Chapter 123 - 120: Am I Beautiful?

The crowd swallowed hard. Would Asura actually refuse him?

"Why do you want to join?" Mo Qianqian asked.

"Because you are stronger than me, and your talent is even more monstrous," Chu He replied. "Following you makes it convenient for me to surpass you at any time."

"Acceptable!" Mo Qianqian nodded decisively. "Shall we chat inside?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd let out a collective, inexplicable sigh of relief. For some reason, they had suddenly feared Asura would reject him outright. If that happened, probably no one would be qualified to join the Asura Conglomerate.

"Alright!" Chu He nodded.

Mo Qianqian then led Chu He toward the inn’s tearoom. The task of recruiting other members was left to Pei Hong and Shi Muyao. Meanwhile, Chu He’s acceptance into the Asura Conglomerate made the scene outside even more bustling, with more people swarming in to request to join.

Upon entering the room, one of the inn’s maids served them tea. After she withdrew, Mo Qianqian cut straight to the chase: "I heard you like Ling Qingxue?"

Chu He froze, somewhat bewildered, but still nodded. "Yes."

"Do you understand her?" Mo Qianqian asked.

"Why do you say that? Could it be that you like her too?" Chu He countered.

"..." Mo Qianqian was speechless.

Like Ling Qingxue? He had indeed liked her once. However, that was in the past. Now that he had seen her true colors, it was absolutely impossible.

"No," Mo Qianqian said. "I just think Ling Qingxue is too shrewd and calculating. You being so deeply infatuated with her might not do you any good."

What he said was the truth. It was possible that Chu He, just like his past self, had not seen Ling Qingxue’s true face; she hid it far too well. If Chu He became too obsessed with her, never mind the bad ending that awaited Chu He, he might even become Mo Qianqian’s enemy because of her. If it were solely a matter between Chu He and Ling Qingxue, he wouldn’t have bothered mentioning it.

"Initially, she only thought you resembled Mo Qianqian. That’s why there was a misunderstanding," Chu He explained. "Taking off your mask was indeed her instruction, but if I were in her shoes, I would have done the same.

"If someone who looks exactly like your enemy appeared right in front of you, surely you wouldn’t just ignore it, right?"

Mo Qianqian’s eyes narrowed.

So that was it. No wonder Chu He’s first move was aimed directly at his mask rather than engaging in a real fight. This woman was truly vicious, actually trying to use Chu He to expose his identity. If he hadn’t been wearing a mask, he would have instantly become the public enemy of all the major factions. Ling Qingxue’s move was tantamount to murder without shedding a drop of blood.

Suppressing his anger toward Ling Qingxue, Mo Qianqian quickly calmed himself and continued, "Have you ever thought that Mo Qianqian’s fate might become yours?"

"Mo Qianqian..." At the mention of this name, Chu He’s expression turned unreadable. He let out a long sigh and said, "It’s best we drop the subject."

"..." Mo Qianqian was taken aback.

What did that mean? Did Chu He have some kind of grievance with him?

"With your intellect, you should know that Mo Qianqian wasn’t stripped of his Holy Dragon Bloodline and banished from the Ling Family simply because he attempted to assault Ling Qingxue, right?" Mo Qianqian probed further.

"I know. That’s a matter of the great families," Chu He replied.

"Fair enough," Mo Qianqian said, dropping the subject. Evidently, Chu He wasn’t a fool; he knew what was going on.

"Liking someone is unreasonable, just like how you fell for Nangong Ling at first sight," Chu He added.

"..." Mo Qianqian was dumbfounded.

Since when did he like Nangong Ling?

"I sought out Nangong Ling because I have proper business to discuss with her," Mo Qianqian explained, rather speechless.

"It’s all the same," Chu He said.

Mo Qianqian didn’t even want to bring it up anymore. The mysterious woman on the second floor of the Ninefold Coffin had insisted he find her, leaving him with no other choice.

"Let’s drop this topic. However, I still feel that you and Xian Ling’Er might be the best match," Mo Qianqian said, changing the subject. Since Chu He was willing to join the Asura Conglomerate, there was no harm in chatting a bit more.

Chu He shook his head. "Xian Ling’Er only mistakenly believes she likes me because of that person, and because she feels guilty toward me.

"I understand Xian Ling’Er very well. Her affection for me is merely that of a sister for a brother, not romantic love."

Chu He looked at Mo Qianqian. "On the contrary, Xian Ling’Er is a better fit for you."

"What?" Hearing this, Mo Qianqian couldn’t help but freeze.

How did the conversation suddenly shift to him?

"What does that have to do with me?" Mo Qianqian asked, spreading his hands.

"In terms of Spirit Master talent, looks, and age, you two are highly compatible," Chu He stated.

Mo Qianqian stared at Chu He in exasperation. The man looked dead serious and had a cold, handsome demeanor, but the words coming out of his mouth made him sound like Lao Liu. It felt a bit gossipy.

"It seems I’m compatible with quite a few people?" Mo Qianqian remarked.

"I just hope you can help her see clearly that she doesn’t truly like me," Chu He said.

"Even so, I shouldn’t be the one taking the blame," Mo Qianqian retorted.

"By the way, I heard you have some conflict with the Spirit Master, Mr. Chu Yiming?" Seeing how talkative the other party was, Mo Qianqian asked probingly.

"I have no relationship with him whatsoever." At the mention of Chu Yiming, displeasure flashed across Chu He’s face. "There’s no harm in telling you. Forced to choose between Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to advance to a Third-Grade Spirit Master and saving my mother’s life, he chose the treasures. I watched helplessly as my mother died in the jaws of that Earth Flame Beast. Tell me, does he deserve to be a father?"

"He does not!" Mo Qianqian answered immediately.

He didn’t know the exact details of what had transpired, but he could guess the gist of it. It was highly likely that Chu Yiming had achieved the rank of Third-Grade Spirit Master precisely by abandoning his own wife. He wouldn’t pass judgment, but if it had been him, he absolutely never would have done such a thing. It was no wonder Chu He wanted to sever his father-son relationship with Chu Yiming.

However, just from this sentence, Mo Qianqian gained a rough understanding of Chu Yiming through Chu He’s words. Chu Yiming was highly likely a person who prioritized personal gain above all else. Cooperating with him was fine, but anything beyond that was untrustworthy. Of course, this was assuming Chu He’s side of the story was the truth.

"By the way, since you’ve repeatedly warned me, I’ll return the favor with a warning of my own. You and Nangong Ling probably won’t have a good ending either," Chu He pivoted.

"..." Mo Qianqian remained silent.

Why did this feel like they were exchanging blows back and forth?

After exchanging a few more words with Chu He, Mo Qianqian returned to his own room. Chu He’s addition to the Asura Conglomerate didn’t require him to do much; he simply needed to refine and upgrade some medicinal pills over a period of time. Just like the other Spirit Masters, Chu He would receive a cut of the pills he refined.

It wasn’t long before Mo Qianqian received a message from Nangong Ling.

As sunset approached, Mo Qianqian headed to Mist Rain Lake, following the location Nangong Ling had provided.

Mist Rain Lake was a superb scenic spot within the Imperial City, featuring forests of red maples, misty waters, wooden railings, and crimson pavilions.

By the time Mo Qianqian entered Mist Rain Lake and arrived outside the crimson pavilion Nangong Ling had mentioned, the setting sun was burning brightly, and curls of smoke were rising in the distance.

At this moment, Nangong Ling was dressed in a gauzy, amber-red dress. With her back facing Mo Qianqian as he walked in, she leaned her upper body against the wooden railing over the water, propping her small chin on her hands and gazing out at the sunset. Several small bell ornaments hung from her hair. Like a sweet girl next door, her petite and exquisite figure perfectly framed the twilight scenery of the lake.

Looking at that adorable and petite silhouette, Mo Qianqian couldn’t help but feel a touch of poetic resonance in his heart.

He slowly approached. As he stepped into the crimson pavilion over the lake, Mo Qianqian greeted her, "Ms. Nangong Ling."

The petite and exquisite Nangong Ling turned her small head, glancing at Mo Qianqian, and asked with a pouting smile, "Am I beautiful?"