grabbed tea with his left hand, fruit with his right, eating and walking.
Following the crowd a little further, Ling Chen arrived at a luxurious hall.
The hall was several hundred square meters, the floor was tiled with marble, the walls decorated with light golden wallpaper, and several golden chandeliers added to the sumptuous and impressive atmosphere.
Ling Chen shook his head silently, too opulent. He reflected on past Martial Arts Tournaments, where locations were simple, with large bowls of liquor and big guys, bustling and lively, unlike the current elaborate practices. Nowadays, everyone is exceedingly polite, afraid of offending others. Moreover, people are very conscious of their reputation, always boasting as if afraid others won't know how impressive they are.
Ling Chen had little interest in the courtesy of the people in Martial Arts; he found a quiet spot, then sat down on a sofa.
Just as he settled, Ling Chen saw a woman walking his way. The woman seemed around twenty-three or twenty-four years old, very elegant looking, with a round face, fair skin, her hair cascading down her back, a few delicate bangs swaying gently with her steps.
The woman approached, her bright eyes sweeping lightly over Ling Chen before retracting her gaze, sitting down on the sofa next to him.
When the woman sat down, Ling Chen immediately smelled a strong fragrance in the air and couldn't help but glance at her.
The woman looked quite delicate, but the perfume on her seemed unsuitable, too overpowering. For women, being a bit more elegantly modest is best; why make it so glamorous like those women in special professions?
"What are you looking at?" The woman seemed to notice Ling Chen's gaze and snapped coldly, "Never seen a beauty?"
Ling Chen shrugged, immediately diverting his eyes from the woman. Was it necessary to get upset over a couple of glances? This woman was too petty. Besides, he'd seen plenty of stunning beauties; this woman wasn't really one in his eyes.
After sitting for a short while, the number of guests in the reception hall increased, nearly a hundred people. Some acquaintances gathered in threes and fives, smiling, discussing this Martial Arts symposium. Ling Chen listened but didn't hear anything useful.
At this time, a few men walked from the distance. Judging by their direction, they seemed headed towards the woman. Ling Chen glanced with his peripheral vision, and sure enough, upon their appearance, the woman's brow furrowed slightly, showing a touch of displeasure. Nevertheless, she remained seated, without any intention of leaving.
When the men approached, they bowed respectfully to the woman, smiling, "Young Lady."
"What do you want?" The woman responded indifferently, apparently displeased with their visit.
A crew-cut man smiled apologetically, "Young Lady, when you ran away from home this time, the Master was very worried. He hopes you can return soon, lest he gets upset."
The woman said impatiently, "So what if he's upset? Let him be upset. I specifically came to attend the Martial Arts symposium, and I won't leave before it ends. Lei Jiang, stop wasting your breath on me, go back and don't bother me here."
Upon hearing this, the man named Lei Jiang immediately restrained his smile, solemnly stating, "Young Lady, since you refuse to go back with us, don't blame us for the offense."
The woman's bright eyes blinked, glaring at Lei Jiang, "Do you intend to lay hands on me?"
"Sorry, Young Lady, the Master orders that you must be taken back no matter what. He said he knows your purpose in attending the Martial Arts symposium. Under no circumstances will he allow you to see that person again."
"Who's in charge here, you or me?" The woman couldn't help but roar, "Since you call me Young Lady, then spare me the nonsense and get out of my sight. I don't want to see you anymore." With that, the woman turned her head away, not even looking at the men.
At this moment, the woman's loud voice attracted the attention of numerous guests, who began whispering among themselves.
Feeling everyone's gaze, the woman flicked her head, coldly saying, "What are you looking at? For your information, my name is Tong Ye. You better stay cautious."
Upon hearing the name 'Tong Ye,' everyone present immediately changed their expressions, hurriedly retracting their gaze, ignoring what was happening, pretending they hadn't seen anything.
Tong Ye?
Ling Chen silently contemplated this name. In his memory, he had never heard it before. However, judging by everyone's reaction, this woman named Tong Ye seemed to have quite a background. Otherwise, why would everyone be so fearful of her?
As he pondered, the man named Lei Jiang spoke, "Young Lady, we're acting on orders, hoping you won't make it difficult for us. Also, the Master has issued a strict order that regardless, you must be taken back."