"I've been kicked out of the martial hall?"
In a private room on the second floor of Little Prosperity Tower, Lu Chen's hand paused around his wine cup.
Lanterns were beginning to glow outside the window, and voices clamored beneath the restaurant. Yet at that moment, the noise seemed a thousand miles away.
Lu Chen looked up at Chen Chong.
Chen Chong sat across from him, his expression conflicted. His lips moved, but for a moment he could not find the words.
The dishes on the table were still hot, and faint wisps of steam rose from the wine pot, but neither of them touched his chopsticks.
After a while, Chen Chong said quietly, "Junior Brother Lu, this... Master decided it himself."
Lu Chen fell silent for a moment. "Because I didn't agree to join the Huang Family?"
Chen Chong gave a bitter smile and nodded.
"You've snubbed the Huang Family twice."
"This time, the Huang Family was working with the martial hall. They wanted you to resign from your position at the Wang Firm and come under their banner, but you didn't agree."
"Huang Jue lost his temper on the spot. He said you didn't know what was good for you and had defied your master's orders."
"He demanded that Master take a stand."
Lu Chen's gaze chilled. "So Master expelled me to appease the Huang Family?"
Embarrassment flashed across Chen Chong's face, but he explained anyway. "Master places great importance on working with the Huang Family now."
"These past years haven't been easy for the Hidden Dragon Martial Hall. Things finally started looking up after the Gathering of Heroes, and the Huang Family is willing to provide resources."
"Master felt... he couldn't let one person jeopardize the martial hall's future."
Lu Chen could understand Qin Wuhe's decision.
After