<h4>Chapter 1365: Chapter 1673: Su Mei’s Decision</h4>


    "Pavilion Master."


    In the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Du Kang gently pushed open the door and walked into Su Mei’s room. Seeing Su Mei pretending to nap, Du Kang called out softly.


    Opening her eyes and seeing Du Kang in front of her, Su Mei slowly sat up straight from her chair and made herself a cup of hot tea, "Elder Du, is there something you need from me?"


    "I’ve just received news that Ling Chen might be in trouble."


    "In trouble?" Su Mei’s hand holding the cup paused slightly, and she looked at Du Kang with surprise, asking, "Elder Du, what happened to him?"


    "I’m not entirely sure about the specifics. However, ording to the information we’ve received, many people are currently searching for Ling Chen’s whereabouts in Beijing. Even the government is involved, and all TV channels are reporting on this, with missing person notices almost covering the entire city."


    "So, Ling Chen has disappeared?"


    Du Kang shook his head and said, "I don’t really know, maybe he’s missing, or perhaps he’s been kidnapped. Pavilion Master, I don’t think this is something you should be concerned about. Don’t you see this as a rare opportunity for us?"


    "Opportunity? Elder Du, what do you mean by that?"


    "While everyone’s busy with Ling Chen’s matter, our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion can take this chance to apply some pressure on Dragon Tiger Hall and slow their expansion. From what I know, besides their headquarters in East Sea City and their branch in Beijing, Dragon Tiger Hall is already preparing to establish branches in ten first-tier cities. Once these branches are established, Dragon Tiger Hall’s influence will expand further. Over the years, although our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has been a dominant force in the Martial Arts world, we’ve focused primarily on that domain. Dragon Tiger Hall is different; they have two development paths, one targeting martial artists and another for the future popce."


    "Dragon Tiger Hall is essentially a martial arts academy, recruiting arge number of talented youths for training from a young age. Unlike other academies that charge fees for profit, Dragon Tiger Hall differentiates their learners into two levels. Ordinary learners need to pay a fee to train in Dragon Tiger Hall, while talented learners are highly valued; they are trained in martial arts for free and also receive significant welfare and financial support. To put it inly, Dragon Tiger Hall is cultivating talent for themselves. When these learners grow up, they won’t leave; they’ll stay with Dragon Tiger Hall, serving it."


    "Pavilion Master, I must admit, Dragon Tiger Hall has more foresight than us. They’re not after short-term glory; they’re considering the future. Just think, when Dragon Tiger Hall’s branches cover the country, how many talented learners would join them? In ten years, once these talented learners mature, Dragon Tiger Hall will possess the strongest power, and no one will be able to shake their position. By then, the future of the Martial Arts world will belong to Dragon Tiger Hall, and our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion’s glory will be entirely overshadowed by them. The most terrifying part is, whether the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion can survive until then is uncertain. If we don’te up with a strategy soon, it will spell real disaster for us."


    Upon hearing Du Kang’s words, Su Mei felt a chill run through her body. She thought that by emting Dragon Tiger Hall’s methods and using the treasured martial arts secrets to attract martial artists, she could go toe-to-toe with Dragon Tiger Hall. Now it seemed like a naive wishful thinking. While she was pondering how to restore the pavilion’s glory, Dragon Tiger Hall had already set their sights firmly on the future.


    Ten years... Du Kang was right; if she didn’t take action and allowed Dragon Tiger Hall to continue its development, in ten years, it would be questionable whether Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion could even exist.


    "Elder Du, what do you think we should do?" Su Mei asked.


    "We absolutely cannot let Dragon Tiger Hall’s branches open smoothly. Additionally, we must establish our own martial arts academy modeled after Dragon Tiger Hall; it’s the only way we can confront them as equals."


    "Establish a martial arts academy?" Previously, in the eyes of Su Mei and others, martial arts academies were merely money-making schemes, with their founders considered the least reputable in the martial arts world. Now, even the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion had to open one, and it was imperative, which left Su Mei feeling conflicted.


    "Pavilion Master, our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion isn’t short of money; financially, we can match Dragon Tiger Hall."


    After pondering for a moment, Su Mei nodded and said, "Alright, I approve of this."


    "Rest assured, Pavilion Master, our Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion will have its day of glory again."


    ...


    Ling Family.


    Ever since the missing person notice about Ling Chen was reported on television, Nanrong Wanqing, Tang Shiyun, Liu Xiyao, and other women rushed to the Ling Family to stay by Yang Qingling’s side,forting her and waiting for news about Ling Chen.


    Among the women, no one was more worried than Nanrong Wanqing. As clever as she was, she clearly understood the danger Ling Chen was facing. If it weren’t for desperate circumstances, the forces behind Ling Chen would never have issued a missing person notice on television.


    "Wanqing, you don’t need to worry too much. I believe Ling will be alright; he has a knack for surviving tough situations," Tang Shiyunforted.


    Nanrong Wanqing gently nodded, trying to muster a smile, "I believe he will be okay too."


    Just then, a phone started ringing, and everyone’s gaze turned to Yang Qingling. She quickly pulled out her phone, answered it, and asked, "How’s it going? Any news of him? ... Really? Okay, okay, I understand."


    After hanging up, Nanrong Wanqing eagerly asked, "Mrs. Yang, is there any news about Ling Chen?"


    "Your Uncle Ling just called to say they’ve found the car that transported Ling Chen. They’re currently following the trail, hoping it might lead to his whereabouts."


    Hearing Yang Qingling’s words, Nanrong Wanqing felt her heart sink. After all this time, Ling Chen was still missing. It’s been over two days now, and although they hope for his safe return, the longer it takes, the less hope they feel. Perhaps... Nanrong Wanqing closed her eyes, shook her head, and pushed that possibility out of her mind.


    No, it can’t be. Ling Chen will definitely be alright. Nanrong Wanqing bit her lip, and tears slowly streamed down her face.


    "Wanqing..."


    Liu Xiyao looked at the grieving Nanrong Wanqing, sighed softly, and offered her a tissue.


    "Thank you!"


    "Don’t be sad; everything will be alright," Liu Xiyao said confidently, "I believe Ling Chen wouldn’t let us down."


    ...


    "I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you all..."


    In the confined basement, Ling Chen sat limply on the ground, muttering to himself with a hint of weakness in his voice.


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