Chapter 447: Departure for Dongzhou

Ignoring the shock of those around them, as soon as Chen Lingxin saw that Lin Xiao had arrived, she broke into a wide smile and called out loudly before even walking over, “Master!”

“Mm.” Lin Xiao’s expression returned to calm. He asked, “Have you packed everything?”

“All packed.” Chen Lingxin pointed to a suitcase she was dragging behind her. “Master, how long have you been here?”

Before Lin Xiao could answer, Old Master Chen snapped, “What are you standing there for? Hurry up and come over, Lin Xiao’s been waiting for you for ages.”

“I would’ve come even if you didn’t call me.”

Chen Lingxin pouted, picked up the suitcase with one hand, and ran over to Lin Xiao with light, quick steps.

The suitcase was half as tall as she was. Who knew what was inside, but it looked to weigh at least dozens of pounds. Yet she carried it as if it were weightless, completely unbothered.

“Master, let’s go quickly. If we don’t, Grandpa will start nagging me again.”

Chen Lingxin tugged at Lin Xiao’s hand, pulling him toward the door. “He’s been nagging me for two days straight, my ears are about to grow calluses.”

“This trip to Dongzhou, you represent the Chen Martial Arts Hall. How could I not give you some reminders?”

Old Master Chen’s face was solemn. “Lingxin, the outside world is not like home. Dongzhou is not Jinghai. Your little bit of skill amounts to nothing there. You must learn to restrain your impulsive temper. Don’t stir up trouble. Even more, don’t bring shame to the Chen Martial Arts Hall. Listen to Lin Xiao in everything. Understood?”

“I know, I know, Grandpa. You’ve said this a hundred times already. I’ll follow Master’s lead in all things. Happy now?”

Chen Lingxin sounded impatient. Master Chen raised his hand and smacked her on the head.

“Dongzhou is not a vacation spot. If you can’t behave, then don’t go, save Lin Xiao the trouble.”

The Southern Martial Exchange Conference was said to be about exchanging knowledge, but in reality, there were plenty of open and hidden conflicts, tricks, and schemes. Every year, during the event, there were bloody clashes—even deaths.

After all, rankings and titles in the martial arts world translated into real benefits. And with grudges and rivalries between various martial arts schools and factions, it would be strange if they didn’t come to blows when gathered together.

Master Chen had already repeated this many times to Chen Lingxin, but judging by her attitude, it seemed she hadn’t taken it to heart at all, which annoyed him.

“Grandpa… don’t be like that. I’ll behave. I’ll definitely listen to Master,” Chen Lingxin panicked and quickly pleaded.

“Hmph.” Master Chen snorted, then turned to Lin Xiao. “Lin Xiao, with you accompanying this girl, I’m relieved. Make sure to keep her in check. If she misbehaves, hit her if you must, scold her if you have to. Don’t go easy on her.”

“Master Chen, I know what to do.” Lin Xiao glanced at Chen Lingxin, who made a silly face at him. “If there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave.”

“With your strength and experience, I don’t need to say more.” Master Chen nodded seriously. “But no matter what happens, prioritize your own safety.”

“I understand.” Lin Xiao nodded, then looked at Chen Tianxing and Chen Tianli. “Uncle Chen, Brother Tianli, I’ll take my leave.”

Chen Tianxing smiled and nodded.

Chen Tianli cupped his fists. “Brother Lin, safe travels.”

After saying their farewells to everyone at the Chen Martial Arts Hall, Lin Xiao didn’t hesitate any longer and strode out.

Chen Lingxin followed behind him. As she stepped outside the gate, she suddenly stopped, her eyes glistening faintly with tears. She turned her head and shouted, “Grandpa! Dad! Big Brother! I’m off!”

Master Chen’s lips moved, but he said nothing. He waved his hand silently, urging her to go quickly.

Chen Tianxing and Chen Tianli both shouted, “Stay safe! Come back safely!”

Chen Lingxin waved her arm hard, then caught up with Lin Xiao, walking beside him shoulder to shoulder.

Her mood was a little down at first, but she quickly bounced back. Holding Lin Xiao’s hand, she started chatting nonstop. She was full of excitement for the upcoming trip to Dongzhou.

“Master, have you been to Dongzhou before?”

“Yes, I have.”

Back when he was in the military carrying out missions, Lin Xiao had been all over the country.

“Really? That’s great! I heard Dongzhou is the most prosperous city in the entire South. Its population is one or two times larger than Jinghai’s, and it’s much more bustling, with so many fun places to go…”

“We’re not going there to have fun.”

“Still, it’s good to relax a bit in our free time. Staying cooped up in a hotel is so boring. Besides, we’re only there for a few days. Who knows when we’ll get the chance again?”

“Instead of thinking about where to go for fun, maybe you should focus on more important matters.”

“I have thought about it. Anyway, with Master around, I’m not afraid of anything. Even if the sky falls, you’ll hold it up for me, right?”

“…”

Lin Xiao had no words.

Over thirty minutes later, a high-speed train departed from Jinghai Railway Station, heading toward the distant city of Dongzhou, a thousand kilometers away.

Inside one of the train cars.

Lin Xiao sat quietly with his eyes lowered, his back straight, hands resting on his knees. His body swayed slightly with the motion of the train. Even in the noisy carriage, he exuded a calm and composed aura.

Chen Lingxin sat next to him—the complete opposite. She looked left and right, curious about everything. One moment, she was leaning on Lin Xiao’s leg, admiring the scenery outside; the next, she was resting her head on his shoulder, pretending to sleep. In short, she couldn’t sit still.

Across from them sat a young couple in their thirties.

The man was tall and handsome, the woman beautiful and elegant. They whispered sweetly to each other, heads close together. Whatever the man said made the woman giggle, her shoulders trembling with laughter. She lightly slapped his shoulder in playful response.

Though he spoke tender words to the woman, the man’s eyes kept drifting toward Chen Lingxin.

Not that he could be blamed. At this moment, Chen Lingxin was stunning. And it wasn’t just this man—others in the carriage were sneaking glances too.

Chen Lingxin’s beauty was of the vibrant, spirited kind—bright eyes, perfect teeth, delicate features, skin fair as jade. As long as she didn’t show her tomboyish side, she was an outstanding beauty in every regard.

The woman across from her was pretty, but compared to Chen Lingxin, she was clearly outclassed.

Chen Lingxin, always carefree, was still bubbling with excitement and didn’t notice the man’s gaze at all.

The man, initially cautious, only dared sneak glances now and then. But after seeing that Chen Lingxin didn’t seem to notice, he grew bolder and began openly staring at her face, eyes burning with desire.

Lying on Lin Xiao’s shoulder and enjoying the view, Chen Lingxin finally sensed the heat of his gaze. She suddenly turned her head, her eyes sharp as blades, and asked coldly:

“What are you looking at? Keep staring and I’ll dig your eyeballs out!”

The man was clearly experienced with women. Not only was he good with sweet talk, but he also had thick skin. Getting called out like that didn’t embarrass him in the slightest. Instead, he smiled charmingly.

“Sorry, miss. Have we met before? You look really familiar.”