Chapter 704: Tough Ling Shuang! Want to Go Shopping With Me?

"Tsk tsk, never thought Lei Di had already become this strong."

Among the elite training camp students, former West Lan Princess Ailena's face flushed bright red.

She, who had always regarded Xu Jingming as her idol, gazed at him with pure admiration.

She still seemed unable to shake off the shock of his astonishing display.

"Yes, even stronger..." Xia Lan's delicate face bore a faint hint of bitterness.

The more Xu Jingming grew stronger, the wider the gap between them became.

"By the way, Xiao Lan, where are we going next?" Ailena asked Xia Lan.

After spending this time together, with Xu Jingming as their shared topic, their bond had grown nearly as close as best friends.

"Let's head back to the martial arts gym building."

Xia Lan pursed her red lips and replied with a hint of helplessness.

In the previous battle, over a dozen nearby villas had been destroyed—she couldn't even return to rest if she wanted to...

"What? The final destination of that mission led you into a Tianming Sect trap?"

In the top-floor conference hall of the martial arts gym building.

When Liu Shan heard this news from Ling Shuang, he shot up from his seat in an instant.

His expression shifted repeatedly; after a long while, he replied with a grim face:

"Ling supervisor, that mission was drafted by Feng Kuan—I only glanced at it briefly."

I found no issues and approved it for you; I had no idea it was actually a Tianming Sect trap."

"I swear, I have absolutely no connection to the Tianming Sect!"

In truth, when Feng Kuan originally drafted this mission, he saw that its location was far from Moben.

He thought it would be a perfect chance to send Ling Shuang away for a while, so he ultimately agreed.

Had he known it would turn out this way, he'd never have assigned this mission—even if it cost him his life.

It wasn't that he minded Ling Shuang being in danger; he simply didn't want to be tied to the Tianming Sect.

After all, the Tianming Sect is a cult universally reviled; any association with it would severely impact his future prospects.

"Don't worry—we never suspected you, Director Liu."

"After all, you're an elder who oversees the Moben branch of Lei Ting Martial Arts; you wouldn't possibly be involved."

Ling Shuang smiled sweetly.

Beside her, Xu Jingming couldn't help but blink.

He thought his own acting was pretty good, but he hadn't expected Ling Shuang's to be even better.

She lied without even blinking.

"Good, good."

Liu Shan's face lit up with relief, then he hesitated slightly and asked:

"Could this matter be kept from headquarters?"

The deputy director, Feng Kuan, was a Tianming Sect mole—and nearly killed the chief supervisor, Ling Shuang.

Though he was unaware of it, as director, he bore undeniable responsibility.

"This matter is too significant—I must report it to Director Su."

Ling Shuang feigned difficulty, pondered for a long while, then spoke:

"But after spending this time together, I truly believe you're a decent man, Director Liu."

"Even if I report this, I can minimize the impact on you."

"Hahaha, Supervisor Ling, you're truly straightforward!"

Liu Shan's face lit up with surprise—he never expected Ling Shuang, his sworn rival, would spare him!

"But I do have a small favor to ask of you, Director Liu," Ling Shuang added immediately.

I knew it wouldn't be that simple!

Liu Shan's smile froze; he cursed inwardly but forced a sincere grin:

"Supervisor Ling, name your request—I'll help if I possibly can."

"With Feng Kuan dead, the deputy director position in our Moben branch is now vacant."

"I assume, besides me, no one else is qualified to fill it?"

Ling Shuang said slowly.

The implication was clear: I want the deputy director position!

"This..."

Liu Shan hesitated, then clenched his teeth and nodded:

"Fine, no problem!"

According to Lei Ting Martial Arts regulations, overseas branches must have one director paired with two deputy directors.

All three must possess eighth-rank Master Zongshi combat strength.

Besides Ling Shuang, the gym actually had two other eighth-rank Grand Masters—he'd planned to promote one of them.

But since Ling Shuang had already made her demand—and had him by the throat—

He had no choice but to agree.

"Also, once I'm promoted to deputy director, the chief supervisor position will be vacant."

"You've seen Xu Jingming's strength—let him take over my chief supervisor role. No problem, right?"

Ling Shuang pressed further.

"Chief supervisor?"

Liu Shan fell into hesitation.

Xu Jingming's original position as head coach of the elite training camp, though very important, only affected the training camp itself.

But the position of General Manager was different.

One could say that the entire Lei Ting Martial Arts Hall had only four core positions: one hall master, two vice hall masters, and one general manager.

Hearing Ling Shuang had already taken one of the higher-authority vice hall master positions; if the general manager position were also given to Xu Jingming—

Then within the core management of the entire branch, Hearing Ling Shuang would hold half the say.

To him, this was absolutely a very dangerous thing.

"If Hall Master Liu has any concerns, then let's just forget about this matter.

But as for Hall Master Su's side, I won't be able to put in a word for you either.

After all, you won't even help me—why should I help you?"

Hearing Ling Shuang's originally gentle voice instantly turned forceful.

Liu Shan saw this and his expression immediately changed; he hastily straightened his face and said:

"Coach Xu is powerful and meticulous—absolutely the only choice for general manager."

The speed of Liu Shan's face-changing made Xu Jingming click his tongue inwardly in amazement.

Sichuan Province's traditional face-changing art—it's a real shame you don't go inherit it.

"That's more like it."

Hearing Ling Shuang broke into a radiant smile, as dazzling as a hundred flowers in full bloom. "Then, Hall Master Liu, may we have a pleasant cooperation?"

"Pleasant cooperation." Liu Shan also let out a soft breath.

Though the price paid was somewhat steep, this matter had finally been resolved satisfactorily.

"It happens that the hall master meeting is only a few days away. When the time comes, I'll propose at the meeting that you take the position of vice hall master."

After speaking, Liu Shan looked at Xu Jingming with emotion: "I have to say, Manager Ling really treats you well.

Otherwise, even if you had the corresponding strength, it wouldn't be so easy to take the position of general manager."

"Of course—when I was still at Magic University, Teacher Ling had already been giving me special care."

Xu Jingming replied with a smile.

He deliberately put extra emphasis on the word "teacher."

This caused Hearing Ling Shuang, who had just been putting on a forceful strong-woman act, to blush faintly on her pretty face, as if recalling something.

"Haha, then you'll have to properly repay your Teacher Ling in the future."

Liu Shan laughed, then said: "After all this, you two have had quite a scare too.

Go back and rest first—I have official business to attend to as well."

After speaking, Liu Shan was the first to leave the conference room.

"Phew, the matter is finally over."

Only now did Xu Jingming fully relax, leaning lazily back on the sofa.

The past few days he had been searching for Divine Blood in the wilderness zone, barely resting for a moment.

Afterwards he had gone through several fierce battles with people from the Tianming Sect; after these bouts of combat, he was already somewhat exhausted.

"Rest up for a bit later—I'll treat you to a big dinner tonight."

Hearing Ling Shuang looked over with a smile on her pretty face, paused, then asked somewhat shyly:

"Also, if it's not too much trouble, after dinner… would you go shopping with me?"

PS: Three chapters done, still owe six. Readers who feel it's not bad, please send a wave of free little gifts~~