Standoff

"Ah!"

Hu Liena was stunned when she heard the message Le Ling wanted her to convey—and that Le Ling had directly called the Great Offering by name!

Were those really words she could say to those Offering Elders?

Because of the relationship between her teacher, Pope Bibi Dong, and the Qian Family, those Offering Elders had never thought much of her to begin with.

And now she had to tell them this? Was she sure she would not get beaten up?!

Seeing her troubled expression, Le Ling said, "Just convey those words for me. If they make things difficult for you, I'll come out myself. I won't let them hit you!"

"O... okay."

Even the usually bold Hu Liena felt uncertain now.

But she had just agreed to help. If she suddenly refused, it would seem rather disloyal.

Left with no choice, she could only brace herself and go out to deliver the message!

Hu Liena pulled open the door and stepped outside. Just then, Azure Luan, Guang Ling, Qian Jun, and Jiang Mo were walking over from farther down the corridor.

Seeing Hu Liena, the frivolous Jiang Mo was the first to speak. "Hey~ little fox, our Worship Hall is looking for someone. The captain of the guard said your room is the only one that has not been searched."

"If you know what's good for you, open the door and let us search. Otherwise, don't blame us for barging in!"

"Seventh Brother!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Azure Luan shot him a sidelong glance, silently reminding him to watch his tone!

Although none of them particularly liked Bibi Dong, Eldest Brother had given his orders. For the future development of Spirit Hall, it was better for them to maintain peace with Bibi Dong for the time being!

Warned by Third Brother, Jiang Mo immediately reined in his arrogant manner.

Qian Jun looked at Hu Liena and asked, "Is that woman in your room?"

Hu Liena nodded.

After hesitating for a moment, she forced herself to say, "Sister Le asked me to pass on a message. She does not wish to see the Great Offering. If you insist on barging in, then do not blame her for resisting!"

The moment she finished speaking, a bead of nervous sweat dripped from her forehead.

She had thought those words would have no effect, and that the four Offerings would still barge in—especially the temperamental Seventh Offering.

And that playful Fifth Offering too. The more she said that, the more he would want to barge in and have some fun!

Yet after she finished, not only did the four Offerings not get angry and force their way in, they merely exchanged calm looks.

Azure Luan said to the captain of the guard beside him, "Go back and inform the Great Offering that Miss Le Ling has been found. She is in the Papal Palace, but we cannot invite her out. Also relay what Miss Le Ling said just now."

"Yes, my lord."

The captain of the guard turned and left, hurrying toward the Worship Hall.

With the Coiling Dragon Staff in hand and both hands folded behind his head, Jiang Mo asked Azure Luan, "Third Brother, do you think Eldest Brother will rush straight to the Papal Palace after hearing this?"

Leaning against the wall, Guang Ling said excitedly, "If Eldest Brother comes himself, that will be fun! I've never seen Eldest Brother coax a woman before. This old man really wants to see it!"

Azure Luan glanced at the two of them and reminded them, "You two had better not scare Miss Le Ling. Eldest Brother has been searching for her for a long time. If you two scare her away, be careful or Eldest Brother will beat you up!"

"This old man will play with her every day. I guarantee she will not want to leave!" Guang Ling declared confidently.

Jiang Mo immediately chimed in, "Fifth Brother, take me along when you play!"

"Who wants to take you? Get lost!!"

Guang Ling shot him a disdainful look.

Azure Luan was speechless at the two of them.

He crossed his arms and leaned against a corner of the wall to wait, preferring not to watch.

Qian Jun laughed. Even the normally aloof Third Brother found these two a headache!

Listening to the four Offerings, Hu Liena became even more suspicious. Just what was Sister Le's relationship with the Great Offering?

From the looks of it, the four Offerings intended to stand guard outside her door.

Meanwhile, in the Worship Hall.

Qian Daoliu had originally been waiting in his room, but he could not sit still any longer and went to wait in the main hall.

At that moment, Steward Yao entered with the captain of the guard.

"Great Offering, Third Offering sent this subordinate to report. Miss Le Ling has been found. She is in Miss Hu Liena's room in the Papal Palace, but they could not invite her out."

"Furthermore, Miss Le Ling said she does not wish to see you. If Third Offering and the others barge in, then she can only resist! Those were Miss Le Ling's exact words."

The guard deliberately emphasized that the latter words were the young lady's exact words, lest the Great Offering mistake them for his own later!

After hearing the captain of the guard's report, Qian Daoliu's first feeling was joy.

It proved that the woman from earlier really was Ling'er. After searching for so many years, he had finally found her!

But Ling'er did not wish to see him now, which gave Qian Daoliu a headache.

After thinking it over, he decided he could only make the trip himself.

He was not worried that Third Brother and the others would fail to bring her back. Rather, he was worried that the four of them might hurt Le Ling!

With that thought, Qian Daoliu decisively left the Worship Hall and headed toward the Papal Palace.

Jin E, Lion, and Steward Yao watched as the Great Offering, who had always remained in the Worship Hall, actually walked out!

The three exchanged incredulous looks.

It seemed that Miss Le Ling held a very important place in the Great Offering's heart!

The front courtyard of the Papal Palace.

Hu Liena, standing outside the room, felt that this standoff could not continue.

She returned to the room, intending to persuade Le Ling.

"Sister Le, the four Offerings are all guarding the door, and the captain of the guard has already gone to inform the Great Offering. Why don't you go to the Worship Hall with them?"

Though Hu Liena did not know what relationship Le Ling had with the Great Offering, from the conversation between the four Offering Elders just now, she was at least certain that Le Ling would not be in danger if she went with them.

Hearing her persuasion, Le Ling did not respond. Instead, she walked to the windowsill and stood there silently.

As far as she was concerned, she was not afraid of danger.

But because Qian Daoliu had recognized her, she did not want to see that man right now!

Yet with four Douluo-level Offerings standing guard outside, she knew it would be impossible for her to escape.

Just as Le Ling was considering how to get out, a gentle voice sounded outside the door.

"Why are the four Offering Elders guarding my disciple's door so late at night?"

As the gentle voice fell, all the surrounding guards said in unison, "Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope."

The newcomer was Bibi Dong, the youngest Pope in Spirit Hall's history. She had assumed the position of Pope before the age of forty.

Seeing Bibi Dong arrive, Azure Luan replied indifferently with two words. "Seeking someone."

Seeking someone?

Bibi Dong looked at the four Offering Elders with a puzzled gaze.

The four did not offer any further explanation.

They only obeyed Qian Daoliu's orders. They had never been inclined to pay much attention to this Pope!

When Hu Liena inside the room heard her teacher's voice, she happily said to Le Ling, "Sister Le, my teacher—the Pope of Spirit Hall—is here."

As soon as she spoke, she hurried over and opened the door.

"Teacher, please come in."

Hu Liena opened the door without hesitation and let her teacher enter.

Bibi Dong glanced at the four men outside before walking straight into the room.

When the door opened, Azure Luan and the other three saw Le Ling inside, but they did not dare force their way in.

They feared that Miss Le Ling might be injured if she resisted, so they could only watch helplessly as the door closed again.

Thank you to Lan Che and Li Suihan for yesterday's rewards on Q Reading.

And thank you to everyone who gave the book recommendation votes and monthly votes on Q Reading and Qidian yesterday.