Chapter 48

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nFor the next two days, Li Luo was left alone, although he had to bear odd looks whenever he went out.

nDid he care? Of course not.

nIt was nothing compared to what he had experienced over the last two years.

nWhitespirit Garden, Wind Restaurant.

nLi Luo and Zhao Kuo had come for a meal, but when they went up the stairs, they saw the hall packed to the brim with boisterous young men and women, and the roaring wave of chaos and laughter put them off.

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"That's too many people,

" Zhao Kuo murmured.

nLi Luo agreed. He had just turned to leave when he spotted someone in the distance waving to him, from a seat near the window.

nHe looked more closely. Lu Qing'er.

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"Let's go get a free meal out of her.

"

nLi Luo did not hesitate, making a beeline for the table with Zhao Kuo behind. But as he neared, he saw that Lu Qing'er's table was already seated with Difa Qing and Song Yunfeng.

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"Feel free to join, if you wish. There's space,

" Lu Qing'er said, gesturing at the empty seats with her delicately-manicured finger.

nDifa Qing shot Li Luo a look, but this time it was not followed with her previous sneering. She sat in silence, drinking her water.

nIt was Song Yunfeng who felt more up to his usual belligerence. He felt that they should know better.

nInstead, Li Luo planted his ass right beside him with a grateful cheer.

"All my dear schoolmates, what a sight for tired eyes.

" Zhao Kuo joined him.

nSong Yunfeng's expression turned grim. He said sourly,

"Li Luo, I heard you got into trouble again. There are so many other schools here at the Whitespirit Garden now, can you not ruin Southwind Academy's reputation? You're making things difficult for the other Southwind students.

"

nLi Luo matched his grim tone.

"If you feel ashamed about any of my actions so far, I suggest you quit school as soon as possible.

"

nThis elicited a new wave of anger from Song Yunfeng, and also a slightly upward twitch of Lu Qing'er's lips.

nSong Yunfeng scoffed.

"Who are you to tell me to leave school, Li Luo? I'm saying this for your own good. Don't think you can go around causing offense to other schools just because of that one draw. You clearly know best how meaningless that was.

"

nHowever, Li Luo seemed not to hear him, instead turning to Lu Qing'er, who was hailing over a waiter.

"Help us order a meal, thanks.

"

nLu Qing'er did not reply, but she added two decent meals to the order when the waiter came.

nThis infuriated Song Yunfeng even more, the flames of jealousy burning strongly within him. He had never dared to speak to Lu Qing'er in such a casual fashion before, but this bastard Li Luo had done so while ignoring him?

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"The examinations start tomorrow. Are you all prepared?

" Lu Qing'er asked, not intending to listen to them sniping at each other anymore.

nThey all nodded, then the topic was smoothly changed.

nLi Luo did not participate much, concentrating on his meal.

nBut halfway through their meal, he sensed the atmosphere change drastically. He looked in the direction of the change. Someone was approaching.

nIt was a nondescript-looking youth, but the aura he gave off was tyrannic, a cold, cruel air that juxtaposed jarringly against the warm smile on his face. Everyone took him seriously.

nEastpool Academy, Shi Huang, son of Governor Shi Qing.

nAfter Shi Huang made his way up the stairs, he headed straight for their position, and asked with a smile,

"Excuse me, may I draw up a chair?

"

nLu Qing'er's eyes flicked up briefly, then she replied coolly,

"Sorry, we're full.

"

nStill smiling, Shi Huang took a chair from the adjacent table, who did not dare to object. They recognized him.

nShi Huang sat on the other side of Song Yunfeng.

"Qing'er, our fathers are acquaintances. Surely there's no need to be so frosty.

"

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"And we are rivals. Surely there's no need to fake any amiability. Tiring, isn't it?

" Lu Qing'er countered.

nShi Huang gave a tight smile.

"Both of us are destined to meet in the Astral Sage College. We'll be peers there. Why the animosity?

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"Isn't that right, Yunfeng?

" He directed the question sideways.

nSong Yunfeng nodded quietly.

nLi Luo was happy with his meal. He put down his bowl and chopsticks, turning to Lu Qing'er.

"Done eating? How about a walk for digestion?

"

nThe tension in Lu Qing'er's neck eased slightly. She knew that Li Luo was helping her defuse the situation. She didn't want to hang around fencing with Shi Huang either.

nShi Huang's eyes narrowed. He picked up a broad bean and flicked it with his fingers with a loud crack. It shot forth like lightning, a silver streak aimed straight for Li Luo's face.

nBut just before it landed, an ice-infused chopstick crashed into the lightning-charged broad bean, sending it flying and burying itself deep within a pillar. A small ring of frost covered it.

nLu Qing'er looked at Shi Huang coldly, and her frosty aura seemed to swell.

"Shi Huang, stop picking fights.

"

nThe commotion here had stirred up the hall as well. Furtive glances were being thrown their way. When the crowd saw that it was Lu Qing'er and Shi Huang, they were immediately excited. Could it be that the first place hot favorites were going to duke it out here?

nSensing the crowd's attention, Shi Huang smiled.

"A slip of the hand... I hope you don't take offense, Young Lord.

"

nLi Luo shook his head, saying exasperatedly,

"I'm not angry, but you're wasting food. It seems like you haven't been taught well at home. Has Governor Shi not been teaching you properly? If your house is lacking whips, I can send two over.

"

nShi Huang's smile did not falter.

"The Young Lord is exactly right. I will be more careful next time.

"

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"Recognize your mistakes and change. That's a good boy.

"

nLi Luo nodded approvingly, then left with Zhao Kuo.

nLu Qing'er shot one more frosty look at Shi Huang and then left as well, Difa Qing scurrying in her wake. Song Yunfeng gave Shi Huang a long look and followed.

nShi Huang sat down, unperturbed. He scooped up the few remaining broad beans on the table and threw them into his mouth with quick movements, his eyes cold and calculating.

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"This Li Luo. Is he hiding his power? Or is he truly powerless? I really want to find out,

" He mused to himself, shaking his head with a wry smile.

nForget it. A crippled young lord should pose little threat to him. Lu Qing'er was the key to toppling Southwind Academy from their first place title.

nStill, Li Luo was quite a detestable guy indeed.

nSeemed like he would have to make some arrangements for his early elimination.

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Chapter end