Chapter 547 - 242: Inviting Me to Tingtiao Pavilion?
Chapter 547: Chapter 242: Inviting Me to Tingtiao Pavilion?
"Is that your ship coming to pick you up, Senior?"
Suhe Chen was somewhat curious.
Fang Shuwen had a strange look on his face. He said to Suhe Chen,
"It might be your ship."
"You must be joking, Senior."
Suhe Chen let out a dry laugh and added,
"Meeting you today has been a great fortune, Senior. I was wondering, do you have any pressing matters to attend to?
"If not, would you be willing to accompany me to Tingtiao Pavilion?"
"You’re inviting me to Tingtiao Pavilion?"
Fang Shuwen’s expression turned odd again.
"Do you really want to invite me to Tingtiao Pavilion?
"Aren’t the Eight Forbidden Lands of the East Sea unwelcoming to outsiders?"
"With your exceptional Martial Arts, Senior, you are a grandmaster of this era. How could you possibly be considered an outsider?"
Suhe Chen said with a smile,
"My father would be overjoyed to learn that I was able to befriend a person of your stature and invite you to our sect as a guest."
Fang Shuwen didn’t agree immediately. He was weighing his options.
’I haven’t been in the Jianghu for long, but I know one thing for sure.’
’Some things are impossible to avoid.’
’After news of the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror got out, the Eight Forbidden Lands immediately sent out their disciples, claiming they wanted to protect Luo Shuqing.’
’The whole thing reeks of hypocrisy.’
’If these people truly covet the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror, they’ll come for it eventually.’
’And now that the incident on Black Island is over, that day might come very soon.’
’Rather than waiting for them to come to me, I might as well go check them out myself.’
’If they genuinely mean well, I don’t mind making a new friend.’
’It’s like with the Seven Great Sects of the Eastern Domain—if old grievances can be resolved, I’ll resolve them. Another friend is another path, after all.’
’On the other hand, if they really have malicious intent, well, that suits me just fine too.’
’Otherwise, I’d have to wait for them to attack me, then go track down their lairs. It would be an endless, troublesome cycle.’
As these thoughts crossed his mind, he felt a tug on his sleeve.
He didn’t need to ask. Of course, it was Luo Shuqing.
He looked up and saw the masked girl secretly shaking her head at him.
Fang Shuwen was momentarily speechless. ’Everyone here has sharp eyes and ears,’ he thought. ’Who does she think she’s fooling with such a small gesture?’
Sure enough, her action immediately attracted Suhe Chen’s attention.
He didn’t beat around the bush and asked directly,
"This... Miss, do you perhaps hold a grudge against my Tingtiao Pavilion?
"Have we offended you in some way?"
"Th-that’s..."
Luo Shuqing subconsciously clutched her skirt.
"N-no... nothing of the sort..."
The girl didn’t just seem timid; she also started to stutter when she got nervous.
Suhe Chen paused, taken aback. He suddenly waved his hand, dismissing those around him.
Daoist Wuyi and the people he’d rescued were already some distance away. Most of them were merchants and commoners. Having just survived a great disaster, they regarded Fang Shuwen’s group with a mixture of fear and reverence, not daring to get any closer.
They only felt safe around Daoist Wuyi, their rescuer.
Thus, a clear space immediately opened up around Fang Shuwen and his two companions.
Suhe Chen asked tentatively,
"Miss Luo?
"You... you’re Miss Luo of Qingxiao Pavilion, aren’t you?"
"I’m not!"
Luo Shuqing told a bald-faced lie.
Suhe Chen chuckled.
"We had the good fortune to meet once, three years ago. Miss Luo, you left quite a deep impression on me."
"Though I never saw your face, I still remember your habit of clutching your skirt when you’re nervous, the way your speech becomes halting, and... your voice."
Fang Shuwen glanced at Luo Shuqing, then back at Suhe Chen, before finally speaking.
"So, Tingtiao Pavilion wants the so-called Profound Celestial Iron Mirror as well?"
"You misunderstand, Senior. We have no desire to covet the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror."
Suhe Chen said hastily,
"It’s just that this is a matter of great importance. If it isn’t handled with caution now that word is out, I fear it will cause a tremendous uproar.
"We were especially concerned that Miss Luo would get caught up in the chaos, which is why we sent our disciples to find and protect her...
"But now that you are here, Senior, I imagine we don’t need to worry about Miss Luo’s safety.
"This invitation is purely for you, Senior. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror."
Fang Shuwen remained noncommittal, but still replied with a smile,
"In that case, I suppose a visit isn’t out of the question, but..."
Suhe Chen’s face lit up. Seeing that Fang Shuwen still seemed to have reservations, he quickly asked,
"Do you have any other concerns, Senior?"
Just then, someone shouted,
"It looks like a ship is coming."
All eyes turned toward the sea, where a huge, hazy shadow was gradually taking shape before them.
Suhe Chen immediately beamed.
"As expected of you, Senior. That ship is truly magnificent."
"..."
Fang Shuwen glanced at the ship, then back at Suhe Chen, and gave a helpless smile.
"I’m glad you like it."
As the ship became clearer, the smile on Suhe Chen’s face gradually stiffened.
It was indeed a large ship. It was even towing several smaller boats behind it.
The only problem was, the more he looked at it, the more familiar the ship seemed.
"That looks like our ship, doesn’t it?"
"It is our ship! Who made off with it just now?"
"Could it be..."
Everyone subconsciously looked towards Fang Shuwen.
Suhe Chen didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
"So it was your people who took the ship, Senior... I suppose you were worried that some villain might try to steal it and escape?
"Your foresight is truly remarkable, Senior."
He was clearly grasping at straws for a compliment.
Fang Shuwen waved his hand dismissively.
"Stop with the ’Senior’ this and ’Senior’ that. I’ve only been in the Jianghu for a year or two. I’m not worthy of the title."
Suhe Chen froze.
"How is that possible?
"Then... forgive my presumption, but may I call you Brother?
"If I may be so bold, Brother, how old are you?"
Fang Shuwen smiled.
"Just turned twenty."
Suhe Chen gasped, sucking in a sharp breath.
He couldn’t believe it. This impossibly powerful young man was actually younger than him.
More importantly, Suhe Chen had always held a high opinion of himself, believing few in his generation could surpass him. Yet, against Fang Shuwen, he didn’t even have the strength to fight back.
And this person was actually younger than him?
’Is... is there any justice in this world? Any fairness at all?’
Suhe Chen’s voice trembled as he asked,
"Then... may I know your name, Brother?"
"You’re too kind. I am Fang Shuwen."
Fang Shuwen offered a slight bow with cupped fists.
The moment he said this, a woman’s voice drifted over from the sea:
"So you’re the Human World Demon God!"
Fang Shuwen glanced toward the large ship, then at Suhe Chen, who looked like he’d just been punched in the gut. He let out a soft chuckle.
"Young Pavilion Master, are you *sure* you want to invite me to Tingtiao Pavilion?"