Chapter 102: Dao of Supreme Detachment
Chapter 102: Dao of Supreme Detachment
After entering the villa, he realized it was even larger inside.
Following the young man with the gold-rimmed glasses, he passed through a long corridor and arrived at a door on the left at the end.
The young man knocked gently. The door opened from inside, and someone whispered, “The State Preceptor is inside. Let him enter.”
The young man looked at Ling Yi. “You may go in.”
Ling Yi stepped inside.
The person who had just opened the door turned and came out, lightly closing it behind him.
After Ling Yi entered, he found it was also a large suite. The outer room he entered was a small meeting room, while inside was a study.
A mellow voice came from within.
“Come in.”
Such a show-off!
Ling Yi and the enchantress in his mind snorted inwardly at the same time.
Ling Yi pushed open the half-open door and entered, seeing Lu Qingming for the first time.
Handsome, refined, steady and calm.
He sat behind a desk, with a row of huge bookshelves behind him.
The room carried a strong scent of books.
Normally, receiving someone in a study meant they were certainly not an outsider.
Receiving an enemy in a study—Ling Yi had truly never heard of that.
But he understood the next moment.
Apart from the chair under Lu Qingming’s rear, there wasn’t a single chair in the entire study for him to sit on.
“Calling you here…”
Ling Yi turned and walked out the door.
Who does he think he is?
Lu Qingming: “…”
Ling Yi took a seat on the sofa in the small meeting room and said, “Either we talk through the wall like this, or you come out. I’m not used to standing while talking to people.”
Inside the study, Lu Qingming blinked.
That was truly an oversight.
He really didn’t need to intimidate Ling Yi with such a petty trick.
Simply put, Ling Yi wasn’t even qualified.
But in Ling Yi’s view, this was clearly a performance of Lu Qingming’s pettiness.
It also fit his character—
A mighty Peak Dao-Entry expert, going to ambush someone of a lower realm…
Lu Qingming thought to himself, smiled faintly, stood up, and came out to sit opposite Ling Yi.
“Apologies, that was my oversight, not intentional,” he looked at Ling Yi. “Because you aren’t qualified enough for me to deliberately target you.”
“Cut the crap, what are you showing off for?” Ling Yi looked at him. “And you have the nerve to talk about being qualified or not? The two battles in Spring City have long made you restless. You used underhanded means to get me here. Whether I’m qualified or not, don’t you have any idea in your own mind?”
Lu Qingming raised an eyebrow. It must be said, he absolutely deserved the title “old handsome guy.”
Refined and steady.
Faced with Ling Yi’s rudeness, he didn’t mind.
He looked at Ling Yi and said calmly, “Speaking to me like this, aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you right now?”
Ling Yi smiled. “You old turtle spawn, kill me if you’re going to, why waste words? If you have the skill, act now. Come on, bring out that drive you had when you ambushed my dad, bring out that persistence when you hunted us. Slap me over, see if you can turn me directly into dust.”
Lu Qingming laughed heartily. “Quite interesting!”
He looked at Ling Yi. “A young man who dares to publicly kill the principal of our country’s top prestigious school is indeed arrogant enough…”
Ling Yi sneered coldly. “Cut the bull. How could I compare to your arrogance? Lu, you don’t need to smear me, nor pretend to engage in useless talk here. Since I dared to come, I had no plans to return. Either you finish me off, or… I’ll certainly mess up whatever you intend to do! Consider it thanks for thinking so highly of me!”
Lu Qingming looked at Ling Yi, a trace of killing intent gradually appearing in his eyes. The pressure from his aura slowly pressed toward Ling Yi.
Just as the enchantress was almost unable to resist acting, the door was suddenly pushed open.
The pressure from Lu Qingming vanished instantly.
The crimson-skirted maid from earlier rushed in angrily and looked at Ling Yi. “Why didn’t you answer my question just now?”
Lu Qingming: “…”
Ling Yi: “…”
If Lu Qingming really attacked him here, he wouldn’t mind letting the enchantress finish him off right here!
As for what to do after killing him?
Who had the mood to worry about that?
Act first, think later!
He wanted to rely on his own strength to take revenge personally, but if the enemy didn’t give him the chance, what could he do?
Ling Yi didn’t know this crimson-skirted maid, nor why she suddenly barged in.
But he didn’t care either, sitting there and watching coldly.
“I’m asking you a question?” The crimson-skirted maid stared directly at Ling Yi.
If she hadn’t subtly blinked at Ling Yi while her back was to Lu Qingming, Ling Yi would have really thought she was here to pick a fight.
But…
What was she trying to do?
“I am receiving a guest,” Lu Qingming reminded with a stern face.
He had truly felt killing intent toward Ling Yi just now.
It wasn’t because Ling Yi’s cursing angered him, but Ling Yi’s fearless attitude made him sense danger!
When the Beast Tide attacked, why was it only Spring City, where Ling Yi was, that had a top-tier mighty expert repelling it?
Did the owner of that Blue Light have any connection to Ling Yi?
If there really was a connection, then how should he treat Ling Yi now?
“What guest? He’s just a young, handsome little brother. What is there to talk about with an old fogey like you?” The crimson-skirted maid spoke in a crisp, chattering voice, then looked at Ling Yi. “Answer my question quickly. Why did you ignore me?”
Damn, she really was here to stir things up.
Ling Yi finally understood.
At this moment, the enchantress in his mind also reminded Ling Yi: “From a Sect.”
“Adults are talking, kids shouldn’t interrupt. Be good, go out. I’ll chat with you later when I go out,” Ling Yi said to the crimson-skirted maid.
“…”
The girl glared at Ling Yi, angrily saying, “Hey, you…”
Then she blinked her eyes frantically.
“Enough, stop blinking! What is my status? I won’t do anything to him here!” Lu Qingming finally got somewhat annoyed, speaking sternly to the girl’s back.
“Hehe, I’ll wait for you outside!” The girl grinned, revealing a set of neat, white teeth, then turned and walked out the door.
With a dark expression, Lu Qingming took a deep breath and looked at Ling Yi. “Kids are mischievous; I hope you won’t mind.”
Ling Yi glanced at him. “Is she your daughter?”
Lu Qingming shook his head. “No.”
Ling Yi immediately looked disappointed. “Oh, she’s not…”
Lu Qingming couldn’t help but feel a bit irritated again. What’s with that expression? What if she were? If you dare touch her, I’ll end you!
“My issue with your adoptive father is a matter between nations, not personal.” After calming down, Lu Qingming made a decision: this man couldn’t stay, but he really couldn’t be killed here.
Ling Yi looked up at him, with a hint of sarcasm. “Is that so? Then what about Wang Fu chasing me down to kill me?”
Lu Qingming said, “That was his personal action.”
Ling Yi laughed heartily. “What a fine ‘personal action’! Grand Tutor Lu’s martial prowess is beyond reach, I’ve already experienced that. But I didn’t expect your ‘thick-skinned cultivation’ to be so profound too! Impressive!”
Lu Qingming stared at him. “Trouble shouldn’t involve family. If I really wanted to kill you, you wouldn’t have survived till today.”
Ling Yi shook his head. “I don’t believe it. Why don’t you try now? Attack me right here, and see whether you die or I live.”
Lu Qingming said, “Great Qin will surely perish.”
Ling Yi said, “Hmm, Great Chu will fall sooner or later.”
Lu Qingming looked at him. “You’re a genius. Leaving yourself a way out might be a wise choice. Turning enemies into friends—this has happened since ancient times.”
Ling Yi smiled. “Don’t worry, I never take thieves as fathers.”
Lu Qingming said, “The day Great Qin falls, many will face reckoning.”
Ling Yi said, “The day Great Chu crumbles, those at fault won’t escape either.”
Lu Qingming stared at Ling Yi.
Ling Yi stared at Lu Qingming.
“Alright, let’s end today’s meeting here. Don’t say I didn’t warn you—that red-clothed girl outside, you can go ahead and try provoking her. When the time comes, even without me, her sect will crush you into dust.”
Lu Qingming spoke calmly.
“More provocation? Fine, I’d like to see how her sect crushes me into dust.” Ling Yi chuckled, stood up, and looked at Lu Qingming. “So why did you invite me here? In the end, you still don’t dare to kill me. So what if you’re at Peak Dao-Entry? Still bound by a heap of worries!”
With that, he stood up, turned, and walked out the door.
Lu Qingming sat there, watching his departing figure.
Outside, the crimson-skirted maid was indeed still waiting. Seeing Ling Yi, she first snorted, then walked up and asked, “Did he do anything to you?”
Ling Yi looked at her seriously. “Miss, are we that familiar?”
The crimson-skirted maid raised an eyebrow. “It’s fine, we’ll be familiar soon. Come on, I’ll take you out!”
The young man with gold-rimmed glasses took two steps forward. “Miss Diwu, you…”
The crimson-skirted maid glanced at him. “Step aside.”
The young man with gold-rimmed glasses: “…”
Faced with the assertive crimson-skirted maid, he didn’t even have the right to look sullen. He could only watch as Ling Yi and the crimson-skirted maid walked away from the place.
Then he hurried inside to report to Lu Qingming.
After hearing it, Lu Qingming nodded expressionlessly. “Alright, I know.”
“But Miss Diwu…”
Lu Qingming looked at him.
The young man with gold-rimmed glasses immediately lowered his head. “I understand.”
Once outside, he broke out in a cold sweat.
He really didn’t know how Ling Yi managed to remain so composed when facing the State Preceptor.
Seeing how relaxed Ling Yi looked when he came out, it didn’t seem at all like someone threatened by an immovable enemy…
On the small path, the crimson-skirted maid said, “My name is Diwu Qianqian. You can call me Qianqian.”
Ling Yi glanced at her. “Aren’t you afraid Lu Qingming will give you trouble for this?”
Diwu Qianqian giggled. “No need to test me. Honestly, I’m not from Chu State, but I have deep ties here. I come from a sect. My master is Lu Qingming’s martial uncle, so in terms of seniority, Lu Qingming is just my senior brother. The Monarch of Chu State is my adoptive father, so here, I’m free. He can’t control me!”
Ling Yi said, “Oh, I didn’t realize you’re a little princess.”
Diwu Qianqian scoffed and gave Ling Yi a sidelong glance. “Don’t use that mocking tone with me. You’re a bit ungrateful, and also, I think you’re kind of foolish… You’re mortal enemies with him, yet you still dare to come to his doorstep. Do you really think he doesn’t dare kill you?”
Ling Yi looked at her. “Which side are you on? Feels like you’re the one with a grudge against them.”
Diwu Qianqian laughed. “Hatred stems from karma. That karma is between you and him; what does it have to do with me? He wants to kill you to uproot the cause. You want to kill him for blood vengeance. Everything is karma. One day, if you kill him, someone from my sect will come to kill you. That’s also karma. As for me… I don’t get involved in karma.”
This theory left Ling Yi speechless. He really wanted to ask: Are you heartless?
Knowing your senior brother is my enemy, yet you still dare to befriend me?
Just then, the Enchantress spoke faintly in Ling Yi’s mind. “She cultivates Supreme Detachment.”
“Supreme Detachment?” Ling Yi was puzzled.
“Unmoved by emotions, undisturbed by feelings. Worldly matters, she merely observes coldly, without any interference.” The Enchantress said calmly. “She approaches you to cultivate the Dao.”
“How does approaching me help her cultivate the Dao?” Ling Yi found it even stranger.
“Fall in love with you, then forget you, and she can achieve Dao Enlightenment in a day.” said the Enchantress.
“Damn!”
Ling Yi twitched the corner of his mouth, thinking, What kind of Dao is this?
“What are you thinking?” Diwu Qianqian looked at Ling Yi. “Was I wrong?”
“I’m thinking you’d better not fall in love with me.” Ling Yi said seriously, looking at the girl.
“Hahaha, you’re so narcissistic! Ridiculous, what wishful thinking! Me, fall for you? Hahahaha!” Diwu Qianqian laughed exaggeratedly yet with a hint of guilt, wondering how he could know her plan.
She looked at Ling Yi. “Don’t worry, I just think you’re interesting and want to be your friend. I won’t fall in love with you!”
“Friends?”
“Yeah!”
“Then we’re friends now!” Ling Yi looked at Diwu Qianqian. “Sister Qianqian, as a friend, asking you for a small favor isn’t too much, right?”