The semifinal pairings came out soon afterward. Huo Jiang would face Jiang Shan, while Chen Mu would face Luo Qing.
Xu Jia said to Chen Mu with some concern, "I know Luo Qing quite well. Be careful. That girl never shows men any mercy."
"Mm." Chen Mu indicated that he understood. He would not underestimate his opponent because she was a female Card Adept. On the contrary, he would take her even more seriously. Male Card Adepts far outnumbered female ones, but any woman who could establish herself among them certainly had something exceptional to offer. Moreover, she was representing the Luo Family, the largest family in East Rui City. There was no question about her strength.
The first match, however, was not between Chen Mu and Luo Qing, but between Huo Jiang and Jiang Shan. Huo Jiang had won his previous matches easily, giving no indication of his true abilities. Chen Mu was quite familiar with Jiang Shan, whose feet always hovered a few centimeters above the ground.
There were breaks between matches. Right now, for instance, the guests were enthusiastically discussing the match that had just ended. Drinking red wine while watching experts duel was truly a pleasure.
Chen Mu was savoring the previous fight with his eyes closed when he suddenly sensed someone beside him. He opened his eyes to find Tan Yuwen, who had finally escaped Jiang Ling's pestering. She sat one seat away from him, where Xu Jia had been sitting. He glanced over and saw Xu Jia approaching Taishu Cheng with a wineglass in hand. Seeing Tan Yuwen sit beside Chen Mu, Rong Ming smiled, picked up his glass, and went off to talk to someone else.
"You've certainly shone tonight, Chief Steward White," Tan Yuwen said with a faint smile, tilting her head.