Chapter 358: The Long Spear

After obtaining this weapon, Ling Chen still hadn’t had the time to properly study it. Today, Qin Wu’s actions had sparked a strong interest in it.

The weapon was laid out in front of him, held up by Ling Chen’s hands for closer inspection. At the top of the cylindrical body, there was a clever mechanism that controlled the extension and retraction of the sword blade. The surface of the cylinder was etched with many patterns, and it felt quite heavy in hand. However, it seemed that besides these features, there were no other special functions.

Moments passed, and Ling Chen couldn’t help but doubt: could it be that Qin Wu hadn’t deceived him? Was her determination to obtain this weapon simply because it held special significance for her sect?

Lost in thought, Ling Chen casually maneuvered the weapon, his eyes reflecting contemplation.

Suddenly, the astute Ling Chen noticed a thin seam in the middle of the cylinder, hard to spot due to the overlaying patterns. He immediately grasped both ends of the cylinder and gently twisted.

Click!

With a soft sound, the middle part of the cylinder began to rotate. At the same time, the cylinder, initially only a foot in length, rapidly extended from both ends, transforming into a six-foot long staff. Not only that, when he pressed the clever mechanism, a sharp sword blade suddenly protruded from the top of the staff, instantly turning the staff into a long spear.

Tsk, tsk!

Ling Chen’s eyes lit up. So this was it. He had to admit, even calling this craftsmanship heaven-defying wouldn’t be an overstatement. After all, this weapon was crafted hundreds of years ago. To produce something so intricate in an era with such limited technology was quite the feat.

However, as ingenious as this weapon was, it likely wasn’t the main reason that attracted Qin Wu. There must be other secrets hidden within it.

Sadly, after over two hours of searching, Ling Chen had examined every part and found nothing else. Regardless, having this exquisitely made weapon suited his taste well, and it wouldn’t hurt to keep it by his side.

...

Night fell.

After having dinner with Nanrong Wanqing and Su Lin, Ling Chen sat on the living room sofa, legs on the coffee table, holding a remote control, idly flipping through channels.

At this moment, the ringtone of his mobile phone echoed from his pocket. Ling Chen pulled out his phone, glanced at the unfamiliar caller ID, and answered the call with a "hello."

"Mr. Ling."

Hearing the caller’s voice, Ling Chen immediately knew who it was: Zhu Yansong, the top producer from Silver Star Entertainment Company.

"Mr. Zhu, is there something you need?"

There was a hint of anxiety in Zhu Yansong’s tone as he urgently said, "Mr. Ling, there’s a problem with Miss Tang."

"Tang Shiyun?" Ling Chen’s heart sank as he hurriedly asked, "Has something happened to her?"

"No, no, no, she’s safe. It’s about Miss Tang’s mother. After you helped rescue Miss Tang from the kidnappers, Miss Yao wasn’t satisfied with how our company handled the situation and wants to take Miss Tang out of Silver Star Entertainment to join another company." Zhu Yansong sighed. "President Yang and I have tried persuading her, but Miss Yao is hell-bent on severing ties with us."

That idiotic woman!

Ling Chen frowned slightly. Truthfully, he had no fondness for Yao Li; she was too mercenary, only considering immediate benefits without thinking about her daughter’s feelings.

"Mr. Zhu, what’s the situation now?"

"Mr. Ling, it’s not clear over the phone. How about this? When you have time, come to Silver Star Entertainment, and we can talk in person."

"Alright, I’ll be there right away."

After hanging up the phone, Ling Chen greeted Nanrong Wanqing and then drove alone to the headquarters of Silver Star Entertainment. Shortly after he left, a neatly dressed Nanrong Wanqing came out of the room and went straight out the door.

Su Lin, who was watching TV, couldn’t help but ask, "Wanqing, where are you going?"

"Just something to do."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No need, I’ve got Zhong Wei and the others with me. You stay home."

Su Lin responded and continued watching the TV program, not asking any further.

Leaving the Nanrong home, Nanrong Wanqing didn’t take any security personnel with her, but went alone to the entrance of Wealthy Manor. Then, she took out her cell phone and dialed a number, saying, "I’m here."

A few minutes passed, and a white Honda van drove up from the side of the road and stopped next to Nanrong Wanqing.

The car door opened. Nanrong Wanqing looked at the person in the car, didn’t say a word, and directly got in. The car started and soon merged into the flow of traffic, disappearing from view.

At this moment, Ling Chen had already driven to the entrance of Silver Star Entertainment’s headquarters. As soon as he got out of the car, Zhu Yansong, who had been waiting at the entrance, hurried over.

"Mr. Ling, I’m terribly sorry for the inconvenience of having you come all the way here late at night."

"It’s okay." Ling Chen said nonchalantly, waving his hand and asked, "Where is Shiyun?"

"Still in the meeting room. During this period of time, Miss Yao covertly got in touch with another company, and now she’s leading them in negotiations with President Yang."

"Negotiations? About what?"

"Compensation." Zhu Yansong explained. "Initially, Miss Tang signed a ten-year contract with our company. If she unilaterally breaches the contract, she will need to pay a large sum of compensation, about 200 million. Miss Yao cannot afford this amount, so it has to be paid by another company."

Ling Chen nodded to himself. Tang Shiyun’s fame is considerable; as long as she continues to be promoted, any company that takes over will be able to reap huge profits in the future. Naturally, there are companies willing to pay about 200 million in compensation.

"What’s President Yang’s attitude?"

"He certainly doesn’t want to let her go. Miss Tang is someone we’ve cultivated with countless resources, and now that we’ve finally achieved results, who would want to give away the benefits?"

Zhu Yansong felt somewhat helpless as he continued, "The key issue now is still Miss Yao. If she doesn’t relent, it probably will be difficult to keep Miss Tang."

"Mr. Zhu, how about this? Could you please call Shiyun out for me and arrange a place for us to talk alone?"

"Sure, no problem."

Upon entering Silver Star Entertainment Company, Zhu Yansong took Ling Chen to his office and said, "Mr. Ling, please wait here a moment while I go call Miss Tang."

In less than five minutes, the door of the office was pushed open from the outside. Following that, Tang Shiyun, dressed in plain goose-yellow casual wear, came in. Tang Shiyun was dressed simply but it could not hide her natural beauty. However, her slightly red eyes appeared as if she had just been crying, and there were still tears lingering in the corners of her eyes, looking vulnerable and pitiful.

Upon opening the door and seeing Ling Chen in the office, Tang Shiyun was momentarily taken aback; it seemed she hadn’t expected Ling Chen to be there and froze on the spot.

Ling Chen gave a wry smile and said, "You little girl."

Hearing the familiar nickname, Tang Shiyun’s tears broke free like a flood, unable to stop them from gushing out, erupting all her emotions.

"Ling."

With a tender shout, Tang Shiyun threw herself into Ling Chen’s arms, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.