2821: Still Childlike

Still Childlike

"Hahahaha," laughed the person draped in cotton clothes. Suddenly, they emitted an offensive, owl-like chuckle.2

"Old geezer, you didn't die, hahahahaha!"

"Cough, cough. Cough." The peculiar figure in the corner gradually straightened up, revealing a dark countenance.

Duan Yue swiftly moved, appearing next to Mo Lian. They exchanged glances, both sharing a hint of puzzlement in their eyes.

/From their conversation, it appears they know each other?/

"It seems you've met your match! Hahaha." The individual in cotton clothing dramatically cast off their cotton garments, and a radiant gleam emanated from their eyes.

"Cough. Cough." The figure in the corner had also made their way closer by now, regarding Mo Lian and the others with a puzzled expression.

"Who are you people?"

Duan Yue glanced at Mo Lian and noticed his confusion. He lowered his voice and inquired, "Could this person be the former Master of Beiwang Valley?"

/So, in essence, their Master hadn't perished after all, and yet they stationed people here so openly?/

/It's quite a misunderstanding, indeed./

Mo Lian was also baffled at this point. He turned to Huifeng, who stood beside him.

Huifeng explained with a wooden expression, "When this subordinate arrived here, the valley's entrance was infested with poisonous bugs and snakes. After clearing the area and investigating, it appeared empty for several decades…"

Duan Yue couldn't help but burst into laughter: /So these bunch of incompetents believed this place to be abandoned, unaware that their former master had somehow been imprisoned in the dungeon and had now returned to life./

Huifeng raised an eyebrow and approached with a polite gesture. "May I inquire, Senior, about your name?"

"I am Chen Qi," the enigmatic individual replied, sweeping his gaze across the surroundings. Upon spotting Mo Lian and Duan Yue, he paused momentarily, his eyes betraying a hint of surprise.

Despite their youthful appearance, these two members of the younger generation possessed remarkable cultivation.

"Why were you imprisoned in this dungeon?" Huifeng asked in frustration. "Are you the Valley Master of Beiwang Valley?"

Chen Qi shook his head. "No."

"Many years ago, an old companion and I pursued an adversary here to Beiwang Valley. After vanquishing that adversary and laying waste to everything in this valley, we were left with nothing."

"Then why did you choose to conceal yourself like this?" Huifeng couldn't fathom why, after defeating their enemy, Chen Qi had taken on a ghostly appearance and locked himself in the dungeon.

"Hahahaha! I did it!" the other person chuckled triumphantly. "Chen, old buddy, you're not admitting defeat, are you?"

Chen Qi regarded him with indifference. "Where did I lose? This group of younglings happened upon us, rendering our bet moot. To be equitable, we should engage in another competition."

"Seniors, may I inquire about the nature of your wager?" Duan Yue inquired with curiosity.

"Young man, I see great potential in your extraordinary physique and exceptional talent," one of them said. "Would you consider acknowledging me as your master?"

/Ironically, thank you!/

"I am Lu Zhou, a name renowned throughout the Three Provinces Continent as a masterful Mechanism Grandmaster," the other chimed in. "Your hands, young man, appear well-suited for crafting intricate mechanisms. Perhaps you might consider me as your mentor!"

"Bah, you shameless thing, wanting to kidnap a disciple again!" Chen Qi scolded him before turning to look at Mo Lian with a grin. "Lad, you're an engineer, right."

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