<h4>Chapter 1283: Chapter 1591: Gathering for Crusade (Part 1)</h4>


    Ling Chen smiled, pushing the door open and walking directly inside. Although this house was quite isted, Ling Chen wasn’t afraid of Su He and his men pulling any dirty tricks on him. With Qiu Yong and Tong Zhentian present, if something happened to him, Tong Zhentian and the others certainly wouldn’t let it slide easily. Besides, with the original copy of that record in hand, unless Su He wanted the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion to incur the wrath of many, he wouldn’t dare do anything to him.


    Upon entering the room, Ling Chen saw Su He sitting on a wicker chair by the window, holding a cup of hot tea, quietly watching the autumn scenery outside. Ling Chen walked to the chair opposite Su He and sat down of his own ord.


    After a good while, Su He slowly turned his head and cast his bloodshot eyes towards Ling Chen.


    As their eyes met, Ling Chen smiled slightly, cupping his fists in greeting, "Elder Su."


    Su He said indifferently, "Why don’t you call me Old Su? Last night, you seemed to say it with ease."


    Upon hearing this, Ling Chen was taken aback, not expecting Su He to mention this. It seemed he had already guessed that the person fromst night was him. Thinking of this, Ling Chen smiled nonchntly. Actually, everyone understood, they just didn’t voice it. Since Su He pointed it out face-to-face, it showed he was ready to speak frankly with him.


    "Elder Su, you didn’t call me here just to talk about that, did you?"


    Su He took a sip of hot tea and sighed involuntarily, "My tea-making skills are far inferior to my granddaughter’s."


    "Miss Su’s tea art is exceptional, and I have been fortunate enough to taste it."


    "Unfortunately..." Su He shook his head, sighing lightly, "A daughter is bound to leave and assist another family. I’ve told her many things, yet she remains too naive, believing she can handle everything on her own. Over the years, without my covert assistance, dealing with countless adversaries, her position as Pavilion Master wouldn’t be secure. However, not only does she fail to understand my painstaking efforts, but she also rebels against me at every turn. s! If I had known, I shouldn’t have kept her then."


    Ling Chen was startled, puzzled, and asked, "Elder Su, what do you mean by that? Could it be you want to kill her? Don’t forget, she is your granddaughter."


    Su He set down his teacup and said meaningfully, "One shouldn’t be too curious; haven’t you heard that curiosity killed the cat?" He paused for a moment, then shifted the conversation, "Where is the original copy of that record?"


    "Thank you for your concern, Elder Su. Rest assured, it is in a very safe ce. Without necessity, it will not appear easily."


    "Why?" Su He suddenly sat upright, staring into Ling Chen’s eyes, and spoke coldly, "Why do you oppose me? Have you considered that when Ji Gang knocked you into the sea, it was I who saved you, giving you a chance to survive? Moreover, I passed down my Absolute Skill to you. Despite my life-saving grace and teaching, you not only fail to repay me but repay kindness with enmity. Is this worthy of a man?"


    Ling Chen pondered for a moment before speaking, "Elder Su, you are right, I have received much of your favor, and now I oppose you, which is indeed wrong. But are the things done by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion right? Elder Su, I am not against you; I only want to do the right thing. Elder Su, may I ask you, after the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has killed so many people, does your conscience feel at ease?"


    "Everything I do is for the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. In my view, as long as it can maintain the Pavilion’s esteemed reputation for hundreds of years, anything is worth it. Personal standpoints differ, and so do perspectives on matters. If you were in my position, I believe you would make the same decision."


    "I can understand your perspective, but there are countless ways to maintain the Pavilion’s reputation. Why choose killing? Yes, eliminating threats by the root is the quickest and most effective method, but do you think about those who died? I believe you haven’t; you only think about yourself, the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, and your century-old legacy. If it were before, I would never get involved in such matters. But since I have be part of the Martial Arts world, I must think about it as a whole."


    "For the Martial Arts world as a whole?" Su He said mockingly, "You really dare to speak; should Ipliment you for your great ambition?"


    Ling Chen smiled, "If you’re willing to praise me, I am willing to listen. I am just an ordinary person and naturally enjoypliments."


    Speaking this far, Ling Chen nced at the cooling tea and said, "Elder Su, I don’t think there’s a need for us to waste time on these worthless words anymore. You called me here, presumably to say something. Since we’ve opened up, let’s make everything clear."


    "If I asked for the original copy of that record, you certainly wouldn’t give it to me. So, I want to propose a different deal. After this matter is settled, I will leave the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, entrusting the entire Pavilion to Su Mei, never intervening in its affairs again."


    "What should I do then?"


    "Guarantee that the original copy of that record will never appear."


    "Alright. As long as you keep your word, I assure you, that record will forever remain in an unknown ce."


    "Good, I hope you remember today’s words. Otherwise, no matter the ends of the earth, I won’t let you off." With that, Su He picked up the teacup again.


    Understanding the cue, Ling Chen stood up, "Elder Su, I shall take my leave." Reaching the door, Ling Chen suddenly turned back, looking at Su He by the window, "Elder Su, a promise is a promise, but I want to remind you, if you don’t want that record to surface, you’d better handle this matter with care."


    Finishing his words, Ling Chen didn’t say more and walked out without looking back.


    Just as he closed the door, he heard the sound of a breaking cup from inside the room. Ling Chen looked up at the azure sky, pondered for a moment, not staying longer, and strode back the way he came.


    Before arriving at the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Ling Chen had anticipated that Su He might coborate with the Skyhawk Pavilion to stage a show for everyone. Therefore, he deliberately mentioned this matter, both as a reminder and a warning to prevent Su He from resorting to deceit.


    Soon, Ling Chen returned to the room arranged by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Shortly after sitting down, Tong Zhentian and Qiu Yong, along with others, entered the room.


    "Brother Ling, where did you go just now?" Qiu Yong asked.


    "Elder Su called me; I chatted with him for a while."


    "I’m sure he didn’t get what he wanted."


    Ling Chen shrugged and said, "I made an agreement with him. Whether he can fulfill it, I don’t know."


    "By the way!" Ling Chen shifted the topic, asking, "How many people from the Martial Arts world have arrived?"


    "Including us, there are about a hundred people." He Ziyun replied, "People are still arriving one after another. The Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has already set up over a hundred tents around. I estimate that by tonight, there should be two to three hundred."