Chapter 23: What a coincidence, we meet again (1 / 1)
At dawn the next day.
A shocking piece of news spread through Mingdu at an extremely rapid speed.
The news that the Sunset Water Alliance had been completely slaughtered overnight instantly caused a massive storm among all major forces.
Any faction with even a little influence in Mingdu knew how deep the Sunset Water Alliance's foundations were.
Of course, the one who was most shocked was only one person.
The Crown Prince of the Sun Moon Empire—Xu Tianran!
He knew exactly who stood behind the Sunset Water Alliance.
After all, he had long maintained ties with the Holy Spirit Sect. Without his tacit approval, the Sunset Water Alliance could never have developed in Mingdu.
Inside the Crown Prince's palace.
Xu Tianran sat by the window, silently gazing at the scenery outside.
Behind him stood a figure—Ju Zi.
After a long silence, Xu Tianran spoke faintly, "Ju Zi, who do you think destroyed the Sunset Water Alliance?"
"Your Highness, I do not know," Ju Zi gently shook her head.
Xu Tianran did not blame her; it was merely a casual question.
He continued, "Investigate it. After all, anyone capable of wiping out the Sunset Water Alliance overnight is worth recruiting."
"Yes, Your Highness," Ju Zi nodded slightly.
——
At the same time, on another street in Mingdu.
Jiang Li walked leisurely with his hands tucked into his sleeves.
Just then, a clear voice filled with surprise came from behind him.
"Jiang Li?!"
He paused and turned around slightly, raising his brows.
At the street corner ahead, two figures were walking toward him.
The girl in front was none other than Meng Hongchen.
Her delicate face carried a hint of annoyance as she stared at Jiang Li, seemingly sizing him up.
Beside her was an elderly man in a brocade robe, slightly plump, with a kind-looking face but sharp, eagle-like eyes.
He was Jing Hongchen, the head of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineer Academy and the Hallmaster of Mingde Hall.
"I didn't expect such a coincidence to meet you here."
Meng Hongchen walked up to Jiang Li and looked him up and down. "You didn't go wandering around Mingdu last night, did you?"
Jiang Li lazily lifted his gaze, glancing at her before shifting his eyes to Jing Hongchen behind her.
"I'm very disciplined. I usually don't go out at night."
"Really?" Meng Hongchen was skeptical.
"Really," Jiang Li nodded.
Seeing this, she was about to say more, but Jing Hongchen raised his hand to stop her.
From the beginning, Jing Hongchen's gaze had been fixed on Jiang Li. Deep within his seemingly calm eyes, waves of shock were already surging.
He could clearly sense that this seemingly lazy young man carried a faint trace of blood aura.
It was extremely light, yet oppressive enough to make one's heart tremble.
Even when facing Elder Kong, he had never felt such pressure.
Jing Hongchen's pupils slightly contracted, his smile fading a little, though his tone remained polite.
"Little friend Meng mentioned you last night. You are the bounty hunter named Jiang Li?"
Meng Hongchen nodded slightly without speaking.
Jiang Li replied instead, "Are you Hallmaster Hongchen?"
"I am," Jing Hongchen answered straightforwardly.
"Pleasure to meet you," Jiang Li said with a faint smile, cupping his hands.
Jing Hongchen waved his hand lightly. "You are too polite."
But internally, his thoughts were already in turmoil.
He immediately recalled the news of the Sunset Water Alliance being wiped out overnight.
And combined it with the faint blood aura on Jiang Li…
A terrifying thought exploded in his mind.
Could this young man… be the one who destroyed the Sunset Water Alliance?
At that realization, Jing Hongchen's heart sank sharply, a chill running from his feet to his head.
His level 94 Titled Douluo soul power instinctively spread out, faintly locking onto Jiang Li.
Yet Jiang Li stood there as if completely unaware, still wearing that lazy smile, meeting his gaze calmly.
That gaze was deep and cold, as if it could see through everything.
Meng Hongchen noticed something was wrong and asked, confused, "Grandfather?"
Jing Hongchen did not respond immediately. He slowly withdrew his soul power pressure, the shock in his eyes gradually settling into deep, unfathomable scrutiny.
Then he patted Meng Hongchen's shoulder.
"It's fine."
He turned back to Jiang Li, wearing his usual kindly smile, though his eyes remained sharp.
"Since fate has brought us together, why not come to my residence for a short visit? I have some fine wine at the Hongchen Manor, just as thanks for helping my granddaughter catch a thief yesterday."
Meng Hongchen looked at her grandfather in surprise.
She knew he was usually distant and highly guarded toward strangers. It was rare for him to invite someone he had just met.
Jiang Li raised his brows slightly.
He naturally understood the hidden probe in Jing Hongchen's words.
Ordinary people might hesitate or refuse.
But Jiang Li did not care.
And since he had already intended to approach Mingde Hall, the invitation suited him perfectly.
He smiled more clearly and nodded lightly.
"Since Hallmaster Hongchen is so sincere, I will accept."
"Good! Good! Good!"
Jing Hongchen said three "good"s in a row, a glint flashing deep in his eyes.
"Straightforward, I like it."
"Meng, go back and prepare first. I'll walk there with this young friend and chat along the way."
"Ah? Oh… alright."
Meng Hongchen left reluctantly, still glancing back at Jiang Li as if warning him not to say anything strange.
Soon, only Jiang Li and Jing Hongchen remained on the street.
Jing Hongchen began walking slowly toward the Hongchen Manor.
As they walked, he casually asked, "As a bounty hunter, what kind of job have you taken recently?"
Jiang Li kept his hands in his sleeves.
"Just a very simple revenge job."
Jing Hongchen stopped slightly and turned his head.
"Was it the Sunset Water Alliance?"
Their eyes met.
Jiang Li smiled faintly.
"Hallmaster Hongchen's guess is quite bold."
Jing Hongchen remained silent, waiting.
Jiang Li then casually said, "But you guessed right. I did destroy the Sunset Water Alliance."
At that moment, Jing Hongchen's pupils shrank, and he stopped walking.