Volume 1, Chapter 125: A War of Words

Inside the high tower, Chi Xingwan had lost count of how many times she had yawned.

"Are they still not here?"

Xu Hengyang's assistant offered an awkward smile. "Not yet. I heard they have already arrived at the hotel and said they would come over after freshening up."

"You said that two hours ago," Chi Xingwan remarked dryly.

Xu Hengyang said calmly, "The Mi Kingdom always tries to give us a hard time. They are petty and think they are so noble, but in reality, they are just clowns—lacking stature and completely beneath notice."

Although his tone was flat, Chi Xingwan could hear the deep resentment behind his words.

After another half-hour of waiting, the Mi Kingdom representatives finally arrived. Chi Xingwan followed behind Xu Hengyang to greet them at the tower entrance, a polite smile on her face, though her eyes remained cold.

Fortunately, she was just there to make up the numbers, so a brief appearance was enough. In the conference room, after the introductions, Chi Xingwan sat down, waiting for the process to conclude just as she had for other foreign delegations, eager to finish her workday.

"So this is the newly promoted Super-Grade A Spirit Master from your country? So young, and what a coincidence," Mr. Smith, the leader of the Mi Kingdom delegation, said with a meaningful tone.

Xu Hengyang’s expression shifted briefly. "Mr. Smith, please feel free to speak your mind. Our two nations' Spirit Master Associations have had diplomatic ties for so many years; we can afford to be more casual with each other."

Mr. Smith tilted his chin slightly and cast a disdainful glance at Chi Xingwan. "I just find it very coincidental. Apart from you, all the other Super-Grade A Spirit Masters in your country were already quite aged and, reportedly, on their deathbeds. It is quite a coincidence that a young Super-Grade A Spirit Master should emerge at just such a time."

Behind him, Tim chimed in with a sarcastic tone: "Mr. Smith, that is why they say the Middle Kingdom has such deep foundations. We in the Mi Kingdom are just too honest; we cannot compare."

"Tim, don't be rude," Mr. Smith said, glancing back at him before smiling at Xu Hengyang. "The young ones speak without thinking; President Xu, please don't take offense."

Xu Hengyang tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Indeed. I heard this young man is from the Olsen family? It has been a long time since I associated with the nobility of your Mi Kingdom. Have your educational standards changed? Are children from noble Mi Kingdom families now all so insolent?"

Not only Mr. Smith and Tim, but every representative from the Mi Kingdom changed color.

Xu Hengyang was truly a man who had served as association president for many years; he knew exactly how to handle these demons and monsters. The Mi Kingdom’s Spirit Master Association was controlled by the nobility, and these so-called nobles were always arrogant, looking down on commoners. If one were to mock the entire body of Mi Kingdom spirit masters, they might not react, but to mock the nobility directly was to hit them where it hurt most.

Tim gritted his teeth and started to stand up. "You..."

Mr. Smith glared at him, and he immediately shut his mouth in terror, sitting back down sheepishly.

"Michelle, come here," he said, abruptly changing the subject. "This is our Mi Kingdom’s Michelle Morton. She was promoted to a Grade A Spirit Master a few years ago. I wonder if she might have the honor of testing her skills against Ms. Chi?"

Chi Xingwan raised an eyebrow. Having failed to get the better of Xu Hengyang, they wanted to shift the target to her?

Michelle stood up stiffly and introduced herself. "Hello, I am Michelle Morton. I wonder if we might exchange pointers?"

Chi Xingwan remained seated. She cast a lazy glance at Michelle before turning her gaze back to Mr. Smith.

"Pardon my bluntness, but your entire group combined would not be a match for me."

The smile on Mr. Smith’s face faded, and the mockery in his eyes deepened. "Ms. Chi is perhaps a bit too confident in herself."

Chi Xingwan laughed. "That is only natural. If you wish to spar with me, bring someone of equal standing. Though, I must ask—does your Mi Kingdom have any Super-Grade A Spirit Masters?"

The faces of the Mi Kingdom representatives turned black. Michelle stood there looking lost, and Mr. Smith couldn't control the twitching of his mouth.

Xu Hengyang smiled. "Xingwan, your preparation is lacking. The Mi Kingdom does have a Super-Grade A Spirit Master, though if I recall correctly, that master is over ninety years old. It would likely be inconvenient for them to endure the rigors of travel."

Chi Xingwan lowered her head humbly. "I see. It seems I am the one without the fortune to meet them."

Mr. Smith and his delegation looked as if they had swallowed flies. They had intended to intimidate the Hua Kingdom spirit masters, only to end up humiliating themselves.

As the atmosphere grew awkward, Xu Hengyang’s assistant appeared just in time to defuse the situation. "Everyone, the dinner banquet is ready."

Xu Hengyang smiled and took the opportunity to move on. "Mr. Smith, and esteemed delegates, shall we move to the dining hall?"

The meal was flavorless. After seeing the Mi Kingdom delegates off, Chi Xingwan yawned boredly. "I’m heading back. What a waste of time today."

Xu Hengyang agreed wholeheartedly. "Just endure it, and it will pass."

After leaving the Eternal Night Street, Chi Xingwan was startled to see over twenty missed calls on her phone. Most of them were from Xiao Rui, with a few others from Xiao Yu and Xiao Ming.

Worried that something had happened to the Xiao family, she dialed back immediately. The call was answered instantly, and Xiao Rui’s wailing voice came through.

"Sis, help me!"

Chi Xingwan rushed to the Xiao residence. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she saw Xiao Rui lunging toward her, covered in snot and tears.

"Sis, save me! Only you can help me now."

Chi Xingwan dodged his lunge and asked, confused, "What’s wrong? Did Grandma forbid you from playing video games again?"

Xiao Rui shook his head, sobbing.

"Then why are you crying?"

Xiao Rui said, aggrieved, "Something happened to our club."

Chi Xingwan felt a headache coming on. "Can you stop panting and just tell me the whole story at once?"

Zhang Shaodan walked over and said, "Let me explain."

"Sister Dan, you're here too?" Chi Xingwan was surprised.

It was already late, and while the Zhang family didn't live far from the Xiao family, Zhang Shaodan’s presence at this hour seemed suspicious.

After sitting down inside, Zhang Shaodan sighed deeply. "Actually, it’s about the aftermath of the incident where Ghost was injured during the All-Star Game before the New Year."

Chi Xingwan never bothered remembering trivial matters, and it took her a moment to recall who "Ghost" was.

"Is that the player who was attacked and had his arm slashed?"

"That's him," Zhang Shaodan nodded. "They still haven't caught the culprit, and the public pressure has become impossible to suppress."

Chi Xingwan still didn't understand. "Isn't he from another team? What does that have to do with Xiao Rui?"

Xiao Rui jumped up immediately. "It has everything to do with it! Someone from our team is being suspected as the culprit!"