Chapter 225: Challenge

"Tiger List’s Tenth?" Nanrong Wanqing, who was beside them, couldn’t help but express her interest upon hearing their conversation, curiously asking, "What is the Tiger List’s Tenth?"

Jiang Yunkai gave a slight smile. "You haven’t told your girlfriend? I can’t tell, but you’re quite good at hiding." He paused for a moment, then explained, "Beauty, there are four rankings of top masters in the world, known as the Heavenly List, Earthly List, Dragon List, and Tiger List, each list containing ten people. The Heavenly List is the highest, while the Tiger List is at the bottom, and your boyfriend is ranked tenth on the Tiger List."

Nanrong Wanqing looked at Ling Chen. "Tenth on the Tiger List—isn’t that the weakest?"

Er...

Ling Chen and Jiang Yunkai looked at each other, lost for words.

"What’s wrong? Did I say something incorrect?" Wanqing, seeing their expressions, asked in confusion.

"No, you didn’t say anything wrong. The Tenth on the Tiger List is indeed the weakest," Ling Chen said with a smile, burying his head in eating the rice noodle roll in his bowl.

Jiang Yunkai patiently explained, "Beauty, you can’t say it like that. There are millions practicing martial arts, and only forty people can be on the lists; each one is a top master among millions. Do you know how many people devote their whole lives just aiming to be on a list? Your boyfriend is only in his twenties and already ranked Tenth on the Tiger List, which is a very impressive accomplishment."

Hearing this, Wanqing’s gaze towards Ling Chen was filled with admiration. She knew Ling Chen was formidable, but she hadn’t realized his prowess was to this extent. With over a billion people in Huaxia, only forty had the qualifications to be on the list, and she obviously knew what that meant.

At that thought, she suddenly realized that she actually didn’t know much about Ling Chen’s past. She was also unaware of what he had been through over the years to earn such achievements.

Faced with Jiang Yunkai’s praises, Ling Chen modestly said, "Don’t say that. In Huaxia, there are hidden dragons and crouching tigers, unknown masters concealing their names. Compared to them, I’m not that outstanding; being on the list is just due to good luck."

"Luck is also part of one’s strength," Jiang Yunkai said as he stood up, gave a respectful fist salute towards Ling Chen, and said earnestly, "I’ve wanted to challenge the masters of the Tiger List for a long time. Last month, I even sent a challenge card to Mr. Ye, planning to go to the capital to have a friendly sparring with him. Now that you’ve taken the Tenth rank on the Tiger List, I hope you can give me a chance."

"Now?"

"Yes, right now!"

"Sorry." Ling Chen shook his head, refusing. "I’m not in the mood for a sparring contest right now, but how about this? Leave your phone number with me, and I’ll call you when I’m free."

Jiang Yunkai glanced at Nanrong Wanqing, mistaking the refusal as Ling Chen not wanting to fight in front of his girlfriend, and said, "Alright then."

Having left his phone number, Jiang Yunkai got up and said, "I won’t disturb you two any longer. Ling Chen, remember to call me."

"Definitely."

After Jiang Yunkai left, Nanrong Wanqing asked, "Are you really going to accept his challenge?"

"No choice. I can’t refuse; it’s the rule," Ling Chen shrugged helplessly. Ye Liangyong had once told him that any challenge must be accepted. Although it was somewhat troublesome, it was a rule set by the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Moreover, sparring with someone of similar skill level is also a kind of improvement for martial practitioners.

After finishing the rice noodle roll, Ling Chen took Nanrong Wanqing for a stroll around, buying some snacks, and it wasn’t until eleven-thirty that he took Wanqing back home.

Climbing back into the room, he held Nanrong Wanqing’s delicate body, gently placing her on the bed, then thoughtfully covered her with the blanket.

"Rest well; I’m heading back now."

Seeing him turn to leave, Nanrong Wanqing quickly stretched out her hand and grabbed his wrist.

"What’s wrong?"

Nanrong Wanqing’s face blushed as she asked, "Are you... coming over tomorrow?"

Ling Chen smiled. "Whenever you want, I’ll be there." As he was speaking, he reminded her, "By the way, don’t mention me in front of Zhu Hong."

"Why?"

"Don’t ask so many questions for now; I’ll explain the reasons to you later. Also, don’t worry about Haozi’s affair. Just go to work with peace of mind and take good care of the old master. I’ll take care of the rest."

"Okay."

Watching Ling Chen leave the balcony, Nanrong Wanqing turned over, resting her head on her hand, her eyes lightly closed, and it wasn’t long before she drifted into dreamland.

In her sleep, she seemed to dream about something joyful; her lips unconsciously lifted into a sweet smile.

...

The next day.

Nanrong Wanqing came down from upstairs to the dining room, just in time to see Zhu Hong coming out of his room.

"Wanqing, did you sleep well last night?"

"Pretty well." Recalling last night’s experience, her pretty face blushed, feeling blissful inside. At this moment, she just wished for night to come quickly so she could see Ling Chen again.

"Wanqing, I’ve contacted a friend who has some connections in East Sea City. I’ve mentioned Nanrong Hao’s situation to him, and he says he can help. I’ve made an appointment for you to meet him after breakfast."

Nanrong Wanqing’s lips parted, ready to say ’okay’, but remembering Ling Chen’s instructions from last night, she hesitated briefly and then gently shook her head: "I won’t go."

"Not go?" Zhu Hong was taken aback by her refusal, puzzled: "Why?"

As they spoke, Zhong Wei and Liang Zhao Hui walked in from outside.

"Chairman, the car is arranged."

"It’s getting late; we should go."

Zhu Hong hurriedly asked, "Where are you going?"

"To the company," Nanrong Wanqing replied indifferently. "Thank you for your help these past few days, but I’ve figured things out. Nanrong Hao’s situation is set in stone and cannot be changed. Given that, I might as well focus on Hongyu Group. I can’t allow the Nanrong Family to collapse entirely because of Nanrong Hao."

Hearing this, Zhu Hong’s expression changed.

"Wanqing..."

"There’s no need to say more. You should move back today; I’m not quite comfortable having a man living in the house."

Watching Nanrong Wanqing leave, Zhu Hong furrowed his brows, his complexion slightly ashen. He didn’t understand why her attitude had taken such a sudden turn since yesterday—could she have noticed something?

Impossible! He had been flawlessly discreet; she couldn’t possibly know.

But what infuriated him the most was Nanrong Wanqing’s last remark.

Not quite comfortable having a man living in the house?

Was Ling Chen not a man before? She could let Ling Chen live in her house, so why couldn’t he? Was there such a big difference between himself and Ling Chen in her eyes?

As he thought about it, a fierce rage began to burn within him, his eyes filled with a murderous intent.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down. Ling Chen was already dead; why bother with a dead man? There would be opportunities in the future, he thought. Sooner or later, he would make Nanrong Wanqing wholeheartedly follow him.

At that moment, a ringtone from a phone call suddenly sounded. He answered it and gave a simple "Hello". Whatever was said on the other side made his face change dramatically.