A Clown, and the Old Fox Got Played
Lin Qingmo leaned against the vermilion pillars of the corridor, casually twirling a gleaming white jade pendant between her fingers.
He could perceive everything that happened to everyone in the room.
Tang San, who had just been talking eloquently to Ning Fengzhi, boasting about how amazing his Hidden Weapon, was now frozen in place.
His gaze was fixed on Xiao Wu a few steps away, his mind a complete blank.
He couldn't believe that those chilling words would come out of Xiao Wu's mouth.
The girl he had vowed to protect with everything he had was now looking at him with eyes that were hardened with ice.
"Xiao Wu, I..."
Tang San's tongue seemed to be tied in knots, and countless excuses were swirling wildly in his mind.
He wanted to explain that he wasn't what she thought he was.
He wanted to tell Xiao Wu that he had always been doing this to protect her.
He wanted to tell Xiao Wu that everything he did always put her first.
But when the words reached his lips, he couldn't utter a single one.
The disgust in Xiao Wu's eyes was like a bucket of ice water, freezing all his excuses in his throat, making them seem pale and ridiculous.
Zhu Zhuqing, standing beside him, crossed her arms, her cold gaze fixed on Tang San, her disdain undisguised.
Zhu Zhuqing spoke up, "Tang San, back in Shrek, you always made things difficult for A-Qing."
"You and your teacher are both narrow-minded and intolerant of people who are better than you."
"That's right, you're just that petty person!"
Ning Rongrong jumped to Xiao Wu's other side and made a big face at Tang San, her face full of undisguised disgust.
"You should take a good look at yourself!"
"If I were you, I wouldn't dare show my face in front of Xiao Wu, right, A-Qing?"
She looked at Lin Qingmo.
Lin Qingmo silent, a faint smile playing on her lips.
The situation on the field was clear at a glance.
Everyone present stood by him.
Not a single person spoke up for Tang San, not even a hint of reassurance in their eyes.
"I..."
Tang San's face first turned bright red, as if he had been slapped a dozen times in public, and then turned deathly pale.
Finally, a layer of iron-blue hue covered his face, and even his jawline was taut.
He was trembling uncontrollably, and even the tips of his fingers hanging at his sides were shaking slightly.
Standing there, like a puppet whose soul had been taken away, his body swayed precariously.
The last shred of dignity was shattered by the gazes of everyone present.
He was a complete clown, putting on a huge joke in front of everyone.
A good, long time passed.
Tang San barely managed to regain a sliver of his sanity from that extreme collapse and humiliation.
Upon seeing this, Ning Rongrong immediately turned around and rushed to Ning Fengzhi's side.
She gripped Ning Fengzhi's sleeve tightly with both hands and shook it, her chin held high, and said arrogantly, word by word:
"Dad, you absolutely must not cooperate with him!"
"That person is awful! He bullies Xiao Wu and harasses A-Qing. I hate him so much!"
Ning Fengzhi lowered his eyes to look at his beloved daughter in front of him, his eyes filled with boundless doting affection.
He reached out and smoothed her frizzy hair.
His gaze then swept over Lin Qingmo, who was standing calmly not far away.
After a quick thought, a clear decision was made.
On one side is this kid named Tang San.
Their origins are unknown, and they dare not even reveal their real names.
He thinks he can come and discuss cooperation with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect by using a pseudonym.
No matter how exquisite his Hidden Weapon are.
He is cold-hearted and of low character.
Most importantly, my darling daughter hates him.
How much value can such a person bring to a partnership?
On the other side was Lin Qingmo.
Despite his young age, his Soul Power Level is very high.
Even Sword Douluo Chen Xin was amazed after examining it.
With him approaching 12 years old, he's undoubtedly a child prodigy.
He was also Ning Rongrong's closest friend, and Ning Rongrong relationship was far closer than that of Tang San.
Moreover, her own precious daughter had already made it clear that she openly disliked Tang San.
The choice is obvious; there's no need for further hesitation.
"Okay, Dad will do whatever you say."
Ning Fengzhi smiled and ruffled Ning Rongrong's hair, then pulled her to his side to protect her.
He then turned to look at Tang San, and the smile on his face faded.
His tone was calm, yet left no room for negotiation. "I apologize, young friend Tang San, but your use of a false name to trade with my sect demonstrates that you have absolutely no sincerity towards this cooperation."
"Moreover, my Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is unwilling to cooperate with people of questionable character."
Let's call this collaboration a day.
With a single, casual remark, all possibilities of cooperation were completely and utterly rejected.
"!!!"
Tang San's eyes instantly turned red.
Humiliation, anger, and resentment surged to the top of my head all at once.
He wanted to explode, to question, to roar at Ning Fengzhi.
I want to ask him what gives him the right to negate all his efforts with just one sentence.
But his remaining rationality allowed him to control himself.
He gritted his teeth and swallowed all his emotions.
He understood better than anyone that he couldn't afford to offend the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect right now.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin, standing right next to Ning Fengzhi, wouldn't even need to make a move; his mere aura would be enough to easily crush him in his current state.
He has neither the right nor the capital to act here.
His gums ached from biting so hard, and the strong taste of blood spread in his mouth, bringing him back to his senses after being overwhelmed by anger.
Ning Fengzhi, with an indifferent expression Ning Rongrong, full of arrogance; Zhu Zhuqing, with a cold and disdainful look; Lin Qingmo, with a playful expression; and Xiao Wu, with an icy Xiao Wu...
Tang San memorized their expressions deeply.
Finally, he forced out a few words through gritted teeth. "Fine... goodbye!"
After saying that, he turned and left, his steps so fast it was almost like he was fleeing.
His figure looked disheveled and quickly disappeared at the end of the corridor.
No one saw the overwhelming resentment surging in his eyes the moment he turned away.
Lin Qingmo of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, I, Tang San, will remember this humiliation you have suffered today.
You have all already chosen your own path to death!
One day, I will repay you a hundredfold!
The atmosphere in the corridor gradually eased.
Ning Fengzhi turned around, his gaze falling on Lin Qingmo, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Young friend Lin, it seems you and this Tang San have quite a grudge."
"There is some past grievance."
Lin Qingmo smiled and gave a casual reply.
He gently stroked the edge of the jade pendant with his fingertips, a strange look in his eyes.
Having read the original Douluo Continent novel, he understood Ning Fengzhi's thoughts all too well.
The sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect values most the idea that "the Upper Three Sects are of one mind and unite to fight against the Spirit Hall."
In order to win over the Clear Sky Sect, which had been in seclusion for many years.
He was even willing to use all the resources of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect to pave the way for Tang San.
They regarded Tang San as the core of the future alliance of the Upper Three Sects and a key figure in the fight against the Spirit Hall.
But today.
This cunning and shrewd sect leader, completely unaware that Tang San was Tang Hao's only son, utterly offended this core ally he most wanted to win over in the future, right in front of everyone.
Lin Qingmo could even vividly imagine the incredible expression on Ning Fengzhi's face when he learned Tang San's true identity.
It's probably a hundred times more unpleasant than swallowing a whole fly.
He looked up and gazed at the end of the corridor, in the direction where Tang San had disappeared.
A playful smile curled at the corner of his lips.