Chapter 40: The Kind-Hearted Ling Luochen (1/1)
Upon hearing this, a flash of sharp light passed through Jiang Li's eyes, though his expression remained as careless as ever.
He looked at Ling Luochen for a few seconds and slowly said: "Alright."
Seeing him agree, Ling Luochen visibly relaxed and quickly asked, "That… you only said he is tall, bald, and has a cigar-type martial soul. Any other clues? It would make finding him faster."
"He seems to be from the soul engineering department," Jiang Li said as if thinking.
Ling Luochen nodded and carefully noted it down.
"I'll go check the soul engineering department tomorrow. I'll let you know once I find something."
She paused, then asked cautiously: "Um… is there any reason you're looking for him? If he offended you, I can try to mediate."
A playful curve appeared on Jiang Li's lips as he patted her shoulder lightly.
"Relax, it's nothing serious. I just want to talk."
Ling Luochen was confused, but didn't dare ask further.
She could sense the distance in Jiang Li's attitude. Pushing too much might annoy him.
So she changed the topic: "How long will you stay in Shrek City? How can I contact you?"
"No need to contact me," Jiang Li waved his hand. "If there's news, just leave a message at Yue Lai Inn in the south of the city."
After speaking, he left without hesitation, disappearing into the crowd.
Ling Luochen looked in the direction he left, then at the food box in her hand, and sighed softly.
She clenched her fist, silently deciding to find that person as soon as possible to make up for her mistake.
On the other side, Jiang Li turned into an empty alley and smiled faintly.
With Ling Luochen helping from the inner court, finding Huo Caitou would indeed be much easier.
As for whether this would get her into trouble—he didn't care at all.
As long as the commission was completed and the reward was received, everything else was irrelevant.
—
The next morning, just before dawn.
Ling Luochen woke up early and went straight to the Shrek Academy Soul Engineering Department.
She found the teacher in charge of student records and asked directly: "Teacher, I want to ask about a student—do you have anyone who is tall, bald, and has a cigar-type martial soul?"
The teacher froze for a moment, then laughed.
"You must be talking about Huo Caitou. That kid's cigar martial soul is unique in the entire department."
Relieved, Ling Luochen quickly asked for his class information.
After thanking the teacher, she hurried off.
Soon after, at the soul engineering training grounds.
Huo Caitou was sweating heavily while adjusting a newly assembled soul cannon, his thick hands moving skillfully through complex circuits.
"Hey, Huo Caitou!"
Ling Luochen's voice came from behind.
He looked up, wiped his sweat, and smiled honestly.
"Senior sister, are you looking for me?"
Ling Luochen walked up and carefully said, "A friend asked me to find you. He wants to talk to you. Do you have time?"
"Someone looking for me?" Huo Caitou scratched his bald head, confused. "I don't really have friends outside the academy…"
Ling Luochen quickly explained: "It's just a short talk. Nothing serious. If you're free, I can arrange a meeting."
After thinking for a moment, Huo Caitou nodded.
"Alright, tonight then. At the Southern Wind Tea House, at the hour of You."
"Okay," Ling Luochen agreed immediately. "Make sure you arrive on time."
"No problem," Huo Caitou said honestly.
After she left, Ling Luochen felt a weight lift from her chest.
She quickly went to Yue Lai Inn and wrote a note:
"The person has been found: Huo Caitou, Soul Engineering Department student. Meeting arranged for tonight at the Southern Wind Tea House."
She handed it to the innkeeper and instructed him to deliver it to a man in black.
Satisfied, she left with lighter steps, feeling that her guilt had finally eased.
What she didn't know was that this seemingly ordinary meeting had already become a trap.
Across from the inn, in a narrow alley, Jiang Li watched everything calmly.
He looked at the note in his hand and smiled coldly.
"Youth hour, Southern Wind Tea House… so naive, or just ignorant?"
He crushed the note casually and walked away.
—
As time passed, evening arrived.
The Southern Wind Tea House was already full.
Jiang Li arrived early, chose a window seat, and slowly sipped his tea.
Soon, steady footsteps sounded outside.
A tall figure appeared at the entrance—Huo Caitou.
He wore plain, washed-out clothes, his bald head shining under the light. His expression was honest as he looked around for the person who summoned him.
Jiang Li raised his hand slightly.
Huo Caitou saw him, hesitated for a moment, then quickly walked over.
"Sir, did you call for me?"
"Sit," Jiang Li said calmly, pushing a cup of tea toward him.
Huo Caitou didn't hesitate and drank it in one gulp.
He wiped his mouth and asked curiously, "Sir, I don't think I know you. Why did you call me here?"
Jiang Li didn't answer.
He just stared at him—cold, sharp, as if seeing through him completely.
Huo Caitou felt uneasy, scratching his bald head.
Just as he was about to speak again—
Jiang Li suddenly said, word by word:
"Xu He… long time no see."