Qin Ming visits, mistaken for family

"Qin Ming?"

Flender's thoughts were all on Tang San at the moment, and for a moment, he actually failed to remember who that was.

"Oh, right, right. Look at my memory."

He patted his somewhat groggy head. If Zhao Wuji hadn't reminded him, he really would have forgotten about this.

Opening the door and seeing that familiar face, Flender's tightly furrowed brow relaxed a little.

"Dean, long time no see."

"It has been a while..."

A reunion between teacher and student should have been a happy occasion, but with Tang San's situation weighing on him, Flender was in no mood for it, so his attitude seemed rather perfunctory.

Qin Ming also noticed that something was off with Flender-no, with the atmosphere in the entire room.

Before coming, he hadn't known about the match between Mo Lin and Tang San.

The Great Spirit Arena in Suotuo was so large that someone dying wasn't much of a big deal, and he hadn't paid much attention.

His gaze passed over Flender and landed on Tang San, who lay in bed wrapped up like a rice dumpling, and he understood.

"This is..."

"Your junior. Just now, at the Great Spirit Arena in Suotuo, someone..."

Zhao Wuji came over and told Qin Ming what had happened.

After hearing the whole story, Qin Ming fell into thought.

"A little black beast? I think I've seen this person."

From the information Zhao Wuji provided, Qin Ming naturally thought of Mo Lin, whom he had encountered earlier.

The timing matched, and considering the man's arrogant, domineering manner, it was most likely the same person.

But he seemed to have some connection to Ye Lingling, which made things rather difficult.

After all, given Ye Lingling's relationship with Dugu Yan, if he upset her, she might summon Dugu Bo to come after him.

Provoking a Titled Douluo for a junior he had never even met didn't seem particularly worthwhile.

"You've seen him? Where?!"

Flender, who had been completely wilted just a moment ago, immediately perked up at those words.

"Dean, don't get worked up yet. I need to investigate this first. And let me make this clear beforehand: there's a chance this could involve a Titled Douluo. I hope you'll think it through."

Qin Ming first informed Flender and the others of the worst possible outcome, hoping to dissuade them.

But how could Flender concern himself with any of that now? It was only a Titled Douluo. As if their side didn't have one too.

Besides, the other side only possibly had one, while his side really did.

"It's fine. Just tell me what you know. You don't need to worry about the rest."

Hearing the implication behind Qin Ming's words, Flender stated his position outright.

I wonder if His Excellency Haotian is nearby. I really have done everything I can. Please don't take your anger out on me.

He had watched the entire beating Zhao Wuji received last time. It had been truly miserable.

He had no desire to follow in his footsteps.

"Let me ask: who's the Titled Douluo you said we might provoke?"

Out of caution, Flender still intended to get the details straight first. What if the one on his side couldn't beat this one?

"Poison Douluo, Dugu Bo. His granddaughter is among the people I'm leading this time, and the person you're looking for has some connection to her close friend, so..."

"Then it's fine. Go ahead and tell us."

That had given him a fright. He had thought it was someone from Spirit Hall.

If it was Dugu Bo, Tang Hao could definitely beat him. Besides, if that was all their relationship amounted to, sending Old Zhao would do.

Qin Ming froze. Flender's reaction was rather beyond his expectations.

Based on what he knew of the man's personality, shouldn't he be keeping himself out of harm's way?

That was a Titled Douluo! Had the academy somehow struck it rich after he graduated?

Surely not. He hadn't heard anything... Forget it. He had warned them, anyway. If something really happened, it wouldn't have much to do with him.

"Come with me."

To find Mo Lin, they would most likely have to seek out Ye Lingling. She might know where he was.

While Qin Ming was leading Flender and the others to find Ye Lingling and inquire about Mo Lin's whereabouts, the man himself was eating skewers at a roadside stall.

"Boss, another ten kidney skewers. Extra spicy."

"Coming right up. Just a moment. Would you like anything else?"

At the vendor's question, Mo Lin turned toward Ye Lingling and Dugu Yan, who sat across from him.

"Want anything to eat? Don't worry, this meal's on me."

Mo Lin flashed what he considered a very friendly smile, but all he got in return was an eye roll from Dugu Yan and a face full of disdain.

"Could you wipe the grease off your mouth before speaking? And why did you have this little thing bring us here?"

Pointing at Xiao Hei, who lay nearby, Dugu Yan's tone grew extremely impatient.

In contrast, Ye Lingling was much calmer.

At that moment, she was studying Mo Lin in front of her, as though trying to discern something about him.

"If we're eating, let's eat. Talking about anything else spoils the fun. And Miss Dugu Yan, let me warn you: your grandfather isn't here right now. With my current strength, if I wanted to do anything to you, you wouldn't even have a chance to resist."

Of course, even if Dugu Bo came, it wouldn't help.

"Keep a low profile when you're out and about. My morals may forbid me from hitting women, but I can hit you without treating you as one. Understand?!"

Compared to the one in Heaven Dou City, he didn't have nearly as good a temper.

If Dugu Yan dared to run her mouth one more time, he might really slap her.

This woman really was full of damn trouble. Come to think of it, hadn't he told Xiao Hei to bring only Ye Lingling over? Why had he brought Dugu Yan along too?

If it's buy one, get one free, at least pick something good for me.

"What did you say? Say that again..."

"Dugu Yan, sit down!"

Seeing Dugu Yan rise, about to clash with Mo Lin, Ye Lingling hurriedly pulled her back.

"Get me ten lamb skewers. Mildly spicy."

At that, Mo Lin merely smiled, and the killing intent that had just gathered around him dissipated.

There was no helping it. His lady wife had spoken, so he had to give her some face.

"Boss, another ten lamb skewers. Mildly spicy."

"Coming right up."

After ordering, the three continued sitting there like that, none of them speaking again.

Actually, Mo Lin wanted to speak, but he didn't know how to begin.

He didn't know the art of chatting with girls.

That ability belonged to his other half. All he knew was fighting and killing.

"What's your relationship with Brother Mo Lin?"

Just as Mo Lin was racking his brains for a topic, Ye Lingling spoke first, breaking the awkward silence.

"You mean me and him? How should I put it... Without him, I wouldn't be who I am now."

Language was an art. He wasn't good at chatting with girls, but when it came to spouting nonsense, he could do it at the drop of a hat.

Still, this didn't really count as a lie. That really was the relationship between them.

"Without him, you wouldn't be who you are? Did Brother Mo Lin save your life?"

She didn't consider any other possibilities. After all, how could an ordinary person guess at the Tiger Talisman's abilities?

"You're not wrong to understand it that way. You could call it the grace of giving me a new life."

Whatever his wife said went. He didn't care about the rest.

"When did you meet Brother Mo Lin? Have I seen you before?"

"Are you one of Brother Mo Lin's relatives?"

At last, Ye Lingling asked the question she most wanted to ask.

She kept feeling that he was familiar, but she truly couldn't remember where she had seen him.

And his name was very similar to Brother Mo Lin's. Could he be a relative?

After all, her mother had taken Mo Lin in after finding him. There really might be such a possibility.

So did this count as meeting his family?

At that thought, Ye Lingling felt a little nervous.

"A... relative?"

The corner of Mo Lin's mouth twitched. Good grief, even he hadn't known he had such creatures as relatives.

He had been an orphan for as long as he could remember. He had even chosen his own name. Where would any relatives come from?

"Y-you aren't?"

Seeing Mo Lin's reaction, Ye Lingling shrank back a little. It seemed she had guessed wrong.

Seeing Ye Lingling looking so flustered, Mo Lin suddenly felt the urge to tease her.

"Take a guess."