Chapter 116: Ata's Reception Room

Luo Qi was so stunned he couldn't speak, hearing Du Zhengyi say in his ear, "Thank you. I still wish to see the person who invited me."

The goddess looked toward Luo Qi, "Are you the same?"

Luo Qi shrugged.

In truth, he had no choice at all, but he wouldn't say that out loud.

"Very well," a trace of a smile appeared on Ata's lips, "then I hope we can meet again in the future. I am going to process two VIP gold cards for you both, which can be used at all shops registered under the Wushan Guild."

She released Luo Qi's hand, gave him a smile, and then reached out to push open a pair of double doors, "Once you have finished talking, you may leave directly from here. According to Wushan's privacy protection terms, people from the Qionglin have no authority to search this place."

The goddess's hand left his palm, and Luo Qi let out a breath of relief; his nerves were no longer so taut. He opened his mouth and said, "Damn, this guild is really badass. Is there a threshold for registration?"

"Gender is not restricted." Ata actually laughed, "However, there is a four-year study period; you might want to consider it."

"That would be just right," Du Zhengyi suddenly said.

Luo Qi's face flushed red; he knew he was implying that he didn't know what to study when it came time to choose a major in the fourth year, and this major would be just right. He didn't say it out loud not to save face for him in front of the goddess, but simply because he wouldn't expose more information about him in front of outsiders.

Luo Qi said sheepishly, "I might actually want a license this badass, to hang on my front door so the old fogies wouldn't dare enter."

Du Zhengyi ignored his attempt to save face, so Luo Qi had to sheepishly say to Ata again, "Then... farewell."

Ata smiled and nodded, stepped back, and closed the door for them.

They stood in a foyer; without the goddess's hypnosis, Luo Qi also calmed down. Du Zhengyi glanced at him, and he nodded silently. From this point on, near-silence was his best strategy.

Du Zhengyi walked in front and pushed open a second carved wooden door. Behind the door was a small living room, the fire in the fireplace was burning, and a woman stood up from the sofa by the fireplace. Luo Qi felt himself becoming tense again without realizing it.

"You really did come." Her voice was crisp, but because she was backlit, Luo Qi did not see her face clearly.

Du Zhengyi stepped onto the genuine oriental carpet in the living room and walked forward. As if in an instant, the lights in the room became suddenly bright. Luo Qi swallowed slightly, forcing himself to stay calm. He followed by Du Zhengyi's side, keeping a distance of one step behind him; he would never want to rashly get too close to a Battle Mage. He would not look down on a Battle Mage just because she was a woman; the fact was that a woman standing in the position of a Battle Mage would only be stronger than a man.

He sized up the woman waiting in the small living room; she was a very slim woman. Fortunately, she was not as tall as Ata, nor did she have that goddess-like air of looking down on all living things that Ata had. He felt completely relieved. Luo Qi carefully observed this woman; his first impression was that she was a cat-like woman, elegant yet agile, with a trace of Du Zhengyi-style impatience in her eyes, though it was well hidden.

She was beautiful, with a beauty that held an oriental charm; it could not be counted as the almost aggressive beauty of Ata, but she was beautiful in a way that made one feel comfortable.

"Hello," she said first, her eyes looking at Du Zhengyi, while also quietly glancing at Luo Qi, "I am Wen Lin."

"You have recovered well," Du Zhengyi said, avoiding the step of needing to introduce Luo Qi.

She understood and did not press the issue, "Please, sit. To be honest, I also have some Telepathy abilities; my rating is not high, and I am no match for your friend. But fortunately, he did not deal a lethal blow, and this bit of ability I have is enough for emergency self-rescue."

Luo Qi held back an apology and sat with Du Zhengyi on the classical sofa in the small living room, noticing that books were scattered casually all around. This place was more like the owner's private residence than a place provided for guests to enjoy. On the tea table sat three teacups, filled with lemon black tea, which seemed to still be hot.

"First, I want to make it clear: this is not a meeting of the Qionglin. It is just me, personally, wanting to talk to you." Wen Lin sat down on the single sofa next to them and immediately spoke hurriedly.

"Does this also not represent the position of Fan Shi?" Du Zhengyi asked coldly.

Wen Lin smiled, "I thought the position of Venerable Fan Shi was the position of the Qionglin."

"Since that is the case, what value does your personal position have?" Du Zhengyi added bluntly.

Wen Lin's expression stiffened, and her voice became dry, "On the principle of serving the interests of all Mages, my position does not conflict with Fan Shi's, but in terms of specific actions, my position might be of some use to you. To be precise, in the judgment of your recent series of actions, my views conflict with Fan Shi's."

"I have not betrayed the Qionglin, nor do I have a tendency toward high-level rebellion, but these things are not even for me to judge or prove. What way do you have to prove it?" Du Zhengyi said.

"I know you are waiting for Venerable Pei Shu to return to work," Wen Lin did not answer his question and said somewhat abruptly, as if exposing something about Du Zhengyi.

For some reason, Luo Qi felt her voice was somewhat cold; he did not know what about this thought of Du Zhengyi's had offended the female Mage before him. But then Wen Lin answered his doubt, "However, Venerable Pei Shu still has nearly three months before he can return to work. I also believe that with his ability, he will certainly have a way to resolve your predicament by then. But as far as I know, you have always been engaged in top-secret work, and top-secret—also represents the greatest threat to all Mages."

Once her words fell, the small living room fell silent. Luo Qi was first shocked by her veiled accusation; Du Zhengyi was already in this state, what standing did she have to so tactfully accuse him of being selfish? If she really wanted to accuse him, she should go criticize her own leaders. But then he realized that what she said was merely the truth; presumably, she also had no ability to reverse Fan Shi's intentions as a Venerable of the Qionglin. What she pointed out was merely a practical situation. Since she requested a meeting and pointed out this problem, it meant that she at least hoped to resolve this problem.

Du Zhengyi was originally investigating the Lotus Burners; Fan Shi had disregarded the interests of all Mages for his own selfish gain, causing them to lose the Qionglin as a backing, yet they were in urgent need of the Qionglin's power at this time. The tragic scene from this afternoon truly could not happen again. He glanced quietly at Du Zhengyi, and from his face, he also saw the shadow of contemplation. He knew Du Zhengyi was also evaluating the possibility of solving the problem; after all, anything could happen in three months, and if the Lotus Burners were planning a grand conspiracy, the crisis could erupt at any time.

"I am not intentionally prying," Wen Lin's hands were placed on her knees, her hands anxiously twisted together, "You do not need to tell me the true secrets, but I hope we can cooperate. At least tell me what the Qionglin should pay attention to, and what should be done to avoid the tragedy that happened today."

"If that is the case," Luo Qi heard Du Zhengyi say, "then tell me first why you discovered our tracks so quickly. Why did you rush to Xizhou so quickly?"