<h4>Chapter 1229: Chapter 1237: No News</h4>


    Beijing, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion branch.


    Under the bright lights, Su Mei held a book in her hands, leaning against the sofa, reading intently. However, for some reason, she felt uneasy today, unable to calm down for a long time. Hours have passed, and she hadn’t turned a page of the book, keeping it in its original state.


    Perhaps... it’s because she met Ling Chen. Looking at the words on the page, her mind uncontrobly drifted to Ling Chen.


    Enough! Su Mei sighed softly, putting down the book in her hand. At this moment, the bedroom door opened, and a graceful woman entered with a tray, cing a ss of water and a fruit tter beside Su Mei. Su Mei picked up the teacup and asked, "Where is Old Qin?"


    Since returning from the restaurant until now, she hadn’t seen Qin Chuane to meet her. Whenever she went out, Qin Chuan would secretly follow to ensure her safety. After returning home, the people of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion were responsible for her safety, Qin Chuan would greet her and then rest. But now, after all this time, Qin Chuan still hadn’t appeared.


    "Pavilion Master, I haven’t seen Old Qin; he seems not to have returned yet."


    Su Mei asked suspiciously, "Then where did he go?"


    "I’m not sure; he has always been like a dragon—seen at one moment, gone at the next; no one knows his whereabouts."


    Just as she finished speaking, a low voice came from outside the door: "Pavilion Master, are you looking for me?" Su Mei looked up to see Qin Chuan standing by the door frame, head bowed.


    "Old Qin, where did you go just now?"


    "I had some personal business to handle; I apologize for neglecting my duties today. I ask for the Pavilion Master’s forgiveness."


    Su Mei felt a bit strange; Qin Chuan had been in charge of her safety ever since she was old enough to understand, never leaving her side, and today was the exception. She really wanted to know what personal business Qin Chuan handled. However, since it was personal business, it was not appropriate for her to inquire further. Moreover, although she was the Pavilion Master, Qin Chuan was a Heavenly List expert and an elder of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, so she couldn’t offend him too much.


    "Old Qin, I won’t go out tonight; you should rest early."


    "Yes." Qin Chuan responded, bowed, and departed.


    "You may leave as well." Su Mei waved her hand, and the woman serving her immediately left, closing the door behind her.


    Looking at the night scene outside the window, Su Mei frowned slightly, her mind still pondering Qin Chuan’s words. She didn’t know why, but as she thought, a handsome face, Ling Chen’s, emerged in her mind. After hesitating, Su Mei picked up her phone and found Ling Chen’s phone number.


    After a moment of silence, Su Mei took a deep breath as if summoning great courage, and dialed that number. However, the phone quickly returned a system message indicating that the subscriber’s phone was turned off.


    Su Mei gently bit her thin lip, recalling Ling Chen’s words to her in the restaurant tonight... maintain distance... could it be that... he wouldn’t even answer the phone?


    Sighing softly, Su Mei shook her head, trying to cast away these misceneous thoughts.


    ...


    Midnight.


    A luxurious Mercedes car drove along the road and stopped outside a solitary estate. The car door opened, and Ye Liangyong quickly jumped out, rushing toward the vi.


    Passing through the gate, Ye Liangyong asked urgently, "Where is Ling Chen?"


    "Mr. Ye." Tang Guolun came forward, saying, "We’ve been searching for several hours, but there’s no sign of Ling Chen."


    "How could this happen?"


    "Around nine o’clock, Ling Chen called me saying someone was secretly following him, trying to harm him, and asked me to bring people for support as soon as possible. However, when we arrived at the location, there wasn’t anyone there, and we didn’t see Ling Chen. Later, we expanded our search area, but still couldn’t find him."


    Ye Liangyong said in a deep voice, "No clues at all?"


    Tang Guolun shook his head, saying, "No clues, but we found a pool of blood in that forest. I’ve collected the blood and sent it for testing; we’ll soon have results."


    "If that blood was left by Ling Chen, it means he was in danger..." Ye Liangyong pondered for a moment and asked, "When Ling Chen told you he was being followed, did he reveal the identity of the pursuers?"


    "No. However, Ling Chen emphasized several times that I should bring Ji Gang; I suspect... the people tracking him might be Heavenly List experts. Otherwise, Ling Chen wouldn’t have been so urgent."


    Heavenly List experts! Ye Liangyong felt a heavy heart and grew a bit uneasy. After contemting for a moment, Ye Liangyong spoke: "Continue searching for Ling Chen’s whereabouts; leave no clue unchecked. I’ll inform Master and Elder Tong about this; see how they wish to proceed."


    In the blink of an eye, three days had passed, and still, there was no news of Ling Chen.


    At the Dragon Tiger Hall in East Sea City, the gathered crowd was filled with tension.


    "Elder Tong, I think it’s unnecessary to investigate; surely it’s the mischief of those bastards from Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion," Xia Yue said indignantly, "ording to Tang Guolun, Ling Cheng went to meet the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion Master that night and then was followed. Certainly, it’s the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion who deliberately lured Ling Cheng out for an ambush."


    Yuan Yun agreed, "Given Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s tactics, this possibility isn’t impossible. Elder Tong, Mr. He, big brother, it’s been three days with no news of Ling Cheng; he’s likely in great danger. I suggest we shouldn’t waste time waiting for news here, but take action."


    Tong Zhentian furrowed his brows tightly, remaining silent, seemingly contemting the serious consequences of the matter. Sitting beside him, He Ziyun spoke up: "You are all Ling Chen’s brothers, I understand your feelings. However, what can we do now? Even if Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion did this, we have no evidence to prove it. We can’t simply go and cause trouble with Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Dragon Tiger Hall was just established, and in all aspects, it’s notparable to Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion; if we engage them, we stand to lose the most."


    Qiu Yong nodded, saying, "Mr. He speaks wisely. Third brother, now is not the time for impulsive actions; we need a foolproof n."


    Seeing his elder brother speak, Yuan Yun, though unwilling, calmed down.


    After a brief silence, everyone’s eyes turned to Tong Zhentian. Since the beginning, Tong Zhentian hadn’t spoken. Here, Tong Zhentian was the only Heavenly List expert, and the sole pir everyone relied on. Now, everyone hoped he would step forward.


    Feeling the attention on him, Tong Zhentian slowly raised his head, scanning the crowd, speaking calmly, "I agree with Mr. He’s proposal. Now is not the time to start a conflict with Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Their aim in killing Ling Chen, besides personal grudges, is primarily because Dragon Tiger Hall infringed upon their interests."