When Lin Suo left, the rest fell into a dejected silence, all the fight having left their slumped shoulders.
They had fought over Lu Qing’er, and now that the Golden Dragon Qi was half gone, there was no real golden goose to speak of.
Their plan to ride her to riches was over now.
Li Luo ignored them all, moving to Lu Qing’er’s side. Taking hold of her wrist, he started to impart wood resonant power into her to clear the poison.
A moment later, her lashes fluttered and she stirred.
“Qing’er, are you alright?” Li Luo helped her up with concern.
She winced. “There’s a weird hollowness in me… I think the Golden Dragon Qi has been half taken away from me. But otherwise, I’m fine.”
Although she had been paralyzed, she had still retained her senses, and so she knew that it was Lin Suo who had attacked her.
Li Luo was just happy that she was fine. Had anything happened to her, Yu Hongxi would be after him.
After he ascertained that she was fine, he turned to Zhao Ziyang and the others. “Now that we have no more gold source to depend on, what are your plans?”
“We’re definitely going to look for Lin Suo.”
Zhao Ziyang considered Li Luo’s declaration. “Lin Suo is a Third Changing. Even three-on-one, you can’t beat him. Not even any one of our squads could beat him three-on-one.”
“If you’re going after Lin Suo, we can’t help you. We have our own mission to fulfill.”
Now that the Golden Dragon Qi was gone, Lu Qing’er no longer held the same value that they had. Zhao Ziyang had no wish to tangle with a Third Changing over nothing.
Li Luo accepted his reasons. To each their own.
“Well, in that case, let’s part ways here.” Li Luo shrugged.
Zhao Ziyang nodded. He hesitated, then spoke again. “I suggest you not go find Lin Suo. A Third Changing is more than you can handle.”
Li Luo just blinked, unconcerned.
Zhao Ziyang saw that Li Luo had no intention of being dissuaded, and turned away, leading his squad off.
The other squads lingered a little, in denial and regret, but they eventually went their own ways as well.
Gu Ying beckoned to Li Luo before leaving, and spoke quietly to him when he came near. “I won’t suggest you not go looking for Lin Suo. On the contrary, I urge that you hunt him down no matter what, and see that the Golden Dragon Qi is returned to Lu Qing’er.”
“What do you mean?”
Gu Ying turned to look at the green-haired beauty behind them. “Do you think she is unharmed after half the Golden Dragon Qi was suddenly taken from her? I don’t think she’s telling you everything. I saw some information in the archives of the Golden Dragon Bank before. The Golden Dragon Qi is a special bequest and a mark. Those marked by it will be richly rewarded when they enter Golden Dragon Mountain.
“Now that Lu Qing’er’s Golden Dragon Qi is spoiled, it will affect her future greatly. Perhaps even her fate.
“I don’t know what’s up with that Lin Suo… but he not only knew about these secrets, he lay low in your Xia Kingdom squad until this chance appeared. I think everything that happens from now on will have grave implications. I suggest you get the Golden Dragon Qi back if possible.”
Gu Ying threw her hands up. “How you go about that, I have no idea. Lin Suo is very strong, and not even I can take him on. You three… might have to pray for heavenly intervention.
“I’m telling you all this as thanks for helping me treat my wounds,” she said begrudgingly before she left.
Li Luo brooded over her words. Gu Ying had simply confirmed his suspicions that not everything was well with Lu Qing’er.
He turned towards her.
“What did she say?”
“She said it’s best we get the Golden Dragon Qi back from Lin Suo,” Li Luo said vaguely.
Lu Qing’er’s eyes widened even as she averted them. “But we… Actually, there’s no need, I think… the Golden Dragon Qi was just a plus—we won’t miss it.”
“Qing’er, you’re looking down on me,” Li Luo said sternly.
Lu Qing’er looked up, horrified. “Li Luo, I would never!”
“Hey, you’re just worried that I can’t take Lin Suo on.
“But I even took on a Heavenly Disaster Class Other. Why would I be scared of that guy? He IS uglier than an Other though, I’ll grant you that.”
“Li Luo, I’m not looking down on you, I just think there’s no need to take such a risk…”
“Childish,” Li Luo said dismissively. “Lin Suo is no risk at all. Let me tell you this. If I left things as they were and went back to meet your mom, that would be a real risk!”
“Don’t say bad things about my mom,” Lu Qing’er sulked.
But she knew the truth of it, and no one knew Yu Hongxi’s personality better than she did. If she found out that Li Luo had sat by and done nothing after the Golden Dragon Qi was taken, she would not only be disappointed, her impression of Li Luo would fall as well.
“If it really comes to that, I’ll never be able to set foot in the Golden Dragon Bank without fearing that your mother will cut that foot off. We might never meet again.”
Lu Qing’er’s chest heaved at the thought, her eyes forlorn. She suddenly looked up at him.
“Li Luo.”
There was icy fury in her eyes all of a sudden.
“Help me find that Lin Suo… we’ll tear him up and feed him to the dogs!”
