Chapter 2429 - 2430: Recommendation

Chapter 2429: Chapter 2430: Recommendation

Under the gathered starlight, Lin Chen led Lu Han slowly toward the Cangjing Pavilion.

Silver radiance scattered across the sky, casting a brilliant argent glow over the road leading to the pavilion.

"Where are we going?"

"The Cangjing Pavilion."

Lin Chen spoke. Wang Hao stayed in the Cangjing Pavilion all year round. Even though it was night now, he likely wouldn’t leave that place. After all, to Wang Hao, researching sword techniques in the pavilion was his entire world.

"There’ll be some ’expert’ in there?"

Lu Han was straightforward by nature and couldn’t help muttering under his breath.

He had originally thought Lin Chen would take him to some secluded place, like those reclusive masters of legend, hidden away somewhere and bitterly cultivating.

Yet now, where Lin Chen was taking him was the Cangjing Pavilion. That made him grumble inwardly, and his confidence took quite a hit.

He’d never heard of any true expert who stayed holed up in the scripture library all day.

"You’ll know once you’re there."

Lin Chen did not argue with him. After all, this wasn’t something he’d seen personally yet—of course there would be suspicion; that was only human nature.

But once Lu Han saw Wang Hao’s prowess with his own eyes, he probably wouldn’t have any complaints. By then it would likely be reversed, with Lu Han begging Wang Hao to take him as a disciple.

...

The Cangjing Pavilion wasn’t far. From here, it didn’t even take an hour to get there.

And that was with Lin Chen walking at an unhurried pace.

They came to a barrier that rippled like waves, its surface like water patterns, shining with a jade-like luster.

Lin Chen stretched out his hand and pressed his token against it. Familiar ripples flowed, and his and Lu Han’s bodies passed through into the interior of the Cangjing Pavilion.

Once inside, Lin Chen did not waste time on this floor, but led Lu Han straight upward.

Lin Chen had walked this path countless times, so naturally he knew it like the back of his hand. Lu Han, however, seemed like a first-timer, his eyes filled with curiosity as he looked all around.

In truth that was exactly the case. Lu Han had only ever been on the first floor. He had never gone any higher. If not for Lin Chen’s sake, Lu Han had no idea when he would have come up here.

To him, that one move of his was enough to push back most people; he didn’t feel the need to pursue more techniques.

"You again."

At the instant they stepped onto the fifth floor, Bai Ning, who had been lying on the desk, twitched his ears and raised his head. When he saw Lin Chen, his white brows jumped, as if some bad premonition had come over him.

He still remembered the havoc that Wang Hao had caused last time when Lin Chen came here.

"Elder Bai, long time no see. I pay my respects to you."

Being recognized by Bai Ning, Lin Chen looked a bit embarrassed. He clearly hadn’t expected that after all this time, Bai Ning would still remember him.

If Bai Ning hadn’t let him off last time, Lin Chen would have been in a very bad spot. Now, though Bai Ning looked distinctly unhappy to see Lin Chen, Lin Chen still bowed respectfully, wearing a sheepish grin.

"What now? You planning to come here and wreak havoc again?"

Bai Ning gave him a glare, his brows lifting slightly, carrying a warning.

He really was afraid of these people now. First there was a troublemaker like Wang Hao, and now there was Lin Chen as well, making Bai Ning feel even more uneasy.

Especially since Lin Chen’s name had already spread from Liu Qinghan’s mouth. For any Sect Elder, even if they didn’t have to treat Lin Chen with special ceremony, at the very least they couldn’t go too far against him. If some major incident occurred, it would be up to the Sect Master to decide.

This was because Lin Chen had shattered the restriction before; Liu Qinghan knew that the bulk of the reason lay with Lin Chen. So when Liu Qinghan went off to research that sacred artifact, he left such instructions, as a way of repaying Lin Chen for that favor.

Only, Lin Chen knew none of this. Even if he did, he wouldn’t think much of it—he devoted himself single-mindedly to cultivation, and as for other matters, the less the better.

"Elder Bai, you’re too serious..."

Even with Lin Chen’s composure, his cheeks reddened slightly. He cleared his throat to cover his embarrassment.

"Enough, I get it. Wang Hao is still in there. Go on."

Bai Ning let out a soft sigh. Even if Lin Chen really had come to cause trouble, there wasn’t much he could do. After all, this was someone the Sect Master had specifically mentioned.

"Many thanks, Elder."

Lin Chen finished speaking, gave a small cough, and led Lu Han further inside.

At night, the fifth floor of the Cangjing Pavilion was sparsely populated; only a few figures could be seen. Wang Hao, with his hair and beard hanging down to the floor, still stood there, cradling an ancient tome in one hand while the other hand made occasional gestures, as if nothing had changed for ten thousand years.

"Master."

Lin Chen led Lu Han forward, cupped his hands before his chest, bowed slightly, and addressed Wang Hao with considerable respect.

Lu Han stood at Lin Chen’s side. Seeing Lin Chen like this, he couldn’t help but feel a jolt of surprise in his heart.

He understood Lin Chen’s strength. Together with all the rumors and exaggerations he’d heard, it had given Lu Han blind confidence in Lin Chen’s power. How could he have known that Lin Chen wasn’t as terrifying as they made him out to be?

But Lu Han didn’t care about that. What mattered to him was that the seemingly unkempt old man whom Lin Chen was addressing now was called "Master."

In that instant, Lu Han felt that Lin Chen really hadn’t lied to him. If this man was Lin Chen’s master, then wasn’t his strength far above Lin Chen’s? Lu Han’s heart gave a heavy thump.

"Have you learned that sword technique?"

Upon hearing Lin Chen’s words, Wang Hao’s hand paused slightly, then he spoke in an indifferent tone.

"Not yet. But, Master, this time I’ve come to recommend someone to you."

Lin Chen shook his head, then pushed Lu Han out from his side.

That was the very purpose of his visit this time.

Wang Hao blinked and turned his head, his narrow eyes suddenly widening as he swept his gaze up and down over Lu Han, a trace of some peculiar meaning in his eyes.

That look seemed as if he were seeing straight through Lu Han from head to toe. Lu Han felt as if he had been exposed entirely to that gaze, like someone standing bare naked. It made him feel a bit uncomfortable, and goosebumps rose on his skin without him noticing.

"You want me to teach him sword techniques?" Wang Hao saw through Lin Chen’s intention in one glance. After finishing his visual sweep of Lu Han, he turned back to question Lin Chen for confirmation.

"Indeed." Lin Chen slowly nodded.

He had no qualifications to pass on that sword technique himself, so he could only bring Lu Han here to Wang Hao.