Chapter 20: Meeting
Very quickly, after dealing with the thief, Meng Hongchen took Jiang Li to the nearest restaurant.
The two walked in side by side and chose a seat by the window.
Meng Hongchen called the waiter and, without asking Jiang Li's preferences, directly ordered a table full of signature dishes of Mingdu. Every gesture carried the confidence of a young lady from a wealthy family.
Jiang Li was not polite either. He poured himself a cup of tea, sipped it slowly, and looked out at the street with a relaxed expression.
"Hey, you still haven't told me your name."
Meng Hongchen finally couldn't hold back. Her fingers lightly tapped the table, her guarded expression not yet fully gone.
Jiang Li turned to look at her, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. "Jiang Li. The 'Jiang' of rivers, the 'Li' of departure."
"Jiang Li?"
Meng Hongchen repeated it softly, memorizing it, then lifted her chin slightly. "I'm Meng Hongchen, from the Hongchen family."
When she mentioned her family, there was a subtle hint of pride in her tone.
Jiang Li feigned surprise and raised an eyebrow. "So you're the young lady of the Hongchen family? My apologies, my apologies."
His acting made Meng Hongchen's vigilance fade a little, and she rolled her eyes. "Cut the act. You already recognized me earlier, didn't you?"
Jiang Li just smiled without answering, as the waiter happened to bring the dishes. The rich aroma filled the air instantly.
He picked up his chopsticks without hesitation, took a piece of braised pork, and ate it with satisfaction.
Watching his casual demeanor, Meng Hongchen's curiosity gradually outweighed her caution.
She had seen many talented young people before—some arrogant, some sycophantic—but someone as free-spirited as Jiang Li was the first.
"Jiang Li, what exactly are you?" she couldn't help asking.
Jiang Li put down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and looked at her with a faint smile. "A secret."
He deliberately left it hanging, but Meng Hongchen didn't get angry. Instead, she leaned in slightly, her blue eyes full of curiosity. "Why can't I sense any soul power from you? Or do you have some special martial soul?"
Jiang Li casually played with his chopsticks. "There's no reason. I really don't have soul power, nor any special martial soul."
He said it as if it were something insignificant.
But Meng Hongchen's pupils shrank instantly, her teacup almost slipping from her hand.
"That's impossible! Without soul power, how could you kill a soul master with your bare hands?"
In her understanding, even the weakest soul master could not be killed so easily by an ordinary person without soul power.
Jiang Li simply replied slowly, "My body is special. I was born with natural strength, that's all."
Meng Hongchen clearly did not believe a word of it.
Jiang Li continued, "As for my identity, I'm just a bounty contractor who takes money to do jobs. Nothing more."
"A bounty contractor?"
Meng Hongchen repeated it, studying him closely.
She had heard of such people, but Jiang Li claimed he had no soul power—how could that make sense?
Finally, she asked again, "If you don't have soul power, how did you become a bounty contractor?"
"Who says you can't be one without soul power?" Jiang Li asked back with a smile.
That question left her momentarily speechless.
She didn't pursue it further, but instead asked another question, more curious than before. "Then what commission brought you to Mingdu?"
Jiang Li looked at her with a faint, meaningful smile. "A secret."
Again.
Meng Hongchen pouted, her curiosity only growing.
Jiang Li drank the rest of his tea and casually glanced at the bustling street outside.
Then he changed the topic. "Speaking of which, I just arrived in Mingdu and have heard quite a few rumors. I wonder if Miss Meng has ever heard of the Sunken Water Alliance?"
"Sunken Water Alliance?"
Meng Hongchen's hand paused slightly. Her curiosity faded, replaced by a hint of seriousness.
She looked at Jiang Li. "Why are you asking about that?"
Jiang Li shrugged. "I heard it's a major power in Mingdu, a chaotic underground organization. As a newcomer, I should understand the local forces to avoid trouble."
Meng Hongchen frowned slightly. "It's an underground black market in Mingdu. Very chaotic."
She paused, then looked at him with caution. "Why are you asking about them? Don't tell me your commission involves them?"
Jiang Li sighed dramatically. "Miss Meng really thinks too much of me. I'm just a hired worker trying to earn a living. I wouldn't dare provoke such dangerous people."
Meng Hongchen didn't fully believe him but stopped pressing.
"Anything related to them is troublesome. You'd better stay away."
"Noted," Jiang Li replied with a smile, sipping his tea.
They continued chatting, and the topic gradually shifted to Mingdu's local customs and culture.
As a native, Meng Hongchen spoke freely, her earlier caution fading into the liveliness of a young girl.
Jiang Li occasionally responded, but his gaze remained outside the window, already making calculations.
After about an hour, the meal ended with most of the dishes finished.
Meng Hongchen paid the bill, pulling out a stack of gold soul coins.
Jiang Li glanced at it with amusement.
"So generous, Miss Meng. Maybe you can treat me again next time?"
She rolled her eyes but didn't refuse. "We'll see. If I'm in a good mood, maybe."
Jiang Li stretched lazily as he stood up, smiling. "Alright. But we might meet again very soon."
Meng Hongchen paused and looked back at him, a trace of confusion in her eyes, but said nothing and left the restaurant.
Jiang Li watched her figure disappear, and the smile in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by cold indifference.