"Enough, you don't need to say any more!" Qian Renxue angrily interrupted Meyers. There was no need to ask further; she could already guess what would come next—definitely more nasty insults. "Meyers, I'll spare your life for now. Lead the way. Let's settle accounts with that brat."
Qian Renxue was very displeased. She could tolerate Tianlin insulting Bibi Dong since, after all, Bibi Dong was her biological mother, and sometimes Qian Renxue herself wanted to curse at her.
But why insult her father? If not for the unbridgeable gap in status and position between them, Qian Renxue was confident she could outcompete Ning Rongrong fairly, and by then, her father would be Tianlin's father-in-law.
That Xiao Tian was very respectful to Ning Fengzhi, but so rude to her father—it made her angry.
…
Inside the first floor of the Blacksmith Association, Tianlin, as the master, was a VIP here. He was currently sitting by the window, calmly drinking tea hand-in-hand with Ning Rongrong.
Across from them, Ma Hongjun continued to show affection to Bai Chenxiang, acting like a warm, caring man—but not a sycophant. A true sycophant is someone who keeps fawning over someone who ignores them entirely.
However, thanks to Tianlin and Qin Ming's guidance, Ma Hongjun's spirit and demeanor were far better than in the original story. Plus, since Bai Chenxiang had already recognized his excellence, she wasn't entirely indifferent to him.
Now, their relationship had developed to the point where, during meals, Ma Hongjun would serve her a piece of braised pork, and she'd fill his cup with fine wine.
Mutually caring for each other—their relationship was progressing well.
"Hehe, it looks like when we get home, Hongjun won't have to climb up to the rooftop alone at night to look at the moon anymore!" Ning Rongrong teased with a laugh.
She had always noticed Ma Hongjun's single status among all their friends, and she knew how difficult it was for him to watch others show affection while he remained alone.
But there wasn't much she could do; she'd introduced him to all the girls she could, but unfortunately, the sect's girls had become too picky thanks to Tianlin. She'd done her best. If anyone was to blame, it was Tianlin.
As for showing less affection in front of Ma Hongjun—how could that be? It's just like Dragon Duke: after finally reaching the Title Douluo level, he had to show off.
If you're in love but don't show it off, you lose half the fun.
Just then, the doors of the Blacksmith Association were suddenly pushed open, and a large group of people strode in. It was still early morning—not even business hours. Clearly, this group had barged in.
"Who dares to force their way into my Blacksmith Association!" Si Long shouted angrily.
He had just become association president yesterday, and now someone barged in today—where was his dignity?
"Hmph, Si Long, get out of the way, this has nothing to do with you," Meyers stepped forward. "We're here for Jun Tianlin. He insulted our Spirit Hall Pope the other day. Today, with several elders from Spirit Hall here, we'll make sure this bastard pays for it—"
Slap! Slap!
While Meyers was speaking with great enthusiasm, he was suddenly slapped on both cheeks without even noticing—one on each side, perfectly symmetrical, though the marks were of different sizes.
"Meyers, if you don't want your tongue, I can cut it out for you," Tianlin said, coming out holding Ning Rongrong's hand.
Ma Hongjun instantly took on his Phoenix form, standing protectively in front of Bai Chenxiang. This group was here with ill intent.
"Damn you, Jun Tianlin! You're about to die, yet you dare slap me? I'll pay you back two hundred times over!" Meyers shouted.
Tianlin smiled calmly, "Don't frame me. I only slapped you once. The other slap was from my former best brother, helping me teach you a lesson. Right, Sister Xue?"
Tianlin looked past the Spirit Hall crowd. Three figures with entirely different auras stepped forward, led by Qian Renxue. The other two were Snake Lance Douluo She Long (an old acquaintance), and another elder Tianlin had never met.
Qian Renxue looked at Tianlin with a complicated expression. "Xiao Tian, long time no see!"
No matter how many times She Long had warned her, when the two finally met, she immediately forgot all advice and subconsciously called him "Xiao Tian".
Tianlin, in turn, had only changed from calling her "Big Brother Xue" to "Sister Xue"—as if nothing ever changed.
This scene made Ning Rongrong frown. Sure enough, compared to the girls in the sect, this woman was her real rival for life.
Other than herself, she'd never seen Tianlin so happy to see another girl.
"Milady, did you hear? Not only did this guy hit me, but he's also trying to frame you for it and sow discord!" Meyers, the ever-annoying third wheel, jumped out at the perfect moment.
Ning Rongrong couldn't help but give him a thumbs up in her heart. "Well done, Mr. Meyers. For this, I'll make sure Brother Sword leaves you an intact corpse!"
She was satisfied, but Qian Renxue was not. She coldly glared at Meyers. "Xiao Tian wasn't sowing discord. That second slap was from me."
"Milady, why would you do that?" Miles was both aggrieved and confused.
"Just for calling him a bastard, you deserve to die. He and I were sworn siblings—closer than blood. To insult him is no different from insulting me. So, do you think I was wrong to hit you?"
Meyers was dumbfounded. Weren't Spirit Hall and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect mortal enemies? How was this big shot from the Worship Hall sworn siblings with the vice-sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect?
Don't tell me, the future continental war is just you two fighting a family feud.
And today—are we here for trouble or a reunion?
"Sister Xue, why did you come here today?" Tianlin asked.
"Didn't you lure me here on purpose? I should be asking you that," Qian Renxue replied with a smile—she had seen through Tianlin's plans. She spread her six angel wings and flew into the air. "Xiao Tian, too many people and loose tongues here. Meet me outside the city; let's speak privately."
"Alright!" Tianlin nodded, summoned his magic sword, and prepared to follow.
"Brother Sword, I'm coming too!" Ning Rongrong tugged his sleeve, unwilling to let the two be alone.
"Rongrong, be good this time. Wait here for me. Don't worry, I'll be back soon." Tianlin said seriously.
She rarely saw him this serious. Ning Rongrong realized that his meeting with Qian Renxue wasn't for romance. She had matured and was no longer as willful. Letting go, she nodded, "Okay! I'll wait for you."
"Good girl!" Tianlin smiled, ruffling her hair, then flew out of the city on his sword.
He wasn't worried about safety. Dragon Duke and Snake Lady had already come downstairs. With their combined powers—one at peak Title Douluo and the other at Soul Sage level—plus Ning Rongrong's support, dealing with two 92nd- and 93rd-level Title Douluos was no problem.
As for Meyers, though he was a Soul Emperor, Ma Hongjun, as a Soul King, could teach him a lesson within ten moves.
Not to mention that Ning Rongrong also had a technique that could kill a Title Douluo, and a talisman to instantly summon Chen Xin. If a fight broke out, Spirit Hall would definitely be wiped out.