Two mornings later, Chen Qing had just finished practicing the Qingmu Evergreen Art when a knock sounded at the courtyard gate.
When he opened it, a young man in the tight-fitting outfit of the Lihuo Institute stood outside.
The man was around twenty, tall and slender, with handsome features and a smile at his lips. He cupped his fists and said, "Junior Brother Chen Qing? I have long admired your name! I am Huang Dong of the Lihuo Institute. I hope you will forgive my presumptuous visit."
Chen Qing calmly sized him up. "Senior Brother Huang? What can I do for you?"
He had no impression of this man at all.
Huang Dong's smile widened, carrying a hint of easy familiarity. "I would not dare presume to instruct you. I heard that Junior Brother Chen displayed great might at Black Flood Dragon Shoals, taking on the Five Flood Dragons Stirring the River all by yourself. It is truly admirable! To possess such combat strength at the Transformation Force realm—your future is boundless!"
Chen Qing secretly frowned. The news had spread so quickly? It had even reached the ears of Lihuo Institute disciples?
"Senior Brother Huang is certainly well informed." Chen Qing's tone was flat, giving away neither pleasure nor displeasure.
"Haha, you flatter me."
Huang Dong stepped closer and lowered his voice. "To be honest, Junior Brother, I came today on behalf of Yan Yu Lou."
"Yan Yu Lou?" Chen Qing had vaguely heard the name before.
"Precisely."
A glint flashed through Huang Dong's eyes. "Yan Yu Lou is not a restaurant or teahouse, but rather... you could think of it as an organization of wind messengers. Our business is buying, selling, and spreading information. In the Prefecture City and even throughout Yunlin Prefecture, whether it is major or minor