<h4>Chapter 1066: Chapter 1073: Changlong Town</h4>


    "Elder Su, how do you know Ling Kun wouldn’t do such things? Could it be that you trust his father unconditionally like Ling Chen does?"


    "It’s not that I trust Ling Chen, it’s that I don’t trust you," Su He said calmly. "Actually, the reason is simple. If you were sent by Ling Tao, you should be covering up the truth for your master, instead of trying to convince us that Ling Tao and Ling Kun were behind this. No sensible person would believe your words."


    "Is that so?" Guo Hong didn’t get angry at having his lie exposed; instead, he smiled and said, "Elder Su, if you think that way, there’s nothing more I can say. However, I suggest you send someone to check in Changlong Town, and by then the truth will be crystal clear to you."


    At this point, Guo Hong shifted the topic and said, "Alright! I’ve said everything I need to say. How do you n to deal with me?"


    Su He thought for a moment and said, "I won’t kill you for now. After I get to the bottom of this, I’ll decide what to do with you." After saying this, Su He moved like lightning, and with a single palm strike, he hit Guo Hong’s chest. Instantly, Guo Hong’s face turned pale, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and he copsed to the ground, unable to stand.


    "Not killing you doesn’t mean I’m not punishing you. For the next two months, you’d better not recklessly use your Inner Strength; otherwise, even immortals won’t be able to save you." With that, Su He gave a look to Han Qi, who understood immediately and called people to take Guo Hong away.


    "Alright! Everyone disperse, I’ll notify you if there’s anything," Su He waved his hand, signaling everyone to leave.


    As Ling Chen reached the door, he heard Su He’s voice from behind: "Ling Chen, you stay." After everyone had left, only a few remained in the spacious reception room: Su He, Su Mei, Du Kang, Tong Zhentian, and Ling Chen.


    Ling Chen stood quietly to the side, unsure of what Su He intended to do.


    "Old Su, do you think Guo Hong’s words are credible?" Du Kang asked.


    Su He nced at Ling Chen beside him and said, "It’s not a matter of believing or not believing; without evidence, I won’t believe anyone’s one-sided story. However, since Guo Hong mentioned Changlong Town, we might as well send someone to check it out."


    Hearing their conversation, Ling Chen couldn’t help but speak, "Elder Su, um... maybe you should talk first, and I’ll step out."


    "No need," Su He said. "Ling Chen, I don’t mean to suspect your father. It’s just that this is our only lead. Without other clues, we have to pursue it."


    "I understand, but... this is the business of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and as an outsider, it’s not appropriate for me to get involved. Moreover, if my father is a suspect, I should keep my distance even more."


    "You’re overthinking it." Su He patted Ling Chen’s shoulder and said, "I’m not the kind of person whocks reason. You are you, and Ling Kun is Ling Kun. They can’t be lumped together. Moreover, to the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, you’re not an outsider. I’ve decided to let you go to Changlong Town with Du Kang to investigate the situation and see if we can find any clues."


    Ling Chen hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Alright."


    After resting for a night at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, the next day, Ling Chen and Du Kang set off for Changlong Town.


    Changlong Town is a small town with over thirty thousand residents and a moderately high economic level. After the flight, Ling Chen and Du Kang took a few more hours by car to reach Changlong Town.


    Once there, Ling Chen found a ratherfortable hotel locally. After a short rest, Ling Chen checked the time and saw that it was already evening.


    "Elder Du, should we go eat first?"


    "Find a ce with drinks."


    Ling Chen couldn’t help but smile; Du Kang’s only preference was for alcohol. Leaving the hotel, Ling Chen found a nearby restaurant and ordered a table of sumptuous dishes along with a case of wine.


    "Come, let’s have a drink first," Du Kang raised his ss, signaling Ling Chen to pick up his cup.


    "Elder Du, you should drink alone."


    "What’s the fun in drinking alone? Drinking is only atmospheric with more people. Come, fill it up!" Ignoring Ling Chen’s refusal, Du Kang directly filled his ss to the brim.


    "Kid, I know what you’re thinking." Du Kang looked at Ling Chen meaningfully, raised his ss, and said, "Are you worried about your father? Actually, you need not be; I know exactly what kind of person Old Su is, and he definitely doesn’t have any intention of ming you."


    Ling Chen took a sip of his drink and said with a bitter smile, "Elder Du, I understand what you’re saying, but... but have you considered? What if everything Guo Hong said is true?"


    Upon hearing this, Du Kang asked puzzledly, "Why are you thinking this way? Back at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, you were outspokenly proiming your father’s innocence and insisted he had nothing to do with this matter. Since you have such confidence in them, what are you worried about?"


    "Elder Du, you’re right, but I just don’t feel at ease," Ling Chen said. Since leaving the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion all the way to Changlong Town, Ling Chen’s heart had been unsettled. The reason was none other than Guo Hong’s words.


    There’s no doubt he trusted Ling Tao and Ling Kun. However, Guo Hong suddenly mentioning Changlong Town made him very anxious. If Guo Hong didn’t have evidence, why did he mention Changlong Town? Something must have happened here, and his father was likely involved, which is why Guo Hong suggested theye here to investigate.


    "Alright! Those who are innocent prove themselves. There’s nothing to worry about, just rx. Come, let’s keep drinking, have a good rest tonight, and investigate tomorrow."


    After an hour passed, Ling Chen had drunk two bottles of white wine by himself, feeling a bit dizzy. Walking felt like swaying from side to side, and he could barely stand firm.


    Compared to Du Kang’s drinking capacity, Ling Chen fell short by more than a bit. Besides those two bottles of white wine, the rest of the alcohol was downed by Du Kang alone, totaling six or seven bottles, yet he remainedpletely unaffected and still clear-headed.


    With Du Kang’s help, Ling Chen finally made it back to the room and fell asleep immediately, leaving everything behind him.


    The next morning, Ling Chen groggily opened his eyes, rubbed his still slightly aching forehead, and sat up from the bed. Seeing the bright sunlight through the window, Ling Chen went to the bathroom to wash up, then changed into clean clothes. After a bit of tidying up, Ling Chen walked out of the bedroom to find that Du Kang had already risen and was standing on the balcony of the living room, enjoying the sight of elderly people exercising outside.


    "Elder Du," Ling Chen greeted as he approached.


    "You’re up!" Du Kang turned back, holding his treasured wine gourd.


    "Let’s go, I found something interesting, let’s take a look." As Du Kang spoke, he headed out of the room.


    Curious, Ling Chen hurriedly caught up with Du Kang’s pace and asked, "Elder Du, what interesting thing?"