Li Qiurong's magnanimity put Chen Jinzhao's mind somewhat at ease.
At least he was sure his mother wouldn't do anything foolish because of this. He swore to Li Qiurong that he would find his father's whereabouts.
Li Qiurong said to Chen Jinzhao, "You don't need to waste too much energy searching for him. He would be unhappy if he knew. Just mind your own business, understand?"
Chen Jinzhao slowly clenched his fist.
"Xiao Wu and Xiao Hu have already set off to search. They are heading north, and perhaps they can find your father's whereabouts," Li Qiurong said. Chen Jinzhao opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. Then, Li Qiurong patted Chen Jinzhao's shoulder and said, "Before he left, he told me not to look for him if you managed to return alive. You've already started your own family, and you should focus more on that."
In the end.
Chen Jinzhao did not insist.
However, he noticed a hint of melancholy in his mother's retreating figure, making her appear solitary.
This made him, as her son, feel uneasy.
Yu Mengzhi knew Chen Jinzhao was in a bad mood, so she put down her work and accompanied Chen Jinzhao with their daughter, Chen Sinian. This helped Chen Jinzhao's taut nerves relax somewhat. Chen Jinzhao took advantage of this leisure time for reflection.
During this period, Chen Jinzhao discovered another issue.
That was, his strength was still slowly improving, meaning that even people in the same realm might have significant differences in strength. For example, when Chen Jinzhao was still S-class, his strength was already greater than that of ordinary people.
This implied that even among those in the Shackles realm, there were distinctions in strength.
"Then how should these differences in strength be distinguished?" Chen Jinzhao's question had no one to answer for the moment.
At the same time.
Chen Jinzhao was still trying to see if he could enter the Yaoguang realm.
But he was like a headless fly, with no direction at all.
"Forget it."
"I haven't even figured out the Shackles realm yet, so there's no point talking about the Yaoguang realm," Chen Jinzhao muttered to himself.
After a period of rest, Chen Jinzhao set off on his journey again.
This time, Chen Jinzhao's destination was Lingnan.
When Chen Jinzhao's private jet landed on the tarmac, the Southern Heavenly King, Li Erzhou, personally came to the airport to greet him.
Li Erzhou originally belonged to the Qin family's faction.
However, before the Qin family was eliminated, Li Erzhou seemed to have sensed something unusual, so he actively contacted Xu Hanchen to pledge allegiance. He provided Xu Hanchen with great assistance in subsequent actions, thus remaining unmoved during that turmoil.
Although Li Erzhou was already in his eighties, due to his good maintenance, he looked like he was in his sixties, showing no signs of aging.
Li Erzhou was very enthusiastic towards Chen Jinzhao. He walked up and shook Chen Jinzhao's hand, saying, "I've finally met you. You are indeed as wise and powerful as the rumors say, with the demeanor of a great leader! Xu Hanchen didn't choose the wrong person. China will surely reach new heights under your leadership."
"An enduring legacy, forged today!"
Hearing Li Erzhou's words, Chen Jinzhao's expression remained calm, his eyes devoid of any ripple.
"Old Master Li is too kind. The achievements I have gained so far are merely by chance. I have come to Lingnan this time hoping you can do me a favor."
Li Erzhou immediately said, "You are being too formal by saying such things. Please state whatever you need. If our Li family can help, we will not refuse."
Chen Jinzhao nodded.
However, the airport was not the place to discuss such matters. Moreover, despite Li Erzhou's enthusiasm, it was likely just a formality.
The Southern Heavenly King held sway over Lingnan and could disregard orders from the capital.
This was Li Erzhou's basis of confidence.
"Let's go to the lounge first. It's not convenient here," Chen Jinzhao said.
Li Erzhou smiled and said, "Wait a moment, I've brought someone with me today."
"Xiaoning, quickly greet General Chen!"
Only then did Chen Jinzhao notice Li Xiaoning, who was standing not far away. Li Xiaoning walked timidly to Chen Jinzhao and called out hesitantly, "General Chen."
Seeing this woman again, Chen Jinzhao felt as if a lifetime had passed.
Li Erzhou continued, "When I learned that Xiaoning went to the far north for me, I canceled her engagement with Tang Renping. Xiaoning also told me she wanted to develop in the capital, so I wanted to shamelessly use my influence to send her there. Do you agree?"
Chen Jinzhao looked deeply at Li Erzhou, how could he not understand his intentions?
The Li family had always acted with prudence. They clearly intended to use Li Xiaoning as a tool for an alliance, binding the Li family and Chen Jinzhao together.
The current Chen Jinzhao was no longer the young man who said whatever came to mind. He smiled insincerely and said, "Whether she enters the capital or not should be her own decision; I don't have the final say."
Li Erzhou thought, had Chen Jinzhao not understood his words?
That shouldn't be the case...
After a moment of thought, Li Erzhou understood Chen Jinzhao's meaning. He secretly thought that Chen Jinzhao had also become thick-skinned and cunning, speaking in a way that allowed no speculation about his true thoughts.
"Another sly fox," he thought.
Li Erzhou smiled and said, "Xiaoning, whether you want to stay in Lingnan or go to the capital is your own decision. I won't force you."
Li Xiaoning surprisingly said, "I want to stay in Lingnan."
Li Erzhou was clearly surprised.
Going to the capital would allow her to get closer to Chen Jinzhao, and he knew Li Xiaoning likely had some feelings for Chen Jinzhao. Why would she choose to stay in Lingnan now? Before he could understand, Chen Jinzhao said to Li Xiaoning, "That's right. I've heard that every head of the Li family can be called the Southern Heavenly King. I look forward to the Li family producing a heroine."
Li Erzhou's smile became stiff.
What did Chen Jinzhao mean by this? Was he trying to appoint the next head of the Li family?
He couldn't fathom Chen Jinzhao's intentions and could only interrupt their conversation, "Xiaoning is indeed a good girl, but these tasks are too arduous for her. Let her gradually adapt to this rhythm."
"Little Chen, shall we move to the lounge?"
The two entered the VIP lounge.
Li Erzhou flattered Chen Jinzhao again, but Chen Jinzhao was completely unmoved. He had to abandon this approach and turned to say, "By the way, what brings you to Lingnan? I heard you've encountered some trouble recently. Why don't you tell me, and I'll see if the Li family can help?"
Chen Jinzhao did not stand on ceremony with Li Erzhou. "The Li family has been established in Lingnan for a hundred years, so you should be well-informed about Lingnan's affairs. Therefore, I wanted to ask if Old Master Li has heard of the Wu family, a reclusive noble family?"
Li Erzhou immediately shook his head and said, "No, I am well-informed about all the families in Lingnan, big and small. Most of these families are clan groups in certain cities, and some are dependents of the Li family. However, I have not heard of any family surnamed Wu among them."
Chen Jinzhao showed a disappointed expression.
However, he didn't feel that way internally, because Li Erzhou's answer was too quick, without any hesitation.
The more this was the case, the more it indicated that Li Erzhou definitely knew something.
He was deliberately concealing information about the Wu family!
Chen Jinzhao wondered if he should take this opportunity to hang and beat this old rascal Li Erzhou.
Li Erzhou suddenly shivered, and a chill ran down his spine.
Is this haunted?