<h4>Chapter 1226: Chapter 1234: Su Mei’s Invitation</h4>


    Watching Su Mei approach, Ling Chen stood up and went forward to help pull out the chair in a gentlemanly manner.


    "Thank you!" Su Mei responded with a smile, saying apologetically, "I got caught in a bit of traffic on the way, sorry for keeping you waiting."


    Ling Chen smiled faintly, "This is Beijing, traffic jams are quite normal, there’s no need to apologize to me." Saying this, Ling Chen curiously asked, "When did you arrive in Beijing?"


    "I arrivedst night, some things needed handling."


    Ling Chen nodded, without asking further. He knew that the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had a headquarters in Beijing, and during the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony, he had been there as an invited guest.


    "How did you know I was in Beijing?" As soon as the words left his mouth, Ling Chen realized his question was redundant. With the capabilities of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, finding out where he was would be a simple matter. Moreover, he was already under close surveince by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, there must be someone from their side monitoring him in secret.


    Sure enough, Su Mei lowered her head, looking at the napkin on the table, and kept silent in response to Ling Chen’s question.


    Feeling the atmosphere grow a bit cold, Ling Chen cleared his throat and initiated the conversation, "How is your grandfather’s health? Elder Du, haven’t heard about him for a while."


    "Grandpa is well, Elder Du has been busy handling matters at Yangxin Pavilion, I guess he won’t be leaving Yangxin Pavilion for quite some time."


    "Really?" Ling Chen found it odd. Yangxin Pavilion was filled with retired folks, what could be keeping them busy? There might be something more to it.


    Seeing Ling Chen lost in thought, Su Mei sighed inwardly. In the past, she could talk about anything with Ling Chen, but now she had to be cautious of him. From the bottom of her heart, she didn’t wish for it to be this way. To her, she always viewed Ling Chen as a friend.


    Back then, if it hadn’t been for Ling Chen’s tremendous support, helping the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion through several crises, the pavilion might be in a dire situation now.


    However, recalling her parents’ tragic deaths, Su Mei couldn’t help biting her lip, her heart in turmoil.


    "Miss Su, meeting me tonight, is there anything in particr you wanted to discuss?" Ling Chen shifted the topic to the main point. He too sensed that he and Su Mei couldn’t converse as openly as they used to; neither knew what to talk about, even small talk seemed awkward.


    "Congrattions to you first." Su Mei smiled, "I heard Dragon Tiger Hall is developing well."


    "It’s just okay, nowhere near your Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."


    "Given the growth trajectory of Dragon Tiger Hall, it won’t be long before it reaches the level of the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, maybe even surpass it."


    Ling Chen smiled, "If such a dayes, it would be thanks to you."


    "Ling Chen..." Su Mei hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping midway. After a while, she finally made up her mind and asked, "I want to confirm something with you, is it really... really... the case with my parents’ death?" Su Mei lightly bit her thin lip, "You know what I’m asking, could you tell me?"


    Upon hearing this, Ling Chen finally understood the main reason Su Mei came to see him. Although Su He and others suspected that Su Zhengyang and his wife were murdered by Ling Kun, there was no concrete evidence. However,pared to Su He and them, Su Mei found it harder to ept this possibility, so she wanted to inquire clearly.


    "Miss Su, I understand your concern." Ling Chen gathered his thoughts and slowly said, "However, I’m not entirely sure about this matter either. I haven’t been in touch with my father for ages, I have no idea where he is or what he’s doing." Pausing, Ling Chen continued, "Miss Su, I know this situation is a heavy blow to you, it troubles me as well. If it weren’t for this matter, I could always be friends with the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, but now..."


    Ling Chen smiled bitterly, "I suppose you can see it too, your Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion folks don’t wee me, treating me like a criminal, especially your grandfather, who epted Wang Hao as a direct disciple. How do you think I feel?"


    "I know." Su Mei nodded, "Grandpa epting Wang Hao as a disciple was apse in judgment. s, it’s his personal decision; I can’t intervene. Ling Chen, I hope you understand, I always consider you a friend."


    "Thank you! However, I think it’s better for us to keep a distance now, to avoid angering your grandfather." After saying this, without waiting for Su Mei to speak, Ling Chen stood up from his seat, "Sorry, I have some engagements tonight, I must go."


    Ignoring Su Mei’s attempts to stop him, Ling Chen strode towards the restaurant exit.


    Regarding the matter of Su Zhengyang and his wife, he was indeed aware that it was Ling Kun’s doing. Yet, he could not reveal this to Su Mei. Firstly, he didn’t want to hurt Su Mei, and secondly... it was for his own safety. If Su Mei became aware, leaving the restaurant might be a problem for him.


    Taking the elevator down to the parking lot, Ling Chen prepared to drive away. As it was evening, most employees of the building had already gone home, leaving the parking lot sparsely popted. Hearing his footsteps echo in the parking lot, Ling Chen suddenly paused, looking at his car parked nearby, his brows furrowed. Abruptly, Ling Chen elerated, rushing towards his car.


    However, just as Ling Chen was about to start the car, a jolt of intense danger surged from within. With no time to think, Ling Chen leapt to his left.


    In an instant, a sharp gust of wind brushed past Ling Chen’s shoulder. With a loud ’ng’, it pierced through the car window. As he focused his sight, he saw a sharp Longquan Sword embedded in the driver’s seat.


    Laying on the ground, Ling Chen quickly got up, looking at his shoulder. Although the Longquan Sword hadn’t pierced his body, the Sword Qi emitted by it had left a thin scratch on his shoulder, from which blood trickled out.


    Damn! Ling Chen turned around, scanning the rear side of the parking lot, his gaze wary. But in the empty parking lot, besides him, there was no one else.


    Observing the situation, Ling Chen approached his car step by step. Whoever had ambushed him held substantial prowess. If faced directly, he wasn’t very confident. Hence, the safest way was to leave quickly.


    Opening the car door, gazing at the sword embedded in the seat, Ling Chen took hold of the hilt and pulled it out forcefully.


    Just as Ling Chen was about to discard the Longquan Sword onto the ground, his eyes were suddenly drawn to the ancient writing carved on the sword hilt.


    This... this is... It’s over!